TRAVELERS VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE SEPARATE ACCOUNT THREE
485BPOS, 1998-04-24
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<PAGE>   1
                                                       Registration No. 33-88576


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                         Post-Effective Amendment No. 3
                                       to
                                    FORM S-6


                FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                     OF SECURITIES OF UNIT INVESTMENT TRUSTS
                            REGISTERED ON FORM N-8B-2


          THE TRAVELERS VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE SEPARATE ACCOUNT THREE
          ------------------------------------------------------------
                              (Exact Name of Trust)


                         THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY
                         -------------------------------
                               (Name of Depositor)

                  One Tower Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06183
                  ---------------------------------------------
          (Complete Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices)

                                Ernest J. Wright
                                    Secretary
                         The Travelers Insurance Company
                                One Tower Square
                           Hartford, Connecticut 06183
                           ---------------------------
                     (Name and address of Agent for Service)


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

              immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
- ---------
   X          on May 1, 1998 pursuant to paragraph (b)
- ---------
              60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) 
              on __________
- ---------
              pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485.
- ---------
              this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for
              a previously filed post-effective amendment.
- ---------


              Check the box if it is proposed that this filing will become
              effective on _______ at _____  pursuant to Rule 487. ______
- ---------






<PAGE>   2


                         RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN

                           FORM N-8B-2 AND PROSPECTUS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item No. of
Form N-8B-2                   CAPTION IN PROSPECTUS
- -----------                   ---------------------

<S>                           <C>          
         1                    Cover page
         2                    Cover page
         3                    Safekeeping of the Separate Account's Assets
         4                    Distribution of the Policy
         5                    The Separate Account
         6                    The Separate Account
         7                    Not applicable
         8                    Not applicable
         9                    Legal Proceedings and Opinion
         10                   Prospectus Summary; The Insurance Company; The Separate Account; 
                              The Investment Options; The Policy;  Transfers of Cash Value;
                              Policy Surrenders and Cash Surrender Value; Voting Rights; Dividends
         11                   The Separate Account; The Investment Options
         12                   The Investment Options
         13                   Charges and Deductions; Distribution of the Policies
         14                   The Policy
         15                   The Policy
         16                   The Separate Account; The Investment Options; Allocation of
                              Premium Payments 
         17                   Prospectus Summary; Right to Cancel Period; Policy Surrenders
                              and Cash Surrender Value; Policy Loans; Exchange Rights
         18                   The Investment Options; Charges and Deductions; Federal Tax Considerations
         19                   Reports to Policy Owners
         20                   The Insurance Company
         21                   Policy Loans
         22                   Not applicable
         23                   Not applicable
         24                   Not applicable
         25                   The Insurance Company
         26                   Not applicable
         27                   The Insurance Company
         28                   The Insurance Company; Management
         29                   The Insurance Company
         30                   Not applicable
         31                   Not applicable
         32                   Not applicable
         33                   Not applicable
         34                   Not applicable
         35                   Distribution of the Policy
         36                   Not applicable
         37                   Not applicable
         38                   Distribution of the Policy
         39                   Distribution of the Policy
         40                   Not applicable
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   3


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item No. of
Form N-8B-2                   CAPTION IN PROSPECTUS
- -----------                   ---------------------


<S>                           <C>                          
         41                   Distribution of the Policy
         42                   Not applicable
         43                   Not applicable
         44                   Valuation of the Separate Account
         45                   Not applicable
         46                   The Policy; Valuation of the Separate Account; Transfers of Cash Value;
                              Policy Surrenders and Cash Surrender Value
         47                   The Separate Account; The Investment Options
         48                   The Insurance Company
         49                   Safekeeping of the Separate Account's Assets
         50                   Not applicable
         51                   Prospectus Summary; The Insurance Company; The Policy; Death  
                              Benefits; Policy Lapse and Reinstatement
         52                   The Separate Account; The Investment Options; Investment Managers
         53                   Federal Tax Considerations
         54                   Not applicable
         55                   Not applicable
         56                   Not applicable
         57                   Not applicable
         58                   Not applicable
         59                   Financial Statements
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   4
 
   
                                  VINTAGELIFE
    
                   INDIVIDUAL VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE POLICY
   
    
 
   
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>
THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY
POLICY PROSPECTUS                                   PROSPECTUSES
TRAVELERS SERIES TRUST:
ZERO COUPON BOND FUND PORTFOLIOS                    MAY 1, 1998
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    
<PAGE>   5
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
This Prospectus describes a modified single premium individual variable life
insurance policy (the "Policy") offered by The Travelers Insurance Company (the
"Company") and funded by The Travelers Variable Life Insurance Separate Account
Three ("Separate Account Three"). Separate Account Three invests in certain
mutual funds that are referred to in this Prospectus as "Investment Options."
Although the Policy can operate as a single premium policy, additional premium
payments may be made under certain circumstances provided there are no
outstanding policy loans. The minimum Initial Premium required to issue a Policy
is $25,000.
 
   
The Policy provides for the payment of a Death Benefit upon the death of the
Insured, and for a Cash Value that can be obtained through policy loans or full
or partial surrenders of the Policy. The Death Benefit and Cash Value of a
Policy will vary based on the performance of underlying Investment Options.
There is no guaranteed minimum Cash Value for a Policy. Additionally, the
    
                                               (Continued on the following page)
 
THE POLICY WILL OR MAY BE A MODIFIED ENDOWMENT CONTRACT. CERTAIN POLICY LOANS,
PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS OR SURRENDERS WILL OR MAY RESULT IN ADVERSE TAX CONSEQUENCES
OR PENALTIES.
 
THIS PROSPECTUS IS VALID ONLY WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY THE CURRENT PROSPECTUSES FOR
THE UNDERLYING INVESTMENT OPTIONS. THESE PROSPECTUSES SHOULD BE READ AND
RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT BE LAWFULLY MADE. NO DEALER, SALESMAN, OR OTHER PERSON IS
AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION
WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN
OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON.
 
THE PURPOSE OF THIS VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE POLICY IS TO PROVIDE INSURANCE
PROTECTION. LIFE INSURANCE IS A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT. PROSPECTIVE POLICY OWNERS
SHOULD CONSIDER THEIR NEED FOR INSURANCE COVERAGE AND THE POLICY'S LONG-TERM
INVESTMENT POTENTIAL. NO CLAIM IS MADE THAT THE POLICY IS IN ANY WAY SIMILAR OR
COMPARABLE TO AN INVESTMENT IN A MUTUAL FUND.
 
   
                  THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MAY 1, 1998.
    
<PAGE>   6
 
   
Cash Value is reduced by the various fees and charges assessed under the Policy,
as described in this Prospectus. Regardless of the performance of the Investment
Options, so long as the Policy is in force, the Death Benefit can never be less
than the current Stated Amount (with proceeds payable reduced by outstanding
policy loans, unpaid interest and any Monthly Deduction Amounts due and unpaid).
The Policy will remain in force for as long as the Cash Surrender Value is
sufficient to pay the monthly charges imposed under the Policy.
    
 
   
From the Issue Date through the end of the Right to Cancel Period, the Initial
Premium will be allocated to the Smith Barney Money Market Portfolio.
Thereafter, the Cash Value and any premium payments made under the Policy may be
allocated to one or more of the Investment Options available under Separate
Account Three where they will accumulate on a variable basis. The Policy Owner
bears the investment risk for all amounts allocated to the underlying Investment
Options.
    
 
The Policy has a Right to Cancel Period during which the applicant may return
the Policy to the Company for a refund. The Right to Cancel Period expires on
the latest of ten days after the Owner receives the Policy, ten days after we
mail or deliver a written Notice of Right to Cancel to the Owner, or 45 days
after the applicant signs the application for insurance (or later, if state law
requires).
 
It may not be advantageous to purchase this Policy as a replacement for another
type of life insurance or as a means to obtain additional insurance protection
if you already own a variable life insurance policy. Because the Policy is
designed to operate generally as a single premium policy, in all but very
limited circumstances the Policy will be treated as a modified endowment
contract for federal income tax purposes. As a modified endowment contract, any
loan, partial withdrawal, or surrender may result in adverse tax consequences,
including possible penalties. However, as with any life insurance contract, (1)
a Policy Owner generally should not be considered in constructive receipt of the
Policy's Cash Value, including incremental increases therein, unless and until
he or she is in actual receipt of distributions from the Policy, and (2) Death
Benefit payments should generally be excluded from the gross income of the
Policy beneficiary. A prospective Policy Owner who wants to purchase a Policy
that is not a modified endowment contract should consult his or her personal tax
adviser.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   7
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS...................................      5
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY..........................................      7
THE INSURANCE COMPANY.......................................     13
THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT........................................     13
  Separate Account Three....................................     13
  Addition, Deletion or Substitution of Investments.........     14
THE INVESTMENT OPTIONS......................................     14
  Investment Managers.......................................     16
  Mixed and Shared Funding..................................     16
THE POLICY..................................................     17
  The Policy Application....................................     17
  Eligible Purchasers.......................................     17
  Payments Made Under the Policy............................     18
  Allocation of Premium Payments............................     19
  Right to Cancel Period....................................     19
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS......................................     19
  Monthly Deduction Amount..................................     19
     Cost of Insurance Charge...............................     20
     State Premium Tax Charge...............................     20
     Charges for Supplemental Benefit Provisions............     20
  CHARGES AGAINST THE INVESTMENT OPTIONS OF SEPARATE ACCOUNT
     THREE..................................................     21
     Mortality and Expense Risk Charge......................     21
     Administrative Expense Charge..........................     21
     Income Taxes...........................................     21
  Investment Option Expenses................................     21
  Surrender Charges.........................................     21
  Transfer Charge...........................................     22
  Reduction or Elimination of Charges.......................     22
VALUATION OF THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT...........................     23
  How the Cash Value Varies.................................     23
  How the Investment Experience is Determined...............     23
  Accumulation Unit Value...................................     23
  Net Investment Factor.....................................     23
  Valuation Periods and Valuation Dates.....................     24
TRANSFERS OF CASH VALUE.....................................     24
  Telephone Transfers.......................................     24
  Automated Transfers.......................................     24
DEATH BENEFIT...............................................     25
  Changes in Death Benefit Option...........................     26
  Changes in Stated Amount..................................     26
  Maturity and Maturity Extension Benefits..................     26
</TABLE>
    
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   8
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                           <C>
  Policy Lapse and Reinstatement............................................................................         27
  Exchange Rights...........................................................................................         27
POLICY SURRENDERS AND CASH SURRENDER VALUE..................................................................         28
  Right to Surrender........................................................................................         28
  Full Surrenders...........................................................................................         28
  Partial Surrenders........................................................................................         28
POLICY LOANS................................................................................................         28
  Risks Associated with Loans Taken Against a Variable Life Insurance Policy................................         29
PAYMENT OPTIONS.............................................................................................         29
OTHER MATTERS...............................................................................................         30
  Voting Rights.............................................................................................         30
  Reports to Policy Owners..................................................................................         31
  Limit on Right to Contest and Suicide Exclusion...........................................................         31
  Misstatement as to Sex and Age............................................................................         31
  Suspension of Valuation...................................................................................         31
  Beneficiary...............................................................................................         31
  Assignment................................................................................................         32
  Dividends.................................................................................................         32
FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS..................................................................................         32
  General...................................................................................................         32
  TAX STATUS OF THE POLICY..................................................................................         32
  Definition of Life Insurance..............................................................................         32
  Diversification...........................................................................................         33
  Investor Control..........................................................................................         33
  TAX TREATMENT OF POLICY BENEFITS..........................................................................         33
  In General................................................................................................         33
  Modified Endowment Contracts..............................................................................         34
  Exchanges.................................................................................................         34
  Aggregation of Modified Endowment Contracts...............................................................         34
  Policies which are not Modified Endowment Contracts.......................................................         35
  Treatment of Loan Interest................................................................................         35
  THE COMPANY'S INCOME TAXES................................................................................         35
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE........................................................................................         35
MANAGEMENT..................................................................................................         36
SENIOR OFFICERS Of THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY..........................................................         37
SAFEKEEPING OF THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT'S ASSETS................................................................         37
DISTRIBUTION OF THE POLICY..................................................................................         37
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND OPINION...............................................................................         38
REGISTRATION STATEMENT......................................................................................         38
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS.....................................................................................         38
ILLUSTRATIONS...............................................................................................         38
APPENDIX A-PERFORMANCE INFORMATION..........................................................................         45
APPENDIX B-DEATH BENEFIT EXAMPLES...........................................................................         47
APPENDIX C-REPRESENTATIVE STATED AMOUNTS....................................................................         49
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS........................................................................................
</TABLE>
    
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   9
 
                           GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The following terms are used throughout the Prospectus and have the indicated
meanings:
 
   
ACCUMULATION UNIT -- a standard of measurement used to calculate the values
allocated to the Investment Options.
    
 
AVERAGE NET GROWTH RATE -- an annual measurement of growth, used to determine
the next year's mortality and expense risk charge. For each Policy Owner, the
rate is determined each Policy Year as follows: total daily earnings of the
Investment Option(s) you select, divided by the average amount you allocated
during the Policy Year. The daily earnings are measured using the net asset
value per share of the Investment Options.
 
   
BENEFICIARY(IES) -- the person(s) named to receive the Death benefit following
the Insured's death.
    
 
CASH SURRENDER VALUE -- the Cash Value less any outstanding policy loan and
surrender charges.
 
CASH VALUE -- the current value of Accumulation Units credited to each of the
Investment Options available under the Policy, plus the value of the Loan
Account.
 
COMPANY'S HOME OFFICE -- the principal executive offices of The Travelers
Insurance Company located at One Tower Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06183.
 
COVERAGE AMOUNT -- an amount equal to the Death Benefit minus the Cash Value.
 
DEATH BENEFIT -- the amount payable to the Beneficiary if the Insured dies while
the Policy is in force.
 
DEDUCTION DATE -- the day in each Policy Month on which the Monthly Deduction
Amount is deducted from the Policy's Cash Value.
 
GRACE PERIOD -- the period during which the Policy remains in force after the
Company has given notice to the Policy Owner that the Cash Surrender Value of
the Policy is insufficient to pay the Monthly Deduction Amount due.
 
INITIAL PREMIUM -- the Premium Payment made in connection with the issuance of a
Policy.
 
INSURED -- the person on whose life the Policy is issued.
 
   
INVESTMENT OPTIONS -- the open-end management investment companies or portfolios
thereof to which you may allocate premiums and Cash Value under Separate Account
Three.
    
 
ISSUE DATE -- the date on which the Policy is issued by the Company for delivery
to the Policy Owner.
 
LOAN ACCOUNT -- an account in the Company's general account to which we transfer
the amount of any policy loan, and to which we credit a fixed rate of interest.
 
LOAN ACCOUNT VALUE -- the amount of any policy loan, plus capitalized loan
interest, plus the net rate of return credited to the Loan Account.
 
MATURITY DATE -- the anniversary of the Policy Date on which the Insured is age
100.
 
MINIMUM AMOUNT INSURED -- a percentage of Cash Value required to qualify this
Policy as life insurance under federal tax law.
 
MONTHLY DEDUCTION AMOUNT -- a monthly charge, deducted from the Policy's Cash
Value, which is comprised of the Cost of Insurance charge, the deduction for
premium tax, and any charge for supplemental benefits.
 
POLICY DATE -- the date on which the Policy becomes effective, which date is
used to determine all future cyclical transactions under the Policy (i.e.,
Deduction Dates, Policy Months, Policy Years).
 
POLICY MONTH -- monthly periods computed from the Policy Date.
 
POLICY OWNER (YOU, YOUR OR OWNER) -- the person(s) having rights to benefits
under the Policy during the lifetime of the Insured; the Policy Owner may or may
not be the Insured.
 
POLICY YEARS -- annual periods computed from the Policy Date.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   10
 
SEPARATE ACCOUNT THREE -- The Travelers Variable Life Insurance Separate Account
Three, a separate account established by The Travelers Insurance Company for the
purpose of funding this Policy.
 
STATED AMOUNT -- the amount used to determine the Death Benefit under the
Policy.
 
VALUATION DATE -- a day on which Accumulation Units are valued. A Valuation Date
is any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. The value
of Accumulation Units will be determined as of the close of trading on the New
York Stock Exchange.
 
VALUATION PERIOD -- the period between the close of business on successive
Valuation Dates.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   11
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
INTRODUCTION
 
The Policy described in this Prospectus is an individual variable life insurance
contract which provides for a premium payment to be allocated to one or more of
the Investment Options available under Separate Account Three. The Policy is
credited with Accumulation Units of the applicable Investment Options.
 
   
The Policy has a Death Benefit, Cash Surrender Value and other features
traditionally associated with a fixed benefit whole life insurance policy. The
Policy is "variable" because unlike the fixed benefits of an ordinary whole life
insurance contract, the Cash Value and, under certain circumstances, the Death
Benefit of the Policy may increase or decrease depending on the investment
experience of the Investment Options to which the premium payment(s) and cash
value have been allocated. The Cash Value will also vary to reflect partial cash
surrenders and Monthly Deduction Amounts. In accordance with the Continuation of
Insurance provision of the Policy, the Policy will remain in effect until the
Cash Surrender Value is insufficient to cover the Monthly Deduction Amount due.
There is no minimum guaranteed Cash Value or Cash Surrender Value and the Policy
Owner bears the investment risk associated with an investment in the Investment
Options. (See "Valuation of the Separate Account.")
    
 
   
WHAT TYPES OF INVESTMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE UNDER THE POLICY?
    
 
   
The Policy is funded by The Travelers Variable Life Insurance Separate Account
Three ("Separate Account Three"), a registered unit investment trust separate
account established by The Travelers Insurance Company (the "Company"). A Policy
Owner allocates premium payments to one or more of the Investment Options
available to Separate Account Three. The following Investment Options are
currently available under the Policy:
    
 
   
GREENWICH STREET SERIES FUND
    
   
  Total Return Portfolio
    
   
SMITH BARNEY CONCERT ALLOCATION SERIES, INC.
    
   
  Concert Select Balanced Portfolio
    
   
  Concert Select Conservative Portfolio
    
   
  Concert Select Growth Portfolio
    
   
  Concert Select High Growth Portfolio
    
   
  Concert Select Income Portfolio
    
   
TRAVELERS SERIES FUND, INC.
    
   
  AIM Capital Appreciation Portfolio
    
   
  Alliance Growth Portfolio
    
   
  MFS Total Return Portfolio
    
   
  Putnam Diversified Income Portfolio
    
   
  Smith Barney High Income Portfolio
    
   
  Smith Barney International Equity Portfolio
    
   
  Smith Barney Large Cap Value Portfolio
    
   
  Smith Barney Money Market Portfolio
    
   
  TBC Managed Income Portfolio
    
   
  Van Kampen American Capital Enterprise
    
   
     Portfolio
    
   
TRAVELERS SERIES TRUST
    
   
  MFS Emerging Growth Portfolio
    
   
  Zero Coupon Bond Portfolio 1998
    
   
  Zero Coupon Bond Portfolio 2000
    
   
  Zero Coupon Bond Portfolio 2005
    
 
   
Additional Portfolios may be added from time to time.
    
 
Further information regarding the investment objectives for each Investment
Option (including the investment manager) is contained under "The Investment
Options." Refer to each Investment Option's prospectus for a complete
description of the investment objectives, restrictions and other material
information.
 
WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED AND PERMISSIBLE PREMIUM PAYMENTS?
 
The minimum Initial Premium is $25,000. Although the Policy can operate as a
single premium policy, additional payments may be made under certain
circumstances, provided there are no outstanding policy loans. If there are any
outstanding loans, any payment received will be treated first as a repayment of
the loan rather than an additional premium payment. (See "Additional
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   12
 
Premium Payments.") No premiums can be accepted if they would disqualify the
Policy as life insurance under federal tax law.
 
The Initial Premium purchases a Death Benefit initially equal to the Policy's
Stated Amount (if Option 1 is selected), or to the Stated Amount plus the Cash
Value (if Option 2 is selected). The relationship between the Initial Premium
and the Stated Amount depends on the age and sex of the Insured (as permitted by
state law). Generally, the same Initial Premium will purchase a slightly higher
stated amount for a female Insured than for a male Insured of the same age.
Representative Stated Amounts per dollar of Initial Premium are set forth in
Appendix C.
 
HOW WILL PREMIUM PAYMENTS BE ALLOCATED?
 
During the Right to Cancel Period (as described below), the Initial Premium will
be allocated to the Smith Barney Money Market Portfolio. After the expiration of
the Right to Cancel Period, the values in the Money Market Portfolio will be
allocated to the Investment Options selected on the Policy Application, and the
Policy will be credited with the applicable Accumulation Units. (See "Allocation
of Premium Payments.")
 
AFTER THE INITIAL ALLOCATION, MAY I CHANGE THE ALLOCATION OF MY CASH VALUE?
 
As long as the Policy remains in force, you may transfer all or a portion of
your Policy's Cash Value (not including the Loan Account Value) among any of the
Investment Options. Currently, transfers may be made at any time without charge.
You may request a reallocation of your investment either through written
request, or by telephone in accordance with the Company's telephone transfer
procedures. (See "Transfers of Cash Value.")
 
You may also request that the Company establish automated transfers of Cash
Values from any Investment Option to any other Investment Option through written
request or other method acceptable to the Company. The minimum automated
transfer amount is $100 per month. (See "Automated Transfers.")
 
DOES THIS POLICY HAVE A RIGHT TO CANCEL PERIOD?
 
You have a limited right to return the Policy for cancellation and receive a
full refund. You must return the Policy, by mail or hand delivery, to the
Company or to the agent who sold the Policy during the Right to Cancel Period,
which ends 10 days after the Policy has been delivered to you, 45 days after
completion of the application, or 10 days after the Notice of Right to Cancel
has been mailed or delivered to you, whichever is latest. Within seven (7) days
following our receipt of your request for a refund, we will refund to you the
greater of (1) any premium paid, or (2) the Cash Value of the Policy on the date
we receive the returned policy, plus any charges and expenses which may have
been deducted, less any Loan Account Value. (See "Right to Cancel Period.")
 
WHAT TYPES OF CHARGES ARE DEDUCTED UNDER THE POLICY?
 
MONTHLY DEDUCTION AMOUNT.  Beginning on the Policy Date, the Company will make
monthly deductions from the Policy's Cash Value on a pro rata basis from amounts
allocated to the Investment Options. The Deduction Amount may vary from month to
month and includes the cost of insurance charges, the deduction for premium tax,
and any charges for supplemental benefits. (See "Monthly Deduction Amount.")
 
   
CHARGES AGAINST THE INVESTMENT OPTIONS UNDER SEPARATE ACCOUNT THREE.  In order
to cover the Company's assumption of mortality and expense risks under the
Policy, the Company assesses a daily charge against the assets of each of the
Investment Options on a pro rata basis at an annual rate of 0.90% of such
assets. This rate will be reduced to 0.75% for the current Contract year if the
Average Net Growth Rate of the investment options which you have selected under
your Policy was 6.5% or greater for the previous Contract Year. This
determination will be made on an annual basis.
    
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   13
 
The Company also assesses a daily charge against the amounts allocated to the
Investment Options at an annual rate of 0.40% to cover administrative expenses
assumed by the Company. This administrative expense charge does not exceed the
expected cost of administrative services provided by the Company under the
Policy. (See "Charges Against the Investment Options of Separate Account
Three.")
 
Currently, the Company makes no charge against the Separate Account for federal
income taxes since the Company does not expect to incur federal income taxes
attributable to the Separate Account. However, if the Company incurs federal
income taxes attributable to the Separate Account in future years, it may charge
for those taxes.
 
SUMMARY OF ASSET BASED POLICY CHARGES:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                    <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
                             STATE           MORTALITY &
       POLICY               PREMIUM            EXPENSE        ADMINISTRATIVE
        YEARS                 TAX            RISK CHARGE          CHARGE              TOTAL
 
<CAPTION>
<S>                    <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
        1-10                 .20%               .90%               .40%               1.50%
         11+                  N/A               .90%               .40%               1.30%
</TABLE>
 
SUMMARY OF ASSET BASED POLICY CHARGES IF THE AVERAGE NET GROWTH RATE IS
6.50% OR MORE:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                    <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
                             STATE           MORTALITY &
       POLICY               PREMIUM            EXPENSE        ADMINISTRATIVE
        YEARS                 TAX            RISK CHARGE          CHARGE              TOTAL
 
<CAPTION>
<S>                    <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
        2-10                 .20%               .75%               .40%               1.35%
         11+                  N/A               .75%               .40%               1.15%
</TABLE>
 
NOTE.  The Separate Account purchases shares of the underlying funds at net
asset value. The net asset values reflect investment advisory fees and other
expenses already deducted. Applicants should review the prospectuses for each
fund for a description of the charges assessed. (See "Charges Against the
Investment Options of Separate Account Three.")
 
   
SURRENDER CHARGES.  A percent of premium surrender charge will be assessed upon
a full or partial surrender of the Policy during the first nine years after a
Premium Payment is received by the Company. For the first two years following a
Premium Payment, the surrender charge will be 7.5% of such Premium Payment.
Thereafter, the charge will decline in years three (3) through nine (9),
respectively, as follows: 7%, 7%, 6.5%, 6%, 5%, 4% and 3%. The surrender charge
will be 0% starting in the tenth year following a Premium Payment. Partial
surrenders will also be subject to a surrender charge, except that after the
first Policy Year the Company will permit partial surrenders of the Policy's
earnings in an amount of up to 10% of the Policy's Cash Value as of the
beginning of the current Policy Year. For partial surrenders in excess of the
free withdrawal amount, a charge equal to a percentage of the amount
surrendered, not to exceed the charge that would apply to a full surrender, will
apply. (See "Surrender Charges.")
    
 
TRANSFER CHARGES.  The Company reserves the right to charge a reasonable
administrative fee (up to $10) for each transfer in excess of four (4) per
Policy Year, and reserves the right to assess a processing fee for the Automated
Transfer (Dollar Cost Averaging) service.
 
WHAT IS THE DEATH BENEFIT UNDER THE POLICY?
 
   
The Policy provides for a Death Benefit upon the death of the Insured. You may
choose one of two options to be used for the calculation of the Death Benefit
payable under the Policy. Under Option 1 (the Level Option), the Death Benefit
will be equal to the greater of the Stated Amount of the Policy or the Minimum
Amount Insured. Under Option 2 (the Variable Option), the Death Benefit will be
equal to the greater of the Stated Amount of the Policy plus the Cash Value
(determined as of the date of the Insured's death) or the Minimum Amount
Insured. Under both options, the Death Benefit will be reduced by any applicable
Loan Account Value, unpaid Monthly
    
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   14
 
Deduction Amount, and any amount payable to an assignee pursuant to a collateral
assignment of the Policy. You may change the Death Benefit option or the Stated
Amount subject to certain conditions. (See "Death Benefit.")
 
MAY I TAKE A POLICY LOAN AGAINST THE CASH VALUE OF MY POLICY?
 
You may request a Policy Loan in an amount not to exceed 90% of the Policy's
Cash Value minus surrender penalties (determined at the time the Company
receives the written loan request). If there is a loan outstanding at the time a
subsequent loan request is made, the amount of the outstanding loan will be
added to the new loan amount. The Company will charge interest on the
outstanding amounts of the loan, which interest must be paid in advance by the
Policy Owner.
 
The amount of the loan will be transferred on a pro rata basis from each of the
Investment Options (unless the Owner states otherwise in writing) to the Loan
Account, which is part of the Company's general account. The Loan Account is
credited with a fixed annual rate of interest set forth in the Policy. The Loan
Account Value does not vary with the performance of the Investment Options;
therefore, the Policy's Death Benefit and Cash Value will be permanently
affected by a loan. Additionally, any outstanding Loan Account Value will be
subtracted from any Death Benefit or surrender proceeds payable under the
Policy. Subject to state law, no loan requests may be made for amounts of less
than $500. Policy loans may have federal income tax consequences. (See "Policy
Loans," and "Federal Tax Considerations.")
 
WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH MY POLICY MIGHT LAPSE?
 
If the Cash Surrender Value of a Policy on any Deduction Date is insufficient to
cover the Monthly Deduction Amount due, the Company will send you a written
notice of the required premium. If the required premium is not paid within 61
days, the Policy may lapse. In addition, outstanding loans decrease the Cash
Surrender Value and could, therefore, cause the Policy to lapse. (See "Policy
Loans," and "Policy Lapse and Reinstatement.") If a Policy lapses with a loan
outstanding, adverse tax consequences may result. (See "Federal Tax
Considerations.")
 
ARE THERE ANY OTHER POLICY PROVISIONS THAT I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?
 
SURRENDERS AND PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS.  The Policy may be surrendered at any time
for its Cash Surrender Value. In addition, partial withdrawals may be made.
Surrenders or partial withdrawals made within nine years of a premium payment
may be subject to a surrender charge. (See "Policy Surrenders and Cash Surrender
Value.")
 
RIGHT TO EXCHANGE THE POLICY.  Once the Policy is in effect, you may exchange it
at any time during the first two Policy Years for a fixed life insurance policy
issued by the Company (or one of its affiliates, if allowed) on the life of the
Insured without submitting proof of insurability. (See "Exchange Rights.")
 
PAYMENT OF POLICY BENEFITS.  Surrender and death benefits under the Policy may
be paid in a lump sum or under one of the payment options set forth in the
Policy. (See "Payment Options.")
 
SPECIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS.  The Company believes that a Policy issued on a
standard rate class basis generally should meet the Section 7702 definition of a
life insurance contract. With respect to a Policy issued on a substandard basis,
there is insufficient guidance to determine if such a Policy would satisfy the
Section 7702 definition of a life insurance contract, particularly if you pay
the full amount of premiums permitted under such a Policy. Assuming that a
Policy qualifies as a life insurance contract for federal income tax purposes,
you should not be deemed to be in constructive receipt of Cash Value under a
Policy until there is a distribution from the Policy. Moreover, death benefits
payable under a Policy should be completely excludable from the gross income of
the Beneficiary. As a result, the Beneficiary generally should not be taxed on
these proceeds. (See "Tax Status of the Policy.")
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   15
 
In almost all cases, the Policy will be a modified endowment contract ("MEC").
If a Policy is a MEC, certain distributions made during an Insured's lifetime,
such as loans and partial withdrawals from, and collateral assignments of, the
Policy, are taxable to you on an income-first basis. A 10% penalty tax may be
imposed on income distributed before you attain age 59 1/2. Policies that are
not MECs receive preferential tax treatment with respect to certain
distributions. For a discussion of the tax issues associated with this Policy,
see "Federal Tax Considerations."
 
WRITTEN REQUESTS
 
Certain changes and elections must be made in writing to the Company. Where the
term "written request" is used, it means that written information must be sent
to the Company's Home Office in a form and content satisfactory to the Company.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   16
 
                     [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   17
 
                             THE INSURANCE COMPANY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Travelers Insurance Company (the "Company") is a stock insurance company
which has been continuously engaged in the insurance business since its
incorporation in the state of Connecticut in 1864. The Company writes individual
life insurance and individual and group annuity contracts on a nonparticipating
basis, and acts as the depositor for Separate Account Three. The Company is
licensed to conduct life insurance business in a majority of the states of the
United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the British and U.S.
Virgin Islands and the Bahamas. The Company's obligations as depositor for
Separate Account Three may not be transferred without notice to and consent of
Policy Owners.
 
   
The Company is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Travelers Group Inc. The
Company's principal executive offices are located at One Tower Square, Hartford,
Connecticut 06183, telephone number (860) 277-0111.
    
 
The Company is subject to Connecticut law governing insurance companies and is
regulated and supervised by the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner. An annual
statement in a prescribed form must be filed with the Commissioner on or before
March 1 in each year covering the operations of the Company for the preceding
year and its financial condition on December 31 of such year. The Company's
books and assets are subject to review or examination by the Commissioner or his
agents at all times, and a full examination of its operations is conducted by
the National Association of Insurance Commissioners at least once every four
years. In addition, the Company is subject to the insurance laws and regulations
of any jurisdiction in which it sells its insurance contracts, as well as to
various federal and state securities laws and regulations.
 
   
The Company is a member of the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association
("IMSA"), and as such may use the IMSA logo and IMSA membership in its
advertisements. Companies that belong to IMSA subscribe to a set of ethical
standards covering the various aspects of sales and service for individually
sold life insurance and annuities. IMSA members have adopted policies and
procedures that demonstrate a commitment to honesty, fairness and integrity in
all customer contacts involving the sale and service of individual life
insurance and annuity products.
    
 
                              THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
SEPARATE ACCOUNT THREE
 
   
The Travelers Variable Life Insurance Separate Account Three was established on
September 23, 1994, pursuant to the insurance laws of the state of Connecticut,
and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") as a unit
investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
Act"). Separate Account Three meets the definition of a separate account under
the federal securities laws. Registration of Separate Account Three with the SEC
does not involve supervision by the SEC of the management or investment policies
of Separate Account Three. Additionally, the operations of Separate Account
Three are subject to the provisions of Section 38a-433 of the Connecticut
General Statutes which authorizes the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner to
adopt regulations under it. Section 38a-433 contains no restrictions on the
investments of Separate Account Three.
    
 
Connecticut law provides that the assets of Separate Account Three will be held
for the exclusive benefit of Policy Owners and the persons entitled to payments
under the Policy offered by this Prospectus and other policies that may be
funded through Separate Account Three. The Policies provide that the assets of
Separate Account Three are not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any
other business which the Company may conduct. Any obligations arising under the
Policy are general corporate obligations of the Company.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   18
 
ADDITION, DELETION OR SUBSTITUTION OF INVESTMENTS
 
The Company reserves the right, subject to state and federal laws, to make
additions to, deletions from, or substitutions for Separate Account Three and
the Investment Options which fund the Policy. The Company can substitute shares
or units of another mutual fund or unit investment trust for shares or units of
another Investment Option if: (a) it is determined that an Investment Option no
longer suits the purpose of the Policy due to a change in its investment
objectives or restrictions; (b) the shares or units of an Investment Option are
no longer available for investment; (c) in the Company's view, it has become
inappropriate to continue investing in the shares or units of an Investment
Option. Substitution may be made with respect to both existing investments and
the investment of any future Premium Payments. However, no substitution of
securities will be made without prior notice to you, and without prior approval
of the SEC or such other regulatory authorities as may be necessary, all to the
extent required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law.
 
