TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
424B3, 1996-10-23
REAL ESTATE DEALERS (FOR THEIR OWN ACCOUNT)
Previous: SPYGLASS INC, S-3, 1996-10-23
Next: MULTIMEDIA CONCEPTS INTERNATIONAL INC, PRES14A, 1996-10-23




Prospectus

TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT

A Variable Annuity Offered Through Individual,
Group and Tax-Deferred Annuity Contracts

Issued By

Teachers Insurance and Annuity
Association of America

October 21, 1996

<PAGE>

                                   PROSPECTUS
                                   ----------

                            TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT

                       A Variable Annuity Offered Through
                       Individual, Group and Tax-Deferred
                                Annuity Contracts

                                    Issued By

              TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA


                  This  prospectus  tells you about the TIAA Real Estate Account
(the "Real Estate  Account" or the  "Account"),  a variable  annuity  investment
option  being  offered  through  individual,   group  and  tax-deferred  annuity
contracts  issued by  Teachers  Insurance  and  Annuity  Association  of America
("TIAA"). Read it carefully before investing and keep it for future reference.

                  The Real Estate Account is a segregated  investment account of
TIAA that provides  variable  individual and group  annuities for retirement and
tax-deferred  savings  plans  at  tax-exempt  or  publicly  supported  colleges,
universities,  and other  educational and research  institutions.  The Account's
main  purpose  is to  accumulate,  invest,  and  then  disburse  funds  for your
retirement,  in the  form of  lifetime  income  or  other  payment  options,  by
investing mainly in real estate and real estate-related investments.

                  The contracts  also offer a traditional  (guaranteed)  annuity
option through TIAA's general account.


<PAGE>



                  As  with  all  variable   annuities,   your  accumulation  and
retirement  income from the Account can increase or  decrease,  depending on how
well the  underlying  investments  do over  time.  TIAA does not  guarantee  the
investment performance of the Account, and you bear the entire investment risk.

                  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.

                  The date of this prospectus is October 21, 1996

                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            Page

DEFINITIONS.................................................................   5
                                                                             
SUMMARY  ...................................................................   8
                                                                             
THE REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT AND TIAA............................................  12
                                                                             
INVESTMENT PRACTICES OF THE ACCOUNT.........................................  13
                                                                             
GENERAL INVESTMENT AND OPERATING POLICIES...................................  19
                                                                             
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES...................................................  21
                                                                             
RISK FACTORS................................................................  21
                                                                             
ROLE OF TIAA................................................................  27
                                                                             
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.......................................................  30
                                                                             
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF                                      
             FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS..................  31
                                                                             
VALUATION OF ASSETS.........................................................  34
                                                                             
MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT ADVISORY ARRANGEMENTS.............................  39
                                                                             
EXPENSE DEDUCTIONS..........................................................  39
                                                                             
THE ANNUITY CONTRACTS.......................................................  40
                                                                             
ANNUITY PAYMENTS............................................................  56
                                                                             
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES........................................................  58
                                                                             
GENERAL MATTERS.............................................................  62
                                                                             
DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS...............................................  64
                                                                             
PERIODIC REPORTS............................................................  64
                                                                             
STATE REGULATION............................................................  65
                                                                             
LEGAL MATTERS...............................................................  65
                                                                             
EXPERTS  ...................................................................  65
                                                                             
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS...........................................................  66
                                                                            
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION......................................................  66

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS........................................................  66

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS............................................... F-1

APPENDIX A--DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES....................................... A-1

APPENDIX B--MANAGEMENT OF TIAA.............................................. B-1


                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>



                  The Account is subject to the  informational  requirements  of
the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 and in accordance  therewith  files reports
and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission  ("SEC").  All
reports and  information  filed on behalf of the Account  can be  inspected  and
copied  at  the  Public  Reference   Section  of  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission,  450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024,  Washington,  D.C. 20549, and at
certain of its regional offices:  500 West Madison Street,  Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661; and 7 World Trade Center,  Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048.
This information can also be obtained through the SEC's Web site on the Internet
(http://www.sec.gov),  as part of the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis,
and Retrieval (EDGAR) system.

                  Reports to Participants. TIAA will mail to each participant in
the Real  Estate  Account  periodic  reports  relating to  accumulations  in the
Account,  and such other  information  as may be required by  applicable  law or
regulation.

                  THIS  PROSPECTUS  DOES  NOT  CONSTITUTE  AN  OFFERING  IN  ANY
JURISDICTION  IN WHICH  SUCH  OFFERING  MAY NOT  LAWFULLY  BE MADE.  NO  DEALER,
SALESMAN,  OR OTHER PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY  INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS  IN CONNECTION  WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN
THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS  MUST
NOT BE RELIED UPON.

                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>



                                   DEFINITIONS

                  Throughout  the  prospectus,  "TIAA," "we," and "our" refer to
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America. "You" and "your" mean any
participant or any prospective participant.

                  Account - The TIAA Real Estate Account, a separate account of
TIAA.

                  Accumulation - The total value of your  accumulation  units in
the Real Estate Account.

                  Accumulation  Fund - The assets of the Real Estate Account not
dedicated to current retirement benefits or other liabilities.

                  Accumulation  Period - The period  that begins with your first
premium and continues until the entire accumulation has been applied to purchase
annuity income, transferred from the Account, or paid to you or a beneficiary.

                  Accumulation  Unit - A  share  of  participation  in the  Real
Estate Account for someone in the accumulation period.

                  Annuity  Fund - The assets in the  Account  that fund  current
retirement benefits.

                  Annuity  Partner - Anyone  you name  under a  survivor  income
option to receive  lifetime  annuity income if you die. Your annuity partner can
be your spouse,  child,  or anyone else eligible  under current TIAA  practices,
subject to any limitations under the IRC and ERISA.

                  Annuity  Payments - Payments under any income option or method
of payment.

                  Annuity  Unit - A  measure  used to  calculate  the  amount of
annuity payments due a participant.

                  Beneficiary  - Any  person  or  institution  named to  receive
benefits if you die during the  accumulation  period or if you (and your annuity
partner, if you have one) die before any guaranteed period of your income-paying
annuity ends. You don't have to name the same  beneficiary for each of these two
situations.

                  Business Day - Any day the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is
open for trading.  A business day ends at 4 p.m.  eastern  time, or when trading
closes on the NYSE, if earlier.


                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>



                  Calendar Day - Any day of the year.  Calendar  days end at the
same time as business days.

                  Cash  Withdrawal - Taking some or all of an  accumulation as a
single payment.

                  Commuted  Value - The present  value of annuity  payments  due
under an income  option or method of  payment  not based on life  contingencies.
Present value is calculated  using the  then-current  value of the annuity unit,
adjusted  for  investment  gains or losses since the annuity unit value was last
calculated.

                  Contract - The document that sets forth the terms of your Real
Estate Account annuity. There are separate contracts for the accumulation period
and for the income-paying period for each annuity.

                  CREF - The College Retirement  Equities Fund, TIAA's companion
organization.

                  Eligible  Institution - A private or public institution in the
United States that is non-proprietary and non-profit.  Private institutions have
to be ruled  tax-exempt  under IRC section  501(c)(3) or earlier versions of the
section  and cannot be private  foundations.  The main  purpose of any  eligible
institution must be to offer  instruction,  conduct research,  serve and support
education or research, or perform ancillary functions for such institutions.

                  Employer - An eligible  institution that maintains an employee
retirement or tax-deferred annuity plan.

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

                  General  Account  - All of  TIAA's  assets  other  than  those
allocated  to the Real  Estate  Account  or to other  existing  or  future  TIAA
separate accounts.

                  Income  Option - Any of the ways you can  receive  Real Estate
Account retirement income.

                  Independent  Fiduciary - The firm appointed by TIAA to provide
independent  fiduciary  services  to the Real  Estate  Account and which will be
responsible for reviewing,  approving,  and/or monitoring certain aspects of the
Account's operations.

                  Internal  Revenue Code or IRC - The  Internal  Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.

                  Method of  Payment  - Any type of Real  Estate  Account  death
benefit available to a beneficiary.

                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>




                  Participant  - Any  person  who  owns  a Real  Estate  Account
contract.  Under  certain  arrangements,  an  employer  can be the  owner of the
contract.

                  Plan  -  An  employer's  retirement  or  tax-deferred  annuity
program.

                  Premium - The  amount you or your  employer  sends to the Real
Estate Account to purchase retirement benefits.

                  Survivor  Income  Option - An option that  continues  lifetime
annuity payments to your annuity partner after you die.

                  TIAA - Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America.

                  Valuation Day - Any day the NYSE is open for trading,  as well
as the last  calendar day of each month.  Valuation  days end as of the close of
all U.S. national exchanges where securities or other investments of the Account
are principally  traded.  Valuation days that aren't business days will end at 4
p.m. eastern time.

                  Valuation  Period - The time from the end of one valuation day
to the end of the next.

                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>



                                     SUMMARY

                  The following summary of prospectus information should be read
together with the detailed information contained elsewhere in this prospectus.


The TIAA Real Estate Account
- ----------------------------

                   This  prospectus  describes the TIAA Real Estate  Account,  a
separate  investment  account of TIAA. Its  investment  objective is a favorable
rate of return over the long term,  primarily  through rental income and capital
appreciation from real estate investments owned by the Account.  The majority of
the  Account's  real  estate   investments   will  be  ownership   interests  in
income-producing  office,  industrial,   retail,  and  multi-family  residential
properties.  The  Account  can  make  other  real  estate-related   investments,
including  mortgage loans and purchasing shares of real estate investment trusts
and other entities  engaged  primarily in real  estate-related  activities.  The
Account will also invest in publicly-traded  securities and other instruments to
maintain  liquidity to make  distributions  and cover capital  expenditures  and
expenses.  TIAA will  provide  additional  liquidity  to the  Account as needed,
according to its arrangement with the U.S.  Department of Labor, as described on
page 29. As with any variable account,  we cannot assure you that the investment
objective will be met. One factor critical to achieving the objective is whether
we can find enough suitable investments for the Account at any particular time.

                  TIAA,  a nonprofit  New York  insurance  company,  manages the
investment  and  reinvestment  of the Real Estate  Account's  assets.  For these
services,  TIAA receives fees from the assets of the Account. You don't have the
right  to  vote  on the  management  and  operation  of the  Account.  For  more
information, see "Management and Investment Advisory Arrangements," on page 39.

                  Because the Account  does not fall  within the  definition  of
"investment  company" under the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"),  it is neither  registered as an investment  company nor subject to
regulation under the 1940 Act.

Risk Factors
- ------------

                  Investment in the Account involves  significant  risks,  which
are fully  described in "Risk  Factors," page 21. These include  fluctuations in
real  estate  values and the  possibility  that the  Account  won't  receive the
appraised or estimated value of a real property  investment when it is sold. The
Account may also sometimes have trouble selling some of its real estate

                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>


investments on  commercially  acceptable  terms,  making it difficult to convert
those investments into cash quickly.

                  The Account's  assets can be adversely  affected by changes in
local, national, or foreign economic conditions.  You should, therefore, view it
as a long-term investment.  Also, since the Account has existed only for a short
time, there is little operating  history to look to in assessing how the Account
might respond to different market conditions.

                  Because it invests in real estate, the Account is also exposed
to risks  relating to  environmental  matters.  For  instance,  if an investment
property does not comply with certain environmental protection regulations,  the
liability  for  clean-up  costs could  exceed the  Account's  investment  in the
property (or the principal amount loaned by the Account as a mortgage lender).

Conflicts of Interest
- ---------------------

                  The Account is managed by TIAA  employees.  TIAA employees who
manage the  Account's  real  estate-related  investments  may also  manage  real
estate-related investments of TIAA's general account. Similarly, the part of the
Account invested in securities and other  instruments not related to real estate
is  managed by  employees  who may also  manage  investments  of TIAA's  general
account and other accounts that are not related to real estate.  These employees
could therefore face various conflicts of interest (see "Conflicts of Interest,"
page 30).

                  TIAA's  guarantee to provide  liquidity  for the Account under
certain  circumstances  could also raise  conflicts of interest (see  "Liquidity
Guarantee," page 28).

The Contracts
- -------------

                  The Real Estate  Account is available  (subject to  regulatory
approval) as a variable  component to a number of  different  TIAA  accumulating
annuity  contracts.  The annuity  contracts are a Retirement  Annuity ("RA"),  a
Group Retirement Annuity ("GRA"),  a Supplemental  Retirement Annuity ("SRA"), a
Group  Supplemental  Retirement  Annuity  ("GSRA"),  and a  Rollover  Individual
Retirement Annuity ("Rollover IRA"). Subject to regulatory  approval,  we expect
to offer a new individual retirement annuity that will accept both rollovers and
direct  contributions  ("New IRA") and a Keogh Plan Annuity ("Keogh").  (We will
refer to the Rollover IRA and New IRA  collectively  as the "IRAs".) RAs,  SRAs,
IRAs and Keoghs are issued to you directly.  GRAs and GSRAs are issued under the
terms of a group contract.


                                      - 9 -

<PAGE>



                  The Real Estate Account is also available through a variety of
income-paying annuity contracts. For details, see "Income Options," on page 51.

                   Subject to the conditions  described in this prospectus,  you
can allocate all or part of your  premiums to the Real Estate  Account under the
accumulating contracts,  although your employer's plan may restrict your ability
to  allocate  premiums  to the Real  Estate  Account  under an RA,  GRA, or GSRA
contract.  The  specific  terms of your plan or relevant tax laws also may limit
the amount of premiums you are allowed to contribute or that may be  contributed
on your behalf.  See "Remitting  Premiums," page 43,  "Possible  Restrictions on
Acceptance of Premiums and Transfers,"  page 44,  "Allocation of Premiums," page
44, and "Federal Income Taxes," page 58.

                  Expense  Deductions.  We make  daily  deductions  from the net
assets of the Real Estate Account to pay the Account's  operating and investment
management  expenses.  The  Account  also pays TIAA for  bearing  mortality  and
expense risks and providing  liquidity  guarantees.  The current  annual expense
deductions from the net assets of the Account total 0.70%:  0.40% for investment
management services,  0.23% for administrative and distribution expenses,  0.05%
for  mortality  and  expense  risks,  and 0.02%  for  liquidity  guarantees.  We
guarantee  that  these  deductions,  together,  will never  exceed  2.50% of the
Account's average net assets annually. See "Expense Deductions," page 39.

                  Transfers and Withdrawals.  You can transfer your accumulation
in the Account to TIAA's  traditional  annuity or to CREF at any time. We permit
withdrawals  from SRAs,  GSRAs, and IRAs at any time.  However,  your employer's
plan can  restrict  your  ability to withdraw  funds from RA and GRA  contracts.
Federal  income tax law may also  restrict  your ability to transfer or withdraw
funds.  You may have to pay a tax penalty if you want to make a cash  withdrawal
before age 59-1/2. (See "Federal Income Taxes," page 58.)

                                     - 10 -

<PAGE>


Selected Financial Data
- -----------------------

                  The following  selected financial data should be considered in
conjunction  with the  financial  statements  and notes  thereto for the Account
provided herein.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           July 3, 1995
                                                         For the Six     (commencement of
                                                         Months Ended    operations) to
                                                         June 30, 1996   December 31, 1995
                                                         -------------   -----------------
                                                         (Unaudited)
Investment income:
<S>                                                      <C>                 <C>         
   Real estate income, net:
     Rental income ...................................   $  3,933,580        $    165,762
                                                         ------------        ------------
     Real estate property level expenses and taxes:
       Operating expenses ............................        828,888              29,173
       Real estate taxes .............................   $    405,405        $     14,659
                                                         ------------        ------------
          Total real estate property
          level expenses and taxes ...................      1,234,293              43,832
                                                         ------------        ------------
          Real estate income, net ....................      2,699,287             121,930
   Dividends and interest ............................      2,344,364           2,828,900
                                                         ------------        ------------
       Total investment income .......................   $  5,043,651        $  2,950,830
                                                         ============        ============


Net realized and unrealized
 gain on investments .................................   $    688,885        $     35,603
                                                         ============        ============

Net increase in net assets
 resulting from operations ...........................   $  5,409,740        $  2,676,000
                                                         ============        ============

Net increase in net assets
 resulting from participant transactions .............   $ 43,400,243        $117,582,345
                                                         ============        ============

Net increase in net assets ...........................   $ 48,809,983        $120,258,345
                                                         ============        ============


                                                         June 30, 1996   December 31, 1995
                                                         -------------   -----------------
                                                         (Unaudited)

Total assets .........................................   $182,242,966        $143,177,421
                                                         ============        ============

Total liabilities ....................................   $ 13,174,638        $ 22,919,076
                                                         ============        ============

Total net assets .....................................   $169,068,328        $120,258,345
                                                         ============        ============

Accumulation units outstanding .......................      1,561,082           1,172,498
                                                            =========           =========

Accumulation unit value ..............................        $106.40             $102.57
                                                              =======             =======
</TABLE>


                                     - 11 -

<PAGE>


                        THE REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT AND TIAA

                  On February 22, 1995, the Real Estate Account was  established
by  resolution of TIAA's Board of Trustees as a separate  investment  account of
TIAA under New York law. As part of TIAA,  the Account is subject to  regulation
by the  State  of New  York  Insurance  Department  ("NYID")  and the  insurance
departments of some other  jurisdictions in which the contracts are offered (see
"State Regulation," page 65).

                  Although TIAA owns the assets of the Real Estate Account,  the
Account's  income,  investment  gains, and investment  losses are credited to or
charged against the assets of the Account without regard to TIAA's other income,
gains,  or  losses.  Under  New York law,  we cannot  charge  the  Account  with
liabilities  incurred  by any other  TIAA  separate  account  or other  business
activity TIAA may undertake.

                  TIAA is a nonprofit  stock life  insurance  company  organized
under  the laws of New York  State.  It was  founded  on March 4,  1918,  by the
Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. All of the stock of TIAA is
held by the TIAA Board of Overseers, a nonprofit New York membership corporation
whose main purpose is to hold TIAA's stock. TIAA's headquarters are at 730 Third
Avenue,  New York,  New York  10017-3206;  there are also  regional  offices  in
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago,  Dallas, Denver, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia,  San
Francisco,  and  Washington,  D.C., and a service center in Denver.  TIAA offers
both traditional  annuities,  which guarantee principal and a specified interest
rate while  providing the  opportunity  for additional  dividends,  and variable
annuities,  whose  return  depends  upon the  performance  of certain  specified
investments.  TIAA also offers life,  long-term  disability,  and long-term care
insurance.

                  TIAA manages the investment of the Account's assets.  TIAA has
been  making  mortgage  loans for over 50  years.  We are  currently  one of the
largest and most  experienced  investors  in  mortgages  and real estate  equity
interests in the nation.  As of June 30, 1996, TIAA employees managed for TIAA's
general account a mortgage portfolio of $20.8 billion.  The vast majority of the
portfolio is secured by investment-grade  properties located throughout the U.S.
Almost  three-quarters of the TIAA general account's mortgage portfolio consists
of mortgage loans made on office buildings and retail properties (i.e., shopping
centers, including malls).

                  As of June 30, 1996, TIAA employees oversaw for TIAA's general
account a real estate equity portfolio of $7.1 billion,  with properties located
across  the U.S.  Office  buildings  and  shopping  centers  comprise  more than
three-quarters of the real estate equity portfolio of the general account.

                                     - 12 -

<PAGE>


                  TIAA is the companion  organization of the College  Retirement
Equities  Fund  ("CREF"),  the first  company  in the  United  States to issue a
variable annuity. CREF is a nonprofit membership corporation  established in New
York State in 1952. Together, TIAA and CREF form the principal retirement system
for the nation's  education and research  communities and the largest retirement
system  in  the  U.S.,  based  on  assets  under  management.  TIAA-CREF  serves
approximately  1.8  million  people at over 5,800  institutions.  As of June 30,
1996, TIAA's assets were  approximately  $82.9 billion;  the combined assets for
TIAA and CREF totalled approximately $171.8 billion (although CREF doesn't stand
behind TIAA's guarantees).

                  TIAA currently has one other separate account.  TIAA may offer
new investment accounts with different  investment  objectives in the future, as
permitted by law.


                       INVESTMENT PRACTICES OF THE ACCOUNT
General
- -------

                  The  investment  objective  of the Real  Estate  Account  is a
favorable rate of return over the long term, primarily through rental income and
capital  appreciation  from real estate  investments  owned by the Account.  The
Account will also invest in publicly-traded  securities and other instruments to
maintain  liquidity  needed for capital  expenditures  and  expenses and to make
distributions.  As with any  variable  account,  we cannot  assure  you that its
investment objective will be met. One critical factor to achieving the objective
is  whether  we can find  enough  suitable  investments  for the  Account at any
particular time.

                  Usually,  between 70% and 80% of the Account's  assets will be
invested directly in real estate or in real estate-related investments.

                  We  expect  the   majority  of  the   Account's   real  estate
investments to be direct ownership  interests in  income-producing  real estate,
such as office, industrial, retail, and multi-family residential properties. The
Account  can also  invest  to a  limited  extent  in other  real  estate-related
investments,  such as conventional mortgage loans, participating mortgage loans,
and real estate  partnerships.  To a limited extent, the Account can also invest
in real estate investment  trusts,  common or preferred stock of companies whose
operations involve real estate (i.e., that own or manage real estate primarily),
and collateralized mortgage obligations.

                  Normally,  between 20% and 30% of the Account will be invested
in government and corporate debt securities, short-term money market instruments
and other cash equivalents, and, to some

                                     - 13 -

<PAGE>


extent,  common or preferred  stock of  companies  that don't  primarily  own or
manage real estate. In some circumstances,  the Account can increase temporarily
the  portion  of  its  assets  invested  in  debt  securities  or  money  market
instruments. This could happen because of a rapid influx of participants' funds,
lack of suitable real estate investments, or a need for more liquidity.

                  We do not expect that the Account  will invest in foreign real
estate or other types of foreign real estate-related  investments initially, but
it may do so as it grows.  The  percentage  of the  Account's  assets in foreign
investments  will vary, but we expect that foreign  investments will not be more
than 25% of the Account's portfolio.

                  In order not to be considered an  "investment  company"  under
the 1940 Act, the Account will limit its holdings of investment  securities  (as
defined under the 1940 Act) to less than 40% of its total assets (not  including
U.S. Government securities and cash items).  However, during its first year, the
Account may keep a much larger part of its assets in  short-term  and other debt
instruments or in equity securities.

                  TIAA can, in its  discretion,  decide to change the  operating
policies of the Account or wind it down. This could happen if, for instance, the
Account is smaller  than  expected.  If the  Account is wound  down,  you may be
required to transfer your  accumulations  to TIAA's  traditional  annuity or any
CREF  account  available  under your  employer's  plan.  You will be notified in
advance if we decide to change or wind down the Account.

Investments in Direct Ownership Interests in Real Estate
- --------------------------------------------------------

                  Acquisition.  The  Account's  main  investment  policy  is  to
acquire   direct   ownership   interests   in  existing   or   newly-constructed
income-producing   real  estate,   including  office   buildings,   multi-family
residential properties, and retail and industrial properties. TIAA will invest a
substantial  part of the Account's  assets in established  properties  that have
existing rent and expense  schedules or in new properties with  predictable cash
flows.  The Account will usually  acquire real estate that's ready for occupancy
by tenants,  which eliminates the development or construction  risks inherent in
buying  unimproved  real  estate.  However,  from time to time the Account  can,
consistent with its objective,  invest in a real estate development project. The
Account  can also  buy  recently-constructed  properties  that  are  subject  to
agreements with sellers that provide for certain minimum levels of income.

                 Purchase-Leaseback   Transactions.   Some   of  the   Account's
investments can be real property purchase-leaseback transactions

                                     - 14 -

<PAGE>



("leasebacks").  In these transactions,  the Account typically will buy land and
income-producing improvements on the land, and simultaneously lease the land and
improvements.  Leasebacks  can be for  very  long  terms  and  may  provide  for
increasing payments from the lessee.

                  Usually,  under a  leaseback,  the  lessee  will  operate,  or
arrange for someone else to operate,  the  property.  The lessee is  responsible
generally  for all  operating  costs,  including  taxes,  mortgage debt service,
maintenance and repair of the improvements,  and insurance. The Account can also
give the  lessee an option  to buy the land and  improvements  after a period of
years. The option exercise price may be based on factors such as the fair market
value of the property,  as  encumbered  by the lease,  the increase in the gross
revenues from the property, or other objective criteria.

                  In some  leasebacks,  the Account may  purchase  only the land
under an income-producing  building and lease the land to the building owner. In
those  cases,  the Account  will often seek to share (or  "participate")  in any
increase in property value from building  improvements  or in the lessee's gross
revenues  from the building  above a base amount  (which may be adjusted if real
estate taxes or similar operating  expenses increase or upon other events).  The
Account can invest in leasebacks that are subordinated to other interests in the
land,  buildings,  and  improvements.  These interests include a first mortgage,
other mortgage, or lien. In that case, the leaseback interest will be subject to
greater risks.

Investments in Mortgages
- ------------------------

                  The  Account  can make  mortgage  loans or hold  interests  in
mortgage  loans made by it or others,  generally on the same types of properties
it would otherwise  purchase.  These will include commercial mortgage loans that
may pay fixed or variable rates of interest or have "participating" features (as
defined  below).  The  Account's  mortgage  loans  usually  will be  secured  by
properties that have income-producing potential based on historical or projected
data. Mortgage loans usually will be non-recourse, which means they won't be the
borrower's personal obligations.  They usually will not be insured or guaranteed
by government  agencies or anyone else. We expect most of the Account's mortgage
loans to be secured by first  mortgages on existing  income-producing  property.
First mortgage loans are secured by mortgages which have first-priority liens on
the  real  property.   These  loans  may  be  amortized,   or  may  provide  for
interest-only payments, with a balloon payment at maturity.

