NUVEEN TAX EXEMPT UNIT TRUST SERIES 821
487, 1995-08-25
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<PAGE>


                                                      File No. 33-61963
                                                      40 Act File No. 811-2271


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-6

For Registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of Securities of Unit
Investment Trusts Registered on Form N-8B-2

A.  Exact name of Trust:     NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 821

B.  Name of Depositor:       JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED

C.  Complete address of Depositor's principal executive offices:

                             333 West Wacker Drive
                             Chicago, Illinois  60606

D.  Name and complete address of agents for service:

                             JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
                             Attn:  James J. Wesolowski
                             333 West Wacker Drive
                             Chicago, Illinois 60606

                             CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
                             Attn:  Eric F. Fess
                             111 West Monroe Street
                             Chicago, Illinois  60603

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

-----
-----    immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

-----
-----    on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

-----
-----    60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)

-----
-----    on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of rule 485 or 486

E.  Title and amount of securities being registered:  An indefinite number of
    Units as permitted by Rule 24f-2.

F.  Proposed maximum offering price to the public of the securities being
    registered:  Not presently determinable.

G.  Amount of filing fee:  $500 in accordance with Rule 24f-2.*

H.  Approximate date of proposed sale to the public:

    As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration
    Statement.

*Previously Paid
______
          Check box if it is proposed that this filing will become effective
  X       on 8/25/95 at 1:30 p.m. pursuant to Rule 487.
______


<PAGE>

                 NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 821

                             Cross-Reference Sheet

                     Pursuant to Rule 404(c) of Regulation C
                        under the Securities Act of 1933

               (Form N-8B-2 Items Required by Instruction 1 as
                           to Prospectus on Form S-6)


FORM N-8B-2                                      FORM S-6
ITEM NUMBER                                      HEADING IN PROSPECTUS

    I.   ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION

1.  (a)  Name of trust                    )   Prospectus Cover Page
    (b)  Title of securities issued       )

2.  Name and address of Depositor         )23 Information About the Sponsor

3.  Name and address of Trustee           )22 Information About the Trustee

4.  Name and address of principal         )23 Information About the Sponsor
    Underwriter                           )

5.  Organization of trust                 ) 1 What Is The Nuveen Tax-Exempt
                                          )   Unit Trust?

6.  Execution and termination of          ) 1 What Is The Nuveen Tax-Exempt
    Trust Agreement                       )   Unit Trust?
                                          )22 Information About the Trustee
                                          )24 Other Information

7.  Changes of Name                                    *

8.  Fiscal Year

9.  Litigation

    II.  GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND SECURITIES OF THE TRUST

10. General Information regarding         ) 3 Summary of Portfolios
    trust's securities                    ) 5 Why and How are the Bonds
                                              Insured?
                                           13 When Are Distributions
                                              Made to Unitholders?
                                          )18 Ownership and Transfer of Units
                                          )19 How Units May Be Redeemed
                                              Without Charge
                                          )21 How Bonds May Be Removed From
                                          )   The Trusts
                                          )22 Information About the Trustee
                                          )23 Information About the Sponsor
                                          )24 Other Information

                                          )11 What Is The Tax Status of
                                          )   Unitholders?

11. Type of securities comprising         ) 1 What Is The Nuveen Tax-Exempt
    units                                 )   Unit Trust?
                                          ) 3 Summary of Portfolios
                                          ) 4 Composition of Trusts
                                          ) 2 What Are The Objectives Of
                                          )   The Trusts?
                                            5 Why and How are the Bonds
                                              Insured?

12. Certain information regarding         )   *
    periodic payment certificates         )

13. (a)Load, fees, expenses, etc.         )ii Essential Information Regarding
                                          )   the Trusts on Date of Deposit of
                                              Bonds
                                          ) 6 How Is The Public Offering Price
                                          )   Determined?
                                          ) 7 Market For Units
                                          ) 8 What Is Accrued Interest?
                                          ) 9 What Are Estimated Long Term 
                                          )   Return And Estimated Current 
                                          )   Return?
                                          )10 How Was The Price Of The Bonds
                                          )   Determined At Date of Deposit?
                                          )12 What Are Normal Trust Operating
                                          )   Expenses?
                                          ) 3 Summary of Portfolios
                                          )13 When Are Distributions Made
                                          )   To Unitholders?
                                          )15 How Detailed Are Reports To
                                              Unitholders?


<PAGE>


    (b)Certain information regarding      )   *
       periodic payment certificates      )


    (c)Certain percentages                ) 6 How Is the Public Offering Price
                                          )   Determined?
                                          ) 7 Market For Units
                                          ) 9 What Are Estimated Long Term 
                                          )   Return And Estimated Current 
                                          )   Return?
                                          )10 How Was The Price of the Bonds
                                          )   Determined At Date of Deposit?
                                          ) 8 What is Accrued Interest?

    (d)Certain other fees, etc.           )10 How Was The Price Of The Bonds
       payable by holders                 )   Determined At Date of Deposit?
                                          )12 What Are Normal Trust Operating
                                          )   Expenses?
                                          )18 Ownership and Transfer of Units

    (e)Certain profits receivable         ) 4 Composition of Trusts
       by depositor, principal under-     )
       writer, trustee or affiliated      )20 How Units May Be Purchased By
       persons                            )   The Sponsor

    (f)Ratio of annual charges
       to income                                *

14. Issuance of trust's securities        ) 3 Summary of Portfolios
                                          )13 When Are Distributions Made
                                          )   To Unitholders?
                                          )18 Ownership and Transfer of Units
                                          )19 How Units May Be Redeemed
                                          )   Without Charge

15. Receipt and handling of payments      )   *
    from purchasers                       )

16. Acquisition and Disposition of        ) 1 What Is The Nuveen Tax-Exempt
    Underlying Securities                 )   Unit Trust?
                                          ) 3 Summary of Portfolios
                                          ) 4 Composition of Trusts
                                          ) 5 Why and How are the Bonds
                                              Insured?
                                          )19 How Units May Be Redeemed
                                              Without Charge
                                          )21 How Bonds May Be Removed From
                                          )   The Trusts
                                          )24 Other Information

17. Withdrawal or redemption              ) 7 Market For Units
                                          )19 How Units May Be Redeemed
                                          )   Without Charge
                                          )20 How Units May Be Purchased By
                                          )   The Sponsor

18. (a)Receipt and disposition of income  ) 3 Summary of Portfolios
                                          )13 When Are  Distributions
                                              Made To Unitholders?
                                          )15 How Detailed Are Reports To
                                          )   Unitholders?

    (b)Reinvestment of distributions      )14 Accumulation Plan

    (c)Reserves or special funds          ) 3 Summary of Portfolios
                                          )13 When Are Distributions
                                          )   Made To Certificateholders?

    (d)Schedule of distributions          )   *

19. Records, accounts and reports         )13 When Are Distributions Made
                                          )   To Certificateholders?
                                          )15 How Detailed Are Reports To
                                          )   Certificateholders?

20. Certain miscellaneous provisions of   )22 Information About the Trustee
    Trust Agreement                       )23 Information About the Sponsor
                                          )24 Other Information


<PAGE>

21. Loans to security holders             )   *

22. Limitations on liability              ) 3 Summary of Portfolios
                                          ) 4 Composition of Trusts
                                          )22 Information About The Trustee

23. Bond arrangements                     )   *

24. Other material provisions of Trust    )   *
    Agreement.                            )

    III. ORGANIZATION, PERSONNEL AND AFFILIATED PERSONS OF DEPOSITOR

25. Organization of Depositor             )23 Information About the Sponsor

26. Fees received by Depositor            )   *

27. Business of Depositor                 )23 Information About the Sponsor

28. Certain information as to officials   )  *
    and affiliated persons of Depositor   )

29. Voting Securities of Depositor        )23 Information About the Sponsor

30. Persons controlling Depositor         )
                                          )
31. Payments by Depositor for certain     )
    services rendered to trust            )
                                          )   *
32. Payments by Depositor for certain     )
    other services rendered to trust      )
                                          )
33. Remuneration of employees of Depositor)
    for certain services rendered to trust)
                                          )
34. Remuneration of other persons for     )
    certain services rendered to trust    )

<PAGE>


    IV.  DISTRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

35. Distribution of trust's securities by )
    states                                )
                                          )   *
36. Suspension of sales of trust's        )
    securities                            )
                                          )
37. Revocation of authority to distribute )

38. (a)Method of distribution             )
                                          )
    (b)Underwriting agreements            )17 How Units of The Trusts Are
                                          )   Distributed To The Public
    (c)Selling agreements                 )

39. (a)Organization of principal          )
         underwriter                      )
                                          )23 Information About The Sponsor
    (b)NASD membership of principal       )
         underwriter                      )

40. Certain fees received by principal    )   *
    underwriter


41. (a)Business of principal underwriter  )
                                          )
    (b)Branch offices of principal under- )    *
       writer                             )
                                          )
    (c)Salesmen of principal underwriter  )

42. Ownership of trust's securities by    )   *
    certain persons                       )
                                          )
43. Certain brokerage commissions received)   *
    by principal underwriter              )

44. (a)Method of valuation                )ii Essential Information Regarding
                                          )   The Trusts On Date Of Deposit Of
                                          )   Bonds
                                          ) 6 How Is The Public Offering Price
                                          )   Determined?
                                          )10 How Was The Price Of The Bonds
                                          )   Determined At Date of Deposit?
                                          )12 What Are Normal Trust Operating
                                          )   Expenses?


    (b)Schedule as to offering price      )   *

    (c)Variation in offering price to     ) 6 How Is the Public Offering Price
       certain persons                    )   Determined?
                                          ) 8 What Is Accrued Interest?
                                          )10 How Was The Price Of The Bonds
                                          )   Determined At Date of Deposit?

<PAGE>


45. Suspension of redemption rights       )   *

46. (a)Redemption valuation               )16 Unit Value and Evaluation
                                          )19 How Units May Be Redeemed
                                          )   Without Charge
                                          )20 How Units May Be Purchased By
                                          )   The Sponsor

    (b)Schedule as to redemption price    )   *

47. Maintenance of position in underlying ) 5 How Is the Public Offering Price
    securities                            )   Determined?
                                          )20 How Units May Be Purchased By
                                          )   The Sponsor

    V.   INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE OR CUSTODIAN

48. Organization and regulation of Trustee)21 Information About The Trustee

49. Fees and expenses of Trustee          )ii Essential Information Regarding
                                          )   The Trusts On Date of Deposit Of
                                          )   Bonds
                                          )12 What Are Normal Trust Operating
                                          )   Expenses?

50. Trustee's lien                        )12 What Are Normal Trust Operating
                                          )   Expenses?
                                          )13 When Are Distributions Made
                                          )   To Unitholders?

    VI.  INFORMATION CONCERNING INSURANCE OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

51. Insurance of holders of trust's       )   *
    securities                            )

                        VII.  POLICY OF REGISTRANT

52. (a)Provisions of trust agreement with )12 What Are Normal Trust Operating
       respect to selection or elimination)   Expenses?
       of underlying securities           )19 How Units May Be Redeemed With-
                                          )   out Charge
                                          )21 How Bonds May Be Removed From
                                          )   The Trusts

    (b)Transactions involving elimination )   *
       of underlying securities           )

    (c)Policy regarding substitution or   ) 3 Summary of Portfolio
       elimination of underlying          ) 4 Composition of Trusts
       securities                         )21 How Bonds May Be Removed From
                                          )   The Trusts

    (d)Fundamental policy not otherwise   )   *
       covered                            )

53. Tax status of trust                   )11 What Is The Tax Status Of
                                          )   Unitholders?

    VIII. FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL INFORMATION

54. Trust's securities during last ten years)   *

55.)                                      )   *
56.)Certain information regarding         )
57.)periodic payment certificates         )
58.)                                      )

__________

*Inapplicable, omitted, answer negative or not required.

<PAGE>
   
                                AUGUST 25, 1995
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
 
NUVEEN  Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
             PROSPECTUS
            Series 821
             August 25, 1995
    
INTEREST  INCOME TO THE  TRUSTS AND TO  UNITHOLDERS, IN THE  OPINION OF COUNSEL,
UNDER EXISTING LAW IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX. CAPITAL GAINS, IF ANY, ARE
SUBJECT TO TAX. IN ADDITION, INTEREST INCOME OF STATE TRUSTS IS, IN THE  OPINION
OF  COUNSEL,  EXEMPT,  TO THE  EXTENT  INDICATED,  FROM STATE  AND  LOCAL TAXES.
INTEREST INCOME OF ANY TRUST  OTHER THAN A STATE TRUST  MAY BE SUBJECT TO  STATE
AND LOCAL TAXES.
 
CURRENTLY  OFFERED AT PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE PLUS INTEREST ACCRUED TO THE DATE OF
SETTLEMENT. MINIMUM PURCHASE--EITHER $5,000 OR 50 UNITS, WHICHEVER IS LESS.
 
   
THE NUVEEN  TAX-EXEMPT  UNIT TRUST,  SERIES  821 consists  of  three  underlying
separate unit investment trusts designated as Connecticut Traditional Trust 276,
Virginia  Traditional Trust 303 and Massachusetts  Insured Trust 129. Each Trust
initially consists  of delivery  statements relating  to contracts  to  purchase
Bonds  and, thereafter, will  consist of a  diversified portfolio of obligations
issued by  or on  behalf of  states and  territories of  the United  States  and
authorities  and political subdivisions thereof  (see SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS),
the interest on which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuers,  exempt
from  Federal income tax under existing law.  In addition, the interest on Bonds
in each State Trust  is, in the opinion  of bond counsel to  the issuers of  the
obligations,  exempt from such State's income  taxes, if any. All obligations in
each Traditional Trust are  rated in the  category "A" or  better by Standard  &
Poor's, a Division of the McGraw-Hill Companies ("Standard & Poor's") or Moody's
Investors  Service, Inc. ("Moody's") on the  Date of Deposit. All obligations in
each Insured Trust are covered by  policies of insurance obtained from the  MBIA
Insurance  Corporation guaranteeing payment of  principal and interest when due.
All such policies of insurance remain  effective so long as the obligations  are
outstanding.  As a result of such insurance,  the Bonds in each portfolio of the
Insured Trusts have received a rating of  "Aaa" by Moody's and the Bonds in  the
Insured  Trusts and the Units of each such Trust have received a rating of "AAA"
by Standard & Poor's. INSURANCE RELATES ONLY TO THE BONDS IN THE INSURED  TRUSTS
AND NOT TO THE UNITS OFFERED HEREBY OR TO THEIR MARKET VALUE. (See Section 5.)
    
 
THE  OBJECTIVES of the Trusts are  tax-exempt income and conservation of capital
through a diversified  investment in tax-exempt  Bonds. (SEE SECTIONS  2, 3  AND
11.)  The payment of interest and the  preservation of principal are, of course,
dependent upon the continuing ability of the issuers of Bonds and of any insurer
thereof to meet  their obligations thereunder.  There is no  guarantee that  the
Trusts' objectives will be achieved. (SEE PAGE A-1.)
 
DISTRIBUTIONS  of interest  received by  each Trust  will be  made semi-annually
unless the Unitholder elects to receive them monthly or quarterly. (SEE  SECTION
13.)  Distribution of funds in the Principal Account, if any, will ordinarily be
made semi-annually.
 
FOR ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS to Unitholders  in
each  Trust on the  business day prior to  the Date of Deposit.  (SEE PAGE 3 AND
SECTION 9.)
 
THE PUBLIC OFFERING  PRICE per Unit  of each Trust  during the initial  offering
period  is equal to a pro rata share of the OFFERING prices of the Bonds in such
Trust's portfolio plus  a sales charge  of up  to 4.90% of  the Public  Offering
Price  (equivalent to 5.152%  of the net  amount invested); the  sales charge is
somewhat lower on Trusts  with lesser average maturities.  (SEE SECTION 6.)  The
Secondary  Market Public Offering Price per Unit for each Trust will be equal to
a pro rata share of the  sum of BID prices of the  Bonds in such Trust plus  the
sales  charges determined based on the number of years remaining to the maturity
of each  Bond. Accrued  interest from  the  preceding Record  Date to,  but  not
including,  the settlement date (normally three business days after purchase) is
added to the Public Offering Price. The  sales charge is reduced on a  graduated
scale  for sales involving at least $50,000 or  500 Units and will be applied on
whichever basis is more favorable to the purchaser. (SEE SECTION 6.)
 
A UNITHOLDER MAY REDEEM UNITS at the office of the Trustee, United States  Trust
Company of New York, at prices based upon the BID prices of the Bonds. The price
received  upon  redemption  may  be  more  or  less  than  the  amount  paid  by
Unitholders, depending upon the  value of the  Bonds on the  date of tender  for
redemption.  (SEE  SECTION 19.)  The Sponsor,  although not  required to  do so,
intends to make a secondary market for  the Units of the Trusts at prices  based
upon  the BID  prices of the  Bonds in  the respective Trusts.  (SEE SECTION 7.)
RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
 
UNITS OF THE TRUST ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY, ANY BANK AND ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED OR OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER AGENCY AND
INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISK, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
 
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.
<PAGE>
  NUVEEN  Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      INDEX                                             SECTION         PAGE
<C>   <S>                                              <C>        <C>
      SPECIFIC TRUST MATTERS
      Connecticut Traditional Trust 276                       3         8-15
      Virginia Traditional Trust 303                          3        16-23
      Massachusetts Insured Trust 129                         3        24-38
      GENERAL MATTERS
      Accrued Interest                                        8         A-17
      Accumulation Plan                                      14         A-25
      Bonds, How Selected                                     3            7
      Bonds, Initial Determination of Offering Price         10         A-19
      Bonds, Limited Right of Substitution                    4          A-7
      Bond Ratings                                            3         8-38
      Bonds, Removal from Trust                              21         A-34
      Call Provisions of Portfolio Bonds                   3, 4     8-38,A-8
      Capital Gains Taxability                               11         A-20
      Dealer Discount                                        17         A-29
      Description of Units of Trust                           1            5
      Distributions to Unitholders                           13         A-24
      Distribution Payment Dates                          3, 13   8-38, A-24
      Distribution of Units to the Public                    17         A-29
      Essential Information Regarding the Trusts             --            4
      Estimated Long Term Return and Estimated Current
      Return                                                  9      3, A-18
      Evaluation                                             16         A-29
      Expenses to Fund                                       12         A-23
      Insurance on Bonds in the Insured Trusts                5         A-10
      Insurance on Certain Bonds in the Traditional
      Trusts                                                  5         A-12
      Interest Income to Trust                                3         8-38
      Investments, Schedules of                               3         8-38
      Legality of Units                                      24         A-38
      Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee       22        A-35
      Market for Units                                        7         A-17
      Minimum Transaction                                    17         A-29
      Objectives of the Trusts                                2            6
      Optional Distribution Plan                             13         A-24
      Other Information                                      24         A-37
      Ownership and Transfer of Units                        18         A-31
      Public Offering Price of Units                          6         A-13
      Quantity Purchases                                      6         A-13
      Record Dates                                           13         A-24
      Ratings, Description of                                24         A-39
      Redemption of Units by Trustee                         19    A-32,A-34
      Report of Independent Public Accountants                3           40
      Reports to Unitholders                                 15         A-28
      Repurchase of Units by Sponsor                         20         A-33
      Risk Factors                                            3          A-1
      Sales Charge                                            6         A-13
      Sponsor, Information About                             23         A-36
      State Tax Status                                        3         8-38
      Statements of Condition                                 3           41
      Successor Trustees and Sponsors                        22         A-35
      Tax Status of Unitholders                              11         A-20
      Trustee, Information About                             22         A-35
      Trust Indenture, Amendment and Termination             24         A-37
      Unit Value                                             16         A-29
</TABLE>
    
 
                  2
<PAGE>
                          ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS
                                      AND
                    ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS FOR THE TRUSTS
 
Following  are the  Estimated Long Term  and Estimated Current  Returns for each
Trust on the  business day  prior to  the Date  of Deposit,  under the  monthly,
quarterly and semi-annual plans of distribution (SEE SECTION 3):
 
                          ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ----------------------------------------
                    TRUST                       MONTHLY      QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  <S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Connecticut Traditional Trust 276........      5.36%         5.39%           5.41%
  Virginia Traditional Trust 303...........      5.59%         5.63%           5.65%
  Massachusetts Insured Trust 129..........      5.54%         5.57%           5.59%
</TABLE>
    
 
                           ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ----------------------------------------
                    TRUST                       MONTHLY      QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  <S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Connecticut Traditional Trust 276........      5.21%         5.24%           5.26%
  Virginia Traditional Trust 303...........      5.50%         5.53%           5.55%
  Massachusetts Insured Trust 129..........      5.37%         5.40%           5.42%
</TABLE>
    
 
    The  Estimated Long Term Return for each Trust is a measure of the return to
the investor earned  over the estimated  life of the  Trust. The Estimated  Long
Term  Return represents an  average of the  yields to maturity  (or call) of the
Bonds in  the Trust's  portfolio  calculated in  accordance with  accepted  bond
practice and adjusted to reflect expenses and sales charges. Under accepted bond
practice,  tax-exempt bonds  are customarily  offered to  investors on  a "yield
price" basis, which involves computation of  yield to maturity or to an  earlier
call date (whichever produces the lower yield), and which takes into account not
only the interest payable on the bonds but also the amortization or accretion to
a  specified date of any premium over  or discount from the par (maturity) value
in the bond's  purchase price. In  calculating Estimated Long  Term Return,  the
average  yield for  the Trust's  portfolio is  derived by  weighting each Bond's
yield by the market value of the Bond and by the amount of time remaining to the
date to which the Bond is priced. Once the average portfolio yield is  computed,
this  figure is then reduced to reflect estimated expenses and the effect of the
maximum sales  charge paid  by investors.  The Estimated  Long Term  Return  and
Estimated  Current Return calculations do not take  into account the effect of a
first distribution which may be less than a regular distribution or may be  paid
at  some point after 30 days (or a  second distribution which may be less than a
normal distribution for Unitholders who choose quarterly or semi-annual plans of
distribution), and it also does not  take into account the difference in  timing
of  payments  to  Unitholders  who  choose  quarterly  or  semi-annual  plans of
distribution, each of which will reduce the return.
 
    Estimated Current Return  is computed  by dividing the  Net Annual  Interest
Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price. In contrast to Estimated Long Term
Return, Estimated Current Return does not reflect the amortization of premium or
accretion of discount, if any, on the Bonds in the Trust's portfolio. Net Annual
Interest Income per Unit is calculated by dividing the annual interest income to
the Trust, less estimated expenses, by the number of Units outstanding.
 
    Net  Annual Interest  Income per Unit,  used to  calculate Estimated Current
Return, will vary  with changes  in fees  and expenses  of the  Trustee and  the
Evaluator  and with the redemption, maturity, exchange or sale of Bonds. A Trust
may experience expenses and  portfolio changes different  from those assumed  in
the  calculation of Estimated Long  Term Return. There thus  can be no assurance
that the Estimated  Current Returns or  the Estimated Long  Term Returns  quoted
herein will be realized in the future. Both the Estimated Current Return and the
Estimated  Long Term Return quoted  herein are based on  the market value of the
underlying Bonds on the  business day prior to  the Date of Deposit;  subsequent
calculations  of these performance measures will reflect the then current market
value of the underlying Bonds and may be higher or lower. For more  information,
see Section 9. The Sponsor will provide estimated cash flow information relating
to  a Trust without  charge to each  potential investor in  a Trust who receives
this prospectus and makes  an oral or  written request to  the Sponsor for  such
information.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
                 ESSENTIAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUSTS ON
                                AUGUST 24, 1995+
    
           Sponsor and Evaluator...... John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
           Trustee........... United States Trust Company of New York
                  -------------------------------------------
 
The  income, expense and distribution data  set forth below have been calculated
for  Unitholders   receiving   MONTHLY   distributions.   Unitholders   choosing
distributions  quarterly or  semi-annually will receive  slightly higher returns
because of the lower Trustee's fees and expenses under such plans. (SEE  SECTION
3 FOR DATA RELATING TO THESE PLANS.)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      CONNECTICUT          VIRGINIA          MASSACHUSETTS
                                                      TRADITIONAL         TRADITIONAL           INSURED
                                                       TRUST 276           TRUST 303           TRUST 129
<S>                                                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
                                                    ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Principal Amount of Bonds in Trust................  $    3,500,000      $    3,500,000      $    3,500,000
Number of Units...................................          35,000              35,000              35,000
Fractional Undivided Interest in Trust Per Unit...        1/35,000            1/35,000            1/35,000
Public Offering Price--Less than 500 Units
    Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds in Trust....  $    3,293,262      $    3,242,858      $    3,298,593
    Divided by Number of Units....................  $        94.09      $        92.65      $        94.25
    Plus Sales Charge*............................  $         4.85      $         4.77      $         4.86
    Public Offering Price Per Unit(1).............  $        98.94      $        97.42      $        99.11
Redemption Price Per Unit (exclusive of accrued
  interest).......................................  $        93.66      $        92.16      $        93.78
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit
  (exclusive of accrued interest).................  $        94.09      $        92.65      $        94.25
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Redemption Price Per Unit.......................  $         5.28      $         5.26      $         5.33
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Sponsor's Repurchase Price Per Unit.............  $         4.85      $         4.77      $         4.86
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Interest
  Income Per Unit
    Annual Interest Income(2).....................  $       5.3973      $       5.5982      $       5.5685
    Less Estimated Annual Expense.................  $        .2415      $        .2423      $        .2482
                                                    ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
    Estimated Net Annual Interest Income(3).......  $       5.1558      $       5.3559      $       5.3203
Daily Rate of Accrual Per Unit....................  $       .01432      $       .01487      $       .01477
Estimated Current Return(4).......................           5.21%               5.50%               5.37%
Estimated Long Term Return(4).....................           5.36%               5.59%               5.54%
Estimated Annual Organizational Expenses Per
  Unit(5).........................................  $       .02971      $       .03142      $       .02914
BECAUSE  CERTAIN OF THE BONDS IN THE TRUSTS WILL NOT BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE UNTIL AFTER THE SETTLEMENT
DATE FOR A PURCHASE OF UNITS MADE ON THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, INTEREST THAT ACCRUES ON THOSE BONDS BETWEEN  THE
DATE  OF DEPOSIT AND SUCH DELIVERY DATE WILL BE TREATED  AS A RETURN OF PRINCIPAL RATHER THAN AS TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME. THE AMOUNT OF  ANY SUCH RETURN  OF PRINCIPAL IS NOT  INCLUDED IN THE  ANNUAL INTEREST INCOME  SHOWN
ABOVE. FOR THE VARIOUS TRUSTS, THE FOLLOWING SETS FORTH THE LATEST SCHEDULED BOND DELIVERY DATE, THE AMOUNT
PER  UNIT THAT WILL BE TREATED AS A RETURN OF PRINCIPAL TO UNITHOLDERS WHO PURCHASE ON THE DATE OF DEPOSIT,
AND THE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN AFTER THE FIRST YEAR, ASSUMING THE PORTFOLIO AND ESTIMATED ANNUAL EXPENSES
DO NOT VARY FROM THAT SET FORTH ABOVE (SEE SECTIONS 3 AND 12 AND THE "SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS"):
                                   LATEST SCHEDULED         PER UNIT         ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
                                    DELIVERY DATE     RETURN OF PRINCIPAL      AFTER THE FIRST YEAR
                                  ------------------  --------------------   -------------------------
  MASSACHUSETTS INSURED TRUST...  SEPTEMBER 20, 1995  $           .05                     5.42        %
<FN>
----------
Evaluations for purpose of sale,  purchase or redemption of  Units are made as of  4 p.m. Eastern time  on the business day  next
following receipt of an order by the Sponsor or Trustee. (See Section 6.)
 + The business day prior to the Date of Deposit.
 *  National and State, 5.152%; Long  Intermediate, 4.439%; Intermediate, 4.058%; Short  Intermediate, 3.093%; Short Term, 2.564%
   (4.9%, 4.25%, 3.9%, 3.0% and 2.5% of the Public Offering Prices, respectively.)
(1) Units are offered at the Public  Offering Price plus accrued interest from the  preceding Record Date to, but not  including,
    the  date of settlement (normally three business days after purchase). The Date of Deposit of the Fund has been designated as
    the First Record  Date for all  plans of distribution  of the Trusts  and, accordingly, for  Units purchased on  the Date  of
    Deposit,  the following  amounts of accrued  interest to  the Settlement Date  will be  added to the  Public Offering Prices:
    Connecticut Traditional Trust--$.07, Virginia Traditional Trust--$.07 and Massachusetts Insured Trust--$.07. (See Section 8.)
(2) Assumes delivery of  all Bonds. (See Section  4.) Interest income does  not include accretion of  original issue discount  on
    "zero coupon" Bonds, Stripped Obligations or other original issue discount Bonds. (See "General Trust Information" in Section
    3.)
(3)  The amount and timing of interest distributions from each Trust under the various plans of distribution are shown in Section
    3.
(4) Estimated Long Term Return  for each Trust represents  the average of the yields  to maturity (or call)  of the Bonds in  the
    Trust's  portfolio calculated in accordance with accepted bond practices  and adjusted to reflect expenses and sales charges.
    Estimated Current Return is computed by dividing the Net Annual Interest Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price, and in
    contrast to Estimated Long Term  Return does not reflect the  amortization of premium or accretion  of discount, if any.  For
    more information see page 3 and Section 9.
(5)  Each Trust (and therefore Unitholders) will bear all or  a portion of its organizational costs (including costs of preparing
    the registration statements,  the trust  indenture and other  closing documents,  registering Units with  the Securities  and
    Exchange  Commission and states, the initial audit  of each Trust portfolio, legal fees  and the initial fees and expenses of
    the Trustee but  not including the  expenses incurred in  the printing of  preliminary and final  prospectuses, and  expenses
    incurred  in the preparation and printing of brochures and other  advertising materials and any other selling expenses) as is
    common for mutual funds. Total organizational expenses will be amortized over a five year period. See "WHAT ARE NORMAL  TRUST
    OPERATING  EXPENSES?" and "Statements of Condition."  Historically, the sponsors of unit  investment trusts have paid all the
    costs of establishing such trusts.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                   ESSENTIAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUSTS
                                  (CONTINUED)
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
Record Dates......................................................................See Section 13
Distribution Dates................................................................See Section 13
Minimum Principal Distribution....................................................$0.10 Per Unit
Date Trusts Established..........................................................August 25, 1995
Settlement Date..................................................................August 30, 1995
Mandatory Termination Date........................................................See Section 24
Minimum Value of Each Trust.......................................................See Section 24
Sponsor's Annual Evaluation Fee.......................$0.17 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds
Trustee's Annual Fees:
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ----------------------------------------------
                    TRUST                         MONTHLY         QUARTERLY       SEMI-ANNUAL
  -----------------------------------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
  <S>                                           <C>              <C>              <C>
  Connecticut Traditional Trust 276........          $1.5430          $1.2230         $1.0330
  Virginia Traditional Trust 303...........           1.5342           1.2142          1.0242
  Massachusetts Insured Trust 129..........           1.6163           1.2963          1.1063
  ------------
  * Each Trustee annual fee is per $1,000 principal amount of the underlying Bonds in a  Trust
    for that portion of the Trust that represents a particular plan of distribution.
</TABLE>
    
 
CUSIP Numbers:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    TRUST                         MONTHLY         QUARTERLY       SEMI-ANNUAL
  -----------------------------------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
  <S>                                           <C>              <C>              <C>
  Connecticut Traditional Trust 276........       67094E 766       67094E 774      67094E 782
  Virginia Traditional Trust 303...........       6706L5 796       6706L5 804      6706L5 812
  Massachusetts Insured Trust 129..........       670947 464       670947 472      670947 480
</TABLE>
    
 
                            ------------------------
 
THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
   
SERIES 821
    
 
   
1.  WHAT IS THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 821?
    
 
   
Series  821 of the Nuveen  Tax-Exempt Unit Trust is one  of a series of separate
but similar  investment companies  created  by the  Sponsor,  each of  which  is
designated  by  a  different  Series  number.  This  Series  consists  of  three
underlying separate unit investment trusts,  combined under one trust  indenture
and   agreement,   designated  Connecticut   Traditional  Trust   276,  Virginia
Traditional Trust 303 and  Massachusetts Insured Trust  129. The various  trusts
are  collectively referred to herein as the "Trusts"; the trusts in which few or
none of the  Bonds are  insured are sometimes  referred to  as the  "Traditional
Trusts",  the trusts in which  all of the Bonds  are insured as described herein
are sometimes referred to  as the "Insured Trusts",  and the state trusts  (both
Traditional  and Insured) are sometimes referred  to as the "State Trusts." This
Series was created under the laws of the  State of New York pursuant to a  Trust
Indenture  and Agreement  dated August 25,  1995 (the  "Indenture") between John
Nuveen & Co. Incorporated (the "Sponsor") and United States Trust Company of New
York (the "Trustee").
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
   
    The Sponsor has deposited with  the Trustee delivery statements relating  to
contracts  for the  purchase of municipal  debt obligations  together with funds
represented by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a major commercial bank
in the amount, including accrued interest,  required for their purchase (or  the
obligations  themselves) in the  principal amount of  $10,500,000 (the "Bonds"),
which initially constitute the  underlying securities of  the Trusts. Bonds  may
include  fixed rate obligations with regularly scheduled interest payments, zero
coupon bonds and  stripped obligations, which  represent evidences of  ownership
interests with respect to either a principal payment or a payment of interest on
a  tax-exempt obligation  ("Stripped Obligations"). See  "SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS"
and "GENERAL  TRUST INFORMATION"  for  a discussion  of  zero coupon  bonds  and
Stripped  Obligations. The  following principal  amounts were  deposited in each
Trust: $3,500,000  in  the  Connecticut Traditional  Trust,  $3,500,000  in  the
Virginia  Traditional Trust and  $3,500,000 in the  Massachusetts Insured Trust.
Some of the  delivery statements  may relate to  contracts for  the purchase  of
"when  issued" or other Bonds  with delivery dates after  the date of settlement
for a purchase made on the Date  of Deposit. See the "Schedules of  Investments"
and  Section 4. For a discussion of the  Sponsor's obligations in the event of a
failure of any contract  for the purchase  of any of the  Bonds and its  limited
right to substitute other bonds to replace any failed contract, see Section 4.
    
 
    Payment  of interest on the Bonds in each Insured Trust, and of principal at
maturity, is guaranteed under policies of  insurance obtained by the Sponsor  or
by  the issuers of the Bonds. (See Section  5.) AS A GENERAL MATTER, NEITHER THE
ISSUER NOR THE SPONSOR HAS OBTAINED INSURANCE  WITH RESPECT TO THE BONDS IN  ANY
TRADITIONAL TRUST.
 
   
    The  Trustee has delivered to the  Sponsor registered Units for 35,000 Units
of the Connecticut Traditional Trust,  35,000 Units of the Virginia  Traditional
Trust  and  35,000  Units of  the  Massachusetts Insured  Trust,  which together
represent ownership of the entire Series, and which are offered for sale by this
Prospectus. Each Unit of a Trust  represents a fractional undivided interest  in
the  principal and net  income of such Trust  in the ratio of  10 Units for each
$1,000 principal value of Bonds initially deposited in such Trust. Only Units of
the Virginia Traditional  Trust are offered  for sale to  Virginia residents  by
this Prospectus.
    
 
2.  WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRUSTS?
 
The  objectives of the Trusts are income  exempt from Federal income tax and, in
the case of State Trusts, where applicable, state income and intangibles  taxes,
and  conservation of capital, through an  investment in obligations issued by or
on behalf of  states and territories  of the United  States and authorities  and
political  subdivisions thereof,  the interest  on which  is, in  the opinion of
recognized bond counsel  to the  issuing governmental  authorities, exempt  from
Federal income tax under existing law. Bonds in any State Trust have been issued
primarily  by  or on  behalf of  the State  for  which such  Trust is  named and
counties, municipalities, authorities  and political  subdivisions thereof,  the
interest  on which Bonds is, in the opinion of bond counsel, exempt from Federal
and certain state income tax and  intangibles taxes, if any, for purchasers  who
qualify  as residents of that State.  Insurance guaranteeing the timely payment,
when due, of all principal and interest  on the Bonds in each Insured Trust  has
been obtained by the Sponsor or by the issuers of such Bonds from MBIA Insurance
Corporation,  and as a result  of such insurance the  obligations in the Insured
Trusts are rated "Aaa" by Moody's and  "AAA" by Standard & Poor's. (SEE  SECTION
5.)  All obligations in each Traditional Trust  are rated in the category "A" or
better (SP-1 or MIG 2 or better  in the case of short term obligations  included
in a Short Term Traditional Trust) by Standard &
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
Poor's  or Moody's (including provisional  or conditional ratings). In addition,
certain Bonds  in  certain  Traditional  Trusts  may  be  covered  by  insurance
guaranteeing  the timely payment, when due,  of all principal and interest. (SEE
SECTION 3.) The  portfolios of National  and State Trusts  consist of  long-term
(approximately 15 to 40 year maturities) obligations; those of Long Intermediate
Trusts  consist  of  intermediate to  long  term  (approximately 11  to  19 year
maturities) obligations; those  of Intermediate Trusts  consist of  intermediate
term  (approximately  5  to  15 year  maturities)  obligations;  those  of Short
Intermediate Trusts consist of short to intermediate term (approximately 3 to  7
year  maturities) obligations; and  those of Short Term  Trusts consist of short
term (approximately 1 to 5 year maturities) obligations. There is, of course, no
guarantee that the Trusts' objectives will be achieved. For a comparison of  net
after-tax  return for various tax brackets see the "Taxable Equivalent Estimated
Current Return Tables" included in this Prospectus.
 
    Each Trust consists  of fixed-rate  municipal debt  obligations. Because  of
this  an investment in a Trust should be made with an understanding of the risks
which an investment in such debt obligations may entail, including the risk that
the value of the debt obligations and  therefore of the Units will decline  with
increases  in  interest  rates. In  general,  the  longer the  period  until the
maturity of a  Bond, the more  sensitive its  value will be  to fluctuations  in
interest rates. During the past decade, there have been substantial fluctuations
in  interest  rates, and,  accordingly, in  the value  of debt  obligations. The
Sponsor cannot predict whether such fluctuations will recur.
 
3.  SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS
 
In selecting  Bonds for  the  respective Trusts,  the following  factors,  among
others,  were considered: (i) the  Standard & Poor's rating  of the Bonds or the
Moody's rating of the Bonds (see Section  2 for a description of minimum  rating
standards),  (ii) the prices of the Bonds  relative to other bonds of comparable
quality and maturity, (iii) the diversification of Bonds as to purpose of  issue
and  location of issuer,  (iv) the maturity dates  of the Bonds,  and (v) in the
case of the Insured Trusts only, the availability of MBIA Insurance  Corporation
insurance on such Bonds.
 
    In  order for Bonds in the Insured  Trusts to be eligible for MBIA Insurance
Corporation insurance,  they  must have  credit  characteristics which,  in  the
opinion  of the insurer,  would qualify them  as "investment grade" obligations.
Insurance is not a substitute for the basic credit of an issuer, but supplements
the existing credit and provides additional security therefor. (SEE SECTION 5.)
 
    Certain bonds may carry a "mandatory put" (also referred to as a  "mandatory
tender"  or "mandatory repurchase") feature pursuant to which the holder of such
bonds will receive payment of the full principal amount thereof on a stated date
prior to the maturity date unless  such holder affirmatively acts to retain  the
bond.  Under the Indenture,  the Trustee does  not have the  authority to act to
retain Bonds with  such features; accordingly,  it will receive  payment of  the
full  principal amount of any such Bonds on the stated put date and such date is
therefore treated as the maturity date of such Bonds in selecting Bonds for  the
respective  Trusts and for  purposes of calculating the  average maturity of the
Bonds in any Trust.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
   
CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST 276
    
 
   
    The Portfolio of Connecticut Traditional Trust 276 consists of 7 obligations
issued by entities located in Connecticut and one obligation issued by an entity
located  in the Territory of  Puerto Rico. Three Bonds  in the Trust are general
obligations of the  governmental entities  issuing them  and are  backed by  the
taxing  powers thereof. Five Bonds in the  Trust are payable as to principal and
interest from  the  income  of a  specific  project  or authority  and  are  not
supported  by the issuer's power to levy taxes. The sources of payment for these
Bonds are divided as  follows: Dedicated-Tax Supported  Revenue, 1; College  and
University  Revenue,  1; Health  Care Facility  Revenue,  2; Water  and/or Sewer
Revenue, 1.  Seven issues  in  the Trust  were rated  by  Standard &  Poor's  as
follows: 7--AAA. Eight issues were rated by Moody's as follows: 7--Aaa, 1--Aa.
    
 
   
    At the Date of Deposit, the average maturity of the Bonds in the Connecticut
Traditional Trust is 22.5 years. The average maturity of the Bonds in a Trust is
calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Bonds in such Trust (or, with
respect  to Bonds for  which funds or  securities have been  placed in escrow to
redeem such Bonds on a stated call date, based upon such call date). The average
maturity of the Bonds in a Trust may  increase or decrease from time to time  as
Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
   
    Approximately  16.7% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in the
Trust (accounting for approximately 15.8% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds)   are    original   issue    discount   bonds.    See   "GENERAL    TRUST
INFORMATION--ORIGINAL  ISSUE  DISCOUNT  BONDS AND  STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS"  for a
discussion of the  characteristics of  such bonds  and of  the risks  associated
therewith.
    
 
    For  a discussion of the  risks associated with investments  in the bonds of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The Sponsor entered into contracts to  acquire the Bonds between August  23,
1995 and August 24, 1995. The following summarizes certain information about the
Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRUSTEE'S
                                                               DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE AND
   COST TO    PROFIT (OR LOSS)   ANNUAL INTEREST   BID PRICE              THE BID PRICE
   SPONSOR       TO SPONSOR      INCOME TO TRUST    OF BONDS       (AS % OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $3,273,945       $19,317           $188,906      $3,278,206                 .43%
</TABLE>
    
 
    Neither   cost  to  Sponsor  nor  profit   (or  loss)  to  Sponsor  reflects
underwriting profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through  its
participation   in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or  underwriting
syndicate purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive  bid
basis  as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at a
profit. The Sponsor did not participate as  either the sole underwriter or as  a
manager  or member of a syndicate that  acted as the original underwriter of any
of the Bonds.
 