Subject to Policy Owner approval and applicable law, the Company reserves the
right to end Separate Account Three's registration under the 1940 Act.
 
                             THE INVESTMENT OPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
You may allocate Premium Payments to one or more of the available Investment
Options. Each Investment Option is a series of an open-end management investment
company registered with the SEC under the 1940 Act. Such registration does not
involve supervision by the SEC of the investments or investment policy of an
Investment Option.
 
   
The investments of each Investment Option are subject to the risks of changing
economic conditions and the ability of each Investment Option's investment
manager or sub-adviser to anticipate such changes. There is no assurance that
the Investment Options will achieve their stated objectives. Please read
carefully the complete risk disclosure in each Portfolio's prospectus before
investing.
    
 
The Investment Options and their investment objectives are as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       INVESTMENT OPTION                     INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE               INVESTMENT ADVISER/SUBADVISER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>                                           <C>
GREENWICH STREET SERIES FUND
  Total Return Portfolio         An equity portfolio that seeks to provide     Mutual Management Corp. ("MMC")
                                 total return, consisting of long-term
                                 capital appreciation and income. The
                                 Portfolio will invest primarily in a
                                 diversified portfolio of dividend-paying
                                 common stocks
SMITH BARNEY CONCERT ALLOCATION
SERIES, INC.
  Concert Select Balanced        Seeks a balance of growth of capital and      Travelers Investment Adviser
  Portfolio                      income by investing in a select group of      ("TIA")
                                 mutual funds.
  Concert Select Conservative    Seeks income and, secondarily, long-term      TIA
  Portfolio                      growth of capital by investing in a select
                                 group of mutual funds.
  Concert Select Growth          Seeks long-term growth of capital by          TIA
  Portfolio                      investing in a select group of mutual funds.
  Concert Select High Growth     Seeks capital appreciation by investing in a  TIA
  Portfolio                      select group of mutual funds.
  Concert Select Income          Seeks high current income by investing in a   TIA
  Portfolio                      select group of mutual funds.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   19
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       INVESTMENT OPTION                     INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE               INVESTMENT ADVISER/SUBADVISER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>                                           <C>
TRAVELERS SERIES FUND, INC.
  AIM Capital Appreciation       Seeks capital appreciation by investing       TIA
  Portfolio                      principally in common stock, with emphasis    Subadviser: AIM Capital
                                 on medium-sized and smaller emerging growth   Management Inc.
                                 companies.
  Alliance Growth Portfolio      Seeks long-term growth of capital by          TIA
                                 investing predominantly in equity securities  Subadviser: Alliance Capital
                                 of companies with a favorable outlook for     Management L.P.
                                 earnings and whose rate of growth is
                                 expected to exceed that of the U.S. economy
                                 over time. Current income is only an
                                 incidental consideration.
  MFS Total Return Portfolio     Seeks to obtain above-average income          TIA
                                 (compared to a portfolio entirely invested    Subadviser: MFS
                                 in equity securities) consistent with the
                                 prudent employment of capital. Generally, at
                                 least 40% of the Portfolio's assets will be
                                 invested in equity securities.
  Putnam Diversified Income      Seeks high current income consistent with     TIA
  Portfolio                      preservation of capital. The Portfolio will   Subadviser:
                                 allocate its investments among the U.S.       Putnam Investment Management,
                                 Government Sector, the High Yield Sector,     Inc.
                                 and the International Sector of the fixed
                                 income securities markets.
  Smith Barney High Income       Seeks high current income. Capital            MMC
  Portfolio                      appreciation is a secondary objective. The
                                 Portfolio will invest at least 65% of its
                                 assets in high-yielding corporate debt
                                 obligations and preferred stock.
  Smith Barney International     Seeks total return on assets from growth of   MMC
  Equity Portfolio               capital and income by investing at least 65%
                                 of its assets in a diversified portfolio of
                                 equity securities of established non-U.S.
                                 issuers.
  Smith Barney Large Cap Value   Seeks current income and long-term growth of  MMC
  Portfolio (formerly "Smith     income and capital by investing primarily,
  Barney Income and Growth       but not exclusively, in common stocks.
  Portfolio")
  Smith Barney Money Market      Seeks maximum current income and              MMC
  Portfolio                      preservation of capital by investing in high
                                 quality, short-term money market
                                 instruments. An investment in this fund is
                                 neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S.
                                 Government, and there is no assurance that a
                                 stable $1 value per share will be
                                 maintained.
  TBC Managed Income Portfolio   Seeks high current income consistent with     TIA
                                 prudent risk of capital through investments   Subadviser: The Boston Company
                                 in corporate debt obligations, preferred      Asset Management, Inc.
                                 stocks, and obligations issued or guaranteed
                                 by the U.S. Government or its agencies or
                                 instrumentalities.
  Van Kampen American Capital    Seeks capital appreciation through            MMC
  Enterprise Portfolio           investment in securities believed to have     Subadviser: Van Kampen American
                                 above-average potential for capital           Capital Asset Management, Inc
                                 appreciation. Any income received on such
                                 securities is incidental to the objective of
                                 capital appreciation.
TRAVELERS SERIES TRUST
  MFS Emerging Growth Portfolio  Seeks long-term growth of capital. Dividend   Travelers Asset Management
                                 and interest income from portfolio            investment Company ("TAMIC")
                                 securities, if any, is incidental.            Subadviser:
                                                                               MFS
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   20
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       INVESTMENT OPTION                     INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE               INVESTMENT ADVISER/SUBADVISER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>                                           <C>
  Zero Coupon Bond Fund          Seeks to provide as high an investment        TAMIC
  Portfolio (Series 1998)        return as consistent with the preservation
                                 of capital investing in primarily zero
                                 coupon securities that pay cash income but
                                 are acquired by the Portfolio at substantial
                                 discounts from their values at maturity. The
                                 Zero Coupon Bond Fund Portfolios may not be
                                 appropriate for Policy Owners who do not
                                 plan to have their premiums invested in
                                 shares of the Portfolios for the long term
                                 or until maturity
  Zero Coupon Bond Fund          Seeks to provide as high an investment        TAMIC
  Portfolio (Series 2000)        return as consistent with the preservation
                                 of capital investing in primarily zero
                                 coupon securities that pay cash income but
                                 are acquired by the Portfolio at substantial
                                 discounts from their values at maturity. The
                                 Zero Coupon Bond Fund Portfolios may not be
                                 appropriate for Policy Owners who do not
                                 plan to have their premiums invested in
                                 shares of the Portfolios for the long term
                                 or until maturity
  Zero Coupon Bond Fund          Seeks to provide as high an investment        TAMIC
  Portfolio (Series 2005)        return as consistent with the preservation
                                 of capital investing in primarily zero
                                 coupon securities that pay cash income but
                                 are acquired by the Portfolio at substantial
                                 discounts from their values at maturity. The
                                 Zero Coupon Bond Fund Portfolios may not be
                                 appropriate for Policy Owners who do not
                                 plan to have their premiums invested in
                                 shares of the Portfolios for the long term
                                 or until maturity
</TABLE>
    
 
   
INVESTMENT MANAGERS
    
 
The Investment Options receive investment management and advisory services from
the following investment professionals:
 
   
Mutual Management Corp. ("MMC"), formerly know as Smith Barney Mutual Funds
Management, Inc., an affiliate of the Company, receives an investment advisory
fee from each applicable Investment Option pursuant to the terms of an
investment advisory agreement between the Investment Option and MMC. MMC then
pays each Sub-Adviser a sub-advisory fee pursuant to the terms of a sub-advisory
agreement among the Investment Options, MMC and the sub-advisor. For the
Travelers Zero Coupon Bond Fund Portfolios, Travelers Asset Management
International Corporation ("TAMIC"), an affiliate of the Company, receives an
investment advisory fee pursuant to an agreement between the Portfolios and
TAMIC. More detailed information regarding the Investment Options and the
investment managers may be found in the current prospectuses for the Investment
Options; these prospectuses are included with and must accompany this
Prospectus. You are urged to read these documents carefully before investing.
    
 
   
MIXED AND SHARED FUNDING
    
 
It is conceivable that in the future it may not be advantageous for Separate
Account Three and other variable life insurance or variable annuity separate
accounts to invest in the Investment Options simultaneously (called "mixed" and
"shared" funding). Although neither the Company nor the Investment Options
currently foresees any such disadvantages either to variable life insurance or
to variable annuity Policy Owners, the Investment Options' Boards of Directors
intends to monitor events to identify any material conflicts between such policy
owners and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in response
thereto. Conflicts could arise due to changes in the law (such as insurance law
or federal tax law) that affect the different variable life
                                       16
<PAGE>   21
 
insurance and variable annuity separate accounts investing in the Investment
Options. They could also arise by reason of differences in voting instructions
from the Policy Owners and owners of other variable life insurance policies and
variable annuity contracts, or for other reasons.
 
If an Investment Option's Boards of Directors concludes that separate mutual
funds should be established for variable life insurance and variable annuity
separate accounts, the Company will bear the attendant expenses, but variable
life insurance and variable annuity Policy Owners would no longer have the
economies of scale resulting from a larger combined fund. Please consult the
prospectuses of the Investment Options for additional information.
 
   
                                   THE POLICY
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
The Policy described in this Prospectus is a variable life insurance policy
which is both an insurance product and a security. The Policy has a Death
Benefit, Cash Surrender Value and other features traditionally associated with a
fixed benefit whole life policy. The Policy is deemed to be "variable" because
unlike the fixed benefits of an ordinary whole life insurance contract, the
Policy's Cash Value and, under certain circumstances, the Death Benefit may
increase or decrease depending on the investment experience of the Investment
Option(s) to which the Premium Payment has been allocated.
    
 
As an insurance product, the Policy is subject to the insurance laws and
regulations of each state or jurisdiction in which it is available for
distribution. There may be differences between the Policy issued and the general
policy description contained in this Prospectus because of requirements of the
state where your Policy is issued. Any such differences will be included in your
Policy.
 
   
THE POLICY APPLICATION
    
 
   
Individuals wishing to purchase a Policy must submit an application to the
Company. As with traditional insurance contracts, you pay an initial premium,
which must be at least $25,000. You may request an increase or decrease in the
Stated Amount of the Policy in writing from time to time. (See "Changes in
Stated Amount.") No material change in the terms or conditions of the Policy
will be made without your consent.
    
 
   
ELIGIBLE PURCHASERS
    
 
   
A person can purchase a Policy to insure the life of another person provided
that the Policy Owner has an insurable interest in the life of the Insured, and
the Insured consents to such purchase. In most states, any person between the
ages of 20 and 80 is eligible to be insured subject to the submission of a
Policy application to the Company. In some states, the maximum issue age may be
lower. Insurance coverage under a Policy will begin only after the applicant has
satisfied all outstanding underwriting delivery requirements, and after the
Company has received the Initial Premium. Acceptance of an application is
subject to the Company's underwriting rules. The Company reserves the right to
reject an application for any lawful reason, provided that such rejection is
made in a manner consistent with that with which similarly situated risks are
treated and provided that unfair discrimination is avoided.
    
 
The Company assigns Insureds to risk classes which determine the current cost of
insurance rates used in calculating the cost of insurance charge under the
Policy. Policies may be issued on Insureds either in the standard non-smoker or
smoker risk class. To the extent permitted by state law, Policies may also be
issued on the basis of the sex of the Insured. Policies may also be issued on
insureds in a sub-standard underwriting class. (For a discussion of the effect
of risk class on the cost of insurance charge, see "Cost of Insurance Charge.")
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   22
 
   
PAYMENTS MADE UNDER THE POLICY
    
 
INITIAL PREMIUM.  The Initial Premium is due on or before the Policy Date and is
payable in full at the Company's Home Office. The Initial Premium is the
guideline single premium for the life insurance coverage provided under the
Policy, as determined in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"). The minimum Initial Premium is $25,000. Additional Premium
Payments may be made under the Policy, as described below. However, if there are
any outstanding policy loans, any payment received will be treated first as
repayment of loans rather than as an additional Premium Payment.
 
The Initial Premium purchases a Death Benefit equal to the Policy's Stated
Amount (if Option 1 is selected), or to the Policy's Stated Amount plus the Cash
Value (if Option 2 is selected). The relationship between the Initial Premium
and the Stated Amount depends on the age, sex (where permitted by state law) and
risk class of the Insured. Generally, the same Initial Premium will purchase a
higher Stated Amount for a younger insured than for an older insured. Likewise,
the same Initial Premium will purchase a slightly higher Stated Amount for a
female insured than for a male insured of the same age. Also, the same Initial
Premium will purchase a higher Stated Amount for a standard Insured than for a
substandard Insured. Representative Stated Amounts per dollar of Initial Premium
are set forth in Appendix C.
 
ADDITIONAL PREMIUM PAYMENTS.  Although the Policy can operate as a single
premium policy, additional Premium Payments may be made under certain
circumstances, provided there are no outstanding loans. If there are any
outstanding loans, any payment received by the Company will be considered
repayment of that debt. The circumstances under which additional Premium
Payments can be made under the Policy are as follows:
 
     1. INCREASES IN STATED AMOUNT -- You may request an increase in Stated
        Amount at any time. If your request is approved, the Company will
        require you to make an additional Premium Payment in order for an
        increase in Stated Amount to become effective. The minimum additional
        Premium Payment permitted by the Company in connection with an increase
        in Stated Amount is $1,000. (See "Changes in Stated Amount.")
 
     2. TO PREVENT LAPSE -- If the Cash Surrender Value on any Deduction Day is
        insufficient to cover the Monthly Deduction Amount due on that day, then
        you must make an additional Premium Payment during the Grace Period
        sufficient to cover the Monthly Deduction Amount in order to prevent
        lapse. The minimum amount of any payment that may be required to be made
        in this circumstance will be stated in the notice mailed to you in
        accordance with the Policy; payments in excess of the amount required to
        prevent lapse will be considered a payment "at your discretion" and
        consequently subject to the rules described below. If you do not make a
        sufficient payment, the Policy will lapse and terminate without value.
        (See "Policy Lapse and Reinstatement.")
 
   
     3. AT YOUR DISCRETION -- Additional Premium Payments may be made at your
        discretion so long as the payment plus the total of all premiums
        previously paid does not exceed the maximum premium limitation derived
        from the guideline premium test for life insurance prescribed by the
        Code. Because of the test, the maximum premium limitation will
        ordinarily equal the Initial Premium for a number of years after the
        Policy has been issued. Therefore, discretionary additional Premium
        Payments normally will not be permitted during the early years of the
        Policy. Discretionary additional Premium Payments must be at least $250,
        and may not be paid on or after the Maturity Date.
    
 
Any Additional Premium Payments made under the Policy may be subject to new
evidence of insurability. Payments received in excess of any Loan Account Value
will be treated as an additional Premium Payment.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   23
 
   
ALLOCATION OF PREMIUM PAYMENTS
    
 
   
You specify on the Policy Application how the Initial Premium will be allocated
among the Investment Options. You may allocate premium to one or more Investment
Options, provided that such allocation is made in whole percentages of 5% or
more.
    
 
Regardless of the allocation made in the application, during the period between
premium receipt and policy issuance (the "Underwriting Period"), the Initial
Premium will be held by the Company in a general suspense account established
for such purposes. At the time a Policy is issued, the Initial Premium
attributable to such Policy will be credited with interest comparable to the
effective yield during the Underwriting Period of the Money Market Portfolio
(e.g., as if the Policy had been issued and the premium allocated to the Money
Market Portfolio on the date the premium was received in good order by the
Company), which amount will become the initial Cash Value of the Policy. The
Cash Value will then be allocated to the Money Market Portfolio until the
expiration of the Right to Cancel Period. At the end of the Right to Cancel
Period, the Cash Value in the Money Market Portfolio will be allocated (in whole
percentages of 5% or more) among the Investment Options designated on the Policy
Application. The number of Accumulation Units to be credited to the Policy once
a Premium Payment has been received by the Company will be determined by
dividing the amount of Premium Payment applied to each Investment Option by the
Accumulation Unit Value of that Investment Option, as computed on the next
valuation date following receipt of the payment.
 
You may change the allocation of Cash Value or any Additional Premiums received
on or after the expiration of the Right to Cancel Period among any of the
Investment Options then available under the Policy. (See "Transfers of Cash
Value.") You should periodically review the allocation of Cash Value in light of
market conditions and overall financial planning requirements to ensure that
such allocation continues to be consistent with your investment objectives.
 
   
RIGHT TO CANCEL PERIOD
    
 
   
A Policy may be returned to the Company for cancellation by mailing or
delivering it to the Company or to the agent who sold the Policy within the
latest of: (1) 10 days after delivery of the Policy to you; (2) 45 days of
completion of the policy application; or (3) 10 days after the Notice of Right
to Cancel has been mailed or delivered to you (or later, if state law requires).
    
 
   
Within seven days following the Company's receipt of your request for a refund,
the Company will refund the greater of: (1) any premium paid; or (2) the Cash
Value of the Policy on the date we receive the returned policy, plus any charges
or expenses which may have been deducted less any Loan Account Value. After the
Policy is returned, it will be considered as if it were never in effect.
    
 
   
                             CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
MONTHLY DEDUCTION AMOUNT
    
 
The Company will deduct a Monthly Deduction Amount from the Policy's Cash Value
attributable to the Investment Options to cover certain charges and expenses
incurred in connection with the Policy. The Monthly Deduction Amount will be
deducted pro rata from each of the Investment Options attributable to the Policy
on the first day of each Policy Month (the "Deduction Date"), commencing on the
Policy Date. The dollar amount of the Deduction Amount may vary from month to
month.
 
The following is a summary of monthly charges and expenses which make up the
Monthly Deduction Amount.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   24
 
   
COST OF INSURANCE CHARGE
    
 
   
The cost of insurance charge is to cover the Company's expected mortality cost
for basic insurance coverage, not including supplemental benefit provisions. The
cost of insurance charge is deducted monthly, and is equal to the difference
between the Death Benefit (discounted at the rate set forth in the Policy) and
the Cash Value (each determined on the Deduction Date) (the "Coverage Amount"),
multiplied by a monthly "cost of insurance rate," i.e., a monthly rate charged
for each dollar of insurance coverage. The cost of insurance rate varies
annually and is based on the attained age, sex (where permitted by state law)
and risk class of the Insured.
    
 
The cost of insurance rate for standard risks will not exceed those based on the
1980 Commissioners Standard Ordinary Mortality Tables ("1980 Tables").
Substandard risks will have monthly deductions based on cost of insurance rates
which may be higher than those set forth in the 1980 Tables. A table of
guaranteed cost of insurance rates per $1,000 will be included in each Policy;
however, the Company reserves the right to use rates less than those shown in
the Policy. Any changes in the cost of insurance rates will be made uniformly
for all Insureds in the same class.
 
   
Because the Cash Value and, under certain conditions, the Death Benefit may vary
from month to month, the cost of insurance charge may also vary on each
Deduction Date. In addition, you should note that the cost of insurance charge
is based on the difference between the Death Benefit payable under the Policy
and the Cash Value. An increase in the Cash Value or a decrease in the Death
Benefit would result in a smaller cost of insurance charge assuming that
everything else remains the same; while a decrease in the Cash Value or an
increase in the Death Benefit would result in a larger cost of insurance charge.
    
 
Changes in the Policy's Death Benefit option and in the Stated Amount will
affect how the cost of insurance charge is calculated. See "Changes in Death
Benefit Option" and "Changes in Stated Amount" for a discussion of the effect of
changes in the Stated Amount on the cost of insurance.
 
   
STATE PREMIUM TAX CHARGE
    
 
Premium tax charges are not deducted at the time that a premium payment is made,
although the Company does pay state premium taxes attributable to a particular
Policy when those taxes are incurred. To reimburse the Company for the payment
of such taxes, during the first ten years following the Policy Date, the Company
will deduct a premium tax charge of 0.0166667% from the Policy's Cash Value on
each Deduction Date, irrespective of whether additional Premium Payments have
been made. If an additional Premium Payment is made during the first ten Policy
Years, then after Policy Year 10, the Company will deduct a premium tax charge
of 0.0166667% of the portion of the Cash Value attributable to the additional
Premium Payment. The portion of the Cash Value attributable to the additional
Premium Payment is calculated by dividing (a) by (b), where (a) is the amount of
the additional Premium Payment, and (b) is the Policy's Cash Value immediately
after receipt of the additional Premium Payment. Each additional Premium Payment
made during the first ten Policy Years has a portion of the Cash Value
attributable to it, as defined above. These deductions will continue until ten
years following the date(s) on which an additional Premium Payment was made. If
no additional Premium Payments are made during the first ten Policy Years,
deductions for the premium tax charge will not be made after Policy Year 10. The
premium tax charge is equivalent to an annual rate of 0.20%.
 
Premium taxes vary from state to state and currently range from 0.75% to 3.5%.
Because there is a range of premium tax rates, you may pay premium tax charges
in total that are higher or lower than the premium tax actually assessed in your
jurisdiction.
 
   
CHARGES FOR SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFIT PROVISIONS
    
 
Although there are no supplemental benefits provisions available under the
Policy as of the date of this Prospectus, the Company may, at some time in the
future, offer supplemental benefits to be
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   25
 
purchased under the Policy for an additional charge. If you elect any such
supplemental benefits provisions, the Company will include the supplemental
benefits charge in the Monthly Deduction Amount. The amount of this charge will
vary depending upon the actual supplemental benefits selected.
 
   
CHARGES AGAINST THE INVESTMENT OPTIONS OF SEPARATE ACCOUNT THREE
    
   
MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE
    
 
A mortality and expense risk charge will be deducted from amounts allocated to
each Investment Option to compensate the Company for mortality and expense risks
assumed in connection with the Policy. The charge will be deducted daily and
equals 0.002466% for each day in the Valuation Period. The annual rate of the
charge is 0.90%. The annual rate of the mortality and expense risk charge will
be reduced to 0.75% for the current Policy Year if the Average Net Growth Rate
is 6.5% or greater during the previous Policy Year. This determination will be
made on an annual basis.
 
The mortality risk assumed is that Insureds may live for a shorter period of
time than estimated and, therefore, a greater amount of Death Benefit proceeds
than expected will be payable. The expense risk assumed is that expenses
incurred in issuing and administering the Policy will be greater than estimated
and, therefore, will exceed the administrative expense charge imposed by the
Policy. If all money collected by the Company from this charge is not needed to
cover the mortality and expense costs, the excess will be contributed to the
Company's general account.
 
   
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE
    
 
   
A charge will be deducted from amounts allocated to each Investment Option to
compensate the Company for certain administrative expenses incurred in
connection with the Policy. The charge will be deducted daily and equals
0.001096% for each day in a Valuation Period. The annual rate of this charge is
0.40%. The administrative expense charge will compensate the Company for the
issuance, underwriting, processing, start-up and ongoing administrative expenses
of the Policy and the Separate Account. These expenses include: the cost of
processing applications; conducting medical examinations; determining
insurability; establishing and maintaining policy and Separate Account records;
processing death benefit claims, surrenders, transfers, policy loans and
changes; and reporting and overhead costs. The Company has set this charge at a
level which is intended to recover no more than the actual expected costs of the
administrative services to be provided while the Policies are in force.
    
 
   
INCOME TAXES
    
 
Although the Company does not currently incur any charge for income taxes as a
result of the operations of the Investment Options, the Company reserves the
right to assess a charge for such taxes if it determines that such taxes will be
incurred. (See "Federal Tax Considerations.")
 
   
INVESTMENT OPTION EXPENSES
    
 
Separate Account Three purchases shares of the Investment Options at net asset
value. The net asset value of the Investment Option shares reflects investment
advisory fees and other expenses already deducted. The investment advisory fees
and other expenses applicable to each of the Investment Options are described in
the individual Investment Option prospectuses.
 
   
SURRENDER CHARGES
    
 
A percent of premium surrender charge will be imposed upon full surrenders of
the Policy that occur within nine (9) years after the Company has received any
Premium Payments under the Policy. For partial surrenders a percentage of amount
surrendered will be charged. This charge is intended to cover certain expenses
relating to the sale of the Policy, including commissions to
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   26
 
registered representatives and other promotional expenses. To the extent that
the surrender charges assessed under the Policy are less than the sales
commissions paid with respect to the Policy, the Company will pay the shortfall
from its general account assets, which will include any profits it may derive
from charges imposed under the Policy. (See also "Policy Surrenders and Cash
Surrender Value.") Surrenders charges are determined as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       LENGTH OF TIME                   FROM FULL SURRENDERS               PARTIAL SURRENDERS
      PREMIUM PAYMENT                      (% OF PREMIUM)               (% OF AMOUNT SURRENDERED)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>                             <C>
         1-2 years                              7.5%                               7.5%
            3-4                                   7%                                 7%
             5                                  6.5%                               6.5%
             6                                    6%                                 6%
             7                                    5%                                 5%
             8                                    4%                                 4%
             9                                    3%                                 3%
   Year 10 and Thereafter                         0%                                 0%
</TABLE>
 
PARTIAL SURRENDERS.  The Company will impose a surrender charge equal to a
percentage of the amount surrendered for partial surrenders in excess of the
free withdrawal amount described below. The surrender charge will be limited so
that the total charge for partial surrenders will not exceed the charge that
would apply to a full surrender of the Policy.
 
For purposes of determining the surrender charge percentage that will apply to a
partial surrender, surrender charges are calculated on a "last-in, first-out
basis." This means that any partial withdrawal in excess of the free withdrawal
amount will be taken against premiums in the reverse order in which they were
made, if more than one premium was paid under the Policy. Surrender charges will
be assessed only against that portion of the partial withdrawal taken from
premium payment(s).
 
FREE WITHDRAWAL ALLOWANCE.  The Company will permit partial surrenders of the
Policy's earnings in an amount of up to 10% of the Policy's Cash Value each year
(beginning with the Second Policy Year) without the imposition of a surrender
charge. The amount of Cash Value available for free withdrawal will be
determined on the Policy Anniversary on or immediately prior to the date that
the partial surrender request is received. The amount of earnings available for
withdrawal will be determined on the date the request for such withdrawal is
received by the Company.
 
   
TRANSFER CHARGE
    
 
   
Although there are currently no charges for transfers among the investment
alternatives provided under this Policy, the Company reserves the right to limit
the number of transfers to no more than four in any Policy Year (twelve for
policies issued in New York), and to charge a reasonable administrative fee (up
to $10) for any transfer request in excess of four (twelve for policies issued
in New York) in any Policy Year. The Company also reserves the right to assess a
processing fee for the Automated Transfer (Dollar Cost Averaging) service. (See
"Transfers of Cash Value.")
    
 
   
REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF CHARGES
    
 
The Company may offer the Policy in arrangements where an employer or trustee
will own a group of policies on the lives of certain employees, or in other
situations where groups of policies will be purchased at one time. The Company
may reduce or eliminate sales charges and administrative charges in such
arrangements to reflect the reduced sales expenses and administrative costs
expected as a result of sales to a particular group. The Company makes any
reductions according to rules in effect when an application for a Policy or
additional Premium Payment is approved. While it may change these rules from
time to time, reductions in charges will not discriminate unfairly against any
person.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   27
 
   
                       VALUATION OF THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
HOW THE CASH VALUE VARIES
    
 
The Policy's Cash Value is determined daily. A Policy's Cash Value will vary to
reflect a number of factors, including Premium Payments made, partial
withdrawals, loans, charges assessed in connection with the Policy, and the
investment experience of each Investment Option to which Cash Value is
allocated. The Policy's total Cash Value on a Valuation Date equals the
Accumulation Unit Value(s) for each applicable Investment Option, plus the Loan
Account Value, on that date.
 
The shares of each Investment Option are purchased by Separate Account Three at
net asset value (i.e., without a sales charge). All dividends and capital gains
distributions received from an Investment Option are reinvested by Separate
Account Three in that Fund's shares at net asset value and will increase the
associated Accumulation Unit Value. Investment Option shares will be redeemed by
Separate Account Three at their net asset value to the extent necessary to make
payments under the Policy.
 
All valuations made under the Policy (e.g., the determination of Cash Value or
Cash Surrender Value, policy loans, and the determination of the number of
Accumulation Units to be credited to a Policy), will be determined as of the
Valuation Date on which the Company receives the Policy Owner's written request
for a transaction under the Policy, or on which the Company is assessing charges
under the Policy.
 
   
HOW THE INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE IS DETERMINED
    
 
The Cash Value is related to the rate of return of the Investment Option(s) to
which Premium Payments made under the Policy have been allocated. The Cash Value
on any Valuation Date is calculated by multiplying the number of Accumulation
Units credited to the Policy for each Investment Option by the corresponding
Accumulation Unit Value, then adding the result for each Investment Option
credited to the Policy, and adding any value of the Loan Account.
 
   
ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE
    
 
The value of an Accumulation Unit for each Investment Option of Separate Account
Three (the "Accumulation Unit Value") is established on each Valuation Date. For
each Investment Option, the Accumulation Unit Value for a Valuation Period is
determined by multiplying the Accumulation Unit Value on the preceding Valuation
Period by the Net Investment Factor for the Investment Option during the
subsequent Valuation Period.
 
The Accumulation Unit Value may increase or decrease from Valuation Period to
Valuation Period. The number of Accumulation Units credited to your Policy will
not change as a result of the investment experience of the Investment Options.
The Accumulation Unit Value of the Investment Options reflects the reinvestment
of any dividends or capital gains distributions declared by the Investment
Option.
 
NET INVESTMENT FACTOR
 
For each Investment Option, the value of an Accumulation Unit for each
subsequent Valuation Period fluctuates based upon the net rate of return for
that period. The Company determines the net rate of return of an Investment
Option at the end of each Valuation Period. The net rate of return reflects the
investment performance of the Investment Option for the Valuation Period and is
net of the charges to Separate Account Three described above.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   28
 
   
VALUATION PERIODS AND VALUATION DATES
    
 
A Valuation Period is the period commencing at the close of business of the New
York Stock Exchange on any Valuation Date and ending at the close of business on
the next succeeding Valuation Date. A Valuation Date is each day that the New
York Stock Exchange is open for trading.
 
   
                            TRANSFERS OF CASH VALUE
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
As long as the Policy remains in effect, the Policy Owner may transfer all or a
portion of the Cash Value (less the Loan Account) among any of the Investment
Option(s). Although there are currently no charges, penalties or restrictions on
the amount or frequency of transfers between the Investment Options, the Company
reserves the right to limit the number of transfers to no more than four in any
Policy Year, and to charge a reasonable fee (up to $10) for any transfer request
in excess of four per Policy Year.
 
Some Investment Options have higher investment advisory fees and/or other
expenses than others; therefore, a transfer from one Investment Option to
another could result in a Policy becoming subject to higher or lower fees and
expenses. A transfer between Investment Options has no other effect on the
amount or timing of any of the other charges under the Policy.
 
The number of Accumulation Units credited to the Investment Options involved in
the transfer will be adjusted by dividing the amount transferred from or to that
Investment Option by the Accumulation Unit Value of that Investment Option. The
Accumulation Unit Values will be determined on the Valuation Date on which the
Company receives the written request for a transfer.
 
   
TELEPHONE TRANSFERS
    
 
You may request a transfer of Cash Value either in writing or by telephone. The
telephone transfer privilege is available automatically; no special election is
necessary for a Policy Owner to have this privilege available. All transfers
must be in accordance with the terms of the Policy. Transfer instructions are
currently accepted on each Valuation Date between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.,
Eastern time, by calling 1-800-334-4298. Once instructions have been accepted,
they may not be rescinded; however, new telephone instructions may be given the
following day. The Company will take reasonable steps to ensure that telephone
transfer requests are genuine including the use of personal identification
numbers. Failure to take such measures may result in the Company being liable
for fraudulent transfer requests. If the transfer instructions are not in good
order, the Company will not execute the transfer and will promptly notify the
caller.
 
   
AUTOMATED TRANSFERS
    
   
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING
    
 
You may establish automated transfers of Cash Value on a monthly basis from any
Investment Option to any other Investment Option through a written request or
other method acceptable to the Company. You must have a minimum Cash Value of
$5,000 allocated to the Investment Option(s) from which the transfers are to be
made in order to enroll in the Dollar Cost Averaging Program. The minimum
automated transfer amount is $100 per month.
 
You may start or stop participation in the Dollar Cost Averaging Program at any
time, but you must give the Company at least 30 days' notice to change any
automated transfer instructions that are currently in place. Automated transfers
are subject to all of the provisions and terms of the Policy, including
provisions relating to the transfer of money between Investment Options. The
Company reserves the right to suspend or modify automated transfers at any time
and to assess a processing fee for this service.
 
Before transferring any part of the Cash Value, Policy Owners should consider
the risks involved in switching between investments available under the Policy.
Dollar cost averaging requires regular
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   29
 
investments regardless of fluctuating price levels, and does not guarantee
profits or prevent losses in a declining market. A potential investor should
consider his or her financial ability to continue purchases through periods of
low price levels.
 
   
AUTOMATIC REBALANCING
    
 
   
You may elect to have the Company periodically reallocate values in your Policy
to match your original (or your latest) funding option allocation request.
    
 
   
                                 DEATH BENEFIT
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
As long as the Policy remains in force, the Policy provides a Death Benefit upon
the death of the Insured. The death benefit proceeds will be paid to a named
Beneficiary. The amount of the Death Benefit proceeds will be determined on the
date on which the Insured's death occurred. The Death Benefit proceeds may be
paid in a lump sum or under any optional payment plan.
    
