NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR ANNUITY VARIABLE ACCOUNT
485BPOS, 1999-01-06
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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. 6      [x]
    
                                       and

                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                         INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
   
                               Amendment No. 7             [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

     DENNIS W. CLICK, 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 January 11, 1999 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.

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



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<PAGE>   2


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

<S>        <C>                                                                                             <C>
N-4 ITEM                                                                                                   PAGE
Part A     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS
    Item    1.  Cover page...................................................................................5
    Item    2.  Definitions..................................................................................7
    Item    3.  Synopsis or Highlights......................................................................15
    Item    4.  Condensed Financial Information.............................................................16
    Item    5.  General Description of Registrant, Depositor, and Portfolio Companies.......................18
    Item    6.  Deductions and Expenses.....................................................................21
    Item    7.  General Description of Variable Annuity Contracts...........................................24
    Item    8.  Annuity Period..............................................................................31
    Item    9.  Death Benefit and Distributions.............................................................34
    Item   10.  Purchases and Contract Value................................................................24
    Item   11.  Redemptions.................................................................................28
    Item   12.  Taxes.......................................................................................37
    Item   13.  Legal Proceedings...........................................................................47
    Item   14.  Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information................................47

Part B     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    Item   15.  Cover Page..................................................................................49
    Item   16.  Table of Contents...........................................................................49
    Item   17.  General Information and History.............................................................49
    Item   18.  Services....................................................................................49
    Item   19.  Purchase of Securities Being Offered........................................................49
    Item   20.  Underwriters................................................................................50
    Item   21.  Calculation of Performance Information......................................................50
    Item   22.  Annuity Payments............................................................................51
    Item   23.  Financial Statements........................................................................52

Part C     OTHER INFORMATION
    Item   24.  Financial Statements and Exhibits...........................................................90
    Item   25.  Directors and Officers of the Depositor.....................................................92
    Item   26.  Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Depositor or Registrant..............94
    Item   27.  Number of Contract Owners..................................................................103
    Item   28.  Indemnification............................................................................103
    Item   29.  Principal Underwriter......................................................................103
    Item   30.  Location of Accounts and Records...........................................................104
    Item   31.  Management Services........................................................................104
    Item   32.  Undertakings...............................................................................104
</TABLE>



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<PAGE>   3
   

                      SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 11, 1999 TO
                        PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 1998 FOR

                       DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS

                                    ISSUED BY

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                                   THROUGH ITS

                  NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT

THIS SUPPLEMENT UPDATES CERTAIN INFORMATION CONTAINED IN YOUR PROSPECTUS. PLEASE
READ IT AND KEEP IT WITH YOUR PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

1.   THE UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND OPTIONS LISTED ON PAGE 1 OF THE PROSPECTUS ARE
     AMENDED TO INCLUDE:

                    VIP III Mid Cap Portfolio: Initial Class

2.   THE UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES ON PAGE 9 OF THE PROSPECTUS ARE
     AMENDED TO INCLUDE:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                MANAGEMENT FEES         OTHER EXPENSES       TOTAL MUTUAL FUND EXPENSES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>                     <C>                  <C>
Variable Insurance Products Fund III - Mid           0.30%                   0.70%                      1.00%
Cap Portfolio: Initial Class
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


3.       THE EXAMPLE ON PAGE 10 OF THE PROSPECTUS IS AMENDED TO INCLUDE:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     If you surrender your        If you do not surrender          If you annuitize your 
                                     Contract at the end of        Contract at the end of          Contract at the end of 
                                   the applicable time period    the applicable time period      the applicable 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 Products         94    120    155     273       24     75    128     273       --     75    128     273
Fund III - Mid Cap Portfolio: 
Initial Class
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

4.   The following information is added at the end of the Condensed Financial
     Information on pages 12-13 of the prospectus:


     The Variable Insurance Products Fund III - Mid Cap Portfolio: Initial Class
     was added to the Variable Account effective January 11, 1999. Consequently,
     no Condensed Financial Information is available.
    


                                       1

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<PAGE>   4


   

5.   The Variable Insurance Products Fund III objectives on pages 40-41 of the
     prospectus are amended to include:


         -VIP III MID CAP PORTFOLIO: SERVICE CLASS
         Investment Objective: Long-term growth of capital by investing in
         equity securities of companies with medium market capitalizations. FMR
         normally invests at least 65% of the Portfolio's total assets in these
         securities. The Portfolio has the flexibility, however, to invest the
         balance in other market capitalizations and security types. Medium
         market capitalization companies are those whose market capitalization
         is similar to the market capitalization of companies in the S&P MidCap
         400 at the time of the Portfolio's investment. The S&P MidCap 400 is an
         unmanaged index of medium capitalization stocks. Companies whose
         capitalization no longer meets this definition after purchase continue
         to be considered medium-capitalized for purposes of the 65% policy. The
         Portfolio also reserves the right to invest in preferred stocks and
         investment-grade debt instruments for temporary, defensive purposes.

6.   THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS ADDED AT THE END OF THE UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND
     PERFORMANCE SUMMARY ON PAGES 41-42 IF THE PROSPECTUS:

         The Variable Insurance Products Fund III - Mid Cap Portfolio: Initial
         Class was added to the Variable Account effective January 11, 1999.
         Consequently, no performance information is available.
    


                                       2


                                    4 of 107
<PAGE>   5

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

The Contracts described in this prospectus are Flexible Purchase Payment
Contracts (collectively referred to as the "Contracts"). Reference throughout
the prospectus to such Contracts will mean individual contracts as well as
"Certificates" issued under Group Flexible Fund Retirement Contracts. For such
Group Contracts, references to "Contract Owner" will mean the "Participant"
unless the plan otherwise permits or requires the Contract Owner to exercise
contractual rights under the authority of the plan terms. The Contracts are sold
for use in retirement plans which may qualify for special federal tax treatment
under the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). The Contracts are sold as either:
Non-Qualified Contracts; IRAs; Roth IRAs; SEP IRAs; Tax Sheltered Annuities; or
Qualified Contracts. Annuity payments 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"). Shares of the Underlying Mutual Fund options are issued
for the purpose of funding benefits of variable annuity contracts and variable
life insurance policies issued by insurance companies or, in some cases, through
participation in certain qualified pension or retirement plans. The Variable
Account uses its assets to purchase shares at Net Asset Value in one or more of
the following Underlying Mutual Fund options:

                        VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND

                           VIP Equity-Income Portfolio

                              VIP Growth Portfolio

                           VIP High Income Portfolio*

                           VIP Money Market Portfolio

                             VIP Overseas Portfolio

                       VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II

                         VIP II Asset Manager Portfolio

                     VIP II Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio

                           VIP II Contrafund Portfolio

                     VIP II Investment Grade Bond Portfolio

                           VIP II Index 500 Portfolio

                      VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III

                           VIP III Balanced Portfolio

                        VIP III Growth & Income Portfolio

                     VIP III Growth Opportunities Portfolio

*The VIP 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 Contracts issued by the Variable Account before investing. You should read
it and keep it for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information,
dated May 1, 1998, containing further information about the Contracts and the
Variable Account has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC"). You can obtain a copy without charge from the Company by calling
1-800-573-5775, TDD 1-800-238-3035, or writing P.O. Box 182610, Columbus, Ohio
43216.


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                                    5 of 107
<PAGE>   6



THE BENEFITS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN EVERY
JURISDICTION. PLEASE REFER TO YOUR CONTRACT FOR SPECIFIC BENEFIT INFORMATION.

INVESTMENTS IN THESE CONTRACTS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, AND ARE NOT
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY ADVISER 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 SEC NOR HAS THE
SEC PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

THE SEC MAINTAINS A WEB SITE, WWW.SEC.GOV, THAT CONTAINS THE STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AS WELL AS ANY MATERIAL INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
RELATING TO THIS PROSPECTUS.

THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED MAY 1, 1998, IS INCORPORATED
HEREIN BY REFERENCE. THE TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION APPEARS ON PAGE 43 OF THE PROSPECTUS.

                   THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MAY 1, 1998.




                                       2


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<PAGE>   7


                            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 designated to receive annuity payments during
Annuitization 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, unless the Company has approved a request for an Annuitant of
greater age. The Annuitant may be changed prior to the Annuitization Date with
the consent of the Company.

ANNUITIZATION- The period during which annuity payments are received.

ANNUITIZATION DATE- The date on which annuity payments 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. The Annuity Commencement Date may be changed by the Contract Owner
with the consent of the Company.

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 person designated to receive certain benefits under the
Contract when the Annuitant dies 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 person who may be the recipient of certain rights or
benefits under the Contract when the Annuitant dies before the Annuitization
Date. If a Contingent Annuitant is designated and the Annuitant dies before the
Annuitization Date, the Contingent Annuitant becomes the Annuitant. A Contingent
Annuitant may not be named for Contracts issued as Qualified Contracts, IRAs,
Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs or Tax Sheltered Annuities.

CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY- The person designated to be the Beneficiary if the named
Beneficiary is not living at the time of the death of the 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" will mean "Owner's Beneficiary." A Contingent Owner may not be named for
Contracts issued as Qualified Contracts, IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs or Tax
Sheltered Annuities.

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

CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY- An anniversary of the Date of Issue of the Contract.

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

CONTRACT VALUE- The sum of the value of all Variable Account Accumulation Units
attributable to the Contract plus any amount 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 Annuitant or the
Contingent Annuitant, if applicable. This benefit does not apply upon the death
of the Contract Owner when the Contract Owner and Annuitant are not the same. If
the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any benefit that may be payable
will be as specified in the Annuity Payment Option elected.

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



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<PAGE>   8

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

FIXED ACCOUNT- An investment option which is funded by the General Account of
the Company.

FIXED PAYMENT ANNUITY- An annuity providing for payments which are guaranteed by
the Company as to dollar amount during Annuitization.

GENERAL ACCOUNT- All assets of the Company other than those of the Variable
Account or in other separate accounts that have been or may be established by
the Company.

HOME OFFICE- The main office of the Company located in Columbus, Ohio.

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT- An account that qualifies for favorable tax
treatment under Section 408 of the Code, but does not include Roth Individual
Retirement Accounts, which qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section
408A of the Code.

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITY ("IRA")- An annuity contract which qualifies for
favorable tax treatment under Section 408 of the Code, but does not include Roth
IRAs, which qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 408A of the Code.

INTEREST RATE GUARANTEE PERIOD- The interval of time during which an interest
rate credited to the Fixed Account 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.

JOINT OWNER- The Joint Owner possesses an undivided interest in the entire
Contract in conjunction with the Contract Owner. If a Joint Owner is named,
references to "Contract Owner" or "Joint Owner" will apply to both the Contract
Owner and Joint Owner or either of them. Joint Owners must be spouses at the
time Joint Ownership is requested unless otherwise allowed by state law. Joint
Ownership may be selected only for Non-Qualified Contracts.

NET ASSET VALUE- The value of one share of an Underlying Mutual Fund at the end
of a market day or at the close of the New York Stock Exchange. Net Asset Value
is computed by adding the value of all portfolio holdings plus other assets,
deducting liabilities and then dividing the result by the number of shares
outstanding.

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

PLAN PARTICIPANT- 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
Section 401 or 403(a) of the Code.

ROTH IRA- An annuity contract which receives favorable tax treatment under
Section 408A of the Code.

SEP IRA- A retirement plan which receives favorable tax treatment under Section
408(k) 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.

UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND- A registered open-end management investment company in
which assets of the Sub-Accounts will be invested.



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<PAGE>   9


VALUATION DATE- Each day the New York Stock Exchange and the Home Office are
open for business or any other day during which there is a sufficient degree of
trading of the Underlying Mutual Fund shares that the current Variable Account
Contract Value 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- 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 PAYMENT 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>   10



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<S>                                                                                        <C>
GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS...................................................................3
SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES................................................................8
UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES......................................................9
EXAMPLE....................................................................................10
SYNOPSIS...................................................................................11
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION............................................................12
NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY..........................................................14
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT.......................................................................14
         Underlying Mutual Fund Options....................................................14
         Variable Insurance Products Fund..................................................15
         Variable Insurance Products Fund II...............................................16
         Variable Insurance Products Fund III..............................................16
         Voting Rights.....................................................................17
         Substitution of Securities........................................................17
VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS..............................................17
         Expenses of Variable Account......................................................17
         Mortality Risk Charge.............................................................18
         Expense Risk Charge...............................................................18
         Contract Maintenance Charge.......................................................18
         Administration Charge.............................................................19
         Contingent Deferred Sales Charge ("CDSC").........................................19
         Waiver of CDSC....................................................................19
         Premium Taxes.....................................................................20
OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT..................................................................20
         Investments of the Variable Account...............................................20
         Allocation of Purchase Payments and Contract Value................................20
         Value of an Accumulation Unit.....................................................21
         Net Investment Factor.............................................................21
         Determining the Contract  Value...................................................21
         Right to Revoke...................................................................22
         Transfers.........................................................................22
         Contract Ownership................................................................23
         Joint Ownership...................................................................23
         Contingent Ownership..............................................................23
         Beneficiary.......................................................................23
         Surrender (Redemption)............................................................24
         Surrenders Under a Qualified Contract or Tax-Sheltered Annuity Contract...........25
         Loan Privilege....................................................................25
         Assignment........................................................................26
CONTRACT OWNER SERVICES....................................................................27
         Asset Rebalancing.................................................................27
         Dollar Cost Averaging.............................................................27
         Systematic Withdrawals............................................................27
ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD, DEATH BENEFIT, AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS.............................27
         Annuity Commencement Date.........................................................27
         Annuitization.....................................................................28
         Fixed Payment Annuity - First and Subsequent Payments.............................28
         Variable Payment Annuity - First and Subsequent Payments..........................28
         Variable Payment Annuity - Assumed Investment Rate................................28
         Variable Payment Annuity - Value of an Annuity Unit...............................28
         Variable Payment Annuity - Exchanges Among Underlying Mutual Fund Options.........28
         Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments..........................................29
         Annuity Payment Options...........................................................29
         Death of Contract Owner-Non-Qualified Contracts...................................29
</TABLE>



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<PAGE>   11
<TABLE>
         <S>                                                                               <C>
         Death of Annuitant-Non-Qualified Contracts........................................29
         Death of the Contract Owner/Annuitant.............................................30
         Death Benefit Payment.............................................................30
         Required Distributions for Non-Qualified Contracts................................30
         Required Distributions for Qualified Plans or Tax Sheltered Annuities.............31
         Required Distributions for IRAs or SEP IRAs.......................................32
         Required Distributions for Roth IRAs..............................................33
FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS.................................................................33
         Federal Income Taxes..............................................................33
         Puerto Rico.......................................................................34
         Non-Qualified Contracts-Natural Persons as Contract Owners........................34
         Non-Qualified Contracts-Non-Natural Persons as Contract Owners....................35
         Qualified Plans, IRAs, SEP IRAs and Tax Sheltered Annuities.......................36
         Roth IRAs.........................................................................36
         Withholding.......................................................................37
         Non-Resident Aliens...............................................................37
         Federal Estate, Gift, and Generation Skipping Transfer Taxes......................37
         Charge for Tax....................................................................38
         Diversification...................................................................38
         Tax Changes.......................................................................38
GENERAL INFORMATION........................................................................39
         Contract Owner Inquiries..........................................................39
         Statements and Reports............................................................39
         Advertising.......................................................................39
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE ISSUES................................................................43
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS..........................................................................43
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...................................43
APPENDIX...................................................................................44
</TABLE>


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<PAGE>   12


                          SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES

CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             RANGE OF CDSC OVER TIME
Number of Completed Years from                                     CDSC
   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)  Each Contract Year, the Contract Owner may withdrawal without a CDSC:

     (a)  any amount in order for the Contract to meet minimum distribution
          requirements under the Code; or

     (b)  up to 10% of each Purchase Payment under IRA Contracts.

     Starting with the second year after a Purchase Payment has been made, the
     Contract Owner may withdraw without a CDSC, the greater of: (a) an amount
     equal to 10% of each Purchase Payment; or (b) any amount withdrawn in order
     for this Contract to meet minimum distribution requirements under the Code.
     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. Free amounts not taken during any
     given Contract Year cannot be taken as free amounts in a subsequent
     Contract Year (see "Waiver of CDSC").

(2)  The 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.



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<PAGE>   13



                     UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES
         (AS A PERCENTAGE OF UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND AVERAGE NET ASSETS,
                          AFTER EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Management     Other Expenses     Total Mutual
                                                       Fees                           Fund Expenses
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>                <C>  
Variable Insurance Products Fund-
Equity - Income Portfolio*                            0.50%             0.07%             0.57%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-
Growth Portfolio*                                     0.60%             0.07%             0.67%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-
High Income Portfolio                                 0.59%             0.12%             0.71%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-
Money Market Portfolio                                0.21%             0.10%             0.31%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-
Overseas Portfolio*                                   0.75%             0.15%             0.90%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-
Asset Manager Portfolio*                              0.55%             0.09%             0.64%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-
Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio*                      0.60%             0.16%             0.76%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-
Contrafund Portfolio*                                 0.60%             0.08%             0.68%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-
Investment Grade Bond Portfolio                       0.44%             0.14%             0.58%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-
Index 500 Portfolio*                                  0.24%             0.04%             0.28%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund III-
Balanced Portfolio*                                   0.45%             0.15%             0.60%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund III-
Growth & Income Portfolio                             0.49%             0.21%             0.70%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund III-
Growth Opportunities Portfolio*                       0.60%             0.13%             0.73%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The Mutual Fund expenses shown above are assessed at the Underlying Mutual Fund
level and are not direct charges against Variable 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. Except as otherwise noted, the Management
Fees and Other Expenses are not currently subject to fee waivers or expense
reimbursements.

*Fidelity Management & Research Company (the adviser for the Underlying Mutual
Funds) has voluntarily agreed to reimburse a portion of the management fees
and/or other expenses resulting in a reduction of total expenses. Absent any
partial reimbursement, "Management Fees" and "Other Expenses" would have been
0.50% and 0.08% for Variable Insurance Products Fund (VIP) - Equity-Income
Portfolio, 0.60% and 0.09% for VIP Growth Portfolio, 0.75% and 0.17% for VIP
Overseas Portfolio, 0.55% and 0.10% for VIP II - Asset Manager Portfolio, 0.60%
and 0.17% for VIP II - Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio, 0.60% and 0.11% for VIP
II Contrafund Portfolio, 0.28% and 0.13% for VIP II Index 500 Portfolio, 0.45%
and 0.16% for VIP III Balanced Portfolio and 0.60% and 0.14% for VIP III Growth
Opportunities Portfolio.




                                        9




                                    13 of 107
<PAGE>   14


                                     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 maximum $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       If you do not surrender      If you annuitize your
                            Contract at the end of       Contract at the end of       Contract at the end of 
                          the applicable time period   the applicable time period   the applicable 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     227     20     61    105     227      *     61    105     227
Products Fund-
Equity - Income Portfolio
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance         91    109    137     237     21     64    110     237      *     64    110     237
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     98    118     198     17     53     91     198      *     53     91     198
Products Fund-
Money Market Portfolio
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance         93    116    149     262     23     71    122     262      *     71    122     262
Products Fund-
Overseas Portfolio
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance         90    108    136     234     20     63    109     234      *     63    109     234
Products Fund II-
Asset Manager Portfolio
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance         92    112    142     247     22     67    115     247      *     67    115     247
Products Fund II-
Asset Manager: Growth
Portfolio
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance         91    110    138     239     21     65    111     239      *     65    111     239
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         90    107    133     230     20     62    106     230      *     62    106     230
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         91    111    140     244     21     66    113     244      *     66    113     244
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
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 "Variable Account Charges and Other Deductions." For more
complete information regarding expenses paid out 



                                       10



                                    14 of 107
<PAGE>   15

of the assets of the Underlying Mutual Fund options, see the prospectuses for
each Underlying Mutual Fund. Deductions for premium taxes may also apply but are
not reflected in the Example shown above (see "Premium Taxes").

                                    SYNOPSIS

The Contracts can be categorized as follows: (1) Non-Qualified; (2) IRAs; (3)
Roth IRAs; (4) SEP IRAs; (5) Tax Sheltered Annuities; and (6) Qualified.

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 by the Company on the life of any one Annuitant may not exceed
$1,000,000 without the prior consent of the Company (see "Allocation of Purchase
Payments and Contract Value").

The Company does not deduct a sales charge from Purchase Payments made for these
Contracts. However, if any part of the Contract Value is surrendered, the
Company will, with certain exceptions, deduct from the Contract Value a CDSC.
The CDSC will not exceed the lesser of: (1) 7% of the amount surrendered; or (2)
7% of the total of all Purchase Payments made within 84 months prior to the date
of the surrender request. 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").

The Company deducts a Mortality Risk Charge equal to an annual rate of 0.80% of
the daily net assets of the Variable Account for mortality risks 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 assets 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").

On each Contract Anniversary, the Company will deduct an annual Contract
Maintenance Charge from the Contract Value. The Company will also assess an
Administration Charge equal to an annual rate of 0.05% of the daily net assets
of the Variable Account. These charges are to reimburse the Company for
administrative expenses related to the issuance and maintenance of the Contracts
(see "Contract Maintenance Charge" and "Administration Charge").

Upon Annuitization, the selected Annuity Payment Option will begin (see "Annuity
Payment Options"). 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 lump sum in lieu of annuity payments. If any annuity
payment would be less than $20, the Company will 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").

Taxation of the Contracts will depend on the type of Contract issued (see
"FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS"). In addition, 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").

The Contract Owner has a ten day free look to examine the Contract. Within ten
days of the date the Contract is received, it may be returned for any reason to
the Home Office at the address shown on page 1 of this prospectus. If the
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
law. State and/or federal law may provide additional free look privileges. All
IRA, Roth IRA and SEP IRA refunds will be return of Purchase Payments (see
"Right to Revoke").





                                       11


                                    15 of 107
<PAGE>   16


CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Accumulation Unit values for an Accumulation Unit outstanding throughout the
period.

