NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR ANNUITY VARIABLE ACCOUNT
485BPOS, 1997-04-28
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<PAGE>   1

              As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
                                                       '33 Act File No. 33-82190
                                                       '40 Act File No. 811-8666

================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549

                                    FORM N-4

                   REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
                                   ACT OF 1933

   
                         Post-Effective Amendment No. 4                   [x]
    

                                       and

                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                         INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

   
                                 Amendment No. 5                          [x]
    

                  NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                           (Exact Name of Registrant)

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                               (Name of Depositor)

                   One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215
         (Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

        Depositor's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (614) 249-7111

   Gordon E. McCutchan, Secretary, One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

       This Post-Effective Amendment amends the Registration Statement in
respect of the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information and the
Financial Statements.

       It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate
space):

[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485 
   
[X] on May 1, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
    
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485
[ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
    previously filed post-effective amendment.

   
       The Registrant has registered an indefinite number of securities by a
prior registration statement in accordance with Rule 24f-2 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Pursuant to Paragraph (a)(3) thereof, a non-refundable fee
in the amount of $500 has been paid to the Commission. Registrant filed its Rule
24f-2 Notice for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, on February 25, 1997.
    

================================================================================


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<PAGE>   2

                  NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                     REFERENCE TO ITEMS REQUIRED BY FORM N-4

   
N-4 Item                                                                    Page
Part A     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS
    Item    1. Cover page......................................................7
    Item    2. Definitions.....................................................8
    Item    3. Synopsis or Highlights.........................................15
    Item    4. Condensed Financial Information................................16
    Item    5. General Description of Registrant, Depositor, and Portfolio    
                Companies.....................................................17
    Item    6. Deductions and Expenses........................................19
    Item    7. General Description of Variable Annuity Contracts..............21
    Item    8. Annuity Period.................................................25
    Item    9. Death Benefit and Distributions................................27
    Item   10.  Purchases and Contract Value..................................31
    Item   11.  Redemptions...................................................33
    Item   12.  Taxes.........................................................34
    Item   13.  Legal Proceedings.............................................39
    Item   14.  Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information..39

Part B     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    Item   15.  Cover Page....................................................42
    Item   16.  Table of Contents.............................................42
    Item   17.  General Information and History...............................42
    Item   18.  Services......................................................42
    Item   19.  Purchase of Securities Being Offered..........................42
    Item   20.  Underwriters..................................................43
    Item   21.  Calculation of Performance Information........................43
    Item   22.  Annuity Payments..............................................45
    Item   23.  Financial Statements..........................................46

Part C     OTHER INFORMATION
    Item   24.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.............................83
    Item   25.  Directors and Officers of the Depositor.......................85
    Item   26.  Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the
                 Depositor or Registrant......................................87
    Item   27.  Number of Contract Owners.....................................96
    Item   28.  Indemnification...............................................96
    Item   29.  Principal Underwriter.........................................96
    Item   30.  Location of Accounts and Records..............................97
    Item   31.  Management Services...........................................97
    Item   32.  Undertakings..................................................97
    


                                    2 of 104
<PAGE>   3

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                   Home Office
                                 P.O. Box 182610
                      Columbus, Ohio 43216, 1-800-573-5775
               Voice Response (available 24 hours) 1-800-573-2447
                               TDD 1-800-238-3035
                 INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
                   ISSUED BY NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            THROUGH ITS NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT

   
       The Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts described in this
prospectus are flexible Purchase Payment contracts (collectively referred to as
the "Contracts"). Reference throughout the prospectus to such Contracts shall
also mean "Certificates" issued under Group Flexible Fund Retirement Contracts.
For such Group Contracts, references to "Owner" shall mean the "Participant"
unless the Plan otherwise permits or requires the Owner to exercise contractual
rights under the authority of the Plan terms. The Contracts are sold to
individuals for use in retirement plans which may qualify for special federal
tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). Annuity payments
under the Contracts are deferred until a selected later date.
    

       Purchase Payments are allocated to the Nationwide Fidelity Advisor
Variable Account ("Variable Account"), a separate account of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company (the "Company"). The Variable Account is divided into
Sub-Accounts, each of which invests in shares of one of the underlying Mutual
Funds described below:

   
                        Variable Insurance Products Fund

                             Equity-Income Portfolio

                                Growth Portfolio

                             High Income Portfolio*

                             Money Market Portfolio

                               Overseas Portfolio

                       Variable Insurance Products Fund II

                             Asset Manager Portfolio

                         Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio

                              Contrafund Portfolio

                         Investment Grade Bond Portfolio

                               Index 500 Portfolio

                      Variable Insurance Products Fund III

                         Growth Opportunities Portfolio
                       (formerly Fidelity Advisor Annuity
                           Growth Opportunities Fund)

                               Balanced Portfolio
                       (formerly Fidelity Advisor Annuity
                              Income & Growth Fund)

                            Growth & Income Portfolio
                                                            

*The High Income Portfolio may invest in lower quality debt securities commonly
referred to as junk bonds.

This prospectus provides you with the basic information you should know about
the Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts issued by the Nationwide
Fidelity Advisor Variable Account before investing. You should read it and keep
it for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated May 1,
1997, containing further information about the Contracts and the Nationwide
Fidelity Advisor Variable Account has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. You can obtain a copy without charge from Nationwide Life
Insurance Company by calling the number listed above, or writing P.O. Box
182610, Columbus, Ohio 43216.
    


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                                    3 of 104
<PAGE>   4

INVESTMENTS IN THESE CONTRACTS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, AND ARE NOT
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, THE ADVISER OF ANY OF THE UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS
IDENTIFIED ABOVE, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, OR ANY BANK OR BANK AFFILIATE.
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY. ANY
INVESTMENT IN THE CONTRACT INVOLVES CERTAIN INVESTMENT RISK WHICH MAY INCLUDE
THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THE PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

   
THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED MAY 1, 1997, IS INCORPORATED
HEREIN BY REFERENCE. THE TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION APPEARS ON PAGE 39 OF THE PROSPECTUS.

                   THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MAY 1, 1997.
    


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<PAGE>   5

                            GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS

Accumulation Unit- An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the Variable
Account Contract Value prior to the Annuitization Date.

Annuitant- The person actually receiving annuity payments and upon whose
continuation of life any annuity payment involving life contingencies depends.
This person must be age 78 or younger at the time of Contract issuance. The
Annuitant may be changed prior to the Annuitization Date with the consent of the
Company.

Annuitization- The period during which annuity payments are actually received.

Annuitization Date- The date on which annuity payments actually commence.

Annuity Commencement Date- The date on which annuity payments are scheduled to
commence. The Annuity Commencement Date is shown on the Data Page of the
Contract and is subject to change by the Owner.

Annuity Payment Option- The chosen form of annuity payments. Several options are
available under the Contract.

Annuity Unit- An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the value of
Variable Annuity payments.

Beneficiary- The Beneficiary is the person designated to receive certain
benefits under the Contract upon the death of the Designated Annuitant prior to
the Annuitization Date. The Beneficiary can be changed by the Contract Owner as
set forth in the Contract.

Code- The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Company- Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

   
Contingent Annuitant- The Contingent Annuitant may be the recipient of certain
rights or benefits under this Contract when the Designated Annuitant dies before
the Annuitization Date. If a Contingent Annuitant is designated and the
Designated Annuitant dies before the Annuitization Date, the Contingent
Annuitant becomes the Designated Annuitant. A Contingent Annuitant may not be
named for Contracts issued as Qualified Contracts, Individual Retirement
Annuities, SEP IRAs or Tax Sheltered Annuities.
    

Contingent Beneficiary- The Contingent Beneficiary is the person designated to
be the Beneficiary if the named Beneficiary is not living at the time of the
death of the Designated Annuitant.

Contingent Owner- A Contingent Owner succeeds to the rights of the Contract
Owner upon the Contract Owner's death before Annuitization. For Contracts issued
in the State of New York, references throughout this prospectus to "Contingent
Owner" shall mean "Owner's Beneficiary." A Contingent Owner may not be named for
Contracts issued as Qualified Contracts, Individual Retirement Annuities, SEP
IRAs or Tax Sheltered Annuities.

Contract- The Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contract described in this
prospectus.

Contract Anniversary- An anniversary of the Date of Issue of the Contract.

Contract Owner (Owner)- The Contract Owner is the person who possesses all
rights under the Contract, including the right to designate and change any
designations of the Owner, Contingent Owner, Designated Annuitant, Contingent
Annuitant, Beneficiary, Contingent Beneficiary, Annuity Payment Option, and the
Annuity Commencement Date. The Contract Owner is the person named as Owner in
the application, unless changed.

Contract Value- The sum of the value of all Variable Account Accumulation Units
attributable to the Contract plus any amount held under the Contract in the
Fixed Account.

Contract Year- Each year the Contract remains in force commencing with the Date
of Issue.

Date of Issue- The date shown as the Date of Issue on the Data Page of the
Contract.

   
Death Benefit- The benefit payable upon the death of the Designated Annuitant or
the Contingent Annuitant, if applicable, prior to the Annuitization Date. This
benefit does not apply upon the death of the Contract Owner when the Owner and
Designated Annuitant are not the same person. If the Annuitant dies after the
Annuitization Date, any benefit that may be payable shall be as specified in the
Annuity Payment Option elected.
    


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                                    5 of 104
<PAGE>   6

Designated Annuitant- The person designated prior to the Annuitization Date to
receive annuity payments. No change of Designated Annuitant may be made without
the prior consent of the Company.

Distribution- Any payment of part or all of the Contract Value.

ERISA- The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

Fixed Account- The Fixed Account is made up of all assets of the Company other
than those in the Variable Account or any other segregated asset account of the
Company.

Fixed Annuity- An annuity providing for payments which are guaranteed by the
Company as to dollar amount during Annuitization.

Home Office- The main office of the Company located in Columbus, Ohio.

Individual Retirement Annuity (IRA)- An annuity which qualifies for favorable
tax treatment under Section 408 of the Code.

Interest Rate Guarantee Period- An Interest Rate Guarantee Period is the
interval of time during which an interest rate credited to the Fixed Account
under the Contract is guaranteed to remain the same. For new Purchase Payments
allocated to the Fixed Account or transfers from the Variable Account, this
period begins upon the date of deposit or transfer and ends at the end of the
calendar quarter at least one year (but not more than 15 months) from deposit or
transfer. At the end of an Interest Rate Guarantee Period, a new interest rate
is declared with an Interest Rate Guarantee Period starting at the end of the
prior period and ending at the end of the calendar quarter one year later.

Mutual Fund (Fund)- A registered management investment company in which assets
of the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account will be invested.

Non-Qualified Contract- A Contract which does not qualify for favorable tax
treatment under Sections 401 and 403(a) (Qualified Plans), 408 (IRAs) or 403(b)
(Tax Sheltered Annuities) of the Code.

Plan Participant- The Plan Participant is the person for whom contributions are
being made to a Qualified Plan or Tax Sheltered Annuity either through employer
contributions or employee salary reduction contributions.

Purchase Payment- A deposit of new value into the Contract. The term "Purchase
Payment" does not include transfers between the Variable Account and Fixed
Account or among the Sub-Accounts.

   
Qualified Contract-  A Contract issued to fund a Qualified Plan.

Qualified Plans- Retirement plans which receive favorable tax treatment under
the provisions of Sections 401 or 403(a) of the Code.
    

Sub-Accounts- Separate and distinct divisions of the Variable Account, to which
specific underlying Mutual Fund shares are allocated and from which Accumulation
Units and Annuity Units are separately maintained.

Tax Sheltered Annuity- An annuity which qualifies for favorable tax treatment
under Section 403(b) of the Code.

   
Valuation Date- Each day the New York Stock Exchange and the Company's Home
Office are open for business or any other day during which there is a sufficient
degree of trading of the Variable Account's underlying Mutual Fund shares that
the current net asset value of its Accumulation Units might be materially
affected.

Valuation Period- The period of time commencing at the close of a Valuation Date
and ending at the close of business for the next succeeding Valuation Date.
    

Variable Account- The Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account, a separate
investment account of the Company into which Variable Account Purchase Payments
are allocated. The Variable Account is divided into Sub-Accounts, each of which
invests in shares of a separate underlying Mutual Fund.

   
Variable Annuity- An annuity providing for payments which are not predetermined
or guaranteed as to dollar amount and which vary in amount with the investment
experience of the Variable Account.
    


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<PAGE>   7

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS......................................................3
SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES...................................................7
         CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES...................................7
         MAXIMUM ANNUAL CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE............................7
         VARIABLE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES......................................7
UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES.........................................8
         EXAMPLE...............................................................9
SYNOPSIS......................................................................10
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION...............................................11
NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY.............................................12
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT..........................................................12
         Underlying Mutual Fund Options.......................................12
         Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund............................12
         Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund II.........................13
         Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund III........................14
         Voting Rights........................................................14
         Substitution of Securities...........................................15
VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES, PURCHASE PAYMENTS, AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS.............15
         Expenses of Variable Account.........................................15
         Mortality Risk Charge................................................15
         Expense Risk Charge..................................................15
         Contract Maintenance and Administration Charge.......................16
         Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.....................................16
         Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge...........................17
         Premium Taxes........................................................18
OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT.....................................................18
         Investments of the Variable Account..................................18
         Allocation of Purchase Payments and Contract Value...................18
         Value of a Variable Account Accumulation Unit........................18
         Net Investment Factor................................................19
         Valuation of Assets..................................................19
         Determining the Contract  Value......................................19
         Right to Revoke......................................................19
         Transfers............................................................20
         Contract Ownership Provisions........................................21
         Contingent Ownership Provisions......................................21
         Beneficiary Provisions...............................................21
         Surrender (Redemption)...............................................21
         Surrenders Under a Qualified Contract or Tax-Sheltered Annuity 
          Contract............................................................22
         Loan Privilege.......................................................23
         Assignment...........................................................24
         Contract Owner Services..............................................24
         Asset Rebalancing....................................................24
         Dollar Cost Averaging................................................25
         Systematic Withdrawals...............................................25
ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD, DEATH BENEFIT, AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS................25
         Annuity Commencement Date............................................25
         Change in Annuity Commencement Date..................................25
         Annuity Payment Period-Variable Account..............................26
         Value of an Annuity Unit.............................................26
         Assumed Investment Rate..............................................26
         Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments.............................26
         Change in Form of Annuity............................................26
         Annuity Payment Options..............................................26
         Death of Contract Owner Provisions-Non-Qualified Contracts...........27
         Death of Designated Annuitant Provisions-Non-Qualified Contracts.....27
    


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<PAGE>   8

   
         Death of the Contract Owner/Annuitant Provisions.....................27
         Death Benefit Payment Provisions.....................................28
         Required Distribution Provisions for Non-Qualified Contracts.........28
         Required Distribution for Qualified Plans or Tax Sheltered
          Annuities...........................................................29
         Required Distribution for Individual Retirement Annuities and SEP
          IRAs................................................................29
         Generation-Skipping Transfers........................................30
FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS....................................................31
         Federal Income Taxes.................................................31
         Non-Qualified Contracts-Natural Persons as Owners....................31
         Non-Qualified Contracts-Non-Natural Persons as Owners................32
         Qualified Plans, Individual Retirement Annuities, SEP IRAs and Tax
          Sheltered Annuities.................................................33
         Withholding..........................................................33
         Non-Resident Aliens..................................................33
         Federal Estate, Gift, and Generation Skipping Transfer Taxes.........34
         Charge for Tax Provisions............................................34
         Diversification......................................................34
         Tax Changes..........................................................35
GENERAL INFORMATION...........................................................35
         Contract Owner Inquiries.............................................35
         Statements and Reports...............................................35
         Advertising..........................................................35
UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND PERFORMANCE SUMMARY....................................37
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.............................................................39
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION......................39
APPENDIX......................................................................40
    


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<PAGE>   9

                          SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES

CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES

   
       Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge(1).........................  7%

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Range of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Over Time
      Number of Completed Years from      Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
         Date of Purchase Payment                    Percentage
                    0                                    7%
                    1                                    6%
                    2                                    5%
                    3                                    4%
                    4                                    3%
                    5                                    2%
                    6                                    1%
                    7                                    0%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MAXIMUM ANNUAL CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE(2)...........................   $30  
    

VARIABLE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES

   
       Mortality and Expense Risk Charges...............................   1.25%
       Administration Charge............................................   0.05%
       Total Variable Account Annual Expenses...........................   1.30%

(1)    Starting with the second year after a Purchase Payment has been made, the
       Contract Owner may withdraw without a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
       (CDSC), the greater of (a) an amount equal to 10% of that Purchase
       Payment; or (b) any amount withdrawn in order for the Contract to meet
       minimum distribution requirements under the Code. In addition, an amount
       equal to 10% of that Purchase Payment may be withdrawn in the first year
       for Contracts issued as Individual Retirement Annuities. Withdrawals may
       be restricted for Contracts issued pursuant to the terms of a Tax
       Sheltered Annuity Plan or other Qualified Plan. This CDSC-free withdrawal
       privilege is non-cumulative; that is, free amounts not taken during any
       given Contract Year cannot be taken as free amounts in a subsequent
       Contract Year (see "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" for additional
       waiver provisions).

(2)    The annual Contract Maintenance Charge is deducted on each Contract
       Anniversary and on the date of surrender in any year in which the entire
       Contract Value is surrendered. The $30 annual Contract maintenance Charge
       may be lowered for Contracts issued as Qualified Contracts or Tax
       Sheltered Annuities. Please see "Contract Maintenance Charge and
       Administration Charge" for additional details.
    


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<PAGE>   10

                     UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES
         (as a percentage of underlying Mutual Fund average net assets)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Management                        Total Mutual
                                            Fees         Other Expenses    Fund Expenses
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>              <C>              <C>  
   
Variable Insurance Products Fund-
Equity - Income Portfolio                   0.51%            0.07%            0.58%(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-
Growth Portfolio                            0.61%            0.08%            0.69%(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-
High Income Portfolio                       0.59%            0.12%             0.71%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-
Money Market Portfolio                      0.21%            0.09%             0.30%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-
Overseas Portfolio                          0.76%            0.17%            0.93%(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-
Asset Manager Portfolio                     0.64%            0.10%            0.74%(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-
Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio             0.65%            0.22%            0.87%(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-
Contrafund Portfolio                        0.61%            0.13%            0.74%(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-
Investment Grade Bond Portfolio             0.45%            0.13%             0.58%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-
Index 500 Portfolio                         0.13%            0.15%            0.28%(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund III-
Balanced Portfolio                          0.48%            0.24%             0.72%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund III-
Growth & Income Portfolio                   0.50%            0.20%             0.70%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund III-
Growth Opportunities Portfolio              0.61%            0.16%            0.77%(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     * The Mutual Fund expenses shown above are assessed at the underlying
     Mutual Fund level and are not direct charges against separate account
     assets or reductions from Contract Values. These underlying Mutual Fund
     expenses are taken into consideration in computing each underlying Mutual
     Fund's net asset value, which is the share price used to calculate unit
     values of the Variable Account. The management fees and other expenses are
     more fully described in the Prospectus for each Underlying Mutual Fund. The
     information relating to the underlying Mutual Fund expenses was provided by
     the underlying Mutual Fund and was not independently verified by the
     Company.

(1)  A portion of the brokerage commissions that certain funds pay was used to
     reduce funds expenses. In addition, certain funds have entered into
     arrangements with their custodian and transfer agent whereby interest
     earned on uninvested cash balances was used to reduce custodian and
     transfer agent expenses. Including these reductions, the total operating
     expenses presented in the table would have been .56% for Equity-Income
     Portfolio, .67% for Growth Portfolio, .92% for Overseas Portfolio, .73% for
     Asset Manager Portfolio, .71% for Contrafund Portfolio, .85% for Asset
     Manger: Growth portfolio, .76% for Growth Opportunities Portfolio, and .71%
     for Balanced Portfolio.

(2)  FMR agreed to reimburse a portion of Index 500 Portfolio's expenses during
     the period. Without this reimbursement, the fund's management fee, other
     expenses and total expenses would have been .28%, .15% and .43%
     respectively.
    


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<PAGE>   11

                                     EXAMPLE

       The following chart depicts the dollar amount of expenses that would be
incurred under this Contract assuming a $1000 investment and 5% annual return.
These dollar figures are illustrative only and should not be considered a
representation of past or future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or
lesser than those shown below. The expense amounts presented are derived from a
formula which allows the $30 Contract Maintenance Charge to be expressed as a
percentage of the average Contract account size for existing Contracts. Since
the average Contract account size for Contracts issued under this prospectus is
greater than $1000, the expense effect of the Contract Maintenance Charge is
reduced accordingly.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       If you surrender your Contract   If you do not surrender   If you surrender your Contract
                        at the end of the applicable  your Contract at the end of  at the end of the applicable 
                                time period            the applicable time period          time period          
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         1 Yr. 3 Yrs. 5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.  1 Yr. 3 Yrs  5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.  1 Yr. 3 Yrs. 5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>   <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>    <C>   <C>     <C>      <C>   <C>   <C>     <C>
   
Variable Insurance        90    106    132     228     20     61    105     228      *     61    105     228
Products Fund-
Equity - Income
Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance        91    110    138     240     21     65    111     240      *     65    111     240
Products Fund-
Growth Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance        91    110    139     242     21     65    112     242      *     65    112     242
Products Fund-
High Income Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance        87     97    117     197     17     52     90     197      *     52     90     197
Products Fund-
Money Market Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance        94    117    151     265     24     72    124     265      *     72    124     265
Products Fund-
Overseas Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance        92    111    141     245     22     66    114     245      *     66    114     245
Products Fund II-
Asset Manager Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance        93    116    148     259     23     71    121     259      *     71    121     259
Products Fund II-
Asset Manager: Growth
Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance        92    111    141     245     22     66    114     245      *     66    114     245
Products Fund II-
Contrafund Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance        90    106    132     228     20     61    105     228      *     61    105     228
Products Fund II-
Investment Grade Bond
Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance        87     97    116     194     17     52     89     194      *     52     89     194
Products Fund II-
Index 500 Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance        91    111    140     243     21     66    113     243      *     66    113     243
Products Fund III-
Balanced Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance        91    110    139     241     21     65    112     241      *     65    112     241
Products Fund III-
Growth & Income
Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance        92    112    143     248     22     67    116     248      *     67    116     248
Products Fund III-
Growth Opportunities
Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>

* The Contracts sold under this prospectus do not permit annuitizations during
the first two Contract Years.

       The purpose of the Summary of Contract Expenses and Example is to assist
the Contract Owner in understanding the various costs and expenses that will be
borne directly or indirectly when investing in the Contract. The expenses of the
Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account as well as those of the underlying
Mutual Fund options are reflected in the Example. For more complete descriptions
of the expenses of the Variable Account, see the "Variable Account Charges,
Purchase Payments, and Other Deductions." For more complete information
regarding expenses paid out of the assets of the underlying Mutual Fund options,
see the underlying Mutual Fund prospectuses. Deductions for premium taxes may
also apply but are not reflected in the Example shown above (see "Premium
Taxes").


                                       9

                                   11 of 104
<PAGE>   12

                                    SYNOPSIS

   
       The Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts described in this
prospectus are designed for use in connection with the following types of
Contracts: (1) Non-Qualified; (2) Individual Retirement Annuities; (3) Tax
Sheltered Annuities; (4) SEP IRAs; and (5) Qualified.
    

       The Company does not deduct a sales charge from Purchase Payments made
for these Contracts. However, if any part of the Contract Value of such
Contracts is surrendered, the Company will, with certain exceptions, deduct from
the Contract Owner's Contract Value a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge not to
exceed 7% of the lesser of the total of all Purchase Payments made within 84
months prior to the date of the request to surrender, or the amount surrendered.
This charge, when applicable, is imposed to permit the Company to recover sales
expenses which have been advanced by the Company (see "Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge").

   
       In addition, on each Contract Anniversary, the Company will deduct an
annual Contract Maintenance Charge from the Contract Value of the Contracts.
The Company will also assess an Administration Charge equal to an annual rate of
0.05% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account. These charges are to
reimburse the Company for administrative expenses related to the issue and
maintenance of the Contracts. The Company does not expect to recover from these
charges an amount in excess of accumulated administrative expenses (see
"Contract Maintenance Charge and Administration Charge").
    

       The Company deducts a Mortality Risk Charge equal to an annual rate of
0.80% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account for mortality risk
assumed by the Company (see "Mortality Risk Charge").

       The Company deducts an Expense Risk Charge equal to an annual rate of
0.45% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account as compensation for
the Company's risk by undertaking not to increase administrative charges on the
Contracts regardless of the actual administrative costs (see "Expense Risk
Charge").

       The initial first year Purchase Payment must be at least $1,500 for
Non-Qualified Contracts. However, if periodic payments are expected by the
Company, this initial first year minimum may be satisfied by Purchase Payments
made on an annualized basis. The cumulative total of all Purchase Payments under
Contracts issued on the life of any one Designated Annuitant may not exceed
$1,000,000 without the prior consent of the Company (see "Allocation of Purchase
Payments and Contract Value").

   
       Upon Annuitization, the selected Annuity Payment Option will begin (see
"Annuity Payment Option"). However, if the net amount to be applied to any
Annuity Payment Option at the Annuitization Date is less than $500, the
Contract Value may be distributed in one lump sum in lieu of annuity payments.
If any annuity payment would be less than $20, the Company shall have the right
to change the frequency of payments to such intervals as will result in payments
of at least $20. In no event, however, will annuity payments be made less
frequently than annually (see "Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments").

       The Company will charge against the Purchase Payments or the Contract
Value the amount of any premium taxes levied by a state or any other
governmental entity (see"Premium Taxes").

       To be sure that the Contract Owner is satisfied with the Contract, the
Contract Owner has a ten day free look. Within ten days of the date the Contract
is received, it may be returned to the Home Office of the Company, at the
address shown on page 1 of this prospectus. If a Contract is returned to the
Company in a timely manner, the Company will void the Contract and refund the
Contract Value in full unless otherwise required by state and/or federal law.
State and/or federal law may provide additional free look privileges. All
Individual Retirement Annuity refunds will be return of Purchase Payments (see
"Right to Revoke").
    


                                       10

                                   12 of 104
<PAGE>   13

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   
Accumulation Unit Values for an Accumulation Unit outstanding throughout the
period.(3)
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Accumulation      Accumulation        Percent          Number Of
                                      Unit Value        Unit Value        Change in       Accumulation
                                     At Beginning         At End        Accumulation      Units At End
               Fund                    Of Period        Of Period        Unit Value       Of The Period       Year
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>               <C>               <C>            <C>                 <C> 
   
Variable Insurance Products Fund(1)-   10.000000         10.223564           2.24%              0             1996
High Income Portfolio-Q
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund(1)-   10.000000         10.223564           2.24%            1,976           1996
High Income Portfolio -NQ
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund(1)-   10.000000         10.064872           0.65%              0             1996
Money Market Portfolio-Q*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund(1)-   10.000000         10.064872           0.65%              0             1996
Money Market Portfolio -NQ*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products(1)-        10.000000         10.520251           5.20%             290            1996
Overseas Portfolio-Q
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products(1)-        10.000000         10.520251           5.20%             114            1996
Overseas Portfolio-NQ
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products II(1)-     10.000000         10.060776           0.61%              0             1996
Investment Grade Bond Portfolio-Q
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products II-        10.000000         10.060776           0.61%              0             1996
Investment Grade Bond Portfolio-NQ
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products III(2)-    11.245581         12.206048           8.54%           427,514          1996
Balanced Portfolio-Q               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       10.000000         11.245581          12.46%           208,830          1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products III(2)-    11.245581         12.206048           8.54%           372,756          1996
Balanced Portfolio-NQ              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       10.000000         11.245581          12.46%           214,834          1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products III(2)-    13.082083         15.270633          16.73%          1,299,987         1996
Growth Opportunities Portfolio-Q   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       10.000000         13.082083          30.82%           765,860          1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products III(2)-    13.082083         15.270633          16.73%          1,303,197         1996
Growth Opportunities Portfolio-NQ  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       10.000000         13.082083          30.82%           706,845          1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>

   
*    The 7-day yield on the Variable Insurance Products Fund Money Market
     Portfolio as of December 31, 1996 was 3.95%.

(1)  The Variable Insurance Products Fund - High Income Portfolio, Variable
     Insurance Products Fund - Money Market Portfolio, Variable Insurance
     Products Fund - Overseas Portfolio and the Variable Insurance Products Fund
     II Investment Grade Bond Portfolio were added to the Variable Account
     effective October 26, 1996. Consequently, the Condensed Financial
     Information reflects the reporting period between October 26, 1996 to
     December 31, 1996.

     Pursuant to an Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission on
     February 24, 1997, the Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund - High
     Income Portfolio, Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund - Money Market
     Portfolio, Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund - Overseas Portfolio
     and Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund II - Investment Grade Bond
     Portfolio replaced the Fidelity Advisor Annuity High Yield Fund, Fidelity
     Advisor Annuity Money Market Fund, Fidelity Advisor Annuity Overseas Fund
     and the Fidelity Advisor Annuity Government Investment Fund, respectively.
     The exchange of the respective funds took place on March 14, 1997.

(2)  The Variable Insurance Products Fund III - Growth Opportunities Portfolio
     and the Variable Insurance Products Fund III - Balanced Portfolio were
     formerly known as Fidelity Advisor Annuity Growth Opportunities Fund and
     Fidelity Advisor Annuity Income & Growth Fund, respectively.

(3)  The Variable Insurance Products Fund - Equity Income Portfolio, Variable
     Insurance Products Fund - Growth Portfolio, Variable Insurance Products
     Fund II - Asset Manager Portfolio, Variable Insurance Products Fund II
     Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio, Variable Insurance Products Fund II -
     Contrafund Portfolio, Variable Insurance Products Fund II - Index 500
     Portfolio and the Variable Insurance Products Fund III - Growth & Income
     Portfolio were added to the Variable Account effective January 20, 1997.
    


                                       11

                                   13 of 104
<PAGE>   14

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

       The Company is a stock life insurance company organized under the laws of
the State of Ohio in March, 1929. The Company is a member of the "Nationwide
Insurance Enterprise", with its Home Office at One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus,
Ohio 43215. The Company offers a complete line of life insurance, including
annuities and accident and health insurance. It is admitted to do business in
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and in all states.

                              THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

       The Variable Account was established by the Company on July 22, 1994,
pursuant to the provisions of Ohio law. The Company has caused the Variable
Account to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a unit
investment trust pursuant to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of
1940. Such registration does not involve supervision of the management of the
Variable Account or the Company by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

       The Variable Account is a separate investment account of the Company and
as such, is not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business
the Company may conduct. The Company does not guarantee the investment
performance of the Variable Account. Obligations under the Contracts, however,
are obligations of the Company. Income, gains and losses, whether or not
realized, from the assets of the Variable Account are, in accordance with the
Contracts, credited to or charged against the Variable Account without regard to
other income, gains, or losses of the Company.

       Purchase Payments are allocated within the Variable Account among one or
more Sub-Accounts made up of shares in the underlying Mutual Fund option(s)
designated by the Contract Owner. There are two Sub-Accounts within the Variable
Account for each of the underlying Mutual Fund options which may be designated
by the Contract Owner. One such Sub-Account contains the underlying Mutual Fund
shares attributable to Accumulation Units under Qualified Contracts, Individual
Retirement Annuities and Tax Sheltered Annuities and one such Sub-Account
contains the underlying Mutual Fund shares attributable to Accumulation Units
under Non-Qualified Contracts.

Underlying Mutual Fund Options

       Contract Owners may choose from among a number of different underlying
Mutual Fund options. A summary of investment objectives is contained in the
descriptions of each underlying Mutual Fund below.

   
Variable Insurance Products Fund

           The Fund is an open-end, diversified, management investment company
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on November 13, 1981. The Fund's
shares are purchased by insurance companies to fund benefits under variable life
insurance and annuity contracts. Fidelity Management and Research Company
("FMR") is the Fund's manager.

         -Equity - Income Portfolio

         Investment Objective: To seek reasonable income by investing primarily
         in income-producing equity securities. When choosing these securities,
         FMR will also consider the potential for capital appreciation. The
         Portfolio's goal is to achieve a yield that exceeds the composite yield
         on the securities comprising the Standard & Poors Composite Stock Price
         Index.

         -Growth Portfolio

         Investment Objective: To seek to achieve capital appreciation. This
         Portfolio will invest in the securities of both well-known and
         established companies, and smaller, less well-known companies which may
         have narrow product line or whose securities are thinly traded. These
         latter securities will often involve greater risk than may be found in
         the ordinary investment security. FMR's analysis and expertise plays an
         integral role in the selection of securities and, therefore, the
         performance of the Portfolio. Many securities which FMR believes would
         have the greatest potential may be regarded as speculative, and
         investment in the Portfolio may involve greater risk than is inherent
         in other mutual funds. It is also important to point out that the
         Portfolio makes most sense for you if you can afford to ride out
         changes in the stock market, because it invests primarily in common
         stocks. FMR also can make temporary investments in securities such as
         investment-grade bonds, high-quality preferred stocks and short-term
         notes, for defensive purposes when it believes market conditions
         warrant.
    


                                       12

                                   14 of 104
<PAGE>   15

         - High Income Portfolio

   
         Investment Objective: Seeks high current income by investing primarily
         in all types of income-producing debt securities, preferred stocks, and
         convertible securities. FMR normally invests at least 65% of the fund's
         total assets in these securities. In choosing investments, the fund
         also considers growth of capital.
    

         - Money Market Portfolio

   
         Investment Objective: Seeks to obtain as high a level of current income
         as is consistent with preserving capital and providing liquidity. The
         Portfolio will invest only in high quality U.S. dollar-denominated
         money market securities of domestic and foreign issuers while seeking
         to maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
    

         - Overseas Portfolio

   
         Investment Objective: Seeks long-term growth of capital by investing
         primarily in securities of issuers whose principal activities are
         outside of the U.S. FMR normally invests at least 65% of the fund's
         total assets in securities of issuers from at least three different
         countries outside of North America (the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and
         Central America). The fund expects to invest a majority of its assets
         in equity securities, but may also invest in debt securities of any
         quality.
    

Variable Insurance Products Fund II

         Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund II is an open-end,
diversified, management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business
trust on March 21, 1988. The Fund's shares are purchased by insurance companies
to fund benefits under variable life insurance and annuity contracts. FMR is the
Fund's manager.

         -Asset Manager Portfolio

   
         Investment Objective: Seeks high total return with reduced risk over
         the long term by allocating its assets among the following classes or
         types of investments in a neutral mix: stock class, the bond class, and
         short-term class/money market class.
    

Asset Manager                        Range                  Neutral Mix
- -------------                        -----                  -----------

   
Stock Class                          30-70%                     50%

Bond Class                           20-60%                     40%

Short-term Class                      0-50%                     10%
    

         -Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio

   
         Investment Objective: Seeks maximum total return over the long-term by
         allocating assets among the following classes or types of investment in
         a neutral mix: the stock class, the bond class, short-term class/ money
         market class. The Portfolio's more aggressive approach focuses
         primarily on stocks for high potential returns.
    

Asset Manager: Growth                   Range                   Neutral Mix
- ---------------------                   -----                   -----------

   
Stock Class                            50-100%                      75%

Bond Class                               0-50%                      25%
                                                    
Short-term Class                         0-50%                       5%
    
                                                   

         -Contrafund Portfolio

   
         Investment Objective: To seek capital appreciation by investing
         primarily in companies that the fund manager believes to be undervalued
         due to an overly pessimistic appraisal by the public. This strategy can
         lead to investments in domestic or foreign stock, and securities
         convertible into common stock.
    

         -Index 500 Portfolio

         Investment Objective: To seek investment results that correspond to the
         total return of common stocks that comprise the Standard & Poor's 500
         Composite Stock Price Index (S&P 500). Normally, at least 80% of the
         Portfolio's assets will be invested in equity securities of companies
         that comprise the S&P


                                       13

                                   15 of 104
<PAGE>   16

   
       500. Although the Portfolio tries to allocate its assets similarly to
       those of the S&P 500, the Portfolio's composition may not always be
       identical to that of the S&P. In seeking a 98% or better long-term
       correlation of the fund's FMR may choose, if extraordinary circumstances
       warrant, to exclude a stock held in the S&P 500 and include a similar
       stock in its place if doing so will help the Portfolio achieve its
       objective.

   *   Investments in the Money Market Portfolio are neither insured nor
       guaranteed by the U.S. Government, and there can be no assurance that the
       fund will maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
    

   - Investment Grade Bond Portfolio

   
       Investment Objective: Seeks a high level of current income as is
       consistent with preservation of capital by investing primarily in
       obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its
       agencies or instrumentalities. Under normal circumstances, at least 65%
       of the Portfolio's total assets will be invested in investment-grade
       fixed-income securities such as debentures, bonds and notes. government
       securities.
    