                 Participating Mortgage Loans. The Account may also seek to make
mortgage loans which,  in addition to charging  interest,  permit the Account to
share (have a "participation") in

                                     - 15 -

<PAGE>



the income from or appreciation of the underlying property. These participations
let the Account receive additional  interest,  calculated as a percentage of the
revenues the  borrower  receives  from (i)  operating  the property  and/or (ii)
selling or  refinancing  the  property  or  otherwise.  Participations  can also
involve granting the Account an option to buy the property  securing the loan or
an option to buy an undivided interest in the property securing the loan.

                  Managing  Mortgage  Loan   Investments.   When  advisable  and
consistent  with its  investment  objective,  the Account can sell its  mortgage
loans, or portions of them,  before maturity.  TIAA can also extend the maturity
of any  mortgage  loan made by the  Account,  consent to a sale of the  property
subject to a mortgage  loan,  finance the purchase of a property by making a new
mortgage loan in connection with the sale of a property  (either with or without
requiring  the  repayment  of  the  existing  mortgage  loan),  renegotiate  and
restructure  the terms of a mortgage  loan,  and otherwise  manage the Account's
mortgage loans.

Standards for Direct Ownership and Mortgage Loan Investments
- ------------------------------------------------------------

                  In making  direct  ownership  investments  and  mortgage  loan
investments,  TIAA will consider  relevant real property and financial  factors.
These include the location,  condition,  and use of the underlying property, its
operating  history,  its  future  income-producing  capacity,  and the  quality,
operating experience, and creditworthiness of the unaffiliated borrower.

                  Before the Account acquires any direct  ownership  interest or
makes a mortgage loan, TIAA will analyze the fair market value of the underlying
real estate,  taking into account the  property's  operating  cash flow (derived
from the historical and expected levels of rental and occupancy  rates,  and the
historical and projected expenses of the property),  supplemented by the general
economic conditions in the area where the property is located.  Ordinarily, each
mortgage  loan made by the Account will not exceed,  when added to the amount of
any existing debt, 85% of the appraised value of the mortgaged property,  unless
the Account is compensated for taking such additional risk.

Foreign Real Estate and Other Foreign Investments
- -------------------------------------------------

                  We don't  expect that the Account will buy foreign real estate
or make real estate-related  investments in foreign countries initially,  but it
might do so as it grows. It might also invest in securities or other instruments
of  foreign  governmental  or  private  issuers  that  are  consistent  with its
investment objective and policies.  Often,  different factors affect foreign and
domestic  investment  decisions.  For example,  foreign real estate markets have
different  liquidity and volatility  attributes  than U.S.  markets.  Changes in
currency

                                     - 16 -

<PAGE>


rates,  currency  exchange  control  regulations,   possible   expropriation  or
confiscatory taxation, political, social, and economic developments, and foreign
regulations  can also affect  foreign  real estate  investments.  It may be more
difficult  to obtain and  collect a  judgment  on  foreign  investments  than on
domestic ones.

                  The  value of  investments  that  aren't  denominated  in U.S.
dollars can go up or down as currency  rates  change.  Rental  income from those
properties  could be  similarly  affected  by  currency  movements.  Changes  in
currency  exchange  controls can also affect the value of the Account's  foreign
investments.  The Account may seek to hedge its  exposure to changes in currency
rates and exchange control regulations, which could involve extra costs.

                  We will consider the above factors and others before investing
in foreign real estate, and won't invest unless our standards and objectives are
met. Depending on investment  opportunities,  the Account's foreign  investments
could at times be concentrated in one or two foreign  countries.  The percentage
of the Account's foreign  investments will vary. However, we expect that foreign
investments will be no more than 25% of the Account's portfolio.

Other Real Estate-Related Investments
- -------------------------------------

                  The  Account can make other real  estate-related  investments,
including holding shares of real estate investment  trusts,  common or preferred
stock of companies  whose  business  involves  real estate,  and  collateralized
mortgage obligations.

                  Real Estate Investment  Trusts.  Real estate investment trusts
("REITs")  are  publicly-owned   entities  that  lease,  manage,  acquire,  hold
mortgages on, and develop real estate.  REITs attempt to optimize share value by
acquiring  and  developing  new  projects.  They also  refurbish,  upgrade,  and
renovate  existing  properties to increase  rental rates and  occupancy  levels.
REITs seek higher cash flows by  negotiating  for rental  increases  on existing
leases,  replacing  expiring leases with new ones at higher rates, and improving
occupancy rates.

                  REITs  must   distribute   95%  of  their  net   earnings   to
shareholders in order to benefit from a special tax structure,  which means they
may pay high  dividends.  While a REIT's yield is relatively  stable,  its price
fluctuates  with interest  rates.  Other factors can also affect a REIT's price.
For example, a REIT can be affected by such factors as cash flow dependency, the
skill of its management team and defaults by lessees or borrowers.  In the event
of a default by a lessee or borrower,  a REIT may experience delays in enforcing
its rights as a lessor or

                                     - 17 -

<PAGE>


mortgagee  and may  incur  substantial  costs  associated  with  protecting  its
investments.

                  REITs invest in real property and mortgages, and therefore are
subject to many of the same risks as the Real Estate Account. See "Risk
Factors," page 21 and "Risks of REIT Investments," page 26.

                  Stock of  Companies  Involved in Real Estate  Activities.  The
Account can invest in common or  preferred  stock of  companies  whose  business
involves real estate.  These stocks can be listed on one or more U.S. or foreign
stock  exchanges or traded  over-the-counter  in the U.S. or abroad.  Like other
equity securities, these stocks are subject to market risk -- their price can go
up or down in  response  to  changes  in the  financial  markets.  They are also
subject to  financial  risk,  which  comes  from the  possibility  that  current
earnings will fall or that overall  financial  soundness will decline,  reducing
the security's value.

                  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. The Account can invest in
collateralized  mortgage obligations ("CMOs") that are fully collateralized by a
portfolio of mortgages or  mortgage-related  securities.  CMO issuers distribute
principal  and  interest  payments  on the  mortgages  to  holders  of the  CMOs
according to the distribution schedules of each CMO. Some classes of CMOs may be
entitled to receive mortgage prepayments before other classes do. Therefore, the
prepayment  risk  for a  particular  CMO  may be more or  less  than  for  other
mortgage-related  securities.  CMOs  may  also be  less  marketable  than  other
securities.

                  CMO  interest  rates can be fixed or  variable.  Variable-rate
CMOs may be structured to adjust inversely with and more rapidly than short-term
interest rates.  As a result,  their market value tends to be more volatile than
other CMOs.

Other Investments
- -----------------

                  The Account can invest in  securities  issued or guaranteed by
the U.S.  Government  or one of its  agencies  and  instrumentalities,  and debt
securities of foreign  governments or multinational  organizations.  The Account
can also invest in corporate debt securities, asset-backed securities, and money
market  instruments  and other cash  equivalents  issued by  domestic or foreign
entities.  It can also buy  limited  amounts  of  common or  preferred  stock of
domestic or foreign companies that aren't involved primarily in real estate.

                  The Account  will buy only  investment-grade  debt  securities
that are rated,  at the time of purchase,  within the top four  categories  by a
nationally recognized rating

                                     - 18 -

<PAGE>


organization  or, if not rated,  that are deemed to be of equivalent  quality by
TIAA.

                  The  Account's   money  market   instruments  and  other  cash
equivalents  will usually be  high-quality  short-term debt  obligations.  These
investments  include, but are not limited to, securities issued or guaranteed by
the U.S.  Government  or one of its agencies and  instrumentalities,  commercial
paper,  certificates of deposit,  bankers' acceptances,  repurchase  agreements,
interest-bearing time deposits, and corporate debt securities.

                  From time to time,  particularly  during the  Account's  first
year, a  significant  percentage of the Account may be invested in liquid assets
while we look for suitable real property  investments.  Liquid assets don't have
to be real  estate-related.  The  Account  also  can  temporarily  increase  the
percentage of its liquid assets under  particular  circumstances.  These include
the  rapid  influx  of  participants'   funds,  lack  of  suitable  real  estate
investments, or a need for greater liquidity.

                    GENERAL INVESTMENT AND OPERATING POLICIES

                  The  Account  doesn't  intend  to  buy  and  sell  any  direct
ownership  interests in properties,  mortgage loans,  leasebacks,  or other real
estate investments simply to make short-term profits by their sale. However, the
Account may sell  investments to raise cash, if market  conditions  dictate,  or
otherwise.  The Account will reinvest any proceeds from sales of assets (and any
cash flow from operations) that it doesn't need to pay operating  expenses or to
meet redemption requests (e.g., cash withdrawals or transfers).

                  Appraisals.  When acquiring properties,  leasebacks,  or other
real  estate  investments,  the  Account  will  rely on TIAA's  analysis  of the
investment  and  usually  won't  receive  an  independent  appraisal  before  an
acquisition.  However,  the Account will get an  independent  appraisal  when it
makes mortgage loans. We expect that the Account's  properties and participating
mortgage  loans  will  be  appraised  or  valued   annually  by  an  independent
state-certified   appraiser  who  is  a  member  of  a  professional   appraisal
organization.

                  Borrowing. Usually, the Account won't borrow money to purchase
direct ownership interests in real properties -- i.e., these investments will be
unleveraged.  However,  the Account may use a line of credit to meet  short-term
cash needs.  While the properties the Account  acquires  ordinarily will be free
and clear of mortgage  indebtedness  immediately after their acquisition,  it is
possible that the terms of a short-term line of credit may

                                     - 19 -

<PAGE>



require the Account to secure a loan with one or more of its properties or other
assets.

                  Joint Investments. While the Account will often own the entire
fee  interest in a property,  it can also hold other  ownership  interests.  The
Account can hold property jointly through general or limited partnerships, joint
ventures,  leaseholds,  tenancies-in-common,  or other legal  arrangements.  The
Account cannot hold real property jointly with TIAA or its affiliates.

                  Diversification.  We have not placed percentage limitations on
the type and  location of  properties  that the Account  can buy.  However,  the
Account plans to diversify its  investments  by type of property and  geographic
location.  How much the Account diversifies will depend upon the availability of
suitable  investments  and how much the Account has available for  investment at
any given time.

                  Discretion to Evict or  Foreclose.  TIAA can decide when it is
in the best interests of the Account to evict defaulting tenants or to foreclose
on defaulting borrowers.  When deciding to evict or foreclose,  TIAA will take a
course of action that it  concludes  is in the best  interests of the Account in
order to maintain the value of an investment.

                  Property Management and Leasing Services. We usually will hire
a  management  company  to  perform  local  property   management  services  for
properties the Account owns and operates.  The local management  company will be
responsible for day-to-day  management of the property,  supervising any on-site
personnel,  negotiating maintenance and service contracts,  and providing advice
on major repairs, replacements, and capital improvements. The local manager will
also review market  conditions in order to recommend  changes in rent  schedules
and create  marketing  and  advertising  programs  to attain and  maintain  good
occupancy  rates by responsible  tenants.  The Account may also hire one or more
leasing  companies to perform  leasing  services for any property with actual or
projected vacancies,  if the property management company doesn't already provide
those  services.  The  leasing  companies  will  coordinate  with  the  property
management  company to provide marketing and leasing services.  The fees paid to
the local management  company,  along with any leasing commissions and expenses,
will reduce the Account's cash flow from a property.

                  We  won't  usually  need a  management  services  company  for
mortgage loans (except for mortgage  servicing),  but we might decide that those
services are desirable when we are foreclosing on a mortgage loan.


                                     - 20 -

<PAGE>



                            DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES

                  As of the date of this  prospectus,  the Account has purchased
ten  properties  for its  portfolio,  consisting of four  neighborhood  shopping
centers, three multi-family  residential complexes,  one office building and two
industrial  properties.  These properties are described in detail in Appendix A.
Real estate  investments  made on behalf of the  Account  after the date of this
prospectus will be described in supplements to the prospectus, as appropriate.


                                  RISK FACTORS

                  Participants should consider various risks before investing in
the Account. These include valuation risks (see "Valuation of Assets," page 34),
conflicts  of  interest  (see  "Conflicts  of  Interest,"  page  30),  and  the
following:


Risks of Real Property Ownership
- --------------------------------

                  General Risks of Real Property Ownership.  The Account will be
subject to the risks inherent in owning real property. They include fluctuations
in occupancy rates and operating expenses, unanticipated repairs and renovations
(particularly in older structures),  and variations in rental rates and property
values.  Many factors can  adversely  affect  rental rates and property  values.
These  include the state of the economy  (local,  national or global),  changing
supply and demand for the type of  properties  the Account  invests in,  natural
disasters or man-made  events,  zoning laws, real property tax rates,  and other
governmental rates and fiscal policies.

                  Operating the Account's real property mainly involves  renting
to tenants.  There are risks associated with rentals.  For example if a lease is
terminated  because  the  tenant  is unable  to pay the rent  (including  when a
bankruptcy court has rejected the tenant's lease),  the Account's cash flow will
be reduced.  If we terminate a lease,  we might not be able to find a new tenant
without  incurring a loss.  Any disputes with tenants could also involve  costly
litigation.

                  The inability to attract and retain tenants,  which means that
rental  income  declines,  is another  risk for the  Account.  Third  parties in
purchase-leaseback  transactions  may renege or default on rental  agreements or
rent  guarantees.  We also can't assure that operating a property will produce a
satisfactory  profit  because  operating  costs can  increase  in  relation to a
property's  gross rental  income.  In  particular,  property  taxes and utility,
maintenance,  and  insurance  costs may go up. The  Account  may have to advance
funds to third parties to

                                     - 21 -

<PAGE>


protect its investment,  or sell properties on disadvantageous terms in order to
raise needed funds.

                  While  the  Account   intends  to  reinvest   cash  flow  from
investments,  we can't  guarantee that those  investments  will generate  enough
income to pay the Account's operating and other expenses.

                  Resale of Real Property.  Because the Account  invests in real
property,  its  investments may be illiquid  compared to the  readily-marketable
securities  held by other  variable  annuity  accounts.  A poor  market for real
estate can make it harder to sell any particular  investment for its full value.
This could  lead to losses or reduced  profits  for the  Account.  The risk that
resale  will be  difficult  will  vary  with  the  size,  location,  and type of
investment.  The Account  might not be able to sell a property  at a  particular
time or price.  Although  the Account  ordinarily  would sell real  property for
cash,  the  Account  may at times  find it  necessary  to provide  financing  to
purchasers.

                  Risks  with  Purchase-Leaseback   Transactions.   Risks  under
purchase-leaseback  transactions  relate to the  ability  of the  lessee to make
required  payments to the  Account.  Because  subleases  are usually for shorter
terms than the leaseback,  the lessee's  ability to make payments to the Account
may depend on successfully renewing any subleases or finding new subtenants.  If
the leaseback  interest is subordinate to other  interests in the real property,
such as a first  mortgage  or  other  lien,  the risk to the  Account  increases
because the lessee may have to pay the senior lienholder to prevent  foreclosure
before  it  pays  the  Account.  If the  lessee  defaults  or the  leaseback  is
terminated prematurely,  the Account might not recover its investment unless the
property is sold or leased on favorable terms.

                  Properties  Acquired  Prior to Completion of  Development  and
Construction  and  Recently-Constructed  Properties.  If the Account  chooses to
develop a real property,  it faces the risk of delays or unexpected increases in
the cost of property  development  and  construction.  These risks can come from
over-building,  which lowers demand for rentals.  They can also be the result of
slower growth in local economies,  poor performance of local industries,  higher
interest  rates,  strikes,  bad  weather,  material  shortages,  or increases in
material and labor costs.  We can't  guarantee that once a property is developed
it will operate at the income and expense levels we projected before  developing
it. We also can't  guarantee  that a property  will be developed the same way we
originally planned.


                                     - 22 -

<PAGE>


                  The Account may buy  recently-constructed  properties that are
subject to agreements  with sellers that provide for certain  minimum  levels of
income.  We can't  guarantee  that the sellers or other  parties will be able to
carry out their  obligations  under those  agreements.  We also can't assure you
that when these agreements  expire or the seller defaults,  the operating income
from the  properties  will be enough to produce as good a return as the  Account
was getting from those properties before the expiration or default.

Risks of Joint Ownership
- ------------------------

                  Investing  in joint  venture  partnerships  or other  forms of
joint  property  ownership  sometimes  involves  risks  that  don't  apply  when
properties are owned directly.  These risks include the co-venturer's bankruptcy
or the  co-venturer's  having interests or goals  inconsistent with those of the
Account. If a co-venturer doesn't follow the Account's instructions or adhere to
the Account's  policies,  the  jointly-owned  properties,  and  consequently the
Account,  might be exposed to greater  liabilities than expected.  A co-venturer
also can make it harder for the  Account to transfer  its  interest in the joint
form of ownership. A co-venturer could have the right to decide whether and when
to sell the  property.  As a result,  it could be hard for the  Account  to sell
joint ownership investments.

Risks of Mortgage Loan Investments
- ----------------------------------

                  General Risks of Mortgage  Loans.  The main risk of a mortgage
loan  investment is that the borrower  defaults.  If that  happens,  the Account
would have to foreclose on the  underlying  property to protect the value of its
mortgage  loan,  or pursue other  remedies.  Since the Account will usually make
non-recourse  mortgage  loans,  it will  usually rely solely on the value of the
underlying property for its security. Mechanics',  materialmen's,  governmental,
and other liens on the property may have or obtain  priority  over the Account's
security interest.

                  The  unamortized  principal  amount due under a mortgage  loan
will be  payable in a lump sum  payment at the end of the loan term.  Unless the
borrower has large cash reserves, it may not be able to make this payment unless
it can refinance the mortgage loan with another lender.

                  If interest rates are volatile  during the investment  period,
the Account's variable-rate mortgage loans could have lower yields.

                  Prepayment Risks. The Account's mortgage loan investments will
usually  be subject  to the risk that the  borrower  decides to prepay the loan.
Prepayments can change the Account's

                                     - 23 -

<PAGE>



return  because we may be unable to reinvest the prepaid  proceeds at as good an
interest rate as the original mortgage loan rate.

                  Loan-to-Value  Ratio. The larger the mortgage loan compared to
the fair market value of the property  securing it, the greater the loan's risk.
The Account  therefore usually won't make mortgage loans of more than 85% of the
appraised  value  of the  property.  (It will  make  larger  loans  only if it's
compensated for the extra risk.) However,  we can't guarantee that if a borrower
defaults,  the Account will be able to sell the  property  for its  estimated or
appraised value.

                  Interest  Limitations.  Because state laws could change during
the  term of a loan  or for  other  reasons,  we  might  not  always  be able to
determine with  certainty  whether the interest rate we are charging on mortgage
loans  complies  with state  usury laws that limit  rates.  If we  inadvertently
violate  those laws,  we could incur such  penalties  as  restitution  of excess
interest, unenforceability of debt, and treble damages.

                  Risks of Participations.  A participating  mortgage loan could
have a  relatively  low  fixed  interest  rate  and  provide  for  payment  of a
percentage of revenues from the property or sale proceeds.  In that case, if the
property doesn't generate revenues or appreciate in value, the Account will have
given up a  potentially  greater fixed return  without  receiving the benefit of
appreciation.  It's also  possible that in very limited  circumstances,  a court
could  characterize  the Account's  participation  interest as a partnership  or
joint  venture with the  borrower.  The Account would then lose the priority its
security  interest  would  otherwise  have  been  given,  or be  liable  for the
borrower's debts.

General Risks of all Types of Real Estate-Related Investments
- -------------------------------------------------------------

                  Appraisal  Risks.  We may rely on appraisals  from real estate
professionals to value properties.  However, appraisals are only estimates based
on the professional's  opinion and may not be the amount the Account receives if
it sells the  property.  If  appraisals  are too high,  participants  sending in
premiums will be credited with fewer  accumulation  units than if the value were
lower.  Participants  withdrawing  funds or receiving income when appraisals are
too high will receive more money than they would otherwise be entitled to, which
hurts other  participants.  If appraisals are too low,  participants  sending in
premiums would be credited with too many accumulation  units,  which hurts other
participants.  Payments to  participants  making cash  withdrawals  or receiving
income would be lower when  appraisals  are too low than they would have been if
the appraisals were higher.


                                     - 24 -

<PAGE>


                  Inaccurate  appraisals  can also  affect the fees the  Account
pays to TIAA, since TIAA's fees are based on the Account's value (see "Conflicts
of Interest," page 30).

                  Investment Opportunities;  Size of Account. We can't guarantee
that good  investment  opportunities  will  come up at the same  time  funds are
available for investment. In addition, the Account may have to forego investment
opportunities if it does not have sufficient money to invest.

                  It  will  be  more   difficult  to  diversify   the  Account's
investments  when the Account is small.  Returns from the Account would, in that
case, be more dependent on the  performance  of any one  investment  than if the
Account were larger and more diversified.

                  Casualty Losses.  We will try to arrange for, or require proof
of, comprehensive insurance,  including liability,  fire, and extended coverage,
for the  Account's  real  property and  properties  securing  mortgage  loans or
subject to purchase-leaseback transactions.  However, some types of catastrophic
losses are  uninsurable  or so expensive to insure  against that it doesn't make
sense to buy  insurance  for them.  These may include  losses from  earthquakes,
wars,  nuclear  accidents,  floods,  or environmental  or industrial  hazards or
accidents.  If a disaster that we haven't insured  against  occurs,  the Account
could lose both  invested  principal  and any future  profits  from the property
affected.

                  Some leases may permit a tenant to terminate  its  obligations
in certain catastrophic situations, regardless of whether those events are fully
covered by insurance.  In that case, the Account would not receive rental income
from the property while that tenant's space is vacant.

                  Regulatory  and   Environmental   Risks.   The  imposition  of
restrictive  zoning  regulations  and land use  controls,  strict  air and water
quality standards, and noise pollution regulations by local, state, federal, and
foreign  governmental  authorities  could  limit the  availability  of  suitable
investments  for the Account and could increase any  construction  and operating
costs of the Account.

                  In   addition,   changes   in  local,   state,   federal,   or
international  environmental  regulations on the use or presence of hazardous or
toxic  materials  or waste  could  raise  the  cost of  owning  and  maintaining
properties. It could be harder for the Account to maintain, sell, rent, finance,
or refinance  properties  or property  interests  affected by new  environmental
regulations   because  of  the  increased   costs   associated  with  regulatory
compliance. Under some federal statutes, the Account's potential

                                     - 25 -

<PAGE>



liability  for  environmental  damage  could  exceed the value of the  Account's
investment in a property.

                  Under  various  federal,   state,   and  local   environmental
regulations,  a current or previous property owner or operator,  and sometimes a
mortgagee,  may be liable for the cost of removing or  cleaning-up  hazardous or
toxic substances on, in or released from a property. The Account could be liable
for those  costs on its  properties,  even if we  didn't  know of,  and  weren't
responsible  for, the presence or release of the hazardous or toxic  substances.
The presence of any  hazardous or toxic  substances,  or the failure to clean up
those  substances  properly,  can  limit an  owner's  ability  to sell or rent a
property.  The Account  could also be liable for the cost of removal or clean up
of those  substances at a disposal or treatment  facility,  even if we don't own
the facility. Under current environmental regulations,  the cost of any required
clean-up and the liability of the owner,  operator,  or mortgagee is usually not
limited and could exceed the  property's  value or the  aggregate  assets of the
owner or operator.  In an extreme  case,  the Account could be required to incur
significant  costs because of a single real estate investment if it were legally
required to pay for cleaning up an environmental hazard.

                  Various environmental regulations also require property owners
or operators to monitor  business  activities on their  premises that affect the
environment.  Failure to comply with those  requirements could make it difficult
to lease or sell any  affected  property  or subject  the  Account  to  monetary
penalties.

Risks of REIT Investments
- -------------------------

                  REITs invest in real property and mortgages, and therefore are
subject to many of the same general risks  associated  with direct real property
ownership.  In particular,  equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value
of the  underlying  property  owned by the trust,  while  mortgage  REITs may be
affected by the  quality of any credit  extended.  In  addition to these  risks,
because REIT  investments are securities,  they may be exposed to market risk --
price  volatility  due to changing  conditions in the financial  markets and, in
particular, changes in overall interest rates.

Risks of Liquid Investments
- ---------------------------

                  The Account's  investments in securities and other instruments
are subject to several  types of risks.  One is financial  risk,  which for debt
securities and other  fixed-income  instruments  comes from the  possibility the
issuer  won't be able to pay  principal  and  interest  when due.  For common or
preferred  stock,  it comes  from the  possibility  that  the  issuer's  current
earnings will fall or that its overall financial soundness will

                                     - 26 -

<PAGE>


decline. Another kind of risk is market risk -- price volatility due to changing
conditions  in the  financial  markets and,  particularly  for debt  securities,
changes in overall interest rates.  Finally,  volatile interest rates may affect
current income from an investment.

Other Risks
- -----------

                  Risk  of  Unspecified  Investments.  As of the  date  of  this
prospectus, the Account has invested only a portion of its assets in real estate
and we can't  tell  you with  certainty  when and if the  Account  will be fully
invested. While we intend to supplement this prospectus periodically to describe
the Account's  property  investments,  it is unlikely that  supplements  will be
available for your review prior to the completion of a property acquisition.  As
a  result,  if you  invest in the  Account  you won't  have the  opportunity  to
evaluate for yourself the economic  merit of any property  investments  that the
Account may make.  You therefore  must rely solely upon the judgment and ability
of TIAA to select investments consistent with the Account's investment objective
and policies.

                  Investment  Company  Act of 1940.  We  intend to  operate  the
Account so that it will not have to register as an  "investment  company"  under
the 1940 Act. This will require  monitoring  the Account's  portfolio so that it
won't have more than 40% of total assets (other than U.S. Government  securities
and cash items) in investment  securities  (as defined under the 1940 Act). As a
result,  the  Account  may  be  unable  to  make  some  potentially   profitable
investments.