<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-        10.000000        12.257123           22.57%          85,072           1997
Equity-Income Portfolio-Q(3)           ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-        10.000000        12.257123           22.57%          68,943           1997
Equity-Income Portfolio-NQ(3)          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-        10.000000        11.621651           16.22%          72,191           1997
Growth Portfolio-Q(3)                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-        10.000000        11.621651           16.22%          55,100           1997
Growth Portfolio-NQ(3)                 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-        10.223564        11.873382           16.14%          385,182          1997
High Income Portfolio-Q(1)             ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         10.000000        10.223564            2.24%             0             1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-        10.223564        11.873382           16.14%          335,906          1997
High Income Portfolio -NQ(1)           ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         10.000000        10.223564            2.24%           1,976           1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund-        10.064872        10.478255            4.11%          208,431          1997
Money Market Portfolio-Q*(1)           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         10.000000        10.064872            0.65%             0             1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund(1)-     10.064872        10.478255            4.11%          63,314           1997
Money Market Portfolio-NQ*(1)          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         10.000000        10.064872            0.65%             0             1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products-             10.520251        11.583345           10.11%          278,008          1997
Overseas Portfolio-Q(1)                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         10.000000        10.520251            5.20%            290            1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products-             10.520251        11.583345           10.11%          233,174          1997
Overseas Portfolio-NQ(1)               ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         10.000000        10.520251            5.20%            114            1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-     10.000000        11.662002           16.62%          16,173           1997
Asset Manager Portfolio-Q(3)           ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-     10.000000        11.662002           16.62%          17,854           1997
Asset Manager Portfolio-NQ(3)          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-     10.000000        11.951807           19.52%          24,630           1997
Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio-Q(3)   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-     10.000000        11.951807           19.52%          15,156           1997
Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio-NQ(3)  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-     10.000000        11.743945           17.44%          166,852          1997
Contrafund Portfolio-Q(3)              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-     10.000000        11.743945           17.44%          111,999          1997
Contrafund Portfolio-NQ(3)             ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-     10.000000        12.506255           25.06%          83,194           1997
Index 500 Portfolio-Q(3)               ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund II-     10.000000        12.506255           25.06%          51,803           1997
Index 500 Portfolio-NQ(3)              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products II-          10.060776        10.829778            7.64%          114,654          1997
Investment Grade Bond Portfolio-Q(1)   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         10.000000        10.060776            0.61%             0             1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products II-          10.060776        10.829778            7.64%          64,921           1997
Investment Grade Bond Portfolio-NQ(1)  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         10.000000        10.060776            0.61%             0             1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products III-         12.206048        14.720075           20.60%          502,946          1997
Balanced Portfolio-Q(2)                -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         11.245581        12.206048            8.54%          427,514          1996
                                       ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         10.000000        11.245581           12.46%          208,830          1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products III-         12.206048        14.720075           20.60%          389,668          1997
Balanced Portfolio-NQ(2)               ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         11.245581        12.206048            8.54%          372,756          1996
                                       ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         10.000000        11.245581           12.46%          214,834          1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund III-    10.000000        12.362549          23.63%           56,646           1997
Growth & Income Portfolio-Q(3)         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products Fund III-    10.000000        12.362549          23.63%           35,101           1997
Growth & Income Portfolio-NQ(3)        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products III-         15.270633        19.586347           28.60%         1,496,661         1997
Growth Opportunities Portfolio-Q(2)    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         13.082083        15.270633           16.73%         1,299,987         1996
                                       ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         10.000000        13.082083           30.82%          765,860          1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Insurance Products III-         15.270633        19.586347           28.60%         1,474,036         1997
Growth Opportunities Portfolio-NQ(2)   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         13.082083        15.270633           16.73%         1,303,197         1996
                                       ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         10.000000        13.082083           30.82%          706,845          1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



                                       12


                                    16 of 107
<PAGE>   17

*    The 7-day yield on the Variable Insurance Products Fund-Money Market
     Portfolio as of December 31, 1997 was 4.24%.

(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 Variable Insurance Products Fund - High Income
     Portfolio, Variable Insurance Products Fund - Money Market Portfolio,
     Variable Insurance Products Fund - Overseas Portfolio and 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.
     Consequently, the Condensed Financial Information reflects the reporting
     period between January 20, 1997 to December 31, 1997.




                                       13



                                    17 of 107
<PAGE>   18


                        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 is a provider of life insurance, annuities and
retirement products. It is admitted to do business in all states, the District
of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The Contracts are distributed by the General
Distributor, Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Company, Inc.

                              THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

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

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 of the Variable Account,
whether or not realized, are credited to or charged against the Variable Account
without regard to other income, gains, or losses of the Company.

Purchase Payments are allocated among one or more Sub-Accounts corresponding to
one or more of the Underlying Mutual Funds 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, IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs 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
A Contract Owner may choose from among a number of different Underlying Mutual
Fund options. The Underlying Mutual Fund options are NOT available to the
general public directly. The Underlying Mutual Funds are available as investment
options in variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts issued
by life insurance companies or, in some cases, through participation in certain
qualified pension or retirement plans.

Some of the Underlying Mutual Funds have been established by investment advisers
which manage publicly traded mutual funds having similar names and investment
objectives. While some of the Underlying Mutual Funds may be similar to, and may
in fact be modeled after publicly traded mutual funds, Contract purchasers
should understand that the Underlying Mutual Funds are not otherwise directly
related to any publicly traded mutual fund. Consequently, the investment
performance of publicly traded mutual funds and any corresponding Underlying
Mutual Funds may differ substantially.

The Underlying Mutual Funds may also be available to registered separate
accounts offering variable annuity and variable life products of other
participating insurance companies, as well as to the Variable Account and other
separate accounts of the Company. Although the Company does not anticipate
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 in which the Underlying Mutual Funds participate. A conflict
may occur due to a number of reasons including a change in law affecting the
operations of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts or
differences in the voting instructions of the Contract Owners and those of other
companies. 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(s)
involved in the conflict.

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

Below are the investment objectives of each Underlying Mutual Fund available
through the Variable Account. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVES WILL BE ACHIEVED.



                                       14



                                    18 of 107
<PAGE>   19


VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND

The Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund (VIP) is an open-end, diversified,
management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on
November 13, 1981. Shares of VIP are purchased by insurance companies to fund
benefits under variable life insurance policies and annuity contracts. Fidelity
Management & Research Company ("FMR") is the manager for VIP and its portfolios.

         -VIP EQUITY - INCOME PORTFOLIO

         Investment Objective: Reasonable income by investing primarily in
         income-producing equity securities. In 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.

         -VIP GROWTH PORTFOLIO

         Investment Objective: 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 this
         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 can also
         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.

         -VIP HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO

         Investment Objective: High level of current income by investing
         primarily in high-risk, lower-rated, high-yielding, fixed-income
         securities, while also considering growth of capital. FMR will seek
         high current income normally by investing the Portfolio's assets as
         follows:

         o        at least 65% in income-producing debt securities and preferred
                  stocks, including convertible securities

         o        up to 20% in common stocks and other equity securities when
                  consistent with the Portfolio's primary objective or acquired
                  as part of a unit combining fixed-income and equity securities

         Higher yields are usually available on securities that are lower-rated
         or that are unrated. Lower-rated securities are usually defined as Ba
         or lower by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. ("Moody's"); BB or lower by
         Standard & Poor's and may be deemed to be of a speculative nature. The
         Portfolio may also purchase lower-quality bonds such as those rated Ca3
         by Moody's or C- by Standard & Poor's which provide poor protection for
         payment of principal and interest (commonly referred to as "junk
         bonds"). For a further discussion of lower-rated securities, please see
         the "Risks of Lower-Rated Debt Securities" section of the Portfolio's
         prospectus.

         -VIP MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO

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

         -VIP OVERSEAS PORTFOLIO

         Investment Objective: Long-term capital growth primarily through
         investments in foreign securities. This Portfolio provides a means for
         investors to diversify their own portfolios by participating in
         companies and economies outside of the United States.



                                       15


                                    19 of 107
<PAGE>   20



VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II

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

         -VIP II ASSET MANAGER PORTFOLIO

         Investment Objective: High total return with reduced risk over the long
         term by allocating its assets among domestic and foreign stocks, bonds
         and short-term fixed income instruments.

         -VIP II ASSET MANAGER: GROWTH PORTFOLIO

         Investment Objective: 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%

         -VIP II CONTRAFUND PORTFOLIO

         Investment Objective: Capital appreciation by investing primarily in
         companies that the FMR believes to be undervalued due to an overly
         pessimistic appraisal by the public. This strategy can lead to
         investments in domestic or foreign companies, small and large, many of
         which may not be well known. The Portfolio primarily invests in common
         stock and securities convertible into common stock, but it has the
         flexibility to invest in any type of security that may produce capital
         appreciation.

         -VIP II INDEX 500 PORTFOLIO

         Investment Objective: 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 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.

         -VIP II INVESTMENT GRADE BOND PORTFOLIO

         Investment Objective: 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

The Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund III (VIP III) (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. VIP III's name was changed on December 30, 1996 from the Fidelity
Advisor Annuity Fund to the Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund III. VIP
III's shares are purchased by insurance companies to fund benefits under
variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts. FMR is the
Fund's manager.



                                       16


                                    20 of 107
<PAGE>   21

       -VIP III BALANCED PORTFOLIO (FORMERLY FIDELITY ADVISOR ANNUITY INCOME &
       GROWTH FUND)

       Investment Objective: 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 Portfolio's
       assets in stocks or other equity securities and the remainder in bonds.
       The Portfolio will always invest at least 25% of its total assets in
       fixed-income senior securities.

       -VIP III GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO

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

       -VIP III GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO (FORMERLY FIDELITY ADVISOR
       ANNUITY GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND)

       Investment Objective: Capital growth by investing primarily in common
       stocks and securities convertible into common stocks. The Portfolio under
       normal circumstances, will invest at least 65% of its total assets in
       securities of companies that FMR believes have long-term growth
       potential. Although the Portfolio invests primarily in common stock and
       securities convertible into common stock, it has the ability to purchase
       other securities such as preferred stock and bonds that may produce
       capital growth. The Portfolio may invest in foreign securities without
       limitation.

VOTING RIGHTS

Voting rights under the Contracts apply ONLY with respect to amounts allocated
to the Sub-Accounts.

In accordance with its view of applicable law, the Company will vote the shares
of the Underlying Mutual Funds at regular and special meetings of the
shareholders. These shares will be voted in accordance with instructions
received from Contract Owners. If the 1940 Act or any regulation thereunder
should be amended or if the present interpretation changes permitting the
Company to vote the shares of the Underlying Mutual Funds in its own right, it
may elect to do so.

The Contract Owner is 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 by the Net Asset Value of the Underlying Mutual Fund corresponding
to the Sub-Account. The number of shares which may be voted will be determined
as of the date 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 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 shares of the Underlying Mutual Fund options are no longer 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 is
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
with Purchase Payments under the Contract. No substitution of securities in the
Variable Account may take place without prior approval of the SEC.

                  VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES 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 




                                       17


                                    21 of 107
<PAGE>   22


guaranteeing that the Mortality Risk, Expense Risk, and Administration Charges
and the Contract Maintenance Charge 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.

All of the charges described in this section apply to Variable Account
allocations. Allocations to the Fixed Account are subject to CDSC, Contract
Maintenance Charge and premium tax deductions, if applicable, but are not
subject to charges exclusive to the Variable Account; e.g. the Mortality Risk
Charge, the Expense Risk Charge and the Administration Charge.

MORTALITY RISK CHARGE

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 assets of the Variable Account. By guaranteeing the Contract's
annuity rate, the Company assumes the Mortality Risk. These guarantees cannot
change regardless of the death rates of persons receiving annuity payments or of
the general population.

EXPENSE RISK CHARGE

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 assets of the Variable Account. The Company will not increase
charges for administration of the Contracts regardless of its actual expenses.

CONTRACT MAINTENANCE 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 Charges are as follows:




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           AMOUNT                             TYPES OF CONTRACTS ISSUED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           $30.00                         - Non-Qualified Contracts

                                          - Individual Retirement Annuity
                                            Contracts

                                          - Roth IRAs
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      $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 will be based on objective
underwriting guidelines which will be applied in a non-discriminatory manner.

The deduction of the Contract Maintenance Charge is made from each Sub-Account
and the Fixed Account in the same proportion that the value of each Sub-Account
and Fixed Account bears to the total Contract Value. 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.



                                       18

                                    22 of 107
<PAGE>   23


ADMINISTRATION CHARGE

The Company deducts an Administration Charge equal on an annual basis to 0.05%
of the daily net assets of the Variable Account. The Administration Charge is
designed only to reimburse the Company for administrative expenses.

CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ("CDSC")

No deduction for sales charges is made from the Purchase Payments for these
Contracts. However, if any part of the Contract Value is surrendered, the
Company will, with certain exceptions (see "Waiver of CDSC") deduct a CDSC (see
"Waiver of CDSC"). The CDSC will not exceed the lesser of: (1) 7% of the amount
surrendered; or (2) 7% of the total of all Purchase Payments made within 84
months prior to the date of the surrender request. The CDSC, 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 CDSC. 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 CDSC is calculated by multiplying the applicable CDSC percentages noted
below by the Purchase Payments that are surrendered. For purposes of calculating
the CDSC, 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.

The CDSC applies to Purchase Payments as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

      NUMBER OF COMPLETED                  CDSC                 NUMBER OF COMPLETED                 CDSC
       YEARS FROM DATE OF               PERCENTAGE              YEARS FROM DATE OF               PERCENTAGE
        PURCHASE PAYMENT                                         PURCHASE PAYMENT
      <S>                               <C>                      <C>                             <C>
               0                            7%                           4                           3%
               1                            6%                           5                           2%
               2                            5%                           6                           1%
               3                            4%                           7                           0%
</TABLE>

WAIVER OF CDSC

Each Contract Year, the Contract Owner may withdraw without a CDSC:

(a)    any amount in order for the Contract to meet minimum distribution
       requirements under the Code; or

(b)    up to 10% of each Purchase Payment under IRAs issued on or after March 1,
       1993.

Starting with the second year after a Purchase Payment has been made, the
Contract Owner may withdraw, without a CDSC, the greater of: (a) an amount equal
to 10% of that Purchase Payment; or, (b) any amount withdrawn in order for this
Contract to meet minimum distribution requirements under the Code. This
CDSC-free withdrawal privilege is non-cumulative. Free amounts not taken during
any given Contract Year cannot be taken as free amounts in a subsequent Contract
Year.

In addition, no CDSC will be deducted:

       (1)    upon Annuitization of Contracts which have been in force for at
              least two years;

       (2)    upon payment of a Death Benefit; or

       (3)    from any values which have been held in a Contract for at least 84
              months.

No CDSC 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 CDSC may apply to the contract
received in the exchange.



                                       19


                                    23 of 107
<PAGE>   24


When a Contract is held by a Charitable Remainder Trust, the amount which may be
withdrawn from this Contract without application of a CDSC shall be the larger
of (a) or (b), where: (a) is the amount which would otherwise be available for
withdrawal without application of a CDSC; and (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 CDSC 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 tax penalty if the Contract Owner takes withdrawals prior
to age 59-1/2 (see "Non-Qualified Contracts- Natural Persons as Contract
Owners").

In no event will elimination of CDSC be permitted where such elimination will be
unfairly discriminatory to any person, or where it is prohibited by law.

PREMIUM TAXES

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

                            OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT

INVESTMENTS OF THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

The Contract Owner may have Purchase Payments allocated among one or more of the
Sub-Accounts. Shares of the 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 allocation of Purchase Payments or may exchange amounts among the
Sub-Accounts. Such transactions are subject to the terms and conditions 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 the Fixed Account or to one or more
Sub-Accounts 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. Subsequent Purchase Payments, if any, after the
first Contract Year must be at least $10 each. The Company reserves the right to
lower the subsequent Purchase Payment minimum for certain employer sponsored
programs. The cumulative total of all purchase payments under contracts issued
by the Company on the life of any one Annuitant may not exceed $1,000,000
without prior consent of the Company.


                                       20


                                    24 of 107
<PAGE>   25

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 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 business 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 Unit 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; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Presidents Day; Good
Friday; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving; and Christmas.

VALUE OF AN ACCUMULATION UNIT

The Accumulation Unit value for any 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. Though the number of Accumulation Units
will not change as a result of investment experience, the value of an
Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease from Valuation Period to Valuation
Period.

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; and

       (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 Asset Value per share of the Underlying Mutual Fund held in
       the Sub-Account determined at the end of the immediately preceding
       Valuation Period.

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

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.

DETERMINING THE CONTRACT VALUE

The Contract Value is the sum of the value of all Accumulation Units and amounts
allocated and credited to the Fixed Account. The number of Accumulation Units
credited to each Sub-Account is 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.
If 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 Sub-Accounts and an appropriate amount from the Fixed Account will be
deducted in the same proportion that the Contract Owner's interest in the
Sub-Accounts and the Fixed Account bears to the total Contract Value.



                                       21


                                    25 of 107
<PAGE>   26

RIGHT TO REVOKE

The Contract Owner has a ten day free look to examine the Contract. Within ten
days of the date the Contract is received, it may be returned for any reason to
the Home Office at the address shown on page 1 of this prospectus. If the
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
law. State and/or federal law may provide additional free look privileges. All
IRA, Roth IRA and SEP IRA refunds will be return of Purchase Payments.

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

The Contract Owner may request a transfer of up to 100% of the Variable Account
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. 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. Once the Contract has been Annuitized, transfers may only be made on
each anniversary of the Annuitization Date.

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 the following: requesting
identifying information, such as name, contract number, Social Security Number,
and/or personal identification number; tape recording all telephone
transactions; or 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. Although the Company's failure to
follow reasonable procedures may result in the Company's liability for any
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone transfers, 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 will be borne by the Contract Owner.

Contracts described in this prospectus may 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 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



                                       22


                                    26 of 107
<PAGE>   27

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.

CONTRACT OWNERSHIP

Unless the Contract otherwise provides, the Contract Owner has all rights under
the Contract. PURCHASERS NAMING SOMEONE OTHER THAN THEMSELVES AS OWNER 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 recorded
by the Home Office, the change will become effective as of the date the written
request was signed. 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 recorded by the Home Office.

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 the Contract Owner. Such request
must be received at the Home Office prior to the Annuitization Date. Any such
change is subject to review and approval by the Company. If the Contract Owner
is not a natural person and there is a change of the Annuitant, Distributions
will be made as if the Contract Owner died at the time of such change.

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

JOINT OWNERSHIP

Joint Owners must be spouses at the time joint ownership is requested, unless
otherwise required by law. If a Joint Owner is named, the Joint Owner will
possess an undivided interest in the Contract. The exercise of any ownership
right in the Contract will require a written request signed by both Joint
Owners. The Company will not be liable for any loss, liability, cost, or expense
for acting in accordance with the instructions of either Joint Owner.

CONTINGENT OWNERSHIP

The Contingent Owner is the person who may receive certain benefits under the
Contract if a Contract Owner, who is not the Annuitant, dies prior to the
Annuitization Date and there is no surviving Joint Owner. If no Contingent Owner
survives a Contract Owner and there is no surviving Joint Owner, all rights and
interest in the Contract will vest in the Annuitant. If a Contract Owner, who is
also the Annuitant, dies before the Annuitization Date, the Contingent Owner
will not have any rights in the Contract unless the Contingent Owner is also the
named 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. Once proper notice of the change is recorded by the Home Office, the
change will become effective as of the date the written request 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 the change.

BENEFICIARY

The Beneficiary is the person(s) who may receive certain benefits under the
Contract in the event the 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 Annuitant, all rights and interest of the Beneficiary will vest in the
Contingent Beneficiary. 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 Annuitant, all rights
and interest of the Contingent Beneficiary will vest with the Contract Owner or
the estate of the last surviving Contract Owner.


                                       23


                                    27 of 107
<PAGE>   28

Subject to the terms of any existing assignment, the Contract Owner may change
the Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary during the lifetime of the Annuitant
by written notice to the Company. Once proper notice of the change is recorded
by the Home Office, the change will become effective as of the date the written
request was signed, whether or not the 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)

Prior to the earlier of the Annuitization Date or the death of the Annuitant,
the Company will allow the Contract Owner to surrender a portion or all of the
Contract Value. The request for surrender must be made in writing and must
include the Contract when surrendering the Contract in full. In some cases the
Company will require additional documentation. 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.

When requested, the Company will 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 CDSC (see "Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge"). 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 amounts surrendered from the Sub-Accounts within 7
days. However, the Company reserves the right to suspend or postpone the date of
any payment or valuation for any Valuation Period when:

       (1)    the New York Stock Exchange ("Exchange") is closed;

       (2)    trading on the Exchange is restricted;

       (3)    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)    the SEC, by order, permits such suspension or postponement for the
              protection of security holders.

The applicable rules and regulations of the SEC will 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.



                                       24


                                    28 of 107
<PAGE>   29

SURRENDERS UNDER A QUALIFIED CONTRACT OR TAX SHELTERED ANNUITY CONTRACT

Except as provided below, the Contract 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 Annuitant:

       A.     The surrender of Contract Value attributable to contributions made
              pursuant to a qualified cash or deferred arrangement (within the
              meaning of Code Section 402(g)(3)(A)), a salary reduction
              agreement (within the meaning of Code Section 402(g)(3)(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.

       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.
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 tax provisions of the Code when the Contract is issued to fund a
Qualified Plan.

LOAN PRIVILEGE

Prior to the Annuitization Date, the Contract Owner of a Qualified Contract or
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, unless a lower minimum amount is mandated by state law. 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
in this provision. For salary reduction Tax Sheltered Annuities, loans may only 
be secured by the Contract Value.

All loans are made from a collateral fixed account. An amount equal to the
principal amount of the loan will be transferred to the collateral fixed
account. The Company will transfer to the collateral fixed account the
Sub-



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Account's Accumulation Units in proportion to the assets in each option
until the required balance is reached or all such Accumulation Units are
exhausted. Any additional requested collateral will be transferred from the
Fixed Account. No withdrawal charges are deducted at the time of the loan, or on
the transfer from the Variable Account 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 will 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. Loan repayments will be
allocated among the Sub-Accounts in accordance with the Contract, unless the
Contract Owner and the Company agree to amend the Contract at a later date on a
case by case basis.

Any amounts distributed will be reduced by the amount of the loan outstanding,
plus accrued interest if:

       (1)    the Contract is surrendered;

       (2)    the Contract Owner/Annuitant dies; or

       (3)    the Contract Owner who is not the Annuitant dies prior to
              Annuitization.

In addition, the Contract Value will be reduced by the amount of any outstanding
loans plus accrued interest if annuity payments begin while the loan is
outstanding. 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, the
entire loan will be treated as a deemed Distribution, will be taxable to the
borrower, and may be subject to the early withdrawal tax penalty. Interest will
continue to accrue on the loan after default. 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. 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 a Qualified Plan or Tax Sheltered Annuity 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 loan's terms or
procedures if there is a change in applicable law. The Company also reserves the
right to assess a loan processing fee.

IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs and Non-Qualified Contracts are not eligible for
loans.

ASSIGNMENT

The Contract Owner of a Non-Qualified Contract may assign some or all rights
under the Contract at any time during the lifetime of the Annuitant prior to the
Annuitization Date. Once proper notice of assignment is recorded by the Home
Office, the assignment will become effective as of the date the written request
was signed. The Company is not responsible for the validity or tax consequences
of any assignment. The Company will not be liable for any payment or other
settlement made by the Company before recording 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.

Any portion of the Contract Value attributable to Purchase Payments, which is
pledged or assigned, will be treated as a Distribution and will 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 



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Value assigned may be subject to a tax penalty equal to 10% of the amount which
is included in gross income. All rights in the Contract are personal to the
Contract Owner and may not be assigned without written consent of the Company.
Assignment of the entire Contract Value may cause the portion of the Contract
Value exceeding the total investment in the Contract and previously taxed
amounts to be included in gross income for federal income tax purposes each year
that the assignment is in effect.

IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, Tax Sheltered Annuities and Qualified Contracts may
not be assigned, pledged or otherwise transferred except under such conditions
as may be allowed by law.

                             CONTRACT OWNER SERVICES

ASSET REBALANCING- The Contract Owner may direct the automatic reallocation of
Contract Values to the Sub-Accounts on a predetermined percentage basis. Asset
Rebalancing will occur every three months or on another frequency 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 reallocation will occur on the first business day
after that day. Asset Rebalancing requests must be in writing on a form provided
by the Company. The Contract Owner may want to contact a financial adviser to
discuss the use of Asset Rebalancing.

Asset Rebalancing may be subject to employer imposed limitations or restrictions
for Contracts issued to a Qualified Plan or Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan.