 
Death Benefits are payable within seven days of the Company's receipt of
satisfactory proof of the Insured's death. To the extent permitted by state law,
the amount of Death Benefit actually paid to the Policy beneficiary may be
adjusted to reflect any policy loan, suicide by the Insured within two years
after the Issue Date of the Policy, any material misstatements in the policy
application as to age or sex of the Insured, and any amounts payable to an
assignee under a collateral assignment of the Policy. (See "Assignment.") In
addition, if the Insured dies during the Grace Period, the Death Benefit
actually paid to the Policy Owner's beneficiary will be reduced by the amount of
the Deduction Amount that is due and unpaid, and by the amount of any
outstanding Policy Loan. (See "Policy Surrenders and Cash Surrender Value," for
the effects of partial cash surrenders on Death Benefits.)
 
The Policy provides for two Death Benefit options. Under Option 1 (the Level
Option), the Death Benefit will be equal to the Policy's Stated Amount or, if
greater, a specified multiple of Cash Value determined as of the date of the
Insured's death (the "Minimum Amount Insured"). Under Option 2 (the Variable
Option), the Death Benefit will be equal to the Policy's Stated Amount plus the
Cash Value (determined as of the date of the Insured's death) or, if greater,
the Minimum Amount Insured. The Minimum Amount Insured is the amount required to
qualify the Policy as a life insurance contract under the current federal tax
law. Under that law, the Minimum Amount Insured is equal to a stated percentage
of the Cash Value of the Policy determined daily. The percentages, which differ
according to the attained age of the Insured, are set forth in the Policy and
may change as federal income tax laws or regulations change. The percentages
used to calculate the Minimum Amount Insured decrease after the Insured is age
40. The following is a schedule of the applicable percentages:
   
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    % SHALL DECREASE
 ATTAINED AGE     BY A RATABLE PORTION
- ---------------   FOR EACH FULL YEAR:
MORE   BUT NOT    --------------------
THAN  MORE THAN     FROM         TO
- ----  ---------   ---------   --------
<S>   <C>         <C>         <C>
  0      40          250         250
 40      45          250         215
 45      50          215         185
 50      55          185         150
 55      60          150         130
 60      65          130         120
 65      70          120         115
 70      75          115         105
 75      90          105         105
 90      95          105         100
</TABLE>
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   30
 
Federal tax law imposes another cash funding limitation on cash value life
insurance policies that, when applicable, may increase the Minimum Amount
Insured in excess of the figures shown in the schedule above. (See Appendix B
for examples demonstrating the relationship between the Death Benefit, the Cash
Surrender Value and the Minimum Amount Insured under the Level and Variable
Options of the Policy.)
 
   
CHANGES IN DEATH BENEFIT OPTION
    
 
You may change the Death Benefit option at any time prior to the Insured's death
by sending a written request to the Company. There is no direct consequence of
changing a Death Benefit option, except as described under "Modified Endowment
Contracts." However, the change could affect future values of the Coverage
Amount, and with some Variable Option to Level Option changes involving
substantially funded policies, there may be a cash distribution which is
included in the gross income of the Policy Owner. The cost of insurance charge,
which is based on the Coverage Amount, may be different in the future. A change
from the Level Option to the Variable Option will not be permitted if the change
would result in a Stated Amount of less than the minimum amount of $25,000. (See
"Changes in Stated Amount" below.) Contact your registered representative for
more information.
 
   
CHANGES IN STATED AMOUNT
    
 
A Policy Owner may request in writing that the Stated Amount of the Policy be
increased or decreased. An increase may only be requested prior to the earlier
of the Insured's attaining age 80 and the date of the Insured's death, and the
Stated Amount after any decrease may not be less than the minimum amount of
$25,000.
 
A decrease in Stated Amount in a substantially funded Policy may cause a cash
distribution that is includable in the gross income of the Policy Owner. (See
"Federal Tax Considerations.")
 
For increases in the Stated Amount, the Company will generally require a new
application and satisfactory evidence of insurability, as well as an additional
Premium Payment. The effective date of any increase will be as shown on the new
Policy Summary Page which the Company will send to the Policy Owner. The
effective date of any increase in the Stated Amount will generally be the
Deduction Date next following either the date of a new application or, if
different, the date requested by the Policy Owner. There is no additional charge
for a decrease in Stated Amount.
 
For purposes of determining the cost of insurance charge, a decrease in the
Stated Amount will reduce the Stated Amount in the following order:
 
     1) against the most recent increase in the Stated Amount;
 
     2) to other increases in the reverse order in which they occurred;
 
     3) to the initial Stated Amount.
 
   
MATURITY AND MATURITY EXTENSION BENEFITS
    
 
If the Insured is living on the Maturity Date (the anniversary of the Policy
Date on which the Insured is age 100), the Company will pay the Policy Owner the
Cash Value of the Policy as of the Maturity Date, less any outstanding policy
loan, amounts payable to an assignee under a collateral assignment of the
Policy, and any Deduction Amount due and unpaid. The Policy Owner must surrender
the Policy to the Company before such payment can be made, at which point the
Policy will terminate and the Company will have no further obligations under the
Policy.
 
Where permitted by state law, the Policy provides for a Maturity Extension
Benefit which effectively allows the Policy Owner to request that coverage be
extended beyond the Maturity Date. Such request may only be made during the
twelve months following the Insured's attainment of age 99. If the Maturity
Extension Benefit is elected, any past due Monthly Deduction Amounts
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   31
 
must first be paid in order for the benefit to become effective on the Maturity
Date. After the Company receives a request for the Maturity Extension Benefit,
the Policy will continue in force until the earlier of the death of the Insured
or the date on which the Policy Owner surrenders the Policy for its Cash
Surrender Value. On the Maturity Date, the Death Benefit will be the Cash Value
less any Loan Account Value and less any Deduction Amounts due but not paid.
After the Maturity Date, the Death Benefit will be the Cash Value less any Loan
Account Value. The Death Benefit is based on the experience of the Investment
Options selected and is variable and is not guaranteed. After the Maturity Date,
the Monthly Deduction Amount will no longer be charged against the Cash Value,
and additional premiums will not be accepted.
 
Any loan outstanding need not be extinguished as of the Maturity Date. The loan
may be continued into the maturity extension period. New loans may also be
initiated during the maturity extension period. Restrictions on loans prior to
the maturity date of the contract are still valid.
 
The Company intends that the Policy and the Maturity Extension Benefit be
considered life insurance for tax purposes. The Death Benefit is designed to
comply with Section 7702 of the Code, or other equivalent section of the Code.
However, the Company does not give tax advice, and cannot guarantee that the
Death Benefit and Cash Value will be exempt from any future tax liability. The
tax results of any benefits under the Maturity Extension provision depend upon
interpretation of the Internal Revenue Code. The Policy Owner should consult his
or her own personal tax adviser prior to the exercise of the Maturity Extension
Benefit to assess any potential tax liability.
 
   
POLICY LAPSE AND REINSTATEMENT
    
 
   
The Policy will remain in effect until the Cash Surrender Value of the Policy is
insufficient to cover the Monthly Deduction Amount. If such event occurs, the
Company will give written notice to the Policy Owner indicating that if the
amount shown in the notice (which will be sufficient to cover the Deduction
Amount due) is not paid within 61 days (the "Grace Period"), the Policy will
lapse. The Policy will continue through the Grace Period, but if no payment is
received, the Policy will terminate without value at the end of the Grace
Period. If the Insured dies during the Grace Period, the Death Benefit payable
under the Policy will be reduced by the Monthly Deduction Amount due plus the
amount of any outstanding loan and any interest accrued thereon. (See "Death
Benefit.") If the Policy is surrendered during the Grace Period, the Policy's
Cash Surrender Value will be reduced by the Monthly Deduction Amount due. (See
"Policy Surrenders and Cash Surrender Value.)"
    
 
If the Policy lapses, the Policy Owner may reinstate the Policy upon payment of
the reinstatement premium (and any applicable charges) shown in the Policy. A
request for reinstatement may be made at any time within three years of lapse
(five years for policies issued in Missouri), provided that (1) the Policy was
not surrendered for cash; (2) satisfactory evidence of insurability is provided;
(3) all Monthly Deduction Amounts past due are paid; (4) premium at least equal
to three Monthly Deduction Amounts is paid; and (5) all Loan Account Value is
repaid or restored. The Cash Value of the Policy upon reinstatement will be
equal to the amount provided by the premium paid.
 
The tax consequences of a lapse may not be reversible by a reinstatement. Policy
Owners should also refer to "Risks Associated with Loans Taken Against a
Variable Life Insurance Policy" to consider the effects of loans on their
Policy.
 
   
EXCHANGE RIGHTS
    
 
Once the Policy is in effect, it may be exchanged at any time during the first
24 months after its issuance for a general account life insurance policy issued
by the Company (or an affiliated company, if allowed) on the life of the
Insured. Benefits under the new life insurance policy will be as described in
that policy. No evidence of insurability will be required. The Policy Owner has
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   32
 
the right to select the same Death Benefit or Coverage Amount as the former
Policy had at the time of the exchange. Cost of insurance rates will be based on
the same risk classification as those of the former Policy. Any outstanding
policy loan must be repaid before the Company will make an exchange. In
addition, there may be an adjustment for the difference in Cash Value between
the two policies.
 
   
                   POLICY SURRENDERS AND CASH SURRENDER VALUE
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
RIGHT TO SURRENDER
    
 
At any time during the lifetime of the Insured and while the Policy is in force,
the Policy Owner may make a written request for a full or partial surrender of
the Policy, without the consent of the beneficiary (provided the designation of
beneficiary is not irrevocable). In the case of full surrenders, the Policy
should be returned to the Company. The amount available upon surrender is the
Cash Surrender Value (i.e., the Cash Value of the Policy determined as of the
Valuation Date on which the Company receives the Policy Owner's written request,
less any outstanding policy loan, and less any applicable Surrender Charges).
(See "Surrender Charges.")
 
Upon full or partial surrender, the Company will generally pay the Cash
Surrender Value of the Policy within seven days following its receipt of the
written request, or on the date requested by the Policy Owner, whichever is
later.
 
   
FULL SURRENDERS
    
 
If the Policy is fully surrendered, the Policy will terminate on the surrender
effective date . The Policy must be returned to the Company along with a written
release and surrender of all claims under the Policy in a form satisfactory to
the Company. The Policy Owner may elect to have the surrender amount paid in a
lump sum or under a payment option.
 
   
PARTIAL SURRENDERS
    
 
The Company will permit partial surrenders of the Cash Value in the Policy at
any time during the lifetime of the Insured and while the Policy is in effect. A
partial surrender reduces the Policy's Cash Value by the amount of the partial
surrender requested, plus the amount of the surrender charge imposed in
connection with the partial surrender. The deduction from Cash Value for a
partial surrender will be made on a pro rata basis against the Cash Value of
each of the Investment Options attributable to the Policy (unless the Policy
Owner states otherwise in writing).
 
   
In addition to reducing the Cash Value of the Policy, partial cash surrenders
will reduce the Death Benefit and may reduce the Stated Amount. The Company may
require return of the Policy to record such reduction. After a partial
surrender, the remaining Stated Amount must be no less than $25,000. Partial
surrenders will not be permitted if they would cause the Policy to fail to
qualify as "life insurance" under applicable federal income tax laws. Reductions
in Stated Amount will be processed as described under "Changes in Stated
Amount."
    
 
   
                                  POLICY LOANS
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
A Policy Owner may obtain a cash loan from the Company secured by the Policy not
to exceed 90% of the Policy's Cash Value minus surrender charges (determined on
the day on which the Company receives the written loan request). The Company
will make the loan to the Policy Owner within seven days after receipt of the
written request. No loan requests may be made for amounts of less than $500
(subject to state law). If there is a loan outstanding at the time a subsequent
loan request is made, the amount of the outstanding loan will be added to the
new loan request. The amount of the loan will be transferred as of the date the
loan is made on a pro
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   33
 
rata basis from the Investment Options (unless the Policy Owner states
otherwise) to another temporary account (the "Loan Account").
 
The Company will charge interest on the outstanding amounts of the loan, which
interest must be paid in advance by the Policy Owner at the beginning of each
Policy Year. Interest not paid when due will be capitalized, and an amount equal
to such interest will be transferred to the Loan Account pro rata from the
Investment Options. Loans made during the first ten Policy Years will be made at
a 2% net cost on principal, and a 1% net cost on earnings. Loans made after the
tenth Policy Year will be made at 2% net cost on principal and 0% net cost on
earnings. Additionally, loans may be taken at any time at 0% net cost for the
purchase of a Travelers long-term care policy, where permitted by state law. For
these purposes, "earnings" represents any unloaned Cash Value, minus the total
premiums paid under the Policy. Loans will be taken from earnings first, and
then from premium. Loans taken against earnings will be charged an interest rate
of 4.75% during the first ten Policy Years, and 3.85% for Policy Year 11 and
thereafter. Loans taken against principal will be charged an interest rate of
5.65% in all Policy Years. Amounts in the Loan Account will be credited by the
Company with a fixed annual rate of return of 4%, and will not be affected by
the investment performance of the Investment Options. The rate of return
credited to amounts held in the Loan Account will be transferred back to the
Investment Options on a pro rata basis after each Policy Year. The Policy's
"Loan Account Value" is equal to amounts transferred from the Investment Options
to the Loan Account when a loan is taken, plus capitalized loan interest, plus
the net rate of return credited to the Loan Account that has not yet been
transferred back to the Investment Options. Loan repayments reduce the Loan
Account Value, and increase the Cash Value in the Investment Options.
 
While the Insured is living and the Policy is in effect, loans may be repaid.
Loan repayments will be first applied to that portion of the loan comprised of
premiums paid. The amount of the repayment will be transferred from the Loan
Account and will be allocated among the Investment Options in proportion to the
outstanding loan amount associated with each Investment Option.
 
   
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LOANS TAKEN AGAINST A VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE POLICY
    
 
An outstanding loan amount decreases the Cash Surrender Value. If a loan is not
repaid, it permanently decreases the Cash Surrender Value, which could cause the
Policy to lapse (see "Policy Lapse and Reinstatement.") For example, if a Policy
has a Cash Surrender Value of $100,000, the Policy Owner may take a loan of 90%
or $90,000, leaving a new Cash Surrender Value of $10,000 In addition, the Death
Benefit actually payable would be decreased because of the outstanding loan.
Furthermore, even if the loan is repaid, the Death Benefit and Cash Surrender
Value may be permanently affected since the Policy Owner was not credited with
the investment experience of an Investment Option on the amount in the Loan
Account while the loan was outstanding. All or any part of a loan secured by a
Policy may be repaid while the Policy is still in force. Any payment received
while there is an outstanding loan on the Policy will be considered a loan
repayment rather than an additional Premium Payment. A loan outstanding at the
end of the Grace Period cannot be repaid unless the Policy is reinstated. Loans
from a modified endowment contract are treated as distributions to the Policy
Owner (see "Federal Tax Considerations, Tax Treatment of Policy
Benefits -- Modified Endowment Contracts.")
 
   
                                PAYMENT OPTIONS
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Proceeds payable upon the death of the Insured or upon surrender of the Policy,
and the benefits payable upon maturity, may be paid in a lump sum, or in whole
or in part under any of the payment options available under the Policy. Payment
of proceeds which exceed the Death Benefit may be deferred for up to six months
from the date of the request for the payment. A combination of options may be
used. The minimum amount that may be placed under a payment option is $5,000
unless the Company consents to a lesser amount. Proceeds applied under an option
will no
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   34
 
longer be affected by the investment experience of the Investment Options or
Trusts. Once in effect, some of the payment options may not provide any
surrender rights.
 
The following payment options are available under the Policy:
 
<TABLE>
<C>       <S>  <C>
OPTION 1  --   Payments of a Fixed Amount
OPTION 2  --   Payments for a Fixed Period
OPTION 3  --   Amounts Held at Interest
OPTION 4  --   Monthly Life Income
OPTION 5  --   Joint and Survivor Level Amount Monthly Life Income
OPTION 6  --   Joint and Survivor Monthly Life Income -- Two-thirds to
               Survivor
OPTION 7  --   Joint and Last Survivor Monthly Life Income -- Monthly
               Payment Reduces on Death of First Person Named
OPTION 8  --   Other Options
</TABLE>
 
The Company will make any other arrangements for periodic payments as may be
agreed upon. If any periodic payment due any payee is less than $100, the
Company may make payments less often. If the Company has declared a higher rate
under an option at the date the first payment under an option is due, the
Company will base the payments on the higher rate.
 
   
                                 OTHER MATTERS
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
VOTING RIGHTS
    
 
VOTING RIGHTS OF THE INVESTMENT OPTIONS.  In accordance with its view of present
applicable law, the Company will vote the shares of the Investment Options at
regular and special meetings of the shareholders of the Investment Options in
accordance with instructions from Policy Owners having a voting interest in
Separate Account Three. The Company will vote shares for which no instructions
have been given or shares which are not otherwise attributable to Policy Owners
in the same proportion as it votes shares for which it has received
instructions. If the 1940 Act or any rule promulgated thereunder should be
amended, however, or if the Company's present interpretation should change and,
as a result, the Company determines it is permitted to vote the shares of the
Investment Options in its own right, it may elect to do so.
 
The voting interests of the Policy Owner in the Investment Options will be
determined as follows: Policy Owners may cast one vote for each $100 of Cash
Value of the Policy allocated to the Investment Option, the assets of which are
invested in the particular Investment Option on the record date for the
shareholder meeting for that Fund. Fractional votes are counted. If, however, a
Policy Owner has taken a loan secured by the Policy, amounts transferred from
the Investment Option(s) to the Loan Account in connection with the loan will
not be considered in determining the voting interests of the Policy Owner.
 
Policy Owners should review the prospectuses for the Investment Options to
determine matters on which shareholders may vote and the definition of a
majority vote required on some matters.
 
DISREGARD OF VOTING INSTRUCTIONS.  When permitted by state insurance regulatory
authorities, the Company may disregard voting instructions if the instructions
require that the shares be voted so as to cause a change in the investment
objective or policies of Separate Account Three or one of the Investment
Options, or to approve or disapprove an investment advisory contract of one of
the Investment Options. In addition, the Company may disregard voting
instructions in favor of changes in the investment policies or the investment
adviser of any of the Investment Options which are initiated by a Policy Owner
if the Company reasonably disapproves of such changes. A change would be
disapproved only if the proposed change is contrary to state law or prohibited
by state regulatory authorities, or if the Company determines that the change
would have an adverse effect on its general account in that the proposed
investment policy for an Investment Option may result in overly speculative or
unsound investments. Should the Company disregard voting
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   35
 
instructions, a summary of that action and the reasons for such action would be
included in the next annual report to Policy Owners.
 
   
REPORTS TO POLICY OWNERS
    
 
The Company will maintain all records relating to Separate Account Three and the
Investment Options. At least once in each Policy Year, the Company will send to
Policy Owners a statement containing the following information: (1) the Stated
Amount and the Cash Value of the Policy (indicating the number of Accumulation
Units credited to the Policy in each Investment Option and the corresponding
Accumulation Unit Value); (2) the date and amount of each Premium Payment; (3)
the date and amount of each Monthly Deduction; (4) the amount of any outstanding
policy loan as of the date of the statement, and the amount of any loan interest
charged on the Loan Account; (5) the date and amount of any partial cash
surrenders and the amount of any partial surrender charges; (6) the annualized
cost of any supplemental benefits purchased under the Policy; and (7) a
reconciliation since the last report of any change in Cash Value and Cash
Surrender Value. The Company will also send any other reports required by any
applicable state or federal laws or regulations.
 
Each Policy Owner will also receive semiannual and annual reports containing
financial statements for each of the Investment Options in which premium
payments are allocated at the time of the report.
 
   
LIMIT ON RIGHT TO CONTEST AND SUICIDE EXCLUSION
    
 
The Company may not contest the validity of the Policy after it has been in
effect during the Insured's lifetime for two years from the Issue Date. If the
Policy is reinstated, the two-year period will be measured from the date of
reinstatement (subject to state regulation). Each requested increase in Stated
Amount is contestable for two years from its effective date.
 
In addition, if the Insured commits suicide during the two-year period following
issue, subject to state law, the Death Benefit will be limited to the premiums
paid less the amount of any partial surrender and the amount of any outstanding
policy loan. During the two-year period following an increase, the Death Benefit
in the case of suicide will be limited to an amount equal to the premium paid
for such increase (subject to state law).
 
   
MISSTATEMENT AS TO SEX AND AGE
    
 
If there has been a misstatement with regard to sex or age in the Policy
Application, benefits payable will be adjusted to what the Policy would have
provided with the correct information based on the most recent cost of insurance
charge. A misstatement with regard to sex or age in a substantially funded
Policy may cause a cash distribution that is includable in whole or in part in
the gross income of the Policy Owner.
 
SUSPENSION OF VALUATION
 
The Company reserves the right to suspend or postpone the date of any payment of
any benefit or values for any Valuation Period (1) when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed (except holidays or weekends); (2) when trading on the
Exchange is restricted; (3) when an emergency exists as determined by the SEC so
that disposal of the securities held in the Investment Options is not reasonably
practicable or it is not reasonably practicable to determine the value of the
Investment Options' net assets; or (4) during any other period when the SEC, by
order, so permits for the protection of security holders.
 
   
BENEFICIARY
    
 
The Applicant names the beneficiary in the application for the Policy. The
Policy Owner may change the beneficiary (unless irrevocably named) during the
Insured's lifetime, and while the
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   36
 
Policy is in force, by sending a written request to the Company. Any change will
be effective from the date the written request was signed. The Company has no
responsibility for payments made or actions taken prior to receipt of the
written request. If no beneficiary is living when the Insured dies, the Death
Benefit will be paid to the Policy Owner, if living; otherwise, the Death
Benefit will be paid to the Policy Owner's estate.
 
The rights of any collateral assignee may affect the interest of the
Beneficiary.
 
   
ASSIGNMENT
    
 
The Policy Owner is specified in the Policy Application. The Policy may be
assigned as collateral for a loan or other obligation. The Company is not
responsible for any payment made or action taken before receipt of written
notice of such assignment, and is not responsible for determining the validity
of any assignment. Proof of interest must be filed with any claim under a
collateral assignment.
 
   
DIVIDENDS
    
 
No dividends will be paid under the Policy.
 
   
                           FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
GENERAL
    
 
The following is a general discussion of the federal income tax considerations
relating to the Policies. This discussion is based upon the Company's
understanding of the federal income tax laws as they are currently interpreted
by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). These laws are complex, and tax results
may vary among individuals. A person contemplating the purchase of or the
exercise of elections under a Policy should seek competent tax advice.
 
IT SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD THAT THIS IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE DISCUSSION OF ALL TAX
QUESTIONS THAT MIGHT ARISE UNDER THE POLICIES. NO ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE TO
ADDRESS ANY FEDERAL ESTATE TAX OR STATE AND LOCAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS WHICH MAY
ARISE IN CONNECTION WITH A POLICY. FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION, A QUALIFIED TAX
ADVISOR SHOULD BE CONSULTED.
 
THE COMPANY DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE TAX STATUS OF ANY POLICY AND THE FOLLOWING
TAX DISCUSSION IS BASED ON THE COMPANY'S UNDERSTANDING OF FEDERAL INCOME TAX
LAWS AS THEY ARE CURRENTLY INTERPRETED. THE COMPANY CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THOSE
LAWS OR INTERPRETATIONS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
 
   
TAX STATUS OF THE POLICY
    
 
   
DEFINITION OF LIFE INSURANCE
    
 
Section 7702 of the Code sets forth a definition of a life insurance contract
for federal tax purposes. Guidance as to how Section 7702 is to be applied,
however, is limited. Although the Secretary of the Treasury (the "Treasury") is
authorized to prescribe regulations implementing Section 7702, and while
proposed regulations and other limited, interim guidance has been issued, final
regulations have not been adopted. If a Policy were determined not to be a life
insurance contract for purposes of Section 7702, such Policy would not provide
the tax advantages normally provided by a life insurance policy.
 
With respect to a Policy issued on the basis of a standard rate class, the
Company believes (largely in reliance on IRS Notice 88-128 and the proposed
regulations under Section 7702) that such a Policy should meet the Section 7702
definition of a life insurance contract. There is less guidance on the
application of the rules with respect to a Policy that is issued on a
substandard basis (i.e., a premium class involving higher than standard
mortality risk). Thus, it is not clear whether such a
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   37
 
Policy would satisfy Section 7702, particularly if the Policy Owner pays the
full amount of premiums permitted under the Policy.
 
The Company reserves the right to make changes in the Policy if such changes are
deemed necessary to attempt to assure its qualification as a life insurance
contract for tax purposes.
 
   
DIVERSIFICATION
    
 
Section 817(h) of the Code provides that separate account investments (or the
investments of a mutual fund, the shares of which are owned by separate accounts
of insurance companies) underlying the Policy must be "adequately diversified"
in accordance with Treasury regulations in order for the Policy to qualify as
life insurance. The Treasury Department has issued regulations prescribing the
diversification requirements in connection with variable contracts. Separate
Account Three, through the Investment Options, intends to comply with these
requirements. Although the Company does not control the Investment Options, it
intends to monitor the investments of the Investment Options to ensure
compliance with the diversification requirements prescribed by the Treasury
Department.
 
   
INVESTOR CONTROL
    
 
In certain circumstances, owners of variable life insurance contracts may be
considered the owners, for federal income tax purposes, of the assets of the
separate accounts used to support their contract. In those circumstances, income
and gains from the separate account assets would be includable in the variable
contract owner's gross income each year. The IRS has stated in published rulings
that a variable contract owner will be considered the owner of separate account
assets if the contract owner possesses incidents of ownership in those assets,
such as the ability to exercise investment control over the assets. The Treasury
has also announced, in connection with the issuance of regulations concerning
diversification, that those regulations "do not provide guidance concerning the
circumstances in which investor control of the investments of a segregated asset
account may cause the investor (i.e., the Policy Owner), rather than the
insurance company, to be treated as the owner of the assets in the account."
This announcement also stated that guidance would be issued by way of
regulations or rulings on the "extent to which policyholders may direct their
investments to particular Investment Options without being treated as owners of
the underlying assets." As of the date of this prospectus, no such guidance has
been issued.
 
The ownership rights under the Policy are similar to, but different in certain
respects from, those described by the IRS in rulings in which it determined that
the policy owners received the desired tax benefits because they were not
treated as owning the separate account assets. For example, a Policy Owner of
this Policy has additional flexibility in allocating payments and cash values.
These differences could result in the Policy Owner being treated as the owner of
the assets of Separate Account Three. In addition, the Company does not know
what standard will be set forth in the regulations or rulings which the Treasury
is expected to issue, nor does the Company know if such guidance will be issued.
The Company therefore reserves the right to modify the Policy as necessary to
attempt to prevent the Policy Owner from being considered the owner of a pro
rata share of the assets of Separate Account Three.
 
The remaining tax discussion assumes that the Policy qualifies as a life
insurance contract for federal income tax purposes.
 
   
TAX TREATMENT OF POLICY BENEFITS
    
 
   
IN GENERAL
    
 
The Company believes that the proceeds and cash value increases of a Policy
should be treated in a manner consistent with a fixed-benefit life insurance
policy for federal income tax purposes.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   38
 
Thus, the Death Benefit under the Policy should be excludable from the gross
income of the Beneficiary.
 
In addition, the Policy Owner will generally not be deemed to be in constructive
receipt of the Cash Value, including increments thereof, until there is a
distribution. The tax consequences of distribution from, and loans taken from or
secured by, a Policy depend on whether the Policy is classified as a "Modified
Endowment Contract." However, whether a Policy is or is not a Modified Endowment
Contract, upon a complete surrender or lapse of a Policy or when benefits are
paid at a Policy's maturity date, if the amount received plus the amount of
indebtedness exceeds the total investment in the Policy, the excess will
generally be treated as ordinary income subject to tax.
 
Depending on the circumstances, the exchange of a Policy, a change in the
Policy's Death Benefit Option, a Policy loan, a partial withdrawal, a surrender,
a change in ownership, or an assignment of the Policy may have federal income
tax consequences. In addition, federal, state and local transfer, and other tax
consequences of ownership or receipt of Policy proceeds depend on the
circumstances of each Owner or beneficiary. Therefore, it is important to check
with a tax adviser prior to the purchase of a policy.
 
   
MODIFIED ENDOWMENT CONTRACTS
    
 
In light of Policy premium requirements, a Policy will, in almost all cases, be
a modified endowment contract. (See, however, the discussion below on a Policy
issued in exchange for another life insurance contract.)
 
Loans and partial withdrawals from, as well as collateral assignments of,
Policies that are modified endowment contracts will be treated as distributions
to the Policy Owner for tax purposes. All pre-death distributions (including
loans, partial withdrawals and collateral assignments) from these Policies will
be included in gross income on an income-first basis to the extent of any income
in the Policy (the cash value less the Policy Owner's investment in the Policy)
immediately before the distribution.
 
The law also imposes a 10% penalty tax on pre-death distributions (including
loans, collateral assignments, partial withdrawals and complete surrenders) from
modified endowment contracts to the extent they are included in income, unless a
specific exception to the penalty applies. The penalty does not apply to amounts
which are distributed on or after the date on which the taxpayer attains age
59 1/2, because the taxpayer is disabled, or as substantially equal periodic
payments over the taxpayer's life (or life expectancy) or over the joint lives
(or joint life expectancies) of the taxpayer and his or her beneficiary.
Furthermore, if the loan interest is capitalized by adding the amount due to the
balance of the loan, the amount of the capitalized interest will be treated as
an additional distribution subject to income tax as well as the 10% penalty tax,
if applicable, to the extent of income in the Policy.
 
   
EXCHANGES
    
 
Any Policy issued in exchange for a modified endowment contract will be subject
to the tax treatment accorded to modified endowment contracts. However, the
Company believes that any Policy received in exchange for a life insurance
contract that is not a modified endowment contract will generally not be treated
as a modified endowment contract if the face amount of the Policy is greater
than or equal to the death benefit of the policy being exchanged. The payment of
any premiums at the time of or after the exchange may, however, cause the Policy
to become a modified endowment contract. A prospective purchaser should consult
a qualified tax advisor before authorizing the exchange of his or her current
life insurance contract for a Policy.
 
   
AGGREGATION OF MODIFIED ENDOWMENT CONTRACTS
    
 
In the case of a pre-death distribution (including a loan, partial withdrawal,
collateral assignment or complete surrender) from a Policy that is treated as a
modified endowment contract, a special
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   39
 
aggregation requirement may apply for purposes of determining the amount of the
income on the Policy. Specifically, if the Company or any of its affiliates
issues to the same Policy Owner more than one modified endowment contract within
a calendar year, then for purposes of measuring the income on the Policy with
respect to a distribution from any of those Policies, the income on the Policy
for all those Policies will be aggregated and attributed to that distribution.
 
   
POLICIES WHICH ARE NOT MODIFIED ENDOWMENT CONTRACTS
    
 
Unlike loans from modified endowment contracts, a loan from a Policy that is not
a modified endowment contract will be considered indebtedness of the owner and
no part of a loan will constitute income to the owner. However, the treatment of
loans taken on earnings after the tenth Policy Year, or of loans taken to
acquire a Travelers long-term care policy is unclear; such loans might be
considered a withdrawal instead of indebtedness for federal tax purposes.
 
Pre-death distributions from a Policy that is not a modified endowment contract
will generally not be included in gross income to the extent that the amount
received does not exceed the Policy Owner's investment in the Policy. (An
exception to this general rule may occur in the case of a decrease or change
that reduces the benefits provided under a Policy in the first 15 years after
the Policy is issued and that results in a cash distribution to the Policy
Owner. Such a cash distribution may be taxed in whole or in part as ordinary
income to the extent of any gain in the Policy.) Further, the 10% penalty tax on
pre-death distributions does not apply to Policies that are not modified
endowment contracts.
 
Certain changes to Policies that are not modified endowment contracts may cause
such Policies to be treated as modified endowment contracts. A Policy Owner
should therefore consult a tax advisor before effecting any change to a Policy
that is not a modified endowment contract.
 
   
TREATMENT OF LOAN INTEREST
    
 
If there is any borrowing against the Policy, the interest paid on loans may not
be tax deductible.
 
   
                           THE COMPANY'S INCOME TAXES
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Company currently makes no charge to Separate Account Three for any federal,
state or local taxes that it incurs that may be attributable to Separate Account
Three or to the Policies. The Company reserves the right, however, to make a
charge for any tax or other economic burden responsibility from the application
of tax laws that it determines to be properly attributable to Separate Account
Three or to the Policies.
 
   
                              YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Generally, computer programs were designed without considering the impact of the
upcoming change in the century. As a result, software and computer systems may
need to be upgraded or replaced in order to comply with "Year 2000"
requirements. If not corrected, these computer applications could fail or create
erroneous results by or at the Year 2000. The business, financial condition, and
result of operations of a company could be materially and adversely affected by
the failure of its systems and applications (or those either provided or
operated by third-parties) to properly operate or manage dates beyond the year
1999.
    
 
   
The Company has investigated the nature and extent of the work required for our
computer systems to process beyond the turn of the century, and has made
progress toward achieving this goal, including upgrading and/or replacing
existing systems. We are confirming with our service providers that they are
also in the process of replacing or modifying their systems with the same goal.
We expect that our principal systems will be Year 2000 compliant by early 1999.
While these
    
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   40
 
   
efforts involve substantial costs, we closely monitor associated costs and
continue to evaluate associated risks based on actual expenses. While it is
likely that these efforts will be successful, if necessary modifications and
conversions are not completed in a timely manner, the Year 2000 requirements
could have a material adverse effect on certain operations of the Company.
    
