NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT 6
485BPOS, 1999-09-16
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<PAGE>   1
             As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                       '33 Act File No. 33-82370
                                                       '40 Act File No. 811-8684

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

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D. C. 20549

                                    FORM N-4

                  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
                                  ACT OF 1933

                       POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 8       [x]


                                      and
                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                         INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

                              AMENDMENT NO. 8               [x]


                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-6
                           (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.

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

[ ]  immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485


[X]  on (September 20, 1999) pursuant to paragraph of (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.

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


                                    1 of 110                            REDLINED


<PAGE>   2


                          NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-6
                     REFERENCE TO ITEMS REQUIRED BY FORM N-4

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
N-4 ITEM                                                                                                          PAGE
<S>                                                                                                               <C>
Part A     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS
     Item  1.     Cover Page........................................................................................3
     Item  2.     Definitions.......................................................................................4
     Item  3.     Synopsis or Highlights...........................................................................11
     Item  4.     Condensed Financial Information..................................................................12
     Item  5.     General Description of Registrant, Depositor, and Portfolio Companies............................15
     Item  6.     Deductions and Expenses..........................................................................17
     Item  7.     General Description of Variable Annuity Contracts................................................20
     Item  8.     Annuity Period...................................................................................27
     Item  9.     Death Benefit....................................................................................29
     Item 10.     Purchases and Contract Value.....................................................................21
     Item 11.     Redemptions......................................................................................23
     Item 12.     Taxes............................................................................................33
     Item 13.     Legal Proceedings................................................................................40
     Item 14.     Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information.....................................45

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.......................................................................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.......................................................................104
     Item 28.     Indemnification.................................................................................104
     Item 29.     Principal Underwriter...........................................................................104
     Item 30.     Location of Accounts and Records................................................................106
     Item 31.     Management Services.............................................................................106
     Item 32.     Undertakings....................................................................................106
</TABLE>


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<PAGE>   3



                     SUPPLEMENT DATED SEPTEMBER 20, 1999 TO

                        PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 1999 FOR

                       DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS

                                    ISSUED BY

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                   THROUGH ITS NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT - 6

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

"APPENDIX A: OBJECTIVES FOR UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS" LOCATED ON PAGES 44 THROUGH
46 OF YOUR PROSPECTUS IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

     NATIONWIDE SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST
     Nationwide Separate Account Trust ("NSAT") is a diversified open-end
     management investment company created under the laws of Massachusetts. NSAT
     offers shares in the mutual funds listed below, each with its own
     investment objectives. Shares of NSAT will be sold primarily to separate
     accounts to fund the benefits under variable life insurance policies and
     variable annuity contracts issued by life insurance companies. Effective
     September 1, 1999, the investment advisory services previously performed by
     Nationwide Advisory Services ("NAS") were transferred to Villanova Mutual
     Fund Capital Trust ("VMF"), an affiliate of NAS and an indirect subsidiary
     of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. The portfolio managers for each of
     the Funds continue to manage the Funds after the transfer to VMF.





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<PAGE>   4
                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                       Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts

                   Issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company
                   through its Nationwide Variable Account-6

                   The date of this prospectus is May 1, 1999.

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

This prospectus contains basic information you should know about the contracts
before investing.

Please read it and keep it for future reference.

THE FOLLOWING UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACTS:

EVERGREEN VARIABLE TRUST
     o    Evergreen VA Aggressive Growth Fund
     o    Evergreen VA Foundation Fund
     o    Evergreen VA Fund
     o    Evergreen VA Global Leaders Fund
     o    Evergreen VA Growth and Income Fund*
     o    Evergreen VA Small Cap Equity Income Fund
     o    Evergreen VA Strategic Income Fund

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND
     o    VIP High Income Portfolio*
     o    VIP Overseas Portfolio

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II
     o    VIP II Asset Manager Portfolio
     o    VIP II Contrafund Portfolio

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III
     o    VIP III Growth Opportunities Portfolio

NATIONWIDE SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST
     o    Government Bond Fund
     o    Money Market Fund

* These underlying mutual funds may invest in lower quality debt securities
  commonly referred to as junk bonds.

Purchase payments not invested in the underlying mutual fund options of the
Nationwide Variable Account-6 may be allocated to the fixed account.

The Statement of Additional Information (dated May 1, 1999) which contains
additional information about the contracts and the variable account, has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and is incorporated
herein by reference. The table of contents for the Statement of Additional
Information is on page 43.

For general information or to obtain FREE copies of the:

     o    Statement of Additional Information
     o    prospectus for any underlying mutual fund
     o    required Nationwide forms,

call:                            1-800-243-6295
                           TDD   1-800-238-3035

or write:

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                        ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA, 1-05-P1
                        COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215

The Statement of Additional Information and other material incorporated by
reference can be found on the SEC website at:
                                   www.sec.gov

THIS ANNUITY IS NOT:
o    A BANK DEPOSIT           o    FEDERALLY INSURED
o    ENDORSED BY A BANK       o    AVAILABLE IN EVERY STATE
     OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY

Investors assume certain risks when investing in the contracts, including the
possibility of losing money.

These contracts are offered to customers of various financial institutions and
brokerage firms. No financial institution or brokerage firm is responsible for
the guarantees under the contracts. Guarantees under the contracts are the sole
responsibility of Nationwide.

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.


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<PAGE>   5


GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS

ACCUMULATION UNIT- An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the contract
value allocated to the variable account before the annuitization date.

ANNUITIZATION DATE- The date on which annuity payments begin.

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE- The date on which annuity payments are scheduled to
begin. This date may be changed by the contract owner with Nationwide's consent.

ANNUITY UNIT- An accounting unit used to calculate the variable payment annuity
payments.

CONTRACT VALUE- The total of all accumulation units in a contract and any amount
held in the fixed account.

CONTRACT YEAR- Each year the contract is in force beginning with the date the
contract is issued.

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

FIXED ACCOUNT- An investment option that is funded by the general account of
Nationwide.

GENERAL ACCOUNT- All assets of Nationwide other than those of the variable
account or in other separate accounts that have been or may be established by
Nationwide.

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT- An account that qualifies for favorable tax
treatment under Section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, but does not
include Roth IRAs.

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITY- An annuity contract that qualifies for favorable
tax treatment under Section 408(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, but does not
include Roth IRAs or Simple IRAs.

NATIONWIDE- Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACT- A contract which does not qualify for favorable tax
treatment as a Qualified Plan, Individual Retirement Annuity, Roth IRA, SEP IRA,
Simple IRA, or Tax Sheltered Annuity.

QUALIFIED PLANS- Retirement plans which receive favorable tax treatment under
Section 401 or 403(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

ROTH IRA- An annuity contract which qualifies for favorable tax treatment under
Section 408A of the Internal Revenue Code.

SEP IRA- An annuity contract which qualifies for favorable tax treatment under
Section 408(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.

SUB-ACCOUNTS- Divisions of the variable account to which underlying mutual fund
shares are allocated and for which accumulation units and annuity units are
separately maintained.

TAX SHELTERED ANNUITY- An annuity that qualifies for favorable tax treatment
under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.

VALUATION PERIOD- Each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business.

VARIABLE ACCOUNT- Nationwide Variable Account-6, a separate account of
Nationwide that contains variable account allocations. The variable account is
divided into sub-accounts, each of which invests in shares of a separate
underlying mutual fund.





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<PAGE>   6


TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS......................................................2

SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES...................................................5

UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES.........................................6

EXAMPLE........................................................................8

SYNOPSIS OF THE CONTRACTS......................................................9

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS...........................................................9

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION...............................................10

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY.............................................13

NATIONWIDE ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.............................................13

INVESTING IN THE CONTRACT.....................................................13
     The Variable Account and Underlying Mutual Funds
         The Fixed Account

STANDARD CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS...............................................15
     Mortality and Expense Risk Charges
     Administration Charge
     Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
     Premium Taxes

CONTRACT OWNERSHIP............................................................17
     Joint Ownership
     Contingent Ownership
     Annuitant
     Beneficiary and Contingent Beneficiary

OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT.....................................................18
     Minimum Initial and Subsequent Purchase Payments
     Pricing
     Allocation of Purchase Payments
     Determining the Contract Value
     Transfers

RIGHT TO REVOKE...............................................................21

SURRENDER (REDEMPTION)........................................................21
     Surrenders Under a Tax Sheltered Annuity

LOAN PRIVILEGE................................................................22
     Minimum & Maximum Loan Amounts
     Loan Processing Fee
     How Loan Requests are Processed
     Interest
     Loan Repayment
     Distributions & Annuity Payments
     Transferring the Contract
     Grace Period & Loan Default

ASSIGNMENT....................................................................23

CONTRACT OWNER SERVICES.......................................................24
     Asset Rebalancing
     Dollar Cost Averaging
     Systematic Withdrawals

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE.....................................................25

ANNUITIZING THE CONTRACT......................................................25
     Annuitization Date
     Annuitization
     Fixed Payment Annuity
     Variable Payment Annuity
     Assumed Investment Rate
     Value of an Annuity Unit
     Exchanges among Underlying Mutual Funds
     Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments
     Annuity Payment Options

DEATH BENEFITS................................................................27
     Death of Contract Owner - Non-Qualified Contracts
     Death of Annuitant - Non-Qualified Contracts
     Death of Contract Owner/Annuitant
     How the Death Benefit Value is Determined
     Death Benefit Payment

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS........................................................28
     Required Distributions for Non-Qualified Contracts
     Required Distributions for Tax Sheltered Annuities
     Required Distributions for Individual Retirement Annuities
     Required Distributions for Roth IRAs

FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS....................................................31
     Federal Income Taxes
     Individual Retirement Annuities and Tax Sheltered Annuities
     Roth IRAs
     Withholding
     Non-Resident Aliens
     Federal Estate, Gift, and Generation Skipping Transfer Taxes


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<PAGE>   7


     Puerto Rico
     Charge for Tax
     Diversification
     Tax Changes

STATEMENTS AND REPORTS........................................................37

YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE ISSUES...................................................37

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.............................................................38

ADVERTISING AND SUB-ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE SUMMARY...............................39

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION......................43

APPENDIX A: OBJECTIVES FOR UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS............................44






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<PAGE>   8


SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES

The expenses listed below are charged to all contract owners unless the contract
owner meets an available exception.

CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES

Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge ("CDSC") (as a percentage of
 purchase payments surrendered)....................7%(1)

Range of CDSC over time:


      NUMBER OF COMPLETED                 CDSC
      YEARS FROM DATE OF               PERCENTAGE
       PURCHASE PAYMENT

               0                           7%

               1                           6%

               2                           5%

               3                           4%

               4                           3%

               5                           2%

               6                           1%

               7                           0%


(1)  Each contract year, the contract owner may withdraw without a CDSC the
     greater of:

     a)   10% of all purchase payments made to the contract; or

     b)   any amount withdrawn to meet minimum distribution requirements under
          the Internal Revenue Code

         This 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 "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").

Withdrawals may be restricted for contracts issued to fund a Tax Sheltered
Annuity plan.

VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES(2)
(as a percentage of average account value)

Administration Charge.........................0.15%
Mortality and Expense Risk Charges............1.25%
     Total Variable Account Charges...........1.40%

(2)  These charges do not apply to allocations made to the fixed account. They
     are charged on a daily basis at the annual rate noted above.





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                     UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES
         (as a percentage of underlying mutual fund average net assets,
                          after expense reimbursement)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            MANAGEMENT       OTHER      12b-1     TOTAL MUTUAL
                                                               FEES         EXPENSES    FEES     FUND EXPENSES

<S>                                                         <C>             <C>         <C>      <C>
Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA Aggressive             0.05%          0.95      0.00%        1.00%
Growth Fund(1)

Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA Foundation Fund        0.83%         0.17%      0.00%        1.00%

Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA Fund                   0.81%         0.19%      0.00%        1.00%

Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA Global Leaders         0.39%         0.61%      0.00%        1.00%
Fund(1)

Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA Growth and             0.79%         0.21%      0.00%        1.00%
Income Fund(1)

Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA Small Cap Equity       0.00%         1.00%      0.00%        1.00%
Income Fund

Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA Strategic Income       0.43%         0.57%      0.00%        1.00%
Fund(1)

Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio                             0.58%         0.12%      0.00%        0.70%

Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio                                0.74%         0.15%      0.00%        0.89%

Fidelity VIP II Asset Manager Portfolio                        0.54%         0.09%      0.00%        0.63%

Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Portfolio                           0.59%         0.07%      0.00%        0.66%

Fidelity VIP III Growth Opportunities Portfolio                0.59%         0.11%      0.00%        0.70%

NSAT - Government Bond Fund                                    0.50%         0.07%      0.00%        0.57%

NSAT - Money Market Fund                                       0.40%         0.06%      0.00%        0.46%
</TABLE>


(1)  Reflects an agreement to voluntarily limit aggregate operating expenses
     (including investment advisory fees, but excluding interest, brokerage
     commissions and extraordinary expenses) to 1.00% of average daily net
     assets. Absent such an agreement, the actual management fees, other
     expenses and total mutual fund expenses for the period from January 1, 1998
     to December 31, 1998 are shown below.


The expenses shown above are deducted by the underlying mutual fund before it
provides Nationwide with the daily net asset value. Nationwide then deducts
applicable variable account charges from the net asset value to calculate the
unit value of the corresponding sub-account. The management fees and other
expenses are more fully described in the prospectus for each underlying mutual
fund. Information relating to the underlying mutual funds was provided by the
underlying mutual funds and not independently verified by Nationwide.





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<PAGE>   10


Some underlying mutual funds are subject to fee waivers and expense
reimbursements. The following chart shows what the expenses would have been for
such funds without fee waivers and expense reimbursements.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Management        Other         12b-1      Total Mutual
                                                                    Fees         Expenses         Fees      Fund Expenses

       <S>                                                       <C>             <C>             <C>        <C>
       Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA Aggressive          0.60%          0.95%          0.00%          1.55%
       Growth Fund

       Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA Foundation Fund     0.83%          0.18%          0.00%          1.01%

       Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA Fund                0.95%          0.19%          0.00%          1.14%

       Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA Global Leaders      0.95%          0.61%          0.00%          1.56%
       Fund

       Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA Growth and          0.95%          0.21%          0.00%          1.16%
       Income Fund

       Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA Strategic           0.45%          0.57%          0.00%          1.02%
       Income Fund

       Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio                             0.74%          0.17%          0.00%          0.91%

       Fidelity VIP II Asset Manager Portfolio                     0.54%          0.10%          0.00%          0.64%

       Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Portfolio                        0.59%          0.11%          0.00%          0.70%

       Fidelity VIP III Growth Opportunities Portfolio             0.59%          0.12%          0.00%          0.71%
</TABLE>







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<PAGE>   11


EXAMPLE

The following chart shows the amount of expenses (in dollars) that would be
incurred under this contract assuming a $1,000 investment, 5% annual return, and
no change in expenses. These dollar figures are illustrative only and should not
be considered a representation of past or future expenses. Actual expenses may
be greater or less than those shown below. The example reflects expenses of both
the variable account and the underlying mutual funds. The example reflects the
standard 7 year CDSC schedule and the maximum amount of variable account charges
that could be assessed to a contract (1.40%). Deductions for premium taxes are
not reflected but may apply.

The summary of contract expenses and example are to help contract owners
understand the expenses associated with the contract.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     If you surrender your      If you do not surrender     If you annuitize your contract
                                  contract at the end of the   your contract at the end of   at the end of the applicable
                                    applicable time period     the applicable time period            time period

                                    1     3      5      10       1     3       5      10     1      3       5       10
                                   Yr.   Yrs.   Yrs.    Yrs.    Yr.   Yrs.    Yrs.   Yrs.   Yr.    Yrs.    Yrs.    Yrs.
<S>                                <C>   <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>   <C>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>
Evergreen Variable Trust-          88    122    159     282     25     77     132    282     *      77     132     282
Evergreen VA Aggressive Growth
Fund

Evergreen Variable                 88    122    159     282     25     77     132    282     *      77     132      282
Trust-Evergreen VA Foundation
Fund

Evergreen Variable                 88    122    159     282     25     77     132    282     *      77     132      282
Trust-Evergreen VA Fund

Evergreen Variable Trust-          88    122    159     282     25     77     132    282     *      77     132      282
Evergreen VA Global Leaders Fund

Evergreen Variable                 88    122    159     282     25     77     132    282     *      77     132      282
Trust-Evergreen VA Growth and
Income Fund

Evergreen Variable Trust-          88    122    159     282     25     77     132    282     *      77     132     282
Evergreen VA Small Cap Equity
Income Fund

Evergreen Variable Trust-          88    122    159     282     25     77     132    282     *      77     132     282
Evergreen VA Strategic Income
Fund

Fidelity Variable Insurance        85    113    144     250     22     68     117    250     *      68     117      250
Products Fund- High
Income Portfolio

Fidelity Variable Insurance        87    119    154     271     24     74     127    271     *      74     127      271
Products Fund- Overseas
Portfolio

Fidelity Variable Insurance        84    111    140     243     21     66     113    243     *      66     113      243
Products Fund II- Asset
Manager Portfolio

Fidelity Variable Insurance        85    112    141     246     22     67     114    246     *      67     114      246
Products Fund II- Contrafund
Portfolio

Fidelity Variable Insurance        85    113    144     250     22     68     117    250     *      68     117      250
Products Fund III-
Growth Opportunities Portfolio

NSAT- Government Bond Fund         84    109    137     236     21     64     110    236     *      64     110      236

NSAT- Money Market Fund            83    105    131     224     20     30     104    224     *      60     104      224
</TABLE>

* The contracts sold under this prospectus do not permit annuitizations during
  the first two contract years.






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<PAGE>   12


SYNOPSIS OF THE CONTRACTS

The contracts described in this prospectus are modified single purchase payment
contracts. The contracts may be issued as either individual or group contracts.
In those states where contracts are issued as group contracts, references
throughout this prospectus to "contract(s)" will also mean "certificate(s)." and
references to "contract owner" will also mean "participant" unless the plan
otherwise permits or requires the contract owner to exercise contract rights
under the plan terms.

The contracts can be categorized as:

     o    Non-Qualified
     o    Individual Retirement Annuities purchased with contributions rolled
          over or transferred from Qualified Plans, Tax Sheltered Annuities or
          IRAs
     o    Roth IRAs
     o    SEP IRAs
     o    Tax Sheltered Annuities with contributions rolled over or transferred
          from another Tax Sheltered Annuity or Custodial Account.


     MINIMUM INITIAL AND SUBSEQUENT PURCHASE PAYMENTS

                                            MINIMUM
     CONTRACT        MINIMUM INITIAL      SUBSEQUENT
       TYPE          PURCHASE PAYMENT      PAYMENTS

Non-Qualified            $15,000            $1,000

IRA                      $15,000            $1,000

Roth IRA                 $15,000            $1,000

Tax Sheltered            $15,000            $1,000
Annuity

Subsequent purchase payments are not permitted for contracts purchased in the
states of New York, Oregon, and Washington and may not be permitted in other
states under certain circumstances.

CHARGES AND EXPENSES

Nationwide deducts a Mortality and Expense Risk Charge equal to an annual rate
of 1.25% and an Administration Charge equal to 0.15% of the daily net assets of
the variable account. Nationwide assesses these charges in return for bearing
certain mortality and administrative risks.

Nationwide does not deduct a sales charge from purchase payments upon deposit
into the contract. However, Nationwide may deduct a CDSC if any amount is
withdrawn from the contract. This CDSC reimburses Nationwide for sales expenses.
The amount of the CDSC will not exceed 7% of purchase payments surrendered.

ANNUITY PAYMENTS

Annuity payments begin on the annuitization date. The payments will be based on
the annuity payment option chosen at the time of application (see "Annuity
Payment Options").

TAXATION

How the contracts are taxed depends on the type of contract issued. Nationwide
will charge against the contract any premium taxes levied by any governmental
authority (see "Federal Tax Considerations" and "Premium Taxes").

TEN DAY FREE LOOK

Contract owners may return the contract for any reason within ten days of
receipt and Nationwide will refund the contract value or the amount required by
law (see "Right to Revoke").

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial statements for the variable account and Nationwide are located in the
Statement of Additional Information. A current Statement of Additional
Information may be obtained without charge by contacting Nationwide's home
office at the telephone number listed on page 1 of this prospectus.






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<PAGE>   13


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
                UNDERLYING                    AT BEGINNING        AT END       ACCUMULATION     UNITS AT END
                MUTUAL FUND                     OF PERIOD       OF PERIOD       UNIT VALUE     OF THE PERIOD     YEAR
<S>                                           <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>
Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA         10.970866       13.224364         20.54%           68,030        1998
Aggressive Growth Fund-Q                        10.000000       10.970866          9.71%           32,233        1997(3)

Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA         10.970866       13.224364         20.54%          134,748        1998
Aggressive Growth Fund-NQ                       10.000000       10.970866          9.71%           36,965        1997(3)

Evergreen Variable Trust- Evergreen VA          11.100000       13.570000         22.25%          100,000        1998
Aggressive Growth Fund-Initial Funding by       10.000000       11.100000         11.00%          100,000        1997(3)
Depositor

Evergreen Variable Trust-                       14.357474       15.661734          9.08%        1,231,590        1998
Evergreen VA Foundation Fund - Q                11.393285       14.357474         26.02%          513,556        1997
                                                10.000000       11.393285         13.93%          291,176        1996(1)

Evergreen Variable Trust-                       14.357474       15.661734          9.08%        3,082,969        1998
Evergreen VA Foundation Fund - NQ               11.393285       14.357474         26.02%        1,362,798        1997
                                                10.000000       11.393285         13.93%          835,841        1996(1)

Evergreen Variable Trust -                      14.733127       16.299610         10.63%          100,000        1998
Evergreen VA Foundation Fund - Initial          11.527881       14.733127         27.80%          100,000        1997
Funding by Depositor                            10.000000       11.527881         15.28%          100,000        1996(1)

Evergreen Variable Trust -                      15.352653       16.112386          4.95%          611,181        1998
Evergreen VA Fund - Q                           11.351897       15.352653         35.24%          253,280        1997
                                                10.000000       11.351897         13.52%          121,148        1996(1)
Evergreen Variable Trust -                      15.352653       16.112386          4.95%        1,639,136        1998
Evergreen VA Fund - NQ                          11.351897       15.352653         35.24%          772,073        1997
                                                10.000000       11.351897         13.52%          419,319        1996(1)

Evergreen Variable Trust -                      15.754272       16.768642          6.44%          100,000        1998
Evergreen VA Fund-Initial Funding               11.486000       15.754272         37.16%          100,000        1997
by Depositor                                    10.000000       11.486000         14.86%          100,000        1996(1)

Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA         10.753040       12.608870         17.26%          187,738        1998
Global Leaders Fund-Q                           10.000000       10.753040          7.53%           61,612        1997(3)

Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA         10.753040       12.608870         17.26%          469,605        1998
Global Leaders Fund-NQ                          10.000000       10.753040          7.53%          106,774        1997(3)

Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen            10.879585       12.938210         18.92%          100,000        1998
Global Leaders Fund - Initial Funding by        10.000000       10.879585          8.80%          100,000        1997(3)
Depositor

Evergreen Variable Trust -                      15.614450       16.130864          3.31%          893,262        1998
Evergreen VA Growth and Income Fund - Q         11.759862       15.614450         32.78%          406,022        1997
                                                10.000000       11.759862         17.60%          200,982        1996(1)

Evergreen Variable Trust -                      15.614450       16.130864          3.31%        2,453,682        1998
Evergreen VA Growth and Income                  11.759862       15.614450         32.78%        1,206,385        1997
Fund - NQ                                       10.000000       11.759862         17.60%          621,484        1996(1)
</TABLE>




                                       11

                                   13 of 110
<PAGE>   14


CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               ACCUMULATION     ACCUMULATION       PERCENT        NUMBER OF
                                                UNIT VALUE       UNIT VALUE       CHANGE IN      ACCUMULATION
                 UNDERLYING                    AT BEGINNING        AT END       ACCUMULATION     UNITS AT END
                MUTUAL FUND                      OF PERIOD       OF PERIOD       UNIT VALUE     OF THE PERIOD     YEAR
<S>                                           <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>
Evergreen Variable Trust -                       16.022979       16.787932          4.77%          100,000        1998
Evergreen VA Growth and Income Fund-             11.898767       16.022979         34.66%          100,000        1997
Initial Funding by Depositor                     10.000000       11.898767         18.99%          100,000        1996(1)

Evergreen Variable Trust -                       10.000000        9.623143         -3.77%           30,706        1998(4)
Evergreen VA Small Cap Equity Income
Fund - Q

Evergreen Variable Trust -                       10.000000        9.623143         -3.77%          105,451        1998(4)
Evergreen VA Small Cap Equity Income
Fund - NQ

Evergreen Variable Trust -                       10.000000        9.714315         -2.86%          100,000        1998(4)
Evergreen VA Small Cap Equity Income
Fund - Initial Funding by Depositor

Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA          10.405791       10.866478          4.43%          294,309        1998
Strategic Income Fund-Q                          10.000000       10.405791          4.06%           30,744        1997(3)

Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA          10.405791       10.866478          4.43%          632,171        1998
Strategic Income Fund-NQ                         10.000000       10.405791          4.06%           79,968        1997(3)

Evergreen Variable Trust- Evergreen VA           10.528287       11.150478          5.91%          100,000        1998
Strategic Income Fund-Initial Funding by         10.000000       10.528287          5.28%          100,000        1997(3)
Depositor

Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund -      12.549013       11.837723         -5.67%           36,899        1998
High Income Portfolio - Q                        10.816268       12.549013         16.02%           31,204        1997
                                                 10.000000       10.816268          8.16%           26,822        1996(1)

Fidelity Variable Insurance                      12.549013       11.837723         -5.67%          139,559        1998
Products Fund - High Income Portfolio - NQ       10.816268       12.549013         16.02%          133,009        1997
                                                 10.000000       10.816268          8.16%           77,056        1996(1)

Fidelity Variable Insurance                      11.984120       13.323057         11.17%           34,092        1998
Products Fund - Overseas Portfolio - Q           10.895270       11.984120          9.99%           32,632        1997
                                                 10.000000       10.895270          8.95%           22,959        1996(1)

Fidelity Variable Insurance                      11.984120       13.323057         11.17%          184,444        1998
Products Fund - Overseas Portfolio - NQ          10.895270       11.984120          9.99%          189,428        1997
                                                 10.000000       10.895270          8.95%           99,000        1996(1)

Fidelity Variable Insurance                      13.208527       14.983855         13.44%           35,587        1998
Products Fund II - Asset Manager                 11.103069       13.208527         18.96%           35,177        1997
Portfolio - Q                                    10.000000       11.103069         11.03%           32,538        1996(1)

Fidelity Variable Insurance                      13.208527       14.983855         13.44%          108,376        1998
Products Fund II - Asset Manager                 11.103069       13.208527         18.96%        1,422,202        1997
Portfolio - NQ                                   10.000000       11.103069         11.03%           77,328        1996(1)

Fidelity Variable Insurance                      11.841787       15.176535         28.16%           17,867        1998
Products Fund II- Contrafund                     10.000000       11.841787         18.42%           10,250        1997(2)
Portfolio-Q

Fidelity Variable Insurance                      11.841787       15.176535         28.16%          120,560        1998
Products Fund II- Contrafund                     10.000000       11.841787         18.42%           90,497        1997(2)
Portfolio-NQ
</TABLE>



                                       12

                                   14 of 110
<PAGE>   15


CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               ACCUMULATION     ACCUMULATION       PERCENT        NUMBER OF
                                                UNIT VALUE       UNIT VALUE       CHANGE IN      ACCUMULATION
                 UNDERLYING                    AT BEGINNING        AT END       ACCUMULATION     UNITS AT END
                MUTUAL FUND                      OF PERIOD       OF PERIOD       UNIT VALUE     OF THE PERIOD     YEAR
<S>                                           <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>
Fidelity Variable Insurance                      12.196412       14.985852         22.87%           38,197        1998
Products Fund III- Growth                        10.000000       12.196412         21.96%           14,976        1997(2)
Opportunities Portfolio- Q

Fidelity Variable Insurance                      12.196412       14.985852         22.87%          175,401        1998
Products Fund III- Growth                        10.000000       12.196412         21.96%          108,817        1997(2)
Opportunities Portfolio-NQ

Nationwide Separate Account                      11.157782       11.981662          7.38%            9,045        1998
Trust- Government Bond                           10.318689       11.157782          8.13%            7,513        1997
Fund - Q                                         10.000000       10.318689          3.19%            8,959        1996(1)

Nationwide Separate Account                      11.157782       11.981662          7.38%          105,464        1998
Trust- Government Bond                           10.318689       11.157782          8.13%           18,506        1997
Fund - NQ                                        10.000000       10.318689          3.19%           12,014        1996(1)

Nationwide Separate Account                      10.691554       11.097664          3.80%          189,512        1998
Trust- Money Market                              10.301567       10.691554          3.79%           64,006        1997
Fund - Q*                                        10.000000       10.301567          3.02%           25,641        1996(1)

Nationwide Separate Account                      10.691554       11.097664          3.80%          290,059        1998
Trust- Money Market                              10.301567       10.691554          3.79%           96,090        1997
Fund - NQ*                                       10.000000       10.301567          3.02%           88,440        1996(1)
</TABLE>

*    The 7-day yield on the Nationwide Separate Account Trust - Money Market
     Fund as of December 31, 1998 was 3.42%.