The Company reserves the right to discontinue establishing new Asset Rebalancing
programs. 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 VIP High Income Portfolio, VIP Money Market Portfolio or the Fixed Account
to any other Sub-Account. Dollar Cost Averaging will occur on a monthly basis or
on another frequency permitted by the Company. Dollar Cost Averaging is a
long-term investment program which provides for regular, level investments over
time. There is no guarantee that Dollar Cost Averaging will result in a profit
or protect against loss. The minimum monthly transfer is $100. Monthly transfers
from the Fixed Account must be equal to or less than 1/30th of the Fixed Account
when the program is requested. Transfers will be processed until either the
value in the originating Sub-Account or the Fixed Account is exhausted or the
Contract Owner instructs the Home Office in writing to cancel the transfers.

The Company reserves the right to discontinue establishing new Dollar Cost
Averaging programs. The Company also reserves the right to assess a processing
fee for this service.

SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS- A Contract Owner may elect in writing to begin receiving
withdrawals of a specified dollar amount (of at least $100) on a monthly,
quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. Unless otherwise instructed, the
withdrawals will be taken from the Sub-Accounts and the Fixed Account on a
prorated basis. A CDSC may apply (see "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").
Unless directed otherwise by the Contract Owner, the Company will withhold
federal income taxes. In addition, a 10% penalty tax may be assessed by the IRS
if the Contract Owner is under age 59-1/2, unless the Contract Owner has made an
irrevocable election of distributions of substantially equal payments.
Withdrawals may be discontinued at any time by notifying the Home Office in
writing.

The Company reserves the right to discontinue establishing new Systematic
Withdrawal programs. 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 (see "Right to
Revoke").

          ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD, DEATH BENEFIT AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE

An Annuity Commencement Date will be selected. Such date will be the first day
of a calendar month unless otherwise agreed upon. The date 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.

The Annuity Commencement Date may be changed by the Contract Owner in writing
subject to approval by the Company.



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ANNUITIZATION

Annuitization is irrevocable once payments have begun. When making an
Annuitization election, the Annuitant must choose:

       (1)    an Annuity Payout Option; and

       (2)    either a Fixed Payment Annuity, Variable Payment Annuity or an
              available combination.

If a Variable Payment Annuity is elected, all amounts in the Fixed Account must
be transferred to the Sub-Accounts prior to the Annuitization Date.

Payments under a Fixed Payment Annuity are guaranteed by the Company as to the
dollar amount during the annuity payment period. The dollar amount of each
payment under a Variable Payment Annuity will vary depending on the performance
of the selected Underlying Mutual Fund options. The dollar amount of each
variable payment could be higher or lower than a previous payment.

FIXED PAYMENT ANNUITY - FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT PAYMENTS

The first payment under a Fixed Payment Annuity will be determined by applying
the portion of the total Contract Value specified by the Contract Owner to the
Fixed Payment Annuity table then in effect for the Annuity Payment Option
elected, after deducting any applicable premium taxes from the total Contract
Value. This will be done at the Annuitization Date on an age last birthday
basis. Subsequent payments will remain level unless the Annuity Payment Option
elected provides otherwise. The Company does not credit discretionary interest
paid by the Company to payments during the annuity payment period.

VARIABLE PAYMENT ANNUITY - FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT PAYMENTS

The first payment under a Variable Payment Annuity will be determined by
applying the portion of the total Contract Value specified by the Contract Owner
to the Variable Payment Annuity table then in effect for the Annuity Payment
Option elected, after deducting any applicable premium taxes from the total
Contract Value. This will be done at the Annuitization Date on an age last
birthday basis. The dollar amount of the first payment 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.

VARIABLE PAYMENT ANNUITY - ASSUMED INVESTMENT RATE

A 3.5% assumed investment rate is built into the Variable Payment Annuity
purchase rate basis 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 net
investment rate is at the annual rate of 3.5%, the annuity payments will be
level.

VARIABLE PAYMENT ANNUITY - VALUE OF AN ANNUITY UNIT

The value of an Annuity Unit for a Sub-Account for any subsequent Valuation
Period is determined by multiplying the Annuity Unit value from 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 Variable Payment Annuity purchase rate basis in the
Contracts (see "Net Investment Factor").

VARIABLE PAYMENT ANNUITY - EXCHANGES AMONG UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND OPTIONS

During the annuity payment period, exchanges among the Underlying Mutual Fund
options must be made in writing and the exchange will take place on the
anniversary of the Annuitization Date.



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FREQUENCY AND AMOUNT OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS

Payments will be made based on the Annuity Payment Option selected. However, if
the net amount available under any Annuity Payment Option is less than $500, the
Company will have the right to pay such amount in one lump sum in lieu of
periodic annuity payments. In addition, if the payments to be provided would be
or become less than $20, the Company will 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.

ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTIONS

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

       (1) Life Annuity-An annuity payable periodically, but at least annually,
       during the lifetime of the Annuitant, ending with the last payment due
       prior to the death of the Annuitant. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE ANNUITANT DIES
       BEFORE THE SECOND ANNUITY PAYMENT DATE, THE ANNUITANT WILL RECEIVE ONLY
       ONE ANNUITY PAYMENT. THE ANNUITANT WILL ONLY RECEIVE TWO ANNUITY PAYMENTS
       IF HE OR SHE DIES BEFORE THE THIRD ANNUITY PAYMENT DATE AND SO ON.

       (2) Joint and Last Survivor Annuity-An annuity payable periodically, but
       at least annually, during the joint lifetimes of the Annuitant and
       designated second individual 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.

       (3) Life Annuity With 120 or 240 Monthly Payments Guaranteed-An annuity
       payable monthly during the lifetime of the Annuitant. If the Annuitant
       dies before all of the guaranteed payments have been made, payments will
       continue to be made for the remainder of the selected guaranteed period
       to a designee chosen by the Contract Owner at the time the Annuity
       Payment Option was elected.

       Alternatively, the designee may elect to receive the present value of any
       remaining guaranteed payments in a lump sum. The present value will be
       computed as of the date on which the Company receives the notice of the
       Annuitant's death.

Some of the stated Annuity Options may not be available in all states. The
Contract Owner may request an alternative option prior to the Annuitization Date
subject to approval by the Company.

For Non-Qualified Contracts, no Distribution will be made until an Annuity
Payment Option has been elected. Qualified Contracts, IRAs, SEP IRAs and Tax
Sheltered Annuities are subject to the "minimum distribution" requirements set
forth in the Plan, Contract, or Code.

DEATH OF CONTRACT OWNER - NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

For Non-Qualified Contracts, if the Contract Owner and the Annuitant are not the
same and a Contract Owner dies prior to the Annuitization Date, then the Joint
Owner, if any, becomes the new Contract Owner. If there is no surviving Joint
Owner, the Contingent Owner becomes the new Contract Owner. If there is no
surviving Contingent Owner, the Annuitant becomes the Contract Owner. The entire
interest in the Contract Value, less any applicable deductions (which may
include a CDSC), must be distributed in accordance with the "Required
Distributions for Non-Qualified Contracts" provision.

DEATH OF THE ANNUITANT - NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

If the Contract Owner and Annuitant are not the same, and the Annuitant dies
prior to the Annuitization Date, a Death Benefit will be payable to the
Beneficiary, the Contingent Beneficiary, the Contract Owner, or the last
surviving Contract Owner's estate, as specified in the "Beneficiary" provision,
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 the Death Benefit:

       (1)    in a lump sum Distribution;

       (2)    as an annuity payout; or



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       (3)    any Distribution permitted by law and approved by the Company.

An election must be received by the Company within 60 days of the Annuitant's
death. If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any benefit that may
be payable will be paid according to the selected Annuity Payment Option.

DEATH OF THE CONTRACT OWNER/ANNUITANT

If any Contract Owner and Annuitant are the same, and the Annuitant dies before
the Annuitization Date, a Death Benefit will be payable to the Beneficiary, the
Contingent Beneficiary, the Contract Owner, or the last surviving Contract
Owner's estate, as specified in the "Beneficiary" provision and in accordance
with the appropriate "Required Distributions" provisions.

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

DEATH BENEFIT PAYMENT

For Contracts issued on or after the later of May 1, 1998 or the date on which
state insurance authorities approve applicable Contract modifications, if the
Annuitant dies prior to 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 an adjustment for amounts
              surrendered.

The adjustment for amounts surrendered will reduce item (2) above in the same
proportion that the Contract Value was reduced on the date(s) of the partial
surrender(s).

For Contracts issued prior to May 1, 1998 or the date prior to approval of
applicable Contract modifications by state insurance authorities, if the
Annuitant dies prior to 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.

If the Annuitant dies on or after his or her 75th birthday and prior to
Annuitization, the Death Benefit will equal the Contract Value.

The Death Benefit value is determined as of the Valuation Date at or next
following the date the Home Office receives:

       (1)    proper proof of the Annuitant's death;

       (2)    an election specifying the Distribution method; and

       (3)    any state required form(s).

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 DISTRIBUTIONS FOR NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

Upon the death of any Contract Owner or Joint Owner (including an Annuitant who
becomes the Contract Owner on the Annuitization Date), certain distributions for
Non-Qualified Contracts issued on or after January 19, 1985, are required by
Section 72(s) of the Code. Notwithstanding any provision of the Contract to the
contrary, the following Distributions will be made in accordance with such
requirements:

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

       2.     If any Contract Owner dies prior to the Annuitization Date, then
              the entire interest in the Contract (consisting of either the
              Death Benefit or the Contract Value reduced by certain charges as
              set forth 


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              elsewhere in the Contract) will be distributed within 5 years of
              the death of the Contract Owner, provided however:

              (a)    any interest payable to or for the benefit of a natural
                     person (referred to herein as a "designated beneficiary"),
                     may be distributed over the life of the designated
                     beneficiary or over a period not extending beyond the life
                     expectancy of the designated beneficiary. Payments must
                     begin within one year of the date of the Contract Owner's
                     death unless otherwise permitted by federal income tax
                     regulations; and

              (b)    if the designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse of
                     the deceased Contract Owner, the spouse may elect to become
                     the Contract Owner in lieu of receiving a Death Benefit,
                     and any distributions required under these distribution
                     rules will be made upon the death of the 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:

              (a)    the death of the Annuitant will be treated as the death of
                     any Contract Owner;

              (b)    any change of the Annuitant will be treated as the death of
                     any Contract Owner; and

              (c)    in either case the appropriate distribution required under
                     these distribution rules will be made upon the death or
                     change, as the case may be. The Annuitant is the primary
                     annuitant as defined in Section 72(s)(6)(B) of the Code.

These distribution provisions will 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.

Upon the death of a Contract Owner, the designated Beneficiary must elect a
method of distribution which complies with the above distribution provisions and
which is acceptable to the Company. Such election must be received by the
Company within 60 days of the Contract Owner's death.

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR QUALIFIED PLANS OR TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

Amounts in 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. Amounts will be paid, notwithstanding anything else contained
herein, to the Annuitant under the Annuity Payments Option selected, over a
period not exceeding:

              (a)    the life of the Annuitant or the joint 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 joint life expectancies 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 on the required
beginning date, which is the later of:

              (a)    the first day of April following the calendar year in which
                     the Annuitant attains age 70-1/2; or

              (b)    when the Annuitant retires.

However, provision (b) 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 the spouse elects to receive Distribution
                     of the Contract in substantially equal payments over his or
                     her life (or a period not 



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                     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 the Beneficiary elects to receive a
                     Distribution of the Contract 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, the 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 life expectancies of the
Annuitant and the Annuitant's designated beneficiary (if the Annuitant 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 life expectancies are computed by the use
of return multiples contained in Section 1.72-9 of the Treasury Regulations.

If amounts distributed to the Annuitant are less than those mentioned above, a
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 IRAS OR SEP IRAS

Distribution from an IRA or SEP IRA must begin no 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 payable 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 the 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 IRA or SEP IRA must be distributed by December 31 of the
calendar 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 IRA or SEP IRA established for his
                     or her benefit; or

              (ii)   receive Distribution of the Contract 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 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 the Beneficiary elects to receive a
              Distribution of the Contract 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 IRA or SEP IRA 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, a 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.



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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 IRA or SEP IRA 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 IRAs.

IRA and SEP IRA Distributions will not receive the benefit of the tax treatment
of a lump sum Distribution from a Qualified Plan. If the Contract 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(k) 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.

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR ROTH IRAS

Distributions from a Roth IRA, unlike other IRAs, are not required to commence
during the lifetime of the Contract Owner.

Upon the death of the Contract Owner, the Contract Owner's interest in the Roth
IRA must be distributed by December 31 of the calendar 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 a Roth IRA established for his or her
                     benefit; or

              (ii)   receive Distribution of the account 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 following 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 Contract 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 following year in
              which the Contract Owner dies.

Distributions from Roth IRAs may be either taxable or nontaxable, depending upon
whether they are "qualified distributions" or "nonqualified distributions" (see
"Federal Income Taxes").

                           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) IRAs,
including SEP IRAs; (3) Roth IRAs; (4) Tax Sheltered Annuities; and (5)
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 formula required by the Code. The formula
required by the Code excludes from income an amount equal to the investment in
the Contract divided by the number of anticipated payments, as determined
pursuant to Section 72(d) of the Code, until the full investment in the Contract
is recovered; thereafter all Distributions are fully taxable.

Distributions from IRAs and SEP IRAs and Contracts owned by Individual
Retirement Accounts are generally taxed when received. The portion of each
payment which is excludable is based on the ratio between the amount by which
nondeductible Purchase Payments to all Contracts exceeds prior non-taxable
Distributions from the Contracts, and the total account balances in the
Contracts at the time of the Distribution. The owner of such IRAs or SEP IRAs or
the Annuitant under Contracts held by Individual Retirement Accounts must
annually 



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report to the IRS 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 IRAs, SEP IRAs and Individual Retirement Accounts.

Distributions of earnings from Roth IRAs are taxable or nontaxable, depending
upon whether they are "qualified distributions" or "nonqualified distributions."
A "qualified distribution" is one that satisfies the five year rule and meets
one of the following four requirements: (i) it is made on or after the date on
which the Contract Owner attains the age of 59-1/2; (ii) it is made to a
Beneficiary (or the Contract Owner's estate) on or after the death of the
Contract Owner; (iii) it is attributable to the Contract Owner's disability; or
(iv) it is a qualified first-time homebuyer distribution (as defined in Section
72(t)(2)(F) of the Code), If the Roth IRA does not have any qualified rollover
contributions from a retirement plan other than a Roth IRA (or income allocable
thereto), the five year rule is satisfied if the Distribution is not made within
the five year period beginning with the first contribution to the Roth IRA. If
the Roth IRA has any qualified rollover contributions from a retirement plan
other than a Roth IRA (or income allocable thereto), the five year rule is
satisfied if the Distribution is not made within the five taxable year period
commencing with the taxable year in which the qualified rollover contribution
was made.

A nonqualified distribution is any Distribution that is not a qualified
distribution.

A qualified distribution is not included in gross income for federal income tax
purposes. A nonqualified distribution is not includible in gross income to the
extent that such Distribution, when added to all previous distributions, does
not exceed that aggregate amount of contributions made to the Roth IRA. Any
nonqualified distribution in excess of the aggregate amount of contributions
will be included in the Contract Owner's gross income in the year that is
distributed to the Contract Owner.

Taxable 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
complete Distribution of the Contract, the balance will also be included in the
Owner's gross estate for federal estate tax purposes.

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

PUERTO RICO

Under the Puerto Rico tax code, Distributions from a Non-Qualified Contract
prior to Annuitization are treated as nontaxable return of principal until the
principal is fully recovered; thereafter, all Distributions are fully taxable.
Distributions after Annuitization are treated as part taxable income and part
nontaxable return of principal. The amount excluded from gross income after
Annuitization is equal to the amount of the Distribution in excess of 3% of the
total Purchase Payments paid, until an amount equal to the total Purchase
Payments paid has been excluded; thereafter, the entire Distribution is included
in gross income. Puerto Rico does not impose an early withdrawal penalty tax.
Generally, Puerto Rico does not require income tax to be withheld from
Distributions of income. A personal adviser should be consulted.

NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS - NATURAL PERSONS AS CONTRACT 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 


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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 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, then the Joint Contract Owner, 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/her life or life expectancy provided that such payments begin within one
year from the death of the Contract Owner. If the Joint Contract Owner,
Contingent Owner or other named recipient is the surviving spouse, the 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 on the date of the Contract Owner's
death (see "Required Distribution For Qualified Plans and Tax Sheltered
Annuities"). If the Contract Owner is not a natural person, 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 in lieu of 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 will be ignored for tax
purposes, and the entire amount of the lump sum will be subject to immediate
tax. If the election is made within the 60 day period, each Distribution will be
taxable when it is paid.

NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS - NON-NATURAL PERSONS AS CONTRACT 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.

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
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 Contract Owner.

The foregoing non-natural person rule does not apply to all entity-owned
contracts. 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 


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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 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, IRAS, SEP IRAS AND TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

Contract Owners seeking 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 Contract Owner.

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

       (a)    one of a series of substantially equal annual (or more frequent)
              payments made:

              (i)    over the life (or life expectancy) of the Contract Owner;

              (ii)   over the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the
                     Contract Owner and the Contract Owner's designated
                     Beneficiary; or

              (iii)  for a specified period of ten years or more; or

       (b)    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.

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).

IRAs and SEP IRAs 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 IRS could determine that the
IRA or SEP IRA did not qualify for the desired tax treatment.

ROTH IRAS

The Contract may be purchased as a Roth IRA. The Contract Owner should seek
competent advice as to the tax consequences associated with the use of a
Contract as a Roth IRA, for information regarding eligibility to invest in a
Roth IRA, for limitations on permissible amounts of Purchase Payments that may
be made to a Roth IRA, and as to the tax consequences of Distributions from Roth
IRAs.

The Code permits the rollover of most Distributions from Individual Retirement
Accounts or IRAs to Roth IRAs. The rollovers are subject to federal income tax
as Distributions from the Individual Retirement Account or IRA. For rollovers
that take place in 1998, the income from rollover is included in income ratably
over the four year period commencing in 1998. For rollovers in subsequent years,
the entire amount of income from the rollover 



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will be required to be included in income in the year of the rollover
Distribution from the Individual Retirement Account or IRA.

A Distribution from a Roth IRA that received the proceeds of a rollover from an
Individual Retirement Account or IRA within the previous five years could be
subject to a 10% penalty even if the Distribution is not taxable. In addition,
if the rollover from the Individual Retirement Account or IRA was made in 1998
and the income from that rollover was included in income ratably over a four
year period, a Distribution from the Roth IRA within four years of the rollover
may be subject to an additional 10% penalty.

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 certain types of Distributions, but may be
subject to penalties in the event insufficient federal income tax is withheld
during a calendar year. However, if the IRS 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 IRS.
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 IRS. For
Distributions the NRA must obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
from the IRS, 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 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 for
federal estate tax purposes, 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
              Contract 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 Contract Owner).

If the Contract Owner is not an individual, then for this purpose only,
"Contract Owner" refers to any person who would be required to include the
Contract, Death Benefit, Distribution, or other payment in his or her federal
gross estate at his or her 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 a 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 IRS.



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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 person
receiving a Distribution, Death Benefit, or other payment.

CHARGE FOR TAX

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
Sub-Accounts 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 IRS 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 IRS. 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 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 IRS 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
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

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 considered numerous legislative proposals that, if enacted, could
change the tax treatment of the Contracts. It is reasonable to believe that such
proposals, 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, state law (which is not discussed herein) 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 IRS, 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.



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                               GENERAL INFORMATION

CONTRACT OWNER INQUIRIES

Contract Owner inquiries may be directed to the 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, any
statements and reports required by law. Contract Owners should promptly notify
the Company of any address change. Statements are mailed detailing the
Contract's quarterly activity. The Company will also send a confirmation
statement to Contract Owners each time a transaction is made affecting the
Contract Value. However, instead of receiving an immediate confirmation of
transactions made pursuant to some types of recurring payment plans (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 Contract. The Company will assume all
transactions are accurately reported on quarterly statements or confirmation
statements unless the Contract Owner notifies the Home Office within 30 days
after receipt of the statement. The Company will also send to Contract Owners a
semi-annual report as of June 30 and an annual report as of December 31,
containing financial statements for the Variable Account.

ADVERTISING

A "yield" and "effective yield" may be advertised for the VIP Money Market
Portfolio. "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 VIP Money
Market Portfolio's units. Yield is an annualized figure, which means that it is
assumed that the VIP Money Market Portfolio 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 SEC. The effective yield will be slightly higher than yield due to this
compounding effect.

The Company may also from time to time advertise the performance of a
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 may also be compared to certain market indexes, which may
include, but are not limited to: 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 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/Wiesenberger, Morningstar, Donoghue's,
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 charges or other fees.

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, 



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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 of the Sub-Accounts. The Company may advertise for the Sub-Account's
standardized "average annual total return," calculated in a manner prescribed by
the SEC, and nonstandardized "total return." "Average annual total return"
illustrates the percentage rate of return of a hypothetical initial investment
of $1,000 for the most recent one, five and ten year periods, or for a period
covering the time the Underlying Mutual Fund has been available in the Variable
Account if the Underlying Mutual Fund option has not been available for 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," calculated similar to standardized "average
annual total return," illustrates the percentage rate of return of a
hypothetical initial investment of $10,000 for the most recent one, five and ten
year periods, or for a period covering the time the Underlying Mutual Fund
option has been in existence. For those Underlying Mutual Fund options which
have not been held as Sub-Accounts for one of the prescribed periods, the
nonstandardized total return illustrations will show the investment performance
such Underlying Mutual Fund options would have achieved (reduced by the same
charges except the CDSC) had such Underlying Mutual Fund options been available
in the Variable Account for the periods quoted. THE CDSC IS NOT REFLECTED
BECAUSE THE CONTRACTS ARE DESIGNED FOR LONG TERM INVESTMENT. THE CDSC, IF
REFLECTED, WOULD DECREASE THE LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE SHOWN. AN INITIAL INVESTMENT
OF $10,000 IS ASSUMED BECAUSE THAT AMOUNT MORE CLOSELY APPROXIMATES THE SIZE OF
A TYPICAL CONTRACT THAN DOES THE $1,000 ASSUMPTION USED IN CALCULATING THE
STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN QUOTATIONS.



                                       40


                                    44 of 107
<PAGE>   45

The standardized average annual total return and nonstandardized total return
quotations reflected below are calculated as described in this section using
Underlying Mutual Fund performance for the period ended December 31, 1997.
However, the Company generally provides performance quotations on a more
frequent basis, the results of which could reflect better or worse results than
shown below. The quotations and other comparative material advertised by the
Company are based upon historical earnings and are not intended to represent or
guarantee future results. A Contract Owner's Contract Value at redemption may be
more or less than the original cost.