   
    Unitholders may  elect to  have interest  distributions made  on a  monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the  Connecticut  Traditional Trust,  less estimated  expenses, is  estimated to
accrue at the rate  of $.01446 per  Unit per day under  the semi-annual plan  of
distribution,  $.01441 per Unit per day under the quarterly plan of distribution
and $.01432 per  Unit per  day under  the monthly  plan of  distribution. It  is
anticipated  that the amount of interest to be distributed per Unit in each year
under each plan  of distribution will  initially be substantially  equal to  the
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan.
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
    Details  of interest distributions  per Unit of  the Connecticut Traditional
Trust under the various plans appear in the following table based upon estimated
Net Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          NORMAL
                                                                                                      DISTRIBUTIONS
CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST                     1995                             1996                  PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................       10/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................      10/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .5155(1)                                                  $  5.1558
                                                          --------  $.4296 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .5155(1)   $   .4323(2)   $  1.2969      $  1.2969        $  5.1878
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .5155(1)   $   .4338(3)                  $  2.6028        $  5.2068
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 * Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May  1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1)  The first distribution will be paid to all Unitholders,  regardless of the distribution plan selected. Such distribution may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2) The  second distribution  under the  quarterly  distribution plan  represents a  1-month distribution;  subsequent  quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3)  The second distribution  under the semi-annual distribution  plan represents a  1-month distribution; subsequent semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
    
 
    The accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest  to
be  distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are redeemed,
mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS--CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST
 
    For a discussion of the Federal  tax status of income earned on  Connecticut
Traditional Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
   
    The  assets of the Connecticut Traditional Trust will consist of obligations
issued by or on behalf of the State of Connecticut or its political subdivisions
or public instrumentalities, state or  local authorities, districts, or  similar
public  entities created under the laws of the  State of Connecticut or by or on
behalf  of  a  United  States  territory  or  possession  the  interest  on  the
obligations  of  which Federal  law would  prohibit  Connecticut from  taxing if
received  directly  by  a  Unitholder  (the  "Bonds").  Certain  Bonds  in   the
Connecticut  Traditional Trust that  were issued by the  State of Connecticut or
governmental authorities located in  Connecticut may have  been issued prior  to
the  enactment  of a  Connecticut  tax on  the  interest income  of individuals;
therefore, bond counsel to the issuers  of such Connecticut Bonds did not  opine
as  to the exemption  of the interest  on such Connecticut  Bonds from such tax.
However, the  Sponsor and  special counsel  to the  Trusts for  Connecticut  tax
matters  believe that such  interest will be so  exempt. Interest on Connecticut
Bonds in the Connecticut Traditional Trust issued by other issuers, if any,  is,
in the opinion of bond counsel to such issuers, exempt from state taxation.
    
 
    In  the opinion of  Day, Berry &  Howard, special counsel  to the Series for
Connecticut tax matters, which relies explicitly  on the opinion of Chapman  and
Cutler regarding Federal income tax matters, under existing Connecticut law:
 
        The  Connecticut  Traditional Trust  is  not liable  for  any tax  on or
    measured by net income imposed by the State of Connecticut.
 
   
        Interest income from a Bond held by the Connecticut Traditional Trust is
    not taxable under the Connecticut tax  on the Connecticut taxable income  of
    individuals,  trusts, and estates (the  "Connecticut Income Tax"), when such
    interest is received by the Connecticut Traditional Trust or distributed  by
    it to a Unitholder.
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
        Gains  and  losses recognized  by a  Unitholder  for Federal  income tax
    purposes upon the maturity,  redemption, sale, or  other disposition by  the
    Connecticut  Traditional Trust of a Bond held by the Connecticut Traditional
    Trust or upon the redemption,  sale, or other disposition  of a Unit of  the
    Connecticut Traditional Trust held by a Unitholder are taken into account as
    gains  or losses, respectively, for purposes  of the Connecticut Income Tax,
    except that, in the case of a  Unitholder holding a Unit of the  Connecticut
    Traditional  Trust as a capital asset, such gains and losses recognized upon
    the maturity, redemption, sale or exchange of a Bond issued by or on  behalf
    of  the State of  Connecticut, any political  subdivision thereof, or public
    instrumentality, state  or  local  authority, district,  or  similar  public
    entity  created under the  laws of the State  of Connecticut (a "Connecticut
    Bond") held by the Connecticut Traditional Trust are excluded from gains and
    losses taken  into  account for  purposes  of such  tax  and no  opinion  is
    expressed  as to the treatment for purposes  of such tax of gains and losses
    recognized, to  the  extent  attributable to  Connecticut  Bonds,  upon  the
    redemption,  sale, or  other disposition  by a Unitholder  of a  Unit of the
    Connecticut Traditional Trust held by him.
 
        The portion of any  interest income or capital  gain of the  Connecticut
    Traditional  Trust that is allocable to a  Unitholder that is subject to the
    Connecticut corporation business tax  is includable in  the gross income  of
    such Unitholder for purposes of such tax.
 
        An interest in a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust that is owned
    by  or attributable to  a Connecticut resident  at the time  of his death is
    includable in his gross  estate for purposes  of the Connecticut  succession
    tax and the Connecticut estate tax.
 
TAX DISCLOSURE--CONNECTICUT
 
    The  Connecticut  Income  Tax  was enacted  in  August,  1991.  Generally, a
Unitholder recognizes gain or loss for purposes  of this tax to the same  extent
he  recognizes gain  or loss  for Federal  income tax  purposes. Ordinarily this
would mean  that gain  or loss  would be  recognized by  a Unitholder  upon  the
maturity,  redemption, sale, or other disposition by the Connecticut Traditional
Trust of a Bond held by it,  or upon the redemption, sale, or other  disposition
of a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust held by the Unitholder.
 
    However, on June 19, 1992, Connecticut legislation was adopted that provides
that  gains and losses  from the sale  or exchange of  Connecticut Bonds held as
capital assets will not  be taken into account  for purposes of the  Connecticut
Income  Tax for taxable years starting on  or after January 1, 1992. Regulations
effective for taxable years  starting on or after  January 1, 1994 clarify  that
this  provision also applies to gain or loss recognized by a Unitholder upon the
maturity or redemption of a Connecticut Bond held by the Connecticut Traditional
Trust. However,  it is  not clear  whether this  provision would  apply, to  the
extent  attributable to  Connecticut Bonds  held by  the Connecticut Traditional
Trust, to gain or loss recognized by a Unitholder upon the redemption, sale,  or
other  disposition of a  Unit of the  Connecticut Traditional Trust  held by the
Unitholder. Unitholders are urged to  consult their own tax advisors  concerning
these matters.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--CONNECTICUT
 
    Investors  should  be aware  that  manufacturing was  historically  the most
important economic activity  within the State  of Connecticut but,  in terms  of
number  of persons  employed, manufacturing has  declined in the  last ten years
while both trade and service-related industries have become more important,  and
in  1993  manufacturing  accounted  for  only  19.2%  of  total non-agricultural
employment in Connecticut. Defense-related business represents a relatively high
proportion of the manufacturing sector; reductions in
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
defense spending have already had a substantial adverse effect on  Connecticut's
economy,  and the State's largest defense contractors have announced substantial
planned labor force  reductions scheduled  to occur  over the  next four  years.
Connecticut  is  now  in  a  recession, the  depth  and  duration  of  which are
uncertain. Moreover, while unemployment  in the State as  a whole had  generally
remained  below  the national  level,  as of  May  1993, the  estimated  rate of
unemployment in Connecticut on a seasonally adjusted basis was 7.4%, compared to
6.9% for the United States as a whole, and certain geographic areas in the State
have  been  affected  by  high  unemployment  and  poverty.  The  State  derives
approximately  70% of its revenues from taxes  imposed by it, the most important
of which have been  the sales and  use taxes and  the corporation business  tax,
each  of which is sensitive to changes in  the level of economic activity in the
State, but the Connecticut Income Tax,  enacted in 1991, has superseded each  of
them in importance. There can be no assurance that general economic difficulties
or  the financial circumstances  of the State  or its towns  and cities will not
adversely affect the market  value of the Connecticut  Bonds in the  Connecticut
Traditional  Trust or the  ability of the  obligors to pay  debt service on such
Connecticut Bonds.
 
    The General Fund budget adopted by  Connecticut for the 1986-87 fiscal  year
contemplated  both revenues and expenditures of $4,300,000,000. The General Fund
ended the 1986-87 fiscal year with  a surplus of $365,200,000. The General  Fund
budget  for  the  1987-88 fiscal  year  contemplated General  Fund  revenues and
expenditures of  $4,915,800,000. However,  the General  Fund ended  the  1987-88
fiscal  year with a deficit of $115,600,000. The General Fund budget adopted for
the  1988-89  fiscal  year  anticipated   that  General  Fund  expenditures   of
$5,551,000,000  and certain educational expenses  of $206,700,000 not previously
paid through the General Fund  would be funded in  part from surpluses of  prior
years  and in part from higher tax revenues projected to result from tax laws in
effect  for  the  1987-88  fiscal  year  and  stricter  enforcement  thereof;  a
substantial deficit was projected during the third quarter of the 1988-89 fiscal
year,  but largely because of tax law changes that took effect before the end of
the fiscal year, the  deficit was kept to  $28,000,000. The General Fund  budget
adopted  for the 1989-90  fiscal year anticipated  expenditures of approximately
$6,224,500,000 and, by virtue of tax increase legislation enacted to take effect
generally at the beginning of the fiscal year, revenues slightly exceeding  such
amount.  However, largely  because of tax  revenue shortfalls,  the General Fund
ended the  1989-90 fiscal  year with  a deficit  for the  year of  $259,500,000,
wiping  out reserves for such  events built up in  prior years. The General Fund
budget  adopted  for  the  1990-91  fiscal  year  anticipated  expenditures   of
$6,433,000,000,  but  no  significant  new  or  increased  taxes  were  enacted.
Primarily because  of significant  declines in  tax revenues  and  unanticipated
expenditures  reflective  of  economic  adversity, the  General  Fund  ended the
1990-91 fiscal year alone with a further deficit of $809,000,000.
 
    A General Fund  budget for  the 1991-92 fiscal  year was  not enacted  until
August   22,  1991.  This  budget   anticipated  General  Fund  expenditures  of
$7,007,861,328 and revenues of  $7,426,390,000. Projected decreases in  revenues
resulting  from a 25% reduction in the sales tax rate effective October 1, 1991,
the repeal of the taxes on the capital gains and interest and dividend income of
resident individuals for  years starting after  1991, and the  phase-out of  the
corporation  business tax surcharge over two years commencing with taxable years
starting after 1991 were expected to be more than offset by a new general income
tax imposed at  effective rates not  to exceed 4.5%  on the Connecticut  taxable
income  of  resident  and  non-resident individuals,  trusts,  and  estates. The
General Fund  ended  the  1991-92  fiscal year  with  an  operating  surplus  of
$110,000,000.  The General Fund  budget for the  1992-93 fiscal year anticipated
General Fund expenditures of $7,372,062,859 and revenues of $7,372,210,000,  and
the  General Fund  ended the  1992-93 fiscal year  with an  operating surplus of
$113,500,000. Balanced General  Fund budgets  for the biennium  ending June  30,
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
1995,  were adopted in 1993 appropriating expenditures of $7,828,900,000 for the
1993-94 fiscal year and $8,266,000,000 for the 1994-95 fiscal year. The  General
Fund  ended the 1993-94 fiscal  year with a surplus  of $19,700,000. In 1994 the
budgeted General Fund appropriations for the 1994-95 fiscal year were  increased
to  $8,567,200,000. General Fund budgets for  the biennium ending June 30, 1997,
were adopted in 1995 anticipating expenditures of $8,987,907,123 and revenues of
$8,988,180,000 for  the 1995-96  fiscal year  and anticipating  expenditures  of
$9,311,125,170  and revenues of  $9,311,700,000 for the  1996-97 fiscal year. In
addition, expenditures of federal,  State, and local funds  in the twelve  years
started  July 1, 1984, for repair of the State's roads and bridges now projected
at $9,400,000,000 are anticipated, a portion of the State's $4,100,000,000 share
of which would  be financed  by bonds expected  to total  $3,700,000,000 and  by
direct  payments, both of  which would be supported  by a Special Transportation
Fund first created by the General Assembly for the 1984-85 fiscal year.
 
    To fund operating cash  requirements, prior to the  1991-92 fiscal year  the
State  borrowed up to $750,000,000 pursuant to authorization to issue commercial
paper and  on  July 29,  1991,  it  issued $200,000,000  of  General  Obligation
Temporary  Notes, none of which  temporary borrowings are currently outstanding.
To fund the cumulative General Fund  deficit for the 1989-90 and 1990-91  fiscal
years,  the legislation enacted August 22,  1991, authorized the State Treasurer
to issue Economic  Recovery Notes up  to the aggregate  amount of such  deficit,
which  must be payable no later than June 30, 1996; at least $50,000,000 of such
Economic Recovery Notes, but not more than  a cap amount, is to be retired  each
fiscal  year commencing  with the  1991-92 fiscal  year, and  any unappropriated
surplus up to $205,000,000 in the General Fund  at the end of each of the  three
fiscal  years commencing with the 1991-92 fiscal  year must be applied to retire
such Economic  Recovery Notes  as  may remain  outstanding  at those  times.  On
September  25, 1991,  and October  24, 1991,  the State  issued $640,710,000 and
$325,002,000,  respectively,  of   such  Economic  Recovery   Notes,  of   which
$455,610,000 was outstanding as of March 1, 1995.
 
    As  a result  of the  State's budget  problems, the  ratings of  its general
obligation bonds were reduced by Standard &  Poor's from AA+ to AA on March  29,
1990, and by Moody's from Aa1 to Aa on April 9, 1990. Moreover, because of these
problems,  on September 13,  1991, Standard &  Poor's reduced its  rating of the
State's general obligation bonds  and certain other  obligations that depend  in
part  on the  creditworthiness of the  State to  AA-. On March  7, 1991, Moody's
downgraded its  ratings  of the  revenue  bonds of  four  Connecticut  hospitals
because  of  the effects  of  the State's  restrictive  controlled reimbursement
environment under which they have been operating.
 
    General obligation bonds  issued by Connecticut  municipalities are  payable
primarily  only from  ad valorem  taxes on property  subject to  taxation by the
municipality. Certain Connecticut municipalities have experienced severe  fiscal
difficulties  and  have reported  operating and  accumulated deficits  in recent
years. The  most notable  of these  is the  City of  Bridgeport, which  filed  a
bankruptcy  petition on June 7, 1991. The State opposed the petition. The United
States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut has held that Bridgeport
has authority to file such a petition but that its petition should be  dismissed
on  the grounds that Bridgeport  was not insolvent when  the petition was filed.
Regional economic difficulties, reductions  in revenues, and increased  expenses
could  lead  to  further  fiscal  problems  for  the  State  and  its  political
subdivisions, authorities, and agencies. Difficulty  in payment of debt  service
on  borrowings could result in declines, possibly  severe, in the value of their
outstanding obligations and increases in their future borrowing costs.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
CONNECTICUT TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current  returns
for  individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current returns
under combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1995 marginal  Federal
tax  rates and marginal state tax rates  currently available and scheduled to be
in effect under the Connecticut Income Tax. The tables incorporate increased tax
rates  for  higher-income   taxpayers  that   were  included   in  the   Revenue
Reconciliation Act of 1993. For cases in which more than one state bracket falls
within a Federal bracket, the highest state bracket is combined with the Federal
bracket. The combined state and Federal tax brackets shown reflect the fact that
state tax payments are currently deductible for Federal tax purposes. The tables
illustrate  what you  would have  to earn  on taxable  investments to  equal the
tax-exempt estimated current return  for your income  tax bracket. A  taxpayer's
marginal  tax rate is affected by both his taxable income and his adjusted gross
income. Locate  your adjusted  gross  and your  taxable  income (which  is  your
adjusted  gross income  reduced by any  deductions and  exemptions), then locate
your tax  bracket based  on  joint or  single tax  filing.  Read across  to  the
equivalent taxable estimated current return you would need to match the tax-free
income.
 
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
  (1,000'S)1    (1,000'S)2     TAX RATE3      4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 39.0 $     0- 39.0      17.5   %     5.76    6.06    6.36    6.67    6.97    7.27    7.58    7.88
    39.0- 94.3    39.0- 48.0      31.0         6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42
                  48.0- 71.0      34.0         7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47    9.85
                  71.0- 96.0      31.0         6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42
                  96.0-114.7      31.0         6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42
                 114.7-172.1      32.0         6.99    7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82    9.19    9.56
    94.3-143.6    94.3- 96.0      34.0         7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47    9.85
                  96.0-114.7      34.0         7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47    9.85
                 114.7-172.1      35.0         7.31    7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23    9.62   10.00
                 172.1-294.6      37.5         7.60    8.00    8.40    8.80    9.20    9.60   10.00   10.40
   143.6-256.5   143.6-172.1      40.0         7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42   10.83
                 172.1-294.6      42.5         8.26    8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87   11.30
                  Over 294.6      40.0   4     7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42   10.83
    Over 256.5   256.5-294.6      46.5         8.88    9.35    9.81   10.28   10.75   11.21   11.68   12.15
                  Over 294.6      43.5   5     8.41    8.85    9.29    9.73   10.18   10.62   11.06   11.50
</TABLE>
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
  (1,000'S)1    (1,000'S)2     TAX RATE3      4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 23.4 $     0- 23.4      18.5   %     5.83    6.13    6.44    6.75    7.06    7.36    7.67    7.98
    23.4- 56.6    23.4- 24.0      31.0         6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42
                  24.0- 25.0      33.5         7.14    7.52    7.89    8.27    8.65    9.02    9.40    9.77
                  25.0- 35.0      34.0         7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47    9.85
                  35.0- 52.5      31.0         6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42
                  52.5-114.7      31.0         6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42
    56.6-118.0    56.6-114.7      34.0         7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47    9.85
                 114.7-237.2      35.5         7.36    7.75    8.14    8.53    8.91    9.30    9.69   10.08
   118.0-256.5   118.0-237.2      40.5         7.98    8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92
                  Over 237.2      40.0   4     7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42   10.83
    Over 256.5    Over 256.5      43.5   5     8.41    8.85    9.29    9.73   10.18   10.62   11.06   11.50
</TABLE>
 
------------------
 
       1  The Connecticut  Income Tax  is based  on Connecticut  taxable income,
which is not tied to Federal taxable income. Connecticut taxable income is equal
to Connecticut adjusted gross income  ("CAGI") (which is Federal adjusted  gross
income  with  certain  modifications)  minus  the  allowable  personal exemption
($12,000 in the case of single  individuals; $24,000 for married persons  filing
jointly).   The  Connecticut  Income  Tax  provides  for  a  personal  exemption
phase-out, which essentially doubles  the effective marginal Connecticut  Income
Tax rate for single taxpayers whose CAGI is between $24,000 and $35,001 at which
point  the personal  exemption is completely  phased out.  For married taxpayers
filing a joint  return, the effective  marginal Connecticut Income  Tax rate  is
doubled  where CAGI is between $48,000 and  $71,001, at which point the personal
exemption is completely phased out. It should be noted that for purposes of  the
personal  exemption  phase-out the  Tax  Act merely  references  "adjusted gross
income," which the tables assume is identical to CAGI. In addition, as reflected
in the rates shown,  the Connecticut Income  Tax provides for  a tax credit  (at
varying  percentages depending  on the taxpayer's  CAGI) against  the income tax
which is based on CAGI and, in effect, varies the income tax rate for taxpayers.
Investors should consult  their own  tax advisors  regarding the  effect of  the
credit on marginal tax rates at specific CAGI levels.
 
       2  It is assumed that CAGI is equal to Federal adjusted gross income. See
note 1 regarding  the impact  of CAGI on  the determination  of the  Connecticut
Income Tax.
 
       3 The tables reflect the effect of limitations on itemized deductions and
the  deduction for personal exemptions. These limitations were designed to phase
out certain  benefits of  such  deductions for  higher income  taxpayers.  These
limitations,  in effect, raise the current  maximum marginal Federal tax rate to
approximately 44.0 percent for taxpayers filing  a joint return and entitled  to
four  personal exemptions and to approximately 41.0 percent for taxpayers filing
a single return entitled to only  one personal exemption. These limitations  are
subject  to certain maximums,  which depend on the  number of exemptions claimed
and the total  amount of the  taxpayer's itemized deductions.  For example,  the
limitation  on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer  to lose more than
80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
 
       4 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0%  after the 80% cap on the  limitation
on itemized deductions has been met.
 
       5  Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6%  after the 80% cap on the limitation
on itemized deductions has been met.
 
       6 Includes taxpayers filing as surviving spouses.
 
       7 The Connecticut Income Tax  has different marginal effective tax  rates
that  are  not  reflected  in  these  tables  for  persons  filing  as  heads of
households.
 
    A comparison of  tax-free and equivalent  taxable estimated current  returns
with  the returns on various  taxable investments is one  element to consider in
making an  investment  decision.  The Sponsor  may  from  time to  time  in  its
advertising  and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds,  bank
CDs  and  money  market  accounts  or money  market  funds,  each  of  which has
investment characteristics  that  may  differ  from those  of  the  Trust.  U.S.
Government  bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of the
U.S. Government and bank CDs and money market accounts are insured by an  agency
of  the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds provide
stability of principal, but pay interest  at rates that vary with the  condition
of  the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT DATE OF DEPOSIT
AUGUST 25, 1995
CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST 276
(SERIES 821)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   500,000      State of Connecticut Health and Educational         2005 at 101        AAA         Aaa     $       465,975
                   Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Kent
                   School Issue, Series B, 5.40% Due 7/1/23.
                   (MBIA Insured.)
    335,000      State of Connecticut Health and Educational         2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             292,566
                   Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Lawrence
                   and Memorial Hospital Issue, Series D, 5.00%
                   Due 7/1/22. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about December 29, 1993 at a
                   price of 94.491% of principal amount.)(MBIA
                   Insured.)
    210,000      State of Connecticut, Health and Educational        2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             183,005
                   Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Saint
                   Francis Hospital and Medical Center Issue,
                   Series C, 5.00% Due 7/1/23. (FGIC Insured.)
    500,000      State of Connecticut, Special Tax Obligation      2003 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             450,320
                   Bonds, Transportation Infrastructure
                   Purposes, 1993 Series C, 5.00% Due 10/1/13.
                   (FGIC Insured.)
    455,000      Town of Cheshire, Connecticut, General              2005 at 102         --         Aa              448,466
                   Obligation Bonds, Issue of 1995, 5.625% Due
                   8/1/14.
    500,000      South Central Connecticut Regional Water            2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             500,000
                   Authority, Water System Revenue Bonds,
                   Eleventh Series, 5.75% Due 8/1/12. (FGIC
                   Insured.)
    500,000      City of Stamford, Connecticut, General              2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             485,415
                   Obligation Bonds, Issue of 1995, 5.50% Due
                   3/15/15.
    500,000      Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Public Improvement   2005 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa
                   Bonds of 1995 (General Obligation Bonds.),
                 250M-5.375% Due 7/1/22, (Original issue                                                            227,715
                   discount bonds delivered on or about May 4,
                   1995 at a price of 93.916% of principal
                   amount.)
                 250M-5.75% Due 7/1/24.                                                                             239,800
                   (MBIA Insured.)
-----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,293,262
-----------                                                                                                 ---------------
-----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 39.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
   
VIRGINIA TRADITIONAL TRUST 303
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of Virginia  Traditional Trust 303  consists of 6 obligations
issued by entities  located in Virginia  and one obligation  issued by an entity
located  in  the District  of  Columbia and  one  obligation issued by an entity
located in Puerto Rico.  One Bond in  the Trust is a  general obligation of  the
governmental  entity issuing it and is backed by the taxing power thereof. Seven
Bonds in the Trust are payable as to principal and interest from the income of a
specific project or  authority and are  not supported by  the issuer's power  to
levy  taxes. The  sources of  payment for  these Bonds  are divided  as follows:
Dedicated-Tax Supported Revenue, 1; Health Care Facility Revenue, 1;  Industrial
Revenue,  1;  Transportation Facility  Revenue, 1;  Municipal Lease  Revenue, 1;
Water and/or Sewer Revenue, 2. Eight issues in the Trust were rated by  Standard
&  Poor's as follows: 4--AAA, 2--AA, 2--AA-.  Eight issues were rated by Moody's
as follows: 4--Aaa, 1--Aa3, 3--Aa.
    
 
   
    At the Date of Deposit,  the average maturity of  the Bonds in the  Virginia
Traditional Trust is 26.1 years. The average maturity of the Bonds in a Trust is
calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Bonds in such Trust (or, with
respect  to Bonds for  which funds or  securities have been  placed in escrow to
redeem such Bonds on a stated call date, based upon such call date). The average
maturity of the Bonds in a Trust may  increase or decrease from time to time  as
Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
   
    Approximately  21.4% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in the
Trust (accounting for approximately 19.5% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds)   are    original   issue    discount   bonds.    See   "GENERAL    TRUST
INFORMATION--ORIGINAL  ISSUE  DISCOUNT  BONDS AND  STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS"  for a
discussion of the  characteristics of  such bonds  and of  the risks  associated
therewith.
    
 
    Approximately  21% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in the
Trust are obligations of issuers whose revenues are primarily derived from  sale
of  water  and/or  sewerage services,  all  of  which is  covered  by insurance.
Insurance guaranteeing prompt payment  of interest and  principal on certain  of
the  Bonds in the Trust  has been obtained by the  issuer or underwriter of such
Bonds from a commercial insurer. Such Bonds  are rated "Aaa" or "Aa" by  Moody's
or "AAA" or "AA" by Standard & Poor's, reflecting those rating agencies' current
assessment  of the creditworthiness of the insurer and its ability to pay claims
on its policies of insurance.
 
    For a discussion of  the risks associated with  investments in the bonds  of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The  Sponsor entered into contracts to  acquire the Bonds between August 23,
1995 and August 24, 1995. The following summarizes certain information about the
Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRUSTEE'S
                                                               DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE AND
   COST TO    PROFIT (OR LOSS)   ANNUAL INTEREST   BID PRICE              THE BID PRICE
   SPONSOR       TO SPONSOR      INCOME TO TRUST    OF BONDS       (AS % OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $3,229,591       $13,267           $195,938      $3,225,670                 .49%
</TABLE>
    
 
    Neither  cost  to  Sponsor  nor   profit  (or  loss)  to  Sponsor   reflects
underwriting  profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through its
participation  in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or   underwriting
syndicate  purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive bid
basis as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at  a
profit.  The Sponsor did  not participate as  either the sole  underwriter or as
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
a manager or member of a syndicate that acted as the original underwriter of any
of the Bonds.
 
   
    Unitholders may  elect to  have interest  distributions made  on a  monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the  Virginia Traditional Trust, less estimated expenses, is estimated to accrue
at the  rate  of  $.01501  per  Unit per  day  under  the  semi-annual  plan  of
distribution,  $.01496 per Unit per day under the quarterly plan of distribution
and $.01487 per  Unit per  day under  the monthly  plan of  distribution. It  is
anticipated  that the amount of interest to be distributed per Unit in each year
under each plan  of distribution will  initially be substantially  equal to  the
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan.
    
 
    Details of interest distributions per Unit of the Virginia Traditional Trust
under  the various plans appear in the  following table based upon estimated Net
Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          NORMAL
                                                                                                      DISTRIBUTIONS
VIRGINIA TRADITIONAL TRUST                        1995                             1996                  PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................       10/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................      10/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .5353(1)                                                  $  5.3559
                                                          --------  $.4461 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .5353(1)   $   .4488(2)   $  1.3464      $  1.3464        $  5.3879
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .5353(1)   $   .4503(3)                  $  2.7018        $  5.4069
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 * Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May  1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1)  The first distribution will be paid to all Unitholders,  regardless of the distribution plan selected. Such distribution may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2) The  second distribution  under the  quarterly  distribution plan  represents a  1-month distribution;  subsequent  quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3)  The second distribution  under the semi-annual distribution  plan represents a  1-month distribution; subsequent semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
    
 
    The accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest  to
be  distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are redeemed,
mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS--VIRGINIA TRADITIONAL TRUST
 
    For a discussion  of the  Federal tax status  of income  earned on  Virginia
Traditional Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    The   assets   of   the   Virginia  Traditional   Trust   will   consist  of
interest-bearing obligations  issued by  or  on behalf  of the  Commonwealth  of
Virginia,  its counties,  municipalities, authorities  or political subdivisions
and, provided the interest thereon is  exempt from Virginia income taxes by  the
laws  or treaties of  the United States, by  or on behalf  of the United States'
territories or possessions, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands  and
the  Northern Mariana Islands, and  their political subdivisions and authorities
(the "Virginia Bonds").
 
    In the opinion of Christian, Barton, Epps, Brent & Chappell, special counsel
for the Series for Virginia tax matters, under existing law:
 
        The Virginia Traditional Trust will be  treated as a trust for  Virginia
    income tax purposes and not as an association taxable as a corporation. As a
    result,  income of  the Virginia  Traditional Trust  will be  treated as the
    income of the Unitholders.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
        The calculation of Virginia taxable income begins with Federal  adjusted
    gross  income in the case of an  individual or Federal taxable income in the
    case of a corporation, estate or trust. Certain modifications are specified,
    but no such modification  requires the addition  of interest on  obligations
    such  as the Virginia Bonds in  the Virginia Traditional Trust. Accordingly,
    amounts representing  tax-exempt interest  for Federal  income tax  purposes
    received  or accrued by  the Virginia Traditional Trust  with respect to the
    Virginia Bonds, will not  be taxed to the  Virginia Traditional Trust or  to
    the Unitholders for Virginia income tax purposes.
 
        In  this  respect, to  the extent  that interest  on obligations  of the
    Commonwealth or  any political  subdivision  or instrumentality  thereof  is
    included  in federal adjusted  gross income, Virginia  law provides that the
    income shall  be  subtracted in  arriving  at Virginia  taxable  income.  In
    addition,  Virginia  income  tax  exemption  is  independently  provided for
    interest on  certain  obligations,  including  those  issued  by  industrial
    development   authorities  created  pursuant   to  the  Virginia  Industrial
    Development and  Revenue  Bond  Act, by  the  Virginia  Housing  Development
    Authority, by the Virginia Resources Authority and by the Virginia Education
    Loan Authority. Where such an independent exemption is provided, interest on
    such  obligations is exempt from Virginia  income taxation without regard to
    any exemption from  Federal income  taxes, including interest  which may  be
    subject  to Federal income tax in  the hands of a recipient  who is, or is a
    related person  to,  a substantial  user  of facilities  financed  with  the
    proceeds of obligations upon which such interest is paid.
 
        As  a general rule, to the extent that  gain (whether as a result of the
    sale of Virginia Bonds by the Virginia  Traditional Trust or as a result  of
    the sale of a Unit by the Unitholder) is subject to Federal income taxation,
    such  gain will  be included  in the  Unitholder's Virginia  taxable income.
    Under the language  of certain  enabling legislation, however,  such as  the
    Virginia Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, the Virginia Resources
    Authority  Act and  the Virginia  Housing Development  Authority Act, profit
    made on the sale of obligations issued by authorities created thereunder  is
    expressly  exempt from  Virginia income taxation.  Such enabling legislation
    does not appear  to require a  disallowance in the  calculation of  Virginia
    taxes  of any loss  that may be  deductible for Federal  income tax purposes
    with respect  to  such  obligations, although  the  Virginia  Department  of
    Taxation has taken a contrary view.
 
        No   income  tax  is  imposed  by   any  political  subdivision  of  the
    Commonwealth of Virginia.  The Commonwealth  of Virginia does  not impose  a
    gift  tax. The Virginia estate  tax is equal to  the maximum state death tax
    credit allowable against the Federal estate tax payable by the estate.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--VIRGINIA
 
    The Trust  is  susceptible  to political,  economic  or  regulatory  factors
affecting  issuers  of Virginia  Bonds. Without  intending  to be  complete, the
following briefly  summarizes some  of these  matters, as  well as  some of  the
complex  factors  affecting  the  financial  situation  in  the  Commonwealth of
Virginia (the "Commonwealth"  or "Virginia"). This  information is derived  from
sources  that  are generally  available to  investors  and is  based in  part on
information  obtained  from  various   agencies  in  Virginia.  No   independent
verification  has been  made of  the accuracy  or completeness  of the following
information.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
    There can  be no  assurance that  current or  future statewide  or  regional
economic  difficulties, and the resulting impact  on State or local governmental
finances generally will not adversely affect the market value of Virginia  Bonds
held in the portfolio of the Trust or the ability of particular obligors to make
timely payments of debt service on (or relating to) those obligations.
 
    The  Commonwealth's  financial  condition  is  supported  by  a  broad-based
economy,  including  manufacturing,  tourism,  agriculture,  ports,  mining  and
fisheries.  Manufacturing continues to be a  major source of employment, ranking
behind only services, wholesale and retail trade, and government (federal, state
and local). The federal government  is a major employer  in Virginia due to  the
heavy  concentration of federal employees  in the metropolitan Washington, D.C.,
segment of Northern Virginia  and the military employment  in the Hampton  Roads
area, which houses the nation's largest concentration of military installations,
although  civilian defense employment  has been affected  by the retrenchment of
the military sector and is likely to decrease further.
 
    Although the Commonwealth enjoyed  an economic boom  in the mid-1980's,  the
Commonwealth's economy began to slow toward the end of the decade, and went into
a  recession with the rest of the  nation after July, 1990. Gradual recovery has
continued since the recession's  end in March, 1991,  with the Virginia  economy
providing reason for restrained optimism in fiscal year 1994. Employment figures
furnished  more encouragement than did income data. The state unemployment rates
continued to be a  bright spot, dropping  to 4.9 percent  for fiscal year  1994,
compared  to 6.4  percent nationally. However,  the possibility  of more defense
cutbacks and additional  plant downsizings provided  two cautionary notes.  Real
taxable sales have nearly reached the pre-recession level of fiscal year 1990.
 
    The  impact  of  national trends  on  the  Commonwealth is  clearly  seen in
personal  income  figures.   While  year-to-year  percentage   changes  in   the
Commonwealth personal income generally parallel those at the national level, the
Commonwealth  figures  were higher  during  the first  half  of the  1980's. The
differential has narrowed  since 1988. In  the first quarter  of 1994, the  most
recent available, Virginia's growth rate was 6.1 percent compared to 3.9 percent
for  the nation. While Virginia's real  per capita personal income surpassed the
national  figure  in  1982  and  has  continued  to  exceed  it,  the   relative
differential  has been narrowing since 1989 and  is now the smallest since 1985.
Virginia's 1989 maximum was 106 percent of national per capita income while  the
1993  figure  was 104  percent. In  comparison with  the South  Atlantic region,
Virginia's real per capita  income has declined  from a peak  of 108 percent  in
1989 to 106 percent in 1993.
 
    Virginia's  nonagricultural employment figure has also mirrored the national
economy. For fiscal  year 1994  Virginia's nonagricultural  employment rose  2.9
percent,  comparable to the pre-recession rate. Total nonagricultural employment
for Virginia in June 1994  was a record high.  During the period 1983-1990,  the
Commonwealth  substantially  outpaced the  nation  in growth  of nonagricultural
employment, with  4.1 percent  average  annual growth  compared to  2.8  percent
nationally;  however, the trend  lines for both have  been nearly parallel since
1990. For  the  period 1985-1990,  the  Commonwealth  went ahead  of  the  South
Atlantic  region, but was  hit harder by  the recession in  1990 and the defense
adjustment. Since then, the region has outperformed the Commonwealth.
 
    With respect to unemployment, Virginia's unemployment rate has  consistently
been  below that of the nation. For the decade of 1980 to 1990, the differential
has been two percentage  points, although it decreased  to below one  percentage
point in 1991 and 1992.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
For  the first six months  of FY 1994, the  Commonwealth's unemployment rate was
4.9 percent, compared to the national rate of 6.4 percent.
 
    Employment trends in  Virginia are  varied from  sector to  sector and  from
region  to  region. Most  sectors showed  dramatic  improvement compared  to the
anemic performance  in  fiscal  year  1993. Employment  grew  in  seven  of  ten
categories.  This past fiscal year's growth was  led by a 5.4 percent employment
jump in the construction  sector and 5.3 percent  in services. Federal  civilian
employment  slipped 3 percent,  the result of continued  defense cutbacks and an
effort to downsize. Once again, the  greatest percent loss was in mining,  which
suffered  a 7.7 percent drop, a 40  percent greater loss than the previous year.
The service sector  continued to grow  and mining and  manufacturing are now  at
lower  levels than in 1980. Employment trends  also varied among regions. All of
the Commonwealth's metropolitan  statistical areas  showed increased  employment
from  fiscal year  1993 to  fiscal year  1994, ranging  from 1.1  percent to 4.3
percent, with most employment increases being experienced in metropolitan areas.
 
    Highest rates of unemployment were found in southwest Virginia where  mining
jobs  have been  lost and  the lowest unemployment  rates were  seen in Northern
Virginia where much  federally-related employment is  concentrated. As would  be
expected, there was great overlap between areas of lowest unemployment and those
of highest per capita income.
 
    Virginia  appears  to  have  fully  participated  in  the  national economic
recovery, which  has been  slow by  historic standards.  The state  has not  yet
returned  to pre-recession growth rates  for several measures, particularly real
per capita personal income. The next round of defense cutbacks and the uncertain
duration of the economic recovery are  continuing sources of concern. A  growing
diversification  of the state's export base is encouraging for the long-term but
will not insulate the state from vulnerability to increased competition  against
its major products and to economic conditions abroad.
 
    The  Commonwealth  of  Virginia  has  historically  operated  on  a fiscally
conservative basis  and is  required  by its  Constitution  to have  a  balanced
biennial  budget. At the end of the June 30, 1994, fiscal year, the General Fund
of the Commonwealth  had an ending  fund balance, computed  on a budgetary  cash
basis,  of  $518.7  million, of  which  $81  million was  in  required reserves.
Approximately four  hundred  thirty million  of  the general  fund  balance  was
designated for expenditure during the next fiscal year, leaving an undesignated,
unreserved fund balance of $7.6 million, the third consecutive such undesignated
fund  balance. Computed on a modified accrual basis in accordance with generally
accepted accounting  principles, the  General Fund  balance at  the end  of  the
fiscal  year ended June  30, 1994, was  $185.3 million, compared  with a General
Fund balance of minus $78.8 million at the end of the fiscal year ended June 30,
1993. This is the second  year since 1989 that the  General Fund, measured on  a
modified accrual basis, has shown a positive fund balance.
 
    As of June 30, 1994, total debt of the Commonwealth aggregated $8.4 billion.
Of  that amount, $2.5 billion  was tax-supported. Outstanding general obligation
bonded debt backed by  the full faith  and credit of  the Commonwealth was  $792
million  at June  30, 1994.  Of that  amount, $500  million was  also secured by
revenue producing capital projects.
 
    The  Virginia  Constitution  contains  limits  on  the  amount  of   general
obligation   bonds  which   the  Commonwealth   can  issue.   These  limits  are
substantially in excess of current levels of outstanding bonds, and at June  30,
1994,  would permit an  additional total of approximately  $5.6 billion of bonds
secured  by  revenue-producing  projects  and  approximately  $5.8  billion   of
unsecured   general  obligation  bonds  for  capital  projects,  with  not  more
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
than approximately $921  billion of  the latter to  be issued  in any  four-year
period.  Bonds  which  are not  secured  by revenue-producing  projects  must be
approved in a State-wide election.
 
    The Commonwealth  of  Virginia  maintains  a "triple  A"  bond  rating  from
Standard  & Poor's  Corporation, Moody's  Investors Service  and Fitch Investors
Service on its  general obligation  indebtedness, reflecting in  part its  sound
fiscal  management, diversified economic base and  low debt ratios. There can be
no assurances that these conditions will continue. Nor are these same conditions
necessarily applicable to securities  which are not  general obligations of  the
Commonwealth.   Securities  issued  by   specific  municipalities,  governmental
authorities or similar issuers may be subject to economic risks or uncertainties
peculiar to the issuers of such securities or the sources from which they are to
be paid.
 
VIRGINIA TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current  returns
for  individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current returns
under combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1995 marginal  Federal
tax  rates and marginal state tax rates  currently available and scheduled to be
in  effect.  The  tables  incorporate  increased  tax  rates  for  higher-income
taxpayers  that were  included in  the Revenue  Reconciliation Act  of 1993. For
cases in which more than one state  bracket falls within a Federal bracket,  the
highest  state bracket is combined with  the Federal bracket. The combined state
and Federal tax  brackets shown  reflect the fact  that state  tax payments  are
currently  deductible for Federal  tax purposes. The  tables illustrate what you
would have to  earn on  taxable investments  to equal  the tax-exempt  estimated
current  return for your income  tax bracket. A taxpayer's  marginal tax rate is
affected by both his taxable income  and his adjusted gross income. Locate  your
adjusted  gross and  your taxable  income (which  is your  adjusted gross income
reduced by any deductions and exemptions), then locate your tax bracket based on
joint or single  tax filing.  Read across  to the  equivalent taxable  estimated
current return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 39.0 $     0-114.7      20.0   %     6.25    6.56    6.88    7.19    7.50    7.81    8.13    8.44
    39.0- 94.3       0-114.7      32.0         7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82    9.19    9.56    9.93
                 114.7-172.1      33.0         7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33    9.70   10.07
    94.3-143.6       0-114.7      35.0         7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23    9.62   10.00   10.38
                 114.7-172.1      36.0         7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77   10.16   10.55
                 172.1-294.6      38.0         8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68   10.08   10.48   10.89
   143.6-256.5   114.7-172.1      40.5         8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92   11.34
                 172.1-294.6      43.5         8.85    9.29    9.73   10.18   10.62   11.06   11.50   11.95
                  Over 294.6      40.5   2     8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92   11.34
    Over 256.5   172.1-294.6      47.0         9.43    9.91   10.38   10.85   11.32   11.79   12.26   12.74
                  Over 294.6      44.0   3     8.93    9.38    9.82   10.27   10.71   11.16   11.61   12.05
</TABLE>
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 23.4 $     0-114.7      20.0         6.25    6.56    6.88    7.19    7.50    7.81    8.13    8.44
    23.4- 56.6       0-114.7      32.0         7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82    9.19    9.56    9.93
    56.6-118.0       0-114.7      35.0         7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23    9.62   10.00   10.38
                 114.7-237.2      36.5         7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84   10.24   10.63
   118.0-256.5   114.7-237.2      41.5         8.55    8.97    9.40    9.83   10.26   10.68   11.11   11.54
                  Over 237.2      40.5   2     8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92   11.34
    Over 256.5    Over 237.2      44.0   3     8.93    9.38    9.82   10.27   10.71   11.16   11.61   12.05
<FN>
------------------
      1  The table reflects the effect of the limitations on  itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions. They
were designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect,  raise
the  current maximum marginal Federal tax rate to approximately 44.0  percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and entitled to
four personal exemptions and to  approximately 41.0 percent for  taxpayers filing a single return  entitled to only one  personal
exemption.  These limitations are  subject to certain maximums,  which depend on  the number of exemptions  claimed and the total
amount of the taxpayer's itemized  deductions. For example, the  limitation on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer  to
lose more than 80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
</TABLE>
 
    A  comparison of tax-free  and equivalent taxable  estimated current returns
with the returns on  various taxable investments is  one element to consider  in
making  an  investment  decision. The  Sponsor  may  from time  to  time  in its
advertising and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns  on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns  on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds, bank
CDs and  money  market  accounts  or  money market  funds,  each  of  which  has
investment  characteristics  that  may  differ from  those  of  the  Trust. U.S.
Government bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of  the
U.S.  Government and bank CDs and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds  provide
stability  of principal, but pay interest at  rates that vary with the condition
of the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust  are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
   
NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT DATE OF DEPOSIT
AUGUST 25, 1995
VIRGINIA TRADITIONAL TRUST 303
(SERIES 821)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   500,000      Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority          2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa     $       441,875
                   (District of Columbia and Virginia), Airport
                   System Revenue and Refunding Bonds, Series
                   1993A, 5.25% Due 10/1/22. (MBIA Insured.)
    500,000      Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Public Improvement   2005 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             479,600
                   Bonds of 1995 (General Obligation Bonds.),
                   5.75% Due 7/1/24. (MBIA Insured.)
    500,000      Commonwealth Transportation Board, Commonwealth     2004 at 101         AA         Aa              510,645
                   of Virginia, Transportation Revenue Bonds,
                   Series 1995A (Northern Virginia
                   Transportation District Program), 6.375% Due
                   5/15/20.
    250,000      Industrial Development Authority of the City of     2003 at 102        AA-         Aa3             243,993
                   Chesapeake, Virginia, Port Facilities
                   Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 1993
                   (Cargill, Incorporated Project), 5.875% Due
                   3/1/13.
    500,000      Industrial Development Authority of Fairfax      No Optional Call      AA-         Aa              415,010
                   County, Virginia, Hospital Revenue Refunding
                   Bonds (Inova Health System Hospitals
                   Project), Series 1993A, 5.00% Due 8/15/23.
                   (Original issue discount bonds delivered on
                   or about November 3, 1993 at a price of
                   94.807% of principal amount.)
    250,000      Loudoun County Sanitation Authority (Virginia),     2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             216,375
                   Water and Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Series
                   1994A, 5.25% Due 1/1/30. (Original issue
                   discount bonds delivered on or about March
                   30, 1994 at a price of 89.671% of principal
                   amount.)(MBIA Insured.)
    500,000      City of Norfolk, Virginia, Water Revenue Bonds,     2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             448,370
                   Series 1993, 5.375% Due 11/1/23. (AMBAC
                   Insured.)
    500,000      Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority         2005 at 102         AA         Aa              486,990
                   (Virginia), Educational Facility Bonds (State
                   Board for Community Colleges-Tidewater
                   Community College Downtown Campus), Series of
                   1995, 5.875% Due 11/1/15.
-----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,242,858
-----------                                                                                                 ---------------
-----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 39.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
   
MASSACHUSETTS INSURED TRUST 129
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of Massachusetts Insured Trust  129 consists of 7 obligations
issued by entities  located in  Massachusetts and  one obligation  issued by  an
entity  located in the  Territory of Puerto  Rico. Three Bonds  in the Trust are
general obligations of the governmental entities issuing them and are backed  by
the  taxing powers thereof. Five Bonds in  the Trust are payable as to principal
and interest from  the income of  a specific  project or authority  and are  not
supported  by the issuer's power to levy taxes. The sources of payment for these
Bonds are  divided as  follows: College  and University  Revenue, 2;  Electrical
System  Revenue, 1; Health Care Facility Revenue, 1; Water and/or Sewer Revenue,
1. All of the Bonds in the Trust, as insured, are rated AAA by Standard & Poor's
and Aaa by Moody's.
    