 
   
                                             MANAGEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
 
DIRECTORS OF THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY
 
The following are the Directors and Executive Officers of The Travelers
Insurance Company. Unless otherwise indicated, the principal business address
for all individuals is the Company's Home Office at One Tower Square, Hartford,
Connecticut 06183. References to Travelers Group Inc. include, prior to December
31, 1993, Primerica Corporation or its predecessors.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 DIRECTOR
       NAME AND POSITION          SINCE                       PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
       -----------------         --------                     ------------------
<S>                              <C>        <C>
Jay S. Benet...................    1996     Senior Vice President since February 1994 and Vice
Director                                    President (1990-1994) of The Travelers Insurance
                                            Company; Partner (1986-1990) of Coopers & Lybrand.
Ian R. Stuart..................    1996     Senior Vice President since November, 1996, Chief
Director                                    Financial Officer; Chief Accounting Officer and
                                            Controller (1991-1996) Vice President since March 1991
                                            of The Travelers Insurance Company.
Katherine M. Sullivan..........    1996     Senior Vice President and General Counsel since May
Director                                    1996 of The Travelers Insurance Company; Senior Vice
                                            President and General Counsel (1994-1996) Connecticut
                                            Mutual; Special Counsel & Chief of Staff (1988-1994)
                                            Aetna Life & Casualty.
George C. Kokulis..............    1996     Senior Vice President since September 1995, Vice
Director                                    President (1993-1995) of The Travelers Insurance
                                            Company.
Michael A. Carpenter...........    1995     Chairman since June 1996 and President and Chief
Director                                    Executive Officer since June 1995 of The Travelers
                                            Insurance Company; Vice Chairman since February 1998;
                                            Executive Vice President (1995-1998) of Travelers Group
                                            Inc.; Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
                                            (1989-1994), Kidder Peabody Group Inc.
Robert I. Lipp.................    1992     Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer since
Director                                    April 1996 of Travelers/Aetna Property Casualty Corp.;
                                            Chief Executive Officer and Director since December
                                            1993 of The Travelers Insurance Group Inc.; Vice
                                            Chairman and Director of Travelers Group Inc. since
                                            1991; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
                                            Commercial Credit Company (1991-1993); Executive Vice
                                            President (1986-1991), Primerica Corporation.
Marc P. Weill..................    1994     Senior Vice President-Investments since 1993 and Chief
Director                                    Investment Officer since 1995 of The Travelers
                                            Insurance Group Inc.; Senior Vice President and Chief
                                            Investment Officer of Travelers Group Inc. since 1992;
                                            Vice President (1990-1992), Primerica Corporation; Vice
                                            President (1989-1990), Smith Barney Inc.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   41
 
   
               SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The following are the Senior Officers of The Travelers Insurance Company, other
than the Directors listed above, as of the date of this Prospectus. Unless
otherwise indicated, the principal business address for all individuals listed
is One Tower Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06183.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            NAME                              POSITION WITH INSURANCE COMPANY
                            ----                              -------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Stuart Baritz...............................................  Senior Vice President
Barry Jacobson..............................................  Senior Vice President
Russell H. Johnson..........................................  Senior Vice President
Warren H. May...............................................  Senior Vice President
Jay S. Fishman..............................................  Senior Vice President
David A. Tyson..............................................  Senior Vice President
F. Denney Voss..............................................  Senior Vice President
Elizabeth C. Georgakopoulos.................................  Senior Vice President
Christine M. Modie..........................................  Senior Vice President
</TABLE>
    
 
Information relating to the management of the Investment Options is contained in
the Investment Option prospectuses.
 
                  SAFEKEEPING OF THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT'S ASSETS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The assets of Separate Account Three are held by the Company and are kept
physically segregated and held separate and apart from the Company's general
account. The Company maintains records of all of Separate Account Three's
purchases and redemptions of shares of the Investment Options.
 
                           DISTRIBUTION OF THE POLICY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Company intends to sell the Policy in all jurisdictions where it is licensed
to do business and where the Policy is approved.
 
   
Policies may be purchased from agents who are licensed by state insurance
authorities to sell variable life insurance policies issued by the Company, and
who are also registered representatives of broker-dealers which have Selling
Agreements with Tower Square Securities, Inc. ("Tower Square"). Tower Square,
whose principal business address is One Tower Square, Hartford, Connecticut,
serves as the principal underwriter for the Policies. Tower Square is registered
as a broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"). Tower Square is an affiliate of the Company
and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Travelers Group Inc., and serves as
principal underwriter pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement to which Separate
Account Three, the Company, and Tower Square are parties. No amounts have been
or will be retained by Tower Square for acting as principal underwriter for the
Policies. It is currently anticipated that Travelers Distribution Company, an
affiliated broker dealer, may become the principle underwriter during 1998.
    
 
Agents will be compensated for sales of the Policies on a commission and service
fee basis. The maximum sales commissions to be paid under the Policy will be
6.5% of premiums. In addition, certain production, persistency and managerial
bonuses may be paid.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   42
 
                         LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND OPINION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
There are no pending material legal proceedings affecting the Separate Account.
There is one material pending legal proceeding, other than ordinary routine
litigation incidental to the business, to which the Company is a party. In March
1997, a purported class action entitled Patterman v. The Travelers, Inc. was
commenced in the Superior Court of Richmond County, Georgia, alleging, among
other things, violations of the Georgia RICO statute and other state laws by an
affiliate of the Company, Primerica Financial Services, Inc. and certain of its
affiliates. Plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory and punitive damages and
other relief. In April 1997, the lawsuit was removed to the U.S. District Court
for the Southern District of Georgia, and in October, 1997, the lawsuit was
remanded to the Superior Court of Richmond County. Later in October 1997, the
defendants, including the Company, answered the complaint, denied liability and
asserted numerous affirmative defenses. In February 1998, the Superior Court of
Richmond County transferred the lawsuit to the Superior Court of Gwinnett
County, Georgia, and certified the transfer order for immediate appellate
review. Also in February 1998, plaintiffs served an application for appellate
review of the transfer order; defendants subsequently opposed that application;
and later in February 1998, the Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia granted
plaintiffs' application for appellate review. Pending appeal proceedings in the
trial court have been stayed. The Company intends to vigorously contest the
litigation.
    
 
   
Legal matters in connection with federal laws and regulations affecting the
issue and sale of the Policy described in this Prospectus and the organization
of the Company, its authority to issue the Policy under Connecticut law and the
validity of the forms of the Policy under Connecticut law have been passed on by
the General Counsel of the Company.
    
 
   
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
A Registration Statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This Prospectus does
not contain all information set forth in the Registration Statement, its
amendments and exhibits, to which reference is made for further information
concerning Separate Account Three, the Company and the Policy. You may access
the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov) to view the entire Registration
Statement.
    
 
   
                            INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 1997 of Separate
Account Three, included in the registration statement, have been incorporated
herein in reliance on the report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent
accountants, given on the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
    
 
   
The consolidated financial statements of The Travelers Insurance Company and
Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1997 have been included herein and in the
registration statements in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
independent certified public accountants, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon
the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
    
 
   
                                 ILLUSTRATIONS
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The following pages are intended to illustrate hypothetically how the Cash
Value, Cash Surrender Value and Death Benefit can change over time for Policies
issued to a 45-year old male. The difference between the Cash Value and the Cash
Surrender Value in these illustrations reflects the Surrender Charge that would
be incurred upon a full surrender of the Policy.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   43
 
Two pages of values are shown for each Death Benefit Option (Level and
Variable). One page illustrates the assumption that the maximum Guaranteed Cost
of Insurance Rates allowable under the Policy are charged in all years. The
other page illustrates the assumption that the current scale of Cost of
Insurance Rates are charged in all years. The Cost of Insurance Rates charged
vary by age, sex (where permitted by state law) and underwriting classification.
The illustrations also reflect a monthly deduction of 0.016667% for the first
ten years following the Initial Premium for premium taxes.
 
   
The values shown in these illustrations vary according to assumptions used for
charges, and gross rates of investment returns. The charges consist of 0.90% for
mortality and expense risks, 0.40% for administrative expenses, and 0.79% for
Investment Option expenses. The 12% illustration will assume that the mortality
and expense risk charge has been reduced to 0.75% in the second policy year and
thereafter. The charge for Investment Option expenses reflected in the
illustrations assumes that Cash Value is allocated equally among all Investment
Options and that no Policy Loans are outstanding, and is an average of the
investment advisory fees and other expenses charged by each of the Investment
Options during 1997. After deduction of these amounts, the illustrated gross
annual investment rates of return of 0% and 6% correspond to approximate net
annual rates of -2.09% and 3.91%, respectively. The illustrated gross annual
investment rate of return of 12% corresponds to an approximate net annual rate
of return of 9.91% in the first Policy Year, and 10.06% thereafter. The actual
charges under a Policy for expenses of the Investment Options will depend on the
actual allocation of Cash Value and may be higher or lower than those
illustrated.
    
 
As stated above, the examples illustrate values that would result based upon
hypothetical uniform gross investment rates of return of 0%, 6% and 12%. The
values would be different from those shown if the gross rates averaged 0%, 6%,
and 12% over a period of years, but fluctuated above and below those averages.
 
The illustrations also assume that premiums are paid as indicated, no policy
loans are made, no increases or decreases to the Stated Amount are requested, no
partial surrenders are made, and no charges for transfers between funds are
incurred.
 
The illustrations do not reflect any charges for federal income taxes against
Separate Account Three, since the Company is not currently deducting such
charges from Separate Account Three. However, such charges may be made in the
future, and in that event, the gross annual investment rates of return would
have to exceed 0%, 6% and 12% by an amount sufficient to cover the tax charges
in order to produce the Death Benefits, Cash Values and Cash Surrender Values
illustrated.
 
The second column of each Illustration shows the amount that would accumulate if
an amount equal to the Premium Payment was invested to earn interest (after
taxes) at 5%, compounded annually.
 
   
Upon request, the Company will provide a comparable personalized illustration
based upon the proposed Insured's age, sex, underwriting classification, the
specified insurance benefits, and the premium requested. The illustration will
show average fund expenses or, if requested, actual fund expenses. The
hypothetical gross annual investment return assumed in such an illustration will
not exceed 12%.
    
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   44
 
   
    
 
                      THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   45
 
   
                                  VINTAGE LIFE
             MODIFIED SINGLE PREMIUM VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE POLICY
                           LEVEL DEATH BENEFIT OPTION
               ILLUSTRATED WITH CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES
    
 
   
Male, Issue Age 45                        Face Amount: $106,918
    
   
Non-Smoker                                Single Premium: $25,000
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        TOTAL
       PREMIUMS          DEATH BENEFIT                 CASH VALUE             CASH SURRENDER VALUE
       WITH 5%    ---------------------------   -------------------------   -------------------------
YEAR   INTEREST     0%        6%        12%       0%       6%       12%       0%       6%       12%
- ----   --------   -------   -------   -------   ------   ------   -------   ------   ------   -------
<S>    <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>
  1     26,250    106,918   106,918   106,918   24,194   25,686    27,177   22,319   23,811    25,302
  2     27,563    106,918   106,918   106,918   23,385   26,379    29,593   21,510   24,504    27,718
  3     28,941    106,918   106,918   106,918   22,571   27,080    32,235   20,821   25,330    30,485
  4     30,388    106,918   106,918   106,918   21,751   27,787    35,126   20,001   26,037    33,376
  5     31,907    106,918   106,918   106,918   20,921   28,500    38,291   19,296   26,875    36,666
  6     33,502    106,918   106,918   106,918   20,078   29,215    41,757   18,578   27,715    40,257
  7     35,178    106,918   106,918   106,918   19,218   29,929    45,555   17,968   28,679    44,305
  8     36,936    106,918   106,918   106,918   18,336   30,640    49,720   17,336   29,640    48,720
  9     38,783    106,918   106,918   106,918   17,435   31,349    54,295   16,685   30,599    53,545
 10     40,722    106,918   106,918   106,918   16,502   32,048    59,319   16,502   32,048    59,319
 15     51,973    106,918   106,918   126,106   11,560   35,849    94,109   11,560   35,849    94,109
 20     66,332    106,918   106,918   182,778    5,096   39,140   149,818    5,096   39,140   149,818
</TABLE>
    
 
   
These hypothetical rates of return are illustrative only and should not be
considered a representation of past or future investment results. Actual
investment results may be more or less than those shown and will depend on a
number of factors. The Account Values and Cash Surrender Values will be
different from those shown if the actual rates of return averaged 0%, 6%, or 12%
over a period of years but fluctuated above or below the average for individual
contract years. No representations can be made that these rates of return can be
achieved for any one year or sustained over a period of time.
    
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   46
 
   
                                  VINTAGE LIFE
             MODIFIED SINGLE PREMIUM VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE POLICY
                           LEVEL DEATH BENEFIT OPTION
             ILLUSTRATED WITH GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES
    
 
   
Male, Issue Age 45                        Face Amount: $106,918
    
   
Non-Smoker                                Single Premium: $25,000
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        TOTAL
       PREMIUMS          DEATH BENEFIT                 CASH VALUE             CASH SURRENDER VALUE
       WITH 5%    ---------------------------   -------------------------   -------------------------
YEAR   INTEREST     0%        6%        12%       0%       6%       12%       0%       6%       12%
- ----   --------   -------   -------   -------   ------   ------   -------   ------   ------   -------
<S>    <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>
  1     26,250    106,918   106,918   106,918   24,044   25,532    27,020   22,169   23,657    25,145
  2     27,563    106,918   106,918   106,918   23,074   26,054    29,254   21,199   24,179    27,379
  3     28,941    106,918   106,918   106,918   22,086   26,564    31,687   20,336   24,814    29,937
  4     30,388    106,918   106,918   106,918   21,079   27,060    34,340   19,329   25,310    32,590
  5     31,907    106,918   106,918   106,918   20,046   27,537    37,235   18,421   25,912    35,610
  6     33,502    106,918   106,918   106,918   18,984   27,991    40,396   17,484   26,491    38,896
  7     35,178    106,918   106,918   106,918   17,883   28,415    43,850   16,633   27,165    42,600
  8     36,936    106,918   106,918   106,918   16,737   28,801    47,627   15,737   27,801    46,627
  9     38,783    106,918   106,918   106,918   15,535   29,141    51,761   14,785   28,391    51,011
 10     40,722    106,918   106,918   106,918   14,269   29,426    56,295   14,269   29,426    56,295
 15     51,973    106,918   106,918   117,630    6,799   30,094    87,784    6,799   30,094    87,784
 20     66,332          0*  106,918   168,524        0*  27,743   138,134        0*  27,743   138,134
</TABLE>
    
 
   
These hypothetical rates of return are illustrative only and should not be
considered a representation of past or future investment results. Actual
investment results may be more or less than those shown and will depend on a
number of factors. The Account Values and Cash Surrender Values will be
different from those shown if the actual rates of return averaged 0%, 6%, or 12%
over a period of years but fluctuated above or below the average for individual
contract years. No representations can be made that these rates of return can be
achieved for any one year or sustained over a period of time.
    
 
   
* Insufficient cash value would be developed to continue the contract without
  additional premium payments.
    
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   47
 
   
                                  VINTAGE LIFE
             MODIFIED SINGLE PREMIUM VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE POLICY
                         VARIABLE DEATH BENEFIT OPTION
               ILLUSTRATED WITH CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES
    
 
   
Male, Issue Age 45                        Face Amount: $106,918
    
   
Non-Smoker                                Single Premium: $25,000
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        TOTAL
       PREMIUMS          DEATH BENEFIT                 CASH VALUE             CASH SURRENDER VALUE
       WITH 5%    ---------------------------   -------------------------   -------------------------
YEAR   INTEREST     0%        6%        12%       0%       6%       12%       0%       6%       12%
- ----   --------   -------   -------   -------   ------   ------   -------   ------   ------   -------
<S>    <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>
  1     26,250    131,042   132,529   134,016   24,124   25,611    27,098   22,249   23,736    25,223
  2     27,563    130,161   133,137   136,331   23,243   26,219    29,413   21,368   24,344    27,538
  3     28,941    129,274   133,740   138,846   22,356   26,822    31,928   20,606   25,072    30,178
  4     30,388    128,378   134,335   141,578   21,460   27,417    34,660   19,710   25,667    32,910
  5     31,907    127,471   134,921   144,545   20,553   28,003    37,627   18,928   26,378    36,002
  6     33,502    126,550   135,491   147,766   19,632   28,573    40,848   18,132   27,073    39,348
  7     35,178    125,610   136,042   151,262   18,692   29,124    44,344   17,442   27,874    43,094
  8     36,936    124,645   136,565   155,053   17,727   29,647    48,135   16,727   28,647    47,135
  9     38,783    123,661   137,064   159,172   16,743   30,146    52,254   15,993   29,396    51,504
 10     40,722    122,642   137,524   163,636   15,724   30,606    56,718   15,724   30,606    56,718
 15     51,973    117,285   139,631   193,467   10,367   32,713    86,549   10,367   32,713    86,549
 20     66,332    110,500   139,926   239,042    3,582   33,008   132,124    3,582   33,008   132,124
</TABLE>
    
 
   
These hypothetical rates of return are illustrative only and should not be
considered a representation of past or future investment results. Actual
investment results may be more or less than those shown and will depend on a
number of factors. The Account Values and Cash Surrender Values will be
different from those shown if the actual rates of return averaged 0%, 6%, or 12%
over a period of years but fluctuated above or below the average for individual
contract years. No representations can be made that these rates of return can be
achieved for any one year or sustained over a period of time.
    
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   48
 
                                  VINTAGE LIFE
             MODIFIED SINGLE PREMIUM VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE POLICY
                         VARIABLE DEATH BENEFIT OPTION
             ILLUSTRATED WITH GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES
 
   
Male, Issue Age 45                        Face Amount: $106,918
    
   
Non-Smoker                                Single Premium: $25,000
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        TOTAL
       PREMIUMS          DEATH BENEFIT                 CASH VALUE             CASH SURRENDER VALUE
       WITH 5%    ---------------------------   -------------------------   -------------------------
YEAR   INTEREST     0%        6%        12%       0%       6%       12%       0%       6%       12%
- ----   --------   -------   -------   -------   ------   ------   -------   ------   ------   -------
<S>    <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>
  1     26,250    130,847   132,328   133,809   23,929   25,410    26,891   22,054   23,535    25,016
  2     27,563    129,760   132,711   135,879   22,842   25,793    28,961   20,967   23,918    27,086
  3     28,941    128,654   133,063   138,107   21,736   26,145    31,189   19,986   24,395    29,439
  4     30,388    127,527   133,380   140,504   20,609   26,462    33,586   18,859   24,712    31,836
  5     31,907    126,374   133,655   143,082   19,456   26,737    36,164   17,831   25,112    34,539
  6     33,502    125,190   133,881   145,852   18,272   26,963    38,934   16,772   25,463    37,434
  7     35,178    123,966   134,047   148,824   17,048   27,129    41,906   15,798   25,879    40,656
  8     36,936    122,696   134,142   152,009   15,778   27,224    45,091   14,778   26,224    44,091
  9     38,783    121,370   134,153   155,417   14,452   27,235    48,499   13,702   26,485    47,749
 10     40,722    119,981   134,067   159,061   13,063   27,149    52,143   13,063   27,149    52,143
 15     51,973    111,981   132,095   182,216    5,063   25,177    75,298    5,063   25,177    75,298
 20     66,332          0*  125,430   214,680        0*  18,512   107,762        0*  18,512   107,762
</TABLE>
    
 
   
These hypothetical rates of return are illustrative only and should not be
considered a representation of past or future investment results. Actual
investment results may be more or less than those shown and will depend on a
number of factors. The Account Values and Cash Surrender Values will be
different from those shown if the actual rates of return averaged 0%, 6%, or 12%
over a period of years but fluctuated above or below the average for individual
contract years. No representations can be made that these rates of return can be
achieved for any one year or sustained over a period of time.
    
 
   
* Insufficient cash value would be developed to continue the contract without
  additional premium payments.
    
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   49
 
                                   APPENDIX A
                            PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
From time to time, Separate Account Three's Investment Options may show the
percentage change in the value of an Accumulation Unit based on the performance
of the Investment Option over a period of time, determined by dividing the
increase (decrease) in value for that unit by the Accumulation Unit Value at the
beginning of the period. Separate Account Three commenced operations on
September 5, 1995. All Investment Options of Separate Account Three invest in
Investment Options that were in existence prior to the date on which the
Investment Options became available under the Policy. Average annual rates of
return include periods prior to the inception of the Investment Option, and are
calculated by adjusting the actual returns of the Investment Options to reflect
the charges that would have been assessed under the Investment Options had the
Investment Option been available under Separate Account Three during the period
shown.
 
The following performance information represents the percentage change in the
value of an Accumulation Unit of the Investment Options for the periods
indicated, and reflects all expenses of the Investment Options, as well as the
0.90% mortality and expense risk charge and the 0.40% administrative expense
charge assessed against the Investment Options. The rates of return do not
reflect surrender charges or Monthly Deduction Amounts (which are depicted in
the Example following the Rates of Return), nor do they reflect a reduction in
mortality and expense risk charges which may apply under certain circumstances.
For information about the Charges assessed under the Policy, see "Charges and
Deductions." For illustrations of how these charges affect Cash Values and Death
Benefits, see "Illustrations."
 
   
                   AVERAGE RATES OF RETURN (SINCE INCEPTION)
                      FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   INVESTMENT OPTION                         ONE YEAR      INCEPTION DATE
                   -----------------                         --------      --------------
<S>                                                       <C>              <C>
Smith Barney Large Cap Value Portfolio..................      25.03%           6/20/94
Alliance Growth Portfolio...............................      27.40%           6/20/94
Van Kampen American Capital Enterprise Portfolio........      26.98%           6/21/94
Smith Barney International Equity Portfolio.............       1.38%           6/20/94
TBC Managed Income Portfolio............................       8.32%           6/28/94
Putnam Diversified Income Portfolio.....................       6.31%           6/20/94
Smith Barney High Income Portfolio......................      12.40%           6/22/94
MFS Total Return Portfolio..............................      19.65%           6/20/94
Smith Barney Money Market Portfolio.....................       3.74%           6/20/94
AIM Capital Appreciation Portfolio......................      10.72%          10/10/95
Total Return Portfolio..................................      15.35%          11/21/94
Zero Coupon Bond Fund Portfolio 1998....................       4.61%          10/11/95
Zero Coupon Bond Fund Portfolio 2000....................       5.66%          10/11/95
Zero Coupon Bond Fund Portfolio 2005....................      10.03%          10/11/95
MFS Emerging Growth Portfolio...........................     --                8/30/96
Concert Select High Growth Portfolio....................     --                 2/5/97
Concert Select Growth Portfolio.........................     --                 2/5/97
Concert Select Balanced Portfolio.......................     --                 2/5/97
Concert Select Conservative Portfolio...................     --                 2/5/97
Concert Select Income Portfolio.........................     --                 2/5/97
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   50
 
                           EXAMPLE OF POLICY CHARGES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The following chart illustrates the surrender charges and Monthly Deduction
Amounts (including the Cost of Insurance charges and the deduction for premium
tax) that would apply under a Policy based on the assumptions listed below.
Surrender charges and Monthly Deduction Amounts generally will be higher for an
Insured who is older than the assumed Insured, and lower for an Insured who is
younger (assuming the Insureds have the same risk classification). Cost of
insurance rates increase each year as the Insured becomes a year older.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Male, Age 35, Non-Smoker                                      Face Amount: $167,193
$25,000 Single Premium                                        Level Death Benefit Option
Hypothetical Gross Annual Investment Rate of Return:          10%* Current Charges
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          MONTHLY DEDUCTION AMOUNTS
                      SURRENDER CHARGE   ---------------------------
POLICY   CUMULATIVE     AS % OF CUM.     COST OF INSURANCE   PREMIUM
 YEAR     PREMIUMS         PREM.              CHARGES          TAX
- ------   ----------   ----------------   -----------------   -------
<S>      <C>          <C>                <C>                 <C>
   1      $25,000           7.5%              $214.78        $51.55
   2      $25,000           7.5%              $222.97        $55.11
   3      $25,000           7.0%              $232.58        $58.98
   5      $25,000           6.5%              $255.05        $67.60
  10      $25,000             0%              $323.22        $95.26
</TABLE>
 
* Hypothetical investment results shown above are illustrative only and should
  not be deemed a representation of past or future investment results. Actual
  investment results may be more or less than those shown. Hypothetical
  investment results may be different from those shown if the actual rates of
  return averaged 10%, but fluctuated above or below that average for individual
  policy years. No representations can be made that the hypothetical rates
  assumed can be achieved for any one year or sustained over any period of time.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   51
 
                                   APPENDIX B
                             DEATH BENEFIT EXAMPLES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The following examples demonstrate the relationship between the Death Benefit,
the Cash Surrender Value and the Minimum Amount Insured under the Level and
Variable Death Benefit Options available under the Policy. Both sets of examples
assume an Insured of age 40, a Minimum Amount Insured of 250% of Cash Value (in
accordance with the table on page 25 of this Prospectus), and no outstanding
policy loans.
 
OPTION 1 -- LEVEL DEATH BENEFIT
 
Under a "Level" Death Benefit, the Death Benefit under the Policy is generally
equal to the Stated Amount of $25,000. Since the Policy is designed to qualify
as a life insurance contract, the Death Benefit cannot be less than the Minimum
Amount Insured (or, in this example, 250% of the Cash Value).
 
EXAMPLE ONE.  If the Cash Value of the Policy equals $8,000, the Minimum Amount
Insured would be $20,000 ($8,000 x 250%). If the Death Benefit in the Policy is
the greater of the Stated Amount ($25,000) or the Minimum Amount Insured
($20,000), then the Death Benefit would be $25,000.
 
EXAMPLE TWO.  If the Cash Value of the Policy equals $40,000, the Minimum Amount
Insured would be $100,000 ($40,000 x 250%). The resulting Death Benefit would be
$100,000 since the Death Benefit is the greater of the Stated Amount ($25,000)
or the Minimum Amount Insured ($100,000).
 
EXAMPLE THREE.  If the Insured is age 41, and the Cash Value of the Policy
equals $44,000, the Minimum Amount Insured would be $106,920 ($44,000 x 243%)
(243% is the applicable percentage for a 41-year old insured). The Death Benefit
would be equal to $106,920 which is the greater of the Stated Amount ($25,000)
and the Minimum Amount Insured ($106,920).
 
EXAMPLE FOUR.  The Death Benefit may also increase or decrease with the
investment experience of the applicable Underlying Funds to the extent the
Minimum Amount Insured exceeds the Stated Amount. Consequently, if the 41-year
old Insured has a Cash Value equal to $35,000 instead of $44,000, the Death
Benefit would be $85,050 ($35,000 x 243%).
 
OPTION 2 -- VARIABLE DEATH BENEFIT
 
Under a "Variable" Death Benefit, the Death Benefit under the Policy will vary
with the investment experience of the Investment Option(s) to which Premium
Payments are allocated under the Policy. The Variable Death Benefit will
generally be equal to the Stated Amount ($25,000) plus the Cash Value of the
Policy (determined on the date of the Insured's death). The Death Benefit
cannot, however, be less than the Minimum Amount Insured (or, in this example,
250% of the Cash Value).
 
EXAMPLE ONE.  If the Cash Value of the Policy equals $10,000, the Minimum Amount
Insured would be $25,000 ($10,000 x 250%). The Death Benefit ($35,000) would be
equal to the Stated Amount ($25,000) plus the Cash Value ($10,000), unless the
Minimum Amount Insured ($25,000) was greater.
 
EXAMPLE TWO.  If the Cash Value of the Policy equals $60,000, then the Minimum
Amount Insured would be $150,000 ($60,000 x 250%). The resulting Death Benefit
would be $150,000 because the Minimum Amount Insured ($150,000) is greater than
the Stated Amount plus the Cash Value ($25,000 + $60,000 = $85,000).
 
EXAMPLE THREE.  If the Insured is age 41, and the Cash Value of the Policy
equals $65,000, the Minimum Amount Insured would be $157,950 ($65,000 x 243%)
(243% is the applicable percentage for a 41-year old insured). The resulting
Death Benefit under the Policy would be
                                       47
<PAGE>   52
 
equal to $157,950 because the Minimum Amount Insured ($157,950) is greater than
the Stated Amount plus the Cash Value ($25,000 + $65,000 = $90,000).
 
As long as the Policy remains in effect, the Company guarantees that the Death
Benefit under either option will not be less than the current Stated Amount of
the Policy less any outstanding policy loan, Deduction Amount due but unpaid,
and any amount payable pursuant to a collateral assignment of the Policy. The
Death Benefit under either option may vary with the Cash Value of the Policy.
Under Option 1, the Death Benefit equals the Stated Amount and will vary only
when the Minimum Amount Insured exceeds the Stated Amount of the Policy. Under
Option 2, the Death Benefit equals the greater of the Stated Amount plus the
Cash Value, and the Minimum Amount Insured.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   53
 
                                   APPENDIX C
                         REPRESENTATIVE STATED AMOUNTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The following table represents the Single Premium Factors for the determination
of the Stated Amount per dollar of Gross Premium, varying by Male and Female
(applicable to standard lives).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            MALE                          FEMALE
- ----------------------------   ----------------------------
AGE   SP FAC    AGE  SP FAC    AGE   SP FAC    AGE  SP FAC
- ---  --------   ---  -------   ---  --------   ---  -------
<S>  <C>        <C>  <C>       <C>  <C>        <C>  <C>
20   12.65742   51   3.32670   20   16.15463   51   4.13678
21   12.20773   52   3.19482   21   15.48558   52   3.97060
22   11.76323   53   3.06987   22   14.83810   53   3.81237
23   11.32222   54   2.95167   23   14.21155   54   3.66170
24   10.88482   55   2.83985   24   13.60662   55   3.51803
25   10.45123   56   2.73405   25   13.02272   56   3.38078
26   10.02300   57   2.63380   26   12.45932   57   3.24928
27    9.60257   58   2.53865   27   11.91653   58   3.12290
28    9.19198   59   2.44827   28   11.39430   59   3.00125
29    8.79287   60   2.36238   29   10.89240   60   2.88420
30    8.40647   61   2.28087   30   10.41067   61   2.77188
31    8.03383   62   2.20360   31    9.94865   62   2.66457
32    7.67547   63   2.13053   32    9.50535   63   2.56258
33    7.33157   64   2.06153   33    9.08002   64   2.46607
34    7.00238   65   1.99645   34    8.67288   65   2.37482
35    6.68772   66   1.93500   35    8.28367   66   2.28843
36    6.38750   67   1.87688   36    7.91217   67   2.20637
37    6.10155   68   1.82180   37    7.55883   68   2.12805
38    5.82963   69   1.76950   38    7.22327   69   2.05307
39    5.57132   70   1.71990   39    6.90517   70   1.98132
40    5.32610   71   1.67297   40    6.60400   71   1.91287
41    5.09358   72   1.62875   41    6.31898   72   1.84795
42    4.87303   73   1.58733   42    6.04912   73   1.78683
43    4.66378   74   1.54873   43    5.79305   74   1.72965
44    4.46520   75   1.51285   44    5.54958   75   1.67632
45    4.27672   76   1.47945   45    5.31792   76   1.62663
46    4.09775   77   1.44823   46    5.09715   77   1.58023
47    3.92765   78   1.41890   47    4.88652   78   1.53675
48    3.76588   79   1.39115   48    4.68553   79   1.49587
49    3.61205   80   1.36485   49    4.49387   80   1.45742
50    2.46573                  50    4.31108
</TABLE>
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   54

                     THE TRAVELERS VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE
                             SEPARATE ACCOUNT THREE

                      STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                     <C>            <C>
ASSETS:
        Investments in eligible funds at market value:
                The Travelers Series Trust, 41,532 shares (cost $429,492) .......       $   444,356
                Travelers Series Fund Inc., 3,690,701 shares (cost $13,050,981) .        14,529,805
                Greenwich Street Series Fund, 87,704 shares (cost $1,415,678) ...         1,545,348
                                                                                        -----------
                                Total Investments (cost $14,896,151) ............                      $16,519,509
        Receivables:
                Dividends .......................................................                            5,555
                Premium payments and transfers from other Travelers accounts ....                              394
        Other assets ............................................................                               23
                                                                                                      ------------

                        Total Assets ............................................                       16,525,481
                                                                                                      ------------

LIABILITIES:
        Payable for contract surrenders and transfers to other Travelers accounts                              380
        Accrued liabilities .....................................................                            1,257
                                                                                                      ------------

                        Total Liabilities .......................................                            1,637
                                                                                                      ------------

NET ASSETS:                                                                                            $16,523,844
                                                                                                      ============
</TABLE>

                       See Notes to Financial Statements
                                      -1-
<PAGE>   55
                     THE TRAVELERS VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE
                             SEPARATE ACCOUNT THREE

                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                   <C>           <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
        Dividends .............................................................                     $  214,149
EXPENSES:
        Insurance charges .....................................................       $  106,546
        Administrative fees ...................................................           49,748
                                                                                      ----------
                Total expenses ................................................                        156,294
                                                                                                    ----------

                        Net investment income .................................                         57,855
                                                                                                    ----------

REALIZED GAIN AND CHANGE IN UNREALIZED GAIN ON
    INVESTMENTS:
        Realized gain from investment transactions:
                Proceeds from investments sold ................................        8,085,682
                Cost of investments sold ......................................        7,887,191
                                                                                      ----------
                        Net realized gain .....................................                        198,491
        Change in unrealized gain on investments:
                Unrealized gain at December 31, 1996 ..........................          284,211
                Unrealized gain at December 31, 1997 ..........................        1,623,358
                                                                                      ----------
                        Net change in unrealized gain for the year ............                      1,339,147
                                                                                                    ----------

                                Net realized gain and change in unrealized gain                      1,537,638
                                                                                                    ----------

        Net increase in net assets resulting from operations ..................                     $1,595,493
                                                                                                    ==========
</TABLE>

                       See Notes to Financial Statements
                                      -2-
<PAGE>   56
                     THE TRAVELERS VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE
                             SEPARATE ACCOUNT THREE

                       STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                 FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               1997               1996
                                                                                          ------------        ------------
<S>                                                                                       <C>                 <C>
OPERATIONS:
        Net investment income .....................................................       $     57,855        $    134,423
        Net realized gain from investment transactions ............................            198,491              28,959
        Net change in unrealized gain on investments ..............................          1,339,147             287,147
                                                                                          ------------        ------------

                Net increase in net assets resulting from operations ..............          1,595,493             450,529
                                                                                          ------------        ------------

UNIT TRANSACTIONS:
        Participant premium payments
                (applicable to 9,499,785 and 7,306,792 units, respectively) .......         10,072,788           7,516,947
        Participant transfers from other Travelers accounts
                (applicable to 5,814,161 and 5,161,526 units, respectively) .......          7,483,363           5,671,103
        Growth rate intra-fund transfer in
                (applicable to 5,507,303 units) ...................................          7,198,001                   -
        Contract surrenders
                (applicable to 318,674 and 64,125 units, respectively) ............           (403,189)            (69,391)
        Participant transfers to other Travelers accounts
                (applicable to 8,564,026 and 6,632,386 units, respectively) .......         (9,195,127)         (6,832,721)
        Growth rate intra-fund transfer out
                (applicable to 5,520,915 units) ...................................         (7,198,001)                  -
                                                                                          ------------        ------------

                        Net increase in net assets resulting from unit transactions          7,957,835           6,285,938
                                                                                          ------------        ------------
                                Net increase in net assets ........................          9,553,328           6,736,467

NET ASSETS:
        Beginning of year .........................................................          6,970,516             234,049
                                                                                          ------------        ------------

        End of year ...............................................................       $ 16,523,844        $  6,970,516
                                                                                          ============        ============
</TABLE>

                       See Notes to Financial Statements
                                      -3-
<PAGE>   57
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

         The Travelers Variable Life Insurance Separate Account Three
         ("Separate Account Three") is a separate account of The Travelers
         Insurance Company ("The Travelers"), an indirect wholly owned
         subsidiary of Travelers Group Inc., and is available for funding
         certain variable life insurance contracts issued by The Travelers.
         Separate Account Three is registered under the Investment Company Act
         of 1940, as amended, as a unit investment trust.

         Participant premium payments applied to Separate Account Three are
         invested in one or more eligible funds in accordance with the
         selection made by the contract owner.  As of December 31, 1997, the
         eligible funds available under Separate Account Three are: Zero Coupon
         Bond Fund Portfolio Series 1998, Zero Coupon Bond Fund Portfolio
         Series 2000, Zero Coupon Bond Fund Portfolio Series 2005 and MFS
         Emerging Growth Portfolio of The Travelers Series Trust; Alliance
         Growth Portfolio, Van Kampen American Capital Enterprise Portfolio,
         TBC Managed Income Portfolio, Smith Barney High Income Portfolio,
         Smith Barney International Equity Portfolio, Smith Barney Income and
         Growth Portfolio, Smith Barney Money Market Portfolio, Putnam
         Diversified Income Portfolio, MFS Total Return Portfolio and AIM
         Capital Appreciation Portfolio of Travelers Series Fund Inc.; Total
         Return Portfolio of Greenwich Street Series Fund (formerly Smith
         Barney Series Fund); and Select High Growth Portfolio, Select Growth
         Portfolio, Select Balanced Portfolio, Select Conservative Portfolio
         and Select Income Portfolio of Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series
         Inc.  The Travelers Series Trust and Greenwich Street Series Fund are
         registered as Massachusetts business trusts.  Travelers Series Fund
         Inc. and Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series Inc.  are incorporated
         under Maryland law.  All eligible funds are managed by affiliates of
         The Travelers.  Not all funds may be available in all states or to all
         contract owners.

         The following is a summary of significant accounting policies
         consistently followed by Separate Account Three in the preparation of
         its financial statements.

         SECURITY VALUATION.  Investments are valued daily at the net asset
         values per share of the underlying funds.

         SECURITY TRANSACTIONS.  Security transactions are accounted for on the
         trade date.  Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.

         FEDERAL INCOME TAXES.  The operations of Separate Account Three form a
         part of the total operations of The Travelers and are not taxed
         separately.  The Travelers is taxed as a life insurance company under
         the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").  Under
         existing federal income tax law, no taxes are payable on the
         investment income of Separate Account Three.  Separate Account Three
         is not taxed as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of
         the Code.

         OTHER. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
         generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
         estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets
         and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
         the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
         revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results
         could differ from those estimates.

2.       INVESTMENTS

         The aggregate costs of purchases and proceeds from sales of
         investments were $16,109,637 and $8,085,682, respectively, for the
         year ended December 31, 1997.  Realized gains and losses from
         investment transactions are reported on an identified cost basis.  The
         cost of investments in eligible funds was $14,896,151 at December 31,
         1997.  Gross unrealized appreciation for all investments at December
         31, 1997 was $1,624,929.  Gross unrealized depreciation for all
         investments at December 31, 1997 was $1,571.

3.       CONTRACT CHARGES

         Insurance charges are paid for the mortality and expense risks assumed
         by The Travelers.  These charges are equivalent to 0.90% of the
         average net assets of Separate Account Three on an annual basis.
         (Contracts in this category are identified as Price 1 in Note 4.)  For
         any contract year that follows a contract year in which the
         participant's average net fund growth rate (as described in the
         prospectus) is 6.5% or greater, these charges will be reduced to
         0.75%.  (Contracts in this category are identified as Price 2 in Note
         4.)

         Administrative fees are paid for administrative expenses incurred by
         The Travelers.  This charge is equivalent to 0.40% of the average net
         assets of Separate Account Three on an annual basis.





                                      -4-
<PAGE>   58

                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

3.       CONTRACT CHARGES (CONTINUED)

         The Travelers receives contingent surrender charges on full or partial
         contract surrenders.  Such charges are computed by applying various
         percentages to premiums and/or stated contract amounts (as described
         in the prospectus).  The Travelers received no contingent surrender
         charges for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996.

4.       NET CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                                 ------------------------------------------
                                                                                    UNIT          NET
                                                                   UNITS            VALUE        ASSETS
                                                                   -----            -----       --------
<S>                                                              <C>             <C>          <C>
THE TRAVELERS SERIES TRUST
        Zero Coupon Bond Fund Portfolio Series 1998
                Price 2 ................................            11,669       $    1.077   $    12,570
        Zero Coupon Bond Fund Portfolio Series 2000
                Price 1 ................................             4,935            1.072         5,292
                Price 2 ................................            49,043            1.076        52,752
        Zero Coupon Bond Fund Portfolio Series 2005
                Price 1 ................................            83,850            1.095        91,856
                Price 2 ................................           199,172            1.099       218,839
        MFS Emerging Growth Portfolio
                Price 1 ................................            39,051            1.143        44,634
                Price 2 ................................            16,058            1.144        18,370

TRAVELERS SERIES FUND INC.
        Alliance Growth Portfolio
                Price 1 ................................           612,723            1.679     1,028,668
                Price 2 ................................         1,004,741            1.684     1,692,318
        Van Kampen American Capital Enterprise Portfolio
                Price 1 ................................           413,369            1.560       644,951
                Price 2 ................................           448,830            1.565       702,437
        TBC Managed Income Portfolio
                Price 1 ................................           121,572            1.094       132,993
                Price 2 ................................            28,094            1.097        30,820
        Smith Barney High Income Portfolio
                Price 1 ................................           155,925            1.290       201,088
                Price 2 ................................           248,815            1.294       321,926
        Smith Barney International Equity Portfolio
                Price 1 ................................           460,603            1.212       558,072
                Price 2 ................................           578,624            1.215       703,202
        Smith Barney Income and Growth Portfolio
                Price 1 ................................           335,976            1.473       494,895
                Price 2 ................................           365,326            1.478       539,799
        Smith Barney Money Market Portfolio
                Price 1 ................................         2,403,778            1.084     2,605,143
                Price 2 ................................           341,217            1.087       371,037
        Putnam Diversified Income Portfolio
                Price 1 ................................           178,160            1.134       201,950
                Price 2 ................................           289,379            1.137       329,000
        MFS Total Return Portfolio
                Price 1 ................................           836,258            1.362     1,138,845
                Price 2 ................................           800,795            1.366     1,093,942
        AIM Capital Appreciation Portfolio
                Price 1 ................................           638,281            1.282       818,007
                Price 2 ................................           719,706            1.286       925,193

GREENWICH STREET SERIES FUND
        Total Return Portfolio
                Price 1 ................................           538,629            1.491       803,201
                Price 2 ................................           496,001            1.496       742,044
                                                                                              -----------
Net Contract Owners' Equity ................................................................  $16,523,844
                                                                                              ===========
</TABLE>

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   59
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

5.       STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INVESTMENT OPTIONS                                                                             NO. OF          MARKET
                                                                                               SHARES          VALUE
                                                                                          ----------      ------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>             <C>
        THE TRAVELERS SERIES TRUST (2.7%)
                Zero Coupon Bond Fund Portfolio Series 1998 (Cost $12,720)                     1,253       $    12,566
                Zero Coupon Bond Fund Portfolio Series 2000 (Cost $57,882)                     5,754            58,057
                Zero Coupon Bond Fund Portfolio Series 2005 (Cost $294,455)                   29,508           310,715
                MFS Emerging Growth Portfolio (Cost $64,435)                                   5,017            63,018
                                                                                          ----------      ------------
                        Total (Cost $429,492)                                                 41,532           444,356
                                                                                          ----------      ------------

        TRAVELERS SERIES FUND INC. (88.0%)
                Alliance Growth Portfolio (Cost $2,120,863)                                  125,697         2,721,339
                Van Kampen American Capital Enterprise Portfolio (Cost $1,123,659)            66,288         1,347,644
                TBC Managed Income Portfolio (Cost $153,188)                                  13,954           163,824
                Smith Barney High Income Portfolio (Cost $476,952)                            38,802           523,048
                Smith Barney International Equity Portfolio (Cost $1,237,961)                 97,780         1,261,357
                Smith Barney Income and Growth Portfolio (Cost $890,388)                      54,261         1,034,763
                Smith Barney Money Market Portfolio (Cost $2,970,454)                      2,970,454         2,970,454
                Putnam Diversified Income Portfolio (Cost $500,435)                           42,615           530,986
                MFS Total Return Portfolio (Cost $1,969,513)                                 139,908         2,232,936
                AIM Capital Appreciation Portfolio (Cost $1,607,568)                         140,942         1,743,454
                                                                                          ----------      ------------
                        Total (Cost $13,050,981)                                           3,690,701        14,529,805
                                                                                          ----------      ------------

        GREENWICH STREET SERIES FUND (9.3%)
                Total Return Portfolio
                        Total (Cost $1,415,678)                                               87,704         1,545,348
                                                                                          ----------      ------------

TOTAL INVESTMENT OPTIONS (100%)
        (COST $14,896,151)                                                                                 $16,519,509
                                                                                                          ============
</TABLE>


                                      -6-
<PAGE>   60
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

6.       SCHEDULE OF SEPARATE ACCOUNT THREE OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN NET
         ASSETS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            ZERO COUPON BOND          ZERO COUPON BOND       ZERO COUPON BOND
                                                             FUND PORTFOLIO            FUND PORTFOLIO         FUND PORTFOLIO
                                                              SERIES 1998               SERIES 2000             SERIES 2005
                                                       ----------------------    ----------------------    ----------------------
                                                          1997         1996          1997        1996         1997         1996
                                                          ----         ----          ----        ----         ----         ----
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends ...........................................  $     678    $     625    $   3,185    $   2,715    $  16,030    $  17,813
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
EXPENSES:
Insurance charges ...................................        102           50          475          168        2,445        1,871
Administrative fees .................................         49           22          226           74        1,201          832
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
      Net investment income (loss) ..................        527          553        2,484        2,473       12,384       15,110
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------

REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) AND CHANGE IN UNREALIZED
  GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS:
Realized gain (loss) from investment transactions:
    Proceeds from investments sold ..................        377           99        1,627          467      171,777      143,755
    Cost of investments sold ........................        374           97        1,597          453      166,155      137,717
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------

      Net realized gain (loss) ......................          3            2           30           14        5,622        6,038
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments:
    Unrealized gain (loss) beginning of year ........       (208)           -         (550)           -        7,598            -
    Unrealized gain (loss) end of year ..............       (154)        (208)         175         (550)      16,260        7,598
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------

      Net change in unrealized gain (loss)
          for the year...............................         54         (208)         725         (550)       8,662        7,598
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------

Net increase (decrease) in net assets
      resulting from operations .....................        584          347        3,239        1,937       26,668       28,746
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------

UNIT TRANSACTIONS:
Participant premium payments ........................          -            -            -            -            -            -
Participant transfers from other Travelers accounts .        114       11,928          113       54,107       61,005      504,315
Growth rate intra-fund transfer in ..................     12,340            -       51,482            -      275,670            -
Contract surrenders .................................       (205)         (96)        (927)        (322)      (9,282)      (5,076)
Participant transfers to other Travelers accounts ...       (102)           -         (103)           -     (159,336)    (136,345)
Growth rate intra-fund transfer out .................    (12,340)           -      (51,482)           -     (275,670)           -
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------

    Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
      from unit transactions ........................       (193)      11,832         (917)      53,785     (107,613)     362,894
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------

      Net increase (decrease) in net assets .........        391       12,179        2,322       55,722      (80,945)     391,640

NET ASSETS:
    Beginning of year ...............................     12,179            -       55,722            -      391,640            -
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------

    End of year .....................................  $  12,570    $  12,179    $  58,044    $  55,722    $ 310,695    $ 391,640
                                                       ==========   =========    =========    =========    =========    =========
</TABLE>


                                      -7-
<PAGE>   61
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 VAN KAMPEN
     MFS EMERGING                                               AMERICAN CAPITAL               TBC MANAGED
    GROWTH PORTFOLIO          ALLIANCE GROWTH PORTFOLIO       ENTERPRISE PORTFOLIO           INCOME PORTFOLIO
- --------------------------  ----------------------------  ---------------------------  ---------------------------
    1997          1996           1997         1996             1997         1996            1997          1996
    ----          ----           ----         ----             ----         ----            ----          ----
<S>            <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
$       996    $       -     $       -    $    42,246      $       -    $     1,328      $       -    $       741
- -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------

        138            -        16,480          4,402          7,676          1,790            850            108
         65            -         7,761          1,891          3,734            790            385             31
- -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
        793            -       (24,241)        35,953        (11,410)        (1,252)        (1,235)           602
- -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------




        335            -       167,105         48,032         52,140         69,063          2,924         14,296
        326            -       123,729         44,860         37,595         62,757          2,705         14,376
- -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------

          9            -        43,376          3,172         14,545          6,306            219            (80)
- -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------


          -            -        97,659           (424)        29,111           (369)           102              -
     (1,417)           -       600,476         97,659        223,985         29,111         10,636            102
- -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------

     (1,417)           -       502,817         98,083        194,874         29,480         10,534            102
- -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------


       (615)           -       521,952        137,208        198,009         34,534          9,518            624
- -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------



          -            -             -              -              -              -              -              -
     63,844            -     1,184,783      1,015,173        725,595        455,052        139,944         30,519
          -            -     1,453,046              -        585,637              -         29,923              -
       (225)           -       (56,159)        (7,881)       (14,390)        (3,537)        (2,468)          (160)
          -            -       (77,184)       (16,504)       (31,476)       (36,118)           (88)       (14,076)
          -            -    (1,453,046)             -       (585,637)             -        (29,923)             -
- -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------


     63,619            -     1,051,440        990,788        679,729        415,397        137,388         16,283
- -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------

     63,004            -     1,573,392      1,127,996        877,738        449,931        146,906         16,907




          -            -     1,147,594         19,598        469,650         19,719         16,907              -
- -----------    ---------   -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------

$    63,004    $       -   $ 2,720,986    $ 1,147,594    $ 1,347,388    $   469,650    $   163,813    $    16,907
===========    =========   ===========    ===========    ===========    ===========    ===========    ===========
</TABLE>


                                      -8-
<PAGE>   62
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

6.       SCHEDULE OF SEPARATE ACCOUNT THREE OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN NET
         ASSETS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996 (CONTINUED)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      SMITH BARNEY
                                                           SMITH BARNEY               INTERNATIONAL        SMITH BARNEY INCOME
                                                       HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO         EQUITY PORTFOLIO      AND GROWTH PORTFOLIO
                                                       ---------------------     ---------------------    ----------------------
                                                           1997       1996           1997        1996         1997       1996
                                                           ----       ----           ----        ----         ----       ----
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends ...........................................  $       -    $ 17,135     $       -    $    656     $       -    $  8,374
                                                       ----------   --------     ---------    --------     ----------   --------
EXPENSES:
Insurance charges ...................................      3,496       1,160         8,704       2,851         5,358       1,047
Administrative fees .................................      1,661         517         4,126       1,285         2,498         481
                                                       ----------   --------     ---------    --------     ----------   --------
      Net investment income (loss) ..................     (5,157)     15,458       (12,830)     (3,480)       (7,856)      6,846
                                                       ----------   --------     ---------    --------     ----------   --------

REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) AND CHANGE IN UNREALIZED
  GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS:
Realized gain (loss) from investment transactions:
    Proceeds from investments sold ..................    104,254       6,114        61,621      55,450        40,643       8,241
    Cost of investments sold ........................     92,849       6,031        52,457      51,992        30,277       7,586
                                                       ----------   --------     ---------    --------     ----------   --------

      Net realized gain (loss) ......................     11,405          83         9,164       3,458        10,366         655
                                                       ----------   --------     ---------    --------     ----------   --------

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments:
    Unrealized gain (loss) beginning of year ........      2,719        (967)       31,701           -        15,061           -
    Unrealized gain (loss) end of year ..............     46,096       2,719        23,396      31,701       144,375      15,061
                                                       ----------   --------     ---------    --------     ----------   --------

      Net change in unrealized gain (loss)
          for the year...............................     43,377       3,686        (8,305)     31,701       129,314      15,061
                                                       ----------   --------     ---------    --------     ----------   --------

Net increase (decrease) in net assets
      resulting from operations .....................     49,625      19,227       (11,971)     31,679       131,824      22,562
                                                       ----------   --------     ---------    --------     ----------   --------



UNIT TRANSACTIONS:
Participant premium payments ........................          -           -             -           -             -           -
Participant transfers from other Travelers accounts .    228,242     257,425       649,033     675,175       571,914     349,020
Growth rate intra-fund transfer in ..................    265,878           -       749,616           -       456,117           -
Contract surrenders .................................    (49,839)     (2,028)      (16,824)     (5,762)      (11,287)     (2,173)
Participant transfers to other Travelers accounts ...     (5,695)          -       (49,881)    (10,175)      (26,937)       (229)
Growth rate intra-fund transfer out .................   (265,878)          -      (749,616)          -      (456,117)          -
                                                       ----------   --------     ---------    --------     ----------   --------

    Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
      from unit transactions ........................    172,708     255,397       582,328     659,238       533,690     346,618
                                                       ----------   --------     ---------    --------     ----------   --------

      Net increase (decrease) in net assets .........    222,333     274,624       570,357     690,917       665,514     369,180



NET ASSETS:
    Beginning of year ...............................    300,681      26,057       690,917           -       369,180           -
                                                       ----------   --------     ---------    --------     ----------   --------

    End of year .....................................  $ 523,014    $300,681    $1,261,274    $690,917    $1,034,694    $369,180
                                                       ==========   ========     ==========   ========     ==========   ========
</TABLE>


                                      -9-
<PAGE>   63
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        SMITH BARNEY                       PUTNAM                                                       AIM CAPITAL
   MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO       DIVERSIFIED INCOME PORTFOLIO      MFS TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO       APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO
- ----------------------------   ------------------------------    ---------------------------    ----------------------------
     1997            1996              1997           1996             1997          1996             1997          1996
     ----            ----              ----           ----             ----          ----             ----          ----
<S>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
$    131,787    $     35,383       $       -    $     14,072       $       -    $     25,738       $       -    $        699
- ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------


      23,575           6,616           3,698           1,179          13,067           2,709          11,337           3,188
      10,566           2,951           1,770             526           6,121           1,209           5,298           1,368
- ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
      97,646          25,816          (5,468)         12,367         (19,188)         21,820         (16,635)         (3,857)
- ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------




   6,865,826       5,258,439          92,623          58,679         231,197          31,996         152,823          65,648
   6,865,826       5,258,439          87,094          57,370         187,699          30,021         126,355          62,993
- ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

           -               -           5,529           1,309          43,498           1,975          26,468           2,655
- ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------


           -               -           1,048               -          20,902          (1,176)         32,420               -
           -               -          30,551           1,048         263,423          20,902         135,886          32,420
- ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

           -               -          29,503           1,048         242,521          22,078         103,466          32,420
- ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------


      97,646          25,816          29,564          14,724         266,831          45,873         113,299          31,218
- ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------




  10,072,788       7,516,947               -               -               -               -               -               -
     311,243           3,943         328,642         278,960       1,268,160         809,251       1,033,135         717,667
     372,612               -         279,734               -       1,019,454               -         946,825               -
     (76,120)        (22,964)        (11,482)         (3,912)        (61,816)         (6,179)        (30,224)         (5,448)
  (8,507,335)     (6,549,030)        (80,188)        (25,358)       (124,119)        (30,643)       (102,441)        (14,006)
    (372,612)              -        (279,734)              -      (1,019,454)              -        (946,825)              -
- ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------


   1,800,576         948,896         236,972         249,690       1,082,225         772,429         900,470         698,213
- ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

   1,898,222         974,712         266,536         264,414       1,349,056         818,302       1,013,769         729,431




   1,077,958         103,246         264,414               -         883,731          65,429         729,431               -
- ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

$  2,976,180    $  1,077,958    $    530,950    $    264,414    $  2,232,787    $    883,731    $  1,743,200    $    729,431
============    ============    ============    ============    ============    ============    ============    ============
</TABLE>


                                      -10-
<PAGE>   64
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

6.       SCHEDULE OF SEPARATE ACCOUNT THREE OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN NET
         ASSETS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996 (CONTINUED)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO              COMBINED
                                                              ----------------------------    ----------------------------
                                                                    1997           1996           1997            1996
                                                                    ----           ----           ----            ----
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends .............................................       $     61,473    $      8,773    $    214,149    $    176,298
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
EXPENSES:
Insurance charges .....................................              9,145           1,909         106,546          29,048
Administrative fees ...................................              4,287             850          49,748          12,827
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
      Net investment income (loss) ....................             48,041           6,014          57,855         134,423
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) AND CHANGE IN UNREALIZED
  GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS:
Realized gain (loss) from investment transactions:
    Proceeds from investments sold ....................            140,410          50,968       8,085,682       5,811,247
    Cost of investments sold ..........................            112,153          47,596       7,887,191       5,782,288
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

      Net realized gain (loss) ........................             28,257           3,372         198,491          28,959
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments:
    Unrealized gain (loss) beginning of year ..........             46,648               -         284,211          (2,936)
    Unrealized gain (loss) end of year ................            129,670          46,648       1,623,358         284,211
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

      Net change in unrealized gain (loss) for the year             83,022          46,648       1,339,147         287,147
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

Net increase (decrease) in net assets
      resulting from operations .......................            159,320          56,034       1,595,493         450,529
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------



UNIT TRANSACTIONS:
Participant premium payments ..........................                  -               -      10,072,788       7,516,947
Participant transfers from other Travelers accounts ...            917,596         508,568       7,483,363       5,671,103
Growth rate intra-fund transfer in ....................            699,667               -       7,198,001               -
Contract surrenders ...................................            (61,941)         (3,853)       (403,189)        (69,391)
Participant transfers to other Travelers accounts .....            (30,242)           (237)     (9,195,127)     (6,832,721)
Growth rate intra-fund transfer out ...................           (699,667)              -      (7,198,001)              -
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

    Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
      from unit transactions ..........................            825,413         504,478       7,957,835       6,285,938
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

      Net increase (decrease) in net assets ...........            984,733         560,512       9,553,328       6,736,467



NET ASSETS:
    Beginning of year .................................            560,512               -       6,970,516         234,049
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

    End of year .......................................       $  1,545,245    $    560,512    $ 16,523,844    $  6,970,516
                                                              ============    ============    ============    ============
</TABLE>


                                      -11-
<PAGE>   65
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED



7.       SCHEDULE OF UNITS FOR SEPARATE ACCOUNT THREE FOR THE YEAR ENDED
         DECEMBER 31, 1997



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          ZERO COUPON        ZERO COUPON       ZERO COUPON
                                           BOND FUND          BOND FUND         BOND FUND       MFS EMERGING        ALLIANCE
                                           PORTFOLIO          PORTFOLIO         PORTFOLIO          GROWTH            GROWTH
                                          SERIES 1998        SERIES 2000       SERIES 2005        PORTFOLIO        PORTFOLIO
                                          ------------    ---------------    -------------      ------------   ---------------
<S>                                           <C>               <C>              <C>                 <C>           <C>
Units beginning of year ............           11,880            54,981           393,923                 -           870,543
Units purchased and transferred from
   other Travelers accounts ........           11,905            49,538           329,678            55,304         1,810,650
Units redeemed and transferred to
   other Travelers accounts ........          (12,116)          (50,541)         (440,579)             (195)       (1,063,729)
                                          ------------    ---------------    -------------      ------------   ---------------
Units end of year ..................           11,669            53,978           283,022            55,109         1,617,464
                                          ============    ===============    =============      ============   ===============
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           VAN KAMPEN
                                            AMERICAN              TBC                            SMITH BARNEY     SMITH BARNEY
                                             CAPITAL            MANAGED        SMITH BARNEY     INTERNATIONAL       INCOME AND
                                            ENTERPRISE          INCOME         HIGH INCOME          EQUITY            GROWTH
                                            PORTFOLIO          PORTFOLIO        PORTFOLIO          PORTFOLIO         PORTFOLIO
                                          ------------    ---------------    -------------      ------------   ---------------
<S>                                          <C>                <C>              <C>              <C>                <C>
Units beginning of year ............          382,114            16,739           261,976           578,127           313,239
Units purchased and transferred from
   other Travelers accounts ........          909,322           163,714           406,299         1,116,707           750,039
Units redeemed and transferred to
   other Travelers accounts ........         (429,237)          (30,787)         (263,535)         (655,607)         (361,976)
                                          ------------    ---------------    -------------      ------------   ---------------
Units end of year ..................          862,199           149,666           404,740         1,039,227           701,302
                                          ============    ===============    =============      ============   ===============
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               PUTNAM
                                          SMITH BARNEY      DIVERSIFIED             MFS           AIM CAPITAL
                                          MONEY MARKET         INCOME          TOTAL RETURN       APPRECIATION      TOTAL RETURN
                                            PORTFOLIO         PORTFOLIO         PORTFOLIO           PORTFOLIO         PORTFOLIO
                                          ------------    ---------------    -------------      ------------   ---------------
<S>                                         <C>               <C>               <C>                <C>                <C>
Units beginning of year ............         1,031,783         247,942            776,168            630,046            433,485
Units purchased and transferred from
   other Travelers accounts ........        10,137,452         560,998          1,788,362          1,570,818          1,160,463
Units redeemed and transferred to
   other Travelers accounts ........        (8,424,240)       (341,401)          (927,477)          (842,877)          (559,318)
                                          ------------    ---------------    -------------      ------------   ----------------
Units end of year ..................         2,744,995         467,539          1,637,053          1,357,987          1,034,630
                                          ============    ===============    =============      ============   ================
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             COMBINED
                                          ------------
<S>                                        <C>
Units beginning of year ............         6,002,946
Units purchased and transferred from
   other Travelers accounts ........        20,821,249
Units redeemed and transferred to
   other Travelers accounts ........       (14,403,615)
                                          ------------
Units end of year ..................        12,420,580
                                          ============
</TABLE>


                                      -12-
<PAGE>   66



                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



To the Owners of Variable Life Insurance Contracts of
   The Travelers Variable Life Insurance Separate Account Three:




We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of The
Travelers Variable Life Insurance Separate Account Three as of December 31,
1997, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended and the
statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then
ended.  These financial statements are the responsibility of 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 audits 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 shares owned as of December 31, 1997, by
correspondence with underlying 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 The Travelers Variable Life
Insurance Separate Account Three as of December 31, 1997, the results of its
operations for the year then ended and the changes in its net assets for each
of the two years in the period then ended, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.



COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.



Hartford, Connecticut
February 19, 1998





                                      -13-
<PAGE>   67
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


The Board of Directors and Shareholder
The Travelers Insurance Company and Subsidiaries:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Travelers
Insurance Company and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
related consolidated statements of income and retained earnings and cash flows
for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997. These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Travelers
Insurance Company and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.


                                                       /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Hartford, Connecticut
January 26, 1998


                                       F-1
<PAGE>   68
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
                                ($ IN MILLIONS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                                   1997      1996      1995
                                                                 ------    ------    ------
<S>                                                              <C>       <C>       <C>
REVENUES
Premiums                                                         $1,583    $1,387    $1,504
Net investment income                                             2,037     1,950     1,884
Realized investment gains                                           199        65       106
Other revenues                                                      354       284       204
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total Revenues                                                $4,173    $3,686    $3,698
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Current and future insurance benefits                             1,341     1,187     1,206
Interest credited to contractholders                                829       863       997
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of             
  insurance in force                                                293       281       290
General and administrative expenses                                 427       380       368
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total Benefits and Expenses                                    2,890     2,711     2,861
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income from continuing operations before federal income taxes     1,283       975       837
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Federal income taxes:
   Current expense                                                  434       284       233
   Deferred                                                          10        58        57
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total Federal Income Taxes                                       444       342       290
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income from continuing operations                                   839       633       547
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes
   Income from operations (net of taxes of $0, $0 and $18)           --        --        72
   Gain on disposition (net of taxes of $0, $14 and $68)             --        26       131
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Income from Discontinued Operations                               --        26       203
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income                                                          839       659       750
Retained earnings beginning of year                               2,471     2,312     1,562
Dividends to parent                                                 500       500        --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Retained Earnings End of Year                                 $2,810    $2,471    $2,312
===========================================================================================
</TABLE>

                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       F-2
<PAGE>   69
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 ($ IN MILLIONS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,                                                      1997       1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>        <C>
ASSETS
Fixed maturities, available for sale at fair value (cost,       
$20,682; $19,284)                                               $21,511    $19,637
Equity securities, at fair value (cost, $480; $330)                 512        338
Mortgage loans                                                    2,869      2,920
Real estate held for sale                                           134        297
Trading securities, at market value                                 800         --
Policy loans                                                      1,872      1,910
Short-term securities                                             1,102        902
Other invested assets                                             1,702      1,253
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total Investments                                            $30,502    $27,257
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash                                                                 58         74
Investment income accrued                                           338        355
Premium balances receivable                                         106        105
Reinsurance recoverables                                          4,339      3,858
Deferred acquisition costs and value of insurance in force        2,312      2,133
Separate and variable accounts                                   11,319      8,127
Other assets                                                      1,052      1,064
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total Assets                                                 $50,026    $42,973
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIABILITIES
Contractholder funds                                             14,913     14,189
Future policy benefits                                           12,569     11,762
Policy and contract claims                                          378        536
Trading securities sold not yet purchased, at market value          462         --
Separate and variable accounts                                   11,309      8,115
Commercial paper                                                     --         50
Deferred federal income taxes                                       409         57
Other liabilities                                                 2,661      1,936
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total Liabilities                                            $42,701    $36,645
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
Common stock, par value $2.50; 40 million shares authorized,        
  issued and outstanding                                            100        100
Additional paid-in capital                                        3,187      3,170
Retained earnings                                                 2,810      2,471
Unrealized investment gains, net of taxes                         1,228        587
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total Shareholder's Equity                                   $ 7,325    $ 6,328
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Total Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity                   $50,026    $42,973
==================================================================================
</TABLE>

                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       F-3
<PAGE>   70
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                           INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
                                 ($ IN MILLIONS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                                                        1997         1996         1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>         <C>          <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
   Premiums collected                                                                $  1,519    $  1,387     $  1,346
   Net investment income received                                                       2,059       1,910        1,855
   Other revenues received                                                                180         131           90
   Benefits and claims paid                                                            (1,230)     (1,060)        (846)
   Interest credited to contractholders                                                  (853)       (820)        (960)
   Operating expenses paid                                                               (445)       (343)        (615)
   Income taxes paid                                                                     (368)       (328)         (63)
   Trading account investments, (purchases) sales, net                                    (54)         --           --
   Other                                                                                   18         (70)        (137)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Net cash provided by operating activities                                           826         807          670
      Net cash used in discontinued operations                                             --        (350)        (596)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Net Cash Provided by Operations                                                $    826    $    457     $     74
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
   Proceeds from maturities of investments
      Fixed maturities                                                                  2,259       1,928        1,974
      Mortgage loans                                                                      663         917          680
   Proceeds from sales of investments
      Fixed maturities                                                                  7,592       9,101        6,773
      Equity securities                                                                   341         479          379
      Mortgage loans                                                                      207         178          704
      Real estate held for sale                                                           169         210          253
   Purchases of investments
      Fixed maturities                                                                (11,143)    (11,556)     (10,748)
      Equity securities                                                                  (483)       (594)        (305)
      Mortgage loans                                                                     (771)       (470)        (144)
   Policy loans, net                                                                       38         (23)        (325)
   Short-term securities, (purchases) sales, net                                           (2)        498          291
   Other investments, (purchases) sales, net                                             (260)       (137)        (267)
   Securities transactions in course of settlement                                        311         (52)         258
   Net cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations                    --         348        1,425
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net Cash Provided by (used in) Investing Activities                               $ (1,079)   $    827     $    948
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   Redemption of commercial paper, net                                                    (50)        (23)          (1)
   Contractholder fund deposits                                                         3,544       2,493        2,705
   Contractholder fund withdrawals                                                     (2,757)     (3,262)      (3,755)
   Dividends to parent company                                                           (500)       (500)          --
   Other                                                                                   --           9           --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Net Cash Provided by (used in) Financing Activities                            $    237    $ (1,283)    $ (1,051)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                      $    (16)   $      1     $    (29)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash at December 31,                                                                 $     58    $     74     $     73
======================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       F-4
<PAGE>   71
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

   Significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the accompanying
   financial statements follow.

   Basis of Presentation

   The Travelers Insurance Company and Subsidiaries (the Company) is a wholly
   owned subsidiary of The Travelers Insurance Group Inc. (TIGI), an indirect
   wholly owned subsidiary of Travelers Group Inc. (Travelers Group). The
   consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its
   insurance and non-insurance subsidiaries on a fully consolidated basis. The
   primary insurance subsidiaries of the Company are The Travelers Life and
   Annuity Company (TLAC) and Primerica Life Insurance Company (Primerica Life)
   and its subsidiary National Benefit Life Insurance Company (NBL).

   -  TRAVELERS LIFE AND ANNUITY offers fixed and variable deferred annuities,
      payout annuities and term, universal and variable life and long-term care
      insurance to individuals and small businesses. It also provides group
      pension products, including guaranteed investment contracts and group
      annuities for employer-sponsored retirement and savings plans. These
      products are primarily marketed through The Copeland Companies (Copeland),
      an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, the Financial
      Consultants of Salomon Smith Barney, an affiliate of the Company, and a
      nationwide network of independent agents. The Company's Corporate and
      Other Segment was absorbed into Travelers Life and Annuity during the
      second quarter of 1996.

   -  PRIMERICA LIFE INSURANCE offers individual life products, primarily term
      insurance, to consumers through a nationwide sales force of approximately
      80,000 full and part-time independent agents.

   As discussed in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, in
   January 1995 the group life insurance and related businesses of the Company
   were sold to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife). Also in January
   1995, the group medical component was exchanged for a 42% interest in The
   MetraHealth Companies, Inc. (MetraHealth). The Company's interest in
   MetraHealth was sold on October 2, 1995 and through that date was accounted
   for on the equity method. The Company's discontinued operations reflect the
   results of the medical insurance business not transferred, the equity
   interest in the earnings of MetraHealth through October 2, 1995 (date of
   sale) and the gains from the sales of these businesses.

   In September 1995, Travelers Group made a pro rata distribution to its
   stockholders of shares of Class A Common Stock of Transport Holdings Inc.,
   which at the time was a wholly owned subsidiary of Travelers Group and was
   the indirect owner of the business of Transport Life Insurance Company
   (Transport Life). Immediately prior to this distribution, the Company
   distributed Transport Life, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the
   Company, to TIGI, as a return of capital.

   The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
   accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
   that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
   contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
   the reported amounts of revenues and benefits and expenses during the
   reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

   Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 1997
   presentation.
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   72
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

   
   Accounting Changes

   EMPLOYERS' DISCLOSURES ABOUT PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

   In February, 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
   Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures
   about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits" (FAS 132). FAS 132
   supersedes the disclosure requirements in FASB Statements No. 87, "Employers'
   Accounting for Pensions," No. 88, "Employers' Accounting for Settlements and
   Curtailments of Defined Benefits Pension Plans and Termination of Benefits,"
   and No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than
   Pensions." FAS 132 addresses disclosure only and does not address measurement
   or recognition. In addition to other disclosure changes, FAS 132 allows
   employers to disclose total contributions to multi-employer plans without
   disaggregating the amounts attributable to pensions and other postretirement
   benefits. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after
   December 15, 1997. Earlier application is encouraged. Effective December 31,
   1997, the Company adopted FAS 132. The adoption of this standard did not have
   any impact on results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

   ACCOUNTING FOR TRANSFERS AND SERVICING OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND
   EXTINGUISHMENTS OF LIABILITIES

   Effective January 1, 1997, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
   Accounting Standards No. 125, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of
   Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities" (FAS 125). FAS 125
   establishes accounting and reporting standards for transfers and servicing of
   financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities. These standards are
   based on an approach that focuses on control. Under this approach, after a
   transfer of financial assets, an entity recognizes the financial and
   servicing assets it controls and the liabilities it has incurred,
   derecognizes financial assets when control has been surrendered, and
   derecognizes liabilities when extinguished. FAS 125 provides standards for
   distinguishing transfers of financial assets that are sales from transfers
   that are secured borrowings. The requirements of FAS 125 are effective for
   transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of
   liabilities occurring after December 31, 1996, and are to be applied
   prospectively. However, in December 1996 the FASB issued Statement of
   Financial Accounting Standards No. 127, "Deferral of the Effective Date of
   Certain Provisions of FASB Statement No. 125," which delays until January 1,
   1998 the effective date for certain provisions. Application of FAS 125 prior
   to the effective date or retroactively is not permitted. The adoption of the
   provisions of FAS 125 effective January 1, 1997 did not have a material
   impact on results of operations, financial condition or liquidity. The
   adoption of the provisions of FAS 127 effective January, 1998 are
   not expected to have a material impact on the results of operations,
   financial condition or liquidity.

   ACCOUNTING FOR THE IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND FOR LONG-LIVED ASSETS
   TO BE DISPOSED OF

   Effective January 1, 1996, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
   Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived
   Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of." This statement
   establishes accounting standards for the impairment of long-lived assets and
   certain identifiable intangibles to be disposed. This statement requires a
   write down to fair value when long-lived assets to be held and used are
   impaired. The statement also requires long-lived assets to be disposed (e.g.,
   real estate held for sale) be carried at the lower of cost or fair value less
   cost to sell, and does not allow such assets to be depreciated. The adoption
   of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's financial
   condition, results of operations or liquidity.

                                       F-6
<PAGE>   73
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

   
   ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

   In October 1995, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
   No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" (FAS 123). This statement
   establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for stock-based
   employee compensation plans as well as transactions in which an entity issues
   its equity instruments to acquire goods or services from non-employees. This
   statement defines a fair value-based method of accounting for employee stock
   options or similar equity instruments, and encourages all entities to adopt
   this method of accounting for all employee stock compensation plans. However,
   it also allows an entity to continue to measure compensation cost for those
   plans using the intrinsic value-based method of accounting prescribed by
   Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to
   Employees" (APB 25). Entities electing to remain with the accounting method
   prescribed in APB 25 must make pro-forma disclosures of net income and
   earnings per share, as if the fair value-based method of accounting defined
   by FAS 123 had been applied. FAS 123 is applicable to fiscal years beginning
   after December 15, 1995. The Company has elected to continue to account for
   its stock-based employee compensation plans using the accounting method
   prescribed by APB 25 and has included in the notes to consolidated financial
   statements the pro-forma disclosures required by FAS 123. See Note 9. The
   Company has adopted FAS 123 for its stock-based non-employee compensation
   plans.

   Accounting Policies

   INVESTMENTS

   Fixed maturities include bonds, notes and redeemable preferred stocks. Fair
   values of investments in fixed maturities are based on quoted market prices
   or dealer quotes or, if these are not available, discounted expected cash
   flows using market rates commensurate with the credit quality and maturity of
   the investment. Also included in fixed maturities are loan-backed and
   structured securities, which are amortized using the retrospective method.
   Fixed maturities are classified as "available for sale" and are reported at
   fair value, with unrealized investment gains and losses, net of income taxes,
   charged or credited directly to shareholder's equity.

   Equity securities, which include common and nonredeemable preferred stocks,
   are classified as "available for sale" and carried at fair value based
   primarily on quoted market prices. Changes in fair values of equity
   securities are charged or credited directly to shareholder's equity, net of
   income taxes.

   Mortgage loans are carried at amortized cost. A mortgage loan is considered
   impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect
   principal and interest amounts due. For mortgage loans that are determined to
   be impaired, a reserve is established for the difference between the
   amortized cost and fair market value of the underlying collateral. In
   estimating fair value, the Company uses interest rates reflecting the higher
   returns required in the current real estate financing market. Impaired loans
   were insignificant at December 31, 1997 and 1996.

   Real estate held for sale is carried at the lower of cost or fair value less
   estimated cost to sell. Fair value of foreclosed properties is established at
   the time of foreclosure by internal analysis or external appraisers, using
   discounted cash flow analyses and other accepted techniques. Thereafter, an
   allowance for losses on real estate held for sale is established if the
   carrying value of the property exceeds its current fair value less estimated
   costs to sell. There was no such allowance at December 31, 1997 and 1996.

                                       F-7
<PAGE>   74
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

   
   Trading securities are carried at market value. Realized and unrealized gains
   and losses on trading securities are included in investment income.

   Short-term securities, consisting primarily of money market instruments and
   other debt issues purchased with a maturity of less than one year, are
   carried at amortized cost which approximates market.

   Accrual of income, included in other assets, is suspended on fixed maturities
   or mortgage loans that are in default, or on which it is likely that future
   payments will not be made as scheduled. Interest income on investments in
   default is recognized only as payment is received.

   DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

   The Company uses derivative financial instruments, including financial
   futures contracts, equity options, forward contracts and interest rate swaps
   and caps, as a means of hedging exposure to interest rate, equity price and
   foreign currency risk. Hedge accounting is used to account for derivatives.
   To qualify for hedge accounting the changes in value of the derivative must
   be expected to substantially offset the changes in value of the hedged item.
   Hedges are monitored to ensure that there is a high correlation between the
   derivative instruments and the hedged investment.

   Gains and losses arising from financial futures contracts are used to adjust
   the basis of hedged investments and are recognized in net investment income
   over the life of the investment.

   Forward contracts, equity options, and interest rate swaps and caps were not
   significant at December 31, 1997 and 1996. Information concerning derivative
   financial instruments is included in Note 6.

   INVESTMENT GAINS AND LOSSES

   Realized investment gains and losses are included as a component of pretax
   revenues based upon specific identification of the investments sold on the
   trade date. Also included are gains and losses arising from the remeasurement
   of the local currency value of foreign investments to U.S. dollars, the
   functional currency of the Company. The foreign exchange effects of Canadian
   operations are included in unrealized gains and losses.

   POLICY LOANS

   Policy loans are carried at the amount of the unpaid balances that are not in
   excess of the net cash surrender values of the related insurance policies.
   The carrying value of policy loans, which have no defined maturities, is
   considered to be fair value.

   DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS AND VALUE OF INSURANCE IN FORCE

   Costs of acquiring individual life insurance, annuities and long-term care
   business, principally commissions and certain expenses related to policy
   issuance, underwriting and marketing, all of which vary with and are
   primarily related to the production of new business, are deferred.
   Acquisition costs relating to traditional life insurance, including term
   insurance and long-term care insurance, are amortized in relation to
   anticipated premiums; universal life in relation to estimated gross profits;
   and annuity contracts employing a level yield method. For life insurance, a
   10- to 25-year amortization period is used; for long-term care business, a
   10- to 20-year period is used, and a 10- to 20-year period is employed for
   annuities. Deferred acquisition costs are reviewed periodically for
   recoverability to determine if any adjustment is required.

                                       F-8
<PAGE>   75
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

  
   The value of insurance in force is an asset recorded at the time of
   acquisition of an insurance company. It represents the actuarially determined
   present value of anticipated profits to be realized from life insurance,
   annuities and health contracts at the date of acquisition using the same
   assumptions that were used for computing related liabilities where
   appropriate. The value of insurance in force was the actuarially determined
   present value of the projected future profits discounted at interest rates
   ranging from 14% to 18%. Traditional life insurance and guaranteed renewable
   health policies are amortized in relation to anticipated premiums; universal
   life is amortized in relation to estimated gross profits; and annuity
   contracts are amortized employing a level yield method. The value of
   insurance in force is reviewed periodically for recoverability to determine
   if any adjustment is required.

   SEPARATE AND VARIABLE ACCOUNTS

   Separate and variable accounts primarily represent funds for which investment
   income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to, and investment
   risk is borne by, the contractholders. Each account has specific investment
   objectives. The assets of each account are legally segregated and are not
   subject to claims that arise out of any other business of the Company. The
   assets of these accounts are carried at market value. Certain other separate
   accounts provide guaranteed levels of return or benefits and the assets of
   these accounts are primarily carried at market value. Amounts assessed to the
   contractholders for management services are included in revenues. Deposits,
   net investment income and realized investment gains and losses for these
   accounts are excluded from revenues, and related liability increases are
   excluded from benefits and expenses.

   GOODWILL

   Goodwill represents the cost of acquired businesses in excess of net assets
   and is being amortized on a straight-line basis principally over a 40-year
   period. The carrying amount is regularly reviewed for indication of
   impairment in value that in the view of management would be other than
   temporary. Impairments would be recognized in operating results if a
   permanent diminution in value is deemed to have occurred.

   CONTRACTHOLDER FUNDS

   Contractholder funds represent receipts from the issuance of universal life,
   pension investment and certain deferred annuity contracts. Contractholder
   fund balances are increased by such receipts and credited interest and
   reduced by withdrawals, mortality charges and administrative expenses charged
   to the contractholders. Interest rates credited to contractholder funds range
   from 3.5% to 9.45%.

   FUTURE POLICY BENEFITS

   Benefit reserves represent liabilities for future insurance policy benefits.
   Benefit reserves for life insurance and annuities have been computed based
   upon mortality, morbidity, persistency and interest assumptions applicable to
   these coverages, which range from 2.5% to 10.0%, including adverse deviation.
   These assumptions consider Company experience and industry standards. The
   assumptions vary by plan, age at issue, year of issue and duration.
   Appropriate recognition has been given to experience rating and reinsurance.

                                       F-9
<PAGE>   76
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)


   PERMITTED STATUTORY ACCOUNTING PRACTICES

   The Company, whose insurance subsidiaries are domiciled principally in
   Connecticut and Massachusetts, prepares statutory financial statements in
   accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the
   insurance departments of those states. Prescribed statutory accounting
   practices include certain publications of the National Association of
   Insurance Commissioners as well as state laws, regulations, and general
   administrative rules. Permitted statutory accounting practices encompass all
   accounting practices not so prescribed. The impact of any permitted
   accounting practices on statutory surplus of the Company is not material.

   PREMIUMS

   Premiums are recognized as revenues when due. Reserves are established for
   the portion of premiums that will be earned in future periods and for
   deferred profits on limited-payment policies that are being recognized in
   income over the policy term.

   OTHER REVENUES

   Other revenues include surrender, mortality and administrative charges and
   fees as earned on investment, universal life and other insurance contracts.
   Other revenues also include gains and losses on dispositions of assets and
   operations other than realized investment gains and losses and revenues of
   non-insurance subsidiaries.

   INTEREST CREDITED TO CONTRACTHOLDERS

   Interest credited to contractholders represents amounts earned by universal
   life, pension investment and certain deferred annuity contracts in accordance
   with contract provisions.

   FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

   The provision for federal income taxes is comprised of two components,
   current income taxes and deferred income taxes. Deferred federal income taxes
   arise from changes during the year in cumulative temporary differences
   between the tax basis and book basis of assets and liabilities. The deferred
   federal income tax asset is recognized to the extent that future realization
   of the tax benefit is more likely than not, with a valuation allowance for
   the portion that is not likely to be recognized.

   Future Application of Accounting Standards

   In December 1997, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the
   American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of
   Position 97-3, "Accounting by Insurance and Other Enterprises for
   Insurance-Related Assessments" (SOP 97-3). SOP 97-3 provides guidance for
   determining when an entity should recognize a liability for guaranty-fund and
   other insurance-related assessments, how to measure that liability, and when
   an asset may be recognized for the recovery of such assessments through
   premium tax offsets or policy surcharges. This SOP is effective for financial
   statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998, and the effect
   of initial adoption is to be reported as a cumulative catch-up adjustment.
   Restatement of previously issued financial statements is not allowed. The
   Company has not yet determined when it will implement this SOP and does not
   anticipate any material impact on the Company's financial condition, results
   of operations or liquidity.

                                       F-10
<PAGE>   77
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)


   In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
   130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" (FAS 130). FAS 130 establishes
   standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its
   components in a full set of general-purpose financial statements. All items
   that are required to be recognized under accounting standards as components
   of comprehensive income are to be reported in a financial statement that is
   displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements. FAS 130
   stipulates that comprehensive income reflect the change in equity of an
   enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and
   circumstances from non-owner sources. Comprehensive income will thus
   represent the sum of net income and other comprehensive income, although FAS
   130 does not require the use of the terms comprehensive income or other
   comprehensive income. The accumulated balance of other comprehensive income
   shall be displayed separately from retained earnings and additional paid-in
   capital in the statement of financial position. FAS 130 is effective for
   fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company anticipates that
   the adoption of FAS 130 will result primarily in reporting unrealized gains
   and losses on investments in debt and equity securities in comprehensive
   income.

   In June 1997, the FASB also issued Statement of Financial Accounting
   Standards No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related
   Information" (FAS 131). FAS 131 establishes standards for the way that public
   enterprises report information about operating segments in annual financial
   statements and requires that selected information about those operating
   segments be reported in interim financial statements. FAS 131 supersedes
   Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 14, "Financial Reporting for
   Segments of a Business Enterprise" (FAS 14). FAS 131 requires that all
   public enterprises report financial and descriptive information about its
   reportable operating segments. Operating segments are defined as components
   of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that
   is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how
   to allocate resources and in assessing performance. FAS 131 is effective for
   fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company is currently
   determining the impact of the adoption of FAS 131.

2. DISPOSITIONS AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   On January 3, 1995, the Company and its affiliates completed the sale of
   their group life and related non-medical group insurance businesses to
   MetLife for $350 million and recognized in the first quarter of 1995 a gain
   of $20 million net of taxes. In connection with the sale, the Company ceded
   100% of its risks in the group life and related businesses to MetLife on an
   indemnity reinsurance basis, effective January 1, 1995. In connection with
   the reinsurance transaction, the Company transferred assets with a fair
   market value of approximately $1.5 billion to MetLife, equal to the statutory
   reserves and other liabilities transferred.

   On January 3, 1995, the Company and MetLife and certain of their affiliates,
   formed the MetraHealth joint venture by contributing their group medical
   businesses to MetraHealth, in exchange for shares of common stock of
   MetraHealth. No gain was recognized as a result of this transaction . Upon
   formation of the joint venture, the Company owned 42% of the outstanding
   capital stock of MetraHealth, TIGI owned 8% and the other 50% was owned by
   MetLife and its affiliates. In March 1995, MetraHealth acquired HealthSpring,
   Inc. for common stock of MetraHealth resulting in a reduction in the
   participation of the Company and TIGI, and MetLife in the MetraHealth venture
   to 48.25% each. As the medical insurance business of the Company came due for
   renewal, the risks were transferred to MetraHealth and the related operating
   results for this medical insurance business were reported by the Company in
   1995 as part of discontinued operations.

                                       F-11
<PAGE>   78
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)


   On October 2, 1995, the Company and its affiliates completed the sale of
   their ownership in MetraHealth to United HealthCare Corporation and through
   that date had accounted for its interest in MetraHealth on the equity method.
   Gross proceeds to the Company in 1995 were $708 million in cash, an after-tax
   gain of $111 million was recognized. During 1996 the Company received a
   contingency payment based on MetraHealth's 1995 results. In conjunction with
   this payment, certain reserves associated with the group medical business and
   exit costs related to the discontinued operations were reevaluated resulting
   in a final after-tax gain of $26 million.

   All of the businesses sold to MetLife or contributed to MetraHealth were
   included in the Company's Managed Care and Employee Benefit Operations
   (MCEBO) segment prior to 1995. The Company's discontinued operations in 1996
   and 1995 reflect the results of the medical insurance business not
   transferred, the equity interest in the earnings of MetraHealth through
   October 2, 1995 (date of sale) and the gains from sales of these businesses.
   Revenues from discontinued operations were insignificant for the year ended
   December 31, 1996 and $1.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 1995.

   In September 1995, Travelers Group made a pro rata distribution to its
   stockholders of shares of Class A Common Stock of Transport Holdings Inc.,
   which at the time was a wholly owned subsidiary of Travelers Group and was
   the indirect owner of the business of Transport Life. Immediately prior to
   this distribution, the Company distributed Transport, an indirect wholly
   owned subsidiary of the Company, to TIGI as a return of capital, resulting in
   a reduction in additional paid-in capital of $334 million. The results of
   Transport through September 1995 are included in income from continuing
   operations.

3. COMMERCIAL PAPER AND LINES OF CREDIT

   The Company issues commercial paper directly to investors. No commercial
   paper was outstanding at December 31, 1997 and $50 million was outstanding at
   December 31, 1996. The Company maintains unused credit availability under
   bank lines of credit at least equal to the amount of the outstanding
   commercial paper. Interest expense related to the commercial paper was not
   significant in 1997 or 1996.

   Travelers Group, Commercial Credit Company (CCC) (an indirect wholly owned
   subsidiary of Travelers Group) and the Company have an agreement with a
   syndicate of banks to provide $1.0 billion of revolving credit, to be
   allocated to any of Travelers Group, CCC or the Company. The Company's
   participation in this agreement is limited to $250 million. The revolving
   credit facility consists of a five-year revolving credit facility that
   expires in 2001. At December 31, 1997, $50 million was allocated to the
   Company. Under this facility the Company is required to maintain certain
   minimum equity and risk-based capital levels. At December 31, 1997, the
   Company was in compliance with these provisions. There were no amounts
   outstanding under this agreement at December 31, 1997 and 1996. If the
   Company had borrowings on this facility, the interest rate would be based
   upon LIBOR plus a negotiated margin.

                                       F-12
<PAGE>   79
\                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)


4. REINSURANCE

   The Company participates in reinsurance in order to limit losses, minimize
   exposure to large risks, provide additional capacity for future growth and to
   effect business-sharing arrangements. Reinsurance is accomplished through
   various plans of reinsurance, primarily yearly renewable term coinsurance and
   modified coinsurance. The Company remains primarily liable as the direct
   insurer on all risks reinsured. During 1997, new universal life business was
   reinsured under an 80%/20% quota share reinsurance program and new term life
   business was reinsured under a 90%/10% quota share reinsurance program.
   Maximum retention of $1.5 million is generally reached on policies in excess
   of $7.5 million. For other plans of insurance, it is the policy of the
   Company to obtain reinsurance for amounts above certain retention limits on
   individual life policies, which limits vary with age and underwriting
   classification. Generally, the maximum retention on an ordinary life risk is
   $1.5 million.

   The Company writes workers' compensation business through its Accident
   Department. This business is ceded 100% to an affiliate, The Travelers
   Indemnity Company.

   A summary of reinsurance financial data reflected within the consolidated
   statement of operations and retained earnings is presented below ($ in
   millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
       WRITTEN PREMIUMS                         1997      1996       1995
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
       <S>                                     <C>       <C>       <C>   
       Direct                                  $2,148    $1,982    $2,166
       Assumed from:
          Non-affiliated companies                  1         5        --
       Ceded to:
          Affiliated companies                   (280)     (284)     (374)
          Non-affiliated companies               (273)     (309)     (302)
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total Net Written Premiums              $1,596    $1,394    $1,490
       =====================================================================

<CAPTION>
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
       EARNED PREMIUMS                          1997      1996       1995
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
       <S>                                     <C>       <C>       <C>   
       Direct                                  $2,170    $1,897    $2,067
       Assumed from:
          Non-affiliated companies                  1         5        --
       Ceded to:
          Affiliated companies                   (321)     (219)     (283)
          Non-affiliated companies               (291)     (315)     (298)
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total Net Earned Premiums               $1,559    $1,368    $1,486
       =====================================================================
</TABLE>


                                       F-13
<PAGE>   80
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)


   Reinsurance recoverables at December 31, 1997 and 1996 include amounts
   recoverable on unpaid and paid losses and were as follows ($ in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       ----------------------------------------------------------
       REINSURANCE RECOVERABLES                1997      1996
       ----------------------------------------------------------
       <S>                                     <C>       <C>
       Life and Accident and Health
       Business:
          Non-affiliated companies             $1,362    $1,497
       Property-Casualty Business:
          Affiliated companies                  2,977     2,361
       ----------------------------------------------------------
       Total Reinsurance Recoverables          $4,339    $3,858
       ==========================================================
</TABLE>

   Total reinsurance recoverables at December 31, 1997 and 1996 include $697
   million and $720 million, respectively, from MetLife in connection with the
   sale of the Company's group life and related businesses. See Note 2.

5. SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY

   Additional Paid-In Capital

   The increase of $17 million in additional paid-in capital during 1997 is due
   to tax benefits related to exercising Travelers Group stock options by the
   Company's employees.

   Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)

   An analysis of the change in unrealized gains and losses on investments is
   shown in Note 13.

   Shareholder's Equity and Dividend Availability

   The Company's statutory net income, which includes all insurance
   subsidiaries, was $754 million, $656 million, and $235 million for the years
   ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

   The Company's statutory capital and surplus was $4.12 billion and $3.44
   billion at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

   The Company is currently subject to various regulatory restrictions that
   limit the maximum amount of dividends available to be paid to its parent
   without prior approval of insurance regulatory authorities. Statutory surplus
   of $551 million is available in 1998 for dividend payments by the Company
   without prior approval of the Connecticut Insurance Department. In addition,
   under a revolving credit facility, the Company is required to maintain
   certain minimum equity and risk based capital levels. The Company is in
   compliance with these covenants at December 31, 1997 and 1996.

                                       F-14
<PAGE>   81
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)


6. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

   Derivative Financial Instruments

   The Company uses derivative financial instruments, including financial
   futures, equity options, forward contracts and interest rate swaps as a means
   of hedging exposure to foreign currency, equity price changes and/or interest
   rate risk on anticipated transactions or existing assets and liabilities. The
   Company does not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading purposes.

   These derivative financial instruments have off-balance sheet risk. Financial
   instruments with off-balance sheet risk involve, to varying degrees, elements
   of credit and market risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance
   sheet. The contract or notional amounts of these instruments reflect the
   extent of involvement the Company has in a particular class of financial
   instrument. However, the maximum loss of cash flow associated with these
   instruments can be less than these amounts. For forward contracts and
   interest rate swaps, credit risk is limited to the amounts calculated to be
   due the Company on such contracts. Financial futures contracts and purchased
   listed option contracts have little credit risk since organized exchanges are
   the counterparties.

   The Company monitors creditworthiness of counterparties to these financial
   instruments by using criteria of acceptable risk that are consistent with
   on-balance sheet financial instruments. The controls include credit
   approvals, limits and other monitoring procedures.

   The Company uses exchange traded financial futures contracts to manage its
   exposure to changes in interest rates which arise from the sale of certain
   insurance and investment products, or the need to reinvest proceeds from the
   sale or maturity of investments. To hedge against adverse changes in interest
   rates, the Company enters long or short positions in financial futures
   contracts to offset asset price changes resulting from changes in market
   interest rates until an investment is purchased or a product is sold.

   Margin payments are required to enter a futures contract and contract gains
   or losses are settled daily in cash. The contract amount of futures contracts
   represents the extent of the Company's involvement, but not future cash
   requirements, as open positions are typically closed out prior to the
   delivery date of the contract.

   At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company held financial futures contracts
   with notional amounts of $625 million and $169 million, respectively, and a
   deferred gain of $.7 million and a deferred loss of $4.1 million and a
   deferred gain of $1.2 million, and a deferred loss of $.1 million,
   respectively. Total losses of $5.8 million and gains of $2.0 million from
   financial futures were deferred at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively,
   relating to anticipated investment purchases and investment product sales,
   and are reported as other liabilities. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the
   Company's futures contracts had no fair value because these contracts were
   marked to market and settled in cash daily.

   The off-balance sheet risks of equity options, forward contracts, and
   interest rate swaps were not significant at December 31, 1997 and 1996.



                                       F-15
<PAGE>   82
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)


   The Company purchased a 5-year interest rate cap, with a notional amount of
   $200 million, from Travelers Group in 1995 to hedge against losses that could
   result from increasing interest rates. This instrument, which does not have
   off-balance sheet risk, gives the Company the right to receive payments if
   interest rates exceed specific levels at specific dates. The premium of $2
   million paid for this instrument is being amortized over its life. The
   interest rate cap asset is reported at fair value which is $0 and $1 million
   at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

   Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk

   In the normal course of business, the Company issues fixed and variable rate
   loan commitments and has unfunded commitments to partnerships. The
   off-balance sheet risk of these financial instruments was not significant at
   December 31, 1997 and 1996.

   Fair Value of Certain Financial Instruments

   The Company uses various financial instruments in the normal course of its
   business. Fair values of financial instruments that are considered insurance
   contracts are not required to be disclosed and are not included in the
   amounts discussed.

   At December 31, 1997 and 1996, investments in fixed maturities had a carrying
   value and a fair value of $21.5 billion and $19.6 billion, respectively.  See
   Notes 1 and 13.

   At December 31, 1997 and 1996, mortgage loans had a carrying value of $2.9
   billion, which approximated fair value. In estimating fair value, the Company
   used interest rates reflecting the higher returns required in the current
   real estate financing market.

   The carrying values of $143 million and $174 million of financial instruments
   classified as other assets approximated their fair values at December 31,
   1997 and 1996, respectively. The carrying values of $2.0 billion and $850
   million of financial instruments classified as other liabilities also
   approximated their fair values at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
   Fair value is determined using various methods, including discounted cash
   flows, as appropriate for the various financial instruments.

   At December 31, 1997, contractholder funds with defined maturities had a
   carrying value of $2.3 billion and a fair value of $2.3 billion, compared
   with a carrying value of $1.4 billion and a fair value of $1.5 billion at
   December 31, 1996. The fair value of these contracts is determined by
   discounting expected cash flows at an interest rate commensurate with the
   Company's credit risk and the expected timing of cash flows. Contractholder
   funds without defined maturities had a carrying value of $9.7 billion and a
   fair value of $9.5 billion at December 31, 1997, compared with a carrying
   value of $9.1 billion and a fair value of $8.8 billion at December 31, 1996.
   These contracts generally are valued at surrender value.

   The assets of separate accounts providing a guaranteed return had a carrying
   value and a fair value of $260 million and $260 million, respectively, at
   December 31, 1997, compared with a carrying value and a fair value of $217
   million and $217 million, respectively, at December 31, 1996. The liabilities
   of separate accounts providing a guaranteed return had a carrying value and a
   fair value of $209 million and $206 million, respectively, at December 31,
   1997, compared with a carrying value and a fair value of $208 million and
   $204 million, respectively, at December 31, 1996.

                                       F-16
<PAGE>   83
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)


   The carrying values of cash, short-term securities, trading securities,
   investment income accrued, trading securities sold not purchased, and
   commercial paper approximated their fair values.

   The carrying value of policy loans, which have no defined maturities, is
   considered to be fair value.


7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

   Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk

   See Note 6 for a discussion of financial instruments with off-balance sheet
   risk.

   Litigation

   In March 1997, a purported class action entitled Patterman v. The Travelers,
   Inc. was commenced in the Superior Court of Richmond County, Georgia,
   alleging, among other things, violations of the Georgia RICO statute and
   other state laws by an affiliate of the Company, Primerica Financial
   Services, Inc. and certain of its affiliates. Plaintiffs seek unspecified
   compensatory and punitive damages and other relief. In April 1997, the
   lawsuit was removed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of
   Georgia, and in October 1997, the lawsuit was remanded to the Superior Court
   of Richmond County. Later in October 1997, the defendants answered the
   complaint, denied liability and asserted numerous affirmative defenses. In
   February 1998, the Superior Court of Richmond County transferred the lawsuit
   to the Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia, and certified the transfer
   order for immediate appellate review. Also in February 1998, plaintiffs
   served an application for appellate review of the transfer order; defendants
   subsequently opposed that application; and later in February 1998, the Court
   of Appeals of the State of Georgia granted plaintiffs' application for
   appellate review. Pending appeal proceedings in the trial court have been
   stayed. The Company intends to vigorously contest the litigation.

   The Company is also a defendant or co-defendant in various other litigation
   matters in the normal course of business. Although there can be no
   assurances, as of December 31, 1997, the Company believes, based on
   information currently available, that the ultimate resolution of these legal
   proceedings would not be likely to have a material adverse effect on its
   results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.


8. BENEFIT PLANS

   Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

   The Company participates in a qualified, noncontributory defined benefit
   pension plan sponsored by an affiliate. In addition, the Company provides
   certain other postretirement benefits to retired employees through a plan
   sponsored by an affiliate. The Company's share of net expense for the
   qualified pension and other postretirement benefit plans was not significant
   for 1997, 1996 and 1995. Beginning January 1, 1996, the Company's other
   postretirement benefit plans were amended to restrict benefit eligibility to
   retirees and certain retiree-eligible employees. Previously, covered
   employees could become eligible for postretirement benefits if they reached
   retirement age while working for the Company.

                                       F-17
<PAGE>   84
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)


   Through plans sponsored by TIGI, the Company also provides defined
   contribution pension plans for certain agents. Company contributions are
   primarily a function of production. The expense for these plans was not
   significant in 1997, 1996 and 1995.

   401(k) Savings Plan

   Substantially all of the Company's employees are eligible to participate in a
   401(k) savings plan sponsored by Travelers Group. Prior to January 1, 1996,
   the Company made matching contributions to the 401(k) savings plan on behalf
   of participants in the amount of 50% of the first 5% of pre-tax contributions
   made by the employee, plus an additional variable matching contribution based
   on the profitability of TIGI and its subsidiaries. During 1996, the Company
   made matching contributions in an amount equal to the lesser of 100% of the
   pre-tax contributions made by the employee or $1,000. Effective January 1,
   1997, the Company discontinued matching contributions for the majority of its
   employees. The Company's expenses in connection with the 401(k) savings plan
   were not significant in 1997, 1996 and 1995.


9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

   The principal banking functions, including payment of salaries and expenses,
   for certain subsidiaries and affiliates of TIGI are handled by two companies.
   The Travelers Insurance Company (Life Department) handles banking functions
   for the life and annuity operations of Travelers Life and Annuity and some of
   its non-insurance affiliates. The Travelers Indemnity Company handles banking
   functions for the property-casualty operations, including most of its
   property-casualty insurance and non-insurance affiliates. Settlements between
   companies are made at least monthly. The Company provides various employee
   benefits coverages to employees of certain subsidiaries of TIGI. The premiums
   for these coverages were charged in accordance with cost allocation
   procedures based upon salaries or census. In addition, investment advisory
   and management services, data processing services and claims processing
   services are shared with affiliated companies. Charges for these services are
   shared by the companies on cost allocation methods based generally on
   estimated usage by department.