                   UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
                    STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             10 YEARS OR DATE
                                                                              FUND AVAILABLE
                                                                               IN VARIABLE
                                         1 YEAR TO         5 YEARS TO          ACCOUNT TO              DATE FUND AVAILABLE
        SUB-ACCOUNT OPTIONS              12-31-97           12/31/97            12/31/97               IN VARIABLE ACCOUNT
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>            <C>                           <C>
VIP Equity - Income Portfolio               N/A               N/A                 14.04%                   01-20-97
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP Growth Portfolio                        N/A               N/A                 7.25%                    01-20-97
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP High Income Portfolio                  7.74%              N/A                 5.86%                    11-01-96
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP Overseas Portfolio                     1.71%              N/A                 3.54%                    11-01-96
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP Money Market Portfolio                -4.29%              N/A                 -5.75%                   11-01-96
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP II Asset Manager Portfolio              N/A               N/A                 7.68%                    01-20-97
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP II Asset Manager: Growth                N/A               N/A                 10.78%                   01-20-97
Portfolio
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP II Contrafund Portfolio                 N/A               N/A                 8.55%                    01-20-97
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP II Index 500 Portfolio                  N/A               N/A                 16.72%                   01-20-97
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP II Investment Grade Bond              -0.76%              N/A                 -2.87%                   11-01-96
Portfolio
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP III Balanced Portfolio                12.20%              N/A                 9.76%                    01-03-95
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP III Growth & Income Portfolio           N/A               N/A                 15.17%                   01-20-97
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP III Growth Opportunities              19.86%              N/A                 21.71%                   01-03-95
Portfolio
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



                                       41


                                    45 of 107
<PAGE>   46



              UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND PERFORMANCE SUMMARY - CONTINUED

                  NON-STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    10 YEARS TO
        SUB-ACCOUNT OPTIONS               1 YEAR TO             5 YEARS TO        12/31/97 OR LIFE           DATE FUND
                                           12/31/97              12/31/97              OF FUND               EFFECTIVE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>                   <C>               <C>                        <C>
VIP Equity - Income Portfolio*              26.15%                18.36%                15.06%*               10-09-86
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP Growth Portfolio                        21.58%                16.25%                15.51%*               10-09-86
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP High Income Portfolio                   15.84%                12.22%                11.14%*               09-19-85
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP Money Market Portfolio                  3.81%                  3.19%                 4.24%*               04-01-82
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP Overseas Portfolio                      9.81%                 12.40%                 7.98%*               01-28-87
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP II Asset Manager Portfolio              18.79%                11.24%                 11.02%               09-01-89
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP II Asset Manager: Growth                23.15%                  N/A                  20.92%               01-03-95
Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP II Contrafund Portfolio                 22.23%                  N/A                  26.32%               01-03-95
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP II Index 500 Portfolio                  30.68%                18.41%                 18.33%               08-27-92
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP II Investment Grade Bond                7.34%                  5.45%                 6.63%                12-05-88
Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP III Balanced Portfolio                  20.30%                  N/A                  13.52%               01-03-95
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP III Growth & Income Portfolio           26.82%                  N/A                  26.86%               12-31-96
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP III Growth Opportunities                27.96%                  N/A                  24.95%               01-03-95
Portfolio
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

* Represents 10 years to 12/31/97.



                                       42


                                    46 of 107
<PAGE>   47



                           YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE ISSUES

The Company has developed a plan to address issues related to the Year 2000. The
problem relates to many existing computer programs using only two digits to
identify a year in the date field. These programs were designed and developed
without considering the impact of the upcoming change in the century. If not
corrected, many computer applications could fail or create erroneous results by
or at the Year 2000. The Company has been evaluating its exposure to the Year
2000 issue through a review of all of its operating systems as well as
dependencies on the systems of others since 1996. The Company expects all system
changes and replacements needed to achieve Year 2000 compliance by the end of
1998. Compliance testing will be completed in the first quarter of 1999. The
Company charges all costs associated with these system changes as the costs are
incurred.

Operating expenses in 1997 include approximately $45 million on technology
projects, which includes costs related to Year 2000 and the development of a new
policy administration system for traditional life insurance products and other
system enhancements. The Company anticipates spending a comparable amount in
1998 on technology projects, including Year 2000 initiatives. These expenses do
not have an effect on the assets of the Variable Account and are not charged
through to the Contract Owner.

                                LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

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.

The General Distributor, Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Company,
Inc. is not engaged in any litigation of any material nature.

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 February 1997, Nationwide Life Insurance Company
was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in New York Supreme Court related to
the sale of whole life policies on a "vanishing premium" basis (John H. Snyder
v. 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 has not been
certified as a class action. In April, 1997, a motion to dismiss the Snyder
complaint in its entirety was filed by the defendants, and the plaintiff has
opposed such motion.

In November 1997, two plaintiffs, one who was the owner of a variable life
insurance contract and the other who was the owner of a variable annuity
contract, commenced an action against Nationwide Life Insurance Company and the
American Century group of defendants (Robert Young and David D. Distad v.
Nationwide Life Insurance Company et al.). In this action, plaintiffs seek to
represent a class of variable life insurance contract owners and variable
annuity contract owners whom they claim were allegedly misled when purchasing
these variable contracts into believing that some portion of their premiums were
invested in a publicly traded mutual fund when, in fact, the premium monies were
invested in a mutual fund whose shares may only be purchased by insurance
companies. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory, treble and punitive
damages. In January 1998, both Nationwide Life Insurance Company and American
Century filed motions to dismiss the entire complaint. Plaintiffs' counsel have
opposed these motions and the federal court in Texas heard arguments on the
motions to dismiss in April, 1998. This lawsuit is in an early stage and has not
been certified as a class action. Nationwide Life Insurance Company intends to
defend this case vigorously.

There can be no assurance that any litigation relating to pricing and sales
practices will not have a material adverse effect on the Company in the future.

            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
Annuity Payments.............................................................3
Financial Statements.........................................................4



                                       43


                                    47 of 107
<PAGE>   48

                                    APPENDIX

Purchase Payments under the Fixed Account of the Contract and transfers to the
Fixed Account 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
"1933 Act" nor is the general account registered as an investment company under
the "1940 Act." Accordingly, neither the general account nor any interest
therein are subject to the provisions of the 1933 or 1940 Acts, and we have been
advised that the staff of the SEC has not reviewed the disclosures in this
prospectus which relate to the Fixed Account. Disclosures regarding the Fixed
Account and the general account may be subject to certain provisions of the
federal securities law 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 Variable Account and any other segregated asset account.
Purchase Payments will be allocated to the Fixed Account by election of the
Contract Owner.

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 assets
will be allocated by the Company between itself and the Contracts participating
in the Fixed Account.

Investment income from the Fixed Account 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
at the sole discretion of the Company at such rate(s) as the Company
prospectively declares. The guaranteed rate for any Purchase Payment will remain
in effect for a period not less than twelve months. However, the Company
guarantees that it will credit interest at not less than 3.0% per year. ANY
INTEREST CREDITED TO AMOUNTS ALLOCATED TO THE FIXED ACCOUNT IN EXCESS OF 3.0%
PER YEAR AT 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 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 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 any applicable charges including
CDSC.

TRANSFERS

For transfers from the Fixed Account to the Variable Account, refer to the
"Transfers" provision of the prospectus.



                                       44


                                    48 of 107

<PAGE>   49

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                                   MAY 1, 1998

                   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, 1998. 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
Annuity Payments.............................................................3
Financial Statements.........................................................4

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 $83.2 billion as of
December 31, 1997.

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 audited financial statements 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").

When a Contract described in the 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 determines is eligible for such an 


                                       1



                                    49 of 107
<PAGE>   50


exchange, the Company may waive any remaining Contingent Deferred Sales Charges
on the first Contract. A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge may apply to the
contract received in the exchange.

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, 1997, no underwriting
commissions were paid by the Company to Fidelity.

CALCULATIONS OF PERFORMANCE

Any current yield quotations of the VIP Money Market Portfolio subject to Rule
482 of the Securities Act of 1933, will 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, 1997, the
VIP Money Market Portfolio's seven day current unit value yield was 4.24%. The
VIP 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 VIP Money Market Portfolio, and for the period
ending December 31, 1997, the seven-day effective yield was 4.33%.

The VIP 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
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
Portfolio'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 VIP 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 will include quotations of standardized average
annual total return, calculated in accordance with a standard method prescribed
by rules of the SEC. Standardized average annual return is found by 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 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 "CDSC" 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 CDSC. Reflecting
the CDSC would decrease the level of the performance advertised. The CDSC 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 


                                       2


                                    50 of 107
<PAGE>   51

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. The
standardized average annual 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 has been available in the Variable Account if
the Underlying Mutual Fund has not been available for one of the prescribed
periods. The nonstandardized 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 has been in existence.

Quotations of average annual total return and total return are based upon
historical earnings and will fluctuate. Any quotation of performance is not 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.

ANNUITY PAYMENTS

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



                                       3


                                   51 of 107
<PAGE>   52

<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, 1997, and the related statements of operations and changes in
contract owners' equity for each of the years in the two year period then ended.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits.

      We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 1997, 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 referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Nationwide Fidelity Advisor
Variable Account as of December 31, 1997, and the results of its operations and
its changes in contract owners' equity 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 6, 1998

<PAGE>   2
                  NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT

          STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

                                DECEMBER 31, 1997



<TABLE>
<S>                                                                           <C>
ASSETS:
   Investments at market value:
      Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio
         1,599,038 shares (cost $35,248,681) ...............................   $   38,824,634
      Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio
         640,125 shares (cost $22,206,927) .................................       23,748,634
      Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio
         10,995,541 shares (cost $132,833,923) .............................      149,319,451
      Fidelity VIP - Money Market Portfolio
         43,662,630 shares (cost $43,662,630) ..............................       43,662,630
      Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio
         3,584,762 shares (cost $65,258,243) ...............................       68,827,431
      Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio
         558,030 shares (cost $9,279,565) ..................................       10,050,112
      Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio
         505,876 shares (cost $7,473,921) ..................................        8,276,124
      Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio
         2,583,928 shares (cost $46,279,142) ...............................       51,523,515
      Fidelity VIP-II - Index 500 Portfolio
         251,026 shares (cost $25,844,659) .................................       28,714,885
      Fidelity VIP-II - Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
         2,272,129 shares (cost $26,465,418) ...............................       28,537,938
      Fidelity VIP-III - Balanced Portfolio
         9,766,299 shares (cost $112,089,702) ..............................      142,392,642
      Fidelity VIP-III - Growth and Income Portfolio
         2,081,025 shares (cost $23,761,073) ...............................       26,075,242
      Fidelity VIP-III - Growth Opportunities Portfolio
         32,098,555 shares (cost $448,021,663) .............................      618,539,161
                                                                               --------------
            Total investments ..............................................    1,238,492,399
   Accounts receivable .....................................................           15,691
                                                                               --------------
            Total assets ...................................................    1,238,508,090
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE ...........................................................                -
                                                                               --------------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY (NOTE 4) ...........................................   $1,238,508,090
                                                                               ==============
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to financial statements.



<PAGE>   3
                  NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                      STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES
                           IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       GOVERNMENT
                                                                         TOTAL                     INVESTMENT FUND
                                                            -----------------------------   -----------------------------
                                                                1997            1996             1997          1996
                                                            -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                                         <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY:
Reinvested dividends .............................        $    13,779,569       9,453,706         287,288         977,630
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ...............................            (13,519,814)     (7,056,063)        (56,693)       (219,745)
                                                          ---------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
  Net investment activity ........................                259,755       2,397,643         230,595         757,885
                                                          ---------------   -------------   -------------   -------------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold ............            287,881,219      45,891,295      20,683,351         784,643
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ..................           (283,840,344)    (44,457,369)    (21,543,654)       (750,095)
                                                          ---------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments ............              4,040,875       1,433,926        (860,303)         34,548
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments ..            165,223,943      62,292,552         502,588        (479,363)
                                                          ---------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
  Net gain (loss) on investments .................            169,264,818      63,726,478        (357,715)       (444,815)
                                                          ---------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
Reinvested capital gains .........................             17,399,176       1,903,631              -               -
                                                          ---------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ...........            186,923,749      68,027,752        (127,120)        313,070
                                                          ---------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners ................................            429,777,841     326,836,927         703,479      12,167,493
Transfers between funds ..........................                     -               -      (20,346,585)        162,562
Redemptions ......................................            (51,393,337)    (20,699,510)       (279,350)       (957,625)
Annuity benefits .................................                 (2,059)             -               -               -
Annual contract maintenance charge (note 2) ......                (99,391)        (54,534)           (386)           (810)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) .......             (1,101,526)       (402,606)        (11,183)        (18,984)
Adjustments to maintain reserves .................                  5,922          36,535              13             438
                                                          ---------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
    Net equity transactions ......................            377,187,450     305,716,812     (19,934,012)     11,353,074
                                                          ---------------   -------------   -------------   -------------

NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY ............            564,111,199     373,744,564     (20,061,132)     11,666,144
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD ......            674,396,891     300,652,327      20,061,132       8,394,988
                                                          ---------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD ............        $ 1,238,508,090     674,396,891              -       20,061,132
                                                          ===============   =============   =============   =============
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  HIGH YIELD FUND              MONEY MARKET FUND
                                                         ------------------------------  ------------------------------
                                                             1997              1996           1997              1996
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY:
Reinvested dividends .............................           1,664,977        6,331,250         290,239       1,690,430
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ...............................            (265,500)        (945,208)        (81,263)       (462,483)
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
  Net investment activity ........................           1,399,477        5,386,042         208,976       1,227,947
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold ............          97,566,593        2,719,663      34,287,294      36,765,530
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ..................         (98,450,573)      (2,339,519)    (34,287,294)    (36,765,530)
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments ............            (883,980)         380,144              -               -
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments ..          (2,411,864)       2,035,510              -               -
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
  Net gain (loss) on investments .................          (3,295,844)       2,415,654              -               -
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
Reinvested capital gains .........................           3,446,055           38,004              -               -
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ...........           1,549,688        7,839,700         208,976       1,227,947
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners ................................           5,965,726       42,194,826       5,893,573      41,393,976
Transfers between funds ..........................         (97,185,398)       4,859,831     (35,384,849)    (38,807,936)
Redemptions ......................................          (1,335,478)      (3,134,966)       (643,822)     (2,833,508)
Annuity benefits .................................                  -                -               -               -
Annual contract maintenance charge (note 2) ......              (1,254)          (4,524)           (196)         (1,592)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) .......             (37,325)         (78,197)         (8,540)        (21,113)
Adjustments to maintain reserves .................                 352            2,682           2,487          (8,090)
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
    Net equity transactions ......................         (92,593,377)      43,839,652     (30,141,347)       (278,263)
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------

NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY ............         (91,043,689)      51,679,352     (29,932,371)        949,684
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD ......          91,043,689       39,364,337      29,932,371      28,982,687
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD ............                  -        91,043,689              -       29,932,371
                                                         =============   ==============  ==============   =============
</TABLE>



                                                                     (Continued)



<PAGE>   4
                  NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                      STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES
                           IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   OVERSEAS FUND               EQUITY-INCOME PORTFOLIO
                                                           -----------------------------   -----------------------------
                                                                1997            1996            1997            1996
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                                        <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY:
Reinvested dividends .............................         $      53,871         452,482          15,751              -
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ...............................              (128,292)       (456,932)       (242,173)             -
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
  Net investment activity ........................               (74,421)         (4,450)       (226,422)             -
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold ............            48,228,759       1,489,407          22,507              -
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ..................           (48,637,341)     (1,345,257)        (21,016)             -
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments ............              (408,582)        144,150           1,491              -
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments ..            (2,797,481)      2,436,624       3,575,954              -
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
  Net gain (loss) on investments .................            (3,206,063)      2,580,774       3,577,445              -
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
Reinvested capital gains .........................             4,309,141         941,567          79,191              -
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ...........             1,028,657       3,517,891       3,430,214              -
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners ................................             2,025,184      19,990,667      28,876,880              -
Transfers between funds ..........................           (47,818,089)      6,205,243       7,018,612              -
Redemptions ......................................              (425,271)       (973,327)       (494,788)             -
Annuity benefits .................................                    -               -               -               -
Annual contract maintenance charge (note 2) ......                  (821)         (3,284)           (203)             -
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) .......                (9,277)        (23,667)         (7,134)             -
Adjustments to maintain reserves .................                 1,590           1,314           1,397              -
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
    Net equity transactions ......................           (46,226,684)     25,196,946      35,394,764              -
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------

NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY ............           (45,198,027)     28,714,837      38,824,978              -
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD ......            45,198,027      16,483,190              -               -
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD ............         $          -       45,198,027      38,824,978              -
                                                           =============   =============   =============   =============
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  GROWTH PORTFOLIO             HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO
                                                         ------------------------------  ------------------------------
                                                              1997             1996            1997            1996
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY:
Reinvested dividends .............................               4,508               -          105,786              -
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ...............................            (145,297)              -       (1,409,930)           (112)
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
  Net investment activity ........................            (140,789)              -       (1,304,144)           (112)
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold ............             701,523               -        9,990,931          51,577
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ..................            (663,222)              -       (9,469,396)        (51,480)
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments ............              38,301               -          521,535              97
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments ..           1,541,707               -       16,484,146           1,382
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
  Net gain (loss) on investments .................           1,580,008               -       17,005,681           1,479
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
Reinvested capital gains .........................              20,178               -           13,075              -
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ...........           1,459,397               -       15,714,612           1,367
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners ................................          17,228,215               -       40,442,027          57,687
Transfers between funds ..........................           5,458,035               -       98,072,875         109,940
Redemptions ......................................            (389,446)              -       (4,965,856)           (595)
Annuity benefits .................................                  -                -             (520)             -
Annual contract maintenance charge (note 2) ......                (174)              -           (6,797)            (12)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) .......              (7,662)              -         (105,011)             -
Adjustments to maintain reserves .................                 387               -            1,793               1
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
    Net equity transactions ......................          22,289,355               -      133,438,511         167,021
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------

NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY ............          23,748,752               -      149,153,123         168,388
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD ......                  -                -          168,388              -
                                                         -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD ............          23,748,752               -      149,321,511         168,388
                                                         =============   ==============  ==============   =============
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   5
                  NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                      STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES
                           IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO             OVERSEAS PORTFOLIO
                                                                -----------------------------   -----------------------------
                                                                     1997           1996             1997           1996
                                                                -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY:
Reinvested dividends ..................................         $   2,138,816           1,914          13,050              -
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ....................................              (560,839)           (512)       (730,502)           (341)
                                                                -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
  Net investment activity .............................             1,577,977           1,402        (717,452)           (341)
                                                                -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold .................            50,465,388          14,704       6,692,136             297
Cost of mutual fund shares sold .......................           (50,465,388)        (14,704)     (6,194,942)           (288)
                                                                -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments .................                    -               -          497,194               9
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments .......                    -               -        3,564,616           4,572
                                                                -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
  Net gain (loss) on investments ......................                    -               -        4,061,810           4,581
                                                                -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
Reinvested capital gains ..............................                    -               -           51,803              -
                                                                -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners' .......
      equity resulting from operations ................             1,577,977           1,402       3,396,161           4,240
                                                                -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners .....................................            53,240,636       1,297,033      19,142,453          23,854
Transfers between funds ...............................            (8,324,168)        115,682      48,946,911         202,834
Redemptions ...........................................            (4,162,215)             -       (2,818,245)           (151)
Annuity benefits ......................................                    -               -               -               -
Annual contract maintenance charge (note 2) ...........                (1,833)             -           (5,435)             (3)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) ............               (81,918)             -          (65,968)             -
Adjustments to maintain reserves ......................                  (128)             (6)          3,181              (8)
                                                                -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
    Net equity transactions ...........................            40,670,374       1,412,709      65,202,897         226,526
                                                                -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------

NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY .................            42,248,351       1,414,111      68,599,058         230,766
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD ...........             1,414,111              -          230,766              -
                                                                -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD .................         $  43,662,462       1,414,111      68,829,824         230,766
                                                                =============   =============   =============   =============
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     ASSET MANAGER:
                                                                ASSET MANAGER PORTFOLIO            GROWTH PORTFOLIO
                                                           ------------------------------  ------------------------------
                                                                1997            1996            1997             1996
                                                           -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
<S>                                                        <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY:
Reinvested dividends ..................................            5,034               -               -               -
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ....................................          (63,622)              -          (60,894)             -
                                                           -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
  Net investment activity .............................          (58,588)              -          (60,894)             -
                                                           -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold .................          167,650               -          608,370              -
Cost of mutual fund shares sold .......................         (169,948)              -         (526,461)             -
                                                           -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments .................           (2,298)              -           81,909              -
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments .......          770,547               -          802,203              -
                                                           -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
  Net gain (loss) on investments ......................          768,249               -          884,112              -
                                                           -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
Reinvested capital gains ..............................           12,628               -              620              -
                                                           -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners' .......
      equity resulting from operations ................          722,289               -          823,838              -
                                                           -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners .....................................        6,537,589               -        5,851,889              -
Transfers between funds ...............................        2,915,117               -        1,816,591              -
Redemptions ...........................................         (124,289)              -         (210,136)             -
Annuity benefits ......................................               -                -               -               -
Annual contract maintenance charge (note 2) ...........              (65)              -              (56)             -
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) ............             (642)              -           (5,660)             -
Adjustments to maintain reserves ......................              169               -             (319)             -
                                                           -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
    Net equity transactions ...........................        9,327,879               -        7,452,309              -
                                                           -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------

NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY .................       10,050,168               -        8,276,147              -
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD ...........               -                -               -               -
                                                           -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD .................       10,050,168               -        8,276,147              -
                                                           =============   ==============  ==============   =============
</TABLE>




                                                                     (Continued)


<PAGE>   6
                  NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                      STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES
                           IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     CONTRAFUND PORTFOLIO              INDEX 500 PORTFOLIO
                                                                 -----------------------------   -----------------------------
                                                                      1997           1996              1997           1996
                                                                 -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                                              <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY:
Reinvested dividends .............................               $      24,653              -            9,636              -
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ...............................                    (369,125)             -         (190,547)             -
                                                                 -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
  Net investment activity ........................                    (344,472)             -         (180,911)             -
                                                                 -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold ............                     565,018              -          965,594              -
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ..................                    (487,291)             -         (889,248)             -
                                                                 -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments ............                      77,727              -           76,346              -
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments ..                   5,244,373              -        2,870,226              -
                                                                 -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
  Net gain (loss) on investments .................                   5,322,100              -        2,946,572              -
                                                                 -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
Reinvested capital gains .........................                      65,154              -           19,553              -
                                                                 -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ...........                   5,042,782              -        2,785,214              -
                                                                 -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners ................................                  36,229,846              -       20,344,888              -
Transfers between funds ..........................                  11,100,887              -        6,144,151              -
Redemptions ......................................                    (814,886)             -         (540,303)             -
Annuity benefits .................................                          -               -               -               -
Annual contract maintenance charge (note 2) ......                        (692)             -             (330)             -
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) .......                     (18,768)             -          (17,514)             -
Adjustments to maintain reserves .................                     (15,272)             -           (1,008)             -
                                                                 -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
    Net equity transactions ......................                  46,481,115              -       25,929,884              -
                                                                 -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------

NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY                               51,523,897              -       28,715,098              -
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD ......                          -               -               -               -
                                                                 -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD ............               $  51,523,897              -       28,715,098              -
                                                                 =============   =============   =============   =============
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       INVESTMENT GRADE
                                                                        BOND PORTFOLIO                BALANCED PORTFOLIO
                                                                ------------------------------  ------------------------------
                                                                     1997            1996             1997             1996
                                                                -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY:
Reinvested dividends .............................                     21,628               -        2,651,503              -
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ...............................                   (279,791)            (140)     (1,746,213)     (1,051,093)
                                                                -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
  Net investment activity ........................                   (258,163)            (140)        905,290      (1,051,093)
                                                                -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold ............                  2,093,567              309       4,520,541         727,396
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ..................                 (2,017,251)            (307)     (3,490,030)       (656,256)
                                                                -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments ............                     76,316                2       1,030,511          71,140
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments ..                  2,072,932             (411)     20,657,622       8,506,461
                                                                -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
  Net gain (loss) on investments .................                  2,149,248             (409)     21,688,133       8,577,601
                                                                -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
Reinvested capital gains .........................                         -                -               -          218,962
                                                                -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ...........                  1,891,085             (549)     22,593,423       7,745,470
                                                                -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners ................................                  6,750,960           27,814      23,981,267      50,651,260
Transfers between funds ..........................                 21,294,182           70,964      (1,028,043)      4,814,234
Redemptions ......................................                 (1,465,723)            (258)     (6,165,682)     (3,143,740)
Annuity benefits .................................                         -                -             (296)             -
Annual contract maintenance charge (note 2) ......                     (1,273)              -          (13,901)         (7,597)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) .......                    (29,247)              -         (126,607)        (65,894)
Adjustments to maintain reserves .................                        222                5           1,693           6,349
                                                                -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
    Net equity transactions ......................                 26,549,121           98,525      16,648,431      52,254,612
                                                                -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------

NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY                              28,440,206           97,976      39,241,854      60,000,082
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD ......                     97,976               -      103,152,198      43,152,116
                                                                -------------   --------------  --------------   -------------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD ............                 28,538,182           97,976     142,394,052     103,152,198
                                                                =============   ==============  ==============   =============
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   7
                  NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                      STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES
                           IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 GROWTH AND INCOME              GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
                                                                      PORTFOLIO                       PORTFOLIO
                                                           -----------------------------   -----------------------------
                                                                1997           1996             1997            1996
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                                        <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY:
Reinvested dividends .............................         $     157,740              -        6,335,089              -
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ...............................              (166,292)             -       (7,022,841)     (3,919,497)
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
  Net investment activity ........................                (8,552)             -         (687,752)     (3,919,497)
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold ............                45,518              -       10,276,479       3,337,769
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ..................               (40,650)             -       (6,486,639)     (2,533,933)
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments ............                 4,868              -        3,789,840         803,836
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments ..             2,314,169              -      110,032,205      49,787,777
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
  Net gain (loss) on investments .................             2,319,037              -      113,822,045      50,591,613
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
Reinvested capital gains .........................               512,654              -        8,869,124         705,098
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ...........             2,823,139              -      122,003,417      47,377,214
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners ................................            18,613,704              -      137,949,525     159,032,317
Transfers between funds ..........................             5,163,722              -        2,156,049      22,266,646
Redemptions ......................................              (510,742)             -      (26,047,105)     (9,655,340)
Annuity benefits .................................                    -               -           (1,243)             -
Annual contract maintenance charge (note 2) ......                  (188)             -          (65,787)        (36,712)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) .......               (14,424)             -         (554,646)       (194,751)
Adjustments to maintain reserves .................                   235              -            9,130          33,850
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
    Net equity transactions ......................            23,252,307              -      113,445,923     171,446,010
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------

NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY ............            26,075,446              -      235,449,340     218,823,224
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD ......                    -               -      383,098,233     164,275,009
                                                           -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD ............         $  26,075,446              -      618,547,573     383,098,233
                                                           =============   =============   =============   =============
</TABLE>



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



<PAGE>   8
                  NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                           DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996




(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 (effective January 20,
              1997, the following funds are no longer available);
                Fidelity Advisor Annuity Government Investment Fund
                Fidelity Advisor Annuity High Yield Fund
                Fidelity Advisor Annuity Money Market Fund
                Fidelity Advisor Annuity Overseas Fund

              Portfolios of the Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund
              (Fidelity VIP);
                Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio
                Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio
                Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio
                Fidelity VIP - Money Market Portfolio
                Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio

              Portfolios of the Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund II
              (Fidelity VIP-II);
                Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio
                Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio
                Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio
                Fidelity VIP-II - Index 500 Portfolio
                Fidelity VIP-II - Investment Grade Bond Portfolio

              Portfolios of the Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund III
              (Fidelity VIP-III);
                Fidelity VIP-III - Balanced Portfolio
                  (formerly Fidelity Advisor Annuity Income & Growth Fund)
                Fidelity VIP-III - Growth and Income Portfolio
                Fidelity VIP-III - Growth Opportunities Portfolio
                  (formerly Fidelity Advisor Annuity Growth Opportunities Fund)

         At December 31, 1997, except as noted, 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.


<PAGE>   9
     (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, 1997. 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.

         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 1996 amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current
         period 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. Optional
     long term care facility with a one-year stepped up death benefit rider is
     offered at an additional annual rate of 0.05% (Rider Option 1). Optional
     long care facility with a 5% enhanced death benefit rider is offered at an
     additional annual rate of 0.10% (Rider Option 2).


<PAGE>   10
     The following table provides mortality, expense and administration charges
     by contract type for the period ended December 31, 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             GOVERNMENT             HIGH             MONEY
                                                             INVESTMENT            YIELD            MARKET         OVERSEAS
                                                TOTAL              FUND             FUND              FUND             FUND
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>
     Classic.........................    $  1,083,010             3,971           16,813             3,845           10,730
     Select..........................      12,435,476            52,722          248,687            77,418          117,562
     Select (Rider Opt. 1)...........           1,046                -                -                 -                -
     Select (Rider Opt. 2)...........             282                -                -                 -                -
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
         Total.......................    $ 13,519,814            56,693          265,500            81,263          128,292
                                         ============      ============     ============      ============     ============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              EQUITY-                               HIGH             MONEY
                                               INCOME            GROWTH           INCOME            MARKET         OVERSEAS
                                            PORTFOLIO         PORTFOLIO        PORTFOLIO         PORTFOLIO        PORTFOLIO
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>
     Classic.........................    $     10,689             8,415           79,502            20,370           60,043
     Select..........................         231,323           136,613        1,330,341           540,448          670,326
     Select (Rider Opt. 1)...........             126               254               45                21              105
     Select (Rider Opt. 2)...........              35                15               42                -                28
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
         Total.......................    $    242,173           145,297        1,409,930           560,839          730,502
                                         ============      ============     ============      ============     ============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  ASSET                                          INVESTMENT
                                                ASSET           MANAGER                              INDEX            GRADE
                                              MANAGER            GROWTH       CONTRAFUND               500             BOND
                                            PORTFOLIO         PORTFOLIO        PORTFOLIO         PORTFOLIO        PORTFOLIO
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>
     Classic.........................    $      2,325             3,230           23,334            10,070           18,691
     Select..........................          61,279            57,643          345,666           180,444          261,060
     Select (Rider Opt. 1)...........              18                13               95                24               -
     Select (Rider Opt. 2)...........              -                  8               30                 9               40
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
         Total.......................    $     63,622            60,894          369,125           190,547          279,791
                                         ============      ============     ============      ============     ============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             GROWTH AND           GROWTH
                                             BALANCED            INCOME    OPPORTUNITIES
                                            PORTFOLIO         PORTFOLIO        PORTFOLIO
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>              <C>
     Classic.........................    $    153,146             6,903          650,933
     Select..........................       1,593,030           159,344        6,371,570
     Select (Rider Opt. 1)...........              28                13              304
     Select (Rider Opt. 2)...........               9                32               34
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------
         Total.......................    $  1,746,213           166,292        7,022,841
                                         ============      ============     ============
</TABLE>


(3)  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     The Company performs various services on behalf of the Mutual Fund
     Companies in which the Account invests and may receive fees for the
     services performed. These services include, among other things, shareholder
     communications, preparation, postage, fund transfer agency and various
     other record keeping and customer service functions. These fees are paid to
     an affiliate of the Company.

<PAGE>   11
(4)  COMPONENTS OF CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
     The following is a summary of contract owners' equity at December 31, 1997,
     for each series, in both the accumulation and payout phases.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        ANNUAL
     Contract owners' equity represented by:                 UNITS         UNIT VALUE                   RETURN
                                                           --------        ----------                   -------
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>           <C>              <C>

      FIDELITY ADVISOR ANNUITY CLASSIC CONTRACTS:

         Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................         85,072      $ 12.257123   $1,042,738       23%(a)
            Non-tax qualified .......................         68,943        12.257123      845,043       23%(a)

         Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................         72,191        11.621651      838,979       16%(a)
            Non-tax qualified .......................         55,100        11.621651      640,353       16%(a)

         Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................        385,182        11.873382    4,573,413       16%
            Non-tax qualified .......................        335,906        11.873382    3,988,340       16%

         Fidelity VIP - Money Market Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................        208,431        10.478255    2,183,993        4%
            Non-tax qualified .......................         63,314        10.478255      663,420        4%

         Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................        278,008        11.583345    3,220,263       10%
            Non-tax qualified .......................        233,174        11.583345    2,700,935       10%

         Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................         16,173        11.662002      188,610       17%(a)
            Non-tax qualified .......................         17,854        11.662002      208,213       17%(a)

         Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager:
         Growth Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................         24,630        11.951807      294,373       20%(a)
            Non-tax qualified .......................         15,156        11.951807      181,142       20%(a)

         Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................        166,852        11.743945    1,959,501       17%(a)
            Non-tax qualified .......................        111,999        11.743945    1,315,310       17%(a)

         Fidelity VIP-II - Index 500 Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................         83,194        12.506255    1,040,445       25%(a)
            Non-tax qualified .......................         51,803        12.506255      647,862       25%(a)

         Fidelity VIP-II - Investment Grade
         Bond Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................        114,654        10.829778    1,241,677        8%
            Non-tax qualified .......................         64,921        10.829778      703,080        8%

         Fidelity VIP-III - Balanced Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................        502,946        14.720075    7,403,403       21%
            Non-tax qualified .......................        389,668        14.720075    5,735,942       21%

         Fidelity VIP-III -  Growth and
         Income Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................         56,646        12.362549      700,289       24%(a)
            Non-tax qualified .......................         35,101        12.362549      433,938       24%(a)

         Fidelity VIP-III - Growth Opportunities
         Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................      1,496,661        19.586347   29,314,122       28%
            Non-tax qualified .......................      1,474,036        19.586347   28,870,981       28%
</TABLE>

                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>   12
   FIDELITY ADVISOR ANNUITY SELECT CONTRACTS:
<TABLE>
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>
     Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................        1,102,775       12.245396        13,503,917       22%(a)
        Non-tax qualified .....................        1,900,080       12.245396        23,267,232       22%(a)

     Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................          711,162       11.610523         8,256,963       16%(a)
        Non-tax qualified .....................        1,186,843       11.610523        13,779,868       16%(a)

     Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................        3,723,025       11.859397        44,152,832       16%
        Non-tax qualified .....................        8,132,611       11.859397        96,447,862       16%

     Fidelity VIP - Money Market Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................        1,517,808       10.465899        15,885,225        4%
        Non-tax qualified .....................        2,372,121       10.465899        24,826,379        4%

     Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................        1,594,615       11.569690        18,449,201       10%
        Non-tax qualified .....................        3,828,801       11.569690        44,298,041       10%

     Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................          234,516       11.650850         2,732,311       17%(a)
        Non-tax qualified .....................          585,920       11.650850         6,826,466       17%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager:
     Growth Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................          236,306       11.940378         2,821,583       19%(a)
        Non-tax qualified .....................          412,776       11.940378         4,928,701       19%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................        1,484,705       11.732706        17,419,607       17%(a)
        Non-tax qualified .....................        2,614,941       11.732706        30,680,334       17%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-II - Index 500 Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................          687,172       12.494291         8,585,727       25%(a)
        Non-tax qualified .....................        1,471,434       12.494291        18,384,525       25%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-II - Investment Grade
     Bond Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................          881,781       10.817010         9,538,234        8%
        Non-tax qualified .....................        1,572,576       10.817010        17,010,570        8%

     Fidelity VIP-III - Balanced Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................        2,672,535       14.675543        39,220,902       20%
        Non-tax qualified .....................        6,127,776       14.675543        89,928,440       20%

     Fidelity VIP-III -  Growth and
     Income Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................          641,220       12.350709         7,919,522       24%(a)
        Non-tax qualified .....................        1,370,152       12.350709        16,922,349       24%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-III - Growth Opportunities
     Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................        8,514,753       19.527096       166,268,399       28%
        Non-tax qualified .....................       20,154,563       19.527096       393,560,087       28%
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   13
FIDELITY ADVISOR ANNUITY SELECT (RIDER OPTION 1):
<TABLE>
     <S>                                              <C>          <C>             <C>          <C>
     Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................        1,233       10.334399        12,742       3%(a)
        Non-tax qualified .....................        9,973       10.334399       103,065       3%(a)

     Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................        1,555       10.025497        15,590       0%(a)
        Non-tax qualified .....................       19,167       10.025497       192,159       0%(a)

     Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................        1,197       10.125956        12,121       1%(a)
        Non-tax qualified .....................        6,913       10.125956        70,001       1%(a)

     Fidelity VIP - Money Market Portfolio:
        Non-tax qualified .....................       10,276       10.066783       103,446       1%(a)

     Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................           63        9.894400           623     (1)%(a)
        Non-tax qualified .....................       12,510        9.894400       123,779     (1)%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio:
        Non-tax qualified .....................        9,263       10.209261        94,568       2%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager
     Growth Portfolio:
        Non-tax qualified .....................        3,686       10.239737        37,744       2%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................          913        9.951886         9,086       0%(a)
        Non-tax qualified .....................        9,371        9.951886        93,259       0%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-II - Index 500 Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................           61       10.330898           630       3%(a)
        Non-tax qualified .....................        3,644       10.330898        37,646       3%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-III - Balanced Portfolio:
        Non-tax qualified .....................        8,383       10.272783        86,117       3%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-III -  Growth and
     Income Portfolio:
        Non-tax qualified .....................        6,119       10.404380        63,664       4%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-III - Growth Opportunities
     Portfolio:
        Tax qualified .........................        2,407       10.392122        25,014       4%(a)
        Non-tax qualified .....................       37,507       10.392122       389,777       4%(a)
</TABLE>

                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>   14


FIDELITY ADVISOR ANNUITY SELECT (RIDER OPTION 2):
<TABLE>
     <S>                                           <C>         <C>            <C>                 <C>
     Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio:
        Tax qualified ......................       2,158       10.333567               22,300       3%(a)
        Non-tax qualified ..................       2,704       10.333567               27,942       3%(a)

     Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio:
        Tax qualified ......................       1,085       10.024687               10,877       0%(a)
        Non-tax qualified ..................       1,393       10.024687               13,964       0%(a)

     Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio:
        Tax qualified ......................       2,387       10.125138               24,169       1%(a)
        Non-tax qualified ..................       4,150       10.125138               42,019       1%(a)

     Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio:
        Tax qualified ......................         400        9.893604                3,957     (1)%(a)
        Non-tax qualified ..................       3,338        9.893604               33,025     (1)%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager:
     Growth Portfolio:
        Non-tax qualified ..................       1,231       10.238907               12,604       2%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio:
        Tax qualified ......................       1,148        9.951081               11,424       0%(a)
        Non-tax qualified ..................       3,555        9.951081               35,376       0%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-II - Index 500 Portfolio:
        Tax qualified ......................         386       10.330070                3,987       3%(a)
        Non-tax qualified ..................       1,382       10.330070               14,276       3%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-II - Investment Grade
     Bond Portfolio:
        Tax qualified ......................       1,718       10.145651               17,430       1%(a)
        Non-tax qualified ..................       2,680       10.145651               27,190       1%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-III - Balanced Portfolio:
        Non-tax qualified ..................       1,363       10.271954               14,001       3%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-III -  Growth and
     Income Portfolio:
        Non-tax qualified ..................       3,430       10.403545               35,684       4%(a)

     Fidelity VIP-III - Growth Opportunities
     Portfolio:
        Tax qualified ......................       1,056       10.391285               10,973       4%(a)
        Non-tax qualified ..................       7,724       10.391285               80,262       4%(a)
                                                 =======       =========

     Reserves for annuity contracts
     in payout phase:
        Tax qualified                                                                  43,957
                                                                              ---------------
                                                                              $ 1,238,508,090
                                                                              ===============
</TABLE>

(a) This investment option was not being utilized for the entire period.




<PAGE>   53

<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), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., as of December 31, 1997 and
1996, 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,
1997. 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, 1997 and 1996, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.



                                                    KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Columbus, Ohio
January 30, 1998

<PAGE>   2



               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

                            (in millions of dollars)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                   December 31,
                                                                                        -----------------------------------
                                        ASSETS                                                1997               1996
                                        ------
                                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>                 <C>  
Investments:
  Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
    Fixed maturity securities                                                               $13,204.1           $12,304.6
    Equity securities                                                                            80.4                59.1
  Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                          5,181.6             5,272.1
  Real estate, net                                                                              311.4               265.8
  Policy loans                                                                                  415.3               371.8
  Other long-term investments                                                                    25.2                28.7
  Short-term investments                                                                        358.4                 4.8
                                                                                           ----------           ---------
                                                                                             19,576.4            18,306.9
                                                                                           ----------           ---------

Cash                                                                                            175.6                43.8
Accrued investment income                                                                       210.5               210.2
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                             1,665.4             1,366.5
Investment in subsidiaries classified as discontinued operations                                  -                 485.7
Other assets                                                                                    438.4               426.5
Assets held in Separate Accounts                                                             37,724.4            26,926.7
                                                                                           ----------           ---------
                                                                                            $59,790.7           $47,766.3
                                                                                           ==========           =========

                         LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
                         ------------------------------------

Future policy benefits and claims                                                           $18,702.8           $17,600.6
Other liabilities                                                                               885.6             1,101.1
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts                                                     37,724.4            26,926.7
                                                                                           ----------           ---------
                                                                                             57,312.8            45,628.4
                                                                                           ----------           ---------

Commitments and contingencies (notes 7 and 13)

Shareholder's equity:
  Common stock, $1 par value.  Authorized 5.0 million shares;
    3.8 million shares issued and outstanding                                                     3.8                 3.8
  Additional paid-in capital                                                                    914.7               527.9
  Retained earnings                                                                           1,312.3             1,432.6
  Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net                                        247.1               173.6
                                                                                           ----------           ---------
                                                                                              2,477.9             2,137.9
                                                                                           ----------           ---------
                                                                                            $59,790.7           $47,766.3
                                                                                           ==========           =========

</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





<PAGE>   3


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                        Consolidated Statements of Income

                            (in millions of dollars)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Years ended December 31,
                                                                              ---------------------------------------------
                                                                                  1997            1996           1995
                                                                              -------------   -------------  --------------

<S>                                                                            <C>             <C>            <C>      
Revenues:
  Investment product and universal life insurance product policy charges       $   545.2       $   400.9      $   286.6
  Traditional life insurance premiums                                              205.4           198.6          199.1
  Net investment income                                                          1,409.2         1,357.8        1,294.0
  Realized gains (losses) on investments                                            11.1            (0.3)          (1.7)
  Other                                                                             46.5            35.9           20.7
                                                                              ----------      ----------     ----------
                                                                                 2,217.4         1,992.9        1,798.7
                                                                              ----------      ----------     ----------
Benefits and expenses:
  Interest credited to policyholder account balances                             1,016.6           982.3          950.3
  Other benefits and claims                                                        178.2           178.3          165.2
  Policyholder dividends on participating policies                                  40.6            41.0           39.9
  Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                167.2           133.4           82.7
  Other operating expenses                                                         384.9           342.4          273.0
                                                                              ----------      ----------     ----------
                                                                                 1,787.5         1,677.4        1,511.1
                                                                              ----------      ----------     ----------

    Income from continuing operations before federal income tax expense            429.9           315.5          287.6

Federal income tax expense                                                         150.2           110.9           99.8
                                                                              ----------      ----------     ----------

    Income from continuing operations                                              279.7           204.6          187.8

Income from discontinued operations (less federal income tax expense
  of $4.5 and $7.4 in 1996 and 1995, respectively)                                   -              11.3           24.7
                                                                              ----------      ----------     ----------

    Net income                                                                 $   279.7       $   215.9      $   212.5
                                                                              ==========      ==========     ==========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





<PAGE>   4


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                 Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity

                            (in millions of dollars)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Unrealized
                                                                                            gains
                                                                                           (losses)
                                                           Additional                   on securities       Total
                                                Common       paid-in       Retained       available-    shareholder's
                                                 stock       capital       earnings     for-sale, net       equity
                                              ----------- ------------- -------------- ---------------- -------------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>            <C>
December 31, 1994                                 $3.8       $ 606.2       $1,378.2         $(119.7)       $1,868.5

  Capital contribution                             -            51.0            -              (4.1)           46.9
  Net income                                       -             -            212.5             -             212.5
  Dividends to shareholder                         -             -             (7.5)            -              (7.5)
  Unrealized gains on securities available-
    for-sale, net                                  -             -              -             508.1           508.1
                                              --------      --------       --------        --------       ---------
December 31, 1995                                  3.8         657.2        1,583.2           384.3          2628.5

  Net income                                       -             -            215.9             -             215.9
  Dividends to shareholder                         -          (129.3)        (366.5)          (39.8)         (535.6)
  Unrealized losses on securities available-
    for-sale, net                                  -             -              -            (170.9)         (170.9)
                                              --------      --------       --------        --------       ---------
December 31, 1996                                  3.8         527.9        1,432.6           173.6         2,137.9

  Capital contribution                             -           836.8            -               -             836.8
  Net income                                       -             -            279.7             -             279.7
  Dividends to shareholder                         -          (450.0)        (400.0)            -            (850.0)
  Unrealized gains on securities available-
    for-sale, net                                  -             -              -              73.5            73.5
                                              --------      --------       --------        --------       ---------
December 31, 1997                                 $3.8       $ 914.7       $1,312.3         $ 247.1        $2,477.9
                                              ========      ========       ========        ========       =========

</TABLE>



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





<PAGE>   5


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                            (in millions of dollars)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                           Years ended December 31,
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------
                                                                                     1997           1996            1995
                                                                                ------------------------------ ---------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>            <C>             <C>    

Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                                                     $    279.7      $   215.9       $   212.5
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
    activities:
      Interest credited to policyholder account balances                            1,016.6          982.3           950.3
      Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs                            (487.9)        (422.6)         (321.3)
      Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                               167.2          133.4            82.7
      Amortization and depreciation                                                    (2.0)           7.0            10.2
      Realized (gains) losses on invested assets, net                                 (11.1)          (0.3)            3.3
      (Increase) decrease in accrued investment income                                 (0.3)           2.8           (16.9)
      (Increase) decrease in other assets                                             (12.7)         (38.9)           39.9
      (Decrease) increase in policy liabilities                                       (23.1)        (151.0)          123.9
      Increase in other liabilities                                                   230.6          191.4            27.0
      Other, net                                                                      (10.9)         (61.7)            1.8
                                                                                -----------      ---------        --------
        Net cash provided by operating activities                                   1,146.1          858.3         1,113.4
                                                                                -----------      ---------        --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale                             993.4        1,162.8           634.6
  Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                                 574.5          299.6           107.3
  Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                  -              -             564.4
  Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans on real estate                           437.3          309.0           207.8
  Proceeds from sale of real estate                                                    34.8           18.5            48.3
  Proceeds from repayments of policy loans and sale of other invested assets           22.7           22.8            53.6
  Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired                                   (2,828.1)      (1,573.6)       (1,942.4)
  Cost of fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity acquired                           -              -            (593.6)
  Cost of mortgage loans on real estate acquired                                     (752.2)        (972.8)         (796.0)
  Cost of real estate acquired                                                        (24.9)          (7.9)          (10.9)
  Policy loans issued and other invested assets acquired                              (62.5)         (57.7)          (75.9)
  Short-term investments, net                                                        (354.8)          28.0            77.8
                                                                                -----------      ---------        --------
        Net cash used in investing activities                                      (1,959.8)        (771.3)       (1,725.0)
                                                                                -----------      ---------        --------

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from capital contributions                                                 836.8            -               -
  Cash dividends paid                                                                   -            (50.0)           (7.5)
  Increase in investment product and universal life insurance
    product account balances                                                        2,488.5        1,781.8         1,883.7
  Decrease in investment product and universal life insurance
    product account balances                                                       (2,379.8)      (1,784.5)       (1,258.7)
                                                                                -----------      ---------        --------
        Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                           945.5          (52.7)          617.5
                                                                                -----------      ---------        --------
Net increase in cash                                                                  131.8           34.3             5.9

Cash, beginning of year                                                                43.8            9.5             3.6
                                                                                -----------      ---------        --------

Cash, end of year                                                                $    175.6      $    43.8       $     9.5
                                                                                ===========      =========       =========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





<PAGE>   6

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


(1)      ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

         Prior to January 27, 1997, Nationwide Life Insurance Company (NLIC) was
         wholly owned by Nationwide Corporation (Nationwide Corp.). On that
         date, Nationwide Corp. contributed the outstanding shares of NLIC's
         common stock to Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NFS), a holding
         company formed by Nationwide Corp. in November 1996 for NLIC and the
         other companies within the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise that offer
         or distribute long-term savings and retirement products. On March 11
         1997, NFS completed an initial public offering of its Class A common
         stock.