 
   
    At  the  Date  of  Deposit,  the  average  maturity  of  the  Bonds  in  the
Massachusetts  Insured Trust is 26.1 years. The average maturity of the Bonds in
a Trust is  calculated based upon  the stated  maturities of the  Bonds in  such
Trust  (or, with respect to Bonds for which funds or securities have been placed
in escrow to  redeem such  Bonds on  a stated call  date, based  upon such  call
date).  The average maturity  of the Bonds  in a Trust  may increase or decrease
from time to time as Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
   
    Approximately 14.3% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in  the
Trust (accounting for approximately 13.8% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds)    are   original    issue   discount    bonds.   See    "GENERAL   TRUST
INFORMATION--ORIGINAL ISSUE  DISCOUNT  BONDS  AND STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS"  for  a
discussion  of the  characteristics of  such bonds  and of  the risks associated
therewith.
    
 
    Approximately 21% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust  consists of obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are primarily derived
from  payments  to  colleges  and  universities,  including  tuition,  dormitory
revenues, grants and endorsements.
 
    For  a discussion of the  risks associated with investments  in the bonds of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The Sponsor entered into contracts to  acquire the Bonds between August  23,
1995 and August 24, 1995. The following summarizes certain information about the
Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRUSTEE'S
                                                               DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE AND
   COST TO    PROFIT (OR LOSS)   ANNUAL INTEREST   BID PRICE              THE BID PRICE
   SPONSOR       TO SPONSOR      INCOME TO TRUST    OF BONDS       (AS % OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $3,281,175       $17,418           $196,563      $3,282,030                 .47%
</TABLE>
    
 
    Neither   cost  to  Sponsor  nor  profit   (or  loss)  to  Sponsor  reflects
underwriting profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through  its
participation   in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or  underwriting
syndicate purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive  bid
basis  as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at a
profit. The Sponsor did not participate as  either the sole underwriter or as  a
manager  or member of a syndicate that  acted as the original underwriter of any
of the Bonds.
 
    Unitholders may  elect to  have interest  distributions made  on a  monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the Massachusetts
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
   
Insured  Trust, less estimated expenses,  is estimated to accrue  at the rate of
$.01492 per Unit per day under the semi-annual plan of distribution, $.01486 per
Unit per day under the quarterly plan  of distribution and $.01477 per Unit  per
day under the monthly plan of distribution. It is anticipated that the amount of
interest to be distributed per Unit in each year under each plan of distribution
will  initially  be substantially  equal to  the  Estimated Net  Annual Interest
Income per Unit for that plan.
    
 
    Details of  interest distributions  per Unit  of the  Massachusetts  Insured
Trust under the various plans appear in the following table based upon estimated
Net Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          NORMAL
                                                                                                      DISTRIBUTIONS
MASSACHUSETTS INSURED TRUST                       1995                             1996                  PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................       10/1           11/1            2/1            5/1
Distribution Date.....................      10/15          11/15           2/15           5/15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .5367(1)                                                  $  5.3679
                                                          --------  $.4473 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .5367(1)   $   .4497(2)   $  1.3491      $  1.3491        $  5.3999
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .5367(1)   $   .4515(3)                  $  2.7090        $  5.4189
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<FN>
 *  Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May 1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1) The first distribution will be paid to all  Unitholders, regardless of the distribution plan selected. Such distribution  may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2)  The  second distribution  under the  quarterly distribution  plan  represents a  1-month distribution;  subsequent quarterly
    distributions will be regular 3-month distributions.
(3) The second distribution  under the semi-annual  distribution plan represents a  1-month distribution; subsequent  semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
    
 
    The  accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest to
be distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are  redeemed,
mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS--MASSACHUSETTS INSURED TRUST
 
    For a discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on Massachusetts
Insured Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    In  the opinion  of Edwards &  Angell, special Massachusetts  counsel to the
Trust, based on rulings by the Commissioner of Revenue and under existing law:
 
        For Massachusetts income tax purposes, each  Trust will be treated as  a
    corporate  trust under Section 8 of  Chapter 62 of the Massachusetts General
    Laws ("M.G.L.") and  not as a  grantor trust under  Section 10(e) of  M.G.L.
    Chapter 62.
 
        The  Trust will not be held to  be engaging in business in Massachusetts
    within the meaning of said Section 8 and will, therefore, not be subject  to
    Massachusetts income tax.
 
        Unitholders  who  are  subject to  Massachusetts  income  taxation under
    M.G.L. Chapter 62 will not be required to include their respective shares of
    the earnings of  or distributions  from the Massachusetts  Insured Trust  in
    their  Massachusetts  gross  income  to the  extent  that  such  earnings or
    distributions represent tax-exempt interest excludable from gross income for
    Federal   income    tax    purposes   received    by    the    Massachusetts
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
    Insured   Trust  on  obligations  issued  by  Massachusetts,  its  counties,
    municipalities, authorities, political subdivisions or instrumentalities  or
    by  Puerto Rico, the  Virgin Islands, Guam, the  Northern Mariana Islands or
    other possessions of the United States within the meaning of Section  103(c)
    of   the  Internal  Revenue   Code  of  1986,   as  amended  ("Massachusetts
    Obligations").
 
        In the  case  of a  Massachusetts  Insured Trust,  Unitholders  who  are
    subject to Massachusetts income taxation under M.G.L. Chapter 62 will not be
    required   to  include  their  respective  shares  of  the  earnings  of  or
    distributions from such  Trust in  their Massachusetts gross  income to  the
    extent  that such earnings or distributions are derived from the proceeds of
    insurance obtained  by  the  Sponsor of  such  Trust  or by  the  issuer  or
    underwriter  of an  obligation held  by such  Trust that  represent maturing
    interest on defaulted obligations  held by the Trustee,  if and to the  same
    extent  that such earnings or distributions  would have been excludable from
    the gross income of  such Unitholders if derived  from interest paid by  the
    issuer of the defaulted obligation.
 
        Unitholders  which  are corporations  subject  to taxation  under M.G.L.
    Chapter 63  will be  required  to include  their  respective shares  of  the
    earnings  of or  distributions from the  Trust in  their Massachusetts gross
    income to the extent that such earnings or distributions represent  interest
    from  bonds, notes  or indebtedness  of any  state, including Massachusetts,
    except for interest which is specifically exempted from such tax by the acts
    authorizing issuance of said Massachusetts Obligations.
 
        The Massachusetts Insured  Trust's capital gains  and/or capital  losses
    which  are includable  in the  Federal gross  income of  Unitholders who are
    subject to  Massachusetts  income  taxation  under  M.G.L.  Chapter  62,  or
    Unitholders  which are corporations subject  to Massachusetts taxation under
    M.G.L. Chapter 63  will be included  as capital gains  and/or losses in  the
    Unitholders'  Massachusetts gross income,  except for capital  gain which is
    specifically  exempted  from  taxation  under  such  Chapters  by  the  acts
    authorizing issuance of said Massachusetts Obligations.
 
        Unitholders  which are corporations subject  to tax under M.G.L. Chapter
    63 and which  are tangible  property corporations  will not  be required  to
    include  the Units  when determining the  value of  their tangible property.
    Unitholders which are intangible property  corporations will be required  to
    include the Units when determining their net worth.
 
        Gains or losses realized on sales or redemptions of Units by Unitholders
    who are subject to Massachusetts income taxation under M.G.L. Chapter 62, or
    Unitholders  which are corporations subject to Massachusetts income taxation
    under M.G.L. Chapter  63, will  be includable in  their Massachusetts  gross
    income.  In  determining such  gain or  loss Unitholders  will, to  the same
    extent required for Federal tax purposes, have to adjust their tax bases for
    their  Units  for  accrued  interest  received,  if  any,  on  Massachusetts
    Obligations  delivered to  the Trustee after  the Unitholders  pay for their
    Units, for amortization  of premiums, if  any, on Massachusetts  Obligations
    held  by the  Massachusetts Insured  Trust, and  for accrued  original issue
    discount with respect to  each Massachusetts Obligation  which, at the  time
    the Massachusetts Obligation was issued, had original issue discount.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
        The  Units of the  Trust are not  subject to any  property tax levied by
    Massachusetts or any political  subdivision thereof, nor  to any income  tax
    levied  by any such political subdivision.  They are includable in the gross
    estate of a deceased holder who is a resident of Massachusetts for  purposes
    of the Massachusetts Estate Tax.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--MASSACHUSETTS
 
    Without  intending  to be  complete,  the following  briefly  summarizes the
current financial situation, as  well as some of  the complex factors  affecting
the   financial   situation,   in  the   Commonwealth   of   Massachusetts  (the
"COMMONWEALTH"). It  is derived  from sources  that are  generally available  to
investors  and is based in part on information obtained from various agencies in
Massachusetts. No  independent verification  has been  made of  the accuracy  or
completeness of the following information.
 
    There  can  be no  assurance that  current or  future statewide  or regional
economic difficulties,  and  the  resulting  impact  on  Commonwealth  or  local
governmental  finances generally, will not adversely  affect the market value of
Massachusetts Obligations in the Trust or the ability of particular obligors  to
make timely payments of debt service on (or relating to) those obligations.
 
    Since  1988, there  has been  a significant  slowdown in  the Commonwealth's
economy, as indicated by  a rise in  unemployment, a slowing  of its per  capita
income  growth and declining state revenues.  In fiscal 1991, the Commonwealth's
expenditures for  state  government  programs  exceeded  current  revenues,  and
although fiscal 1992, 1993 and 1994 revenues exceeded expenditures, no assurance
can be given that lower than expected tax revenues will not resume and continue.
 
    1996  FISCAL  YEAR  BUDGET.   On  June  21, 1995,  the  Governor  signed the
Commonwealth's budget for  fiscal 1996. The  fiscal 1996 budget  is based on  an
estimated  budgeted revenues and other sources of approximately $16.802 billion,
which includes  tax  revenue  estimates of  approximately  $11.654  billion,  an
increase  of  approximately  $475 million,  as  compared to  estimated  1995 tax
revenues of $11.179 billion. The  fiscal 1996 budgeted expenditures are  $16.820
billion,  which  represents  an  approximately 2.6%  increase  from  fiscal 1995
expenditures.
 
    1995 FISCAL  YEAR  BUDGET.   On  July  10,  1994, the  Governor  signed  the
Commonwealth's  budget  for fiscal  1995.  The fiscal  1995  budget is  based on
estimated budgeted revenues and other sources of approximately $16.360  billion,
which  includes revised tax revenue  estimates of approximately $11.179 billion.
Tax revenues for  fiscal 1995 were  originally estimated at  $11.328 billion  in
May,  1994, however,  due to the  slowing of the  rate of growth  in certain tax
revenue  categories  in  the  months  following  the  signing  of  the   budget,
particularly  income tax, the  Secretary of the  Administration on September 26,
1994, as required by law,  reduced the fiscal 1995  tax revenue estimate by  $75
million.  On  January 25,  1995, the  Secretary  for Administration  and Finance
further revised  the fiscal  1995 tax  revenue estimate  to $11.179  billion,  a
reduction of approximately $55 million from the September 26, 1994 estimate. The
tax  revenue estimate includes $19.3 million of  tax cuts signed by the Governor
in the fiscal 1995 budget. Estimated fiscal 1995 tax revenues are  approximately
$572 million higher than fiscal 1994 tax revenues of $10.607 billion.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
    As  signed  by the  Governor,  the budget  authorizes  approximately $16.482
billion in fiscal  1995 expenditures.  The Governor exercised  his authority  to
veto  and  reduce  individual  line  items  and  reduced  total  expenditures by
approximately $298.2 million and vetoed  certain other law changes contained  in
the fiscal 1995 budget. The $16.449 billion of fiscal 1995 expenditures includes
a  reserve  against  certain  contingencies currently  in  the  amount  of $98.6
million. On January 25,  1995, the Governor  filed a supplemental  appropriation
recommendation  aggregating approximately $43.6  million, which expenditures are
included in the $98.6 million contingency reserve for fiscal 1995  expenditures.
Included in the approximately $298.2 million of vetoes noted above, the Governor
vetoed  approximately $296.9 million in  appropriations for the Executive Office
of Human  Services  and  the  Department of  Public  Welfare,  representing  the
estimate,  at the  time, of  4 months of  funding for  the Commonwealth's public
assistance programs.
 
    On February 10, 1995,  the Governor signed into  law certain reforms to  the
Commonwealth's  program  for Aid  to Families  with Dependent  Children ("AFDC")
which take  effect on  July 1,  1995,  subject to  federal approval  of  certain
waivers.  The revised program reduces AFDC benefits to able bodied recipients by
2.75%, while  allowing them  to keep  a larger  portion of  their earned  wages,
requires  approximately 22,000  able-bodied parents  of school-aged  children to
work  or  perform  community  service  for  20  hours  per  week  and   requires
approximately  16,000 recipients who  have children between the  ages of two and
six to participate  in an  education or  training program  or perform  community
service.  The plan also establishes a pilot program for up to 2,000 participants
that offers  tax  credits and  wage  subsidies  to employers  who  hire  welfare
recipients.  Parents who find employment will  be provided with extended medical
benefits and day care benefits  for up to one  year. The plan mandates  paternal
identification, expands funding for anti-fraud initiatives, and requires parents
on  AFDC to  immunize their  children. Parents  who are  disabled, caring  for a
disabled child, have a child under the  age of two, or are teen-agers living  at
home  and attending high school, will continue to receive cash assistance. Since
most provisions  of the  new law  do not  take effect  until July  1, 1995,  the
Executive   Office  for  Administration  projects  that  the  reforms  will  not
materially affect  fiscal  1995  public assistance  spending.  The  fiscal  1995
expenditure  estimate of $16.449 billion includes $247.8 million appropriated to
fund the Commonwealth's public assistance programs  for the last four months  of
fiscal  1995. The Commonwealth  is currently evaluating the  new law's impact on
fiscal 1996 projected spending for public assistance programs.
 
    The fiscal 1995 budget is based  on numerous spending and revenue  estimates
the achievement of which cannot be assured.
 
    On  November 8, 1994, the voters  in the statewide general election approved
an initiative petition that would slightly increase the portion of the  gasoline
tax  revenue credited to the Highway Fund, one of the Commonwealth's three major
budgetary funds, prohibit the transfer of  money from the Highway Fund to  other
funds for non-highway purposes and not permit including the Highway Fund balance
in  the computation  "consolidated net  surplus" for  purposes of  state finance
laws. The initiative petition  also provides that no  more than 15% of  gasoline
tax  revenues may be used for mass transportation purposes, such as expenditures
related to  the Massachusetts  Bay Transit  Authority. The  Executive Office  of
Administration  and Finance  is analyzing  the effect,  if any,  this initiative
petition, which became  law on December  8, 1994,  may have on  the fiscal  1995
budget and it currently does not expect it
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
to  have any materially  adverse impact. This is  not a constitutional amendment
and is  subject to  amendment or  repeal  by the  Legislature, which  may  also,
notwithstanding  the terms of the petition,  appropriate moneys from the Highway
Fund in such amounts and for such  purposes as it determines, subject only to  a
constitutional restriction that such moneys be used for highways or mass transit
purposes.
 
    1994  FISCAL YEAR.   Fiscal 1994 tax  revenue collections were approximately
$10.607 billion, $87 million below the Department of Revenue's fiscal year  1994
tax  revenue estimate of $10.694 billion and  $677 million above fiscal 1993 tax
revenues of  $9.930  billion. Budgeted  revenues  and other  sources,  including
non-tax  revenues, collected in fiscal  1994 were approximately $15.550 billion.
Total revenues and  other sources  increased by approximately  5.7% from  fiscal
1993  to fiscal 1994 while  tax revenues increased by  6.8% for the same period.
Budgeted expenditures and other uses of funds in fiscal 1994 were  approximately
$15.523  billion,  which is  $826.5 million  or  approximately 5.6%  higher than
fiscal 1993 budgeted expenditures and other uses.
 
    As of June  30, 1994, the  Commonwealth showed a  year-end cash position  of
approximately $757 million, as compared to a projected position of $599 million.
 
    In  June, 1993,  the Legislature  adopted and  the Governor  signed into law
comprehensive  education  reform  legislation.  This  legislation  required   an
increase  in expenditures for education purposes above fiscal 1993 base spending
of $1.288 billion of  approximately $175 million in  fiscal 1994. The  Executive
Office   for  Administration  and  Finance   expects  the  annual  increases  in
expenditures above  the  fiscal 1993  base  spending  of $1.288  billion  to  be
approximately  $396 million in fiscal 1995, $625 million in fiscal 1996 and $868
million in fiscal 1997. Additional annual  increases are also expected in  later
fiscal  years. The fiscal  1995 budget as  signed by the  Governor includes $896
million in appropriations to satisfy this legislation.
 
    1993 FISCAL YEAR.  The  Commonwealth's budgeted expenditures and other  uses
were approximately $14.696 billion in fiscal 1993, which is approximately $1.280
billion  or  9.6% higher  than fiscal  1992 expenditures  and other  uses. Final
fiscal 1993 budgeted expenditures were $23  million lower than the initial  July
1992 estimates of fiscal 1993 budgeted expenditures. Budgeted revenues and other
sources  for fiscal 1993  totalled approximately $14.710  billion, including tax
revenues of  $9.930  billion. Total  revenues  and other  sources  increased  by
approximately 6.9% from fiscal 1992 to fiscal 1993, while tax revenues increased
by  4.7%  for the  same period.  Overall, fiscal  1993 ended  with a  surplus of
revenues and other sources over expenditures and other uses of $13.1 million and
aggregate  ending  fund  balances  in  the  budgeted  operating  funds  of   the
Commonwealth  of  approximately $562.5  million. After  payment  in full  of the
distribution of local aid to the  Commonwealth's cities and towns ("Local  Aid")
and  the retirement of short term debt,  the Commonwealth showed a year end cash
position of approximately $622.2 million, as compared to a projected position of
$485.1 million.
 
    1992 FISCAL YEAR.  The  Commonwealth's budgeted expenditures and other  uses
were approximately $13.4 billion in fiscal 1992, which is $238.7 million or 1.7%
lower  than  fiscal  1991  budgeted  expenditures.  Final  fiscal  1992 budgeted
expenditures were $300  million more  than the  initial July  1991 estimates  of
budgetary expenditures, due in part to increases
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
in  certain human services programs, including an increase of $268.7 million for
the Medicaid program  and $50.0  million for mental  retardation consent  decree
requirements.  Budgeted  revenues and  other  sources for  fiscal  1992 totalled
approximately $13.7  billion  (including  tax  revenues  of  approximately  $9.5
billion),  reflecting an increase of approximately 0.7% from fiscal 1991 to 1992
and an increase of  5.4% in tax  revenues for the  same period. Overall,  fiscal
1992  is estimated to  have ended with  an excess of  revenues and other sources
over expenditures and  other uses of  $312.3 million. After  payment in full  of
Local  Aid in the amount  of $514.0 million due on  June 30, 1992, retirement of
the Commonwealth's outstanding  commercial paper (except  for approximately  $50
million  of bond anticipation notes) and certain other short term borrowings, as
of June 30, 1992,  the end of  fiscal 1992, the  Commonwealth showed a  year-end
cash position of approximately $731 million, as compared with the Commonwealth's
cash balance of $182.3 million at the end of fiscal 1991.
 
    1991  FISCAL YEAR.  Budgeted expenditures for fiscal 1991 were approximately
$13.659 billion, as against budgeted revenues and other sources of approximately
$13.634 billion. The  Commonwealth suffered an  operating loss of  approximately
$21.2  million. Application of the adjusted  fiscal 1990 fund balances of $258.3
million resulted in a fiscal 1991 budgetary surplus of $237.1 million. State law
requires that approximately $59.2 million of the fiscal year ending balances  of
$237.1  million be placed in the Stabilization  Fund, a reserve from which funds
can be appropriated (i) to make up any difference between actual state  revenues
in  any fiscal year  in which actual  revenues fall below  the allowable amount,
(ii) to replace state and local losses by federal funds or (iii) for any  event,
as  determined by the legislature, which threatens the health, safety or welfare
of the  people  or the  fiscal  stability of  the  Commonwealth or  any  of  its
political subdivisions.
 
    Upon  taking office in January  1991, the new Governor  proposed a series of
legislative and  administrative  actions, including  withholding  of  allotments
under  Section 9C of Chapter  29 of the General  Laws, intended to eliminate the
projected deficits.  The  new Governor's  review  of the  Commonwealth's  budget
indicated  projected spending of  approximately $14.1 billion  with an estimated
$850 million in  budget balancing  measures that would  be needed  prior to  the
close  of fiscal  1991. At  that time,  estimated tax  revenues were  revised to
approximately $8.8 billion, $903 million less than was estimated at the time the
fiscal 1991  budget  was  adopted.  The Legislature  adopted  a  number  of  the
Governor's  recommendations and the Governor took certain administrative actions
not requiring legislative approval, including  the adoption of a state  employee
furlough  program. It is estimated by  the Commonwealth that spending reductions
achieved  through  savings  initiatives  and  withholding  of  allotments  total
approximately  $484.3  million  in  aggregate for  fiscal  1991.  However, these
savings and reductions may be impacted negatively by litigation pursued by third
parties concerning the Governor's actions under Section 9C of Chapter 29 of  the
General Laws and with regard to the state employee furlough program.
 
    In  addition, the new administration  in May 1991 filed  an amendment to its
Medicaid state  plan that  enables  it to  claim  50% federal  reimbursement  on
uncompensated  care payments  for certain  hospitals in  the Commonwealth.  As a
result, in fiscal 1991, the Commonwealth obtained additional non-tax revenues in
the form  of  federal reimbursements  equal  to approximately  $513  million  on
account  of uncompensated care payments. This reimbursement claim was based upon
recent amendments of federal law contained in the Omnibus Budget  Reconciliation
Act of 1990 and, consequently, on relatively undeveloped
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
federal  laws, regulations and guidelines. At  the request of the federal Health
Care Financing Administration,  the Office  of Inspector General  of the  United
States  Department of Health  and Human Services  has commenced an  audit of the
reimbursement. The administration, which had reviewed the matter with the Health
Care Financing Administration prior to claiming the reimbursement, believes that
the Commonwealth  will  prevail in  the  audit.  If the  Commonwealth  does  not
prevail,  the Commonwealth would have the right  to contest an appeal, but could
be required to pay all or part  of Medicaid reimbursements with interest and  to
have such amount deducted from future reimbursement payments.
 
    1990  AND  1989 FISCAL  YEARS.   In  July 1989,  the former  Governor vetoed
certain provisions included in the budget legislation for fiscal 1990, including
approximately $273 million  of the  fiscal 1990  appropriations, including  $100
million  for Local Aid. One of the Governor's vetoes occasioned a default by the
Commonwealth on  a  September 1,  1989  payment of  $2.5  million on  a  general
obligation   contract  with  the  Massachusetts  Community  Development  Finance
Corporation to which its full faith  and credit had been pledged, which  payment
was  made on September 17, 1990  after a supplemental appropriation was proposed
by the Governor  and passed  by the  legislature. The  legislature overrode  the
Governor's  veto of $100  million of Local  Aid and the  Governor then indicated
that he was withholding the allotment for such expenditure. The Supreme Judicial
Court invalidated the  Governor's withholding  of $210  million of  appropriated
funds for certain Local Aid purposes in May 1990.
 
    Budgeted  expenditures for fiscal 1989 and 1990 totalled approximately $12.6
billion and $13.3 billion, respectively.  Budgeted revenues for fiscal 1989  and
1990 totalled approximately $12.0 billion and $12.0 billion, respectively.
 
    EMPLOYMENT.   Reversing  a trend of  relatively low  unemployment during the
early and  mid 1980's,  the Massachusetts  unemployment rate  beginning in  1990
increased  significantly to where the  Commonwealth's unemployment rate exceeded
the national unemployment rate. During 1990, the Massachusetts unemployment rate
increased from 4.5% in January to 6.1%  in July to 6.7% in August. During  1991,
the  Massachusetts  unemployment rate  averaged  9.0% while  the  average United
States unemployment rate  was 6.7%. The  Massachusetts unemployment rate  during
1992  averaged 8.5% while the average  United States unemployment rate was 7.4%.
Since 1993, the  average monthly  unemployment rate has  declined steadily.  The
Massachusetts  unemployment rate in December 1994 was 5.7%, as compared with the
United States unemployment rate of 5.4% for the same period. Other factors which
may significantly and adversely affect  the employment rate in the  oCmmonwealth
include reductions in federal government spending on defense-related industries.
Due  to  this  and  other  considerations,  there  can  be  no  assurances  that
unemployment in the Commonwealth will not increase in the future.
 
    DEBT RATINGS.   S&P  currently rates  the Commonwealth's  uninsured  general
obligation  bonds at A+. At the same  time, S&P currently rates state and agency
notes at SP1. From 1989 through 1992, the Commonwealth had experienced a  steady
decline  in its  S&P rating, with  its decline  beginning in May  1989, when S&P
lowered its  rating on  the Commonwealth's  general obligation  bonds and  other
Commonwealth  obligations  from AA+  to AA  and continuing  a series  of further
reductions until March 1992, when the rating was affirmed at BBB.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
    Moody's currently  rates  the Commonwealth's  uninsured  general  obligation
bonds  at A1. From 1989 through 1992,  the Commonwealth had experienced a steady
decline in its rating by  Moody's since May 1989.  In May 1989, Moody's  lowered
its  rating on the Commonwealth's  notes from MIG-1 to  MIG-2, and its rating on
the Commonwealth's commercial paper  from P-1 to P-2.  On June 21, 1989  Moody's
reduced  the Commonwealth's general obligation rating  from Aa to A. On November
15, 1989, Moody's reduced the  rating on the Commonwealth's general  obligations
from  A  to Baa1,  and  on March  9,  1990, Moody's  reduced  the rating  of the
Commonwealth's general  obligation bonds  from  Baa1 to  Baa.  There can  be  no
assurance that these ratings will continue.
 
    In  recent  years, the  Commonwealth and  certain of  its public  bodies and
municipalities have faced serious financial difficulties which have affected the
credit standing  and borrowing  abilities of  Massachusetts and  its  respective
entities  and may have contributed to higher interest rates on debt obligations.
The continuation of, or an increase in, such financial difficulties could result
in declines  in  the market  values  of,  or default  on,  existing  obligations
including  Massachusetts Obligations  in the Trust.  Should there  be during the
term of  the Trust  a financial  crisis relating  to Massachusetts,  its  public
bodies  or municipalities, the market value and marketability of all outstanding
bonds issued by the  Commonwealth and its  public authorities or  municipalities
including  the Massachusetts Obligations in the Trust and interest income to the
Trust could be adversely affected.
 
    TOTAL BOND  AND  NOTE  LIABILITIES.    The  total  general  obligation  bond
indebtedness  of the Commonwealth (including Fiscal  Recovery Bonds) as of April
1,  1995  was   approximately  $9.6   billion.  There   were  also   outstanding
approximately  $245 million  in general  obligation notes  and other  short term
general obligation debt. The total bond and note liabilities of the Commonwealth
as of April 1, 1995, including  guaranteed bond and contingent liabilities,  was
approximately $12.9 billion.
 
    DEBT  SERVICE.    During  the  1980s,  capital  expenditures  were increased
substantially, which  has had  a short  term impact  on the  cash needs  of  the
Commonwealth  and also  accounts for a  significant rise in  debt service during
that period. Payments for debt service on Commonwealth general obligation  bonds
and  notes have risen at an average annual  rate of 22.2% from $770.9 million in
fiscal 1990 to an estimated $942.3 million in fiscal 1991. Debt service payments
in fiscal  1992 were  $898.3  million. Debt  service  payments for  fiscal  1992
reflect  a $261 million one-time reduction achieved  as a result of the issuance
of the refunding bonds in September and October 1991. Debt service  expenditures
were  approximately $1.140 billion and $1.149  billion for fiscal 1993 and 1994,
respectively, and are projected  to be approximately  $1.241 billion for  fiscal
1995.  The fiscal 1993 and fiscal 1994 debt service expenditures reflect savings
of $62.9 million and $57.3 million, respectively, achieved through the  issuance
of  refunding bonds in October 1992, and March, May and August 1993. The amounts
represented do not include  debt service on notes  issued to finance the  fiscal
1989  deficit  and certain  Medicaid related  liabilities, certain  debt service
contract assistance to  the Massachusetts Bay  Transportation Authority  ($181.9
million projected in fiscal 1995), the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority
($24.6 million projected in fiscal 1995), the Massachusetts Government Land Bank
($6.0  million projected in  fiscal 1995) and  the Massachusetts Water Pollution
Abatement Trust ($13.9 million projected in  fiscal 1995), as well as grants  to
municipalities under the school building
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
assistance program to defray a portion of the debt service costs on local school
bonds ($179.2 million projected in fiscal 1995).
 
    In  January 1990, legislation was  passed to impose a  limit on debt service
beginning in  fiscal  1991,  providing  that  no more  than  10%  of  the  total
appropriations  in any fiscal year  may be expended for  payment of interest and
principal on general obligation debt (excluding the Fiscal Recovery Bonds).  The
percentage  of total appropriations  expended from the  budgeted operating funds
for debt service (excluding  debt service on Fiscal  Recovery Bonds) for  fiscal
1994  is 5.6% (on a preliminary unaudited  basis) which is projected to increase
to 5.9% in fiscal 1995.
 
    CERTAIN  LIABILITIES.    Among  the  material  future  liabilities  of   the
Commonwealth  are  significant unfunded  general  liabilities of  its retirement
systems and a program to fund  such liabilities; a program whereby, starting  in
1978,  the  Commonwealth began  assuming full  financial responsibility  for all
costs of  the  administration of  justice  within the  Commonwealth;  continuing
demands to raise aggregate aid to cities, towns, schools and other districts and
transit  authorities above current levels;  and Medicaid expenditures which have
increased each year since the program was initiated. The Commonwealth has signed
consent decrees to continue  improving mental health care  and programs for  the
mentally  retarded in order to meet federal standards, including those governing
receipt of federal  reimbursements under  various programs, and  the parties  in
those cases have worked cooperatively to resolve the disputed issues.
 
    As  a result  of comprehensive  legislation approved  in January,  1988, the
Commonwealth is  required,  beginning in  fiscal  1989 to  fund  future  pension
liabilities  currently and  to amortize the  Commonwealth's unfunded liabilities
over 40 years. The  estimated pension costs (inclusive  of current benefits  and
pension  reserves)  for fiscal  year 1996  are  $1.044 billion,  representing an
increase of 5.0% over estimated fiscal 1995 expenditures of $994.3 million.
 
    LITIGATION.   The  Commonwealth is  engaged  in various  lawsuits  involving
environmental  and related  laws, including an  action brought on  behalf of the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency alleging violations of the Clean Water  Act
and  seeking to enforce  the clean-up of  Boston Harbor. The  MWRA, successor in
liability  to  the  Metropolitan   District  Commission,  has  assumed   primary
responsibility  for developing  and implementing  a court-approved  plan for the
construction of the  treatment facilities necessary  to achieve compliance  with
federal  requirements. Under the Clean Water Act, the Commonwealth may be liable
for costs of compliance in these or any other Clean Water cases if the MWRA or a
municipality is  prevented from  raising  revenues necessary  to comply  with  a
judgment. The MWRA currently projects that the total cost of construction of the
treatment  facilities  required under  the court's  order is  approximately $3.5
billion in current dollars, with approximately  $1.84 billion to be spent on  or
after July 1, 1994.
 
    The  Department of  Public Welfare  has been  sued for  the alleged unlawful
denial  of  personal  care  attendant  services  to  certain  disabled  Medicaid
recipients. The Superior Court has denied the plaintiff's motion for preliminary
injunction  and has also denied the  plaintiff's motion for class certification.
If the plaintiffs  were to  prevail on their  claims and  the Commonwealth  were
required  to  provide  all of  the  services  sought by  the  plaintiffs  to all
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
similarly situation persons, it would substantially increase in the annual  cost
to  the  Commonwealth  that these  services  might eventually  be  required. The
Department of Public Welfare currently estimates this increase to be as much  as
$200 million per year.
 
    There  are  also  actions  pending in  which  recipients  of  human services
benefits, such as welfare  recipients, the mentally  retarded, the elderly,  the
handicapped,  children, residents of state  hospitals and inmates of corrections
institutions, seek  expanded  levels  of  services and  benefits  and  in  which
providers  of services to such recipients challenge  the rates at which they are
reimbursed by  the Commonwealth.  To  the extent  that  such actions  result  in
judgments requiring the Commonwealth to provide expanded services or benefits or
pay  increased  rates, additional  operating and  capital expenditures  might be
needed to implement such judgments.
 
    The Massachusetts Hospital Association has brought an action challenging  an
element of the Medicaid rate setting methodologies for hospitals. On October 12,
1993,  the  case  was  settled  with the  hospital  association  and  most acute
hospitals, thereby  reducing  the  Commonwealth's  potential  liability  in  the
pending case or in related appeals to approximately $10 million.
 
    In  addition there are several tax  matters in litigation which could result
in significant refunds to taxpayers if decisions unfavorable to the Commonwealth
are rendered. In BAYBANK, ET AL. V. COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE, the banks challenge
the inclusion of income from tax exempt  obligations in the measure of the  bank
excise  tax. The  Appellate Tax Board  issued findings  of fact and  a report in
favor of the Commissioner of Revenue on September 30, 1993. The Supreme Judicial
Court heard the appeal on March 7,  1995. Taking into account all banks and  all
years  at issue (1974 through 1986), there  are 142 appeals consolidated in this
case. The  amount at  issue  is currently  estimated  to be  approximately  $1.4
billion,  which  amount  includes  interest of  approximately  $1.1  billion and
amounts involved in other  related applications for  abatement pending with  the
Commissioner of Revenue or with the Appellate Tax Board.
 
    In  March 30, 1995, the parties reported  to the Supreme Judicial Court that
they had agreed  in principle  to settle the  case and  related litigation.  The
agreement  in principle includes an agreement  that the Commonwealth will pay to
the banks $25 million, payable in installments of $10 million on August 1,  1996
and  August 1, 1997, and  $5 million and all  accrued interest on the settlement
amount on August 1,  1998, with an  option for the  Commonwealth to prepay  such
amounts.
 
    On  March 22,  1995, the  Supreme Judicial Court,  in its  opinion in PERINI
CORPORATION ET AL. V. COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE, held that certain deductions from
the net worth  measure of  the Massachusetts  corporate excise  tax violate  the
Commerce  Clause of the United States  Constitution. The court remanded the case
for entry of a declaration and  further proceedings, if necessary, to  determine
other  appropriate remedies. The  Commonwealth intends to file  a petition for a
writ of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court. The Department of Revenue
is analyzing the impact  of this decision, but  cannot yet determine the  likely
effect  on future aggregate annual corporate  excise tax receipts. The amount of
taxes and interest at issue in other cases is approximately $150 million.
 
    In  NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  GOVERNMENT  EMPLOYEES  V.  COMMONWEALTH,  the
Superior  Court  declared  that  a  line  item  in  the  Commonwealth's  general
appropriations act for fiscal 1994
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
that increased  the state  employees'  percentage share  of their  group  health
insurance  premiums from  10% to  15% violated  the terms  of several collective
bargaining agreements,  and  therefore  was  invalid  under  the  United  States
Constitution  as regards employees  covered by the  agreements. The Commonwealth
appealed the  Superior  Court's decision  and  the Supreme  Judicial  Court  has
granted  direct appellate  review. Several other  unions have  filed a companion
suit asserting that  the premium  increase similarly  violated other  collective
bargaining agreements. The latter suit is in its initial stages. If the Superior
Court  decision in  favor of the  state employees is  upheld, the Commonwealth's
aggregate liability is estimated to be approximately $32 million.
 
    A variety of  other civil suits  pending against the  Commonwealth may  also
affect  its future liabilities.  These include challenges  to the Commonwealth's
allocation of school aid under Section 9C of Chapter 29 of the General Laws  and
to  adopt a state employee furlough program. No prediction is possible as to the
ultimate outcome of these proceedings.
 
    Many factors, in addition  to those cited  above, do or  may have a  bearing
upon  the financial condition of the Commonwealth, including social and economic
conditions, many of which are not within the control of the Commonwealth.
 
    EXPENDITURE AND TAX LIMITATION  MEASURES.  Limits  have been established  on
state  tax revenues by legislation approved by  the Governor on October 25, 1986
and by an initiative petition  approved by the voters  on November 4, 1986.  The
Executive  Office for Administration and  Finance currently estimates that state
tax revenues will not reach the limit imposed by either the initiative  petition
or the legislative enactment in fiscal 1992.
 
    Proposition  2 1/2, passed by the voters in 1980, led to large reductions in
property taxes,  the major  source of  income for  cities and  towns, and  large
increases in state aid to offset such revenue losses. According to the Executive
Office  for Administration and Finance, all of the 351 cities and towns have now
achieved a property  tax level of  no more  than 2.5% of  full property  values.
Under the terms of Proposition 2 1/2, the property tax levy can now be increased
annually for all cities and towns, almost all by 2.5% of the prior fiscal year's
tax  levy  plus  2.5%  of  the  value  of  new  properties  and  of  significant
improvements to  property.  Legislation  has also  been  enacted  providing  for
certain  local  option  taxes.  A  voter  initiative  petition  approved  at the
statewide general election in November, 1990 further regulates the  distribution
of  Local Aid of no  less than 40% of  collections from individual income taxes,
sales and  use taxes,  corporate excise  taxes,  and the  balance of  the  state
lottery   fund.  If  implemented   in  accordance  with   its  terms  (including
appropriation of  the necessary  funds), the  petition as  approved would  shift
several hundred million dollars to direct Local Aid.
 
    OTHER  TAX MEASURES.   To provide  revenue to  pay debt service  on both the
deficit and  Medicaid-related borrowings  and to  fund certain  direct  Medicaid
expenditures,  legislation  was enacted  imposing an  additional tax  on certain
types of personal income for 1989 and 1990 taxable years at rates of 0.375%  and
0.75%  respectively, effectively raising the tax rate  of 1989 from 5% to 5.375%
and for 1990 to 5.75%. Recent legislation has effectively further increased  tax
rates  to 5.95% for  tax year 1990 to  6.25% for tax year  1991 and returning to
5.95% for tax year 1992 and subsequent  tax years. The tax is applicable to  all
personal   income  except   income  derived   from  dividends,   capital  gains,
unemployment compensation,  alimony,  rent, interest,  pensions,  annuities  and
IRA/Keogh  distributions.  The  income  tax rate  on  other  interest (excluding
interest   on    obligations    of    the   United    States    and    of    the
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
Commonwealth and its subdivisions), dividends and net capital gains (after a 50%
reduction) was increased from 10% to 12% for tax year 1990 and subsequent years,
by recently enacted legislation.
 
    ESTATE  TAX REVISIONS.   The fiscal  1993 budget  included legislation which
gradually phases out the current Massachusetts estate tax and replaces it with a
"sponge tax" in 1997.  The "sponge tax"  is based on the  maximum amount of  the
credit  for state taxes allowed for federal  estate tax purposes. The estate tax
is phased out  by means  of annual  increases in  the basic  exemption from  the
current  $200,000  level.  The  exemption is  increased  to  $300,000  for 1993,
$400,000 for 1994,  $500,000 for 1995  and $600,000 for  1996. In addition,  the
legislation  includes a full marital deduction  starting July 1, 1994. Currently
the marital deduction  is limited  to 50%  of the  Massachusetts adjusted  gross
estate.  The  static  fiscal impact  of  the phase  out  of the  estate  tax was
estimated to be approximately $24.8 million  in fiscal 1994 and is estimated  to
be approximately $72.5 million in fiscal 1995.
 