Variable Insurance Products Fund III (VIP III) formerly Fidelity Advisor Annuity
Fund

       The Fund (originally organized as the Fidelity Advisor Annuity Fund) is
an open-end, diversified, management investment company organized as a
Massachusetts business trust on July 14, 1994. The Fund's name was changed on
December 30, 1996 from the Fidelity Advisor Annuity Fund to the Fidelity
Variable Insurance Products Fund III. The Fund's shares are purchased by
insurance companies to fund benefits under variable life insurance and annuity
contracts. FMR is the Fund's manager.

       -Balanced Portfolio (Formerly Fidelity Advisor Annuity Income & Growth
       Fund)

   
       Investment Objective: Seeks both income and growth of capital using a
       balanced approach to provide the best possible total return from
       investments in a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed-income
       securities with income, growth of income and capital appreciation
       potential. FMR manages the Portfolio to maintain a balance between stocks
       and bonds. When FMR's outlook is neutral, it will invest approximately
       60% of the Funds assets in stocks or other equity securities and the
       remainder in bonds. The Fund will always invest at least 25% of its total
       assets in fixed-income senior securities.
    

       -Growth & Income Portfolio

       Investment Objective: Seeks high total return through a combination of
       current income and capital appreciation by investing mainly in equity
       securities.

       -Growth Opportunities Portfolio (Formerly Fidelity Advisor Annuity Growth
       Opportunities Fund)

   
       Investment Objective: Seeks long-term capital growth by investing
       primarily in common stocks and securities convertible into common stocks.
       Under normal circumstances, at least 65% of the Portfolio's total assets
       will be invested in securities of companies that FMR believes have
       long-term growth potential. The Fund has the ability to purchase foreign
       securities, and preferred stock and bonds that may produce capital
       appreciation.
    

       More detailed information may be found in the current prospectus for each
underlying Mutual Fund offered. Such a prospectus for the underlying Mutual Fund
being considered and should be read in conjunction with this prospectus. A copy
of each prospectus may be obtained without charge from Nationwide Life Insurance
Company by calling 1-800-573-5775, Voice Response (available 24 hours)
1-800-573-2447, TDD 1-800-238-3035 or writing P.O. Box 182610, Columbus, Ohio
43216.

       The underlying Mutual Fund options may also be available to other
separate accounts of the Company. Although the Company does not anticipate any
disadvantages to this, there is a possibility that a material conflict may arise
between the interest of the Variable Account and one or more of the other
separate accounts participating in the underlying Mutual Fund options. A
conflict may occur due to a change in law affecting the operations of variable
life and variable annuity separate accounts, differences in the voting
instructions of the Contract Owners and those of other companies, or some other
reason. In the event of conflict, the Company will take any steps necessary to
protect the Contract Owners and variable annuity payees, including withdrawal of
the Variable Account from participation in the underlying Mutual Fund or Mutual
Funds which are involved in the conflict.


                                       14

                                   16 of 104
<PAGE>   17

Voting Rights

       Voting rights under the Contracts apply ONLY with respect to Purchase
Payments or accumulated amounts allocated to the Variable Account.

       In accordance with its view of present applicable law, the Company will
vote the shares of the underlying Mutual Funds held in the Variable Account at
regular and special meetings of the shareholders of the underlying Mutual Funds.
These shares will be voted in accordance with instructions received from
Contract Owners who have an interest in the Variable Account. If the Investment
Company Act of 1940 or any regulation thereunder should be amended or if the
present interpretation thereof should change, and as a result the Company
determines that it is permitted to vote the shares of the underlying Mutual
Funds in its own right, it may elect to do so.

   
       The Contract Owner shall be the person who has the voting interest under
the Contract. The number of underlying Mutual Fund shares attributable to each
Contract Owner is determined by dividing the Contract Owner's interest in each
respective Sub-Account of the Variable Account by the net asset value of the
underlying Mutual Fund corresponding to the Sub-Account. The number of shares
which a person has the right to vote will be determined as of the date to be
chosen by the Company not more than 90 days prior to the meeting of the
underlying Mutual Fund. Each person having a voting interest will receive
periodic reports relating to the underlying Mutual Fund, proxy material and a
form with which to give such voting instructions.

       Voting instructions will be solicited by written communication at least
21 days prior to such meeting. Underlying Mutual Fund shares held in the
Variable Account as to which no timely instructions are received will be voted
by the Company in the same proportion as the voting instructions which are
received with respect to all Contracts participating in the Variable Account.

Substitution of Securities

       If the shares of the underlying Mutual Fund options described in this
prospectus should no longer be available for investment by the Variable Account
or if, in the judgment of the Company's management, further investment in such
underlying Mutual Fund shares should become inappropriate, the Company may
eliminate Sub-Accounts, combine two or more Sub-Accounts, or substitute shares
of another underlying Mutual Fund for underlying Mutual Fund shares already
purchased or to be purchased in the future by Purchase Payments under the
Contract. No substitution of securities in the Variable Account may take place
without prior approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission under such
requirements as it may impose.
    

        VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES, PURCHASE PAYMENTS, AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS

Expenses of Variable Account

   
       The Variable Account is responsible for the following types of expenses:
(1) administrative expenses relating to the issuance and maintenance of the
Contracts; (2) mortality risk charge associated with guaranteeing the annuity
purchase rates at issue for the life of the Contracts; and (3) expense risk
charge associated with guaranteeing that the Mortality Risk, Expense Risk,
Contract Maintenance and Administration Charges described in this prospectus
will not change regardless of actual expenses. If these charges are insufficient
to cover these expenses, the loss will be borne by the Company.

       For 1996, the Variable Account incurred total expenses equal to 1.54% of
its average net assets, relating to the administrative, sales, mortality and
expense risk charges described above for all Contracts outstanding during that
year. Deductions from and expenses paid out of the assets of the underlying
Mutual Funds are described in each underlying Mutual Fund prospectus.
    

Mortality Risk Charge

       The Company assumes a "mortality risk" by virtue of annuity rates
incorporated in the Contract which cannot be changed regardless of the death
rates of persons receiving annuity payments or the general population.

       For assuming this mortality risk, the Company deducts a Mortality Risk
Charge from the Variable Account. This amount is computed on a daily basis, and
is equal to an annual rate of 0.80% of the daily net asset value of the Variable
Account. The Company expects to generate a profit through assessing this charge.

Expense Risk Charge


                                       15

                                   17 of 104
<PAGE>   18

       The Company will not increase charges for administration of the Contracts
regardless of its actual expenses. For assuming this expense risk, the Company
deducts an Expense Risk Charge from the Variable Account. This amount is
computed on a daily basis, and is equal to an annual rate of 0.45% of the daily
net asset value of the Variable Account. The Company expects to generate a
profit through assessing this charge.


                                       16

                                   18 of 104
<PAGE>   19

   
Contract Maintenance Charge and Administration Charge

       Each year on the Contract Anniversary, (and on the date of surrender in
any year in which the entire Contract Value is surrendered), the Company deducts
a Contract Maintenance Charge from the Contract Value to reimburse it for
administrative expenses relating to the issuance and maintenance of the
Contract. The Contract Maintenance Charge is as follows:
    

         -------------------------------------------------------------------
                Amount                    Types of Contracts Issued
         -------------------------------------------------------------------
                $30.00                 - Non-Qualified Contracts

                                       - Individual Retirement Annuity
                                         Contracts
         -------------------------------------------------------------------
           $12.00 or $0.00(1)          - Qualified Contracts

                                       - Tax Sheltered Annuity Contracts
         -------------------------------------------------------------------

(1)    The charge is determined based on Company underwriting guidelines.

   
       All Contract Maintenance Charge reductions shall be based on objective
underwriting guidelines which shall be applied in a non-discriminatory manner.

       The deduction of the Contract Maintenance Charge will be allocated
between the Fixed Account and Variable Account in the same percentages as the
Purchase Payment investment allocations are to the Fixed Account and Variable
Account. In any Contract Year when a Contract is surrendered for its full value
on any date other than the Contract Anniversary, the Contract Maintenance Charge
will be deducted at the time of such surrender. The amount of the Contract
Maintenance Charge may not be increased by the Company. In no event will
reduction or elimination of the Contract Maintenance Charge be permitted where
such reduction or elimination will be unfairly discriminatory to any person, or
where it is prohibited by state law.

        The Company also assesses an Administration Charge equal on an annual
basis to 0.05% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account. The
deduction of the Administration Charge is made from each Sub-Account in the same
proportion that the value in that Sub-Account bears to the total Contract Value
in the Variable Account. The Contract Maintenance Charge and Administrative
Charge are designed only to reimburse the Company for administrative expenses
and the Company will monitor these charges to ensure that they do not exceed
annual administration expenses.
    

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge

   
       No deduction for a sales charge is made from the Purchase Payments for
these Contracts. However, if any part of the Contract Value of such Contracts is
surrendered, the Company will, with certain exceptions (see "Waiver of
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" section) deduct a Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge not to exceed 7% of the lesser of the total of all Purchase Payments made
within 84 months prior to the date of the request to surrender, or the amount
surrendered. The Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, when it is applicable, will
be used to cover expenses relating to the sale of the Contracts, including
commissions paid to sales personnel, the costs of preparation of sales
literature and other promotional activity. The Company attempts to recover its
distribution costs relating to the sale of the Contracts from the Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge. Any shortfall will be made up from the general account of
the Company, which may indirectly include portions of the Mortality and Expense
Risk Charges, since the Company expects to generate a profit from these charges.
The maximum amount that may be paid to a selling agent on the sale of these
Contracts is 6.25% of Purchase Payments.
    

         The Contingent Deferred Sales Charge is calculated by multiplying the
applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge percentages noted below by the
Purchase Payments that are surrendered. For purposes of calculating the
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, surrenders are considered to come first from
the oldest Purchase Payment made to the Contract, then the next oldest Purchase
Payment and so forth. For tax purposes, a surrender is usually treated as a
withdrawal of earnings first.


                                       17

                                   19 of 104
<PAGE>   20

The Contingent Deferred Sales Charge applies to Purchase Payments as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Completed   Contingent Deferred   Number of Completed  Contingent Deferred
Years From Date of        Sales Charge      Years From Date of      Sales Charge
 Purchase Payment          Percentage        Purchase Payment        Percentage
         <S>                   <C>                   <C>                 <C>
         0                     7%                    4                   3%
         1                     6%                    5                   2%
         2                     5%                    6                   1%
         3                     4%                    7                   0%
</TABLE>

Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge

   
       Starting with the second year after a Purchase Payment has been made, the
Contract Owner may withdraw, without a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC),
the greater of: (a) a total amount equal to 10% of that Purchase Payment; or (b)
any amount withdrawn from the Contract to meet minimum distribution requirements
under the Code. In addition, an amount equal to 10% of that Purchase Payment may
be withdrawn for Contracts issued as Individual Retirement Annuities.
Withdrawals may be restricted for Contracts issued pursuant to the terms of a
Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan or other Qualified Plan. This CDSC-free withdrawal
privilege is non-cumulative; that is, free amounts not taken during any given
Contract Year cannot be taken as free amounts in a subsequent Contract Year.

       In addition, no Contingent Deferred Sales Charge will be deducted: (1)
upon the Annuitization of Contracts which have been in force for at least two
years; (2) upon payment of a death benefit pursuant to the death of the
Designated Annuitant; or (3) from any values which have been held under a
Contract for at least 84 months.

       No Contingent Deferred Sales Charge applies upon the transfer of value
among the Sub-Accounts or between the Fixed Account and the Variable Account.
When a Contract described in this prospectus is exchanged for another Contract
issued by the Company or any of its affiliated insurance companies of the type
and class which the Company has determined is eligible for such exchange, the
Company may waive the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge on the first Contract. A
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge may apply to the contract received in the
exchange.

       When a Contract is held by a Charitable Remainder Trust, the amount which
may be withdrawn from this Contract without application of a Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge shall be the larger of (a) or (b), where (a) is the amount which
would otherwise be available for withdrawal without application of a Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge and where (b) is the difference between the total Purchase
Payments made to the Contract as of the date of the withdrawal, (reduced by
previous withdrawals of such Purchase Payments), and the Contract Value at the
close of the day prior to the date of the withdrawal.
    

       For Tax Sheltered Annuity Contracts issued on or after December 17, 1990,
Qualified Contracts sold in conjunction with 401 cases sold on or after January
14, 1991, and SEP-IRA Contracts sold on or after January 14, 1991, the Company
will waive the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge when:

       A.     the Plan Participant experiences a case of hardship (as provided
              in Code Section 403(b) and as defined for purposes of Code Section
              401(k));

       B.     the Plan Participant becomes disabled (within the meaning of Code
              Section 72(m)(7));

   
       C.     the Plan Participant attains age 59 1/2 and has participated in
              the Contract for at least 5 years, as determined from the Contract
              Anniversary date immediately preceding the Distribution;

       D.     the Plan Participant has participated in the Contract for at least
              15 years as determined from the Contract Anniversary date
              immediately preceding the Distribution;
    

       E.     the Plan Participant dies; or

       F.     the Contract is annuitized after 2 years from the inception of the
              Contract.

   
       The Contract Owner may be subject to income tax on all or a portion of
any such withdrawals and to a 10% tax penalty if the Contract Owner takes
withdrawals prior to age 59 1/2 (See "FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS: Non-Qualified
Contracts-Natural Persons as Owners").
    


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       In no event will elimination of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges be
permitted where such elimination will be unfairly discriminatory to any person,
or where it is prohibited by state law.

Premium Taxes

       The Company will charge against the Contract Value the amount of any
premium taxes levied by a state or any other governmental entity upon Purchase
Payments received by the Company. Premium taxes currently imposed by certain
jurisdictions range from 0% to 3.5%. This range is subject to change. The method
used to recoup premium tax expense will be determined by the Company at its sole
discretion and in compliance with applicable state law. The Company currently
deducts such charges from a Contract Owner's Contract Value either: (1) at the
time the Contract is surrendered; (2) at Annuitization; or (3) at such earlier
date as the Company may become subject to such taxes.

   
                            OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT
    

Investments of the Variable Account

   
       At the time of application each Contract Owner elects to have Purchase
Payments attributable to his or her participation in the Variable Account
allocated among one or more of the Sub-Accounts which consist of shares in the
underlying Mutual Fund options. Shares of the respective underlying Mutual Fund
options specified by the Contract Owner are purchased at net asset value for the
respective Sub-Account(s) and converted into Accumulation Units. At the time of
application, the Contract Owner designates the underlying Mutual Fund to which
he or she desires to have Purchase Payments allocated. The Contract Owner may
change the election as to allocation of Purchase Payments or may elect to
exchange amounts among the Sub-Account options pursuant to such terms and
conditions applicable to such transactions as may be imposed by each of the
underlying Mutual Funds, in addition to those set forth in the Contracts.
    

Allocation Of Purchase Payments and Contract Value

   
       Purchase Payments are allocated to one or more Sub-Accounts within the
Variable Account in accordance with the designation of the underlying Mutual
Funds by the Contract Owner, and converted into Accumulation Units.

       The initial first year Purchase Payment must be at least $1,500 for
Non-Qualified Contracts. However, if periodic payments are expected by the
Company, this initial first year minimum may be satisfied by Purchase Payments
made on an annualized basis. Purchase Payments, if any, after the first Contract
Year must be at least $10 each. The Company, however, reserves the right to
lower this $10 Purchase Payment minimum for certain employer sponsored programs.
The cumulative total of all Purchase Payments under Contracts issued on the life
of any one Designated Annuitant may not exceed $1,000,000 without prior consent
of the Company.

       THE PURCHASER IS CAUTIONED THAT THE INVESTMENT RETURN ON SMALL INITIAL
AND SUBSEQUENT PURCHASE PAYMENTS MAY BE LESS THAN CHARGES ASSESSED BY THE
COMPANY.

       The initial Purchase Payment allocated to designated Sub-Accounts of the
Variable Account will be priced no later than 2 business days after receipt of
an order to purchase, if the application and all information necessary for
processing the purchase order are complete. The Company may, however, retain the
Purchase Payment for up to 5 business days while attempting to complete an
incomplete application. If the application cannot be made complete within 5
days, the prospective purchaser will be informed of the reasons for the delay
and the Purchase Payment will be returned immediately unless the prospective
purchaser specifically consents to the Company retaining the Purchase Payment
until the application is complete. Thereafter, subsequent Purchase Payments will
be priced on the basis of the Accumulation Value next computed for the
appropriate Sub-Account after the additional Purchase Payment is received.

       Purchase Payments will not be priced on the following nationally
recognized holidays: New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Value of a Variable Account Accumulation Unit

       The value of a Variable Account Accumulation Unit for each Sub-Account
was arbitrarily set initially at $10 when underlying Mutual Fund shares in that
Sub-Account were made available for purchase. The value for any subsequent
Valuation Period is determined by multiplying the Accumulation Unit value for
each Sub-Account for the immediately preceding Valuation Period by the Net
Investment Factor for the Sub-Account during the subsequent Valuation Period.
The value of an Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease from Valuation Period
to Valuation Period. The number of Accumulation Units will not change as a
result of investment experience.
    


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Net Investment Factor

       The Net Investment Factor for any Valuation Period is determined by
dividing (a) by (b) and subtracting (c) from the result where:

(a)    is the net of:

       (1)    the net asset value per share of the underlying Mutual Fund held
              in the Sub-Account determined at the end of the current Valuation
              Period, plus

       (2)    the per share amount of any dividend or capital gain Distributions
              made by the underlying Mutual Fund held in the Sub-Account if the
              "ex-dividend" date occurs during the current Valuation Period.

(b)    is the net of:

       (1)    the net asset value per share of the underlying Mutual Fund held
              in the Sub-Account determined at the end of the immediately
              preceding Valuation Period, plus or minus

       (2)    the per share charge or credit, if any, for any taxes reserved for
              in the immediately preceding Valuation Period (see "Charge For Tax
              Provisions").

(c)    is a factor representing the daily Mortality Risk Charge, Expense Risk
       Charge and Administration Charge deducted from the Variable Account. Such
       factor is equal to an annual rate of 1.30% of the daily net asset value
       of the Variable Account.

       For underlying Mutual Fund options that credit dividends on a daily basis
and pay such dividends once a month (the Variable Insurance Products Fund Money
Market Portfolio), the Net Investment Factor allows for the monthly reinvestment
of these daily dividends.

       The Net Investment Factor may be greater or less than one; therefore, the
value of an Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease. It should be noted that
changes in the Net Investment Factor may not be directly proportional to changes
in the net asset value of underlying Mutual Fund shares, because of the
deduction for Mortality Risk Charge, Expense Risk Charge and Administration
Charge, and any charge or credit for tax reserves (see "Charge For Tax
Provisions").

Valuation of Assets

       Underlying Mutual Fund shares in the Variable Account will be valued at
their net asset value.

Determining the Contract Value

       The sum of the value of all Variable Account Accumulation Units
attributable to the Contract and amounts credited to the Fixed Account is the
Contract Value. The number of Accumulation Units credited per each Sub-Account
are determined by dividing the net amount allocated to the Sub-Account by the
Accumulation Unit Value for the Sub-Account for the Valuation Period during
which the Purchase Payment is received by the Company. In the event part or all
of the Contract Value is surrendered or charges or deductions are made against
the Contract Value, an appropriate number of Accumulation Units from the
Variable Account and an appropriate amount from the Fixed Account will be
deducted in the same proportion that the Contract Owner's interest in the
Variable Account and the Fixed Account bears to the total Contract Value.
    

Right to Revoke

   
       Unless otherwise required by state and/or federal law, the Contract Owner
may revoke the Contract 10 days after receipt of the Contract and receive a
refund of the Contract Value. All Individual Retirement Annuity refunds will be
return of Purchase Payments. In order to revoke the Contract, it must be mailed
or delivered to the Home Office of the Company at the mailing address shown on
page 1 of this prospectus. Mailing or delivery must occur on or before 10 days
after receipt of the Contract for revocation to be effective. In order to revoke
the Contract, if it has not been received, written notice must be mailed or
delivered to the Home Office of the Company at the mailing address shown on page
1 of this prospectus. The liability of the Variable Account under this provision
is limited to the Contract Value in each Sub-Account on the date of revocation.
Any additional amounts refunded to the Contract Owner will be paid by the
Company.
    

Transfers


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       Transfers between the Fixed and Variable Account must be made prior to
the Annuitization Date. The Contract Owner may request a transfer of up to 100%
of the Variable Account Contract Value to the Fixed Account, without penalty or
adjustment. However, the Company reserves the right to restrict transfers from
the Variable Account to the Fixed Account to 25% of the Contract Value for any
12 month period. All amounts transferred to the Fixed Account must remain on
deposit in the Fixed Account until the expiration of the current Interest Rate
Guarantee Period. In addition, transfers from the Fixed Account may not be made
prior to the end of the then current Interest Rate Guarantee Period. The
Interest Rate Guarantee Period for any amount allocated to the Fixed Account
expires on the final day of a calendar quarter during which the one year
anniversary of the allocation to the Fixed Account occurs. Transfers must also
be made prior to the Annuitization Date. For all transfers involving the
Variable Account, the Contract Owner's value in each Sub-Account will be
determined as of the date the transfer request is received in the Home Office in
good order.

       The Contract Owner may at the maturity of an Interest Rate Guarantee
Period, transfer a portion of the value of the Fixed Account to the Variable
Account. The amount that may be transferred from the Fixed Account to the
Variable Account will be determined by the Company, at its sole discretion, but
will not be less than 10% of the total value of the portion of the Fixed Account
that is maturing. The amount that may be transferred will be declared upon the
expiration date of the then current Interest Rate Guarantee Period. Transfers
from the Fixed Account must be made within 45 days after the expiration date of
the guarantee period. Contract Owners who have entered into a Dollar Cost
Averaging agreement with the Company (see "Dollar Cost Averaging") may transfer
from the Fixed Account to the Variable Account under the terms of that
agreement.

       Transfers may be made either in writing or, in states allowing such
transfers, by telephone. This telephone exchange privilege is made available to
Contract Owners automatically without the Contract Owner's election. The Company
will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by
telephone are genuine. Such procedures may include any or all of the following:
requesting identifying information, such as name, contract number, Social
Security Number, and/or personal identification number; tape recording all
telephone transactions, and providing written confirmation thereof to both the
Contract Owner and any agent of record, at the last address of record; or such
other procedures as the Company may deem reasonable. The Company will not be
liable for following instructions communicated by telephone which it reasonably
believes to be genuine. Any losses incurred pursuant to actions taken by the
Company in reliance on telephone instructions reasonably believed to be genuine
shall be borne by the Contract Owner. The Company may withdraw the telephone
exchange privilege upon 30 days written notice to Contract Owners.

       Contracts described in this prospectus may in some cases be sold to
individuals who independently utilize the services of a firm or individual
engaged in market timing. Generally, such firms or individuals obtain
authorization from multiple Contract Owners to make transfers and exchanges
among the Sub-Accounts (the underlying Mutual Funds) on the basis of perceived
market trends. Because of the unusually large transfers of funds associated with
some of these transactions, the ability of the Company or underlying Mutual
Funds to process such transactions may be compromised, and the execution of such
transactions may possibly disadvantage or work to the detriment of other
Contract Owners not utilizing market timing services.

       Accordingly, the right to exchange Contract Values among the Sub-Accounts
may be subject to modification if such rights are exercised by a market timing
firm or any other third party authorized to initiate transfer or exchange
transactions on behalf of multiple Contract Owners. THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUAL
CONTRACT OWNERS TO EXCHANGE CONTRACT VALUES, WHEN INSTRUCTIONS ARE SUBMITTED
DIRECTLY BY THE CONTRACT OWNER, OR BY THE CONTRACT OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE OF
RECORD AS AUTHORIZED BY THE EXECUTION OF A VALID NATIONWIDE LIMITED POWER OF
ATTORNEY FORM, WILL NOT BE MODIFIED IN ANY WAY. In modifying such rights, the
Company may, among other things, not accept (1) the transfer or exchange
instructions of any agent acting under a power of attorney on behalf of more
than one Contract Owner, or (2) the transfer or exchange instructions of
individual Contract Owners who have executed pre-authorized transfer or exchange
forms which are submitted by market timing firms or other third parties on
behalf of more than one Contract Owner at the same time. The Company will not
impose any such restrictions or otherwise modify exchange rights unless such
action is reasonably intended to prevent the use of such rights in a manner that
will disadvantage or potentially impair the contract rights of other Contract
Owners.
    


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<PAGE>   24

   
Contract Ownership Provisions

       Unless otherwise provided, the Contract Owner has all rights under the
Contract. IF THE PURCHASER NAMES SOMEONE OTHER THAN HIMSELF OR HERSELF AS OWNER,
THE PURCHASER WILL HAVE NO RIGHTS UNDER THE CONTRACT. Prior to the Annuitization
Date, the Contract Owner may name a new Contract Owner in Non-Qualified
Contracts. Such change may be subject to state and federal gift taxes and may
also result in federal income taxation. Any change of Contract Owner designation
will automatically revoke any prior Contract Owner designation. Once proper
notice of the change is received and recorded by the Company, the change will
become effective as of the date the written request is recorded. A change of
Contract Owner will not apply and will not be effective with respect to any
payment made or action taken by the Company prior to the time that the change
was received and recorded by the Company.

       Prior to the Annuitization Date, the Contract Owner may request a change
in the Annuitant, the Contingent Annuitant, Contingent Owner, Beneficiary, or
Contingent Beneficiary. Such a request must be made in writing on a form
acceptable to the Company and must be signed by both the Contract Owner and the
person to be named as Annuitant, Contingent Annuitant, or Contingent Owner, as
applicable. Such request must be received by the Company at its Home Office
prior to the Annuitization Date. Any such change is subject to underwriting and
approval by the Company. If the Contract Owner is not a natural person and there
is a change of the Designated Annuitant, such change shall be treated as the
death of a Contract Owner and Distributions shall be made as if the Contract
Owner died at the time of such change.

       On and after the Annuitization Date, the Annuitant shall become the
Contract Owner.

Contingent Ownership Provisions

       The Contingent Owner is the person who may receive certain benefits under
the Contract if the Contract Owner, who is not the Designated Annuitant, dies
prior to the Annuitization Date. If more than one Contingent Owner survives the
Contract Owner, each will share equally unless otherwise specified in the
Contingent Owner designation. If no Contingent Owner survives the Contract
Owner, all rights and interest of the Contingent Owner will vest in the Contract
Owner's estate. If a Contract Owner, who is also the Designated Annuitant, dies
before the Annuitization Date, then the Contingent Owner does not have any
rights in the Contract; however, if the Contingent Owner is also the
Beneficiary, the Contingent Owner will have all the rights of a Beneficiary.

       Subject to the terms of any existing assignment, the Contract Owner may
change the Contingent Owner prior to the Annuitization Date by written notice to
the Company. The change, upon receipt and recording by the Company at its Home
Office, will take effect as of the time the written notice was signed, whether
or not the Contract Owner is living at the time of recording, but without
further liability as to any payment or settlement made by the Company before
receipt of such change.

Beneficiary Provisions

       The Beneficiary is the person or persons who may receive certain benefits
under the Contract in the event the Designated Annuitant dies prior to the
Annuitization Date. If more than one Beneficiary survives the Annuitant, each
will share equally unless otherwise specified in the Beneficiary designation. If
no Beneficiary survives the Designated Annuitant, all rights and interest of the
Beneficiary shall vest in the Contingent Beneficiary, and if more than one
Contingent Beneficiary survives, each will share equally unless otherwise
specified in the Contingent Beneficiary designation. If no Contingent
Beneficiaries survive the Designated Annuitant, all rights and interest of the
Contingent Beneficiary will vest with the Contract Owner or the estate of the
last surviving Contract Owner.

       Subject to the terms of any existing assignment, the Contract Owner may
change the Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary during the lifetime of the
Designated Annuitant by written notice to the Company. The change, upon receipt
and recording by the Company at its Home Office, will take effect as of the time
the written notice was recorded, whether or not the Designated Annuitant is
living at the time of recording, but without further liability as to any payment
or settlement made by the Company before receipt of such change.

Surrender (Redemption)

       While the Contract is in force and prior to the earlier of the
Annuitization Date or the death of the Designated Annuitant, the Company will,
upon proper written application by the Contract Owner deemed by the Company to
be in good order, allow the Contract Owner to surrender a portion or all of the
Contract Value. "Proper written application" means that the Contract Owner must
request the surrender in writing and include the Contract.
    


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       In some cases (for example, requests by a corporation, partnership,
agent, fiduciary, or surviving spouse), the Company will require additional
documentation of a customary nature. The Company may require that the
signature(s) be guaranteed by a member firm of a major stock exchange or other
depository institution qualified to give such a guaranty.

       The Company will, upon receipt of any such written request, surrender a
number of Accumulation Units from the Variable Account and an amount from the
Fixed Account necessary to equal the gross dollar amount requested, less any
applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (see "Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge"). In the event of a partial surrender, the Company will, unless
instructed to the contrary, surrender Accumulation Units from all Sub-Accounts
in which the Contract Owner has an interest, and the Fixed Account. The number
of Accumulation Units surrendered from each Sub-Account and the amount
surrendered from the Fixed Account will be in the same proportion that the
Contract Owner's interest in the Sub-Accounts and Fixed Account bears to the
total Contract Value.

       The Company will pay any funds applied for from the Variable Account
within 7 days of receipt of such application in the Company's Home Office.
However, the Company reserves the right to suspend or postpone the date of any
payment of any benefit or values for any Valuation Period: (1) when the New York
Stock Exchange ("Exchange") is closed; (2) when trading on the Exchange is
restricted; (3) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of
securities held in the Variable Account is not reasonably practicable or it is
not reasonably practicable to determine the value of the Variable Account's net
assets; or (4) during any other period when the Securities and Exchange
Commission, by order, so permits for the protection of security holders provided
that applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (2) and (3) exist. The
Contract Value on surrender may be more or less than the total of Purchase
Payments made by a Contract Owner, depending on the market value of the
underlying Mutual Fund shares.

       Certain redemption restrictions also apply to Contracts issued under the
Texas Optional Retirement Program or the Louisiana Optional Retirement Plan.
With respect to Contracts issued under the Texas Optional Retirement Program,
the Texas Attorney General has ruled that withdrawal benefits are available only
in the event of a participant's death, retirement, termination of employment due
to total disability, or other termination of employment in a Texas public
institution of higher education. Retirement benefits made pursuant to the
Louisiana Optional Retirement Plan are to be paid in the form of lifetime income
and, except for Death Benefits, lump sum cash payments are not permitted. A
participant under the Louisiana Optional Retirement Plan may take a Distribution
from the Contract only in the event of retirement or termination of employment.
A participant under either the Texas Optional Retirement Program or the
Louisiana Optional Retirement Plan will not, therefore, be entitled to receive
the right of withdrawal in order to receive the cash values credited to such
participant under the Contract unless one of the foregoing conditions has been
satisfied. The value of such Contracts may, however, be transferred to other
contracts or other carriers during the participation in these retirement
programs, subject to any applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. The
Company issues this Contract to participants in the Texas Optional Retirement
Program in reliance upon, and in compliance with, Rule 6c-7 of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and to participants in the Louisiana Optional Retirement
Plan in reliance upon, and in compliance with, an exemptive order the Company
obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 22, 1990.

Surrenders Under a Qualified Contract or Tax Sheltered Annuity Contract

       Except as provided below, the Owner may Surrender part or all of the
Contract Value at any time this Contract is in force prior to the earlier of the
Annuitization Date or the death of the Designated Annuitant:

       A.     The surrender of Contract Value attributable to contributions made
              pursuant to a salary reduction agreement (within the meaning of
              Code Section 402(g)(3)(A) or (C)), or transfers from a Custodial
              Account described in Section 403(b)(7) of the Code, may be
              executed only:

              1.     when the Contract Owner attains age 59 1/2, separates from
                     service, dies, or becomes disabled (within the meaning of
                     Code Section 72(m)(7)); or

              2.     in the case of hardship (as defined for purposes of Code
                     Section 401(k)), provided that any surrender of Contract
                     Value in the case of hardship may not include any income
                     attributable to salary reduction contributions.
    


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       B.     The surrender limitations described in Section A. above also apply
              to:

              1.     salary reduction contributions to Tax Sheltered Annuities
                     made for plan years beginning after December 31, 1988;

              2.     earnings credited to such contracts after the last plan
                     year beginning before January 1, 1989, on amounts
                     attributable to salary reduction contributions; and

              3.     all amounts transferred from 403(b)(7) Custodial Accounts
                     (except that earnings, and employer contributions as of
                     December 31, 1988 in such Custodial Accounts, may be
                     withdrawn in the case of hardship).

       C.  Any Distribution other than the above, including exercise of a
           contractual ten-day free look provision (when available) may result
           in the immediate application of taxes and penalties and/or
           retroactive disqualification of a Qualified Contract or Tax Sheltered
           Annuity.

       A premature Distribution may not be eligible for rollover treatment. To
assist in preventing disqualification of a Tax Sheltered Annuity in the event of
a ten-day free look, the Company will agree to transfer the proceeds to another
contract which meets the requirements of Section 403(b) of the Code, upon proper
direction by the Contract Owner. The foregoing is the Company's understanding of
the withdrawal restrictions which are currently applicable under Code Section
401(k)(2)(B), Code Section 403(b)(11) and Revenue Ruling 90-24. Such
restrictions are subject to legislative change and/or reinterpretation from time
to time. Distributions pursuant to Qualified Domestic Relations Orders will not
be considered to be a violation of the restrictions stated in this provision.

       The Contract surrender provisions may also be modified pursuant to the
plan terms and Code tax provisions when the Contract is issued to fund a
Qualified Plan.
    

Loan Privilege

   
       Prior to the Annuitization Date, the Owner of a Tax Sheltered Annuity
Contract may receive a loan from the Contract Value subject to the terms of the
Contract, the Plan, and the Code, which may impose restrictions on loans.

       Loans from Qualified Contracts or Tax Sheltered Annuities are available
beginning 30 days after the Date of Issue. The Contract Owner may borrow a
minimum of $1,000. In non-ERISA plans, for Contract Values up to $20,000, the
maximum loan balance which may be outstanding at any time is 80% of the Contract
Value, but not more than $10,000. If the Contract Value is $20,000 or more, the
maximum loan balance which may be outstanding at any time is 50% of the Contract
Value, but not more than $50,000. For ERISA plans, the maximum loan balance
which may be outstanding at any time is 50% of the Contract Value, but not more
than $50,000. The $50,000 limit will be reduced by the highest loan balances
owed during the prior one-year period. Additional loans are subject to the
contract minimum amount. The aggregate of all loans may not exceed the Contract
Value limitations stated above.
    

       For salary reduction Tax Sheltered Annuities, loans may only be secured
by the Contract Value. For loans from Qualified Contracts and other Tax
Sheltered Annuities, the Company reserves the right to limit a loan to 50% of
the Contract Value subject to the acceptance by the Contract Owner of the
Company's loan agreement. Where permitted, the Company may require other named
collateral where the loan from a Contract exceeds 50% of the Contract Value.

       All loans are made from the collateral fixed account. An amount equal to
the principal amount of the loan will be transferred to the collateral fixed
account. Unless instructed to the contrary by the Contract Owner, the Company
will transfer to the collateral fixed account the Variable Account units from
the Contract Owner's investment options in proportion to the asset in each
option until the required balance is reached or all such variable units are
exhausted. The remaining required collateral will next be transferred from the
Fixed Account. No withdrawal charges are deducted at the time of the loan, or on
any transfers to the collateral fixed account.

       Until the loan has been repaid in full, that portion of the collateral
fixed account equal to the outstanding loan balance shall be credited with
interest at a rate 2.25% less than the loan interest rate fixed by the Company
for the term of the loan. However, the interest rate credited to the collateral
fixed account will never be less than 3.0%. Specific loan terms are disclosed at
the time of loan application or loan issuance. Loans must be repaid in
substantially level payments, not less frequently than quarterly, within five
years. Loans used to purchase the principal residence of the Contract Owner must
be repaid within 15 years. During the loan term, the outstanding balance of the
loan will continue to earn interest at an annual rate as specified in the loan
agreement. Loan repayments will consist of principal and interest in amounts set
forth in the loan agreement.


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Loan repayments will be allocated between the Fixed and Variable Accounts in the
same manner as a purchase payment. Both loan repayments and purchase payments
will be allocated to the Contract in accordance with the most current
allocation, unless the Contract Owner and the Company agree otherwise on a case
by case basis.
    