         During 1996 and 1997, Nationwide Corp. and NFS completed certain
         transactions in anticipation of the initial public offering that
         focused the business of NFS on long-term savings and retirement
         products. On September 24, 1996, NLIC declared a dividend payable to
         Nationwide Corp. on January 1, 1997 consisting of the outstanding
         shares of common stock of certain subsidiaries that do not offer or
         distribute long-term savings or 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 two affiliates effective January 1, 1996. These subsidiaries,
         through December 31, 1996, and all accident and health and group life
         insurance business have been accounted for as discontinued operations
         for all periods presented. See notes 11 and 15. Additionally, NLIC paid
         $900.0 million of dividends, $50.0 million to Nationwide Corp. on
         December 31, 1996 and $850.0 million to NFS, which then made an
         equivalent dividend to Nationwide Corp., on February 24, 1997.

         NFS contributed $836.8 million to the capital of NLIC during March
         1997.

         Wholly owned subsidiaries of NLIC include Nationwide Life and Annuity
         Insurance Company (NLAIC), Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc.,
         Nationwide Investment Services Corporation and NWE, Inc. NLIC and its
         subsidiaries are collectively referred to as "the Company."

         The Company is a leading provider of long-term savings and retirement
         products. The Company is subject to regulation by the Insurance
         Departments of states in which it is licensed, and undergoes periodic
         examinations by those departments.

(2)      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, which differ
         from statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
         regulatory authorities. Annual Statements for NLIC and NLAIC, filed
         with the Department of Insurance of the State of Ohio (the Department),
         are prepared on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or
         permitted by the 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.



<PAGE>   7


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

         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 from
              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, 1997 or 1996.

              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 is 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.


<PAGE>   8



               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         (c)  REVENUES AND BENEFITS

              INVESTMENT PRODUCTS AND UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS:
              Investment products consist primarily of individual and group
              variable and fixed annuities. 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.

         (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 sales 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. 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 2(b). For traditional life insurance 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.

         (e)  SEPARATE ACCOUNTS

              Separate Account assets and liabilities represent contractholders'
              funds which have been segregated into accounts with specific
              investment objectives. For all but $365.5 million of separate
              account assets, 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 4.


<PAGE>   9


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         (g)  PARTICIPATING BUSINESS

              Participating business represents approximately 50% in 1997 (52%
              in 1996 and 54% in 1995) of the Company's life insurance in force,
              77% in 1997 (78% in 1996 and 79% in 1995) of the number of life
              insurance policies in force, and 27% in 1997 (40% in 1996 and 47%
              in 1995) of life insurance statutory premiums. The provision for
              policyholder dividends is based on current dividend scales and is
              included in "Future policy benefits and claims" in the
              accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

         (h)  FEDERAL INCOME TAX

              The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with
              Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (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.

              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.

         (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 11 and 15.

         (j)  RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

              STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 130 - REPORTING
              COMPREHENSIVE INCOME was issued in June 1997 and is effective for
              fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The statement
              establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive
              income and its components in a full set of financial statements.
              Comprehensive income includes all changes in equity during a
              period except those resulting from investments by shareholders and
              distributions to shareholders and includes net income.
              Comprehensive income would be reported in addition to earnings
              amounts currently presented. The Company will adopt the statement
              and begin reporting comprehensive income in the first quarter of
              1998.

         (k)  RECLASSIFICATION

              Certain items in the 1996 and 1995 consolidated financial
              statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1997
              presentation.


<PAGE>   10


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued




(3)      INVESTMENTS

         The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated
         fair value of securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 1997 and
         1996 were:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     Gross         Gross
                                                                    Amortized     unrealized    unrealized     Estimated
             (in millions of dollars)                                 cost           gains        losses       fair value
                                                                 --------------  ------------  -------------  ------------
<S>                                                                 <C>           <C>          <C>              <C> 
             December 31, 1997:
               Fixed maturity securities:
                 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.
                   government corporations and agencies            $     305.1    $     8.6      $    -        $     313.7
                 Obligations of states and political subdivisions          1.6          -             -                1.6
                 Debt securities issued by foreign governments            93.3          2.7          (0.2)            95.8
                 Corporate securities                                  8,698.7        355.5         (11.5)         9,042.7
                 Mortgage-backed securities                            3,634.2        118.6          (2.5)         3,750.3
                                                                  ------------    ---------     ---------      -----------
                     Total fixed maturity securities                  12,732.9        485.4         (14.2)        13,204.1
               Equity securities                                          67.8         12.9          (0.3)            80.4
                                                                  ------------    ---------     ---------      -----------
                                                                   $  12,800.7    $   498.3      $  (14.5)     $  13,284.5
                                                                  ============    =========     =========      ===========

             December 31, 1996:
               Fixed maturity securities:
                 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.
                   government corporations and agencies            $     275.7    $     4.8      $   (1.3)     $     279.2
                 Obligations of states and political subdivisions          6.2          0.5           -                6.7
                 Debt securities issued by foreign governments           100.7          2.1          (0.9)           101.9
                 Corporate securities                                  7,999.3        285.9         (33.7)         8,251.5
                 Mortgage-backed securities                            3,589.0         91.4         (15.1)         3,665.3
                                                                  ------------    ---------     ---------      -----------
                     Total fixed maturity securities                  11,970.9        384.7         (51.0)        12,304.6
               Equity securities                                          43.9         15.6          (0.4)            59.1
                                                                  ------------    ---------     ---------      -----------
                                                                   $  12,014.8    $   400.3      $  (51.4)     $  12,363.7
                                                                  ============    =========     =========      ===========
</TABLE>


         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity
         securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 1997, by contractual
         maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from
         contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or
         prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                 Amortized        Estimated
             (in millions of dollars)                                               cost          fair value
                                                                              --------------      ----------
<S>                                                                               <C>              <C>        
             Fixed maturity securities available for sale:
               Due in one year or less                                            $     419.2      $     422.1
               Due after one year through five years                                  4,573.5          4,708.4
               Due after five years through ten years                                 2,772.6          2,879.7
               Due after ten years                                                    1,333.4          1,443.6
                                                                                  -----------      -----------
                                                                                      9,098.7          9,453.8
             Mortgage-backed securities                                               3,634.2          3,750.3
                                                                                  -----------      -----------
                                                                                  $  12,732.9      $  13,204.1
                                                                                  ===========      ===========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   11

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             (in millions of dollars)                                                1997          1996
                                                                                 -----------     ----------
<S>                                                                                  <C>            <C>   
             Gross unrealized gains                                                 $ 483.8        $349.0
             Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                         (103.7)        (81.9)
             Deferred federal income tax                                             (133.0)        (93.5)
                                                                                   --------       -------
                                                                                    $ 247.1        $173.6
                                                                                   ========       =======
</TABLE>

         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>


             (in millions of dollars)                                         1997          1996           1995
                                                                          -----------   -------------   -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>            <C>
             Securities available-for-sale:
               Fixed maturity securities                                      $137.5       $(289.2)       $876.3
               Equity securities                                                (2.7)          8.9           -
             Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                          -             -            75.6
                                                                             -------       -------       -------
                                                                              $134.8       $(280.3)      $ 951.9
                                                                             =======       =======       =======
</TABLE>

         Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale during 1997,
         1996 and 1995 were $574.5 million, $299.6 million and $107.3 million,
         respectively. During 1997, gross gains of $9.9 million ($6.6 million
         and $4.8 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively) and gross losses of
         $18.0 million ($6.9 million and $2.1 million in 1996 and 1995,
         respectively) were realized on those sales. In addition, gross gains of
         $15.1 million and gross losses of $0.7 million were realized in 1997
         when the Company paid a dividend to NFS, which then made an equivalent
         dividend to Nationwide Corp., consisting of securities having an
         aggregate fair value of $850.0 million.

         During 1995, the Company transferred fixed maturity securities
         classified as held-to-maturity with amortized cost of $25.4 million 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 $3.5
         million.

         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 nearly 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 $3.32 billion,
         resulting in a gross unrealized gain of $155.9 million.

         The recorded investment of mortgage loans on real estate considered to
         be impaired as of December 31, 1997 was $19.9 million ($51.8 million as
         of December 31, 1996), which includes $3.9 million ($41.7 million as of
         December 31, 1996) of impaired mortgage loans on real estate for which
         the related valuation allowance was $0.1 million ($8.5 million as of
         December 31, 1996) and $16.0 million ($10.1 million as of December 31,
         1996) of impaired mortgage loans on real estate for which there was no
         valuation allowance. During 1997, the average recorded investment in
         impaired mortgage loans on real estate was approximately $31.8 million
         ($39.7 million in 1996) and interest income recognized on those loans
         was $1.0 million ($2.1 million in 1996), which is equal to interest
         income recognized using a cash-basis method of income recognition.


<PAGE>   12


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


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

             (in millions of dollars)                                               1997          1996
                                                                                ------------- -------------
<S>                                                                                <C>            <C>
             Allowance, beginning of year                                            $51.0         $49.1
               (Reductions) additions charged to operations                           (1.2)          4.5
               Direct write-downs charged against the allowance                       (7.3)         (2.6)
                                                                                    ------        ------
             Allowance, end of year                                                  $42.5         $51.0
                                                                                    ======        ======
</TABLE>

         Real estate is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation of $45.1
         million as of December 31, 1997 ($30.3 million as of December 31, 1996)
         and valuation allowances of $11.1 million as of December 31, 1997
         ($15.2 million as of December 31, 1996).

         Investments that were non-income producing for the twelve month period
         preceding December 31, 1997 amounted to $19.4 million ($26.8 million
         for 1996) and consisted of $3.0 million ($0.2 million in 1996) in
         securities available-for-sale, $16.4 million ($20.6 million in 1996) in
         real estate and none ($5.9 million in 1996) in other long-term
         investments.

         An analysis of investment income by investment type follows for the
         years ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                      1997             1996           1995
                                                                        -----------      ---------      ---------   
<S>                                                                      <C>             <C>            <C>      
             Gross investment income:
               Securities available-for-sale:
                 Fixed maturity securities                                $  911.6        $  917.1       $  685.8
                 Equity securities                                             0.8             1.3            1.3
               Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                      -               -            201.8
               Mortgage loans on real estate                                 457.7           432.8          395.5
               Real estate                                                    42.9            44.3           38.3
               Short-term investments                                         22.7             4.2           10.6
               Other                                                          21.0             4.0            7.2
                                                                          --------        --------       --------
                   Total investment income                                 1,456.7         1,403.7        1,340.5
             Less investment expenses                                         47.5            45.9           46.5
                                                                          --------        --------       --------
                   Net investment income                                  $1,409.2        $1,357.8       $1,294.0
                                                                          ========        ========       ========
</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>

             (in millions of dollars)                                       1997            1996           1995
                                                                         ---------       ---------       --------    
<S>                                                                           <C>            <C>            <C>  
             Securities available-for-sale:
               Fixed maturity securities                                    $ 3.6           $(3.5)         $ 4.2
               Equity securities                                              2.7             3.2            3.4
             Mortgage loans on real estate                                    1.6            (4.1)          (7.1)
             Real estate and other                                            3.2             4.1           (2.2)
                                                                           ------          ------         ------
                                                                            $11.1           $(0.3)         $(1.7)
                                                                           ======          ======         ======
</TABLE>

         Fixed  maturity securities with an amortized cost of $6.2 million as 
         of  December  31,  1997 and 1996 were on deposit with various
         regulatory agencies as required by law.


<PAGE>   13



               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(4)      FUTURE POLICY BENEFITS AND CLAIMS

         The liability for future policy benefits for investment contracts
         represents approximately 86% and 87% of the total liability for future
         policy benefits as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The
         average interest rate credited on investment product policies was
         approximately 6.1%, 6.3% and 6.6% for the years ended December 31,
         1997, 1996 and 1995, 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 by issue year and were 6.9%
              and 6.6% in 1997 and 1996, respectively. Interest rates have
              generally ranged from 6.0% to 10.5% for previous issue years.

              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
         $220.2 million and $240.5 million as of December 31, 1997 and 1996,
         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 11. All other reinsurance agreements are not material
         to either premiums or reinsurance recoverables.


(5)      FEDERAL INCOME TAX

         The  Company's current federal income tax liability was $60.1 million 
         and $30.2 million as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.


<PAGE>   14


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
         components of the net deferred tax liability as of December 31, 1997
         and 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             (in millions of dollars)                                        1997            1996
                                                                          ----------      ----------  
<S>                                                                        <C>             <C>  
             Deferred tax assets:
               Future policy benefits                                       $200.1          $183.0
               Liabilities in Separate Accounts                              242.0           188.4
               Mortgage loans on real estate and real estate                  19.0            23.4
               Other assets and other liabilities                             59.2            53.7
                                                                           -------          ------
                 Total gross deferred tax assets                             520.3           448.5
                 Less valuation allowance                                     (7.0)           (7.0)
                                                                           -------          ------
                 Net deferred tax assets                                     513.3           441.5
                                                                           -------          ------

             Deferred tax liabilities:
               Deferred policy acquisition costs                             480.5           399.3
               Fixed maturity securities                                     193.3           133.2
               Deferred tax on realized investment gains                      40.1            37.6
               Equity securities and other long-term investments               7.5             8.2
               Other                                                          22.2            25.4
                                                                           -------          ------
                 Total gross deferred tax liabilities                        743.6           603.7
                                                                           -------          ------
                 Net deferred tax liability                                 $230.3          $162.2
                                                                           =======          ======
</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, 1997, 1996 and 1995.

         Federal income tax expense attributable to income from continuing
         operations for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           (in millions of dollars)                                   1997            1996            1995
                                                                   ---------       ---------       ---------  
<S>                                                                 <C>             <C>             <C> 
           Currently payable                                         $121.7          $116.5           $88.7
           Deferred tax expense (benefit)                              28.5            (5.6)           11.1
                                                                     ------          ------          ------
                                                                     $150.2          $110.9           $99.8
                                                                     ======          ======          ======
</TABLE>

         Total federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1997,
         1996 and 1995 differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S.
         federal income tax rate to income before tax as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           1997                     1996                     1995
                                                   ----------------------   ----------------------   ----------------------
         (in millions of dollars)                     Amount        %          Amount        %          Amount        %
                                                   ----------------------   ------------- --------   ------------- --------
<S>                                                   <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C> 
         Computed (expected) tax expense               $150.5      35.0         $110.4      35.0         $100.6      35.0
         Tax exempt interest and dividends
           received deduction                             -         0.0           (0.2)     (0.1)           -         0.0
         Other, net                                      (0.3)     (0.1)           0.7       0.3           (0.8)     (0.3)
                                                       ------      ----         ------      ----         ------      ----
             Total (effective rate of each year)       $150.2      34.9         $110.9      35.2         $ 99.8      34.7
                                                       ======      ====         ======      ====         ======      ====
</TABLE>

         Total federal income tax paid was $91.8 million,  $115.8 million and 
         $51.8 million during the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
         respectively.



<PAGE>   15


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(6)      FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

         The following disclosures summarize the carrying amount and estimated
         fair value of the Company's financial instruments. Certain assets and
         liabilities are specifically excluded from the disclosure requirements
         of financial instruments. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts
         presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.

         The fair value of a financial instrument is defined 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 to be based on estimates using
         present value or other valuation techniques. Many of the Company's
         assets and liabilities subject to the disclosure requirements are not
         actively traded, requiring fair values to be estimated by management
         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.

         Although insurance contracts, other than policies such as annuities
         that are classified as investment contracts, are specifically exempted
         from the disclosure requirements, 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:

              FIXED MATURITY AND EQUITY SECURITIES: The 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.

              MORTGAGE LOANS ON REAL ESTATE, NET: 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 mortgage loans in default is the estimated fair
              value of the underlying collateral.

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

              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.

              INVESTMENT CONTRACTS: The 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 analysis. Interest rates used are similar to currently
              offered contracts with maturities consistent with those remaining
              for the contracts being valued.


<PAGE>   16

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


              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.

              COMMITMENTS TO EXTEND CREDIT: Commitments to extend credit have
              nominal fair value because of the short-term nature of such
              commitments. See note 13.

           Carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instruments
           subject to disclosure requirements and policy reserves on life
           insurance contracts were as follows as of December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                         1997                              1996
                                                             ------------------------------   -------------------------------
                                                                Carrying      Estimated          Carrying       Estimated
               (in millions of dollars)                          amount       fair value          amount        fair value
                                                             ------------------------------   --------------- ---------------

<S>                                                             <C>            <C>               <C>             <C>    
               Assets:
                 Investments:
                   Securities available-for-sale:
                     Fixed maturity securities                  $13,204.1      $13,204.1         $12,304.6       $12,304.6
                     Equity securities                               80.4           80.4              59.1            59.1
                   Mortgage loans on real estate, net             5,181.6        5,509.7           5,272.1         5,397.9
                   Policy loans                                     415.3          415.3             371.8           371.8
                   Short-term investments                           358.4          358.4               4.8             4.8
                 Cash                                               175.6          175.6              43.8            43.8
                 Assets held in Separate Accounts                37,724.4       37,724.4          26,926.7        26,926.7

               Liabilities:
                 Investment contracts                            14,708.2       14,322.1          13,914.4        13,484.5
                 Policy reserves on life insurance contracts      3,345.4        3,182.4           3,392.8         3,197.5
                 Liabilities related to Separate Accounts        37,724.4       36,747.0          26,926.7        26,164.2


</TABLE>


(7)      RISK DISCLOSURES

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

         LEGAL/REGULATORY RISK: The risk that changes in the legal or regulatory
         environment in which an insurer operates will result in increased
         competition, reduce demand for a company's products, or create
         additional expenses not anticipated by the insurer in pricing its
         products. 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: 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>   17

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         INTEREST RATE RISK: 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.

         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.

         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 $341.4 million
         extending into 1998 were outstanding as of December 31, 1997. The
         Company also had $63.9 million of commitments to purchase fixed
         maturity securities outstanding as of December 31, 1997.

         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 20% (21% in 1996) in any geographic area and no more than 2% (2%
         in 1996) with any one borrower as of December 31, 1997. As of December
         31, 1997, 46% (44% in 1996) of the remaining principal balance of the
         Company's commercial mortgage loan portfolio financed retail
         properties.

         The Company had a significant reinsurance recoverable balance from one
         reinsurer as of December 31, 1997 and 1996. See note 4.

(8)      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 year of service. 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.


<PAGE>   18

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         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 (the 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, 1997,  1996 and 1995 were $7.5 million, $7.4
         million and $10.5 million, respectively.

         The Company had no net accrued pension expense as of December 31, 1997
         ($1.1 million as of December 31, 1996).

         The net periodic pension cost for the Retirement Plan as a whole for
         the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for the Nationwide
         Insurance Companies and Affiliates Retirement Plan as a whole for the
         year ended December 31, 1995 follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

              (in millions of dollars)                                   1997             1996              1995
                                                                     -----------      -----------       -----------  

<S>                                                                   <C>              <C>               <C>     
              Service cost (benefits earned during the period)        $   77.3         $   75.5          $   64.5
              Interest cost on projected benefit obligation              118.6            105.5              95.3
              Actual return on plan assets                              (328.0)          (210.6)           (249.3)
              Net amortization and deferral                              196.4            101.8             143.4
                                                                      --------         --------          --------
                                                                      $   64.3         $   72.2          $   53.9
                                                                      ========         ========          ========
</TABLE>

         Basis for measurements, net periodic pension cost:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        1997             1996              1995
                                                                    -----------      -----------       -----------  

<S>                                                                    <C>              <C>               <C>  
              Weighted average discount rate                           6.50%            6.00%             7.50%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels           4.75%            4.25%             6.25%
              Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets         7.25%            6.75%             8.75%
</TABLE>

         Information regarding the funded status of the Retirement Plan as a 
         whole as of  December  31,  1997 and 1996 follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

              (in millions of dollars)                                           1997              1996
                                                                             -----------       -----------  
<S>                                                                           <C>               <C> 
              Accumulated benefit obligation:
                Vested                                                         $1,547.5          $1,338.6
                Nonvested                                                          13.5              11.1
                                                                               --------         ---------
                                                                               $1,561.0          $1,349.7
                                                                               ========         =========

              Net accrued pension expense:
                Projected benefit obligation for services rendered to date     $2,033.8          $1,847.8
                Plan assets at fair value                                       2,212.9           1,947.9
                                                                              ---------         ---------
                  Plan assets in excess of projected benefit obligation           179.1             100.1
                Unrecognized prior service cost                                    34.7              37.9
                Unrecognized net gains                                           (330.7)           (202.0)
                Unrecognized net asset at transition                               33.3              37.2
                                                                              ---------         ---------
                                                                              $   (83.6)        $   (26.8)
                                                                              =========         =========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   19


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         Basis for measurements, funded status of plan:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                1997              1996
                                                                             -----------       -----------  

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

</TABLE>
         Assets of the Retirement Plan are invested in group annuity contracts
         of NLIC and Employers Life Insurance Company of Wausau (ELICW).

(9)      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 (APBO), 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,
         1997 and 1996 was $36.5 million and $34.9 million, respectively, and
         the net periodic postretirement benefit cost (NPPBC) for 1997, 1996 and
         1995 was $3.0 million, $3.3 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

         Information regarding the funded status of the plan as a whole as of
         December 31, 1997 and 1996 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             (in millions of dollars)                                                         1997             1996
                                                                                          -----------       -----------  
<S>                                                                                        <C>               <C>    
             Accrued postretirement benefit expense:
               Retirees                                                                    $   93.3          $   93.0
               Fully eligible, active plan participants                                        31.6              23.7
               Other active plan participants                                                 113.0              84.0
                                                                                           --------          --------
                 Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation                                237.9             200.7
               Plan assets at fair value                                                       69.2              63.0
                                                                                           --------          --------
                 Plan assets less than accumulated postretirement benefit obligation         (168.7)           (137.7)
               Unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates                                 1.5               1.7
               Unrecognized net losses (gains)                                                  1.6             (23.2)
                                                                                           --------          --------
                                                                                            $(165.6)          $(159.2)
                                                                                           ========          ========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   20


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The amount of NPPBC for the plan as a whole for the years ended
         December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                            1997          1996          1995
                                                              -----------   ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                <C>           <C>           <C>  
             Service cost (benefits attributed to employee
               service during the year)                          $  7.0        $  6.5        $  6.2
             Interest cost on accumulated postretirement
               benefit obligation                                  14.0          13.7          14.2
             Actual return on plan assets                          (3.6)         (4.3)         (2.7)
             Amortization of unrecognized transition
               obligation of affiliates                             0.2           0.2           3.0
             Net amortization and deferral                         (0.5)          1.8          (1.6)
                                                                -------        ------        ------
                                                                  $17.1         $17.9         $19.1
                                                                =======        ======        ======
</TABLE>

         Actuarial assumptions used for the measurement of the APBO and the
         NPPBC for 1997, 1996 and 1995 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 1997          1996          1995
                                                              -----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>           <C>     
             APBO:
               Discount rate                                  6.70%         7.25%         6.75%
               Assumed health care cost trend rate:
                 Initial rate                                12.13%        11.00%        11.00%
                 Ultimate rate                                6.12%         6.00%         6.00%
                 Uniform declining period                   12 Years      12 Years      12 Years

             NPPBC:
               Discount rate                                  7.25%         6.65%         8.00%
               Long term rate of return on plan
                 assets, net of tax                           5.89%         4.80%         8.00%
               Assumed health care cost trend rate:
                 Initial rate                                11.00%        11.00%        10.00%
                 Ultimate rate                                6.00%         6.00%         6.00%
                 Uniform declining period                    12 Years      12 Years      12 Years
</TABLE>

         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,
         1997 by $0.4 million and have no impact on the NPPBC for the year ended
         December 31, 1997.

(10)     SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY, REGULATORY RISK-BASED CAPITAL, RETAINED EARNINGS
         AND DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS

         Ohio, NLIC's and NLAIC'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 NLAIC each exceed
         the minimum risk-based capital requirements.


<PAGE>   21


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The statutory capital and surplus of NLIC as of December 31, 1997, 1996
         and 1995 was $1.13 billion, $1.00 billion and $1.36 billion,
         respectively. The statutory net income of NLIC for the years ended
         December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $111.7 million, $73.2 million and
         $86.5 million, respectively.

         As a result of the $850.0 million dividend paid on February 24, 1997,
         any dividend paid by NLIC during the twelve-month period immediately
         following the $850.0 million dividend would be an extraordinary
         dividend under Ohio insurance laws. Accordingly, no such dividend could
         be paid without prior regulatory approval. The Company has no reason to
         believe that any reasonably foreseeable dividend to be paid by NLIC
         would not receive the required 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 shareholder.

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

(11)     TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

         As part of the restructuring described in note 1, NLIC paid a dividend
         valued at $485.7 million to Nationwide Corp. on January 1, 1997
         consisting of the outstanding shares of common stock of ELICW, National
         Casualty Company (NCC) and West Coast Life Insurance Company (WCLIC).
         Also, on February 24, 1997, NLIC paid a dividend to NFS, and NFS paid
         an equivalent dividend to Nationwide Corp., consisting of securities
         having an aggregate fair value of $850.0 million. The Company
         recognized a gain of $14.4 million on the transfer of securities.

         The Company leases office space from NMIC and certain of its
         subsidiaries. For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the
         Company made lease payments to NMIC and its subsidiaries of $8.4
         million, $9.1 million and $9.0 million, 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 $85.8 million, $101.6 million and $107.1
         million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, 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 inter-company 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 $20.5 million and $15.1 million as of
         December 31, 1997 and 1996, 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 1997 and
         1996 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>   22

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         Intercompany reinsurance agreements 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 the Company'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 the Company's agreements, the investment
         risk associated with changes in interest rates is borne by ELICW or
         NMIC, as the case may be. Risk of asset default is retained by the
         Company, although a fee is paid by ELICW or NMIC, as the case may be,
         to the Company for the Company'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. The Company believes that the terms of
         the modified coinsurance agreements are consistent in all material
         respects with what the Company could have obtained with unaffiliated
         parties. Amounts ceded to NMIC and ELICW for the years ended December
         31, 1997 and 1996 were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   1997                          1996
                                                        ----------------------------  ----------------------------
             (in millions of dollars)                       NMIC          ELICW           NMIC          ELICW
                                                        -------------- -------------  ----------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>    
             Premiums                                       $ 91.4         $199.8         $ 97.3        $224.2
             Net investment income and other revenue        $ 10.7         $ 13.4         $ 10.9        $ 14.8
             Benefits, claims and other expenses            $100.7         $225.9         $100.5        $246.6

</TABLE>

         The Company and various affiliates entered into agreements with
         Nationwide Cash Management Company (NCMC), an affiliate, under which
         NCMC acts as a common agent in handling the purchase and sale of
         short-term securities for the respective accounts of the participants.
         Amounts on deposit with NCMC were $211.0 million and $4.8 million as of
         December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and are included in
         short-term investments on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

         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 $46.9 million. As discussed in note 15, WCLIC
         is accounted for as discontinued operations.

         Certain annuity products are sold through three affiliated companies,
         which are also subsidiaries of NFS. Total commissions and fees paid to
         these affiliates for the three years ended December 31, 1997 were $66.1
         million, $76.9 million and $57.3 million, respectively.

(12)     BANK LINES OF CREDIT

         In August 1996, NLIC, along with NMIC, entered into a $600.0 million
         revolving credit facility which provides for a $600.0 million 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. In September 1997,
         the credit agreement was amended to include NFS as a party to and
         borrower under the agreement.


<PAGE>   23

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(13)     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.

(14)     SEGMENT INFORMATION

         The Company has three product 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 Fixed Annuities segment also includes the
         fixed option under the Company's variable annuity contracts. 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 and
         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.

         The following table summarizes revenues and income from continuing
         operations before federal income tax expense for the years ended
         December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 and assets as of December 31, 1997,
         1996 and 1995, by segment.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

              (in millions of dollars)                                         1997               1996             1995
                                                                           -------------      ------------     ------------   
<S>                                                                         <C>               <C>              <C>  
              Revenues:
                  Variable Annuities                                         $    404.0        $    284.6       $    189.1
                  Fixed Annuities                                               1,141.4           1,092.6          1,052.0
                  Life Insurance                                                  473.1             435.6            409.1
                  Corporate and Other                                             198.9             180.1            148.5
                                                                            -----------        ----------       ----------
                                                                             $  2,217.4        $  1,992.9       $  1,798.7
                                                                            ===========        ==========       ==========

              Income from continuing operations before federal income tax
                expense:
                  Variable Annuities                                         $    150.9        $     90.3       $     50.8
                  Fixed Annuities                                                 169.5             135.4            137.0
                  Life Insurance                                                   70.9              67.2             67.6
                  Corporate and Other                                              38.6              22.6             32.2
                                                                            -----------        ----------       ----------
                                                                             $    429.9        $    315.5       $    287.6
                                                                            ===========        ==========       ==========

              Assets:
                  Variable Annuities                                         $ 35,278.7        $ 25,069.7       $ 17,333.0
                  Fixed Annuities                                              14,436.3          13,994.7         13,250.4
                  Life Insurance                                                3,901.4           3,353.3          3,027.4
                  Corporate and Other                                           6,174.3           5,348.6          4,896.8
                                                                            -----------        ----------       ----------
                                                                             $ 59,790.7        $ 47,766.3       $ 38,507.6
                                                                            ===========        ==========       ==========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   24



               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(15)     DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

         As discussed in note 1, NFS is a holding company for NLIC and certain
         other companies within the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise that offer
         or distribute long-term savings and retirement products. Prior to the
         contribution by Nationwide Corp. of the outstanding common stock of
         NLIC to NFS, 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
         payable to Nationwide Corp. on January 1, 1997 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 with offices in Scottsdale, Arizona
         that serves as a fronting company for a property and casualty
         subsidiary of NMIC. 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 in the
         accompanying consolidated financial statements through December 31,
         1996. The Company did not recognize any gain or loss on the disposal of
         these subsidiaries.

         Also, 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 11 for a
         complete discussion of the reinsurance agreements. The Company 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. NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business
         is accounted for as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
         The Company 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 the Company.

         A summary of the results of operations of discontinued operations for
         the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             (in millions of dollars)                                               1997           1996          1995
                                                                                -------------- ------------- ------------

<S>                                                                               <C>            <C>           <C>
             Revenues                                                             $    -         $   668.9     $   776.9
             Net income                                                           $    -         $    11.3     $    24.7
</TABLE>

         A summary of the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as 
         of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             (in millions of dollars)                                               1997           1996          1995
                                                                                -------------- ------------- -------------

<S>                                                                                 <C>           <C>           <C> 
             Assets, consisting primarily of investments                            $247.3        $3,288.5      $3,206.7
             Liabilities, consisting primarily of policy benefits and claims        $247.3        $2,802.8      $2,700.0
</TABLE>




<PAGE>   54



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PART C.    OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24.      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS                                                       PAGE

                      <S>                                                                             <C>
                      (a)  To be filed by Financial Statements:

                           (1)   Financial statements included in Prospectus
                                 (Part A):

                                 Condensed Financial Information.                                        16

                           (2)   Financial statements included
                                 in Part B:

                                 Those financial statements required by                                  52
                                 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.                                           52

                                 Statements of Assets, Liabilities                                       53
                                 and Contract Owners' Equity as of
                                 December 31, 1997.

                                 Statements of Operations and Changes                                    54
                                 in Contract Owners' Equity for years
                                 ended December 31, 1997 and 1996.

                                 Notes to Financial Statements.                                          59

                           Nationwide Life Insurance Company:

                                 Independent Auditors' Report.                                           66

                                 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997                     67
                                 and 1996.

                                 Consolidated Statements of Income for the years                         68 
                                 ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.

                                 Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity for                     69
                                 the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.

                                 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the                           70
                                 years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.

                                 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.                             71

</TABLE>




                                    90 of 107
<PAGE>   55



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Item 24.      (b)  Exhibits
                               <S>    <C>
                               (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 - Attached hereto.
    

                               (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.
</TABLE>





                                    91 of 107
<PAGE>   56

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Item 25.      DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE DEPOSITOR

                           NAME AND PRINCIPAL                             POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                            BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR
                          <S>                                             <C>
                          Lewis J. Alphin                                        Director
                          519 Bethel Church Road
                          Mount Olive, NC  28365

                          A. I. Bell                                             Director
                          4121 North River Road West
                          Zanesville, OH 43701

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

                          Willard J. Engel                                       Director
                          300 East Marshall 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

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

                          David O. Miller                           Chairman of the Board and Director
                          115 Sprague Drive
                          Hebron, OH 43025

                          Yvonne L. Montgomery                                   Director
                          2859 Paces Ferry Road
                          Atlanta, GA 30339

                          James F. Patterson                                     Director
                          8765 Mulberry Road
                          Chesterland, OH  44026
</TABLE>




                                    92 of 107
<PAGE>   57

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           NAME AND PRINCIPAL                             POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                            BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR
                          <S>                                             <C>
                          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

                          Dennis W. Click                              Vice President and Secretary
                          One Nationwide Plaza
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          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

                          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

                          Susan A. Wolken                               Senior Vice President-Life
                          One Nationwide Plaza                              Company Operations
                          Columbus, OH 43215

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




                                    93 of 107
<PAGE>   58

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           NAME AND PRINCIPAL                             POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                            BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR
                          <S>                                   <C>
                          Matthew S. Easley                                  Vice President-
                          One Nationwide Plaza                  Life Marketing and Administrative Services
                          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-Product and
                          Columbus, OH  43215                                Market Compliance
</TABLE>
    


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









                                    94 of 107
<PAGE>   59


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               NO. VOTING
                                                               SECURITIES
                                              STATE           (SEE ATTACHED
                                         OF ORGANIZATION      CHART) UNLESS
               COMPANY                                          OTHERWISE        PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                INDICATED
<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                        Inactive

Colonial County Mutual Insurance              Texas                           Insurance Company
Company

Colonial Insurance Company of               Wisconsin                         Insurance Company
Wisconsin

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 Georgia, Inc.            Georgia                          Insurance Broker

Companies Agency of Idaho, Inc.               Idaho                           Insurance Broker

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                           Local Recording Agent (P&C)

Companies Annuity Agency of Texas,            Texas                           Group and Variable Contract Agent
Inc.

Cooperative Service Company                  Nebraska                         Insurance Agency

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

EMPLOYERS INSURANCE OF WAUSAU A             Wisconsin                         Mutual Insurance Company
Mutual Company
</TABLE>



                                    95 of 107
<PAGE>   60

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                    NO. VOTING
                                                                    SECURITIES
                                                   STATE           (SEE ATTACHED
                                              OF ORGANIZATION      CHART) UNLESS
                COMPANY                                              OTHERWISE       PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                     INDICATED
<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                           Mutual 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 York                         Workers Compensation Claims Administration
    New York, Inc.

    Gates McDonald Health Plus, Inc.               Ohio                           Managed Care Organization

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

    Insurance Intermediaries, Inc.                 Ohio                           Insurance Broker and Insurance Agency

    Irvin L. Schwartz and Associates, Inc.         Ohio                           Insurance Agency

    Key Health Plan, Inc.                       California                        Pre-paid Health Plans

    Landmark Financial Services of               New York                         Life Insurance Agency
    New 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                   Wisconsin                         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>



                                    96 of 107
<PAGE>   61

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                   NO. VOTING
                                                                   SECURITIES
                                                  STATE           (SEE ATTACHED
                                             OF ORGANIZATION      CHART) UNLESS
                   COMPANY                                          OTHERWISE             PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                    INDICATED
<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 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/Dispatch LLC                        Ohio                           Engaged in related Arena development Activity

    Nationwide Financial Institution             Delaware                         Insurance Agency
    Distributors Agency, Inc.

    Nationwide Financial Services Capital        Delaware                         Statutory Business Trust
    Trust

    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 Global Holdings, Inc.               Ohio                           Holding Company for Enterprise International
                                                                                  Operations

    Nationwide Health Plans, Inc.                  Ohio                           Health Maintenance Organization

*   Nationwide Indemnity Company                   Ohio                           Reinsurance Company

    Nationwide Insurance Enterprise                Ohio                           Membership Non-Profit Corporation
    Foundation

    Nationwide Insurance Enterprise                Ohio                           Performs shares services functions for the
    Services, Ltd.                                                                Enterprise

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

    Nationwide Investing Foundation              Michigan                         Investment Company

*   Nationwide Investing                      Massachusetts                       Investment Company
    Foundation II

    Nationwide Investing Foundation III            Ohio                           Investment Company
</TABLE>





                                    97 of 107
<PAGE>   62

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   NO. VOTING
                                                                   SECURITIES
                                                  STATE           (SEE ATTACHED
                                             OF ORGANIZATION      CHART) UNLESS
                   COMPANY                                          OTHERWISE                   PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                    INDICATED
<S>                                          <C>                  <C>             <C>
    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

**  Nationwide Life Insurance Company              Ohio                           Life Insurance Company

    Nationwide Lloyds                             Texas                           Texas Lloyds Company

    Nationwide  Management Systems, Inc.           Ohio                           Offers Preferred Provider Organization and
                                                                                  Other Related Products and Services

    Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance               Ohio                           Mutual Insurance Company
    Company

    Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company            Ohio                           Mutual 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        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, Inc.

    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

</TABLE>



                                    98 of 107
<PAGE>   63

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    NO. VOTING
                                                                    SECURITIES
                                                   STATE           (SEE ATTACHED
                                              OF ORGANIZATION      CHART) UNLESS
                    COMPANY                                          OTHERWISE                   PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                     INDICATED
<S>                                           <C>                  <C>             <C>
     NWE, Inc.                                      Ohio                           Special Investments

     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

     Prevea Health Insurance Plan, Inc.          Wisconsin                         Health Maintenance Organization

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

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

     TIG Countrywide Insurance Group             California                        Independent Agency Personal Lines Underwriter

     Wausau (Bermuda) Ltd.                        Bermuda                          Rent-a-captive Reinsurer

     Wausau Business Insurance Company           Wisconsin                         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
</TABLE>



                                    99 of 107
<PAGE>   64

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                 NO. VOTING SECURITIES
                                                  STATE        (SEE ATTACHED CHART) UNLESS
                   COMPANY                   OF ORGANIZATION       OTHERWISE 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 Variable Account-9                  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 VL Separate                         Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Life Insurance
    Account-C                                                   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

    Nationwide VLI Separate Account-4              Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                Account                         Policies
</TABLE>



                                   100 of 107
<PAGE>   65
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                         (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 |
                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                                |
           -----------------------------------------------------------------------
           |                                  |                                  |
- ---------------------------       ---------------------------       ----------------------------         ---------------------------
|  KEY HEALTH PLAN, INC.  |       |   WAUSAU INSURANCE CO.  |       |      WAUSAU SERVICE      |         |                         |
|                         |       |      (U.K.) LIMITED     |       |     CORPORATION (WSC)    |         |    NATIONWIDE LLOYDS    |
|Common Stock: 1,000      |       |Common Stock: 8,506,800  |       |Common Stock: 1,000 Shares|         |                         |
|------------  Shares     |       |------------  Shares     |       |------------              |         |                         |
|                         |       |                         |       |                          |=========|                         |
|              Cost       |       |              Cost       |       |              Cost        |     ||  |      A TEXAS LLOYDS     |
|              ----       |       |              ----       |       |              ----        |     ||  |                         |
|Employers-               |       |Employers-               |       |Employers-                |     ||  |                         |
| 80%          $1,828,478 |       |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%     $1,461,761 |   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $10,000     |  |      |WSC-100%      $248,222   |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |      
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
|    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |     COMPANIES AGENCY     |  |      |         COMPANIES       |
|    OF ALABAMA, INC.     |   |   |  OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.  |   |   |    INSURANCE SERVICES    |  |      |        AGENCY, INC.     |
|                         |   |   |                         |   |   |       OF CALIFORNIA      |  |      |                         |
|Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000       |  |      |Common Stock: 100        |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |---|------------  Shares      |  |------|------------  Shares     |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |   |                          |         |                         |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |         |              Cost       |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |         |              ----       |
|WSC-100%      $100       |   |   |WSC-100%      $100       |   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000      |         |WSC-100%      $10,000    |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------         ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                                     |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------         ---------------------------
|    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |   COMPANIES AGENCY      |   |   |      PHYSICIANS PLUS     |         |    PENSION ASSOCIATES   |
|     OF IDAHO, INC.      |   |   |     OF PHOENIX, INC.    |   |   |         INSURANCE        |         |      OF WAUSAU, INC.    |
|                         |   |   |                         |   |   |        CORPORATION       |         |Common Stock: 1,000      |
|Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock:    7,150    |         |------------  Shares     |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------     Shares   |         |                         |
|                         |-------|                         |   |---|Preferred Stock: 11,540   |         |                         |
|                         |   |   |                         |   |   |---------------  Shares   |         |Companies        Cost    |
|                         |   |   |                         |   |   |                          |         |Agency, Inc.     ----    |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |                Cost      |         |(Wisconsin)-100% $10,000 |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |                ----      |         |                         |
|WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-33-1/3%     $6,215,459|         |                         |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------         ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                        
                              |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------                                    
                              |   |         WAUSAU          |   |   |      PREVEA HEALTH       |                                    
                              |   |     (BERMUDA) LTD.      |   |   |  INSURANCE PLAN, INC.    |                                    
                              |   | Common Stock:  120,000  |   |   |Common Stock: 3,000 Shares|                                    
                              |   | -------------  Shares   |   |   |------------              |                                    
                              ----|                         |   ----|                          |                                    
                                  |                         |       |                          |                                    
                                  |                Cost     |       |              Cost        |                                    
                                  |                ----     |       |              ----        |                                    
                                  | WSC-100%      $5,000,000|       |WSC-33-1/3%   $500,000    |                                    
                                  ---------------------------       ----------------------------                                    
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   66
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)                                                  (middle)
<S>                                               <C>                                               <C>         
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       |                           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                               |
=======|                           INSURANCE COMPANY                               |================================================
       |                              (CASUALTY)                                   |
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||                              |
              |                        ||                              -------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||    |                                                                      |
- --------------------------------       ||    |    --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
|      ALLNATIONS, INC.        |       ||    |    |      NATIONWIDE GENERAL      |                  |        NECKURA HOLDING       |
|Common Stock:   10,330 Shares |       ||    |    |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |                  |       COMPANY (NECKURA)      |
|------------                  |       ||    |    |                              |                  |                              |
|                 Cost         |       ||    |    |Common Stock:    20,000       |                  |Common Stock:    10,000       |
|                 ----         |       ||    |    |------------     Shares       |                  |------------     Shares       |
|Casualty-18.6%   $88,320      |       ||    |    |                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |
|Fire-18.6%       $88,463      |       ||    |    |                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |
|Preferred Stock: 1,466 Shares |       ||    |----|Casualty-100%    $5,944,422   |         ---------|Casualty-100%    $87,943,140  |
|---------------               |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|                 Cost         |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|                 ----         |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|Casualty-6.8%    $100,000     |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|Fire-6.8%        $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 WINCONSIN     |         |        |       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%    $41,750,000  |         |        |Neckura-100%    DM 15,825,681 |
- --------------------------------       |     |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                       |     |                                             |        
- --------------------------------       |     |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|    COOPERATIVE SERVICE       |       |     |    |         SCOTTSDALE           |         |        |        NECKURA GENERAL       |
|          COMPANY             |       |     |    |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|Common Stock:    600 Shares   |       |     |    |            (SIC)             |         |        |                              |
|------------                  |       |     |    |Common Stock:    30,136       |         |        |Common Stock:    1,500        |
|                 Cost         |--------     |----|------------     Shares       | ----    |--------|------------     Shares       |
|                 ----         |             |    |                 Cost         |    |    |        |                 Cost         |
|Farmland         $3,506,173   |             |    |                 ----         |    |    |        |                 ----         |
|Mutual-100%                   |             |    |Casualty-100%    $150,000,000 |    |    |        |Neckura-100%     DM 1,656,925 |
|                              |             |    |                              |    |    |        |                              |
|                              |             |    |                              |    |    |        |                              |
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------    |    |        --------------------------------
                                             |                                        |    |        
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------    |    |        --------------------------------
| NATIONWIDE AGRIBUSINESS      |             |    |          SCOTTSDALE          |    |    |        |       COLUMBUS INSURANCE     |
|    INSURANCE COMPANY         |             |    |        SURPLUS LINES         |    |    |        |      BROKERAGE AND SERVICE   |
|Common Stock:    1,000,000    |             |    |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |    |    |        |              GmbH            |
|------------     Shares       |------------ |    | Common Stock:    100,000     |    |    |        |Common Stock:    1 Share      |
|                              |             |    | ------------     Shares      | ---|    |--------|------------                  |
|                    Cost      |             |    |                              |    |    |        |                 Cost         |
|Casualty-99.9%      ----      |             |    |                   Cost       |    |    |        |                 ----         |
|Other Capital:   $26,714,335  |             |    |                   ----       |    |    |        |Neckura-100%     DM 51,639    |
|-------------                 |             |    | SIC-100%          $6,000,000 |    |    |        |                              |
|Casualty-Ptd.    $   713,576  |             |    |                              |    |    |        |                              |
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------    |    |        --------------------------------
                                             |                                        |    |        
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------    |    |        --------------------------------
|    NATIONAL CASUALTY         |             |    |      NATIONAL PREMIUM &      |    |    |        |          LEBEN DIREKT        |
|          COMPANY             |             |    |    BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION    |    |    |        |        INSURANCE COMPANY     |
|           (NC)               |             |    |           COMPANY            |    |    |        |                              |
|Common Stock:    100 Shares   |             |    |Common Stock:    10,000       |    |    |        |Common Stock:    4,000 Shares |
|------------                  |-------------     |------------     Shares       |-----    ---------|------------                  |
|                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |         |        |                 Cost         |
|                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |         |        |                 ----         |
|Casualty-100%    $67,442,439  |                  |Scottsdale-100%  $10,000      |         |        |Neckura-100%     DM 4,000,000 |
|                              |                  |                              |         |        |                              |
|                              |                  |                              |         |        |                              |
- --------------------------------                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
              |                                                                            |
- --------------------------------                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|    NCC OF AMERICA, LTD.      |                  |         SVM SALES            |         |        |          AUTO DIREKT         |
|        (INACTIVE)            |                  |            GmbH              |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|                              |                  |                              |         |        |                              |
|                              |                  |Common Stock:    50 Shares    |         |        |Common Stock:    1,500 Shares |
|                              |                  |------------                  |----------------- |------------                  |
|                              |                  |                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |
|NC-100%                       |                  |                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |
|                              |                  |Neckura-100%     DM 50,000    |                  |Neckura-100%     DM 1,643,149 |
|                              |                  |                              |                  |                              |
|                              |                  |                              |                  |                              |
- --------------------------------                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
                                
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   67
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                        (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          |                                                  
  |     |                              |     |    |          (Inactive)          |
  |     |Surplus Debentures            |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |     |------------------            |     |----|                              |                                                  
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |     |Colonial         $500,000     |     |    |Casualty-100%                 |                                                  
  |     |Lone Star         150,000     |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |                                          |                                                      
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |     |       TIG COUNTRYWIDE        |     |    |         THE BEAK AND         |                                                  
  |     |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |     |    |       WIRE CORPORATION       |                                                  
  |     |Common Stock     12,500       |     |    |                              |                                                  
   -----|------------     Shares       |     |    |Common Stock:    750 Shares   |                                                  
  |     |                              |     -----|------------                  |                                                  
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
  |     |Casualty-100%    $215,273,000 |     |    |Casualty-100%    $1,419,000   |                                                  
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |     --------------------------------     |    |                              |                                                  
  |                                          |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |                                          |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------
  |     |     NATIONWIDE INSURANCE     |     |    |  NATIONWIDE/DISPATCH LLC     |
  |     |   ENTERPRISE SERVICES, LTD.  |     |    |                              |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |
  |     |Single Member Limited         |     |    |                              |
  - - - |Liability Company             |     - - -|                              |
        |                              |          |                              |
        |                              |          |                              |
        |Casualty-100%                 |          |Casualty-90%                  |
        |                              |          |                              |
        --------------------------------          |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------

Subsidiary Companies      -- Solid Line
Contractual Association   -- Double Lines
Limited Liability Company -- Dotted Line

December 31, 1997
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   68
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                        (Left Side)

                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |              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, INC.  |      |    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY    |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |      (NW ADV. SERV.)      |      |      OF ALABAMA, INC.     |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 66,000      |  |  | 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  |  ||  | NFIDAI -100% $100         |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   -------------------------- 
                               |                                 ||                                 ||                              
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
|         NWE, INC.         |  |  |        NATIONWIDE         |  ||  |    LANDMARK FINANCIAL     |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |  INVESTORS SERVICES, INC. |  ||  |        SERVICES OF        |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |       NEW YORK, INC.      |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 100         |  |  | Common Stock: 5 Shares    |  ||  | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  | ------------              |==||  | ------------  Shares      |--||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |     OF OKLAHOMA, INC.    |
|               Cost        |  |  |                     Cost  |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |                     ----  |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life -100% $35,971,375 |  |  | NW Adv. Serv. -100% $5,000|  ||  | NFIDAI -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     |  ||  | NFIDAI -100% $153,000     |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                 ||                    
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
|     NATIONWIDE REALTY     |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||  |   AFFILIATE AGENCY, INC.  |  ||  |                          |
|      PROPERTIES, LTD.     |  |  |         INVESTING         |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |         FOUNDATION        |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
| Units:                    |  |  |                           |  ||  | Common Stock: 100         |  ||  |          AFFILIATE       |
| ------                    - -|  |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |--||==|          AGENCY OF       |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |      |          OHIO, INC.      |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |               Cost        |      |                          |
| NW Life -90%              |  |  |                           |  ||  |               ----        |      |                          |
| NW Mutual-10%             |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||  | NFIDAI -100% $100         |      |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------        --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                                                
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||                               
|        NATIONWIDE         |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||                               
|       PROPERTIES, LTD.    |  |  |          INVESTING        |  ||                               
|                           |  |  |        FOUNDATION II      |  ||                               
| Units:                    - -|  |                           |  ||                               
| ------                    |     |                           |==||                               
|                           |     |                           |  ||                               
|                           |     |                           |  ||                               
| NW Life -97.6%            |     |                           |  ||                               
| NW Mutual -2.4%           |     |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||                               
 ---------------------------       ---------------------------   ||                               
                                                                 ||                               
                                   ---------------------------   ||                               
                                  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||                               
                                  |      SEPARATE ACCOUNT     |  ||                               
                                  |            TRUST          |  ||                               
                                  |                           |  ||                               
                                  |                           |__||                               
                                  |                           |                                   
                                  |                           |                                   
                                  |                           |                                   
                                  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |                                   
                                   ---------------------------                                    
</TABLE>                           
<PAGE>   69
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                           (Center)
                                               NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE (R)
<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   |                     |
                                                   |    SERVICES, INC. (NFS)   |                     | 
                                                   |                           |                     |
                                                   | Common Stock: Control     |                     |
                                                   | ------------  -------     |                     |
                                                   |                           |                     |
                                                   |                           |                     |
                                                   | Class A     Public--100%  |                     |
                                                   | Class B     NW Corp--100% |                     |
                                                    ---------------------------                      |
                                                                  |                                  |     
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------                 | 
              |                               |                                    |                 |
 ---------------------------    ---------------------------         ---------------------------      |   ------------------------- 
|    IRVIN L. SCHWARTZ      |  | PUBLIC EMPLOYEES BENEFIT  |       |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |     |  |    NATIONWIDE GLOBAL    |
|       & ASSOCIATES        |  |   SERVICES CORPORATION    |       |   INVESTOR SERVICES, INC. |     |  |      HOLDINGS, INC.     |
|                           |  |         (PEBSCO)          |       |             (NEA)         |     |  |                         | 
| Common Stock: Control     |  | Common Stock: 236,494     |==||   | Common Stock: 500         |= || |  | Common Stock: 1 Share   | 
| ------------  -------     |  | ------------  Shares      |  ||   | ------------  Shares      |  || |--| ------------            | 
|                           |  |                           |  ||   |                           |  || |  |                         | 
|                           |  |                           |  ||   |                           |  || |  |             Cost        | 
| Class A     Other -100%   |  |                           |  ||   |                           |  || |  |             ----        | 
| Class B     NFS -100%     |  | NFS -100%                 |  ||   | NFS -100%                 |  || |  | NW Corp-100%  $7,000,00 | 
- ----------------------------   ----------------------------   ||   ----------------------------   || |  --------------------------  
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   || |                              
                               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||   |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  || |  --------------------------  
                               |          ALABAMA          |  ||   |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  || |  |   MRM INVESTMENT, INC.  | 
                               |                           |  ||   |     OF ALABAMA, INC.      |  || |  |                         | 
                               | Common Stock: 100,000     |  ||   | Common Stock: 500         |  || |  |                         | 
                               | ------------  Shares      |--||   | ------------  Shares      |--|| __ | Common Stock: 1 Share   | 
                               |                           |  ||   |                           |  ||    | -----------             | 
                               |               Cost        |  ||   |               Cost        |  ||    |                         | 
                               |               ----        |  ||   |               ----        |  ||    |             Cost        | 
                               | PEBSCO -100%  $1,000      |  ||   | NEA -100%      $5,000     |  ||    |             ----        | 
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   ||    | NW Corp.-100% $7,000,000| 
                                                              ||                                  ||    --------------------------  
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   ||                                
                               |         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      |  ||    |    NEA VALUEBUILDER     | 
                               |          MONTANA          |  ||   |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||    |    INVESTOR SERVICES    | 
                               |                           |  ||   |      OF NEVADA, INC.      |  ||    |      OF OHIO, INC.      | 
                               | Common Stock: 500         |  ||   | Common Stock: 500         |  ||    |                         | 
                               | ------------  Shares      |--||   | ------------  Shares      |--||====|                         | 
                               |                           |  ||   |                           |  ||    |                         | 
                               |               Cost        |  ||   |               Cost        |  ||    |                         |
                               |               ----        |  ||   |               ----        |  ||    |                         | 
                               | PEBSCO -100%  $500        |  ||   | NEA -100%     $500        |  ||    |                         | 
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   ||    --------------------------  
                                                              ||                                  ||                                
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   ||     -------------------------  
                               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||   |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||    |    NEA VALUEBUILDER     | 
                               |        NEW MEXICO         |  ||   |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||    |    INVESTOR SERVICES    | 
                               |                           |  ||   |      OF WYOMING, INC.     |  ||    |    OF OKLAHOMA, INC.    | 
                               | Common Stock: 1,000       |  ||   | Common Stock: 500         |  ||    |                         | 
                               | ------------  Shares      |--||   | ------------  Shares      |--||====|                         | 
                               |                           |  ||   |                           |  ||    |                         | 
                               |               Cost        |  ||   |               Cost        |  ||    |                         | 
                               |               ----        |  ||   |               ----        |  ||    |                         | 
                               | PEBSCO -100%  $1,000      |  ||   | NEA -100%     $500        |  ||    |                         | 
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   ||    --------------------------  
                                                              ||                                  ||                                
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   ||    --------------------------  
                               |                           |  ||   |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||    |    NEA VALUEBUILDER     | 
                               |                           |  ||   |    SERVICES INSURANCE     |  ||    |   INVESTOR SERVICES     | 
                               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||   |       AGENCY, INC.        |  ||    |     OF TEXAS, INC.      | 
                               |        TEXAS, INC.        |  ||   | Common Stock: 100         |  ||    |                         | 
                               |                           |==||   | ------------  Shares      |--||=== |                         |
                               |                           |       |                           |        |                         | 
                               |                           |       |               Cost        |        |                         | 
                               |                           |       |               ----        |        |                         | 
                               |                           |       | NEA -100%     $1,000      |        |                         | 
                                ---------------------------         ---------------------------         --------------------------  
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   70
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                            (Right)

<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |               NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                |
========================================|            FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY              |
                                        |                   (FIRE)                       |
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                                                 |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------|   












- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              |                                |                              |
                ---------------------------         ------------------------------       ------------------------------
               |      GATES, MCDONALD        |     |   EMPLOYERS LIFE INSURANCE   |     |          NATIONWIDE          |
               |     & COMPANY (GATES)       |     |       OF WAUSAU (ELIOW)      |     |    HEALTH PLANS, INC. (NHP)  |
               |                             |     |                              |     |                              |
               | 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:   200          |  |  | Common Stock:   100          |        
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  |--| ------------    Shares       |  |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |     |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |     |                 Cost         |  |  | NHP             Cost         | 
           |   |                 ----        |     |                 ----         |  |  |                 ----         |
           |   | GATES -100%     $106,947    |     | ELIOW -100%     $57,413,193  |  |  | Inc. -100%      $25,149      |
           |    -----------------------------       ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |                                                                         |
           |    -----------------------------                                        |   ------------------------------
           |   |  GATES, MCDONALD & COMPANY  |                                       |  |            NATIONWIDE        |
           |   |         OF NEVADA           |                                       |  |          AGENCY, INC.        |
           |   |                             |                                       |  |                              |
           |   | Common Stock:   40          |                                       |  | Common Stock:   100          |        
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |                                       |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |                                          |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |                                          |                 Cost         | 
           |   |                 ----        |                                          | NHP             ----         |
           |   | Gates -100%     $93,750     |                                          | Inc. -99%       $116,077     |
           |    -----------------------------                                            ------------------------------
           |
           |    -----------------------------     
           |   |       GATESMCDONALD         |  
           |   |     HEALTH PLUS, INC.       |  
           |   |                             |  
           |   | Common Stock:   200         |       
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  
               |                             |  
               |                 Cost        |  
               |                 ----        |  
               | Gates -100%     $2,000,000  |  
                -----------------------------   









                                                                                Subsidiary Companies    --   Solid Line

                                                                                Contractual Association  --  Double Line
                                                                                
                                                                                Limited Liability Company -- Dotted Line




     
                                                                                                         December 31, 1997

                                                                                                                    Page 2
</TABLE>
                                                
                                                                              
<PAGE>   71






Item 27.      NUMBER OF CONTRACT OWNERS

              The number of contract Owners of Qualified and Non-Qualified
              Contracts as of January 31, 1998 was 3,509 and 2,330,
              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.

<TABLE>
              <S>                                    <C>
              (b)
              NAME AND PRINCIPAL
              BUSINESS ADDRESS                       POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH UNDERWRITER
              Edward C. Johnson 3d                   Director
              Kevin J. Kelly                         Director
              Robert L. Reynolds                     Director
              Kevin J. Kelly                         President and Chief Executive Officer
              Kenneth A. Rathgeber                   Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations
              Cornelia Boyle                         Vice President
              John T. Hailer                         Vice President
              Michael W. Kellogg                     Vice President
              Douglas R. Manchester                  Vice President
              Raymond J. Marcinowski                 Vice President
              Jude C. Metcalf                        Vice President
              Timothy P. Moran                       Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
              William F. O'Grady                     Vice President
              Eric Roiter                            Vice President
              Gary E. Stevens                        Assistant Vice President
              Stephen E. Tibbetts                    Treasurer
              Jay Freedman                           Clerk
              Elizabeth L. Baker                     Compliance Officer
</TABLE>

              (c)   Not applicable




                                   103 of 107
<PAGE>   72



              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.



                                   104 of 107
<PAGE>   73




                                   Offered by
                        Nationwide Life Insurance Company







                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY







                  Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account

                       Deferred Variable Annuity Contract






                                   PROSPECTUS






                                   May 1, 1998






                                   105 of 107
<PAGE>   74



             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, 30, 1998 included the related financial statement
schedules as of December 31, 1997, and for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1997, 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 20, 1998







                                   106 of 107
<PAGE>   75


                                   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 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 6th day
of January, 1999.
    

                                    NATIONWIDE FIDELITY ADVISOR VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                                   (Registrant)

                                    NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                                 (Depositor)

                                    By/s/JOSEPH P. RATH
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                    Joseph P. Rath
                                    Vice President-Product and Market Compliance

   
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 6th day
of January, 1999.
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

              SIGNATURE                                        TITLE

<S>                                            <C>
LEWIS J. ALPHIN                                               Director
- -------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin

A. I. BELL                                                    Director
- -------------------------
A. I. Bell

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 and Chief
- -------------------------                             Operating Office and Director
Joseph J. Gasper         

DIMON R. McFERSON                                   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
- -------------------------                      Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and Director
Dimon R. McFerson        

DAVID O. MILLER                                  Chairman of the Board and Director
- -------------------------
David O. Miller

YVONNE L. MONTGOMERY                                          Director
- -------------------------
Yvonne L. Montgomery

ROBERT A. OAKLEY                                      Executive Vice President-
- -------------------------                              Chief Financial Officer
Robert A. Oakley         

JAMES F. PATTERSON                                            Director                      By/s/JOSEPH P. RATH
- -------------------------                                                                     ------------------
James F. Patterson                                                                            Joseph P. Rath
                                                                                             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
</TABLE>



                                   107 of 107

<PAGE>   1
                                                                       EXHIBIT 5

FIDELITY
ADVISOR
ANNUITY
CLASSIC

[LOGO]

                                    GENERAL
                      FIDELITY ADVISOR ANNUITY CLASSIC(SM)
                                  APPLICATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLAN TYPE         AN OPTION MUST BE SELECTED

This contract is established as a:
<S>                           <C>                                               <C>
[ ] NON-QUALIFIED             [ ] 401(k) Plan information required              [ ] 403(b) Disclosure form required
[ ] IRA                       [ ] SIMPLE 401(k) Plan information required       [ ] 403(b) ERISA Disclosure form &
[ ] SEP IRA 5305 Form         [ ] 401(a) Plan information required                               Plan info form required
    Required                  [ ] CRT (Charitable Remainder Trust)              [ ] ORP 403(b) Disclosure form required
[ ] ROTH IRA Statement                Transmittal Form Required                 [ ] OTHER See prospectus
    of Understanding 
    Custodial Form Required
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT OWNER                                                  [ ] CONTINGENT OWNER   [ ] JOINT OWNER
Last Name or Plan Name                                          Last Name               Spouse only unless prohibited
                                                                                        by law  
- -------------------------------------------------               ------------------------------------------------------       
First Name or Plan Name (continued)           MI                First Name                                         MI

- -------------------------------------------- ----               ------------------------------------------------- ----       
Address                                                         Address

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

       -----------------------------------------                       -----------------------------------------------        
Sex [ ] M   [ ] F    Birthdate                                  Sex [ ] M   [ ] F    Birthdate
                              ----/----/--------                                               ----/----/-------------
                               MM   DD    YYYY                                                  MM   DD     YYYY

Soc. Sec. No. or Tax ID                                         Soc. Sec. No. or Tax ID
                       -------------------------                                       -------------------------------

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    
ANNUITANT  Complete only if different from                      [ ] CONTINGENT ANNUITANT Complete only if applicable
           primary contract owner
Last Name                                                       Last Name

- -------------------------------------------------               ------------------------------------------------------       
First Name                                    MI                First Name                                         MI

- -------------------------------------------- ----               ------------------------------------------------- ----       
Address                                                                     

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

       -----------------------------------------                                                                              
                    Maximum issue age through 78
Sex [ ] M   [ ] F    Birthdate                                  Sex [ ] M   [ ] F    Birthdate
                              ----/----/--------                                               ----/----/-------------
                               MM   DD    YYYY                                                  MM   DD     YYYY

Soc. Sec. No.                                                   Soc. Sec. No.          
             -----------------------------------                             -----------------------------------------
Occupation                  Employer
          -----------------         ------------

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

BENEFICIARY  BENEFICIARY WILL RECEIVE DEATH BENEFIT UPON DEATH OF ANNUITANT (AND CONTINGENT ANNUITANT, IF NAMED).
             WHOLE PERCENTAGES ONLY, MUST TOTAL 100%.

                                                                             Relationship                    Birthdate
Primary    Contingent    Print Full Name (Last, First, MI)      Allocation   to Annuitant    Soc. Sec. No.   MM/DD/YYYY
 [ ]                     ---------------------------------      ---------%   ------------    ------------    --/--/----
 [ ]          [ ]        ---------------------------------      ---------%   ------------    ------------    --/--/----
 [ ]          [ ]        ---------------------------------      ---------%   ------------    ------------    --/--/----
 [ ]          [ ]        ---------------------------------      ---------%   ------------    ------------    --/--/----
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    
ANNUITY PURCHASE PAYMENTS     [ ] PAYMENT ENCLOSED    [ ] SALARY REDUCTION       [ ] ROLLOVER
[ ]TRANSFER/1035 (requires transfer form)             [ ] OTHER                  APPLY FOR TAX YEAR________ 
First Purchase Payment $ __________ submitted. A copy of this application properly signed by the producer will constitute
receipt for such amount. If this application is declined by the Company, there will be no liability on the part of the
Company, and any payments submitted with this application will be refunded.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REMARKS

</TABLE>

APO-2793-B     PRODUCT OF NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE CO. I.VAC-APPOTH-(12/1998)
<PAGE>   2

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PURCHASE PAYMENT ALLOCATION  A CONTRACT CANNOT BE ISSUED UNLESS THIS SECTION IS
                             COMPLETE

                            WHOLE PERCENTAGES ONLY,
                                MUST TOTAL 100%

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND                   FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III
<S>                                                         <C>
_____ % VIP Equity-Income Portfolio: Initial Class          _____ % VIP III Balanced Portfolio: Initial Class

_____ % VIP Growth Portfolio: Initial Class                 _____ % VIP III Growth & Income Portfolio: Initial Class

_____ % VIP Money Market Portfolio: Initial Class           _____ % VIP III Growth Opportunities Portfolio: Initial Class

_____ % VIP Overseas Portfolio: Initial Class               _____ % VIP III Mid Cap Portfolio: Initial Class


FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND I                 NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

_____ % VIP II Asset Manager Portfolio: Initial Class       _____ % Fixed Account

_____ % VIP II Asset Manager Growth Portfolio:
        Initial Class                                       MVA/GUAR. TERM OPTION (GTO)

_____ % VIP II Contrafund  Portfolio: Initial Class         _____ % 3 YEAR

_____ % VIP II Index 500 Portfolio: Initial Class           _____ % 5 YEAR           $1,000 minimum
                                                                                     for each MVA/GTO
_____ % VIP II Investment Grade Bond Portfolio:             _____ % 7 YEAR           option.
        Initial Class
                                                            _____ % 10 YEAR
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT OWNER SIGNATURES

I hereby represent my answers to the above questions to be accurate and complete and acknowledge that I have received a copy
of the current prospectus for this variable annuity contract.

[ ] Yes  [ ] No  Do you have any reason to believe the Contract applied for is to replace existing annuities or insurance?

[ ] Please send me a copy of the Statement of Additional Information to the Prospectus.

STATE IN WHICH APPLICATION WAS SIGNED                              DATE                          
                                      ----------------------------      -------------------------
                                               State

CONTRACT OWNER ____________________________________ JOINT OWNER __________________________________
                          Signature                                       Signature

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCER INFORMATION

[ ] Yes  [ ] No  Do you have any reason to believe the Contract applied for is to replace existing annuities or insurance?

PRODUCER SIGNATURE
                  --------------------------------------

                             Signature

NAME                                                        PRODUCER SSN
    ---------------------------------------------                        ----------------------------------------------

BROKER/DEALER                                               PHONE  (    )
             ------------------------------------                ------------------------------------------------------

ADDRESS
       ------------------------------------------

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

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

      REGULAR MAIL                                                          EXPRESS MAIL

Nationwide Life Insurance Co.                FIDELITY ADVISORS              Nationwide Life Insurance Co.
P.O. Box 182610                               Service Center                Fidelity Advisor Service Team, 1-05-P1
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2610                    1-800-573-5775                 One Nationwide Plaza
                                                                            Columbus, Ohio 43215-2220
</TABLE>








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