    OTHER  ISSUERS OF  MASSACHUSETTS OBLIGATIONS.   There are a  number of state
agencies, instrumentatlities and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth that
issue Municipal Obligations, some  of which may  be conduit revenue  obligations
payable  from payments  from private  borrowers. These  entities are  subject to
various economic  risks  and  uncertainties,  and  the  credit  quality  of  the
securities  issued  by them  may vary  considerably from  the credit  quality of
obligations backed by the full faith  and credit of the Commonwealth. The  brief
summary above does not address, nor does it attempt to address, any difficulties
and   the  financial  situations   of  those  other   issuers  of  Massachusetts
Obligations.
 
MASSACHUSETTS TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current  returns
for  individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current returns
under combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1995 marginal  Federal
tax  rates and marginal state tax rates  currently available and scheduled to be
in  effect.  The  tables  incorporate  increased  tax  rates  for  higher-income
taxpayers  that were  included in  the Revenue  Reconciliation Act  of 1993. For
cases in which more than one state  bracket falls within a Federal bracket,  the
highest  state bracket is combined with  the Federal bracket. The combined state
and Federal tax  brackets shown  reflect the fact  that state  tax payments  are
currently  deductible for Federal  tax purposes. The  tables illustrate what you
would have to  earn on  taxable investments  to equal  the tax-exempt  estimated
current  return for your income  tax bracket. A taxpayer's  marginal tax rate is
affected by both his taxable income  and his adjusted gross income. Locate  your
adjusted  gross and  your taxable  income (which  is your  adjusted gross income
reduced by any deductions and exemptions), then locate your tax bracket based on
joint or single  tax filing.  Read across  to the  equivalent taxable  estimated
current return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 39.0 $     0-114.7      25.0   %     6.33    6.67    7.00    7.33    7.67    8.00    8.33    8.67
    39.0- 94.3       0-114.7      36.5         7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84   10.24
                 114.7-172.1      37.5         7.60    8.00    8.40    8.80    9.20    9.60   10.00   10.40
    94.3-143.6       0-114.7      39.5         7.85    8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92   10.33   10.74
                 114.7-172.1      40.0         7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42   10.83
                 172.1-294.6      42.0         8.26    8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87   11.30
   143.6-256.5   114.7-172.1      44.5         8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26   11.71
                 172.1-294.6      47.0         8.96    9.43    9.91   10.38   10.85   11.32   11.79   12.26
                  Over 294.6      44.5   2     8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26   11.71
    Over 256.5   172.1-294.6      50.5         9.60   10.10   10.61   11.11   11.62   12.12   12.63   13.13
                  Over 294.6      48.0   3     9.13    9.62   10.10   10.58   11.06   11.54   12.02   12.50
</TABLE>
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 23.4 $     0-114.7      25.0   %     6.33    6.67    7.00    7.33    7.67    8.00    8.33    8.67
    23.4- 56.6       0-114.7      36.5         7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84   10.24
    56.6-118.0       0-114.7      39.5         7.85    8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92   10.33   10.74
                 114.7-237.2      40.5         7.98    8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92
   118.0-256.5   114.7-237.2      45.5         8.72    9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01   11.47   11.93
                  Over 237.2      44.5   2     8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26   11.71
    Over 256.5    Over 237.2      48.0   3     9.13    9.62   10.10   10.58   11.06   11.54   12.02   12.50
 
<FN>
------------------
 
      1  The table reflects the effect of the limitations on  itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions. They
were designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect,  raise
the  current maximum marginal Federal tax rate to approximately 44.0  percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and entitled to
four personal exemptions and to  approximately 41.0 percent for  taxpayers filing a single return  entitled to only one  personal
exemption.  These limitations are  subject to certain maximums,  which depend on  the number of exemptions  claimed and the total
amount of the taxpayer's itemized  deductions. For example, the  limitation on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer  to
lose more than 80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
</TABLE>
 
    A  comparison of tax-free  and equivalent taxable  estimated current returns
with the returns on  various taxable investments is  one element to consider  in
making  an  investment  decision. The  Sponsor  may  from time  to  time  in its
advertising and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns  on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns  on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds, bank
CDs and  money  market  accounts  or  money market  funds,  each  of  which  has
investment  characteristics  that  may  differ from  those  of  the  Trust. U.S.
Government bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of  the
U.S.  Government and bank CDs and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds  provide
stability  of principal, but pay interest at  rates that vary with the condition
of the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust  are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
   
NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT DATE OF DEPOSIT
AUGUST 25, 1995
MASSACHUSETTS INSURED TRUST 129
(SERIES 821)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   500,000      The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, General          2005 at 101        AAA         Aaa     $       469,280
                   Obligation Bonds, Consolidated Loan of 1995,
                   Series B, 5.50% Due 7/1/14.
    250,000      Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority,         2005 at 102        AAA         Aaa             238,085
                   General Transportation System Bonds, 1995
                   Series A, 5.75% Due 3/1/25. (General
                   Obligation Bonds.)
    250,000      Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities     2005 at 102        AAA         Aaa             234,843
                   Authority, Revenue Bonds, Harvard University
                   Issue, Series P, 5.625% Due 11/1/28.
    500,000     * Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities    2005 at 102        AAA         Aaa             487,500
                   Authority, Revenue Bonds, Newton-Wellesley
                   Hospital Issue, Series E, 6.00% Due 7/1/25.
                   (When issued.)
    500,000      Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities     2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             479,600
                   Authority, Revenue Bonds, Smith College
                   Issue, Series D, 5.75% Due 7/1/24.
    500,000      Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric          2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             440,640
                   Company, Power Supply System Revenue Bonds,
                   1994 Series B, 5.00% Due 7/1/13.
    500,000      Massachusetts Water Resources Authority,          2004 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             493,215
                   General Revenue Bonds, 1994 Series A, 6.00%
                   Due 8/1/24.
    500,000      Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Public Improvement   2005 at 101 1/2      AAA         Aaa             455,430
                   Bonds of 1995 (General Obligation Bonds.),
                   5.375% Due 7/1/22. (Original issue discount
                   bonds delivered on or about May 4, 1995 at a
                   price of 93.916% of principal amount.)
-----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,298,593
-----------                                                                                                 ---------------
-----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 39.
 
   
* These  Bonds,  or a  portion thereof,  have delivery  dates beyond  the normal
  settlement date. Their expected delivery date is September 20, 1995. Contracts
  relating to  Bonds  with delivery  dates  after  the date  of  settlement  for
  purchase  made  on the  Date of  Deposit constitute  approximately 14%  of the
  aggregate principal amount of the Trust. (See Section 4.)
    
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
NOTES TO SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS
 
    (1) Contracts,  which  are  "when-issued"  or  "regular  way"  contracts  or
        contracts having delivery dates beyond the normal settlement date,  have
        been  deposited with the Trustee on the Date of Deposit. The performance
        of such contracts is secured by an irrevocable letter of credit,  issued
        by  a major commercial bank, which  has been deposited with the Trustee.
        At the Date  of Deposit, Bonds  may have been  delivered to the  Sponsor
        pursuant  to certain of these contracts; the Sponsor has assigned to the
        Trustee all of its right, title and interest in and to such Bonds.
 
    (2) The Bonds are first subject to optional redemption in the years, and  at
        the  prices, shown.  Unless otherwise  indicated, the  Bonds, except for
        Bonds issued at a substantial original issue discount, are redeemable at
        declining prices (but not below par value) in subsequent years. Original
        issue  discount  bonds,  including  zero  coupon  bonds,  are  generally
        redeemable  at  prices  based on  the  issue  price plus  the  amount of
        original issue discount accreted to redemption plus, if applicable, some
        premium, the amount of which will decline in subsequent years. The Bonds
        may also be subject to sinking fund redemption without premium prior  to
        the dates shown.
 
        Certain  Bonds may be subject to redemption without premium prior to the
        date shown  pursuant  to  special  or  mandatory  call  provisions;  for
        example,  if bond proceeds are not able  to be used as contemplated, the
        project is condemned or sold, or the project is destroyed and  insurance
        proceeds  are used to  redeem the bonds.  Single family mortgage revenue
        bonds and housing authority bonds are  most likely to be called  subject
        to  such provisions, but other bonds may have similar call features. See
        Section 4 and "General Trust Information" in this Section.
 
        The Trustee's determination of the offering prices of Bonds in the  Fund
        may  be  greater or  less than  the  amounts that  may be  received upon
        redemption or  maturity  of  such Bonds.  Subject  to  rules  concerning
        amortization  of bond  premium and of  original issue  discount, gain or
        loss realized  by  the Trustee  on  disposition  of any  Bonds  will  be
        recognized  as taxable capital gain or loss by Unitholders. (See Section
        4.)
 
    (3) See "Description  of  Ratings" herein.  All  the Bonds  in  the  Insured
        Trusts,  as insured by the  Insurer, are rated AAA  by Standard & Poor's
        and Aaa by Moody's. (See Section 5.)
 
    (4) As determined by  Kenny S&P  Evaluation Services,  a division  of J.  J.
        Kenny Co., Inc., on behalf of the Trustee as of the close of business on
        the business day preceding the Date of Deposit. The prices as determined
        by  Kenny S&P Evaluation Services, a division  of J. J. Kenny Co., Inc.,
        have been rounded to the nearest dollar.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
     TO THE  BOARD OF  DIRECTORS  OF JOHN  NUVEEN  & CO.  INCORPORATED  AND
     UNITHOLDERS OF NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 821:
    
 
   
       We  have audited  the accompanying  statements of  condition and the
     related schedules of investments at  date of deposit (included in  the
     prospectus  herein)  of  Nuveen  Tax-Exempt  Unit  Trust,  Series  821
     (comprising Connecticut  Traditional Trust  276, Virginia  Traditional
     Trust 303 and Massachusetts Insured Trust 129), as of August 25, 1995.
     These  financial statements are the responsibility of the Sponsor. Our
     responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial  statements
     based on our audits.
    
 
       We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally accepted
     auditing standards. Those standards require  that we plan and  perform
     the  audit to obtain reasonable  assurance about whether the financial
     statements are  free  of  material  misstatement.  An  audit  includes
     examining,  on  a  test  basis, evidence  supporting  the  amounts and
     disclosures in  the  financial  statements.  Our  procedures  included
     confirmation  of the irrevocable letter  of credit arrangement for the
     purchase of securities,  described in  Note (1) to  the statements  of
     condition,  by correspondence with the Trustee. An audit also includes
     assessing the  accounting principles  used and  significant  estimates
     made  by  the Sponsor,  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  statements  of  condition  and  the  related
     schedules of investments at date of deposit referred to above  present
     fairly,  in all material  respects, the financial  position of each of
     the trusts constituting the Nuveen  Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series  821
     as   of  August  25,  1995,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted
     accounting principles.
    
 
                                                        ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
   
     Chicago, Illinois,
     August 25, 1995.
    
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
                            Statements of Condition
 
   
                    NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 821
    
   
     (Connecticut Traditional Trust 276, Virginia Traditional Trust 303 and
                        Massachusetts Insured Trust 129)
    
   
                             AS OF AUGUST 25, 1995
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            CONNECTICUT          VIRGINIA          MASSACHUSETTS
                                            TRADITIONAL         TRADITIONAL           INSURED
    TRUST PROPERTY                           TRUST 276           TRUST 303           TRUST 129
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>                 <C>
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Sponsor's contracts to purchase
 Tax-Exempt Bonds, backed by an
 irrevocable letter of credit(1)(2).....  $     3,293,262     $     3,242,858     $     3,298,593
Accrued interest to August 25, 1995 on
  underlying Bonds(1)...................           44,026              57,311              37,115
Organizational costs(3).................            5,200               5,100               5,100
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     3,342,488     $     3,305,269     $     3,340,808
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
   LIABILITY AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
LIABILITY:
    Accrued interest to August 25, 1995
      on underlying Bonds(4)............  $        44,026     $        57,311     $        37,115
    Accrued organizational costs(3).....            5,200               5,100               5,100
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $        49,226     $        62,411     $        42,215
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS:
    Units of fractional undivided
      interest outstanding (Connecticut
      Traditional Trust 276--35,000;
      Virginia Traditional Trust 303--
      35,000; Massachusetts Insured
      Trust 129-- 35,000)
      Cost to investors(5)..............  $     3,462,931     $     3,409,930     $     3,468,537
        Less: Gross underwriting
          commission(6).................         (169,669)           (167,072)           (169,944)
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
    Net amount applicable to
      investors.........................  $     3,293,262     $     3,242,858     $     3,298,593
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     3,342,488     $     3,305,269     $     3,340,808
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
<FN>
(1) Represented by contracts  to purchase Tax-Exempt  Bonds which include "when  issued" or "regular  way" or "delayed  delivery"
    contracts  for which an irrevocable letter of  credit issued by a major commercial  bank has been deposited with the Trustee.
    The amount of such letter of credit  and any cash deposited exceeds the amount  necessary for the purchase of the Bonds  plus
    accrued  interest to the Date of  Deposit. At the Date of  Deposit, Bonds may have been  delivered to the Sponsor pursuant to
    certain of these contracts; the  Sponsor has assigned to  the Trustee all of  its rights, title and  interest in and to  such
    Bonds.
(2)  Aggregate value (at offering prices) as of the Date of  Deposit of the Bonds listed under "Schedules of Investments" herein,
    and their aggregate cost to the Trusts are the same. Such offering prices were determined by Kenny S&P Evaluation Services as
    of the close of business on the business day prior to the Date of Deposit. (See Section 10.) Insurance coverage providing for
    the timely payment, when due, of all principal  of and interest on the Bonds in  the Insured Trusts has been obtained by  the
    Sponsor  or by the issuers of such Bonds. Such insurance does not guarantee the market value of the Bonds or the value of the
    Units. Both the bid and the offering prices of the underlying  Bonds and of the Units may include value attributable to  such
    policies of insurance.
(3)  Each Trust  (and therefore  Unitholders) will bear  all or  a portion  of its estimated  organizational costs  which will be
    deferred and amortized over five years from the Initial Date of Deposit.
(4) Representing, as set forth in Section 8, advancement by the Trustee of an amount equal to the accrued Bond interest as of the
    Date of Deposit from the later of the last payment date on the Bonds or the date of issuance thereof.
(5) Aggregate Public Offering Price (exclusive of accrued interest) computed as set forth under Section 6.
(6) The gross underwriting commission has been calculated on the assumption that the Units offered by this prospectus are sold in
    single transactions involving less than $50,000 or 500 Units. At this level, the sales charge is 4.90% of the Public Offering
    Price in the case of National and State Trusts, 4.25% thereof  in the case of Long Intermediate Trusts, 3.90% in the case  of
    Intermediate  Trusts, 3.00% in the case  of Short Intermediate Trusts and  2.50% in the case of  Short Term Trusts. In single
    transactions involving 500 Units or more, the sales charge is reduced. (See Section 6.)
</TABLE>
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
GENERAL TRUST INFORMATION
 
    RISK FACTORS.
 
    An  investment in Units of any Trust should be made with an understanding of
the risks that such an investment may  entail. These include the ability of  the
issuer,  or,  if  applicable,  an  insurer, to  make  payments  of  interest and
principal when due, the  effects of changes in  interest rates generally,  early
call provisions and the potential for changes in the tax status of the Bonds. As
set  forth  in the  portfolio  summaries above,  the  Trusts may  contain  or be
concentrated in one or more of the types of bonds discussed below. The following
paragraphs discuss certain circumstances which may adversely affect the  ability
of  issuers  of Bonds  held  in the  portfolio  of a  Trust  to make  payment of
principal and interest thereon or which may adversely affect the ratings of such
Bonds; with  respect  to  Insured  Trusts, however,  because  of  the  insurance
obtained  by the Sponsor or by the issuers of the Bonds, such changes should not
adversely affect  an Insured  Trust's  receipt of  principal and  interest,  the
Standard  & Poor's AAA or Moody's Aaa ratings  of the Bonds in the Insured Trust
portfolio, or the Standard & Poor's AAA rating of the Units of each such Insured
Trust. For  economic risks  specific  to the  individual Trusts,  see  "Economic
Factors" for each Trust.
 
    HEALTH  FACILITY  OBLIGATIONS.    Some  of  the  Bonds  in  a  Trust  may be
obligations of  issuers whose  revenues are  derived from  services provided  by
hospitals  or other health care facilities,  including nursing homes. Ratings of
bonds issued  for health  care  facilities are  sometimes based  on  feasibility
studies  that contain projections of occupancy  levels, revenues and expenses. A
facility's gross  receipts and  net income  available for  debt service  may  be
affected  by future events and conditions  including, among other things, demand
for services, the ability of the  facility to provide the services required,  an
increasing  shortage of qualified nurses or a dramatic rise in nursing salaries,
physicians'  confidence  in  the  facility,  management  capabilities,  economic
developments  in  the service  area, competition  from other  similar providers,
efforts by  insurers  and  governmental agencies  to  limit  rates,  legislation
establishing  state rate-setting agencies,  expenses, government regulation, the
cost and possible unavailability of  malpractice insurance, and the  termination
or  restriction of governmental financial  assistance, including that associated
with Medicare, Medicaid and other  similar third party payor programs.  Medicare
reimbursements are currently calculated on a prospective basis and are not based
on  a provider's actual costs. Such method of reimbursement may adversely affect
reimbursements to hospitals and other facilities for services provided under the
Medicare program and thereby may have an  adverse effect on the ability of  such
institutions  to satisfy  debt service requirements.  In the event  of a default
upon a bond  secured by hospital  facilities, the limited  alternative uses  for
such  facilities may result  in the recovery upon  such collateral not providing
sufficient funds to fully repay the bonds.
 
    Certain hospital  bonds  provide for  redemption  at par  upon  the  damage,
destruction  or  condemnation of  the hospital  facilities  or in  other special
circumstances.
 
    HOUSING OBLIGATIONS.  Some  of the Bonds  in a Trust  may be obligations  of
issuers  whose revenues  are primarily  derived from  mortgage loans  to housing
projects for  low  to  moderate  income  families.  Such  issues  are  generally
characterized  by mandatory redemption at par or,  in the case of original issue
discount bonds, accreted  value in  the event of  economic defaults  and in  the
event of a failure of the operator of a project to comply with certain covenants
as  to the  operation of  the project.  The failure  of such  operator to comply
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
with certain  covenants related  to the  tax-exempt status  of interest  on  the
Bonds,  such as  provisions requiring  that a  specified percentage  of units be
rented or available for rental to  low or moderate income families,  potentially
could cause interest on such Bonds to be subject to Federal income taxation from
the  date of  issuance of the  Bonds. The ability  of such issuers  to make debt
service payments will be  affected by events  and conditions affecting  financed
projects,  including,  among other  things, the  achievement and  maintenance of
sufficient occupancy levels  and adequate rental  income, employment and  income
conditions  prevailing in local labor markets, increases in taxes, utility costs
and other  operating  expenses,  the managerial  ability  of  project  managers,
changes  in laws and  governmental regulations, the  appropriation of subsidies,
and social and economic  trends affecting the localities  in which the  projects
are  located. Occupancy  of such housing  projects may be  adversely affected by
high rent  levels  and  income  limitations  imposed  under  Federal  and  state
programs.
 
    SINGLE  FAMILY MORTGAGE REVENUE BONDS.  Some of  the Bonds in a Trust may be
single family  mortgage revenue  bonds,  which are  issued  for the  purpose  of
acquiring  from originating financial institutions notes secured by mortgages on
residences located within the issuer's boundaries and owned by persons of low or
moderate income. Mortgage  loans are generally  partially or completely  prepaid
prior  to their  final maturities  as a  result of  events such  as sale  of the
mortgaged premises, default, condemnation or casualty loss. Because these  bonds
are  subject to extraordinary mandatory redemption in whole or in part from such
prepayments of mortgage loans, a substantial portion of such bonds will probably
be redeemed prior to their scheduled maturities or even prior to their  ordinary
call dates. Extraordinary mandatory redemption without premium could also result
from  the failure  of the  originating financial  institutions to  make mortgage
loans in sufficient amounts within a specified time period. The redemption price
of such  issues may  be more  or less  than the  offering price  of such  bonds.
Additionally,  unusually high rates of default  on the underlying mortgage loans
may reduce revenues  available for the  payment of principal  of or interest  on
such  mortgage revenue bonds. Single family  mortgage revenue bonds issued after
December 31, 1980 were issued under Section 103A of the Internal Revenue Code of
1954, as amended, or  Section 143 of  the Internal Revenue  Code of 1986,  which
Sections  contain certain  requirements relating to  the use of  the proceeds of
such bonds in  order for the  interest on  such bonds to  retain its  tax-exempt
status.  In each  case, the issuer  of the  bonds has covenanted  to comply with
applicable requirements and bond  counsel to such issuer  has issued an  opinion
that  the interest on the bonds is exempt from Federal income tax under existing
laws  and  regulations.  There  can   be  no  assurance  that  such   continuing
requirements  will be  satisfied; the  failure to  meet such  requirements could
cause interest on the Bonds to  be subject to Federal income taxation,  possibly
from the date of issuance of the Bonds.
 
    FEDERALLY  ENHANCED OBLIGATIONS.   Some  of the  mortgages which  secure the
various health care or housing projects which underlie the previously  discussed
Health  Facility, Housing, and  Single Family Mortgage  Revenue Obligations (the
"Obligations") in a Trust may be  insured by the Federal Housing  Administration
("FHA").  Under FHA  regulations, the  maximum insurable  mortgage amount cannot
exceed 90%  of  the FHA's  estimated  value of  the  project. The  FHA  mortgage
insurance  does not constitute a guarantee of timely payment of the principal of
and interest on the Obligations. Payment  of mortgage insurance benefits may  be
(1)  less than the principal amount of Obligations outstanding or (2) delayed if
disputes arise as to  the amount of  the payment or if  certain notices are  not
given
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
to  the  FHA  within the  prescribed  time  periods. In  addition,  some  of the
previously discussed Obligations may be secured by mortgage-backed  certificates
guaranteed  by the Government  National Mortgage Association  ("GNMA"), a wholly
owned corporate  instrumentality  of  the  United  States,  and/or  the  Federal
National   Mortgage  Association  ("Fannie  Mae")   a  federally  chartered  and
stockholder-owed corporation. GNMA  and Fannie Mae  guarantee timely payment  of
principal  and  interest on  the  mortgage-backed certificates,  even  where the
underlying  mortgage  payments   are  not  made.   While  such   mortgage-backed
certificates  are often pledged  to secure payment of  principal and interest on
the Obligations, timely payment of interest and principal on the Obligations  is
not  insured or guaranteed by  the United States, GNMA,  Fannie Mae or any other
governmental agency or  instrumentality. The  GNMA mortgage-backed  certificates
constitute  a general obligation of  the United States backed  by its full faith
and credit. The obligations of Fannie  Mae, including its obligations under  the
Fannie  Mae mortgage-backed securities, are obligations solely of Fannie Mae and
are not backed  by, or  entitled to,  the full faith  and credit  of the  United
States.
 
    INDUSTRIAL  REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.   Certain  of the Bonds  in a  Trust may be
industrial revenue bonds  ("IRBs"), including pollution  control revenue  bonds,
which  are  tax-exempt  securities  issued  by  states,  municipalities,  public
authorities or similar entities to  finance the cost of acquiring,  constructing
or improving various industrial projects. These projects are usually operated by
corporate entities. Issuers are obligated only to pay amounts due on the IRBs to
the  extent that funds are available from the unexpended proceeds of the IRBs or
receipts or revenues of the issuer  under an arrangement between the issuer  and
the  corporate operator of  a project. The arrangement  may be in  the form of a
lease, installment sale agreement, conditional sale agreement or loan agreement,
but in each case  the payments to  the issuer are designed  to be sufficient  to
meet  the payments  of amounts  due on  the IRBs.  Regardless of  the structure,
payment of IRBs is solely dependent  upon the creditworthiness of the  corporate
operator  of  the project  and,  if applicable,  corporate  guarantor. Corporate
operators or  guarantors may  be affected  by  many factors  which may  have  an
adverse  impact on  the credit  quality of  the particular  company or industry.
These include cyclicality of revenues and earnings, regulatory and environmental
restrictions, litigation  resulting  from  accidents  or  environmentally-caused
illnesses,  extensive competition  and financial deterioration  resulting from a
corporate restructuring pursuant to a leveraged buy-out, takeover or  otherwise.
Such  a restructuring may  result in the  operator of a  project becoming highly
leveraged which may have an impact on such operator's creditworthiness which  in
turn  would have  an adverse impact  on the  rating and/or market  value of such
Bonds. Further, the  possibility of  such a  restructuring may  have an  adverse
impact  on the market for and consequently  the value of such Bonds, even though
no actual takeover or other action is ever contemplated or effected. The IRBs in
a Trust may be subject to  special or extraordinary redemption provisions  which
may  provide for redemption  at par or,  in the case  of original issue discount
bonds, accreted value. The  Sponsor cannot predict the  causes or likelihood  of
the redemption of IRBs in a Trust prior to the stated maturity of such Bonds.
 
    ELECTRIC  UTILITY  OBLIGATIONS.    Some  of the  Bonds  in  a  Trust  may be
obligations of issuers  whose revenues are  primarily derived from  the sale  of
electric  energy. The problems  faced by such issuers  include the difficulty in
obtaining approval for timely  and adequate rate  increases from the  applicable
public  utility  commissions,  the difficulty  of  financing  large construction
programs, increased competition, reductions in estimates of
 
                                      A-3
<PAGE>
future demand for electricity in certain  areas of the country, the  limitations
on  operations  and increased  costs  and delays  attributable  to environmental
considerations, the difficulty of the capital market in absorbing utility  debt,
the  difficulty in obtaining fuel at reasonable  prices and the effect of energy
conservation. All  of  such issuers  have  been experiencing  certain  of  these
problems   in  varying  degrees.  In  addition,  Federal,  state  and  municipal
governmental authorities  may from  time  to time  review existing,  and  impose
additional,  regulations governing the licensing,  construction and operation of
nuclear power plants, which may adversely  affect the ability of the issuers  of
certain of the Bonds in a Trust to make payments of principal and/or interest on
such Bonds.
 
    TRANSPORTATION  FACILITY REVENUE BONDS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may be
obligations of issuers which  are payable from and  secured by revenues  derived
from  the ownership and operation of airports, public transit systems and ports.
The major portion of  an airport's gross operating  income is generally  derived
from  fees received  from airlines pursuant  to use agreements  which consist of
annual payments for airport  use, occupancy of  certain terminal space,  service
fees  and  leases. Airport  operating income  may therefore  be affected  by the
ability of the airlines to meet their obligations under the use agreements.  The
air  transport industry is  experiencing significant variations  in earnings and
traffic,  due  to  increased  competition,  excess  capacity,  increased  costs,
deregulation,  traffic constraints and  other factors, and  several airlines are
experiencing severe financial difficulties.  In particular, facilities with  use
agreements involving airlines experiencing financial difficulty may experience a
reduction  in revenue due  to the possible  inability of these  airlines to meet
their use  agreement  obligations because  of  such financial  difficulties  and
possible  bankruptcy.  The Sponsor  cannot  predict what  effect  these industry
conditions may have on airport revenues  which are dependent for payment on  the
financial  condition of the  airlines and their usage  of the particular airport
facility. Bonds that are secured primarily by the revenue collected by a  public
transit  system  typically are  additionally secured  by a  pledge of  sales tax
receipts collected  at  the state  or  local  level, or  of  other  governmental
financial assistance. Transit system net revenues will be affected by variations
in  utilization,  which  in  turn  may  be  affected  by  the  degree  of  local
governmental subsidization, demographic and  population shifts, and  competition
from  other forms  of transportation;  and by  increased costs,  including costs
resulting from previous deferrals of maintenance. Port authorities derive  their
revenues  primarily from fees imposed on ships using the facilities. The rate of
utilization of such facilities may fluctuate depending on the local economy  and
on  competition from  competing forms  of transportation  such as  air, rail and
trucks.
 
    WATER AND/OR SEWERAGE  OBLIGATIONS.  Some  of the  Bonds in a  Trust may  be
obligations  of issuers whose revenues are derived from the sale of water and/or
sewerage services. Such Bonds are generally payable from user fees. The problems
of such  issuers  include  the  ability  to  obtain  timely  and  adequate  rate
increases,  population decline resulting in  decreased user fees, the difficulty
of financing  large construction  programs, the  limitations on  operations  and
increased  costs and  delays attributable  to environmental  considerations, the
increasing difficulty of obtaining or  discovering new supplies of fresh  water,
the  effect  of  conservation  programs and  the  impact  of  "no-growth" zoning
ordinances. All of such issuers have been experiencing certain of these problems
in varying degrees.
 
    UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE REVENUE  OBLIGATIONS.  Some of  the Bonds in a  Trust
may  be obligations  of issuers  which are,  or which  govern the  operation of,
colleges and universities and  whose revenues are  derived mainly from  tuition,
dormitory revenues, grants and
 
                                      A-4
<PAGE>
endowments. General problems of such issuers include the prospect of a declining
percentage  of the population consisting  of "college" age individuals, possible
inability to raise tuitions and  fees sufficiently to cover increased  operating
costs, the uncertainty of continued receipt of Federal grants and state funding,
and  government  legislation  or  regulations  which  may  adversely  affect the
revenues or costs of  such issuers. All of  such issuers have been  experiencing
certain of these problems in varying degrees.
 
    BRIDGE AUTHORITY AND TOLLROAD OBLIGATIONS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may
be  obligations  of issuers  which derive  their payments  from bridge,  road or
tunnel toll revenues. The revenues of such an issuer could be adversely affected
by competition from toll-free vehicular bridges and roads and alternative  modes
of transportation. Such revenues could also be adversely affected by a reduction
in  the availability of fuel to motorists  or significant increases in the costs
thereof. Specifically, governmental regulations restricting the use of  vehicles
in  the New  York City  metropolitan area may  adversely affect  revenues of the
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.
 
    DEDICATED-TAX SUPPORTED  BONDS.    Some of  the  Bonds  in a  Trust  may  be
obligations of issuers which are payable from and secured by tax revenues from a
designated  source, which revenues are pledged  to secure the bonds. The various
types of  Bonds described  below differ  in structure  and with  respect to  the
rights of the bondholders to the underlying property. Each type of dedicated-tax
supported  Bond has distinct risks, only some  of which are set forth below. One
type of dedicated-tax supported Bond is secured by the incremental tax  received
on  either real property or on  sales within a specifically defined geographical
area; such  tax  generally will  not  provide bondholders  with  a lien  on  the
underlying property or revenues. Another type of dedicated-tax supported Bond is
secured  by a special tax levied on  real property within a defined geographical
area in such  a manner  that the tax  is levied  on those who  benefit from  the
project;  such bonds  typically provide for  a statutory lien  on the underlying
property for unpaid taxes. A third  type of dedicated-tax supported Bond may  be
secured by a tax levied upon the manufacture, sale or consumption of commodities
or  upon the license to pursue  certain occupations or upon corporate privileges
within a taxing jurisdiction. As to any of these types of Bonds, the ability  of
the  designated revenues to satisfy the  interest and principal payments on such
bonds may be affected by changes in the local economy, the financial success  of
the  enterprise  responsible for  the payment  of  the taxes,  the value  of any
property on which taxes may be assessed and the ability to collect such taxes in
a timely fashion. Each  of these factors  will have a  different affect on  each
distinct type of dedicated-tax supported bonds.
 
    MUNICIPAL LEASE BONDS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may be obligations that
are  secured  by lease  payments  of a  governmental  entity. Such  payments are
normally subject to  annual budget  appropriations of  the leasing  governmental
entity.  A governmental  entity that enters  into such a  lease agreement cannot
obligate future  governments to  appropriate  for and  make lease  payments  but
covenants  to take such action as is necessary to include any lease payments due
in its budgets and to make the appropriations therefor. A governmental  entity's
failure to appropriate for and to make payments under its lease obligation could
result  in insufficient funds  available for payment  of the obligations secured
thereby.
 
    ORIGINAL ISSUE  DISCOUNT BONDS  AND STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS.   Certain of  the
Bonds  in a Trust may be original  issue discount bonds. These Bonds were issued
with nominal  interest rates  less than  the rates  then offered  by  comparable
securities and as a consequence were
 
                                      A-5
<PAGE>
originally  sold at a  discount from their  face, or par,  values. This original
issue discount,  the difference  between  the initial  purchase price  and  face
value,  is deemed under current  law to accrue on a  daily basis and the accrued
portion is  treated  as  tax-exempt  interest  income  for  federal  income  tax
purposes.  On sale or redemption, gain, if any, realized in excess of the earned
portion of original issue discount will be taxable as capital gain. See "What is
the Tax Status of Unitholders". The current value of an original issue  discount
bond  reflects the  present value of  its face  amount at maturity.  In a stable
interest rate environment, the market value  of an original issue discount  bond
would  tend to increase more slowly in  early years and in greater increments as
the bond approached maturity.
 
    Certain of the original issue discount bonds  in a Trust may be zero  coupon
bonds. Zero coupon bonds do not provide for the payment of any current interest;
the  buyer receives only the right to receive a final payment of the face amount
of the bond at its maturity. The effect  of owning a zero coupon bond is that  a
fixed  yield is earned not only on  the original investment but also, in effect,
on all  discount  earned  during  the life  of  the  obligation.  This  implicit
reinvestment of earnings at the same rate eliminates the risk of being unable to
reinvest  the income on such obligation at a rate as high as the implicit yield,
but at the same time also eliminates the holder's ability to reinvest at  higher
rates  in  the  future.  For  this reason,  zero  coupon  bonds  are  subject to
substantially greater  price  fluctuations  during periods  of  changing  market
interest  rates  than are  securities of  comparable  quality that  pay interest
currently.
 
    Original issue discount bonds, including  zero coupon bonds, may be  subject
to  redemption at prices  based on the  issue price plus  the amount of original
issue  discount  accreted  to  redemption   (the  "accreted  value")  plus,   if
applicable,  some premium.  Pursuant to such  call provisions  an original issue
discount bond may be called prior to its maturity date at a price less than  its
face  value. See the  "Schedules of Investments" for  more information about the
call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
    Certain of the Bonds in a Trust may be Stripped Obligations, which represent
evidences of  ownership with  respect to  either the  principal amount  of or  a
payment  of interest on a tax-exempt  obligation. An obligation is "stripped" by
depositing it with  a custodian, which  then effects a  separation in  ownership
between  the bond and any interest payment which has not yet become payable, and
issues evidences of ownership with respect to such constituent parts. A Stripped
Obligation therefore has economic characteristics similar to zero coupon  bonds,
as described above.
 
    Each  Stripped Obligation has  been purchased at a  discount from the amount
payable at maturity. With respect to each Unitholder, the Internal Revenue  Code
treats  as "original issue discount" that portion of the discount which produces
a yield to maturity (as of the date of purchase of the Unitholder's Units) equal
to the lower of the coupon rate of interest on the underlying obligation or  the
yield  to maturity on the basis of  the purchase price of the Unitholder's Units
which is allocable to  each Stripped Obligation.  Original issue discount  which
accrues with respect to a Stripped Obligation will be exempt from Federal income
taxation  to the  same extent  as interest  on the  underlying obligations. (See
Section 11, " What Is The Tax Status of Unitholders".)
 
    Unitholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the  state
and  local tax consequences of owning  original issue discount bonds or Stripped
Obligations. Under applicable  provisions governing determination  of state  and
local taxes, interest on original
 
                                      A-6
<PAGE>
issue discount bonds or Stripped Obligations may be deemed to be received in the
year of accrual even though there is no corresponding cash payment.
 
4.  COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS
 
Each  Trust initially consists  of delivery statements  relating to contracts to
purchase Bonds (or of such Bonds) as are listed under "Schedules of Investments"
and, thereafter, of  such Bonds as  may continue to  be held from  time to  time
(including  certain securities deposited in the  Trust in substitution for Bonds
not delivered to the Trust or in exchange or substitution for Bonds upon certain
refundings), together  with  accrued  and  undistributed  interest  thereon  and
undistributed cash realized from the disposition of Bonds.
 
    "WHEN-ISSUED"  AND  "DELAYED  DELIVERY"  TRANSACTIONS.    The  contracts  to
purchase Bonds delivered to  the Trustee represent an  obligation by issuers  or
dealers  to deliver Bonds  to the Sponsor  for deposit in  the Trusts. Normally,
"regular way"  contracts are  settled and  the Bonds  delivered to  the  Trustee
within  a relatively  short period  of time.  However, certain  of the contracts
relate to Bonds which have not been issued  as of the Date of Deposit and  which
are  commonly referred to  as "when issued"  or "when, as  and if issued" Bonds.
Although the Sponsor does not believe it  is likely, one or more of the  issuers
of such Bonds might decide not to proceed with such offerings. If such Bonds, or
replacement  bonds described  below, are  not acquired  by a  Trust or  if their
delivery is  delayed, the  Estimated  Current Returns  and Estimated  Long  Term
Returns  shown herein may be reduced. Certain  of the contracts for the purchase
of Bonds provide for delivery dates  after the date of settlement for  purchases
made  on  the Date  of  Deposit. Interest  on  such "when  issued"  and "delayed
delivery" Bonds accrues to the benefit of Unitholders commencing with the  first
settlement  date for the Units. However,  in the opinion of counsel, Unitholders
who purchase their Units prior to the date such Bonds are actually delivered  to
the  Trustee must reduce the  tax basis of their  Units for interest accruing on
such Bonds during the interval between their purchase of Units and the  delivery
of  the Bonds because such amounts constitute a return of principal. As a result
of such adjustment, the  Estimated Current Returns set  forth herein (which  are
based  on the Public Offering Price as of  the business day prior to the Date of
Deposit) may be  slightly lower than  Unitholders will receive  after the  first
year,  assuming the Portfolio does not  change and estimated annual expense does
not vary from that set forth under "Essential Information Regarding the Trusts."
Those Bonds  in each  Trust purchased  with  delivery dates  after the  date  of
settlement  for  purchases made  on  the Date  of Deposit  are  so noted  in the
Schedules of Investments.
 
    LIMITED REPLACEMENT OF CERTAIN BONDS.   Neither the Sponsor nor the  Trustee
shall  be liable in any way  for any default, failure or  defect in any Bond. In
the event of a failure to deliver any  Bond that has been purchased for a  Trust
under  a contract, including those  Bonds purchased on a  when, as and if issued
basis ("Failed Bonds"), the Sponsor is authorized under the Indenture to  direct
the  Trustee to acquire  other specified Bonds ("Replacement  Bonds") to make up
the original corpus of the Trust. The Replacement Bonds must be purchased within
20 days after  delivery of notice  of the failed  contract and the  cost to  the
Trust  (exclusive  of  accrued interest)  may  not  exceed the  amount  of funds
reserved for the purchase  of the Failed Bonds.  The Replacement Bonds (i)  must
satisfy  the criteria previously described for  Bonds originally included in the
Trust and, with respect  to Bonds purchased  for a State  Trust, shall have  the
benefit of an exemption from state taxation of interest to an extent equal to or
greater  than that of  the Bonds they  replace, (ii) must  have a fixed maturity
date after the date of purchase of  not less than approximately 15 years in  the
case  of National or State Trusts, approximately 11  years in the case of a Long
Intermediate Trust, approximately 5 years in  the case of Intermediate or  State
Intermediate  Trusts, approximately 3 years in  the case of a Short Intermediate
Trust and
 
                                      A-7
<PAGE>
approximately 1 year in the case of a  Short Term Trust, but not later than  the
maturity date of the Failed Bonds, (iii) must be acquired at a cost to the Trust
equal  to the cost of the same principal  amount of Bonds provided in the failed
contract and have  a current  return and  yield to  maturity not  less than  the
current  return and yield to maturity of the  Failed Bonds and (iv) shall not be
"when, as and if  issued" Bonds. Whenever a  Replacement Bond has been  acquired
for  a Trust, the  Trustee shall, within  five days after  the delivery thereof,
mail or deliver a  notice of such  acquisition to all  Unitholders of the  Trust
involved.  Once the original corpus  of the Trust is  acquired, the Trustee will
have no power to vary the investment of the Trust; i.e., the Trust will have  no
managerial power to take advantage of market variation to improve a Unitholder's
investment.
 
    To  the extent the right of  limited substitution described in the preceding
paragraph shall not  be utilized  to acquire  Replacement Bonds  for the  entire
principal amount of Failed Bonds, the Sponsor shall refund to all Unitholders of
the  Trust  involved the  sales  charge attributable  to  such Failed  Bonds not
replaced, and  the principal  and accrued  interest attributable  to such  Bonds
shall  be distributed  not more  than 30  days after  the determination  of such
failure or at such earlier time as  the Trustee in its sole discretion deems  to
be  in  the interest  of  the Unitholders.  Any  such accrued  interest  paid to
Unitholders will be paid by the Sponsor and, accordingly, will not be treated as
tax-exempt income. In the event Failed Bonds  in a Trust could not be  replaced,
the  Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for such Trust would be reduced and the
Estimated Current Return thereon might be lowered.
 
    SALE, MATURITY AND REDEMPTION OF BONDS.  Certain of the Bonds may from  time
to  time  under certain  circumstances be  sold  or redeemed  or will  mature in
accordance with their terms. The proceeds from  such events will be used to  pay
for   Units  redeemed  or   distributed  to  Unitholders   and  not  reinvested;
accordingly, no assurance can be given that  a Trust will retain for any  length
of time its present size and composition.
 
    All  of the Bonds in  each Trust are subject to  being called or redeemed in
whole or  in part  prior to  their stated  maturities pursuant  to the  optional
redemption  provisions described in  the "Schedules of  Investments" and in most
cases pursuant to sinking fund, special or extraordinary redemption  provisions.
A  bond  subject to  optional  call is  one which  is  subject to  redemption or
refunding prior to maturity at the option of the issuer. A refunding is a method
by which a bond issue is redeemed, at  or before maturity, by the proceeds of  a
new  bond  issue. A  bond subject  to sinking  fund redemption  is one  which is
subject to  partial call  from time  to time  from a  fund accumulated  for  the
scheduled  retirement of  a portion  of an issue  prior to  maturity. Special or
extraordinary redemption  provisions may  provide  for redemption  of all  or  a
portion  of an  issue upon  the occurrence  of certain  circumstances related to
defaults or unanticipated changes  in circumstances. Events  that may permit  or
require  the special or extraordinary redemption of bonds include, among others:
substantial damage to or  destruction of the project  for which the proceeds  of
the  bonds were used; exercise by a local, state or federal governmental unit of
its power of eminent domain to take all or substantially all of the project  for
which  the  proceeds of  the bonds  were  used; a  final determination  that the
interest on the bonds  is taxable; changes in  the economic availability of  raw
materials,  operating supplies or  facilities or technological  or other changes
which render the operation of  the project for which  the proceeds of the  bonds
were  used uneconomical; changes in law  or an administrative or judicial decree
which render the performance  of the agreement under  which the proceeds of  the
bonds  were made  available to  finance the  project impossible  or which create
unreasonable burdens or which impose  excessive liabilities, such as taxes,  not
imposed  on the date the bonds are issued on the issuer of the bonds or the user
of the  proceeds  of the  bonds;  an  administrative or  judicial  decree  which
requires  the cessation of a  substantial part of the  operations of the project
financed with the proceeds of the bonds;
 
                                      A-8
<PAGE>
an overestimate of the costs of the project to be financed with the proceeds  of
the  bonds resulting in excess proceeds which may be applied to redeem bonds; or
an underestimate of  a source of  funds securing the  bonds resulting in  excess
funds which may be applied to redeem bonds. The Sponsor is unable to predict all
of  the circumstances which may result in  such redemption of an issue of Bonds.
See the discussion of the various  types of bond issues, above, for  information
on  the  call  provisions of  such  bonds, particularly  single  family mortgage
revenue bonds.
 