       If the Contract is surrendered while the loan is outstanding, the
surrender value will be reduced by the amount of the loan outstanding plus
accrued interest. If the Contract Owner/Annuitant dies while the loan is
outstanding, the Death Benefit will be reduced by the amount of the loan
outstanding plus accrued interest. If annuity payments start while the loan is
outstanding, the Contract Value will be reduced by the amount of the outstanding
loan plus accrued interest. Until the loan is repaid, the Company reserves the
right to restrict any transfer of the Contract which would otherwise qualify as
a transfer as permitted in the Code.

       If a loan payment is not made when due, interest will continue to accrue.
A grace period may be available under the terms of the loan agreement. If a loan
payment is not made when due, or by the end of the applicable grace period, then
that payment, which may be a single periodic payment or payment of the entire
loan, will be treated as a deemed Distribution, may be taxable to the borrower,
and may be subject to the early withdrawal tax penalty. Interest which
subsequently accrues on defaulted amounts may also be treated as additional
deemed Distributions each year. Any defaulted amounts, plus accrued interest,
will be deducted from the Contract when the participant becomes eligible for a
Distribution of at least that amount, and this amount may again be treated as a
Distribution where required by law.
Additional loans may not be available while a previous loan remains in default.

       Loans may also be subject to additional limitations or restrictions under
the terms of the employer's plan. Loans permitted under this Contract may still
be taxable in whole or part if the participant has additional loans from other
plans or contracts. The Company will calculate the maximum nontaxable loan based
on the information provided by the participant or the employer.

   
       Loan repayments must be identified as such or else they will be treated
as Purchase Payments and will not be used to reduce the outstanding loan
principal or interest due. The Company reserves the right to modify the term or
procedures if there is a change in applicable law. The Company also reserves the
right to assess a loan processing fee.
    

       Individual Retirement Annuities and Non-Qualified Contracts are not
eligible for loans.

Assignment

       Where permitted, the Contract Owner may assign some or all of the rights
under the Contract at any time during the lifetime of the Designated Annuitant.
Such assignment will take effect upon receipt by the Company of a written notice
executed by the Contract Owner. The Company assumes no responsibility for the
validity or sufficiency of any assignment. The Company shall not be liable as to
any payment or other settlement made by the Company before receipt of the
assignment. Where necessary for the proper administration of the terms of the
Contract, an assignment will not be recorded until the Company has received
sufficient direction from the Contract Owner and assignee as to the proper
allocation of Contract rights under the assignment.

       If this Contract is a Non-Qualified Contract, any portion of Contract
Value attributable to Purchase Payments, which is pledged or assigned, shall be
treated as a Distribution and shall be included in gross income to the extent
that the cash value exceeds the investment in the Contract for the taxable year
in which it was pledged or assigned. In addition, any Contract Values assigned
may, under certain conditions, be subject to a tax penalty equal to 10% of the
amount which is included in gross income. Assignment of the entire Contract
Value may cause the portion of the Contract Value which exceeds the total
investment in the Contract to be included in gross income each year that the
assignment is in effect. Individual Retirement Annuities, Tax Sheltered
Annuities and Qualified Contracts may not be assigned, pledged or otherwise
transferred except under such conditions as may be allowed by applicable law.

Contract Owner Services

   
       Asset Rebalancing- The Contract Owner may direct the automatic
reallocation of Contract Values to the underlying Mutual Fund options on a
predetermined percentage basis every three months or based on another frequency
as authorized by the Company. If the last day of the three month period falls on
a Saturday, Sunday, recognized holiday or any other day when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed, the Asset Rebalancing exchange will occur on the first
business day after that day. An Asset Rebalancing request must be in writing on
a form provided by the Company. The Contract Owner may want to contact a
financial adviser in order to discuss the use of Asset Rebalancing in his or her
Contract.
    


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       Contracts issued to a Qualified Plan or a Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan as
defined by the Code may have superseding plan restrictions with regard to the
frequency of fund exchanges and underlying Mutual Fund options.

       The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Asset Rebalancing
upon 30 days' written notice; such discontinuation will not affect Asset
Rebalancing programs which have already commenced. The Company also reserves the
right to assess a processing fee for this service.

       Dollar Cost Averaging- If the Contract Value is $15,000 or more, the
Contract Owner may direct the Company to automatically transfer a specified
amount from the Variable Insurance Products Fund Money Market Portfolio or the
Fixed Account to any other Sub-Account within the Variable Account on a monthly
basis or as frequently as otherwise authorized by the Company. This service is
intended to allow the Contract Owner to utilize Dollar Cost Averaging, a
long-term investment program which provides for regular, level investments over
time. The Company makes no guarantees that Dollar Cost Averaging will result in
a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. The minimum monthly
Dollar Cost Averaging transfer is $100. In addition, Dollar Cost Averaging
monthly transfers from the Fixed Account must be equal to or less than 1/30th of
the Fixed Account value when the Dollar Cost Averaging program is requested.
Transfers out of the Fixed Account, other than for Dollar Cost Averaging, may be
subject to certain additional restrictions (see "Transfers"). A written election
of this service, on a form provided by the Company, must be completed by the
Contract Owner in order to begin transfers. Once elected, transfers from the
Variable Insurance Products Fund Money Market Portfolio or the Fixed Account
will be processed monthly or on another approved frequency until either the
value in the Variable Insurance Products Fund Money Market Portfolio, or the
Fixed Account is completely depleted or the Contract Owner instructs the Company
in writing to cancel the transfers.

       The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Dollar Cost
Averaging upon 30 days' written notice; such discontinuation will not affect
Dollar Cost Averaging programs which have already commenced. The Company also
reserves the right to assess a processing fee for this service.

       Systematic Withdrawals- A Contract Owner may elect in writing on a form
provided by the Company to take Systematic Withdrawals of a specified dollar
amount (of at least $100) on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis.
The Company will process the withdrawals as directed by surrendering on a
pro-rata basis Accumulation Units from all Sub-Accounts in which the Contract
Owner has an interest and the Fixed Account. A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
may also apply to Systematic Withdrawals in accordance with the considerations
set forth in the "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" section. Each Systematic
Withdrawal is subject to federal income taxes on the taxable portion. In
addition, a 10% federal penalty tax may be assessed on Systematic Withdrawals if
the Contract Owner is under age 59 1/2. Unless directed by the Contract Owner,
the Company will withhold federal income taxes from each Systematic Withdrawal.
Unless, the Contract Owner has made an irrevocable election of distributions of
substantially equal payments, the Systematic Withdrawals may be discontinued at
any time by notifying the Company in writing.

       The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Systematic
Withdrawals upon 30 days' written notice; such discontinuation will not affect
any Systematic Withdrawal programs already commenced. The Company also reserves
the right to assess a processing fee for this service. Systematic withdrawals
are not available prior to the expiration of the ten day free look provision of
the Contract or of applicable state/federal law.

          ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD, DEATH BENEFIT AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
    

Annuity Commencement Date

   
       The Contract Owner selects an Annuity Commencement Date at the time of
application. Such date must be the first day of a calendar month and must be at
least 2 years after the Date of Issue. In the event the Contract is issued
subject to the terms of a Qualified Plan or Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan,
Annuitization may occur during the first 2 years subject to approval by the
Company.
    

Change in Annuity Commencement Date

   
       If the Contract Owner requests in writing, and the Company approves the
request, the Annuity Commencement Date may be deferred. The new date must comply
with the Annuity Date provisions above.

Annuity Payment Period-Variable Account
    

       At the Annuitization Date the Variable Account Contract Value is applied
to the Annuity Payment Option elected and the amount of the first such payment
shall be determined in accordance with the Annuity Table in the Contract.


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       Subsequent Variable Annuity payments vary in amount in accordance with
the investment performance of the Variable Account. The dollar amount of the
first annuity payment determined as above is divided by the value of an Annuity
Unit as of the Annuitization Date to establish the number of Annuity Units
representing each monthly annuity payment. This number of Annuity Units remains
fixed during the annuity payment period. The dollar amount of the second and
subsequent payments is not predetermined and may change from month to month. The
dollar amount of each subsequent payment is determined by multiplying the fixed
number of Annuity Units by the Annuity Unit Value for the Valuation Period in
which the payment is due. The Company guarantees that the dollar amount of each
payment after the first will not be affected by variations in mortality
experience from mortality assumptions used to determine the first payment.

Value of an Annuity Unit

       The value of an Annuity Unit was arbitrarily set initially at $10 when
the first underlying Mutual Fund shares were available for purchase. The value
of an Annuity Unit for a Sub-Account for any subsequent Valuation Period is
determined by multiplying the Annuity Unit Value for the immediately preceding
Valuation Period by the Net Investment Factor for the Valuation Period for which
the Annuity Unit Value is being calculated, and multiplying the result by an
interest factor to neutralize the assumed investment rate of 3.5% per annum
built into the Annuity Tables contained in the Contracts (see "Net Investment
Factor").

Assumed Investment Rate

       A 3.5% assumed investment rate is built into the Annuity Tables contained
in the Contracts. A higher assumption would mean a higher initial payment but
more slowly rising or more rapidly falling subsequent payments. A lower
assumption would have the opposite effect. If the actual investment rate is at
the annual rate of 3.5%, the annuity payments will be level.

Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments

       Annuity payments will be paid as monthly installments. However, if the
net amount available to apply under any Annuity Payment Option is less than
$500, the Company shall have the right to pay such amount in one lump sum in
lieu of the payments otherwise provided for. In addition, if the payments
provided for would be or become less than $20, the Company shall have the right
to change the frequency of payments to such intervals as will result in payments
of at least $20. In no event will the Company make payments under an annuity
option less frequently than annually.

Change in Form of Annuity

       The Contract Owner may, upon prior written notice to the Company, at any
time prior to the Annuitization Date, elect one of the Annuity Payment Options.

Annuity Payment Options

       Any of the following Annuity Payment Options may be elected:

   
       Option 1-Life Annuity-An annuity payable periodically, but at least
       annually, during the lifetime of the Annuitant, ceasing with the last
       payment due prior to the death of the Annuitant. IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE
       UNDER THIS OPTION FOR THE ANNUITANT TO RECEIVE ONLY ONE ANNUITY PAYMENT
       IF HE OR SHE DIED BEFORE THE SECOND ANNUITY PAYMENT DATE, TWO ANNUITY
       PAYMENTS IF HE OR SHE DIED BEFORE THE THIRD ANNUITY PAYMENT DATE, AND SO
       ON.

       Option 2-Joint and Last Survivor Annuity-An annuity payable periodically,
       but at least annually, during the joint lifetimes of the Annuitant and
       designated second person and continuing thereafter during the lifetime of
       the survivor. AS IS THE CASE UNDER OPTION 1 ABOVE, THERE IS NO MINIMUM
       NUMBER OF PAYMENTS GUARANTEED UNDER THIS OPTION. PAYMENTS CEASE UPON THE
       DEATH OF THE LAST SURVIVING ANNUITANT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF
       PAYMENTS RECEIVED.
    

       Option 3-Life Annuity With 120 or 240 Monthly Payments Guaranteed-An
       annuity payable monthly during the lifetime of the Annuitant with the
       guarantee that if at the death of the Annuitant payments have been made
       for fewer than 120 or 240 months, as selected, payments will be made as
       follows:

   
       (1)    If the Annuitant is the payee, any guaranteed annuity payments
              will be continued during the remainder of the selected period to
              such recipient as chosen by the Designated Annuitant at the time
              the Annuity Payment Option was selected. In the alternative, the
              recipient may, at any time,
    


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              elect to have the present value of the guaranteed number of
              annuity payments remaining paid in a lump sum as specified in
              section (2) below.

   
       (2)    If someone other than the Annuitant is the payee, the present
              value, computed as of the date on which notice of death is
              received by the Company at its Home Office, of the guaranteed
              number of annuity payments remaining after receipt of such notice
              and to which the deceased would have been entitled had he or she
              not died, computed at the assumed investment rate effective in
              determining the Annuity Tables, shall be paid in a lump sum.

       Some of the stated Annuity Options may not be available in all states.
The Contract Owner may request an alternative non-guaranteed option by giving
notice in writing prior to Annuitization. If such a request is approved by the
Company, it will be permitted under the Contract.

       If the Contract Owner of a Non-Qualified Contract fails to elect an
Annuity Payment Option, no Distribution will be made until an effective Annuity
Payment Option has been elected. Qualified Plan Contracts, Individual Retirement
Annuities or Tax Sheltered Annuities are subject to the minimum Distribution
requirements set forth in the Plan, Contract, or Code.

Death of Contract Owner Provisions - Non-Qualified Contracts
    

         For Non-Qualified Contracts, if the Contract Owner and the Annuitant
are not the same person and such Contract Owner dies prior to the Annuitization
Date, the Contingent Owner becomes the new Contract Owner. If a Contingent Owner
is not named or predeceases the Contract Owner, then Distribution of the
Contract will be made to the Designated Annuitant, unless the Contract Owner has
named his or her estate at the time of Application to receive the Distribution.
The entire interest in the Contract Value less any applicable deductions (which
may include a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge) must be distributed in
accordance with "Required Distributions Provisions- Non-Qualified Contracts"
provisions.

   
Death of the Designated Annuitant Provisions - Non-Qualified Contracts

       If the Contract Owner and Designated Annuitant are not the same person,
and the Designated Annuitant dies prior to the Annuitization Date, a Death
Benefit will be payable to the Beneficiary, the Contingent Beneficiary, the
Contract Owner, or the Contract Owner's estate, as specified in the "Beneficiary
Provisions", unless there is a surviving Contingent Annuitant. In such case, the
Contingent Annuitant becomes the Annuitant and no Death Benefit is payable.

       The Beneficiary may elect to receive such Death Benefits in the form of:
(1) a lump sum distribution; (2) election of an annuity payout; or (3) any
Distribution that is permitted under state and federal regulations and is
acceptable by the Company. Such election must be received by the Company within
60 days of the Annuitant's death. If the election is made more than 60 days
after the lump sum first becomes payable, the election would be ignored for tax
purposes, and the entire amount of the lump sum would be subject to immediate
tax. If the election is made within the 60 day period, each Distribution would
be taxable when it is paid.

       If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any benefit that may
be payable shall be paid according to the Annuity Payment Option selected.

Death of the Contract Owner/Annuitant Provisions

       If any Contract Owner and Designated Annuitant are the same person, and
such person dies before the Annuitization date, a Death Benefit will be payable
to the Beneficiary, the Contingent Beneficiary, the Contract Owner, or the
Contract Owner's estate, as specified in the "Beneficiary Provisions" and in
accordance with the appropriate "Required Distributions Provisions."

       If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any benefit that may
be payable shall be paid according to the Annuity Payment Option selected.

Death Benefit Payment Provisions
    

       The value of the Death Benefit will be determined as of the Valuation
Date coincident with or next following the date the Company receives in writing
at the Home Office the following three items: (1) proper proof of the
Annuitant's death; (2) an election specifying the distribution method; and (3)
any applicable state required form(s).

       If the Designated Annuitant dies the first day of the calendar month
after his or her 75th birthday, the dollar amount of the death benefit will be
the greater of: (1) the Contract Value; or, (2) the sum of all Purchase
Payments, less any amounts surrendered.


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         If the Annuitant dies on or after the first day of the calendar month
after his or her 75th birthday, the dollar amount of the death benefit will be
equal to the Contract Value. In addition, if the Contract Owner has requested an
Annuity Commencement Date later than the first day of the calendar month after
the Designated Annuitant's birthday; the Company has approved the request; and,
the Annuitant dies after the first day of the calendar month after his or her
75th birthday, the dollar amount of the Death Benefit will be equal to the
Contract Value.

       If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any payment that may
be payable will be determined according to the selected Annuity Payment Option.

   
Required Distribution Provisions For Non-Qualified Contracts

       Upon the death of the Contract Owner (including an Annuitant who becomes
the Owner of the Contract on the Annuitization Date) (each of the foregoing "a
deceased Owner"), certain Distributions for Non-Qualified Contracts, are
required by Section 72(s) of the Code. Notwithstanding any provision of the
Contract to the contrary, the following Distributions shall be made in
accordance with such requirements:

       1.   If any deceased Contract Owner died on or after the Annuitization
            Date and before the entire interest under the Contract has been
            distributed, then the remaining portion of such interest shall be
            distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of Distribution
            in effect as of the date of such deceased Contract Owner's death.

       2.   If any deceased Contract Owner died prior to the Annuitization Date,
            then the entire interest in the Contract (consisting of either the
            Death Benefit or the Contract Value reduced by applicable changes as
            set forth elsewhere in the Contract) shall be Distributed within 5
            years of the death of the deceased Owner, provided however:

           (a)    If any portion of such interest is payable to or for the
                  benefit of a natural person who is a surviving Contract Owner,
                  Contingent Owner, Annuitant, Contingent Annuitant,
                  Beneficiary, or Contingent Beneficiary as the case may be
                  (each a "designated Beneficiary"), such portion may, at the
                  election of the designated Beneficiary, be distributed over
                  the life of such designated Beneficiary, or over a period not
                  extending beyond the life expectancy of such designated
                  Beneficiary, provided that payments begin within one year of
                  the date of the deceased Contract Owner's death (or such
                  longer period as may be permitted by federal income tax
                  regulations), and

            (b)   If the designated Beneficiary is the surviving spouse of the
                  deceased Owner, such spouse may elect to become the Contract
                  Owner of this Contract, in lieu of a Death Benefit, and the
                  Distributions required under these Distribution rules will be
                  made upon the death of such spouse.

       In the event that this Contract is owned by a person that is not a
natural person (e.g., a trust or corporation), then, for purposes of these
Distribution provisions; (1) the death of the Annuitant shall be treated as the
death of any Contract Owner; (2) any change of the Designated Annuitant shall be
treated as the death of any Contract Owner; and (3) in either case the
appropriate Distribution required under these Distribution rules shall be made
upon such death or change, as the case may be. The Designated Annuitant is the
primary annuitant as defined in Section 72(s)(6)(B) of the Code.

       These Designated Distribution provisions shall not be applicable to any
Contract that is not required to be subject to the provisions of 72(s) of the
Code by reason of Section 72(s)(5) or any other law or rule (including Tax
Sheltered Annuities, Individual Retirement Annuities, Qualified Plans and SEP
IRAs).
       Upon the death of a "Deceased Owner", the designated Beneficiary must
elect a method of Distribution which complies with these above Distribution
provisions and which is acceptable to the Company. Such election must be
received by the Company within 90 days of the deceased Owner's death. The Code
requires that any election to receive an annuity rather than a lump sum payment
must be made within 60 days after the lump sum becomes payable (generally, the
election must be made within 60 days after the death of a Contract Owner or the
Annuitant). If the election is made more than 60 days after the lump sum first
becomes payable, the election would be ignored for tax purposes, and the entire
amount of the lump sum would be subject to immediate tax. If the election is
made within the 60 day period, each Distribution would be taxable when it is
paid.
    

Required Distribution for Qualified Plans or Tax Sheltered Annuities

   
       The entire interest of an Annuitant under a Qualified Contract or Tax
Sheltered Annuity Contract will be distributed in a manner consistent with the
Minimum Distribution and Incidental Benefit (MDIB) provisions of Section
401(a)(9) of the Code and applicable regulations thereunder, and will be paid,
notwithstanding anything
    


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else contained herein, to the Owner/Annuitant under the Annuity Payments Option
selected, over a period not exceeding:

   
       A.     the life of the Annuitant or the lives of the Annuitant and the
              Annuitant's designated beneficiary under the selected Annuity
              Payment Option; or

       B.     a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the Annuitant
              or the life expectancy of the Annuitant and the Annuitant's
              designated beneficiary under the selected Annuity Payment Option.

       For Tax Sheltered Annuity Contracts, no Distributions will be required
from this Contract if Distributions otherwise required from this Contract are
being withdrawn from another Tax Sheltered Annuity Contract of the Annuitant.

       If the Annuitant's entire interest in a Qualified Plan or Tax Sheltered
Annuity is to be distributed in equal or substantially equal payments over a
period described in (a) or (b), above, such payments will commence no later
than: (1) the first day of April following the calendar year in which the
Annuitant attains age 70 1/2; or (2) when the Annuitant retires, whichever is
later (the "required beginning date" ). However, provision (2) does not apply to
any employee who is a 5% Owner (as defined in Section 416 of the Code) with
respect to the plan year ending in the calendar year in which the employee
attains the age of 70 1/2.

       If the Annuitant dies prior to the commencement of his or her
Distribution, the interest in the Qualified Contract or Tax Sheltered Annuity
must be distributed by December 31 of the calendar year in which the fifth
anniversary of his or her death occurs unless:

       (a)    the Annuitant names his or her surviving spouse as the Beneficiary
              and such spouse elects to receive Distribution of the in
              substantially equal payments over his or her life (or a period not
              exceeding his or her life expectancy) and commencing not later
              than December 31 of the year in which the Annuitant would have
              attained age 70 1/2; or

       (b)    the Annuitant names a Beneficiary other than his or her surviving
              spouse and such Beneficiary elects to receive a Distribution of
              the account in substantially equal payments over his or her life
              (or a period not exceeding his or her life expectancy) commencing
              not later than December 31 of the year following the year in which
              the Annuitant dies.

       If the Annuitant dies after Distribution has commenced, Distribution must
continue at least as rapidly as under the schedule being used prior to his or
her death.

       Payments commencing on the required beginning date will not be less than
the lesser of the quotient obtained by dividing the entire interest of the
Annuitant by the life expectancy of the Annuitant, or the joint and last
survivor expectancy of the Annuitant and the Annuitant's designated Beneficiary
(if the Contract Owner dies prior to the required beginning date) or the
Beneficiary under the selected Annuity Payment Option (if the Annuitant dies
after the required beginning date) whichever is applicable under the applicable
minimum distribution or MDIB provisions. Life expectancy and joint and last
survivor expectancy are computed by the use of return multiples contained in
Section 1.72-9 of the Treasury Regulations.

       If the amounts distributed to the Annuitant are less than those mentioned
above, penalty tax of 50% is levied on the excess of the amount that should have
been distributed for that year over the amount that actually was distributed for
that year.

Required Distributions for Individual Retirement Annuities and SEP IRAs

       Distribution from an Individual Retirement Annuity must begin not later
than April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the
Contract Owner attains age 70 1/2. Distribution may be accepted in a lump sum or
in substantially equal payments over: (a) the Contract Owner's life or the lives
of the Contract Owner and his or her spouse or designated Beneficiary, or (b) a
period not extending beyond life expectancy of the Contract Owner or the joint
life expectancy of the Contract Owner and the Contract Owner's designated
Beneficiary.

       If the Contract Owner dies prior to the commencement of his or her
Distribution, the interest in the Individual Retirement Annuity must be
distributed by December 31 of the year in which the fifth anniversary of his or
her death occurs unless:

(a)    The Contract Owner names his or her surviving spouse as the Beneficiary
       and such spouse elects to:
    

       (i)    treat the annuity as an Individual Retirement Annuity established
              for his or her benefit; or


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       (ii)   receive Distribution of the account in nearly equal payments over
              his or her life (or a period not exceeding his or her life
              expectancy) and commencing not later than December 31 of the year
              in which the Contract Owner would have attained age 70 1/2; or

(b)    The Contract Owner names a Beneficiary other than his or her surviving
       spouse and such Beneficiary elects to receive a Distribution of the
       account in nearly equal payments over his or her life (or a period not
       exceeding his or her life expectancy) commencing not later than December
       31 of the year following the year in which the Contract Owner dies.

       No Distribution will be required from this Contract if Distributions
otherwise required from this Contract are being withdrawn from another
Individual Retirement Annuity or Individual Annuity Account of the Contract
Owner.

       If the Contract Owner dies after Distribution has commenced, Distribution
must continue at least as rapidly as under the schedule being used prior to his
or her death, except that a surviving spouse who is the Beneficiary under the
Annuity Payment Option, may treat the Contract as his or her own, in the same
manner as is described in Section (a)(i) of this provision.

       If the amounts distributed to the Contract Owner are less than those
mentioned above, penalty tax of 50% is levied on the excess of the amount that
should have been distributed for that year over the amount that actually was
distributed for that year.

       A pro-rata portion of all Distributions will be included in the gross
income of the person receiving the Distribution and taxed at ordinary income tax
rates. The portion of the Distribution which is taxable is based on the ratio
between the amount by which non-deductible Purchase Payments exceed prior
non-taxable Distributions and total account balances at the time of the
Distribution. The Owner of an Individual Retirement Annuity must annually report
the amount of non-deductible Purchase Payments, the amount of any Distribution,
the amount by which non-deductible Purchase Payments for all years exceed
non-taxable Distributions for all years, and the total balance of all Individual
Retirement Accounts and Annuities.
    

       Individual Retirement Annuity Distributions will not receive the benefit
of the tax treatment of a lump sum Distribution from a Qualified Plan. If the
Owner dies prior to the time Distribution of his or her interest in the annuity
is completed, the balance will also be included in his or her gross estate.

   
       Simplified Employee Pensions (SEPs) and Salary Reduction Simplified
Employee Pensions (SAR SEPs), described in Section 408(Contract) of the Code,
are taxed in a manner similar to IRAs, and are subject to similar distribution
requirements as IRAs. SAR SEPs cannot be established after 1996.
    

Generation-Skipping Transfers

       The Company may be required to determine whether the Death Benefit or any
other payment constitutes a direct skip as defined in Section 2612 of the Code,
and the amount of the tax on the generation-skipping transfer resulting from
such direct skip. If applicable, such payment will be reduced by any tax the
Company is required to pay by Section 2603 of the Code.

       A direct skip may occur when property is transferred to, or a Death
Benefit is paid to, an individual two or more generations younger than the
Contract Owner.


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                           FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS

Federal Income Taxes

   
       The Company does not make any guarantee regarding the tax status for any
Contract or any transaction involving the Contracts. Contract Owners should
consult a financial consultant, legal counsel or tax advisor to discuss in
detail the taxation and the use of the Contracts.

       Section 72 of the Code governs federal income taxation of annuities in
general. That section sets forth different rules for: (1) Qualified Contracts;
(2) Individual Retirement Annuities including SEP IRAs; (3) Tax Sheltered
Annuities; and (4) Non-Qualified Contracts. Each type of annuity is discussed
below.

       Distributions to participants from Qualified Contracts or Tax Sheltered
Annuities are generally taxed when received. A portion of each Distribution is
excludable from income based on the ratio between the after tax investment of
the Owner/Annuitant in the Contract and the value of the Contract at the time of
the withdrawal or Annuitization.

       Distributions from Individual Retirement Annuities and Contracts owned by
Individual Retirement Accounts are also generally taxed when received. The
portion of each such payment which is excludable is based on the ratio between
the amount by which nondeductible Purchase Payments to all such Contracts
exceeds prior non-taxable Distributions from such Contracts, and the total
account balances in such Contracts at the time of the Distribution. The Contract
Owner of such Individual Retirement Annuities or the Annuitant under Contracts
held by Individual Retirement Accounts must annually report to the Internal
Revenue Service the amount of nondeductible Purchase Payments, the amount of any
Distribution, the amount by which nondeductible Purchase Payments for all years
exceed non-taxable Distributions for all years, and the total balance in all
Individual Retirement Annuities and Accounts.

       A change of the Annuitant or Contingent Annuitant may be treated by the
Internal Revenue Service as a taxable transaction.
    

Non-Qualified Contracts - Natural Persons as Owners

   
       The rules applicable to Non-Qualified Contracts provide that a portion of
each annuity payment received is excludable from taxable income based on the
ratio between the Contract Owner's investment in the Contract and the expected
return on the Contract until the investment has been recovered; thereafter the
entire amount is includable in income. The maximum amount excludable from income
is the investment in the Contract. If the Annuitant dies prior to excluding from
income the entire investment in the Contract, the Annuitant's final tax return
may reflect a deduction for the balance of the investment in the Contract.

       Distributions made from the Contract prior to the Annuitization Date are
taxable to the Contract Owner to the extent that the cash value of the Contract
exceeds the Contract Owner's investment at the time of the Distribution.
Distributions, for this purpose, include partial surrenders, dividends, loans,
or any portion of the Contract which is assigned or pledged; or for Contracts
issued after April 22, 1987, any portion of the Contract transferred by gift.
For these purposes, a transfer by gift may occur upon Annuitization if the
Contract Owner and the Annuitant are not the same individual. In determining the
taxable amount of a Distribution, all annuity contracts issued after October 21,
1988, by the same company to the same contract owner during any 12 month period,
will be treated as one annuity contract. Additional limitations on the use of
multiple contracts may be imposed by Treasury Regulations. Distributions prior
to the Annuitization Date with respect to that portion of the Contract invested
prior to August 14, 1982, are treated first as a recovery of the investment in
the Contract as of that date. A Distribution in excess of the amount of the
investment in the Contract as of August 14, 1982, will be treated as taxable
income.

       The Tax Reform Act of 1986 has changed the tax treatment of certain
Non-Qualified Contracts held by entities other than individuals. Such entities
are taxed currently on the earnings on the Contract which are attributable to
contributions made to the Contract after February 28, 1986. There are exceptions
for immediate annuities and certain Contracts owned for the benefit of an
individual. An immediate annuity, for purposes of this discussion, is a single
premium Contract on which payments begin within one year of purchase. If this
Contract is issued as the result of an exchange described in Section 1035 of the
Code, for purposes of determining whether the Contract is an immediate annuity,
it will generally be considered to have been purchased on the purchase date of
the contract given up in the exchange.

       Code Section 72 also provides for a penalty tax, equal to 10% of the
portion of any Distribution that is includable in gross income, if such
Distribution is made prior to attaining age 59 1/2. The penalty tax does not
    


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apply if the Distribution is attributable to the Contract Owner's death,
disability or is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made
over the life or life expectancy of the Contract Owner (or the joint lives or
joint life expectancies of the Contract Owner and the beneficiary selected by
the Contract Owner to receive payment under the Annuity Payment Option selected
by the Contract Owner) or for the purchase of an immediate annuity, or is
allocable to an investment in the Contract before August 14, 1982. A Contract
Owner wishing to begin taking Distributions to which the 10% tax penalty does
not apply should forward a written request to the Company. Upon receipt of a
written request from the Contract Owner, the Company will inform the Contract
Owner of the procedures pursuant to Company policy and subject to limitations of
the Contract including but not limited to first year withdrawals. Such election
shall be irrevocable and may not be amended or changed.

       In order to qualify as an annuity contract under Section 72 of the Code,
the contract must provide for distribution of the entire contract to be made
upon the death of a Contract Owner. If a Contract Owner dies prior to the
Annuitization Date, the Contingent Owner or other named recipient must receive
the Distribution within 5 years of the Contract Owner's death. However, the
recipient may elect for payments to be made over his or her life or life
expectancy provided that such payments begin within one year from the death of
the Contract Owner. If the, Contingent Owner or other named recipient is the
surviving spouse, such spouse may be treated as the Contract Owner and the
Contract may be continued throughout the life of the surviving spouse. In the
event the Contract Owner dies on or after the Annuitization Date and before the
entire interest has been distributed, the remaining portion must be distributed
at least as rapidly as under the method of Distribution being used as of the
date of the Contract Owner's death (see "Required Distribution For Qualified
Plans and Tax Sheltered Annuities"). If the Contract Owner is not an individual,
the death of the Annuitant (or a change in the Annuitant) will result in a
Distribution pursuant to these rules, regardless of whether a Contingent
Annuitant is named.

       The Code requires that any election to receive an annuity rather than a
lump sum payment must be made within 60 days after the lump sum becomes payable
(generally, the election must be made within 60 days after the death of an
Contract Owner or the Annuitant). If the election is made more than 60 days
after the lump sum first becomes payable, the election would be ignored for tax
purposes, and the entire amount of the lump sum would be subject to immediate
tax. If the election is made within the 60 day period, each Distribution would
be taxable when it is paid.

       The Code requires that any election to receive an annuity rather than a
lump sum payment must be made within 60 days after the lump sum becomes payable
(generally, the election must be made within 60 days after the death of an
Contract Owner or the Annuitant). If the election is made more than 60 days
after the lump sum first becomes payable, the election would be ignored for tax
purposes, and the entire amount of the lump sum would be subject to immediate
tax. If the election is made within the 60 day period, each Distribution would
be taxable when it is paid.

Non-Qualified Contracts - Non-Natural Persons as Owners

       The foregoing discussion of the taxation of Non-Qualified Contracts
applies to Contracts owned (or, pursuant to Section 72(u) of the Code, deemed to
be owned) by individuals; it does not apply to Contracts where one or more
non-individuals is an Owner.

       As a general rule, contracts owned by corporations, partnerships, trusts,
and similar entities ("Non-Natural Persons"), rather than by one or more
individuals, are not treated as annuity contracts for most purposes under the
Code; in particular, they are not treated as annuity contracts for purposes of
Section 72. Therefore, the taxation rules for Distributions, as described above,
do not apply to Non-Qualified Contracts owned by Non-Natural Persons. Rather,
the following rules will apply.

       The income earned under a Non-Qualified Contract that is owned by a
Non-Natural Person is taxed as ordinary income during the taxable year that it
is earned, and is not deferred, even if the income is not distributed out of the
Contract to the Owner.

       The foregoing Non-Natural Owner rule does not apply to all entity-owned
contracts. First, for this purpose, a Contract that is owned by a Non-Natural
Person as an agent for an individual is treated as owned by the individual. This
exception does not apply, however, to a Non-Natural Person who is an employer
that holds the Contract under a non-qualified deferred compensation arrangement
for one or more employees.

       The Non-Natural Person rules also do not apply to a Contract that is (a)
acquired by the estate of a decedent by reason of the death of the decedent; (b)
issued in connection with certain qualified retirement
    


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plans and individual retirement plans; (c) used in connection with certain
structured settlements; (d) purchased by an employer upon the termination of
certain qualified retirement plans; or (e) an immediate annuity.

Qualified Plans, Individual Retirement Annuities, SEP IRAs and Tax Sheltered
Annuities

       The Contract may be purchased as a Qualified Contract, an Individual
Retirement Annuity, SEP IRA, or a Tax Sheltered Annuity. The Contract Owner
should seek competent advice as to the tax consequences associated with the use
of a Contract as an Individual Retirement Annuity.

       For information regarding eligibility, limitations on permissible amounts
of Purchase Payments, and the tax consequences of distributions from Qualified
Plans, Tax Sheltered Annuities, Individual Retirement Annuities, SEP IRAs and
other plans that receive favorable tax treatment, the purchasers of such
contracts should seek competent advice. The terms of such plans may limit the
rights available under the Contracts.

       Pursuant to Section 403(b)(1)(E) Code, a Contract that is issued as a
Tax-Sheltered Annuity is required to limit the amount of the Purchase Payment
for any year to an amount that does not exceed the limit set forth in Section
402(g) of the Code ($7,000), as it is from time to time increased to reflect
increases in the cost of living. This limit may be reduced by any deposits,
contributions or payments made to any other Tax-Sheltered Annuity or other plan,
contract or arrangement by or on behalf of the Owner.

       The Code permits the rollover of most Distributions from Qualified Plans
to other Qualified Plans or Individual Retirement Annuities. Most Distributions
from Tax-Sheltered Annuities may be rolled into another Tax-Sheltered Annuity,
Individual Retirement Annuity, or an Individual Retirement Accounts.
Distributions that may not be rolled over are those which are:

1.     one of a series of substantially equal annual (or more frequent) payments
       made: (a) over the life (or life expectancy) of the Contract Owner; (b)
       over the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the Contract Owner
       and the Contract Owner's designated Beneficiary; or (c) for a specified
       period of ten years or more; or

2.     a required minimum Distribution.

       Any Distribution eligible for rollover will be subject to federal tax
withholding at a rate of twenty percent (20%) unless the Distribution is
transferred directly to an appropriate plan as described above.

       Individual Retirement Annuities may not provide life insurance benefits.
If the Death Benefit exceeds the greater of the cash value of the Contract or
the sum of all Purchase Payments (less any surrenders), it is possible the
Internal Revenue Service could determine that the Individual Retirement Annuity
did not qualify for the desired tax treatment.

       The Contract is available for Qualified Plans electing to comply with
section 404(c) of ERISA. It is the responsibility of the plan and its
fiduciaries to determine and satisfy the requirements of section 404(c).

Withholding

       The Company is required to withhold tax from certain Distributions to the
extent that such Distribution would constitute income to the Contract Owner or
other payee. The Contract Owner or other payee is entitled to elect not to have
federal income tax withheld from any such Distribution, but may be subject to
penalties in the event insufficient federal income tax is withheld during a
calendar year. However, if the Internal Revenue Service notifies the Company
that the Contract Owner or other payee has furnished an incorrect taxpayer
identification number, or if the Contract Owner or other payee fails to provide
a taxpayer identification number, the Distributions may be subject to back-up
withholding at the statutory rate, which is presently 31%, and which cannot be
waived by the Contract Owner or other payee.