                                  ROLE OF TIAA

                  TIAA plays a  significant  role in  operating  the Real Estate
Account.  The Account is managed by TIAA. In addition,  TIAA's  general  account
supplied the Account's  initial  capital,  or "seed money." On an ongoing basis,
TIAA's general account provides a liquidity guarantee -- i.e., TIAA ensures that
the Account has funds available to meet transfer or cash withdrawal requests.
(See "Liquidity Guarantee," page 28.)

Seed Money
- ----------

                  On July 3, 1995, TIAA  contributed $100 million to the Account
in exchange for $100  million in  accumulation  units,  to enable the Account to
purchase a diverse  portfolio of  properties  without  having to wait to receive
premiums.

                  On September 16, 1996, in  accordance  with a five-year  fixed
repayment schedule approved by the New York Insurance Department,  TIAA began to
redeem the accumulation  units related to its seed money  investment.  TIAA will
redeem a pro rata

                                     - 27 -

<PAGE>


portion of the  accumulation  units monthly over a 60-month  period  (16,666.667
units per month).

                  TIAA's accumulation units are being redeemed by the Account at
net asset value at the time of redemption.

                  Because of its seed money investment,  TIAA owned accumulation
units representing 62.9% of the Account's net assets, as of June 30, 1996.

Liquidity Guarantee
- -------------------

                  Subject  to  federal  income  tax  considerations  and,  where
applicable,  the terms of your plan, you can redeem  accumulation units daily by
making cash  withdrawals  or transfers  from the Account.  If the Account's cash
flow  (from  premiums  and  investment   income)  and  liquid   investments  are
insufficient to fund redemption requests,  TIAA's general account will fund them
by purchasing  accumulation units. When TIAA purchases units to keep the Account
liquid  ("liquidity  units") or TIAA sells  liquidity units back to the Account,
the number of accumulation  units TIAA holds will go up or down. TIAA guarantees
that you can redeem  your  accumulation  units at their then  current  daily net
asset value. Of course, you can only make a cash withdrawal  consistent with the
terms of your plan.

                  As TIAA buys liquidity units, it may end up owning more of the
Real Estate Account than anticipated.  An independent fiduciary (see below) will
monitor whether  liquidity  units held by TIAA's general account have,  together
with the accumulation units representing  TIAA's seed money investment (if still
not redeemed), exceeded a specific percentage of the Account's total outstanding
accumulation  units. If so, TIAA may be required to redeem some of its liquidity
units. The independent  fiduciary may require the number of liquidity units TIAA
holds to be reduced when the Account has uninvested  cash or liquid  investments
available.  The independent fiduciary may also select properties for the Account
to sell so that TIAA can redeem  liquidity  units.  See "Role of the Independent
Fiduciary," below.

                  The Account pays TIAA for the  liquidity  guarantee  through a
daily deduction from net assets. See "Liquidity Guarantee Deduction," page 40.


TIAA's ERISA Fiduciary Status
- -----------------------------

                  To the  extent  that  assets  of a plan  subject  to ERISA are
allocated to the  Account,  TIAA will be acting as an  "investment  manager" (as
that term is defined  under  ERISA) and a fiduciary  under ERISA with respect to
those assets.

                                     - 28 -

<PAGE>


Role of the Independent Fiduciary
- ---------------------------------

                  TIAA's  purchase  and sale of liquidity  units raises  certain
technical  issues  under  ERISA.  TIAA  therefore  applied  for and  received  a
prohibited  transaction exemption from the U.S. Department of Labor (PTE 96-76).
In connection with the exemption,  TIAA has appointed an "independent fiduciary"
for the Real Estate Account.

                  Institutional   Property   Consultants,   Inc.,  a  registered
investment  adviser in business since 1983, serves as the Account's  independent
fiduciary. The independent fiduciary's  responsibilities  include: (1) reviewing
and approving the Account's  investment  guidelines and any changes to them; (2)
monitoring  whether the  properties  the Account buys conform to the  investment
guidelines;  (3) reviewing and approving valuation procedures and any changes to
them; (4) approving adjustments to any property valuations that change the value
of the  property  or the Account as a whole  above or below  certain  prescribed
levels,  or  that  are  made  within  three  months  of the  annual  independent
appraisal;  (5) reviewing and  approving how we value  accumulation  and annuity
units;  (6)  approving  the  appointment  of  all  independent  appraisers;  (7)
reviewing  the  purchase  and sale of units  by TIAA to  ensure  that we use the
correct unit values;  and (8) reviewing the seed money redemption  schedule.  If
the  independent  fiduciary  believes  that any of the  properties  have changed
materially, or that an additional appraisal is otherwise necessary to assure the
Account has correctly valued a property, it can require appraisals besides those
normally conducted.

                  After (and, if necessary,  before) the period during which the
Account must repay TIAA's seed money investment,  the independent fiduciary will
calculate  the  percentage  of total  accumulation  units that TIAA's  ownership
shouldn't  exceed (the "trigger  point").  The  independent  fiduciary will also
create a method for changing the trigger  point.  It must approve any adjustment
of TIAA's  interest  in the Account  and can  require an  adjustment.  If TIAA's
investment  reaches the trigger point,  the  independent  fiduciary may plan and
participate  in any program for selling the Account's  assets.  This can include
selecting properties for sale,  providing sales guidelines,  and approving those
sales that,  in the  independent  fiduciary's  opinion,  are desirable to reduce
TIAA's ownership in the Account or to facilitate winding down the Account.

                  The  independent  fiduciary  will supervise the Account during
any winding down of operations. It will review any

                                     - 29 -

<PAGE>


program for selling the assets of the Account during that time.  This review can
include  selecting the properties to be sold,  providing sales  guidelines,  and
approving  the sale of the  properties  in the  Account,  if in the  independent
fiduciary's opinion, the sales would facilitate winding down.

                  The   independent   fiduciary   will  also  review  any  other
transactions  or matters  involving  the Account that TIAA submits for review to
determine  whether  those  transactions  are  fair  and  in the  Account's  best
interest.

                  TIAA appointed the independent fiduciary for a five-year term,
and has  established  a special  subcommittee  of the Mortgage  Committee of its
Board of  Trustees  with  authority  to renew  the  appointment  or  remove  the
independent fiduciary. When the term ends, the independent fiduciary will not be
reappointed unless more than 60% of the subcommittee members approve. Before the
term ends, the independent fiduciary can be removed for cause by the vote of the
majority of subcommittee  members.  In addition,  the independent  fiduciary can
resign after at least 180 days' written  notice.  If the  independent  fiduciary
resigns or is removed, the special subcommittee will appoint a successor.

                  TIAA pays the independent  fiduciary directly.  The investment
management  charge deducted from the Account's  assets and paid to TIAA includes
TIAA's costs for retaining the independent fiduciary.  The independent fiduciary
will receive less than 5% of its annual income,  including  payment for services
to the Real Estate Account during its term as independent fiduciary, from TIAA.

                  Your decision as a participant  or plan fiduciary to invest in
the Account will  constitute  your  approval  and  acceptance  of  Institutional
Property  Consultants,   Inc.  or  any  successor  to  serve  as  the  Account's
independent  fiduciary,  after full and fair  disclosure  has been made by TIAA,
including the disclosure in this prospectus.

                              CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

                  TIAA is a nonprofit company and will not accept acquisition or
placement fees for services  provided to the Account.  However,  the same people
who oversee the Account's real estate and non-real  estate  investments may also
buy, sell, and manage the real  estate-related  and other  investments of TIAA's
general account. This could create conflicts of interest.

                  The  potential  for  conflicts of interest  can arise  because
TIAA's general account may sometimes compete with the Real Estate Account in the
purchase or sale of  investments.  However,  we do not expect many  conflicts to
arise because the Real Estate Account and TIAA's  general  account will normally
have

                                     - 30 -

<PAGE>


different investment and sale objectives and will generally not be in the market
to purchase or sell the same types of properties at the same time.  Whenever the
investment  or sale  objectives  of the Real Estate  Account and TIAA's  general
account are similar, we will use the following procedures to eliminate conflicts
of interest:  The decision, in the first instance, as to whether the Real Estate
Account or TIAA's  general  account  will  purchase  or sell a property  will be
determined  by such  factors as which  account  has cash  available  to make the
purchase,  the effect the purchase or sale will have on the  diversification  of
each account's portfolio,  the estimated future cash flow of the portfolios with
regard to both purchases or sales, and other relevant legal or investment policy
factors.  If this  analysis  does not clearly  determine  which  account  should
participate in a transaction, a rotation system will be used.

                  Potential  conflicts of interest could also arise because some
properties in TIAA's general account may compete for tenants with properties the
Account owns or has an interest in.

                  The decision as to whether  properties owned by the Account or
TIAA's  general  account will lease space to a tenant will be determined by such
factors as the  tenant's  preference  between the two  properties,  how much the
tenant is willing to pay for rent, and which property can best afford to pay any
required costs associated with such leasing.

                  Many of the personnel of TIAA involved in performing  services
to the Real  Estate  Account  will have  competing  demands on their  time.  The
personnel  will  devote  such  time to the  affairs  of the  Account  as  TIAA's
management  determines,  in  its  sole  discretion  exercising  good  faith,  is
necessary to properly service the Account.  TIAA believes that it has sufficient
personnel to discharge its  responsibility  to both the general  account and the
Account and to avoid conflicts of interest.

Indemnification
- ---------------

                  The Account has agreed to indemnify  TIAA and its  affiliates,
including its officers and directors,  against  certain  liabilities,  including
liabilities  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933.  The  Account  may  make  such
indemnification out of its assets.


                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

                  The Account  began  operating on July 3, 1995 and interests in
the Account began being offered to participants on October 2, 1995.


                                     - 31 -

<PAGE>



                  The Account's first real estate acquisition closed on November
22,  1995.  Through  June 30,  1996,  the Account  acquired a total of nine real
estate  properties,  representing  50.90%  of  the  Account's  total  investment
portfolio. These included two industrial properties, three neighborhood shopping
centers,  one  office  property  and  three  apartment  complexes.  The  Account
purchased  an  additional  shopping  center  property in early July,  1996.  The
Account continues to pursue suitable property acquisitions,  and is currently in
various  stages of  negotiations  with a number of  prospective  sellers.  While
attractive  acquisition  prospects are available in the current market, there is
significant competition for the desirable properties.

                  As of June 30 1996,  49.10%  of the  Account's  portfolio  was
invested in marketable  securities.  These  investments  consisted of eight real
estate  investment  trusts  (REITs),  representing  2.93% of the portfolio,  and
various short-term instruments, representing 46.17% of the portfolio.

Results of Operations
- ---------------------

                  The Account's net investment  income,  after  deduction of all
expenses, was $2,640,397 for the period from July 3 (the Account's inception) to
December 31, 1995 and  $4,720,855  for the six months  ended June 30,  1996.  In
addition,  the Account had net realized and  unrealized  gains on investments of
$35,603 for the period from July 3 to December 31, 1995 and $688,885 for the six
month  period  ended  June 30,  1996.  While  the  Account's  gains in 1995 were
generated solely by short-term investments,  net unrealized gains on real estate
properties  accounted  for  approximately  88% of the net  change in  unrealized
appreciation  for the six month period ended June 30, 1996.  Such gains resulted
from the periodic  revaluations  of the Account's  properties.  These gains were
based,  in  part,  on the fact  that our  experience  operating  the  properties
provided us with better  estimates of future income and expenses,  and, in part,
on  increasing  prices  for  certain  property  types held by the  Account.  The
Account's  total  return was 3.74% for the six month  period ended June 30, 1996
and its  cumulative  total  return was 5.11% for the period from October 2, 1995
(the effective date of the Account's initial registration statement) to June 30,
1996.

                 While much of the Account's  investment  income received during
1995  was  generated  by  short-term  investments,  approximately  53.5%  of the
Account's total  investment  income  received during the six-month  period ended
June 30, 1996 was  generated by the  Account's  real estate  holdings,  with the
remainder  generated  by  marketable  securities  investments.  As  the  Account
approaches its goal of being  approximately  70% to 80% invested in real estate,
the  Account's  future  investment  income will be  affected to an even  greater
degree by its real estate  holdings.  Assuming little change in current economic
conditions,

                                     - 32 -

<PAGE>


this anticipated  increase in real estate holdings should have a positive impact
on the Account's total return.

                    The Account's gross real estate income was $165,762  through
December  31,  1995 and  $3,933,580  for the six  months  ended  June 30,  1996.
Interest  income on the Account's  short-term  investments  totalled  $2,820,229
through December 31, 1995 and $2,283,539 for the six month period ended June 30,
1996. Dividend income on the Account's  investments in REITs totalled $8,671 and
$60,825,  respectively,  for the same  periods.  Total  property-level  expenses
through  December 31, 1995 were $43,832 and were  comprised of real estate taxes
and other operating expenses.  Total property-level  expenses for the six months
ended June 30, 1996 were $1,234,293 of which $405,405 were  attributable to real
estate taxes and $828,888 to other operating expenses. The Account also incurred
expenses  through  December 31, 1995 and for the six month period ended June 30,
1996 of $228,136 and $180,588,  respectively,  for investment  advisory services
provided by TIAA,  $66,320 and $123,311,  respectively,  for  administrative and
distribution   services  provided  by  TIAA-CREF  Individual  and  Institutional
Services,  Inc. and $16,582 and $18,897,  respectively,  for the  mortality  and
expense risks assumed and the liquidity  guarantee provided by TIAA. Because the
Account began accepting  contributions from participants on October 2, 1995, the
charges for administrative and distribution  services,  as well as for mortality
and expense risks and the liquidity guarantee only began as of that date.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

                  In  addition  to  TIAA's   initial  $100  million  seed  money
investment,  the Account has  received  over $61.2  million in premiums  and net
participant  transfers from  accumulations in other TIAA and CREF accounts since
it began operating through June 30, 1996. It earned $7,361,252 in net investment
income in that period.  The Account  purchased  real estate  properties  costing
$85,317,574  million  through June 30, 1996.  At June 30,  1996,  the  Account's
liquid assets (i.e., its short-term investments,  REIT investments and cash) had
a value of  $83,200,719.  We expect that much of this amount will be used by the
Account to purchase additional suitable real estate properties, as opportunities
become  available.  The  remaining  assets  will  continue  to  be  invested  in
marketable  securities to meet expense needs and redemption requests (e.g., cash
withdrawals or transfers).

                  If  the  Account's  cash  flows  from  operating   activities,
participant  transactions and liquid  investments aren't enough to meet its cash
needs  including  redemption  requests,  TIAA's  general  account will  purchase
liquidity units in accordance with the liquidity guarantee.


                                     - 33 -

<PAGE>


                  On September 16, 1996, in  accordance  with a five-year  fixed
repayment schedule approved by the New York Insurance Department,  TIAA began to
redeem the accumulation  units related to its seed money  investment.  TIAA will
redeem a pro rata  portion of the  accumulation  units  monthly  over a 60-month
period (16,666.667 units per month).

                  No  major  capital  expenditures  for  any of  the  properties
purchased  through  June 30,  1996 have been made or are  expected to be made in
1996.  There are no leases  expiring in the  industrial or office  properties in
1996 and only a small portion of the leased space in the  neighborhood  shopping
centers  is due to expire in 1996.  We do not  expect  the  Account to incur any
major construction costs or leasing commissions in order to re-lease that space.
For the  apartment  complexes,  we expect  the  Account  to incur  only  routine
recurring costs to re-lease  apartments that become vacant,  i.e.,  painting and
carpet cleaning or replacement.

Effects of Inflation
- --------------------

                  In recent years, inflation has been modest. To the extent that
inflation may increase property operating expenses in the future, such increases
can generally be billed to tenants either through  contractual  lease provisions
in office,  industrial,  and retail  properties  or through  rent  increases  in
apartment  complexes.  However,  to the  extent  there  is  unrented  space in a
property,  the  Account  may not be able to  recover  the  full  amount  of such
increases in operating expenses.


                               VALUATION OF ASSETS

                  We  value  the  Account's  assets  as of  the  close  of  each
valuation  day. The Account's net asset value at the end of any valuation day is
equal to the sum of: (i) the value of the Account's cash, cash equivalents,  and
short-term  and other debt  instruments;  (ii) the value of any of the Account's
other securities investments;  (iii) the value of the individual real properties
and other real  estate-related  investments owned by the Account,  determined as
described below; and (iv) an estimate of the accrued net operating income earned
by the  Account  from real  properties  and  certain  other real  estate-related
investments,   reduced  by  the  Account's  liabilities,   including  the  daily
investment  management fee and certain other expenses  attributable to operating
the Account (see "Expense Deductions," page 39).

                  Your  premiums  purchase   accumulation   units.  The  Account
calculates  accumulation  unit values daily.  Accumulation unit value depends on
the  Account's net  investment  income and any realized and  unrealized  capital
gains or losses from its investments. Your retirement income is based on annuity
units.  We  calculate  annuity  unit  values for each year on March 31, but each
month we also calculate interim annuity unit values that

                                     - 34 -

<PAGE>



remain in effect until the next March 31 (for more, see "Annuity Payments," page
56).

                  Our valuation  procedures are described below. The independent
fiduciary approves these procedures and any changes to them (see page 29).


Valuing Real Estate-Related Investments
- ---------------------------------------

                  Valuation   Methods  for  Real   Property.   Individual   real
properties  including  purchase-leasebacks  and joint ventures will initially be
valued at their  purchase  prices.  (Prices  include  all  expenses  related  to
purchase,  such as acquisition fees, legal fees and expenses,  and other closing
costs.) However, we could use a different value in appropriate circumstances.

                  After this initial  valuation,  an independent  appraiser will
value  properties at least once a year. The  independent  fiduciary must approve
all independent appraisers that the Account hires. The independent fiduciary can
require  additional  appraisals  if it  believes  that a  property  has  changed
materially or otherwise to assure that the Account is valued correctly.

                  Quarterly,  we will conduct an internal  review of each of the
Account's  properties.  We'll adjust a valuation if we believe that the value of
the property has changed since the previous valuation. We'll continue to use the
revised  value to calculate  the Account's net asset value until the next review
or appraisal.  However,  we can adjust the value of a property in the interim to
reflect what we believe are actual changes in property value.

                  The  Account's  net asset value will include the current value
of any note  receivable  (an amount that  someone  else owes the  Account)  from
selling a real estate-related  investment.  We'll estimate the value of the note
by applying a discount rate appropriate to then-current market conditions.

                  Valuation  Methods  for  Conventional  Mortgages.   Individual
mortgages will initially be valued at their face amount. Thereafter,  quarterly,
we'll value the Account's fixed interest mortgage loans by discounting  payments
of  principal  and  interest  to  their  present  value  (using  a rate at which
commercial  lenders would make similar  mortgage loans of comparable  maturity).
We'll also use this method for foreign mortgages with conventional terms.

            We'll adjust mortgage values quarterly using this formula, unless we
believe  that  it's  necessary  to  adjust  them  more  frequently.   We'll  get
information about commercial  lenders by surveying typical lending  institutions
and from other sources.

                                     - 35 -

<PAGE>



                  Valuation  Methods  for  Participating  Mortgages.  Individual
mortgages will initially be valued at their face amount. Thereafter,  quarterly,
we'll  calculate the values of the Account's  mortgage loans with  participation
features.  To do so we'll make various assumptions about occupancy rates, rental
rates,  expense levels,  capitalization rates upon sale, and other things. We'll
use these  assumptions  to project the cash flow from each  investment  over the
term of the loan, or sometimes over a shorter period.  For these purposes,  cash
flow includes fixed interest,  the  participation  feature,  and any anticipated
share in sale  proceeds.  To calculate  asset value,  we'll assume that the real
property  underlying  each investment will be sold at the end of the period used
in the  valuation  at a price  based on market  assumptions  for the time of the
projected sale.  Although we use this time period to calculate asset values,  it
doesn't mean that the Account will actually hold the investment for that period.
We chose it simply as a frame of reference for estimating asset values.

                  After we calculate estimated cash flows and sale proceeds,  we
discount them to their present value (using rates  appropriate  to  then-current
market conditions). We can then estimate the value of the mortgage.

                  Net Operating Income.  The Account usually receives  operating
income  from its real  properties  and  other  real  estate-related  investments
intermittently,  not daily.  We believe it is fairer to participants to estimate
the  Account's  net  operating  income  rather than applying it when we actually
receive  it.  Therefore,  we assume  that the  Account  has earned  (accrued)  a
proportionate  amount of that  estimated  amount daily.  However,  because these
estimates  might not turn out to be accurate,  you bear the risk that,  until we
adjust the estimates, we could be under- or overvaluing the Account.

                  The Account's  estimated net operating income from real estate
assets will be based on estimates  of revenues  and expenses for each  property.
Every year, we'll prepare a month-by-month estimate of the revenues and expenses
("estimated net operating  income") for each of the Account's  properties.  Each
day, we'll add the  appropriate  fraction of the estimated net operating  income
for the month to the Account's net asset value, as determined  above. In effect,
the Account will have a daily  accrued  receivable  equal to the  estimated  net
operating income from each of its properties.

                  Every  month,  the  Account  will  receive  a report of actual
operating  results for each property  ("actual net operating  income").  We will
then recognize the actual net operating income on the accounting  records of the
Account.  We will also adjust  accordingly the daily accrued  receivable that is
then outstanding. As the Account actually receives cash from a

                                     - 36 -

<PAGE>


property,   we'll  adjust  the  daily  accrued  receivable  and  other  accounts
appropriately.

Appraisals and Realizable Value of Investments
- ----------------------------------------------

                  The  Account's net asset value won't  necessarily  reflect the
true or realizable value of the Account's  assets (i.e.,  what the Account would
get if it sold them). We believe that we use reasonable assumptions,  estimates,
and formulas to calculate the values of the Account's  investments.  However, we
can't  guarantee  the Account will receive that amount when it sells a property.
We also expect that the Account will sell some of its real  properties  for cash
and notes (i.e., promises to pay in the future),  rather than cash alone. In the
future,  the  amount of the note could be greater or less than the amount of the
cash.

                  TIAA  will  use  annual  independent  appraisals  of the  real
properties in calculating asset values.  However,  appraisals are only estimates
and don't  necessarily  reflect an  investment's  true or realizable  value.  If
necessary,  TIAA will have  properties  appraised more frequently than currently
planned.

                  Adjustments.  We can adjust the values of an  investment if we
believe events or market  conditions  have increased or decreased the realizable
value of that  investment.  We might do so, for  example,  if an event  directly
affects a property or its surrounding  area. We could also make  adjustments for
events  that  affect a  borrower's  or  lessee's  ability to make  payments on a
mortgage loan or leaseback.  We can't assure that we will always become aware of
each  event  that  might  require a  valuation  adjustment.  Also,  because  our
evaluation is based on subjective factors and interpretations,  we cannot assure
you that we will make  adjustments in all cases where changing  conditions could
affect  the  value  of  the  real  property  investments,   mortgage  loans,  or
leasebacks.

                  The independent  fiduciary will approve any adjustments to any
valuation of one or more properties which results in an increase or decrease of:
(1) more than 6% of the value of any of the Account's  properties since the last
independent annual appraisal; (2) more than 2% in the value of the Account since
the prior  month;  or (3) more than 4% in the value of the  Account  within  any
quarter. The independent fiduciary will also approve adjustments to any property
valuation that are made within three months of the annual independent appraisal.

                  Right  to  Change  Valuation  Methods.  If we  decide  that  a
different  valuation  method  would  reflect  the  value of an  investment  more
accurately,  we may use  that  method  if the  independent  fiduciary  consents.
Changes in TIAA's valuation  methods could change the Account's net asset value.
This, in

                                     - 37 -

<PAGE>



turn, could change the values at which participants purchase Account interests.

Valuing Liquid Investments
- --------------------------

                  Debt  Securities  and  Money  Market  Instruments.   We  value
fixed-income  securities  (including money market  instruments) for which market
quotations are readily  available at the most recent bid price or the equivalent
quoted yield for those securities (or those of comparable maturity, quality, and
type). We obtain values for money market instruments with maturities of one year
or less either from one or more of the major market makers for those  securities
or from  one or  more  financial  information  services.  We use an  independent
pricing service to value securities with maturities  longer than one year except
when we  believe  prices  do not  accurately  reflect  the  fair  value of these
securities.

                  Equity Securities. We value equity securities listed or traded
on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange at their last sale
price on the valuation  day. If no sale is reported that day, we use the mean of
the  closing bid and asked  prices.  Equity  securities  listed or traded on any
other exchange are valued in a comparable manner on the principal exchange where
traded.

                  We value equity securities traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market's
National  Market at their last sale price on the  valuation  day.  If no sale is
reported  that day, we use the mean of the closing bid and asked  prices.  Other
U.S.  over-the-counter  equity  securities are valued at the mean of the closing
bid and asked prices.

                  Foreign  Securities.  To value investments traded on a foreign
exchange or in foreign markets,  we use their closing values under the generally
accepted valuation method in the country where traded, as of the valuation date.
We convert this to U.S.  dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the valuation
day.

                  Investments  Lacking  Current  Market  Quotations.   We  value
securities or other assets for which market quotations are not readily available
at fair value as  determined  in good faith under the  direction of the Mortgage
Committee   of  TIAA's   Board  of   Trustees   and  in   accordance   with  the
responsibilities of TIAA's Board as a whole.


                                     - 38 -

<PAGE>



                 MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT ADVISORY ARRANGEMENTS

                  The  Account  doesn't  have  its own  management  or  board of
directors.  Rather,  TIAA  employees,  under the direction and control of TIAA's
Board of Trustees and Mortgage Committee, manage the investment and reinvestment
of the Account's assets pursuant to investment  management procedures adopted by
TIAA for the  Account.  You don't have the right to vote on the  management  and
operation of the Account directly;  however,  you may send ballots to advise the
TIAA  Board of  Overseers  about  voting  for  nominees  for the  TIAA  Board of
Trustees.