    The exercise of redemption or call provisions will (except to the extent the
proceeds of the called Bonds are used to pay for Unit redemptions) result in the
distribution of  principal  and may  result  in a  reduction  in the  amount  of
subsequent  interest distributions;  it may  also affect  the current  return on
Units of the Trust involved. Redemption pursuant to optional call provisions  is
more  likely to  occur, and  redemption pursuant to  sinking fund  or special or
extraordinary redemption provisions may occur,  when the Bonds have an  offering
side  evaluation which  represents a  premium over  par. Redemption  pursuant to
optional call provisions  may be,  and redemption  pursuant to  sinking fund  or
special or extraordinary redemption provisions is likely to be, at a price equal
to the par value of the bonds without any premium (in the case of original issue
discount  bonds, such redemption is generally to be made at the issue price plus
the amount of original issue discount  accreted to the date of redemption;  such
price  is referred to herein  as "accreted value"). Because  Bonds may have been
valued at prices above or below par value or the then current accreted value  at
the  time Units were  purchased, Unitholders may  realize gain or  loss upon the
redemption of portfolio  Bonds. (See Sections  11 and 13  and the "Schedules  of
Investments.")
 
    CERTAIN  TAX  MATTERS;  LITIGATION.   Certain  of  the Bonds  in  each Trust
portfolio may be subject  to continuing requirements such  as the actual use  of
bond proceeds, manner of operation of the project financed from bond proceeds or
rebate  of excess  earnings on  bond proceeds that  may affect  the exemption of
interest on such  Bonds from Federal  income taxation. Although  at the time  of
issuance  of each  of the  Bonds in each  Trust an  opinion of  bond counsel was
rendered as to the exemption of interest on such obligations from Federal income
taxation, and the issuers covenanted  to comply with all requirements  necessary
to retain the tax-exempt status of the Bonds, there can be no assurance that the
respective  issuers  or  other obligors  on  such obligations  will  fulfill the
various continuing  requirements  established  upon issuance  of  the  Bonds.  A
failure to comply with such requirements may cause a determination that interest
on  such  obligations  is  subject  to  Federal  income  taxation,  perhaps even
retroactively from the  date of  issuance of  such Bonds,  thereby reducing  the
value of the Bonds and subjecting Unitholders to unanticipated tax liabilities.
 
    To  the best knowledge of the Sponsor,  there is no litigation pending as of
the Date of Deposit in respect of  any Bonds which might reasonably be  expected
to  have a  material adverse effect  on any of  the Trusts. It  is possible that
after the Date of Deposit, litigation may be initiated with respect to Bonds  in
any  Trust. Any  such litigation may  affect the  validity of such  Bonds or the
tax-exempt nature of the interest thereon,  but while the outcome of  litigation
of  such nature can never be entirely predicted, the opinions of bond counsel to
the issuer of  each Bond  on the  date of issuance  state that  such Bonds  were
validly issued and that the interest thereon is, to the extent indicated, exempt
from Federal income tax.
 
                                      A-9
<PAGE>
5.  WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?
 
INSURANCE ON BONDS IN INSURED TRUSTS
 
Insurance  guaranteeing  the  timely payment,  when  due, of  all  principal and
interest on the Bonds in each Insured Trust has been obtained by the Sponsor  or
by the issuers or underwriters of Bonds from the MBIA Insurance Corporation (the
"Insurer").  Some of the Bonds in each Insured  Trust may be covered by a policy
or policies of insurance  obtained by the issuers  or underwriters of the  Bonds
from  Municipal Bond Insurance Association (the "Association") or Bond Investors
Guaranty Insurance Company ("BIG"). The Insurer has issued a policy or  policies
of  insurance covering each of  the Bonds in the  Insured Trusts, each policy to
remain in force until the payment in full  of such Bonds and whether or not  the
Bonds  continue to be held by an Insured  Trust. By the terms of each policy the
Insurer will unconditionally guarantee to the holders or owners of the Bonds the
payment, when due, required of the issuer of the Bonds of an amount equal to the
principal of and interest on the Bonds as such payments shall become due but not
be paid  (except that  in the  event  of any  acceleration of  the due  date  of
principal  by reason of mandatory or  optional redemption, default or otherwise,
the payments guaranteed will be made in such amounts and at such times as  would
have  been  due  had  there  not been  an  acceleration).  The  Insurer  will be
responsible for  such payments,  less any  amounts received  by the  holders  or
owners  of the  Bonds from any  trustee for the  bond issuers or  from any other
sources other  than  the  Insurer.  The Insurer's  policies  relating  to  small
industrial  development bonds and pollution control revenue bonds also guarantee
the full and complete payments required to be made by or on behalf of an  issuer
of  Bonds pursuant  to the  terms of the  Bonds if  there occurs  an event which
results in the  loss of the  tax-exempt status  of the interest  on such  Bonds,
including  principal, interest or premium payments,  if any, as and when thereby
required. The Insurer has  indicated that its insurance  policies do not  insure
the  payment of principal or interest on bonds which are not required to be paid
by the issuer thereof  because the bonds were  not validly issued; as  indicated
under   "What  is  the  Tax  Status  of  Unitholders?"  the  respective  issuing
authorities have  received  opinions  of  bond counsel  relating  to  the  valid
issuance  of each of the Bonds in  the Insured Trusts. The Insurer's policy also
does not insure  against non-payment of  principal of or  interest on the  Bonds
resulting  from the insolvency, negligence  or any other act  or omission of the
trustee or other paying agent  for the Bonds. The policy  is not covered by  the
Property/Casualty  Insurance Security  Fund specified in  Article 76  of the New
York Insurance Law. The policies are non-cancellable and the insurance  premiums
have  been fully paid on or prior to  the Date of Deposit, either by the Sponsor
or, if a policy has been obtained by a Bond issuer, by such issuer.
 
    Upon notification from  the trustee  for any bond  issuer or  any holder  or
owner of the Bonds or coupons that such trustee or paying agent has insufficient
funds  to pay any  principal or interest in  full when due,  the Insurer will be
obligated to deposit funds  promptly with State Street  Bank and Trust  Company,
N.A.,  New York, New York, as fiscal  agent for the Insurer, sufficient to fully
cover the deficit. If notice of nonpayment is received on or after the due date,
the Insurer will provide for payment  within one business day following  receipt
of  the notice. Upon payment  by the Insurer of  any Bonds, coupons, or interest
payments, the Insurer shall succeed  to the rights of  the owner of such  Bonds,
coupons or interest payments with respect thereto.
 
    The   Insurer,  formerly   known  as  Municipal   Bond  Investors  Assurance
Corporation, is the  principal operating subsidiary  of MBIA, Inc.,  a New  York
Stock  Exchange listed company. MBIA, Inc. is  not obligated to pay the debts of
or claims against the  Insurer. The Insurer is  a limited liability  corporation
rather  than a  several liability association.  The Insurer is  domiciled in the
State of New York  and licensed to  do business in all  50 states, the  District
 
                                      A-10
<PAGE>
of  Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto  Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, the Virgin  Islands of the United  States and the Territory  of
Guam. The Insurer has one European branch in the Republic of France.
 

    
   
    As  of  June  30, 1995  the  Insurer  had admitted  assets  of  $3.6 billion
(unaudited), total liabilities  of $2.4 billion  (unaudited), and total  capital
and  surplus of $1.2 billion (unaudited) determined in accordance with statutory
accounting  practices   prescribed   or  permitted   by   insurance   regulatory
authorities.  As of December 31,  1994, the Insurer had  admitted assets of $3.4
billion (audited),  total  liabilities  of $2.3  billion  (audited),  and  total
capital  and surplus  of $1.1  billion (audited)  determined in  accordance with
statutory accounting practices prescribed  or permitted by insurance  regulatory
authorities.  Copies of the Insurer's year  end financial statements prepared in
accordance with statutory accounting practices  are available from the  Insurer.
The address of the Insurer is 113 King Street, Armonk, New York 10504.
    
 
    Each  insurance company comprising the Association will be severally and not
jointly obligated  under  the Association  policy  in the  following  respective
percentages:  The  AEtna  Casualty  and  Surety  Company,  33%;  Fireman's  Fund
Insurance Company, 30%;  The Travelers Indemnity  Company, 15%; AEtna  Insurance
Company  (now  known  as CIGNA  Property  and  Casualty Company),  12%;  and The
Continental Insurance Company, 10%.  As a several  obligor, each such  insurance
company  will be  obligated only to  the extent  of its percentage  of any claim
under the  Association  policy and  will  not be  obligated  to pay  any  unpaid
obligation  of any  other member  of the  Association. Each  insurance company's
participation is backed by all of its assets. However, each insurance company is
a multiline insurer involved in several lines of insurance other than  municipal
bond  insurance, and the assets of each insurance company also secure all of its
other insurance policy and surety bond obligations.
 
    The following table sets forth certain unaudited financial information  with
respect  to  the  five  insurance  companies  comprising  the  Association.  The
statistics, which have been furnished by the Association, are as reported by the
insurance  companies  to  the  New  York  State  Insurance  Department  and  are
determined in accordance with statutory accounting principles. No representation
is  made herein as to the accuracy or  adequacy of such information or as to the
absence of material adverse changes in  such information subsequent to the  date
thereof.  In addition,  these numbers  are subject to  revision by  the New York
State Insurance Department which, if revised, could either increase or  decrease
the amounts.
 
                      MUNICIPAL BOND INSURANCE ASSOCIATION
      FIVE MEMBER COMPANIES ASSETS AND POLICYHOLDERS' SURPLUS (UNAUDITED)
                           AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1994.
                                (000'S OMITTED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NEW YORK         NEW YORK         NEW YORK
                                                              STATUTORY        STATUTORY     POLICYHOLDERS
                                                               ASSETS         LIABILITIES       SURPLUS
                                                           ---------------  ---------------  --------------
<S>                                                        <C>              <C>              <C>
The AEtna Casualty & Surety Company......................  $    10,030,200  $     8,275,300   $  1,754,900
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company.........................        6,815,775        4,904,534      1,911,241
The Travelers Indemnity Company..........................       10,295,359        8,515,392      1,779,967
CIGNA Property and Casualty Company (formerly AEtna
  Insurance Company).....................................        5,112,251        4,842,235        270,016
The Continental Insurance Company........................        2,794,536        2,449,805        344,731
                                                           ---------------  ---------------  --------------
        Total............................................  $    35,048,121  $    28,987,266   $  6,060,855
                                                           ---------------  ---------------  --------------
                                                           ---------------  ---------------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
    Standard  & Poor's  rates all  new issues  insured by  the Association "AAA"
Prime Grade.
 
                                      A-11
<PAGE>
    Moody's rates all  bond issues insured  by the Association  "Aaa" and  short
term loans "MIG 1", both designated to be of the highest quality.
 
    Each  such rating should be evaluated  independently of any other rating. No
application has  been  made  to any  other  rating  agency in  order  to  obtain
additional  ratings  on the  Bonds. The  ratings  reflect the  respective rating
agency's current assessment of the  creditworthiness of the Association and  its
ability  to pay claims on its policies  of insurance. Any further explanation as
to the  significance  of  the  above  ratings may  be  obtained  only  from  the
applicable rating agency.
 
    Moody's  rates all bond  issues insured by the  Insurer "Aaa" and short-term
loans "MIG 1," both designated to be of the highest quality.
 
    Standard & Poor's rates  all new issues insured  by the Insurer "AAA"  Prime
Grade."
 
    The  Moody's rating of the Insurer  should be evaluated independently of the
Standard & Poor's rating  of the Insurer.  No application has  been made to  any
other  rating agency  in order  to obtain additional  ratings on  the Bonds. The
ratings reflect  the  respective  rating  agency's  current  assessment  of  the
creditworthiness of the Insurer and its ability to pay claims on its policies of
insurance  (See "Description  of Ratings.")  Any further  explanation as  to the
significance of  the above  ratings may  be obtained  only from  the  applicable
rating agency.
 
    The  above ratings are not  recommendations to buy, sell  or hold the Bonds,
and such ratings may  be subject to  revision or withdrawal at  any time by  the
rating  agencies. Any downward revision or  withdrawal of either or both ratings
may have an adverse effect  on the market price of  the Bonds. The Insurer  does
not  guarantee the  market price  of the  Bonds nor  does it  guarantee that the
ratings on the Bonds will not be reversed or withdrawn.
 
    Because the insurance on the  Bonds will be effective  so long as the  Bonds
are  outstanding, such insurance  will be taken into  account in determining the
market value  of  the  Bonds  and therefore  some  value  attributable  to  such
insurance  will be included in the value of the Units of the Insured Trusts. The
insurance does not, however, guarantee the market  value of the Bonds or of  the
Units.
 
INSURANCE ON CERTAIN BONDS IN TRADITIONAL TRUSTS
 
    Insurance  guaranteeing the timely  payment, when due,  of all principal and
interest on certain Bonds in a Traditional  Trust may have been obtained by  the
Sponsor,  issuer or underwriter  of the particular Bonds  involved or by another
party. Such insurance, which  provides coverage substantially  the same as  that
obtained  with  respect  to  Bonds  in Insured  Trusts  as  described  above, is
effective so long as the insured Bond is outstanding and the insurer remains  in
business.  Insurance relates only  to the particular  Bond and not  to the Units
offered hereby or to their market value. Insured Bonds have received a rating of
"Aaa" by  Moody's and/or  "AAA" by  Standard  & Poor's  in recognition  of  such
insurance.
 
    If  a Bond in  a Traditional Trust  is insured, the  Schedule of Investments
will identify the insurer. Such insurance will be provided by Financial Guaranty
Insurance  Company  ("FGIC"),  AMBAC   Indemnity  Corporation  ("AMBAC"),   Bond
Investors  Guaranty  Insurance  Company, now  known  as MBIA  Corp.  of Illinois
("BIG"),  Capital  Guaranty  Insurance  Company  ("CGIC"),  Financial   Security
Assurance,   Inc.   ("FSA"),   Municipal   Bond   Insurance   Association   (the
"Association"), MBIA  Insurance Corporation  ("MBIA")  or Connie  Lee  Insurance
Company  ("ConnieLee"). The Sponsor to date  has purchased and presently intends
to purchase insurance for Bonds in Traditional Trusts exclusively from MBIA (see
 
                                      A-12
<PAGE>
the preceding disclosure  regarding MBIA). There  can be no  assurance that  any
insurer  listed therein  will be  able to satisfy  its commitments  in the event
claims are  made  in  the future.  However,  Standard  & Poor's  has  rated  the
claims-paying  ability of  each insurer "AAA,"  and Moody's has  rated all bonds
insured by each such insurer, except ConnieLee, "Aaa." Moody's gives no  ratings
for bonds insured by ConnieLee.
 
    Because  any such insurance will  be effective so long  as the insured Bonds
are outstanding, such insurance  will be taken into  account in determining  the
market  value  of  such Bonds  and  therefore  some value  attributable  to such
insurance will be included in the value of the Units of the Trust that  includes
such  Bonds. The insurance does not, however,  guarantee the market value of the
Bonds or of the Units.
 
6.  HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?
 
The Public Offering Price of the Units  of each Trust is equal to the  Trustee's
determination  of the aggregate  OFFERING prices of  the Bonds deposited therein
(minus any  advancement  to the  principal  account of  the  Trust made  by  the
Trustee)  plus a sales charge of 5.152%  of the aggregate offering prices in the
case of National and  State Trusts, 4.439% of  the aggregate offering prices  in
the case of Long Intermediate Trusts, 4.058% of the aggregate offering prices in
the  case of Intermediate Trusts, 3.093% of the aggregate offering prices in the
case of Short Intermediate Trusts and 2.564% of the aggregate offering prices in
the case of Short  Term Trusts, in  each case adding to  the total thereof  cash
held  by the Trust,  if any, and dividing  the sum so obtained  by the number of
Units outstanding in the Trust.  This computation produces a gross  underwriting
profit  equal to 4.90% of the Public Offering  Price in the case of National and
State  Trusts,  4.25%  of  the  Public  Offering  Price  in  the  case  of  Long
Intermediate  Trusts,  3.90%  of  the  Public  Offering  Price  in  the  case of
Intermediate Trusts, 3.00%  of the Public  Offering Price in  the case of  Short
Intermediate  Trusts and 2.50% of the Public Offering Price in the case of Short
Term Trusts.
 
    The sales charge applicable to quantity purchases is reduced on a  graduated
scale  for sales to any purchaser  of at least $50,000 or  500 Units and will be
applied on whichever basis is more  favorable to the purchaser. For purposes  of
calculating  the applicable  sales charge,  purchasers who  have indicated their
intent to purchase a specified amount of Units of any Trust described herein  in
the  primary or secondary offering period or units of any other series of Nuveen
Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts in the primary or secondary offering period by  executing
and delivering a letter of intent to the Sponsor, which letter of intent must be
in  a  form acceptable  to  the Sponsor  and shall  have  a maximum  duration of
thirteen months, will be eligible to receive a reduced sales charge according to
the following tables  based on  the amount  of intended  aggregate purchases  as
expressed  in the  letter of  intent. Due  to administrative  limitations and in
order to permit adequate tracking, the only secondary market purchases that will
be permitted to be  applied toward the intended  specified amount and that  will
receive the corresponding reduced sales charge are those Units that are acquired
through  or from the Sponsor.  By establishing a letter  of intent, a Unitholder
agrees that the first purchase of  Units following the execution of such  letter
of  intent will  be at least  5% of the  total amount of  the intended aggregate
purchases expressed in such Unitholder's letter of intent. Further, through  the
establishment  of  the  letter  of intent,  such  Unitholder  agrees  that units
representing 5% of the total  amount of the intended  purchases will be held  in
escrow  by United States Trust  Company of New York  pending completion of these
purchases. All distributions on  units held in escrow  will be credited to  such
Unitholder's  account. If total purchases prior  to the expiration of the letter
of intent period equal or exceed  the amount specified in a Unitholder's  letter
of  intent, the units  held in escrow  will be transferred  to such Unitholder's
account. If  the  total  purchases  are less  than  the  amount  specified,  the
Unitholder  involved  must pay  the Sponsor  an amount  equal to  the difference
between the amounts paid for these purchases and the
 
                                      A-13
<PAGE>
amounts which would have been paid if the higher sales charge had been  applied.
If  such Unitholder  does not  pay the  additional amount  within 20  days after
written request by  the Sponsor or  the Unitholder's securities  representative,
the  Sponsor will instruct  the Trustee to  redeem an appropriate  number of the
escrowed units to meet the required payment. By establishing a letter of intent,
a Unitholder irrevocably appoints the  Sponsor as attorney to give  instructions
to  redeem any or  all of such  Unitholder's escrowed units,  with full power of
substitution in the premises. A Unitholder or his securities representative must
notify the Sponsor whenever  such Unitholder makes a  purchase of Units that  he
wishes  to  be counted  towards the  intended amount.  Sales charges  during the
primary offering period are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         NATIONAL AND STATE      LONG INTERMEDIATE
                                                               TRUSTS                  TRUSTS           INTERMEDIATE TRUSTS
                                                       ----------------------  ----------------------  ----------------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
                                                         PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT
                                                           OF        OF NET        OF        OF NET        OF        OF NET
                                                        OFFERING     AMOUNT     OFFERING     AMOUNT     OFFERING     AMOUNT
                  NUMBER OF UNITS*                        PRICE     INVESTED      PRICE     INVESTED      PRICE     INVESTED
-----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
Less than 500........................................        4.90%      5.152%       4.25%      4.439%       3.90%      4.058%
500 but less than 1,000..............................        4.75       4.987        4.15       4.330        3.70       3.842
1,000 but less than 2,500............................        4.50       4.712        3.85       4.004        3.50       3.627
2,500 but less than 5,000............................        4.25       4.439        3.60       3.734        3.25       3.359
5,000 but less than 10,000...........................        3.50       3.627        3.35       3.466        3.00       3.093
10,000 but less than 25,000..........................        3.00       3.093        3.00       3.093        2.75       2.828
25,000 but less than 50,000..........................        2.50       2.564        2.50       2.564        2.50       2.564
50,000 or more.......................................        2.00       2.041        2.00       2.041        2.00       2.041
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         SHORT INTERMEDIATE
                                                               TRUSTS            SHORT TERM TRUSTS
                                                       ----------------------  ----------------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
                                                         PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT
                                                           OF        OF NET        OF        OF NET
                                                        OFFERING     AMOUNT     OFFERING     AMOUNT
                  NUMBER OF UNITS*                        PRICE     INVESTED      PRICE     INVESTED
-----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
Less than 500........................................        3.00%      3.093%       2.50%      2.564%
500 but less than 1,000..............................        2.80       2.881        2.30       2.354
1,000 but less than 2,500............................        2.60       2.670        2.10       2.145
2,500 but less than 5,000............................        2.35       2.407        1.85       1.885
5,000 but less than 10,000...........................        2.10       2.145        1.60       1.626
10,000 but less than 25,000..........................        1.85       1.885        1.35       1.368
25,000 but less than 50,000..........................        1.80       1.833        1.25       1.266
50,000 or more.......................................        1.50       1.523        1.15       1.163
</TABLE>
 
*Breakpoint sales charges are computed both on  a dollar basis and on the  basis
 of the number of Units purchased, using the equivalent of 500 Units to $50,000,
 2,500  Units to $250,000 etc., and will be  applied on that basis which is more
 favorable to the purchaser.
 
    For "secondary market"  sales the  Public Offering  Price per  Unit of  each
Trust is determined by adding to the Trustee's determination of the BID price of
each  Bond in the Trust  a sales charge determined  in accordance with the table
set forth below based upon the number of years remaining to the maturity of each
such Bond, adjusting  the total to  reflect the amount  of any cash  held in  or
advanced  to the principal account  of the Trust and  dividing the result by the
number of Units then outstanding. For  purposes of this calculation, Bonds  will
be  deemed to mature on  their stated maturity dates  unless: (a) the Bonds have
been called for redemption or funds or securities have been placed in escrow  to
redeem  them on  an earlier  call date, in  which case  such call  date shall be
deemed to be the date upon which they mature; or (b) such Bonds are subject to a
"mandatory put," in which case such mandatory put date shall be deemed to be the
date upon  which  they  mature.  Any assumptions  regarding  maturity  made  for
purposes  of  determining the  appropriate  sales charge  in  no way  predict or
guarantee the actual remaining life of a given Trust.
 
    Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Trustee may terminate a Trust if
the net asset value of such Trust, as shown by any evaluation, is less than  20%
of the original
 
                                      A-14
<PAGE>
principal  amount of the Trust. In the  course of regularly appraising the value
of Bonds in each Trust, the Sponsor will attempt to estimate the date on which a
Trust's value will  fall below the  20% level based  on anticipated bond  events
over a five year period, including maturities, escrow calls and current calls or
refundings, assuming certain market rates. The Sponsor intends from time to time
to  recommend that certain Trusts whose values have fallen or are anticipated to
fall below the  20% level be  terminated based on  certain criteria which  could
adversely  affect the Trust's  diversification. Once the  Sponsor has determined
that a Trust's  value has or  may fall below  the 20% level  within a  five-year
period,  for purposes of  computing the sales  charge using the  table set forth
below, the maturity of each bond in such Trust will be deemed to be the  earlier
of  the estimated termination  date of the  Trust, or the  actual date used when
pricing  the  bond  under  Municipal  Securities  Rulemaking  Board  rules   and
interpretations issued thereunder.
 
    The effect of this method of sales charge calculation will be that different
sales  charge rates will  be applied to  the various Bonds  in a Trust portfolio
based upon  the maturities  of  such Bonds,  in  accordance with  the  following
schedule.  As  shown, the  sales charge  on  Bonds in  each maturity  range (and
therefore the aggregate sales charge on the purchase) is reduced with respect to
purchases of at least $50,000 or 500 Units:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  AMOUNT OF PURCHASE*
                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
                                            $50,000     $100,000     $250,000     $500,000     $1,000,000     $2,500,000
                                UNDER         TO           TO           TO           TO            TO             TO
YEARS TO MATURITY              $50,000      $99,999     $249,999     $499,999     $999,999     $2,499,999     $4,999,999
---------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -------------
Less than 1................           0            0            0            0            0             0              0
1 but less than 2..........       1.523%       1.446%       1.369%       1.317%       1.215%        1.061%          .900%
2 but less than 3..........       2.041        1.937        1.833        1.729        1.626         1.420          1.225
3 but less than 4..........       2.564        2.433        2.302        2.175        2.041         1.781          1.546
4 but less than 5..........       3.093        2.961        2.828        2.617        2.459         2.175          1.883
5 but less than 7..........       3.627        3.433        3.239        3.093        2.881         2.460          2.165
7 but less than 10.........       4.167        3.951        3.734        3.520        3.239         2.828          2.489
10 but less than 13........       4.712        4.467        4.221        4.004        3.788         3.253          2.842
13 but less than 16........       5.263        4.988        4.712        4.439        4.167         3.627          3.169
16 or more.................       5.820        5.542        5.263        4.987        4.603         4.004          3.500
 
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                          <C>
 
                              $5,000,000
YEARS TO MATURITY               OR MORE
---------------------------  -------------
Less than 1................            0
1 but less than 2..........         .750%
2 but less than 3..........        1.030
3 but less than 4..........        1.310
4 but less than 5..........        1.590
5 but less than 7..........        1.870
7 but less than 10.........        2.150
10 but less than 13........        2.430
13 but less than 16........        2.710
16 or more.................        3.000
</TABLE>
 
 *Breakpoint sales charges are computed both on a dollar basis and on the  basis
  of  the  number of  Units  purchased, using  the  equivalent of  500  Units to
  $50,000, 2,500 Units  to $250,000,  etc., and will  be applied  on that  basis
  which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The  secondary market sales charges above are  expressed as a percent of the
net amount invested; expressed  as a percent of  the Public Offering Price,  the
maximum  sales charge on  any Trust, including one  consisting entirely of Bonds
with 16 years  or more to  maturity, would be  5.50% (5.820% of  the net  amount
invested).  For purposes of illustration, the sales charge on a Trust consisting
entirely of Bonds  maturing in 13  to 16 years  would be 5%  (5.263% of the  net
amount  invested); that on a Trust consisting entirely of Bonds maturing in five
to seven years would be 3.5% (3.627% of the net amount invested); and that on  a
Trust consisting entirely of Bonds maturing in three to four years would be 2.5%
(2.564%  of the net  amount invested). The actual  secondary market sales charge
included in the Public Offering Price of any particular Trust will depend on the
maturities of the Bonds in the portfolio of such Trust.
 
    At all  times while  Units are  being  offered for  sale, the  Sponsor  will
appraise  or cause to  be appraised daily  the value of  the underlying Bonds in
each Trust as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time on each day on which the New York  Stock
Exchange  (the "Exchange") is normally open  and will adjust the Public Offering
Price of the Units commensurate with such appraisal. Such Public Offering  Price
will be effective for all orders received by a dealer or the Sponsor at or prior
to  4:00 p.m. eastern time on each such day. Orders received after that time, or
on a day when the Exchange is closed for a scheduled holiday or weekend, will be
held until the next determination of price.
 
                                      A-15
<PAGE>
    As more fully set  forth in Section 8,  accrued interest from the  preceding
Record  Date to, but not including, the  settlement date of the transaction will
be added to the Public Offering Price to determine the purchase price of  Units.
The date of settlement is currently three business days after purchase.
 
    The  above graduated sales charges will apply on all applicable purchases of
Nuveen investment company securities on any one day by the same purchaser in the
amounts stated, and for this purpose purchases of this Series will be aggregated
with concurrent  purchases of  any other  Series or  of shares  of any  open-end
management  investment company of which the Sponsor is principal underwriter and
with respect to the purchase of which a sales charge is imposed.
 
    Purchases by or for the account of  an individual and his or her spouse  and
children  under 21 years of  age will be aggregated  to determine the applicable
sales charge. The graduated  sales charges are also  applicable to a trustee  or
other  fiduciary  purchasing  securities for  a  single trust  estate  or single
fiduciary account.
 
    Units may be purchased at the  Public Offering Price without a sales  charge
by officers or directors and by bona fide, full-time employees of Nuveen, Nuveen
Advisory Corp., Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp. and The John Nuveen Company,
including  in each case these individuals and their immediate family members (as
defined above).
 
    Units may be  purchased in  the primary or  secondary market  at the  Public
Offering  Price for  non-breakpoint purchases  minus the  concession the Sponsor
typically allows  to  brokers  and dealers  for  non-breakpoint  purchases  (see
Section  17) by (1)  investors who purchase  Units through registered investment
advisers, certified financial planners and registered broker-dealers who in each
case either charge periodic fees for financial planning, investment advisory  or
asset  management  services, or  provide such  services  in connection  with the
establishment of  an investment  account for  which a  comprehensive "wrap  fee"
charge  is imposed, (2)  bank trust departments investing  funds over which they
exercise exclusive discretionary  investment authority  and that are  held in  a
fiduciary,  agency, custodial  or similar  capacity, (3)  any person  who for at
least 90 days, has been an officer,  director or bona fide employee of any  firm
offering  Units  for sale  to investors  or their  immediate family  members (as
defined above) and  (4) officers and  directors of bank  holding companies  that
make  Units  available  directly  or through  subsidiaries  or  bank affiliates.
Notwithstanding anything to  the contrary  in this  Prospectus, such  investors,
bank  trust departments,  firm employees and  bank holding  company officers and
directors who purchase Units through this program will not receive sales  charge
reductions for quantity purchases.
 
    The  initial or primary Public Offering Price  of the Units in each Trust is
based upon a pro rata share of the OFFERING prices per Unit of the Bonds in such
Trust plus the  applicable sales  charge. The secondary  market Public  Offering
Price of each Trust is based upon a pro rata share of the BID prices per Unit of
the Bonds in such Trust plus the applicable sales charge. The OFFERING prices of
Bonds in a Trust may be expected to average approximately 1% to 2% more than the
BID  prices of such Bonds  in the case of  National, Long Intermediate and State
Trusts, 3/4%  to 1  1/2% in  the  case of  Intermediate and  Short  Intermediate
Trusts,  and  1/2% to  3/4% in  the case  of Short  Term Trusts.  The difference
between the bid side evaluation and the offering side evaluation of the Bonds in
each Trust on  the business day  prior to the  Date of Deposit  is shown in  the
discussion of each Trust portfolio.
 
    Whether  or not Units are being offered for sale, the Sponsor will determine
the aggregate value of each Trust as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time: (i) on each June
30 or December 31 (or, if such date is not a business day, the last business day
prior thereto), (ii) on any day on  which a Unit is tendered for redemption  (or
the  next succeeding business day  if the date of  tender is a non-business day)
and   (iii)    at   such    other    times   as    may   be    necessary.    For
 
                                      A-16
<PAGE>
this  purpose,  a "business  day"  shall be  any day  on  which the  Exchange is
normally open. (See Section 16.)
 
7.  MARKET FOR UNITS
 
During the  initial public  offering period,  the Sponsor  intends to  offer  to
purchase  Units of each  Trust at a price  equivalent to the  pro rata share per
Unit of the OFFERING prices of the Bonds in such Trust (plus accrued  interest).
Afterward,  although  it is  not  obligated to  do  so, the  Sponsor  intends to
maintain a secondary  market for  Units of  each Trust  at its  own expense  and
continuously  to offer  to purchase  Units of each  Trust at  prices, subject to
change at  any time,  which  are based  upon  the BID  prices  of Bonds  in  the
respective portfolios of the Trusts. If the supply of Units of any of the Trusts
of  this Series exceeds demand,  or for some other  business reason, the Sponsor
may discontinue purchases of Units of such Trust at such prices. UNITHOLDERS WHO
WISH TO DISPOSE OF THEIR UNITS SHOULD INQUIRE OF THE TRUSTEE OR THEIR BROKER  AS
TO  THE  CURRENT  REDEMPTION PRICE  (SEE  SECTION  19). In  connection  with its
secondary marketmaking activities, the Sponsor may from time to time enter  into
secondary  market  joint  account  agreements with  other  brokers  and dealers.
Pursuant to such an agreement the Sponsor will purchase Units from the broker or
dealer at the bid price and will place the Units into a joint account managed by
the Sponsor; sales from  the account will  be made in  accordance with the  then
current  prospectus and the Sponsor and the  broker or dealer will share profits
and losses in  the joint account  in accordance  with the terms  of their  joint
account agreement.
 
    Certificates,  if any, for Units are  delivered to the purchaser as promptly
after the  date of  settlement as  the  Trustee can  complete the  mechanics  of
registration.  The date  of settlement  is currently  three business  days after
purchase. Normally, Certificates, if  any, are mailed by  the Trustee within  48
hours  after registration instructions are received. Purchasers of Units to whom
Certificates are issued will be unable to exercise any right of redemption until
they have received  their Certificates  as tender of  the Certificate,  properly
endorsed for transfer. (See Section 19.)
 
    Each  Unit of  each respective  Trust initially  offered by  this Prospectus
represents that fractional  undivided interest  in such  Trust as  is set  forth
under "Essential Information Regarding the Trusts." To the extent that any Units
of  any Trust are  redeemed by the  Trustee, the aggregate  value of the Trust's
assets will decrease  by the amount  paid to the  redeeming Unitholder, but  the
fractional  undivided  interest  of  each unredeemed  Unit  in  such  Trust will
increase proportionately.  The Sponsor  will initially,  and from  time to  time
thereafter, hold Units in connection with their offering.
 
8.  WHAT IS ACCRUED INTEREST?
 
Accrued  interest is the accumulation of unpaid interest on a bond from the last
day on which  interest thereon  was paid.  Interest on  Bonds in  each Trust  is
accounted  for daily on an accrual basis. For this reason, the purchase price of
Units of a Trust will  include not only the Public  Offering Price but also  the
proportionate  share of  accrued interest  to the  date of  settlement. Interest
accrues to the  benefit of Unitholders  commencing with the  settlement date  of
their purchase transaction.
 
    Accrued interest does not include accrual of original issue discount on zero
coupon  bonds, Stripped Obligations or other original issue discount bonds. (See
"Summary of Portfolios--General Trust Information"  and "What Is The Tax  Status
of Unitholders.")
 
    In  an effort to reduce the amount  of accrued interest that investors would
have to pay in addition to the Public Offering Price, the Trustee has agreed  to
advance  to each Trust the amount of accrued interest due on the Bonds as of the
Date of Deposit (which has been designated  the first Record Date for all  plans
of distribution). This accrued interest will be
 
                                      A-17
<PAGE>
paid to the Sponsor as the holder of record of all Units on the Date of Deposit.
Consequently,  when the Sponsor  sells Units of  a Trust, the  amount of accrued
interest to be  added to  the Public Offering  Price to  determine the  purchase
price  of the  Units of such  Trust purchased  by an investor  will include only
accrued interest from the  Date of Deposit  to, but not  including, the date  of
settlement  of the investor's purchase, less  any distributions from the related
Interest Account. The date of settlement is currently three business days  after
purchase.  The Trustee will recover its  advancements (without interest or other
cost to the Trusts) from interest received on the Bonds deposited in each Trust.
 
    The Trustee has no  cash for distribution to  Unitholders until it  receives
interest  payments on the Bonds in the  Trusts. Since municipal bond interest is
accrued daily but  paid only  semi-annually, during  the initial  months of  the
Trusts,  the Interest Accounts,  consisting of accrued  but uncollected interest
and collected interest  (cash), will  be predominantly  the uncollected  accrued
interest that is not available for distribution. However, due to advances by the
Trustee,  the Trustee will provide a first distribution between approximately 30
and 60 days after the Date of Deposit. Assuming each Trust retains its  original
size  and composition  and expenses  and fees  remain the  same, annual interest
collected and distributed  will approximate  the estimated  Net Annual  Interest
Income  stated herein. However, the  amount of accrued interest  at any point in
time will  be  greater than  the  amount that  the  Trustee will  have  actually
received and distributed to the Unitholders. Therefore, there will always remain
an  item of  accrued interest  that is  included in  the Purchase  Price and the
redemption price of the Units.
 
    Interest is accounted  for daily and  a proportionate share  of accrued  and
undistributed  interest computed from the preceding  Record Date is added to the
daily valuation of each Unit  of each Trust. (See Sections  3 and 13.) As  Bonds
mature,  or are redeemed or sold, the  accrued interest applicable to such bonds
is collected and subsequently distributed  to Unitholders. Unitholders who  sell
or redeem all or a portion of their Units will be paid their proportionate share
of  the remaining accrued interest to, but not including, the third business day
following the date of sale or tender.
 
9.  WHAT ARE ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN?
 
The Estimated Long Term Return for each Trust is a measure of the return to  the
investor  earned over the estimated  life of the Trust.  The Estimated Long Term
Return represents an average of the yields to maturity (or call) of the Bonds in
the Trust's portfolio calculated in  accordance with accepted bond practice  and
adjusted  to reflect expenses  and sales charges.  Under accepted bond practice,
tax-exempt bonds are customarily offered to investors on a "yield price"  basis,
which  involves computation  of yield  to maturity  or to  an earlier  call date
(whichever produces the lower yield), and which takes into account not only  the
interest  payable  on the  bonds but  also  the amortization  or accretion  to a
specified date of any premium over or discount from the par (maturity) value  in
the  bond's  purchase  price. In  calculating  Estimated Long  Term  Return, the
average yield for  the Trust's  portfolio is  derived by  weighting each  Bond's
yield by the market value of the Bond and by the amount of time remaining to the
date  to which the Bond is priced. Once the average portfolio yield is computed,
this figure is then reduced to reflect estimated expenses and the effect of  the
maximum  sales  charge  paid  by  investors.  The  Estimated  Long  Term  Return
calculation does not take into account the effect of a first distribution  which
may  be less than a regular  distribution or may be paid  at some point after 30
days (or a second distribution which may be less than a normal distribution  for
Unitholders  who choose quarterly or semi-annual  plans of distribution), and it
also does  not  take  into account  the  difference  in timing  of  payments  to
Unitholders  who choose quarterly or semi-annual  plans of distribution, each of
which will reduce the return.
 
                                      A-18
<PAGE>
    Estimated Current Return  is computed  by dividing the  Net Annual  Interest
Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price. In contrast to Estimated Long Term
Return, Estimated Current Return does not reflect the amortization of premium or
accretion of discount, if any, on the Bonds in the Trust's portfolio. Net Annual
Interest Income per Unit is calculated by dividing the annual interest income to
the Trust, less estimated expenses, by the number of Units outstanding.
 
    Net  Annual Interest  Income per Unit,  used to  calculate Estimated Current
Return, will vary  with changes  in fees  and expenses  of the  Trustee and  the
Evaluator  and with the redemption, maturity, exchange or sale of Bonds. A Trust
may experience expenses and  portfolio changes different  from those assumed  in
the  calculation of Estimated Long  Term Return. There thus  can be no assurance
that the Estimated Current Returns or Estimated Long Term Returns quoted  herein
will  be  realized  in  the  future.  A  Unitholder's  actual  return  may  vary
significantly from  the  Estimated  Long-Term Return,  based  on  their  holding
period,  market interest  rate changes,  other factors  affecting the  prices of
individual  bonds  in  the  portfolio,  and  differences  between  the  expected
remaining life of portfolio bonds and the actual length of time that they remain
in  the Trust; such actual holding periods  may be reduced by termination of the
Trust, as described in "AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF INDENTURE." Since both  the
Estimated  Current Return and  the Estimated Long Term  Return quoted herein are
based on the market value of the  underlying Bonds on the business day prior  to
the  Date of Deposit, subsequent calculations of these performance measures will
reflect the then current market value of the underlying Bonds and may be  higher
or lower.
 
    A  portion of the  monies received by a  Trust may be  treated, in the first
year only, as a return of principal due to the inclusion in the Trust  portfolio
of  "when-issued"  or  other  Bonds  having delivery  dates  after  the  date of
settlement for purchases  made on  the Date of  Deposit. A  consequence of  this
treatment  is that in the computation of  Estimated Current Return for the first
year, such monies are excluded from Net Annual Interest Income and treated as an
adjustment to the Public Offering  Price. (See "Essential Information  Regarding
the Trusts" and Sections 4 and 11.)
 
    For a statement of the Net Annual Interest Income per Unit under the monthly
plan  of  distribution,  and Estimated  Long  Term Yield  and  Estimated Current
Returns based on the Public Offering Prices of the Trusts in this Series, all as
of the day prior  to the Date of  Deposit, see "Essential Information  Regarding
the Trusts."
 
10.  HOW WAS THE PRICE OF THE BONDS DETERMINED AT THE DATE OF DEPOSIT?
 
The prices at which the Bonds deposited in the Trusts would have been offered to
the  public on the business day prior to  the Date of Deposit were determined by
the Trustee on the basis  of an evaluation of such  Bonds prepared by Kenny  S&P
Evaluation  Services, a  division of  J. J.  Kenny Co.,  Inc., a  firm regularly
engaged in the business of  evaluating, quoting or appraising comparable  bonds.
With respect to Bonds in Insured Trusts and insured Bonds in Traditional Trusts,
Kenny  S&P Evaluation Services, a  division of J. J.  Kenny Co., Inc., evaluated
the Bonds as so insured. (See Section 5).
 
    The amount by which  the Trustee's determination of  the OFFERING PRICES  of
the Bonds
deposited  in the Trusts was greater or less  than the cost of such Bonds to the
Sponsor was PROFIT OR LOSS to the Sponsor exclusive of any underwriting  profit.
(See  Section 3.) The Sponsor also may realize FURTHER PROFIT OR SUSTAIN FURTHER
LOSS as a  result of fluctuations  in the  Public Offering Price  of the  Units.
Cash,  if any, made available to the Sponsor  prior to the settlement date for a
purchase of Units, or prior to the acquisition of all Portfolio securities by  a
Trust, may be available for use in the Sponsor's business, and may be of benefit
to the Sponsor.
 
                                      A-19
<PAGE>
11.  WHAT IS THE TAX STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?
 
At  the  respective times  of issuance  of  the Bonds  opinions relating  to the
validity thereof and to  the exemption of interest  thereon from Federal  income
tax  were rendered  by bond  counsel to  the respective  issuing authorities. In
addition, with respect to  State Trusts, where applicable,  bond counsel to  the
issuing  authorities rendered opinions  as to the exemption  of interest on such
Bonds, when held by residents  of the state in which  the issuers of such  Bonds
are  located, from state income taxes and certain state or local intangibles and
local income taxes.  For a  discussion of  the tax  status of  State Trusts  see
"Summary  of  Portfolios--  Tax Status"  for  the respective  State  Trust. (See
Sections 2 and 3.)  Neither the Sponsor  nor its counsel  have made any  special
review  for the Trusts of the proceedings  relating to the issuance of the Bonds
or of the basis for the opinions rendered in connection therewith.
 
    Taxpayers  must  disclose  on  their  Federal  tax  returns  the  amount  of
tax-exempt  interest  earned  during  the  year.  Federally  tax-exempt  income,
including income on  Units of the  Trusts, will be  taken into consideration  in
computing the portion, if any, of social security benefits received that will be
included in a taxpayer's gross income subject to the Federal income tax.
 
    Gain  realized on the sale or redemption of the Bonds by the Trustee or of a
Unit by  a Unitholder  is includable  in  gross income  for Federal  income  tax
purposes,  and may be includable  in gross income for  state tax purposes. (Such
gain does not  include any amounts  received in respect  of accrued interest  or
accrued  original issue discount, if any.) A  portion of a Unitholder's gain, to
the extent of accreted market discount, may be treated as ordinary income rather
than capital gain if the Bonds were purchased by a Trust at a market discount or
if the Unitholder purchased his  or her Units at a  market discount on or  after
April  30, 1993. Market discount can arise based on the price the Trust pays for
the Bonds or the price a Unitholder pays for his or her Units.
 
    In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, Counsel to the Sponsor, under existing
law:
 
    (1) the Trusts  are not  associations taxable  as corporations  for  Federal
        income  tax purposes. Tax-exempt interest received by each of the Trusts
        on  Bonds  deposited  therein  will  retain  its  status  as  tax-exempt
        interest,  for Federal income tax purposes,  when received by the Trusts
        and when distributed  to the  Unitholders, except  that the  alternative
        minimum  tax and environmental  tax (the "Superfund  Tax") applicable to
        corporate Unitholders  may, in  certain  circumstances, include  in  the
        amount  on which  such taxes  are calculated  a portion  of the interest
        income received by  the Trust.  See "Certain Tax  Matters Applicable  to
        Corporate Unitholders", below;
 
    (2) each  Unitholder of a Trust is considered to  be the owner of a pro rata
        portion of such Trust under Subpart E, subchapter J of Chapter 1 of  the
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") and will have a taxable event
        when  the Trust  disposes of  a Bond or  when the  Unitholder redeems or
        sells Units. Unitholders must  reduce the tax basis  of their Units  for
        their  share of accrued interest received by the Trust, if any, on Bonds
        delivered after  the  date the  Unitholders  pay for  their  Units  and,
        consequently,  such Unitholders may have an  increase in taxable gain or
        reduction in capital loss  upon the disposition of  such Units. Gain  or
        loss  upon the sale or redemption of  Units is measured by comparing the
        proceeds of  such sale  or redemption  with the  adjusted basis  of  the
        Units.  If the  Trustee disposes of  Bonds (whether by  sale, payment at
        maturity, redemption or otherwise),  gain or loss  is recognized to  the
        Unitholder. The amount of any such gain or loss is measured by comparing
        the  Unitholder's  pro  rata  share  of  the  total  proceeds  from such
        disposition with  the  Unitholder's  basis for  his  or  her  fractional
        interest  in the  asset disposed  of. In  the case  of a  Unitholder who
        purchases   Units,   such   basis   (before   adjustment   for    earned
 
                                      A-20
<PAGE>
        original   issue  discount  and  amortized  bond  premium,  if  any)  is
        determined by apportioning the cost of the Units among each of the Trust
        assets ratably according to value as  of the date of acquisition of  the
        Units.  The tax  cost reduction  requirements of  said Code  relating to
        amortization of bond  premium may, under  some circumstances, result  in
        the  Unitholder realizing a taxable gain when  his or her Units are sold
        or redeemed for an amount equal to their original cost; and
 
    (3) any amounts paid on defaulted Bonds  held by the Trustee under  policies
        of  insurance issued with respect to  such Bonds will be excludable from
        Federal gross income if, and to the same extent as, such interest  would
        have  been so excludable if paid by the respective issuer provided that,
        at the  time such  policies are  purchased, the  amounts paid  for  such
        policies  are reasonable,  customary and consistent  with the reasonable
        expectation that the issuer of the bonds, rather than the insurer,  will
        pay  debt  service  on  the  bonds. Paragraph  (2)  of  this  opinion is
        accordingly  applicable   to  policy   proceeds  representing   maturing
        interest.
 
In the opinion of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, counsel to the Trustee, and, in the
absence  of a New York Trust from the Series, special counsel for the Series for
New York tax matters, under existing law:
 
        Under the income tax laws of the State and City of New York, each  Trust
    is  not an association taxable as a corporation and the income of each Trust
    will be treated as the income of the Unitholders.
 
    For a summary  of each opinion  of special counsel  to the respective  State
Trusts for state tax matters, see Section 3.
 
    ALL STATEMENTS IN THE PROSPECTUS CONCERNING EXEMPTION FROM FEDERAL, STATE OR
OTHER TAXES ARE THE OPINION OF COUNSEL AND ARE TO BE SO CONSTRUED.
 
    The  redemption of Units in a Trust by  a Unitholder would result in each of
the remaining Unitholders of said Trust owning a greater proportionate  interest
in  the remaining assets of  said Trust. Although present  law does not directly
address this matter, it  would appear reasonable  that a remaining  Unitholder's
tax  basis in his  Units would include  his proportionate share  of any proceeds
received by the Trust on the sale of bonds which were not distributed to him but
were instead used by  the Trust to redeem  Units and that his  tax basis in  the
remaining  assets of the Trust  would accordingly be increased  by such share of
proceeds, based on the relative fair market value of the remaining assets of the
Trust as of the date of such redemption.
 
    Sections 1288 and 1272 of the Code provide a complex set of rules  governing
the  accrual of original issue discount. These rules provide that original issue
discount accrues either  on the basis  of a constant  compound interest rate  or
ratably over the term of the Bond, depending on the date the Bond was issued. In
addition,  special  rules apply  if the  purchase  price of  a Bond  exceeds the
original issue price plus the amount of original issue discount which would have
previously accrued based upon its issue price (its "adjusted issue price").  The
application  of these rules will also vary depending on the value of the Bond on
the date a Unitholder acquires his Units, and the price the Unitholder pays  for
his  Units. The  accrual of  tax-exempt original  issue discount  on zero coupon
bonds and other original issue discount bonds will result in an increase in  the
Unitholder's  basis in  such obligations and,  accordingly, in his  basis in his
Units.
 
    The Tax Act subjects  tax-exempt bonds to the  market discount rules of  the
Code  effective for  bonds purchased  after April  30, 1993.  In general, market
discount is the amount (if any) by which the stated redemption price at maturity
exceeds an investor's purchase price (except to the extent that such difference,
if any, is attributable to original  issue discount not yet accrued). Under  the
Tax    Act,   accretion   of   market    discount   is   taxable   as   ORDINARY
 
                                      A-21
<PAGE>
INCOME; under prior law, the accretion had been treated as capital gain.  Market
discount  that accretes  while the  Trust holds  a Bond  would be  recognized as
ordinary income by the Unitholders when  principal payments are received on  the
Bond,  upon sale or at redemption (including early redemption), or upon the sale
or redemption of his or her Units, unless a Unitholder elects to include  market
discount  in taxable income as it accrues. The market discount rules are complex
and Unitholders  should consult  their tax  advisors regarding  these rules  and
their application.
 
    The Internal Revenue Code provides that interest on indebtedness incurred or
continued  to purchase  or carry  obligations, the  interest on  which is wholly
exempt from Federal income taxes, is not deductible. Because each Unitholder  is
treated  for Federal income tax purposes as the owner of a pro rata share of the
Bonds owned by the applicable Trust, interest on borrowed funds used to purchase
or carry Units  of such  Trust will  not be  deductible for  Federal income  tax
purposes.  Under rules used by the Internal Revenue Service for determining when
borrowed funds are  considered used for  the purpose of  purchasing or  carrying
particular  assets, the purchase  of Units may  be considered to  have been made
with borrowed funds even though the borrowed funds are not directly traceable to
the purchase of Units (however, these  rules generally do not apply to  interest
paid  on indebtedness  incurred to  purchase or  improve a  personal residence).
Similar rules are  generally applicable  for state tax  purposes. Special  rules
apply  in  the  case  of  certain  financial  institutions  that  acquire Units.
Investors with questions regarding  these issues should  consult with their  tax
advisers.
 
    In  general,  each  issue of  bonds  in  the Trusts  is  subject  to certain
post-issuance requirements which must  be met in order  for the interest on  the
Bonds to be and remain exempt from Federal income taxation. Bond counsel to each
issuer generally has opined that, assuming continuing compliance by such issuers
with  certain covenants, interest on such Bonds  will continue to be exempt from
Federal income taxation (other than with respect to the application to corporate
Unitholders of the alternative  minimum tax or the  Superfund Tax, as  discussed
below).
 
    For  purposes of computing  the alternative minimum  tax for individuals and
corporations, interest on certain specified tax-exempt private activity bonds is
included as a preference item. The Trusts do not include any such bonds.
 
    For taxpayers  other  than corporations,  net  capital gains  are  presently
subject  to a maximum tax  rate of 28 percent. However,  it should be noted that
legislative proposals are introduced from time to time that affect tax rates and
could affect relative differences at which ordinary income and capital gains are
taxed.
 
    CERTAIN TAX  MATTERS APPLICABLE  TO CORPORATE  UNITHOLDERS. In  the case  of
certain  corporations, the alternative minimum tax  and the Superfund Tax depend
upon the corporation's alternative minimum taxable income ("AMTI"), which is the
corporation's taxable income  with certain  adjustments. One  of the  adjustment
items  used in computing AMTI and the Superfund Tax of a corporation (other than
an S corporation, Regulated Investment Company, Real Estate Investment Trust, or
REMIC) is an amount equal to 75%  of the excess of such corporation's  "adjusted
current  earnings" over an amount equal to its AMTI (before such adjustment item
and the  alternative  tax net  operation  loss deduction).  Although  tax-exempt
interest  received by each of the Trusts  on Bonds deposited therein will not be
included in the gross  income of corporations for  Federal income tax  purposes,
"adjusted current earnings" includes all tax-exempt interest, including interest
on all Bonds in the Trust and tax-exempt original issue discount.
 
    Corporate  Unitholders  are urged  to consult  their  own tax  advisers with
respect to the particular tax consequences  to them resulting under the  Federal
tax law, including the
 
                                      A-22
<PAGE>
corporate  alternative minimum tax, the Superfund Tax and the branch profits tax
imposed by Section 884 of the Code.
 
    EXCEPT AS NOTED ABOVE AND IN SECTION  3, THE EXEMPTION OF INTEREST ON  STATE
AND  LOCAL  OBLIGATIONS FOR  FEDERAL INCOME  TAX  PURPOSES DOES  NOT NECESSARILY
RESULT IN EXEMPTION UNDER THE INCOME OR OTHER TAX LAWS OF ANY STATE OR CITY. THE
LAWS  OF  THE  SEVERAL  STATES  VARY  WITH  RESPECT  TO  THE  TAXATION  OF  SUCH
OBLIGATIONS.
 
12.  WHAT ARE NORMAL TRUST OPERATING EXPENSES?
 
No  annual advisory fee is charged the  Trusts by the Sponsor. The Sponsor does,
however, receive a fee  of $0.17 per  annum per $1,000  principal amount of  the
underlying  Bonds  in each  Trust  for regularly  evaluating  the Bonds  and for
maintaining surveillance over the portfolio. (See Section 16.)
 
    The Trustee receives for ordinary recurring services an annual fee for  each
plan  of  distribution for  each Trust  as set  forth in  "Essential Information
Regarding the Trusts."  Each annual fee  is per $1,000  principal amount of  the
underlying  Bonds in  a Trust for  that portion  of the Trust  that represents a
particular plan of distribution. The Trustee's fee may be periodically  adjusted
in response to fluctuations in short-term interest rates (reflecting the cost to
the  Trustee of advancing funds to a  Trust to meet scheduled distributions) and
may be further adjusted in accordance with the cumulative percentage increase of
the United  States Department  of  Labor's Consumer  Price Index  entitled  "All
Services  Less Rent" since the establishment of  the Trusts. The Trustee has the
use of funds, if any, being held in the Interest and Principal Accounts of  each
Trust  for  future distributions,  payment  of expenses  and  redemptions. These
Accounts are non-interest  bearing to  Unitholders. Pursuant  to normal  banking
procedures, the Trustee benefits from the use of funds held therein. Part of the
Trustee's  compensation for its services to the  Fund is expected to result from
such use of these funds.
 
    Premiums for the  policies of insurance  obtained by the  Sponsor or by  the
Bond issuers with respect to the Bonds in the Insured Trusts and with respect to
insured  Bonds in Traditional Trusts have been paid in full prior to the deposit
of the Bonds in the Trusts, and the value of such insurance has been included in
the evaluation of the Bonds in each Trust and accordingly in the Public Offering
Price of Units of each Trust. There  are no annual continuing premiums for  such
insurance.
 
   
    All  or  a portion  of  the expenses  incurred  in establishing  the Trusts,
including costs of preparing the registration statement, the trust indenture and
other closing  documents, registering  Units with  the Securities  and  Exchange
Commission and states, the initial audit of each Trust portfolio, legal fees and
the  initial  fees  and  expenses  of the  Trustee  and  any  other non-material
out-of-pocket expenses, will be paid by the Trusts and amortized over the  first
five  years of such Trusts.  The following are expenses  of the Trusts and, when
paid by or are owed to the Trustee, are  secured by a lien on the assets of  the
Trust or Trusts to which such expenses are allocable: (1) the expenses and costs
of any action undertaken by the Trustee to protect the Trusts and the rights and
interests  of the Unitholders; (2) all taxes and other governmental charges upon
the Bonds or any part of the Trusts  (no such taxes or charges are being  levied
or  made or, to the knowledge of the Sponsor, contemplated); (3) amounts payable
to the Trustee  as fees for  ordinary recurring services  and for  extraordinary
non-recurring services rendered pursuant to the Indenture, all disbursements and
expenses  including  counsel  fees (including  fees  of bond  counsel  which the
Trustee  may  retain)  sustained  or  incurred  by  the  Trustee  in  connection
therewith;  and (4)  any losses or  liabilities accruing to  the Trustee without
negligence, bad  faith  or  willful  misconduct on  its  part.  The  Trustee  is
empowered to sell Bonds in order to pay these amounts if funds are not otherwise
available in the applicable Interest and Principal Accounts.
    
 
                                      A-23
<PAGE>
    The  Indenture requires each Trust  to be audited on  an annual basis at the
expense of the Trust by independent public accountants selected by the  Sponsor.
The  Trustee  shall not  be  required, however,  to cause  such  an audit  to be
performed if its cost to a Trust shall exceed $.05 per Unit on an annual  basis.
Unitholders  of a  Trust covered by  an audit may  obtain a copy  of the audited
financial statements upon request.
 
13.  WHEN ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO UNITHOLDERS?
 
Interest received by the Trustee on the Bonds in each Trust, including that part
of the proceeds of  any disposition of Bonds  which represents accrued  interest
and  including  any insurance  proceeds representing  interest due  on defaulted
Bonds, shall be credited to the "Interest  Account" of such Trust and all  other
moneys  received by the Trustee shall be  credited to the "Principal Account" of
such Trust.
 
    The pro rata share of  cash in the Principal Account  in each Trust will  be
computed as of each semi-annual Record Date and distributions to the Unitholders
as of such Record Date will be made on or shortly after the fifteenth day of the
month. Proceeds received from the disposition, including sale, call or maturity,
of  any of the Bonds and all amounts  paid with respect to zero coupon bonds and
Stripped Obligations will be  held in the Principal  Account and either used  to
pay  for Units  redeemed or distributed  on the Distribution  Date following the
next semi-annual Record Date. The Trustee is not required to make a distribution
from the  Principal  Account  of  any Trust  unless  the  amount  available  for
distribution in such account equals at least ten cents per Unit.
 
    The pro rata share of the Interest Account in each Trust will be computed by
the  Trustee each month as of each Record Date and distributions will be made on
or shortly after the fifteenth day of the month to Unitholders of such Trust  as
of the Record Date who are entitled to distributions at that time under the plan
of  distribution chosen. Persons who purchase Units  between a Record Date and a
Distribution Date will receive their first distribution on the Distribution Date
following the next Record Date under the applicable plan of distribution.
 
    Purchasers of  Units  who desire  to  receive interest  distributions  on  a
monthly or quarterly basis may elect to do so at the time of purchase during the
initial  public offering  period. Those indicating  no choice will  be deemed to
have chosen the  semi-annual distribution  plan. All  Unitholders, however,  who
purchase  Units during the initial  public offering period and  who hold them of
record on the first Record Date will receive the first distribution of interest.
Thereafter, Record Dates for monthly distributions will be the first day of each
month; Record  Dates  for quarterly  distributions  will  be the  first  day  of
February,   May,  August  and   November;  and  Record   Dates  for  semi-annual
distributions will be the first day of May and November.
 
    Details of distributions  per Unit  of each  Trust under  the various  plans
based upon estimated Net Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit are shown
in  the tables appearing in  Section 3. The amount  of the regular distributions
will remain the same so long as  each Trust portfolio remains the same and  fees
and expenses remain the same, and will generally change when Bonds are redeemed,
mature or are sold or when fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
    The  plan of  distribution selected  by a  Unitholder will  remain in effect
until changed.  Unitholders  purchasing  Units  in  the  secondary  market  will
initially  receive distributions  in accordance with  the election  of the prior
owner. Unitholders desiring to  change their plan of  distribution may do so  by
sending   a   written  notice   requesting   the  change,   together   with  any
Certificate(s), to  the  Trustee. The  notice  and any  Certificate(s)  must  be
received  by  the Trustee  not  later than  the  semi-annual Record  Date  to be
effective  as  of   the  semi-annual  distribution   following  the   subsequent
semi-annual Record Date. Unitholders are requested
 
                                      A-24
<PAGE>
to  make any such  changes within 45  days prior to  the applicable Record Date.
Certificates should only be sent by registered or certified mail to minimize the
possibility of their being  lost or stolen.  (See Section 18.)  If no notice  is
received  in proper form by  the Trustee, the Unitholder  will be deemed to have
elected to continue the same plan.
 
    As of the first day of each month the Trustee will deduct from the  Interest
Account  of a Trust or, to the extent funds are not sufficient therein, from the
Principal Account of  a Trust, amounts  needed for payment  of expenses of  such
Trust.  The Trustee also may withdraw from said accounts such amount, if any, as
it deems necessary to establish a  reserve for any governmental charges  payable
out  of such Trust. Amounts  so withdrawn shall not be  considered a part of the
Trust's assets until such time  as the Trustee shall return  all or any part  of
such amounts to the appropriate account.
 
    For  the purpose  of minimizing fluctuations  in the  distributions from the
Interest Account of a Trust, the  Trustee is authorized to advance such  amounts
as may be necessary to provide for interest distributions of approximately equal
amounts.  The  Trustee  shall  be reimbursed,  without  interest,  for  any such
advances from funds  in the Interest  Account of such  Trust. The Trustee's  fee
takes  into account the  costs attributable to  the outlay of  capital needed to
make such advances.
 
    The Trustee  shall withdraw  from  the Interest  Account and  the  Principal
Account  of a  Trust such amounts  as may  be necessary to  cover redemptions of
Units of such Trust by the Trustee. (See Section 19.)
 
    Funds which are available for future distributions, redemptions and  payment
of  expenses are held in accounts  which are non-interest bearing to Unitholders
and are available for use by the Trustee pursuant to normal banking procedures.
 
14.  ACCUMULATION PLAN
 
The Sponsor, John Nuveen & Co.  Incorporated, is also the principal  underwriter
of  the  Nuveen Municipal  Bond Fund,  Inc. (the  "Bond Fund"),  Nuveen Tax-Free
Reserves, Inc. ("Tax-Free Reserves"), Nuveen California Tax-Free Fund, Inc. (the
"California Fund"),  Nuveen Tax-Free  Bond Fund,  Inc. ("Tax-Free  Bond  Fund"),
Nuveen  Insured Tax-Free  Bond Fund, Inc.  (the "Insured Bond  Fund") and Nuveen
Tax-Free Money  Market Fund,  Inc.  (the "Money  Market  Fund") and  the  Nuveen
Multistate  Tax-Free  Trust  (the  "Multistate  Trust").  Each  of  these  funds
(together, the  "Accumulation Funds")  is  an open-end,  diversified  management
investment   company  into  which  Unitholders  may  choose  to  reinvest  Trust
distributions automatically,  without any  sales  charge. (Reinvestment  in  the
California  Fund is available only to  Unitholders who are California residents.
Reinvestment in the State Portfolios of the Tax-Free Bond Fund, the Insured Bond
Fund, the  Money Market  Fund and  the  Multistate Trust  is available  only  to
Unitholders  who  are residents  of  the states  for  which such  portfolios are
named.) Unitholders may  reinvest both interest  and principal distributions  or
principal  distributions only. Each Accumulation  Fund has investment objectives
which differ in  certain respects from  those of  the Trusts and  may invest  in
securities which would not be eligible for deposit in the Trusts. The investment
adviser  to  each Accumulation  Fund is  Nuveen  Advisory Corp.,  a wholly-owned
subsidiary of  the  Sponsor. The  following  is  a general  description  of  the
investment  objectives  and  policies  of each  Accumulation  Fund.  For  a more
detailed description, Unitholders should read the prospectus of the Accumulation
Fund in which they are interested.
 
THE BOND FUND
 
    The Bond  Fund has  the  objective of  providing,  through investment  in  a
professionally  managed portfolio of long-term municipal  bonds, as high a level
of current interest income exempt from Federal income tax as is consistent  with
preservation  of capital. The Bond Fund  may include in its portfolio tax-exempt
bonds rated Baa or BBB or better by Moody's or
 
                                      A-25
<PAGE>
Standard &  Poor's,  unrated bonds  which,  in  the opinion  of  the  investment
adviser,  have credit  characteristics equivalent to  bonds rated Baa  or BBB or
better, and  certain temporary  investments, including  securities the  interest
income from which may be subject to Federal income tax.
 
TAX-FREE RESERVES
 
    Tax-Free  Reserves is a  "money market" fund that  includes in its portfolio
only obligations  maturing  within  one  year  from  the  date  of  acquisition,
maintains an average maturity of all investments of 120 days or less, values its
portfolio at amortized cost and seeks to maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per
share. It provides checkwriting and expedited wire redemption privileges for its
shareholders.   Tax-Free  Reserves  has  the  objective  of  providing,  through
investment in  a professionally  managed portfolio  of high  quality  short-term
municipal  obligations, as high  a level of current  interest income exempt from
Federal income  tax  as is  consistent  with  preservation of  capital  and  the
maintenance  of  liquidity.  Tax-Free  Reserves  may  include  in  its portfolio
municipal obligations rated Aaa, Aa, MIG-1, VMIG-1 or Prime-1 by Moody's or AAA,
AA, SP-1 or A-1 by Standard & Poor's, unrated municipal obligations that, in the
opinion of the  investment adviser,  have credit  characteristics equivalent  to
obligations   rated  as  above,  tax-exempt   obligations  backed  by  the  U.S.
Government, and temporary investments that may be subject to Federal income tax.
 
THE CALIFORNIA FUND
 
    The California Fund has  the objective of  providing, through investment  in
professionally managed portfolios of California municipal obligations, as high a
level  of current interest income exempt from both Federal and California income
taxes as is consistent with the investment policies of each of the portfolios of
the California Fund  and with  preservation of  capital. Each  portfolio of  the
California  Fund may include  temporary investments that may  be subject to tax.
California Unitholders may reinvest in one of three portfolios of the California
Fund: The Nuveen California Tax-Free  Value Fund, the Nuveen California  Insured
Tax-Free Value Fund and the Nuveen California Tax-Free Money Market Fund.
 
    The  Nuveen California  Tax-Free Value  Fund invests  primarily in long-term
investment grade  California tax-exempt  bonds (I.E.,  bonds rated  in the  four
highest  categories by Moody's  or Standard &  Poor's or, if  unrated, that have
equivalent credit characteristics). The Nuveen California Insured Tax-Free Value
Fund invests  primarily in  the same  type of  investments as  the Special  Bond
Portfolio, each of which is covered by insurance guaranteeing the timely payment
of  principal  and  interest  or  is backed  by  a  deposit  of  U.S. Government
securities.
 
    The Nuveen  California  Tax-Free  Money Market  Fund  invests  primarily  in
high-quality  short term  California tax-exempt money  market instruments (I.E.,
obligations rated in the two highest categories by Moody's or Standard &  Poor's
or,  if unrated,  that have  equivalent credit  characteristics). This portfolio
will include  only  obligations  maturing  within one  year  from  the  date  of
acquisition, will maintain an average maturity of all investments of 120 days or
less, will value its portfolio at amortized cost and will seek to maintain a net
asset value of $1.00 per share. The Nuveen California Tax-Free Money Market Fund
provides for an expedited wire redemption privilege.
 
THE TAX-FREE BOND FUND
 
    The  Tax-Free Bond Fund consists of  the Nuveen Massachusetts Tax-Free Value
Fund, the Nuveen New  York Tax-Free Value Fund,  the Nuveen Ohio Tax-Free  Value
Fund,  and the Nuveen New  Jersey Tax-Free Value Fund,  which are each available
for reinvestment to Unitholders  who are residents of  the state for which  such
portfolio  is  named. The  Tax-Free Bond  Fund has  the objective  of providing,
through investment in a professionally managed
 
                                      A-26
<PAGE>
portfolio of municipal bonds, as high a level of current interest income  exempt
both from Federal income tax and from the income tax imposed by each portfolio's
designated  state as  is consistent with  preservation of  capital. The Tax-Free
Bond Fund may include in  each of its portfolios  tax-exempt bonds rated Baa  or
BBB  or better; unrated bonds  which, in the opinion  of the investment adviser,
have credit characteristics equivalent to bonds rated Baa or BBB or better;  and
certain  temporary investments,  including securities  the interest  income from
which may be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
THE INSURED BOND FUND
 
    The Insured Bond Fund  consists of the Nuveen  Insured Municipal Bond  Fund,
the  Nuveen Massachusetts  Insured Tax-Free Value  Fund and the  Nuveen New York
Insured Tax-Free  Value  Fund, which  are  each available  for  reinvestment  to
Unitholders.  (The Massachusetts and  New York Portfolios  are available only to
those Unitholders who  are residents  of the state  for which  the portfolio  is
named.) The Insured Bond Fund has the objective of providing, through investment
in  professionally managed  portfolios of  municipal bonds,  as high  a level of
current interest income exempt from both Federal income tax and, in the case  of
designated  state portfolios,  from the income  tax imposed  by each portfolio's
designated state, as  is consistent  with preservation of  capital. The  Insured
Bond  Fund may include in each of its portfolios the same type of investments as
the Tax-Free Bond Fund, each of  which is covered by insurance guaranteeing  the
timely  payment of  principal and  interest or  is backed  by a  deposit of U.S.
Government securities.
 
THE MONEY MARKET FUND
 
    The Money Market Fund  consists of the  Nuveen Massachusetts Tax-Free  Money
Market  Fund and the Nuveen New York  Tax-Free Money Market Fund, which are each
available for reinvestment  to Unitholders who  are residents of  the state  for
which  such portfolio is named. The Money Market Fund includes in its portfolios
only obligations  maturing  within  one  year  from  the  date  of  acquisition,
maintains  an average  maturity of  120 days or  less, values  its portfolios at
amortized cost and seeks to maintain a  net asset value of $1.00 per share.  The
Money  Market  Fund  has  the  objective  of  providing,  through  investment in
professionally  managed  portfolios   of  high   quality  short-term   municipal
obligations, as high a level of current interest income exempt both from Federal
income  tax and from the income tax imposed by each portfolio's designated state
as is consistent with stability of  principal and the maintenance of  liquidity.
The  Money  Market  Fund  may  include  in  each  of  its  portfolios  municipal
obligations rated Aaa, Aa, MIG-1, MIG-2, VMIG-1,  VMIG-2, Prime 1 or Prime 2  by
Moody's  or  AAA, AA,  SP-1,  SP-2, A-1  or A-2  by  Standard &  Poor's; unrated
municipal obligations  that, in  the  opinion of  the investment  adviser,  have
credit  characteristics equivalent to obligations  rated as above; and temporary
investments that may be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
THE MULTISTATE TRUST
 
    The Multistate Trust consists of the Nuveen Arizona Tax-Free Value Fund, the
Nuveen Florida Tax-Free Value Fund, the Nuveen Maryland Tax-Free Value Fund, the
Nuveen Michigan Tax-Free Value Fund, the Nuveen New Jersey Tax-Free Value  Fund,
the  Nuveen Pennsylvania  Tax-Free Value Fund  and the Nuveen  Virginia Tax Free
Value Fund, which  are each available  for reinvestment to  Unitholders who  are
residents  of the state for which such  portfolio is named. The Multistate Trust
has the objective of providing,  through investment in a professionally  managed
portfolio  of municipal bonds, as high a level of current interest income exempt
from both regular Federal  income tax and the  applicable state personal  income
tax  as is  consistent with  preservation of  capital. The  Multistate Trust may
include in  each of  its portfolios  tax-exempt bonds  rated "Baa"  or "BBB"  or
better,  unrated bonds  which, in  the opinion  of the  investment advisor, have
credit characteristics equivalent to
 
                                      A-27
<PAGE>
bonds rated  "baa" or  "BBB" or  better,  limited to  no more  than 20%  of  the
Multistate Trust's assets, and certain temporary investments that may be subject
to Federal and state income tax.
 
    Each  person who purchases Units of a  Trust may become a participant in the
Accumulation Plan and elect  to have his  or her distributions  on Units of  the
Trust  invested directly in shares of one of the Accumulation Funds. Reinvesting
Unitholders  may  select  any  interest  distribution  plan.  Thereafter,   each
distribution  of  interest  income  or  principal  on  the  participant's  Units
(principal only in  the case of  a Unitholder  who has chosen  to reinvest  only
principal  distributions) will, on the applicable distribution date, or the next
day on which the New  York Stock Exchange is  normally open ("business day")  if
the  distribution  date is  not  a business  day,  automatically be  received by
Shareholder Services, Inc., transfer agent  for each of the Accumulation  Funds,
on  behalf of such participant  and applied on that  date to purchase shares (or
fractions thereof)  of  the Accumulation  Fund  chosen  at net  asset  value  as
computed  as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time on each such date. All distributions will
be reinvested  in the  Accumulation Fund  chosen  and no  part thereof  will  be
retained  in a separate  account. These purchases  will be made  without a sales
charge.
 
    Shareholder Services, Inc. will mail to each participant in the Accumulation
Plan a quarterly  statement containing  a record of  all transactions  involving
purchases of Accumulation Fund shares (or fractions thereof) with Trust interest
distributions or as a result of reinvestment of Accumulation Fund dividends. Any
distribution  of principal used to purchase  shares of an Accumulation Fund will
be separately  confirmed by  Shareholder Services,  Inc. Unitholders  will  also
receive   distribution  statements  from  the   Trustee  detailing  the  amounts
transferred to their Accumulation Fund accounts.
 
    Participants may at any time, by so notifying the Trustee in writing,  elect
to  change  the  Accumulation  Fund into  which  their  distributions  are being
reinvested, to change from principal  only reinvestment to reinvestment of  both
principal and interest or vice versa, or to terminate their participation in the
Accumulation  Plan altogether and receive future distributions on their Units in
cash. There will be no  charge or other penalty for  such change of election  or
termination.
 
    The  character of  Trust distributions for  income tax  purposes will remain
unchanged even if they are reinvested in an Accumulation Fund.
 
15.  HOW DETAILED ARE REPORTS TO UNITHOLDERS?
 
The Trustee  shall  furnish Unitholders  of  a  Trust in  connection  with  each
distribution,  a statement of the amount of  interest and, if any, the amount of
other receipts (received  since the preceding  distribution) being  distributed,
expressed  in each case  as a dollar  amount representing the  pro rata share of
each Unit of a Trust outstanding and a year to date summary of all distributions
paid on said Units.  Within a reasonable  period of time after  the end of  each
calendar  year, the Trustee shall furnish to  each person who at any time during
the calendar  year was  a registered  Unitholder  of a  Trust a  statement  with
respect  to  such  Trust  (i)  as to  the  Interest  Account:  interest received
(including amounts  representing  interest  received  upon  any  disposition  of
Bonds),  and, except  for any  State Trust, the  percentage of  such interest by
states in which the issuers  of the Bonds are  located, deductions for fees  and
expenses of such Trust, redemption of Units and the balance remaining after such
distributions  and deductions,  expressed in  each case  both as  a total dollar
amount and as  a dollar  amount representing  the pro  rata share  of each  Unit
outstanding  on the  last business  day of  such calendar  year; (ii)  as to the
Principal Account: the dates  of disposition of any  Bonds and the net  proceeds
received  therefrom (excluding  any portion representing  accrued interest), the
amount paid for purchase of Replacement  Bonds, the amount paid upon  redemption
of  Units, deductions for payment  of applicable taxes and  fees and expenses of
the Trustee, and the balance  remaining after such distributions and  deductions
expressed
 
                                      A-28
<PAGE>
both  as a total dollar amount and as  a dollar amount representing the pro rata
share of each Unit outstanding on the  last business day of such calendar  year;
(iii)  a list of the Bonds held and  the number of Units outstanding on the last
business day of  such calendar year;  (iv) the  Unit Value based  upon the  last
computation  thereof made  during such calendar  year; and  (v) amounts actually
distributed during such  calendar year from  the Interest Account  and from  the
Principal Account, separately stated, expressed both as total dollar amounts and
as dollar amounts representing the pro rata share of each Unit outstanding.
 
    Each  annual statement will reflect pertinent  information in respect of all
plans of distribution so that Unitholders may be informed regarding the  results
of other plans of distribution.
 
16.  UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION
 
The  value of each  Trust is determined by  the Sponsor on the  basis of (1) the
cash on hand in the Trust or moneys  in the process of being collected, (2)  the
value  of the Bonds in  the Trust based on  the BID prices of  the Bonds and (3)
interest  accrued  thereon   not  subject  to   collection,  LESS  (1)   amounts
representing  taxes or governmental charges payable out of the Trust and (2) the
accrued expenses of the Trust. The result of such computation is divided by  the
number  of Units of such  Trust outstanding as of  the date thereof to determine
the per Unit value ("Unit Value") of  such Trust. The Sponsor may determine  the
value  of the Bonds in each Trust (1) on  the basis of current BID prices of the
Bonds obtained from dealers or brokers who customarily deal in bonds  comparable
to  those held by the Trust, (2) if bid  prices are not available for any of the
Bonds, on the basis of bid prices for comparable bonds, (3) by causing the value
of the Bonds to be determined by  others engaged in the practice of  evaluating,
quoting  or appraising comparable bonds or (4)  by any combination of the above.
Although the Unit Value of each Trust is  based on the BID prices of the  Bonds,
the Units are sold initially to the public at the Public Offering Price based on
the OFFERING prices of the Bonds.
 
    Because  the insurance obtained  by the Sponsor  or by the  issuers of Bonds
with respect to  the Bonds in  the Insured  Trusts and with  respect to  insured
Bonds  in Traditional Trusts is effective so long as such Bonds are outstanding,
such insurance will be  taken into account in  determining the bid and  offering
prices  of such  Bonds and therefore  some value attributable  to such insurance
will be included in the value of Units of Trusts that include such Bonds.
 
17.  HOW UNITS OF THE TRUSTS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC
 
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated is the Sponsor and sole Underwriter of the Units.
It is  the  intention  of  the  Sponsor  to  qualify  Units  of  National,  Long
Intermediate,  Intermediate, Short Intermediate  and Short Term  Trusts for sale
under the laws of  substantially all of  the states, and  Units of State  Trusts
only in the state for which the Trust is named and selected other states.
 
    Promptly following the deposit of Bonds in exchange for Units of the Trusts,
it  is the practice of the Sponsor to place all of the Units as collateral for a
letter or letters of credit from one or more commercial banks under an agreement
to release such Units from time to  time as needed for distribution. Under  such
an  arrangement  the Sponsor  pays  such banks  compensation  based on  the then
current interest  rate. This  is  a normal  warehousing arrangement  during  the
period of distribution of the Units to public investors.
 
    The  Sponsor plans to allow a discount  to brokers and dealers in connection
with  the  primary  distribution   of  Units  and   also  in  secondary   market
transactions. The primary market discounts are as follows:
 
                                      A-29
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DISCOUNT PER UNIT
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
                                 NATIONAL    LONG INTER-                  SHORT INTER-
                                AND STATE      MEDIATE     INTERMEDIATE      MEDIATE     SHORT TERM
NUMBER OF UNITS*                  TRUSTS       TRUSTS         TRUSTS         TRUSTS        TRUSTS
------------------------------  ----------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------
Less than 500.................    $3.20         $2.90          $2.70          $2.00         $1.50
500 but less than 1,000.......     3.20         2.90           2.70           2.00          1.50
1,000 but less than 2,500.....     3.20         2.70           2.50           1.80          1.30
2,500 but less than 5,000.....     3.20         2.45           2.25           1.55          1.05
5,000 but less than 10,000....     2.50         2.45           2.25           1.55          1.05
10,000 but less than 25,000...     2.00         2.00           2.00           1.30           .80
25,000 but less than 50,000...     1.75         1.75           1.75           1.30           .60
50,000 or more................     1.75         1.50           1.50           1.00           .60
</TABLE>
 
*Breakpoint  sales charges and related dealer concessions are computed both on a
 dollar basis and  on the  basis of  the number  of Units  purchased, using  the
 equivalent  of 500 Units to  $50,000, 2,500 Units to  $250,000 etc. and will be
 applied on that basis which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The Sponsor currently intends  to maintain a secondary  market for Units  of
each  Trust. See  Section 7.  The amount of  the dealer  concession on secondary
market purchases of Trust Units through the Sponsor will be computed based  upon
the  value  of the  Bonds in  the  Trust portfolio,  including the  sales charge
computed as described in Section 6, and adjusted to reflect the cash position of
the Trust principal  account, and will  vary with  the size of  the purchase  as
shown in the following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               AMOUNT OF PURCHASE*
                            -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
                                        $50,000   $100,000   $250,000   $500,000   $1,000,000  $2,500,000
                              UNDER       TO         TO         TO         TO          TO          TO      $5,000,000
YEARS TO MATURITY            $50,000    $99,999   $249,999   $499,999   $999,999   $2,499,999  $4,999,999   OR MORE
--------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Less than 1...............      0          0          0          0          0          0           0           0
1 but less than 2.........    1.00%      .90%       .85%       .80%       .70%        .55%       .467%       .389%
2 but less than 3.........    1.30%      1.20%      1.10%      1.00%      .90%        .73%       .634%       .538%
3 but less than 4.........    1.60%      1.45%      1.35%      1.25%      1.10%       .90%       .781%       .662%
4 but less than 5.........    2.00%      1.85%      1.75%      1.55%      1.40%      1.25%       1.082%      .914%
5 but less than 7.........    2.30%      2.15%      1.95%      1.80%      1.65%      1.50%       1.320%      1.140%
7 but less than 10........    2.60%      2.45%      2.25%      2.10%      1.95%      1.70%       1.496%      1.292%
10 but less than 13.......    3.00%      2.80%      2.60%      2.45%      2.30%      2.00%       1.747%      1.494%
13 but less than 16.......    3.25%      3.15%      3.00%      2.75%      2.50%      2.15%       1.878%      1.606%
16 or more................    3.50%      3.50%      3.40%      3.35%      3.00%      2.50%       2.185%      1.873%
</TABLE>
 
 *Breakpoint sales charges and related dealer concessions are computed both on a
  dollar  basis and  on the basis  of the  number of Units  purchased, using the
  equivalent of 500 Units to $50,000, 2,500 Units to $250,000, etc., and will be
  applied on that basis which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The Sponsor reserves the  right to change  the foregoing dealer  concessions
from time to time.
 
    Registered  investment advisers, certified financial planners and registered
broker-dealers who  in  each case  either  charge periodic  fees  for  financial
planning,  investment  advisory or  asset management  services, or  provide such
services in connection with the establishment of an investment account for which
a comprehensive  "wrap  fee"  charge  is imposed,  and  bank  trust  departments
investing  funds  over which  they  exercise exclusive  discretionary investment
authority and  that  are held  in  a  fiduciary, agency,  custodial  or  similar
capacity,  are  not entitled  to receive  any dealer  concession for  primary or
secondary market purchases in which an investor purchases any number of Units at
the Public Offering Price for non-breakpoint purchases minus the concession  the
sponsor  typically allows  to brokers  and dealers  for non-breakpoint purchases
(see Section 6).
 
    Certain commercial banks are making Units  of the Trusts available to  their
customers  on  an agency  basis. A  portion of  the sales  charge paid  by these
customers is retained by or  remitted to the banks in  the amounts shown in  the
above table. The Glass-Steagall Act
 
                                      A-30
<PAGE>
prohibits  banks from  underwriting Trust Units;  the Act  does, however, permit
certain agency transactions and banking regulators have not indicated that these
particular agency transactions are not permitted under the Act. In Texas and  in
certain  other states, any bank  making Units available must  be registered as a
broker-dealer under state law.
 
    To facilitate the handling of transactions, sales of Units shall be  limited
to  transactions involving a minimum of either  $5,000 or 50 Units, whichever is
less. The Sponsor reserves the right to  reject, in whole or in part, any  order
for the purchase of Units.
 
18.  OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER OF UNITS
 
The  ownership of  Units is  evidenced by book  entry positions  recorded on the
books and records of the Trustee  unless the Unitholder expressly requests  that
the  purchased Units be evidenced in Certificate form. The Trustee is authorized
to treat as the owner of Units that person who at the time is registered as such
on the books of the Trustee. Any  Unitholder who holds a Certificate may  change
to  book entry ownership by submitting to the Trustee the Certificate along with
a written request that the Units represented by such Certificate be held in book
entry form. Likewise, a Unitholder who holds Units in book entry form may obtain
a Certificate for such  Units by written  request to the  Trustee. Units may  be
held in denominations of one Unit or any multiple or fraction thereof. Fractions
of  Units are computed to three decimal  places. Any Certificates issued will be
numbered serially for identification, and  are issued in fully registered  form,
transferable  only  on the  books of  the Trustee.  Book entry  Unitholders will
receive a Book Entry Position Confirmation reflecting their ownership.
 
    Certificates for  Units will  bear  an appropriate  notation on  their  face
indicating  which plan of distribution has been selected. When a change is made,
the  existing  Certificates  must  be   surrendered  to  the  Trustee  and   new
Certificates  issued to  reflect the  currently effective  plan of distribution.
There will be no charge for this service. Holders of book entry Units can change
their plan of  distribution by making  a written request  to the Trustee,  which
will issue a new Book Entry Position Confirmation to reflect such change.
 