Non-Resident Aliens

       Distributions to nonresident aliens (NRAs) are generally subject to
federal income tax and tax withholding, at a statutory rate of thirty percent
(30%) of the amount of income that is distributed. The Company may be required
to withhold such amount from the Distribution and remit it to the Internal
Revenue Service. Distributions to certain NRAs may be subject to lower, or in
certain instances, zero tax and withholding rates, if the United States has
entered into an applicable treaty. However, in order to obtain the benefits of
such treaty provisions, the NRA must give to the Company sufficient proof of his
or her residency and citizenship in the form and manner prescribed by the
Internal Revenue Service. In addition, for any Distribution made after December
31, 1997, the NRA must obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number from
the Internal Revenue Service, and furnish that number to the Company prior to
the Distribution. If the Company does not have the proper proof of citizenship
or residency and (for Distributions after December 31,
    


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1997) a proper Individual Taxpayer Identification Number prior to any
Distribution, the Company will be required to withhold 30% of the income,
regardless of any treaty provision.

       A payment may not be subject to withholding where the recipient
sufficiently establishes to the Company that such payment is effectively
connected to the recipient's conduct of a trade or business in the United States
and that such payment is includable in the recipient's gross income for United
States federal income tax purposes. Any such Distributions will be subject to
the rules set forth in the section entitled "Withholding."

Federal Estate, Gift, and Generation Skipping Transfer Taxes

       A transfer of the Contract from one Contract Owner to another, or the
payment of a Distribution under the Contract to someone other than a Contract
Owner, may constitute a gift for federal gift tax purposes. Upon the death of
the Contract Owner, the value of the Contract may be included in his or her
gross estate, even if all or a portion of the value is also subject to federal
income taxes.

       The Company may be required to determine whether the Death Benefit or any
other payment or Distribution constitutes a "direct skip" as defined in Section
2612 of the Code, and the amount of the generation skipping transfer tax, if
any, resulting from such direct skip. A direct skip may occur when property is
transferred to, or a Death Benefit or other Distribution is made to (a) an
individual who is two or more generations younger than the Owner; or (b) certain
trusts, as described in Section 2613 of the Code (generally, trusts that have no
beneficiaries who are not 2 or more generations younger than the Owner). If the
Owner is not an individual, then for this purpose only, "Owner" refers to any
person who would be required to include the Contract, Death Benefit,
Distribution, or other payment in his federal gross estate at his death, or who
is required to report the transfer of the Contract, Death Benefit, Distribution,
or other payment for federal gift tax purposes.

       If the Company determines that a generation skipping transfer tax is
required to be paid by reason of such direct skip, the Company is required to
reduce the amount of such Death Benefit, Distribution, or other payment by such
tax liability, and pay the tax liability directly to the Internal Revenue
Service.

       Federal estate, gift and generation skipping transfer tax consequences,
and state and local estate, inheritance, succession, generation skipping
transfer, and other tax consequences, of owning or transferring a Contract, and
of receiving a Distribution, Death Benefit, or other payment, depend on the
circumstances of the person owning or transferring the Contract, or receiving a
Distribution, Death Benefit, or other payment.
    

Charge for Tax Provisions

       The Company is no longer required to maintain a capital gain reserve
liability on Non-Qualified Contracts since capital gains attributable to assets
held in the Company's Variable Account for such Contracts are not taxable to the
Company. However, the Company reserves the right to implement and adjust the tax
charge in the future, if the tax laws change.

Diversification

       The Internal Revenue Service has promulgated regulations under Section
817(h) of the Code relating to diversification standards for the investments
underlying a variable annuity contract. The regulations provide that a variable
annuity contract which does not satisfy the diversification standards will not
be treated as an annuity contract, unless the failure to satisfy the regulations
was inadvertent, the failure is corrected, and the Contract Owner or the Company
pays an amount to the Internal Revenue Service. The amount will be based on the
tax that would have been paid by the Contract Owner if the income, for the
period the Contract was not diversified, had been received by the Contract
Owner. If the failure to diversify is not corrected in this manner, the Contract
Owner of an annuity Contract will be deemed the owner of the underlying
securities and will be taxed on the earnings of his or her account. The Company
believes, under its interpretation of the Code and regulations thereunder, that
the investments underlying this Contract meet these diversification standards.

       Representatives of the Internal Revenue Service have suggested, from time
to time, that the number of underlying Mutual Funds available or the number of
transfer opportunities available under a variable product may be relevant in
determining whether the product qualifies for the desired tax treatment. No
formal guidance has been issued in this area. Should the Secretary of the
Treasury issue additional rules or regulations limiting the number of underlying
Mutual Funds, transfers between underlying Mutual Funds, exchanges of underlying
Mutual Funds or changes in investment objectives of underlying Mutual Funds such
that the Contract would no


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longer qualify as an annuity under Section 72 of the Code, the Company will take
whatever steps are available to remain in compliance.

Tax Changes

       In the recent past, the Code has been subjected to numerous amendments
and changes, and it is reasonable to believe that it will continue to be
revised. The United States Congress has, in the past, considered numerous
legislative proposals that, if enacted, could change the tax treatment of the
Contracts. It is reasonable to believe that such proposals, and other proposals
will be considered in the future, and some of them may be enacted into law. In
addition, the Treasury Department may amend existing regulations, issue new
regulations, or adopt new interpretations of existing law that may be in
variance with its current positions on these matters. In addition, current state
law (which is not discussed herein), and future amendments to state law, may
affect the tax consequences of the Contract.

       The foregoing discussion, which is based on the Company's understanding
of federal tax laws as they are currently interpreted by the Internal Revenue
Service, is general and is not intended as tax advice. Statutes, regulations,
and rulings are subject to interpretation by the courts. The courts may
determine that a different interpretation than the currently favored
interpretation is appropriate, thereby changing the operation of the rules that
are applicable to annuity contracts.

       Any of the foregoing may change from time to time without any notice, and
the tax consequences arising out of a Contract may be changed retroactively.
There is no way of predicting whether, when, and to what extent any such change
may take place. No representation is made as to the likelihood of the
continuation of these current laws, interpretations, and policies.

THE FOREGOING IS A GENERAL EXPLANATION AS TO CERTAIN TAX MATTERS PERTAINING TO
ANNUITY CONTRACTS. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE, AND SHOULD NOT
TAKE THE PLACE OF YOUR INDEPENDENT LEGAL, TAX AND/OR FINANCIAL ADVISOR.

                               GENERAL INFORMATION

Contract Owner Inquiries

       Contract Owner inquiries may be directed to Nationwide Life Insurance
Company by writing P.O. Box 182160, Columbus, Ohio 43216, or calling
1-800-573-5775, TDD 1-800-238-3035.
    

Statements and Reports

       The Company will mail to Contract Owners, at their last known address of
record, any statements and reports required by applicable law. Contract Owners
should therefore give the Company prompt notice of any address change. The
Company will send a confirmation statement to Contract Owners each time a
transaction is made affecting the Owners' Variable Account Contract Value, such
as making additional Purchase Payments, transfers, exchanges or withdrawals.
Quarterly statements are also mailed detailing the Contract activity during the
calendar quarter. Instead of receiving an immediate confirmation of transactions
made pursuant to some types of periodic payment plan (such as a dollar cost
averaging program) or salary reduction arrangement, the Contract Owner may
receive confirmation of such transactions in their quarterly statements. The
Contract Owner should review the information in these statements carefully. All
errors or corrections must be reported to the Company immediately to assure
proper crediting to the Owner's Contract. The Company will assume all
transactions are accurately reported on quarterly statements or confirmation
statements unless the Contract Owner notifies the Company otherwise within 30
days after receipt of the statement. The Company will also send to Contract
Owners each year a semi-annual and annual report containing financial statements
for the Variable Account, as of June 30 and December 31, respectively.

Advertising

   
       A "yield" and "effective yield" may be advertised for the Variable
Insurance Products Fund Money Market Portfolio Sub-Account. "Yield" is a measure
of the net dividend and interest income earned over a specific seven-day period
(which period will be stated in the advertisement) expressed as a percentage of
the offering price of the Sub-Account's units. Yield is an annualized figure,
which means that it is assumed that the Sub-Account generates the same level of
net income over a 52-week period. The "effective yield" is calculated similarly
but includes the effect of assumed compounding, calculated under rules
prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The effective yield will
be slightly higher than yield due to this compounding effect.
    


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<PAGE>   39

       The Company may also from time to time advertise the performance of the
Sub-Account of the Variable Account relative to the performance of other
variable annuity sub-accounts or underlying mutual fund options with similar or
different objectives, or the investment industry as a whole. Other investments
to which the Sub-Accounts may be compared include, but are not limited to:
precious metals; real estate; stocks and bonds; closed-end funds; CDs; bank
money market deposit accounts and passbook savings; and the Consumer Price
Index.

       The Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account may also be compared to certain
market indexes, which may include, but are not limited to: the S&P 500;
Shearson/Lehman Intermediate Government/Corporate Bond Index; Shearson/Lehman
Long-Term Government/Corporate Bond Index; Donoghue Money Fund Average; U.S.
Treasury Note Index; Bank Rate Monitor National Index of 2 1/2 Year CD Rates;
and the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

   
       Normally these rankings and ratings are published by independent tracking
services and publications of general interest including, but not limited to:
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., CDA Technologies, Morningstar, Donoghue's,
Wiesenberger; magazines such as Money, Forbes, Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Magazine, Financial World, Consumer Reports, Business Week, Time, Newsweek,
National Underwriter, U.S. News and World Report; rating services such as LIMRA,
Value, Best's Agent Guide, Western Annuity Guide, Comparative Annuity Reports;
and other publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Barron's, Investor's
Daily, and Standard & Poor's Outlook. In addition, Variable Annuity Research &
Data Service (The VARDS Report) is an independent rating service that ranks over
500 variable annuity funds based upon total return performance. These rating
services and publications rank the performance of the underlying Mutual Fund
options against all underlying mutual funds over specified periods and against
underlying mutual funds in specified categories.
The rankings may or may not include the effects of sales or other charges.
    

       The Company is also ranked and rated by independent financial rating
services, among which are Moody's, Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best Company. The
purpose of these ratings is to reflect the financial strength or claims-paying
ability of the Company. The ratings are not intended to reflect the investment
experience or financial strength of the Variable Account. The Company may
advertise these ratings from time to time. In addition, the Company may include
in certain advertisements, endorsements in the form of a list of organizations,
individuals or other parties which recommend the Company or the Contracts.
Furthermore, the Company may occasionally include in advertisements comparisons
of currently taxable and tax deferred investment programs, based on selected tax
brackets, or discussions of alternative investment vehicles and general economic
conditions.

       The Company may from time to time advertise several types of historical
performance for the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account. The Company may
advertise for the Sub-Accounts standardized "average annual total return",
calculated in a manner prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and
nonstandardized "total return." "Average annual total return" will show the
percentage rate of return of a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 for at
least the most recent one, five and ten year period, or for a period covering
the time the underlying Mutual Fund option held in the Sub-Account has been in
existence, if the underlying Mutual Fund option has not been in existence for
one of the prescribed periods. This calculation reflects the deduction of all
applicable charges made to the Contracts except for premium taxes, which may be
imposed by certain states.

       Nonstandardized "total return" will be calculated in a similar manner and
for the same time periods as the average annual total return except total return
will assume an initial investment of $10,000 and will not reflect the deduction
of any applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, which, if reflected, would
decrease the level of performance shown. The Contingent Deferred Sales Charge is
not reflected because the Contracts are designed for long term investment. An
assumed initial investment of $10,000 will be used because that figure more
closely approximates the size of a typical Contract than does the $1,000 figure
used in calculating the standardized average annual total return quotations. The
amount of the hypothetical initial investment assumed affects performance
because the Contract Maintenance Charge is a fixed per Contract charge.

       For those underlying Mutual Fund options which have not been held as
Sub-Accounts within the Variable Account for one of the quoted periods, the
standardized average annual total return and nonstandardized total return
quotations will show the investment performance such underlying Mutual Fund
options would have achieved (reduced by the applicable charges) had they been
held as Sub-Accounts within the Variable Account for the period quoted.


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<PAGE>   40

All performance information and comparative material advertised by the Company
is historical in nature and is not intended to represent or guarantee future
results. A Contract Owner's Contract Value at redemption may be more or less
than original cost.

Standardized average annual return and non-standardized total returns are
calculated as described above, for each of the Sub-Accounts available within the
Variable Account for which there is significant investment history. These
figures are based upon historical earnings and are not necessarily
representative of future results.

Below are the quotations of standardized average annual total return and
non-standardized average annual total return for each of the Sub-Accounts
available within the Variable Account.

                   UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
                    Standardized Average Annual Total Return

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1 YEAR TO             5 YEARS TO           LIFE OF FUND            DATE FUND
       SUB-ACCOUNT OPTIONS               12-31-96               12/31/96             TO 12/31/96            EFFECTIVE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>                  <C>                     <C>                  <C>  
Variable Insurance Products Fund-          4.40%                13.84%                  9.92%*               10/9/86
Equity - Income Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-          4.82%                10.85%                 11.56%*               10/9/86
Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-          3.34%                 4.51%                  3.68%                1/28/87
Overseas Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-          4.15%                10.86%                  7.09%*               9/19/85
High Income Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-         -4.37%                -.022%                  1.89%*                4/1/82
Money Market Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund           4.72%                 6.91%                  7.45%                 9/1/89
II- Asset Manager Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          10.09%                   NA                  14.94%                 1/3/95
II-Asset Manager: Growth
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          11.35%                   NA                  23.83%                 1/3/95
II- Contrafund Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          12.84%                   NA                  12.30%                8/27/92
II- Index 500 Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          -6.49%                 2.06%                  3.82%                12/5/88
II - Investment Grade Bond
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund           0.14%                   NA                   5.09%                 1/3/95
III- Balanced Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund            NA                     NA                    NA                 12/31/96
III- Growth & Income Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund           8.33%                   NA                  18.73%                 1/3/95
III- Growth Opportunities Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>

* Represents 10 years to 12/31/96


                                       38

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<PAGE>   41

UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

   
                  Non-Standardized Average Annual Total Return

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1 YEAR TO             5 YEARS TO           LIFE OF FUND            DATE FUND
       SUB-ACCOUNT OPTIONS               12/31/96               12/31/96             TO 12/31/96            EFFECTIVE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>                   <C>                   <C>                    <C>  
Variable Insurance Products Fund-
Equity - Income Portfolio                 12.50%                16.23%                12.06%*                10/9/86
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund- 
Growth Portfolio                          12.92%                13.43%                13.47%*                10/9/86
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-         12.25%                                       9.45%*
High Income Portfolio                                           13.25%                                       9/19/85
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-          3.73%                 2.88%                 4.34%*                 4/1/82
Money Market Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products               11.44%                 7.44%                 6.24%                 1/28/87
Fund- Overseas Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          12.82%                 9.57%                 9.98%                  9/1/89
II- Asset Manager Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          18.19%                  N/A                 19.77%                  1/3/95
II- Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          19.45%                  N/A                 28.34%                  1/3/95
II- Contrafund Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          20.94%                  N/A                 15.63%                 8/27/92
II- Index 500 Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund           1.54%                 4.98%                 6.53%                 12/5/88
II- Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund           8.24%                  N/A                 10.23%                  1/3/95
III- Balanced Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund            N/A                   N/A                    N/A                12/31/96
III- Growth & Income Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          16.43%                  N/A                 23.40%                 1/3/95
III- Growth Opportunities Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    

* Represents 10 years to 12/31/96.


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<PAGE>   42

                                LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   
       From time to time the Company is a party to litigation and arbitration
proceedings in the ordinary course of its business, none of which is expected to
have a material adverse effect on the Company.

       In recent years, life insurance companies have been named as defendants
in lawsuits, including class action lawsuits, relating to life insurance pricing
and sales practices. A number of these lawsuits have resulted in substantial
jury awards or settlements. In October 1996, a policyholder of Nationwide Life
filed a complaint in Alabama state court against Nationwide Life and an agent of
Nationwide Life (Wayne M. King v. Nationwide Life Insurance Company and Danny
Nix) related to the sale of a whole life policy on a "vanishing premium" basis
and seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. In February 1997,
Nationwide Life was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in New York Supreme
Court also related to the sale of whole life policies on a "vanishing premium"
basis (John H. Snyder v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Nationwide Mutual
Insurance Co. and Nationwide Life Insurance Co.). The plaintiff in such lawsuit
seeks to represent a national class of Nationwide Life policyholders and claims
unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. This lawsuit is in an early stage
and has not been certified as a class action. Nationwide Life intends to defend
these cases vigorously. There can be no assurance that any future litigation
relating to pricing and sales practices will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company.
    

            TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                                                           Page

   
General Information and History..............................................1
Services.....................................................................1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered.........................................1
Underwriters.................................................................2
Calculations of Performance..................................................2
Underlying Mutual Fund Performance Summary...................................4
Annuity Payments.............................................................5
Financial Statements.........................................................6
    


                                       40

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<PAGE>   43

                                    APPENDIX

       Purchase Payments under the Fixed Account portion of the Contract and
transfers to the Fixed Account portion become part of the general account of the
Company, which support insurance and annuity obligations. Because of exemptive
and exclusionary provisions, interests in the general account have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 ("1933 Act"), nor is the general
account registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of
1940 ("1940 Act"). Accordingly, neither the general account nor any interest
therein are generally subject to the provisions of the 1933 or 1940 Acts, and we
have been advised that the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has
not reviewed the disclosures in this prospectus which related to the guaranteed
interest portion. Disclosures regarding the Fixed Account portion of the
Contract and the general 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.

                            FIXED ACCOUNT ALLOCATIONS

The Fixed Account

       The Fixed Account is made up of all the general assets of the Company,
other than those in the Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account and any
other segregated asset account. Fixed Account Purchase Payments will be
allocated to the Fixed Account by election of the Contract Owner at the time of
purchase.

       The Company will invest the assets of the Fixed Account in those assets
chosen by the Company and allowed by applicable law. Investment income from such
Fixed Account assets will be allocated by the Company between itself and the
Contracts participating in the Fixed Account.

       The level of annuity payments made to Annuitants under the Contracts will
not be affected by the mortality experience (death rate) of persons receiving
such payments or of the general population. The Company assumes this "mortality
risk" by virtue of annuity rates incorporated in the Contract which cannot be
changed. In addition, the Company guarantees that it will not increase charges
for maintenance of the Contracts regardless of its actual expenses.

   
       Investment income from the Fixed Account allocated to the Company
includes compensation for mortality and expense risks borne by the Company in
connection with Fixed Account Contracts. The amount of such investment income
allocated to the Contracts will vary from year to year in the sole discretion of
the Company at such rate or rates as the Company prospectively declares from
time to time. Any such rate or rates so determined will remain effective for a
period of not less than twelve months, and remain at such rate unless changed.
However, the Company guarantees that it will credit interest at not less than
3.0% per year (or as otherwise required under state law, or at such minimum rate
as stated in the contract when sold). ANY INTEREST CREDITED TO AMOUNTS ALLOCATED
TO THE FIXED ACCOUNT IN EXCESS OF 3.0% PER YEAR WILL BE DETERMINED IN THE SOLE
DISCRETION OF THE COMPANY. THE CONTRACT OWNER ASSUMES THE RISK THAT INTEREST
CREDITED TO FIXED ACCOUNT ALLOCATIONS MAY NOT EXCEED THE MINIMUM GUARANTEE OF
3.0% FOR ANY GIVEN YEAR. New Purchase Payments deposited to the Contract which
are allocated to the Fixed Account may receive a different rate of interest than
money transferred from the Variable Account Sub-Accounts to the Fixed Account
and amounts maturing in the Fixed Account at the expiration of an Interest Rate
Guarantee Period.
    

       The Company guarantees that, at any time, the Fixed Account Contract
Value will not be less than the amount of the Purchase Payments allocated to the
Fixed Account, plus interest credited as described above, less the sum of all
administrative charges, any applicable premium taxes, and less any amounts
surrendered. If the Contract Owner effects a surrender, the amount available
from the Fixed Account will be reduced by any applicable Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge (see "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").

Transfers

   
       Contract Owners may at the maturity of an Interest Rate Guarantee Period,
transfer a portion of the value of the Fixed Account to the Variable Account.
The maximum percentage that may be transferred will be determined by the Company
at its sole discretion, but will not be less than 10% of the total value of the
portion of the Fixed Account that is maturing and will be declared upon the
expiration date of the then current Interest Rate Guarantee Period. The Interest
Rate Guarantee Period expires on the final day of a calendar quarter. Transfers
must be made within 45 days after the expiration date of the guarantee period.
Contract Owners who have entered into a Dollar Cost Averaging Agreement with the
Company (see "Dollar Cost Averaging") may transfer from the Fixed Account to the
Variable Account under the terms of that agreement.
    


                                       41

                                   43 of 104
<PAGE>   44

                      ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD-FIXED ACCOUNT

First and Subsequent Payments

       A Fixed Annuity is an annuity with payments which are guaranteed by the
Company as to dollar amount during the annuity payment period. The first Fixed
Annuity payment will be determined by applying the Fixed Account Contract Value
to the applicable Annuity Table in accordance with the Annuity Payment Option
elected. This will be done at the Annuitization Date on an age last birthday
basis. Fixed Annuity payments after the first will not be less than the first
Fixed Annuity payment.

       The Company does not credit discretionary interest to Fixed Annuity
payments during the annuity payment period for annuity options based on life
contingencies. The Annuitant must rely on the Annuity Tables applicable to the
Contracts to determine the amount of such Fixed Annuity payments.

Annuity Tables and Assumed Interest Rate

       The Annuity Tables contained in the Contracts are based on the 1971
Individual Annuity Mortality Table (set back one year) and an assumed interest
rate of 3.5%.


                                       42

                                   44 of 104
<PAGE>   45

   
                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                                   MAY 1, 1997

              INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS ISSUED
                      BY NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            THROUGH ITS NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT

       This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It contains
information in addition to and in some respects more detailed than set forth in
the prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated May
1, 1997. The prospectus may be obtained from Nationwide Life Insurance Company
by writing P.O. Box 182610, Columbus, Ohio 43216, or calling 1-800-573-5775,
Voice Response (available 24 hours) 1-800-573-2447, TDD 1-800-238-3035.
    

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           Page

General Information and History..............................................1
Services.....................................................................1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered.........................................1
Underwriters.................................................................2
Calculations of Performance..................................................2
Underlying Mutual Fund Performance Summary...................................4
Annuity Payments.............................................................5
Financial Statements.........................................................6

General Information and History

   
       The Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account is a separate investment
account of Nationwide Life Insurance Company ("Company"). The Company is a
member of the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and all of the Company's common
stock is owned by Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. ("NFS"), a holding
company. NFS has two classes of common stock outstanding with different voting
rights enabling Nationwide Corporation (the holder of all of the outstanding
Class B Common Stock) to control NFS. Nationwide Corporation is a holding
company, as well. All of its common stock is held by Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Company (95.3%) and Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company (4.7%), the
ultimate controlling persons of Nationwide Insurance Enterprise. The Nationwide
Insurance Enterprise is one of America's largest insurance and financial
services family of companies, with combined assets of over $ 67.5 billion as of
December 31, 1996.
    

Services

       The Company, which has responsibility for administration of the Contracts
and the Variable Account, maintains records of the name, address, taxpayer
identification number, and other pertinent information for each Contract Owner
and the number and type of Contract issued to each such Contract Owner and
records with respect to the Contract Value of each Contract.

       The Custodian of the assets of the Variable Account is the Company. The
Company will maintain a record of all purchases and redemptions of shares of the
underlying Mutual Funds.

       The Company has entered into an agreement with the adviser of the
underlying Mutual Funds. The agreement relates to administrative services
furnished by the Company and provides for an annual fee based on the average
aggregate net assets of the Variable Account (and other separate accounts of the
Company or life insurance company subsidiaries of the Company) invested in
particular underlying Mutual Funds. These fees in no way affect the net asset
value of the underlying Mutual Funds or fees paid by the Contract Owner.

       The financial statements and schedules have been included herein in
reliance upon the reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public
accountants, Two Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215, and upon the authority
of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Purchase of Securities Being Offered

       The Contracts will be sold by licensed insurance agents in the states
where the Contracts may be lawfully sold. Such agents will be registered
representatives of broker-dealers registered under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 who are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD").

       The Contract Owner may transfer up to 100% of the Contract Value from the
Variable Account to the Fixed Account. However, the Company, at its sole
discretion, reserves the right to limit such transfers to 25% of


                                       2

                                   45 of 104
<PAGE>   46

the Contract Value for any 12 month period. Contract Owners may at the maturity
of an Interest Rate Guarantee Period transfer a portion of the Contract Value of
the Fixed Account to the Variable Account. Such portion will be determined by
the Company at its sole discretion (but will not be less than 10% of the total
value of the portion of the Fixed Account that is maturing), and will be
declared upon the expiration date of the then current Interest Rate Guarantee
Period. The Interest Rate Guarantee Period expires on the final day of a
calendar quarter. Transfers under this provision must be made within 30 days
after the termination date of the guarantee period. Owners who have entered into
a Dollar Cost Averaging agreement with the Company may transfer from the Fixed
Account under the terms of that agreement.

       Transfers from the Fixed and Variable Accounts may not be made prior to
the first Contract Anniversary. Transfers from the Fixed Account may not be made
within 12 months of any prior Transfer. Transfers must also be made prior to the
Annuitization Date.

Underwriters

   
       The Contracts, which are offered continuously, are distributed by
Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Company, Inc. ("Fidelity"), 82
Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. The Company has paid no
underwriting commission to Fidelity. During the year ended December 31, 1996, no
underwriting commissions were paid by the Company to Fidelity.
    

Calculations of Performance

   
       Any current yield quotations of the Variable Insurance Products Fund
Money Market Portfolio ("Money Market Portfolio"), subject to Rule 482 of the
Securities Act of 1933, shall consist of a seven calendar day historical yield,
carried at least to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The yield shall be
calculated by determining the net change, exclusive of capital changes, in the
value of hypothetical pre-existing account having a balance of one accumulation
unit at the beginning of the base period, subtracting a hypothetical charge
reflecting deductions from Contract Owner accounts, and dividing the net change
in account value by the value of the account at the beginning of the period to
obtain a base period return, and multiplying the base period return by (365/7)
or (366/7) in a leap year. As of December 31, 1996, the Money Market Portfolio's
seven day current unit value yield was 3.95%. The Money Market Portfolio's
effective yield is computed similarly but includes the effect of assumed
compounding on an annualized basis of the current unit value yield quotations of
the Money Market Portfolio, and for the period ending December 31, 1996, the
effective yield was 4.03%.

       The Money Market Portfolio's yield and effective yield will fluctuate
daily. Actual yields will depend on factors such as the type of instruments in
the Fund's portfolio, portfolio quality and average maturity, changes in
interest rates, and the Portfolio's expenses. Although the Sub-Account
determines its yield on the basis of a seven calendar day period, it may use a
different time period on occasion. The yield quotes may reflect the expense
limitation described in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information. There is
no assurance that the yields quoted on any given occasion will remain in effect
for any period of time and there is no guarantee that the net asset values will
remain constant. It should be noted that a Contract Owner's investment in the
Money Market Portfolio is not guaranteed or insured. Yield of other money market
funds may not be comparable if a different base period or another method of
calculation is used.
    

       Income gathered within a bond Sub-Account may be reflected in "30 Day
Yield" quotations. Such quotations are computed by dividing the net investment
income per Accumulation Unit during a 30 day period by the maximum unit value
per Accumulation Unit on the last day of the period. The formula for arriving at
bond fund yield quotations is as follows: 2[(a-b)/cd+1)6-1] where: a = net
investment income earned by the applicable portfolio; b = expenses for the
period, including contract level fees and charges; c = the average daily number
of Accumulation Units outstanding during the period; and d = the maximum
offering price per Accumulation Unit on the last day of the period.

       All performance advertising shall also include quotations of standardized
average annual total return, calculated in accordance with a standard method
prescribed by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to facilitate
comparison with standardized average annual total return advertised for a
specific period is found by first taking a hypothetical $1,000 investment in
each of the Sub-Accounts' units on the first day of the period at the offering
price, which is the Accumulation Unit Value per unit ("initial investment") and
computing the ending redeemable value ("redeemable value") of that investment at
the end of the period. The redeemable value is then divided by the initial
investment and this quotient is taken to the Nth root (N represents the number
of years in the period) and 1 is subtracted from the result which is then
expressed as a


                                       3

                                   46 of 104
<PAGE>   47

percentage, carried to at least the nearest hundredth of a percent. Standardized
average annual total return reflects the deduction of a maximum $30 Contract
Maintenance Charge and a 1.30% Mortality, Expense Risk and Administration
Charge. The redeemable value also reflects the effect of any applicable
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge that may be imposed at the end of the period
(see the "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" provision located in the
prospectus). No deduction is made for premium taxes which may be assessed by
certain states. Nonstandardized total return may also be advertised, and is
calculated in a manner similar to standardized average annual total return
except the nonstandardized total return is based on a hypothetical initial
investment of $10,000 and does not reflect the deduction of any applicable
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Reflecting the Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge would decrease the level of the performance advertised. The Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge is not reflected because the Contract is designed for long
term investment. An assumed initial investment of $10,000 will be used because
that figure more closely approximates the size of a typical Contract than does
the $1,000 figure used in calculating the standardized average annual total
return quotations. The amount of the hypothetical initial investment used
affects performance because the Contract Maintenance Charge is fixed per
Contract charge.

       The standardized average annual total return and nonstandardized average
annual total return quotations will be current to the last day of the calendar
quarter preceding the date on which an advertisement is submitted for
publication. Both the standardized average annual return and the nonstandardized
average annual total return will be based on rolling calendar quarters and will
cover periods of one, five, and ten years, or a period covering the time the
underlying Mutual Fund held in the Sub-Account has been in existence, if the
underlying Mutual Fund has not been in existence for one of the prescribed
periods. For those underlying Mutual Funds which have not been held as
Sub-Accounts within the Variable Account for one of the quoted periods, the
average annual total return and nonstandardized total return quotations will
show the investment performance such underlying Mutual Funds would have achieved
(reduced by the applicable charges) had they been held as Sub-Accounts within
the Variable Account for the period quoted.

       Quotations of average annual total return and total return are based upon
historical earnings and will fluctuate. Any quotation of performance, therefore,
would not be considered a guarantee of future performance. Factors affecting a
Sub-Account's performance include general market conditions, operating expenses
and investment management. A Contract Owner's account when redeemed may be more
or less than original cost.

Below are the quotations of standardized average annual total return and
non-standardized average annual total return, calculated as described above, for
each of the Sub-Accounts available within the Variable Account.


                                       4

                                   47 of 104
<PAGE>   48

                   UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

                    Standardized Average Annual Total Return

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1 YEAR TO             5 YEARS TO           LIFE OF FUND            DATE FUND
       SUB-ACCOUNT OPTIONS               12-31-96               12/31/96             TO 12/31/96            EFFECTIVE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>                  <C>                    <C>                   <C>  
   
Variable Insurance Products Fund-          4.40%                13.84%                  9.92%*               10/9/86
Equity - Income Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-          4.82%                10.85%                 11.56%*               10/9/86
Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund           4.72%                 6.91%                  7.45%                 9/1/89
II- Asset Manager Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          10.09%                   NA                  14.94%                 1/3/95
II- Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          11.35%                   NA                  23.83%                 1/3/95
II- Contrafund Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          12.84%                   NA                  12.30%                8/27/92
II- Index 500 Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          -6.49%                 2.06%                  3.82%                12/5/88
II- Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund           0.14%                   NA                   5.09%                 1/3/95
III- Balanced Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund            NA                     NA                    NA                 12/31/96
III- Growth & Income Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund           8.33%                   NA                  18.73%                 1/3/95
III- Growth Opportunities Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>

* Represents 10 years to 12/31/96.


                                       5

                                   48 of 104
<PAGE>   49

                  Non-Standardized Average Annual Total Return

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1 YEAR TO             5 YEARS TO           LIFE OF FUND            DATE FUND
       SUB-ACCOUNT OPTIONS               12-31-96               12/31/96             TO 12/31/96            EFFECTIVE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>                   <C>                    <C>                   <C>  
   
Variable Insurance Products Fund-         12.50%                16.23%                 12.06%*               10/9/86
Equity - Income Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-         12.92%                13.43%                 13.47%*               10/9/86
Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-         12.25%                13.25%                  9.45%*               9/19/85
High Income Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-          3.73%                 2.88%                  4.34%*                4/1/82
Money Market Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products               11.44%                 7.44%                  6.24%                1/28/87
Fund- Overseas Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          12.82%                 9.57%                  9.98%                 9/1/89
II- Asset Manager Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          18.19%                  N/A                  19.77%                 1/3/95
II- Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          19.45%                  N/A                  28.34%                 1/3/95
II- Contrafund Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          20.94%                  N/A                  15.63%                8/27/92
II- Index 500 Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund           1.54%                 4.98%                  6.53%                12/5/88
II- Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund           8.24%                  N/A                  10.23%                 1/3/95
III- Balanced Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund            N/A                   N/A                    N/A                12/31/96
III- Growth & Income Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund          16.43%                  N/A                  23.40%                 1/3/95
III- Growth Opportunities Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>

* Represents 10 years to 12/31/96.

Annuity Payments

       See "Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments" located in the prospectus.


                                       6

                                   49 of 104
<PAGE>   50

<PAGE>   1



                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
                          ----------------------------


The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company and 
Contract Owners of Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account:

     We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities and
contract owners' equity of Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account as of
December 31, 1996, and the related statements of operations and changes in
contract owners' equity and schedules of changes in unit value for each of the
years in the two year period then ended. These financial statements and
schedules of changes in unit value are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements and schedules of changes in unit value 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 and schedules of
changes in unit value are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. Our procedures include confirmation of securities
owned as of December 31, 1996, by correspondence with the transfer agents of the
underlying mutual funds. 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 and schedules of changes in unit
value referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account as of December 31,
1996, and the results of its operations and its changes in contract owners'
equity and the schedules of changes in unit value for each of the years in the
two year period then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

                                                       KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
February 7, 1997
<PAGE>   2



                  NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT
          STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                                DECEMBER 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

ASSETS:
<S>                                                                 <C>         
  Investments at market value:
    Fidelity Advisor Annuity Government Investment Fund (FAAGvInv)
       1,869,588 shares (cost $20,563,268) .......................   $ 20,060,680
    Fidelity Advisor Annuity Growth Opportunities Fund (FAAGrOpp)
       24,875,768 shares (cost $322,601,532) .....................    383,086,825
    Fidelity Advisor Annuity High Yield Fund (FAAHiYld)
       7,450,140 shares (cost $88,628,848) .......................     91,040,712
    Fidelity Advisor Annuity Income & Growth Fund (FAAIncGr)
       8,434,144 shares (cost $93,504,258) .......................    103,149,577
    Fidelity Advisor Annuity Money Market Fund (FAAMyMkt)
       29,940,523 shares (cost $29,940,523) ......................     29,940,523
    Fidelity Advisor Annuity Overseas Fund (FAAOSeas)
       3,775,845 shares (cost $42,399,385) .......................     45,196,866
    Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio (FidVIPHI)
       13,449 shares (cost $167,006) .............................        168,388
    Fidelity VIP - Money Market Portfolio (FidVIPMMkt)
       1,414,117 shares (cost $1,414,117) ........................      1,414,117
    Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio (FidVIPOv)
       12,249 shares (cost $226,202) .............................        230,774
    Fidelity VIP-II - Investment Grade Bond Portfolio (FidVIPIGBd)
       8,006 shares (cost $98,408) ...............................         97,996
                                                                      -----------
         Total investments .......................................    674,386,458

  Accounts Receivable ............................................         10,433
                                                                      -----------
         Total assets ............................................    674,396,891
                                                                      ===========
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY ..........................................   $674,396,891
                                                                      ===========

</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Contract owners' equity represented by:                      Units       Unit Value
                                                             -----       ----------
Fidelity Advisor Annuity Classic contracts:
<S>                                                     <C>             <C>              <C>       
 Fidelity Advisor Annuity Government Investment Fund:

    Tax qualified ...................................       87,766       $11.558317     $  1,014,427
    Non-tax qualified ...............................       41,334        11.558317          477,751

 Fidelity Advisor Annuity Growth Opportunities Fund:
    Tax qualified ...................................    1,299,987        15.270633       19,851,624
    Non-tax qualified ...............................    1,303,197        15.270633       19,900,643

 Fidelity Advisor Annuity High Yield Fund:
    Tax qualified ...................................      250,228        13.295788        3,326,978
    Non-tax qualified ...............................      222,178        13.295788        2,954,032

 Fidelity Advisor Annuity Income & Growth Fund:
    Tax qualified ...................................      427,514        12.206048        5,218,256
    Non-tax qualified ...............................      372,756        12.206048        4,549,878

 Fidelity Advisor Annuity Money Market Fund:
    Tax qualified ...................................       85,401        10.790682          921,535
    Non-tax qualified ...............................       70,953        10.790682          765,631

 Fidelity Advisor Annuity Overseas Fund:
    Tax qualified ...................................      177,086        12.115241        2,145,440
    Non-tax qualified ...............................      151,077        12.115241        1,830,334

 Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio:
    Non-tax qualified ...............................        1,976        10.223564           20,202

 Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio:
    Tax qualified ...................................          290        10.520251            3,051
    Non-tax qualified ...............................          114        10.520251            1,199

Fidelity Advisor Annuity Select contracts:

 Fidelity Advisor Annuity Government Investment Fund:
    Tax qualified ...................................      598,689        11.535024        6,905,892
    Non-tax qualified ...............................    1,011,100        11.535024       11,663,063

 Fidelity Advisor Annuity Growth Opportunities Fund:
    Tax qualified ...................................    6,415,213        15.239855       97,766,916
    Non-tax qualified ...............................   16,114,264        15.239855      245,579,047

 Fidelity Advisor Annuity High Yield Fund:
    Tax qualified ...................................    1,803,678        13.269007       23,933,016
    Non-tax qualified ...............................    4,584,342        13.269007       60,829,666

 Fidelity Advisor Annuity Income & Growth Fund:
    Tax qualified ...................................    2,291,575        12.181451       27,914,709
    Non-tax qualified ...............................    5,374,512        12.181451       65,469,355

 Fidelity Advisor Annuity Money Market Fund:
    Tax qualified ...................................      966,655        10.768919       10,409,829
    Non-tax qualified ...............................    1,656,190        10.768919       17,835,376

 Fidelity Advisor Annuity Overseas Fund:
    Tax qualified ...................................      998,224        12.090800       12,069,327
    Non-tax qualified ...............................    2,411,166        12.090800       29,152,926
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


<S>                                                     <C>             <C>              <C>       
 Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio:
    Tax qualified ...................................        2,287        10.221866           23,377
    Non-tax qualified ...............................       12,210        10.221866          124,809

 Fidelity VIP - Money Market Portfolio:
    Tax qualified ...................................       77,545        10.063199          780,351
    Non-tax qualified ...............................       62,978        10.063199          633,760

 Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio:
    Tax qualified ...................................        4,339        10.518503           45,640
    Non-tax qualified ...............................       17,196        10.518503          180,876

 Fidelity VIP-II - Investment Grade Bond Portfolio:
    Tax qualified ...................................        8,008        10.059105           80,553
    Non-tax qualified ...............................        1,732        10.059105           17,422
                                                           -------        ---------      -----------
                                                                                       $ 674,396,891
                                                                                         ===========


</TABLE>



































See accompanying notes to financial statements.