                  TIAA's investment management responsibilities include research
and  recommending  and  placing  orders  for  securities,   real  estate-related
investments,  and other investments.  TIAA's investment management decisions for
the Account may be subject to review and approval by the  Account's  independent
fiduciary (see page 29).

                  TIAA also provides all portfolio  accounting,  custodial,  and
related services for the Account.  In performing these services,  TIAA employees
will act  consistent  with the Account's  investment  objective,  policies,  and
restrictions (see page 13).

                  TIAA  provides all  services to the Account at cost.  For more
about the charge for investment management services,  see "Investment Management
Expense Deduction," below.

                  For  information  about the Trustees and  principal  executive
officers of TIAA, see Appendix B to this prospectus.

                               EXPENSE DEDUCTIONS

                  Deductions  are made each valuation day from the net assets of
the Account for various services required to manage investments,  administer the
Account and the  contracts,  and to cover certain risks borne by TIAA.  Services
are performed at cost by TIAA and TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services,
Inc.  ("Services"),  a  non-profit  subsidiary  of TIAA.  Because  services  are
provided at cost, we expect that expense deductions will be relatively low. TIAA
guarantees  that in the aggregate,  the expense  charges will never be more than
2.50% of average net assets per year.

Investment Management Expense Deduction
- ---------------------------------------

                  This  deduction  is for TIAA's  investment  advice,  portfolio
accounting, and custodial and similar services,  including independent fiduciary
and appraisal  services.  The current daily  deduction is equivalent to 0.40% of
net assets annually.


                                     - 39 -

<PAGE>


Administrative and Distribution Expense Deduction
- -------------------------------------------------

                  This deduction is for Services'  administrative expenses, such
as allocating  premiums and paying annuity income,  and for expenses  related to
the  distribution of the contracts.  The current daily deduction for the Account
is  equivalent  to  0.23%  of  net  assets  annually,  of  which  0.20%  is  for
administrative services and 0.03% is for distribution services.

Mortality and Expense Risk Deduction
- ------------------------------------

                  TIAA  imposes  a daily  charge  as  compensation  for  bearing
certain  mortality and expense  risks.  The current daily  deduction is equal to
0.05% of net assets annually. Accumulations and annuity payments aren't affected
by changes in actual mortality experience or by TIAA's actual expenses.

Liquidity Guarantee Deduction
- -----------------------------

                  This deduction is for TIAA's liquidity guarantees. The current
daily deduction for the Account is equivalent to 0.02% of net assets annually.

Quarterly Adjustment
- --------------------

                  Normally  within 30 days  after the end of every  quarter,  we
reconcile how much we deducted as discussed  above with the expenses the Account
actually incurred.  If there's a difference,  we add it to or deduct it from the
Account in equal daily  installments  over the  remaining  days in the  quarter.
TIAA's board can revise the deduction rates from time to time to keep deductions
as close as possible to actual expenses.

No Deductions from Premiums or on Withdrawals
- ---------------------------------------------

                  Currently  there are no expense  deductions from your premiums
or amounts you  withdraw in cash,  although  TIAA  reserves  the right to deduct
expenses in the future.

Brokerage Rees and Related Transaction Expenses
- -----------------------------------------------

                  Brokers' commissions, transfer taxes, and other portfolio fees
are charged directly to the Real Estate Account.


                              THE ANNUITY CONTRACTS

                  TIAA offers the Real Estate Account as a variable component of
a number of different  accumulating  annuity  contracts:  a  Retirement  Annuity
("RA"); a Group Retirement  Annuity ("GRA");  a Supplemental  Retirement Annuity
("SRA"); a Group Supplemental Retirement Annuity ("GSRA"); and a Rollover

                                     - 40 -

<PAGE>


Individual  Retirement Annuity ("Rollover IRA"). Subject to regulatory approval,
we plan to offer an  Individual  Retirement  Annuity  that  accepts  both direct
contributions and rollovers (the "New IRA") and a Keogh Plan Annuity  ("Keogh").
(We refer to the  Rollover  IRA and New IRA  collectively  as the  "IRAs".)  The
availability  of the Account  under the  contracts  also may be subject to state
regulatory approval.

                  RAs, SRAs,  IRAs, and Keoghs are issued to you directly.  GRAs
and GSRAs are issued under the terms of a group  contract.  Neither you nor your
beneficiaries  can assign your  ownership  of a TIAA  contract  to anyone  else,
except as a result of a  qualified  domestic  relations  order as defined by the
IRC.  Currently TIAA makes no deductions from your premiums,  but we reserve the
right to do so in the future.

                  TIAA also offers the Real Estate Account through various types
of  income-paying  contracts.  These  are  described  beginning  on page 51.  In
addition,  the Account may be available  under  certain  unallocated  TIAA group
annuity contracts issued to employers.

Right to Cancel Contract
- ------------------------

                  You can cancel any TIAA RA, SRA,  GSRA,  IRA or Keogh contract
up to 30 days after you first  receive it,  unless it's one under which  annuity
payments have begun. This right to cancel applies only if you don't already have
an existing TIAA contract,  not simply if you're receiving a Real Estate Account
contract rider for the first time. To cancel a contract,  mail or deliver it and
a signed Notice of  Cancellation  to TIAA's home office.  If asked to cancel the
contract,  TIAA will do so as of its date of issue, then send the entire current
accumulation,  including premiums,  deductions (if any), and investment gains or
losses, back to the premium remitter (although in some states we are required to
send back your entire  premium and any  deductions,  without  accounting for any
interim investment  results).  If you're considering  canceling a TIAA contract,
consult your employer.

RA and GRA Contracts
- --------------------

                  RA and GRA  contracts  are used mainly for  employer-sponsored
retirement  plans set up under  sections  401(a),  403(a)  and 403(b) of the IRC
(and, in limited cases, other types of  employer-sponsored  plans).  Your rights
under  these  contracts  may be  subject  to  vesting  requirements  under  your
employer's plan.  Occasionally we issue RA or GRA contracts to employers to meet
deferred  compensation   obligations.   If  you  have  a  deferred  compensation
agreement, ask your employer about your rights and obligations.


                                     - 41 -

<PAGE>


                  Depending  on the terms of your plan,  RA premiums can be paid
by your employer,  you, or both. If your RA premiums  include  contributions  by
both  you and  your  employer,  the  employer  usually  remits  them in a single
combined  payment.  If you're paying some or all of the periodic  premium,  your
contributions can be in either pre-tax dollars,  by salary reduction (i.e., your
employer  periodically reduces your taxable compensation by a specified sum, and
sends an equal amount to TIAA); or after-tax dollars, by payroll deduction -- in
either case, subject to your employer's plan. For RAs only, you can make single,
non-recurring contributions in any amount directly to TIAA.

                  GRA premiums can also include contributions from your employer
or both  you and your  employer.  Like an RA,  the GRA  lets  you  make  pre-tax
contributions  by  salary  reduction  and  after-tax  contributions  by  payroll
deduction -- again  subject to your  employer's  plan.  You can't make  payments
directly;  your  employer  has to send  them  for  you.  You can  also  transfer
accumulations  from another  investment choice under your employer's  retirement
plan to your RA or GRA contract (see page 47).

SRA and GSRA Contracts
- ----------------------

                  SRA  and  GSRA   contracts   are  used  mainly  for  voluntary
tax-deferred  annuity  ("TDA") plans set up under section 403(b) of the IRC. The
SRA  contract  is issued  directly  to you,  while the GSRA  contract  is issued
through an agreement  between TIAA and your  employer.  For both SRAs and GSRAs,
you pay all  premiums  in pre-tax  dollars via salary  reduction.  You can't pay
premiums  directly,  though you can transfer  amounts from another TDA plan (see
below).

Rollover IRA Contracts
- ----------------------

                  TIAA's  Rollover  Individual  Retirement  Annuity  ("IRA")  is
issued under IRC section 408(b).  You currently can use it only for tax-deferred
funds  previously  held  in an  eligible  institution's  retirement  plan  or in
individual  retirement  accounts  that  were  themselves  set  up  with  amounts
originally  in an eligible  institution-sponsored  plan.  Subject to  regulatory
approval,  we expect to expand eligibility,  so that you or your spouse can also
set up a  Rollover  IRA with  funds  rolled  over  from any  retirement  plan or
individual  retirement  account,  as long as such a rollover is permitted by the
IRC and as long as you are  currently  employed  by or retired  from an eligible
institution.

New IRA Contracts
- -----------------

                  We plan to issue,  subject to regulatory  approval,  a New IRA
contract  that accepts the same type of funds that the  Rollover  IRA  currently
accepts, the funds it would accept under

                                     - 42 -

<PAGE>



the expanded eligibility just described,  as well as other types of funds. These
are:

                  (1)  Direct  payments  from  anyone  employed  by an  eligible
institution  or  married  to an  employee.  The IRC  limits  the  amount you can
contribute, usually to $2,000. See Federal Income Taxes, page 59.

                  (2) Contributions to a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan.
You  can  use  the  New IRA to fund  your  SEP  plan  if you  have  income  from
self-employment  and you're  currently  employed by or retired  from an eligible
institution.  If you open  your IRA when you are  retired,  or if you have a SEP
plan, your  contributions must be from "qualified  income".  Qualified income is
income from a work related to your primary academic or research career.  You can
also use the IRA to accept  contributions  from an  eligible  institution's  SEP
plan. For more information, please contact TIAA.

Keogh Plan Contracts
- --------------------

                  Subject  to  regulatory  approval,  we expect  to offer  Keogh
certificates.  They will be issued under IRC sections 401(a) and 403(a).  If you
own an unincorporated  business, you can use them to fund your Keogh plan if you
are  currently  employed  by or retired  from an eligible  institution.  The IRC
limits the amount you can contribute each year, and  contributions  must be from
qualified income (see above). See Federal Income Taxes, page 58.

Remitting Premiums
- ------------------

                  We'll  issue you a TIAA  contract  as soon as we receive  your
completed  application or enrollment  form. If you already have a TIAA contract,
you will receive a rider permitting you to allocate  premiums to the Real Estate
Account. You may remit premiums to the Account under RAs, GRAs, or GSRAs only if
permitted under your employer's plan. Your premiums will be credited to the Real
Estate Account as of the business day we receive them.

                  If  we  receive   premiums  from  your  employer  before  your
application  or  enrollment  form,  we'll  credit the premiums to the CREF Money
Market Account until we receive your form.  We'll transfer and credit the amount
you've  specified  to the Real Estate  Account as of the business day we receive
your completed application or enrollment form.

                  If  the  allocation   instructions  on  your   application  or
enrollment form are incomplete,  violate plan restrictions, or don't total 100%,
we'll credit your premiums to the CREF Money Market  Account until we do receive
complete  instructions.  Any amounts  that we credited to the CREF Money  Market
Account before

                                     - 43 -

<PAGE>



we received correct  instructions will be transferred to the Real Estate Account
only on request,  and will be credited as of the  business  day we receive  that
request.

                  TIAA  doesn't  restrict the amount or frequency of premiums to
your RA,  GRA,  and IRA  contracts,  although  we  reserve  the  right to impose
restrictions  in the  future.  Your  employer's  retirement  plan may limit your
premium  amounts,  while the IRC  limits  the  total  annual  premiums  to plans
qualified for favorable tax treatment (see page 58).

                  Ordinarily (subject to any temporary restriction on acceptance
of premiums and transfers,  described  below),  TIAA will accept  premiums to an
accumulating  contract at any time.  Once your first premium has been paid, your
TIAA contract can't lapse or be forfeited for  nonpayment of premiums.  However,
TIAA can stop accepting future payments to both the GRA and GSRA contract at any
time.

                  Employees  or  retirees  of  eligible  institutions  can  also
purchase at any time a contract to begin  receiving  annuity income starting the
first day of the following month.

Possible Restrictions on Acceptance of Premiums and Transfers
- -------------------------------------------------------------

                  From time to time we may stop  accepting  premiums  for and/or
transfers into the Account. We might do so if, for example, we can't find enough
appropriate real estate-related  investment  opportunities at a particular time.
Whenever  reasonably  possible,  we will notify you before we decide to restrict
premiums and/or  transfers.  However,  because we may need to respond quickly to
changing  market  conditions,  we reserve the right to stop  accepting  premiums
and/or transfers at any time without prior notice.

                  If we  decide to stop  accepting  premiums  into the  Account,
amounts  that would  otherwise  be allocated to the Account will be allocated to
the CREF Money  Market  Account  instead,  unless  you give us other  allocation
instructions.  We will not transfer  these  amounts out of the CREF Money Market
Account when the restriction  period is over,  unless you request that we do so.
However, we will resume allocating premiums to the Account on the date we remove
the restrictions.

Allocation of Premiums
- ----------------------

                  You can  allocate  all or  part  (whole  percentages)  of your
premiums to the Real  Estate  Account.  Allocations  are subject to the terms of
your  employer's  plan.  TIAA reserves the right to refuse to allocate  premiums
where the allocation is not consistent with an employer's plan. Amounts can also
be allocated to TIAA's traditional annuity or one or more of the

                                     - 44 -

<PAGE>


investment  accounts offered under the companion  variable annuity  certificates
issued by CREF.

                  You can change your allocation for future premiums at any time
by writing to our home office or calling 1 800 842-2252; however, we reserve the
right to suspend or terminate your right to change your allocation by telephone.


Accumulation Units
- ------------------

                  Your  premiums  purchase  accumulation  units.  When  you  pay
premiums  or make  transfers  into the  Account,  the  number of your units will
increase;  when you take a cash withdrawal,  transfer from the Account, or apply
funds to begin  annuity  income,  the  number of your units  will  decrease.  We
calculate how many accumulation units to credit by dividing the amount allocated
to the  Account  by its  accumulation  unit value for the  business  day when we
received your premium.  To determine how many accumulation units to subtract for
cash withdrawals and transfers,  we use the unit value for the business day when
we receive your completed  transaction request and all required  information and
documents  (unless  you ask for a later  date).  For  amounts  applied  to begin
annuity income or death benefits,  the  accumulation  unit value will be the one
for the  valuation  period that ends on the last day of the month that  contains
the  business day when we receive all required  information  and  documentation,
unless you or your  beneficiary ask for a later date. See "The Annuity  Period,"
page 50, and "Death Benefits," page 53.

                   The value of the  accumulation  units  reflects the Account's
investment  experience  (i.e.,  its accrued  real estate net  operating  income,
dividends,  interest and other income accrued),  realized and unrealized capital
gains and losses,  as well as expense charges against the Account's  assets (see
page 39). We calculate the accumulation unit values at the end of each valuation
day. To do that,  we multiply  the previous  day's values by the net  investment
factor for the Account.  The net investment factor is calculated as A divided by
B, where A and B are defined as:

         A.       The  value  of the  Account's  net  assets  at the  end of the
                  current  valuation  period,  less premiums received during the
                  current valuation period.

         B.       The  value  of the  Account's  net  assets  at the  end of the
                  previous valuation period, plus the net effect of transactions
                  made at the start of the current valuation period.


                                     - 45 -

<PAGE>



                  The  valuation  of  accumulation  units will be  reviewed  and
approved by the independent fiduciary (see page 29).

The General Account and TIAA's Traditional Annuity
- --------------------------------------------------

                  This  prospectus  provides  information  mainly about the Real
Estate Account, your TIAA contract's variable component. Premiums remitted under
your TIAA  contract  to TIAA's  traditional  annuity  become part of the general
account of TIAA, which includes all TIAA assets, except those in the Real Estate
Account or any other TIAA separate investment  account.  Unlike an investment in
the Real Estate Account,  in which you bear the investment  risk, TIAA bears the
full investment risk for all accumulations in TIAA's  traditional  annuity.  For
more about TIAA's traditional annuity, see the contract itself.

Transfers Between the Real Estate Account and TIAA's Traditional Annuity or CREF
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  Subject to the conditions  below, you can transfer some or all
of your accumulation in the Real Estate Account to TIAA's traditional annuity or
to a CREF certificate. Transfers generally must be for at least $1,000 at a time
(or the entire part of your  accumulation  permitted to be withdrawn,  if less).
(This minimum  doesn't apply to transfers to the TIAA Retirement Loan Contract.)
Under RAs, GRAs, and GSRAs, transfers to certain CREF accounts may be restricted
by your plan. For more information, contact TIAA (see page 63).

                  Similarly,  you can transfer some or all of your  accumulation
in TIAA's  traditional  annuity or in your CREF  certificate  to the Real Estate
Account  (although your  employer's plan may restrict your right to transfer any
accumulations  to the Real Estate  Account  under RA, GRA, and GSRA  contracts).
These  transfers  generally  must be for at least  $1,000 per account at a time.
Transfers  from TIAA's  traditional  annuity to the Real Estate Account under RA
and GRA  contracts  take place in  roughly  equal  installments  over a ten-year
period  via a TIAA  transfer  payout  annuity,  or "TPA".  There are no  similar
restrictions  on transfers from TIAA's  traditional  annuity under SRA, GSRA, or
IRA contracts, as long as you are transferring at least $1,000 at a time.

                  Currently,  you can  authorize  a transfer  at any time during
your accumulation period (subject to any temporary restrictions on acceptance of
transfers,  described above).  However,  because excessive transfer activity can
hurt Account performance and other  participants,  we reserve the right to limit
transfer frequency or otherwise modify the transfer privilege in the future. You
can also  transfer on a limited  basis during the annuity  period (see page 51).
Currently,  we don't charge you for  transfers to CREF or to TIAA's  traditional
annuity.

                                     - 46 -

<PAGE>


Transfers to Other Companies and Cash Withdrawals from the Real Estate Account
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  If you have a TIAA RA, GRA, or GSRA contract,  your ability to
move funds  from the Real  Estate  Account to a company  other than TIAA or CREF
will depend upon the terms of your employer's plan. If the plan permits, you can
move some or all of your  accumulation to any company approved by your employer.
Under a TIAA SRA or IRA contract,  however, you may transfer funds from the Real
Estate  Account to any  company  without  similar  plan  limitations.  If you do
transfer some or all of your accumulation to another company,  you bear the risk
of the investment and tax consequences of your decision.

                  Cash  withdrawals  from your  SRA,  GSRA,  or IRA Real  Estate
Account  accumulation  may be made at any time during the  accumulation  period,
subject to any tax law  restrictions.  Cash withdrawals from your RA or GRA Real
Estate Account accumulation may be limited by the terms of your employer's plan.
Cash withdrawals usually must be for at least $1,000 (or the entire part of your
accumulation  permitted to be withdrawn,  if less).  For more  information,  see
"General  Considerations  for all Cash Withdrawals and Transfers," page 48, "Tax
Issues," page 48 and "Federal Income Taxes," page 58.

                  Currently,  TIAA does not  charge you for  transfers  to other
companies or for cash withdrawals.

                  Rules on transfers and cash  withdrawals  vary depending on an
institution's   plan,  so  consult  your  past,  current  and  potential  future
employer(s) for more detailed information.

Systematic Withdrawals and Transfers
- ------------------------------------

                  You can arrange to have TIAA execute withdrawals and transfers
for you automatically.  At your request, we will withdraw from your accumulation
as cash,  or transfer to TIAA's  traditional  annuity,  a CREF  certificate,  or
another  company,  any fixed number of  accumulation  units or dollar  amount or
percentage of  accumulation  that you specify until you tell us to stop or until
your accumulation is exhausted.  Currently,  the initial amount must be at least
$100. The  availability  of the service is subject to any  restrictions  in your
employer's retirement plan.

Transfers to TIAA from Other Plans
- ----------------------------------

                  Ordinarily  you can make  single-sum  transfers  from  another
403(b)  retirement plan to a TIAA contract.  Likewise,  if your TIAA contract is
part of a 401(a) or 403(a) arrangement,  you can make single-sum transfers to it
from other 401(a) or 403(a) plans if the plan using TIAA and the other 401(a) or
403(a) plan so provide. Amounts transferred from another company to TIAA may

                                     - 47 -

<PAGE>



still be subject to provisions of the original  retirement  plan.  Under current
federal tax law, you can also transfer funds from certain  401(a),  403(a),  and
403(b) plans,  or from an IRA containing  funds  originally  contributed to such
plans, to a TIAA IRA.

General Considerations for All Cash Withdrawals and Transfers
- -------------------------------------------------------------

                  Current  federal tax law  restricts the  availability  of cash
withdrawals from any part of your accumulation  under voluntary salary reduction
agreements (including investment earnings).  Such withdrawals are available only
if you reach age 59-1/2,  leave your job, become disabled,  or die. If permitted
by your  employer's  plan, you may also be able to take a cash withdrawal if you
encounter hardship,  as defined by the IRS, but hardship withdrawals can be from
contributions only, not investment  earnings.  These restrictions don't apply to
withdrawals  from any IRA.  For more about tax  consequences,  see "Tax  Issues"
below and page 58.

                  You can tell us how much you want to  transfer  or withdraw in
dollars,  accumulation units, or as a percentage of the accumulation in the Real
Estate  Account.  Ordinarily,  you can't  transfer  or  withdraw  any part of an
accumulation from which you've already begun receiving annuity income.

                  Cash withdrawals and transfers are effective at the end of the
business day we receive  your  withdrawal  or transfer  request and any required
information  and  documentation.  You can instead  choose to have  transfers and
withdrawals  take  effect at the close of any  future  business  day or the last
calendar  day of the  current or any future  month,  even if it's not a business
day.  You can  request a  transfer  to CREF or  TIAA's  traditional  annuity  by
telephone.  If you do that at any time other than during a business day, it will
be  effective  at the  close of the  next  business  day.  Transfers  to  TIAA's
traditional annuity begin participating on the next day.

                  To request a transfer,  write to TIAA's home office or call us
at 1 800  842-2252.  We reserve the right to suspend or terminate  your right to
make transfers by telephone. For more about telephone transfers, see page 63.

Tax Issues
- ----------

                  Make sure you understand the possible federal and other income
tax  consequences  of  transfers  and  cash  distributions.   Transfers  between
retirement  plans set up under the same  section  of the IRC  aren't  ordinarily
considered  taxable  distributions;  nor are transfers from 401(a),  403(a), and
403(b) plans to any TIAA IRA.  Cash  withdrawals  are usually taxed at the rates
for ordinary income. In addition, cash withdrawals also may subject you to early
distribution  taxes if made prior to age 59 1/2, as well as excess  distribution
taxes for distributions in excess of

                                     - 48 -

<PAGE>



$155,000  in one year.  Pursuant  to recently  enacted  legislation,  the excess
distribution  taxes will not apply in 1997, 1998 and 1999. (Note that if you are
a resident of Puerto  Rico,  the tax rules that apply to your plan may  differ.)
For details, see "Federal Income Taxes," page 58.

Texas ORP Restrictions
- ----------------------

                  If you're in the Texas Optional  Retirement  Program,  section
36.15 of the Texas Education Code says you (or your beneficiary) can redeem some
or all of your  accumulation  only if you retire,  die, or leave your job in the
state's public  institutions of higher  education.  You're also subject to other
distribution restrictions outlined elsewhere in this prospectus.

Spousal Rights
- --------------

                 If you're married,  the Retirement Equity Act of 1984 ("REACT")
or your employer's plan may require you to get advance written consent from your
spouse before certain  transactions.  They include (1) a cash withdrawal (except
from most IRAs); (2) a payment of a retirement transition benefit (see page 53);
(3) a transfer to a  retirement  plan not  covered by ERISA;  and (4) a rollover
directly from a plan to another plan or an IRA (you don't  receive a check).  In
addition,  if  you're  married  at your  annuity  starting  date,  REACT or your
employer's  plan may  require  that you choose an income  option  that  provides
survivor  annuity  income to your spouse,  unless he or she waives that right in
writing (see "The Annuity Period," page 50). There are limited exceptions to the
waiver requirement -- contact TIAA for more information.

                  For more on spousal rights, see "Death Benefits," page 53.

Portability of Benefits
- -----------------------

                 Once you're fully vested under your  employer's RA or GRA plan,
you can't lose the benefits  you've  earned.  Length-of-service  and other rules
vary  considerably  from plan to plan,  so check with your  employer to find out
your vesting status. Benefits under SRAs, GSRAs, and IRAs are immediately vested
and can't be forfeited under any circumstances.

                 Under RA  contracts,  you may also be able to  continue  paying
premiums  on your own,  subject  to federal  income  tax  limits  (see page 58).
Whether or not we're receiving  premiums to your contract(s),  your accumulation
will go on  participating  in the Real Estate Account.  You'll retain all rights
under your contract  until you apply your entire  accumulation  to begin annuity
(or survivor)  benefits,  transfer it to another  company,  or take it as a cash
withdrawal.


                                     - 49 -

<PAGE>


The Annuity Period
- ------------------

                  The Real Estate  Account is available  (subject to  regulatory
approval) through a variety of income options. See "Income Options," on page 51.
Subject to certain federal tax law restrictions, you can receive income from all
or just a part  (but  not  less  than  $10,000)  of your  accumulation,  so it's
possible for you to be both  accumulating and receiving  retirement  benefits at
the same  time.  You can also  pick a  different  income  option  for  different
portions of your accumulation, but once you've started payments you can't change
your  income  option  (except  if you  picked the  Minimum  Distribution  Option
annuity) or annuity partner (if you named one) for that payment stream.
 
                  Usually income payments are monthly. You can choose quarterly,
semi-annual,  and  annual  payments  as  well.  TIAA  has the  right to not make
payments at any  interval  that would cause the initial  payment to be less than
$25.

                  The value of the  accumulation  upon which  payments are based
will be set at the end of the last calendar day of the month before your annuity
starting  date.  Your payments will vary each year  according to the  investment
results of the Account.  For the formulas  used to calculate  the amount of TIAA
annuity  payments,  see page 58. The total value of your annuity payments may be
more or less than your total premiums.