    Units  are transferable by making  a written request to  the Trustee and, in
the case of Units  evidenced by Certificate(s),  by presenting and  surrendering
such  Certificate(s) to the Trustee,  at its corporate trust  office in New York
City, properly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of
transfer. The Certificate(s) should be sent registered or certified mail for the
protection of the Unitholder.  Each Unitholder must  sign such written  request,
and  such Certificate(s) or transfer instrument,  exactly as his name appears on
(a) the face of the Certificate(s) representing the Units to be transferred,  or
(b)  the  Book  Entry  Position  Confirmation(s) relating  to  the  Units  to be
transferred. Such signature(s) must be  guaranteed by a guarantor acceptable  to
the  Trustee. In certain instances the  Trustee may require additional documents
such  as,  but  not  limited  to,  trust  instruments,  certificates  of  death,
appointments   as  executor  or  administrator   or  certificates  of  corporate
authority. Mutilated Certificates must  be surrendered to  the Trustee in  order
for a replacement Certificate to be issued.
 
    Although  at the date hereof  no charge is made  and none is contemplated, a
Unitholder may be  required to  pay $2.00 to  the Trustee  for each  Certificate
reissued or transfer of Units requested and to pay any governmental charge which
may be imposed in connection therewith.
 
REPLACEMENT OF LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES.
 
    To  obtain a new  Certificate replacing one  that has been  lost, stolen, or
destroyed,  the   Unitholder   must   furnish  the   Trustee   with   sufficient
indemnification and pay such expenses as the Trustee may incur.
 
                                      A-31
<PAGE>
    The  indemnification protects the  Trustee, Sponsor, and  Trust from risk if
the original Certificate is presented for transfer or redemption by a person who
purchased it  in good  faith,  for value  and without  notice  of any  fraud  or
irregularity.
 
    This  indemnification  must  be in  the  form  of an  Open  Penalty  Bond of
Indemnification. The premium for  such an indemnity bond  may vary from time  to
time,  but currently amounts to 1% of  the market value of the Units represented
by the  Certificate. In  the case  however, of  a Trust  as to  which notice  of
termination  has been given, the premium currently amounts to 0.5% of the market
value of the Units represented by such Certificate.
 
19.  HOW UNITS MAY BE REDEEMED WITHOUT CHARGE
 
Unitholders may redeem all or a portion  of their Units by (1) making a  written
request  for such redemption (book entry Unitholders may use the redemption form
on the reverse side of their Book Entry Position Confirmation) to the Trustee at
its corporate trust office in New York City (redemptions of 1,000 Units or  more
will  require a signature  guarantee), (2) in  the case of  Units evidenced by a
Certificate, by also tendering such Certificate to the Trustee, duly endorsed or
accompanied by  proper instruments  of transfer  with signatures  guaranteed  as
explained  in  Section  18 above,  and  (3) payment  of  applicable governmental
charges, if any.  Certificates should be  sent only by  registered or  certified
mail  to minimize  the possibility of  their being  lost or stolen.  In order to
effect a  redemption of  Units evidenced  by a  Certificate, a  Unitholder  must
tender the Certificate to the Trustee or provide satisfactory indemnity required
in  connection with lost, stolen or  destroyed Certificates (See Section 18). No
redemption fee will be charged. A Unitholder may authorize the Trustee to  honor
telephone  instructions for  the redemption  of Units  held in  book entry form.
Units represented by Certificates may not be redeemed by telephone. The proceeds
of Units redeemed by telephone will be sent by check either to the Unitholder at
the address specified on his account or to a financial institution specified  by
the Unitholder for credit to the account of the Unitholder. A Unitholder wishing
to   use  this  method  of  redemption  must  complete  a  Telephone  Redemption
Authorization Form and  furnish the  Form to the  Trustee. Telephone  Redemption
Authorization   Forms   can   be  obtained   from   a   Unitholder's  registered
representative or by calling  the Trustee. Once the  completed Form is on  file,
the  Trustee  will honor  telephone redemption  requests by  any person.  If the
telephone redemption request is  received prior to 4:00  p.m. eastern time,  the
Unitholder  will be  entitled to receive  for each Unit  tendered the Redemption
Price as determined above.  A telephone redemption  request received after  4:00
p.m. eastern time will be treated as having been received the following business
day. The redemption proceeds will be mailed within seven calendar days following
the  telephone redemption  request. Telephone  redemptions are  limited to 1,000
Units or less. Only  Units held in  the name of individuals  may be redeemed  by
telephone;  accounts registered in  broker name, or  accounts of corporations or
fiduciaries  (including  among  others,   trustees,  guardians,  executors   and
administrators) may not use the telephone redemption privilege.
 
    On  the third business day following the date of tender, the Unitholder will
be entitled to receive  in cash for  each Unit tendered an  amount equal to  the
Unit Value of such Trust determined by the Trustee, as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time
on  the date of tender  as defined hereafter, plus  accrued interest to, but not
including, the third business day after the date of tender ("Redemption Price").
The price received upon redemption may be  more or less than the amount paid  by
the  Unitholder depending on the value of the  Bonds on the date of tender. Such
value will vary with market and credit conditions, including changes in interest
rate levels.  Unitholders should  check  with the  Trustee  or their  broker  to
determine the Redemption Price before tendering Units.
 
                                      A-32
<PAGE>
    While the Trustee has the power to determine Redemption Price when Units are
tendered,  the authority has by  practice been delegated by  the Trustee to John
Nuveen & Co.  Incorporated, which  determines the  Redemption Price  on a  daily
basis.
 
    The  "date of  tender" is  deemed to be  the date  on which  the request for
redemption of Units is received  in proper form by  the Trustee, except that  as
regards a redemption request received after 4:00 p.m. eastern time or on any day
on  which the New York  Stock Exchange (the "Exchange")  is normally closed, the
date of tender  is the  next day  on which such  Exchange is  normally open  for
trading  and such request will be  deemed to have been made  on such day and the
redemption will be effected at the Redemption Price computed on that day.
 
    Accrued interest paid  on redemption  shall be withdrawn  from the  Interest
Account  of the  appropriate Trust or,  if the balance  therein is insufficient,
from the Principal Account of such  Trust. All other amounts paid on  redemption
shall  be withdrawn from the Principal Account. The Trustee is empowered to sell
underlying Bonds of  a Trust in  order to make  funds available for  redemption.
(See Section 21.) Units so redeemed shall be cancelled.
 
    To  the extent that Bonds  are sold from a Trust,  the size and diversity of
such Trust will  be reduced. Such  sales may be  required at a  time when  Bonds
would  not  otherwise  be sold  and  might  result in  lower  prices  than might
otherwise be realized.
 
    The Redemption Price is  determined on the  basis of the  BID prices of  the
Bonds  in each Trust, while  the initial Public Offering  Price of Units will be
determined on the  basis of the  OFFERING prices of  the Bonds as  of 4:00  p.m.
eastern  time on any day on which the  Exchange is normally open for trading and
such determination is made. As of any given time, the difference between the bid
and offering  prices of  such Bonds  may  be expected  to average  1% to  2%  of
principal  amount in the case of Bonds  in National, Long Intermediate and State
Trusts, 3/4%  to  1  1/2% in  the  case  of Bonds  in  Intermediate,  and  Short
Intermediate  Trusts and 1/2% to 3/4% in the case of Bonds in Short Term Trusts.
In the case of actively traded Bonds, the difference may be as little as 1/4  to
1/2  of 1%, and in  the case of inactively  traded Bonds such difference usually
will not exceed 3%. The difference between the aggregate offering prices of  the
Bonds  in each Trust  and the aggregate  bid prices thereof  on the business day
prior to  the Date  of Deposit  is shown  in the  discussion of  specific  trust
matters.
 
    The  right  of redemption  may be  suspended and  payment postponed  for any
period during  which  the Securities  and  Exchange Commission  determines  that
trading  in the municipal bond market is restricted or an emergency exists, as a
result  of  which  disposal  or  evaluation  of  the  Bonds  is  not  reasonably
practicable, or for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission
may by order permit.
 
    Under  regulations issued by the Internal  Revenue Service, the Trustee will
be required to withhold 31% of the principal amount of a Unit redemption if  the
Trustee  has not  been furnished  the redeeming  Unitholder's tax identification
number in the  manner required by  such regulations. Any  amount so withheld  is
transmitted  to  the  Internal  Revenue  Service and  may  be  recovered  by the
Unitholder only when filing  his or her tax  return. Under normal  circumstances
the  Trustee obtains the Unitholder's tax identification number from the selling
broker at the time the Certificate or Book Entry Return Confirmation is  issued,
and  this number is printed on the Certificate or Book Entry Return Confirmation
and on distribution statements. If a Unitholder's tax identification number does
not appear as  described above,  or if it  is incorrect,  the Unitholder  should
contact  the Trustee before redeeming Units to determine what action, if any, is
required to avoid this "back-up withholding."
 
20.  HOW UNITS MAY BE PURCHASED BY THE SPONSOR
 
The Trustee will notify the  Sponsor of any tender  of Units for redemption.  If
the  Sponsor's bid in  the secondary market  at that time  equals or exceeds the
Redemption Price it may
 
                                      A-33
<PAGE>
purchase such Units by notifying the Trustee before the close of business on the
second succeeding business day and by making payment therefor to the  Unitholder
not  later than the day  on which payment would otherwise  have been made by the
Trustee. (See  Section 19.)  The Sponsor's  current practice  is to  bid at  the
Redemption  Price in  the secondary  market. Units  held by  the Sponsor  may be
tendered to the Trustee for redemption as any other Units.
 
    The Public Offering  Price upon  resale of any  Units thus  acquired by  the
Sponsor  will be  calculated in accordance  with the procedure  described in the
then currently effective prospectus relating to such Units. Any profit resulting
from the resale of  such Units will  belong to the  Sponsor which likewise  will
bear  any loss resulting from a lower  Public Offering Price or Redemption Price
subsequent to its acquisition of such Units.
 
21.  HOW BONDS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUSTS
 
Bonds will be removed from a Trust as they mature or are redeemed by the issuers
thereof. See  the "Schedules  of Investments"  and "General  Trust  Information"
under Section 3 for a discussion of call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
    The  Indenture also empowers  the Trustee to  sell Bonds for  the purpose of
redeeming Units tendered by any Unitholder, and for the payment of expenses  for
which  income may not be available. Under the Indenture the Sponsor is obligated
to provide the Trustee with a current list of Bonds in each Trust to be sold  in
such  circumstances. In deciding which Bonds  should be sold the Sponsor intends
to consider, among  other things, such  factors as: (1)  market conditions;  (2)
market  prices  of  the  Bonds;  (3)  the  effect  on  income  distributions  to
Unitholders of the sale of various Bonds; (4) the effect on principal amount  of
underlying  Bonds  per Unit  of the  sale  of various  Bonds; (5)  the financial
condition of the issuers; and (6) the effect of the sale of various Bonds on the
investment character of the Trust. Such sales, if required, could result in  the
sale  of Bonds by the Trustee at prices less than original cost to the Trust. To
the extent Bonds are sold, the size and diversity of such Trust will be reduced.
 
    In addition, the  Sponsor is empowered  to direct the  Trustee to  liquidate
Bonds upon the happening of certain other events, such as default in the payment
of principal and/or interest, an action of the issuer that will adversely affect
its  ability to continue payment of the  principal of and interest on its Bonds,
or an  adverse  change  in  market, revenue  or  credit  factors  affecting  the
investment  character of the Bonds. If a default in the payment of the principal
of and/or interest  on any  of the  Bonds occurs, and  if the  Sponsor fails  to
instruct  the Trustee whether to  sell or continue to  hold such Bonds within 30
days after  notification by  the Trustee  to the  Sponsor of  such default,  the
Indenture  provides that  the Trustee shall  liquidate said  Bonds forthwith and
shall not be liable for any loss so incurred.
 
    In connection with its  determination as to the  sale or liquidation of  any
Bonds,  the Sponsor  will consider the  Bond's then current  rating, but because
such ratings are the opinions of the rating agencies as to the quality of  Bonds
they  undertake to rate and not absolute  standards of quality, the Sponsor will
exercise its independent judgment as to Bond creditworthiness.
 
    The Sponsor may also direct the Trustee to liquidate Bonds in a Trust if the
Bonds in  the  Trust  are  the  subject  of  an  advanced  refunding,  generally
considered  to be when refunding  bonds are issued and  the proceeds thereof are
deposited in irrevocable trust to retire the refunded Bonds on their  redemption
date.
 
    Except as stated in Section 4 regarding the limited right of substitution of
Replacement Bonds for Failed Bonds, and except for refunding securities that may
be  exchanged for Bonds under certain conditions specified in the Indenture, the
Indenture does not permit
 
                                      A-34
<PAGE>
either the Sponsor or the Trustee to acquire or deposit bonds either in addition
to, or in substitution for, any of the Bonds initially deposited in a Trust.
 
22.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUSTEE
 
   
The Trustee is United States Trust Company of New York, with its principal place
of business at 114 West 47th Street, New York, New York 10036 and its  corporate
trust  office at  770 Broadway,  New York, New  York 10003.  United States Trust
Company of New York, established in  1853, has, since its organization,  engaged
primarily  in the  management of trust  and agency accounts  for individuals and
corporations. The Trustee is a member of the New York Clearing House Association
and is subject to supervision and examination by the Superintendent of Banks  of
the  State of New York, the Federal  Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve  System. In connection with the storage  and
handling  of certain  Bonds deposited  in the  Trusts, the  Trustee may  use the
services  of  The  Depository  Trust  Company.  These  services  would   include
safekeeping  of the Bonds and  coupon-clipping, computer book-entry transfer and
institutional delivery  services.  The Depository  Trust  Company is  a  limited
purpose  trust company organized under the Banking Law of the State of New York,
a member of the  Federal Reserve System and  a clearing agency registered  under
the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of 1934.  Commencing  September  1,  1995, Chase
Manhattan Bank, N.A. will become successor to United States Trust Company of New
York as Trustee of  the Trusts. This  change will have  no material effect  upon
Unitholders of the Trusts.
    
 
LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITIES OF SPONSOR AND TRUSTEE
 
    The  Sponsor and the Trustee shall be  under no liability to Unitholders for
taking any action or for  refraining from any action  in good faith pursuant  to
the Indenture, or for errors in judgment, but shall be liable only for their own
negligence,  lack of good faith or willful  misconduct. The Trustee shall not be
liable for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the sale by the Trustee of
any of the Bonds. In the  event of the failure of  the Sponsor to act under  the
Indenture, the Trustee may act thereunder and shall not be liable for any action
taken by it in good faith under the Indenture.
 
    The  Trustee shall not be liable for any taxes or other governmental charges
imposed upon or in respect of the Bonds or upon the interest thereon or upon  it
as  Trustee under  the Indenture or  upon or in  respect of any  Trust which the
Trustee may be required  to pay under  any present or future  law of the  United
States  of  America or  of any  other taxing  authority having  jurisdiction. In
addition,  the  Indenture  contains  other  customary  provisions  limiting  the
liability of the Trustee.
 
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEES AND SPONSORS
 
    The  Trustee or any successor trustee  may resign by executing an instrument
of resignation in writing and filing same with the Sponsor and mailing a copy of
a notice of resignation to all  Unitholders then of record. Upon receiving  such
notice,  the Sponsor is required to promptly appoint a successor trustee. If the
Trustee becomes incapable of acting or is adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a
receiver or other public officer shall  take charge of its property or  affairs,
the  Sponsor  may  remove  the  Trustee  and  appoint  a  successor  by  written
instrument. The resignation  or removal of  a trustee and  the appointment of  a
successor trustee shall become effective only when the successor trustee accepts
its appointment as such. Any successor trustee shall be a corporation authorized
to  exercise  corporate  trust  powers, having  capital,  surplus  and undivided
profits of not less than $5,000,000. Any corporation into which a trustee may be
merged or with which it may  be consolidated, or any corporation resulting  from
any  merger or consolidation to  which a trustee shall be  a party, shall be the
successor trustee.
 
                                      A-35
<PAGE>
    If upon resignation  of a trustee  no successor has  been appointed and  has
accepted the appointment within 30 days after notification, the retiring trustee
may  apply  to  a court  of  competent  jurisdiction for  the  appointment  of a
successor.
 
    If the Sponsor fails to undertake any of its duties under the Indenture, and
no express  provision is  made for  action by  the Trustee  in such  event,  the
Trustee  may, in addition to its other  powers under the Indenture (1) appoint a
successor sponsor or (2) terminate the Indenture and liquidate the Trusts.
 
23.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR
 
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, the Sponsor and Underwriter, was founded in 1898
and is  the oldest  and  largest investment  banking  firm specializing  in  the
underwriting and distribution of tax-exempt securities and maintains the largest
research  department in the investment  banking community devoted exclusively to
the analysis of municipal securities. In  1961 the Sponsor began sponsoring  the
Nuveen  Tax-Exempt Unit Trust and, since this  time, it has issued more than $30
billion in tax-exempt unit trusts, including over $8 billion in insured  trusts.
The  Sponsor is  also principal underwriter  of the Nuveen  Municipal Bond Fund,
Inc., the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Money  Market Fund, Inc., Nuveen Tax-Free  Reserves,
Inc.,  Nuveen California Tax-Free  Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Tax-Free Bond Fund, Inc.,
Nuveen Insured Tax-Free Bond Fund, Inc.  and Nuveen Tax-Free Money Market  Fund,
Inc.,  all  registered open-end  management investment  companies, and  acted as
co-managing underwriter of Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen  California
Municipal  Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen New  York Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen
Municipal Income  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen California  Municipal Income  Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen  New York  Municipal Income Fund,  Inc., Nuveen  Premium Income Municipal
Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Performance  Plus Municipal  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen  California
Performance  Plus  Municipal  Fund,  Inc.,  Nuveen  New  York  Performance  Plus
Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Municipal Advantage  Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Municipal
Market  Opportunity Fund,  Inc., Nuveen California  Municipal Market Opportunity
Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen New  York Municipal  Market Opportunity  Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen
Investment  Quality Municipal  Fund, Inc., Nuveen  California Investment Quality
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen New  York Investment Quality Municipal Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen  Insured Quality Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen Florida Investment Quality
Municipal Fund, Nuveen  Pennsylvania Investment Quality  Municipal Fund,  Nuveen
New  Jersey  Investment  Quality Municipal  Fund,  Inc., and  the  Nuveen Select
Quality Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen California  Quality Municipal Fund,  Inc.,
Nuveen  New  York Select  Quality Municipal  Fund,  Inc., Nuveen  Quality Income
Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Insured Municipal  Opportunity Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen
Florida  Quality Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Michigan Quality Income Municipal
Fund, Inc., Nuveen New Jersey Quality  Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Ohio
Quality   Income  Municipal  Fund,  Inc.,  Nuveen  Pennsylvania  Quality  Income
Municipal Fund, Nuveen  Texas Quality Income  Municipal Fund, Nuveen  California
Quality  Income Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen New  York Quality Income Municipal
Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premier  Insured Municipal Income  Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Select
Tax  Free Income  Portfolio, Nuveen Select  Tax Free Income  Portfolio 2, Nuveen
Insured California Select  Tax-Free Income  Portfolio, Nuveen  Insured New  York
Select  Tax-Free Income Portfolio, Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Inc.,
Nuveen Select Tax Free  Income Portfolio 3,  Nuveen Select Maturities  Municipal
Fund,  Nuveen  Insured California  Premium Income  Municipal Fund,  Inc., Nuveen
Arizona Premium  Income  Municipal Fund,  Inc.,  Nuveen Insured  Premium  Income
Municipal  Fund,  Inc., Nuveen  Insured Florida  Premium Income  Municipal Fund,
Nuveen Michigan Premium Income Municipal  Fund, Inc., Nuveen New Jersey  Premium
Income  Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Insured New  York Premium Income Municipal
Fund, Inc., Nuveen Ohio Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Pennsylvania
Premium Income  Municipal  Fund, Nuveen  Texas  Premium Income  Municipal  Fund,
Nuveen   Premium   Income   Municipal   Fund   4,   Inc.,   Nuveen  Pennsylvania
 
                                      A-36
<PAGE>
Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen Insured Florida Premium Income Municipal
Fund 2, Nuveen Maryland Premium  Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Virginia  Premium
Income  Municipal  Fund,  Nuveen Massachusetts  Premium  Income  Municipal Fund,
Nuveen Insured California Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Inc., Nuveen  Insured
New  York  Premium Income  Municipal Fund  2, Nuveen  New Jersey  Premium Income
Municipal Fund  2,  Nuveen  Washington Premium  Income  Municipal  Fund,  Nuveen
Michigan  Premium  Income  Municipal  Fund  2,  Nuveen  Georgia  Premium  Income
Municipal  Fund,  Nuveen   Missouri  Premium  Income   Municipal  Fund,   Nuveen
Connecticut  Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen North Carolina Premium Income
Municipal Fund,  Nuveen  New Jersey  Premium  Income Municipal  Fund  3,  Nuveen
Florida  Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen New York Premium Income Municipal
Fund, Nuveen  California  Premium  Income Municipal  Fund,  Nuveen  Pennsylvania
Premium Income Municipal Fund 3, Nuveen Maryland Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen
Virginia  Premium Income Municipal Fund 2,  Nuveen Ohio Premium Income Municipal
Fund 2,  Nuveen  Insured Premium  Income  Municipal Fund  2,  Nuveen  California
Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, all registered closed-end management investment
companies.   These  registered  open-end  and  closed-end  investment  companies
currently have  approximately  $32.8  billion  in  tax-exempt  securities  under
management.  Nationwide, more than 1,000,000 individual investors have purchased
Nuveen's tax exempt trusts and funds.  The present corporation was organized  in
1967  as  a  wholly-owned subsidiary  of  Nuveen Corporation,  successor  to the
original John  Nuveen  &  Co. founded  in  1898  as a  sole  proprietorship  and
incorporated  in  1953.  In  1974,  John  Nuveen  &  Co.  Incorporated  became a
wholly-owned subsidiary of The  St. Paul Companies,  Inc., a financial  services
management  company  located in  St. Paul,  Minnesota. On  May 19,  1992, common
shares comprising a  minority interest  in The  John Nuveen  Company ("JNC"),  a
newly  organized corporation which holds all of  the shares of Nuveen, were sold
to the  general  public  in an  initial  public  offering. St.  Paul  retains  a
controlling  interest in  JNC with over  70% of  JNC's shares. The  Sponsor is a
member  of  the  National  Association  of  Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  and  the
Securities Industry Association and has its principal offices located in Chicago
(333  W. Wacker Drive) and New York (Swiss  Bank Tower, 10 East 50th Street). It
maintains 14 regional offices.
 
    To help advisers and investors better understand and more efficiently use an
investment in the Trust  to reach their investment  goals, the Trust's  sponsor,
John  Nuveen &  Co. Incorporated, may  advertise and  create specific investment
programs and  systems.  For  example, such  activities  may  include  presenting
information  on how to use  an investment in the  Trust, alone or in combination
with an investment in other mutual funds or unit investment trusts sponsored  by
Nuveen,  to accumulate  assets for future  education needs  or periodic payments
such as  insurance  premiums.  The  Trust's  sponsor  may  produce  software  or
additional sales literature to promote the advantages of using the Trust to meet
these and other specific investor needs.
 
24.  OTHER INFORMATION
AMENDMENT OF INDENTURE
 
    The  Indenture may  be amended  by the Trustee  and the  Sponsor without the
consent of any of  the Unitholders (1)  to cure any ambiguity  or to correct  or
supplement  any provision thereof which may be defective or inconsistent, or (2)
to make such  other provisions as  shall not adversely  affect the  Unitholders,
provided,  however, that the Indenture may not be amended to increase the number
of Units in any Trust or to permit the deposit or acquisition of bonds either in
addition to, or  in substitution  for any of  the Bonds  initially deposited  in
 
                                      A-37
<PAGE>
any  Trust  except  as  stated  in Section  4  regarding  the  limited  right of
substitution of Replacement Bonds and  except for the substitution of  refunding
bonds  under certain circumstances. The Trustee  shall advise the Unitholders of
any amendment promptly after execution thereof.
 
TERMINATION OF INDENTURE
 
    Each Trust may be liquidated at any  time by written consent of 100% of  the
Unitholders  or by  the Trustee when  the value of  such Trust, as  shown by any
evaluation, is less than 20% of the original principal amount of such Trust  and
will  be  liquidated  by  the Trustee  in  the  event that  Units  not  yet sold
aggregating more  than 60%  of the  Units originally  created are  tendered  for
redemption  by the Sponsor thereby reducing the  net worth of such Trust to less
than 40%  of the  principal amount  of  the Bonds  originally deposited  in  the
portfolio. (See "Essential Information Regarding the Trusts.") The sale of Bonds
from  the Trusts upon termination  may result in realization  of a lesser amount
than might otherwise be realized  if such sale were  not required at such  time.
For  this  reason,  among  others,  the amount  realized  by  a  Unitholder upon
termination  may  be  less  than  the  principal  amount  of  Bonds   originally
represented  by the Units held by  such Unitholder. The Indenture will terminate
upon the redemption, sale or other disposition of the last Bond held thereunder,
but in no event shall it continue beyond the end of the calendar year  preceding
the  fiftieth anniversary of its execution for National and State Trusts, beyond
the end  of  the  calendar  year preceding  the  twentieth  anniversary  of  its
execution  for Long Intermediate,  and Intermediate Trusts or  beyond the end of
the calendar year  preceding the tenth  anniversary of its  execution for  Short
Intermediate and Short Term Trusts.
 
    Written  notice of  any termination  specifying the  time or  times at which
Unitholders may surrender their Certificates, if any, for cancellation shall  be
given  by  the  Trustee to  each  Unitholder  at the  address  appearing  on the
registration books of the Trust maintained  by the Trustee. Within a  reasonable
time thereafter the Trustee shall liquidate any Bonds in the Trust then held and
shall  deduct  from the  assets  of the  Trust  any accrued  costs,  expenses or
indemnities provided  by  the  Indenture  which are  allocable  to  such  Trust,
including estimated compensation of the Trustee and costs of liquidation and any
amounts  required as a reserve to provide for payment of any applicable taxes or
other governmental charges. The Trustee shall then distribute to Unitholders  of
such  Trust their pro  rata share of  the balance of  the Interest and Principal
Accounts. With  such distribution  the Unitholders  shall be  furnished a  final
distribution   statement,  in  substantially   the  same  form   as  the  annual
distribution statement, of the amount distributable. At such time as the Trustee
in its sole discretion shall determine that  any amounts held in reserve are  no
longer  necessary, it shall make distribution thereof to Unitholders in the same
manner.
 
LEGAL OPINION
 
    The legality of the Units offered hereby has been passed upon by Chapman and
Cutler, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. Special counsel for the
Trusts for respective state tax matters are named in "Tax Status" for each Trust
under Section 3. Carter, Ledyard  & Milburn, 2 Wall  Street, New York, New  York
10005,  has acted as counsel for the Trustee with respect to the Series, and, in
the absence of a New York Trust from the Series, as special New York tax counsel
for the Series.
 
AUDITORS
 
    The Statements of Condition and Schedules of Investments at Date of  Deposit
included   in  this  Prospectus  have  been  audited  by  Arthur  Andersen  LLP,
independent public accountants, as indicated in their report in this Prospectus,
and are included herein in reliance upon  the authority of said firm as  experts
in giving said report.
 
                                      A-38
<PAGE>
                            DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS*
 
    STANDARD & POOR'S.  A description of the applicable Standard & Poor's rating
symbols and their meanings follows:
 
    A  Standard & Poor's rating is  a current assessment of the creditworthiness
of an obligor with  respect to a specific  debt obligation. This assessment  may
take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers or lessees.
 
    The  rating is not  a recommendation to  purchase, sell or  hold a security,
inasmuch as  it  does not  comment  as to  market  price or  suitability  for  a
particular investor.
 
    The  ratings are  based on  current information  furnished by  the issuer or
obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable. Standard
& Poor's does not  perform an audit  in connection with any  rating and may,  on
occasion,  rely on unaudited financial information.  The ratings may be changed,
suspended or withdrawn  as a result  of changes in,  or unavailability of,  such
information, or for other circumstances.
 
    The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
 
     I.  Likelihood  of default--capacity and  willingness of the  obligor as to
         the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance
         with the terms of the obligation;
 
     II.  Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
 
    III.  Protection afforded by,  and relative position  of, the obligation  in
          the  event of  bankruptcy, reorganization or  other arrangements under
          the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
 
    AAA--This is the  highest rating  assigned by Standard  & Poor's  to a  debt
obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
 
    AA--Bonds  rated AA have  a very strong  capacity to pay  interest and repay
principal, and differ from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
 
    A--Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal,
although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than bonds in higher rated categories.
 
    BBB--Bonds rated BBB  are regarded  as having  an adequate  capacity to  pay
interest  and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection
parameters, adverse  economic  conditions  or changing  circumstances  are  more
likely  to lead to a  weakened capacity to pay  interest and repay principal for
bonds in this category than for bonds in the higher rated categories.
 
    PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-): The ratings from "AA" to "BB" may be modified by  the
addition  of a  plus or minus  sign to  show relative standing  within the major
rating categories.
 
    PROVISIONAL  RATINGS:  The   letter  "p"  indicates   that  the  rating   is
provisional.  A  provisional rating  assumes  the successful  completion  of the
project being financed by  the issuance of the  bonds being rated and  indicates
that  payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon
the successful and timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while
addressing credit  quality subsequent  to completion  of the  project, makes  no
comment  on the  likelihood of,  or the  risk of  default upon  failure of, such
completion. Accordingly,  the investor  should exercise  his own  judgment  with
respect to such likelihood and risk.
 
----------
*As published by the rating companies.
 
                                      A-39
<PAGE>
    NOTE  RATINGS:  A  Standard  & Poor's  note  rating  reflects  the liquidity
concerns and market access risks unique to  notes. Notes due in 3 years or  less
will  likely receive  a note  rating. Notes  maturing beyond  3 years  will most
likely receive a long-term debt rating.
 
    Note rating symbols are as follows:
 
        SP-1  Very strong  or strong  capacity to  pay principal  and  interest.
              Those   issues   determined   to   possess   overwhelming   safety
              characteristics will be given a plus (+) designation.
 
        SP-2  Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.
 
RATINGS OF INSURED TRUST UNITS.
 
    A Standard  & Poor's  rating on  the units  of an  insured investment  trust
(hereinafter  referred to  collectively as  "units" and  "trusts") is  a current
assessment of  creditworthiness with  respect  to the  investment held  by  such
trust.  This assessment takes  into consideration the  financial capacity of the
issuers and of any guarantors, insurers,  lessees or mortgagors with respect  to
such investments. The assessment, however, does not take into account the extent
to  which  trust expenses  or  portfolio asset  sales  for less  than  the trust
purchase price  will  reduce payment  to  the  unitholder of  the  interest  and
principal  required to be paid on the  portfolio assets. In addition, the rating
is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold units, inasmuch as the  rating
does not comment as to market price of the units or suitability for a particular
investor.
 
    Units rated "AAA" are composed exclusively of assets that are rated "AAA" by
Standard  &  Poor's and/or  certain  short-term investments.  Standard  & Poor's
defines its  AAA  rating for  such  assets as  the  highest rating  assigned  by
Standard  & Poor's  to a  debt obligation.  Capacity to  pay interest  and repay
principal is very strong.  However, unit ratings may  be subject to revision  or
withdrawal  at any time by Standard & Poor's and each rating should be evaluated
independently of any other rating.
 
    MOODY'S.  A brief description of  the applicable Moody's rating symbols  and
their meanings follows:
 
    Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be the best quality. They carry
the  smallest degree of investment  risk and are generally  referred to as "gilt
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally  stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to  change, such changes  as can be  visualized are most  unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues. Their safety is so absolute  that,
with  the  occasional  exception  of oversupply  in  a  few  specific instances,
characteristically, their  market  value  is affected  solely  by  money  market
fluctuations.
 
    Aa--Bonds  which  are rated  Aa  are judged  to be  of  high quality  by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as
high grade bonds. They are  rated lower than the  best bonds because margins  of
protection  may  not  be  as  large as  in  Aaa  securities  or  fluctuations of
protective elements may be of greater  amplitude or there may be other  elements
present  which  make the  long-term  risks appear  somewhat  larger than  in Aaa
securities. Their  market value  is virtually  immune to  all but  money  market
influences,  with  the  occasional exception  of  oversupply in  a  few specific
instances.
 
    A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes  and
are  to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security
to principal and interest are considered  adequate, but elements may be  present
which  suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future. The market
value of A-rated bonds may be influenced to some degree by economic  performance
during  a sustained period of depressed business conditions, but, during periods
of normalcy, A-rated bonds frequently move in
 
                                      A-40
<PAGE>
parallel  with  Aaa  and  Aa  obligations,  with  the  occasional  exception  of
oversupply in a few specific instances.
 
    Moody's  bond rating  symbols may contain  numerical modifiers  of a generic
rating classification. The modifier 1 indicates that the bond ranks at the  high
end  of its  category; the  modifier 2  indicates a  mid-range ranking;  and the
modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.
 
    Baa--Bonds which are rated Baa  are considered as medium grade  obligations,
i.e.,  they are neither  highly protected nor  poorly secured. Interest payments
and principal security appear  adequate for the  present but certain  protective
elements  may be lacking or may  be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such  bonds lack outstanding  investment characteristics and  in
fact  have speculative  characteristics as well.  The market  value of Baa-rated
bonds is more  sensitive to changes  in economic circumstances,  and aside  from
occasional  speculative factors applying to some bonds of this class, Baa market
valuations move in  parallel with Aaa,  Aa and A  obligations during periods  of
economic normalcy, except in instances of oversupply.
 
    Con.  (--)--Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of some
act or the  fulfillment of  some condition  are rated  conditionally. These  are
bonds  secured by (a)  earnings of projects under  construction, (b) earnings of
projects unseasoned  in  operation  experience, (c)  rentals  which  begin  when
facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting condition
attaches.  Parenthetical rating denotes probable  credit stature upon completion
of construction or elimination of basis of condition.
 
    NOTE RATINGS:
 
    MIG 1-- This  designation  denotes best  quality.  There is  present  strong
           protection  by established cash flows,  superior liquidity support or
           demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
 
    MIG 2-- This designation  denotes high  quality. Margins  of protection  are
           ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
 
                                      A-41
<PAGE>
                      (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
 
                                      A-42
<PAGE>
                      (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
 
                                      A-43
<PAGE>
                      (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
 
                                      A-44
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<C>                <S>        <C>
           NUVEEN             Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
 
                           PROSPECTUS
                           105,000 Units
                           Connecticut Traditional
                           Trust 276
                           Virginia Traditional Trust
                           303
                           Massachusetts Insured Trust
                           129
</TABLE>
    
 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>                 <S>        <C>
            NUVEEN             Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
 
           SPONSOR             John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
                               333 West Wacker Drive
                               Chicago, IL 60606-1286
                               Telephone: 312.917.7700
 
                               Swiss Bank Tower
                               10 East 50th Street
                               New York, NY 10022
                               212.207.2000
 
           TRUSTEE             United States Trust Company
                               of New York
                               770 Broadway
                               New York, NY 10003
                               800.257.8787
 
     LEGAL COUNSEL             Chapman and Cutler
        TO SPONSOR             111 West Monroe Street
                               Chicago, IL 60603
 
       INDEPENDENT             Arthur Andersen LLP
            PUBLIC             33 West Monroe Street
       ACCOUNTANTS             Chicago, IL 60603
    FOR THE TRUSTS
</TABLE>
 
   Except as to statements made herein furnished by the Trustee, the Trustee has
   assumed  no responsibility for the accuracy, adequacy and completeness of the
   information contained in this Prospectus.
                   This Prospectus does not contain  all of the information  set
   forth in the registration statement and exhibits relating thereto, filed with
   the   Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,   Washington,  D.C.,  under  the
   Securities Act of 1933, and to which reference is made.
                   No person is authorized  to give any  information or to  make
   representations  not contained in  this Prospectus or  in supplementary sales
   literature prepared by the Sponsor, and any information or representation not
   contained therein must not be relied upon as having been authorized by either
   the Trusts, the Trustee or the  Sponsor. This Prospectus does not  constitute
   an  offer to sell,  or a solicitation of  an offer to  buy, securities in any
   State to any  person to  whom it is  not lawful  to make such  offer in  such
   state.  The  Trusts  are registered  as  a  Unit Investment  Trust  under the
   Investment Company Act  of 1940. Such  registration does not  imply that  the
   Trusts  or any of their Units  has been guaranteed, sponsored, recommended or
   approved by the United States or any State or agency or officer thereof.
 
   
   821
    
<PAGE>

Statement of differences between electronic filing and printed document.
   Pursuant to Rule 499(c) (7) under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule
20-11 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, Registrant hereby identifies
those differences in the foregoing document between the electronic format in
which it is filed and the printed form in which it will be circulated:
   (1) The printed and distributed prospectus may be paged differently
because the printed document may contain a different amount of information on
each page from that contained in the electronic transmission.
   (2) On the cover page, in the index and on the last page of the printed
document, solid vertical bars will appear.
   (3) In the printed document, footnote symbols may include a "dagger" or
multiple "dagger".  The "dagger" symbol is represented as # in the electronic
document.
   (4) The printed and distributed prospectus will not  contain the
preliminary prospectus legend included at the beginning of the first
prospectus page.


<PAGE>

                       CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

A.  BONDING ARRANGEMENTS OF DEPOSITOR:

    The Depositor has obtained  the following Stockbrokers Blanket Bonds
for its officers, directors and employees:

    INSURER/POLICY NO.                                     AMOUNT

    United Pacific Insurance Co.                           $10,000,000
    Reliance Insurance Company
    B 74 92 20

    Aetna Casualty and Surety                              $10,000,000
    08 F10618BCA

    St. Paul Insurance Co.                                 $ 6,000,000
    400 HC 1051

B.  This amendment of Registration Statement comprises the following papers 
and documents:

              The facing sheet

              The cross-reference sheet
 
              The Prospectus

              The signatures

              Consents of Independent Public
              Accountants and Counsel as indicated

              Exhibits as listed on page S-5


<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

    The Registrant, Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 821 hereby
identifies Series 401, 507, 512, 515, 517, 519, 723 and 814 of the Nuveen
Tax-Exempt Unit Trust for purposes of the representations required by 
Rule 487 and represents the following:

    (1) that the portfolio securities deposited in the series as to the
securities of which this Registration Statement is being filed do not differ
materially in type or quality from those deposited in such previous series;

    (2) that, except to the extent necessary to identify the specific
portfolio securities deposited in, and to provide essential financial
information for, the series with respect to the securities of which this
Registration Statement is being filed, this Registration Statement does not
contain disclosures that differ in any material respect from those contained
in the registration statements for such previous series as to which the
effective date was determined by the Commission or the staff; and

    (3) that it has complied with Rule 460 under the Securities Act of 1933.

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant, Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 821 has duly caused this
Amendment of Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized in the City of Chicago and State of
Illinois on 8/25/95.

 
                                NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 821
                                (Registrant)

                                By JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
                                (Depositor)


                       
                                By: Larry Woods Martin
                                    _________________________________
                                    Vice President


                        
                           Attest:  Morrison C. Warren
                                    __________________________________
                                    Assistant Secretary


<PAGE>

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
of Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in 
the capacities and on the dates indicated:


    SIGNATURE                     TITLE*                       DATE

Richard J. Franke       Chairman, Board of Directors  )
                        Chief Executive Officer and   )
                        Director                      )
                                                      )
Donald E. Sveen         President, Chief Operating    )
                        Officer and Director          )
                                                      )
                                             
Anthony T. Dean         Executive Vice President      ) Larry Woods Martin
                        and Director                  ) Attorney-In-Fact**
                                                      )
Timothy T. Schwertfeger Executive Vice President      )
                        and Director                  )

O. Walter Renfftlen     Vice President and Controller )
                        (Principal Accounting Officer))
                                                      )
                                                      )8/25/95
___________________

*The titles of the persons named herein represent their capacity in and
relationship to John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, the Depositor.

**The powers of attorney were filed on Form SE for Messrs. Franke, 
Sveen, Renfftlen, Dean and Schwertfeger with the Amendment to the 
Registration Statement on Form S-6 of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, 
Series 671 (File No. 33-49175). 



<PAGE>

821

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

    The consent of Arthur Anderson LLP to the use of its name in the Prospectus
included in the Registration Statement is filed by this amendment as Exhibit
4.4 to the Registratin Statement.
                       
                        CONSENT OF CHAPMAN AND CUTLER

    The consent of Chapman and Cutler to the use of its name in the Prospectus
included in the Registration Statement is contained in its opinions filed by
this amendment as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to the Registration Statement.

                            CONSENT OF STATE COUNSEL

    The consents of special counsel to the Fund for state tax matters to the 
use of their names in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement 
are contained in their opinions filed by this amendment as Exhibit 3.3 to the
Registration Statement.

                          CONSENT OF STANDARD & POOR'S,
                     A DIVISION OF THE MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES 

    The consent of Standard & Poor's, a Division of The McGraw-Hill
Companies, to the use of its name in the Prospectus included in the Registration
Statement is filed by this amendment as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration
Statement.

                   CONSENT OF KENNY S&P EVALUATION SERVICES

    The consent of Kenny S&P Evaluation Services to the use of its name in the
Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is filed by this amendment 
as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement.

                      CONSENT OF CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN

    The consent of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn to the use of its name in the
Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is filed by this amendment 
as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement.

<PAGE>

                                LIST OF EXHIBITS


1.1 (a)  Copy of Trust Indenture and Agreement between John Nuveen &
         Co. Incorporated, Depositor, and United States Trust Company of
         New York, Trustee (as Exibit 1.1 (a) to the Sponsor's Registration
         Statement on Form S-6 relating to Series 723 of the Fund (file No.
         33-52527) and incorporated herein by reference).

1.1 (b)  Schedules to the Trust Indenture and Agreement.

2.1      Copy of Certificate of Ownership (Included in Exhibit 1.1(a) on
         pages 2 to 8, inclusive, and incorporated herein by reference).

3.1      Opinion of counsel as to legality of securities being registered.

3.2      Opinion of counsel as to Federal income tax status of securities
         being registered.

3.3      Opinions of special state counsel to the Fund for state tax matters
         as to income tax status to residents of the respective states of the
         units of the respective trusts and consents to the use of their names
         in the Prospectus.

4.1      Consent of Standard & Poor's, a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

4.2      Consent of Kenny S&P Evaluation Services.

4.3      Consent of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn.

4.4      Consent of Arthur Anderson LLP

6.1      List of Directors and Officers of Depositor and other related 
         information (incorporated by reference to Form S-6 [File No.
         33-58059] filed on March 13, 1995 on behalf of Nuveen Tax-Exempt
         Unit Trust, Series 795).  