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


<PAGE>   5



                  NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT
         STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                     Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  1996            1995
                                                              -----------     -----------
Investment activity:
<S>                                                         <C>              <C>
   Reinvested capital gains and dividends ...............    $ 11,357,337       5,253,187
   Mortality, expense and administration charges (note 2)      (7,056,063)     (1,324,577)
                                                              -----------     -----------
         Net investment activity ........................       4,301,274       3,928,610
                                                              -----------     -----------

   Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold ................      45,891,295      10,325,387
   Cost of mutual fund shares sold ......................     (44,457,369)    (10,182,494)
                                                              -----------     -----------
      Realized gain (loss) on investments ...............       1,433,926         142,893
   Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments ......      62,292,552      12,550,359
                                                              -----------     -----------
      Net gain (loss) on investments ....................      63,726,478      12,693,252
                                                              -----------     -----------
         Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
            equity resulting from operations ............      68,027,752      16,621,862
                                                              -----------     -----------
Equity transactions:
   Purchase payments received from contract owners ......     326,836,927     286,274,311
   Redemptions ..........................................     (20,699,510)     (2,222,588)
   Annual contract maintenance charge (note 2) ..........         (54,534)           (251)
   Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) ...........        (402,606)        (29,016)
   Adjustments to maintain reserves .....................          36,535           8,009
                                                              -----------     -----------
         Net equity transactions ........................     305,716,812     284,030,465
                                                              -----------     -----------

Net change in contract owners' equity ...................     373,744,564     300,652,327
Contract owners' equity beginning of period .............     300,652,327              --
                                                              -----------     -----------
Contract owners' equity end of period ...................    $674,396,891     300,652,327
                                                             ============     ===========
                                                              
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>   6




                 NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                        NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          December 31, 1996 and 1995
                                      

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

     (a) Organization and Nature of Operations

         Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account (the Account) was
established pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of Nationwide
Life Insurance Company (the Company) on July 22, 1994. The Account has been
registered as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

         The Company offers tax qualified and non-tax qualified Individual
Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts, and Individual Modified Single Premium
Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts through the Account. The primary
distribution for the contracts is through Fidelity Investments(R).

     (b) The Contracts

         Only contracts without a front-end sales charge, but with a contingent
deferred sales charge and certain other fees, are offered for purchase. See note
2 for a discussion of contract expenses.

         Contract owners in either the accumulation or the payout phase may
invest in any of the following:

         Funds of Fidelity Advisor Annuity Fund;

            Fidelity Advisor Annuity Government Investment Fund (FAAGvInv)
            Fidelity Advisor Annuity Growth Opportunities Fund (FAAGrOpp)
            Fidelity Advisor Annuity High Yield Fund (FAAHiYld)
            Fidelity Advisor Annuity Income & Growth Fund (FAAIncGr)
            Fidelity Advisor Annuity Money Market Fund (FAAMyMkt)
            Fidelity Advisor Annuity Overseas Fund (FAAOSeas)

         Portfolios of the Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund (Fidelity
            VIP);

            Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio (FidVIPHI)
            Fidelity VIP - Money Market Portfolio (FidVIPMMkt)
            Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio (FidVIPOv)

         Portfolio of the Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Funds II
          (Fidelity VIP-II);

            Fidelity VIP-II - Investment Grade Bond Portfolio (FidVIPIGBd)

         At December 31, 1996, contract owners have invested in all of the above
funds. The contract owners' equity is affected by the investment results of each
fund, equity transactions by contract owners and certain contract expenses (see
note 2). The accompanying financial statements include only contract owners'
purchase payments pertaining to the variable portions of their contracts and
exclude any purchase payments for fixed dollar benefits, the latter being
included in the accounts of the Company.

     (c) Security Valuation, Transactions and Related Investment Income

         The market value of the underlying mutual funds is based on the closing
net asset value per share at December 31, 1996. The cost of investments sold is
determined on a specific identification basis. Investment transactions are
accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed) and
dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.

     (d) Federal Income Taxes

         Operations of the Account form a part of, and are taxed with,
operations of the Company which is taxed as a life insurance company under the
Internal Revenue Code.

<PAGE>   7



         The Company does not provide for income taxes within the Account. Taxes
are the responsibility of the contract owner upon termination or withdrawal.

     (e) Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

         The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles may require management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, if any, 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.

     (f) Reclassifications

         Certain 1995 amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current
year presentation.

(2) Expenses

     The Company does not deduct a sales charge from purchase payments received
from the contract owners. However, if any part of the contract value of such
contracts is surrendered, the Company will, with certain exceptions, deduct from
a contract owner's contract value a contingent deferred sales charge, not to
exceed 7% of the lesser of purchase payments or the amount surrendered, such
charge declining 1% per year, to 0%, after the purchase payment has been held in
the contract for 84 months. No sales charges are deducted on redemptions used to
purchase units in the fixed investment options of the Company.

     The following contract charges are deducted by the Company: (a) for the
Fidelity Advisor Annuity Classic contracts an annual contract maintenance charge
of $30, with certain exceptions, which is satisfied by surrendering units; and
(b) for the Fidelity Advisor Annuity Classic contracts a mortality risk charge,
an expense risk charge and an administration charge assessed through the daily
unit value calculation equal to an annual rate of 0.80%, 0.45% and 0.05%,
respectively; for the Fidelity Advisor Annuity Select contracts a mortality risk
charge, an expense risk charge and an administration charge assessed through the
daily unit value calculations equal to an annual rate of 0.80%, 0.45% and 0.15%,
respectively.

(3) Schedule I

     Schedule I presents the components of the change in the unit values, which
are the basis for determining contract owners' equity. This schedule is
presented for each series, as applicable, in the following format:

          -  Beginning unit value - Jan. 1

          -  Reinvested dividends and capital gains
             (This amount reflects the increase in the unit value due to
             dividend and capital gain distributions from the underlying
             mutual funds.)

          -  Unrealized gain (loss)
             (This amount reflects the increase (decrease) in the unit value
             resulting from the market appreciation (depreciation) of the
             underlying mutual funds.)

          -  Contract charges
             (This amount reflects the decrease in the unit value due to the
             mortality risk charge, expense risk charge and administration
             charge discussed in note 2.)

          -  Ending unit value - Dec. 31

          -  Percentage increase (decrease) in unit value.

     For contracts in the payout phase, an assumed investment return of 3.5%,
used in the calculation of the annuity benefit payment amount, results in a
corresponding reduction in the components of the unit values as shown in
Schedule I.


<PAGE>   8

===============================================================================
                     
                                                                   SCHEDULE I

                  NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT

                   FIDELITY ADVISOR ANNUITY CLASSIC CONTRACTS
                       TAX QUALIFIED and NON-TAX QUALIFIED

                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE

                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                  FAAGvInv     FAAGrOpp     FAAHiYld     FAAIncGr     FAAMyMkt    FAAOSeas    FidVIPHI     FidVIPOv
                                  --------     --------     --------     --------     --------    --------    --------     --------
1996***
<S>                            <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>       
Beginning unit value - Jan. 1   $11.504795    13.082083    11.858324    11.245581    10.385538   10.868973   10.000000    10.000000 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reinvested capital gains
  and dividends                    .563863      .049986      .941213      .050277      .544367     .382665     .000000      .000000 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized gain (loss)            (.362149)    2.319799      .660145     1.059477      .000000    1.013511     .245224      .542388 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract charges                  (.148192)    (.181235)    (.163894)    (.149287)    (.139223)   (.149908)   (.021660)    (.022137)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ending unit value - Dec. 31     $11.558317    15.270633    13.295788    12.206048    10.790682   12.115241   10.223564    10.520251 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percentage increase (decrease)
  in unit value* (a)                  0%         17%          12%           9%           4%         11%         2%(b)        5%(b) 
===================================================================================================================================
1995
Beginning unit value - Jan. 1   $10.000000    10.000000    10.000000    10.000000    10.000000   10.000000        **          **    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reinvested capital gains
  and dividends                    .562856      .177745      .424612      .217242      .517389     .059248 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized gain (loss)            1.081135     3.053458     1.576049     1.165103      .000000     .944343 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract charges                  (.139196)    (.149120)    (.142337)    (.136764)    (.131851)   (.134618)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ending unit value - Dec. 31     $11.504795    13.082083    11.858324    11.245581    10.385538   10.868973 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percentage increase (decrease)
  in unit value* (a)                15%          31%          19%          12%           4%          9% 
===================================================================================================================================

<FN>
  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:
     (a) Contract charges do not include the annual contract maintenance charge
         discussed in note 2; and
     (b) This investment option was not being utilized for the entire year
         indicated.
 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.
***  No other investment options were being utilized.

</TABLE>
<PAGE>   9

===============================================================================

                                                         SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                  NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT

                    FIDELITY ADVISOR ANNUITY SELECT CONTRACTS
                       TAX QUALIFIED and NON-TAX QUALIFIED

                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE

                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                        FAAGvInv   FAAGrOpp   FAAHiYld   FAAIncGr   FAAMyMkt   FAAOSeas   FidVIPHI  FidVIPMMkt  FidVIPOv FidVIPIGBd
                        --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------  ----------  -------- ----------
1996
<S>                  <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        
Beginning unit value
 - Jan. 1             $11.493314  13.069019  11.846502  11.234358  10.375160  10.858102  10.000000  10.000000  10.000000  10.000000 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reinvested capital
 gains and dividends     .562746    .049931    .939358    .050222    .543536    .381915    .000000    .086432    .000000    .000000 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized gain (loss)  (.361605)  2.315879    .659472   1.057486    .000000   1.012051    .245200    .000000    .542354    .082415 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract charges        (.159431)  (.194974)  (.176325)  (.160615)  (.149777)  (.161268)  (.023334)  (.023233)  (.023851)  (.023310)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ending unit value
 - Dec. 31            $11.535024  15.239855  13.269007  12.181451  10.768919  12.090800  10.221866  10.063199  10.518503  10.059105 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percentage increase
 (decrease) in unit
  value* (a)               0%        17%        12%         8%         4%        11%         2%(b)      1%(b)      5%(b)      1%(b) 
===================================================================================================================================
1995
Beginning unit value
 - Jan. 1             $10.000000  10.000000  10.000000  10.000000  10.000000  10.000000        **         **         **         ** 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reinvested capital
 gains and dividends     .562307    .177572    .424198    .217030    .517131    .059190 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized gain (loss)  1.080916   3.052053   1.575576   1.164620    .000000    .943888 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract charges        (.149909)  (.160606)  (.153272)  (.147292)  (.141971)  (.144976)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ending unit value
 - Dec. 31            $11.493314  13.069019  11.846502  11.234358  10.375160  10.858102 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percentage increase
 (decrease) in unit
  value* (a)              15%        31%        18%        12%         4%         9%
===================================================================================================================================

<FN>
*  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:
   (a) Contract charges do not include the annual contract maintenance charge
       discussed in note 2; and
   (b) This investment option was not being utilized for the entire year indicated.
** This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.

</TABLE>






See note 3.

<PAGE>   51

<PAGE>   1


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
                          ----------------------------


The Board of Directors
Nationwide Life Insurance Company:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company and subsidiaries (collectively the Company) as of December 31,
1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholder's
equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1996.  These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles. 

In 1994, the Company adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting
Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115,
Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.

                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
January 31, 1997
<PAGE>   2





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

                           December 31, 1996 and 1995
                                ($000's omitted)

                                        Assets                                                1996               1995
                                        ------                                          -----------------   ----------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>                 <C>       
Investments (notes 5, 8 and 9): 
   Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
      Fixed maturity securities (cost $11,970,878 in 1996; $11,862,556 in 1995)             $12,304,639          12,485,564
      Equity securities (cost $43,890 in 1996; $23,617 in 1995)                                  59,131              29,953
   Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                         5,272,119           4,602,764
   Real estate, net                                                                             265,759             229,442
   Policy loans                                                                                 371,816             336,356
   Other long-term investments                                                                   28,668              61,989
   Short-term investments (note 13)                                                               4,789              32,792
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                             18,306,921          17,778,860
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------

Cash                                                                                             43,784               9,455
Accrued investment income                                                                       210,182             212,963
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                             1,366,509           1,020,356
Investment in subsidiaries classified as discontinued operations (notes 1 and 2)                485,707             506,677
Other assets (note 6)                                                                           426,441             388,214
Assets held in Separate Accounts (note 8)                                                    26,926,702          18,591,108
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                            $47,766,246          38,507,633
                                                                                        =================   ================

                         Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity
                         ------------------------------------

Future policy benefits and claims (notes 6 and 8)                                           $17,179,060          16,358,614
Policyholders' dividend accumulations                                                           361,401             348,027
Other policyholder funds                                                                         60,073              65,297
Accrued federal income tax (note 7):
   Current                                                                                       30,170              35,301
   Deferred                                                                                     162,212             246,627
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                                192,382             281,928
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------

Dividend payable to shareholder (notes 1 and 2)                                                 485,707                   -
Other liabilities                                                                               423,047             234,147
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts (note 8)                                            26,926,702          18,591,108
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                             45,628,372          35,879,121
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------

Commitments and contingencies (notes 6, 9 and 15)

Shareholder's equity (notes 3, 4, 5, 12 and 13):
   Capital shares, $1 par value.  Authorized 5,000,000 shares, issued and
      outstanding 3,814,779 shares                                                                3,815               3,815
   Additional paid-in capital                                                                   527,874             657,118
   Retained earnings                                                                          1,432,593           1,583,275
   Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net                                       173,592             384,304
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                              2,137,874           2,628,512
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                            $47,766,246          38,507,633
                                                                                        =================   ================
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   3


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        Consolidated Statements of Income

                  Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   1996            1995            1994
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
<S>                                                                           <C>              <C>             <C>    
Revenues (note 16):
   Investment product and universal life insurance product policy charges       $   400,902        286,534         217,245
   Traditional life insurance premiums                                              198,642        199,106         176,658
   Net investment income (note 5)                                                 1,357,759      1,294,033       1,210,811
   Realized losses on investments  (note 5)                                            (326)        (1,724)        (16,527)
   Other income                                                                      35,861         20,702          11,312
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
                                                                                  1,992,838      1,798,651       1,599,499
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
Benefits and expenses:
   Benefits and claims                                                            1,160,580      1,115,493         992,667
   Provision for policyholders' dividends on participating policies (note 12)        40,973         39,937          38,754
   Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                133,394         82,695          85,568
   Other operating expenses (note 13)                                               342,394        272,954         240,652
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
                                                                                  1,677,341      1,511,079       1,357,641
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
      Income from continuing operations before federal income tax expense           315,497        287,572         241,858
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------

Federal income tax expense (benefit) (note 7):
   Current                                                                          116,512         88,700          73,559
   Deferred                                                                          (5,623)        11,108           5,030
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
                                                                                    110,889         99,808          78,589
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
      Income from continuing operations                                             204,608        187,764         163,269

Income from discontinued operations (less federal income tax expense of
   $4,453, $7,446 and $10,915 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively) (note 2)         11,324         24,714          20,459
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------

      Net income                                                                $   215,932        212,478         183,728
                                                                              ===============  ==============  =============
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   4


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity

                  Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             Unrealized
                                                                                           gains (losses)
                                                             Additional                    on securities        Total
                                                 Capital      paid-in        Retained      available-for-   shareholder's
                                                  shares      capital        earnings        sale, net          equity
                                                ----------- ------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------
<S>                                             <C>         <C>           <C>             <C>               <C>      
1994:
   Balance, beginning of year                       $3,815      406,089       1,194,519             6,745       1,611,168
   Capital contribution                                  -      200,000               -                 -         200,000
   Net income                                            -            -         183,728                 -         183,728
   Adjustment for change in accounting for
      certain investments in debt and equity
      securities, net (note 4)                           -            -               -           212,553         212,553
   Unrealized losses on securities available-
      for-sale, net                                      -            -               -          (338,971)       (338,971)
                                                ----------- ------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------
   Balance, end of year                             $3,815      606,089       1,378,247          (119,673)      1,868,478
                                                =========== ============= =============== ================= ===============

1995:
   Balance, beginning of year                        3,815      606,089       1,378,247          (119,673)      1,868,478
   Capital contribution (note 13)                        -       51,029               -            (4,111)         46,918
   Dividends to shareholder                              -            -          (7,450)                -          (7,450)
   Net income                                            -            -         212,478                 -         212,478
   Unrealized gains on securities available-
      for-sale, net                                      -            -               -           508,088         508,088
                                                ----------- ------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------
   Balance, end of year                             $3,815      657,118       1,583,275           384,304       2,628,512
                                                =========== ============= =============== ================= ===============

1996:
   Balance, beginning of year                        3,815      657,118       1,583,275           384,304       2,628,512
   Capital contribution (note 13)                        -           25               5                 -              30
   Dividends to shareholder                              -     (129,269)       (366,619)          (39,819)       (535,707)
   Net income                                            -            -         215,932                 -         215,932
   Unrealized losses on securities available-
      for-sale, net                                      -            -               -          (170,893)       (170,893)
                                                ----------- ------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------
   Balance, end of year                             $3,815      527,874       1,432,593           173,592       2,137,874
                                                =========== ============= =============== ================= ===============

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   5


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                  Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       1996            1995            1994
                                                                                 ---------------- --------------- ---------------
<S>                                                                              <C>              <C>             <C>    
  Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net income                                                                    $    215,932        212,478         183,728
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
        activities:
           Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs                         (422,572)      (321,327)       (242,431)
           Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                            133,394         82,695          85,568
           Amortization and depreciation                                                  6,962         10,234           3,603
           Realized (gains) losses on invested assets, net                                 (284)         3,250          16,094
           Deferred federal income tax expense (benefit)                                  7,603        (30,673)          9,946
           Decrease (increase) in accrued investment income                               2,781        (16,999)        (12,808)
           (Increase) decrease in other assets                                          (38,876)        39,880        (102,676)
           Increase in policy liabilities                                               305,755        135,937         118,361
           Increase in policyholders' dividend accumulations                             13,374         12,639          15,298
           (Decrease) increase in accrued federal income tax payable                     (5,131)        30,836          (5,714)
           Increase in other liabilities                                                188,900         26,851             506
           Other, net                                                                   (61,679)         1,832         (29,595)
                                                                                 ---------------  --------------- ---------------
              Net cash provided by operating activities                                 346,159        187,633          39,880
                                                                                 ---------------- --------------- ---------------

  Cash flows from investing activities:
     Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale                          1,162,766        634,553         544,843
     Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                                299,558        107,345         228,308
     Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                     -        564,450         491,862
     Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans on real estate                          309,050        207,832         190,574
     Proceeds from sale of real estate                                                   18,519         48,331          46,713
     Proceeds from repayments of policy loans and sale of other invested assets          22,795         53,587         120,506
     Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired                                  (1,573,640)    (1,942,413)     (1,816,370)
     Cost of fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity acquired                              -       (593,636)       (410,379)
     Cost of mortgage loans on real estate acquired                                    (972,776)      (796,026)       (471,570)
     Cost of real estate acquired                                                        (7,862)       (10,928)         (6,385)
     Policy loans issued and other invested assets acquired                             (57,740)       (75,910)        (65,302)
     Short-term investments, net                                                         28,003         77,837         (89,376)
     Purchase of affiliate (note 13)                                                          -              -        (155,000)
                                                                                ---------------- --------------- ---------------
              Net cash used in investing activities                                    (771,327)    (1,724,978)     (1,391,576)
                                                                                ---------------- --------------- ---------------

  Cash flows from financing activities:
     Proceeds from capital contributions                                                     30              -         200,000
     Dividends paid to shareholder                                                      (50,000)        (7,450)              -
     Increase in investment product and universal life insurance
        product account balances                                                      2,293,933      2,809,385       3,547,976
     Decrease in investment product and universal life insurance
        product account balances                                                     (1,784,466)    (1,258,758)     (2,412,595)
                                                                                ---------------- --------------- --------------
              Net cash provided by financing activities                                 459,497      1,543,177       1,335,381
                                                                                ---------------- --------------- --------------

  Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                        34,329          5,832         (16,315)

                                                                                 ---------------- --------------- ---------------
  Cash, beginning of year                                                                 9,455          3,623          19,938
                                                                                 ---------------- --------------- ---------------
  Cash, end of year                                                               $      43,784          9,455           3,623
                                                                                 ================ =============== ===============
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   6




               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                        December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)

(1)      Organization and Description of Business
         ----------------------------------------

         Nationwide Life Insurance Company (NLIC) is a wholly owned subsidiary
         of Nationwide Corporation (Nationwide Corp.). Wholly owned subsidiaries
         of NLIC include Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company (NLAIC),
         Employers Life Insurance Company of Wausau and subsidiaries (ELICW),
         National Casualty Company (NCC), West Coast Life Insurance Company
         (WCLIC), Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. (formerly Nationwide
         Financial Services, Inc.), Nationwide Investment Services Corporation
         (formerly PEBSCO Securities Corporation) (NISC) and NWE, Inc. NLIC and
         its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as "the Company."

         Nationwide Corp. formed Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NFS) in
         November 1996 as a holding company for NLIC and the other companies of
         the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise that offer or distribute long-term
         savings and retirement products. On January 27, 1997, Nationwide Corp.
         contributed to NFS the common stock of NLIC and three marketing and
         distribution companies. NFS is planning an initial public offering of
         its Class A common stock during the first quarter of 1997.

         In anticipation of the restructuring described above, on September 24,
         1996, NLIC's Board of Directors declared a dividend payable January 1,
         1997 to Nationwide Corp. consisting of the outstanding shares of common
         stock of certain subsidiaries (ELICW, NCC and WCLIC) that do not offer
         or distribute long-term savings and retirement products. In addition,
         during 1996, NLIC entered into two reinsurance agreements whereby all
         of NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business was
         ceded to ELICW and another affiliate effective January 1, 1996. These
         subsidiaries and all accident and health and group life insurance
         business have been accounted for as discontinued operations for all
         periods presented. See notes 2 and 13.

         In addition, as part of the restructuring described above, NLIC intends
         to make an $850,000 distribution to NFS which will then make an
         equivalent distribution to Nationwide Corp.

         The Company is a leading provider of long-term savings and retirement
         products to retail and institutional customers and is subject to
         competition from other financial services providers throughout the
         United States. The Company is subject to regulation by the Insurance
         Departments of states in which it is licensed, and undergoes periodic
         examinations by those departments.

         The following is a description of the most significant risks facing
         life insurers and how the Company mitigates those risks:

              LEGAL/REGULATORY RISK is the risk that changes in the legal or
              regulatory environment in which an insurer operates will create
              additional expenses not anticipated by the insurer in pricing its
              products. That is, regulatory initiatives, new legal theories or
              insurance company insolvencies through guaranty fund assessments
              may create costs for the insurer beyond those currently recorded
              in the consolidated financial statements. The Company mitigates
              this risk by offering a wide range of products and by operating
              throughout the United States, thus reducing its exposure to any
              single product or jurisdiction, and also by employing underwriting
              practices which identify and minimize the adverse impact of this
              risk.

              CREDIT RISK is the risk that issuers of securities owned by the
              Company or mortgagors on mortgage loans on real estate owned by
              the Company will default or that other parties, including
              reinsurers, which owe the Company money, will not pay. The Company
              minimizes this risk by adhering to a conservative investment
              strategy, by maintaining reinsurance and credit and collection
              policies and by providing for any amounts deemed uncollectible.
<PAGE>   7



               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


              INTEREST RATE RISK is the risk that interest rates will change and
              cause a decrease in the value of an insurer's investments. This
              change in rates may cause certain interest-sensitive products to
              become uncompetitive or may cause disintermediation. The Company
              mitigates this risk by charging fees for non-conformance with
              certain policy provisions, by offering products that transfer this
              risk to the purchaser, and/or by attempting to match the maturity
              schedule of its assets with the expected payouts of its
              liabilities. To the extent that liabilities come due more quickly
              than assets mature, an insurer would have to borrow funds or sell
              assets prior to maturity and potentially recognize a gain or loss.

(2)      Discontinued Operations
         -----------------------

         As discussed in note 1, NFS is a holding company for NLIC and certain
         other companies that offer or distribute long-term savings and
         retirement products. Prior to the contribution by Nationwide Corp. to
         NFS of the outstanding common stock of NLIC and other companies, NLIC
         effected certain transactions with respect to certain subsidiaries and
         lines of business that were unrelated to long-term savings and
         retirement products.

         On September 24, 1996, NLIC's Board of Directors declared a dividend to
         Nationwide Corp. consisting of the outstanding shares of common stock
         of three subsidiaries: ELICW, NCC and WCLIC. ELICW writes group
         accident and health and group life insurance business and maintains it
         offices in Wausau, Wisconsin. NCC is a property and casualty company
         that serves as a fronting company for a property and casualty
         subsidiary of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (NMIC), an affiliate.
         NCC maintains its offices in Scottsdale, Arizona. WCLIC writes high
         dollar term life insurance policies and is located in San Francisco,
         California. ELICW, NCC and WCLIC have been accounted for as
         discontinued operations for all periods presented. NLIC did not
         recognize any gain or loss on the disposal of these subsidiaries.

         A summary of the combined results of operations, including the results
         of the accident and health and group life insurance business ELICW
         assumed from NLIC in 1996, and assets and liabilities of ELICW, NCC and
         WCLIC as of and for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 is
         as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    1996           1995          1994
                                                                                ------------   -----------   -----------

               <S>                                                               <C>             <C>           <C>   
               Revenues                                                          $   668,870       422,149        84,226
               Net income                                                             11,324        26,456        11,753
               Assets, consisting primarily of investments                         3,029,293     2,967,326     2,537,692
               Liabilities, consisting primarily of policy benefits and claims     2,543,586     2,460,649     2,179,263
</TABLE>

         During 1996, NLIC entered into two reinsurance agreements whereby all
         of NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business was
         ceded to ELICW and NMIC, effective January 1, 1996. See note 13 for a
         complete discussion of the reinsurance agreements. NLIC has
         discontinued its accident and health and group life insurance business
         and in connection therewith has entered into reinsurance agreements to
         cede all existing and any future writings to other affiliated companies
         and will cease writing any new business prior to December 31, 1997.
         NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business is
         accounted for as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
         NLIC did not recognize any gain or loss on the disposal of the accident
         and health and group life insurance business. The assets, liabilities,
         results of operations and activities of discontinued operations are
         distinguished physically, operationally and for financial reporting
         purposes from the remaining assets, liabilities, results of operations
         and activities of NLIC.
<PAGE>   8
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         A summary of the results of operations, net of amounts ceded to ELICW
         and NMIC in 1996, and assets and liabilities of NLIC's accident and
         health and group life insurance business as of and for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    1996           1995          1994
                                                                                ------------   -----------   -----------

<S>                                                                                 <C>            <C>           <C>    
               Revenues                                                             $      -       354,788       362,476
               Net income (loss)                                                           -        (1,742)        8,706
               Assets, consisting primarily of investments                           259,185       239,426       234,082
               Liabilities, consisting primarily of policy benefits and claims       259,185       239,426       234,082
</TABLE>

(3)      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
         ------------------------------------------

         The significant accounting policies followed by the Company that
         materially affect financial reporting are summarized below. The
         accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
         accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) which
         differ from statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
         regulatory authorities. Annual Statements for NLIC and its insurance
         subsidiaries, filed with the department of insurance of each insurance
         company's state of domicile, are prepared on the basis of accounting
         practices prescribed or permitted by each department. Prescribed
         statutory accounting practices include a variety of publications of the
         National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), as well as
         state laws, regulations and general administrative rules. Permitted
         statutory accounting practices encompass all accounting practices not
         so prescribed. The Company has no material permitted statutory
         accounting practices.

         In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is
         required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
         amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent
         assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial
         statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the
         reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those
         estimates.

         The most significant estimates include those used in determining
         deferred policy acquisition costs, valuation allowances for mortgage
         loans on real estate and real estate investments and the liability for
         future policy benefits and claims. Although some variability is
         inherent in these estimates, management believes the amounts provided
         are adequate.

         (a)  Consolidation Policy
              --------------------

              The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NLIC
              and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Subsidiaries that are
              classified and reported as discontinued operations are not
              consolidated but rather are reported as "Investment in
              Subsidiaries Classified as Discontinued Operations" in the
              accompanying consolidated balance sheets and "Income for
              Discontinued Operations" in the accompanying consolidated
              statements of income. All significant intercompany balances and
              transactions have been eliminated.

         (b)  Valuation of Investments and Related Gains and Losses
              -----------------------------------------------------

              The Company is required to classify its fixed maturity securities
              and equity securities as either held-to-maturity,
              available-for-sale or trading. Fixed maturity securities are
              classified as held-to-maturity when the Company has the positive
              intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity and are
              stated at amortized cost. Fixed maturity securities not classified
              as held-to-maturity and all equity securities are classified as
              available-for-sale and are stated at fair value, with the
              unrealized gains and losses, net of adjustments to deferred policy
              acquisition costs and deferred federal income tax, reported as a
              separate component of shareholder's equity. The adjustment to
              deferred policy acquisition costs represents the change in
              amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs that would have
              been required as a charge or credit to operations had such
              unrealized amounts been realized. The Company has no fixed
              maturity securities classified as held-to-maturity or trading as
              of December 31, 1996 or 1995.
<PAGE>   9
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



              Mortgage loans on real estate are carried at the unpaid principal
              balance less valuation allowances. The Company provides valuation
              allowances for impairments of mortgage loans on real estate based
              on a review by portfolio managers. The measurement of impaired
              loans is based on the present value of expected future cash flows
              discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a
              practical expedient, at the fair value of the collateral, if the
              loan is collateral dependent. Loans in foreclosure and loans
              considered to be impaired are placed on non-accrual status.
              Interest received on non-accrual status mortgage loans on real
              estate are included in interest income in the period received.

              Real estate is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and
              valuation allowances. Other long-term investments are carried on
              the equity basis, adjusted for valuation allowances. Impairment
              losses are recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when
              indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash
              flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the
              assets' carrying amount.

              Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are
              determined on the basis of specific security identification.
              Estimates for valuation allowances and other than temporary
              declines are included in realized gains and losses on investments.

         (c)  Revenues and Benefits
              ---------------------

              INVESTMENT PRODUCTS AND UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS:
              Investment products consist primarily of individual and group
              variable and fixed annuities, annuities without life contingencies
              and guaranteed investment contracts. Universal life insurance
              products include universal life insurance, variable universal life
              insurance and other interest-sensitive life insurance policies.
              Revenues for investment products and universal life insurance
              products consist of net investment income, asset fees, cost of
              insurance, policy administration and surrender charges that have
              been earned and assessed against policy account balances during
              the period. Policy benefits and claims that are charged to expense
              include interest credited to policy account balances and benefits
              and claims incurred in the period in excess of related policy
              account balances.

              TRADITIONAL LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS: Traditional life insurance
              products include those products with fixed and guaranteed premiums
              and benefits and consist primarily of whole life insurance,
              limited-payment life insurance, term life insurance and certain
              annuities with life contingencies. Premiums for traditional life
              insurance products are recognized as revenue when due. Benefits
              and expenses are associated with earned premiums so as to result
              in recognition of profits over the life of the contract. This
              association is accomplished by the provision for future policy
              benefits and the deferral and amortization of policy acquisition
              costs.

              ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE PRODUCTS: Accident and health
              insurance premiums are recognized as revenue over the terms of the
              policies. Policy claims are charged to expense in the period that
              the claims are incurred. All accident and health insurance
              business is accounted for as discontinued operations. See note 2.

         (d)  Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
              ---------------------------------

              The costs of acquiring new business, principally commissions,
              certain expenses of the policy issue and underwriting department
              and certain variable agency expenses have been deferred. For
              investment products and universal life insurance products,
              deferred policy acquisition costs are being amortized with
              interest over the lives of the policies in relation to the present
              value of estimated future gross profits from projected interest
              margins, asset fees, cost of insurance, policy administration and
              surrender charges. For years in which gross profits are negative,
              deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized based on the
              present value of gross revenues. For traditional life products,
              these deferred policy acquisition costs are predominantly being
              amortized with interest over the premium paying period of the
              related policies in proportion to the ratio of actual annual
              premium revenue to the anticipated total premium revenue. Such
              anticipated premium revenue was estimated using the same
              assumptions as were used for computing liabilities for future
              policy benefits. Deferred policy acquisition costs are adjusted to
              reflect the impact of unrealized gains and losses on fixed
              maturity securities available-for-sale as described in note 3(b).
<PAGE>   10

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

         (e)  Separate Accounts
              -----------------

              Separate Account assets and liabilities represent contractholders'
              funds which have been segregated into accounts with specific
              investment objectives. The investment income and gains or losses
              of these accounts accrue directly to the contractholders. The
              activity of the Separate Accounts is not reflected in the
              consolidated statements of income and cash flows except for the
              fees the Company receives.

         (f)  Future Policy Benefits
              ----------------------

              Future policy benefits for investment products in the accumulation
              phase, universal life insurance and variable universal life
              insurance policies have been calculated based on participants'
              contributions plus interest credited less applicable contract
              charges.

              Future policy benefits for traditional life insurance policies
              have been calculated using a net level premium method based on
              estimates of mortality, morbidity, investment yields and
              withdrawals which were used or which were being experienced at the
              time the policies were issued, rather than the assumptions
              prescribed by state regulatory authorities. See note 6.

              Future policy benefits and claims for collectively renewable
              long-term disability policies and group long-term disability
              policies are the present value of amounts not yet due on reported
              claims and an estimate of amounts to be paid on incurred but
              unreported claims. The impact of reserve discounting is not
              material. Future policy benefits and claims on other group health
              insurance policies are not discounted. All health insurance
              business is accounted for as discontinued operations. See note 2.