                  We'll send your  payments by mail to your home  address or (on
your request) by mail or electronic  funds transfer to your bank. If the address
or bank where you want your payments sent changes,  it's your  responsibility to
let us know.

Annuity Starting Date
- ---------------------

                  Generally you pick an annuity  starting date (it has to be the
first day of a month)  when you first apply for a TIAA  contract.  If you don't,
we'll tentatively assume your annuity starting date will be the first day of the
month after your 65th birthday. You can change your annuity starting date at any
time  before  annuity  payments  begin  (see page 62).  Currently  your  annuity
starting  date can't be later than April 1 of the year  following  the  calendar
year when you reach age 70-1/2, even if you expect to work beyond then, although
there are exceptions if you're in a public  institution's plan or certain church
plans.  However,  beginning in 1997,  pursuant to recently enacted  legislation,
your annuity  starting  date can be April 1 of the year  following  the calendar
year when you either reach age 70-1/2 or retire, whichever is later.
              
                  Ordinarily,  annuity payments begin when your annuity starting
date arrives;  however,  the terms of your employer's plan can restrict when you
can begin retirement income. For payments to begin on the annuity starting date,
we must have received all

                                     - 50 -

<PAGE>


premiums  due under  your plan,  as well as all  information  and  documentation
necessary for the income option you've picked.  (For more  information,  contact
TIAA  -- see  page  63.) If we  haven't  received  all  your  premiums  and the
necessary  information,  we'll defer your annuity  starting date until the first
day of the month after the premiums and information  have reached us. Your first
annuity check may be delayed while we process your choice of income  options and
calculate the amount of your initial payment.

Allocation and Transfer for Annuity Payments
- --------------------------------------------

                  Before  starting  payments  from  your  accumulation,  you can
transfer  (at  least  $1,000  or the  entire  accumulation,  if less) to  TIAA's
traditional annuity or to CREF (subject to the terms of your retirement plan) on
either  an  accumulating  or  income-paying  basis.  Under  RA,  GSRA,  and  GRA
contracts,  you can transfer to investment  vehicles  offered by other companies
approved for your employer's plan. Under the SRA and IRA contracts, there are no
restrictions  on  transfers  to other  companies,  but be sure to  consider  the
federal and other income tax consequences of the transaction.

Transfers During the Annuity Period
- -----------------------------------

                  Once a year after you begin receiving annuity income,  you can
transfer  all or part of the future  annuity  income  payable  (i) from the Real
Estate  Account  into a  "comparable  annuity"  (see below)  payable from a CREF
account  or  TIAA's  traditional  annuity,  or (ii) from a CREF  account  into a
comparable  annuity payable from the Real Estate Account.  Comparable  annuities
are those  which have the same income  option,  first and second  annuitant  (if
any), remaining guaranteed period (if any), and payment mode.

                  All  transfers  during the  annuity  period will take place on
March 31. We must  receive  your  transfer  request  before  the end of the last
business  day in March in the year you want the  transfer  to occur.  A transfer
from a CREF  account to the Real  Estate  Account or vice versa will affect your
annuity  payments  beginning May 1 following the effective date of the transfer.
Transfers into TIAA's traditional annuity will be effective on the current April
1. For the formula used to calculate the increase in the number of annuity units
in the account you transfer to, see  "Calculation of the Number of Annuity Units
Payable," page 56.

Income Options
- --------------

                  Both the number of annuity  units you  purchase and the amount
of your income  payments will depend on which income  option(s)  you pick.  Your
employer's plan, the IRC and ERISA may limit which income options you can use to
receive income from an

                                     - 51 -

<PAGE>


RA or GRA.  Ordinarily  you'll choose your income option(s) just before you want
payments to begin;  however,  you can make or change your  choice(s) at any time
before your annuity starting date. Once annuity payments start, you can't change
the  income  option  (except  in the  case of the  Minimum  Distribution  Option
annuity,  see page 52) for the accumulation or fraction of accumulation on which
they're based.

                  If you  haven't  picked  an  income  option  when the  annuity
starting date arrives for your RA, GRA, SRA, or GSRA,  TIAA will assume you want
the One-Life Annuity with 10-Year  Guaranteed Period if you're  unmarried,  paid
from TIAA's  traditional  annuity.  If you're  married,  we may assume for you a
Survivor  Annuity with  Half-Benefit to Annuity  Partner and 10-Year  Guaranteed
Period,  with your spouse as your annuity partner,  paid from TIAA's traditional
annuity. See below and "Spousal Rights," page 49.

                  If you  haven't  picked  an  income  option  when the  annuity
starting  date  arrives  for your  IRA,  we may  assume  you  want  the  Minimum
Distribution Option annuity.

                  All Real Estate Account  income options are variable,  and the
amount of income you receive will depend in part on the number and value of your
accumulation units being converted.

                  The current options are:

                  One-Life Annuity with or without Guaranteed Period (a One-Life
Annuity).  Pays income as long as you live.  If you opt for a guaranteed  period
and you die before it's over,  income payments will continue to your beneficiary
until  the end of the  period.  If you don't opt for a  guaranteed  period,  all
payments end at your death -- so that it would be possible, for example, for you
to  receive  only one  payment if you died less than a month  after your  income
started.

                  Survivor  Annuity  Options.  Pays income to you as long as you
live,  then continues at either the same or a reduced level for the life of your
annuity partner. There are three types of survivor annuities, all available with
or without a guaranteed period -- Full Benefit to Survivor (a Last Survivor Life
Annuity),  Two-Thirds  Benefit to Survivor (a Joint and Survivor Life  Annuity),
and a Half-Benefit to Annuity Partner (a Last Survivor Life Annuity).

                  Minimum   Distribution   Option  ("MDO")  Annuity.   Generally
available  only if you  must  begin  annuity  payments  under  the  IRC  minimum
distribution  requirements  (see page 61). The option pays an amount designed to
fulfill the distribution requirements under federal tax law. You must apply your
entire  accumulation  under a contract if you want to use the MDO annuity.  Some
employer plans

                                     - 52 -

<PAGE>



allow you to elect this option earlier -- contact TIAA for more information. See
"Contacting TIAA," page 63.

                  Under the MDO annuity,  it's possible you won't receive income
for life.  Up to age 90,  you can apply any  remaining  part of an  accumulation
applied to the MDO annuity to any other income option for which you're eligible.
Using the  option  won't  affect  your  right to take a cash  withdrawal  of any
remaining accumulation not yet distributed.

                  With  respect to any of the income  options  described  above,
current federal tax law says that your guaranteed  period can't exceed the joint
life  expectancy  of you and your  beneficiary  or annuity  partner (if you have
one).

                  Other  income  options  may become  available  in the  future,
subject to the terms of your  retirement  plan and  relevant  federal  and state
laws. For more  information  about any annuity option,  please contact TIAA. See
"Contacting TIAA," page 63.

                  Retirement Transition Benefit.  Under TIAA's current practice,
you may be able to get a  "transition  benefit" of up to 10% of the value of any
part of an RA or GRA accumulation being converted to annuity income. The benefit
is paid in a  single  sum on the  annuity  starting  date.  Of  course,  if your
employer allows cash  withdrawals,  you can take a larger amount (up to 100%) of
your accumulation as a cash payment (see page 47).

                  Keep in mind that the  retirement  transition  benefit will be
subject   to   current   federal   income   tax    requirements   and   possible
early-distribution  penalties.  See "Federal  Income Taxes," page 58, as well as
"Spousal Rights," page 49.

Death Benefits
- --------------

                  You can  add,  remove,  or  change a  beneficiary  at any time
before you die, although under certain  circumstances you may need your spouse's
written consent.  Under a survivor annuity,  your annuity partner can change the
beneficiary after you die, unless you've stipulated otherwise.

                   You can choose in advance the method by which death  benefits
should  be paid,  or you can  leave it up to your  beneficiaries.  You can later
change the method of payment  you've  chosen,  and you can  stipulate  that your
beneficiary  not change the method  you've  specified  in  advance.  (To choose,
change,  or restrict the method by which death  benefits are to be paid,  you or
your  beneficiary  has to notify us in  writing.)  We can require that any death
benefit be paid under a method that  provides an initial  monthly  payment of at
least $25.  (We'll  calculate the actual  amount using  formulas you can find on
page 58.) You or your beneficiary can use more than one method of payment, but

                                     - 53 -

<PAGE>


each has to meet the same $25 minimum payment  requirement.  Once death benefits
start  under a lifetime  annuity  (see  above),  the method of payment  can't be
changed.

                  Ordinarily a  beneficiary  has to request that death  benefits
begin within a year of your death.  Otherwise we'll start them  automatically on
the first day of the month in which the first  anniversary of your death occurs,
making payments over five years unless a beneficiary opts otherwise.

                  If you're married at the time of your death,  even if you name
a beneficiary  who isn't your spouse,  federal law or your plan may require that
your spouse  receive an amount  actuarially  equivalent to one-half the value of
any part of your  accumulation  subject  to REACT.  Your  spouse  may,  however,
consent  in writing  to waive the right to death  benefits.  For more on spousal
beneficiary rights, contact us or consult your employer's benefits office.

                  Unless your  employer's  plan provides  otherwise,  if you die
before converting your entire  accumulation to annuity income and without naming
a  beneficiary,  your  surviving  spouse (if any) will receive a death  benefit,
available  under any method of payment (see below),  actuarially  equivalent  to
half the value of your accumulation.  The other half will go to your estate in a
single sum. If there is no surviving spouse, the entire death benefit will go in
one sum to your estate.

                  If you and your annuity  partner,  if any,  die with  payments
still  due  under  a  lifetime   annuity   with  a   guaranteed   period,   your
beneficiary(ies) can take the remaining payments as scheduled or as a single-sum
payment  equal  to  their  commuted  value.  If  you  name  an  estate  as  your
beneficiary,  if you haven't named a  beneficiary,  or if your  beneficiary  has
died,  TIAA will pay the  commuted  value of your  payments  to your estate in a
single sum. Under a survivor  annuity,  such benefits go to the estate of you or
your annuity  partner,  whoever lives longer.  If your  beneficiary  dies before
receiving  all  payments  due,  we'll pay the  commuted  value of the  remaining
payments  to anyone  else named to  receive  it. If no one has been  named,  the
commuted  value  will  be paid to the  estate  of the  last  person  to  receive
payments.

                 To pay a death  benefit,  TIAA must have received all necessary
forms and documentation.  For more information, contact TIAA (see page 63). Your
accumulation  will continue  participating in the investment  experience of your
account up to and  including  the day when your  beneficiary's  chosen method of
payment becomes effective.  Single-sum  payments are effective at the end of the
business  day  when  TIAA  has  received  all  the  required   information   and
documentation  from your  beneficiary -- or if he or she chooses,  at the end of
the last calendar day of

                                     - 54 -

<PAGE>


the  current or any  future  month.  Death  benefits  under any other  method of
payment will be calculated on the last day of the calendar month when we receive
all required  information and  documentation -- or if your beneficiary  prefers,
the last day of a future month. Payments will actually begin on the first day of
the month  after  they've  been  calculated.  (Your first check could be delayed
while we process your choice of method of payment.)

Methods of Payment
- ------------------

                  TIAA limits the methods of payment for death benefits to those
suitable  under  federal  income  tax  law  for  annuity  contracts.  (For  more
information, see "Taxation of Annuity Benefits," page 59.) With methods offering
periodic  payments,  benefits  are usually  monthly,  but your  beneficiary  can
request to receive them quarterly,  semi-annually,  or annually instead. Federal
law may restrict the  availability  of certain methods to your  beneficiary.  At
present,  the  available  methods  of  payment  for  TIAA  death  benefits  are:
Single-Sum  Payment,  in  which  the  entire  death  benefit  is  paid  to  your
beneficiary at once;  One-Life  Annuity with or without  Guaranteed  Period,  in
which the death  benefit  is paid  monthly  for the life of the  beneficiary  or
through the  guaranteed  period;  Accumulation-Unit  Deposit  Option  (described
below); and the Minimum Distribution Option (described below).

                  Accumulation-Unit   Deposit   Option   ("AUDO").   Pays   your
beneficiary  a lump  sum at the end of a fixed  period,  ordinarily  two to five
years,  during which period the  accumulation  units  deposited  participate  in
investment  experience of the Real Estate Account.  To use the AUDO method,  the
value of the death  benefit must be at least $5,000 at the time it takes effect.
Special  rules apply if your spouse is the  beneficiary.  Contact  TIAA for more
information  about this  option and other  methods of payment.  See  "Contacting
TIAA," page 63.

                  Minimum   Distribution  Option  ("MDO").   AVAILABLE  ONLY  TO
BENEFICIARIES  WHO MUST  RECEIVE  INCOME  UNDER THE IRC's  MINIMUM  DISTRIBUTION
REQUIREMENTS.  The MDO death  benefit is governed  generally by the same rule as
the Real Estate  Account's  MDO annuity (see page 52), but there are  additional
restrictions  under federal income tax law.  Under the MDO death  benefit,  it's
possible that your beneficiary won't receive income for life.

                  Transfers by a Beneficiary.  At the time death benefits begin,
or during the AUDO period,  your beneficiary can transfer some (at least $1,000,
or the  entire  accumulation  if less) or all of the  assets in the Real  Estate
Account to TIAA's traditional annuity or to CREF.

                  The beneficiary of an employee at an eligible  institution who
used another company for his retirement plan

                                     - 55 -

<PAGE>



savings  also may transfer  death  benefits  from the other  company to the Real
Estate  Account  for payout  under any of the  available  methods of payment for
death benefits.

                  Transfers  are effective on the last calendar day of the month
when we receive  all  required  information  and  documentation;  however,  your
beneficiary  can  have us make  the  transfer  effective  on the last day of any
future month  instead.  (With the AUDO method,  it can be any day of the month.)
Currently  beneficiaries  can make  transfers at no charge.  We also reserve the
right to limit how often a beneficiary  can transfer  Real Estate  Account units
and to decline any  transfer  that would  reduce the value of the units still on
deposit to less than $5,000.

                  For tax issues  concerning  death benefits,  especially  those
paid as single sums, see "Taxation of Annuity Benefits," page 59.

                                ANNUITY PAYMENTS

                  The amount of annuity payments paid to you or your beneficiary
("annuitant")  will  depend  upon the number and the basic  value of the annuity
units payable.  The number of annuity units is initially determined prior to the
start of annuity payments. The basic value of an annuity unit is redetermined on
March 31 each year, with the resulting changes in annuity payments beginning May
1. These  changes  reflect  the net  investment  experience  of the Real  Estate
Account.  Annuitants  bear no  mortality  risk under  their  contracts.  The net
investment   experience   for  the  twelve  months   following   each  March  31
redetermination  of the Account's  basic annuity unit value will be reflected in
the following year's value.

                  The formulas for  calculating  the number and value of annuity
units payable are set forth below.

Calculation of the Number of Annuity Units Payable
- --------------------------------------------------

                  When a participant or a beneficiary  converts the value of all
or a portion of his or her  accumulation  into an  income-paying  contract,  the
number of annuity  units  payable from the Real Estate  Account is determined by
dividing the value of the  accumulation  in the Account to be applied to provide
the annuity  payments  by the  product of the annuity  unit value and an annuity
factor. The annuity factor at the end of any month is the value of an annuity in
the amount of $1.00 per month  beginning on the first day of the following month
and continuing for as long as such annuity units are payable.

                  The  annuity  factor  will  reflect  interest  assumed  at the
effective annual rate of 4%, and the mortality  assumptions for the person(s) on
whose life (lives) the annuity payments will be

                                     - 56 -

<PAGE>


based.  Mortality  assumptions  will be  based  on the  then-current  settlement
mortality  schedules for this Account.  TIAA  guarantees  that actual  mortality
experience will not reduce annuity payments after they have started.  TIAA does,
however,  reserve  the  right  to  change,  from  time to  time,  the  mortality
assumptions used to determine the number of annuity units payable for any future
conversions of accumulations to provide annuity payments.

                  Any transfer  during the annuity period from a CREF account to
the Real Estate  Account or from the Real Estate  Account to a CREF account,  as
described  under  "Transfers  During the Annuity  Period," page 51,  reduces the
number of  annuity  units in the  account  you  transfer  from by the  number of
annuity  units  transferred,  and  increases  the number of annuity units in the
account you  transfer  to. The number of annuity  units added to the account you
transfer to will be based on the formula below.

                  When you or any beneficiary receiving annuity income transfers
annuity units from a CREF account to the Real Estate Account or vice versa as of
any March 31, the number of annuity  units  added to the  account to which units
are being  transferred  will be determined by multiplying  the number of annuity
units to be  transferred by A and B and then dividing that result by the product
of C and D as follows:

         A.       the annuity unit value,  determined on the transfer  date, for
                  the account from which annuity units are being transferred.

         B.       the value as of March 31, of an annuity in the amount of $1.00
                  per month  beginning  on May 1 and  continuing  for as long as
                  such  annuity  units are  payable.  This  annuity  factor will
                  reflect the mortality  assumptions  then in use in the Account
                  from which the transfer is being made.

         C.       the annuity unit value,  determined on the transfer  date, for
                  the account to which the annuity units are being transferred.

         D.       an  annuity  factor  calculated  in the  same  manner  as that
                  described in item B. above,  except  reflecting  the mortality
                  assumptions  then in use in the account TO which the  transfer
                  is being made.

                  The value of annuity  units  transferred  from the Real Estate
Account to TIAA's traditional  annuity as of any March 31 is equal to the number
of annuity units multiplied by the annuity unit value determined on the transfer
date and by an annuity factor. The annuity factor as of March 31 is the value of
an annuity in the amount of $1.00 per month  beginning  on May 1 and  continuing
for as long as such annuity units are payable. The

                                     - 57 -

<PAGE>


annuity factor will reflect the mortality  assumptions  then in use for the Real
Estate Account.

Value of Annuity Units
- ----------------------

                  The value of the Real Estate  Account's  annuity units will be
determined as of the last calendar day of each month by multiplying the value of
the annuity unit as of the last  calendar  day of the previous  month by the net
investment  factor  (as  defined  on page  45) for the  current  month  and then
dividing by the value of $1.00 accumulated with interest at the effective annual
rate of 4% for the  number of days in the  current  month.  This  result is then
multiplied by A and divided by B, where A and B are defined as follows:

         A.       the value of the annuity  fund at the end of the day minus the
                  dollar  amount  of  payments  scheduled  to be made  from  the
                  Account on the following day.

         B.       the value of the annuity  fund at the end of the day minus the
                  product  of the value of one  annuity  unit just prior to this
                  calculation  and the number of annuity  units  scheduled to be
                  paid from the Account on the following day.

The initial  value of the annuity unit for a new annuitant is equal to the value
determined as of the day before annuity  payments start.  For  participants  who
have  already  begun  receiving  annuity  payments as of any March 31, the basic
value of the annuity unit for payments due on and after the next  succeeding May
1 is equal to the annuity unit value determined as of March 31.

Modification and Review
- -----------------------

                  TIAA  reserves the right,  subject to approval by the Board of
Trustees, to modify the manner in which the number and/or value of annuity units
is calculated in the future. The valuation of annuity units will be reviewed and
approved by the independent fiduciary (see page 29).

                              FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

                  With limited exceptions, the contracts are designed as annuity
contracts under sections 72 and 403 of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC").

                  As  a  nonprofit  educational   institution,   TIAA's  pension
business is exempt from federal  income tax under section  501(c)(3) of the IRC.
Investment  income and gains from our pension  business are tax-free unless they
are unrelated  business income, and we conduct our operations to avoid realizing
such unrelated business income. If necessary to maintain our tax-

                                     - 58 -

<PAGE>


exempt  status,  we can  limit  the  size  of  premiums  paid  to  TIAA  and the
circumstances  in which they're  paid.  Any federal or other tax TIAA does incur
with  respect  to the  Real  Estate  Account  will  affect  the  value  of  your
accumulation and/or annuity units.

403(b) Plans
- ------------

                  The contracts are tailored for  retirement  plans set up under
section  403(b) of the IRC. Your total annual  contributions  to section  403(b)
annuities  can't  exceed  certain  limits.  The  annual  limit  for  all of your
contributions  and your employer's  contributions on your behalf is the lower of
(a)  $30,000,  (b) 25% of  your  compensation  or (c)  your  "maximum  exclusion
allowance".   Your  maximum  exclusion   allowance  is  generally  20%  of  your
compensation  multiplied  by your  years of  service,  less  certain  prior  tax
deferred retirement plan contributions. You usually can exclude salary reduction
contributions  of up to  $9,500  from  your  gross  taxable  income.  There  are
exceptions to this -- contact your tax advisor for more information.

401(a) and 403(a) Plans
- -----------------------

                  RA and GRA contracts are also  available for 401(a) and 403(a)
retirement   plans.   In  a   defined-contribution   plan  meeting  certain  IRC
requirements,  the employer contributions to all current 401(a) and 403(a) plans
of that employer can't exceed an annual contribution  limit:  again,  $30,000 or
25% of your compensation, whichever is less.

Individual Retirement Annuities
- -------------------------------

                  IRC Section 408 permits eligible  individuals to contribute to
an individual  retirement  program known as an Individual  Retirement Annuity or
Individual Retirement Account. The amount you can contribute annually is usually
limited to $2,000.  The New IRA will be designed  for these  contributions.  IRC
section 408 also allows money from certain  qualified plans to be  "rolled-over"
to an IRA without losing its tax-deferred  status.  The Rollover IRA is designed
for these  rollovers.  (The New IRA will also accept them.) There is no limit on
the amount  that can be rolled over to a Rollover  IRA.  You can revoke any TIAA
IRA up to seven days after you establish it.

Taxation of Annuity Benefits
- ----------------------------

                  Once you take a cash withdrawal or begin annuity payments, the
amount you  receive is usually  included  in your gross  income for the year and
taxed at the rate for  ordinary  income.  You can exclude from your gross income
any part of your  payment(s)  that  represents  the return of  premiums  paid in
after-tax dollars, but not the part that comes from the tax-deferred earnings of
after-tax premiums.

                                     - 59 -

<PAGE>


Withholding on Distributions
- ----------------------------

                  We must  withhold  federal  tax at the  rate of 20%  from  the
taxable part of most plan distributions  paid directly to you. If, however,  you
tell us to "roll over" the  distribution  directly to an IRA (offered by TIAA or
any other company) or similar  employer plan (i.e.,  to send a check directly to
the other  company and not to you),  we will not  withhold  any federal tax. The
required 20% withholding  doesn't apply to payments from IRAs,  lifetime annuity
payments,  substantially  equal periodic  payments over your life  expectancy or
over  ten  or  more  years,  or  minimum  distribution  payments   ("noneligible
payments").

                  For the taxable part of noneligible  payments, we usually will
withhold federal taxes unless you tell us not to. Usually, you have the right to
tell us not to withhold federal taxes from your noneligible  payments.  However,
if you tell us not to withhold  but we don't have your  taxpayer  identification
number on file, we still have to deduct taxes.

                  Non-resident   aliens  who  pay  U.S.  taxes  are  subject  to
different withholding rules. Contact TIAA for more information.

Early Distributions
- -------------------

                  If you want to withdraw funds or begin income from any 401(a),
403(a), or 403(b) retirement plan or an IRA before you reach age 59-1/2, you may
have  to pay an  extra  10%  "early  distribution"  tax on the  taxable  amount.
However,  you  won't  have to pay an  early  distribution  tax on any  part of a
withdrawal if:

         (1)      the distribution is because you are disabled;

         (2)      you  separated  from your job at or after age 55 and take your
                  withdrawal  after  that time (not  applicable  for IRAs  until
                  1997);

         (3)      you begin annuity income after you leave your job (termination
                  isn't  required  for  IRAs),  as long as your  annuity  income
                  consists of a series of regular  substantially  equal payments
                  at regular intervals (at least annually) over your lifetime or
                  life expectancy or the joint lives or life expectancies of you
                  and your beneficiary;

         (4)      the withdrawal is less than or equal to your medical  expenses
                  in  excess  of  7-1/2%  of your  adjusted  gross  income  (not
                  applicable for IRAs); or

         (5)      you are required to make a payment to someone besides yourself
                  under a Qualified  Domestic  Relations  Order (e.g., a divorce
                  settlement) (not applicable for IRAs).

                                     - 60 -

<PAGE>


                  If you die before age 59-1/2, your beneficiary(ies) won't have
to pay the early distribution penalty.

                  Current  federal tax law  restricts the  availability  of cash
withdrawals and annuity payments from any part of your accumulation under salary
reduction  agreements  (including  earnings).   These  withdrawals  and  annuity
payments  are  available  only if you reach age 59-1/2,  leave your job,  become
disabled,  or die. If your employer's plan permits, you may also be able to take
a cash withdrawal if you encounter hardship, as defined by the IRS, but hardship
withdrawals  can be from  contributions  only,  not investment  earnings.  These
restrictions  don't  apply  to  withdrawals  from  an  IRA.  Any  part  of  your
accumulation  that has been transferred  from a custodial  account under section
403(b)(7) will be subject to additional restrictions.

"Excess" Distributions
- ----------------------

                  If your combined withdrawals or payments from 401(a),  403(a),
and 403(b) retirement plans, IRAs, and other  tax-deferred  savings programs are
more than $155,000 in one year, you may have to pay an "excess distribution" tax
of 15% of the amount over $155,000.  Pursuant to recently  enacted  legislation,
this excess distribution tax will not apply in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

Death Benefits
- --------------

                  Ordinarily,  death  benefits are subject to federal estate tax
(see "Tax Advice," page 62). Under some retirement  programs,  an additional 15%
estate tax may be imposed on the  portion of your  accumulation  above a certain
amount at the time of your death.