(1)  This product first became effective on February 28, 1996. Consequently, the
     condensed financial information reflects the reporting period from February
     28, 1996 through December 31, 1996.

(2)  These underlying mutual funds were added to the variable account on
     February 3, 1997. Consequently, the condensed financial information
     reflects the reporting period from February 3, 1997 through December 31,
     1997.

(3)  These underlying mutual funds were added to the variable account on March
     3, 1997. Consequently, the condensed financial information reflects the
     reporting period from March 3, 1997 through December 31, 1997.

(4)  The Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA Small Cap Equity Income Fund
     was added to the variable account on May 1, 1998. Consequently, the
     condensed financial information reflects the reporting period from May 1,
     1998 through December 31, 1998.







                                       13

                                   15 of 110
<PAGE>   16


NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

Nationwide is a stock life insurance company organized under Ohio law in March,
1929, with its home office at One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
Nationwide 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.

NATIONWIDE ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.

The contracts are distributed by the general distributor, Nationwide Advisory
Services, Inc. ("NAS"), Three Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215. NAS is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

INVESTING IN THE CONTRACT

THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT AND UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS

Nationwide Variable Account-6 is a separate account that invests in the
underlying mutual funds listed in Appendix A. Nationwide established the
separate account on February 2, 1994, pursuant to Ohio law. Although the
separate account is registered with the SEC as a unit investment trust pursuant
to the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), the SEC does not supervise
the management of Nationwide or the variable account.

Income, gains, and losses credited to, or charged against, the variable account
reflect the variable account's own investment experience and not the investment
experience of Nationwide's other assets. The variable account's assets are held
separately from Nationwide's assets and are not chargeable with liabilities
incurred in any other business of Nationwide. Nationwide is obligated to pay all
amounts promised to contract owners under the contracts.

The variable account is divided into sub-accounts. Nationwide uses the assets of
each sub-account to buy shares of the underlying mutual funds based on contract
owner instructions. There are two sub-accounts for each underlying mutual fund.
One sub-account contains shares attributable to accumulation units under
Non-Qualified Contracts. The other contains shares attributable to accumulation
units under Individual Retirement Annuities, Roth IRAs, and Tax Sheltered
Annuities.

Each underlying mutual fund's prospectus contains more detailed information
about that fund. Prospectuses for the underlying mutual funds should be read in
conjunction with this prospectus.

Underlying mutual funds in the variable account are NOT publicly traded mutual
funds. They are only 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.

The investment advisers of the underlying mutual funds may manage publicly
traded mutual funds with similar names and investment objectives. However, the
underlying mutual funds are NOT directly related to any publicly traded mutual
fund. Contract owners should not compare the performance of a publicly traded
fund with the performance of underlying mutual funds participating in the
variable account. The performance of the underlying mutual funds could differ
substantially from that of any publicly traded funds.

Voting Rights

Contract owners who have allocated assets to the underlying mutual funds are
entitled to certain voting rights. Nationwide will vote contract owner shares at
special shareholder meetings based on contract owner instructions. However, if
the law changes and Nationwide is allowed to vote in its own right, it may elect
to do so.

Contract owners with voting interests in an underlying mutual fund will be
notified of issues requiring the shareholders' vote as soon as possible before
the shareholder meeting. Notification will contain proxy materials and a form
with which to give Nationwide voting instructions. Nationwide will vote shares
for which no instructions are received in the same proportion as those that are
received.



                                       14

                                   16 of 110
<PAGE>   17


The number of shares which a contract owner may vote is determined by dividing
the cash value of the amount they have allocated to an underlying mutual fund by
the net asset value of that underlying mutual fund. Nationwide will designate a
date for this determination not more than 90 days before the shareholder
meeting.

Material Conflicts

The underlying mutual funds may be offered through separate accounts of other
insurance companies, as well as through other separate accounts of Nationwide.
Nationwide does not anticipate any disadvantages to this. However, it is
possible that a conflict may arise between the interests of the variable account
and one or more of the other separate accounts in which these underlying mutual
funds participate.

Material conflicts may occur due to 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.
If a material conflict occurs, Nationwide will take whatever steps are necessary
to protect contract owners and variable annuity payees, including withdrawal of
the variable account from participation in the underlying mutual fund(s)
involved in the conflict.

Substitution of Securities

Nationwide may substitute, eliminate, or combine shares of another underlying
mutual fund for shares already purchased or to be purchased in the future if
either of the following occurs:

     1)   shares of a current underlying mutual fund are no longer available for
          investment; or

     2)   further investment in an underlying mutual fund is inappropriate.

No substitution, elimination, or combination of shares may take place without
the prior approval of the SEC and state insurance departments.

THE FIXED ACCOUNT

The fixed account is an investment option that is funded by assets of
Nationwide's general account. The general account contains all of Nationwide's
assets other than those in other Nationwide separate accounts. It is used to
support Nationwide's annuity and insurance obligations and may contain
compensation for mortality and expense risks. The general account is not subject
to the same laws as the variable account and the SEC has not reviewed material
in this prospectus relating to the fixed account. However, information relating
to the fixed account is subject to federal securities laws relating to accuracy
and completeness of prospectus disclosure.

Purchase payments will be allocated to the fixed account by election of the
contract owner.

The investment income earned by the fixed account will be allocated to the
contracts at varying guaranteed interest rate(s) depending on the following
categories of fixed account allocations:

o    New Money Rate - The rate credited on the fixed account allocation when the
     contract is purchased or when subsequent purchase payments are made.
     Subsequent purchase payments may receive different New Money Rates than the
     rate when the contract was issued, since the New Money Rate is subject to
     change based on market conditions.

o    Variable Account to Fixed Rate - Allocations transferred from any of the
     underlying investment options in the variable account to the fixed account
     may receive a different rate. The rate may be lower than the New Money
     Rate. There may be limits on the amount and frequency of movements from the
     variable account to the fixed account.

o    Renewal Rate - The rate available for maturing fixed account allocations
     which are entering a new guarantee period. The contract owner will be
     notified of this rate in a letter issued with the quarterly statements when
     any of the money in the contract owner's fixed account matures. At that
     time, the contract owner will have an opportunity to leave the money in the
     fixed account and receive the Renewal Rate or the contract owner can move
     the money to any of the other underlying mutual fund options.



                                       15

                                   17 of 110
<PAGE>   18


o    Dollar Cost Averaging Rate - From time to time, Nationwide may offer a more
     favorable rate for an initial purchase payment into a new contract when
     used in conjunction with a Dollar Cost Averaging program.

All of these rates are subject to change on a daily basis; however, once applied
to the fixed account, the interest rates are guaranteed until the end of the
calendar quarter during the 12 month anniversary in which the fixed account
allocation occurs.

Credited interest rates are annualized rates - the effective yield of interest
over a one-year period. Interest is credited to each contract on a daily basis.
As a result, the credited interest rate is compounded daily to achieve the
stated effective yield.

The guaranteed rate for any purchase payment will be effective for not less than
twelve months. Nationwide guarantees that the rate will not be less than 3% per
year.

Any interest in excess of 3.0% will be credited to fixed account allocations at
Nationwide's sole discretion. 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.

Nationwide 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.

STANDARD CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS

MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGES

Nationwide deducts a Mortality and Expense Risk Charge from the variable
account. This amount is computed on a daily basis, and is equal to an annual
rate of 1.25% of the daily net assets of the variable account.

The mortality risk charges compensate Nationwide for guaranteeing the annuity
rate of the contracts. This guarantee ensures that the annuity rates will not
change regardless of the death rates of annuity payees or the general
population.

The expense risk charges compensate Nationwide for guaranteeing that
administration charges will not increase regardless of actual expenses.

If the Mortality and Expense Risk Charge is insufficient to cover actual
expenses, the loss is borne by Nationwide.

ADMINISTRATION CHARGE

Nationwide deducts an Administration Charge from the variable account. This
amount is computed on a daily basis and is equal to an annual rate of to 0.15%
of the daily net assets of the variable account. This charge is designed to
reimburse Nationwide for administrative expenses related to the issuance and
maintenance of the contracts.

If the Administration Charge is insufficient to cover actual expenses, the loss
is borne by Nationwide.

CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

No sales charge deduction is made from the purchase payments when amounts are
deposited into the contracts. However, if any part of the contract is
surrendered, Nationwide will deduct a CDSC. The CDSC will not exceed 7% of
purchase payments surrendered.

The CDSC is calculated by multiplying the applicable CDSC percentage (noted
below) by the amount of purchase payments 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 as follows:

 NUMBER OF YEARS FROM DATE               CDSC
    OF PURCHASE PAYMENT               PERCENTAGE

             0                            7%

             1                            6%

             2                            5%

             3                            4%

             4                            3%

             5                            2%

             6                            1%

             7                            0%



                                       16

                                   18 of 110
<PAGE>   19


The CDSC is used to cover sales expenses, including commissions, production of
sales material, and other promotional expenses. If expenses are greater than the
CDSC, the shortfall will be made up from Nationwide's general account, which may
indirectly include portions of variable account charges, since Nationwide may
generate a profit from these charges.

The maximum amount paid to selling agents on these contracts is 6.25% of
purchase payments. In addition to commissions paid by Nationwide, additional
forms of compensation or incentives may be paid to sales agents by the
broker-dealer firm with which they are associated. Incentives may include
payment for attendance at seminars, lunches, dinners, sporting events or theater
performances; or payment for travel, lodging and entertainment expenses incurred
with travel by sales agents and their immediate families. Sales agents may elect
to receive cash incentives of equivalent amounts in lieu of such payments.

Contract owners taking withdrawals before age 59-1/2 may be subject to a 10% tax
penalty. In addition, all or a portion of the withdrawal may be subject to
federal income taxes (see "Non-Qualified Contracts - Natural Persons as Contract
Owners").

Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge

Each contract year, the contract owner may withdraw without a CDSC the greater
of:

     (a)  10% of all purchase payments; or

     (b)  any amount withdrawn to meet minimum distribution requirements under
          the Internal Revenue Code.

This CDSC-free 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 the 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 under a contract for at least 7
          years.

No CDSC applies to transfers among sub-accounts or between or among the fixed
account or the variable account. Nationwide may waive the CDSC if a contract
described in this prospectus is exchanged for another Nationwide contract (or a
contract of any of its affiliated insurance companies). A CDSC may apply to the
contract received in the exchange. Sales without commissions or other standard
distribution expenses can result in the waiver or reduction of CDSC.

A contract held by a Charitable Remainder Trust may withdraw CDSC-free the
greater of (a) or (b), where:

     (a)  is the amount which would otherwise be available for withdrawal
          without 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) and the contract value at the close of the day prior to
          the date of the withdrawal.

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").

The CDSC will not be eliminated if to do so would be unfairly discriminatory or
prohibited by state law.

PREMIUM TAXES

Nationwide will charge against the contract value any premium taxes levied by a
state or other government entity. Premium tax rates currently range from 0% to
3.5%. This range is subject to change. The method used to assess premium tax
will be determined by Nationwide at its sole discretion in compliance with state
law.

If applicable, Nationwide will deduct premium taxes from the contract either at:

     (1)  the time the contract is surrendered;

     (2)  annuitization; or



                                       17

                                   19 of 110
<PAGE>   20


     (3)  such other date as Nationwide becomes subject to premium taxes.

Premium taxes may be deducted from death benefit proceeds.

CONTRACT OWNERSHIP

The contract owner has all rights under the contract, including the right to
designate and change any designations of the contract owner, annuitant,
contingent annuitant, beneficiary, contingent beneficiary, annuity payment
option, and annuity commencement date. Purchasers who name someone other than
themselves as the contract owner will have no rights under the contract.

Contract owners of Non-Qualified Contracts may name a new contract owner at any
time before the annuitization date. Any change of contract owner automatically
revokes any prior contract owner designation. Changes in contract ownership may
result in federal income taxation and may be subject to state and federal gift
taxes.

A change in contract ownership must be submitted in writing and recorded at
Nationwide's home office. Once recorded, the change will be effective as of the
date signed. However, the change will not affect any payments made or actions
taken by Nationwide before it was recorded.

The contract owner may also request a change in the annuitant, contingent
annuitant, contingent owner, beneficiary, or contingent beneficiary before the
annuitization date. These changes must be:

     o    on a Nationwide form;

     o    signed by the contract owner; and

     o    received at Nationwide's home office before the annuitization date.

Nationwide must review and approve any change requests. 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 the change.

JOINT OWNERSHIP

Joint owners each own an undivided interest in the contract.

Contract owners can name a joint owner at any time before annuitization subject
to the following conditions:

     o    Joint owners can only be named for Non-Qualified Contracts;

     o    Joint owners must be spouses at the time joint ownership is requested,
          unless state law requires Nationwide to allow non-spousal joint
          owners;

     o    The exercise of any ownership right in the contract will generally
          require a written request signed by both joint owners;

     o    An election in writing signed by both contract owners must be made to
          authorize Nationwide to allow the exercise of ownership rights
          independently of either joint owner; and

     o    Nationwide 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 entitled to certain benefits under the contract, if a
contract owner who is NOT the annuitant dies before the annuitization date, and
there is no surviving joint owner.

The contract owner may name or change a contingent owner at any time before the
annuitization date. To change the contingent owner, a written request must be
submitted to Nationwide. Once Nationwide has recorded the change, it will be
effective as of the date it was signed, whether or not the contract owner was
living at the time it was recorded. The change will not affect any action taken
by Nationwide before the change was recorded.

ANNUITANT

The annuitant is the person designated to receive annuity payments during
annuitization of the contract and upon whose continuation of life any



                                       18

                                   20 of 110
<PAGE>   21


annuity payment involving life contingencies depends. This person must be age 85
or younger at the time of contract issuance, unless Nationwide approves a
request for an annuitant of greater age. The annuitant may be change prior to
the annuitization date with the consent of Nationwide.

BENEFICIARY AND CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY

The beneficiary is the person(s) who is entitled to the death benefit if the
annuitant dies before the annuitization date and there is no joint owner. The
contract owner can name more than one beneficiary. Multiple beneficiaries will
share the death benefit equally, unless otherwise specified.

The contract owner may change the beneficiary or contingent beneficiary during
the annuitant's lifetime by submitting a written request to Nationwide. Once
recorded, the change will be effective as of the date it was signed, whether or
not the annuitant was living at the time it was recorded. The change will not
affect any action taken by Nationwide before the change was recorded.

OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT
MINIMUM INITIAL AND SUBSEQUENT PURCHASE PAYMENTS


                                            MINIMUM
     CONTRACT        MINIMUM INITIAL      SUBSEQUENT
       TYPE          PURCHASE PAYMENT      PAYMENTS

Non-Qualified            $15,000            $1,000

IRA                      $15,000            $1,000

Roth IRA                 $15,000            $1,000

Tax Sheltered            $15,000            $1,000
Annuity

Subsequent purchase payments are not permitted for contracts purchased in the
states of New York, Oregon, and Washington and may not be permitted in other
sates under certain circumstances.

PRICING

Initial purchase payments allocated to sub-accounts will be priced at the
accumulation unit value determined no later than 2 business days after receipt
of an order to purchase if the application and all necessary information are
complete. If the application is not complete, Nationwide may retain a purchase
payment for up to 5 business days while attempting to complete it. If the
application is not completed within 5 business days, the prospective purchaser
will be informed of the reason for the delay. The purchase payment will be
returned unless the prospective purchaser specifically allows Nationwide to hold
the purchase payment until the application is completed.

Subsequent purchase payments will be priced based on the next available
accumulation unit value after the payment is received. The cumulative total of
all purchase payments under contracts on the life of any one annuitant cannot
exceed $1,000,000 without Nationwide's prior consent.

Purchase payments will not be priced when the New York Stock Exchange is closed
or on the following nationally recognized holidays:

o    New Year's Day                   o    Independence Day
o    Martin Luther King, Jr. Day      o    Labor Day
o    Presidents' Day                  o    Thanksgiving
o    Good Friday                      o    Christmas
o    Memorial Day

Nationwide also will not price purchase payments if:

     (1)  trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted;

     (2)  an emergency exists making disposal or valuation of securities held in
          the variable account impracticable; or

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

Rules and regulations of the SEC will govern as to when the conditions described
in (2) and (3) exist.

If Nationwide is closed on days when the New York Stock Exchange is open,
contract value may be affected since the contract owner would not have access to
their account.

ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS

Nationwide allocates purchase payments to the sub-accounts and the fixed account
as instructed by the contract owner. Shares of the underlying mutual funds
allocated to the sub-accounts are purchased at net asset value, then converted
into



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accumulation units. Contract owners can change allocations or make exchanges
among the sub-accounts or the fixed account. However, no change may be made that
would result in an amount less than 1% of the purchase payments being allocated
to any sub-account for any contract owner. Certain transactions may be subject
to conditions imposed by the underlying mutual funds, as well as those set forth
in the contract.

DETERMINING THE CONTRACT VALUE

The contract value is:

     1)   the value of amounts allocated to the sub-accounts of the variable
          account; and

     2)   amounts allocated to the fixed account.

If part or all of the contract value is surrendered, or charges are assessed
against the contract value, Nationwide will deduct a proportionate amount from
each sub-account and the fixed account based on current cash values.

Determining Variable Account Value - Valuing an Accumulation Unit

Purchase payments or transfers allocated to sub-accounts are accounted for in
accumulation units. Accumulation unit values (for each sub-account) are
determined by calculating the net investment factor for the underlying mutual
funds for the current valuation period and multiplying that result with the
accumulation unit values determined on the previous valuation period.

Nationwide uses the net investment factor as a way to calculate the investment
performance of a sub-account from valuation period to valuation period. For each
sub-account, the net investment factor shows the investment performance of the
underlying mutual fund in which a particular sub-account invests, including the
charges assessed against that sub-account for a valuation period.

The net investment factor for any particular sub-account is determined by
dividing (a) by (b), and then subtracting (c) from the result, where

(a) is:

     (1)  the net asset value of the underlying mutual fund as of the end of the
          current valuation period; and

     (2)  the per share amount of any dividend or income distributions made by
          the underlying mutual fund (if the ex-dividend date occurs during the
          current valuation period).

(b)  is the net asset value of the underlying mutual fund determined as of the
     end of the preceding valuation period.

(c)  is a factor representing the daily variable account charges. The factor is
     equal to an annual rate of 1.40% of the daily net assets of the variable
     account.

Based on the net investment factor, the value of an accumulation unit may
increase or decrease. Changes in the net investment factor may not be directly
proportional to changes in the net asset value of the underlying mutual fund
shares because of the deduction of variable account charges.

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.

Determining Fixed Account Value

Nationwide determines the value of the fixed account by:

     1)   adding all amounts allocated to the fixed account, minus amounts
          previously transferred or withdrawn; and

     2)   adding any interest earned on the amounts allocated.

TRANSFERS

Transfers from the Fixed Account to the Variable Account

Fixed account allocations may be transferred to the variable account only upon
reaching the end of an Interest Rate Guarantee Period. Normally, Nationwide will
permit 100% of such fixed account allocations to be transferred to the variable
account; however Nationwide may, under certain economic conditions and at its



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discretion, limit the maximum transferable amount. Under no circumstances will
the maximum transferable amount be less than 10% of the fixed account allocation
reaching the end of an Interest Rate Guarantee Period. Transfers of the fixed
account allocations must be made within 45 days after reaching the end of an
Interest Rate Guarantee Period.

Contract owners who use Dollar Cost Averaging may transfer from the fixed
account to the variable account under the terms of that program (see "Dollar
Cost Averaging").

Transfers to the Fixed Account

Variable account allocations may be transferred to the fixed account at any
time. Normally, Nationwide will not restrict transfers from the variable account
to the fixed account; however, Nationwide may establish a maximum transfer limit
from the variable account to the fixed account. Except as noted below, under no
circumstances will the transfer limit be less than 10% of the current value of
the variable account, less any transfers made in the 12 months preceding the
date the transfer is requested, but not including transfers made prior to the
imposition of the transfer limit. However, where permitted by state law,
Nationwide reserves the right to refuse transfers or purchase payments to the
fixed account from the variable account when the fixed account value is greater
than or equal to 30% of the contract value at the time the purchase payment is
made or the transfer is requested.

Transfer Requests

Nationwide will accept transfer requests in writing or over the telephone.
Nationwide will use reasonable procedures to confirm that telephone instructions
are genuine and will not be liable for following telephone instructions that it
reasonably determined to be genuine. Nationwide may withdraw the telephone
exchange privilege upon 30 days written notice to contract owners.

Amounts transferred to the variable account will receive the accumulation unit
value next determined after the transfer request is received.

After annuitization, transfers may only be made on the anniversary of the
annuitization date.

Interest Rate Guarantee Period

The interest rate guarantee period is the period of time that the fixed account
interest rate is guaranteed to remain the same.

For new purchase payments allocated to the fixed account, or transfers to the
fixed account from the variable account this period begins on the date of
deposit or transfer and ends on the one year anniversary of the deposit or
transfer. The guaranteed interest rate period may last for up to 3 months beyond
the 1 year anniversary because guaranteed terms end on the last day of a
calendar quarter.

During an interest rate guarantee period, transfers cannot be made from the
fixed account, and amounts transferred to the fixed account must remain on
deposit.

Market Timing Firms

Some contract owners may use market timing firms or other third parties to make
transfers on their behalf. Generally, in order to take advantage of perceived
market trends, market-timing firms will submit transfer or exchange requests on
behalf of multiple contract owners at the same time. Sometimes this can result
in unusually large transfers of funds. These large transfers might interfere
with the ability of Nationwide or the underlying mutual fund to process
transactions. This can potentially disadvantage contract owners not using
market-timing firms. To avoid this, Nationwide may modify transfer and exchange
rights of contract owners who use market timing firms (or other third parties)
to transfer or exchange funds on their behalf.

The exchange and transfer rights of individual contract owners will not be
modified in any way when instructions are submitted directly by the contract
owner, or by the contract owner's representative (as authorized by the execution
of a valid Nationwide Limited Power of Attorney Form).

To protect contract owners, Nationwide may refuse exchange and transfer
requests:



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o    submitted by any agent acting under a power of attorney on behalf of more
     than one contract owner; or

o    submitted on behalf of individual contract owners who have executed
     pre-authorized 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.

Nationwide will not restrict exchange rights unless Nationwide believes it to be
necessary for the protection of all contract owners.

RIGHT TO REVOKE

Contract owners have a ten day "free look" to examine the contract. The contract
may be returned to Nationwide's home office for any reason within ten days of
receipt and Nationwide will refund the contract value or another amount required
by law. The refunded contract value will reflect the deduction of any contract
charges, unless otherwise required by law. All IRA, SEP IRA and Roth IRA refunds
will be a return of purchase payments. State and/or federal law may provide
additional free look privileges.

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 Nationwide.

SURRENDER (REDEMPTION)

Contract owners may surrender some or all of their contract value before the
earlier of the annuitization date or the annuitant's death. Surrender requests
must be in writing and Nationwide may require additional information. When
taking a full surrender, the contract must accompany the written request.
Nationwide may require a signature guarantee.

Nationwide will pay any amount surrendered from the sub-accounts within 7 days.
However, Nationwide may suspend or postpone payment when it is unable to price a
purchase payment or transfer.

Partial Surrenders (Partial Redemption)

Nationwide will surrender accumulation units from the sub-accounts and an amount
from the fixed account. The amount withdrawn from each investment option will be
in proportion to the value in each option at the time of the surrender request.

A CDSC may apply. The contract owner may direct Nationwide to deduct the CDSC
either from:

     a)   the amount requested; or

     b)   the contract value remaining after the contract owner has received the
          amount requested.

If the contract owner does not make a specific election, any applicable CDSC
will be taken from the contract value remaining after the contract owner has
received the amount requested.

Full Surrenders (Full Redemptions)
The contract value upon full surrender may be more or less than the total of all
purchase payments made to the contract. The contract value will reflect variable
account charges, underlying mutual fund charges and the investment performance
of the underlying mutual funds. A CDSC may apply.

SURRENDERS UNDER A TAX SHELTERED ANNUITY

Contract owners of a Tax Sheltered Annuity may surrender part or all of their
contract value before the earlier of the annuitization date or the annuitant's
death, except as provided below:

A.   Contract value attributable to contributions made under a qualified cash or
     deferred arrangement (within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section
     402(g)(3)(A)), a salary reduction agreement (within the meaning of Internal
     Revenue Code Section 402(g)(3)(C)), or transfers from a Custodial Account
     (described in Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code), may be
     surrendered only:

     1.   when the contract owner reaches age 59-1/2, separates from service,
          dies, or becomes disabled (within the meaning



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          of Internal Revenue Code Section 72(m)(7)); or

     2.   in the case of hardship (as defined for purposes of Internal Revenue
          Code Section 401(k)), provided that any such hardship surrender may
          NOT include any income earned on salary reduction contributions.