         (g)  Participating Business
              ----------------------

              Participating business represents approximately 52% in 1996 (54%
              in 1995 and 55% in 1994) of the Company's life insurance in force,
              78% in 1996 (79% in 1995 and 79% in 1994) of the number of life
              insurance policies in force, and 40% in 1996 (47% in 1995 and 51%
              in 1994) of life insurance premiums. The provision for
              policyholder dividends is based on current dividend scales. Future
              dividends are provided for ratably in future policy benefits based
              on dividend scales in effect at the time the policies were issued.

         (h)  Federal Income Tax
              ------------------

              The Company, with the exception of ELICW, files a consolidated
              federal income tax return with NMIC, the majority shareholder of
              Nationwide Corp. The members of the consolidated tax return group
              have a tax sharing arrangement which provides, in effect, for each
              member to bear essentially the same federal income tax liability
              as if separate tax returns were filed. Through 1994, ELICW filed a
              consolidated federal income tax return with Employers Insurance of
              Wausau A Mutual Company, an affiliate. Beginning in 1995, ELICW
              files a separate federal income tax return.

              The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting
              for income tax. Under this method, deferred tax assets and
              liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
              attributable to differences between the financial statement
              carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
              respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit
              carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
              using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the
              years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
              recovered or settled. Under this method, the effect on deferred
              tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized
              in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
              Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce the
              deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized.
<PAGE>   11
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         (i)  Reinsurance Ceded
              -----------------
  
              Reinsurance premiums ceded and reinsurance recoveries on benefits
              and claims incurred are deducted from the respective income and
              expense accounts. Assets and liabilities related to reinsurance
              ceded are reported on a gross basis. All of the Company's accident
              and health and group life insurance business is ceded to
              affiliates and is accounted for as discontinued operations. See
              notes 2 and 13.

         (j)  Reclassification
              ----------------

              Certain items in the 1995 and 1994 consolidated financial
              statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1996
              presentation.


(4)      Change in Accounting Principle
         ------------------------------

         Effective January 1, 1994, the Company changed its method of accounting
         for certain investments in debt and equity securities in connection
         with the issuance of STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (SFAS)
         NO. 115 - ACCOUNTING FOR CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY
         SECURITIES. As of January 1, 1994, the Company classified fixed
         maturity securities with amortized cost and fair value of $6,299,665
         and $6,721,714, respectively, as available-for-sale and recorded the
         securities at fair value. Previously, these securities were recorded at
         amortized cost. The effect as of January 1, 1994 has been recorded as a
         direct credit to shareholder's equity as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             <S>                                                                     <C>    
             Excess of fair value over amortized cost of fixed maturity
                securities available-for-sale                                         $ 422,049
             Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                            (95,044)
             Deferred federal income tax                                               (114,452)
                                                                                    --------------
                                                                                      $ 212,553
                                                                                    ==============
</TABLE>


(5)      Investments
         -----------

         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities
         available-for-sale were as follows as of December 31, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     Gross         Gross
                                                                    Amortized     unrealized    unrealized     Estimated
                                                                      cost           gains        losses       fair value
                                                                  ------------    ----------    -----------    -----------  
<S>                                                                <C>             <C>          <C>            <C>    
             1996:
               Fixed maturity securities:
                 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
                   U.S. government corporations and agencies       $   275,696         4,795        (1,340)        279,151
                 Obligations of states and political subdivisions        6,242           450            (2)          6,690
                 Debt securities issued by foreign governments         100,656         2,141          (857)        101,940
                 Corporate securities                                7,999,310       285,946       (33,686)      8,251,570
                 Mortgage-backed securities                          3,588,974        91,438       (15,124)      3,665,288
                                                                   ------------    ----------   ------------   ------------ 
                     Total fixed maturity securities                11,970,878       384,770       (51,009)     12,304,639
               Equity securities                                        43,890        15,571          (330)         59,131
                                                                   ------------    ----------   ------------   ------------ 
                                                                   $12,014,768       400,341       (51,339)     12,363,770
                                                                   ============    ==========   ============   ============ 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   12
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities
         available-for-sale were as follows as of December 31, 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     Gross         Gross
                                                                    Amortized     unrealized    unrealized     Estimated
                                                                      cost           gains        losses       fair value
                                                                   ------------    ----------   -----------  ---------------
<S>                                                                <C>                <C>              <C>         <C>    
             1995:
               Fixed maturity securities:
                 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of 
                   U.S. government corporations and agencies       $   310,186        12,764           (1)         322,949
                 Obligations of states and political subdivisions        8,655         1,205           (1)           9,859
                 Debt securities issued by foreign governments         101,414         4,387          (66)         105,735
                 Corporate securities                                7,888,440       473,681      (25,742)       8,336,379
                 Mortgage-backed securities                          3,553,861       165,169       (8,388)       3,710,642
                                                                   ------------    ----------   -----------  ---------------
                     Total fixed maturity securities                11,862,556       657,206      (34,198)      12,485,564
               Equity securities                                        23,617         6,382          (46)          29,953
                                                                   ------------    ----------   -----------  ---------------
                                                                   $11,886,173       663,588      (34,244)      12,515,517
                                                                   ============    ==========   ===========  ===============
</TABLE>


         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity
         securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 1996, by contractual
         maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from
         contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or
         prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              
                                                                                   Amortized        Estimated
                                                                                      cost          fair value
                                                                                ---------------   --------------
                                                                                
<S>                                                                             <C>                    <C>                 
             Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
                Due in one year or less                                         $     440,235          444,214
                Due after one year through five years                               3,937,010        4,053,152
                Due after five years through ten years                              2,809,813        2,871,806
                Due after ten years                                                 1,194,846        1,270,179
                                                                                ---------------   --------------
                                                                                    8,381,904        8,639,351

             Mortgage-backed securities                                             3,588,974        3,665,288
                                                                                ---------------   --------------
                                                                                  $11,970,878       12,304,639
                                                                                ===============   ==============
</TABLE>


         The components of unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale,
         net, were as follows as of December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   1996            1995
                                                                              ---------------  --------------

             <S>                                                                  <C>              <C>    
             Gross unrealized gains                                               $349,002         629,344
             Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                       (81,939)       (138,914)
             Deferred federal income tax                                           (93,471)       (171,649)
                                                                              ---------------  --------------
                                                                                   173,592         318,781

             Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net, of
                subsidiaries classified as discontinued operations (note 2)              -          65,523
                                                                              ---------------  --------------
                                                                                  $173,592         384,304
                                                                              ===============  ==============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   13
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         An analysis of the change in gross unrealized gains (losses) on
         securities available-for-sale and fixed maturity securities
         held-to-maturity follows for the years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          1996             1995            1994
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  --------------
             <S>                                                     <C>               <C>            <C>    
             Securities available-for-sale:
                Fixed maturity securities                               $(289,247)         876,332       (675,373)
                Equity securities                                           8,905              (26)        (1,927)
             Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                         -           75,626       (398,183)
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  --------------
                                                                        $(280,342)         951,932     (1,075,483)
                                                                     ===============   =============  ==============
</TABLE>

         Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale during 1996,
         1995 and 1994 were $299,558, $107,345 and $228,308, respectively.
         During 1996, gross gains of $6,606 ($4,838 and $3,045 in 1995 and 1994,
         respectively) and gross losses of $6,925 ($2,147 and $21,280 in 1995
         and 1994, respectively) were realized on those sales.

         During 1995, the Company transferred fixed maturity securities
         classified as held-to-maturity with amortized cost of $25,429 to
         available-for-sale securities due to evidence of a significant
         deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness. The transfer of those
         fixed maturity securities resulted in a gross unrealized loss of
         $3,535.

         As permitted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Special
         Report, A GUIDE TO IMPLEMENTATION OF STATEMENT 115 ON ACCOUNTING FOR
         CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES, issued in November
         1995 the Company transferred all of its fixed maturity securities
         previously classified as held-to-maturity to available-for-sale. As of
         December 14, 1995, the date of transfer, the fixed maturity securities
         had amortized cost of $3,320,093, resulting in a gross unrealized gain
         of $155,940.

         Investments that were non-income producing for the twelve month period
         preceding December 31, 1996 amounted to $26,805 ($27,712 in 1995) and
         consisted of $248 ($6,982 in 1995) in fixed maturity securities,
         $20,633 ($14,740 in 1995) in real estate and $5,924 ($5,990 in 1995) in
         other long-term investments.

         Real estate is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation of
         $30,338 as of December 31, 1996 ($30,482 as of December 31, 1995) and
         valuation allowances of $15,219 as of December 31, 1996 ($25,819 as of
         December 31, 1995).

         The recorded investment of mortgage loans on real estate considered to
         be impaired (under SFAS NO. 114 - ACCOUNTING BY CREDITORS FOR
         IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN as amended by SFAS NO. 118 - ACCOUNTING BY
         CREDITORS FOR IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN-INCOME RECOGNITION AND DISCLOSURE)
         as of December 31, 1996 was $51,765 ($44,409 as of December 31, 1995),
         which includes $41,663 ($23,975 as of December 31, 1995) of impaired
         mortgage loans on real estate for which the related valuation allowance
         was $8,485 ($5,276 as of December 31, 1995) and $10,102 ($20,434 as of
         December 31, 1995) of impaired mortgage loans on real estate for which
         there was no valuation allowance. During 1996, the average recorded
         investment in impaired mortgage loans on real estate was approximately
         $39,674 ($22,181 in 1995) and interest income recognized on those loans
         was $2,103 ($387 in 1995), which is equal to interest income recognized
         using a cash-basis method of income recognition.

         Activity in the valuation allowance account for mortgage loans on real
         estate is summarized for the years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   1996           1995
                                                                               -------------  --------------

<S>                                                                                <C>             <C>   
             Allowance, beginning of year                                          $49,128         46,381
                  Additions charged to operations                                    4,497          7,433
                  Direct write-downs charged against the allowance                  (2,587)        (4,686)
                                                                               -------------  -------------  
             Allowance, end of year                                                $51,038         49,128
                                                                               =============  ==============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   14

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         An analysis of investment income by investment type follows for the
         years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          1996             1995           1994
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  ------------
        <S>                                                           <C>              <C>            <C>          
             Gross investment income:
                 Securities available-for-sale:
                   Fixed maturity securities                          $   917,135          685,787        647,927
                   Equity securities                                        1,291            1,330            509
                 Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                     -          201,808        185,938
                 Mortgage loans on real estate                            432,815          395,478        372,734
                 Real estate                                               44,332           38,344         40,170
                 Short-term investments                                     4,155           10,576          6,141
                 Other                                                      3,998            7,239          2,121
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  --------------
                       Total investment income                          1,403,726        1,340,562      1,255,540
             Less investment expenses                                      45,967           46,529         44,729
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  ---------------  
                       Net investment income                           $1,357,759        1,294,033      1,210,811
                                                                     ===============   =============  ==============
</TABLE>

         An analysis of realized gains (losses) on investments, net of valuation
         allowances, by investment type follows for the years ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1996          1995          1994
                                                                     ------------  ------------  ------------
        <S>                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>    
             Securities available-for-sale:
                Fixed maturity securities                              $(3,462)        4,213        (7,296)
                Equity securities                                        3,143         3,386         1,422
             Mortgage loans on real estate                              (4,115)       (7,091)      (20,446)
             Real estate and other                                       4,108        (2,232)        9,793
                                                                     ------------  ------------  ------------ 
                                                                      $   (326)       (1,724)      (16,527)
                                                                     ============  ============  ============
</TABLE>

         Fixed maturity securities with an amortized cost of $6,161 and $5,592
         as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, were on deposit with
         various regulatory agencies as required by law.

(6)      Future Policy Benefits and Claims
         ---------------------------------

         The liability for future policy benefits for investment contracts
         represents approximately 87% and 87% of the total liability for future
         policy benefits as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The
         average interest rate credited on investment product policies was
         approximately 6.3%, 6.6% and 6.5% for the years ended December 31,
         1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

         The liability for future policy benefits for traditional life insurance
         policies has been established based upon the following assumptions:

              Interest rates:  Interest rates vary as follows:
              --------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                   Year of issue                Interest rates
                   -----------------   ----------------------------------------

                   <S>                <C>                
                   1996                6.6%, not graded
                   1984-1995           6.0% to 10.5%, not graded
                   1966-1983           6.0% to 8.1%, graded over 20 years to 4.0% to 6.6%
                   1965 and prior      generally lower than post 1965 issues

</TABLE>
<PAGE>   15
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


              WITHDRAWALS: Rates, which vary by issue age, type of coverage
              and policy duration, are based on Company experience.

              MORTALITY: Mortality and morbidity rates are based on
              published tables, modified for the Company's actual
              experience.

         The Company has entered into a reinsurance contract to cede a portion
         of its general account individual annuity business to The Franklin Life
         Insurance Company (Franklin). Total recoveries due from Franklin were
         $240,451 and $245,255 as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
         The contract is immaterial to the Company's results of operations. The
         ceding of risk does not discharge the original insurer from its primary
         obligation to the policyholder. Under the terms of the contract,
         Franklin has established a trust as collateral for the recoveries. The
         trust assets are invested in investment grade securities, the market
         value of which must at all times be greater than or equal to 102% of
         the reinsured reserves.

         The Company has reinsurance agreements with certain affiliates as
         described in note 13. All other reinsurance agreements are not material
         to either premiums or reinsurance recoverables.

(7)      Federal Income Tax
         -------------------

         The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
         components of the net deferred tax liability as of December 31, 1996
         and 1995 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              1996               1995
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
            <S>                                                         <C>                 <C>    
             Deferred tax assets:
                Future policy benefits                                        $175,571            149,192
                Liabilities in Separate Accounts                               188,426            129,120
                Mortgage loans on real estate and real estate                   23,366             25,165
                Other policyholder funds                                         7,407              7,424
                Other assets and other liabilities                              53,757             41,847
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
                  Total gross deferred tax assets                              448,527            352,748
                  Less valuation allowances                                     (7,000)            (7,000)
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
                  Net deferred tax assets                                      441,527            345,748
                                                                        =================   ===============

             Deferred tax liabilities:
                Deferred policy acquisition costs                              399,345            299,579
                Fixed maturity securities                                      133,210            227,345
                Deferred tax on realized investment gains                       37,597             40,634
                Equity securities and other long-term investments                8,210              3,780
                Other                                                           25,377             21,037
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
                  Total gross deferred tax liabilities                         603,739            592,375
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
                                                                              $162,212            246,627
                                                                        =================   ===============
</TABLE>

         In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management
         considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of the
         total gross deferred tax assets will not be realized. Nearly all future
         deductible amounts can be offset by future taxable amounts or recovery
         of federal income tax paid within the statutory carryback period. There
         has been no change in the valuation allowance for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.
<PAGE>   16

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

         Total federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1996,
         1995 and 1994 differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S.
         federal income tax rate to income before tax as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                1996                    1995                    1994
                                                   ----------------------   ----------------------   ----------------------
                                                      Amount        %          Amount        %          Amount        %
                                                   ----------------------   ----------------------   ----------------------

             <S>                                      <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>         <C> 
             Computed (expected) tax expense          $110,424     35.0        $100,650     35.0         $84,650     35.0
             Tax exempt interest and dividends
                received deduction                        (212)    (0.1)            (18)    (0.0)           (130)    (0.1)
             Other, net                                    677      0.3            (824)    (0.3)         (5,931)    (2.5)
                                                   ------------  --------   ------------- --------   ------------- --------
               Total (effective rate of each year)    $110,889     35.2       $  99,808     34.7         $78,589     32.5
                                                   ============  ========   ============= ========   ============= ========
</TABLE>

         Total federal  income tax paid was $115,839,  $51,840 and $83,239  
         during the years ended  December 31, 1996,  1995 and 1994, 
         respectively.


 (8)     Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments
         -----------------------------------------------------

         SFAS NO. 107 - DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
         (SFAS 107) requires disclosure of fair value information about existing
         on and off-balance sheet financial instruments. SFAS 107 defines the
         fair value of a financial instrument as the amount at which the
         financial instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction
         between willing parties. In cases where quoted market prices are not
         available, fair value is based on estimates using present value or
         other valuation techniques.

         These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used,
         including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows.
         Although fair value estimates are calculated using assumptions that
         management believes are appropriate, changes in assumptions could cause
         these estimates to vary materially. In that regard, the derived fair
         value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent
         markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in the immediate
         settlement of the instruments. SFAS 107 excludes certain assets and
         liabilities from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the
         aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying
         value of the Company.

         Although insurance contracts, other than policies such as annuities
         that are classified as investment contracts, are specifically exempted
         from SFAS 107 disclosures, estimated fair value of policy reserves on
         life insurance contracts is provided to make the fair value disclosures
         more meaningful.

         The tax ramifications of the related unrealized gains and losses can
         have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been
         considered in the estimates.

         The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in
         estimating its fair value disclosures:

              CASH, SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AND POLICY LOANS: The carrying amount
              reported in the consolidated balance sheets for these instruments
              approximates their fair value.

              FIXED MATURITY AND EQUITY SECURITIES: Fair value for fixed
              maturity securities is based on quoted market prices, where
              available. For fixed maturity securities not actively traded, fair
              value is estimated using values obtained from independent pricing
              services or, in the case of private placements, is estimated by
              discounting expected future cash flows using a current market rate
              applicable to the yield, credit quality and maturity of the
              investments. The fair value for equity securities is based on
              quoted market prices.

              SEPARATE ACCOUNT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES: The fair value of assets
              held in Separate Accounts is based on quoted market prices. The
              fair value of liabilities related to Separate Accounts is the
              amount payable on demand, which includes certain surrender
              charges.
<PAGE>   17
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


              MORTGAGE LOANS ON REAL ESTATE: The fair value for mortgage loans
              on real estate is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses,
              using interest rates currently being offered for similar loans to
              borrowers with similar credit ratings. Loans with similar
              characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations.
              Fair value for mortgages in default is the estimated fair value of
              the underlying collateral.

              INVESTMENT CONTRACTS: Fair value for the Company's liabilities
              under investment type contracts is disclosed using two methods.
              For investment contracts without defined maturities, fair value is
              the amount payable on demand. For investment contracts with known
              or determined maturities, fair value is estimated using discounted
              cash flow analyses. Interest rates used are similar to currently
              offered contracts with maturities consistent with those remaining
              for the contracts being valued.

              POLICY RESERVES ON LIFE INSURANCE CONTRACTS: Included are
              disclosures for individual life insurance, universal life
              insurance and supplementary contracts with life contingencies for
              which the estimated fair value is the amount payable on demand.
              Also included are disclosures for the Company's limited payment
              policies, which the Company has used discounted cash flow analyses
              similar to those used for investment contracts with known
              maturities to estimate fair value.

              POLICYHOLDERS' DIVIDEND ACCUMULATIONS AND OTHER POLICYHOLDER
              FUNDS: The carrying amount reported in the consolidated balance
              sheets for these instruments approximates their fair value.

              COMMITMENTS TO EXTEND CREDIT: Commitments to extend credit have
              nominal fair value because of the short-term nature of such
              commitments. See note 9.

           Carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instruments
           subject to SFAS 107 and policy reserves on life insurance contracts
           were as follows as of December 31, 1996 and 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           1996                            1995
                                                             ------------------------------   -------------------------------
                                                                Carrying      Estimated          Carrying       Estimated
                                                                 amount       fair value          amount        fair value
                                                             ------------------------------   --------------- ---------------
               <S>                                             <C>             <C>               <C>             <C>       
               Assets
               ------
               Investments:
                  Securities available-for-sale:
                     Fixed maturity securities                 $12,304,639     12,304,639        12,485,564      12,485,564
                     Equity securities                              59,131         59,131            29,953          29,953
                  Mortgage loans on real estate, net             5,272,119      5,397,865         4,602,764       4,961,655
                  Policy loans                                     371,816        371,816           336,356         336,356
                  Short-term investments                             4,789          4,789            32,792          32,792
               Cash                                                 43,784         43,784             9,455           9,455
               Assets held in Separate Accounts                 26,926,702     26,926,702        18,591,108      18,591,108

               Liabilities
               -----------
               Investment contracts                             13,914,441     13,484,526        13,229,360      12,876,798
               Policy reserves on life insurance contracts       2,971,337      2,775,991         2,836,323       2,733,486
               Policyholders' dividend accumulations               361,401        361,401           348,027         348,027
               Other policyholder funds                             60,073         60,073            65,297          65,297
               Liabilities related to Separate Accounts         26,926,702     26,164,213        18,591,108      18,052,362
</TABLE>

(9)      Additional Financial Instruments Disclosures
         --------------------------------------------
         
         FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK: The Company is a
         party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the
         normal course of business through management of its investment
         portfolio. These financial instruments include commitments to extend
         credit in the form of loans. These instruments involve, to varying
         degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of amounts recognized on the
         consolidated balance sheets.
<PAGE>   18
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         Commitments to fund fixed rate mortgage loans on real estate are
         agreements to lend to a borrower, and are subject to conditions
         established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed
         expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment
         of a deposit. Commitments extended by the Company are based on
         management's case-by-case credit evaluation of the borrower and the
         borrower's loan collateral. The underlying mortgage property represents
         the collateral if the commitment is funded. The Company's policy for
         new mortgage loans on real estate is to lend no more than 75% of
         collateral value. Should the commitment be funded, the Company's
         exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the borrower
         is represented by the contractual amounts of these commitments less the
         net realizable value of the collateral. The contractual amounts also
         represent the cash requirements for all unfunded commitments.
         Commitments on mortgage loans on real estate of $327,456 extending into
         1997 were outstanding as of December 31, 1996.

         SIGNIFICANT CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK: The Company grants mainly
         commercial mortgage loans on real estate to customers throughout the
         United States. The Company has a diversified portfolio with no more
         than 21% (20% in 1995) in any geographic area and no more than 2% (2%
         in 1995) with any one borrower as of December 31, 1996.

         The Company had a significant reinsurance recoverable balance from one
         reinsurer as of December 31, 1996 and 1995. See note 6.

         The summary below depicts loans by remaining principal balance as of
         December 31, 1996 and 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             Apartment
                                                Office       Warehouse         Retail         & other           Total
                                              ------------  -------------   -------------   -------------   --------------
              <S>                              <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>                 
               1996:
                 East North Central             $139,518        119,069         549,064         215,038        1,022,689
                 East South Central               33,267         22,252         172,968          90,623          319,110
                 Mountain                         17,972         43,027         113,292          73,390          247,681
                 Middle Atlantic                 129,077         54,046         160,833          18,498          362,454
                 New England                      33,348         43,581         161,960               -          238,889
                 Pacific                         202,562        325,046         424,295         110,108        1,062,011
                 South Atlantic                  103,889        134,492         482,934         385,185        1,106,500
                 West North Central              126,467          2,441          75,180          40,529          244,617
                 West South Central              104,877        120,314         197,090         304,256          726,537
                                              -------------   -------------   -------------   --------------  ------------
                                                $890,977        864,268       2,337,616       1,237,627        5,330,488
                                              ============  =============   =============   =============
                    Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                                            58,369
                                                                                                            --------------
                         Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                                             $5,272,119
                                                                                                            ==============
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                 <S>                          <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>    
               1995:
                 East North Central             $138,965        101,925         514,995         175,213          931,098
                 East South Central               21,329         13,053         180,858          82,383          297,623
                 Mountain                              -         17,219         138,220          45,274          200,713
                 Middle Atlantic                 116,187         64,813         158,252          10,793          350,045
                 New England                       9,559         39,525         148,449               1          197,534
                 Pacific                         183,206        233,186         374,915         105,419          896,726
                 South Atlantic                  106,246         73,541         446,800         278,265          904,852
                 West North Central              133,899         14,205          78,065          36,651          262,820
                 West South Central               69,140         92,594         190,299         267,268          619,301
                                              ------------  ------------    -------------   -------------   --------------
                                                $778,531        650,061       2,230,853       1,001,267        4,660,712
                                              ============  =============   =============   =============
                    Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                                            57,948
                                                                                                            --------------
                         Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                                             $4,602,764
                                                                                                            ==============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   19
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(10)     Pension Plan
         ------------

         The Company is a participant, together with other affiliated companies,
         in a pension plan covering all employees who have completed at least
         one thousand hours of service within a twelve-month period and who have
         met certain age requirements. Benefits are based upon the highest
         average annual salary of a specified number of consecutive years of the
         last ten years of service. The Company funds pension costs accrued for
         direct employees plus an allocation of pension costs accrued for
         employees of affiliates whose work efforts benefit the Company.

         Effective January 1, 1995, the plan was amended to provide enhanced
         benefits for participants who met certain eligibility requirements and
         elected early retirement no later than March 15, 1995. The entire cost
         of the enhanced benefit was borne by NMIC and certain of its property
         and casualty insurance company affiliates.

         Effective December 31, 1995, the Nationwide Insurance Companies and
         Affiliates Retirement Plan was merged with the Farmland Mutual
         Insurance Company Employees' Retirement Plan and the Wausau Insurance
         Companies Pension Plan to form the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
         Retirement Plan. Immediately prior to the merger, the plans were
         amended to provide consistent benefits for service after January 1,
         1996. These amendments had no significant impact on the accumulated
         benefit obligation or projected benefit obligation as of December 31,
         1995.

         Pension costs charged to operations by the Company during the years
         ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $7,381, $10,478 and
         $10,063, respectively.

         The Company's net accrued pension expense as of December 31, 1996 and
         1995 was $1,075 and $1,392, respectively.

         The net periodic pension cost for the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
         Retirement Plan as a whole for the year ended December 31, 1996 and for
         the Nationwide Insurance Companies and Affiliates Retirement Plan as a
         whole for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1996             1995              1994
                                                                   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

              <S>                                                    <C>                  <C>               <C>   
              Service cost (benefits earned during the period)       $   75,466           64,524            64,740
              Interest cost on projected benefit obligation             105,511           95,283            73,951
              Actual return on plan assets                             (210,583)        (249,294)          (21,495)
              Net amortization and deferral                             101,795          143,353           (62,150)
                                                                   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                     $   72,189           53,866            55,046
                                                                   ===============  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>


         Basis for measurements, net periodic pension cost:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1996             1995              1994
                                                                   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

              <S>                                                   <C>              <C>               <C>  
              Weighted average discount rate                           6.00%            7.50%             5.75%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels           4.25%            6.25%             4.50%
              Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets         6.75%            8.75%             7.00%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   20
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         Information regarding the funded status of the Nationwide Insurance
         Enterprise Retirement Plan as a whole as of December 31, 1996 and 1995
         follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                1996              1995
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------
              <S>                                                          <C>               <C>      
              Accumulated benefit obligation:
                 Vested                                                      $1,338,554         1,236,730
                 Nonvested                                                       11,149            26,503
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------
                                                                             $1,349,703         1,263,233
                                                                           ===============   ===============

              Net accrued pension expense:
                 Projected benefit obligation for services rendered to       
                    date                                                     $1,847,828         1,780,616
                 Plan assets at fair value                                    1,947,933         1,738,004
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------
                    Plan assets in excess of (less than) projected benefit
                       obligation                                               100,105           (42,612)
                 Unrecognized prior service cost                                 37,870            42,845
                 Unrecognized net gains                                        (201,952)          (63,130)
                 Unrecognized net asset at transition                            37,158            41,305
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------
                                                                            $   (26,819)          (21,592)
                                                                           ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

         Basis for measurements, funded status of plan:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                1996              1995
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------

              <S>                                                              <C>               <C>  
              Weighted average discount rate                                   6.50%             6.00%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels                   4.75%             4.25%
</TABLE>

         Assets of the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise Retirement Plan are
         invested in group annuity contracts of NLIC and ELICW.

(11)     Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
         -------------------------------------------

         In addition to the defined benefit pension plan, the Company, together
         with other affiliated companies, participates in life and health care
         defined benefit plans for qualifying retirees. Postretirement life and
         health care benefits are contributory and generally available to full
         time employees who have attained age 55 and have accumulated 15 years
         of service with the Company after reaching age 40. Postretirement
         health care benefit contributions are adjusted annually and contain
         cost-sharing features such as deductibles and coinsurance. In addition,
         there are caps on the Company's portion of the per-participant cost of
         the postretirement health care benefits. These caps can increase
         annually, but not more than three percent. The Company's policy is to
         fund the cost of health care benefits in amounts determined at the
         discretion of management. Plan assets are invested primarily in group
         annuity contracts of NLIC.

         The Company elected to immediately recognize its estimated accumulated
         postretirement benefit obligation; however, certain affiliated
         companies elected to amortize their initial transition obligation over
         periods ranging from 10 to 20 years.

         The Company's accrued postretirement benefit expense as of December 31,
         1996 and 1995 was $34,884 and $33,537, respectively, and the net
         periodic postretirement benefit cost (NPPBC) for 1996, 1995 and 1994
         was $3,286, $3,132 and $4,284, respectively.
<PAGE>   21
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The amount of NPPBC for the plan as a whole for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                        1996          1995          1994
                                                                                     -----------   -----------   -----------

            <S>                                                                       <C>              <C>           <C>  
             Service cost (benefits attributed to employee service during the year)   $  6,541         6,235         8,586
             Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation             13,679        14,151        14,011
             Actual return on plan assets                                               (4,348)       (2,657)       (1,622)
             Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates              173         2,966           568
             Net amortization and deferral                                               1,830        (1,619)        1,622
                                                                                     -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                                                       $17,875        19,076        23,165
                                                                                     ===========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>

         Information regarding the funded status of the plan as a whole as of
         December 31, 1996 and 1995 follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             1996              1995
                                                                                        ---------------   ---------------
             <S>                                                                          <C>                   <C>   
             Accrued postretirement benefit expense:
                Retirees                                                                  $   92,954            88,680
                Fully eligible, active plan participants                                      23,749            28,793
                Other active plan participants                                                83,986            90,375
                                                                                        ---------------   ---------------
                   Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)                      200,689           207,848
                Plan assets at fair value                                                     63,044            54,325
                                                                                        ---------------   ---------------
                   Plan assets less than accumulated postretirement benefit obligation      (137,645)         (153,523)
                Unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates                               1,654             1,827
                Unrecognized net gains                                                       (23,225)           (1,038)
                                                                                        ---------------   ---------------
                                                                                           $(159,216)         (152,734)
                                                                                        ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

         Actuarial  assumptions  used for the  measurement  of the APBO as of 
         December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the NPPBC for 1996, 1995 and 1994 were 
         as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1996          1996         1995         1995         1994
                                                      APBO         NPPBC         APBO        NPPBC         NPPBC
                                                   ------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------
             <S>                                     <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>  

             Discount rate                            7.25%         6.65%        6.75%        8.00%        7.00%
             Long-term rate of return on plan
                 assets, net of tax                     -           4.80%         -           8.00%         N/A
             Assumed health care cost trend rate:
                 Initial rate                        11.00%        11.00%       11.00%       10.00%       12.00%
                 Ultimate rate                        6.00%         6.00%        6.00%        6.00%        6.00%
                 Uniform declining period           12 Years      12 Years     12 Years     12 Years     12 Years
</TABLE>


         The health care cost trend rate assumption has an effect on the amounts
         reported. For the plan as a whole, a one percentage point increase in
         the assumed health care cost trend rate would increase the APBO as of
         December 31, 1996 by $701 and the NPPBC for the year ended December 31,
         1996 by $83.

(12)     Shareholder's Equity, Regulatory Risk-Based Capital, Retained Earnings 
         and Dividend Restrictions
         ---------------------------------------------------------------------

         Each insurance company's state of domicile imposes minimum risk-based
         capital requirements that were developed by the NAIC. The formulas for
         determining the amount of risk-based capital specify various weighting
         factors that are applied to financial balances or various levels of
         activity based on the perceived degree of risk. Regulatory compliance
         is determined by a ratio of the company's regulatory total adjusted
         capital, as defined by the NAIC, to its authorized control level
         risk-based capital, as defined by the NAIC. Companies below specific
         trigger points or ratios are classified within certain levels, each of
         which requires specified corrective action. NLIC and each of its
         insurance company subsidiaries exceed the minimum risk-based capital
         requirements.
<PAGE>   22
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The statutory capital shares and surplus of NLIC as of December 31,
         1996, 1995 and 1994 was $1,000,647, $1,363,031 and $1,262,861,
         respectively. The statutory net income of NLIC for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was $73,218, $86,529 and $76,532,
         respectively.

         NLIC is limited in the amount of shareholder dividends it may pay
         without prior approval by the Department of Insurance of the State of
         Ohio (the Department). NLIC's dividend of the outstanding shares of
         common stock of certain companies which was declared on September 24,
         1996 and the anticipated $850,000 dividend (as discussed in note 1) are
         deemed extraordinary under Ohio insurance laws. As a result of such
         dividends, any dividend paid by NLIC during the 12-month period
         immediately following the $850,000 dividend would also be an
         extraordinary dividend under Ohio insurance laws. Accordingly, no such
         dividend could be paid without prior regulatory approval.

         In addition, the payment of dividends by NLIC may also be subject to
         restrictions set forth in the insurance laws of New York that limit the
         amount of statutory profits on NLIC's participating policies (measured
         before dividends to policyholders) that can inure to the benefit of the
         Company and its stockholder.

         The Company currently does not expect such regulatory requirements to
         impair its ability to pay operating expenses and stockholder dividends
         in the future.

(13)     Transactions With Affiliates
         ----------------------------

         The Company leases office space from NMIC and certain of its
         subsidiaries. For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the
         Company made lease payments to NMIC and its subsidiaries of $9,065,
         $8,986 and $8,133, respectively.

         Pursuant to a cost sharing agreement among NMIC and certain of its
         direct and indirect subsidiaries, including the Company, NMIC provides
         certain operational and administrative services, such as sales support,
         advertising, personnel and general management services, to those
         subsidiaries. Expenses covered by this agreement are subject to
         allocation among NMIC, the Company and other affiliates. Amounts
         allocated to the Company were $101,584, $107,112, and $100,601 in 1996,
         1995 and 1994, respectively. The allocations are based on techniques
         and procedures in accordance with insurance regulatory guidelines.
         Measures used to allocate expenses among companies include individual
         employee estimates of time spent, special cost studies, salary expense,
         commissions expense and other methods agreed to by the participating
         companies that are within industry guidelines and practices. The
         Company believes these allocation methods are reasonable. In addition,
         the Company does not believe that expenses recognized under the
         intercompany agreements are materially different than expenses that
         would have been recognized had the Company operated on a stand alone
         basis. Amounts payable to NMIC from the Company under the cost sharing
         agreement were $15,111 and $1,186 as of December 31, 1996 and 1995,
         respectively.

         The Company also participates in intercompany repurchase agreements
         with affiliates whereby the seller will transfer securities to the
         buyer at a stated value. Upon demand or a stated period, the securities
         will be repurchased by the seller at the original sales price plus a
         price differential. Transactions under the agreements during 1996 and
         1995 were not material. The Company believes that the terms of the
         repurchase agreements are materially consistent with what the Company
         could have obtained with unaffiliated parties.
<PAGE>   23

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

         Intercompany reinsurance contracts exist between NLIC and, respectively
         NMIC and ELICW whereby all of NLIC's accident and health and group life
         insurance business is ceded on a modified coinsurance basis. NLIC
         entered into the reinsurance agreements during 1996 because the
         accident and health and group life insurance business was unrelated to
         NLIC's long-term savings and retirement products. Accordingly, the
         accident and health and group life insurance business has been
         accounted for as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
         Under modified coinsurance agreements, invested assets are retained by
         the ceding company and investment earnings are paid to the reinsurer.
         Under the terms of NLIC's agreements, the investment risk associated
         with changes in interest rates is borne by NMIC or ELICW, as the case
         may be. Risk of asset default is retained by NLIC, although a fee is
         paid by NMIC or ELICW, as the case may be, to NLIC for the NLIC's
         retention of such risk. The agreements will remain in force until all
         policy obligations are settled. However, with respect to the agreement
         between NLIC and NMIC, either party may terminate the contract on
         January 1 of any year with prior notice. The ceding of risk does not
         discharge the original insurer from its primary obligation to the
         policyholder. NLIC believes that the terms of the modified coinsurance
         agreements are consistent in all material respects with what NLIC could
         have obtained with unaffiliated parties.

         Amounts ceded to ELICW in 1996 are included in ELICW's results of
         operations for 1996 which, combined with the results of WCLIC and NCC,
         are summarized in note 2. Amounts ceded to ELICW in 1996 include
         premiums of $224,224, net investment income and other revenue of
         $14,833, and benefits, claims and other expenses of $246,641. Amounts
         ceded to NMIC in 1996 include premiums of $97,331, net investment
         income of $10,890, and benefits, claims and other expenses of $100,476.