Minimum Distribution Requirements and Taxes
- -------------------------------------------

                  In most cases, payments have to begin from 401(a), 403(a), and
403(b)  plans and IRAs by April 1 of the calendar  year after the calendar  year
when you reach age 70-1/2, even if you haven't yet retired.  However,  beginning
in 1997,  pursuant to  recently  enacted  legislation,  payments  under  401(a),
403(a),  and 403(b) plans need not begin until April 1 of the year following the
calendar  year when you either  reach age 70-1/2 or retire,  whichever is later.
Under the terms of certain  retirement plans, the plan  administrator may direct
us to make the  minimum  distributions  required by law to you even if you don't
elect to receive them. In addition,  if you don't begin  distributions  on time,
you'll be subject to a 50% excise tax on the amount you should have received but
didn't. (See "Minimum Distribution Option Annuity," page 52.)


                                     - 61 -

<PAGE>


Deferred Compensation Plans
- ---------------------------

                  TIAA RA contracts are also available for deferred compensation
plans.  RAs issued  under these plans are owned by your  employer and subject to
the claims of its general creditors.  Since special tax rules may apply to these
plans, consult with a qualified tax advisor for more information about them.

Puerto Rico Residents
- ---------------------

                   If you  are a  resident  of  Puerto  Rico,  special  tax  and
withholding  rules may apply to your plans,  since ordinarily your contracts are
issued  under plans that  qualify  under the Puerto Rico tax code,  which is not
identical to the IRC. For  information on your tax situation,  consult with your
employer or a qualified tax advisor.

Tax Advice
- ----------

                  What we tell you here  about  federal  and other  taxes  isn't
comprehensive  and is for  general  information  only.  It doesn't  cover  every
situation.  Taxation varies depending on the circumstances,  and state and local
taxes may also be  involved.  For  complete  information  on your  personal  tax
situation, check with a qualified tax advisor.

                                 GENERAL MATTERS

Choices and Changes
- -------------------

                  As  long as  your  contract  permits,  you  (or  your  annuity
partner,  beneficiary,  or any other  payee)  can  choose  or change  any of the
following:  (1) an annuity starting date; (2) an income option;  (3) a transfer;
(4) a method of payment for death  benefits;  (5) a date when the commuted value
of an annuity becomes  payable;  (6) an annuity partner,  beneficiary,  or other
person named to receive payments;  (7) a cash withdrawal or other  distribution;
and (8) a repurchase.

                  You have to make your choices or changes via a written  notice
satisfactory  to us and  received at our home office (see  below).  Transfers to
TIAA's  traditional  annuity and CREF can  currently be made by  telephone  (see
"Contacting  TIAA,"  below).  You can  change  the  terms  of a  transfer,  cash
withdrawal, repurchase, or other cash distribution only before they're scheduled
to take  place.  When we  receive a notice of a change in  beneficiary  or other
person named to receive payments, we'll execute the change as of the date it was
signed, even if the signer dies in the meantime. We execute all other changes as
of the date received. As already mentioned,  we will delay the effective date of
some transactions until we receive additional documentation (see page 51).

                                     - 62 -

<PAGE>


Telephone Transactions
- ----------------------

                  You can use our Automated  Telephone  Service ("ATS") to check
your account balance,  transfer to TIAA's  traditional  annuity or CREF,  and/or
allocate  future  premiums  among the Real Estate  Account,  TIAA's  traditional
annuity,  and CREF. (You can also execute these  transactions  over the Internet
through our new Inter/ACT system being  introduced  shortly.) To use the ATS you
need a touch-tone phone. You will be asked to enter your Personal Identification
Number ("PIN") and contract number. Please contact us if you have not received a
PIN and we will send you one (see "Contacting TIAA," below). The ATS will prompt
you through whatever  transactions you select. We will use reasonable procedures
to confirm that  instructions  given by telephone are genuine.  All calls to the
ATS are recorded as a routine part of verification.

Contacting TIAA
- ---------------

                  We won't  consider any notice,  form,  request,  or payment to
have been received by TIAA until it reaches our home office:  Teachers Insurance
and Annuity  Association,  730 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017-3206.  You
can ask questions by calling toll-free 1 800 842-2776.

Electronic Prospectus
- ---------------------

                  If you received this prospectus  electronically and would like
a paper copy, please call 1 800 842-2733, extension 5509, and we will send it to
you.

Signature Requirements
- ----------------------

                  For some  transactions,  we may require  your  signature to be
notarized  or  guaranteed  by a  commercial  bank  or  a  member  of a  national
securities exchange.

Overpayment of Premiums
- -----------------------

                  If your employer mistakenly sends more premiums on your behalf
than you're entitled to under your employer's  retirement plan or the IRC, we'll
refund them to your  employer as long as we're  requested  to do so (in writing)
before you start  receiving  annuity  income.  Any time there's a question about
premium  refunds,  TIAA will rely on information  from your employer.  If you've
withdrawn or transferred the amounts involved from your  accumulation,  we won't
refund them.


                                     - 63 -

<PAGE>


Payment to an Estate, Guardian, Trustee, etc.
- ---------------------------------------------

                  We reserve the right to pay in one sum the  commuted  value of
any benefits due an estate, corporation,  partnership,  trustee, or other entity
not a natural  person.  Neither TIAA nor the Account will be responsible for the
conduct of any executor, trustee, guardian, or other third party to whom payment
is made.

Benefits Based on Incorrect Information
- ---------------------------------------

                  If the  amounts of  benefits  provided  under a contract  were
based on information  that is incorrect,  benefits will be  recalculated  on the
basis of the correct data. If any overpayments or  underpayments  have been made
by the Account, appropriate adjustments will be made.

Proof of Survival
- -----------------

                  We reserve the right to require satisfactory proof that anyone
named to receive benefits under a contract is living on the date payment is due.
If this proof is not received after a request in writing,  the Account will have
the right to make reduced payments or to withhold  payments  entirely until such
proof is received.


                          DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS

                  The  contracts  are offered  continuously  by the personnel of
TIAA-CREF  Individual &  Institutional  Services,  Inc.  ("Services"),  which is
registered  with  the SEC as a  broker-dealer  and is a member  of the  National
Association of Securities  Dealers,  Inc. ("NASD").  Teachers Personal Investors
Services,  Inc. ("TPIS"),  which is also registered with the SEC and is a member
of the NASD,  may also  participate  in the  distribution  of the contracts on a
limited basis. As already noted,  distribution  costs are covered by a deduction
from the assets of the Account;  no commissions  are paid in connection with the
distribution  of the  contracts.  Anyone  distributing  the contracts  must be a
registered  representative  of Services or TPIS,  whose main offices are both at
730 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017-3206.


                                PERIODIC REPORTS

                  As long as you have an accumulation  in the Account,  you will
be sent a statement each quarter which sets forth the following:

         (1)      premiums paid during the quarter;


                                     - 64 -

<PAGE>


         (2)      the number and dollar value of accumulation  units in the Real
                  Estate  Account  credited  to you  during the  quarter  and in
                  total;

         (3)      cash withdrawals from the Account during the quarter;

         (4)      any  transfers  between  the  Account  and TIAA's  traditional
                  annuity or CREF during the quarter;

         (5)      any  repurchase  or transfer to a funding  vehicle  other than
                  TIAA or CREF during the quarter,  if an amount remains in your
                  accumulation after those transactions; and

         (6)      the  amount  applied  to begin  annuity  payments  during  the
                  quarter.


                                STATE REGULATION

                  TIAA, the Real Estate  Account,  and the contracts are subject
to regulation by the New York  Insurance  Department as well as by the insurance
regulatory authorities of certain other states and jurisdictions.

                  TIAA and the Real Estate  Account must file with the NYID both
quarterly and annual  statements.  The Account's books and assets are subject to
review and examination by the NYID at all times, and a full examination into the
affairs of the Account is made at least every five years.  In  addition,  a full
examination  of  the  Real  Estate  Account   operations  is  usually  conducted
periodically by some other states.


                                  LEGAL MATTERS

                  All  matters  involving  the  application  of state law to the
contracts,  including TIAA's right to issue the contracts, have been passed upon
by Charles H. Stamm, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of TIAA. Legal
matters  relating  to the  federal  securities  laws  have been  passed  upon by
Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, L.L.P., Washington, D.C.


                                     EXPERTS

                  The  financial  statements  of the  Real  Estate  Account  and
certain  properties  purchased by the Account included in this  prospectus,  the
schedule to such  financial  statements  and the  financial  statements  of TIAA
incorporated  herein by  reference  have been  audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent auditors, as stated in their reports which appear herein or are

                                     - 65 -

<PAGE>



incorporated  herein by reference,  and have been so included or incorporated in
reliance upon the reports of such firm, given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.

                                LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

                  The assets of the Real  Estate  Account are not subject to any
material  legal  actions.  TIAA is not  involved  in any  legal  action  that we
consider material to its obligations to the Real Estate Account.

                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                  A registration  statement under the Securities Act of 1933 has
been filed with the SEC by TIAA on behalf of the Real Estate Account  related to
the offering described in this prospectus.  This prospectus does not include all
the information set forth in the registration statement. The omitted information
may be obtained at the SEC's principal office in Washington,  D.C., upon payment
of  the  prescribed  fee,  or  through  the  SEC's  Web  site  on  the  Internet
(http://www.sec.gov).

                 Further  information  may be  obtained  from  TIAA at  Teachers
Insurance  and  Annuity  Association  of  America,  730 Third Avenue,  New York,
New York 10017-3206.


                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                  The  financial  statements  of the  Real  Estate  Account  and
certain properties  purchased by the Account and condensed  unaudited  financial
statements  of TIAA follow.  The full audited  financial  statements of TIAA are
available upon request by calling 1 800 842-2733 extension 5509.

                  The financial  statements of TIAA should be distinguished from
the  financial  statements  of the Real Estate  Account and should be considered
only as  bearing  on the  ability  of TIAA to meet  its  obligations  under  the
contracts.  They should not be considered as bearing upon the assets held in the
Real Estate Account.


                                     - 66 -

<PAGE>


                          INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                                                           PAGE
TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

Report of Management Responsibility.......................................   F-3
                                                                             
Report of Independent Auditors............................................   F-4
                                                                             
Statements of Assets and Liabilities......................................   F-5
                                                                             
Statements of Operations..................................................   F-6
                                                                             
Statements of Changes in Net Assets.......................................   F-7
                                                                             
Statements of Cash Flows..................................................   F-8
                                                                            
Notes to Financial Statements.............................................   F-9
                                                                          
Statements of Investments.................................................  F-14

PROFORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

Proforma Condensed Statement of Assets
  and Liabilities.......................................................... F-18
                                                                            
Proforma Condensed Statement of Operations................................. F-18
                                                                            
Notes to Proforma Condensed Financial Statements........................... F-19
                                                                            
THE GREENS AT METROWEST APARTMENTS AND                                      
  BRIXWORTH-ATLANTA APARTMENTS:                                              
                                                                            
Independent Auditors' Report............................................... F-20
                                                                            
Combined Statement of Revenues and Certain Expenses........................ F-21
                                                                            
Notes to Combined Statement of Revenues                                    
  and Certain Expenses..................................................... F-22
                                                                            
THE MILLBROOK COLLECTION AND THE                                            
  LYNNWOOD COLLECTION RETAIL CENTERS:                                        
                                                                            
Independent Auditors' Report............................................... F-23
                                                                            
Combined Statement of Revenues and Certain Expenses........................ F-24
                                                                            
Notes to Combined Statement of Revenues                                     
  and Certain Expenses..................................................... F-25
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                      F - 1

<PAGE>



TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Condensed Unaudited Financial Statements.................................. F-27

Supplemental Information to Condensed Unaudited Financial
  Statements.............................................................. F-29


                                      F - 2
<PAGE>
[TIAA LOGO]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       REPORT OF MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY



To the Participants of the
  TIAA Real Estate Account:


The  accompanying   financial   statements  of  the  TIAA  Real  Estate  Account
("Account") of Teachers  Insurance and Annuity  Association of America  ("TIAA")
are the  responsibility  of  TIAA's  management.  They  have  been  prepared  in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and have been presented
fairly and objectively in accordance with such principles.

TIAA has established and maintains a strong system of internal controls designed
to provide  reasonable  assurance  that  assets  are  properly  safeguarded  and
transactions   are   properly   executed   in   accordance   with   management's
authorization,  and to carry out the ongoing  responsibilities of management for
reliable  financial  statements.  In addition,  TIAA's  internal audit personnel
provide a continuing  review of the internal  controls and  operations  of TIAA,
including  its  separate  account  operations.  The internal  Auditor  regularly
reports to the Audit Committee of the TIAA Board of Trustees.

The accompanying 1995 financial  statements have been audited by the independent
auditing firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP. The independent  auditors' report, which
appears on the following page,  expresses an independent opinion on the fairness
of presentation of these financial statements.

The Audit  Committee of the TIAA Board of Trustees,  consisting  of trustees who
are not officers of TIAA,  meets regularly with management,  representatives  of
Deloitte & Touche LLP and internal auditing personnel to review matters relating
to financial reporting, internal controls and auditing.



                                                   /s/ John H. Biggs
                                            ----------------------------
                                                      Chairman  and
                                               Chief Executive Officer



                                                 /s/ Thomas W. Jones
                                            ----------------------------
                                            Vice Chairman, President and
                                               Chief Operating Officer



                                                /s/ Richard L. Gibbs
                                            ----------------------------
                                            Executive Vice President and
                                            Principal Accounting Officer


                                             F-3

<PAGE>
[letterhead]

Deloitte &
Touche LLP [LOGO]     Two World Financial Center      Telephone: (212) 436-2000
                      New York, New York 10281-1414   Facsimile: (212) 436-5000




                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



To the Participants of the TIAA Real Estate Account and the Board of Trustees of
  Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of the TIAA
Real Estate Account ("Account") of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of
America  ("TIAA"),  including the statement of  investments,  as of December 31,
1995, and the related  statements of operations,  changes in net assets and cash
flows for the period July 3, 1995  (commencement  of operations) to December 31,
1995. These financial  statements are the  responsibility of TIAA's  management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial  statements based
on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Those standards  require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance   about  whether  the  financial   statements  are  free  of  material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 1995, by correspondence with
the custodian  and brokers.  An audit also  includes  assessing  the  accounting
principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by  management,  as well as
evaluating the overall  financial  statement  presentation.  We believe that our
audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our  opinion,  such  financial  statements  present  fairly,  in all material
respects,  the  financial  position of the Account as of December 31, 1995,  the
results of its operations,  the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for
the  above-stated  period,  in conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.

Investments  in real estate  properties are stated at fair value at December 31,
1995, as discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements.  Determination of fair
value  involves  subjective  judgment  because the actual  market  value of real
estate can be  determined  only by  negotiation  between  the parties in a sales
transaction.



Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York
March 8, 1996

                                             F-4
[logo]
- ---------------
Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu
International
- ---------------

<PAGE>




                                          TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                                    STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                June 30,       December 31,
                                                                                 1996              1995
                                                                              ----------       ------------
                                                                              (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                            <C>                <C>       
ASSETS
  Investments, at value:
    Real estate properties
     (Cost:$85,317,574 and $43,989,665)...................................   $ 85,885,380       $ 43,989,665
    Marketable securities
    (Amortized cost: $82,753,934 and $73,972,831).........................     82,854,516         73,992,569
  Cash....................................................................        346,203            396,787
  Receivable from securities transactions.................................     10,700,000         23,150,000
  Other...................................................................      2,456,867          1,648,400
                                                                             ------------       ------------

                                                            TOTAL ASSETS      182,242,966        143,177,421
                                                                             ------------       ------------

LIABILITIES
  Payable for securities transactions.....................................     10,832,809         22,788,035
  Other...................................................................      2,341,829            131,041
                                                                             ------------       ------------

                                                       TOTAL LIABILITIES       13,174,638         22,919,076
                                                                             ------------       ------------

NET ASSETS
  Accumulation Fund.......................................................    166,106,139        120,258,345
  Annuity Fund............................................................      2,962,189             --
                                                                             ------------       ------------

                                                        TOTAL NET ASSETS     $169,068,328       $120,258,345
                                                                             ============       ============

NUMBER OF ACCUMULATION UNITS
 OUTSTANDING--Notes 6 and 7...............................................      1,561,082          1,172,498
                                                                                =========          =========

NET ASSET VALUE, PER ACCUMULATION UNIT--Note 6............................        $106.40            $102.57
                                                                                =========          =========
</TABLE>



                                     See notes to financial statements.

                                                    F-5

<PAGE>





                                          TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                                          STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             For the          For the Period
                                                                               Six             July 3, 1995
                                                                              Months          (Commencement
                                                                              Ended           of Operations)
                                                                             June 30,         to December 31,
                                                                               1996                 1995
                                                                            ----------        ---------------
                                                                            (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                          <C>                 <C>    
INVESTMENT INCOME
  Income:
    Real estate income, net:
      Rental income.....................................................     $3,933,580          $  165,762
                                                                              ---------          ----------

      Real estate property level expenses and taxes:
        Operating expenses..............................................        828,888              29,173
        Real estate taxes...............................................        405,405              14,659
                                                                             ----------          ----------
                                       Total real estate property level
                                                     expenses and taxes       1,234,293              43,832
                                                                             ----------          ----------

                                                Real estate income, net       2,699,287             121,930

    Interest............................................................      2,283,539           2,820,229
    Dividends...........................................................         60,825               8,671
                                                                             ----------          ----------
                                                           TOTAL INCOME       5,043,651           2,950,830
                                                                             ----------          ----------

  Expenses--Note 3:
    Investment advisory.................................................        180,588             228,136
    Administrative......................................................        123,311              66,320
    Mortality and expense risk charges..................................         18,094               8,291
    Liquidity guarantee charges.........................................            803               8,291
                                                                             ----------          ----------
                                                         TOTAL EXPENSES         322,796             311,038
    Fees paid indirectly ...............................................          --                   (605)
                                                                             ----------          ----------
                                                           NET EXPENSES         322,796             310,433
                                                                             ----------          ----------
                                                 INVESTMENT INCOME, NET       4,720,855           2,640,397
                                                                             ----------          ----------

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED
  GAIN ON INVESTMENTS
    Net realized gain on marketable securities..........................         40,235              15,865
                                                                             ----------          ----------
    Net change in unrealized appreciation on:
      Real estate properties  ..........................................        567,806                --
      Marketable securities.............................................         80,844              19,738
                                                                             ----------          ----------

                                  Net change in unrealized appreciation         648,650              19,738
                                                                             ----------          ----------

                        NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS         688,885              35,603
                                                                             ----------          ----------

                                             NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
                                              RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS      $5,409,740          $2,676,000
                                                                             ==========          ==========
</TABLE>






                                     See notes to financial statements.

                                                    F-6

<PAGE>



                                          TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                                    STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             For the          For the Period
                                                                               Six             July 3, 1995
                                                                              Months          (Commencement
                                                                              Ended           of Operations)
                                                                             June 30,         to December 31,
                                                                               1996                 1995
                                                                            ----------       ---------------
                                                                            (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                        <C>                 <C>         
FROM OPERATIONS
  Investment income, net...............................................    $  4,720,855        $  2,640,397
  Net realized gain on investments.....................................          40,235              15,865
  Net change in unrealized appreciation
    on investments.....................................................         648,650              19,738
                                                                           ------------        ------------

                                            NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
                                             RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS        5,409,740           2,676,000
                                                                           ------------        ------------


FROM PARTICIPANT TRANSACTIONS
  TIAA seed money contributed - Note 1.................................          --             100,000,000
  Premiums.............................................................       3,052,001             500,421
  Disbursements and transfers:
    Net transfers from TIAA............................................       4,335,446           2,901,675
    Net transfers from CREF Accounts...................................      36,273,968          14,204,597
    Annuity and other periodic payments................................         (42,370)               (718)
    Withdrawals........................................................        (192,124)            (23,630)
    Death benefits.....................................................         (26,678)             --
                                                                           ------------        ------------

                                      INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING
                                         FROM PARTICIPANT TRANSACTIONS       43,400,243         117,582,345
                                                                           ------------        ------------

                                            NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS       48,809,983         120,258,345


NET ASSETS
  Beginning of period..................................................     120,258,345              --
                                                                           ------------        ------------

  End of period........................................................    $169,068,328        $120,258,345
                                                                           ============        ============
</TABLE>



                                     See notes to financial statements.

                                                    F-7

<PAGE>





                                          TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                                          STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             For the          For the Period
                                                                               Six             July 3, 1995
                                                                              Months          (Commencement
                                                                              Ended           of Operations)
                                                                             June 30,        to December 31,
                                                                               1996                1995
                                                                            ----------       ---------------
                                                                            (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                         <C>                <C>          
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net increase in net assets
   resulting from operations...........................................    $  5,409,740        $  2,676,000
  Adjustments to reconcile net increase
   in net assets resulting from operations
   to net cash used in operating activities:
     Increase in investments...........................................     (50,757,662)       (117,982,234)
     (Increase) decrease in receivable from
        securities transactions .......................................      12,450,000         (23,150,000)
     Increase in other assets..........................................        (808,467)         (1,648,400)
     Increase (decrease) in payable for
        securities transactions  ......................................     (11,955,226)         22,788,035
     Increase in other liabilities.....................................       2,210,788             131,041
                                                                           ------------        ------------


                                  NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES     (43,450,827)       (117,185,558)
                                                                           ------------        ------------

CASH FLOWS FROM PARTICIPANT TRANSACTIONS
  TIAA seed money contributed..........................................         --              100,000,000
  Premiums.............................................................       3,052,001             500,421
  Disbursements and transfers:
    Net transfers from TIAA............................................       4,335,446           2,901,675
    Net transfers from CREF Accounts...................................      36,273,968          14,204,597
    Annuity and other periodic payments................................         (42,370)               (718)
    Withdrawals........................................................        (192,124)            (23,630)
    Death benefit......................................................         (26,678)            --
                                                                           ------------        ------------


                          NET CASH PROVIDED BY PARTICIPANT TRANSACTIONS      43,400,243         117,582,345
                                                                           ------------        ------------

                                        NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH         (50,584)            396,787

CASH

  Beginning of period..................................................         396,787             --
                                                                           ------------        ------------

  End of period........................................................    $    346,203        $    396,787
                                                                           ============        ============
</TABLE>



                                     See notes to financial statements.

                                                    F-8

<PAGE>



                            TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                            (Information relating to
                               June 30, 1996 and
                           the six months then ended
                                 is unaudited.)


Note 1--Organization

The TIAA Real Estate Account  ("Account") is a segregated  investment account of
Teachers  Insurance  and  Annuity   Association  of  America  ("TIAA")  and  was
established by resolution of TIAA's Board of Trustees on February 22, 1995 under
the insurance laws of the State of New York for the purpose of funding  variable
annuity contracts issued by TIAA.

The Account commenced  operations on July 3, 1995 with a $100,000,000 seed money
investment by TIAA. TIAA purchased  1,000,000  Accumulation Units in the Account
and such Units share in the pro rata  investment  experience  of the Account and
are subject to the same valuation procedures and expense deductions as all other
Accumulation  Units of the Account.  The initial  registration  statement of the
Account filed by TIAA with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission")
under the  Securities  Act of 1933  became  effective  on October  2, 1995.  The
Account  began to offer  Accumulation  Units and Annuity  Units to  participants
other than TIAA  starting  October 2, and  November  1, 1995,  respectively.  At
December  31, 1995 and June 30,  1996,  amounts  retained by TIAA in the Account
remained at 1,000,000  Accumulation Units with a total value of $102,565,900 and
$106,404,500, respectively.

TIAA will redeem a portion of its seed money  Accumulation Units monthly (at the
net asset value at the time of  redemption),  according to a five year repayment
schedule approved by the State of New York Insurance  Department.  This schedule
requires TIAA to begin redeeming the seed money Accumulation Units on October 2,
1997,  or on the date the Account's  assets first reach $200 million,  whichever
comes first.

The investment  objective of the Account is a favorable long-term rate of return
primarily  through  rental  income and  capital  appreciation  from real  estate
investments   owned  by  the   Account.   The   Account   will  also  invest  in
publicly-traded  securities and other instruments to maintain adequate liquidity
for operating expenses and capital expenditures and to make benefit payments.

TIAA employees, under the direction of TIAA's Board of Trustees and its Mortgage
Committee,  manage the investment of the Account's assets pursuant to investment
management  procedures  adopted  by TIAA  for  the  Account.  TIAA's  investment
management  decisions  for the Account  are  subject to review by the  Account's
independent  fiduciary,  Institutional  Property  Consultants,  Inc.  TIAA  also
provides all portfolio  accounting and related  services for the Account.  TIAA-
CREF Individual & Institutional  Services,  Inc.  ("Services"),  a subsidiary of
TIAA which is registered with the Commission as a broker-dealer  and is a member
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., provides administrative
and distribution services pursuant to a Distribution and Administrative Services
Agreement with the Account.


Note 2--Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of the significant  accounting  policies  followed by
the  Account,  which  are  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.

Valuation of Real Estate  Properties:  Investments in real estate properties are
stated at fair value, as determined in accordance  with  procedures  approved by
the  Mortgage  Committee  of the Board of Trustees  and in  accordance  with the
responsibilities  of the Board as a whole;  accordingly,  the  Account  does not
record  depreciation.  Fair value for real estate  properties  is defined as the
most probable price for which a property will sell in a competitive market under
all

                                       F-9

<PAGE>



conditions  requisite  to a fair  sale.  Determination  of fair  value  involves
subjective  judgement  because  the actual  market  value of real  estate can be
determined only by negotiation between the parties in a sales transaction.  Real
estate  properties owned by the Account are initially valued at their respective
purchase  prices  (including  acquisition  costs).   Subsequently,   independent
appraisers value each real estate property at least once a year. The independent
fiduciary  must approve all  independent  appraisers  that the Account uses. The
independent fiduciary can also require additional appraisals if it believes that
a  property's  value has  changed  materially  or  otherwise  to assure that the
Account  is valued  correctly.  TIAA  performs a  valuation  review of each real
estate  property on a  quarterly  basis and  updates  the  property  value if it
believes that the value of the property has changed since the previous valuation
review or appraisal.  The  independent  fiduciary  reviews and approves any such
valuation  adjustments which exceed certain prescribed limits. TIAA continues to
use the revised  value to calculate the Account's net asset value until the next
valuation review or appraisal.