B.   The surrender limitations described in Section A 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 a ten day free look
     cancellation of the contract (when available) may result in taxes,
     penalties, and/or retroactive disqualification of a Tax Sheltered Annuity.

In order to prevent disqualification of a Tax Sheltered Annuity after a ten day
free look cancellation, Nationwide will transfer the proceeds to another Tax
Sheltered Annuity upon proper direction by the contract owner.

These provisions explain Nationwide's understanding of current withdrawal
restrictions. These restrictions may change.

Distributions pursuant to Qualified Domestic Relations Orders will not violate
the restrictions stated above.

LOAN PRIVILEGE

The loan privilege is ONLY available to owners of Qualified Contracts and Tax
Sheltered Annuities. These contract owners can take loans from the contract
value beginning 30 days after the contract is issued up to the annuitization
date. Loans are subject to the terms of the contract, the plan, and the Internal
Revenue Code. Nationwide may modify the terms of a loan to comply with changes
in applicable law.

MINIMUM & MAXIMUM LOAN AMOUNTS

Contract owners may borrow a minimum of $1000, unless Nationwide is required by
law to allow a lesser minimum amount. Each loan must individually satisfy the
contract minimum amount.

Nationwide will calculate the maximum nontaxable loan amount based upon
information provided by the participant or the employer. Loans may be taxable if
a participant has additional loans from other plans. The total of all
outstanding loans must not exceed the following limits:


                 CONTRACT     MAXIMUM OUTSTANDING LOAN
                 VALUES       BALANCE ALLOWED

NON-ERISA PLANS  up to        up to 80% of contract
                 $20,000      value (not more than
                              $10,000)

                 $20,000      up to 50% of contract
                 and over     value (not more than
                              $50,000*)

ERISA PLANS      All          up to 50% of contract
                              value (not more than
                              $50,000*)

* The $50,000 limits will be reduced by the highest outstanding balance owed
  during the previous 12 months.

For salary reduction Tax Sheltered Annuities, loans may be secured only by the
contract value.

LOAN PROCESSING FEE

Nationwide may charge a Loan Processing Fee at the time each new loan is
processed. If assessed it compensates Nationwide for expenses related to
administering and processing loans. Loans are not available in all states. In
addition, some states may not allow Nationwide to assess a Loan Processing Fee.

HOW LOAN REQUESTS ARE PROCESSED

All loans are made from the collateral fixed account. Nationwide transfers
accumulation units in proportion to the assets in each sub-account to the
collateral fixed account until the requested amount is reached. If there are not
enough accumulation units available in the contract to reach the requested loan
amount,



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Nationwide next transfers contract value from the fixed account. No CDSC will be
deducted on transfers related to loan processing.

INTEREST

The outstanding loan balance in the collateral fixed account is credited with
interest until the loan is repaid in full. The interest rate will be 2.25% less
than the loan interest rate fixed by Nationwide. It is guaranteed never to fall
below 3.0%.

Specific loan terms are disclosed at the time of loan application or issuance.

LOAN REPAYMENT

Loans must be repaid in five years. However, if the loan is used to purchase the
contract owner's principal residence, the contract owner has 15 years to repay
the loan.

Contract owners must identify loan repayments as loan repayments or they will be
treated as purchase payments and will not reduce the outstanding loan. Payments
must be substantially level and made at least quarterly.

Loan repayments will consist of principal and interest in amounts set forth in
the loan agreement. Repayments are allocated to the sub-accounts in accordance
with the contract, unless Nationwide and the contract owner have agreed to amend
the contract at a later date on a case by case basis.

DISTRIBUTIONS & ANNUITY PAYMENTS

Distributions made from the contract while a loan is outstanding will be reduced
by the amount of the outstanding loan plus accrued interest if:

     o    the contract is surrendered;

     o    the contract owner/annuitant dies;

     o    the contract owner who is not the annuitant dies prior to
          annuitization; or

     o    annuity payments begin.

TRANSFERRING THE CONTRACT

Nationwide reserves the right to restrict any transfer of the contract while the
loan is outstanding.

GRACE PERIOD & LOAN DEFAULT

If a loan payment is not made when due, interest will continue to accrue. A
grace period may be available (please refer to the terms of the loan agreement).
If a loan payment is not made by the end of the applicable grace period, the
entire loan will be treated as a deemed distribution and will be taxable to the
borrower. This deemed distribution may also be subject to an early withdrawal
tax penalty by the Internal Revenue Service.

After default, interest will continue to accrue on the loan. Defaulted amounts,
plus interest, are deducted from the contract value when the participant is
eligible for a distribution of at least that amount. Additional loans are not
available while a previous loan is in default.

ASSIGNMENT

Contract rights are personal to the contract owner and may not be assigned
without Nationwide's written consent. IRAs, Roth IRAs and Tax Sheltered
Annuities may not be assigned, pledged or otherwise transferred except where
allowed by law.

A Non-Qualified Contract owner may assign some or all rights under the contract.
An assignment must occur before annuitization while the annuitant is alive. Once
proper notice of assignment is recorded by Nationwide's home office, the
assignment will become effective as of the date the written request was signed.

Nationwide is not responsible for the validity or tax consequences of any
assignment. Nationwide is not liable for any payment or settlement made before
the assignment is recorded. Assignments will not be recorded until Nationwide
receives sufficient direction from the contract owner and the assignee regarding
the proper allocation of contract rights.

Amounts pledged or assigned will be treated as distributions 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. Amounts assigned may be subject to a tax



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penalty equal to 10% of the amount included in gross income.

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.

CONTRACT OWNER SERVICES

ASSET REBALANCING

Asset rebalancing is the automatic reallocation of contract values to the
sub-accounts on a predetermined percentage basis. Asset rebalancing is not
available for assets held in the fixed account. Requests for asset rebalancing
must be on a Nationwide form.

Asset rebalancing occurs every three months or on another frequency if permitted
by Nationwide. 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, asset rebalancing will occur on the next business day.

Asset rebalancing may be subject to employer limitations or restrictions for
contracts issued to a Tax Sheltered Annuity plan. Contract owners should consult
a financial adviser to discuss the use of asset rebalancing.

Nationwide reserves the right to stop establishing new asset rebalancing
programs. Nationwide also reserves the right to assess a processing fee for this
service.

DOLLAR COST AVERAGING

Dollar Cost Averaging is a long-term transfer program that allows you to make
regular, level investments over time. It involves the automatic transfer of a
specified amount from certain sub-accounts and the fixed account into other
sub-accounts. Nationwide does not guarantee that this program will result in
profit or protect contract owners from loss.

Contract owners direct Nationwide to automatically transfer specified amounts
from the fixed account and the following underlying mutual funds: Fidelity VIP
High Income Portfolio, NSAT-Government Bond Fund, and the NSAT-Money Market Fund
to any other underlying mutual fund. The minimum monthly transfer is $100.

Dollar Cost Averaging from the Fixed Account

Transfers from the fixed account must be less than or equal to or less than
1/30th of the fixed account value at the time the program is requested. A dollar
cost averaging program which transfers amounts from the fixed account to the
variable account is not the same as an enhanced rate dollar cost averaging
program. Contract owner that wish to utilize dollar cost averaging from the
fixed account should first inquire as to whether any enhanced rate dollar cost
averaging programs are available.

Enhanced Rate Dollar Cost Averaging Program

Nationwide may, from time to time, offer enhanced rate dollar cost averaging
programs. Dollar cost averaging transfers for this program may only be made from
the fixed account. Such enhanced rate dollar cost averaging programs allow the
contract owner to earn a higher rate of interest on assets in the fixed account
than would normally be credited when not participating in the program. Each
enhanced interest rate is guaranteed for as long as the corresponding program is
in effect. Nationwide will process transfers until either amounts in the
enhanced rate fixed account are exhausted, or the contract owner instructs
Nationwide in writing to stop the transfers. For this program only, when a
written request to discontinue transfers is received, Nationwide will
automatically transfer the remaining amount in the enhanced rate fixed account
to the NSAT Money Market Fund.

Transfers occur monthly or on another frequency if permitted by Nationwide.
Nationwide will process transfers until either the value in the originating
investment option is exhausted, or the contract owner instructs Nationwide in
writing to stop the transfers.

Nationwide reserves the right to stop establishing new Dollar Cost Averaging
programs. Nationwide also reserves the right to assess a processing fee for this
service.



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SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS

Systematic withdrawals allow contract owners to receive a specified amount (of
at least $100) on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. Requests
for systematic withdrawals and requests to discontinue systematic withdrawals
must be in writing.

The withdrawals will be taken from the sub-accounts and the fixed account
proportionately unless Nationwide is instructed otherwise. A CDSC may apply.

Nationwide will withhold federal income taxes from systematic withdrawals unless
otherwise instructed by the contract owner. The Internal Revenue Service may
impose a 10% penalty tax 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.

If the contract owner takes systematic withdrawals, the maximum amount that can
be withdrawn annually without a CDSC is the greatest of:

     1)   10% of all purchase payments made to the contract as of the withdrawal
          date;

     2)   an amount withdrawn to meet minimum distribution requirements under
          the Internal Revenue Code; or

     3)   a percentage of the contract value based on the contract owner's age,
          as shown in the table below:


        CONTRACT OWNER'S              PERCENTAGE OF
              AGE                     CONTRACT VALUE

         Under age 59-1/2                    5%

     Age 59-1/2 through age 61               7%

      Age 62 through age 64                  8%

      Age 65 through age 74                 10%

         Age 75 and over                    13%


Contract value and contract owner's age are determined as of the date the
request for the withdrawal program is recorded by Nationwide's home office. For
joint owners, the older joint owner's age will be used.

If total amounts withdrawn in any contract year exceed the CDSC-free amount
described above, those amounts will only be eligible for the 10% of purchase
payment CDSC-free withdrawal privilege described in the "Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge" section. The total amount of CDSC for that contract year will be
determined in accordance with that provision.

The CDSC-free withdrawal privilege for systematic withdrawals is non-cumulative.
Free amounts not taken during any contract year cannot be taken as free amounts
in a subsequent contract year.

Nationwide reserves the right to stop establishing new systematic withdrawal
programs. Nationwide also reserves the right to assess a processing fee for this
service. Systematic withdrawals are not available before the end of the ten-day
free look period (see "Right to Revoke").

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE

The annuity commencement date is the date on which annuity payments are
scheduled to begin. The contract owner may change the annuity commencement date
before annuitization. This change must be in writing and approved by Nationwide.

ANNUITIZING THE CONTRACT

ANNUITIZATION DATE

The annuitization date is the date that annuity payments begin. It will be the
first day of a calendar month unless otherwise agreed, and must be at least 2
years after the contract is issued. If the contract is issued to fund a
Qualified Plan or Tax Sheltered Annuity plan, annuitization may occur during the
first 2 years subject to Nationwide's approval.

ANNUITIZATION

Annuitization is the period during which annuity payments are received. It is
irrevocable once payments have begun. Upon arrival of the annuitization date,
the annuitant must choose:

     (1)  an annuity payment option; and

     (2)  either a fixed payment annuity, variable payment annuity, or an
          available combination.



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Nationwide guarantees that each payment under a fixed payment annuity will be
the same throughout annuitization. Under a variable payment annuity, the amount
of each payment will vary with the performance of the underlying mutual funds
chosen by the contract owner.

FIXED PAYMENT ANNUITY

A fixed payment annuity is an annuity where the amount of the annuity payment
remains level.


The first payment under a fixed payment annuity is determined on the
annuitization date on an "age last birthday basis" by:

     1)   deducting applicable premium taxes from the total contract value; then

     2)   applying the contract value amount specified by the contract owner to
          the fixed payment annuity table for the annuity payment option
          elected.

Subsequent payments will remain level unless the annuity payment option elected
provides otherwise. Nationwide does not credit discretionary interest during
annuitization.

VARIABLE PAYMENT ANNUITY

A variable payment annuity is an annuity where the amount of the annuity
payments will vary depending on the performance of the underlying mutual funds
selected.

The first payment under a variable payment annuity is determined on the
annuitization date on an "age last birthday basis" by:

     1)   deducting applicable premium taxes from the total contract value; then

     2)   applying the contract value amount specified by the contract owner to
          the variable payment annuity table for the annuity payment option
          elected.

The dollar amount of the first payment is converted into a set number of annuity
units that will represent each monthly payment. This is done by dividing the
dollar amount of the first payment by the value of an annuity unit as of the
annuitization date. This number of annuity units remains fixed during
annuitization.

The second and subsequent payments are 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 amount of the second and subsequent payments will
vary with the performance of the selected underlying mutual funds. Nationwide
guarantees that variations in mortality experience from assumptions used to
calculate the first payment will not affect the dollar amount of the second and
subsequent payments.

ASSUMED INVESTMENT RATE

An assumed investment rate is the percentage rate of return assumed to determine
the amount of the first payment under a variable payment annuity. Nationwide
uses the assumed investment rate of 3.5% to calculate the first annuity payment.
The assumed investment rate of 3.5% is the percentage rate of return required to
maintain level variable annuity payments. Subsequent variable annuity payments
may be more or less than the first based on whether actual investment
performance is higher or lower than the assumed investment rate of 3.5%.

VALUE OF AN ANNUITY UNIT

Annuity unit values for sub-accounts are determined by multiplying the net
investment factor for the valuation period for which the annuity unit is being
calculated by the immediately preceding valuation period's annuity unit value,
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.

EXCHANGES AMONG UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS

Exchanges among underlying mutual funds during annuitization must be in writing.
Exchanges will occur on each anniversary of the annuitization date.

FREQUENCY AND AMOUNT OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS

Payments are made based on the annuity payment option selected, unless:

     o    the amount to be distributed is less than $5,000, in which case
          Nationwide may make



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          one lump sum payment of the contract value; or

     o    an annuity payment would be less than $50, in which case Nationwide
          can change the frequency of payments to intervals that will result in
          payments of at least $50. Payments will be made at least annually.

ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTIONS

Contract owners must elect an annuity payment option before the annuitization
date. The annuity payment options are:

(1)  LIFE ANNUITY - An annuity payable periodically, but at least annually, for
     the lifetime of the annuitant. Payments will end upon the annuitant's
     death. 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 a
     designated second individual. If one of these parties dies, payments will
     continue for the lifetime of the survivor. As is the case under option 1,
     there is no guaranteed number of payments. Payments end upon the death of
     the last surviving party, 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 the end of the guaranteed period and will be paid to a designee
     chosen by the annuitant at the time the annuity payment option was elected.

     The designee may elect to receive the present value of the remaining
     guaranteed payments in a lump sum. The present value will be computed as of
     the date Nationwide receives the notice of the annuitant's death.

Not all of the annuity payment options may be available in all states. Contract
owners may request other options before the annuitization date. These options
are subject to Nationwide's approval.

No distribution for Non-Qualified Contracts will be made until an annuity
payment option has been elected. IRAs and Tax Sheltered Annuities are subject to
the "minimum distribution" requirements set forth in the plan, contract, and the
Internal Revenue Code.

DEATH BENEFITS

DEATH OF CONTRACT OWNER - NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

If the contract owner who is not the annuitant dies before the annuitization
date, the joint owner becomes the contract owner. If no joint owner is named,
the contingent owner becomes the contract owner. If no contingent owner is
named, the last surviving contract owner's estate becomes the contract owner.

If the contract owner and annuitant are the same, and the contract
owner/annuitant dies before the annuitization date, the contingent owner will
not have any rights in the contract unless the contingent owner is also the
beneficiary.

Distributions under Non-Qualified Contracts will be made pursuant to the
"Required Distributions for Non-Qualified Contracts" provision.

DEATH OF ANNUITANT - NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

If the annuitant who is not the contract owner dies before the annuitization
date, a death benefit is payable to the beneficiary unless a contingent
annuitant is named. If a contingent annuitant is named, the contingent annuitant
becomes the annuitant and no death benefit is payable.

If no beneficiaries survive the annuitant, the contingent beneficiary(ies)
receives the death benefit. Contingent beneficiaries will share the death
benefit equally, unless otherwise specified.

If no beneficiaries or contingent beneficiaries survive the annuitant, the
contract owner or the last surviving contract owner's estate will receive the
death benefit.



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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 CONTRACT OWNER/ANNUITANT

If a contract owner who is also the annuitant dies before the annuitization
date, a death benefit is payable according to the "Death of the Annuitant -
Non-Qualified Contracts" provision.

If the contract owner/annuitant dies after the annuitization date, any benefit
that may be payable will be paid according to the selected annuity payment
option.

HOW THE DEATH BENEFIT VALUE IS DETERMINED

The death benefit value is determined as of the date Nationwide receives:

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

     (2)  an election specifying the distribution method; and

     (3)  any state required form(s).

The beneficiary may elect to receive the death benefit:

     (1)  in a lump sum;

     (2)  as an annuity; or

     (3)  in any other manner permitted by law and approved by Nationwide.

The beneficiary must notify Nationwide of this election within 60 days of the
annuitant's death.

DEATH BENEFIT PAYMENT

For contracts issued on or after May 1, 1998 or the date on which state
insurance authorities approved applicable contract modifications,

     o    If the annuitant dies prior to his or her 86th birthday, the dollar
          amount of the death benefit will be the greatest of:

          1)   the contract value;

          2)   the sum of all purchase payments, less an adjustment for amounts
               surrendered; or

          3)   the contract value as of the most recent five year contract
               anniversary, less an adjustment for amounts surrendered since
               that five year contract anniversary.

     o   If the annuitant dies on or after his or her 86th birthday and prior
         to annuitization, the death benefit will equal the contract value.

     The adjustment for amounts surrendered will reduce items (2) and (3) 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 a date prior to which state
insurance authorities approved applicable contract modifications:

     o    If the annuitant dies prior to his or her 86th birthday, the dollar
          amount of the death benefit will be the greatest of:

          1)   the contract value;

          2)   the sum of all purchase payments, less amounts surrendered; or

          3)   the contract value as of the most recent five year contract
               anniversary, less amounts surrendered since that five year
               contract anniversary.

     o    If the annuitant dies on or after his or her 86th birthday and prior
          to annuitization, the death benefit will equal the contract value

     If the annuitant dies after the annuitization date, any payment that may be
     payable will be determined according to the selected annuity payment
     option.

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

Internal Revenue Code Section 72(s) requires Nationwide to make certain
distributions when a contract owner dies. The following distributions will be
made according to those requirements:

     1)   If any contract owner dies on or after the annuitization date and
          before the entire interest in the contract has been distributed, then
          the remaining interest must be distributed at least as rapidly as the
          distribution method in effect on the contract owner's death.

     2)   If any contract owner dies before the annuitization date, then the
          entire interest in



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          the contract (consisting of either the death benefit or the contract
          value reduced by charges set forth elsewhere in the contract) will be
          distributed within 5 years of the contract owner's death, 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 longer than the life expectancy of the designated
               beneficiary. Payments must begin within one year of the contract
               owner's death unless otherwise permitted by federal income tax
               regulations;

          b)   if the designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse of the
               deceased contract owner, the spouse can choose to become the
               contract owner instead of receiving a death benefit. Any
               distributions required under these distribution rules will be
               made upon that spouse's death.

In the event that the contract owner 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 a contract
          owner;

     b)   any change of annuitant will be treated as the death of a contract
          owner; and

     c)   in either case, the appropriate distribution will be made upon the
          death or change, as the case may be.

These distribution provisions do not apply to any contract exempt from Section
72(s) of the Internal Revenue Code by reason of Section 72(s)(5) or any other
law or rule.

The designated beneficiary must elect a method of distribution and notify
Nationwide of this election within 60 days of the contract owner's death.

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

Distributions from Tax Sheltered Annuities will be made according to the Minimum
Distribution and Incidental Benefit ("MDIB") provisions of Section 401(a)(9) of
the Internal Revenue Code. Distributions will be made to the annuitant according
to the selected annuity payment option over a period not longer than:

     a)   the life of the annuitant or the joint lives of the annuitant and the
          annuitant's designated beneficiary; or

     b)   a period not longer than the life expectancy of the annuitant or the
          joint life expectancies of the annuitant and the annuitant's
          designated beneficiary.

Required distributions do not have to be withdrawn from this contract if they
are being withdrawn from another Tax Sheltered Annuity of the annuitant.

If the annuitant's entire interest in a Tax Sheltered Annuity will be
distributed in equal or substantially equal payments over a period described in
a) or b), the payments will begin on the required beginning date. The required
beginning date is the later of:

     a)   April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the
          annuitant reaches age 70-1/2; or

     b)   the annuitant's retirement date.

Provision b) does not apply to any employee who is a 5% owner (as defined in
Section 416 of the Internal Revenue Code) with respect to the plan year ending
in the calendar year when the employee attains the age of 70-1/2.

Distributions commencing on the required distribution date must satisfy MDIB
provisions set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. Those provisions require that
distribution cannot be less than the amount determined by dividing the
annuitant's interest in the Tax Sheltered Annuity by the end of the previous
calendar year by:

     a)   the annuitant's life expectancy, or if applicable;

     b)   the joint and survivor life expectancy of the annuitant and the
          annuitant's beneficiary.

The life expectancies and joint life expectancies are determined by reference to
Treasury Regulation 1.72-9.



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If the annuitant dies before distributions begin, 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 the annuitant's death occurs
unless:

     a)   the annuitant names his or her surviving spouse as the beneficiary and
          the spouse chooses to receive distribution of the contract in
          substantially equal payments over his or her life (or a period not
          longer than his or her life expectancy) and beginning no 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 distribution of the
          contract in substantially equal payments over his or her life (or a
          period not longer than his or her life expectancy) beginning no later
          than December 31 of the year following the year in which the annuitant
          dies.

If the annuitant dies after distributions have begun, distributions must
continue at least as rapidly as under the schedule used before the annuitant's
death.

If distribution requirements are not met, a penalty tax of 50% is levied on the
difference between the amount that should have been distributed for that year
and the amount that actually was distributed for that year.

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES

Distributions from an Individual Retirement Annuity must begin no later than
April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the contract
owner reaches age 70-1/2. Distribution may be paid 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 longer than 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 before distributions begin, the interest in the
Individual Retirement Annuity must be distributed by December 31 of the calendar
year in which the fifth anniversary of the contract owner's death occurs,
unless:

     a)   the contract owner names his or her surviving spouse as the
          beneficiary and such spouse chooses to:

          1)   treat the contract as an Individual Retirement Annuity
               established for his or her benefit; or

          2)   receive distribution of the contract in substantially equal
               payments over his or her life (or a period not longer than his or
               her life expectancy) and beginning no later than December 31 of
               the year in which the contract owner would have reached 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 substantially equal payments over his or her life (or a
          period not longer than his or her life expectancy) beginning no later
          than December 31 of the year following the year of the contract
          owner's death.

Required distributions do not have to be withdrawn from this contract if they
are being withdrawn from another Individual Retirement Annuity or Individual
Retirement Account of the contract owner.

If the contract owner dies after distributions have begun, distributions must
continue at least as rapidly as under the schedule being used before the
contract owner's death. However, 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 distribution requirements are not met, a penalty tax of 50% is levied on the
difference between the amount that should have been distributed for that year
and the amount that actually was distributed for that year.



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A portion of each distribution will be included in the recipient's gross income
and taxed at ordinary income tax rates. The portion of a distribution which is
taxable is based on the ratio between the amount by which non-deductible
purchase payments exceed prior non-taxable distributions and total account
balances at the time of the distribution. The owner of an Individual Retirement
Annuity must annually report the amount of non-deductible purchase payments, the
amount of any distribution, the amount by which non-deductible purchase payments
for all years exceed non-taxable distributions for all years, and the total
balance of all Individual Retirement Annuities.

Individual Retirement Annuity distributions will not receive the favorable tax
treatment of a lump sum distribution from a Qualified Plan. If the contract
owner dies before the entire interest in the contract has been distributed, the
balance will also be included in his or her gross estate.


REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR ROTH IRAs

The rules for Roth IRAs do not require distributions to begin during the
contract owner's lifetime.

When the contract owner dies, the 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 the spouse chooses to:

          1)   treat the contract as a Roth IRA established for his or her
               benefit; or

          2)   receive distribution of the contract in substantially equal
               payments over his or her life (or a period not longer than his or
               her life expectancy) and beginning no later than December 31 of
               the year following the year in which the contract owner would
               have reached age 70-1/2; or

     b)   the contract owner names a beneficiary other than his or her surviving
          spouse and the beneficiary chooses to receive distribution of the
          contract in substantially equal payments over his or her life (or a
          period not longer than his or her life expectancy) beginning no later
          than December 31 of the year following the 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 Tax Considerations").

FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

Contract owners should consult a financial consultant, legal counsel or tax
adviser to discuss in detail the taxation and the use of the contracts.

Nationwide does not guarantee the tax status of the contracts or any
transactions involving the contracts.

Section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code governs federal income taxation of
annuities in general. That section sets forth different rules for: (1)
Individual Retirement Annuities and Individual Retirement Accounts; (2) Roth
IRAs; (3) SEP IRAs; (4) Tax Sheltered Annuities; and (5) Non-Qualified
Contracts. Each type of annuity is discussed below.

Individual Retirement Annuities, SEP IRAs and Individual Retirement Accounts

Distributions from Individual Retirement Annuities, SEP IRAs and contracts owned
by Individual Retirement Accounts are generally taxed when received. The
excludable portion of each payment is based on the ratio between the amount by
which non-deductible purchase payments to all the 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 these Individual
Retirement Annuities or SEP IRAs, or the annuitant under contracts held by
Individual Retirement Accounts must annually report to the Internal Revenue
Service:

     o    the amount of nondeductible purchase payments;



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     o    the amount of any distributions;

     o    the amount by which nondeductible purchase payments for all years
          exceed non-taxable distributions for all years; and

     o    the total balance in all Individual Retirement Annuities, SEP IRAs and
          Individual Retirement Accounts.

Roth IRAs

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 requirements:

     (i)    it is made on or after the date on which the contract owner attains
            age 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 Internal Revenue 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
contains 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 non-qualified 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 non-qualified distribution is not includible in gross income to the
extent that the distribution, when added to all previous distributions, does not
exceed that total amount of contributions made to the Roth IRA. Any
non-qualified 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 same favorable tax treatment of a
lump sum distribution from a Qualified Plan. If the contract owner dies before
the contract is completely distributed, the balance will also be included in the
contract owner's gross estate for tax purposes.

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

Tax Sheltered Annuities

Distributions from Tax Sheltered Annuities are generally taxed when received. A
portion of each distribution is excludable from income based on a formula
required by the Internal Revenue Code. The formula excludes from income the
amount invested in the contract divided by the number of anticipated payments
(as determined pursuant to Section 72(d) of the Internal Revenue Code) until the
full investment in the contract is recovered. Thereafter all distributions are
fully taxable.

Non-Qualified Contracts - Natural Persons as Contract Owners

The rules applicable to Non-Qualified Contracts provide that a portion of each
annuity payment 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 includible in income. The maximum amount excludable from income is the
investment in the contract. If the annuitant dies before the entire investment
in the contract has been excluded from income, and no additional payments are
due after his or her death, then he or she may be entitled to a deduction for
the balance of the investment on his or her final income tax return.