   The Company maintains a short-term investment pool in which its insurance
   affiliates participate. The position of each company participating in the
   pool is calculated and adjusted daily. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the
   pool totaled approximately $2.6 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively. The
   Company's share of the pool amounted to $725 million and $196 million at
   December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and is included in short-term
   securities in the consolidated balance sheet.

   The Company sells structured settlement annuities to The Travelers Indemnity
   Company in connection with the settlement of certain policyholder
   obligations. Such deposits were $88 million, $40 million, and $38 million for
   1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

   The Company markets deferred annuity products and life and health insurance
   through its affiliate, Salomon Smith Barney. Premiums and deposits related to
   these products were $1.0 billion, $820 million, and $583 million in 1997,
   1996 and 1995, respectively.

   At December 31, 1996, the Company had an investment of $22 million in bonds
   of its affiliate, CCC. This was included in fixed maturities in the
   consolidated balance sheet.

                                       F-18
<PAGE>   85
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)


   The Company had an investment of $1.15 billion and $648 million in common
   stock of Travelers Group at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. This
   investment is carried at fair value.

   The Company participates in a stock option plan sponsored by Travelers Group
   that provides for the granting of stock options in Travelers Group common
   stock to officers and key employees. To further encourage employee stock
   ownership, during 1997 Travelers Group introduced the WealthBuilder stock
   option program. Under this program all employees meeting certain requirements
   have been granted Travelers Group stock options.

   The Company applies APB 25 and related interpretations in accounting for
   stock options. Since stock options under the Travelers Group plans are issued
   at fair market value on the date of award, no compensation cost has been
   recognized for these awards. FAS 123 provides an alternative to APB 25
   whereby fair values may be ascribed to options using a valuation model and
   amortized to compensation cost over the vesting period of the options.

   Had the Company applied FAS 123 in accounting for Travelers Group stock
   options, net income would have been the pro forma amounts indicated below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      -----------------------------------------------------------------------
      YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,             1997        1996         1995
      ($ IN MILLIONS)
      -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     <S>                                   <C>          <C>         <C> 
      Net income, as reported              $839         $659        $750
      -----------------------------------------------------------------------
      FAS 123 pro forma adjustments,         (9)          (3)         (1)
      after tax
      -----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Net income, pro forma                $830         $656        $749
</TABLE>

   The Company has an interest rate cap agreement with Travelers Group. See Note
   6.

10. LEASES

   Most leasing functions for TIGI and its subsidiaries are administered by TAP.
   In 1996, TAP assumed the obligations for several leases. Rent expense related
   to all leases are shared by the companies on a cost allocation method based
   generally on estimated usage by department. Rent expense was $15 million, $24
   million, and $22 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       --------------------------------------------------
       YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,       MINIMUM OPERATING
       ($ in millions)                 RENTAL PAYMENTS
       --------------------------------------------------
      <S>                                  <C>  
       1998                                 $  49
       1999                                    44
       2000                                    43
       2001                                    45
       2002                                    43
       Thereafter                             337
       --------------------------------------------------
       Total Rental Payments                 $561
       ==================================================
</TABLE>

                                       F-19
<PAGE>   86
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)


   Future sublease rental income of approximately $73 million will partially
   offset these commitments. Also, the Company will be reimbursed for 50% of the
   rental expense for a particular lease totaling $218 million, by an affiliate.
   Minimum future capital lease payments are not significant.

   The Company is reimbursed for use of furniture and equipment through cost
   sharing agreements by its affiliates.

11. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       EFFECTIVE TAX RATE
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
       For The Year Ended December 31,         1997      1996       1995
       ($ in millions)
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
      <S>                                     <C>        <C>        <C>  
       Income Before Federal Income Taxes     $1,283     $ 975      $ 837
       Statutory Tax Rate                        35%        35%        35%
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
       Expected Federal Income Taxes            449        341        293
       Tax Effect of:
          Non-taxable investment income          (4)        (3)        (4)
          Other, net                             (1)         4          1
       =====================================================================
       Federal Income Taxes                   $ 444      $ 342      $ 290
       =====================================================================
       Effective Tax Rate                        35%        35%        35%
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------

       COMPOSITION OF FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
       Current:
          United States                       $ 410       $ 263     $ 220
          Foreign                                24          21        13
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total                                 434         284       233
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
       Deferred:
          United States                          10          57        52
          Foreign                                --           1         5
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total                                  10          58        57
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
       Federal Income Taxes                   $ 444       $ 342     $ 290
       =====================================================================
</TABLE>

   Tax benefits allocated directly to shareholder's equity for the years ended
   December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were $17 million, $8 million and $7 million,
   respectively.


                                       F-20
<PAGE>   87
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)


   The net deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 1997 and 1996 were comprised
   of the tax effects of temporary differences related to the following assets
   and liabilities:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
($ in millions)                                                  1997        1996
                                                                -------     -------
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>
Deferred Tax Assets:
   Benefit, reinsurance and other reserves                       $  550      $  510
   Contractholder funds                                              11          32
   Operating lease reserves                                          68          71
   Other employee benefits                                          102         104
   Other                                                            139         121
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total                                                         870         838
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
   Deferred acquisition costs and value of                          608         571
   insurance in force
   Investments, net                                                 484         131
   Other                                                             87          93
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total                                                       1,179         795
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Deferred Tax (Liability) Asset Before Valuation Allowance      (309)         43
Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets                        (100)       (100)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Deferred Tax Liability After Valuation Allowance             $ (409)     $  (57)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

   Starting in 1994 and continuing for at least five years, the Company and its
   life insurance subsidiaries will file a consolidated federal income tax
   return. Federal income taxes are allocated to each member of the consolidated
   group on a separate return basis adjusted for credits and other amounts
   required by the consolidation process. Any resulting liability will be paid
   currently to the Company. Any credits for losses will be paid by the Company
   to the extent that such credits are for tax benefits that have been utilized
   in the consolidated federal income tax return.

   A net deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $100 million has been
   established to reduce the deferred tax asset on investment losses to the
   amount that, based upon available evidence, is more likely than not to be
   realized. Reversal of the valuation allowance is contingent upon the
   recognition of future capital gains in the Company's consolidated life
   insurance company federal income tax return through 1998, and if
   life/non-life consolidation is elected in 1999, the consolidated federal
   income tax return of Travelers Group commencing in 1999, or a change in
   circumstances which causes the recognition of the benefits to become more
   likely than not. There was no change in the valuation allowance during 1997.
   The initial recognition of any benefit produced by the reversal of the
   valuation allowance will be recognized by reducing goodwill.

   At December 31, 1997, the Company had no ordinary or capital loss 
   carryforwards.

   The policyholders surplus account, which arose under prior tax law, is
   generally that portion of the gain from operations that has not been
   subjected to tax, plus certain deductions. The balance of this account,
   which, under provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, will not increase
   after 1983, is estimated to be $932 million. This amount has not been
   subjected to current income taxes but, under certain conditions that
   management considers to be remote, may become subject to income taxes in
   future years. At current rates, the maximum amount of such tax (for which no
   provision has been made in the financial statements) would be approximately
   $326 million.

                                       F-21
<PAGE>   88
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)





12. NET INVESTMENT INCOME

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
       FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,         1997      1996       1995
       ($ in millions)
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>      <C>        <C>
       GROSS INVESTMENT INCOME
          Fixed maturities                     $1,460   $1,387     $1,248
          Mortgage loans                          291      334        419
          Policy loans                            137      156        166
          Real estate held for sale                88       94        111
          Other, including trading                150       77         97
          securities
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                2,126    2,048      2,041
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
       Investment expenses                         89       98        157
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
       Net investment income                   $2,037   $1,950     $1,884
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


13. INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES)

   Realized investment gains (losses) for the periods were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
       FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,         1997      1996       1995
       ($ in millions)
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>       <C>        <C>
       REALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS
          Fixed maturities                       $71      $(63)      $(43)
          Equity securities                       (9)       47         36
          Mortgage loans                          59        49         47
          Real estate held for sale               67        33         18
          Other                                   11        (1)        48
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
             Total Realized Investment Gains    $199       $65       $106
       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                       F-22
<PAGE>   89
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)


   Changes in net unrealized investment gains (losses) that are included as a
   separate component of shareholder's equity were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
       FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              1997      1996      1995
       ($ in millions)
       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>       <C>        <C>
       UNREALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS
          Fixed maturities                         $  446    $ (323)    $1,974
          Equity securities                            25       (35)        46
          Other                                       520       220        200
       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Total Realized Investment Gains          991      (138)     2,220
       -------------------------------------------------------------------------

          Related taxes                               350       (43)       778
       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Change in unrealized investment gains       
          (losses)                                    641       (95)     1,442
          Balance beginning of year                   587       682       (760)
       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Balance End of Year                   $1,228    $  587     $  682
       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

   Included in Other are gains of $506 million, $203 million and $214 million
   for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, related to appreciation of Travelers
   Group stock.

   Fixed Maturities

   Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities classified as available for sale were
   $7.6 billion, $10.2 billion and $6.8 billion in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
   respectively. Gross gains of $170 million, $107 million and $80 million and
   gross losses of $99 million, $175 million and $124 million in 1997, 1996 and
   1995, respectively, were realized on those sales.

   Fair values of investments in fixed maturities are based on quoted market
   prices or dealer quotes or, if these are not available, discounted expected
   cash flows using market rates commensurate with the credit quality and
   maturity of the investment. The fair value of investments for which a quoted
   market price or dealer quote are not available amounted to $5.1 billion and
   $4.6 billion at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.


                                       F-23
<PAGE>   90
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)


   The amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturities were as
   follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31, 1997                                         GROSS       GROSS
($ in millions)                              AMORTIZED  UNREALIZED  UNREALIZED   FAIR
                                                COST      GAINS       LOSSES     VALUE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
AVAILABLE FOR SALE:
   Mortgage-backed securities - CMOs and
   pass-through securities                     $ 3,842    $   124    $     2    $ 3,964
   U.S. Treasury securities and obligations
   of U.S. Government and government
   agencies and authorities                      1,580        149          1      1,728
   Obligations of states, municipalities
   and political subdivisions                       78          8         --         86
   Debt securities issued by
   foreign governments                             622         31          4        649
   All other corporate bonds                    14,548        547         24     15,071
   Redeemable preferred stock                       12          1         --         13
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total Available For Sale                 $20,682        860         31    $21,511
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31, 1996                                           GROSS      GROSS 
($ in millions)                               AMORTIZED  UNREALIZED  UNREALIZED   FAIR
                                                 COST       GAINS      LOSSES     VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
AVAILABLE FOR SALE:
   Mortgage-backed securities - CMOs and
   pass-through securities                      $ 3,821    $    71    $    23    $ 3,869
   U.S. Treasury securities and obligations
   of U.S. Government and government
   agencies and authorities                       1,329         56          4      1,381
   Obligations of states, municipalities and
   political subdivisions                            89          1          1         89
   Debt securities issued by foreign
   governments                                      618         26          3        641
   All other corporate bonds                     13,421        273         43     13,651
   Redeemable preferred stock                         6         --         --          6
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total Available For Sale                  $19,284    $   427    $    74    $19,637
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                       F-24
<PAGE>   91

                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)


   The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturities at December 31, 1997,
   by contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual 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>
       ----------------------------------------------------------
       ($ in millions)                       AMORTIZED   FAIR
                                               COST      VALUE
       ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>         <C>
       MATURITY:
          Due in one year or less            $ 1,184     $ 1,191
          Due after 1 year through 5 years     5,200       5,335
          Due after 5 years through 10 years   5,332       5,515
          Due after 10 years                   5,124       5,506
       ---------------------------------------------------------
                                              16,840      17,547
       ---------------------------------------------------------
          Mortgage-backed securities           3,842       3,964
       ---------------------------------------------------------
             Total Maturity                  $20,682     $21,511
       ---------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

   The Company makes investments in collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs).
   CMOs typically have high credit quality, offer good liquidity, and provide a
   significant advantage in yield and total return compared to U.S. Treasury
   securities. The Company's investment strategy is to purchase CMO tranches
   which are protected against prepayment risk, including planned amortization
   class (PAC) tranches. Prepayment protected tranches are preferred because
   they provide stable cash flows in a variety of interest rate scenarios. The
   Company does invest in other types of CMO tranches if a careful assessment
   indicates a favorable risk/return tradeoff. The Company does not purchase
   residual interests in CMOs.

   At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company held CMOs classified as available
   for sale with a fair value of $2.1 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively.
   Approximately 72% and 88%, respectively, of the Company's CMO holdings are
   fully collateralized by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC securities at December 31, 1997
   and 1996. In addition, the Company held $1.9 billion and $1.9 billion of
   GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC mortgage-backed pass-through securities at December 31,
   1997 and 1996, respectively. Virtually all of these securities are rated AAA.




                                       F-25
<PAGE>   92
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

   Equity Securities
   The cost and fair values of investments in equity securities were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   EQUITY SECURITIES:
                                                   GROSS      GROSS
   ($ in millions)                              UNREALIZED  UNREALIZED     FAIR
                                         COST      GAINS      LOSSES       VALUE
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>    <C>         <C>            <C>
   DECEMBER 31, 1997
      Common stocks                      $179       $ 34       $ 11        $202
      Non-redeemable preferred stocks     301         13          4         310
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total Equity Securities         $480       $ 47       $ 15        $512
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

   DECEMBER 31, 1996
      Common stocks                      $212       $ 39       $ 30        $221
      Non-redeemable preferred stocks     118          2          3         117
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total Equity Securities         $330       $ 41       $ 33        $338
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

   Proceeds from sales of equity securities were $341 million, $487 million and
   $379 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Gross gains of $53
   million, $64 million and $27 million and gross losses of $62 million, $11
   million and $2 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, were realized on
   those sales.

   Mortgage Loans and Real Estate Held For Sale

   Underperforming assets include delinquent mortgage loans, loans in the
   process of foreclosure, foreclosed loans and loans modified at interest rates
   below market.

   At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company's mortgage loan and real estate
   held for sale portfolios consisted of the following ($ in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       ----------------------------------------------------------
                                               1997      1996
       ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>        <C>   
       Current Mortgage Loans                $2,866     $2,869
       Underperforming Mortgage Loans             3         51
       ----------------------------------------------------------
          Total                               2,869      2,920
       ----------------------------------------------------------

       Real Estate Held For Sale                134        297
       ----------------------------------------------------------
          Total                              $3,003     $3,217
       ----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



                                       F-26
<PAGE>   93
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

   Aggregate annual maturities on mortgage loans at December 31, 1997 are as
   follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       ------------------------------------------------
       YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
       ($ in millions)
       ------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>   
       Past Maturity                          $   54
       1998                                      243
       1999                                      252
       2000                                      321
       2001                                      393
       2002                                      121
       Thereafter                              1,485
       ------------------------------------------------
          Total                               $2,869
       ================================================
</TABLE>

   Joint Venture

   In October 1997, the Company and Tishman Speyer Properties (Tishman), a
   worldwide real estate owner, developer and manager, formed a joint real
   estate venture with an initial equity commitment of $792 million. The Company
   and certain of its affiliates committed $420 million in real estate equity
   and $100 million in cash while Tishman committed $272 million in properties
   and cash. Both companies are serving as asset managers for the venture and
   Tishman is primarily responsible for the venture's real estate acquisition
   and development efforts.

   Trading Securities

   Trading securities are held in a special purpose subsidiary, Tribeca
   Investments LLC.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       -----------------------------------------------------
       TRADING SECURITIES OWNED                      1997
<S>                                                  <C>
       Merger arbitrage                              $352
       Convertible bond arbitrage                     370
       Other                                           78
       -----------------------------------------------------
          Total                                      $800
       -----------------------------------------------------

       TRADING SECURITIES SOLD NOT YET PURCHASED

       Merger arbitrage                              $213
       Convertible bond arbitrage                     249
       -----------------------------------------------------
          Total                                      $462
       -----------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

   The Company's trading portfolio investments and related liabilities are
   normally held for periods less than six months. Therefore, expected future
   cash flows for these assets and liabilities are expected to be realized in
   less than one year.


                                       F-27
<PAGE>   94
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

   Concentrations

   At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company had no concentration of credit
   risk in a single investee exceeding 10% of consolidated shareholder's equity.

   The Company participates in a short-term investment pool maintained by an
   affiliate.  See Note 9.

   Included in fixed maturities are below investment grade assets totaling $1.4
   billion and $1.1 billion at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The
   Company defines its below investment grade assets as those securities rated
   "Ba1" or below by external rating agencies, or the equivalent by internal
   analysts when a public rating does not exist. Such assets include publicly
   traded below investment grade bonds and certain other privately issued bonds
   that are classified as below investment grade loans.

   The Company had concentrations of investments, primarily fixed maturities, in
   the following industries:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       -------------------------------------------------
       ($ in millions)                1997      1996
       -------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>      <C>   
       Banking                        $2,215   $1,959
       Finance                         1,556    1,823
       Electric Utilities              1,377    1,093
       Asset-Backed Credit Cards         778      688
       -------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

   Below investment grade assets included in the preceding table were not
   significant.

   At December 31, 1997 and 1996, concentrations of mortgage loans were for
   properties located in highly populated areas in the states listed below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       -------------------------------------------------
       ($ in millions)                 1997      1996
       -------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>       <C> 
       California                       $794     $643
       New York                          310      297
       -------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

   Other mortgage loan investments are relatively evenly dispersed throughout
   the United States, with no holdings in any state exceeding $284 million and
   $258 million at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

   Concentrations of mortgage loans by property type at December 31, 1997 and
   1996 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       -------------------------------------------------
       ($ in millions)                 1997     1996
       -------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>      <C>   
       Office                         $1,382   $1,208
       Agricultural                      771      693
       Apartment                         204      291
       Hotel                             201      217
       -------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                       F-28
<PAGE>   95
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

   The Company monitors creditworthiness of counterparties to all financial
   instruments by using controls that include credit approvals, limits and other
   monitoring procedures. Collateral for fixed maturities often includes pledges
   of assets, including stock and other assets, guarantees and letters of
   credit. The Company's underwriting standards with respect to new mortgage
   loans generally require loan to value ratios of 75% or less at the time of
   mortgage origination.

   Non-Income Producing Investments

   Investments included in the consolidated balance sheets that were non-income
   producing for the preceding 12 months were insignificant.

   Restructured Investments

   The Company had mortgage loans and debt securities that were restructured at
   below market terms totaling approximately $7 million and $18 million at
   December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The new terms typically defer a
   portion of contract interest payments to varying future periods. The accrual
   of interest is suspended on all restructured assets, and interest income is
   reported only as payment is received. Gross interest income on restructured
   assets that would have been recorded in accordance with the original terms of
   such loans amounted to $.9 million in 1997 and $5 million in 1996. Interest
   on these assets, included in net investment income, aggregated $.2 million
   and $2 million in 1997 and 1996, respectively.

14. DEPOSIT FUNDS AND RESERVES

   At December 31, 1997, the Company had $24.0 billion of life and annuity
   deposit funds and reserves. Of that total, $13.0 billion is not subject to
   discretionary withdrawal based on contract terms. The remaining $11.0 billion
   is for life and annuity products that are subject to discretionary withdrawal
   by the contractholder. Included in the amount that is subject to
   discretionary withdrawal is $2.0 billion of liabilities that are
   surrenderable with market value adjustments. Also included are an additional
   $5.2 billion of the life insurance and individual annuity liabilities which
   are subject to discretionary withdrawals, and have an average surrender
   charge of 4.8%. In the payout phase, these funds are credited at
   significantly reduced interest rates. The remaining $3.8 billion of
   liabilities are surrenderable without charge. More than 16.8% of these relate
   to individual life products. These risks would have to be underwritten again
   if transferred to another carrier, which is considered a significant
   deterrent against withdrawal by long-term policyholders. Insurance
   liabilities that are surrendered or withdrawn are reduced by outstanding
   policy loans and related accrued interest prior to payout.




                                       F-29
<PAGE>   96
                THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)


15. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   The following table reconciles net income to net cash provided by operating
   activities:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                       1997       1996      1995
($ in millions)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>       <C>       <C>  
Net Income From Continuing Operations                 $ 839     $ 633     $ 547
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to
   net cash provided by operating activities:
      Realized gains                                   (199)      (65)     (106)
      Deferred federal income taxes                      10        58        57
      Amortization of deferred policy
      acquisition costs and value of                    
      insurance in force                                293       281       290
      Additions to deferred policy                     
      acquisition costs                                (471)     (350)     (454)
      Investment income accrued                          14         2        (9)
      Premium balances receivable                         3        (6)       (8)
      Insurance reserves and accrued expenses           131        (1)      291
      Other                                             206       255        62
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Net cash provided by operating activities         826       807       670
      Net cash used in discontinued operations           --      (350)     (596)                                 
      Net cash provided by operations                 $ 826     $ 457     $  74
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


16. NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   Significant noncash investing and financing activities include: a) the
   conversion of $119 million of real estate held for sale to other invested
   assets as a joint venture in 1997; b) the 1995 transfer of assets with a fair
   market value of approximately $1.5 billion and statutory reserves and other
   liabilities of approximately $1.5 billion to MetLife (see Note 2); c) the
   1995 return of capital of Transport to TIGI (see Note 2); d) the acquisition
   of real estate through foreclosures of mortgage loans amounting to $10
   million, $117 million and $97 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively;
   e) the acceptance of purchase money mortgages for sales of real estate
   aggregating $4 million, $23 million and $27 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
   respectively.


                                       F-30
<PAGE>   97
 
                                  VINTAGE LIFE
                MODIFIED SINGLE PREMIUM VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE
 
   
                  INDIVIDUAL VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES
    
                                   ISSUED BY
             THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
 
   
L-12430                                                                May, 1998
    
<PAGE>   98


                           UNDERTAKING TO FILE REPORTS

Subject to the terms and conditions of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission such supplementary and periodic information,
documents and reports as may be prescribed by any rule or regulation of the
Commission heretofore or hereafter duly adopted pursuant to authority conferred
in that section.

                              RULE 484 UNDERTAKING

Section 33-770 of the Connecticut General Statutes regarding indemnification of
directors and officers of Connecticut corporations provides in general that
Connecticut corporations shall indemnify their officers, directors and certain
other defined individuals against judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in
settlement and reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with
proceedings against the corporation. The corporation's obligation to provide
such indemnification generally does not apply unless (1) the individual is
successful on the merits in the defense of any such proceeding; or (2) a
determination is made (by persons specified in the statute) that the individual
acted in good faith and in the best interests of the corporation; or (3) the
court, upon application by the individual, determines in view of all of the
circumstances that such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to be
indemnified, and then for such amount as the court shall determine. With respect
to proceedings brought by or in the right of the corporation, the statute
provides that the corporation shall indemnify its officers, directors and
certain other defined individuals, against reasonable expenses actually incurred
by them in connection with such proceedings, subject to certain limitations.

C.G.S. Section 33-770 provides an exclusive remedy; a Connecticut corporation
cannot indemnify a director or officer to an extent either greater or less than
that authorized by the statute, e.g., pursuant to its certificate of
incorporation, by-laws, or any separate contractual arrangement. However, the
statute does specifically authorize a corporation to procure indemnification
insurance to provide greater indemnification rights. The premiums for such
insurance may be shared with the insured individuals on an agreed basis.

Travelers Group Inc. also provides liability insurance for its directors and
officers and the directors and officers of its subsidiaries, including the
Depositor. This insurance provides for coverage against loss from claims made
against directors and officers in their capacity as such, including, subject to
certain exceptions, liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.

               UNDERTAKING TO REPRESENT REASONABLENESS OF CHARGES

The Company hereby represents that the aggregate charges under the Policy of the
Registrant described herein are reasonable in relation to the services rendered,
the expenses expected to be incurred, and the risks assumed by the Company.


<PAGE>   99


                       CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

This Registration Statement comprises the following papers and documents:

- -     The facing sheet.

- -     The Prospectus.

- -     The undertaking to file reports.

- -     The signatures.

Attachments:

          A.   Consent of Katherine M. Sullivan, General Counsel, to the filing
               of her opinion as an exhibit to this Registration Statement and
               to the reference to her opinion under the caption "Legal
               Proceedings and Opinion" in the Prospectus. (See Exhibit 11
               below).

          B.   Consent and Actuarial Opinion pertaining to the illustrations
               contained in the Prospectus.

          C.   Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., Independent Accountants.

          D.   Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, Independent Certified Public
               Accountants.


Exhibits:

      1.    Resolution of the Board of Directors of The Travelers Insurance
            Company authorizing the establishment of the Registrant.
            (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to Pre-Effective
            Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-6, filed
            August 21, 1995.)

      2.    Not applicable.

      3(a). Form of Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, The Travelers
            Insurance Company and Tower Square Securities, Inc. (Incorporated
            herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
            to the Registration Statement on Form S-6, filed August 21, 1995.)

      3(b). Specimen Form of Selling Agreement. (Incorporated herein by
            reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
            Registration Statement on Form S-6, File No. 33-63927, filed April
            22, 1996.)

      3(c). Agents Agreement, including schedule of sales commissions.
            (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to Post-Effective
            Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-6, filed
            April 25, 1997.)

      4.    None

      5.    Variable Life Insurance Policy. (Incorporated herein by reference to
            Exhibit 5 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
            Statement on Form S-6, filed August 21, 1995.)
<PAGE>   100
      6(a). Charter of The Travelers Insurance Company, as amended on October
            19, 1994. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a)(i) to
            the Registration Statement on Form S-2, File No. 33-58677 filed via
            Edgar on April 18, 1995.)

      6(b). By-Laws of The Travelers Insurance Company, as amended on October
            20, 1994. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(b)(i) to
            the Registration Statement on Form S-2, File No. 33-58677 filed via
            Edgar on April 18, 1995.)

      7.    None
      8.    None
      9.    None

      10.   Application for Variable Life Insurance Policy.

      11.   Opinion of Counsel, regarding the legality of securities being
            registered.

      12.   Powers of Attorney authorizing Ernest J. Wright or Kathleen A. McGah
            as signatory for Michael A. Carpenter, Jay S. Benet, George C.
            Kokulis, Ian R. Stuart, Katherine M. Sullivan, Robert I. Lipp and
            Marc P. Weill. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12 to
            Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form
            S-6, filed April 25, 1998.)

      13.   Memorandum concerning transfer and redemption procedures, as
            required by Rule 6e-3(T)(b)(12)(ii). (Incorporated herein by
            reference to Exhibit 13 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
            Registration Statement on Form S-6, filed August 21, 1995.)




<PAGE>   101


                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant, The
Travelers Variable Life Insurance Separate Account Three, certifies that it
meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this post-effective amendment
to this registration statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act
of 1933 and has duly caused this post-effective amendment to this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Hartford, State of Connecticut, on the 24th day of
April, 1998.


          THE TRAVELERS VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE SEPARATE ACCOUNT THREE
                                  (Registrant)

                         THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY
                                   (Depositor)


<TABLE>
                                  <S>  <C>    
                                   By: *IAN R. STUART
                                       ------------------------------------------
                                       Ian R. Stuart
                                       Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
                                       Chief Accounting Officer and Controller
                                       The Travelers Insurance Company
</TABLE>


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this post-effective
amendment to this registration statement has been signed by the following
persons in the capacities indicated on April 24th, 1998.


<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
*MICHAEL A. CARPENTER                           Director, Chairman of the Board,
- ------------------------------                  President and Chief Executive Officer
(Michael A. Carpenter)                                                

*JAY S. BENET                                   Director
- ------------------------------  
(Jay S. Benet)

*GEORGE C. KOKULIS                              Director
- ------------------------------  
(George C. Kokulis)

ROBERT I. LIPP                                  Director
- ------------------------------  
(Robert I. Lipp)

*IAN R. STUART                                  Director, Senior Vice President,
- ------------------------------                  Chief Financial Chief Accounting Officer
(Ian R. Stuart)                                 and Controller 


*KATHERINE M. SULLIVAN                          Director, Senior Vice President and
- ------------------------------                  General Counsel
(Katherine M. Sullivan)                                               


*MARC P. WEILL                                  Director
- ------------------------------  
(Marc P. Weill)
</TABLE>


*By:     Ernest J. Wright, Attorney-in-Fact



<PAGE>   102


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Attachment
     or
Exhibit  No.      Description                                                               Method of Filing
- ------------      -----------                                                               ----------------

Attachments:

<S>               <C>                                                                      <C>    
      A.          Consent of Katherine M. Sullivan, General Counsel,                        Electronically
                  to the filing of her opinion as an exhibit to this
                  Registration Statement and to the reference to her
                  opinion under the caption "Legal Proceedings and
                  Opinion" in the Prospectus. (See Exhibit 11 below)

      B.          Consent and Actuarial Opinion pertaining to the                           Electronically
                  illustrations contained in the Prospectus.

      C.          Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., Independent                          Electronically
                  Accountants.

      D.          Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, Independent                             Electronically
                  Certified Public Accountants.


Exhibits:

      1.          Resolution of the Board of Directors of The Travelers
                  Insurance Company authorizing the establishment of the
                  Registrant.  (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1
                  to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
                  Statement on Form S-6, filed August 21, 1995.)

      3(a).       Form of Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, The
                  Travelers Insurance Company and Tower Square Securities, Inc.
                  (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to
                  Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
                  Form S-6, filed August 21, 1995.)

      3(b).       Specimen Form of Selling Agreement.  (Incorporated
                  herein by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Post-Effective
                  Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
                  Form S-6, File No. 33-63927, filed April 22, 1996.)

      3(c).       Agents Agreement, including schedule of sales commissions.
                  (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to Post-
                  Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
                  Form S-6, filed April 25, 1997.)

      5.          Variable Life Insurance Policy.  (Incorporated herein by
                  reference to Exhibit 5 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
                  to the Registration Statement on Form S-6, filed August 21, 1995.)

      6(a).       Charter of The Travelers Insurance Company, as amended on
                  October 19, 1994. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                  3(a)(i) to the Registration Statement on Form S-2, File No.
                  33-58677, filed via Edgar on April 18, 1995.)
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   103


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit  No.      Description                                                                        Method of Filing
- ------------      -----------                                                                        ----------------

<S>               <C>                                                                               <C>
       6(b).      By-Laws of The Travelers Insurance Company, as amended on
                  October 20, 1994. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                  3(b)(i) to the Registration Statement on Form S-2, File No.
                  33-58677, filed via Edgar on April 18, 1995.)

      10.         Application for Variable Life Insurance Policy.                                    Electronically

      11.         Opinion of Counsel regarding the legality of                                       Electronically
                  the securities being registered.

      12.         Powers of Attorney authorizing Ernest J. Wright or Kathleen A.
                  McGah as signatory for Michael A. Carpenter, Jay S. Benet,
                  George C. Kokulis, Ian R. Stuart, Katherine M. Sullivan,
                  Robert I. Lipp and Marc P. Weill. (Incorporated herein by
                  reference to Exhibit 12 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
                  the Registration Statement on Form S-6, filed April 25, 1997.)

      13.         Memorandum concerning transfer and redemption procedures, as
                  required by Rule 6e-3(T)(b)(12)(ii). (Incorporated herein by
                  reference to Exhibit 13 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
                  the Registration Statement on Form S-6, filed August 21,
                  1995.)
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   1
                                                                  April 20, 1998



                                ACTUARIAL OPINION


            The illustrations included in the prospectus have been based on
assumptions and charges which are consistent with the provisions of the Vintage
Life contract. The rate structure of the contract has not been designed to make
the relationship between premiums and benefits, as shown in the illustrations,
appear more favorable for contract owners at the ages illustrated than for
contract owners at other ages.



/s/Mahir Dugentas, A.S.A., M.A.A.A.
Director of Life Pricing



<PAGE>   1
                                  ATTAHCMENT C


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the inclusion in this post-effective amendment No. 3 to
the registration statement of The Travelers Variable Life Insurance Separate
Account Three (the "Account") on Form S-6 (File Nos. 33-88576; 811-8950) of our
report dated February 19, 1998, on our audit of the financial statements of the
Account for the year ended December 31, 1997 which is included in this
post-effective amendment to the registration statement. We also consent to the
reference to our Firm as experts in the registration statement.



COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


Hartford, Connecticut
April 24, 1998




<PAGE>   1





                                                                    ATTACHMENT D



               Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants




The Board of Directors
The Travelers Insurance Company


We consent to the use of our report included herein and to the reference to our
firm as experts under the heading "Independent Accountants".


                                                   KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Hartford, Connecticut
April 24, 1998




<PAGE>   1
PART ONE
LIFE INSURANCE APPLICATION                                     [TRAVELERS LOGO]

                              GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

- -  Please PRINT legibly with black ink.

- -  Answer all appropriate questions fully.

- -  Please note instructions for each section provided in italicized print.

- -  Please complete any necessary supplemental forms.

- -  For spouse rider, submit a separate fully completed Part 1 application.

- -  The Fair Credit Reporting Act/Medical Information Bureau notice and the
   Description of Information Practices must be detached and given to the
   Proposed Insured.