                                                                      
<PAGE>                                                                        
                                                                              
Exhibit 1.1(b)                                                                
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                 SCHEDULE A                                   
                                                                              
                                                                              
Series 821                                           August 25, 1995          
                                                                              
Item 1.  This Indenture relates to the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust           
         Series 821.                                                          
                                                                              
Item 2.  The date of this Indenture is August 25, 1995.                       
                                                                              
Item 3.  Series 821 shall initially contain Trusts as follows:                
                                                                              
         (a)   Connecticut Traditional Trust 276                              
         (b)   Virginia Traditional Trust 303                                 
         (c)   Massachusetts Insured Trust 129                                
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 4.  Each Trust shall initially consist of the following number of Units: 
                                                                              
         (a)   Connecticut Traditional Trust            35,000 Units          
         (b)   Virginia Traditional Trust               35,000 Units          
         (c)   Massachusetts Insured Trust              35,000 Units          
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 5.  (a) The amount of the second distribution from the Interest          
             Account of the respective Trusts will be as follows:             
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Connecticut Traditional Trust           $ .5155 per Unit       
         ( 2)  Virginia Traditional Trust              $ .5353 per Unit       
         ( 3)  Massachusetts Insured Trust             $ .5367 per Unit       
                                                                              
         (b) The date of the second distribution from the Interest Account    
             of the respective Trusts will be as follows:                     
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Connecticut Traditional Trust           October 15, 1995       
         ( 2)  Virginia Traditional Trust              October 15, 1995       
         ( 3)  Massachusetts Insured Trust             October 15, 1995       
                                                                              
         (c) The record date for the second distribution from the             
             Interest Account of the respective Trusts will be as             
             follows:                                                         
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Connecticut Traditional Trust           October 1, 1995        
         ( 2)  Virginia Traditional Trust              October 1, 1995        
         ( 3)  Massachusetts Insured Trust             October 1, 1995        
                                                                              
                                                                              
         PAGE 2                                                               
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 6.  Record dates for subsequent semi-annual distributions from the       
         Interest Account for each of the respective Trusts will be the 1st   
         day of May and November of each year.                                
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 7.  (a) Record date for distibution from the Principal Account of each   
             of the respective Trusts will be the first day of May and        
             November of each year.                                           
                                                                              
         (b) The first record date for distributions from the Principal       
             Account of each of the respective Trusts will be                 
             November 1, 1995.                                                
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 8.  The Trust shall in no event continue beyond the end of the calendar  
         year preceding the fiftieth anniversary of the execution of this     
         Indenture for National and State Trusts, beyond the end of the       
         calendar year preceding the twentieth anniversary of its execution   
         for Long Intermediate and Intermediate Trusts and beyond the end of  
         the calendar year preceding the tenth anniversary of its execution   
         for Short Intermediate and Short Term Trusts.                        
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 9.  Quarterly distributions from the Interest Account of the respective  
         Trusts will be computed as of the 1st day of February, May, August,  
         and November.                                                        
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 10. Certain deductions from the Interest Account by the Trustee          
         will commence as follows:                                            
                                                                              
         (a)   Connecticut Traditional Trust           October 1, 1995        
         (b)   Virginia Traditional Trust              October 1, 1995        
         (c)   Massachusetts Insured Trust             October 1, 1995        
                                                                              
Item 11. (a)  For services performed prior to the date indicated in           
              Item 5(c) of this Schedule A, the Trustee shall be paid at      
              the following annual rates per $1,000 of principal amount       
              of Bonds:                                                       
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Connecticut Traditional Trust           $1.543                 
         ( 2)  Virginia Traditional Trust              $1.5342                
         ( 3)  Massachusetts Insured Trust             $1.6163                
                                                                              
         (b)  For services performed on or after the date indicated in        
              Item 5(c) of this Schedule A, the Trustee shall be paid at      
              the following annual rates per $1,000 of principal amount       
              of Bonds:                                                       
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Connecticut Traditional Trust                                  
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.543           
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.223           
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.033           
                                                                              
         ( 2)  Virginia Traditional Trust                                     
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.5342          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.2142          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.0242          
                                                                              
         ( 3)  Massachusetts Insured Trust                                    
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.6163          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.2963          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.1063          
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                            ADDITIONAL SCHEDULES                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                         BONDS INITIALLY DEPOSITED                            
                                                                              
                  NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST SERIES 821                     
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
Incorporated herein and made a part hereof as indicated below are the         
following annual rates per $1,000 of principal amount of Bonds:               
corresponding portions of the 'Schedules of Investments at Date of Deposit'   
contained in the Prospectus dated the Date of Deposit and relating to the     
above-named Series:                                                           
                                                                              
         Schedule B:  Connecticut Traditional Trust 276                       
         Schedule C:  Virginia Traditional Trust 303                          
         Schedule D:  Massachusetts Insured Trust 129                         


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.1

(ON CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LETTERHEAD)

8/25/95


John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 821

Gentlemen:

    We have served as counsel for you, as depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 821 (hereinafter referred to as the "Fund"), in connection
with the issuance under the Trust Indenture and Agreement dated the date 
hereof between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as Depositor, and United 
States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee, of Units of fractional 
undivided interest in the one or more Trusts of said Fund (hereinafter 
referred to as the "Units").
 
    In connection therewith, we have examined such pertinent records and
documents and matters of law as we have deemed necessary in order to enable us
to express the opinions hereinafter set forth.

    Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

   1.   The execution and delivery of the Trust Indenture and Agreement and
the establishment of book entry positions and the execution and issuance of 
certificates evidencing the Units in the Trusts of the Fund have been duly 
authorized; and

    2.   The book entry positions and certificates positions evidencing the 
Units in the Trusts of the Fund when duly executed and delivered or duly 
established by the Depositor and the Trustee in accordance with the 
aforementioned Trust Indenture and Agreement, will constitute valid and 
binding obligations of such Trusts and the Depositor in accordance with the 
terms thereof.

    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (File No. 33-61963) relating to the Units referred
to above and to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm in said
Registration Statement and in the related Prospectus.

Respectfully submitted,



CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
   

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 4.4

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of 
our report and to all references to our Firm included in or made a
part of this Registration Statement.


ARTHUR ANDERSON LLP

Chicago, Illinois
8/25/95



 
<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 4.2

(On J. J. Kenny Co., Inc. Letterhead)

8/25/95

John Nuveen & Company
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606

Re:  Nuveen Tax Exempt Unit Trust, Series 821

Gentlemen:

     We have examined the registration statement File No. 33-61963
for the above-captioned trust.  We hereby acknowledge that
Kenny S&P Evaluation Services, a division of J. J. Kenny Co., Inc.
is currently acting as the evaluator for the trust. We hereby
consent to the use in the Registration Statement of the reference
to Kenny S&P Evaluation Services, a division of J. J. Kenny Co., Inc.
as evaluator.

     In addition, we hereby confirm that the ratings indicated in the
Registration Statement for the respective bonds comprising the trust
portfolio are the ratings currently indicated in our KENNYBASE database.

     You are hereby authorized to file a copy of this letter with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

Sincerely,


Frank A. Ciccotto


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 4.1

(ON STANDARD & POOR'S, A DIVISION OF THE MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES LETTERHEAD)

8/25/95

John Nuveen & Company
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

Re:     NUVEEN TAX EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 821

        This is in response to your requests regarding the above-captioned
fund which consists of separate underlying insured and traditional unit
investment trusts, SEC file # 33-61963.

        INSURED TRUSTS.

        With respect to the insured trusts we have reviewed the information
presented to us and have assigned a 'AAA' rating to the units of each insured
trust and a 'AAA' rating to the securities contained in each insured trust.
The ratings are direct reflections of the portfolio of each insured trust,
which will be composed soley of securities covered by bond insurance policies
that insure against default in the payment of principal and interest on the
securities contained in each insured trust for as long as they remain
outstanding.  We understand that the bonds described in the prospectus are the
same as those in the attatched list.  Since such policies have been issued by
MBIA which has been assigned a 'AAA' claims paying ability rating by S&P, S&P
has assigned a 'AAA' to the units of each insured trust and a 'AAA' rating to
the securities contained in each trust.

        You have permission to use the name of Standard & Poor's, a Division of
The McGraw-Hill Companies and the above-assigned rating in connection with your
dissemination of information relating to the insured trusts provided that it is
understood that the ratings are not 'market' ratings nor recommendations to buy,
hold or sell the units of the insured trusts or the securities contained in the
insured trusts.  Further, it should be understood the rating on the units of
each insured trust does not take into account the extent to which the trust's
expenses or portfolio asset sales for less than the principal required to be
paid on the portfolio assets.  S&P reserves the right to advise its own clients,
subscribers, and the public of the ratings.  S&P relies on the sponsor and its
counsel, accountants, and other experts for the accuracy and completeness of the
information submitted in connection with the ratings.  S&P does not
independently verify the truth or accuracy of any such information.

        This letter evidences our consent to the use of the name of Standard &
Poor's, a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies in connection with the rating
assigned to the units of each insured trust in the registration statement or
prospectus relating to the units and the trusts.  However, this letter should
not be construed as a consent by us, within the meaning of section 7 of the
Securities Act of 1933, to the use of Standard and Poor's, a Division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies in connection with the ratings assigned to the securities
contained in the insured trusts.  You are hereby authorized to file a copy of
this letter with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        Please be certain to send us three copies of your final prospectus as
soon as it becomes available.  Should we not receive them within a reasonable
time after the closing or should they not conform to certification received by
us, we reserve the right to nullify the ratings.


<PAGE>



        TRADITIONAL TRUSTS.

        With respect to the traditional unit investment trusts within the
above-captioned fund, we have reviewed the information presented to us and we
hereby confirm that the ratings indicated in the prospectus as being assigned
by Standard & Poor's, a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies to the securities
contained in each traditional trust of such fund are, according to our records,
the ratings currently assigned by Standard & Poor's, a Division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies to such securities.  You understand that Standard
& Poor's, a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies has not consented to, and will
not consent to, being named as "expert" under the federal securities laws,
including and without limitation, Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, with
respect to the ratings on any securities contained in any of the traditional
trusts.

        Please note that the 'AAA' rating assigned to the units of each
insured trust does not apply to the units of any of the traditional trusts.


                                         STANDARD & POOR'S, A DIVISION
                                         OF THE MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES
                                      
    
                                          Sanford Bragg



<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.2

(ON CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LETTERHEAD)

8/25/95

John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 821

Gentlemen:

    We have served as counsel for you, as Depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 821 (the "Fund") in connection with the issuance under the
Trust Indenture and Agreement, dated the date hereof between John Nuveen & Co.
Incorporated, as Depositor, and United States Trust Company of New York, as
Trustee, of Units of fractional undivided interest (the "Units"), as evidenced
by a book entry position or certificate, if requested by the purchaser of 
Units, in the one or more Trusts of said Fund.

    We have also served as counsel for you in connection with all previous
Series of the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust and as such have previously 
examined such pertinent records and documents and matters of law as we have 
deemed necessary, including (but not limited to) the Trust Indenture and 
Agreements with respect to those series.  We have also examined such 
pertinent records and documents and matters of law as we have deemed 
necessary including (but not limited to) the Trust Indenture and Agreement 
relating to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 821.

    We have concluded that the Trust Indenture and Agreement for the Fund and
its counterpart in each of the prior issues of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust 
are in all material respects substantially identical.

    Based upon the foregoing, and upon such matters of law as we consider
to be applicable we are of the opinion that, under existing federal income
law:

    (i)  For Federal income tax purposes, each of the Trusts will not be
taxable as an association but will be governed by the provisions of 
Subchapter J (relating to Trusts) of Chapter 1, Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 (the "Code").

    (ii) Each Unitholder will be considered as owning a pro rata
share of each asset of the respective Trust of the Fund in the proportion
that the number of Units of such Trust held by him bears to the total number
of outstanding Units of such Trust. Under Subpart E, Subchapter J of Chapter
1 of the Code, income of each Trust will be treated as income of each
Unitholder thereof in the proportion described and an item of Fund income
will have the same character in the hands of a Unitholder as it would have in
the hands of the Trustee.  Accordingly, to the extent that the income of a
Trust consists of interest and original issue discount excludable from gross
income under Section 103 of the Code, such income will be excludable from
federal gross income of the Unitholder, except in the case of a Unitholder
who is a substantial user (or a person related to such user) of a facility
financed through issuance of any industrial development bonds or certain
private activity bonds held by the Trust. In the case of such Unitholder who
is a substantial user (and no other) interest received and original issue
discount with respect to his Units attributable to such industrial
development bonds or such private activity bonds is includable in his gross
income. In the case of certain corporations, interest on the Bonds is included
in computing the alternative minimum tax pursuant to Sections 56(f) and 56(g)
of the Code, the enviromental tax (the "Superfund Tax") imposed by Sections
59A of the Code, and the branch profits tax imposed by Section 884 of the Code
with repect to U.S. branches of foreign corporations.

    (iii) Gain or loss will be recognized to a Unitholder upon
redemption or sale of his Units.  Such gain or loss is measured by comparing 
the proceeds of such redemption or sale with the adjusted basis of such Units.
Before adjustment, such basis would normally be cost if the Unitholder had
acquired his Units by purchase, plus his aliquot share of advances by the
Trustee to the Trust to pay interest on Bonds delivered after the Unitholder's
settlement date to the extent that such interest accrued on the Bonds during
the period from the Unitholder's settlement date to the date such Bonds are
delivered to the Trust, but only to the extent that such advances are to be
repaid to the Trustee out of interest received by the Fund with respect to
such Bonds.  In addition, such basis will be increased by both the
Unitholder's aliquot share of the accrued original issued discount with
respect to each Bond held by the Trust with respect to which there was an
original issue discount and reduced by the annual amortization of bond
premium, if any, on Bonds held by the Trust.

<PAGE>

    (iv) If the Trustee disposes of a Trust asset (whether by sale, payment on
maturity, redemption or otherwise), gain or loss is recognized to the
Unitholder and the amount thereof is measured by comparing the
Unitholder's aliquot share of the total proceeds from the transaction
with his basis for his fractional interest in the asset disposed of.  Such 
basis is ascertained by apportioning the tax basis for his Units among each 
of the Trust assets (as of the date on which his Units were acquired) ratably 
according to their values as of the valuation date nearest the date on which 
he purchased such Units.  A Unitholder's basis in his Units and of his
fractional interest in each Trust asset must be reduced by the amount of his 
aliquot share of interest received by the Fund, if any, on Bonds delivered
after the Unitholder's settlement date to the extent that such
interest accrued on the Bonds during the period from the Unitholder's
settlement date to the date such Bonds are delivered to the Trust, must be 
reduced by the annual amortization of bond premium, if any, on Bonds held by 
the Trust and must be increased by the Unitholder's share of accrued
original issue discount with respect to each Bond which, at the time
the Bond was issued, had original issue discount.

     (v)  In the case of any Bond held by the Trust where the "stated
redemption price at maturity" exceeds the "issue price," such excess shall
be original issue discount.  With respect to each Unitholder, upon the
purchase of his Units subsequent to the original issuance of Bonds held by the
Trust Section 1272(a)(7) of the Code provides for a reduction in the accrued
"daily portion" of such original issue discount upon the purchase of a Bond
subsequent to the Bond's original issue, under certain circumstances.  In the
case of any Bond held by the Trust the interest on which is excludable from
gross income under Section 103 of the Code, any original issue discount which
accrues with respect thereto will be treated as interest which is excludable
from gross income under Section 103 of the Code.

    (vi)  In the case of any Bond which matures within one year of the date
issued, the accrual of tax-exempt original issue discount will generally be
computed daily on a ratable basis unless the Unitholder elects to accrue such
discount under a constant yield method, compounded daily.

    (vii)  In the case of any Bond which does not mature within one year
after the date issued, tax-exempt original issue discount will accrue
daily, computed generally under a constant yield method, compounded
semiannually (with straight line interpolation between compounding dates).

    (viii)  In the case of Trusts for which MBIA Insurance Corporation ("MBIA")
insurance with respect to each of the Bonds deposited therein has been obtained 
by the Depositor or the issuer or underwriter of the Bonds, we have examined 
the form of MBIA's policy or several policies of insurance (the "Policies") 
which have been delivered to the Trustee.  Assuming issuance of Policies in such
form, in our opinion, any amounts paid under said Policies representing maturing
interest on defaulted obligations held by the Trustee will be excludable from 
Federal gross income if, and to the same extent as, such interest would have 
been so excludable if paid by the respective issuer, provided that, at the time 
such policies are purchased, the amounts paid for such policies are reasonable, 
customary and consistent with the reasonable expectation that the issuer of the 
bonds, rather than the insurer, will pay debt service on the bonds.  Paragraph 
(ii) of this opinion is accordingly applicable to Policy proceeds representing 
maturing interest.
<PAGE>

    Because the Trusts do not include any "specified private activity bonds"
within the meaning of Section 57(a)(5) of the Code issued on or after August
8, 1986, none of the Trust Fund's interest income shall be treated as an item
of tax preference when computing the alternative minimum tax.  In the case of
corporations, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986, the alter-
native minimum tax and the Superfund Tax depend upon the corporation's
alternative minimum taxable income ("AMTI"), which is the corporation's
taxable income with certain adjustments.

    Pursuant to Section 56(c) of the Code, one of the adjustment
items used in computing AMTI and the Superfund Tax of a corporation
(other than an S Corporation, Regulated Investment Company, Real Estate
Investment Trust or REMIC) is an amount equal to 50% of the excess of such
corporation's "adjusted net book income" over an amount equal to its AMTI
(before such adjustment item and the alternative tax net operating
loss deduction).  For taxable years beginning after 1989, such adjustment item
will be 75% of the excess of such corporation's "adjusted current earnings"
over an amount equal to its AMTI (before such adjustment item and the
alternative tax net operating net operating loss deduction) pursuant to
Section 56(g) of the Code.  Both "adjusted net book income" and "adjusted
current earnings" include all tax-exempt interest, including interest on all
Bonds in the Trust, and tax-exempt original issue discount.

   Effective for tax returns filed after December 31, 1987,  all taxpayers
are required to disclose to the Internal Revenue Service the amount of
tax-exempt interest earned during the year.

    Section 265 of the Code generally provides for a reduction
in each taxable year of 100% of the otherwise deductible interest on
indebtedness incurred or continued by financial institutions, to which either 
Section 585 or Section 593 of the Code applies, to purchase or carry 
obligations acquired after August 7, 1986, the interest on which is exempt
from federal income taxes for such taxable year.  Under rules prescribed by 
Section 265, the amount of interest otherwise deductible by such financial
institutions in any taxable year which is deemed to be attributable to 
tax-exempt obligations acquired after August 7, 1986 will be the amount
that bears the same ratio to the interest deduction otherwise allowable
(determined without regard to Section 265) to the taxpayer for the taxable
year as the taxpayer's average adjusted basis (within the meaning of Section
1016) of tax-exempt obligations acquired after August 7, 1986, bears to
such average adjusted basis for all assets of the taxpayer, unless such 
financial institution can otherwise establish under regulations to be
prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, the amount of interest on 
indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry such obligations.

<PAGE>

    We also call attention to the fact that, under Section 265 of the
Code,  interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry
Units by taxpayers other than certain financial institutions, as referred to
above, is not deductible for Federal income tax purposes. Under rules used by
the Internal Revenue Service for determining when borrowed funds are con-
sidered used for the purpose of purchasing or carrying particular assets, the
purchase of Units may be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even
though the borrowed funds are not directly traceable to the purchase of Units.
However, these rules generally do not apply to interest paid on indebtedness
incurred for expenditures of a personal nature such as a mortgage incurred to
purchase or improve a personal residence.

    "The Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993" (the "Tax Act") subjects tax-exempt
bonds to the market discount rules of the Code effective for bonds purchased
after April 30, 1993.  In general, market discount is the amount (if any) by
which the stated redemption price at maturity exceeds an investor's purchase
price (except to the extent that such difference, if any, is attributable to
original issue discount not yet accrued) subject to a statutory de minimis rule.
Market discount can arise based on the price a Trust pays for Bonds or the price
a Unitholder pays for his or her Units.  Under the Tax Act, accretion of market
discount is taxable as ordinary income; under prior law, the accretion had been 
treated as capital gain.  Market discount that accretes while a Trust holds a 
Bond would be recognized as ordinary income by the Unitholders when principal 
payments are received on the Bond, upon sale or at redemption (including early 
redemption), or upon the sale or redemption of his or her Units, unless a 
Unitholder elects to include market discount in taxable income as it accrues.
     
    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (File No. 33-61963) relating to the Units referred
to above and to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm in said
Registration Statement and in the related Prospectus.

Respectfully submitted,


CHAPMAN AND CUTLER


<PAGE>
          
EXHIBIT 3.3

( ON DAY, BERRY & HOWARD LETTER)

8/25/95

John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 821
     Connecticut Traditional Trust 276

Gentlemen:

        You have requested that we act as special counsel with respect to
certain Connecticut tax aspects of Connecticut Traditional Trust 276 (the
"Connecticut Traditional Trust"), being created as part of the Nuveen
Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 821 (the "Fund").
       
        The Fund is created under a Trust Indenture and Agreement dated the 
date hereof between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as Depositor, and United 
States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee.  The Fund will issue units in 
several state trusts, one of which is the Connecticut Traditional Trust.
Each unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust (a "Unit") represents a 
fractional undivided interest in the principal and net income of the 
Connecticut Traditional Trust.  The Connecticut Traditional Trust and the 
trust for any other state included in the Fund will each be administered 
as a separate and distinct entity for all purposes, each having its own 
separate assets, accounts, and certificates.

        You have informed us that, upon the sale of Units of the Connecticut
Traditional Trust to investors (the "Unitholders"), the assets of the
Connecticut Traditional Trust will consist of certain obligations 
(the "Bonds").  Each of the Bonds has been issued by or on behalf of the 
State of Connecticut, a political subdivision thereof, or public 
instrumentality, state or local authority, district, or similar public 
entity created under the laws of the State of Connecticut or by or on 
behalf of a United States territory or possession the interest on the   

<PAGE>

obligations of which Federal law would prohibit Connecticut from taxing 
if received directly by a Unitholder.  In the opinion of bond counsel to the
issuer of each of the Bonds, the interest thereon is exempt from Federal 
income taxation. Distributions to Unitholders of interest received by the 
Connecticut Traditional Trust and of amounts received thereby upon the
maturity, redemption, sale, or other disposition of the Bonds will be made 
semi-annually except in the case of Unitholders who have elected a shorter 
distribution period.

        You have informed us that, in the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and 
Cutler, for Federal income tax purposes (i) the Connecticut Traditional Trust
will not be classified as an association, but will be governed by the
provisions of subchapter J of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
relating to trusts;  (ii) pursuant to subpart E of said subchapter J, each
Unitholder will be considered to be the owner of a portion of each asset of
the Connecticut Traditional Trust and to have a portion of each item of
income of the Connecticut Traditional Trust, in each case such portion being
equal to the part of the whole thereof that the number of Units of the
Connecticut Traditional Trust held by him bears to the total number of
outstanding Units of the Connecticut Traditional Trust; (iii) each such
item of income will have the same character in the hands of a Unitholder as
in the hands of the Trustee; (iv) gain or loss will be recognized by a
Unitholder upon the redemption or sale of his Units or upon the maturity,
redemption, sale, or other disposition of a Bond held by the Connecticut
Traditional Trust; and (v) such income will be excludable from a Unitholder's
Federal gross income to the extent it consists of interest excludable
therefrom for Federal income tax purposes.
 
        Based on the foregoing, and relying explicitly on the opinion of 
Messrs. Chapman and Cutler regarding Federal income tax matters, we are of 
the opinion that, under existing Connecticut law:

1.   The Connecticut Traditional Trust is not liable for any tax on
     or measured by net income imposed by the State of Connecticut.

<PAGE>

2.   Interest income from a Bond held by the Connecticut Traditional
     Trust is not taxable under the Connecticut tax on the Connecticut
     taxable income of individuals, trusts, and estates (the "Connecticut 
     Income Tax"), when such interest is received by the Connecticut 
     Traditional Trust or distributed by it to a Unitholder.

3.   Gains and losses recognized by a Unitholder for Federal income tax 
     purposes upon the maturity, redemption, sale, or other disposition by the 
     Connecticut Traditional Trust of a Bond held by the Connecticut 
     Traditional Trust or upon the redemption, sale, or other disposition of a 
     Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust held by a Unitholder are taken 
     into account as gains or losses, respectively, for purposes of the 
     Connecticut Income Tax, except that, in the case of a Unitholder holding
     a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust as a capital asset, such gains
     and losses recognized upon the maturity, redemption, sale, or exchange of
     a Bond issued by or on behalf of the State of Connecticut, any political 
     subdivision thereof, or public instrumentality, state or local authority,
     district, or similar public entity created under the laws of the State of
     Connecticut (a "Connecticut Bond") held by the Connecticut Traditional 
     Trust are excluded from gains and losses taken into account for purposes 
     of such tax and no opinion is expressed as to the treatment for purposes 
     of such tax of gains and losses recognized, to the extent attributable to
     Connecticut Bonds, upon the redemption, sale, or other disposition by a 
     Unitholder of a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust held by him.

4.   The portion of any interest income or capital gain of the Connecticut
     Traditional Trust that is allocable to a Unitholder that is subject to 
     the Connecticut corporation business tax is includable in the gross 
     income of such Unitholder for purposes of such tax.

<PAGE>

5.   An interest in a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust that is owned
     by or attributable to a Connecticut resident at the time of his death is 
     includable in his gross estate for purposes of the Connecticut succession
     tax and the Connecticut estate tax.

          

        We hereby consent, without admitting that we are in the category of
persons whose consent is required, to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement relating to the Units and to the reference to 
our firm as special Connecticut tax counsel in such Registration Statement 
and the Prospectus contained therein.

        We understand that you may deliver a copy of this opinion to the 
Trustee and hereby consent to the Trustee's relying on this opinion as though 
it were addressed to the Trustee.

Very truly yours,



DAY, BERRY & HOWARD



<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3


(ON CHRISTIAN, BARTON, EPPS, BRENT & CHAPPELL LETTERHEAD)

8/25/95

John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

Attn:  James J. Wesolowski, Esquire
       General Counsel


United States Trust Company of New York,
as Trustee of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Series 821,   
Virginia Traditional Trust 303
770 Broadway
New York, New York  10003

Gentlemen:

    We have acted as special Virginia counsel to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust,
Series 821 (the "Fund") concerning a Registration Statement (No. 33-61963)
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement"),
covering the issuance by the Fund of units of fractional undivided
interest pursuant to a Trust Indenture and Agreement dated as of the date
hereof between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated and United States Trust Company
of New York.  The Fund will issue units in several State Trusts, one of which
is the Virginia Traditional Trust (the "Virginia Trust" or "Trust", the
units of which are referred to as "the Units").  The Units will be purchased
by various investors (the "Unitholders").  Each Trust will be administered as
a distinct entity with separate certificates, investments, expenses, books
and records.
    The assets of the Virginia Trust will consist of interest-bearing
obligations issued by or on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia, its
counties, municipalities, authorities or political subdivisions, and, provided
the interest thereon is exempt from Virginia income taxes by the laws or
treaties of the United States, by or on behalf of United States territories
or possessions, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and the
Northern Mariana Islands, and their political subdivisions and authorities
(the "Bonds").

    You have requested our opinion as to the application of Virginia state and
local taxes to the Trust and the Unitholders.  In rendering our
opinion, we have assumed that the interest on all Bonds in the Trust will be 
exempt from Federal income tax.  Furthermore, in rendering our opinion, we 
have relied on the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler, of even date 
herewith, that:
 
    (1)  the Trusts are not associations taxable as corporations for Federal
income tax purposes and tax-exempt interest received by each of the Trusts on
Bonds deposited therein will retain its status as tax-exempt interest, for
Federal income tax purposes, when distributed to a Unitholder;

    (2)  each Unitholder of a Trust is considered to be the owner of a
pro rata portion of such Trust under Subpart E, sub-chapter J of Chapter 1 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and will have a taxable event when the Trust
disposes of a Bond or when the Unitholder redeems or sells Units . . . .
If the Trustee disposes of Bonds (whether by sale, payment on maturity,
redemption or otherwise), gain or loss is recognized to the Unitholder.
The amount of any such gain or loss is measured by comparing the
Unitholder's pro rata share of the total proceeds from such disposition
with the Unitholder's basis for his or her fractional interest in the
asset disposed of.  In the case of a Unitholder who purchases Units,
such basis (before adjustment for earned original issue discount and 
amortized bond premium, if any) is determined by apportioning the cost of the
Units among each of the Trust assets ratably according to value as of the 
date of acquisition of the Units.  The tax cost reduction requirements of 
said Code relating to amortization of bond premium may, under some 
circumstances, result in the Unitholder realizing a taxable gain when
his or her Units are sold or redeemed for an amount equal to their original
cost.
 
    Based upon the foregoing, we are of the following opinion:

    The Trust will be treated as a trust for Virginia income tax purposes and
not as an association taxable as a corporation.  As a result, income of the
Trust will be treated as the income of the Unitholders.

<PAGE>

    The calculation of Virginia taxable income begins with federal adjusted
gross income in the case of an individual or federal taxable income in the 
case of a corporation, estate or trust.  Certain modifications are specified, 
but no such modification would require the addition of interest on the Bonds.
Accordingly, amounts representing tax-exempt interest for federal income tax
purposes received or accrued by the Trust with respect to the Bonds, will not 
be taxed to the Trust or to the Unitholders for Virginia income tax
purposes.  To the extent that interest on obligations of the Commonwealth or
any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof is included in federal
adjusted gross income, Virginia law provides that the income shall be 
subtracted in arriving at Virginia taxable income.  In addition, Virginia 
income tax exemption is independently provided for interest on certain 
obligations, including those issued by industrial development authorities 
created pursuant to the Virginia Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, 
by the Virginia Housing Development Authority, by the Virginia Resources 
Authority and by the Virginia Education Loan Authority.  Where such an 
independent exemption is provided, interest on such obligations is exempt 
from Virginia income taxation without regard to any exemption from federal 
income taxes.


    As a general rule, to the extent that gain (whether as a result of the
sale of Bonds by the Trust or as a result of the sale of a Unit by the
Unitholder) is subject to federal income taxation, such gain will be
included in the Unitholder's Virginia taxable income.  Under the
language of certain enabling legislation, however, such as the Virginia 
Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, the Virginia Resources Authority
Act and the Virginia Housing Development Authority Act, profit made on the
sale of obligations issued by authorities created thereunder is expressly
exempt from Virginia income taxation.  Such enabling legislation does not
appear to require a disallowance in the calculation of Virginia taxes of any
loss that may be deductible for federal income tax purposes with respect to
such obligations, although the Virginia Department of Taxation has taken a
contrary view. 

    No income tax is imposed by any political subdivision of the Commonwealth 
of Virginia.  The Commonwealth of Virginia does not impose a gift tax.  The 
Virginia estate tax is equal to the maximum state death tax credit allowable 
against the federal estate tax payable by the estate.

    We have not examined any of the Bonds, nor have we made any review of the
proceedings relating to the issuance of the Bonds or the basis for any 
opinions with respect to their validity or the tax-exempt status thereof for 
federal income tax purposes.  We have made no independent investigation as 
to, or passed on, the operation of the Trust or the sale of the Units in 
Virginia or in any other state.  No opinion was requested, nor is any opinion 
expressed, with respect to any tax consequences to the sponsor of the Trust, 
any underwriters, or any broker-dealers.

    We should point out that to the extent the Trust consists of property of
persons domiciled in Virginia, the Trust will in our opinion be considered a
"resident trust" for Virginia income tax purposes.  While we do not believe 
that the mere ownership by the Trust of the Bonds constitutes sufficient 
nexus to subject the Trust to the tax jurisdiction of Virginia, we express no 
opinion as to whether any activities with respect to the sale of Units in 
Virginia may establish such a nexus.  If a sufficient nexus exists, then if 
the Trust is required to file a federal fiduciary income tax return it will 
also be required to file a Virginia fiduciary income tax return.  Any such 
return would be for information purposes only, since each transaction of the 
Trust should be treated as a transaction of the several Unitholders,
and not as a transaction of the Trust that could give rise to Virginia
taxable income of the Trust.
 
    We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the use of our name and the reference to our firm in the
Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein.

Very truly yours,


CHRISTIAN, BARTON, EPPS, BRENT & CHAPPELL

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3

(ON EDWARDS & ANGELL LETTERHEAD)

8/25/95

Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust,
  Series 821
In care of John Nuveen & Co.
  Incorporated
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL  60606

Attention of James J. Wesolowski, Esq.
             Vice President, General Counsel
             and Secretary

United States Trust Company of New York,
as Trustee of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 821
770 Broadway
New York, NY  10003

                 Re:   
                      Massachusetts Insured Trust 129

Dear Sirs:

    We have acted as special counsel, with respect to Massachusetts State and
local tax matters, to the above mentioned Trust(s) ("Trust(s)") of Nuveen Tax-
Exempt Unit Trust, Series 821 (the "Fund") concerning a Registration
Statement (No. 33-61963) on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Registration Statement"), covering the issuance by the Fund
of Units of fractional undivided interest in the Fund.

    We have not been furnished with a copy of the Registration Statement or
the prospectus, which is a part of the Registration Statement, relating to the
issuance by the Fund of the Units.  However, John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
has authorized us to assume that the proposed offer and sale of the Units will
be carried out in that same manner and upon the same terms and conditions as
that described in the prospectus for the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series
351 - Massachusetts Trust 182, dated November 6, 1985.

    We have been furnished with a copy of the opinion of Chapman and Cutler
on the federal tax status of the Fund, its constituent Trusts and their
Unitholders.

    In addition, we have also examined applicable Massachusetts law and a
ruling of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue dated February 7, 1985,
relating to Multi-State Series 162.

     Based on the foregoing it is our opinion that under existing law and
administration of the affairs of the Trust(s):

     A.  For Massachusetts income tax purposes, each Trust will be treated
         as a corporate trust under Section 8 of Chapter 62 of the
         Massachusetts General Laws ("M.G.L.") and not as a grantor trust
         under Section 10(e) of M.G.L. Chapter 62.

     B.  The Trust(s) will not be held to be engaging in business in
         Massachusetts within the meaning of said Section 8 and will,
         therefore, not be subject to Massachusetts income tax.
     C.  Unitholders who are subject to Massachusetts income taxation
         under M.G.L. Chapter 62 will not be required to include their
         respective shares of the earnings of or distributions from the
         Trust(s) in their Massachusetts gross income to the extent that such
         earnings or distributions represent tax-exempt interest excludable
         from gross income for federal income tax purposes received by the
         Trust(s) on obligations issued by Massachusetts, its counties,
         municipalities, authorities, political subdivisions or
         instrumentalities or by Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam,
         the Northern Mariana Islands or other possessions of the United
         States within the meaning of Section 103(c) of the Internal Revenue
         Code of 1986, as amended ("Obligations").

     D.  In the case of a Massachusetts Insured Trust, Unitholders who are
         subject to Massachusetts income taxation under M.G.L. Chapter 62
         will not be required to include their respective shares of the
         earnings of or distributions from such Trust in their Massachsetts
         gross income to the extent that such earnings or distributions are
         derived from the proceeds of insurance obtained by the Sponsor of
         such Trust or by the issuer or underwriter of an obligation held
         by such Trust that represent maturing interest on defaulted
         obligations held by the Trustee, if and to the same extent that
         such earnings or distributions would have been excludable from the
         gross income of such Unitholders if derived from interest paid by
         the issuer of the defaulted obligation.

     E.  Unitholders which are corporations subject to taxation
         under M.G.L. Chapter 63 will be required to include their
         respective shares of the earnings of or distributions from the
         Trust(s) in their Massachusetts gross income to the extent that such
         earnings or distributions represent interest from bonds, notes or
         indebtedness of any state, including Massachusetts, except for
         interest which is specifically exempted from such tax by the acts
         authorizing issuance of said Obligations.

     F.  Each Trust's capital gains and/or capital losses which are includable
         in the federal gross income of Unitholders who are
         subject to Massachusetts income taxation under M.G.L. Chapter 62,
         or Unitholders which are corporations subject to
         Massachusetts taxation under M.G.L. Chapter 63 will be included as
         capital gains and/or losses in the Unitholders' Massachusetts
         gross income, except for capital gain which is specifically exempted
         from taxation under such Chapters by the acts authorizing issuance of
         said Obligations.

     G.  Unitholders which are corporations subject to tax under
         M.G.L. Chapter 63 and which are tangible property corporations will
         not be required to include the Units when determining the value
         of their tangible property; such Unitholders which are
         intangible property corporations will be required to include the
         Units when determining their net worth.

     H.  Gains or losses realized on sales or redemptions of Units by
         Unitholders who are subject to Massachusetts income taxation
         under M.G.L. Chapter 62 or Unitholders which are corporations
         subject to Massachusetts taxation under M.G.L. Chapter 63 will be
         includable in their Massachusetts gross income.  In determining such
         gain or loss Unitholders will, to the same extent required for
         Federal tax purposes, have to adjust their tax bases for their Units
         for accrued interest received, if any, on Obligations delivered to
         the Trustee after the Unitholders pay for their Units, for
         amortization of premiums, if any, on Obligations held by the
         Trust(s), and for accrued original issue discount with respect to
         each Obligation which, at the time the Obligation was issued, had
         original issue discount.

     I.  The Units of the Trust(s) are not subject to any property tax levied
         by Massachusetts or any political subdivision thereof, nor to any
         income tax levied by any such political subdivision.  They are
         includable in the gross estate of a deceased Unitholder who is a
         resident of Massachusetts for purposes of the Massachusetts Estate
         Tax.

     The foregoing opinions are based upon present provisions of federal and
Massachusetts law, administrative interpretations thereof and court decisions.
With respect to Unitholders which are corporations subject to
Massachusetts taxation under M.G.L. Chapter 63, no opinion is rendered on the
includability of their respective shares of the earnings of or distributions
from the Trust(s) in their Massachusetts gross income to the extent that such
earnings or distributions represent interest from bonds, notes, or indebted-
ness of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands or
other possessions of the United States within the meaning of Section 103(c)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm in such Registration
Statement and the Prospectus included therein.

Very truly yours,



EDWARDS & ANGELL


<PAGE>


EXHIBIT 4.3

(ON CARTER LEDYARD & MILBURN LETTERHEAD)

8/25/95


Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 821
c/o John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated,
as Depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 821
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 821

Dear Sirs:

    We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "What is
the Tax Status of Unitholders?" in the Registration Statement and
related Prospectus of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 821 for the
registration of units of fractional undivided interest in the Fund in the 
aggregate principal amount as set forth in the Closing Memorandum dated 
today's date.
 
Very truly yours,


CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN
 
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This   schedule  contains  summary  financial  information  extracted  from  the
Connecticut Traditional Trust 276 which is incorporated in the Prospectus  dated
August  25,  1995  and  is  qualified  in  its  entirety  by  reference  to such
prospectus.
</LEGEND>
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                              July-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                   July-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             3,273,945
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            3,293,262
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        44,026
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    3,342,488
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            44,026
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  44,026
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                35,000
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                                     0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                                                   0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                                                  0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                                                  0
<NET-ASSETS>                                                      3,293,262
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                                         0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                                         0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                            0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                                            0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                   0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                                                  0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                                                 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                                                     0
<EQUALIZATION>                                                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                                                 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                                                  0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                                     0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                                                   0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                                               0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                                       0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                                           0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                                 94.09
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                                           0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                                                   0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                                                 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                                       0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                                           0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                                    0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                                      0
        

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Virginia
Traditional  Trust 303 which is incorporated  in the Prospectus dated August 25,
1995 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such prospectus.
</LEGEND>
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                              July-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                   July-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             3,229,591
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            3,242,858
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        57,311
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    3,305,269
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            57,311
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  57,311
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                35,000
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                                     0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                                                   0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                                                  0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                                                  0
<NET-ASSETS>                                                      3,242,858
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                                         0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                                         0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                            0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                                            0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                   0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                                                  0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                                                 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                                                     0
<EQUALIZATION>                                                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                                                 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                                                  0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                                     0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                                                   0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                                               0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                                       0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                                           0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                                 92.65
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                                           0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                                                   0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                                                 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                                       0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                                           0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                                    0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                                      0
        

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This   schedule  contains  summary  financial  information  extracted  from  the
Massachusetts Insured Trust 129  which is incorporated  in the Prospectus  dated
August  25,  1995  and  is  qualified  in  its  entirety  by  reference  to such
prospectus.
</LEGEND>
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                              July-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                   July-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             3,281,175
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            3,298,593
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        37,115
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    3,340,808
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            37,115
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  37,115
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                35,000
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                                     0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                                                   0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                                                  0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                                                  0
<NET-ASSETS>                                                      3,298,593
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                                         0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                                         0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                            0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                                            0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                   0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                                                  0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                                                 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                                                     0
<EQUALIZATION>                                                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                                                 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                                                  0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                                     0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                                                   0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                                               0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                                       0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                                           0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                                 94.25
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                                           0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                                                   0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                                                 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                                       0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                                           0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                                    0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                                      0
        

</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                                   MEMORANDUM

                 Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 821
                               File No. 33-61963


    The Prospectus and the Indenture filed with Amendment No. 1 of the
Registration Statement on Form S-6 have been revised to reflect information
regarding the execution of the Indenture and the deposit of bonds on 8/25/95,
and to set forth certain statistical data based thereon.  In addition, there 
are a number of other changes from the Prospectus as originally filed to which
reference is made, including the increase in the size of the Fund, a
corresponding increase in the number of Units and a change in the individual
trusts constituting the Fund.  All references to the Units, prices and related
statistical data will apply to each trust of the Fund and the Units thereof
individually.

    Except for such updating, an effort has been made to set forth below each 
of the changes and also to reflect the same by marking the Prospectus 
transmitted with the Amendment.  Also, differences between the Final 
Prospectus relating to the previous series of the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit 
Trust and the subject Prospectus have been indicated.

                                    FORM S-6

    FACING SHEET.  The file number is now shown.

                                 THE PROSPECTUS

     PAGE 3.       The "Estimated Long-Term Return" and "Estimated Current
Return" to Unitholders under each Trust under each of the distribution
plans are stated.

     PAGES 4 - 5.  Essential information for each of the Trusts, including
applicable footnotes, has been completed for this Series.

     PAGES 5 - 6.  The date of the Indenture has been inserted in Section 1
along with the size and number of Units of each of the Trusts.

     PAGE 8 et seq. The following information for each Trust appears on the
pages relating to such trust:

         The estimated daily accrual of interest under the plans of
         distribution for each of the Trusts

         Data regarding the composition of the portfolio of each
         Trust

         Disclosure regarding the states' economic and legislative
         matters relevant to investors of state trusts

         Concentrations of issues by purpose in each Trust

         The approximate percentage of the bonds in the
         portfolio of each Trust acquired in distributions where
         the Sponsor was either the sole underwriter or manager
         or member of the underwriting syndicate

         The percentage of "when issued" bonds in the portfolio
         of each Trust

         The schedule of investments for each Trust, including
         the notes thereto

         Descriptions of the opinions of the special tax
         counsel for state trusts

         The Record Dates and Distribution Dates for
         interest distributions for each Trust

         The distribution table for each Trust

         Taxable Equivalent Estimated Current Return Tables for residents
         of the respective jurisdictions

         The statements of condition for each Trust
         and the accountant's report with regard thereto.

         The amount of the Trustee's Fee

                             THE INDENTURE

The Schedules to the Indenture have been completed.


CHAPMAN AND CUTLER


Chicago, Illinois

8/25/95


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