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Distributions before 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
that 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 before the annuitization date allocable to a portion of the
contract invested prior to August 14, 1982, are treated first as a recovery of
the investment in the contract as of that date. A distribution in excess of the
amount of the investment in the contract as of August 14, 1982, will be treated
as taxable income.

The Tax Reform Act of 1986 has changed the tax treatment of certain
non-qualified contracts held by entities other than individuals. Such entities
are taxed currently on earnings from 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 Internal Revenue 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.

Internal Revenue Code Section 72 also assesses a penalty tax if a distribution
is made before the contract owner reaches age 59-1/2. The amount of the penalty
is 10% of the portion of any distribution that is includible in gross income.
The penalty tax does not apply if the distribution

     1)   is the result of a contract owner's death;

     2)   is the result of a contract owner's disability;

     3)   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),

     4)   is for the purchase of an immediate annuity;

     5)   is allocable to an investment in the contract before August 14, 1982.

A contract owner that wants to begin taking distributions to which the 10% tax
penalty does not apply should forward a written request to Nationwide. Upon
receipt of this written request, Nationwide will inform the contract owner of
Nationwide's policies and procedures, as well as contract limitations. An
election to begin taking these withdrawals will be irrevocable and may not be
amended or changed.

In order to qualify as an annuity contract under Section 72 of the Internal
Revenue Code, the contract must provide for distribution of the entire contract
upon a contract owner's death. These rules are described in "Required
Distributions for Non-Qualified Contracts."

The Internal Revenue Code requires that any election to receive an annuity
instead of a lump sum payment be made within 60 days after the lump sum becomes
payable (generally, within 60 days of the death of a contract owner or the
annuitant). As long as the election is made within the 60 day period, each
distribution will be taxable when it is paid. Upon the end of this 60 day
period, if no election has been made, the entire amount of the lump sum will be
subject to



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immediate tax, even if the payee decides at a later date to take the
distribution as an annuity.

Non-Qualified Contracts - Non-Natural Persons as Contract Owners

The previous discussion related to the taxation of Non-Qualified Contracts owned
(or, pursuant to Section 72(u) of the Internal Revenue Code, deemed to be owned)
by individuals. Different rules apply if the contract owner is not a natural
person.

Generally, contracts owned by corporations, partnerships, trusts, and similar
entities ("non-natural persons") are not treated as annuity contracts under the
Internal Revenue Code. Specifically, they are not treated as annuity contracts
for purposes of Section 72. Therefore, 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. Taxation is not deferred, even if the
income is not distributed out of the contract to the contract owner.

This 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 would put the contract back under
Section 72, allowing tax deferral. However, this exception does not apply when
the non-natural person is an employer that holds the contract under a
non-qualified deferred compensation arrangement for one or more employees.

The non-natural person rule also does not apply to contracts that are:

     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.

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES AND TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

Contract owners looking for information on eligibility, limitations on
permissible amounts of purchase payments, and the tax consequences of
distributions from Individual Retirement Annuities and Tax Sheltered Annuities
should contact a qualified adviser. The terms of each plan may limit the rights
available under the contracts.

Section 403(b)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code requires a contract issued as
a Tax Sheltered Annuity to limit purchase payments for any year to an amount
that does not exceed the limit set forth in Section 402(g) of the Internal
Revenue Code. This limit is increased from time to time to reflect increases in
the cost of living. This limit may be reduced by deposits, contributions or
payments made to another Tax Sheltered Annuity or other plan, contract or
arrangement by or on behalf of the contract owner.

The Internal Revenue Code allows most distributions from Qualified Plans to be
rolled into other Qualified Plans or Individual Retirement Annuities. Most
distributions from Tax Sheltered Annuities may be rolled into another Tax
Sheltered Annuity, Individual Retirement Annuity, or an Individual Retirement
Account. Distributions that may NOT be rolled over are those that are:

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

          1)   over the life (or life expectancy) of the contract owner;

          2)   over the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the contract
               owner and the contract owner's designated beneficiary;

          3)   for a specified period of ten years or more; or

     b)   a required minimum distribution.

Any distribution that is eligible for rollover will be subject to federal tax
withholding of 20% if the distribution is not rolled into an appropriate plan as
described above.



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Individual Retirement Accounts and Individual Retirement Annuities may not
provide life insurance benefits. If the death benefit exceeds the greater of the
contract's cash value or the sum of all purchase payments (less any surrenders),
the contract could be considered life insurance. Consequently, the Internal
Revenue Service could determine that the Individual Retirement Account, or
Individual Retirement Annuity does not qualify for the desired tax treatment.

ROTH IRAS

The contract may be purchased as a Roth IRA. For detailed information on
purchasing and holding this contract as a Roth IRA, the contract owner should
contact a financial adviser.

The Internal Revenue Code allows distributions from Individual Retirement
Accounts and Individual Retirement Annuities to be rolled into Roth IRAs. The
rollovers are subject to federal income tax as distributions from the Individual
Retirement Account or Individual Retirement Annuity.

For rollovers from Individual Retirement Accounts or Individual Retirement
Annuities, all of the income from the rollover will be required to be included
in income in the year of the rollover distribution from the Individual
Retirement Account or Individual Retirement Annuity.

A distribution from a Roth IRA that contains the proceeds of a rollover from an
Individual Retirement Account or Individual Retirement Annuity within the
preceding 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 Individual Retirement Annuity 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 result in
the loss of all or a portion of the four year spread, subjecting the amount
deferred under the four year election to current taxation.

WITHHOLDING

Pre-death distributions from the contracts are subject to federal income tax.
Nationwide will withhold the tax from the distributions unless the contract
owner requests otherwise. Contract owners may not waive withholding if the
distribution is subject to mandatory back-up withholding (if no mandatory
taxpayer identification number is given or if the Internal Revenue Service
notifies Nationwide that mandatory back-up withholding is required) or if it is
an eligible rollover distribution. Mandatory back-up withholding rates are 31%
of income that is distributed.

NON-RESIDENT ALIENS

Generally, a pre-death distribution from a contract to a non-resident alien is
subject to federal income tax at a rate of 30% of the amount of income that is
distributed. Nationwide is required to withhold this amount and send it to the
Internal Revenue Service. Some distributions to non-resident aliens may be
subject to a lower (or no) tax if a treaty applies. In order to obtain the
benefits of such a treaty, the non-resident alien must:

     1)   provide Nationwide with proof of residency and citizenship (in
          accordance with Internal Revenue Service requirements); and

     2)   provide Nationwide with an individual taxpayer identification number.

If the non-resident alien does not meet the above conditions, Nationwide will
withhold 30% of income from the distribution.

Another way to avoid the 30% withholding is for the non-resident alien to
provide Nationwide with sufficient evidence that:

     1)   the distribution is connected to the non-resident alien's conduct of
          business in the United States; and

     2)   the distribution is includible in the non-resident alien's gross
          income for United States federal income tax purposes.

Note that these distributions may be subject to back-up withholding, currently
31%, if a correct taxpayer identification number is not provided.



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FEDERAL ESTATE, GIFT, AND GENERATION SKIPPING TRANSFER TAXES

The following transfers may be considered a gift for federal gift tax purposes:

     o    a transfer of the contract from one contract owner to another; or

     o    a distribution to someone other than a contract owner.

Upon the contract owner's death, the value of the contract may be subject to
estate taxes, even if all or a portion of the value is also subject to federal
income taxes.

Section 2612 of the Internal Revenue Code may require Nationwide to determine
whether a death benefit or other distribution is a "direct skip" and the amount
of the resulting generation skipping transfer tax, if any. A direct skip is 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 Internal Revenue
          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:

     o    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

     o    who is required to report the transfer of the contract, death benefit,
          distribution, or other payment for federal gift tax purposes.

If a transfer is a direct skip, Nationwide will deduct the amount of the
transfer tax from the death benefit, distribution or other payment, and remit it
directly to the Internal Revenue Service.

PUERTO RICO

Under the Puerto Rico tax code, distributions from a Non-Qualified Contract
before 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 in these
situations.

CHARGE FOR TAX

Nationwide is not required to maintain a capital gain reserve liability on
Non-Qualified Contracts. If tax laws change requiring a reserve, Nationwide may
implement and adjust a tax charge.

DIVERSIFICATION

Internal Revenue Code Section 817(h) contains rules on diversification
requirements for variable annuity contracts. A variable annuity contract that
does not meet these diversification requirements will not be treated as an
annuity, unless

     o    the failure to diversify was accidental;

     o    the failure is corrected; and

     o    a fine is paid to the Internal Revenue Service.

The amount of the fine will be the amount of 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 violation is not corrected, the contract owner will be considered the
owner of the underlying securities and will be taxed on the earnings of his or
her contract. Nationwide



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believes that the investments underlying this contract meet these
diversification requirements.

TAX CHANGES

The foregoing tax information is based on Nationwide's understanding of federal
tax laws. It is NOT intended as tax advice. All information is subject to change
without notice. For more details, contact your personal tax and/or financial
adviser.

STATEMENTS AND REPORTS

Nationwide will mail contract owners statements and reports. Therefore, contract
owners should promptly notify Nationwide of any address change.

These mailings will contain:

     o    statements showing the contract's quarterly activity;

     o    confirmation statements showing transactions that affect the
          contract's value. Confirmation statements will not be sent for
          recurring transactions (i.e., dollar cost averaging or salary
          reduction programs). Instead, confirmation of recurring transactions
          will appear in the contract's quarterly statements;

     o    annual and semi-annual reports containing all applicable information
          and financial statements or their equivalent, which must be sent to
          the underlying mutual fund beneficial shareholders as required by the
          rules under the Investment Company Act of 1940 for the variable
          account

Contract owners should review statements and confirmations carefully. All errors
or corrections must be reported to Nationwide immediately to assure proper
crediting to the contract. Unless Nationwide is notified within 30 days of
receipt of the statement, Nationwide will assume statements and confirmation
statements are correct.

YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE ISSUES

Nationwide has developed and implemented a plan to address issues related to the
Year 2000. The problem relates to many existing computer systems using only two
digits to identify a year in a date field. These systems were designed and
developed without considering the impact of the upcoming change in the century.
If not corrected, many computer systems could fail or create erroneous results
when processing information dated after December 31, 1999. Like many
organizations, Nationwide is required to renovate or replace many computer
systems so that the systems will function properly after December 31, 1999.


Nationwide has completed an inventory and assessment of all computer systems and
has implemented a plan to renovate or replace all applications that were
identified as not Year 2000 compliant. Nationwide has renovated all applications
that required renovation. Testing of the renovated programs included running
each application in a Year 2000 environment and was completed as planned during
1998. For applications being replaced, Nationwide had all replacement systems in
place and functioning as planned by year-end 1998. Conversions of existing
traditional life policies will continue through second quarter, 1999. In
addition, the shareholder services system that support our mutual fund products
will be fully deployed in the first quarter of 1999.

Nationwide has completed an inventory and assessment of all vendor products and
has tested and certified that each vendor product is Year 2000 compliant. Any
vendor products that could not be certified as Year 2000 compliant were replaced
or eliminated in 1998.

Nationwide has also addressed issues associated with the exchange of electronic
data with external organizations. Nationwide has completed an inventory and
assessment of all business partners including electronic interfaces. Processes
have been put in place and programs initiated to process data irrespective of
the format by converting non-compliant data into a Year 2000 compliant format.

Systems supporting Nationwide's infrastructure such as telecommunications, voice
and networks will be compliant by March 1999. Nationwide's assessment of Year
2000 issues has also included non-information technology systems



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with embedded computer chips. Nationwide's building systems such as fire,
security, elevators and escalators supporting facilities in Columbus, Ohio have
been tested and are Year 2000 compliant.

In addition to resolving internal Year 2000 readiness issues, Nationwide is
surveying significant external organizations (business partners) to assess if
they will be Year 2000 compliant and be in a position to do business in the Year
2000 and beyond. Specifically, Nationwide has contacted mutual fund
organizations that provide funds for our variable annuity and life products. The
same action will continue during the first quarter of 1999 with wholesale
producers. Nationwide continues its efforts to identify external risk factors
and is planning to develop contingency plans as part of its ongoing risk
management strategy.

Operating expenses in 1998 and 1997 included approximately $44.7 million and
$45.4 million, respectively, for technology projects, including costs related to
Year 2000. Nationwide anticipates spending approximately $5 million on Year 2000
activities in 1999. These expenses do not have an effect on the assets of the
variable account and are not charged through to the contract owner.

Management does not anticipate that the completion of Year 2000 renovation and
replacement activities will result in a reduction in operating expenses. Rather,
personnel and resources currently allocated to Year 2000 issues will be assigned
to other technology-related projects.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Nationwide 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 Nationwide.

The general distributor, Nationwide Advisory Services, 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 and
annuity pricing and sales practices. A number of these lawsuits have resulted in
substantial jury awards or settlements.

In February 1997, Nationwide was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in New
York state court related to the sale of whole life policies on a "vanishing
premium" basis (John H. Snyder v. Nationwide Life Insurance Company). In April
1998, Nationwide was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in Ohio state court
similar to the Snyder case (David and Joan Mishler v. Nationwide Life Insurance
Company). In August 1998, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Nationwide and
the plaintiffs executed a stipulation of settlement and submitted it to the New
York state court for approval. On August 20, 1998, the court in the Snyder case
signed an order preliminarily approving a class for settlement purposes (which
would include the Mishler case) and scheduled a fairness hearing for December
17, 1998. At the hearing, the court reviewed the fairness and reasonableness of
the proposed settlement and issued a final order and judgment. The approved
settlement provides for dismissal of both the Snyder and Mishler cases, bars
class members from pursuing litigation against Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Company and its affiliates, including Nationwide and its subsidiaries, relating
to the allegations in the Snyder case, and provides class members with a
potential value of approximately $100 million in policy adjustments, discounted
premiums and discounted products.

In November 1997, two plaintiffs, one who was the owner of a variable life
insurance policy and the other who was the owner of a variable annuity contract,
commenced a lawsuit in a federal court in Texas against Nationwide and the
American Century group of defendants (Robert Young and David D. Distad v.
Nationwide Life Insurance Company et al.). In this lawsuit, plaintiffs seek to
represent a class of variable life insurance policy owners and variable annuity
contract owners whom they claim were allegedly misled when purchasing these
variable contracts into believing that the performance of their underlying
mutual fund option managed by American Century, whose shares may only be
purchased by insurance companies, would track the performance of a



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mutual fund, also managed by American Century, whose shares are publicly traded.
The amended complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. On
April 27, 1998, the district court denied, in part, and granted, in part,
Nationwide and American Century's motions to dismiss the complaint. The
remaining claims against Nationwide allege securities fraud, common law fraud,
civil conspiracy and breach of contract. On December 2, 1998, the district court
issued an order denying plaintiffs' motion for class certification. On December
10, 1998, the district court stayed the lawsuit pending plaintiffs' petition to
the federal appeals court for interlocutory review of the order denying class
certification. On December 14, 1998, plaintiffs filed their petition for
interlocutory review, on which the federal appeals court has not yet ruled.
Nationwide intends to defend the case vigorously.

On October 29, 1998, Nationwide and certain of its subsidiaries were named in a
lawsuit filed in Ohio state court related to the sale of deferred annuity
products for use as investments in tax-deferred contributory retirement plans
(Mercedes Castillo v. Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., Nationwide Life
Insurance Company and Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company). The
plaintiff in such lawsuit seeks to represent a national class of Nationwide's
customers and seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. Nationwide
currently is evaluating this lawsuit, which has not been certified as a class.
Nationwide intends to defend this lawsuit vigorously.

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

ADVERTISING AND SUB-ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

A "yield" and "effective yield" may be advertised for the NSAT-Money Market
Fund. "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 NSAT-Money Market Fund's
units. Yield is an annualized figure, which means that it is assumed that the
NSAT-Money Market Fund 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.

Nationwide may advertise the performance of a sub-account in relation to the
performance of other variable annuity sub-accounts, 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:

     o    precious metals;
     o    real estate;
     o    stocks and bonds;
     o    closed-end funds;
     o    bank money market deposit accounts and passbook savings;
     o    CDs; and
     o    the Consumer Price Index.

Market Indexes

The sub-accounts will be compared to certain market indexes, such as:

     o    S&P 500;
     o    Shearson/Lehman Intermediate Government/Corporate Bond Index;
     o    Shearson/Lehman Long-Term Government/Corporate Bond Index;
     o    Donoghue Money Fund Average;
     o    U.S. Treasury Note Index;
     o    Bank Rate Monitor National Index of 2-1/2 Year CD Rates; and
     o    Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Tracking & Rating Services; Publications

Nationwide's rankings and ratings are sometimes published by other services,
such as:

     o    Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.,



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     o    CDA/Wiesenberger;
     o    Morningstar;
     o    Donoghue's;
     o    magazines such as:
          =>   Money;
          =>   Forbes;
          =>   Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine;
          =>   Financial World;
          =>   Consumer Reports;
          =>   Business Week;
          =>   Time;
          =>   Newsweek;
          =>   National Underwriter; and
          =>   News and World Report;
     o    LIMRA;
     o    Value;
     o    Best's Agent Guide;
     o    Western Annuity Guide;
     o    Comparative Annuity Reports;
     o    Wall Street Journal;
     o    Barron's;
     o    Investor's Daily;
     o    Standard & Poor's Outlook; and
     o    Variable Annuity Research & Data Service (The VARDS Report).

These rating services and publications rank the underlying mutual funds'
performance against other funds. These rankings may or may not include the
effects of sales charges or other fees.

Financial Rating Services

Nationwide is also ranked and rated by independent financial rating services,
among which are Moody's, Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best Company. Nationwide may
advertise these ratings. These ratings reflect Nationwide's financial strength
or claims-paying ability. The ratings are not intended to reflect the investment
experience or financial strength of the variable account.

Some Nationwide advertisements and endorsements may include lists of
organizations, individuals or other parties that recommend Nationwide or the
contract. Furthermore, Nationwide may occasionally advertise comparisons of
currently taxable and tax deferred investment programs, based on selected tax
brackets, or discussions of alternative investment vehicles and general economic
conditions.

Historical Performance of the Sub-Accounts

Nationwide will advertise historical performance of the sub-accounts. Nationwide
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 shows 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 it has not been available for one of
the prescribed periods). This calculation reflects the standard 7-year CDSC
schedule and the deduction of all charges that could be 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," shows 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 has been in
existence). For those underlying mutual funds which have not been available for
one of the prescribed periods, the nonstandardized total return illustrations
will show the investment performance the underlying mutual funds would have
achieved (reduced by the same charges except the CDSC) had they been available
in the variable account for one of the periods. 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 is closer to the size of a typical
contract than $1,000, which was used in calculating the standardized average
annual total return.

The standardized average annual total return and nonstandardized total return
quotations are calculated using data for the period ended December 31, 1998.
However, Nationwide generally provides performance information more frequently.
Information relating to



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performance of the sub-accounts is based on historical
earnings and does not represent or guarantee future results.







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<PAGE>   45


                         SUB-ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

                                                                                     10 YEARS OR DATE
                                                                                      FUND AVAILABLE      DATE FUND
                                                                                        IN VARIABLE        ADDED TO
                                                                     5 YEARS TO         ACCOUNT TO         VARIABLE
           SUB-ACCOUNT OPTION               1 YEAR TO 12/31/98        12/31/98           12/31/98          ACCOUNT

<S>                                         <C>                      <C>             <C>                  <C>
Evergreen Variable Trust- Evergreen VA            14.24%                 N/A              13.44%           03-03-97
Aggressive Growth Fund

Evergreen Variable Trust- Evergreen VA            -1.53%                 N/A              16.92%           03-01-96
Fund

Evergreen Variable Trust- Evergreen VA             2.78%                 N/A              15.71%           03-01-96
Foundation Fund

Evergreen Variable Trust- Evergreen VA            -2.99%                 N/A              16.97%           03-01-96
Growth and Income Fund

Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA           10.96%                 N/A              10.38%           03-03-97
Global Leaders Fund

Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA             N/A                  N/A              -12.20%          05/01/98
Small Cap Equity Income Fund

Evergreen Variable Trust- Evergreen VA            -1.87%                 N/A               1.29%           03-03-97
Strategic Income Fund

Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio               -11.57%                 N/A               4.40%           03-01-96

Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio                    4.87%                 N/A               9.05%           03-01-96

Fidelity VIP II Asset Manager Portfolio            7.14%                 N/A              13.85%           03-01-96

Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Portfolio              21.86%                 N/A              21.73%           02-03-97

Fidelity VIP III Growth Opportunities             16.57%                 N/A              20.89%           02-03-97
Portfolio

NSAT- Government Bond Fund                         1.08%                 N/A               4.87%           03-01-96

NSAT- Money Market Fund                           -2.50%                 N/A               1.93%           02-29-96
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NON-STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

                                                                                       10 YEARS TO
                                                                    5 YEARS TO       12/31/98 OR LIFE     DATE FUND
           SUB-ACCOUNT OPTION               1 YEAR TO 12/31/98       12/31/98            OF FUND          EFFECTIVE

<S>                                         <C>                     <C>              <C>                  <C>
 Evergreen Variable Trust- Evergreen VA           20.54%                 N/A              16.43%           02-28-97
Aggressive Growth Fund

Evergreen Variable Trust- Evergreen VA             4.95%                 N/A              18.33%           03-01-96
Fund

Evergreen Variable Trust- Evergreen VA             9.08%                 N/A              17.15%           03-01-96
Foundation Fund

 Evergreen Variable Trust- Evergreen VA            3.31%                 N/A              18.38%           03-01-96
Growth and Income Fund

Evergreen Variable Trust- Evergreen VA            17.26%                 N/A              13.45%           02-28-97
Global Leaders Fund

Evergreen Variable Trust - Evergreen VA           -3.77%                 N/A                 N/A           05-01-98
Small Cap Equity Income Fund

Evergreen Variable Trust- Evergreen VA             4.43%                 N/A               4.63%           02-28-97
Strategic Income Fund

Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio                -5.67%               7.28%               9.53%           09-19-85

Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio                   11.17%               8.17%               8.55%           01-28-87

Fidelity VIP II Asset Manager Portfolio           13.44%              10.25%              11.41%           02-28-97

Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Portfolio              28.16%                 N/A              26.86%           01-03-95

Fidelity VIP III Growth Opportunities             22.87%                 N/A               9.53%           01-03-95
Portfolio

NSAT- Government Bond Fund                         7.38%               5.77%               7.82%           11-08-82

NSAT- Money Market Fund                            3.80%               3.57%               3.94%           11-10-81
</TABLE>


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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                                                                                                               PAGE
<S>                                                                                                            <C>
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
</TABLE>









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APPENDIX A: OBJECTIVES FOR UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS

The underlying mutual funds listed below are designed primarily as investments
for variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by
insurance companies.

There is no guarantee that the investment objectives will be met.

EVERGREEN VARIABLE TRUST

The Evergreen Variable Trust ("Trust") is an open-end management investment
company commonly referred to as a Mutual Fund. The Trust is designed to provide
investors with a selection of investment alternatives which seek to provide
capital growth, income and diversification through its investment series (the
"Funds"). Shares of the Funds are sold to separate accounts funding variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by life insurance
companies.

The investment adviser to the Evergreen VA Fund, Evergreen VA Foundation Fund,
Evergreen VA Growth and Income Fund and Evergreen VA Global Leaders Fund is
Evergreen Asset Management Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Union
National Bank of North Carolina ("FUNB"), which in turn is a subsidiary of First
Union Corporation. The Capital Management Group of FUNB serves as investment
adviser to Evergreen VA Aggressive Growth Fund. The investment adviser to the
Evergreen VA Strategic Income Fund is Keystone Investment Management Company, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of FUNB.

     -EVERGREEN VA AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND

     Investment Objective: Seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
     primarily in common stocks of emerging growth companies and in larger, more
     well established companies, all of which are viewed by the Fund's
     investment adviser as having above average appreciation potential.

     -EVERGREEN VA FOUNDATION FUND

     Investment Objective: Seeks, in order of priority, reasonable income,
     conservation of capital and capital appreciation by investing principally
     in income-producing common and preferred stocks, securities convertible
     into or exchangeable for common stocks and fixed income securities. The
     Fund's common stock investments will include those which (at the time of
     purchase) pay dividends and in the view of the Adviser have potential for
     capital enhancement. The Fund may also invest up to 25% of its assets in
     foreign securities. While income will be a factor in the selection of
     equity securities, the Adviser will attempt to identify securities that
     offer potential for long term capital appreciation, but that do not exhibit
     any speculative characteristics.

     -EVERGREEN VA FUND

     Investment Objective: Seeks to achieve capital appreciation by primarily
     investing in common stock and securities convertible into or exchangeable
     for common stock of little-known or relatively small companies, or
     companies undergoing changes which the Adviser believes will have favorable
     consequences. Income will not be a factor in the selection of portfolio
     investments.

     -EVERGREEN VA GLOBAL LEADERS FUND

     Investment Objective: Seeks to achieve capital appreciation by investing
     primarily in a diversified portfolio of U.S. and non-U.S. equity securities
     of companies located in the world's major industrialized countries. The
     Fund's investment adviser will attempt to screen the largest companies in
     the world's major industrialized countries and cause the Fund to invest, in
     the opinion of the Fund's investment adviser, in the 100 best based on
     certain qualitative and quantitative criteria.

     -EVERGREEN VA GROWTH AND INCOME FUND

     Investment Objective: Seeks to achieve a return composed of capital
     appreciation in the value of its shares and current income. The Fund will
     attempt to meet its objective by investing primarily in common stock and
     securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock of companies
     which are undervalued in the market place relative to those companies'
     assets, breakup value, earnings, or potential growth earnings. These



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     companies are often found among those which have had a record of financial
     success but are currently in disfavor in the market place for reasons the
     Adviser perceives as temporary or erroneous. The Fund may invest up to 25%
     of its assets in foreign securities, as well as invest up to 5% of its
     total assets in debt securities which are rated below investment grade,
     commonly known as "junk bonds." There can be no assurance that the Fund's
     investment objective will be achieved.

     -EVERGREEN VA SMALL CAP EQUITY INCOME FUND

     Investment Objective: Seeks to maximize the total return on its portfolio
     of investments by investing in common and preferred stocks, securities
     convertible into or exchangeable for common stocks and fixed income
     securities. In attempting to achieve its objective, the Fund invests
     primarily in companies with total market capitalization of less than $500
     million.

     -EVERGREEN VA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND

     Investment Objective: Seeks high current income from interest on debt
     securities and secondarily, considers potential for growth of capital in
     selecting securities.

FIDELITY 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 variable annuity contracts.
Fidelity Management & Research Company ("FMR") is the manager for VIP and its
portfolios.

     -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 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.

FIDELITY 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.



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     -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.

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III

The Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund III (VIP III) is an open-end,
diversified, management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business
trust on July 14, 1994. VIP III'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 III and its portfolios.

     -VIP III GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO

     Investment Objective: Capital growth by investing primarily in common
     stocks and securities convertible into common stocks. The Portfolio, under
     normal conditions, 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.

NATIONWIDE SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST

Nationwide Separate Account Trust ("NSAT") is a diversified open-end management
investment company created under the laws of Massachusetts. NSAT offers shares
in the funds listed below, each with its own investment objectives. Shares of
NSAT will be sold primarily to life insurance company separate accounts to fund
the benefits under variable life insurance policies and variable annuity
contracts issued by life insurance companies. The assets of NSAT are managed by
Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

     -NSAT-GOVERNMENT BOND FUND

     Investment Objective: As high a level of income as is consistent with the
     preservation of capital by investing in a diversified portfolio of
     securities issued or backed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
     instrumentalities.

     -NSAT -MONEY MARKET FUND

     Investment Objective: As high a level of current income as is considered
     consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity by investing
     primarily in money market instruments.




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<PAGE>   50


                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                                   MAY 1, 1999

       MODIFIED SINGLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS ISSUED
                BY NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY THROUGH ITS
                          NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-6

This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It contains
information in addition to and more detailed than set forth in the prospectus
and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated May 1, 1999. The
prospectus may be obtained from Nationwide Life Insurance Company by writing P.
O. Box 182008, Columbus, Ohio 43218-2008, or calling 1-800-240-5054, TDD
1-800-238-3035.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            PAGE
General Information and History..............................................1
Services.....................................................................1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered.........................................1
Underwriters.................................................................2
Calculation of Performance...................................................2
Annuity Payments.............................................................3
Financial Statements.........................................................4

GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY

The Nationwide Variable Account-6 is a separate investment account of Nationwide
Life Insurance Company ("Nationwide"). All of Nationwide'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 (95.24%) and
Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company (4.76%), 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 $98.28 billion as of December 31, 1998.

SERVICES

Nationwide, 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 contract owner and records
with respect to the contract value of each contract.

Nationwide is the Custodian of the assets of the variable account. Nationwide
will maintain a record of all purchases and redemptions of shares of the
underlying mutual funds.

The audited financial statements have been included herein in reliance upon the
reports of KPMG 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 are sold by licensed insurance agents in the states where the
contracts may be lawfully sold. Agents are 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 Nationwide or any of its affiliated insurance companies of the type
and class which Nationwide determines is eligible for such an exchange,
Nationwide may waive any remaining CDSC on the first contract. A CDSC may apply
to the contract received in the exchange.






                                       2

                                   50 of 110
<PAGE>   51


UNDERWRITERS

The contracts, which are offered continuously, are distributed by Nationwide
Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS"). One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215, an
affiliate of Nationwide. During the fiscal years ended 1998, 1997 and 1996, no
underwriting commissions have been paid by Nationwide to NAS.

CALCULATIONS OF PERFORMANCE

Any current yield quotations of the NSAT Money Market Fund, 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 will be
calculated by determining the net change, exclusive of capital changes, in the
value of a 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. At December 31, 1998, the
NSAT- Money Market Fund's seven-day current unit value yield was 3.42%. The
NSAT-Money Market Fund's seven-day 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 Fund. At December 31, 1998, the seven-day
effective yield was 3.47%.

The NSAT-Money Market Fund yield and effective yield will fluctuate daily.
Actual yields will depend on factors such as the type of instruments in the
Fund's portfolio, portfolio quality and average maturity, changes in interest
rates, and the Fund's expenses. Although the NSAT-Money Market Fund 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 "Investment Manager and Other Services" in the NSAT-Money Market
Fund's Statement of Additional Information. There is no assurance that the
yields quoted on any given occasion will remain in effect for any period of time
and there is no guarantee that the net asset values will remain constant. It
should be noted that a contract owner's investment in the NSAT-Money Market Fund
is not guaranteed or insured. Yields of other money market funds may not be
comparable if a different base period or another method of calculation is used.

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 of a 1.40% mortality, expense risk
and administration charge. The redeemable value also reflects the effect of any
applicable CDSC that may be imposed at the end of the period (see " Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge " 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 $25,000 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
$25,000 will be used because that figure more closely approximates the size of a
typical contract than does the $1,000 figure used in calculating the
standardized average annual total return quotations. The amount of the
hypothetical initial investment used affects performance because the contract
maintenance charge is fixed per contract charge.

The standardized average annual total return and nonstandardized average annual
total return quotations will be current to the last day of the calendar quarter
preceding the date on which an advertisement is submitted for publication. Both
the standardized average annual return and the nonstandardized average annual
total return will be based on rolling calendar quarters and will cover periods
of one, five, and ten years, or a period covering the time the underlying mutual
fund has been available in the variable account for standardized average annual
returns, or the date the underlying mutual fund has been in existence for
nonstandardized average annual total



                                       3

                                   51 of 110
<PAGE>   52


returns, if the mutual fund has not been available in the variable account or in
existence for one of the prescribed periods. Quotations of average annual total
return and total return are based upon historical earnings and will fluctuate.
Any quotation of performance, therefore, would not be considered a guarantee of
future performance. Factors affecting a sub-account's performance include
general market conditions, operating expenses and investment management. A
contract owner's account when redeemed may be more or less than the original
cost.

ANNUITY PAYMENTS

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












                                       4

                                   52 of 110
<PAGE>   53

<PAGE>   1
                          Independent Auditors' Report

The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company and
Contract Owners of Nationwide Variable Account-6:

      We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities and
contract owners' equity of Nationwide Variable Account-6 as of December 31,
1998, 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, 1998, 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 Variable
Account-6 as of December 31, 1998, 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 LLP

Columbus, Ohio
February 5, 1999
<PAGE>   2
                          NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-6

          STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

                                DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSETS:
<S>                                                                               <C>
   Investments at market value:

      Evergreen - VA Aggressive Growth Fund (EvAggrGro)
         297,616 shares (cost $3,279,057) ......................................  $  4,038,647

      Evergreen - VA Foundation Fund (EvFound)
         4,779,242 shares (cost $62,546,690) ...................................    69,203,424

      Evergreen - VA Fund (EvFund)
         2,477,831 shares (cost $35,531,944) ...................................    37,935,587

      Evergreen - VA Global Leaders Fund (EvGloLead)
         750,959 shares (cost $8,596,500) ......................................     9,582,231

      Evergreen - VA Growth and Income Fund (EvGrInc)
         3,573,059 shares (cost $51,423,943) ...................................    55,668,265

      Evergreen - VA International Growth Fund (EvIntGr)
         151,668 shares (cost $1,454,675) ......................................     1,424,161

      Evergreen - VA Small Cap Equity Income Fund (EvSmCapEI)
         238,173 shares (cost $2,280,644) ......................................     2,281,693

      Evergreen - VA Strategic Income Fund (EvStratInc)
         1,076,294 shares (cost $11,303,862) ...................................    11,182,696

      Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio (FidVIPHI)
         181,197 shares (cost $2,260,830) ......................................     2,089,197

      Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio (FidVIPOv)
         145,241 shares (cost $2,704,463) ......................................     2,912,087

      Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio (FidVIPAM)
         118,800 shares (cost $1,902,227) ......................................     2,157,416

      Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio (FidVIPCon)
         85,968 shares (cost $1,725,140) .......................................     2,101,061

      Fidelity VIP-III - Growth Opportunities Portfolio (FidVIPGrOp)
         139,913 shares (cost $2,566,577) ......................................     3,201,213

      Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund (NSATGvtBd)
         117,370 shares (cost $1,364,533) ......................................     1,372,054

      Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund (NSATMyMkt)
         5,321,979 shares (cost $5,321,979) ....................................     5,321,979
                                                                                  ------------

            Total assets .......................................................   210,471,711

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE ...............................................................         2,822
                                                                                  ------------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY ........................................................  $210,468,889
                                                                                  ============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                ANNUAL
Contract owners' equity represented by:                      UNITS      UNIT VALUE                              RETURN(b)
                                                           --------     ----------                              ---------
<S>                                                        <C>          <C>              <C>                   <C>
Contracts in accumulation phase:

Evergreen - VA Aggressive Growth Fund:
   Tax qualified .................................           68,030     $  13.224364     $     899,653                21 %
   Non-tax qualified .............................          134,748        13.224364         1,781,957                21 %
   Initial Funding by Depositor (note 1a) ........          100,000        13.570000         1,357,000                22 %

Evergreen - VA Foundation Fund:
   Tax qualified .................................        1,231,590        15.661734        19,288,835                 9 %
   Non-tax qualified .............................        3,082,969        15.661734        48,284,640                 9 %
   Initial Funding by Depositor (note 1a) ........          100,000        16.299610         1,629,961                11 %

Evergreen - VA Fund:
   Tax qualified .................................          611,181        16.112386         9,847,584                 5 %
   Non-tax qualified .............................        1,639,136        16.112386        26,410,392                 5 %
   Initial Funding by Depositor (note 1a) ........          100,000        16.768642         1,676,864                 6 %

Evergreen - VA Global Leaders Fund:
   Tax qualified .................................          187,738        12.608870         2,367,164                17 %
   Non-tax qualified .............................          469,605        12.608870         5,921,188                17 %
   Initial Funding by Depositor (note 1a) ........          100,000        12.938210         1,293,821                19 %

Evergreen - VA Growth and Income Fund:
   Tax qualified .................................          893,262        16.130864        14,409,088                 3 %
   Non-tax qualified .............................        2,453,682        16.130864        39,580,011                 3 %
   Initial Funding by Depositor (note 1a) ........          100,000        16.787932         1,678,793                 5 %

Evergreen - VA International Growth Fund:
   Tax qualified .................................           15,381         9.340809           143,671                (7)%(a)
   Non-tax qualified .............................           36,559         9.340809           341,491                (7)%(a)
   Initial Funding by Depositor (note 1a) ........          100,000         9.390000           939,000                (6)%(a)

Evergreen - VA Small Cap Equity Income:
   Tax qualified .................................           30,706         9.623143           295,488                (4)%(a)
   Non-tax qualified .............................          105,451         9.623143         1,014,770                (4)%(a)
   Initial Funding by Depositor (note 1a) ........          100,000         9.714315           971,432                (3)%(a)

Evergreen - VA Strategic Income Fund:
   Tax qualified .................................          294,309        10.866478         3,198,102                 4 %
   Non-tax qualified .............................          632,171        10.866478         6,869,472                 4 %
   Initial Funding by Depositor (note 1a) ........          100,000        11.150478         1,115,048                 6 %

Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio:
   Tax qualified .................................           36,899        11.837723           436,800                (6)%
   Non-tax qualified .............................          139,559        11.837723         1,652,061                (6)%

Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio:
   Tax qualified .................................           34,092        13.323057           454,210                11 %
   Non-tax qualified .............................          184,444        13.323057         2,457,358                11 %
</TABLE>

                                                                     (Continued)
<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
                                                                                                                 ANNUAL
                                                             UNITS      UNIT VALUE                              RETURN(b)
                                                           --------     ----------                              ---------
<S>                                                        <C>          <C>            <C>                        <C>
Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio:
   Tax qualified .................................           35,587        14.983855           533,230                13 %
   Non-tax qualified .............................          108,376        14.983855         1,623,890                13 %

Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio:
   Tax qualified .................................           17,867        15.176535           271,159                28 %
   Non-tax qualified .............................          120,560        15.176535         1,829,683                28 %

Fidelity VIP-III - Growth Opportunities Portfolio:
   Tax qualified .................................           38,197        14.985852           572,415                23 %
   Non-tax qualified .............................          175,401        14.985852         2,628,533                23 %

Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund:
   Tax qualified .................................            9,045        11.981662           108,374                 7 %
   Non-tax qualified .............................          105,464        11.981662         1,263,634                 7 %

Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund:
   Tax qualified .................................          189,512        11.097664         2,103,140                 4 %
   Non-tax qualified .............................          290,059        11.097664         3,218,977                 4 %
                                                          =========        ========     --------------
                                                                                        $ 210,468,889
                                                                                        =============
</TABLE>


(a)      This investment option was not being utilized for the entire period.
         Accordingly, the annual return was computed for such period as the
         investment option was utilized.

(b)      The annual return does not include contract charges satisfied by
         surrendering units.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>   5
                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-6

        STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                     Years Ended December 31, 1998 and 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              TOTAL                                EvAggrGro
                                                   -------------------------------     ------------------------------
                                                         1998           1997                1998             1997
                                                   -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
<S>                                                <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
Investment activity:

Reinvested dividends ..........................    $   2,674,845           921,552              --                --
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ............................       (2,047,220)         (718,940)          (23,680)           (2,625)
                                                   -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
  Net investment activity .....................          627,625           202,612           (23,680)           (2,625)
                                                   -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold .........       18,362,960         5,439,115           661,548           146,318
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ...............      (15,304,263)       (5,092,331)         (637,865)         (130,185)
                                                   -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments .........        3,058,697           346,784            23,683            16,133
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments        1,749,886        10,826,924           663,791            95,799
                                                   -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
  Net gain (loss) on investments ..............        4,808,583        11,173,708           687,474           111,932
                                                   -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
Reinvested capital gains ......................        3,792,356         2,934,325              --                --
                                                   -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ........        9,228,564        14,310,645           663,794           109,307
                                                   -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
Equity transactions:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners .............................      120,644,969        40,652,403         1,604,948         1,713,176
Transfers between funds .......................             --                --             (22,143)           49,795
Redemptions ...................................       (9,976,873)       (1,288,100)          (76,952)           (2,987)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) ....         (221,448)          (22,638)             (169)             --
Adjustments to maintain reserves ..............           (2,045)          (59,518)              (30)             (129)
                                                   -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
    Net equity transactions ...................      110,444,603        39,282,147         1,505,654         1,759,855
                                                   -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------

Net change in contract owners' equity .........      119,673,167        53,592,792         2,169,448         1,869,162
Contract owners' equity beginning of period ...       90,795,722        37,202,930         1,869,162              --
                                                   -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
Contract owners' equity end of period .........    $ 210,468,889        90,795,722         4,038,610         1,869,162
                                                   =============     =============     =============     =============
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 EvFound                            EvFund
                                                    --------------------------------    -------------------------------
                                                          1998               1997             1998            1997
                                                    -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
<S>                                                 <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
Investment activity:

Reinvested dividends ..........................         1,205,584           432,577              --              52,250
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ............................          (683,822)         (240,775)         (374,658)         (134,972)
                                                    -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
  Net investment activity .....................           521,762           191,802          (374,658)          (82,722)
                                                    -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold .........         2,201,565           454,441         3,741,560           386,577
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ...............        (1,554,017)         (345,923)       (2,464,952)         (280,189)
                                                    -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments .........           647,548           108,518         1,276,608           106,388
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments         1,967,032         3,160,540          (993,694)        2,689,609
                                                    -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
  Net gain (loss) on investments ..............         2,614,580         3,269,058           282,914         2,795,997
                                                    -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
Reinvested capital gains ......................         1,011,705         1,140,621         1,170,913           707,913
                                                    -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ........         4,148,047         4,601,481         1,079,169         3,421,188
                                                    -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
Equity transactions:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners .............................        40,873,811         9,758,419        21,624,968         6,120,181
Transfers between funds .......................          (345,390)          435,226          (264,570)          677,468
Redemptions ...................................        (3,807,693)         (349,437)       (1,784,878)         (170,640)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) ....           (78,359)           (5,566)          (36,780)           (3,401)
Adjustments to maintain reserves ..............                 3           (20,320)             (385)          (11,406)
                                                    -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
    Net equity transactions ...................        36,642,372         9,818,322        19,538,355         6,612,202
                                                    -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------

Net change in contract owners' equity .........        40,790,419        14,419,803        20,617,524        10,033,390
Contract owners' equity beginning of period ...        28,413,017        13,993,214        17,317,316         7,283,926
                                                    -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
Contract owners' equity end of period .........        69,203,436        28,413,017        37,934,840        17,317,316
                                                    =============     =============     =============     =============

</TABLE>


                                                                     (Continued)
<PAGE>   6
                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-6

        STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                     Years Ended December 31, 1998 and 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                            EvGloLead                        EvGrinc
                                                   ---------------------------     --------------------------
                                                         1998          1997             1998            1997
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
<S>                                                <C>               <C>            <C>             <C>
Investment activity:

Reinvested dividends ..........................    $    53,046          13,693         445,613         107,784
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ............................        (70,467)         (6,316)       (589,626)       (215,211)
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
  Net investment activity .....................        (17,421)          7,377        (144,013)       (107,427)
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold .........        333,363          94,457       2,532,809         260,180
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ...............       (320,068)        (83,425)     (1,711,193)       (200,097)
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments .........         13,295          11,032         821,616          60,083
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments        937,511          48,221      (1,097,281)      4,175,082
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
  Net gain (loss) on investments ..............        950,806          59,253        (275,665)      4,235,165
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Reinvested capital gains ......................           --             6,846       1,025,093         851,646
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ........        933,385          73,476         605,415       4,979,384
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Equity transactions:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners .............................      5,846,998       2,688,641      31,886,459      10,489,601
Transfers between funds .......................        106,880         142,364        (880,523)        774,340
Redemptions ...................................       (202,140)         (5,540)     (2,663,166)       (301,923)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) ....         (1,289)           --           (59,682)         (6,093)
Adjustments to maintain reserves ..............           (281)           (321)            243         (18,127)
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
    Net equity transactions ...................      5,750,168       2,825,144      28,283,331      10,937,798
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------

Net change in contract owners' equity .........      6,683,553       2,898,620      28,888,746      15,917,182
Contract owners' equity beginning of period ...      2,898,620            --        26,779,146      10,861,964
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Contract owners' equity end of period .........    $ 9,582,173       2,898,620      55,667,892      26,779,146
                                                   ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========

</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              EvIntGr                       EvSmCapEI
                                                   --------------------------    ----------------------------
                                                        1998           1997           1998             1997
                                                   -----------     -----------    -----------     -----------
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>                 <C>        <C>
Investment activity:

Reinvested dividends ..........................           --              --           26,284            --
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ............................         (1,172)           --           (6,043)           --
                                                   -----------     -----------    -----------     -----------
  Net investment activity .....................         (1,172)           --           20,241            --
                                                   -----------     -----------    -----------     -----------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold .........         25,398            --           61,160            --
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ...............        (28,372)           --          (66,317)           --
                                                   -----------     -----------    -----------     -----------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments .........         (2,974)           --           (5,157)           --
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments        (30,514)           --            1,048            --
                                                   -----------     -----------    -----------     -----------
  Net gain (loss) on investments ..............        (33,488)           --           (4,109)           --
                                                   -----------     -----------    -----------     -----------
Reinvested capital gains ......................           --              --            2,958            --
                                                   -----------     -----------    -----------     -----------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ........        (34,660)           --           19,090            --
                                                   -----------     -----------    -----------     -----------
Equity transactions:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners .............................      1,349,323            --        2,256,250            --
Transfers between funds .......................        109,498            --            9,853            --
Redemptions ...................................           --              --           (3,501)           --
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) ....           --              --             --              --
Adjustments to maintain reserves ..............              1            --               (2)           --
                                                   -----------     -----------    -----------     -----------
    Net equity transactions ...................      1,458,822            --        2,262,600            --
                                                   -----------     -----------    -----------     -----------

Net change in contract owners' equity .........      1,424,162            --        2,281,690            --
Contract owners' equity beginning of period ...           --              --             --              --
                                                   -----------     -----------    -----------     -----------
Contract owners' equity end of period .........      1,424,162            --        2,281,690            --
                                                   ===========     ===========    ===========     ===========

</TABLE>
<PAGE>   7
                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-6

        STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                     Years Ended December 31, 1998 and 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                EvStratInc                      FidVIPHI
                                                   -----------------------------     -----------------------------
                                                         1998             1997             1998            1997
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
<S>                                                <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Investment activity:

Reinvested dividends ..........................    $    421,087           58,403          166,235           81,089
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ............................         (81,408)          (3,818)         (31,839)         (21,420)
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
  Net investment activity .....................         339,679           54,585          134,396           59,669
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold .........       1,064,321           27,364          637,651          135,073
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ...............      (1,035,887)         (26,954)        (608,365)        (123,630)
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments .........          28,434              410           29,286           11,443
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments        (130,808)           9,641         (397,432)         169,861
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
  Net gain (loss) on investments ..............        (102,374)          10,051         (368,146)         181,304
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Reinvested capital gains ......................            --              3,203          105,628           10,022
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ........         237,305           67,839         (128,122)         250,995
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Equity transactions:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners .............................       8,368,709        2,031,686          560,932          793,624
Transfers between funds .......................         625,598          110,007         (309,711)         (67,359)
Redemptions ...................................        (250,007)          (4,481)         (93,106)         (37,261)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) ....          (3,783)            --             (1,478)          (1,077)
Adjustments to maintain reserves ..............             (75)            (176)            (365)          (1,783)
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
    Net equity transactions ...................       8,740,442        2,137,036          156,272          686,144
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------

Net change in contract owners' equity .........       8,977,747        2,204,875           28,150          937,139
Contract owners' equity beginning of period ...       2,204,875             --          2,060,711        1,123,572
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Contract owners' equity end of period .........      11,182,622        2,204,875        2,088,861        2,060,711
                                                   ============     ============     ============     ============

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               FidVIPOv                           FidVIPAM
                                                    -----------------------------     -----------------------------
                                                          1998             1997             1998            1997
                                                    ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Investment activity:

Reinvested dividends ..........................           51,626           25,789           60,892           44,528
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ............................          (40,291)         (28,305)         (28,570)         (21,642)
                                                    ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
  Net investment activity .....................           11,335           (2,516)          32,322           22,886
                                                    ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold .........          298,379          134,986          180,711          183,404
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ...............         (271,550)        (125,100)        (165,427)        (168,748)
                                                    ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments .........           26,829            9,886           15,284           14,656
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments          100,727           32,191           24,653          135,695
                                                    ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
  Net gain (loss) on investments ..............          127,556           42,077           39,937          150,351
                                                    ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Reinvested capital gains ......................          152,162          102,376          182,677          111,698
                                                    ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ........          291,053          141,937          254,936          284,935
                                                    ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Equity transactions:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners .............................          146,809        1,095,522          157,578          457,162
Transfers between funds .......................          (96,968)         154,310          (49,668)         (24,319)
Redemptions ...................................          (88,116)         (55,512)         (91,144)         (47,012)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) ....           (1,809)          (1,667)          (1,133)          (1,956)
Adjustments to maintain reserves ..............             (595)          (2,173)            (287)          (1,822)
                                                    ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
    Net equity transactions ...................          (40,679)       1,190,480           15,346          382,053
                                                    ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------

Net change in contract owners' equity .........          250,374        1,332,417          270,282          666,988
Contract owners' equity beginning of period ...        2,661,194        1,328,777        1,886,838        1,219,850
                                                    ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Contract owners' equity end of period .........        2,911,568        2,661,194        2,157,120        1,886,838
                                                    ============     ============     ============     ============

</TABLE>

                                                                     (Continued)
<PAGE>   8
                          NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-6

        STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                     Years Ended December 31, 1998 and 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Fid VIPCon                       FidVIPGrOp
                                                   ----------------------------    ---------------------------
                                                        1998          1997            1998            1997
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
<S>                                                <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Investment activity:

Reinvested dividends ..........................    $     9,259            --            19,139            --
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ............................        (23,433)         (7,563)        (33,857)         (9,859)
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
  Net investment activity .....................        (14,174)         (7,563)        (14,718)         (9,859)
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold .........        486,379          43,360         264,446           8,378
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ...............       (386,936)        (41,279)       (195,987)         (7,246)
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments .........         99,443           2,081          68,459           1,132
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments        269,080         106,841         433,931         200,704
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
  Net gain (loss) on investments ..............        368,523         108,922         502,390         201,836
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Reinvested capital gains ......................         68,120            --            66,530            --
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ........        422,469         101,359         554,202         191,977
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Equity transactions:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners .............................        337,230         833,310         861,311       1,126,943
Transfers between funds .......................        179,052         278,193         389,976         202,051
Redemptions ...................................        (30,229)        (19,227)       (109,496)        (10,326)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) ....           (490)           --            (4,526)           --
Adjustments to maintain reserves ..............           (214)           (611)           (349)           (815)
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
    Net equity transactions ...................        485,349       1,091,665       1,136,916       1,317,853
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------

Net change in contract owners' equity .........        907,818       1,193,024       1,691,118       1,509,830
Contract owners' equity beginning of period ...      1,193,024            --         1,509,830            --
                                                   -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Contract owners' equity end of period .........    $ 2,100,842       1,193,024       3,200,948       1,509,830
                                                   ===========     ===========     ===========     ============

</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                NSATGvtBd                       NSATMyMkt
                                                    ----------------------------    ----------------------------
                                                         1998           1997            1998           1997
                                                     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
<S>                                                  <C>               <C>           <C>             <C>
Investment activity:

Reinvested dividends ..........................           43,647          14,524         172,433          90,915
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ............................          (10,720)         (3,173)        (47,634)        (23,261)
                                                     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
  Net investment activity .....................           32,927          11,351         124,799          67,654
                                                     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold .........          315,041         167,781       5,558,629       3,396,796
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ...............         (298,698)       (162,759)     (5,558,629)     (3,396,796)
                                                     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments .........           16,343           5,022            --              --
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments            1,842           2,740            --              --
                                                     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
  Net gain (loss) on investments ..............           18,185           7,762            --              --
                                                     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Reinvested capital gains ......................            6,570            --              --              --
                                                     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ........           57,682          19,113         124,799          67,654
                                                     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Equity transactions:
Purchase payments received from

  contract owners .............................           67,906         151,591       4,701,737       3,392,547
Transfers between funds .......................          995,059          (1,011)       (446,943)     (2,731,065)
Redemptions ...................................          (37,892)        (95,353)       (738,553)       (188,401)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) ....           (1,011)           (176)        (30,939)         (2,702)
Adjustments to maintain reserves ..............              (50)           (264)            341          (1,571)
                                                     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
    Net equity transactions ...................        1,024,012          54,787       3,485,643         468,808
                                                     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------

Net change in contract owners' equity .........        1,081,694          73,900       3,610,442         536,462
Contract owners' equity beginning of period ...          290,314         216,414       1,711,675       1,175,213
                                                     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Contract owners' equity end of period .........        1,372,008         290,314       5,322,117       1,711,675
                                                     ===========     ===========     ===========     ============

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements
<PAGE>   9
                          NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-6
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                           DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997

(1)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     (a) Organization and Nature of Operations

         Nationwide Variable Account-6 (the Account) was established pursuant to
         a resolution of the Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance
         Company (the Company) on February 2, 1994. The Account has been
         registered as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act
         of 1940.

         On February 28, 1996, the Company (Depositor) transferred to the
         Account, 100,000 shares of the Evergreen - VA Foundation Fund, 100,000
         shares of the Evergreen - VA Fund and 100,000 shares of the Evergreen -
         VA Growth and Income Fund, for which the Account was credited with
         100,000 units of each of the foregoing Evergreen Funds. These amounts
         represent the initial funding of the Account. The value of the units
         purchased by the Company on February 28, 1996 was $3,000,000.

         On March 3, 1997, the Company (Depositor) transferred to the Account,
         100,000 shares of the Evergreen - VA Aggressive Growth Fund, 100,000
         shares of the Evergreen - VA Global Leaders Fund and 100,000 shares of
         the Evergreen - VA Strategic Income Fund, for which the Account was
         credited with 100,000 units of each of the foregoing Evergreen Funds.
         The value of the units purchased by the Company on March 3, 1997 was
         $3,000,000.

         On May 1, 1998, the Company (Depositor) transferred to the Account,
         100,000 shares of the Evergreen - VA Small Cap Equity Income Fund, for
         which the Account was credited with 100,000 units of the foregoing
         Evergreen Fund. The value of the units purchased by the Company on May
         1, 1998 was $1,000,000.

         On August 17, 1998, the Company (Depositor) transferred to the Account,
         100,000 shares of the Evergreen - International Growth Fund, for which
         the Account was credited with 100,000 units of the foregoing Evergreen
         Fund. The value of the units purchased by the Company on August 17,
         1998 was $1,000,000.

         The Company offers tax qualified and non-tax qualified Individual
         Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts through the Account. The primary
         distribution for the contracts is through banks and other financial
         institutions.

     (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.

         With certain exceptions, contract owners in either the accumulation or
         the payout phase may invest in any of the following funds:

              Funds of the Evergreen Variable Trust (Evergreen);

                 Evergreen - VA Aggressive Growth Fund (EvAggrGro)

                 Evergreen - VA Foundation Fund (EvFound)

                 Evergreen - VA Fund (EvFund)

                 Evergreen - VA Global Leaders Fund (EvGloLead)

                 Evergreen - VA Growth and Income Fund (EvGrInc)

                 Evergreen - VA International Growth Fund (EvIntGr)

                 Evergreen - VA Small Cap Equity Income Fund (EvSmCapEI)

                 Evergreen - VA Strategic Income Fund (EvStratInc)

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

                 Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio (FidVIPHI)

                 Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio (FidVIPOv)

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

                 Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio (FidVIPAM)

                 Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio (FidVIPCon)
<PAGE>   10
              Portfolio of the Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund III
              (Fidelity VIP-III);

                 Fidelity VIP-III - Growth Opportunities Portfolio (FidVIPGrOp)

              Funds of the Nationwide Separate Account Trust (Nationwide SAT)
              (managed for a fee by an affiliated investment advisor);

                 Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund (NSATGvtBd)

                 Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund (NSATMyMkt)

         At December 31, 1998, 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.

         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, 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.

     (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, 1998. The cost of investments
         sold is determined on the 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.

(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 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 0.15%, respectively. No charges are deducted from the initial
     funding by the Depositor, or from earnings thereon.
<PAGE>   11
(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>   54

<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, 1998 and
1997, 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,
1998. 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, 1998 and 1997, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.


                                                                        KPMG LLP


Columbus, Ohio
January 29, 1999




<PAGE>   2

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

                                 Consolidated Balance Sheets

                     (in millions of dollars, except per share amounts)


                                                                          December 31,
                                                                    -----------------------
                                        Assets                        1998          1997
                                        ------                      ---------     ---------
<S>                                                                 <C>           <C>
Investments:
  Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
    Fixed maturity securities                                       $14,245.1     $13,204.1
    Equity securities                                                   127.2          80.4
  Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                  5,328.4       5,181.6
  Real estate, net                                                      243.6         311.4
  Policy loans                                                          464.3         415.3
  Other long-term investments                                            44.0          25.2
  Short-term investments                                                289.1         358.4
                                                                    ---------     ---------
                                                                     20,741.7      19,576.4
                                                                    ---------     ---------

Cash                                                                      3.4         175.6
Accrued investment income                                               218.7         210.5
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                     2,022.2       1,665.4
Other assets                                                            420.3         438.4
Assets held in separate accounts                                     50,935.8      37,724.4
                                                                    ---------     ---------
                                                                    $74,342.1     $59,790.7
                                                                    =========     =========

                         Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity
                         ------------------------------------
Future policy benefits and claims                                   $19,767.1     $18,702.8
Other liabilities                                                       866.1         885.6
Liabilities related to separate accounts                             50,935.8      37,724.4
                                                                    ---------     ---------
                                                                     71,569.0      57,312.8
                                                                    ---------     ---------

Commitments and contingencies (notes 7 and 12)

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         914.7
  Retained earnings                                                   1,579.0       1,312.3
  Accumulated other comprehensive income                                275.6         247.1
                                                                    ---------     ---------
                                                                      2,773.1       2,477.9
                                                                    ---------     ---------
                                                                    $74,342.1     $59,790.7
                                                                    =========     =========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




<PAGE>   3

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

                                         Consolidated Statements of Income

                                             (in millions of dollars)


                                                                                    Years ended December 31,
                                                                              -----------------------------------
                                                                                 1998         1997        1996
                                                                              --------     --------     ---------
<S>                                                                           <C>          <C>          <C>
Revenues:
  Policy charges                                                              $  698.9     $  545.2     $  400.9
  Life insurance premiums                                                        200.0        205.4        198.6
  Net investment income                                                        1,481.6      1,409.2      1,357.8
  Realized gains (losses) on investments                                          28.4         11.1         (0.3)
  Other                                                                           66.8         46.5         35.9
                                                                              --------     --------     --------
                                                                               2,475.7      2,217.4      1,992.9
                                                                              --------     --------     --------
Benefits and expenses:
  Interest credited to policyholder account balances                           1,069.0      1,016.6        982.3
  Other benefits and claims                                                      175.8        178.2        178.3
  Policyholder dividends on participating policies                                39.6         40.6         41.0
  Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                              214.5        167.2        133.4
  Other operating expenses                                                       419.7        384.9        342.4
                                                                              --------     --------     --------
                                                                               1,918.6      1,787.5      1,677.4
                                                                              --------     --------     --------

    Income from continuing operations before federal income tax expense          557.1        429.9        315.5

Federal income tax expense                                                       190.4        150.2        110.9
                                                                              --------     --------     --------

    Income from continuing operations                                            366.7        279.7        204.6

Income from discontinued operations (less federal income tax expense
  of $4.5 in 1996)                                                                --           --           11.3
                                                                              --------     --------     --------

    Net income                                                                $  366.7     $  279.7     $  215.9
                                                                              ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




<PAGE>   4

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

                              Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity

                                Years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
                                         (in millions of dollars)


                                                                                  Accumulated
                                                         Additional                  other         Total
                                              Common      paid-in      Retained  comprehensive  shareholder's
                                              stock       capital      earnings      income        equity
                                              -----       -------      --------      ------        ------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>
December 31, 1995                             $  3.8     $ 657.2      $1,583.2      $ 384.3      $2,628.5

Comprehensive income:
    Net income                                  --          --           215.9         --           215.9
    Net unrealized losses on securities
      available-for-sale arising during
      the year                                  --          --            --         (170.9)       (170.9)
                                                                                                 --------
  Total comprehensive income                                                                         45.0
                                                                                                 --------
Dividends to shareholder                        --        (129.3)       (366.5)       (39.8)       (535.6)
                                              ------     -------      --------      -------      --------
December 31, 1996                                3.8       527.9       1,432.6        173.6       2,137.9

Comprehensive income:
    Net income                                  --          --           279.7         --           279.7
    Net unrealized gains on securities
      available-for-sale arising during
      the year                                  --          --            --           73.5          73.5
                                                                                                 --------
  Total comprehensive income                                                                        353.2
                                                                                                 --------
Capital contribution                            --         836.8          --           --           836.8
Dividend to shareholder                         --        (450.0)       (400.0)        --          (850.0)
                                              ------     -------      --------      -------      --------
December 31, 1997                                3.8       914.7       1,312.3        247.1       2,477.9

Comprehensive income:
    Net income                                  --          --           366.7         --           366.7
    Net unrealized gains on securities
      available-for-sale arising during
      the year                                  --          --            --           28.5          28.5
                                                                                                 --------
  Total comprehensive income                                                                        395.2
                                                                                                 --------
Dividend to shareholder                         --          --          (100.0)        --          (100.0)
                                              ------     -------      --------      -------      --------
December 31, 1998                             $  3.8     $ 914.7      $1,579.0      $ 275.6      $2,773.1
                                              ======     =======      ========      =======      ========

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

                                           Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                                  (in millions of dollars)


                                                                                           Years ended December 31,
                                                                                   ---------------------------------------
                                                                                     1998           1997            1996
                                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------
<S>                                                                                <C>            <C>            <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                                                       $   366.7      $   279.7      $   215.9
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
    activities:
      Interest credited to policyholder account balances                             1,069.0        1,016.6          982.3
      Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs                             (584.2)        (487.9)        (422.6)
      Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                214.5          167.2          133.4
      Amortization and depreciation                                                     (8.5)          (2.0)           7.0
      Realized gains on invested assets, net                                           (28.4)         (11.1)          (0.3)
      (Increase) decrease in accrued investment income                                  (8.2)          (0.3)           2.8
      (Increase) decrease in other assets                                               16.4          (12.7)         (38.9)
      Decrease in policy liabilities                                                    (8.3)         (23.1)        (151.0)
      (Decrease) increase in other liabilities                                         (34.8)         230.6          191.4
      Other, net                                                                       (11.3)         (10.9)         (61.7)
                                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------
        Net cash provided by operating activities                                      982.9        1,146.1          858.3
                                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale                            1,557.0          993.4        1,162.8
  Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                                  610.5          574.5          299.6
  Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans on real estate                            678.2          437.3          309.0
  Proceeds from sale of real estate                                                    103.8           34.8           18.5
  Proceeds from repayments of policy loans and sale of other invested assets            23.6           22.7           22.8
  Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired                                    (3,182.8)      (2,828.1)      (1,573.6)
  Cost of mortgage loans on real estate acquired                                      (829.1)        (752.2)        (972.8)
  Cost of real estate acquired                                                          (0.8)         (24.9)          (7.9)
  Policy loans issued and other invested assets acquired                               (88.4)         (62.5)         (57.7)
  Short-term investments, net                                                           69.3         (354.8)          28.0
                                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------
        Net cash used in investing activities                                       (1,058.7)      (1,959.8)        (771.3)
                                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from capital contributions                                                   --            836.8           --
  Cash dividends paid                                                                 (100.0)          --            (50.0)
  Increase in investment product and universal life insurance
    product account balances                                                         2,682.1        2,488.5        1,781.8
  Decrease in investment product and universal life insurance
    product account balances                                                        (2,678.5)      (2,379.8)      (1,784.5)
                                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------
        Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities                            (96.4)         945.5          (52.7)
                                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------
Net (decrease) increase in cash                                                       (172.2)         131.8           34.3

Cash, beginning of year                                                                175.6           43.8            9.5
                                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------
Cash, end of year                                                                  $     3.4      $   175.6      $    43.8
                                                                                   =========      =========      =========
</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, 1998, 1997 and 1996



(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 10 and 14. 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, including variable annuities, fixed annuities and life
         insurance.

(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. Operations that are classified
              and reported as discontinued operations are not consolidated but
              rather are reported as "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, 1998 or 1997.

              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 deferred annuities. Universal life insurance
              products include universal life insurance, variable universal life
              insurance, corporate owned 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. 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. 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).

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

              Separate account assets and liabilities represent contractholders'
              funds which have been segregated into accounts with specific
              investment objectives. For all but $743.9 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. The average interest rate credited on investment product
              policy reserves was 6.0%, 6.1% and 6.3% for the years ended
              December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

              Future policy benefits for traditional life insurance policies
              have been calculated by the net level premium method using
              interest rates varying from 6.0% to 10.5% and 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.




<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 40% in 1998 (50%
              in 1997 and 52% in 1996) of the Company's life insurance in force,
              74% in 1998 (77% in 1997 and 78% in 1996) of the number of life
              insurance policies in force, and 14% in 1998 (27% in 1997 and 40%
              in 1996) 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 10 and 14.





<PAGE>   10

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

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



(j)           Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
              -----------------------------------------

              On January 1, 1998 the Company adopted SFAS No. 131 - Disclosures
              about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information (SFAS
              131). SFAS 131 supersedes SFAS No. 14 - Financial Reporting for
              Segments of a Business Enterprise. SFAS 131 establishes standards
              for public business enterprises to report information about
              operating segments in annual financial statements and selected
              information about operating segments in interim financial reports.
              SFAS 131 also establishes standards for related disclosures about
              products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. The
              adoption of SFAS 131 did not affect results of operations or
              financial position, nor did it affect the manner in which the
              Company defines its operating segments. The segment information
              required for annual financial statements is included in note 13.

              On January 1, 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 132 - Employers'
              Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (SFAS
              132). SFAS 132 revises employers' disclosures about pension and
              other postretirement benefit plans. The Statement does not change
              the measurement or recognition of benefit plans in the financial
              statements. The revised disclosures required by SFAS 132 are
              included in note 8.

              In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133 - Accounting for
              Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133). SFAS 133
              establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative
              instruments and for hedging activities. Contracts that contain
              embedded derivatives, such as certain insurance contracts, are
              also addressed by the Statement. SFAS 133 requires that an entity
              recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the
              statement of financial position and measure those instruments at
              fair value. The Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning
              after June 15, 1999. It may be implemented earlier provided
              adoption occurs as of the beginning of any fiscal quarter after
              issuance. The Company plans to adopt this Statement in first
              quarter 2000 and is currently evaluating the impact on results of
              operations and financial condition.

              In March 1998, The American Institute of Certified Public
              Accountant's Accounting Standards Executive Committee issued
              Statement of Position 98-1 - Accounting for the Costs of Computer
              Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use (SOP 98-1). SOP
              98-1 provides guidance intended to standardize accounting
              practices for costs incurred to develop or obtain computer
              software for internal use. Specifically, SOP 98-1 provides
              guidance for determining whether computer software is for internal
              use and when costs incurred for internal use software are to be
              capitalized. SOP 98-1 is effective for financial statements for
              fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998. The Company does
              not expect the adoption of SOP 98-1, which occurred on January 1,
              1999, to have a material impact on the Company's financial
              statements.


         (k)  Reclassification
              ----------------

              Certain items in the 1997 and 1996 consolidated financial
              statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1998
              presentation.




<PAGE>   11

               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, 1998 and
         1997 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, 1998:
               Fixed maturity securities:
                 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.
                   government corporations and agencies              $   255.9       $ 13.0        $   --        $   268.9
                 Obligations of states and political subdivisions          1.6           --            --              1.6
                 Debt securities issued by foreign governments           106.5          4.5            --            111.0
                 Corporate securities                                  9,899.6        423.2         (18.7)        10,304.1
                 Mortgage-backed securities                            3,457.7        104.2          (2.4)         3,559.5
                                                                     ---------       ------        ------        ---------
                     Total fixed maturity securities                  13,721.3        544.9         (21.1)        14,245.1
               Equity securities                                         110.4         18.3          (1.5)           127.2
                                                                     ---------       ------        ------        ---------
                                                                     $13,831.7       $563.2        $(22.6)       $14,372.3
                                                                     =========       ======        ======        =========

             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
                                                                     =========       ======        ======        =========
</TABLE>

         As of December 31, 1998 the Company had entered into S&P 500 futures
         contracts with a notional amount of $20.0 million to reduce the risk of
         changes in the fair market value of certain investments classified as
         equity securities. These contracts had an unrealized loss of $1.3
         million as of December 31, 1998 which is included in the recorded
         amount of the equity securities and in accumulated other comprehensive
         income, net of tax, similar to other unrealized gains and losses on
         securities available-for-sale.



<PAGE>   12

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

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity
         securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 1998, by expected
         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                                              $ 2,019.9        $ 2,048.0
               Due after one year through five years                                  8,169.1          8,470.6
               Due after five years through ten years                                 2,795.0          2,927.7
               Due after ten years                                                      737.3            798.8
                                                                                    ---------        ---------
                                                                                    $13,721.3        $14,245.1
                                                                                    =========        =========
</TABLE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                                1998          1997
                                                                                     ----          ----
             <S>                                                                    <C>           <C>
             Gross unrealized gains                                                 $ 540.6       $ 483.8
             Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                         (116.6)       (103.7)
             Deferred federal income tax                                             (148.4)       (133.0)
                                                                                    -------       -------
                                                                                    $ 275.6       $ 247.1
                                                                                    =======       =======
</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)                                         1998          1997          1996
                                                                              ----          ----          ----
             <S>                                                              <C>          <C>          <C>
             Securities available-for-sale:
               Fixed maturity securities                                      $52.6        $137.5       $(289.2)
               Equity securities                                                4.2          (2.7)          8.9
                                                                              -----        ------       -------
                                                                              $56.8        $134.8       $(280.3)
                                                                              =====        ======       =======
</TABLE>

         Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale during 1998,
         1997 and 1996 were $610.5 million, $574.5 million and $299.6 million,
         respectively. During 1998, gross gains of $9.0 million ($9.9 million
         and $6.6 million in 1997 and 1996, respectively) and gross losses of
         $7.6 million ($18.0 million and $6.9 million in 1997 and 1996,
         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.

         The recorded investment of mortgage loans on real estate considered to
         be impaired as of December 31, 1998 was $3.7 million. No valuation
         allowance has been recorded for these loans as of December 31, 1998.
         The recorded investment of mortgage loans on real estate considered to
         be impaired as of December 31, 1997 was $19.9 million which includes
         $3.9 million of impaired mortgage loans on real estate for which the
         related valuation allowance was $0.1 million and $16.0 million of
         impaired mortgage loans on real estate for which there was no valuation
         allowance. During 1998, the average recorded investment in impaired
         mortgage loans on real estate was approximately $9.1 million ($31.8
         million in 1997) and interest income recognized on those loans was $0.3
         million ($1.0 million in 1997), which is equal to interest income
         recognized using a cash-basis method of income recognition.



<PAGE>   13

               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)                                                1998          1997
                                                                                     ----          ----
             <S>                                                                     <C>           <C>
             Allowance, beginning of year                                            $42.5         $51.0
               Reductions credited to operations                                      (0.1)         (1.2)
               Direct write-downs charged against the allowance                         --          (7.3)
                                                                                     -----         -----
             Allowance, end of year                                                  $42.4         $42.5
                                                                                     =====         =====
</TABLE>

         Real estate is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation of $21.5
         million as of December 31, 1998 ($45.1 million as of December 31, 1997)
         and valuation allowances of $5.4 million as of December 31, 1998 ($11.1
         million as of December 31, 1997).

         Investments that were non-income producing for the twelve month period
         preceding December 31, 1998 amounted to $42.4 million ($19.4 million
         for 1997) and consisted of $32.7 million ($3.0 million in 1997) in
         securities available-for-sale and $9.7 million ($16.4 million in 1997)
         in real estate.

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                      1998            1997           1996
                                                                           ----            ----           ----
             <S>                                                          <C>             <C>            <C>
             Gross investment income:
               Securities available-for-sale:
                 Fixed maturity securities                                $  982.5        $  911.6       $  917.1
                 Equity securities                                             0.8             0.8            1.3
               Mortgage loans on real estate                                 458.9           457.7          432.8
               Real estate                                                    40.4            42.9           44.3
               Short-term investments                                         17.8            22.7            4.2
               Other                                                          30.7            21.0            4.0
                                                                          --------        --------       --------
                   Total investment income                                 1,531.1         1,456.7        1,403.7
             Less investment expenses                                         49.5            47.5           45.9
                                                                          --------        --------       --------
                   Net investment income                                  $1,481.6        $1,409.2       $1,357.8
                                                                          ========        ========       ========
</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)                                        1998            1997           1996
                                                                             ----            ----           ----
             <S>                                                            <C>             <C>            <C>
             Securities available-for-sale:
               Fixed maturity securities                                    $(0.7)          $ 3.6          $(3.5)
               Equity securities                                              2.1             2.7            3.2
             Mortgage loans on real estate                                    3.9             1.6           (4.1)
             Real estate and other                                           23.1             3.2            4.1
                                                                            -----           -----          -----
                                                                            $28.4           $11.1          $(0.3)
                                                                            =====           =====          =====
</TABLE>

         Fixed maturity securities with an amortized cost of $6.5 million and
         $6.2 million as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, were on
         deposit with various regulatory agencies as required by law.



<PAGE>   14

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

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



(4)      Federal Income Tax
         ------------------

         The Company's current federal income tax liability was $72.8 million
         and $60.1 million as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

         The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
         components of the net deferred tax liability as of December 31, 1998
         and 1997 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                        1998            1997
                                                                             ----            ----
             <S>                                                            <C>             <C>
             Deferred tax assets:
               Future policy benefits                                       $207.7          $200.1
               Liabilities in Separate Accounts                              319.9           242.0
               Mortgage loans on real estate and real estate                  17.5            19.0
               Other assets and other liabilities                             58.9            59.2
                                                                            ------          ------
                 Total gross deferred tax assets                             604.0           520.3
                 Less valuation allowance                                     (7.0)           (7.0)
                                                                            ------          ------
                 Net deferred tax assets                                     597.0           513.3
                                                                            ------          ------

             Deferred tax liabilities:
               Deferred policy acquisition costs                             568.7           480.5
               Fixed maturity securities                                     212.2           193.3
               Deferred tax on realized investment gains                      34.8            40.1
               Equity securities and other long-term investments               9.6             7.5
               Other                                                          21.6            22.2
                                                                            ------          ------
                 Total gross deferred tax liabilities                        846.9           743.6
                                                                            ------          ------
                 Net deferred tax liability                                 $249.9          $230.3
                                                                            ======          ======
</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, 1998, 1997 and 1996.

         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)                                   1998            1997            1996
                                                                      ----            ----            ----
           <S>                                                       <C>             <C>             <C>
           Currently payable                                         $186.1          $121.7          $116.5
           Deferred tax expense (benefit)                               4.3            28.5            (5.6)
                                                                     ------          ------          ------
                                                                     $190.4          $150.2          $110.9
                                                                     ======          ======          ======
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   15

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

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         Total federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1998,
         1997 and 1996 differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S.
         federal income tax rate to income before tax as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1998                     1997                     1996
                                                       -----------------        ----------------        -----------------
         (in millions of dollars)                      Amount        %          Amount        %          Amount        %
                                                       ------        -          ------        -          ------        -

         <S>                                           <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
         Computed (expected) tax expense               $195.0      35.0         $150.5      35.0         $110.4      35.0
         Tax exempt interest and dividends
           received deduction                            (4.9)     (0.9)           -         0.0           (0.2)     (0.1)
         Other, net                                       0.3       0.1           (0.3)     (0.1)           0.7       0.3
                                                       ------      ----         ------      ----         ------      ----
             Total (effective rate of each year)       $190.4      34.2         $150.2      34.9         $110.9      35.2
                                                       ======      ====         ======      ====         ======      ====
</TABLE>

         Total federal income tax paid was $173.4 million, $91.8 million and
         $115.8 million during the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
         respectively.

(5)      Comprehensive Income
         --------------------

         Pursuant to SFAS No. 130 - Reporting Comprehensive Income, which the
         Company adopted January 1, 1998, the Consolidated Statements of
         Shareholder's Equity include a new measure called "Comprehensive
         Income". Comprehensive Income includes net income as well as certain
         items that are reported directly within separate components of
         shareholders' equity that bypass net income. Currently, the Company's
         only component of Other Comprehensive Income is unrealized gains
         (losses) on securities available-for-sale. The related before and after
         federal tax amounts are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                        1998           1997           1996
                                                                             ----           ----           ----
             <S>                                                            <C>            <C>            <C>
             Unrealized gains (losses) on securities
                available-for-sale arising during the period:
                Gross                                                       $ 58.2        $141.1         $(272.4)
                Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs              (12.9)        (21.8)           57.0
                Related federal income tax (expense) benefit                 (15.9)        (41.7)           44.0
                                                                            ------        ------          ------
                   Net                                                        29.4          77.6          (171.4)
                                                                            ------        ------          ------

             Reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses
                on securities available-for-sale realized
                during the period:
                Gross                                                         (1.4)         (6.3)             0.7
                Related federal income tax expense (benefit)                   0.5           2.2             (0.2)
                                                                            ------        ------          -------
                   Net                                                        (0.9)         (4.1)             0.5
                                                                            ------        ------          -------
             Total Other Comprehensive Income                               $ 28.5        $ 73.5          $(170.9)
                                                                            ======        ======          =======
</TABLE>

(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.




<PAGE>   16

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

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         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. The carrying amount and fair value for
              equity securities exclude the fair value of futures contracts
              designated as hedges of equity securities.

              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 is net of 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>   17

               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 7.

              Futures contracts: The fair value for futures contracts is based
              on quoted market prices.

           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>
                                                                         1998                              1997
                                                               -------------------------        --------------------------
                                                                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                  $14,245.1      $14,245.1         $13,204.1       $13,204.1
                     Equity securities                              128.5          128.5              80.4            80.4
                   Mortgage loans on real estate, net             5,328.4        5,527.6           5,181.6         5,509.7
                   Policy loans                                     464.3          464.3             415.3           415.3
                   Short-term investments                           289.1          289.1             358.4           358.4
                 Cash                                                 3.4            3.4             175.6           175.6
                 Assets held in separate accounts                50,935.8       50,935.8          37,724.4        37,724.4

               Liabilities:
                 Investment contracts                            15,468.7       15,158.6          14,708.2        14,322.1
                 Policy reserves on life insurance contracts      3,914.0        3,768.9           3,345.4         3,182.4
                 Liabilities related to separate accounts        50,935.8       49,926.5          37,724.4        36,747.0
                 Futures contracts                                    1.3            1.3                --              --
</TABLE>

(7)      Risk Disclosures
         ----------------

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

         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.

         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.



<PAGE>   18

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

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         Legal/Regulatory Risk: The risk that changes in the legal or regulatory
         environment in which an insurer operates will result in increased
         competition, reduced 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.

         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 $156.0 million
         extending into 1999 were outstanding as of December 31, 1998. The
         Company also had $40.0 million of commitments to purchase fixed
         maturity securities outstanding as of December 31, 1998.

         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 22% (20% in 1997) in any geographic area and no more than 2% (2%
         in 1997) with any one borrower as of December 31, 1998. As of December
         31, 1998, 42% (46% in 1997) of the remaining principal balance of the
         Company's commercial mortgage loan portfolio financed retail
         properties.

         Reinsurance: 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 $187.9 million and $220.2 million as of December 31,
         1998 and 1997, 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.

(8)      Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
         ------------------------------------------------------------

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

         Pension costs charged to operations by the Company during the years
         ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 were $2.0 million, $7.5 million
         and $7.4 million, respectively. The Company has recorded a prepaid
         pension asset of $5.0 million as of December 31, 1998 and no prepaid or
         accrued pension asset or expense as of December 31, 1997.



<PAGE>   19

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

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         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,
         1998 and 1997 was $40.1 million and $36.5 million, respectively, and
         the net periodic postretirement benefit cost (NPPBC) for 1998, 1997 and
         1996 was $4.1 million, $3.0 million and $3.3 million, respectively.