Valuation of Marketable  Securities:  Equity  securities listed or traded on any
United States national securities exchange are valued at the last sales price as
of the close of the principal  securities  exchange on which such securities are
traded  or, if there is no sale,  at the mean of the last bid and asked  prices.
Short-term  money  market  instruments  are  stated at market  value.  Portfolio
securities for which market  quotations are not readily  available are valued at
fair value as  determined  in good faith  under the  direction  of the  Mortgage
Committee of the Board of Trustees and in accordance  with the  responsibilities
of the Board as a whole.

Accounting for Investments: Real estate transactions are accounted for as of the
date on which the purchase or sale  transactions for the real estate  properties
close  (settlement  date).  Rent from real  estate  properties  consists  of all
amounts earned under tenant operating leases, including base rent, recoveries of
real estate  taxes and other  expenses  and charges for  miscellaneous  services
provided to tenants.  Rental income is recognized in accordance with the billing
terms of the lease agreements. The Account bears the direct expenses of the real
estate  properties owned.  These expenses include,  but are not limited to, fees
paid  to  local  property  management  companies,   property  taxes,  utilities,
maintenance, repairs, insurance and other operating and administrative costs. An
estimate of the net operating  income  earned from each real estate  property is
accrued by the Account on a daily basis and such  estimates are adjusted as soon
as actual  operating  results are determined.  Realized gains and losses on real
estate transactions are accounted for under the specific identification method.

Securities  transactions  are  accounted for as of the date the  securities  are
purchased or sold (trade date).  Interest  income is recorded as earned and, for
short-term   money  market   instruments,   includes  accrual  of  discount  and
amortization of premium.  Dividend  income is recorded on the ex-dividend  date.
Realized  gains and losses on security  transactions  are  accounted  for on the
average cost basis.

Federal  Income  Taxes:  Based on  provisions  of the Internal  Revenue Code, no
federal income taxes are  attributable  to the net investment  experience of the
Account.

Note 3--Management Agreements

All services  necessary for the operation of the Account are provided,  at cost,
by TIAA and  Services.  TIAA  provides  investment  management  services for the
Account, while distribution and administrative services are provided by Services
in accordance with a Distribution and Administrative  Services Agreement between
the Account  and  Services.  TIAA also  provides a  liquidity  guarantee  to the
Account,  for a fee,  to ensure  that funds are  available  to meet  participant
transfer and cash withdrawal requests in the event that the Account's cash flows

                                       F-10

<PAGE>



and  liquid  investments  are  insufficient  to fund  such  requests.  TIAA also
receives a fee for assuming certain mortality and expense risks.

Fee  payments  are made from the Account on a daily  basis to TIAA and  Services
according to formulas  established  each year with the  objective of keeping the
fees as close as possible to the  Account's  actual  expenses.  Any  differences
between actual expenses and daily charges are adjusted quarterly.

TIAA and Services  generally pay directly for all third-party  services provided
for the benefit of the Account.  "Soft-dollar"  arrangements  for  brokerage and
other  services are  generally  not utilized by the  Account.  However,  certain
custodial  fees are  reduced  based on the level of  average  cash  balances  on
deposit with a custodian bank during the period.  The amount by which  custodial
fees were reduced  under these  expense  offset  agreements  is reflected in the
accompanying Statement of Operations as "Fees paid indirectly".

Note 4--Real Estate Properties

Had the Account's real estate  properties  which were purchased during 1995 been
acquired at July 3, 1995  (Commencement  of Operations),  rental income and real
estate  property  level  expenses  and taxes for the period July 3, 1995 through
December 31, 1995 would have increased by approximately $2,538,000 and $889,000,
respectively. In addition, interest income would have decreased by approximately
$1,082,000.  Accordingly,  the  total  proforma  effect  on  the  Account's  net
investment  income for the period July 3, 1995  through  December 31, 1995 would
have been an increase of approximately  $567,000,  if the real estate properties
acquired  during 1995 had been acquired at July 3, 1995.  

Had the Account's real estate  properties  which were purchased during 1996 been
acquired  at January 1, 1996,  rental  income  and real  estate  property  level
expenses and taxes for the six months  ended June 30, 1996 would have  increased
by approximately $1,532,000 and $615,000,  respectively.  In addition,  interest
income would have decreased by approximately  $746,000.  Accordingly,  the total
pro forma effect on the Account's net investment income for the six months ended
June 30, 1996 would have been an increase of approximately $171,000, if the real
estate properties acquired during 1996 had been acquired at January 1, 1996.

Note 5--Leases

The Account's real estate properties are leased to tenants under operating lease
agreements  which expire on various dates through 2015. As of December 31, 1995,
aggregate minimum annual rentals for the properties owned,  excluding short-term
residential leases, are as follows:

               Years Ending
               December 31,
               ------------
               1996                         $ 1,653,336
               1997                           1,653,336
               1998                           1,638,541
               1999                           1,513,600
               2000                           1,461,217
               Thereafter                     7,673,670
                                            -----------

               Total                        $15,593,700
                                            ===========


Certain leases provide for additional  rental amounts based upon the recovery of
actual operating expenses in excess of specified base amounts.

                                       F-11

<PAGE>



Note 6--Condensed Financial Information

Selected condensed financial information for an Accumulation Unit of the Account
is presented below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                For the       For the Period
                                                                                  Six          July 3, 1995
                                                                                 Months       (Commencement
                                                                                 Ended       of Operations)
                                                                                June 30,     to December 31,
                                                                                  1996             1995
                                                                               ----------    ---------------
                                                                              (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                              <C>             <C>     
Per Accumulation Unit Data:
  Rental income..............................................................    $ 2.819         $  0.159
  Real estate property level expenses and taxes..............................      0.884            0.042
                                                                                 -------        ---------
                                                    Real estate income, net        1.935            0.117
  Dividends and interest.....................................................      1.680            2.716
                                                                                 -------        ---------
                                                               Total income        3.615            2.833
  Expense charges (1)........................................................      0.231            0.298
                                                                                 -------        ---------
                                                     Investment income, net        3.384            2.535
  Net realized and unrealized gain on investments............................      0.455            0.031
                                                                                 -------        ---------
Net increase in Accumulation Unit Value......................................      3.839            2.566

Accumulation Unit Value:
  Beginning of period........................................................    102.566          100.000
                                                                                --------        ---------
  End of period..............................................................   $106.405         $102.566
                                                                                ========        =========


Total return.................................................................      3.74%            2.57%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
  Expenses (1)...............................................................      0.22%            0.30%
  Investment income, net.....................................................      3.26%            2.51%
Portfolio turnover rate:
  Real estate properties....................................................          0%               0%
  Securities................................................................      19.67%               0%
Thousands of Accumulation Units
 outstanding at end of period................................................     1,561             1,172
</TABLE>

(1)  Expense charges per Accumulation  Unit and the Expense Ratio to Average Net
     Assets exclude real estate property level operating  expenses and taxes. If
     included, the expense charge per Accumulation Unit for the six months ended
     June 30, 1996 would be $1.115  ($0.340 for the period July 3, 1995  through
     December 31, 1995) and the Expenses Ratio to Average Net Assets for the six
     months  ended June 30,  1996 would be 1.07%  (0.34% for the period  July 3,
     1995 through December 31, 1995).

                                                    F-12

<PAGE>



Note 7--Accumulation Units

Changes in the number of Accumulation Units outstanding were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                For the       For the Period
                                                                                  Six          July 3, 1995
                                                                                 Months       (Commencement
                                                                                 Ended       of Operations)
                                                                                June 30,     to December 31,
                                                                                  1996             1995
                                                                               ----------    ---------------
                                                                              (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                           <C>                  <C>      
Accumulation Units:

 Credited for premiums and TIAA seed
   money investment.........................................................       29,214          1,004,905
 Credited for net transfers                                                    
  and disbursements.........................................................      359,370            167,593
                                                                               
Outstanding:                                                                   
 Beginning of period........................................................    1,172,498             --
                                                                                ---------         ----------
 End of period..............................................................    1,561,082          1,172,498
                                                                                =========         ==========
</TABLE>                                                                     


Note 8--Commitments

During the normal course of business,  the Account enters into  discussions  and
agreements to purchase or sell real estate properties.  As of December 31, 1995,
the Account had  outstanding  commitments  to  purchase  real estate  properties
(subject  to  various  closing  conditions)  of  $23,550,000.  Of that  amount a
purchase of real estate  property  totalling  $10,050,000 was closed in February
1996. As of June 30, 1996, the Account had  outstanding  commitments to purchase
real estate properties  (subject to various closing conditions) of approximately
$20.5  million.  Of that amount,  a purchase of real estate  property  totalling
approximately $13.0 million was closed in July 1996.

                                                    F-13

<PAGE>



                                          TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                                    STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)
                                                June 30, 1996


REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES--50.90%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Location                            Description                                              Value
        --------                            -----------                                              -----
<S>                                         <C>                                                  <C>        
Atlanta, Georgia (1)                        Apartments.........................................  $15,705,000
El Paso, Texas (2)                          Industrial building................................    4,500,000
Fridley, Minnesota (1)                      Industrial building................................    4,150,000
Littleton, Colorado (1)                     Apartments.........................................   17,664,248
Ocoee, Florida (1)                          Shopping Center....................................    7,365,000
Orlando, Florida (1)                        Apartments.........................................   12,529,106
Phoenix, Arizona (1)                        Office building....................................   10,500,000
Raleigh, North Carolina (1)                 Shopping center....................................    6,769,308
Raleigh, North Carolina (1)                 Shopping center....................................    6,702,718
                                                                                                  ----------

        TOTAL REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES
          (Cost $85,317,574)...................................................................   85,885,380
                                                                                                  ----------
</TABLE>

(1)  Fee interest
(2)  Leasehold interest



MARKETABLE SECURITIES--49.10%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Shares                 Issuer                                                                Value
        ------                 ------                                                                -----
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS--2.93%:

        <C>               <S>                                                                        <C>    
        30,000            Associated Estates Realty Corporation...................................   630,000
        25,000            Avalon Properties, Inc..................................................   543,750
        25,000            Camden Property Trust...................................................   593,750
        29,000            Cali Realty Corporation.................................................   703,250
        29,000            CBL & Associates Properties, Inc........................................   648,875
        20,000            Colonial Properties Trust...............................................   485,000
        25,000            Hospitality Properties Trust............................................   668,750
        26,000            Weeks Corporation.......................................................   676,000
                                                                                                    --------

        TOTAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
        (Cost $4,825,683)........................................................................  4,949,375
                                                                                                   ---------
</TABLE>


                                     See notes to financial statements.

                                                    F-14

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal                 Issuer, Coupon and Maturity Date                                           Value
- ---------                 --------------------------------                                           -----

COMMERCIAL PAPER--41.53%:

<C>                 <S>                                                                          <C>
$ 6,279,000         Associates Corporation of North America
                     5.27% 07/03/96...........................................................   $ 6,276,007
 10,000,000         Coca-Cola Company
                     5.30% 07/29/96............................................................    9,955,755
  7,650,000         Conagra, Inc.
                     5.55% 07/29/96............................................................    7,615,601
  5,200,000         Dupont (E.I.) De Nemours & Co.
                     5.35% 07/24/96............................................................    5,180,965
  7,320,000         Goldman Sachs Group
                     5.33% 08/05/96............................................................    7,279,826
  4,860,000         Heinz Corporation
                     5.36% 07/11/96............................................................    4,851,742
  4,893,000         Phillip Morris Co.
                     5.28% 08/01/96............................................................    4,869,111
  9,120,000         Schering Corporation
                     5.27% 07/16/96............................................................    9,097,681
  5,000,000         UBS Finance, Inc.
                     5.58% 07/01/96............................................................    4,999,234
 10,000,000         Whirlpool Finance Corporation
                     5.38% 08/07/96............................................................    9,941,545
                                                                                                 -----------

        TOTAL COMMERCIAL PAPER
         (Amortized cost $70,085,407).........................................................    70,067,467
                                                                                                 -----------


GOVERNMENT AGENCIES--4.64%:

 8,000,000          Federal National Mortgage Association
                     5.20% 11/14/96............................................................    7,837,674
                                                                                                 -----------

        TOTAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
         (Amortized cost $7,842,844)..........................................................     7,837,674
                                                                                                 -----------

TOTAL MARKETABLE SECURITIES
 (Amortized cost $82,753,934)..................................................................   82,854,516
                                                                                                 -----------

TOTAL INVESTMENTS--100.00%
 (Cost $168,071,508)..........................................................................  $168,739,896
                                                                                                ============
</TABLE>


                                     See notes to financial statements.

                                                    F-15

<PAGE>



                            TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                            STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS
                                December 31, 1995



REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES--37.28%

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Location                        Description                                       Value
    --------                        -----------                                       -----

<S>                              <C>                                               <C>        
Fridley, Minnesota(1)            Industrial building............................   $ 4,166,787

Orlando, Florida(1)              Apartments.....................................    12,490,895

El Paso, Texas(2)                Industrial building............................     4,431,166

Atlanta, Georgia(1)              Apartments.....................................    15,574,647

Ocoee, Florida(1)                Shopping center................................     7,326,170
                                                                                  ------------

        TOTAL REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES
         (Cost $43,989,665).....................................................    43,989,665
                                                                                  ------------
</TABLE>


(1) Fee interest
(2) Leasehold interest



MARKETABLE SECURITIES--62.72%

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST--.37%:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares                   Issuer                                                       
- ------                   ------                                                       

<C>                 <S>                                                                <C>    
  15,000            Reckson Associates Realty...................................       440,625
                                                                                  ------------

        TOTAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST
        (Cost $402,000).........................................................       440,625
                                                                                  ------------
</TABLE>



                              See notes to financial statements.

                                             F-16

<PAGE>


COMMERCIAL PAPER--18.17%:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal           Issuer, Coupon and Maturity Date                                   Value
- ---------           --------------------------------                                   -----
<C>                 <S>                                                           <C>
$14,360,000         AT&T Capital Corporation
                    5.64% 02/01/96............................................... $ 14,285,025
  7,150,000         Corporate Asset Funding Company, Inc.
                    5.80% 01/02/96...............................................    7,148,022
                                                                                  ------------

        TOTAL COMMERCIAL PAPER
         (Amortized cost $21,439,106)............................................   21,433,047
                                                                                  ------------


GOVERNMENT AGENCIES--44.18%:

  5,930,000       Federal Home Loan Bank
                  5.60% 01/08/96   ..............................................    5,922,505
 15,700,000       Federal Home Loan Bank
                  5.48% 01/22/96  ...............................................   15,645,015
  5,000,000       Federal Home Loan Bank
                  5.38% 02/22/96   ..............................................    4,958,793
 25,670,000       Federal National Mortgage Association
                  5.67% 01/19/96.................................................   25,592,584
                                                                                  ------------

        TOTAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
         (Amortized cost $52,131,725)............................................   52,118,897
                                                                                  ------------

TOTAL MARKETABLE SECURITIES
 (Amortized cost $73,972,831)....................................................   73,992,569
                                                                                  ------------

TOTAL INVESTMENTS
 (Amortized cost $117,962,496)................................................... $117,982,234
                                                                                  ============
</TABLE>



                              See notes to financial statements.

                                             F-17



<PAGE>


                            TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT

                               PROFORMA CONDENSED
                 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Unaudited)
                                DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Proforma
                                              Historical     Adjustments       Proforma
                                              ----------     -----------       --------
<S>                                          <C>             <C>             <C>
ASSETS
 Investments, at value:
  Real estate properties ....................$ 43,989,665    $23,520,946 (a) $ 67,510,611
  Marketable securities .....................  73,992,569    (23,520,946)(a)   50,471,623
 Other ......................................  25,195,187         --           25,195,187
                                             ------------    -----------     ------------

TOTAL ASSETS ................................ 143,177,421         --          143,177,421

LIABILITIES .................................  22,919,076         --           22,919,076
                                             ------------    -----------     ------------

NET ASSETS - Accumulation Fund ..............$120,258,345    $    --         $120,258,345
                                             ============    ===========     ============
</TABLE>

                            TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                               PROFORMA CONDENSED
                       STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
            FOR THE PERIOD JULY 3, 1995 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS)
                              TO DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Proforma
                                               Historical     Adjustments       Proforma
                                               ----------     -----------       --------
<S>                                           <C>             <C>             <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME
 Income:
  Real estate income, net:
   Rental income .............................$    165,762    $ 3,573,016 (b) $  3,738,778
   Real estate property level                  -----------    ------------     ------------
       expenses and taxes:
    Operating expenses .......................      29,173        879,547 (b)      908,720
    Real estate taxes ........................      14,659        337,947 (b)      352,606
                                               -----------    -----------     ------------
  Total real estate property
   level expenses and taxes ..................      43,832      1,217,494        1,261,326
                                               -----------    -----------     ------------
  Real estate income, net ....................     121,930      2,355,522        2,477,452
  Interest and dividends .....................   2,828,900     (1,702,630)(c)    1,126,270
                                               -----------    -----------     ------------
TOTAL INCOME .................................   2,950,830        652,892        3,603,722

EXPENSES .....................................     310,433         --              310,433
                                               -----------    -----------     ------------
INVESTMENT INCOME-NET ........................   2,640,397        652,892        3,293,289

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED
 GAIN ON INVESTMENTS .........................      35,603         --               35,603
                                               -----------    -----------     ------------

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
 RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS ...................$  2,676,000    $   652,892     $  3,328,892
                                              ============    ===========     ============
</TABLE>

              See notes to proforma condensed financial statements.

                                     F - 18
<PAGE>


                            TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
          NOTES TO PROFORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Note 1--Purpose

The proforma condensed  statement of assets and liabilities has been prepared in
order to reflect the TIAA Real Estate  Account  ("Account")  assuming  that real
estate  properties  purchased  during the period  January 1, 1996 through May 1,
1996 were purchased as of December 31, 1995. The proforma condensed statement of
operations  has been prepared in order to reflect the Account  assuming that all
real estate properties purchased during the period July 3, 1995 (commencement of
operations)  to May 1,  1996  were  owned for the  period  July 3, 1995  through
December 31, 1995.

Note 2--Management's Assumptions

The following  assumptions  were made in preparing the proforma  adjustments  to
reflect the purpose described in Note 1.

Proforma Condensed Statement of Assets and Liabilities

(a) To record the cost of the properties  purchased during the period January 1,
1996 through May 1, 1996 assuming such  properties were purchased as of December
31, 1995.

Proforma Condensed Statement of Operations

(b) To record the rental income and real estate  property  level expenses of the
real estate  properties  purchased during the period July 3, 1995 through May 1,
1996  assuming  such  properties  were owned for the period July 3, 1995 through
December 31, 1995.

(c) To record the decrease in the interest and dividend  income  resulting  from
having less cash invested in  marketable  securities by assuming the real estate
properties  purchased  during  the  period  July 3, 1995 to May 1, 1996 had been
purchased as of July 3, 1995.

                                      F-19

<PAGE>
[letterhead]

Deloitte &
Touche LLP [LOGO]     Two World Financial Center      Telephone: (212) 436-2000
                      New York, New York 10281-1414   Facsimile: (212) 436-5000

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Board of Trustees of
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America:

We have audited the combined  statement of revenues and certain  expenses of the
properties  known  as The  Greens  at  Metrowest  Apartments  ("Metrowest")  and
Brixworth-Atlanta Apartments ("Brixworth") (collectively,  the "Properties") for
the year ended December 15, 1994. This financial statement is the responsibility
of TIAA Real Estate Account's  management.  Our  responsibility is to express an
opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.

We conducted our audit 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   statement  is  free  of  material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial  statement.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as  evaluating  the overall  presentation  of the financial
statement.  We  believe  that our  audit  provides  a  reasonable  basis for our
opinion.

The  accompanying  combined  statement  of  revenues  and certain  expenses  was
prepared  for the purpose of  complying  with the rules and  regulations  of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (for inclusion in the registration  statement
on Form S-1 of TIAA  Real  Estate  Account)  and as  described  in Note 2 is not
intended to be a complete presentation of the Properties' revenues and expenses.

In our opinion,  the financial  statement  referred to above presents fairly, in
all material  respects,  the combined statement of revenues and certain expenses
of the  Properties as described in Note 2 for the year ended  December 15, 1994,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New York, New York
March 8, 1996

[logo]
- ---------------
Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu
International
- ---------------

                                      F-20
<PAGE>


THE GREENS AT METROWEST APARTMENTS AND
BRIXWORTH-ATLANTA APARTMENTS

Combined Statement of Revenues and Certain Expenses
Year Ended December 15, 1994

Revenues:
  Rental income                                    $3,673,718
  Other                                                89,066
                                                   ----------

         Total revenues                             3,762,784
                                                   ----------


Certain expenses:
  Building operating expenses                         653,459
  Real estate taxes                                   405,440
  Management fees                                     303,801
                                                   ----------

         Total expenses                             1,362,700
                                                   ----------

Revenues in excess of certain expenses             $2,400,084
                                                   ==========


See notes to combined statement of revenues and certain expenses.

                                      F-21


<PAGE>

THE GREENS AT METROWEST APARTMENTS AND
BRIXWORTH-ATLANTA APARTMENTS


Notes to Combined Statement of Revenues and Certain Expenses 
Year Ended December 15, 1994

1.  DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES

    The  combined  statement  of revenues  and certain  expenses  relates to the
    properties  known as The Greens at Metrowest  Apartments  ("Metrowest")  and
    Brixworth-Atlanta Apartments ("Brixworth") (collectively, the "Properties").
    Metrowest and Brixworth  were acquired on December 15, 1995 and December 28,
    1995, respectively, by TIAA Real Estate Account (the "Account").

2.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

    The  accompanying  financial  statement is presented in conformity with Rule
    3-14  of  Regulation  S-X  of  the   Securities  and  Exchange   Commission.
    Accordingly,  the financial  statement is not  representative  of the actual
    operations for the year ended December 15, 1994 as certain  expenses,  which
    may not be comparable to the expenses  expected to be incurred in the future
    operations of the Properties have been excluded.  Expenses  excluded consist
    of  interest,  depreciation  and  amortization  and other costs not directly
    related to the future operations of the Properties.

3.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

    Rental Income - Rental income is recognized  when due in accordance with the
    terms of the respective leases.

    Income Taxes - Based on provisions of the Internal  Revenue Code, no federal
    income  taxes  are  attributable  to the net  investment  experience  of the
    Account.  

 .  Building  Operating  Expenses - Expenses  consist  primarily  of  utilities,
    insurance,  security and safety,  cleaning and other rental  expenses of the
    Properties.

                                       F-22


<PAGE>
[letterhead]

Deloitte &
Touche LLP [LOGO]     Two World Financial Center      Telephone: (212) 436-2000
                      New York, New York 10281-1414   Facsimile: (212) 436-5000

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Board of Trustees
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America:

We have audited the combined  statement of revenues and certain  expenses of the
properties  known as The  Millbrook  Collection  ("Millbrook")  and The Lynnwood
Collection Retail Centers ("Lynnwood") (collectively,  the "Properties") for the
year ended December 15, 1995. This financial  statement is the responsibility of
TIAA Real  Estate  Account's  management.  Our  responsibility  is to express an
opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.

We conducted our audit 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   statement  is  free  of  material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial  statement.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as  evaluating  the overall  presentation  of the financial
statement.  We  believe  that our  audit  provides  a  reasonable  basis for our
opinion.

The  accompanying  combined  statement  of  revenues  and certain  expenses  was
prepared  for the purpose of  complying  with the rules and  regulations  of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (for inclusion in the registration  statement
on Form S-1 of TIAA  Real  Estate  Account)  and as  described  in Note 2 is not
intended to be a complete presentation of the Properties' revenues and expenses.

In our opinion,  the financial  statement  referred to above presents fairly, in
all material  respects,  the combined statement of revenues and certain expenses
of the Properties as described in Note 2 for the year ended December 15, 1995 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New York, New York
April 12, 1996

[logo]
- ---------------
Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu
International
- ---------------

                                       F-23

<PAGE>

THE MILLBROOK COLLECTION AND
THE LYNNWOOD COLLECTION RETAIL CENTERS

Combined Statement of Revenues and Certain Expenses
Year Ended December 15, 1995
 

Revenues:
  Rental income                                       $1,403,947
  Other                                                  364,641
                                                      ----------

         Total revenues                                1,768,588
                                                      ----------


Certain expenses:
  Building operating expenses                            348,117
  Real estate taxes                                      146,537
  Management fees                                         79,539
                                                      ----------

         Total expenses                                  574,193
                                                      ----------

Revenues in excess of certain expenses                $1,194,395
                                                      ==========



See notes to combined statement of revenues and certain expenses.

                                      F-24
<PAGE>

THE MILLBROOK COLLECTION AND
THE LYNNWOOD COLLECTION RETAIL CENTERS


Notes to Combined Statement of Revenues and Certain Expenses
Year Ended December 15, 1995


1.  DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES

    The  combined  statement  of revenues  and certain  expenses  relates to the
    properties known as The Millbrook Collection  ("Millbrook") and The Lynnwood
    Collection Retail Centers  ("Lynnwood")  (collectively,  the  "Properties").
    Millbrook and Lynnwood, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, were acquired on
    March 29, 1996 by TIAA Real Estate Account (the "Account").