- -  If additional space is needed for special instructions, please attach a
   separate page.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNDERWRITING REQUIREMENTS ORDERED:
<S>                                        <C>                               <C>                             <C>
[ ] Blood Profile                          [ ] Paramed Exam*                 [ ] ECG                         [ ] Inspection Report
[ ] Urine Specimen                         [ ] M.D. Exam                     [ ] Treadmill ECG               [ ] APS
</TABLE>

*Be sure to inform the Paramed vendor of the application state for this sale so
they will use the correct Part Two form.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ATTACHED FORMS ARE REQUIRED TO PROCESS THIS CASE:
(Use correct variation of forms for the state in which the application was signed.)
<S>                                         <C>                              <C>
[ ] HIV Consent Form                        [ ] Juvenile Supplement            [ ] Family Insurance Supplement
[ ] State-Required Replacement Form         [ ] State-Required Supplement      [ ] VUL Supplement
[ ] Life Financial Supplement               [ ] Signed Illustration            [ ] Other
                                                                                        --------------------------------------
CONTACT PERSON:        Name
                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Phone (  )                                            Fax (   )
                            ------------------------------------------------      ---------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGENT(S) INFORMATION:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             NAME                 AREA CODE &              SOCIAL SECURITY #      OR      PRODUCER CODE      COMMISSION
                                  TELEPHONE NO.                                          (IF APPLICABLE)        SPLIT*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>                  <C>                                 <C>                           <C>
                                                             -       -
- --------------------------     -----------------    -- -- --   -- --   -- -- -- --      -- -- -- -- -- --              %
                                                             -       -
- --------------------------     -----------------    -- -- --   -- --   -- -- -- --      -- -- -- -- -- --              %
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                                        *only if multiple agents

GENERAL AGENCY'S BRANCH/PRODUCER CODE (IF APPLICABLE):          /
                                                       - - - - - - - - - - - - 
     OR  BANK OR BROKER/DEALER NAME:
                                    -------------------------------------------

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

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

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

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


[ ] Comments continued on attached separate page

                        THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY
                     THE TRAVELERS LIFE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
                 ONE TOWER SQUARE, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06183
<PAGE>   2
<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>                                     <C>
AGENT - INDICATE COMPANY:  [ ] THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY     [ ] THE TRAVELERS LIFE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
</TABLE>

PART ONE
LIFE INSURANCE APPLICATION                                     [TRAVELERS LOGO]

                     GENERAL INFORMATION - PROPOSED INSURED

  Complete for all policies (please print). Use black ink. Questions must be
                       answered by the Proposed Insured.
     If the Proposed Insured is under age 16, complete Juvenile Supplement.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                     <C>                            <C>                              <C>
1. Full Name (print as to appear in policy)
                                           --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        First                          Middle                           Last

2. Social Security No.              Date of Birth               Birthplace
                      -------------              --------------            ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              State                  Country (if other than U.S.)

   Sex:   [ ] M    [ ] F     Marital Status:   [ ] S    [ ] M    [ ] D    [ ] W       Current Citizen of
                                                                                                        -------------------------
                                                                                                                  Country

3. Residence Address                                                                                    Apt. No.
                    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------          ----------------
                                                           Street and number

   City                                        State            Zip              Phone Number    (    )
       ----------------------------------------      ----------     -------------             -----------------------------------

4. If Proposed Insured has resided at address less than one year, show prior address:

   Street and Number                                                                                    Apt. No.
                    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------          ----------------

   City                                                                              State              Zip
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------------     -------------     ---------------------

5. Employer (Name of Firm)
                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Business Address                                                                                     Suite No.
                    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------           ---------------
                                                           Street and number

   City                                        State            Zip              Phone Number    (    )
       ----------------------------------------      ----------     -------------             -----------------------------------

   Check Calling Preference:   [ ] Home         [ ] Business            Best Time To Call
                                                                                         ----------------------------------------

7. Occupation (Position or Title)                      Annual Salary $                   Other Income $
                                 ---------------------                 ------------------               -------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
8. State all life insurance now in effect on Proposed Insured. If "None", so state.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company/Year of Issue           Face Amount       Amount of ADB          Personal (P) or
                                                                         Business (B) Coverage?
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>               <C>                    <C>

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

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

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

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Will any life insurance, including annuities, in this or any other company be
replaced, discontinued, reduced or changed if insurance now applied for is
issued? (If "YES" provide details below, continue in "ADDITIONAL INFORMATION"
Section) .....[ ] YES   [ ] N0

Insured
       -----------------------------------------------
Company
       -----------------------------------------------

Policy Number
             -----------------------------------------

Amount $
        ----------------------------------------------

                        THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY
                    THE TRAVELERS LIFE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
                 ONE TOWER SQUARE, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06183
<PAGE>   3
                               POLICY INFORMATION

  Also complete the LIFE FINANCIAL SUPPLEMENT for face amounts of $1,000,000
    and over, the FAMILY INSURANCE SUPPLEMENT for child coverage, and the
             VARIABLE LIFE SUPPLEMENT for variable life policies.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COVERAGE INFORMATION:
<S>  <C>                                                 <C>                   
9.   Life Insurance Product                              Stated Amount $
                            -----------------------------                --------------------------------------------------------

     Duration/Term Period                                Death Benefit (UL Only):    [ ] Level    [ ] Increasing
                         --------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
10.  Supplemental Benefits/Riders (WHERE APPLICABLE AND IF AVAILABLE):
     <S>                                              <C>
     TERM-ONLY RIDERS:                                UL- AND VUL-ONLY RIDERS:
         [ ] Annual Benefit Increase                     [ ] Annual Renewable Term $
                                                                                    ----------------
         [ ] Extension of Premium/Rate Guarantee         [ ] COLA
         [ ] Premium Waiver                              [ ] Estate Protector
                                                         [ ] Insured Term $                 ; Reallocate on       Anniversary
                                                                           -----------------               -------
     TERM, UL AND VUL RIDERS:                            [ ] Monthly Deduction Waiver
         [ ] Accelerated Benefits                        [ ] Policy Split Option                [ ] Plus Option
         [ ] Accidental Death                            [ ] Scheduled Increase Option        %
         [ ] Child Term        units                                                  --------
                       -------                           [ ] Specified Amount Payment/Waiver $
                                                                                              -----------------
         [ ]                                             [ ] Spousal Term (complete a separate Part 1 on spouse) $
            ----------------------------------------                                                              --------------

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                 <C>                 <C>
11.  A) Premium Payment Plan (check one box):       [ ] Annual            [ ] Semi-Annual
        [ ] Monthly Pre-Authorized Collection/Payor Soc. Sec. No.                                   [ ] Single          [ ] Other
                                                                  ---------------------------------

     B) Check Billing Preference:                 [ ] Home             [ ] Business       [ ] Other
        If "Other", list Premium Payor and Billing Address:
                                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
12.  A) Quoted Modal Premium $                          B) Classic UL only: Selected Premium $
                               ------------------------                                        ----------------------------------

13. Will this application increase an existing policy?     [ ] YES    [ ] NO      If "YES", Policy #
                                                                                                    -----------------------------
    Current Stated Face Amount $                                      New Stated Face Amount $
                                ------------------------------------                           ----------------------------------
    Current Modal Premium $                                           New Modal Premium $
                           -----------------------------------------                      ---------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                  POLICY OWNER

             Applicant is the owner of any contract issued on this
            application unless otherwise noted below.  FOR MULTIPLE
           OWNERSHIP: Upon owner's death, indicate whether ownership
                               interests pass to:

<TABLE>
                  <S>                                               <C>
                  [ ] Surviving Owner(s) (Joint Tenants) or          [ ] Deceased Owner's Estate (Tenants in Common)
</TABLE>

14. Policy Owner's Full Name and Social Security or Tax ID Number
                                                                 --------------

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

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

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

If succeeding ownership is desired, indicate name, address and relationship to
Insured in "ADDITIONAL INFORMATION" section on following page. Succeeding owner
will become owner upon original owner's death.

                                  BENEFICIARY

     Payment due to two or more beneficiaries or to the survivor(s) of them
       will be in equal shares, unless otherwise requested.  The right to
                       change a beneficiary is reserved.

15. Beneficiary Name (specify full name(s) and relationships)

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

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

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

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




<PAGE>   4
                                CONSUMER NOTICE

We may provide information about you or your policy or account, including
information from this application, for marketing and administrative purposes
and share such information with our corporate affiliates. You agree that any
such information may be used by us or an affiliate to determine whether you
qualify for or to offer other Travelers Group financial services.

            [ ] If checked, you have indicated that you do not wish to have any
such information shared with our affiliate(s).

                            TOBACCO USE DECLARATION

16. My use of tobacco products, including (but not limited to) cigarettes,
    cigars, pipes or any smoking materials, snuff, or chewing tobacco is as 
    indicated below:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>            <C>
    [ ] I have NEVER used tobacco products of any form.

    [ ] I have not used tobacco products of any form in the past        months/        years.
                                                                 -------       -------
    [ ] I currently use tobacco.
</TABLE>

                            GENERAL RISK INFORMATION

                   Please give details to all "YES"answers in
                   the Additional Information section below.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HAS THE PROPOSED INSURED:
<S>  <C>                                                                                                        <C>    <C>
                                                                                                                YES     NO
17.  Been postponed, rated or declined for Life, Health, Accident or Sickness Insurance in the
     past 5 years?..........................................................................................    [ ]    [ ]
     (If "YES", state reason(s) and date(s) of such action.)

18.  Flown within 5 years as a pilot, student pilot or crew member of any aircraft or
     as a passenger on other than a scheduled airline, or expect to make such a flight?
     (If "YES", complete the AVIATION SUPPLEMENT.)..........................................................    [ ]    [ ]

19.  Engaged in automobile or motorcycle racing, sports parachuting, skydiving, hang gliding, skin or
     scuba diving or any other hazardous sport? (If "YES", complete the AVOCATION SUPPLEMENT.)..............    [ ]    [ ]

20.  A) In the past 5 years, been arrested for or convicted of driving while intoxicated or driving
     under the influence? (If "YES", list driver's license number and details.).............................    [ ]    [ ]

     B) In the past 5 years, been arrested for or convicted of any other motor vehicle violation?...........    [ ]    [ ]
     (If "YES", list driver's license number and details.)

21.  Do you intend to reside or travel out of the United States or Canada?..................................    [ ]    [ ]
     (If "YES", complete the FOREIGN TRAVEL OR RESIDENCE SUPPLEMENT.)
</TABLE>

                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   5
                                MEDICAL HISTORY

1.  Print Proposed Insured's name in full:
                                          -------------------------------------
2.  Name and address of personal physician:
                                          -------------------------------------

3.  Date and reason last consulted:
                                   --------------------------------------------

4.  What was the diagnosis and treatment:
                                          -------------------------------------

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS UNLESS PART TWO (MEDICAL EXAM) IS REQUIRED. For all "YES"
responses, provide in the "DETAILS" section the question number, names and
addresses of doctors, and when and why consulted. Include diagnoses, dates,
duration of illness or injury, and if recovery was full and complete. Complete
MEDICAL SUPPLEMENT if Proposed Insured has or has had a history of high blood
pressure, chest pain, diabetes, seizure, asthma or drug or alcohol abuse.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                    <C>
5.  Has the Proposed Insured ever had any indication of,
    been treated or received medical consultation for: (circle all that apply)........................[ ]  YES     [ ]  NO

    Chest Pain                    Elevated Cholesterol              Positive Test for Infection by the AIDS (HIV) virus
    Heart Murmur                  Diabetes                          AIDS/ARC
    Heart Attack                  Emphysema                         Arthritis
    High Blood Pressure           Pneumonia                         Sexually Transmitted Disease
    Stroke                        Tuberculosis                      Depression
    Paralysis                     Asthma                            Anxiety
    Seizure                       Tumor                             Emotional Disorder
    Deformity/Lameness            Cancer                            Alcohol/Drug Abuse

6.  Has the Proposed Insured ever had any disorder of: (circle all that apply)........................[ ]  YES     [ ]  NO

    Skin                          Ears                              Kidney
    Neck                          Thyroid                           Genitourinary System
    Back                          Heart                             Immune System
    Spine                         Lungs                             Nervous System
    Bones                         Breasts                           Blood
    Joints                        Gastrointestinal System           Lymph Nodes
    Eyes                          Liver                             Blood Vessels

7.  Other than above, within the past 5 years, has Proposed Insured had any illness, injury, surgery,
    physical exam, consultation, EKG, X-Ray, or other medical test, or been a patient in a hospital
    or other medical facility?........................................................................[ ]  YES     [ ]  NO

8.  Has the Proposed Insured ever used cocaine, marijuana, heroin or any other illicit drug or been
    advised to restrict the use of alcohol or any other drug?.........................................[ ]  YES     [ ]  NO

9.  Does the Proposed Insured consume alcoholic beverages? (If "YES", list type,
    amount and frequency of use.).....................................................................[ ]  YES     [ ]  NO

10. Height:         ft.         in.    Weight :        lbs;  weight loss in past 12 mos.        lbs.
            -------     -------                -------                                   -------

11. Has a parent, brother or sister ever had heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, high blood
    pressure or kidney disease?........................................................................[ ]  YES     [ ]  NO
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.      FAMILY HISTORY              Age        Condition of Health      Age       Cause of Death
                                 (if living)                          (at death)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>            <C>                    <C>          <C>
Father
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mother
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brothers and Sisters
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   6
              DETAILS OF "YES" ANSWERS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

                             AUTHORIZATION SECTION

AUTHORIZATION FOR THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION: THE PROPOSED INSURED(S)
authorizes The Travelers, its affiliates, its Reinsurers, insurance support
organizations, and their representatives to obtain medical and other
information in order to evaluate this application for insurance. The Proposed
Insured authorizes any physician, medical facility, insurance company, the
Medical Information Bureau, Inc., employer, consumer reporting agency, or other
organization, institution, or person having information available as to
employment, other insurance coverage, medical care, treatment, supplies or
advice with respect to the Proposed Insured or his/her spouse and children to
furnish such information to The Travelers, its affiliates, its Reinsurers or
their authorized representatives.

This authorization will be valid from the date signed for a period of 2-1/2
years. A photographic copy of this authorization is as valid as the original.
Information given in this application, including health care information, may
be made available without prior authorization to other insurance companies to
which an application for life or health insurance coverage is made, or to which
a claim is submitted.

The Proposed Insured(s) and Applicant, if different, have read this
authorization and understand they have a right to receive a copy.

The Proposed Insured(s) acknowledge receipt of the following notices: "Your
Privacy and the Fair Credit Reporting Act," "Medical Information Bureau
Disclosure Notice", and "Description of Information Practices".

DECLARATION: APPLICANT declares to the best of his/her knowledge and belief
that all of the statements and answers in Part One  and Part Two, if required,
are complete and true. APPLICANT UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT: (A) PART ONE AND
PART TWO, IF REQUIRED, AND ANY SUPPLEMENTS WILL FORM THE BASIS FOR ANY
INSURANCE ISSUED; (B) EXCEPT AS STATED IN THE ATTACHED TEMPORARY INSURANCE
AGREEMENT, NO INSURANCE WILL TAKE EFFECT UNTIL: (1) THE CONTRACT IS DELIVERED
TO THE APPLICANT; AND (2) THE FIRST PREMIUM IS PAID IN FULL WHILE THE HEALTH
AND OTHER CONDITIONS RELATING TO INSURABILITY REMAIN AS DESCRIBED IN THIS
APPLICATION; AND (C) NO AGENT IS AUTHORIZED: (1) TO MAKE, ALTER, OR DISCHARGE
ANY CONTRACT; (2) TO WAIVE OR CHANGE ANY CONDITION OR PROVISION OF ANY
CONTRACT, APPLICATION, OR RECEIPT AND (3) TO ACCEPT ANY RISK OR TO PASS ON
INSURABILITY. THE PROPOSED INSURED WILL BE THE APPLICANT OF ANY CONTRACT ISSUED
ON THIS APPLICATION UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED BELOW. THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY IS
PROTECTED AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

NOTICE OF INSURANCE FRAUD: Any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud
any insurance company or other person files an application for insurance or
statement of claim containing any materially false information or conceals for
the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto
commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a crime and subjects such person
to criminal and civil penalties. By signing below, I acknowledge that I have
read the above information.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>            <C>         <C> <C>    <C>
Proposed Insured's Name
                       ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed Insured's Signature  X
                            -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applicant's Signature (if other than Proposed Insured)
                                                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date       /    /                 Application taken at
- ---------------------------------                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    City                                  State

Witness' Signature                                                                 Date        /   /
                   ---------------------------------------------------------------      -----------------------------------------

Agent's Name
            -------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Note: If not personally witnessed by the agent, each
signature must be witnessed by someone present at the
time the application was signed.
<PAGE>   7
                             AGENT'S CERTIFICATE

          To help avoid processing delays, answers to the following
              questions MUST be furnished with the application.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                               <C>         <C>
1.    Are you properly "authorized" to write business for The Travelers Insurance Company or The Travelers Life
      and Annuity Company in the state where the application was taken? ("Authorized" means that you possess
      a current insurance license, with authority to solicit insurance products appropriate to this application;
      and that The Travelers has authorized you to represent The Travelers.)..................................... [ ] YES     [ ] NO

2.    Did anyone assist you in taking or securing the application?............................................... [ ] YES     [ ] NO
      If "YES", who?
                    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.    Who initiated this application?
                                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.    Did you personally ask the questions and have the application signed in your presence? .................... [ ] YES     [ ] NO

5.    How long have you known the Proposed Insured?
                                                   ----------------------------------------------------------
6.    Has the Proposed Insured applied for insurance elsewhere in the past 6 months?
        (Give details in #14) ................................................................................... [ ] YES     [ ] NO

7.    a. Will this replace any existing annuity or life insurance?............................................... [ ] YES     [ ] NO

      b. If "YES", have you given the applicant the appropriate forms regarding replacement?..................... [ ] YES     [ ] NO

      c. If "YES", have you completed and attached to the application all
         applicable state replacement forms?..................................................................... [ ] YES     [ ] NO

      d. Is this an INTERNAL or EXTERNAL replacement? (Circle one)                                                                  

8.    Is this a 1035 exchange? (If "YES", provide original policy and appropriate forms.)........................ [ ] YES     [ ] NO

9.    Is the Proposed Insured applying for Long Term Care with The Travelers? ................................... [ ] YES     [ ] NO

10.   a. Purpose of Insurance:
         [ ] Personal (check primary reason):
             [ ] Income Protection                 [ ] Supplemental Savings
             [ ] Estate Liquidity                  [ ] Other
         [ ] Business:                                      -----------------------------------------
             [ ] Buy/Sell                     [ ] Key Person                             [ ] Deferred Compensation
             [ ] Executive Bonus              [ ] Mortgage/Loan Coverage                 [ ] Other
                                                                                                  ---------------------------------

      b. If "Buy/Sell", is there like coverage in force or applied for on partner(s)?............................ [ ] YES     [ ] NO

      c. If there is a Buy/Sell Agreement in place, does the owner and beneficiary of this application
         line up with that of the Buy/Sell Agreement?............................................ [ ] N/A         [ ] YES     [ ] NO

11.   If available, is preferred rate being applied for?......................................................... [ ] YES     [ ] NO

12.   If preferred rate is not available, is standard rate acceptable?........................................... [ ] YES     [ ] NO

13.   If salary allotment or special plan, give: Mass Marketing Case/Company Name:
                                                                                   ----------------------------------------------

      Case/Plan Number:                                              Accounting Location Number:
                       ---------------------------------------------                            --------------------------------

14.   Additional Remarks:
                         --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

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

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



</TABLE>
<PAGE>   8
                              AGENT REPRESENTATION

By signing below, I confirm that the agent representations set forth in the
Travelers Life Insurance Application to which this AGENT REPRESENTATION is 
attached are true and accurate. Without limiting the foregoing, I expressly
verify the accuracy of all the information contained in the "AGENT'S
CERTIFICATE" section of this Travelers Life Insurance Application.

I further represent that the Proposed Insured(s) (and the Applicant, if
different), has signed the portions of the application where required, and, to
the best of my knowledge, has read and understands this application.


<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
[ ]  I did
         personally witness the signatures     Date
[ ]  I did not                                     ------------------------------------

Note: If not personally witnessed by           --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the agent, each signature must be              Licensed Agent
witnessed by someone present at the
time the application was signed.              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Licensed Agent #2 (if applicable)
</TABLE>


                                    NOTES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


<PAGE>   9
                           PRE-AUTHORIZED COLLECTION

    PLEASE ATTACH A VOIDED CHECK AND FIRST TWO MONTH'S PREMIUM. (We will NOT
  accept a deposit ticket in place of a voided check.) Make sure your address
              and the bank address appear correctly on the check.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>             <C>  <C>
Name:                                                       Phone Number:   (    )
     ------------------------------------------------------              ---------------------------------------------------

Policy Number(s):
                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

I hereby authorize you, the bank, to charge my account in order to cover
monthly premium payments for my policy(ies) with The Travelers Insurance
Company or The Travelers Life and Annuity Company. I understand and agree that
the bank will not be liable for any payment that may not be honored,
intentionally or inadvertently, even if such dishonor results in forfeiture of
insurance.

This authority is to remain in effect until my further written notice. My
signature below is exactly as I sign my personal checks.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
                                                                            --------------------------------------------
Bank Name:                                                                  Please select date of monthly withdrawal
           ------------------------------------------------------------     (any date from 1 to 28):
                                                                                                    -----------------
                                                                            --------------------------------------------
Bank Address:
             ----------------------------------------------------------

Checking Account Number:
                        -----------------------------------------------

SIGNATURE OF DEPOSITOR:                                                      DATE SIGNED:
                       ------------------------------------------------                  ---------------------------------------
</TABLE>




                TEMPORARY INSURANCE AGREEMENT - ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

IMPORTANT: THE TEMPORARY INSURANCE AGREEMENT ATTACHED BELOW PROVIDES A LIMITED
AMOUNT OF INSURANCE PROTECTION FOR A LIMITED PERIOD OF TIME, SUBJECT TO THE
TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT.

The Health Questions must be completed for the Proposed Insured(s) to be
eligible for Life Insurance protection under the terms of the Agreement.

                TEMPORARY INSURANCE AGREEMENT - HEALTH QUESTIONS

IF EITHER OF THE QUESTIONS BELOW IS ANSWERED "YES" OR LEFT BLANK, no agent is
authorized to accept money and no insurance coverage will take effect under
this Agreement. No agent is authorized to accept money on a Proposed Insured
over age 65 (age last birthday) as of the date of this Agreement, nor will any
coverage take effect.

Has any person to be insured:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                            <C>         <C>
1. Within the past 90 days, been admitted or advised to be admitted to a hospital or other
   medical facility, or had surgery performed or recommended?................................................. [ ] YES     [ ] NO

2. Within the past 2 years, been treated for heart trouble, chest pain, stroke, cancer or AIDS, or had such
   treatment recommended by a physician or other medical practitioner?........................................ [ ] YES     [ ] NO
</TABLE>

I (We) hereby acknowledge possession of the Temporary Insurance Agreement
bearing the same date and serial number as my (our) application. I (We) certify
that I (We) have read the Temporary Insurance Agreement, and understand and
acknowledge the terms of such Agreement. I (We) declare that the answers to the
Health Questions are true to the best of my (our) knowledge and belief.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>          <C>                                                           <C>
An Advance Payment in the amount of  $                                       has been made in connection with the application.
                                       -------------------------------------

Signed at                                          this                      day of                            ,               .
         ----------------------------------------       --------------------        --------------------------   --------------
             City             State                                                           Month                    Year

                                                                X
- -----------------------------------------------------           ---------------------------------------------------------------
Applicant (if other than Proposed Insured)                      Signature of Proposed Insured (parent/guardian if a minor)

                                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Signature of Additional Proposed Insured
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   10

TO: The Bank named on the reverse side:

In consideration of your compliance with the request and authorization of the
depositor named on the reverse side, The Travelers Insurance Company or The
Travelers Life and Annuity Company agrees that:

1. It will indemnify and hold you harmless from all liability or loss you may
   suffer arising out of payment by you pursuant to said authorization of any
   debit entry, whether or not genuine, purporting to be initiated by The
   Travelers Insurance Company or The Travelers Life and Annuity Company on the
   account of any of your depositors, or arising out of the dishonor by you
   whether with or without cause, intentionally or inadvertently, or any such
   debit entry purporting to be initiated by The Travelers Insurance Company or
   The Travelers Life and Annuity Company.

2. It will refund to you any amount erroneously paid by you on any such debit
   entry if claim for the amount of such erroneous payment is made by you
   within 3 months from the date of the debit entry on which such erroneous
   payment was made.

3. It will defend at its own cost and expense any action which might be brought
   by any depositor or any other person(s) of your actions taken pursuant to
   the foregoing request or in any manner arising by reason of your
   participation in the foregoing plan.

THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY
THE TRAVELERS LIFE AND ANNUITY COMPANY                   /s/ A. MICHAEL MATAUA

Authorized in resolutions adopted by the Investment Committee of The Travelers
Insurance Company and The Travelers Life and Annuity Company.
<PAGE>   11
                         TEMPORARY INSURANCE AGREEMENT

IMPORTANT: THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES A LIMITED AMOUNT OF INSURANCE PROTECTION FOR
A LIMITED PERIOD OF TIME, SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT. No agent is
authorized to change or waive any of the terms of this Agreement. All premium
checks must be made payable to The Travelers. Do not make checks payable to the
agent or leave the payee blank.  The payment received must be at least equal to
one modal premium or 10% of the annual premium.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                 <C>
Received from                            a premium of $                             in connection with this application for
              --------------------------               ----------------------------
life insurance, which bears the same date and serial number as this receipt, in which
                                                                                      --------------------------------------
is named as the Proposed Insured(s).
</TABLE>

                              TERMS AND CONDITIONS

AMOUNT OF COVERAGE: Subject to the limitations contained in this Agreement, if
money has been accepted by The Travelers as advance payment for the above
referenced Application for Life Insurance, and a Proposed Insured dies while
this temporary insurance is in effect, The Travelers will pay to the
beneficiary named in such application the lesser of: (a) the amount of all
death benefits, if applicable, or (b) $500,000. In no event shall the total
benefit payable under this Agreement and under any other Temporary Insurance
Agreement with The Travelers or its subsidiaries exceed $500,000 with respect
to ALL Proposed Insured(s).

DATE COVERAGE BEGINS: Temporary life insurance under this Agreement will begin
on the date that all of the following requirements have been met:

1. The date this Agreement has been completed; and

2. Part One and Part Two, if required, of the application for insurance has
   been fully completed; and

3. All medical examinations or tests are completed if required by the Company's
   underwriting rules for the Proposed Insured(s) age, plan or amount of
   insurance; and

4. The initial premium has been paid and received by The Travelers' New
   Business processing center.

DATE COVERAGE ENDS: Temporary life insurance under this Agreement will end on
the earliest of the following dates:

1. 60 days from the date of this Agreement; or

2. The date insurance begins under the policy applied for; or

3. The date a policy, other than applied for, is offered to the applicant; or

4. The date the Company mails notice to the applicant that the application is
   declined, or the applicant is otherwise informed by a representative of the
   Company that the application is declined; or

5. The date the applicant requests withdrawal of the application.

CREDIT OR REFUND OF PREMIUM: Any payment submitted to and accepted by The
Travelers will be:

1. Credited toward the first premium as of the policy date if a policy is
   issued as applied for;

2. Credited toward the first premium as of the policy date if a policy is
   issued other than as applied for and is accepted by the applicant;

3. Refunded if The Travelers declines to issue a policy or the applicant
   declines to accept a policy as issued or issued other than as applied for;
   or

4. Refunded by The Travelers at the request of the applicant.

               DETACH THIS PAGE AND LEAVE WITH APPLICANT ONLY IF
                    PAYMENT IS MADE WHEN THE APPLICATION IS
                  DATED AND SIGNED AND PROPOSED INSURED(S) HAS
               SIGNED THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE.
<PAGE>   12
                              SPECIAL LIMITATIONS

1. In the case of the death of a Proposed Insured by suicide, while this
   agreement is in effect, The Travelers' liability shall be limited to the
   return of the total premium paid under the application.

2. In no event will a death benefit be paid under both the Agreement and the
   policy applied for in the application.

3. Fraud or misrepresentations in the application or in the Health Questions of
   this Agreement invalidate this Agreement, and The Travelers' liability is to
   refund any premium.

4. There is no coverage under this Agreement if the check or draft submitted
   with the application is not honored by the bank.

5. No one is authorized to accept money on a Proposed Insured over age 65 (age
   last birthday) on the date of this Agreement, nor will any coverage take
   effect.

Acknowledgement:

I understand and agree to all of the terms of this Temporary Insurance
Agreement.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>          <C>                                            <C>  <C>       <C>
Signed at                                          this                      day of                            ,               .
         ----------------------------------------       --------------------        --------------------------   --------------
             City             State                                                           Month                    Year

                                                                X
- -----------------------------------------------------           ---------------------------------------------------------------
Applicant (if other than Proposed Insured)                      Signature of Proposed Insured (parent/guardian if a minor)

- -----------------------------------------------------           ---------------------------------------------------------------
Signature of Agent                                              Signature of Additional Proposed Insured
</TABLE>

Notice: The Proposed Insured(s) should retain a copy of this Agreement to
ensure coverage thereunder.



<PAGE>   13
                 YOUR PRIVACY AND THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT

                 This notice must be detached and given to the Proposed Insured
before the application is completed.

Part of our underwriting may include an investigative report with information
obtained in interviews with you, your neighbors, friends or other acquaintances
as to your character, reputation, personal characteristics and mode of living.
If an investigation is made, we will handle it in the strictest confidence.

Your application, with the medical history and other information you furnish,
and the investigative consumer report if made, are the initial basis of our
underwriting evaluation. Your agent supplies information about you that serves
underwriting as well as marketing research purposes. The Fair Credit Reporting
Act requires that no investigative report be made on any consumer unless:

1. the person to be reported on has been given written notice that such a
   report may be or has been requested, and

2. that person is informed that he/she has the right to ask for disclosure of
   the type of information being sought.

If you wish information on the nature and scope of the Consumer Report which
may be requested, or other investigative report which may be made, write to:

         The Travelers, Life and Health Services, One Tower Square, Hartford,
Connecticut 06183.



                  MEDICAL INFORMATION BUREAU DISCLOSURE NOTICE

Any health care information developed is necessary to classify insurance risks,
conduct normal administrative procedures and process claims, and will be used
for those purposes only by The Travelers and its affiliates. No other use of
this information will be made without first obtaining your written consent.

This information will be treated as confidential except that The Travelers or
its Reinsurer(s) may make a brief report to the Medical Information Bureau,
Inc., a non-profit membership corporation of life insurance companies which
operates an information exchange on behalf of its members. Upon request by
another member insurance company to which you have applied for life or health
insurance coverage or to which a claim is submitted, the Bureau will supply
such company with the information it may have in its files.

Upon receipt of a request from you, the Bureau will arrange disclosure of any
information it may have in your file. If you question the accuracy of
information in the Bureau's file, you may contact the Bureau and seek a
correction in accordance with the procedures set forth in the federal Fair
Credit Reporting Act. The address of the Bureau's information office is Post
Office Box 105, Essex Station, Boston, Massachusetts 02112, Telephone (617)
426-3660.

The Travelers or its Reinsurer(s) may release information given in your
application file, including health care information, to other life insurance
companies to which you apply for life or health insurance, or to which a claim
is submitted.

                   DETACH THIS PAGE AND LEAVE WITH APPLICANT
<PAGE>   14
                      DESCRIPTION OF INFORMATION PRACTICES

This description of Information Practices is being provided in accordance with
the requirements of the Insurance Information and Privacy Protection Law.

                   NOTICE OF INSURANCE INFORMATION PRACTICES

         We must collect a certain amount of necessary and helpful personal
         information in order to properly underwrite and administer your
         insurance coverage. The amount and type of information collected may
         vary depending on the amount and type of insurance for which you have
         applied. Our Information Practices provide:

           1.   Personal information may be collected from sources other than
                yourself;

           2.   Such personal information as well as other personal or
                privileged information subsequently collected by us or our
                agent, may, in certain circumstances, be disclosed to third
                parties without your authorization;

           3.   You may access and correct all personal information collected;
                and

           4.   Upon request, we will provide you with additional information,
                including:

                a. The types of personal information collected;

                b. The methods employed to collect personal information;

                c. The instances when we may disclose personal
                   information without your authorization; and

                d. Your rights to access, correct, amend and delete
                   recorded personal information.

         If you need additional information, please write to us at this
         address:

           The Travelers Insurance Company
           The Travelers Life and Annuity Company
           Life and Health Services
           One Tower Square
           Hartford, CT 06183

<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 11







                                                       April 20, 1998

The Travelers Insurance Company
The Travelers Variable Life Insurance
    Separate Account Three
One Tower Square
Hartford, Connecticut  06183


Gentlemen:

          With reference to Post-Effective No. 3 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-6 filed by The Travelers Insurance Company and The Travelers Variable
Life Insurance Separate Account Three with the Securities and Exchange
Commission covering modified single premium individual variable life insurance
policies, I have examined such documents and such law as I have considered
necessary and appropriate, and on the basis of such examination, it is my
opinion that:

          1.      The Travelers Insurance Company is duly organized and existing
                  under the laws of the State of Connecticut and has been duly
                  authorized to do business and to issue variable life insurance
                  policies by the Insurance Commissioner of the State of
                  Connecticut.

          2.      The Travelers Variable Life Insurance Separate Account Three
                  is a duly authorized and existing separate account established
                  pursuant to Section 38a-433 of the Connecticut General
                  Statutes.

          3.      The variable life insurance policies covered by the above
                  Registration Statement, and all post-effective amendments
                  relating thereto, have been approved and authorized by the
                  Insurance Commissioner of the State of Connecticut and when
                  issued will be valid, legal and binding obligations of The
                  Travelers Insurance Company and of The Travelers Variable Life
                  Insurance Separate Account Three.

          4.      Assets of The Travelers Variable Life Insurance Separate
                  Account Three are not chargeable with liabilities arising out
                  of any other business The Travelers Insurance Company may
                  conduct.

          I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
above-referenced Registration Statement and to the reference to this opinion
under the caption "Legal Proceedings and Opinion" in the Prospectus constituting
a part of such Post-Effective Amendment.

                                               Very truly yours,


                                               /s/Katherine M. Sullivan
                                               General Counsel
                                               The Travelers Insurance Company




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