         Information regarding the funded status of the pension plan as a whole
         and the postretirement life and health care benefit plan as a whole as
         of December 31, 1998 and 1997 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Pension Benefits      Postretirement Benefits
                                                                           ---------------------   -----------------------
              (in millions of dollars)                                       1998         1997         1998       1997
              ---------------------------------------------------------    --------     --------     --------   -------
              <S>                                                          <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>
              Change in benefit obligation:
              Benefit obligation at beginning of year                      $2,033.8     $1,847.8      $237.9    $ 200.7
              Service cost                                                     87.6         77.3         9.8        7.0
              Interest cost                                                   123.4        118.6        15.4       14.0
              Actuarial loss                                                  123.2         60.0        15.6       24.4
              Plan curtailment in 1998/merger in 1997                        (107.2)         1.5         -          -
              Benefits paid                                                   (75.8)       (71.4)       (8.6)      (8.2)
                                                                           --------     --------     -------    -------
              Benefit obligation at end of year                             2,185.0      2,033.8       270.1      237.9
                                                                           --------     --------     -------    -------

              Change in plan assets:
              Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year                2,212.9      1,947.9        69.2       63.0
              Actual return on plan assets                                    300.7        328.1         5.0        3.6
              Employer contribution                                           104.1          7.2        12.1       10.6
              Plan merger                                                       -            1.1         -          -
              Benefits paid                                                   (75.8)       (71.4)       (8.4)      (8.0)
                                                                           --------     --------     -------    -------
              Fair value of plan assets at end of year                      2,541.9      2,212.9        77.9       69.2
                                                                           --------     --------     -------    -------

              Funded status                                                   356.9        179.1      (192.2)    (168.7)
              Unrecognized prior service cost                                  31.5         34.7         -          -
              Unrecognized net (gains) losses                                (345.7)      (330.7)       16.0        1.6
              Unrecognized net (asset) obligation at transition               (11.0)        33.3         1.3        1.5
                                                                           --------     --------     -------    -------
              Prepaid (accrued) benefit cost                               $   31.7     $  (83.6)    $(174.9)   $(165.6)
                                                                           ========     ========     =======    =======
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   20

               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 the pension plan and
         postretirement life and health care benefit plan:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Pension Benefits          Postretirement Benefits
                                                                          --------------------         -----------------------
                                                                            1998         1997            1998           1997
                                                                          --------      ------         --------       --------
              <S>                                                         <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>
              Weighted average discount rate                               5.50%         6.00%           6.65%         6.70%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels               3.75%         4.25%             --            --
              Assumed health care cost trend rate:
                    Initial rate                                             --            --           15.00%        12.13%
                    Ultimate rate                                            --            --            8.00%         6.12%
                    Uniform declining period                                 --            --           15 Years      12 Years
</TABLE>

         The net periodic pension cost for the pension plan as a whole for the
         years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              (in millions of dollars)                                                   1998         1997         1996
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------        ----         ----
              <S>                                                                      <C>          <C>
              Service cost (benefits earned during the period)                         $  87.6      $  77.3      $  75.5
              Interest cost on projected benefit obligation                              123.4        118.6        105.5
              Expected return on plan assets                                            (159.0)      (139.0)      (116.1)
              Recognized gains                                                            (3.8)         -            -
              Amortization of prior service cost                                           3.2          3.2          3.2
              Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation                           4.2          4.2          4.1
                                                                                       -------      -------      -------
                                                                                       $  55.6      $  64.3      $  72.2
                                                                                       =======      =======      =======
</TABLE>

         Effective December 31, 1998, Wausau Service Corporation (WSC) ended its
         affiliation with the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and employees of
         WSC ended participation in the plan. A curtailment gain of $67.1
         million resulted (consisting of a $107.2 million reduction in the
         projected benefit obligation, net of the write-off of the $40.1 million
         remaining unamortized transition obligation related to WSC). The
         Company anticipates that the plan will settle the obligation related to
         WSC employees with a transfer of assets during 1999.

         Basis for measurements, net periodic pension cost for the pension plan:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       1998          1997          1996
                                                                                       ----          ----          ----
             <S>                                                                       <C>           <C>           <C>
             Weighted average discount rate                                            6.00%         6.50%         6.00%
             Rate of increase in future compensation levels                            4.25%         4.75%         4.25%
             Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets                          7.25%         7.25%         6.75%
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   21

               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 postretirement benefit plan as a whole for
         the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                                    1998          1997          1996
                                                                                         ----          ----          ----
             <S>                                                                         <C>           <C>           <C>
             Service cost (benefits attributed to employee service during the year)      $ 9.8         $ 7.0         $ 6.5
             Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation               15.4          14.0          13.7
             Actual return on plan assets                                                 (5.0)         (3.6)         (4.3)
             Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates              0.2           0.2           0.2
             Net amortization and deferral                                                 1.2          (0.5)          1.8
                                                                                         -----         -----         -----
                                                                                         $21.6         $17.1         $17.9
                                                                                         =====         =====         =====
</TABLE>

         Actuarial assumptions used for the measurement of the accumulated
         postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) and the NPPBC for the
         postretirement benefit plan for 1998, 1997 and 1996 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      1998           1997         1996
                                                                                      -----          -----        ----
             <S>                                                                     <C>            <C>           <C>
             NPPBC:
               Discount rate                                                          6.70%         7.25%         6.65%
               Long term rate of return on plan
                   assets, net of tax                                                 5.83%         5.89%         4.80%
               Assumed health care cost trend rate:
                   Initial rate                                                      12.00%        11.00%        11.00%
                   Ultimate rate                                                      6.00%         6.00%         6.00%
                   Uniform declining period                                         12 Years      12 Years      12 Years
</TABLE>

         For the postretirement benefit plan as a whole, a one percentage point
         increase or decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate would
         have no impact on the APBO as of December 31, 1998 and have no impact
         on the NPPBC for the year ended December 31, 1998.

(9)      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.

         The statutory capital and surplus of NLIC as of December 31, 1998, 1997
         and 1996 was $1.32 billion, $1.13 billion and $1.00 billion,
         respectively. The statutory net income of NLIC for the years ended
         December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $171.0 million, $111.7 million and
         $73.2 million, respectively.

         The Company is limited in the amount of shareholder dividends it may
         pay without prior approval by the Department. As of December 31, 1998,
         the maximum amount available for dividend payment from the Company to
         its shareholder without prior approval of the Department was $71.0
         million.




<PAGE>   22

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

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         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.

(10)     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, 1998, 1997 and 1996, the
         Company made lease payments to NMIC and its subsidiaries of $8.0
         million, $8.4 million and $9.1 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 $95.0 million, $85.8 million and $101.6
         million in 1998, 1997 and 1996, 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 $31.9 million and $20.5 million as of
         December 31, 1998 and 1997, 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 1998 and
         1997 were not material. The Company believes that the terms of the
         repurchase agreements are materially consistent with what the Company
         could have obtained with unaffiliated parties.





<PAGE>   23

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (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, 1998, 1997 and 1996 were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1998                       1997                          1996
                                            ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (in millions of dollars)               NMIC          ELICW        NMIC         ELICW            NMIC         ELICW
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         <S>                                    <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>
         Premiums                               $90.1        $106.3       $ 91.4        $199.8          $ 97.3        $224.2
         Net investment income and other
            revenue                             $11.1        $  9.4       $ 10.7        $ 13.4          $ 10.9        $ 14.8
         Benefits, claims and expenses          $98.8        $160.5       $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 $248.4 million and $211.0 million as
         of December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, and are included in
         short-term investments on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

         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, 1998 were $60.0
         million, $66.1 million and $76.9 million, respectively.

(11)     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. As of December 31, 1998 the Company had
         no amounts outstanding under the agreement.




<PAGE>   24

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

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



(12)     Contingencies
         -------------

         On October 29, 1998, the Company and certain of its affiliates were
         named in a lawsuit filed in the Common Pleas Court of Franklin County,
         Ohio related to the sale of deferred annuity products for use as
         investments in tax-deferred contributory retirement plans (Mercedes
         Castillo v. Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., Nationwide Life
         Insurance Company and Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company).
         The plaintiff in such lawsuit seeks to represent a national class of
         the Company's customers and seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive
         damages. The Company is currently evaluating this lawsuit, which is in
         an early stage and has not been certified as a class. The Company
         intends to defend this lawsuit vigorously.

(13)     Segment Information
         -------------------

         The Company uses differences in products as the basis for defining its
         reportable segments. The Company reports 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 independent investment managers and the Company, with
         investment returns accumulating on a tax-deferred basis. The Company's
         variable annuity products consist almost entirely of flexible premium
         deferred variable annuity contracts.

         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.
         Such contracts consist of single premium deferred annuities, flexible
         premium deferred annuities and single premium immediate annuities. The
         Fixed Annuities segment includes the fixed option under variable
         annuity contracts.

         The Life Insurance segment consists of insurance products, including
         variable universal life insurance and corporate-owned life insurance
         products, that provide a death benefit and may also allow the customer
         to build cash value on a tax-deferred basis.

         In addition to the product segments, the Company reports corporate
         revenue and expenses, investments and related investment income
         supporting capital not specifically allocated to its product segments,
         revenues and expenses of its investment advisor subsidiary (other than
         the portion allocated to the Variable Annuities and Life Insurance
         segments), revenues and expenses related to group annuity contracts
         sold to Nationwide Insurance Enterprise employee and agent benefit
         plans and all realized gains and losses on investments in a Corporate
         and Other segment.





<PAGE>   25

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

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



The following table summarizes the financial results of the Company's business
segments for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Variable      Fixed       Life     Corporate
(in millions of dollars)               Annuities   Annuities   Insurance  and Other    Total
- ------------------------------------  ---------    ---------   ---------  ---------    -----
<S>                                   <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
1998:
Net investment income (1)             $   (31.3)   $ 1,116.6   $  231.6   $  164.7   $ 1,481.6
Other operating revenue                   560.8         35.7      319.6       49.6       965.7
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
   Total operating revenue (2)            529.5      1,152.3      551.2      214.3     2,447.3
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
Interest credited to policyholder
   account balances                          --        828.6      115.4      125.0     1,069.0
Amortization of deferred policy
   acquisition costs                      123.9         44.2       46.4         --       214.5
Other benefits and expenses               187.2        104.2      294.6       49.1       635.1
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
   Total expenses                         311.1        977.0      456.4      174.1     1,918.6
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
Operating income (loss) before
   federal income tax                     218.4        175.3       94.8       40.2       528.7
Realized gains on investments                --           --         --       28.4        28.4
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
Consolidated income before
   federal tax expense                $   218.4    $   175.3   $   94.8   $   68.6   $   557.1
                                      =========    =========   ========   ========   =========

Assets as of year end                 $47,668.7    $15,215.7   $5,187.6   $6,270.1   $74,342.1
                                      =========    =========   ========   ========   =========


1997:
Net investment income (1)             $   (26.9)   $ 1,098.2   $  189.1   $  148.8   $ 1,409.2
Other operating revenue                   430.9         43.2      284.0       39.0       797.1
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
   Total operating revenue (2)            404.0      1,141.4      473.1      187.8     2,206.3
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
Interest credited to policyholder
   account balances                          --        823.4       78.5      114.7     1,016.6
Amortization of deferred policy
   acquisition costs                       87.8         39.8       39.6         --       167.2
Other benefits and expenses               165.3        108.7      284.1       45.6       603.7
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
   Total expenses                         253.1        971.9      402.2      160.3     1,787.5
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
Operating income before federal
    income tax                            150.9        169.5       70.9       27.5       418.8
Realized gains on investments                --           --         --       11.1        11.1
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
Consolidated income before
   federal tax expense                $   150.9    $   169.5   $   70.9   $   38.6   $   429.9
                                      =========    =========   ========   ========   =========

Assets as of year end                 $35,278.7    $14,436.3   $3,901.4   $6,174.3   $59,790.7
                                      =========    =========   ========   ========   =========
</TABLE>




<PAGE>   26

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

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 Variable         Fixed            Life         Corporate
         (in millions of dollars)               Annuities       Annuities       Insurance       and Other        Total
         ------------------------------------   ----------      ----------      ---------       ---------     ---------
         <S>                                    <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>
         1996:
         Net investment income (1)              $    (21.5)     $  1,050.6      $   174.0       $   154.7      $ 1,357.8
         Other operating revenue                     306.1            42.0          261.6            25.7          635.4
                                                ----------      ----------      ---------       ---------      ---------
            Total operating revenue (2)              284.6         1,092.6          435.6           180.4        1,993.2
                                                ----------      ----------      ---------       ---------      ---------
         Interest credited to policyholder
            account balances                            --           805.0           70.2           107.1          982.3
         Amortization of deferred policy
            acquisition costs                         57.4            38.6           37.4              --          133.4
         Benefits and expenses                       136.9           113.6          260.8            50.4          561.7
                                                ----------      ----------      ---------       ---------      ---------
            Total expenses                           194.3           957.2          368.4           157.5        1,677.4
                                                ----------      ----------      ---------       ---------      ---------
         Operating income before federal
             income tax                               90.3           135.4           67.2            22.9          315.8
         Realized losses on investments                 --              --             --            (0.3)          (0.3)
                                                ----------      ----------      ---------       ---------      ---------
         Consolidated income from
            continuing operations before
            federal tax expense                 $     90.3      $    135.4       $   67.2        $   22.6      $   315.5
                                                ==========      ==========       ========        ========      =========

         Assets as of year end                  $ 25,069.7      $ 13,994.7       $3,353.3        $5,348.5      $47,766.2
                                                ==========      ==========       ========        ========      =========
</TABLE>

         -----------
         (1)  The Company's method of allocating net investment income results
              in a charge (negative net investment income) to the Variable
              Annuities segment which is recognized in the Corporate and Other
              segment. The charge relates to non-invested assets which support
              this segment on a statutory basis.

         (2)  Excludes realized gains and losses on investments.

         The Company has no significant revenue from customers located outside
         of the United States nor does the Company have any significant
         long-lived assets located outside the United States.


 (14)    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.





<PAGE>   27

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

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         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 10 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, 1998, 1997 and 1996 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                                1998           1997          1996
                                                                                     ----           ----          ----
             <S>                                                                    <C>            <C>
             Revenues                                                               $   --         $   --       $  668.9
             Net income                                                             $   --         $   --       $   11.3
</TABLE>

         A summary of the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as
         of December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                                1998           1997          1996
                                                                                     ----           ----          ----
             <S>                                                                    <C>            <C>          <C>
             Assets, consisting primarily of investments                            $221.5         $247.3       $3,288.5
             Liabilities, consisting primarily of policy benefits and claims        $221.5         $247.3       $2,802.8
</TABLE>






<PAGE>   55


PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item 24.      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS                                                         PAGE
<S>                   <C>  <C>                                                                          <C>
                      (a)  To be filed by Financial Statements:

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

                                 Condensed Financial Information.                                        12

                           (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 Variable Account-6

                                 Independent Auditors' Report.                                           52

                                 Statements of Assets, Liabilities
                                 and Contract Owners' Equity as of
                                 December 31, 1998.                                                      53

                                 Statements of Operations and Changes
                                 In Contract Owners' Equity for the years ended
                                 December 31, 1998, and 1997.                                            56

                                 Notes to Financial Statements.                                          60

                           Nationwide Life Insurance Company:

                                 Independent Auditors' Report.                                           63

                                 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1998
                                 and 1997.                                                               64

                                 Consolidated Statements of Income for the years
                                 ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.                                 65

                                 Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity for the
                                 years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and
                                 1996.                                                                   66

                                 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years
                                 ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.                                 67

                                 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.                             68
</TABLE>





                                   91 of 110
<PAGE>   56


Item 24.              (b) Exhibits

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

                               (2)    Not Applicable

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

                               (4)    The form of the variable annuity contract
                                      - Attached hereto.

                               (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.



                                   92 of 110
<PAGE>   57


Item 25. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE DEPOSITOR

         NAME AND PRINCIPAL                            POSITIONS AND OFFICES
          BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR

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

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

         Kenneth D. Davis                                     Director
         7229 Woodmansee Road
         Leesburg, OH  45135

         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

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

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

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

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

         Ralph M. Paige, Executive Director                   Director
         Federation of Southern
         Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund
         2769 Church Street
         East Point, GA  30344

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

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





                                   93 of 110
<PAGE>   58


         NAME AND PRINCIPAL                            POSITIONS AND OFFICES
          BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR

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

         Nancy C. Thomas                                      Director
         1733A Westwood Avenue
         Alliance, OH  44601

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

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

         James E. Brock                                Senior Vice President -
         One Nationwide Plaza                           Corporate Development
         Columbus, OH  43215

         John R. Cook, Jr.                             Senior Vice President -
         One Nationwide Plaza                       Chief Communications Officer
         Columbus, OH  43215

         Phillip C. Gath                               Senior Vice President -
         One Nationwide Plaza                              Chief Actuary
         Columbus, OH  43215

         Richard D. Headley                            Senior Vice President -
         One Nationwide Plaza                       Chief Information Technology
         Columbus, OH  43215

         Donna A. James                                Senior Vice President -
         One Nationwide Plaza                              Human Resources
         Columbus, OH  43215

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

         Douglas C. Robinette                          Senior Vice President-
         One Nationwide Plaza                           Marketing and Product
         Columbus, OH  43215                                 Management

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

         Bruce C. Barnes                             Vice President - Technology
         One Nationwide Plaza                          Strategy and Planning
         Columbus, OH  43215



                                   94 of 110
<PAGE>   59


         NAME AND PRINCIPAL                            POSITIONS AND OFFICES
          BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR

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

         David A. Diamond                            Vice President - Enterprise
         One Nationwide Plaza                         Controller of Nationwide
         Columbus, OH  43215                             Financial Services

         Matthew S. Easley                                  Vice President -
         One Nationwide Plaza                         Investment Life Actuarial
         Columbus, OH  43215

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

         Joseph P. Rath                              Vice President - Office of
         One Nationwide Plaza                      Product and Market Compliance
         Columbus, OH  43215

         Mark R. Thresher                           Vice President - Finance and
         One Nationwide Plaza                                Treasurer
         Columbus, OH  43215

Item 26. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE DEPOSITOR OR
         REGISTRANT.

     *    Subsidiaries for which separate financial statements are filed

     **   Subsidiaries included in the respective consolidated financial
          statements

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

     **** other subsidiaries






                                   95 of 110
<PAGE>   60


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING
                                                                        SECURITIES
                                                                       (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                       CHART) UNLESS
                                                   STATE/COUNTRY         OTHERWISE
                        COMPANY                   OF ORGANIZATION        INDICATED            PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
     <S>                                          <C>                  <C>             <C>
         Affiliate Agency, Inc.                       Delaware                         Life Insurance Agency

         Affiliate Agency of Ohio, Inc.                 Ohio                           Life Insurance Agency

         Allnations, Inc.                               Ohio                           Promotes cooperative insurance corporations
                                                                                       worldwide

         American Marine Underwriters, Inc.           Florida                          Underwriting Manager

         Auto Direkt Insurance Company                Germany                          Insurance Company

         The Beak and Wire Corporation                  Ohio                           Radio Tower Joint Venture

         California Cash Management Company          California                        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               Wisconsin                         Mutual Insurance Company
         A Mutual Company
</TABLE>



                                   96 of 110
<PAGE>   61


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING
                                                                        SECURITIES
                                                                       (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                       CHART) UNLESS
                                                   STATE/COUNTRY         OTHERWISE
                        COMPANY                   OF ORGANIZATION        INDICATED            PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
     <S>                                          <C>                  <C>             <C>
     **  Employers Life Insurance Company of         Wisconsin                         Life Insurance Company
         Wausau

         F & B, Inc.                                    Iowa                           Insurance Agency

         Farmland Mutual Insurance Company              Iowa                           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             New York                         Workers Compensation Claims Administration
         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           New York                         Life Insurance Agency
         York, Inc.

         Leben Direkt Insurance Company               Germany                          Life Insurance Company

         Lone Star General Agency, Inc.                Texas                           Insurance Agency

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

     **  National Casualty Company                   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>




                                   97 of 110
<PAGE>   62


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING
                                                                        SECURITIES
                                                                       (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                       CHART) UNLESS
                                                   STATE/COUNTRY         OTHERWISE
                        COMPANY                   OF ORGANIZATION        INDICATED            PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
     <S>                                          <C>                  <C>             <C>
         Nationwide Agency, Inc.                        Ohio                           Insurance Agency

         Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance              Iowa                           Insurance Company
         Company

         Nationwide Asset Allocation Trust         Massachusetts                       Investment Company

         Nationwide Cash Management Company             Ohio                           Investment Securities Agent

         Nationwide 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 Mutual Funds                        Ohio                           Investment Company
</TABLE>




                                   98 of 110
<PAGE>   63


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING
                                                                        SECURITIES
                                                                       (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                       CHART) UNLESS
                                                   STATE/COUNTRY         OTHERWISE
                        COMPANY                   OF ORGANIZATION        INDICATED            PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
     <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

         Nationwide Trust Company, FSB             United States                       Federal Savings Bank

         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>





                                   99 of 110
<PAGE>   64


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING
                                                                        SECURITIES
                                                                       (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                       CHART) UNLESS
                                                   STATE/COUNTRY         OTHERWISE
                        COMPANY                   OF ORGANIZATION        INDICATED            PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
     <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 Compensation
         Corporation of Montana                                                        Plans for Public Employees

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

         Scottsdale Indemnity Company                   Ohio                           Insurance Company

         Scottsdale Insurance Company                   Ohio                           Insurance Company

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

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

         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.)           Great Britain                       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>






                                   100 of 110
<PAGE>   65


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  NO. VOTING SECURITIES
                                              STATE/COUNTRY     (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 Policies
    Account-A                                                   Separate Account

    Nationwide VL Separate                         Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Life Insurance Policies
    Account-B                                                   Separate Account

*   Nationwide VL Separate                         Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Life Insurance Policies
    Account-C                                                   Separate Account

    Nationwide VL Separate                         Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Life Insurance Policies
    Separate Account - D                                        Separate Account
</TABLE>





                                   101 of 110
<PAGE>   66


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  NO. VOTING SECURITIES
                                              STATE/COUNTRY     (SEE ATTACHED CHART) UNLESS
                   COMPANY                   OF ORGANIZATION       OTHERWISE INDICATED              PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
<S>                                          <C>                <C>                             <C>
*   Nationwide VLI Separate Account                Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Life Insurance Policies
                                                                Account
*   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 Policies
                                                                Account
*   Nationwide VLI Separate Account-4              Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Life Insurance Policies
                                                                Account
    Nationwide VLI Separate Account-5              Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Life Insurance Policies
                                                                Account
</TABLE>










                                   102 of 110
<PAGE>   67
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                         (left side)
<S>                               <C>                               <C>                                  <C>
- ------------------------
| NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |
| GOLF CHARITIES, INC. |
|                      |
|      MEMBERSHIP      |
|      NONPROFIT       |
|     CORPORATION      |
- ------------------------
           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           |                                      |                                   |
- ---------------------------           ---------------------------       ----------------------------
|      ALLIED LIFE        |           |         ALLIED          |       |       AID FINANCE        |
|       FINANCIAL         |           |       GROUP, INC.       |       |      SERVICES, INC.      |
|      CORPORATION        |           |          (AGI)          |       |      (AID FINANCE)       |
|        (ALFC)           |           |                         |       |                          |
|Common Stock: 850        |           |Common Stock: 850 Shares |       |Common Stock: 10,000      |
|------------  Shares     |           |------------             |       |------------  Shares      |
|                         |---|       |                         |---|   |                          |
|              Cost       |   |       |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |
|              ----       |   |       |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |
|Casualty-                |   |       |Casualty-                |   |   |Casualty-                 |
|100%         $47,286,429 |   |       |100%       $1,049,237,226|   |   |100%          $19,545,634 |
- ---------------------------   |       ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
                              |                                     |                 |
- ---------------------------   |       ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
|    ALLIED GROUP         |   |       |           AMCO          |   |   |          ALLIED          |
|  MERCHANT BANKING       |   |       |    INSURANCE COMPANY    |   |   |      GROUP INSURANCE     |
|    CORPORATION          |   |       |          (AMCO)         |   |   |     MARKETING COMPANY    |
|Common Stock: 10,000     |   |       |Common Stock: 155,991    |   |   |Common Stock: 20,000      |
|------------  Shares     |   |       |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |
|                         |---|  |----|                         |---|   |                          |
|              Cost       |   |  |    |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |
|              ----       |   |  |    |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |
|                         |   |  |    |                         |   |   |Aid Finance-              |
|AFLC-100%     $100,000   |   |  |    |AGI-100%      $95,925,450|   |   |100%          $16,059,469 |
- ---------------------------   |  |    ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
                              |  |                                  |
- ---------------------------   |  |    ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
|      ALLIED LIFE        |   |  |    |          WESTERN        |   |   |         DEPOSITORS       |
|       BROKERAGE         |   |  |    |    HERITAGE INSURANCE   |   |   |     INSURANCE COMPANY    |
|      AGENCY, INC.       |   |  |    |         COMPANY         |   |   |       (DEPOSITORS)       |
|Common Stock: 500,000    |   |  |    |Common Stock: 4,776,076  |   |   |Common Stock: 199,991     |
|------------  Shares     |   |  |    |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |
|                         |---|  |----|                         |   |---|                          |
|              Cost       |   |  |    |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |
|              ----       |   |  |    |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |
|AFLC-100%     $442,695   |   |  |    |AMCO-100%     $11,686,037|   |   |AGI-100%      $15,251,842 |
- ---------------------------   |  |    ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
                              |  |                                  |
- ---------------------------   |  |    ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
|     ALLIED LIFE         |   |  |    |          ALLIED         |   |   |      ALLIED PROPERTY     |
|      INSURANCE          |   |  |    |      GENERAL AGENCY     |   |   |        AND CASUALTY      |
|       COMPANY           |   |  |    |         COMPANY         |   |   |     INSURANCE COMPANY    |
|Common Stock: 250,000    |   |  |    |Common Stock: 5,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 156,822     |
|------------  Shares     |   |  |    |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |
|                         |---|  |----|                         |   |---|                          |
|              Cost       |           |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |
|              ----       |           |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |
|AFLC-100%     $41,732,343|           |AMCO-100%     $135,342   |   |   |AGI-100%      $33,018,634 |
- ---------------------------           ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
                                                                    |
                                      ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
                                      |          PREMIER        |   |   |          ALLIED          |
                                      |          AGENCY,        |   |   |      GROUP MORTGAGE      |
                                      |            INC.         |   |   |         COMPANY          |
                                      |Common Stock: 100,000    |   |   |Common Stock: 9,500       |
                                      |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |
                                      |                         |---|---|                          |
                                      |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |
                                      |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |
                                      |AGI-100%      $100,000   |   |   |AGI-100%      $213,976    |
                                      ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
                                                                    |
                                                                    |   ----------------------------
                                                                    |   |          MIDWEST         |
                                                                    |   |    PRINTING SERVICES     |
                                                                    |   |            LTD.          |
                                                                    |   |Common Stock: 10,000      |
                                                                    |   |------------  Shares      |
                                                                    |---|                          |
                                                                        |              Cost        |
                                                                        |              ----        |
                                                                        |AFLC-100%    $610,000    |
                                                                        ----------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   68
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)                                                  (middle)
<S>                                               <C>                                               <C>
  ------------------------------------------                            ------------------------------------------
  |                                        |                            |                                        |
  |           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL            |                            |          NATIONWIDE MUTUAL             |
  |           INSURANCE COMPANY            |============================|        FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY          |
  |              (CASUALTY)                |                            |               (FIRE)                   |
  |                                        |                            |                                        |
  ------------------------------------------                            ------------------------------------------
  |  ||               |                                                                               |
  |  ||               |--------------------------------------------------------------------|          |--------------------------
- --|  ||                                                                                    |
     ||                                          |--------------------------------------------------------------|----------------
     ||                                          |                                                              |
     ||  --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------            --------------------------------
     ||  |                              |        |   |     NATIONWIDE GENERAL       |            |       NECKURA HOLDING        |
     ||  |                              |        |   |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |            |      COMPANY (NECKURA)       |
     ||  |      NATIONWIDE LLOYDS       |        |   |                              |            |                              |
     ||  |                              |        |   |Common Stock:    20,000       |            |Common Stock:    10,000       |
     ||==|                              |        |---|------------     Shares       |         |--|------------     Shares       |
     ||  |       A TEXAS LLOYDS         |        |   |                              |         |  |                              |
     ||  |                              |        |   |                 Cost         |         |  |                 Cost         |
     ||  |                              |        |   |                 ----         |         |  |                 ----         |
     ||  |                              |        |   |Casualty-100%    $5,944,422   |         |  |Casualty-100%    $87,943,140  |
     ||  --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
     ||                                          |                                            |
     ||  --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
     ||  |       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 WISCONSIN     |         |  |       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:    10,000      |    |    |  |Common Stock:    1 Share      |
         |                              |--------|   | ------------     Shares      | ---|    |--|------------                  |
         |                    Cost      |        |   |                              |    |    |  |                              |
         |Casualty-99.9%      ----      |        |   |                   Cost       |    |    |  |                 Cost         |
         |Other Capital:   $26,714,335  |        |   |                   ----       |    |    |  |                 ----         |
         |-------------                 |        |   | SIC-100%          $6,000,000 |    |    |  |Neckura-100%     DM 51,639    |
         |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:    1500 Shares  |
         |                              |            |------------                  |------------|------------                  |
         |                              |            |                 Cost         |            |                 Cost         |
         |NC-100%                       |            |                 ----         |            |                 ----         |
         |                              |            |Neckura-100%     DM 50,000    |            |Neckura-100%     DM 1,643,149 |
         |                              |            |                              |            |                              |
         |                              |            |                              |            |                              |
         --------------------------------            --------------------------------            --------------------------------