         The Company and various affiliates entered into agreements with
         Nationwide Cash Management Company (NCMC) and California Cash
         Management Company (CCMC), both affiliates, under which NCMC and CCMC
         act as common agents in handling the purchase and sale of short-term
         securities for the respective accounts of the participants. Amounts on
         deposit with NCMC and CCMC were $4,789 and $9,654 as of December 31,
         1996 and 1995, respectively, and are included in short-term investments
         on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

         On April, 5 1996, Nationwide Corp. contributed all of the outstanding
         shares, with shareholder equity value of $30, of NISC to NLIC. NLIC
         contributed an additional $500 to NISC on August 30, 1996.

         On March 1, 1995, Nationwide Corp. contributed all of the outstanding
         shares of common stock of Farmland Life Insurance Company (Farmland) to
         NLIC. Farmland merged into WCLIC effective June 30, 1995. The
         contribution resulted in a direct increase to consolidated
         shareholder's equity of $46,918. As discussed in note 2, WCLIC is
         accounted for as discontinued operations.

         Effective December 31, 1994, NLIC purchased all of the outstanding
         shares of common stock of ELICW from Wausau Service Corporation (WSC)
         for $155,000. NLIC transferred fixed maturity securities and cash with
         a fair value of $155,000 to WSC on December 28, 1994, which resulted in
         a realized loss of $19,239 on the disposition of the securities. The
         purchase price approximated both the historical cost basis and fair
         value of net assets of ELICW. ELICW has and will continue to share home
         office, other facilities, equipment and common management and
         administrative services with WSC. As discussed in note 2, ELICW is
         accounted for as discontinued operations.

         Certain annuity products are sold through three affiliated companies
         which are also subsidiaries of Nationwide Corp. Total commissions and
         fees paid to these affiliates for the years ended December 31, 1996,
         1995 and 1994 were $76,922, $57,280 and $50,168, respectively.

(14)     Bank Lines of Credit
         --------------------

         In August 1996, NLIC, along with NMIC, established a $600,000 revolving
         credit facility which provides for a $600,000 loan over a five year
         term on a fully revolving basis with a group of national financial
         institutions. The credit facility provides for several and not joint
         liability with respect to any amount drawn by either NLIC or NMIC. NLIC
         and NMIC pay facility and usage fees to the financial institutions to
         maintain the revolving credit facility. All previously existing line of
         credit agreements were canceled.
<PAGE>   24
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(15)     Contingencies
         -------------

         The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits. In the opinion of
         management, the effects, if any, of such lawsuits are not expected to
         be material to the Company's financial position or results of
         operations.

(16)     Segment Information
         -------------------

         The Company has three primary segments: Variable Annuities, Fixed
         Annuities and Life Insurance. The Variable Annuities segment consists
         of annuity contracts that provide the customer with the opportunity to
         invest in mutual funds managed by the Company and independent
         investment managers, with the investment returns accumulating on a
         tax-deferred basis. The Fixed Annuities segment consists of annuity
         contracts that generate a return for the customer at a specified
         interest rate, fixed for a prescribed period, with returns accumulating
         on a tax-deferred basis. The Life Insurance segment consists of
         insurance products that provide a death benefit and may also allow the
         customer to build cash value on a tax-deferred basis. In addition, the
         Company reports corporate expenses and investments, and the related
         investment income supporting capital not specifically allocated to its
         product segments in a Corporate and Other segment. In addition, all
         realized gains and losses, investment management fees and other revenue
         earned from mutual funds, other than the portion allocated to the
         variable annuities and life insurance segments, are reported in the
         Corporate and Other segment.

         During 1996, the Company changed its reporting segments to better
         reflect the way the businesses are managed. Prior periods have been
         restated to reflect these changes.

         The following table summarizes the revenues and income from continuing
         operations before federal income tax expense for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 and assets as of December 31, 1996,
         1995 and 1994, by business segment.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              1996              1995              1994
                                                                        -----------------  ---------------   ---------------
             <S>                                                        <C>                <C>               <C>    
              Revenues:
                   Variable Annuities                                      $    284,638          189,071           132,687
                   Fixed Annuities                                            1,092,566        1,051,970           939,868
                   Life Insurance                                               435,657          409,135           383,150
                   Corporate and Other                                          179,977          148,475           143,794
                                                                        -----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                           $  1,992,838        1,798,651         1,599,499
                                                                        =================  ===============   ===============

              Income from continuing operations before federal income tax
                 expense:
                   Variable Annuities                                            90,244           50,837            24,574
                   Fixed Annuities                                              135,405          137,000           138,950
                   Life Insurance                                                67,242           67,590            53,046
                   Corporate and Other                                           22,606           32,145            25,288
                                                                        -----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                          $     315,497          287,572           241,858
                                                                        =================  ===============   ===============

              Assets:

                   Variable Annuities                                        25,069,725       17,333,039        11,146,465
                   Fixed Annuities                                           13,994,715       13,250,359        11,668,973
                   Life Insurance                                             3,353,286        3,027,420         2,752,283
                   Corporate and Other                                        5,348,520        4,896,815         3,678,303
                                                                        -----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                            $47,766,246       38,507,633        29,246,024
                                                                        =================  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   25
<TABLE>


                                                                                                                 SCHEDULE I

                                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                 
                                               Consolidated Summary of Investments -
                                             Other Than Investments in Related Parties
                                                                 
                                                      As of December 31, 1996
                                                         ($000's omitted)
<CAPTION>

- --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------    --------------   -----------------
                           Column A                                 Column B         Column C          Column D
- --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------    --------------   -----------------
                                                                                                    Amount at which
                                                                                                     shown in the
                                                                                                     consolidated
                      Type of Investment                              Cost         Market value      balance sheet
- --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------    --------------   -----------------
<S>                                                             <C>                <C>               <C>      
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
   Bonds:
      U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities     $  3,757,887        3,834,762           3,834,762
      States, municipalities and political subdivisions                  6,242            6,690               6,690
      Foreign governments                                              100,656          101,940             101,940
      Public utilities                                               1,798,736        1,843,938           1,843,938
      All other corporate                                            6,307,357        6,517,309           6,517,309
                                                                ---------------    --------------   -----------------
          Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale        11,970,878       12,304,639          12,304,639
                                                                ---------------    --------------   -----------------

Equity securities available-for-sale:
   Common stocks:
      Industrial, miscellaneous and all other                           43,501           50,405              50,405
   Non-redeemable preferred stock                                          389            8,726               8,726
                                                                ---------------    --------------   -----------------
          Total equity securities available-for-sale                    43,890           59,131              59,131
                                                                ---------------    --------------   -----------------

Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                   5,327,317                            5,272,119 (1)
Real estate, net:
   Investment properties                                               253,383                              217,611 (1)
   Acquired in satisfaction of debt                                     57,933                               48,148 (1)
Policy loans                                                           371,816                              371,816
Other long-term investments                                             27,370                               28,668 (2)
Short-term investments                                                   4,789                                4,789
                                                                ---------------                      ----------------
          Total investments                                        $18,057,376                           18,306,921
                                                                ===============                      ================
<FN>

- ----------
(1)  Difference from Column B is primarily due to valuation allowances due to
     impairments on mortgage loans on real estate and due to accumulated
     depreciation and valuation allowances due to impairments on real estate.
     See note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.

(2) Difference from Column B is primarily due to operating gains of investments
    in limited partnerships.

</TABLE>






See accompanying independent auditors' report.
<PAGE>   26
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                                               SCHEDULE III

                                    NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                            Supplemental Insurance Information

                                          As of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                           and for each of the years then ended

                                                     ($000's omitted)

- ----------------------------------- --------------  ------------------  -----------------   ------------------ ---------------
             Column A                  Column B          Column C            Column D           Column E          Column F
- ----------------------------------- --------------  ------------------  -----------------   -----------------  ---------------
                                       Deferred       Future policy                            Other policy
                                        policy      benefits, losses,                           claims and         
                                     acquisition        claims and      Unearned premiums    benefits payable    Premium
             Segment                    costs         loss expenses            (1)                 (2)           revenue
- ----------------------------------- --------------  ------------------  -----------------    ----------------  --------------

<C>                                 <C>             <C>                 <C>                    <C>                <C>    
1996: Variable Annuities               $   791,611                   -                                      -               -
      Fixed Annuities                      242,421          14,952,877                                    687          24,030
      Life Insurance                       414,417           1,995,802                                395,739         174,612
      Corporate and Other                  (81,940)            230,381                                 25,048               -
                                    --------------  ------------------                       ----------------  -------------- 
             Total                      $1,366,509          17,179,060                                421,474         198,642
                                    ==============  ==================                       ================  ============== 

1995: Variable Annuities                   571,283                   -                                      -               -
      Fixed Annuities                      221,111          14,221,622                                    455          32,774
      Life Insurance                       366,876           1,898,641                                383,983         166,332
      Corporate and Other                 (138,914)            238,351                                 28,886               -
                                    --------------  ------------------                       ----------------  -------------- 
             Total                      $1,020,356          16,358,614                                413,324         199,106
                                    ==============  ==================                       ================  ============== 

1994: Variable Annuities                   395,397                   -                                      -               -
      Fixed Annuities                      198,639          12,633,253                                    240          20,134
      Life Insurance                       327,079           1,806,762                                371,984         156,524
      Corporate and Other                   74,445             233,569                                 26,927               -
                                    --------------  ------------------                       ----------------  -------------- 
             Total                     $   995,560          14,673,584                                399,151         176,658
                                    ==============  ==================                       ================  ============== 
<CAPTION>

- ----------------------------------- -------------- -------------------  -----------------    ----------------  -------------- 
             Column A                  Column G          Column H            Column I           Column J          Column K
- ----------------------------------- -------------- -------------------  -----------------    ----------------  -------------- 
                                         Net                               Amortization           Other
                                      investment    Benefits, claims,      of deferred          operating        
                                        income          losses and            policy            expenses          Premiums
             Segment                     (3)       settlement expenses  acquisition costs          (3)            written
- ----------------------------------- -------------- -------------------  -----------------   -----------------  -------------- 

1996: Variable Annuities               $   (21,449)              4,624             57,412             132,357
      Fixed Annuities                    1,050,557             838,533             38,635              79,737
      Life Insurance                       174,002             211,386             37,347              78,965
      Corporate and Other                  154,649             106,037                  -              51,335
                                    -------------- -------------------  -----------------   ----------------- 
             Total                      $1,357,759           1,160,580            133,394             342,394
                                    ============== ===================  =================   ================= 

1995: Variable Annuities                   (17,640)              2,881             26,264             109,089
      Fixed Annuities                    1,002,718             804,980             29,499              80,260
      Life Insurance                       171,255             201,986             31,021              68,832
      Corporate and Other                  137,700             105,646             (4,089)             14,773
                                    -------------- -------------------  -----------------   ----------------- 
             Total                      $1,294,033           1,115,493             82,695             272,954
                                    ============== ===================  =================   =================  

1994: Variable Annuities                   (13,415)              2,277             22,135              83,701
      Fixed Annuities                      903,572             702,082             29,849              69,975
      Life Insurance                       166,329             191,006             29,495              69,861
      Corporate and Other                  154,325              97,302              4,089              17,115
                                    -------------- -------------------  -----------------   ----------------- 
             Total                      $1,210,811             992,667             85,568             240,652
                                    ============== ===================  =================   =================  
<FN>

- ----------
(1)  Unearned premiums are included in Column C amounts.

(2)  Column E agrees to the sum of the Balance Sheet captions, Policyholders'
     dividend accumulations and Other policyholder funds.

(3)  Allocations of net investment income and certain general expenses are based
     on a number of assumptions and estimates, and reported operating results
     would change by segment if different methods were applied.


</TABLE>

See accompanying independent auditors' report.
<PAGE>   27


                                                                    SCHEDULE IV

                              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                  Reinsurance

                                    As of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                     and for each of the years then ended

                                                ($000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -------------------------------   ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
           Column A                  Column B           Column C           Column D          Column E          Column F
- -------------------------------   ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
                                                                                                              Percentage
                                                        Ceded to         Assumed from                         of amount
                                   Gross amount      other companies   other companies      Net amount      assumed to net
                                  ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
<S>                               <C>               <C>                <C>                <C>               <C> 
1996:
Life insurance in force              $47,071,264          6,633,567            288,593        40,726,290           0.7%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============

Premiums:
   Life insurance                        225,615             29,282              2,309           198,642           1.2%
   Accident and health insurance         291,871            305,789             13,918                 -         N/A
                                  ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
          Total                      $   517,486            335,071             16,227           198,642           8.2%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============


1995:
Life Insurance in force              $41,087,025          8,935,743            391,174        32,542,456           1.2%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============

Premiums:
   Life insurance                        221,257             24,360              2,209           199,106           1.1%
   Accident and health insurance         298,058            313,036             14,978                 -         N/A
                                  ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
          Total                      $   519,315            337,396             17,187           199,106           8.6%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============


1994:
Life Insurance in force              $35,926,633          7,550,623            829,742        29,205,752           2.8%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============

Premiums:
   Life insurance                        198,705             24,912              2,865           176,658           1.6%
   Accident and health insurance         303,435            321,696             18,261                 -         N/A
                                  ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
          Total                      $   502,140            346,608             21,126           176,658          12.0%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============
<FN>

- ----------
Note:  The life insurance caption represents principally premiums from
       traditional life insurance and life-contingent immediate annuities and
       excludes deposits on invesment products and universal life insurance
       products.
</TABLE>


See accompanying independent auditors' report.
<PAGE>   28

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                 SCHEDULE V

                                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                 
                                                 Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
                                                                 
                                           Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                                         ($000's omitted)

- -------------------------------------------------  ------------   -----------------------------   ------------ -------------
                    Column A                         Column B               Column C               Column D      Column E
- -------------------------------------------------  ------------   -----------------------------   ------------ -------------
                                                    Balance at     Charged to                                   Balance at
                                                   beginning of     costs and      Charged to     Deductions      end of
                  Description                         period        expenses     other accounts      (1)          period
- -------------------------------------------------  ------------   ------------   --------------   ------------ -------------
<S>                                                <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>          <C>   
1996:
Valuation  allowances - mortgage loans on real
   estate                                              $49,128          4,497               -          2,587        51,038
Valuation allowances - real estate                      25,819        (10,600)              -              -        15,219
                                                   ------------   ------------   --------------   ------------ -------------
     Total                                             $74,947         (6,103)              -          2,587        66,257
                                                   ============   ============   ==============   ============ =============


1995:
Valuation allowances - fixed maturity securities             -          8,908               -          8,908             -
Valuation  allowances  - mortgage  loans on real
   estate                                               46,381          7,433               -          4,686        49,128
Valuation allowances - real estate                      27,330         (1,511)              -              -        25,819
                                                   ------------   ------------   --------------   ------------ -------------
     Total                                             $73,711         14,830               -         13,594        74,947
                                                   ============   ============   ==============   ============ =============


1994:
Valuation allowances - fixed maturity securities         4,800         (4,800)              -              -             -
Valuation  allowances  - mortgage  loans on real
   estate                                               42,150         20,445               -         16,214        46,381
Valuation allowances - real estate                      31,357         (4,027)              -              -        27,330
                                                   ------------   ------------   --------------   ------------ -------------
     Total                                             $78,307         11,618               -         16,214        73,711
                                                   ============   ============   ==============   ============ =============
<FN>

- ----------
(1)  Amounts represent direct write-downs charged against the valuation allowance.
</TABLE>



See accompanying independent auditors' report.

<PAGE>   52

PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits

          (a) To be filed by Financial Statements:

             (1)   Financial statements and schedule included               Page
                   in Prospectus
                   (Part A):

                   Condensed Financial Information.                          N/A

             (2)   Financial statements included                              38
                   in Part B:

                   Those financial statements required by Item 23
                   to be included in Part B have been incorporated
                   therein by reference to the Statement of
                   Additional Information
                   (Part A).

   
             Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account:
    

                   Independent Auditors' Report.                              38

                   Statements of Assets, Liabilities                          39
                   and Contract Owners' Equity as of
                   December 31, 1996.

   
                   Statements of Operations and Changes                       41
                   in Contract Owners'  Equity for years
                   ended December 31, 1996, and 1995.
    

                   Notes to Financial Statements.                             42

                   Schedules of Changes In Unit Value.                        44

             Nationwide Life Insurance Company:

   
                   Independent Auditors' Report.                              45

                   Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996
                   and 1995

                   Consolidated Statements of Income for the years            47
                   ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994

                   Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity for the    48
                   years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
                   1994.

                   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
                   years 49 ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
                   1994.

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.                50

                   Schedule I - Consolidated Summary of Investments - Other   99
                   Than Investments in Related Parties

                   Schedule III - Supplementary Insurance Information        100

                   Schedule IV - Reinsurance                                 101

                   Schedule V - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts            102
    


                                   83 of 104
<PAGE>   53

Item 24. (b) Exhibits

             (1)    Resolution of the Depositor's Board of
                    Directors authorizing the establishment of
                    the Registrant - Filed previously with
                    this Registration Statement and hereby
                    incorporated by reference.

             (2)    Not Applicable

             (3)    Underwriting or Distribution contracts
                    between the Registrant and Principal
                    Underwriter - Filed previously with this
                    Registration Statement and hereby
                    incorporated by reference.

             (4)    The form of the variable annuity contract -
                    Filed previously with this Registration
                    Statement and hereby incorporated
                    herein by reference.

             (5)    Variable Annuity Application - Filed
                    previously with this Registration
                    Statement and hereby incorporated herein
                    by reference.

             (6)    Articles of Incorporation of Depositor
                    Filed previously with this Registration
                    Statement and hereby incorporated herein
                    by reference.

             (7)    Not Applicable

             (8)    Not Applicable

             (9)    Opinion of Counsel - Filed previously with
                    this Registration Statement and hereby
                    incorporated herein by reference.

             (10)   Not Applicable

             (11)   Not Applicable

             (12)   Not Applicable

             (13)   Performance Advertising Calculation
                    Schedule - Filed previously with this
                    Registration Statement and hereby
                    incorporated herein by reference.


                                   84 of 104
<PAGE>   54

Item 25. Directors and Officers of the Depositor

         Name and Principal                   Positions and Offices
          Business Address                       With Depositor

        Lewis J. Alphin                              Director
        519 Bethel Church Road
        Mount Olive, NC  28365

        Keith W. Eckel                               Director
        1647 Falls Road
        Clarks Summit, PA 18411

        Willard J. Engel                             Director
        1100 East Main Street
        Marshall, MN 56258

        Fred C. Finney                               Director
        1558 West Moreland Road
        Wooster, OH 44691

        Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.                    Director
        600 South Washington Street
        Butler, PA  16001

        Joseph J. Gasper               President and Chief Operating Officer
        One Nationwide Plaza                       and Director
        Columbus, OH  43215

   
        Henry S. Holloway                         Chairman of the
        1247 Stafford Road                      Board and Director
        Darlington, MD  21034

        Dimon Richard McFerson         Chairman and Chief Executive Officer-
        One Nationwide Plaza              Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
        Columbus, OH  43215                        and Director
    

        David O. Miller                              Director
        115 Sprague Drive
        Hebron, OH 43025

   
        C. Ray Noecker                               Director
        2770 Winchester Southern S.
        Ashville, OH 43103
    

        James F. Patterson                           Director
        8765 Mulberry Road
        Chesterland, OH  44026


                                    85 of 104
<PAGE>   55

         Name and Principal                   Positions and Offices
          Business Address                       With Depositor

        Arden L. Shisler                             Director
        1356 North Wenger Road
        Dalton, OH  44618

        Robert L. Stewart                            Director
        88740 Fairview Road
        Jewett, OH  43986

        Nancy C. Thomas                              Director
        10835 Georgetown Street NE
        Louisville, OH  44641

        Harold W. Weihl                              Director
        14282 King Road
        Bowling Green, OH  43402

        Gordon E. McCutchan                  Executive Vice President,
        One Nationwide Plaza                Law and Corporate Services
        Columbus, OH  43215                        and Secretary

        Robert A. Oakley                     Executive Vice President-
        One Nationwide Plaza                  Chief Financial Officer
        Columbus, OH  43215

   
        Robert J. Woodward Jr.               Executive Vice President
        One Nationwide Plaza                 Chief Investment Officer
        Columbus, OH 43215
    


        James E. Brock                        Senior Vice President -
        One Nationwide Plaza                  Life Company Operations
        Columbus, OH  43215

        W. Sidney Druen                  Senior Vice President and General
        One Nationwide Plaza              Counsel and Assistant Secretary
        Columbus, OH  43215

        Harvey S. Galloway, Jr.        Senior Vice President-Chief Actuary-
        One Nationwide Plaza                Life, Health and Annuities
        Columbus, OH  43215

        Richard A. Karas                  Senior Vice President - Sales -
        One Nationwide Plaza                    Financial Services
        Columbus, OH  43215

   
        Michael D. Bleiweiss                      Vice President-
        One Nationwide Plaza               Individual Annuity Operations
        Columbus, OH  43215
    


                                    86 of 104
<PAGE>   56

         Name and Principal                   Positions and Offices
          Business Address                       With Depositor

   
        Matthew S. Easley                        Vice President -
        One Nationwide Plaza        Life Marketing and Administration Services
        Columbus, OH  43215
    

        Ronald L. Eppley                          Vice President-
        One Nationwide Plaza                         Pensions
        Columbus, OH  43215

        Timothy E. Murphy                         Vice President-
        One Nationwide Plaza                    Strategic Marketing
        Columbus, Ohio  43215

   
        R. Dennis Noice                           Vice President-
        One Nationwide Plaza                     Retail Operations
        Columbus, OH  43215
    

        Joseph P. Rath
        One Nationwide Plaza                      Vice President
        Columbus, OH  43215

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

       *      Subsidiaries for which separate financial statements are filed

       **     Subsidiaries included in the respective consolidated financial
              statements

       ***    Subsidiaries included in the respective group financial statements
              filed for unconsolidated subsidiaries

       ****   other subsidiaries


                                   87 of 104
<PAGE>   57

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING                                        
                                                                        SECURITIES                                        
                                                                       (see Attached                                      
                                                                       Chart) unless                                      
                                                       STATE             otherwise          
                 COMPANY                          OF ORGANIZATION        indicated         PRINCIPAL BUSINESS   
<S>                                               <C>                   <C>            <C>
         Affiliate Agency, Inc.                       Delaware                         Life Insurance Agency

         Affiliate Agency of Ohio, Inc.                 Ohio                           Life Insurance Agency

         Allnations, Inc.                               Ohio                           Promotes cooperative insurance corporations
                                                                                       worldwide

         American Marine Underwriters, Inc.           Florida                          Underwriting Manager

         Auto Direkt Insurance Company                Germany                          Insurance Company

         The Beak and Wire Corporation                  Ohio                           Radio Tower Joint Venture

         California Cash Management Company          California                        Investment Securities Agent

         Colonial County Mutual Insurance              Texas                           Insurance Company
         Company

         Colonial Insurance Company of               California                        Insurance Company
         California

         Columbus Insurance Brokerage and             Germany                          Insurance Broker
         Service GMBH

         Companies Agency, Inc.                      Wisconsin                         Insurance Broker

         Companies Agency Insurance Services         California                        Insurance  Broker
         of California

         Companies Agency of Alabama, Inc.            Alabama                          Insurance Broker

         Companies Agency of Idaho, Inc.               Idaho                           Insurance Broker

         Companies Agency of Illinois, Inc.           Illinois                         Acts as Collection Agent for policies placed
                                                                                       through Brokers

         Companies Agency of Kentucky, Inc.           Kentucky                         Insurance Broker

         Companies Agency of Massachusetts,        Massachusetts                       Insurance Broker
         Inc.

         Companies Agency of New York, Inc.           New York                         Insurance Broker

         Companies Agency of Pennsylvania, Inc.     Pennsylvania                       Insurance Broker

         Companies Agency of Phoenix, Inc.            Arizona                          Insurance Broker

         Companies Agency of Texas, Inc.               Texas                           Insurance Broker

         Companies Annuity Agency of Texas,            Texas                           Insurance Broker
         Inc.

         Countrywide Services Corporation             Delaware                         Products Liability, Investigative and Claims
                                                                                       Management Services

         Employers Insurance of Wausau A             Wisconsin                         Insurance Company
         Mutual Company
</TABLE>


                                   88 of 104
<PAGE>   58

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING                                        
                                                                        SECURITIES                                        
                                                                       (see Attached                                      
                                                                       Chart) unless                                      
                                                       STATE             otherwise          
                 COMPANY                          OF ORGANIZATION        indicated         PRINCIPAL BUSINESS   
<S>                                               <C>                   <C>            <C>
     **  Employers Life Insurance Company of         Wisconsin                         Life Insurance Company
         Wausau

         F & B, Inc.                                    Iowa                           Insurance Agency

         Farmland Mutual Insurance Company              Iowa                           Insurance Company

         Financial Horizons Distributors              Alabama                          Life Insurance Agency
         Agency of Alabama, Inc.

         Financial Horizons Distributors                Ohio                           Life Insurance Agency
         Agency of Ohio, Inc.

         Financial Horizons Distributors              Oklahoma                         Life Insurance Agency
         Agency of Oklahoma, Inc.

         Financial Horizons Distributors               Texas                           Life Insurance Agency
         Agency of Texas, Inc.

      *  Financial Horizons Investment Trust       Massachusetts                       Investment Company

         Financial Horizons Securities                Oklahoma                         Broker Dealer
         Corporation

         Gates, McDonald & Company                      Ohio                           Cost Control Business

         Gates, McDonald & Company of Nevada           Nevada                          Self-Insurance Administration Claims
                                                                                       Examinations and Data Processing Services

         Gates, McDonald & Company of New             New York                         Workers Compensation Claims Administration
         York, Inc.

         Gates, McDonald Health Plus, Inc.              Ohio                           Managed Care Organization

         Greater La Crosse Health Plans, Inc.        Wisconsin                         Writes Commercial Health and Medicare
                                                                                       Supplement Insurance

         Insurance Intermediaries, Inc.                 Ohio                           Insurance Broker and Insurance Agency

         Key Health Plan, Inc.                       California                        Pre-paid health plans

         Landmark Financial Services of New           New York                         Life Insurance Agency
         York, Inc.

         Leben Direkt Insurance Company               Germany                          Life Insurance Company

         Lone Star General Agency, Inc.                Texas                           Insurance Agency

     **  MRM Investments, Inc.                          Ohio                           Owns and operates a Recreational Ski Facility

     **  National Casualty Company                    Michigan                         Insurance Company

         National Casualty Company of America,     Great Britain                       Insurance Company
         Ltd.

     **  National Premium and Benefit                 Delaware                         Insurance Administrative Services
         Administration Company

   
     **  Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc.             Ohio                           Registered Broker-Dealer, Investment Manager
                                                                                       and Administrator
    
</TABLE>


                                   89 of 104
<PAGE>   59

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING                                        
                                                                        SECURITIES                                        
                                                                       (see Attached                                      
                                                                       Chart) unless                                      
                                                       STATE             otherwise          
                 COMPANY                          OF ORGANIZATION        indicated         PRINCIPAL BUSINESS   
<S>                                               <C>                   <C>            <C>
   
         Nationwide Agency, Inc.                        Ohio                           Insurance Agency
    

         Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance              Iowa                           Insurance Company
         Company

   
         Nationwide Asset Allocation Trust         Massachusetts                       Investment Company
    

         Nationwide Cash Management Company             Ohio                           Investment Securities Agent

         Nationwide Communications, Inc.                Ohio                           Radio Broadcasting Business

         Nationwide Community Urban                     Ohio                           Redevelopment of blighted areas within the
         Redevelopment Corporation                                                     City of Columbus, Ohio

         Nationwide Corporation                         Ohio                           Organized for the purpose of acquiring,
                                                                                       holding, encumbering, transferring, or  
                                                                                       otherwise disposing of shares, bonds,   
                                                                                       and other evidences of indebtedness,    
                                                                                       securities, and contracts of other      
                                                                                       persons, associations, corporations,    
                                                                                       domestic or foreign and to form or      
                                                                                       acquire the control of other            
                                                                                       corporations Nationwide Development     
                                                                                       Company Ohio Owns, leases and manages   
                                                                                       commercial real estate                  
                                                                                       
         Nationwide Financial Institution             Delaware                         Insurance Agency
         Distributors Agency, Inc.

   
         Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.          Delaware                         Organized for the purpose of acquiring,
                                                                                       holding, encumbering, transferring, or 
                                                                                       otherwise disposing of shares, bonds,  
                                                                                       and other evidences of indebtedness,   
                                                                                       securities, and contracts of other     
                                                                                       persons, associations, corporations,   
                                                                                       domestic or foreign and to form or     
                                                                                       acquire the control of other           
                                                                                       corporations                           
    
                                                                                       
         Nationwide General Insurance Company           Ohio                           Insurance Company

         Nationwide HMO, Inc.                           Ohio                           Health Maintenance Organization

      *  Nationwide Indemnity Company                   Ohio                           Reinsurance Company

         Nationwide Insurance Enterprise                Ohio                           Membership Non-Profit Corporation
         Foundation

         Nationwide Insurance Golf Charities,           Ohio                           Membership Non-Profit Corporation
         Inc.

         Nationwide Investing Foundation              Michigan                         Investment Company

      *  Nationwide Investing                      Massachusetts                       Investment Company
         Foundation II

         Nationwide Investment Services               Oklahoma                         Registered Broker-Dealer in Deferred
         Corporation                                                                   Compensation Market

         Nationwide Investors Services, Inc.            Ohio                           Stock Transfer Agent

     **  Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance          Ohio                           Life Insurance Company
         Company
</TABLE>


                                   90 of 104
<PAGE>   60

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING                                        
                                                                        SECURITIES                                        
                                                                       (see Attached                                      
                                                                       Chart) unless                                      
                                                       STATE             otherwise          
                 COMPANY                          OF ORGANIZATION        indicated         PRINCIPAL BUSINESS   
<S>                                               <C>                   <C>            <C>
     **  Nationwide Life Insurance Company              Ohio                           Life Insurance Company

         Nationwide Lloyds                             Texas                           Texas Lloyds Company

   
         Nationwide  Management Systems, Inc.           Ohio                           Develops and operates Managed Care Delivery
                                                                                       System
    

         Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance               Ohio                           Insurance Company
         Company

         Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company            Ohio                           Insurance Company

   
         Nationwide Properties, Ltd.                    Ohio                           Develops, owns and operates real estate and
                                                                                       real estate investments
    

         Nationwide Property and Casualty               Ohio                           Insurance Company
         Insurance Company

   
         Nationwide Realty Investors, Ltd.              Ohio                           Develops, owns and operates real estate and
                                                                                       real estate investments
    

      *  Nationwide Separate Account Trust         Massachusetts                       Investment Company

         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services,          Delaware                         Life Insurance Agency
         Inc.

         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Alabama                          Life Insurance Agency
         Alabama, Inc.

         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Arizona                          Life Insurance Agency
         Arizona, Inc.

         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of     Massachusetts                       Life Insurance Agency
         Massachusetts, Inc.

         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Montana                          Life Insurance Agency
         Montana, Inc.

         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of         Nevada                          Life Insurance Agency
         Nevada, Inc.

         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of          Ohio                           Life Insurance Agency
         Ohio, Inc.

         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Oklahoma                         Life Insurance Agency
         Oklahoma, Inc.

         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of         Texas                           Life Insurance Agency
         Texas, Inc.

         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Wyoming                          Life Insurance Agency
         Wyoming

         NEA Valuebuilder Services Insurance       Massachusetts                       Life Insurance Agency
         Agency, Inc.

