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NEW ENGLAND LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
501 BOYLSTON STREET
BOSTON, MA 02116
AMERICAN GROWTH SERIES
SUPPLEMENT DATED MARCH 24, 1998
TO PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 1997 AS SUPPLEMENTED NOVEMBER 20, 1997
Effective January 1, 1998, Section 408A of the Code permits certain eligible
individuals to contribute to a Roth IRA. Roth IRAs may be funded through the
purchase of the individual variable annuity contracts offered in this
prospectus. Contributions to a Roth IRA, which are subject to certain
limitations, are not deductible and must be made in cash or as a rollover or
transfer from another Roth IRA or other IRA. A rollover from or conversion of
an IRA to a Roth IRA may be subject to tax and other special rules may apply.
You should consult a tax adviser before combining any converted amounts with any
other Roth IRA contributions, including any other conversion amounts from other
tax years. Distributions from a Roth IRA generally are not taxed, except that,
once aggregate distributions exceed contributions to the Roth IRA, income tax
and a 10% penalty tax may apply to distributions made (1) before age 59 1/2
(subject to certain exceptions) or (2) during the five taxable years starting
with the year in which the first contribution is made to a Roth IRA.