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   69
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                        (right side)
<S>     <C>                                       <C>                                              <C>
                                                                                                            ------------------------
                                                                                                            | NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |
                                                                                                            | ENTERPRISE FOUNDATION|
                                                                                                            |                      |
                                                                                                            |      MEMBERSHIP      |
                                                                                                            |      NONPROFIT       |
                                                                                                            |     CORPORATION      |
                                                                                                            ------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------|
                                                                       |
- ---------------                                                        --------------------------------------------------
              |                                                                                                         |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------       |
  |                                          |                                           |                      |       |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |        ----------------------------------
  |     |         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           |       |        |         ALLNATIONS, INC.       |
  |     |      INDEMNITY COMPANY       |     |    |     INTERMEDIARIES, INC.     |       |        |Common Stock:    10,330 Shares  |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |        |-------------    Cost           |
  |-----|Common Stock:    28,000       |     |----|Common Stock:    1,615        |       |--------|                 ----           |
  |     |------------     Shares       |     |    |------------     Shares       |       |        |Casualty-18.6%   $88,320        |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |       |        |Fire-18.6%       $88,463        |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |       |        |Preferred Stock  1466 Shares    |
  |     |Casualty-100%    $294,529,000 |     |    |Casualty-100%    $1,615,000   |       |        |---------------  Cost           |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |        |                 ----           |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |        |Casualty-6.8%    $100,000       |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |        |Fire-6.8%        $100,000       |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |        ----------------------------------
  |                                          |                                           |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |        ----------------------------------
  |     |          LONE STAR           |     |    |       NATIONWIDE CASH        |       |        |      PENSION ASSOCIATES        |
  |     |     GENERAL AGENCY, INC.     |     |    |      MANAGEMENT COMPANY      |       |        |        OF WAUSAU, INC.         |
  |     |                              |     |    |Common Stock:    100 Shares   |       |        |Common Stock:    1,000 Shares   |
  ------|Common Stock:    1,000        |     |----|------------                  |       |--------|-------------                   |
  |     |------------     Shares       |     |    |                 Cost         |       |        |                 Cost           |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 ----         |       |        |                 ----           |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |Casualty-90%     $9,000       |       |        |                                |
  |     |Casualty-100%    $5,000,000   |     |    |NW Adv. Serv.     1,000       |       |        |Casualty-100%    $2,839,392     |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |        ----------------------------------
  |                   ||                     |                                           |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |        ----------------------------------
  |     |   COLONIAL COUNTY MUTUAL     |     |    |    NATIONWIDE INSURANCE      |       |        |       AMERCIAN MARINE          |
  |     |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |     |    |     COMPANY OF FLORIDA       |       |        |      UNDERWRITERS, INC.        |
  |     |                              |     |    |Common Stock:    10,000       |       |        |Common Stock:    20 Shares      |
  |     |Surplus Debentures            |     |    |-------------    Shares       |       |        |-------------                   |
  |     |------------------            |     |----|                              |       |--------|                 Cost           |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                |                 ----           |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                |                                |
  |     |Colonial         $500,000     |     |    |Casualty-100%    $300,000,000 |                |Casualty-100%    $5,020         |
  |     |Lone Star         150,000     |     |    |                              |                |                                |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                ----------------------------------
  |                                          |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------
  |     |       TIG COUNTRYWIDE        |     |    |    WAUSAU INTERNATIONAL      |
  |     |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |     |    |        UNDERWRITERS          |
  |     |Common Stock     12,000       |     |    |                              |
  |     |------------     Shares       |     |    |Common Stock:    1,000 Shares |
  |-----|                              |     -----|------------                  |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |
  |     |Casualty-100%    $215,273,000 |     |    |Casualty-100%    $10,000      |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |
  |     --------------------------------     |    |                              |
  |                                          |    --------------------------------
  |                                          |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------
  |     |     NATIONWIDE INSURANCE     |     |    |         NATIONWIDE           |
  |     |   ENTERPRISE SERVICES, LTD.  |     |    |          ARENA LLC           |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |
  |     |Single Member Limited         |     |    |                              |
  |.....|Liability Company             |     |....|                              |
        |                              |          |                              |
        |                              |          |                              |
        |Casualty-100%                 |          |Casualty-90%                  |
        |                              |          |                              |
        --------------------------------          --------------------------------


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

December 31, 1998
</TABLE>

                                                                          Page 1
<PAGE>   70






















<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                         (Left Side)

<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.  |  ||  |                          |
|      INVESTORS, 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        |  ||  |        NATIONWIDE         |
|       PROPERTIES, LTD.    |  |  |          INVESTING        |  ||  |         INVESTING         |
|                           |  |  |        FOUNDATION II      |  ||  |       FOUNDATION III      |
| Units:                    |..|  |                           |  ||  |                           |
| ------                    |     |                           |==||==|                           |
|                           |     |                           |  ||  |                           |
|                           |     |                           |  ||  |                           |      ----------------------
| NW Life -97.6%            |     |                           |  ||  |                           |      |  MORLEY RESEARCH   |
| NW Mutual -2.4%           |     |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||  |    OHIO BUSINESS TRUST    |      |  ASSOCIATES, LTD.  |
- -----------------------------     -----------------------------  ||  -----------------------------      |                    |
                                                                 ||                                     |Common Stock: 1,000 |
                                  -----------------------------  ||  -----------------------------      |------------- Shares|------
                                  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||  |         NATIONWIDE        |      |              Cost  |
                                  |      SEPARATE ACCOUNT     |  ||  |  ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST   |      |              ----  |
                                  |            TRUST          |  ||  |                           |      |Morley-100%   $1,000|
                                  |                           |  ||  |                           |      ----------------------
                                  |                           |==||==|                           |
                                  |                           |      |                           |
                                  |                           |      |                           |
                                  |                           |      |        MASSACHUSETTS      |
                                  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |      |       BUSINESS TRUST      |
                                  -----------------------------      -----------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   71
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                           (Center)
                                               NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE (R)
<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
- --------------------------------------------------                                --------------------------------------------------
|               NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                |                                |                NATIONWIDE MUTUAL               |
|               INSURANCE COMPANY                |================================|            FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY              |
|                  (CASUALTY)                    |                   |            |                    (FIRE)                      |
- --------------------------------------------------                   |            --------------------------------------------------
                                                                     |
                                                  -----------------------------------------
                                                  |    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% |
                                                      ---------------|-------------
                                                                     |
- -----------------|-------------------------------|-------------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------------
                 |                               |                   |                                |
    -------------|---------------  --------------|--------------     |                 ---------------|-------------
    |     MORLEY FINANCIAL      |  | THE 401(k) COMPANIES, INC.|     |                 |   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |
    |  SERVICES, INC. (MORLEY)  |  |        (401(k))           |     |                 |      SOLUTIONS, INC.      |
    |Common Stock:  82,343      |  |Common Stock:   Control:   |     |                 |Common Stock: 236,494      |
|---|-------------  Shares      |  |-------------   -------    |--|  |                 |------------- Shares       |
|   |                           |  |Class A         Other-100% |  |  |                 |                           |
|   |NFS-100%                   |  |Class B         NFS  -100% |  |  |                 |NRS-100%                   |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------  |  |                 ---------------|-------------
|                                                                 |  |                                |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------  |  | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|   |         MORLEY &          |  |    401(k) INVESTMENT      |  |  | |   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |  |  |  NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |
|   |     ASSOCIATES, INC.      |  |      SERVICES, INC.       |  |  | |    SOLUTIONS, INC. OF     |  |  |  SOLUTIONS, INC. OF NEW |
|   |                           |  |                           |  |  | |        ALABAMA            |  |  |         MEXICO          |
|   |Common Stock: 3,500        |  | Common Stock: 1,000,000   |  |  | | Common Stock: 10,000      |  |  | Common Stock: 1,000     |
|---|------------- Shares       |  | ------------- Shares      |--|  | | ------------- Shares      |--|--| ------------- Shares    |
|   |              Cost         |  |               Cost        |  |  | |               Cost        |  |  |             Cost        |
|   |              ----         |  |               ----        |  |  | |               ----        |  |  |             ----        |
|   |Morley-100%   $1,000       |  |401(k)-100%    $7,800      |  |  | |NRS-100%       $1,000      |  |  |NRS-100%     $1,000      |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------  |  | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|                                                                 |  |                                |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------  |  | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|   |       MORLEY CAPITAL      |  |    401(k) INVESTMENT      |  |  | |   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |  |  | NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |
|   |         MANAGEMENT        |  |      ADVISORS, INC.       |  |  | |    SOLUTIONS, INC. OF     |  |  |  SOLUTIONS, INC. OF     |
|   |                           |  |                           |  |  | |         ARIZONA           |  |  |       SO. DAKOTA        |
|   |Common Stock: 500          |  |Common Stock: 1,000        |  |  | |Common Stock: 1,000        |  |  |Common Stock: 1,000      |
|---|------------- Shares       |  |------------- Shares       |--|  | |------------- Shares       |--|--|------------- Shares     |
|   |              Cost         |  |               Cost        |  |  | |               Cost        |  |  |             Cost        |
|   |              ----         |  |               ----        |  |  | |               ----        |  |  |             ----        |
|   |Morley-100%   $5,000       |  |401(k)-100%    $1,000      |  |  | |NRS-100%       $1,000      |  |  |NRS-100%     $1,000      |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------  |  | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|                                                                 |  |                                |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------  |  | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|   |        UNION BOND         |  |     401(k) ICOMPANY       |  |  | |  NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT    |  |  |  NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |
|   |      & TRUST COMPANY      |  |                           |  |  | |   SOLUTIONS, INC. OF      |  |  |   SOLUTIONS, INC. OF    |
|   |                           |  |                           |  |  | |         ARKANSAS          |  |  |         WYOMING         |
|   |Common Stock: 2,000        |  |Common Stock: 855,000      |  |  | |Common Stock: 50,000       |  |  |Common Stock: 500        |
|---|------------- Shares       |  |------------- Shares       |--|  | |------------- Shares       |--|--|------------- Shares     |
|   |              Cost         |  |              Cost         |     | |              Cost         |  |  |              Cost       |
|   |              ----         |  |              ----         |     | |              ----         |  |  |              ----       |
|   |Morley-100%   $50,000      |  |401(k)-100%   $1,000       |     | |NRS-100%      $500         |  |  |NRS-100%      $500       |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------     | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|                                                                    |                                |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------     | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|   |    PORTLAND INVESTMENT    |  |     NATIONWIDE TRUST      |     | |   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |  |  |  NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |
|   |      SERVICES, INC.       |  |       COMPANY, FSB        |     | |  SOLUTIONS, INS. AGENCY,  |  |  |   SOLUTIONS, INC. OF    |
|   |                           |  |                           |     | |            INC.           |  |  |           OHIO          |
|   |Common Stock: 1,000        |  |Common Stock: 2,800,000    |     | |Common Stock: 1,000        |  |  |                         |
|---|------------- Shares       |  |------------- Shares       |-----| |------------- Shares       |--|==|                         |
|   |              Cost         |  |              Cost         |     | |              Cost         |  |  |                         |
|   |              ----         |  |              ----         |     | |              ----         |  |  |                         |
|   |Morley-100%   $25,000      |  |NFS-100%      $3,500,000   |     | |NRS -100%     $1,000       |  |  |                         |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------     | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|                                                                    |                                |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------     | ----------------------------   |  ---------------------------
|   |     EXCALIBER FUNDING     |  |   NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL    |     | |   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |  |  |  NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |
|   |       CORPORATION         |  | SERVICES CAPITAL TRUST II |     | |    SOLUTIONS, INC. OF     |  |  |   SOLUTIONS, INC. OF    |
|   |                           |  |                           |     | |         MONTANA           |  |  |        OKLAHOMA         |
|   |Common Stock: 1,000        |  |                           |     | |Common Stock: 500          |  |  |                         |
|---|------------- Shares       |  |                           |-----| |------------- Shares       |--|==|                         |
|   |              Cost         |  |                           |     | |              Cost         |  |  |                         |
|   |              ----         |  |                           |     | |              ----         |  |  |                         |
|   |Morley-100%   $1,000       |  |NFS-100%                   |     | |NRS-100%      $500         |  |  |                         |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------     | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|                                                                    |                                |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------     | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|   |     CALIBER FUNDING       |  |   NFS DISTRIBUTORS INC.   |     | |   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |  |  |  NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |
|   |      CORPORATION          |  |                           |     | |    SOLUTIONS, INC. OF     |  |  |   SOLUTIONS, INC. OF    |
|   |                           |  |                           |     | |          NEVADA           |  |  |        TEXAS            |
|   |                           |  |                           |     | | Common Stock: 1,000       |  |  |                         |
|---|                           |  |                           |-----| | ------------- Shares      |--|==|                         |
    |                           |  |                           |       |               Cost        |     |                         |
    |                           |  |                           |       |               ----        |     |                         |
    |Morley-100%                |  |NFS-100%                   |       | NRS-100%      $1,000      |     |                         |
    -----------------------------  -----------------------------       -----------------------------     ---------------------------

</TABLE>
<PAGE>   72













<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                            (Right)
<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
- ------------------------------------------------|--------------------|---------------------------------------|
                                                |                    |                                       |
                                                |     ---------------|----------------         --------------|----------------
                                                |     | EMPLOYERS LIFE INSURANCE CO. |         |      GATES MCDONALD         |
                                                |     |       OF WAUSAU (ELIOW)      |         |     & COMPANY (GATES)       |
                                                |     |                              |         |                             |
                                                |     |Common Stock:    250,000      |         |Common Stock:    254         |
                                                |  |--|-------------    Shares       |      |--|-------------    Shares      |
                                                |  |  |                              |      |  |                             |
                                                |  |  |                 Cost         |      |  |                 Cost        |
                                                |  |  |                 ----         |      |  |                 ----        |
                                                |  |  |NW CORP. -100%   $126,509,480 |      |  |NW CORP. -100%   $25,683,532 |
                                                |  |  --------------------------------      |  -------------------------------
- ------------                                    |  |                                        |
           |  --------------------------------  |  |  --------------------------------      |  --------------------------------
           |  |       NATIONWIDE TRUST       |  |  |  |       WAUSAU PREFERRED       |      |  |          HEALTHCARE          |
           |  |           COMPANY            |  |  |  |      HEALTH INSURANCE CO.    |      |  |          FIRST, INC.         |
           |  |                              |  |  |  |                              |      |  |                              |
           |  |Common Stock:    2,800,000    |  |  |  |Common Stock:    200          |      |  |                              |
           |--|-------------    Shares       |  |  |--|-------------    Shares       |      |--|                              |
           |  |                              |  |     |                              |      |  |                              |
           |  |                 Cost         |  |     |                 Cost         |      |  |                 Cost         |
           |  |                 ----         |  |     |                 ----         |      |  |                 ----         |
           |  |NFS-100%         $3,500,000   |  |     |ELIOW -100%      $57,413,193  |      |  |Gates-100%       $6,700,000   |
           |  --------------------------------  |     --------------------------------      |  --------------------------------
           |                                    |                                           |
           |  --------------------------------  |     --------------------------------      |  -------------------------------
           |  |     NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL     |  |     |       NATIONWIDE GLOBAL      |      |  |  GATES MCDONALD & COMPANY  |
           |  |    SERVICES (BERMUDA) INC.   |  |     |      HOLDINGS, INC. (NGH)    |      |  |      OF NEW YORK, INC.      |
           |  |                              |  |     |                              |      |  |                             |
           |  |Common Stock:    250,000      |  |     |Common Stock:    1            |      |  |Common Stock:   3            |
           |--|-------------    Shares       |  |-----|-------------    Share        |      |--|-------------   Shares       |
           |  |                              |  |     |                              |      |  |                             |
           |  |                 Cost         |  |     |                 Cost         |      |  |                 Cost        |
           |  |                 ----         |  |     |                 ----         |      |  |                 ----        |
           |  |NFS-100%         $3,500,000   |  |     |NW CORP.-100%    $7,000,000   |      |  |Gates-100%       $106,947    |
           |  --------------------------------  |     --------------------------------      |  -------------------------------
           |                                    |                    |                      |
           |  --------------------------------  |     --------------------------------      |  -------------------------------
           |  |     NATIONWIDE DEFERRED      |  |     |  NATIONWIDE GLOBAL HOLDINGS  |      |  |   GATES MCDONALD & COMPANY  |
           |  |      COMPENSATION, INC.      |  |     |     -HONG KONG, LIMITED      |      |  |         OF NEVADA           |
           |  |                              |  |     |                              |      |  |                             |
           |  |                              |  |     |Common Stock:    2            |      |  |Common Stock:    40          |
           |--|                              |  |     |-------------    Shares       |      |--|-------------    Shares      |
           |  |                              |  |     |                              |      |  |                             |
           |  |                              |  |     |                              |      |  |                 Cost        |
           |  |                              |  |     |                              |      |  |                 ----        |
           |  |NFS-100%                      |  |     |NGH-100%                      |      |  |Gates-100%       $93,750     |
           |  --------------------------------  |     --------------------------------      |  -------------------------------
           |                                    |                                           |
           |  --------------------------------  |     --------------------------------      |  -------------------------------
           |  |       IRVIN L. SCHWARTZ      |  |     |          NATIONWIDE          |      |  |      GATES McDONALD         |
           |  |      AND ASSOCIATES, INC.    |  |     |    HEALTH PLANS, INC. (NHP)  |      |  |     HEALTH PLUS, INC.       |
           |  |                              |  |     |                              |      |  |                             |
           |  |Common Stock:    Control      |  |     |Common Stock:    100          |      |  |Common Stock:    200         |
           |--|-------------    -------      |  |-----|-------------    Shares       |--|   |--|-------------    Shares      |
              |                              |  |     |                              |  |      |                             |
              |                              |  |     |                 Cost         |  |      |                 Cost        |
              |Class A          Other-100%   |  |     |                 ----         |  |      |                 ----        |
              |Class B          NFS  -100%   |  |     |NW CORP.-100%    $14,603,732  |  |      |Gates-100%       $2,000,000  |
              --------------------------------  |     --------------------------------  |      -------------------------------
                                                |                                       |
              --------------------------------  |     --------------------------------  |
              |     MRM INVESTMENTS, INC.    |  |     |    NATIONWIDE MANAGEMENT     |  |
              |                              |  |     |         SYSTEMS, INC.        |  |
              |                              |  |     |                              |  |
              |Common Stock:    1            |  |     |Common Stock:    100          |  |
              |-------------    Share        |--|     |-------------    Shares       |--|
              |                              |        |                              |  |
              |                 Cost         |        |                 Cost         |  |
              |                 ----         |        |                 ----         |  |
              |NW CORP.-100%    $7,000,000   |        |NHP Inc.-100%    $25,149      |  |
              --------------------------------        --------------------------------  |
                                                                                        |
                                                      --------------------------------  |
                                                      |          NATIONWIDE          |  |
                                                      |         AGENCY, INC.         |  |
                                                      |                              |  |
                                                      |Common Stock:    100          |  |
                                                      |------------     Shares       |--|
                                                      |                              |
                                                      |                 Cost         |
                                                      |                 ----         |
                                                      |NHP Inc.-99%     $116,077     |
                                                      --------------------------------

                                                                                Subsidiary Companies    --   Solid Line

                                                                                Contractual Association  --  Double Line

                                                                                Limited Liability Company -- Dotted Line



                                                                                                         December 31, 1998

                                                                                                                    Page 2
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   73


Item 27.       NUMBER OF CONTRACT OWNERS
               The number of contract Owners of Qualified and Non-Qualified
               Contracts as of January 31,1999 was 230 and 667, respectively.

Item 28.       INDEMNIFICATION
               Provision is made in Nationwide's Amended and Restated Code of
               Regulations and expressly authorized by the General Corporation
               Law of the State of Ohio, for indemnification by Nationwide 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 Nationwide, 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
               Nationwide pursuant to the foregoing provisions, Nationwide 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)  Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS") acts as principal
                    underwriter and general distributor for the Nationwide
                    Multi-Flex Variable Account, Nationwide Variable Account-II,
                    Nationwide Variable Account-5, Nationwide Variable
                    Account-6, Nationwide Variable Account-8, Nationwide
                    Variable Account-9, Nationwide VA Separate Account-A,
                    Nationwide VA Separate Account-B, Nationwide VA Separate
                    Account-C, Nationwide VL Separate Account-A, Nationwide VL
                    Separate Account-B, Nationwide VL Separate Account-C,
                    Nationwide VL Separate Account-D, Nationwide VLI Separate
                    Account-2, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3, Nationwide VLI
                    Separate Account-4, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-5 and
                    Nationwide Variable Account, all of which are separate
                    investment accounts of Nationwide or its affiliates.

                    NAS also acts as principal underwriter for Nationwide Mutual
                    Funds, Nationwide Separate Account Trust, and Nationwide
                    Asset Allocation Trust which are open-end management
                    investment companies.



                                   105 of 110
<PAGE>   74


         (b)           NATIONWIDE ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.
                             DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

      NAME AND                                POSITIONS AND OFFICES
  BUSINESS ADDRESS                               WITH UNDERWRITER

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

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

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

Paul J. Hondros                                      Director
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

Susan A. Wolken                                      Director
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

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

Edwin P. McCausland, Jr.                Senior Vice President-Fixed Income
One Nationwide Plaza                                Securities
Columbus, OH 43215

Charles S. Bath
One Nationwide Plaza                       Vice President - Investments
Columbus, OH  43215

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

William G. Goslee
One Nationwide Plaza                              Vice President
Columbus, OH  43215

James F. Laird, Jr.                         Vice President and General
One Nationwide Plaza                                 Manager
Columbus, OH  43215

Joseph P. Rath                        Vice President - Office of Product and
One Nationwide Plaza                            Market Compliance
Columbus, OH 43215
                                            Vice President - Taxation
Alan A. Todryk
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

Christopher A. Cray                                 Treasurer
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

Elizabeth A. Davin                             Assistant Secretary
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

David E. Simaitis                              Assistant Secretary
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

Patricia J. Smith                              Assistant Secretary
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215




                                   106 of 110
<PAGE>   75


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(c)      NAME OF          NET UNDERWRITING         COMPENSATION ON
         PRINCIPAL         DISCOUNTS AND             REDEMPTION OR                BROKERAGE
        UNDERWRITER        COMMISSIONS                ANNUITIZATION              COMMISSIONS         COMPENSATION
<S>     <C>               <C>                      <C>                           <C>                 <C>
        Nationwide
         Advisory               N/A                        N/A                        N/A                 N/A
        Services,
           Inc.
</TABLE>

Item 30.      LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
              John Davis
              Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company
              One Nationwide Plaza
              Columbus, OH  43218-2008

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 Internal Revenue Code are
              issued by Nationwide 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 Internal Revenue Code.

              Nationwide 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 Nationwide.





                                   107 of 110
<PAGE>   76


                                   Offered by

                                   NATIONWIDE
                             LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY



                                   THROUGH ITS


                                   NATIONWIDE
                               VARIABLE ACCOUNT 6



                        MODIFIED SINGLE PREMIUM DEFERRED
                           VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS



                                   PROSPECTUS
                                   MAY 1, 1999




                                   108 of 110
<PAGE>   77


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company and Contract Owners
of the Nationwide Variable Account-6:




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 LLP

Columbus, Ohio
April 29, 1999




                                   109 of 110
<PAGE>   78


                                   SIGNATURES


       As required by the Securities Act of 1933, and the Investment Company Act
of 1940, the Registrant, NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-6, 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 16th of
September, 1999.


                                           NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-6
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                                  (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 16th of
September, 1999.


   SIGNATURE                                             TITLE

LEWIS J. ALPHIN                                        Director
- ---------------
Lewis J. Alphin

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

KENNETH D. DAVIS                                       Director
- ----------------
Kenneth D. Davis

KEITH W. ECKEL                                         Director
- --------------
Keith W. Eckel

WILLARD J. ENGEL                                       Director
- ----------------
Willard J. Engel

FRED C. FINNEY                                         Director
- --------------
Fred C. Finney

JOSEPH J. GASPER                                 President and Chief
- ----------------                            Operating Office and Director
Joseph J. Gasper

DIMON R. McFERSON                         Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
- -----------------                                   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

RALPH M. PAIGE                                         Director
- --------------
Ralph M. Paige

JAMES F. PATTERSON                                     Director
- ------------------
James F. Patterson

ARDEN L. SHISLER                                       Director
- ----------------
Arden L. Shisler

ROBERT L. STEWART                                      Director
- -----------------
Robert L. Stewart

NANCY C. THOMAS                                        Director
- ---------------
Nancy C. Thomas



         By/s/JOSEPH P. RATH
- -----------------------------------
           Joseph P. Rath

          Attorney-in-Fact





                                   110 of 110


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