         Neckura General Insurance Company            Germany                          Insurance Company

         Neckura Holding Company                      Germany                          Administrative Service for Neckura Insurance
                                                                                       Group

         Neckura Insurance Company                    Germany                          Insurance Company

         Neckura Life Insurance Company               Germany                          Life Insurance Company

         NWE, Inc.                                      Ohio                           Special Investments
</TABLE>


                                   91 of 104
<PAGE>   61

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING                                        
                                                                        SECURITIES                                        
                                                                       (see Attached                                      
                                                                       Chart) unless                                      
                                                       STATE             otherwise          
                 COMPANY                          OF ORGANIZATION        indicated         PRINCIPAL BUSINESS   
<S>                                               <C>                   <C>            <C>
         PEBSCO of Massachusetts Insurance         Massachusetts                       Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
         Agency, Inc.                                                                  Plans for Public Employees

         PEBSCO of Texas, Inc.                         Texas                           Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
                                                                                       Plans for Public Employees

         Pension Associates of Wausau, Inc.          Wisconsin                         Pension plan administration, record keeping
                                                                                       and consulting and compensation consulting

   
         Physicians Plus Insurance Corporation       Wisconsin                         Health Maintenance Organization
    

         Public Employees Benefit Services            Delaware                         Marketing and Administration of Deferred
         Corporation                                                                   Employee Compensation Plans for Public
                                                                                       Employees

         Public Employees Benefit Services            Alabama                          Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
         Corporation of Alabama                                                        Plans for Public Employees

         Public Employees Benefit Services            Arkansas                         Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
         Corporation of Arkansas                                                       Plans for Public Employees

         Public Employees Benefit Services            Montana                          Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
         Corporation of Montana                                                        Plans for Public Employees

         Public Employees Benefit Services           New Mexico                        Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
         Corporation of New Mexico                                                     Plans for Public Employees

         Scottsdale Indemnity Company                   Ohio                           Insurance Company

         Scottsdale Insurance Company                   Ohio                           Insurance Company

   
         Scottsdale Surplus Lines Insurance           Arizona                          Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance Company
         Company
    

         SVM Sales GmbH, Neckura Insurance            Germany                          Sales support for Neckura Insurance Group
         Group

         Wausau Business Insurance Company            Illinois                         Insurance Company

         Wausau General Insurance Company             Illinois                         Insurance Company

         Wausau Insurance Company (U.K.)           United Kingdom                      Insurance and Reinsurance Company
         Limited

         Wausau International Underwriters           California                        Special Risks, Excess and Surplus Lines
                                                                                       Insurance Underwriting Manager

     **  Wausau Preferred Health Insurance           Wisconsin                         Insurance and Reinsurance Company
         Company

         Wausau Service Corporation                  Wisconsin                         Holding Company

         Wausau Underwriters Insurance Company       Wisconsin                         Insurance Company

     **  West Coast Life Insurance Company           California                        Life Insurance Company
</TABLE>


                                   92 of 104
<PAGE>   62

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING                                        
                                                                        SECURITIES                                        
                                                                       (see Attached                                      
                                                                       Chart) unless                                      
                                                       STATE             otherwise          
                 COMPANY                          OF ORGANIZATION        indicated                      PRINCIPAL BUSINESS   
<S>                                                     <C>          <C>                             <C>
      *  MFS Variable Account                           Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account

      *  NACo Variable Account                          Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account

      *  Nationwide DC Variable Account                 Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account

   
      *  Nationwide DCVA-II                             Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account
    

      *  Separate Account No. 1                         Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account

      *  Nationwide Multi-Flex Variable Account         Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account

      *  Nationwide VA Separate Account-A               Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Separate Account

      *  Nationwide VA Separate Account-B               Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Separate Account

         Nationwide VA Separate Account-C               Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Separate Account

      *  Nationwide VA Separate Account-Q               Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Separate Account

      *  Nationwide Variable Account                    Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account

      *  Nationwide Variable Account-II                 Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account

      *  Nationwide Variable Account-3                  Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account

      *  Nationwide Variable Account-4                  Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account

      *  Nationwide Variable Account-5                  Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account

      *  Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable           Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
         Account                                                     Account

      *  Nationwide Variable Account-6                  Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account

      *  Nationwide Variable Account-8                  Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account

      *  Nationwide VL Separate                         Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Life Insurance
         Account-A                                                   Separate Account                 Policies

   
      *  Nationwide VL Separate                         Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Life Insurance 
         Account-B                                                   Separate Account                 Policies
    

      *  Nationwide VLI Separate Account                Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                     Account                          Policies

      *  Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2              Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                     Account                         Policies

      *  Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3              Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                     Account                          Policies
</TABLE>


                                   93 of 104
<PAGE>   63
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)                                               (left side)
<S>                               <C>                               <C>                                  <C>
- ------------------------
| NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |
| GOLF CHARITIES, INC. |
|                      |
|      MEMBERSHIP      |
|      NONPROFIT       |
|     CORPORATION      |
- ------------------------
                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                  |      EMPLOYERS INSURANCE OF WAUSAU     |
                                                  |           A MUTUAL COMPANY             |
                                                  |             (EMPLOYERS)                |
                                                  |                                        |========================================
                                                  | Contribution Note         Cost         |
                                                  | -----------------         ----         |
                                                  | Casualty                  $400,000,000 |
                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                                |
           -----------------------------------------------------------------------
           |                                  |                                  |
- ---------------------------       ---------------------------       ----------------------------         ---------------------------
|    SAN DIEGO LOTUS      |       |   WAUSAU INSURANCE CO.  |       |      WAUSAU SERVICE      |         |                         |
|     CORPORATION         |       |      (U.K.) LIMITED     |       |     CORPORATION (WSC)    |         |    NATIONWIDE LLOYDS    |
|Common Stock: 748,212    |       |Common Stock: 8,506,800  |       |Common Stock: 1,000 Shares|         |                         |
|------------  Shares     |       |------------  Shares     |       |------------              |         |                         |
|                         |       |                         |       |                          |=========|                         |
|              Cost       |       |              Cost       |       |              Cost        |     ||  |      A TEXAS LLOYDS     |
|              ----       |       |              ----       |       |              ----        |     ||  |                         |
|Employers-               |       |Employers-               |       |Employers-                |     ||  |                         |
|100%          $29,000,000|       |100%          $18,683,300|       |100%          $176,763,000|     ||  |                         |
- ---------------------------       ---------------------------       ----------------------------     ||  ---------------------------
                                                                                 |                   ||
                              ---------------------------------------------------------------------  ||
                              |                                 |                                 |  ||
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |  ||  ---------------------------
|     WAUSAU BUSINESS     |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |   COUNTRYWIDE SERVICES   |  |  ||  |                         |
|    INSURANCE COMPANY    |   |   |    OF KENTUCKY, INC.    |   |   |        CORPORATION       |  |  ||  |                         |
|Common Stock: 10,900,000 |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 100 Shares  |  |  ||  |        COMPANIES        |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------              |  |  ||  |        AGENCY OF        |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |---|                          |  |  ||==|        TEXAS, INC.      |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |  ||  |                         |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |  ||  |                         |
|WSC-100%      $33,800,000|   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $145,852    |  |  ||  |                         |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |  ||  ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |  ||
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |  ||  ---------------------------
|   WAUSAU UNDERWRITERS   |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |      WAUSAU GENERAL      |  |  ||  |                         |
|    INSURANCE COMPANY    |   |   | OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC.  |   |   |     INSURANCE COMPANY    |  |  ||  |                         |
|Common Stock: 8,750      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 200,000     |  |  ||  |     COMPANIES ANNUITY   |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |  |  ||  |         AGENCY OF       |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |---|                          |  |  ====|         TEXAS, INC.     |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |      |                         |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |      |                         |
|WSC-100%      $69,560,006|   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $39,000,000 |  |      |                         |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |      
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
|   GREATER LA CROSSE     |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |   WAUSAU INTERNATIONAL   |  |      |     AMERICAN MARINE     |
|   HEALTH PLANS, INC.    |   |   |    OF NEW YORK, INC.    |   |   |       UNDERWRITERS       |  |      |    UNDERWRITERS, INC.   |
|Common Stock: 3,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000       |  |      |Common Stock: 20         |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |  |      |------------  Shares     |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |---|                          |  |------|                         |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |      |              Cost       |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |      |              ----       |
|WSC-33.3%     $861,761   |   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $10,000     |  |      |WSC-100%      $248,222   |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |      
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
|    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |     COMPANIES AGENCY     |  |      |     COMPANIES AGENCY    |
|    OF ALABAMA, INC.     |   |   |  OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.  |   |   |    INSURANCE SERVICES    |  |      |     OF ILLINOIS, INC.   |
|                         |   |   |                         |   |   |       OF CALIFORNIA      |  |      |                         |
|Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000       |  |      |Common Stock: 250        |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |---|------------  Shares      |  |------|------------  Shares     |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |   |                          |  |      |                         |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |      |              Cost       |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |      |              ----       |
|WSC-100%      $100       |   |   |WSC-100%      $100       |   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000      |  |      |WSC-100%      $2,500     |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |      
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
|    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |   COMPANIES AGENCY      |   |   |      PHYSICIANS PLUS     |  |      |         COMPANIES       |
|     OF IDAHO, INC.      |   |   |     OF PHOENIX, INC.    |   |   |         INSURANCE        |  |      |        AGENCY, INC.     |
|                         |   |   |                         |   |   |        CORPORATION       |  |      |                         |
|Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock:    7,150    |  |      |Common Stock: 100        |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------     Shares   |  |      |------------  Shares     |
|                         |-------|                         |   |---|Preferred Stock: 11,540   |  |------|                         |
|                         |       |                         |   |   |---------------  Shares   |  |      |                         |
|                         |       |                         |   |   |                          |  |      |                         |
|              Cost       |       |              Cost       |   |   |                Cost      |  |      |              Cost       |
|              ----       |       |              ----       |   |   |                ----      |  |      |              ----       |
|WSC-100%      $1,000     |       |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-33 1/3%     $6,215,459|  |      |WSC-100%      $10,000    |
- ---------------------------       ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                                                                |                                 |      
                                                                |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                                                                |   |      PREVEA HEALTH       |  |      |    PENSION ASSOCIATES   |
                                                                |   |  INSURANCE PLAN, INC.    |  |      |      OF WAUSAU, INC.    |
                                                                |   |Common Stock: 3,000 Shares|  |      |Common Stock: 1,000      |
                                                                |   |------------              |  |      |------------  Shares     |
                                                                ----|                          |  -------|                         |
                                                                    |                          |         |                         |
                                                                    |              Cost        |         |Companies        Cost    |
                                                                    |              ----        |         |Agency, Inc.     ----    |
                                                                    |WSC-33 1/3%   $500,000    |         |(Wisconsin)-100% $10,000 |
                                                                    ----------------------------         ---------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   64
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)                                                  (middle)
<S>                                               <C>                                               <C>         
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       |                           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                               |
=======|                           INSURANCE COMPANY                               |================================================
       |                              (CASUALTY)                                   |
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||                              |
              |                        ||                              -------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||    |                                                                      |
- --------------------------------       ||    |    --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
|      ALLNATIONS, INC.        |       ||    |    |      NATIONWIDE GENERAL      |                  |        NECKURA HOLDING       |
|Common Stock:    3,136 Shares |       ||    |    |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |                  |       COMPANY (NECKURA)      |
|------------                  |       ||    |    |                              |                  |                              |
|                 Cost         |       ||    |    |Common Stock:    20,000       |                  |Common Stock:    10,000       |
|                 ----         |       ||    |    |------------     Shares       |                  |------------     Shares       |
|Casualty-24.5%   $88,320      |       ||    |    |                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |
|Fire-24.5%       $88,463      |       ||    |    |                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |
|Preferred Stock: 1,466 Shares |       ||    |----|Casualty-100%    $5,944,422   |         ---------|Casualty-100%    $87,943,140  |
|---------------               |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|                 Cost         |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|                 ----         |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|Casualty-7.7%    $100,000     |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|Fire-7.7%        $100,000     |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
- --------------------------------       ||    |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                       ||    |                                             |    
- --------------------------------       ||    |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|       FARMLAND MUTUAL        |       ||    |    |      NATIONWIDE PROPERTY     |         |        |           NECKURA            |
|      INSURANCE COMPANY       |       ||    |    |         AND CASUALTY         |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|Guaranty Fund                 |       ||    |    |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |         |        |                              |
|------------                  |=========    |----|Common Stock:    60,000       |         |--------|Common Stock:    6,000        |
|Certificate                   |             |    |------------     Shares       |         |        |------------     Shares       |
|-----------      Cost         |             |    |                 Cost         |         |        |                 Cost         |
|                 ----         |             |    |                 ----         |         |        |Neckura-         ----         |
|Casualty         $500,000     |             |    |Casualty-100%    $6,000,000   |         |        |100%             DM 6,000,000 |
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
              |                              |                                             |    
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|        F & B, INC.           |             |    |      COLONIAL INSURANCE      |         |        |         NECKURA LIFE         |
|                              |             |    |     COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA    |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|Common Stock:    1 Share      |             |    |          (COLONIAL)          |         |        |                              |
|------------                  |             |----|Common Stock:    1,750        |         |--------|Common Stock:   4,000         |
|                 Cost         |             |    |------------     Shares       |         |        |------------    Shares        |
|                 ----         |             |    |                 Cost         |         |        |                Cost          |
|Farmland                      |             |    |                 ----         |         |        |                ----          |
|Mutual-100%      $10          |             |    |Casualty-100%    $11,750,000  |         |        |Neckura-100%    DM 15,825,681 |
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                             |                                             |        
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|  NATIONWIDE AGRIBUSINESS     |             |    |         SCOTTSDALE           |         |        |        NECKURA GENERAL       |
|     INSURANCE COMPANY        |             |    |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|Common Stock:    1,000,000    |             |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|------------     Shares       |             |    |Common Stock:    30,136       |         |        |Common Stock:    1,500        |
|                 Cost         |------------------|------------     Shares       |         |--------|------------     Shares       |
|                 ----         |                  |                 Cost         |         |        |                 Cost         |
|Casualty-99.9%   $26,714,335  |                  |                 ----         |         |        |                 ----         |
|Other Capital:                |                  |Casualty-100%    $150,000,000 |         |        |Neckura-100%     DM 1,656,925 |
|-------------                 |                  |                              |         |        |                              |
|Casualty-Ptd.    $   713,567  |                  |                              |         |        |                              |
- --------------------------------                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                                                 |                         |        
                                                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                                  |          SCOTTSDALE          |         |        |       COLUMBUS INSURANCE     |
                                                  |        SURPLUS LINES         |         |        |      BROKERAGE AND SERVICE   |
                                                  |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |         |        |              GmbH            |
                                                  |                              |         |        |Common Stock:    1 Share      |
                                                  |                              |         |--------|------------                  |
                                                  |        "NEWLY FORMED"        |         |        |                 Cost         |
                                                  |                              |         |        |                 ----         |
                                                  |                              |         |        |Neckura-100%     DM 51,639    |
                                                  |                              |         |        |                              |
                                                  |                              |         |        |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                                                 |                         |        
                                                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                                  |      NATIONAL PREMIUM &      |         |        |          LEBEN DIREKT        |
                                                  |    BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION    |         |        |        INSURANCE COMPANY     |
                                                  |           COMPANY            |         |        |                              |
                                                  |Common Stock:    10,000       |         |        |Common Stock:    4,000 Shares |
                                                  |------------     Shares       |------------------|------------                  |
                                                  |                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |
                                                  |                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |
                                                  |Scottsdale-100%  $10,000      |                  |Neckura-100%     DM 4,000,000 |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------

                                                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
                                                  |         SVM SALES            |                  |          AUTO DIREKT         |
                                                  |            GmbH              |                  |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  |Common Stock:    50 Shares    |                  |Common Stock:    1,500 Shares |
                                                  |------------                  |                  |------------                  |
                                                  |                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |
                                                  |                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |
                                                  |Neckura-100%     DM 50,000    |                  |Neckura-100%     DM 1,643,149 |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   65
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)                                              (right side)
<S>     <C>                                       <C>                                              <C>         
                                                                                                            ------------------------
                                                                                                            | NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |
                                                                                                            | ENTERPRISE FOUNDATION|
                                                                                                            |                      |
                                                                                                            |      MEMBERSHIP      |
                                                                                                            |      NONPROFIT       |
                                                                                                            |     CORPORATION      |
                                                                                                            ------------------------
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       |                           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                               |
=======|                         FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY                            |
       |                                (FIRE)                                     |
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       |
- ---------------                                                        --------------------------------------------------
              |                                                                                                         |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       |
  |                                          |                                                                  |       |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                ----------------------------------
  |     |         SCOTTSDALE           |     |    |         NATIONWIDE           |                |          NATIONWIDE            |
  |     |      INDEMNITY COMPANY       |     |    |      COMMUNITY URBAN         |                |          CORPORATION           |
  |     |                              |     |    |       REDEVELOPMENT          |                |                                |
  |     |                              |     |    |        CORPORATION           |                |Common Stock:    Control:       |
  |     |Common Stock:    50,000       |     |    |Common Stock:    10 Shares    |                |------------     -------        |
  |-----|------------     Shares       |     |----|------------                  |                |$13,642,432      100%           |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                |         Shares     Cost        |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                |         ------     ----        |
  |     |Casualty-100%    $8,800,000   |     |    |Casualty-100%    $1,000       |                |Casualty 12,992,922 $751,352,485|
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                |Fire        649,510   24,007,936|
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                |          (See Page 2)          |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                ----------------------------------
  |                                          |                                                      
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |     |         NATIONWIDE           |     |    |          INSURANCE           |                                                  
  |     |      INDEMNITY COMPANY       |     |    |     INTERMEDIARIES, INC.     |                                                  
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |-----|Common Stock:    28,000       |     |----|Common Stock:    1,615        |                                                  
  |     |------------     Shares       |     |    |------------     Shares       |                                                  
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
  |     |Casualty-100%    $294,529,000 |     |    |Casualty-100%    $1,615,000   |                                                  
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |                                          |                                                                                      
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |     |          LONE STAR           |     |    |       NATIONWIDE CASH        |                                                  
  |     |     GENERAL AGENCY, INC.     |     |    |      MANAGEMENT COMPANY      |                                                  
  |     |                              |     |    |Common Stock:    100 Shares   |                                                  
  ------|Common Stock:    1,000        |     |----|------------                  |                                                  
        |------------     Shares       |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
        |                 Cost         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
        |                 ----         |     |    |Casualty-90%     $9,000       |                                                  
        |Casualty-100%    $5,000,000   |     |    |NW Adv. Serv.     1,000       |                                                  
        --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
                      ||                     |                                                                                      
        --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
        |   COLONIAL COUNTY MUTUAL     |     |    |       CALIFORNIA CASH        |                                                  
        |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |     |    |          MANAGEMENT          |                                                  
        |                              |     |    |                              |                                                  
        |Surplus Debentures            |     |    |Common Stock:    90 Shares    |                                                  
        |------------------            |     |----|------------                  |                                                  
        |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
        |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
        |Colonial         $500,000     |     |    |Casualty-100%    $9,000       |                                                  
        |Lone Star         150,000     |     |    |                              |                                                  
        --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
                                             |                                                      
                                             |    --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
                                             |    |         NATIONWIDE           |                  |           THE BEAK AND       |
                                             |    |     COMMUNICATIONS, INC.     |                  |         WIRE CORPORATION     |
                                             |    |Common Stock:    14,750       |                  |                              |
                                             |    |------------     Shares       |                  |Common Stock:    750 Shares   |
                                             -----|                 Cost         |------------------|------------                  |
                                                  |                 ----         |                  |                 Cost         |
                                                  |Casualty-100%    $11,510,000  |                  |                 ----         |
                                                  |Other Capital:                |                  |NW Comm-100%     $531,000     |
                                                  |-------------                 |                  |                              |
                                                  |Casualty-Ptd.      1,000,000  |                  |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------



Subsidiary Companies -- Solid Line
Contractual Association -- Double Lines

March 6, 1997
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   66
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                        (Left Side)
                                                NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)

                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |              EMPLOYERS INSURANCE               |
                                        |                  OF WAUSAU                     |==========================================
                                        |               A MUTUAL COMPANY                 |
                                         ------------------------------------------------



























<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             |                                  |                                   |
                ---------------------------        ---------------------------        ---------------------------
               | NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE |      |        NATIONWIDE         |      |   NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL    |
               |     COMPANY (NW LIFE)     |      |    FINANCIAL SERVICES     |      | INSTITUTION DISTRIBUTORS  |
               |                           |      |      CAPITAL TRUST        |      |   AGENCY, INC. (NFIDAI)   |
               | Common Stock: 3,814,779   |      | Preferred Stock:          |      | Common Stock:     1,000   |
               | ------------  Shares      |      | ---------------           |      | ------------      Shares  |
               |                           |      |                           |      |                           |
               | NFS--100%                 |      | NFS--100%                 |      | NFS--100%                 |
                ---------------------------        ---------------------------        ---------------------------
                               |                                                                    ||  
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------        ---------------------------   ||   -------------------------- 
|    NATIONWIDE LIFE AND    |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |      |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |  ||  |                          |
| ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY |  |  |     ADVISORY SERVICES     |      |    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY    |  ||  |                          |
|        (NW LIFE)          |  |  |      (NW ADV. SERV.)      |      |      OF ALABAMA, INC.     |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 68,000      |  |  | Common Stock: 7,676       |      | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|--| ------------  Shares      |==||  | ------------  Shares      |--||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |       OF OHIO, INC.      |
|               Cost        |  |  |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life--100% $58,070,003 |  |  | NW Life--100% $5,996,261  |  ||  | NFIDIA--100% $100         |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   -------------------------- 
                               |                                 ||                                 ||                              
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
|         NWE, INC.         |  |  |        NATIONWIDE         |  ||  |    LANDMARK FINANCIAL     |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |   INVESTOR SERVICES, INC. |  ||  |        SERVICES OF        |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |       NEW YORK, INC.      |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 100         |  |  | Common Stock: 5           |  ||  | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  | ------------  Shares      |==||  | ------------  Shares      |  ||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |     OF OKLAHOMA, INC.    |
|               Cost        |  |  |                     Cost  |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |                     ----  |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life--100% $35,971,375 |  |  | NW Adv. Serv.--100% $5,000|  ||  | NFIDIA--100% $10,100      |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                 ||    
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
|   NATIONWIDE INVESTMENT   |  |  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS     |  ||  |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |  ||  |                          |
|   SERVICES CORPORATION    |  |  |     INVESTMENT TRUST      |  ||  |      SECURITIES CORP.     |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 5,000       |  |  |                           |  ||  | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |  ||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |       OF TEXAS, INC.     |
|               Cost        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life--100% $529,728    |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||  | NFIDIA--100% $153,000     |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                 ||                    
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
| NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||  |   AFFILIATE AGENCY, INC.  |  ||  |                          |
|    COMPANY OF NEW YORK    |  |  |         INVESTING         |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |         FOUNDATION        |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock:             |  |  |                           |  ||  | Common Stock: 100         |  ||  |          AFFILIATE       |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |__||==|          AGENCY OF       |
|               Cost        |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |      |          OHIO, INC.      |
|               ----        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               Cost        |      |                          |
| NW Life--100%             |  |  |                           |  ||  |               ----        |      |                          |
| (Proposed)                |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||  | NFIDIA--100% $100         |      |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------        --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                                                
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||                               
|     NATIONWIDE REALTY     |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||                               
|      INVESTORS, LTD.      |  |  |          INVESTING        |  ||                               
|                           |  |  |        FOUNDATION II      |  ||                               
| Units:                    |  |  |                           |  ||                               
| ------                    |  |  |                           |==||                               
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||                               
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||                               
| NW Life--90%              |  |  |                           |  ||                               
| NW Mutual--10%            |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||                               
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||                               
                               |                                 ||                               
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||                               
|     NATIONWIDE REALTY     |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||                               
|      INVESTORS, LTD.      |  |  |      SEPARATE ACCOUNT     |  ||                               
|                           |  |  |            TRUST          |  ||                               
| Units:                    |  |  |                           |  ||                               
| ------                    |__|  |                           |__||                               
|                           |     |                           |                                   
|                           |     |                           |                                   
| NW Life--97.6%            |     |                           |                                   
| NW Mutual--2.4%           |     |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |                                   
 ---------------------------       ---------------------------                                    
</TABLE>                           
<PAGE>   67
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                           (Center)

<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |               NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                |
========================================|               INSURANCE COMPANY                |==========================================
                                        |                  (CASUALTY)                    |
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                                                 |
                                                                 |              ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                 |              |
                                               ---------------------------------------
                                              |    NATIONWIDE CORPORATION (NW CORP)   |
                                              |   Common Stock:           Control     |
                                              |   ------------            -------     |
                                              |    13,642,432               100%      |
                                              |              Shares      Cost         |
                                              |             ------      ----          |
                                              | Casualty    12,992,922   $751,352,485 |
                                              | Fire           649,510     24,007,936 |
                                               ---------------------------------------
                                                                |
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              |                                     |                                |                             |
 ---------------------------     --------------------------       -----------------------------      ---------------------------- 
|    NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL   |   |   MRM INVESTMENTS, INC.   |    |      WEST COAST LIFE        |    |    NATIONAL CASUALTY       |
|    SERVICES, INC. (NFS)   |   |                           |    |     INSURANCE COMPANY       |    |         COMPANY            |
|                           |   |                           |    |                             |    |           (NC)             |
| Common Stock: Control     |   | Common Stock: 1           |    | Common Stock: 1,000,000     |    | Common Stock: 100          |
| ------------  -------     |   | ------------  Share       |    | ------------  Shares        |    | ------------  Shares       |
|                           |   |                           |    |                             |    |                            |
|                           |   |               Cost        |    |               Cost          |    |                Cost        | 
| Class A     Public--100%  |   |               ----        |    |               ----          |    |                ----        |
| Class B     NW Corp--100% |   | NW Corp.--100% $1,339,218 |    | NW Corp.--100% $152,946,930 |    | NW Corp.--100% $73,442,439 |
 ---------------------------     ---------------------------      -----------------------------      ---------------------------- 
             |                                                                                                     |
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                   |
                             |                                                  |                                  |
                ---------------------------                       ---------------------------        ----------------------------
               | PUBLIC EMPLOYEES BENEFIT  |                     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER       |    |   NCC OF AMERICA, INC.     |
               |   SERVICES CORPORATION    |                     |   INVESTOR SERVICES, INC.   |    |         (INACTIVE)         |
               |         (PEBSCO)          |                     |             (NEA)           |    |                            |
               | Common Stock: 236,494     |==||                 | Common Stock: 500           |    |                            |
               | ------------  Shares      |  ||                 | ------------  Shares        |    |                            |
               |                           |  ||                 |                             |    |                            |
               | NFS--100%                 |  ||                 | NFS--100%                   |    | NFS--100%                  |
                ---------------------------   ||                  -----------------------------      ----------------------------
                                              ||                                 ||  
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||  
               |          ALABAMA          |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||
               |                           |  ||  |     OF ALABAMA, INC.      |  ||
               | Common Stock: 100,000     |  ||  | Common Stock: 500         |  ||
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |--||
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||
               | PEBSCO--100%  $1,000      |  ||  | NEA--100%      $5,000     |  ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
                                              ||                                 || 
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||
               |         ARKANSAS          |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||
               |                           |  ||  |      OF ARIZONA, INC      |  ||
               | Common Stock: 50,000      |  ||  | Common Stock: 100         |  ||
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |--||
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||
               | PEBSCO--100%  $500        |  ||  | NEA--100%     $1,000      |  ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
               |  PEBSCO OF MASSACHUSETTS  |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||
               |  INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.   |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||
               |                           |  ||  |      OF MONTANA, INC.     |  ||
               | Common Stock: 1,000       |  ||  | Common Stock: 500         |  ||
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |--||
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||
               | PEBSCO--100%  $1,000      |  ||  | NEA--100%     $500        |  ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||  |                           |
               |          MONTANA          |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||  |                           |
               |                           |  ||  |      OF NEVADA, INC.      |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |
               | Common Stock: 500         |  ||  | Common Stock: 500         |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |  ||==|       OF OHIO, INC.       |
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                           |
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                           |
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                           |
               | PEBSCO--100%  $500        |  ||  | NEA--100%     $500        |  ||  |                           |
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||  |                           |
               |        NEW MEXICO         |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||  |                           |
               |                           |  ||  |      OF WYOMING, INC.     |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |
               | Common Stock: 1,000       |  ||  | Common Stock: 500         |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |  ||==|     OF OKLAHOMA, INC.     |
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                           |
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                           |
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                           |
               | PEBSCO--100%  $1,000      |  ||  | NEA--100%     $500        |  ||  |                           |
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ----------------------------
               |                           |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||  |                            |
               |                           |  ||  |    SERVICES INSURANCE     |  ||  |                            |
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |       AGENCY, INC.        |  ||  |      NEA VALUEBUILDER      |
               |        TEXAS, INC.        |  ||  | Common Stock: 100         |  ||  |      INVESTOR SERVICES     |
               |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |__||==|        OF TEXAS, INC.      |
               |                           |      |                           |      |                            |
               |                           |      |               Cost        |      |                            |
               |                           |      |               ----        |      |                            |
               |                           |      | NEA--100%     $1,000      |      |                            |
                ---------------------------        ---------------------------        ----------------------------

</TABLE>
<PAGE>   68
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                            (Right)

<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |               NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                |
========================================|            FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY              |
                                        |                   (FIRE)                       |
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                                                 |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------|   












- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              |                                |                              |
                ---------------------------         ------------------------------       ------------------------------
               |      GATES, MCDONALD        |     |   EMPLOYERS LIFE INSURANCE   |     |    NATIONWIDE HMO, INC.      |
               |     & COMPANY (GATES)       |     |       OF WAUSAU (ELIOW)      |     |         (NW HMO)             |
               |                             |     |                              |     |                              |
               | Common Stock:   254         |     | Common Stock:   250,000      |     | Common Stock:   100          |        
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  |--| ------------    Shares       |  |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |  |  |                 Cost         |  |  |                 Cost         | 
           |   |                 ----        |  |  |                 ----         |  |  |                 ----         |
           |   | NW CORP.--100%  $25,683,532 |  |  | NW CORP.--100%  $126,509,480 |  |  | NW CORP.--100%  $14,603,732  |
           |    -----------------------------   |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |                                    |                                    |
           |    ---------------------------     |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |   |  GATES, MCDONALD & COMPANY  |  |  |       WAUSAU PREFERRED       |  |  |    NATIONWIDE MANAGEMENT     |
           |   |      OF NEW YORK, INC.      |  |  |      HEALTH INSURANCE CO.    |  |  |         SYSTEMS, INC.        |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   | Common Stock:   3           |  |  | Common Stock:   250,000      |  |  | Common Stock:   100          |        
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  |--| ------------    Shares       |  |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |  |  |                 Cost         |  |  | NW HMO          Cost         | 
           |   |                 ----        |  |  |                 ----         |  |  |                 ----         |
           |   | GATES--100%     $106,947    |  |  | NW CORP.--100%  $57,413,193  |  |  | Inc.--100%      $25,149      |
           |    -----------------------------   |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |                                    |                                    |
           |    -----------------------------   |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |   |  GATES, MCDONALD & COMPANY  |  |  |     KEY HEALTH PLAN, INC.    |  |  |          NATIONWIDE          |
           |   |         OF NEVADA           |  |  |                              |  |  |          AGENCY, INC.        |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   | Common Stock:   40          |  |  | Common Stock:   1,000        |  |  | Common Stock:   100          |        
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  |--| ------------    Shares       |  |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |     |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |     |                 Cost         |  |  | NW HMO          Cost         | 
           |   |                 ----        |     |                 ----         |  |  |                 ----         |
           |   | Gates--100%     $93,750     |     | ELIOPW--80%  $2,700,000      |  |  | Inc.--99%       $116,077     |
           |    -----------------------------       ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |
           |    -----------------------------     
           |   |      GATES, MCDONALD        |  
           |   |     HEALTH PLUS, INC.       |  
           |   |                             |  
           |   | Common Stock:   200         |       
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  
               |                             |  
               |                 Cost        |  
               |                 ----        |  
               | NW CORP.--100%  $2,000,000  |  
                -----------------------------   









                                                                                Subsidiary Companies    -- Solid Line

                                                                                Contractual Association -- Double Line

                                                                                Partnership Interest    -- Dotted Line



                                                                                                             March 6, 1997

                                                                                                                    Page 2
</TABLE>
                                                
                                                                              
<PAGE>   69

Item 27.      Number of Contract Owners

   
              The number of contract Owners of Qualified and Non-Qualified
              Contracts as of February 28, 1997 was 2,804 and 1,789,
              respectively.
    

Item 28.      Indemnification

              Provision is made in the Company's Amended and Restated Code of
              Regulations and expressly authorized by the General Corporation
              Law of the State of Ohio, for indemnification by the Company of
              any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a
              party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
              proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
              investigative by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
              director, officer or employee of the Company, against expenses,
              including attorneys fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in
              settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
              connection with such action, suit or proceeding, to the extent and
              under the circumstances permitted by the General Corporation Law
              of the State of Ohio.

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

Item 29.      Principal Underwriter

   
              (a) The principal underwriter is Fidelity Investments
              Institutional Services Company, Inc. which does not act as
              principal underwriter, depositor, sponsor, or investment adviser
              to any other investment company.
    

              (b)

   
      Name and Principal
      Business Address          Positions and Offices with Underwriter
      William F. Devin          Director
      Edward C. Johnson 3d      Director
      Richard G. Malconian      President
      Charles Delle Donne       Sevior Vice President and Regional Manager
      David Liebrock            Senior Vice President and Regional Manager
      Nishan Vartabedian        Senior Vice President and Regional Manager
      James M. McKinney         Senior Vice President
      Lorrayne Chu              Senior Vice President
      Thomas T. Bieniek         Senior Vice President
      Marie Harrigan            Senior Vice President
      Brian A. Clancey          Senior Vice President
      William Adair             Senior Vice President, Broker/Dealer
      Gregory Brakovich         Senior Vice President, Broker/Dealer
      Virginia M. Meany         Senior Vice President, Clinet Services
      Robert MacDonald          Senior Vice President, Insurance Market
      Reed Tupper               Senior Vice President, Insurance Market
      Arthur S. Loring          Senior Vice President, Clerf and General Counsel
      Susan Pfau                Vice President, Finance
      Joseph Collins            Vice President, Human Resources
      Robert Sauvageau          Vice President, Systems
      Michael P. Castellano     Financial Operations Officer
      Lois Towers               Compliance Officer
      Steven Jonas              Treasurer
      John D. Crumrine          Assistant Treasurer
      David C. Weinstein        Assistant Clerk
    


                                   96 of 104
<PAGE>   70

              (c) Not applicable

              The address for each person named in Item 29 is 82 Devonshire
              Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109

Item 30.      Location of Accounts and Records
              Robert O. Cline
              Nationwide Life Insurance Company
              One Nationwide Plaza
              Columbus, OH  43216

Item 31.      Management Services
              Not Applicable

Item 32.      Undertakings

              The Registrant hereby undertakes to:

   
              (a)   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)   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; and
              (c)   Deliver any Statement of Additional Information and any
                    financial statements required to be made available under
                    this form promptly upon written or oral request.

              The Registrant represents that any of the Contracts which are
              issued pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code are issued by the
              Company through the Registrant in reliance upon, and in compliance
              with a no-action letter issued by the staff of the Securities and
              Exchange Commission to the American Council of Life Insurance
              (publicly available November 28, 1988) permitting withdrawal
              restrictions to the extent necessary to comply with Section
              403(b)(11) of the Code.

              The Depositor 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 Company.
    


                                   97 of 104
<PAGE>   71

                                   Offered by
                        Nationwide Life Insurance Company

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                  Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account

                  Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contract

                                   PROSPECTUS

   
                                   May 1, 1997
    


                                   98 of 104
<PAGE>   72

                 Accountants' Consent and Independent Auditors'
                     Report on Financial Statement Schedules

The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company and 
Contract Owners of the Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account:

   
The audits referred to in our report on Nationwide Life Insurance Company (the
Company) dated January 31, 1997 included the related financial statement
schedules as of December 31, 1996, and for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1996, included in the registration statement. These
financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statement schedules based on our audits. In our opinion, such financial
statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated
financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects
the information set forth herein.
    

We consent to the use of our reports included herein and to the reference to our
firm under the heading "Services" in the Statement of Additional Information.


                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

   
Columbus, Ohio
April 28, 1997
    


                                   99 of 104
<PAGE>   73

                                   SIGNATURES

   
       As required by the Securities Act of 1933, and the Investment Company Act
of 1940, the Registrant, NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT, certifies
that it meets the requirements of Securities Act Rule 485(b) for effectiveness
of this Post-Effective Amendment and has caused this Post-Effective Amendment to
be signed on its behalf in the City of Columbus, and State of Ohio, on this 28st
day of April, 1997.
    

                                 NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                                 --------------------------------------------

                                                 (Registrant)
                                       NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                 --------------------------------------------
                                                  (Depositor)

                                              By /s/ JOSEPH P. RATH
                                 --------------------------------------------
                                              Joseph P. Rath
                                              Vice President

   
As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 28th day
of April, 1997.
    

         Signature                             Title


LEWIS J. ALPHIN                              Director
- ------------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin


KEITH W. ECKEL                               Director
- ------------------------------
Keith W. Eckel


WILLARD J. ENGEL                             Director
- ------------------------------
Willard J. Engel


FRED C. FINNEY                               Director
- ------------------------------
Fred C. Finney


CHARLES L. FUELLGRAF, JR.                    Director
- ------------------------------
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.


JOSEPH J. GASPER                 President/Chief Operating Officer and Director
- ------------------------------
Joseph J. Gasper


HENRY S. HOLLOWAY                 Chairman of the Board and Director
- -----------------------------
Henry S. Holloway 


DIMON RICHARD MCFERSON            Chairman and Chief Executive Officer -   
- ------------------------------           Nationwide Insurance               
Dimon Richard McFerson                  Enterprise and Director            
                                  

DAVID O. MILLER                              Director
- ------------------------------
David O. Miller


C. RAY NOECKER                               Director
- ------------------------------
C. Ray Noecker


ROBERT A. OAKLEY                   Executive Vice President-Chief 
- ------------------------------          Financial Officer
Robert A. Oakley

                                                        By /s/ JOSEPH P. RATH
JAMES F. PATTERSON                           Director   -----------------------
- ------------------------------                               Joseph P. Rath
James F. Patterson                                           Attorney-in-Fact


ARDEN L. SHISLER                             Director
- ------------------------------
Arden L. Shisler


ROBERT L. STEWART                            Director
- ------------------------------
Robert L. Stewart


NANCY C. THOMAS                              Director
- ------------------------------
Nancy C. Thomas


HAROLD W. WEIHL                              Director
- ------------------------------
Harold W. Weihl



                                   104 of 104
<PAGE>   74
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



         KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned as
directors and/or officers of NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, and NATIONWIDE
LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY, both Ohio corporations, which have filed or
will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, various Registration Statements and
amendments thereto for the registration under said Act of Individual Deferred
Variable Annuity Contracts in connection with MFS Variable Account, Nationwide
Variable Account, Nationwide Variable Account-II, Nationwide Variable Account-3,
Nationwide Variable Account-4, Nationwide Variable Account-5, Nationwide
Variable Account-6, Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account, Nationwide
Multi-Flex Variable Account, Nationwide Variable Account-8, Nationwide VA
Separate Account-A, Nationwide VA Separate Account-B, Nationwide VA Separate
Account-C and Nationwide VA Separate Account-Q; and the registration of fixed
interest rate options subject to a market value adjustment offered under some or
all of the aforementioned individual Variable Annuity Contracts in connection
with Nationwide Multiple Maturity Separate Account and Nationwide Multiple
Maturity Separate Account-A, and the registration of Group Flexible Fund
Retirement Contracts in connection with Nationwide DC Variable Account,
Nationwide DCVA-II, and NACo Variable Account; and the registration of Group
Common Stock Variable Annuity Contracts in connection with Separate Account No.
1; and the registration of variable life insurance policies in connection with
Nationwide VLI Separate Account, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2, Nationwide
VLI Separate Account-3, Nationwide VL Separate Account-A and Nationwide VL
Separate Account-B, hereby constitutes and appoints Dimon Richard McFerson,
Joseph J. Gasper, W. Sidney Druen, and Joseph P. Rath, and each of them with
power to act without the others, his/her attorney, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for and in his/her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to approve, and sign such Registration Statements and
any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of said
corporation thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and
thing requisite to all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of
them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This instrument may
be executed in one or more counterparts.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have herewith set their names and
seals as of this 2nd day of April, 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                 <C>
/s/ Lewis J. Alphin                                                 /s/ David O. Miller
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin, Director                                           David O. Miller, Director

/s/ Keith W. Eckel                                                  /s/ C. Ray Noecker
- -------------------------------------------------                   -------------------------------------------------
Keith W. Eckel, Director                                            C. Ray Noecker, Director

/s/ Willard J. Engel                                                /s/ Robert A. Oakley
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Willard J. Engel, Director                                          Robert A. Oakley, Executive Vice President and Chief
                                                                    Financial Officer

/s/ Fred C. Finney                                                  /s/ James F. Patterson
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Fred C. Finney, Director                                            James F. Patterson, Director

/s/ Charles L. Fuellgraf                                            /s/ Arden L. Shisler
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr., Director                                 Arden L. Shisler, Director

/s/ Joseph J. Gasper                                                /s/ Robert L. Stewart
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Joseph J. Gasper, President and Chief Operating Officer             Robert L. Stewart, Director
and Director

/s/ Henry S. Holloway                                               /s/ Nancy C. Thomas
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Henry S. Holloway, Chairman of the Board, Director                  Nancy C. Thomas, Director

/s/ Dimon Richard McFerson                                          /s/ Harold W. Weihl
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Dimon Richard McFerson, Chairman and Chief Executive                Harold W. Weihl, Director
Officer-Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and Director
</TABLE>






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