2.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

    The  accompanying  financial  statement is presented in conformity with Rule
    3-14  of  Regulation  S-X  of  the   Securities  and  Exchange   Commission.
    Accordingly,  the financial  statement is not  representative  of the actual
    operations for the year ended December 15, 1995 as certain  expenses,  which
    may not be comparable to the expenses  expected to be incurred in the future
    operations of the Properties have been excluded.  Expenses  excluded consist
    of  depreciation,  amortization,  ground lease, and other costs not directly
    related to the future operations of the Properties.

3.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

    Rental Income - Rental income is recognized  when due in accordance with the
    terms of the respective leases.

    Income Taxes - Based on provisions of the Internal  Revenue Code, no federal
    income taxes are attributable to the net investment income of the Account.

    Building  Operating  Expenses - Expenses  consist  primarily  of  utilities,
    insurance,  security and safety,  cleaning and other rental  expenses of the
    Properties.


                                      F-25

<PAGE>
4.  LEASES

    At December  15, 1995, future minimum base rentals to be received for fiscal
    years ending 1996 through 2000, and the aggregate amount  thereafter,  under
    noncancellable operating leases in effect are as follows:


    1996                                              $ 1,285,984 
    1997                                                1,191,705 
    1998                                                1,054,190 
    1999                                                  905,454 
    2000                                                  820,880 
    Aggregate amount thereafter                         8,300,455 
                                                      -----------
                                                      $13,558,668
                                                      ===========

    Rental  income  from  one  tenant,  which  operates  a  supermarket  in each
    property,  amounted to approximately  46% of the total rental income for the
    year ended December 15, 1995.

5.  MANAGEMENT FEES

    In accordance with the terms of the management agreement, the Properties pay
    a monthly  management fee based on 5% of total monthly  collections from the
    Properties'  tenants.  These monthly  collections  include base rent, common
    area  maintenance,  real estate taxes,  insurance,  and other  miscellaneous
    income.

                                       F-26
<PAGE>


              TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                    Condensed Unaudited Financial Statements

        (Condensed unaudited financial statements for 1995 and 1994 have
              been derived from audited financial statements which
                          are available upon request.)

TIAA Condensed Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  JUNE 30,                DECEMBER 31,
ASSETS                                                              1996             1995           1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 (Unaudited)
<S>                                                              <C>             <C>             <C>        
Bonds..........................................................  $51,788,660     $48,835,831     $43,778,518
Mortgages......................................................   20,751,660      21,000,279      20,216,879
Real estate   .................................................    7,130,277       7,013,053       7,075,385
Stocks.........................................................      220,487         223,028         163,284
Other long-term investments....................................      438,000         476,804         383,816
Cash and short-term investments................................      774,132         713,051         431,446
Investment income due
 and accrued...................................................    1,165,018       1,118,708       1,073,386
Separate Account assets........................................      364,219         209,170          30,563
Other assets...................................................      274,140         204,689         194,557
                                                                 -----------     -----------     -----------

Total Assets...................................................  $82,906,593     $79,794,613     $73,347,834
                                                                 ===========     ===========     ===========

LIABILITIES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Policy and contract reserves...................................  $73,230,209     $70,983,831     $65,656,735
Dividends declared for the
 following year................................................    1,639,977       1,493,744       1,382,681
Asset Valuation Reserve........................................    2,055,641       1,860,868       1,664,696
Interest Maintenance Reserve...................................      688,192         621,366         544,660
Separate Account liabilities...................................      257,814         106,512           5,293
Other liabilities..............................................      649,537         672,112         655,945
                                                                 -----------     -----------     -----------

Total Liabilities..............................................  $78,521,370     $75,738,433     $69,910,010
                                                                 -----------     -----------     -----------

CAPITAL & CONTINGENCY RESERVES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Capital........................................................  $     2,500     $     2,500     $     2,500
                                                                 -----------     -----------     -----------
Contingency reserves:
  For group life insurance.....................................        8,248           7,762           6,822
  For investment losses,
   annuity and insurance
   mortality, and other risks..................................    4,374,475       4,045,918       3,428,502
                                                                 -----------     -----------     -----------
Total contingency reserves.....................................    4,382,723       4,053,680       3,435,324
                                                                 -----------     -----------     -----------

Total Capital and
 Contingency Reserves..........................................    4,385,223       4,056,180       3,437,824
                                                                 -----------     -----------     -----------

Total Liabilities, Capital
 and Contingency Reserves......................................  $82,906,593     $79,794,613     $73,347,834
                                                                 ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

                                      F-27

<PAGE>



TIAA Condensed Statements of Operations and
Changes in Contingency Reserves
(in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    For the Six     For the Years Ended
                                                                    Months Ended         December 31,
INCOME                                                              June 30, 1996     1995         1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    (Unaudited)

<S>                                                                 <C>           <C>           <C>        
Insurance and annuity premiums
 and deposits...................................................... $1,401,839    $2,854,600    $ 2,785,546
Transfers from CREF, net...........................................     39,666       351,869        191,583
Annuity dividend additions.........................................  1,000,682     1,943,614      1,844,417
Net investment income..............................................  3,191,458     6,108,497      5,486,071
Supplementary contract
 considerations....................................................     99,409       150,976        105,000
                                                                    ----------    ----------    -----------

Total Income....................................................... $5,733,054   $11,409,556    $10,412,617
                                                                    ==========   ===========    ===========

DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Policy and contract benefits....................................... $  902,979    $1,718,597     $1,538,302
Dividends to policyholders and beneficiaries.......................  1,703,387     3,098,931      2,874,077
Increase in policy and
 contract reserves.................................................  2,415,795     5,329,040      5,043,786
Operating expenses.................................................    120,581       241,795        216,465
Net transfers to
 separate accounts.................................................    132,339        92,995          4,271
Federal income taxes...............................................      6,930         9,488          9,844
Other, net.........................................................      6,373        (4,380)        (2,972)
Increase in contingency
 reserves..........................................................    444,670       923,090        728,844
                                                                    ----------    ----------     ----------

Total Distribution
 of Income........................................................  $5,733,054   $11,409,556    $10,412,617
                                                                    ==========   ===========    ===========

CHANGES IN CONTINGENCY RESERVES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From operations................................................... $   444,670   $   923,090    $   728,844
Net realized capital gain (loss)
 on investments...................................................     177,678       (56,265)       (95,071)
Net unrealized capital gain
 on investments...................................................       9,672        52,706         38,907
Transfer to Interest
 Maintenance Reserve..............................................    (103,281)     (114,840)      (170,430)
Transfers from (to) the
 Asset Valuation Reserve:
  Required formula contribution...................................    (111,748)     (302,387)      (249,405)
  Net capital (gains) losses......................................     (83,025)      106,215        226,639
  Voluntary contribution..........................................        --            --         (193,508)
Increase in nonadmitted assets
 other than investments...........................................      (8,762)         (803)       (22,195)
Change in valuation basis of
 policy reserves..................................................        --            --            2,314
Other, net........................................................       3,839        10,640          1,522
                                                                    ----------   -----------     ----------
Net Change in Contingency
 Reserves.........................................................     329,043       618,356        267,617
Contingency reserves at
 beginning of year................................................   4,053,680     3,435,324      3,167,707
                                                                    ----------   -----------     ----------

Contingency Reserves
 at End of Period.................................................  $4,382,723    $4,053,680     $3,435,324
                                                                    ==========    ==========     ==========
</TABLE>


                                      F-28
<PAGE>



              TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

                           Supplemental Information to
                    Condensed Unaudited Financial Statements


Valuation of Investments: Bonds and short-term investments (debt securities with
maturities  of one year or less at the time of  acquisition)  not in default are
generally stated at amortized cost;  medium to highest quality  preferred stocks
at cost;  common  stocks at market  value;  and all other bond,  short-term  and
preferred stock investments at the lower of cost or market value.  Mortgages are
stated at amortized  cost, and  directly-owned  real estate at depreciated  cost
(net of  encumbrances).  Investments in wholly-owned  real estate  subsidiaries,
real estate limited  partnerships and securities limited partnerships are stated
at TIAA's equity in the net assets of the underlying entities.  Policy loans are
stated at outstanding  principal amounts.  All investments are stated net of any
permanent  impairments,  which are  determined  on an  individual  asset  basis.
Depreciation  is generally  computed over a 40 year period on the constant yield
method for properties  acquired prior to 1991, and on the  straight-line  method
for properties acquired thereafter.

Additional Information:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  JUNE 30,               DECEMBER 31,
                                                                    1996             1995           1994
                                                                 ----------       ----------     ----------
                                                                 (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                 <C>              <C>            <C>
As a percentage of total bond investments:
  Below investment grade bonds ...................................   5%               5%              6%

As a percentage of total mortgage investments:
  Below investment grade mortgage loans ..........................   5%               4%              5%
  Total mortgage investments in California .......................  24%              24%             26%
  Total mortgage investments in office buildings .................  41%              41%             42%
  Total mortgage investments in shopping centers .................  31%              31%             31%

As a percentage of total real estate investments:
  Total real estate investments in Minnesota .....................  11%              12%             12%
  Total real estate investments in California ....................  12%              12%             12%
  Total real estate investments in office buildings ..............  64%              62%             60%
</TABLE>

Asset Swap and  Interest  Rate Swap  Contracts:  TIAA enters into asset swap and
interest rate swap contracts with counterparties. TIAA is exposed to the risk of
default   of  such   counterparties,   although   TIAA   does   not   anticipate
non-performance by the  counterparties.  At June 30, 1996, December 31, 1995 and
December 31, 1994, TIAA had interest rate swap contracts with  commercial  banks
related to $110,000,000, $110,000,000 and $105,000,000,  respectively, par value
of variable interest rate notes, and asset swap contracts outstanding related to
$238,701,000,  $245,462,000  and  $115,211,000,   respectively,  of  investments
denominated in foreign currencies.


                                      F-29

<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX A

                            DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES

MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL COMPLEXES

Monte Vista Apartments -- Littleton, Colorado
- ---------------------------------------------

         On June 21, 1996, the Account purchased the fee interest in Monte Vista
Apartments,  a luxury garden apartment  complex located in Littleton,  Colorado,
for a purchase price of approximately $17.6 million. The property is not subject
to a mortgage.

         Monte  Vista   Apartments   was  built  in  1995,  and  is  located  on
approximately  15.1  acres  of  land.  The  complex  consists  of 219  one-  and
two-bedroom  units  in  22  two-story  buildings,  with  units  containing  such
amenities as 9 foot ceilings,  a gas fireplace and an attached garage.  Building
exteriors  are  brick and  siding.  There are 221  uncovered  parking  spaces in
addition to the garages.  Residents  have use of an on-site  clubhouse,  a fully
equipped  exercise  center and  swimming  pool.  The  complex is  currently  95%
occupied with monthly rents  averaging  $916.00 per unit.  Rents are  comparable
with  competitive  complexes  in the  locality  and  are  not  subject  to  rent
regulation.  The Account will be  responsible  for the expenses of operating the
property.

         Littleton is located 10 miles southwest of downtown Denver. Denver, the
capital of  Colorado,  is the largest  city in the  seven-state  Rocky  Mountain
region.  The  population  of  the  Denver   metropolitan  area,  which  includes
Littleton,  has grown  steadily  during  the past ten years and is  expected  to
continue to expand into the near future.

Brixworth Apartments -- Atlanta, Georgia
- ----------------------------------------

         On December 28, 1995,  the Account  purchased  the fee interest  (i.e.,
ownership of underlying  land and all buildings  and other  improvements  on the
land) in Brixworth Apartments, a first class garden apartment complex located in
Atlanta,  Georgia,  for a purchase price of  approximately  $15.6  million.  The
property is not subject to a mortgage.

         Brixworth  Apartments was built in 1989 and is located on approximately
10.8 acres of land.  The complex  contains 271 one- and  two-bedroom   apartment
units in 11 three story buildings, with each unit containing such amenities as a
washer and dryer and a patio or balcony.  Building exteriors are brick and wood.
There are 420 parking  spaces in the complex.  Residents  have use of an on-site
clubhouse, which includes a fitness center and         


                                      A - 1

<PAGE>



swimming pool. Brixworth Apartments is currently 97% occupied,  and according to
the Seller,  has  experienced  between 93% and 97% occupancy over the prior five
year period.  Average monthly rents are $699 per unit. Rents are comparable with
competitive communities and are not subject to rent regulation. The Account will
be responsible for the expenses of operating the property.

         Brixworth  Apartments is located in northeast Atlanta in DeKalb County,
near several shopping facilities and employment centers. Atlanta has experienced
positive  population and employment  growth over the last 15 years and serves as
the financial and administrative center for the southeastern United States.

The Greens at Metrowest Apartments -- Orlando, Florida
- ------------------------------------------------------

         On December 15,  1995,  the Account  purchased  the fee interest in The
Greens at  Metrowest,  a luxury  garden  apartment  complex  located in Orlando,
Florida,  for a purchase price of approximately  $12.5 million.  The property is
not subject to a mortgage.

         The Greens at Metrowest Apartments was built in 1990, and is located on
approximately  16.7  acres  of  land.  The  complex  consists  of 200  one-  and
two-bedroom  units in 27 two story  buildings,  with each unit  containing  such
amenities as a washer and dryer, a screened porch,  and, in many of the units, a
fireplace  and vaulted  ceilings.  Building  exteriors  are stucco with concrete
tiled roofs. There are 402 parking spaces in the complex.  Residents have use of
an on-site clubhouse, which includes an exercise facility and swimming pool. The
complex is currently 93% occupied,  with monthly rents  averaging $778 per unit.
Rents are  comparable  with  competitive  complexes  and are not subject to rent
regulation.  The Account will be  responsible  for the expenses of operating the
property.

         The complex is located in the 1,800 acre master planned  development of
Metrowest which contains an 18 hole golf course.  Its proximity to several major
highways gives  residents  easy access to Orlando's  major  employment  centers.
Orlando has experienced  strong population and employment growth during the last
decade.  While  tourism and  entertainment  account  for 40% of local jobs,  the
region's  economy is  diversifying by attracting  "high-tech"  industries and is
growing in importance as a warehouse and distribution location.


                                      A - 2

<PAGE>




OFFICE BUILDINGS

Southbank Business Park - Phoenix, Arizona
- ------------------------------------------

         On February  27,  1996,  the Account  purchased  the fee  interest in a
122,609 square foot office/service building in Phoenix,  Arizona, for a purchase
price  of  approximately  $10.05  million.  The  property  is not  subject  to a
mortgage.

         The building,  completed in 1995, is located on approximately 9.9 acres
of land with 638 parking  spaces.  It is currently 100% occupied by four tenants
in the service industry, with rents averaging $8.77 per square foot. None of the
leases expire until the year 2000, when leases on 65% of the space expire; those
leases together represent total annual rent payments of approximately  $684,907.
Although the terms vary under each lease, most of the expenses for operating the
property are either borne or reimbursed by the tenants.

         The building is located within the Southbank  Business Park adjacent to
the  Phoenix  Airport and is easily  accessible  from either side of the Phoenix
metropolitan  area. Phoenix has experienced  positive  population and employment
growth over the last 15 years.  Over 29% of its employment  base is comprised of
employees in the service industry.

NEIGHBORHOOD SHOPPING CENTERS

River Oaks Shopping Center - Woodbridge, Virginia
- -------------------------------------------------

         On July  12,  1996,  the  Account  purchased,  through  a  wholly-owned
subsidiary, the fee interest in River Oaks Shopping Center, a 90,885 square foot
neighborhood  shopping  center located in Woodbridge,  Virginia,  for a purchase
price of approximately $13.0 million. The property is not subject to a mortgage.

         The center,  built in 1995, is located on approximately  10.42 acres of
land with space for 402 cars.  It is currently 94% occupied and is anchored by a
64,885  square foot Giant  supermarket,  a regional  supermarket  chain.  Rents,
including a rent guarantee  from the seller for the 6% of vacant space,  average
$14.15 per square foot.  Although  the terms vary under each lease,  most of the
expenses  for  operating  the property  are either  borne or  reimbursed  by the
tenants.  Over the next five years,  leases on 17% of the center's space expire;
those leases  together  represent  total annual rent payments of $288,088 in the
year of their expiration. The Giant lease expires in the year 2021.



                                      A - 3

<PAGE>



         The center is  located 25 miles  south of  Washington,  D.C.  in Prince
William County. The Washington,  D.C.  metropolitan area has grown significantly
since 1980,  with a current  population  of  approximately  4.5 million  people.
Woodbridge has been developing as a bedroom  community for workers  commuting to
Washington, D.C. and to neighboring Fairfax County.

The Lynnwood Collection -- Raleigh, North Carolina
- --------------------------------------------------

         On March 29, 1996, the Real Estate  Account  purchased the fee interest
in The Lynnwood Collection,  an 86,362 square foot neighborhood  shopping center
located in Raleigh,  North Carolina,  for a purchase price of approximately $6.5
million. The property is not subject to a mortgage.

         The center,  which was built in 1988, is located on approximately  10.3
acres of land and has space for 426 cars. It is currently  98% occupied,  and is
anchored  by a 52,337  square foot Kroger  supermarket,  a national  supermarket
chain. Rents average $12.72 per square foot.  Although the terms vary under each
lease,  most of the  expenses  for  operating  the  property are either borne or
reimbursed  by the  tenants.  Over the next  five  years,  leases  on 35% of the
center's  space  expire;  those  leases  together  represent  total  annual rent
payments of $362,749 in the year of their  expiration.  The Kroger lease expires
in the year 2015.

         The center is  located in north  Raleigh,  the  city's  primary  growth
corridor.  Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and has  experienced  strong
population growth. As part of what is referred to as the "Research Triangle," it
has  attracted  major  business  and  industries  and has a large pool of highly
educated workers.

The Millbrook Collection -- Raleigh, North Carolina
- ---------------------------------------------------

         On March 29,  1996,  the  Account  purchased  the fee  interest  in The
Millbrook Collection, a 102,221 square foot neighborhood shopping center located
in Raleigh, North Carolina, for a purchase price of approximately $6.7 million.
The property is not subject to a mortgage.

         The center,  which was built in 1988, is located on approximately  14.4
acres of land with space for 670 cars.  The center is currently 93% occupied and
is anchored by a 52,337 square foot Kroger supermarket. Rents average $10.84 per
square foot.  Although the terms vary under each lease, most of the expenses for
operating the property are either borne or  reimbursed by the tenants.  Over the
next five  years,  leases on 30% of the  center's  space  expire;  those  leases
together represent


                                      A - 4

<PAGE>



total  annual rent  payments of  $310,249 in the year of their  expiration.  The
Kroger lease expires in the year 2015.

         The center is located within the city limits of Raleigh, North Carolina
in a  well-established  neighborhood.  The  Raleigh  area  is  discussed  in the
description of the Lynnwood Collection set forth above.

Plantation Grove Shopping Center -- Ocoee, Florida
- --------------------------------------------------

         On  December  28,  1995,  the  Account  purchased  the fee  interest in
Plantation  Grove Shopping Center,  a 73,655 square foot  neighborhood  shopping
center located near Orlando, Florida, for a purchase price of approximately $7.3
million. The property is not subject to a mortgage.

         The center, built in 1995, is located on approximately 14 acres of land
with space for 401 cars.  It is  currently  88%  occupied  and is  anchored by a
47,955 square foot Publix  supermarket,  a regional  supermarket  chain.  Rents,
including a rent guarantee from the seller for the 12% of vacant space,  average
$10.00 per square foot.  Although  the terms vary under each lease,  most of the
expenses  for  operating  the property  are either  borne or  reimbursed  by the
tenants.  Over the next five years,  leases on 16% of the center's space expire;
those leases  together  represent  total annual rent payments of $162,900 in the
year of their expiration. The Publix lease expires in the year 2015.

         The Orlando, Florida area is discussed in the description of The Greens
at Metrowest Apartments set forth immediately above.

INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES

         On November  22,  1995,  the Account  purchased  the fee  interest in a
warehouse  property located near Minneapolis,  Minnesota for a purchase price of
approximately  $4.1 million.  Rents on the property,  including a rent guarantee
from the seller for the 20% of vacant  space,  average $3.80 per square foot. On
December 22, 1995, the Account purchased leasehold interests (i.e., interests in
the leases on the  underlying  land and  ownership  of the  buildings  and other
improvements on the land) in two warehouse  properties located in El Paso, Texas
for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $4.4 million dollars.  Rents on
the properties  average $2.71 per square foot, after payment of the ground rent.
Although the terms vary under each lease,  most of the  expenses  for  operating
each of the  properties  are either borne or reimbursed by the tenants.  None of
the properties are subject to a mortgage.



                                      A - 5

<PAGE>


         Set forth below are further details relating to each facility:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                          Lease
                                    Building          Year             Current           Major            Expira-
Property                            Size              Built            Occupancy         Tenants          tion Date
                                    (sq. ft.)
<S>                                 <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>               <C> 
Fridley,
Minnesota
 Industrial Blvd.                   100,584           1995             80%              Packaging         2005
                                                                                        Materials,
                                                                                        Inc.

El Paso, Texas
 Butterfield warehouse               80,000           1980             100%             Rockwell          2000
 Zane Gray warehouse                103,600           1981             100%             D.J. Inc.         2003
</TABLE>


                                      A - 6

<PAGE>



                                   APPENDIX B

                               MANAGEMENT OF TIAA

                  The Trustees and  principal  executive  officers of TIAA,  and
their principal occupations during the last five years, are as follows:

Trustees
- --------

David Alexander, 64.
American Secretary,  Rhodes Scholarship Trust, and Trustees'  Professor,  Pomona
College. Formerly, President, Pomona College, until 1991.

Marcus Alexis, 64.
Board of Trustees,  Professor  of Economics  and  Professor  of  Management  and
Strategy, Northwestern University.

A. Howard Amon, Jr., 69.
Retired Vice President and Director of Real Estate, J. C. Penney, Inc.

Willard T. Carleton, 62.
Karl  L.  Eller   Professor   of  Finance,   College  of  Business   and  Public
Administration, University of Arizona.

Robert C. Clark, 52.
Dean and Royall Professor of Law, Harvard Law School, Harvard University.

Flora Mancuso Edwards, 51.
Of Counsel to the law firm of Dublirer,  Haydon,  Straci & Victor.  Professor of
English as a Second  Language,  Middlesex  County  College,  since October 1995.
Formerly, President, Middlesex County College until October 1995.

Estelle A. Fishbein, 62.
General  Counsel  of The Johns  Hopkins  University  since  1975.  Elected  Vice
President and General Counsel of the University, April 1991.

Frederick R. Ford, 60.
Executive Vice President and Treasurer, Purdue University.

Ruth Simms Hamilton, 59.
Professor,  Department of Sociology and Urban  Affairs  Programs,  and Director,
African Diaspora Research Project, Michigan State University.

Dorothy Ann Kelly, O.S.U., 67.
President, College of New Rochelle.

Robert M. O'Neil, 62.
Professor of Law,  University  of Virginia and  Director,  The Thomas  Jefferson
Center for the Protection of Free Expression.



                                      B - 1

<PAGE>



Leonard S. Simon, 59.
Chairman,  President and Chief Executive  Officer,  RCSB Financial,  Inc., since
September 1995.  Formerly,  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,  The Rochester
Community Savings Bank, from 1984 until September 1995.

Ronald L. Thompson, 47.
Chairman  of the  Board  and  Chief  Executive  Officer,  Midwest  Stamping  Co.
Formerly, Chairman of the Board and President, The GR Group, until 1993.

Paul R. Tregurtha, 61.
Chairman,  Chief  Executive,  and  Director,  Mormac Marine  Group,  Inc.;  Vice
Chairman and Director,  The Interlake Steamship Company;  Chairman and Director,
Moran Transportation Company; and Chairman, MAC Acquisitions, Inc.

Charles J. Urstadt, 67.
Chairman and President, HRE Properties (a real estate investment trust).

William H. Waltrip, 59.
Chairman and Chief Executive  Officer,  Bausch & Lomb Inc.,  since January 1996.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,  Technology Solutions Company, since 1993.
Formerly, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Biggers Brothers, Inc., and Vice
Chairman, Unifax, from 1991 until 1993.

Rosalie J. Wolf, 55.
Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer,  The Rockefeller  Foundation.  Formerly,
Managing Director, Bankers Trust Company, from 1989 to 1993.

Officer-Trustees
- ----------------

John H. Biggs, 60.
Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer,  TIAA and CREF,  since 1993.  Formerly,
President and Chief Operating Officer, TIAA and CREF.

Thomas W. Jones, 47.
Vice Chairman, TIAA and CREF, since 1995. President and Chief Operating Officer,
TIAA and CREF,  since 1993.  Formerly,  Executive  Vice  President,  Finance and
Planning, TIAA and CREF.

Martin L. Leibowitz, 60.
Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer,  TIAA and CREF, since November 1995.
Executive  Vice  President,  TIAA and CREF,  from June  1995 to  November  1995.
Formerly,  Managing Director -- Director of Research and member of the Executive
Committee, Salomon Brothers, Inc.

Other Officers
- --------------

Richard L. Gibbs, 49.
Executive  Vice  President,  TIAA and  CREF,  since  1993,  and Vice  President,
TIAA-CREF Investment  Management,  Inc. ("Investment  Management") and TIAA-CREF
Individual & Institutional Services, Inc. ("Services"), since 1992;


                                      B - 2

<PAGE>



Executive Vice President, Teachers Advisors,  ("Advisors") since 1995. Formerly,
Vice President, Finance, TIAA and CREF.

Albert J. Wilson, 64.
Vice  President and Chief Counsel,  Corporate  Secretary,  TIAA and CREF,  since
1991.

Richard J. Adamski, 53.
Vice President and Treasurer,  TIAA and CREF,  since March 1991;  Vice President
and Treasurer,  Investment  Management and Services,  since 1992; Vice President
and Treasurer,  Teachers Personal Investors Services,  Inc. and Advisors,  since
1994.


                                      B - 3




© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission