TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
S-1/A, 1997-04-29
REAL ESTATE DEALERS (FOR THEIR OWN ACCOUNT)
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              As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
                                on April 29, 1997
    

                                                     Registration No. 333-22809
===============================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

   
                          PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-1
    

             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                            TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                            ------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                    New York
                                    --------
         (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

                                (Not applicable)
                                ----------------
            (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)

                                (Not applicable)
                                ----------------
                      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

            c/o Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America
                                730 Third Avenue
                          New York, New York 10017-3206
                                 (212) 490-9000
        ----------------------------------------------------------------
               (Address including zip code, and telephone number,
        including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                            Peter C. Clapman, Esquire
             Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America
                                730 Third Avenue
                          New York, New York 10017-3206
                                 (212) 490-9000
            ---------------------------------------------------------
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

                                    Copy to:
                             Paul J. Mason, Esquire
                      Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, L.L.P.
                         1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
                           Washington, D.C. 20004-2404

Approximate  date of  commencement  of proposed  sale to the public:  As soon as
practicable after the effective date of the registration statement.


<PAGE>



If any of the  securities  being  registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the  Securities  Act of
1933, check the following box:                                               [X]

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list
the  Securities  Act  registration  statement  number of the  earlier  effective
registration statement for the same offering:                         [ ]-------

If this form is a  post-effective  amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities  Act,  please check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration  statement number of the earlier effective  registration  statement
for the same offering:                                                [ ]-------

If delivery  of the  prospectus  is  expected  to be made  pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box:                                              [ ]

Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act, the prospectus  contained  herein
also relates to and  constitutes a  post-effective  amendment to Securities  Act
registration statements 33-92990 and 333-13477.


<PAGE>



   
                              CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
                    Pursuant to Item 501(b) of Regulation S-K
              Showing Location of Information Required by Form S-1
              in Part I (Prospectus) of the Registration Statement
    


Item of Form S-1                              Caption or Location  in Prospectus
- ----------------                              ----------------------------------
1.   Forepart of the                          Outside Front Cover Page
     Registration Statement
     and Outside Front Cover
     Page of Prospectus

2.   Inside Front Cover and                   Inside Front and Outside Back
     Outside Back Cover Pages                 Cover Page
     of Prospectus

3.   Summary Information, Risk                Summary; The Real Estate Account
     Factors and Ratio of                     and TIAA; Risk Factors
     Earnings to Fixed Charges

4.   Use of Proceeds                          (Not Applicable)

5.   Determination of Offering                (Not Applicable)
     Price

6.   Dilution                                 (Not Applicable)

7.   Selling Security Holders                 (Not Applicable)

8.   Plan of Distribution                     Distribution of the Contracts

9.   Description of Securities                Summary; The Annuity Contracts;
     to Be Registered                         Annuity Payments

10.  Interests of Named                       (Not Applicable)
     Experts and Counsel

11.  Information with Respect                 Summary;  The Real Estate  Account
     to the Registrant                        and TIAA;  Investment Practices of
                                              the  Account;  General  Investment
                                              and      Operating       Policies;
                                              Description  of  Properties;  Risk
                                              Factors;  Role of TIAA;  Conflicts
                                              of     Interest;      Management's
                                              Discussion    and    Analysis   of
                                              Financial Condition and Results of
                                              Operations;  Valuation  of Assets;
                                              Management and Investment Advisory
                                              Arrangements;    Federal    Income
                                              Taxes;  State  Regulation;   Legal
                                              Matters;       Experts;      Legal
                                              Proceedings; Financial Statements



                                     - ii -

<PAGE>

Item of Form S-1                              Caption or Location  in Prospectus
- ----------------                              ----------------------------------

12.  Disclosure of Commission                 (Not Applicable)
     Position on
     Indemnification for
     Securities Act
     Liabilities









                                     - iii -

<PAGE>



                                     PART I

                       INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS








<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 May 1, 1997
    

                     

                                      - 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.................................................   20

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.......................................................   35

MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT ADVISORY ARRANGEMENTS...........................   39

EXPENSE DEDUCTIONS........................................................   40

THE ANNUITY CONTRACTS.....................................................   41

ANNUITY PAYMENTS..........................................................   57

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES......................................................   61

GENERAL MATTERS...........................................................   65

DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS.............................................   67

PERIODIC REPORTS..........................................................   68

STATE REGULATION..........................................................   68

LEGAL MATTERS.............................................................   69

EXPERTS    ...............................................................   69

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.........................................................   69

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION....................................................   69

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS......................................................   70

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.  We plan to offer (in the first  half of 1998,  subject to
regulatory  approval) an additional  payment  method under which annuity  income
will be revalued  each month.  To provide this option,  a separate  annuity fund
will be created in the Real Estate Account -- the monthly  revalued annuity fund
- -- to fund the monthly revalued retirement benefits.  At that time, the existing
annuity fund will become the annually  revalued  annuity  fund.  The  investment
experience of the entire account will be used to calculate changes in income for
benefits being revalued monthly and annually.
    

               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.


                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>



               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.

               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.


                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>



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

               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, profit-sharing, or tax- deferred
annuity program.

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

               Survivor  Annuity  Option  -  An  income  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 28. 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," 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  investments on
commercially  acceptable terms, making it difficult to convert those investments
into cash quickly.




                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>



               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 have
plans 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.
    

               The Real Estate  Account is also  available  through a variety of
income-paying annuity contracts. For details, see "Income Options," page 53.

               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

                                      - 9 -

<PAGE>




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 44,  "Possible  Restrictions on Acceptance of Premiums and Transfers," page
45, "Allocation of Premiums," page 45, and "Federal Income Taxes," page 61.

               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 0.60%:  0.28% for investment
management services,  0.23% for administrative and distribution expenses,  0.06%
for  mortality  and  expense  risks,  and 0.03%  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 40.

               Transfers and Withdrawals.  You can transfer your accumulation in
the Account to TIAA's traditional annuity or to CREF once per calendar month. 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 61.)





                                     - 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.

                                                                 July 3, 1995
                                              Year Ended       (commencement of
                                             December 31,       operations) to
                                                1996           December 31, 1995
                                             ------------      -----------------



Investment income:

   Real estate income, net:
     Rental income  . . . . . . . . . .      $ 10,951,183         $    165,762
                                             ------------         ------------
     Real estate property level
      expenses and taxes:
       Operating expenses . . . . . . .         2,116,334               29,173
       Real estate taxes  . . . . . . .         1,254,163               14,659
                                             ------------         ------------
          Total real estate property
          level expenses and taxes              3,370,497               43,832
                                             ------------         ------------
          Real estate income, net               7,580,686              121,930
   Dividends and interest . . . . . . .         6,027,486            2,828,900
                                             ------------         ------------
       Total investment income               $ 13,608,172         $  2,950,830
                                             ============         ============


Net realized and unrealized
 gain on investments  . . . . . . . . .      $  3,330,539         $     35,603
                                             ============         ============

Net increase in net assets
 resulting from operations. . . . . . .      $ 15,782,915         $  2,676,000
                                             ============         ============

Net increase in net assets
 resulting from participant transactions     $233,653,793         $117,582,345
                                             ============         ============

Net increase in net assets. . . . . . .      $249,436,708         $120,258,345
                                             ============         ============




                                              December 31,         December 31,
                                                 1996                 1995
                                             ------------         -------------



Total assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $426,372,007         $143,177,421
                                             ============         ============

Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . .      $ 56,676,954         $ 22,919,076
                                             ============         ============

Total net assets  . . . . . . . . . . .      $369,695,053         $120,258,345
                                             ============         ============

Accumulation units outstanding                  3,295,786            1,172,498
                                                =========            =========

Accumulation unit value . . . . . . . .         $  111.11              $102.57
                                                =========              =======



                                     - 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 68).

               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  insurance  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, 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 December 31, 1996,  TIAA  employees  managed for
TIAA's general account a mortgage portfolio of $20.1 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  December  31,  1996,  TIAA  employees  oversaw  for TIAA's
general account a real estate equity portfolio of $6.7 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 about 6,100 institutions. As of December 31,
1996, TIAA's assets were approximately $86 billion; the combined assets for TIAA
and CREF totalled approximately $185 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.

               The  Account's  target  is to invest  between  70% and 80% of its
assets 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 in other real estate or real estate-related investments, through
joint  ventures,  real  estate  partnerships  or real estate  investment  trusts
("REITs").  To a limited  extent,  the Account  can also invest in  conventional
mortgage  loans,  participating  mortgage  loans,  common or preferred  stock of
companies whose  operations  involve real estate (i.e.,  that own or manage real
estate primarily), and collateralized mortgage obligations.

               Between  20% and 30% of the Account is targeted to 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 the portion
of its assets  invested in debt  securities  or money market  instruments  for a
period of time.  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).

               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 ("leasebacks").
In these transactions,  the Account typically will buy land and income-producing
improvements on the land, and

                                     - 14 -

<PAGE>



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 the  income  from or  appreciation  of the
underlying  property.  These  participations  let the Account receive additional
interest,

                                     - 15 -

<PAGE>



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 rates, currency exchange control regulations, possible expropriation or
confiscatory taxation, political, social, and

                                     - 16 -

<PAGE>



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


                                     - 17 -

<PAGE>



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


                                     - 18 -

<PAGE>



               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, 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 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

                                     - 19 -

<PAGE>



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.

                            DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES

   
               As of the date of this  prospectus,  the Account has purchased 17
properties for its portfolio,  consisting of four neighborhood shopping centers,
six multi-family  residential complexes, one office building and six  industrial
properties. In addition, the Account has purchased eight suburban office


                                     - 20 -

<PAGE>



buildings  through  a joint  venture  in which it  holds a 90%  interest.  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 35),
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  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

                                     - 21 -

<PAGE>



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.

               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.

                                     - 22 -

<PAGE>




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 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.

                                     - 23 -

<PAGE>




               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.

               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

                                     - 24 -

<PAGE>



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  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

                                     - 25 -

<PAGE>



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 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

                                     - 26 -

<PAGE>



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  portion of the  accumulation  units  monthly  over a 60-month
period  (16,666.667  units per  month).  TIAA may,  with prior  approval  of the
independent  fiduciary (see page 28), accelerate the 60-month redemption period.
Any prepayment,  however, will not modify the existing repayment schedule to the
extent TIAA still owns accumulation  units related to its seed money investment.
    

               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 28% of the Account's net assets, as of December 31, 1996.

                                     - 27 -

<PAGE>


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.


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.


                                     - 28 -

<PAGE>



               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,  during) 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 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 Investment  Committee of its
Board of Trustees with authority to


                                     - 29 -

<PAGE>



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 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

                                     - 30 -

<PAGE>



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.

   
               Through  December 31,  1996,  the Account had acquired a total of
thirteen real estate  properties,  including four  industrial  properties,  four
neighborhood shopping centers, one office property and four apartment complexes.
As of December 31, 1996,  these properties  represented  35.82% of the Account's
total  investment  portfolio.  64% of the net transfers  into the Account during
1996 were received  during the fourth  quarter,  and 43% of the Account's  total
premiums during 1996 were received during the same time frame.  This high volume
of premiums  and  transfers  into the Account so late in the year had a negative
impact on the level of real  estate  properties  held as a  percentage  of total
investments at December 31, 1996.
    


                                     - 31 -

<PAGE>



   
               The Account has made a number of  additional  property  purchases
since the beginning of the year. In April 1997,  the Account  purchased in joint
venture with Pegasus Partners,  Inc., a subsidiary of USF&G  Corporation,  eight
suburban office buildings for a combined total purchase price of $164.5 million.
(TIAA has a 90% interest in the joint  venture.)  The Account also purchased two
industrial  properties and two apartment  complexes since the beginning of 1997.
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,
significant competition exists for the most desirable properties.

               As of December 31, 1996,  the Account  also held  investments  in
sixteen  real  estate  investment  trusts  (REITs),  representing  4.95%  of the
portfolio,  commercial  paper and  corporate  bonds,  representing  5.12% of the
portfolio and short-term  obligations of U.S. government agencies,  representing
54.11% of the portfolio.
    

Results of  Operations-Year  Ended  December  31, 1996  Compared to Period Ended
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1995
- -----------------

               The  Account's  total net  return  was  8.33% for the year  ended
December 31, 1996 and 2.57% for the six month  period  ended  December 31, 1995.
The Account's  performance in 1995 was lower for two reasons,  first the Account
was  operational  for  less  than a full  year  in  1995  and  its  real  estate
investments were made late in the period.

   
               The  Account's  net  investment  income,  after  deduction of all
expenses,  was  $12,452,376  for the year ended December 31, 1996 and $2,640,397
for the six month period ended December 31, 1995, a 372% increase. This increase
was the result of a full year of  operations  coupled with a growing base of net
assets from December 31, 1995 to December 31, 1996.  Total assets increased 198%
during that  period.  In addition,  the Account had net realized and  unrealized
gains (gross  unrealized gains less gross  unrealized  losses) on investments of
$3,330,539 and $35,603 for the year ended December 31, 1996 and six month period
ended  December  31, 1995,  respectively.  Net  unrealized  gains on real estate
properties  occurred for the first time during 1996 and accounted for 30% of the
net change in  unrealized  appreciation  for that period.  Such gains and losses
resulted from the periodic revaluations of the Account's  properties.  The 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 losses
were based, in part, on slower  re-leasing of space at certain  properties owned
by the Account.
    


                                     - 32 -

<PAGE>



               Net unrealized gains on marketable  securities  accounted for 70%
of the net change in  unrealized  appreciation  for the year ended  December 31,
1996 and 100% during the six month  period  ended  December  31,  1995.  The net
unrealized gains during both periods resulted  primarily from price appreciation
of the shares of REIT stock owned by the Account.

               The Account's real estate holdings  generated  approximately  56%
and 4% of the  Account's  total  investment  income  (before  deducting  Account
expenses) during the year ended December 31, 1996 and the six month period ended
December 31, 1995, respectively. The remaining 44% and 96%, respectively, of the
Account's  total  investment  income  was  generated  by  marketable  securities
investments.  The Account's  first real estate purchase was made on November 22,
1995,  which  explains the low  percentage of real estate income in 1995. As the
Account  approaches its goal of being  approximately 70% to 80% invested in real
estate,  future investment income is expected to be affected to a greater degree
by its real  estate  holdings.  While the future  performance  of the  Account's
investments  cannot be predicted,  assuming  little  change in current  economic
conditions,  this  anticipated  increase in real estate  holdings is expected to
have a positive impact on the Account's total return.

               Gross real  estate  rental  income was  $10,951,183  for the year
ended December 31, 1996 and $165,762 for the six month period ended December 31,
1995.  As of December 31, 1995,  the Account owned five  properties,  and, as of
December 31, 1996, the Account owned thirteen  properties.  This increase in the
number of properties  owned by the Account was a major factor in the higher real
estate income for 1996. Interest income on the Account's short-and intermediate-
term  investments  for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the six month period
ended December 31, 1995 totaled  $5,570,907 and $2,820,229,  respectively.  This
increase  results from the threefold  increase in the size of the Account during
1996  coupled  with a full year of investing  activity.  Dividend  income on the
Account's  investments in REITs totaled $456,579 and $8,671,  respectively,  for
the same periods. Shares of REITs totaled 4.95% of the Account investments as of
year end 1996 and 0.37% as of year end 1995.  This increased  percentage and the
longer investing period accounted for the increased dividend income for 1996.

               Total  property  level  expenses for the year ended  December 31,
1996 were $3,370,497,  of which $1,254,163 was attributable to real estate taxes
and $2,116,334 represented operating expenses. Total property level expenses for
the six month period ended  December 31, 1995 were $43,832 of which  $14,659 was
attributable  to real estate  taxes and $29,173 was  attributable  to  operating
expenses. Property level expenses increased in 1996 as a result of the increased
number of properties in the Account during 1996 and due to the fact that

                                     - 33 -

<PAGE>



the 1995 amounts  represent a six month period while 1996 represents a full year
of activity.

   
               The Account also  incurred  expenses for the year ended  December
31, 1996 and six month period ended  December 31, 1995 of $642,042 and $227,531,
respectively,  for investment  advisory services provided by TIAA,  $437,894 and
$66,320,  respectively, for administrative and distribution services provided by
TIAA-CREF Individual and Institutional  Services,  Inc. and $75,860 and $16,582,
respectively,  for the  mortality  and expense  risks  assumed and the liquidity
guarantee  provided by TIAA. Such expenses  increased in 1996 as a result of the
larger net asset base in the Account  during 1996 and because the 1995  expenses
were incurred for a six month period while the 1996  expenses  represents a full
year of activity.
    

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


               On September 16, 1996, in accordance  with a five-year  repayment
schedule approved by the New York Insurance Department, TIAA began to redeem its
seed money  accumulation  units  related to its initial  $100 million seed money
investment.  TIAA will continue to redeem a pro rata portion of the accumulation
units it holds  over a 60 month  period  (16,666.667  units  per  month).  As of
December  31,  1996,  the  Account had  redeemed  66,667  accumulation  units at
prevailing  daily unit  values,  amounting  to  $7,294,134  in total  redemption
payments to TIAA, leaving it holding 933,333 units at year end 1996 with a value
of $103,703,507.
   
               For the year and six month  period  ended  December  31, 1996 and
1995,  the Account  earned  $12,452,376  and  $2,640,397,  respectively,  in net
investment income and received $242,175,188 and $17,606,693,  respectively,  for
the same periods in premiums and net  participant  transfers from other TIAA and
CREF accounts.  Real estate properties costing  $86,731,333 and $43,989,665 were
purchased during 1996 and 1995, respectively. At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the
Account's liquid assets (i.e.,  its cash,  REITs,  short- and  intermediate-term
investments,  and  government  securities)  had  a  value  of  $240,109,263  and
$74,389,356,  respectively.  It is anticipated that much of these liquid assets,
exclusive  of the  REITs,  will be used by the  Account to  purchase  additional
suitable real estate properties.  The remaining liquid assets,  exclusive of the
REITs, will continue to be primarily  invested in marketable  securities to meet
expense needs and redemption requests (e.g., cash withdrawals or transfers).
    

               If the Account's  liquid assets and its cash flow from  operating
activities  and  participant  transactions  are not  sufficient to meet its cash
needs,  including  redemption  requests,  TIAA's  general  account will purchase
liquidity units in accordance with TIAA's liquidity guarantee to the Account.

                                     - 34 -

<PAGE>




               No major  capital  expenditures  were made during 1996 for any of
the properties  purchased through December 31, 1996. There is a small portion of
the leased space in the  industrial and office  properties and the  neighborhood
shopping centers due to expire during 1997. The Account does not expect to incur
any extraordinary construction costs or leasing commissions in order to re-lease
that space.  For the  apartment  complexes,  the  Account  expects to incur only
routine  recurring  costs,   e.g.,   painting  and  carpet  cleaning  and  minor
replacements to re-lease apartments that become vacant.
   
Effects of Inflation
- --------------------

               In recent years,  inflation  has been modest.  To the extent that
inflation may increase property operating expenses in the future, we expect such
increases will 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 40).


               Our valuation  procedures are described  below.  The  independent
fiduciary approves these procedures and any changes to them (see page 28).


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.


                                     - 35 -

<PAGE>



               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.

               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.

                                     - 36 -

<PAGE>



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 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.


                                     - 37 -

<PAGE>



               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 turn,
could  change  the  values at which  participants  purchase  or  redeem  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.


                                     - 38 -

<PAGE>



               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  Investment
Committee   of  TIAA's   Board  of   Trustees   and  in   accordance   with  the
responsibilities of TIAA's Board as a whole.


                 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 its  Investment  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 28).

               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).

                                     - 39 -

<PAGE>




               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 0.28% of
net assets annually.

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 0.06% of
net assets annually.  TIAA computes the actual mortality and expense risk charge
it deducts as a percentage of the Account's net assets, less seed money invested
by TIAA. 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 0.03% of net assets  annually.
TIAA computes the actual liquidity expense

                                     - 40 -

<PAGE>



it charges the Account as a percentage of the Account's real estate assets, less
seed money invested by TIAA.

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 Fees 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  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 53. In addition,
the  Account may be  available  under  certain  unallocated  TIAA group  annuity
contracts issued to employers.

                                     - 41 -

<PAGE>




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.

               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 48).


                                     - 42 -

<PAGE>


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 GSRA may also
be used for IRC section  401(k) plans.  SRAs are issued  directly to you,  while
GSRAs are 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 ("Rollover 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  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 62.

               (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  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.
    



                                     - 43 -

<PAGE>



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

   
               Subject to  regulatory  approval,  we have  plans to offer  Keogh
contracts.  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 61.
    

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 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 61).

               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.


                                     - 44 -

<PAGE>



               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  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

                                     - 45 -

<PAGE>




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 last valuation day prior to your
annuity  starting date (unless you ask for a different  date).  See "The Annuity
Period," page 50 and "Death Benefits," page 55.
    

               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 40). 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.

               The valuation of accumulation units will be reviewed and approved
by the independent fiduciary (see page 28).

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.


                                     - 46 -

<PAGE>



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  once a calendar month.  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 66).

               You can also 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.

               Because excessive transfer activity can hurt Account  performance
and other participants, we reserve the right to further 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 52). Currently,  we don't
charge you for transfers to CREF or to TIAA's traditional annuity.

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

                                     - 47 -

<PAGE>



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 49 and "Federal
Income Taxes," page 61.

               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 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,  if any). If your salary reduction
contributions are made to a 403(b) annuity, these withdrawal  restrictions apply
only to amounts (and  earnings,  if any)  credited  after  December 31, 1988. If
they're made under a 401(k) plan,  these  withdrawal  restrictions  apply to all
salary reduction amounts  (including  earnings).  Such withdrawals are generally
available only if you reach age 59-1/2, leave your job, become disabled, or die.


                                     - 48 -

<PAGE>




Withdrawals  of  elective  deferral  amounts  may  also  be  permitted  if  your
employer's  plan is a 401(k)  plan and your  employer  terminates  the plan.  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 61.
    

               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 66.

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.  They may also subject you to early  distribution  and/or
excess  distribution taxes as well,  although these excess distribution taxes do
not apply in 1997, 1998 and 1999 pursuant to recently enacted legislation. (Note
that  different  rules may apply to residents of Puerto Rico.) For details,  see
"Federal Income Taxes," page 61.
    

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

                                     - 49 -

<PAGE>



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 making certain  transactions.  They include (1) a cash  withdrawal
(except from most IRAs); (2) a payment of a retirement  transition  benefit (see
page 54);  (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 55.

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 61).
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.

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

               The Real  Estate  Account is  available  (subject  to  regulatory
approval) through a variety of income options. See "Income Options," on page 53.
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  (but not less than  $10,000)  of your  accumulation,  but once  you've
started payments you can't change

                                     - 50 -

<PAGE>



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.

   
               Income payments are calculated  based on the  accumulation on the
last valuation day before the annuity  starting date. After the initial payment,
payments change  according to the revaluation  method you choose.  There are two
revaluation  methods  for  annuity  payments:  annual  and  monthly.  The annual
revaluation method is the method used for all annuity payments as of the date of
this prospectus.  Under the annual revaluation method, payments from the Account
will  change each year,  based on the net  investment  results  during the prior
year.  Monthly  revaluation  is scheduled to be  introduced in the first half of
1998 (subject to regulatory  approval).  Under the monthly  revaluation  method,
payments from the Account will change every month,  based on the net  investment
results during the previous month. 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 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 prior to the day before that
annuity  starting  date (see page ). The latest  annuity  starting date for your
accumulation is the April 1 following  whichever  comes later:  (1) the calendar
year when you reach age 70-1/2,  or (2) the calendar  year when you're no longer
working for the  eligible  employer.  For IRAs, a pay-out that meets the minimum
distribution  rules must begin by April 1 of the  calendar  year  following  the
calendar  year you reach age 70-1/2.  However,  you can't begin an income option
that is contingent on your life after you turn 90.

               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

                                     - 51 -

<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 66.) 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.
   
               Starting  in the  second  half of  1997,  subject  to  regulatory
approval,  we may begin  annuity  payments on the date you've  chosen  (assuming
we've received all applicable information and documentation), even if we haven't
received all  premiums due under your  retirement  plan.  Any premiums  received
within  seventy  days after  payments  begin may be used to  provide  additional
annuity  income.  Premiums  received  after  seventy  days  will  remain in your
accumulating annuity contract until you give us further instructions.
    

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 are  payable  under the same  income  option,  and have the same
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 of 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.  We plan
to allow (in the first half of 1998, subject to regulatory

                                     - 52 -

<PAGE>



approval) one transfer each  calendar  quarter,  on any business day. A transfer
will be effective on the business day we receive your  request.  You can instead
choose to have a transfer  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.  Transfers  of annually  revalued  units will affect your annuity
payments beginning on the May 1 following the March 31 on or after the effective
date of the  transfer.  Transfers  of monthly  revalued  units will  affect your
annuity  payments  beginning  with the  first  payment  due  after  the  payment
valuation  date (see page 57) on or after the  effective  date of the  transfer.
Transfers  into TIAA's  traditional  annuity  will be  effective  with the first
payment due after the payment  valuation  date on or after the effective date of
the transfer.
    
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 RA or GRA.  You can't  begin an income  option  that is
contingent on your life after you turn 90.  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 54) 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 50.

               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

                                     - 53 -

<PAGE>



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.

               Annuity  for a Fixed  Period.  (We expect to make this  available
late in 1997.) Payout for any period you choose from 5 to 30 years.

               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  annuity  options,  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 65).  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  allow  you to  elect  this  option  earlier  --  contact  TIAA  for  more
information. See "Contacting TIAA," page 66.

               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 66.

               Retirement Transition Benefit. Under TIAA's current practice, and
if your employer's plan allows, 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's plan allows cash withdrawals, you

                                     - 54 -

<PAGE>



can take a larger  amount (up to 100%) of your  accumulation  in the Real Estate
Account 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 61, as well as "Spousal
Rights," page 50.

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 option,  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
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

                                     - 55 -

<PAGE>



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 66). 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 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 63.) 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;  Annuity for a Fixed Period of 2 to 30 years (we
expect to make this available late in 1997);

                                     - 56 -

<PAGE>



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 66.

               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 ), 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 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 63.

                                ANNUITY PAYMENTS
   
               The amount of annuity  payments  paid to you or your  beneficiary
("annuitant")  will depend  upon the number and the value of the  annuity  units
payable. The number of annuity units

                                     - 57 -

<PAGE>



is first  determined on the day before the annuity  starting date. The amount of
the annuity  payments will change  according to the  revaluation  method chosen.
Separate  annuity units will be maintained for payments being made under each of
the two  revaluation  methods.  Annuitants  bear no  mortality  risk under their
contracts.

               Under the annual revaluation method, the value of an annuity unit
is redetermined on March 31 of each year -- the payment valuation date.  Annuity
payments  change  beginning  May 1.  The  change  reflects  the  net  investment
experience of the Real Estate  Account.  The net  investment  experience for the
twelve  months  following  each March 31  revaluation  will be  reflected in the
following year's value.

               Under the monthly  revaluation  method (expected to be available,
subject to  regulatory  approval,  in the first  half of 1998),  the value of an
annuity unit is redetermined daily. The daily changes in the value of an annuity
unit  reflect the net  investment  experience  of the Real Estate  Account.  The
amount of each annuity  payment is  determined  on the payment  valuation  date,
which is the 20th day of the month preceding the payment due date.  However,  if
the 20th is not a business day, the payment valuation date will be the preceding
business day.
    
               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 as of the annuity starting date is the value of an annuity in
the amount of $1.00 per month  beginning on the first day such annuity units are
payable, 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 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.


                                     - 58 -

<PAGE>



               When you or any beneficiary  receiving  annuity income  transfers
annuity units from a CREF account to the Real Estate Account or vice versa,  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 effective  date of the
               transfer,  for the  account  from which  annuity  units are being
               transferred.

            B. an annuity  factor.  Under the  annual  revaluation  method,  the
               annuity factor is equal to the value, as of the effective date of
               the  transfer,  of an  annuity  in the  amount of $1.00 per month
               beginning on the following May 1 (for an April transfer,  the May
               1 in the subsequent  calendar year) and continuing for as long as
               such  annuity  units are payable.  Under the monthly  revaluation
               method,  the  annuity  factor  is equal to the  value,  as of the
               effective  date of the  transfer,  of an annuity in the amount of
               $1.00 per month  beginning  with the first  payment due after the
               payment  valuation  date on or after  the  effective  date of the
               transfer and  continuing  for as long as such  annuity  units are
               payable.   These  annuity  factors  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 effective  date of the
               transfer,  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.


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

   
               The  value  of  the  Real  Estate  Account's   annuity  units  is
determined  as of the last  calendar  day of each month.  Beginning in the first
half of 1998,  the value of the Account's  annuity units will also be determined
as of each business day. The annuity unit value is determined by multiplying the
value of the annuity unit as of the previous valuation day by the net investment
factor (as defined on page ) for the current  valuation period 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 valuation period. On the last
    

                                     - 59 -

<PAGE>



calendar day of each month, the 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.

   
               We plan to offer monthly payment revaluation in the first half of
1998, subject to regulatory approval. At that time, the annuity fund will become
the annually  revalued  annuity fund, and we will  introduce a monthly  revalued
annuity fund with its own annuity units.  The value of an annuity unit under the
monthly  revalued fund will be determined  each business day by multiplying  the
value of the annuity unit as of the previous  business day by the net investment
factor  (as  defined  on page  46) for the  current  valuation  period  and then
dividing by the value of $1.00 accumulated with interest at the effective annual
rate of 4% for the number of calendar days in the current  valuation  period. On
the last  calendar day of each month,  the result will be multiplied by A and B,
defined as follows:
    

            A. the value of the monthly 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 monthly 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
               under the  monthly  revaluation  method  from the  Account on the
               following day.

               The initial  value of the annuity unit for a new annuitant is the
value determined as of the day before annuity payments start.

               For participants under the annual  revaluation  method, the value
of the annuity unit remains  level until the following May l. For those who have
already begun receiving  annuity income as of March 31, the 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 such March 31.

               For participants under the monthly  revaluation method, the value
of the annuity unit changes on the payment valuation

                                     - 60 -

<PAGE>



date of each month for the payment due on the first of the following month.

               The  value of  annuity  units  transferred  from the Real  Estate
Account  under the  annual  revaluation  method to CREF or the TIAA  traditional
annuity is equal to A plus B, where A and B are defined as follows:

            A. the present  value of the payments due from the first payment due
               after the payment  valuation  date on or after the effective date
               of the transfer, and continuing to the following April 1, but not
               longer than such annuity units are payable.

            B. the present value of one annuity unit multiplied by the number of
               annuity units, payable beginning on the May 1 following the March
               31 on or after the effective date of the transfer, and continuing
               for as long as such annuity units are payable.

               The present  values will be  calculated  assuming  interest at an
effective  annual rate of 4%, and the same mortality  assumptions then in use in
the Real Estate Account.

   
               Currently such transfers are effective on March 31 only.  Subject
to  regulatory  approval,  beginning in the first half of 1998, we plan to allow
transfers on a more  frequent  basis (see page 52). At that time we also plan to
make the  monthly  revaluation  method  available.  The value of  annuity  units
transferred from the Real Estate Account under the monthly revaluation method to
CREF or to the TIAA  traditional  annuity will be equal to the number of annuity
units  multiplied  by the  current  value  of one  annuity  unit in the  monthly
revalued annuity fund multiplied by an annuity factor. The annuity factor is the
value of an annuity in the amount of $1.00 per month  beginning  on the first of
the month after the payment valuation date on or after the effective date of the
transfer, and continuing for as long as such annuity units are payable.
    

               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 28).

                              FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

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


                                     - 61 -

<PAGE>



               As a nonprofit  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-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.  Employer  contributions to all current defined  contribution
plans of the employer  meeting the requirements of IRC section 401(a) and 403(a)
can't  exceed  an  annual   contribution   limit  of  $30,000  or  25%  of  your
compensation,  whichever  is less.  You  usually can  exclude  salary  reduction
contributions  of  up to  $9,500  from  your  gross  taxable  income  when  such
contributions are made to a 401(k) plan.
    

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.


                                     - 62 -

<PAGE>



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.

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 (not applicable for IRAs);
               
           (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 least
               annually)  over your  lifetime  or life  expectancy  or the joint
               lives or life expectancies of you and your beneficiary;
              
                                     - 63 -

<PAGE>




           (4) the withdrawal is less than or equal to your medical  expenses in
               excess of 7-1/2% of your adjusted gross income;
               
           (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); or
               
           (6) for IRAs only,  you are  unemployed  (as  defined in the IRC) and
               you use the distribution to pay certain health insurance premiums
               for yourself, your spouse or your dependents.
              
               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,  if any). If your salary  reduction
contributions  are made to a 403(b) annuity,  these  restrictions  apply only to
amounts  (and  earnings,  if  any)  credited  after  December  31,  1988.  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.  In addition,  certain 401(k) plans permit distributions of
elective  deferral  amounts upon  termination  of the plan provided the employer
does  not  establish  or  maintain  another  defined  contribution  plan.  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
- ----------------------
   
               In 1996,  if your combined  withdrawals  or payments from 401(a),
403(a),  and 403(b)  retirement  plans,  IRAs,  and other  tax-deferred  savings
programs were more than  $155,000 in one year,  you would have to pay an "excess
distribution" tax of 15 percent of the amount over $155,000. For tax years 1997,
1998 and 1999, the excess distribution tax has been suspended.
    
Death Benefits
- --------------

               Ordinarily, death benefits are subject to federal estate tax (see
"Tax Advice," page 65). 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.

                                     - 64 -

<PAGE>




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

               In most cases,  payments have to begin from 401(a),  403(a),  and
403(b)  plans by April 1 of the calendar  year after the calendar  year when you
reach age 70-1/2 or, if later,  retirement.  Payments  from an IRA must begin by
April 1 of the calendar year after the calendar year you reach age 70-1/2. 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 54.)

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

                                     - 65 -

<PAGE>



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  and
over  the  Internet (see "Telephone  and Internet Transactions," 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 52).
    

Telephone and Internet Transactions
- -----------------------------------

               You  can use  our  Automated  Telephone  Service  ("ATS")  or our
Inter/ACT  System over the Internet ("Inter/ACT  System") to check your  account
balances, 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 will be asked to enter your Personal  Identification Number (PIN) and social
security  number  for the ATS and the  Inter/ACT  System.  Both  the ATS and the
Inter/ACT  System  will lead you through  the  transaction  process and will use
reasonable  procedures  to confirm  that  instructions  given are  genuine.  All
transactions made over the ATS and Inter/ACT System are electronically recorded.

               To use the ATS, you need a touch tone phone. The toll free number
for the ATS is 1 800 842-2252.  The Inter/ACT System may be accessed through the
TIAA-CREF Internet home page at http://www.tiaa-cref.org.

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.


                                     - 66 -

<PAGE>



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.

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

                                     - 67 -

<PAGE>




the  contracts  on a limited  basis.  Services  and TPIS are direct or  indirect
subsidiaries  of TIAA.  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;
               
           (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  ("NYID")  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.


                                     - 68 -

<PAGE>




                                  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  consolidated  financial  statements  of the TIAA Real Estate
Account and the  financial  statements  of certain  properties  purchased by the
Account included in this  prospectus,  the financial  statement  schedule to the
financial  statements of the Account,  appearing  elsewhere in the  registration
statement filed with the SEC, 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  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.  (The report on the  financial  statements  of TIAA  expresses an
opinion  that  such  financial  statements  are  presented  in  conformity  with
statutory accounting practices, a comprehensive basis of accounting as described
in Note 2 to the TIAA financial statements, and not in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles).
    

                                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.


                                     - 69 -

<PAGE>




                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   
               The  consolidated   financial  statements  of  TIAA  Real  Estate
Account, financial statements of 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
consolidated  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.
    


                                     - 70 -

<PAGE>

                       INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                        Page
                                                                            ----

TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT

AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

Report of Management Responsibility......................................... F-2

Report of Independent Auditors.............................................. F-3

Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities........................... F-4

Consolidated Statements of Operations....................................... F-5

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets............................ F-6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows....................................... F-7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................................. F-8

Consolidated Statement of Investments.......................................F-14

PROFORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

Proforma Condensed Statement of Assets
  and Liabilities...........................................................F-16

Proforma Condensed Statement of Operations..................................F-17

Notes to Proforma Condensed Financial Statements............................F-18
   
THE MILLBROOK COLLECTION AND THE
 LYNNWOOD COLLECTION RETAIL CENTERS:

Independent Auditors' Report................................................F-19

Combined Statement of Revenues and Certain Expenses.........................F-20

Notes to Combined Statement of Revenues
 and Certain Expenses.......................................................F-21

ARAPAHOE PARK EAST, WESTCREEK APARTMENTS,
 PARKVIEW PLAZA, FAIRGATE AT BALLSTON, NEWTON PLACE,
 AND LONGVIEW EXECUTIVE PARK:

Report of Independent Auditors .............................................F-23

Combined Statement of Revenues and Certain Expenses.........................F-24

Notes to Combined Statement of Revenues
 and Certain Expenses.......................................................F-25
    
TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Condensed Unaudited Financial Statements....................................F-26

Supplemental Information to Condensed Unaudited Financial
 Statements.................................................................F-28

                                      F - 1

<PAGE>
[TIAA LOGO]

                       REPORT OF MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY



To the Participants of the
  TIAA Real Estate Account:


The  accompanying  consolidated  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  consolidated  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 - 2

<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   consolidated   statement  of  assets  and
liabilities  of the TIAA Real Estate Account  ("Account") of Teachers  Insurance
and Annuity  Association  of America  ("TIAA") as of December 31, 1996 and 1995,
the  consolidated  statement of  investments  as of December  31, 1996,  and the
related  consolidated  statements of operations,  changes in net assets and cash
flows for the year  ended  December  31,  1996 and for the  period  July 3, 1995
(commencement of operations) to December 31, 1995. These consolidated  financial
statements are the responsibility of TIAA's management. Our responsibility is to
express an  opinion  on these  consolidated  financial  statements  based on our
audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable  assurance about whether the  consolidated  financial  statements are
free of material  misstatement.  An audit includes  examining,  on a test basis,
evidence  supporting the amounts and disclosures in the  consolidated  financial
statements.  Our  procedures  included  confirmation  of securities  owned as of
December 31, 1996 and 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 audits provide a reasonable  basis
for our opinion.

In our opinion,  such consolidated  financial  statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of the Account as of December 31, 1996
and 1995, the results of its  operations,  the changes in its net assets and its
cash flows for the above-stated  periods,  in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.

Investments  in real estate  properties are stated at fair value at December 31,
1996 and 1995, as discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated  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.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
February 6, 1997

- -----------------
Deloitte & Touche
Tohmatsu
International
- -----------------
                                      F - 3

<PAGE>



                            TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES



                                                    December 31,   December 31,
                                                        1996           1995
                                                    ------------   ------------


ASSETS

 Investments, at value:
  Real estate properties
   (Cost: $130,849,444 and $43,989,665)............ $131,803,204   $ 43,989,665
  Marketable securities
   (Amortized cost: $233,872,445 and $73,972,831)..  236,127,523     73,992,569

 Cash..............................................    3,981,740        396,787

 Receivable from securities transactions...........   47,480,000     23,150,000

 Other.............................................    6,979,540      1,648,400
                                                    ------------   ------------
                                       TOTAL ASSETS  426,372,007    143,177,421
                                                    ------------   ------------



LIABILITIES

 Payable for securities transactions...............   51,354,619     22,788,035

 Other.............................................    5,322,335        131,041
                                                    ------------   ------------
                                  TOTAL LIABILITIES   56,676,954     22,919,076
                                                    ------------   ------------

NET ASSETS

 Accumulation Fund.................................  366,197,755    120,258,345

 Annuity Fund......................................    3,497,298          -
                                                    ------------   ------------
                                   TOTAL NET ASSETS $369,695,053   $120,258,345
                                                    ============   ============



NUMBER OF ACCUMULATION UNITS
 OUTSTANDING--Notes 6 and 7........................    3,295,786      1,172,498
                                                       =========      =========

NET ASSET VALUE,
  PER ACCUMULATION UNIT--Note 6....................      $111.11        $102.57
                                                         =======        =======

                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                      F - 4

<PAGE>





                                             TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     For the period
                                                                                 For the              July 3, 1995
                                                                                   Year             (Commencement
                                                                                  Ended             of Operations) to
                                                                                December 31,           December 31,
                                                                                   1996                   1995
                                                                                ------------       -------------------

INVESTMENT INCOME

<S>                                                                              <C>                    <C>       
  Real estate income, net:
   Rental income......................................................           $10,951,183            $  165,762
                                                                                 -----------            ----------
   Real estate property level expenses and taxes:
     Operating expenses...............................................             2,116,334                29,173
     Real estate taxes................................................             1,254,163                14,659
                                                                                 -----------            ----------
                  Total real estate property level expenses and taxes              3,370,497                43,832
                                                                                 -----------            ----------
                                              Real estate income, net              7,580,686               121,930
                                                                                

  Interest............................................................             5,570,907             2,820,229
  Dividends...........................................................               456,579                 8,671
                                                                                 -----------            ----------
                                                         TOTAL INCOME             13,608,172             2,950,830
                                                                                 -----------            ----------

Expenses--Note 3:
 Investment advisory..................................................               642,042               227,531
 Administrative and distribution......................................               437,894                66,320
 Mortality and expense risk charges...................................                70,535                 8,291
 Liquidity guarantee charges..........................................                 5,325                 8,291
                                                                                 -----------            ----------
                                                       TOTAL EXPENSES              1,155,796               310,433
                                                                                 -----------            ----------

                                               INVESTMENT INCOME, NET             12,452,376             2,640,397
                                                                                 -----------            ----------




REALIZED AND UNREALIZED
 GAIN ON INVESTMENTS
  Net realized gain on marketable securities..........................               141,439                15,865
                                                                                 -----------            ----------
  Net change in unrealized appreciation on:
    Real estate properties............................................               953,760                     -
    Marketable securities.............................................             2,235,340                19,738
                                                                                 -----------            ----------

                                 Net change in unrealized appreciation             3,189,100                19,738
                                                                                 -----------            ----------
                                          NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED
                                                  GAIN ON INVESTMENTS              3,330,539                35,603
                                                                                 -----------            ----------
                                           NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
                                            RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS            $15,782,915            $2,676,000
                                                                                 ===========            ==========

</TABLE>

                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                           F - 5

<PAGE>



                            TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          For the period
                                                                           For the         July 3, 1995
                                                                             Year          (Commencement
                                                                            Ended        of Operations) to
                                                                         December 31,       December 31,
                                                                             1996              1995
                                                                         ------------    -----------------
<S>                                                                       <C>              <C>
FROM OPERATIONS
 Investment income, net ..............................................    $ 12,452,376     $  2,640,397
 Net realized gain on marketable securities ..........................         141,439           15,865
 Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments ................       3,189,100           19,738
                                                                          ------------     ------------

                                            NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
                                             RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS      15,782,915        2,676,000
                                                                          ------------     ------------


FROM PARTICIPANT TRANSACTIONS
 Premiums ............................................................       9,665,306          500,421
 TIAA seed money contributed (withdrawn) -- Note 1 ...................      (7,294,134)     100,000,000
 Disbursements and transfers:
  Net transfers from TIAA ............................................      19,203,309        2,901,675
  Net transfers from CREF Accounts ...................................     213,306,573       14,204,597
  Annuity and other periodic payments ................................        (336,103)            (718)
  Withdrawals ........................................................        (864,480)         (23,630)
  Death benefits .....................................................         (26,678)            --
                                                                          ------------     ------------


                                  NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING
                                         FROM PARTICIPANT TRANSACTIONS     233,653,793      117,582,345
                                                                          ------------     ------------

                                            NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS     249,436,708      120,258,345


NET ASSETS
 Beginning of period..................................................     120,258,345             --
                                                                          ------------     ------------
 End of period........................................................    $369,695,053     $120,258,345
                                                                          ============     ============
</TABLE>



                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      F - 6
<PAGE>



                            TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                        For the period
                                                                          For the        July 3, 1995
                                                                            Year         (Commencement
                                                                           Ended        of Operations) to
                                                                         December 31,      December 31,
                                                                           1996              1995
                                                                         ------------   -----------------
<S>                                                                      <C>              <C>         

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations ...............    $ 15,782,915     $  2,676,000
 Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting
   from operations to net cash used in  operating activities:
   Increase in investments ..........................................    (249,948,493)    (117,982,234)
   Increase in receivable from securities transactions ..............     (24,330,000)     (23,150,000)
   Increase in other assets .........................................      (5,331,140)      (1,648,400)
   Increase in payable for securities transactions ..................      28,566,584       22,788,035
   Increase in other liabilities ....................................       5,191,294          131,041
                                                                         ------------     ------------

                                                     NET CASH USED IN
                                                 OPERATING ACTIVITIES    (230,068,840)    (117,185,558)
                                                                         ------------     ------------


CASH FLOWS FROM PARTICIPANT TRANSACTIONS
 Premiums ...........................................................       9,665,306          500,421
 TIAA seed money contributed  (withdrawn) -- Note 1 .................      (7,294,134)     100,000,000
 Disbursements and transfers:
  Net transfers from TIAA ...........................................      19,203,309        2,901,675
  Net transfers from CREF Accounts ..................................     213,306,573       14,204,597
  Annuity and other periodic payments ...............................        (336,103)            (718)
  Withdrawals .......................................................        (864,480)         (23,630)
  Death benefits ....................................................         (26,678)            --
                                                                         ------------     ------------
                                                 NET CASH PROVIDED BY
                                             PARTICIPANT TRANSACTIONS     233,653,793      117,582,345
                                                                         ------------     ------------
                                                 NET INCREASE IN CASH       3,584,953          396,787

CASH
 Beginning of period ................................................         396,787             --
                                                                         ------------     ------------
 End of period ......................................................    $  3,981,740     $    396,787
                                                                         ============     ============

</TABLE>

                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      F - 7

<PAGE>




                            TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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. Teachers REA, Inc., a wholly-owned  subsidiary
of the  Account,  began  operations  in July  1996 and  holds  one  property  in
Virginia.

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 prorata 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.  In
August,  1996 the  Account's  net assets  first  reached  $200  million  and, as
required  under a five year  repayment  schedule  approved by the New York State
Insurance Department,  TIAA began to redeem its seed money Accumulation Units in
monthly installments beginning in September, 1996. These withdrawals,  amounting
to  $7,294,134 in 1996,  are made at  prevailing  daily net asset values and are
reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. At December 31,
1996,  TIAA  retained  933,333   Accumulation  Units,  with  a  total  value  of
$103,703,507.

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 also invests 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 (which effective January 24, 1997 merged with the Finance Committee to
become the Investment 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

                                      F - 8

<PAGE>



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.

Basis  of  Presentation:  The  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements
include the Account and its  wholly-owned  subsidiary,  Teachers  REA,  Inc. All
significant  intercompany  accounts and  transactions  have been  eliminated  in
consolidation.

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 (the Investment  Committee effective January 24, 1997) 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 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

                                      F - 9

<PAGE>



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 (the Investment  Committee effective January 24, 1997) 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 securities  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.

Reclassifications: Certain 1995 amounts in the statement of operations have been
reclassified to conform to the 1996 presentation.

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  sufficient  funds are  available  to meet
participant  transfer  and  cash  withdrawal  requests  in the  event  that  the
Account's cash flows and liquid investments

                                     F - 10

<PAGE>



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.

Note 4--Real Estate Properties

Had the Account's real estate  properties  which were purchased during 1996 been
acquired at the beginning of the year (January 1, 1996),  rental income and real
estate  property  level  expenses and taxes for the year ended December 31, 1996
would have increased by approximately  $5,395,000 and $2,109,000,  respectively.
In  addition,  interest  income for the year ended  December 31, 1996 would have
decreased by approximately $2,517,000.  Accordingly,  the total pro forma effect
on the  Account's  net  investment  income for the year ended  December 31, 1996
would  have been an  increase  of  approximately  $769,000,  if the real  estate
properties acquired during 1996 had been acquired at the beginning of the year.

Note 5--Leases

The Account's real estate properties are leased to tenants under operating lease
agreements which expire on various dates through 2021.  Aggregate minimum annual
rentals for the properties owned,  excluding short-term  residential leases, are
as follows:

                    Years Ending
                    December 31,
                    ------------
                    1997                  $ 7,489,000
                    1998                    7,129,000
                    1999                    6,615,000
                    2000                    6,197,000
                    2001                    4,167,000
                    Thereafter             29,237,000
                                          -----------
                    Total                 $60,834,000
                                          ===========

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 Consolidated Financial Information

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              For the Period
                                                                                July 3, 1995
                                                               For the         (Commencement
                                                             Year Ended      of Operations) to
                                                          December 31, 1996  December 31, 1995
                                                          -----------------  -----------------

<S>                                                            <C>             <C>     
Per Accumulation Unit Data:
 Rental income .............................................   $  6.012        $  0.159
 Real estate property
  level expenses and taxes .................................      1.850           0.042
                                                               --------        --------
                                     Real estate income, net      4.162           0.117
 Dividends and interest ....................................      3.309           2.716
                                                               --------        --------
                                                Total income      7.471           2.833
 Expense charges (1) .......................................      0.635           0.298
                                                               --------        --------
                                      Investment income, net      6.836           2.535
 Net realized and unrealized
  gain on investments ......................................      1.709           0.031
                                                               --------        --------
Net increase in
 Accumulation Unit Value ...................................      8.545           2.566

Accumulation Unit Value:
 Beginning of period .......................................    102.566         100.000
                                                               --------        --------
 End of period .............................................   $111.111        $102.566
                                                               ========        ========


Total return ...............................................       8.33%           2.57%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
 Expenses (1) ..............................................       0.61%           0.30%
 Investment income, net ....................................       6.57%           2.51%
Portfolio turnover rate:
    Real estate properties .................................          0%              0%
    Securities .............................................      15.04%              0%
Thousands of Accumulation Units
 outstanding at end of period ..............................      3,296           1,172

</TABLE>

(1)      Expense  charges  per  Accumulation  Unit and the Ratio of  Expenses to
         Average  Net  Assets  exclude  real  estate  property  level  operating
         expenses and taxes.  If included,  the expense charge per  Accumulation
         Unit for the year ended  December 31, 1996 would be $2.485  ($0.340 for
         the period July 3, 1995  through  December  31,  1995) and the Ratio of
         Expenses  to Average  Net Assets for the year ended  December  31, 1996
         would be 2.39% (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:

                                                            For the Period
                                                             July 3, 1995
                                             For the         (Commencement
                                           Year Ended      of Operations) to
                                        December 31, 1996  December 31, 1995
                                        -----------------  -----------------

Accumulation Units:

 Credited for premiums and
   TIAA seed money investment..............    89,841          1,004,905
 Credited for transfers, net of
   disbursements and amounts
   applied to the Annuity Fund............. 2,033,447            167,593

 Outstanding:
  Beginning of period...................... 1,172,498              -
                                            ---------          ---------
  End of period............................ 3,295,786          1,172,498
                                            =========          =========
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, 1996,
the Account had outstanding  commitments to purchase five real estate properties
(subject to various closing conditions)  totalling  approximately $68.8 million.
Of that amount, three purchases of real estate property totalling  approximately
$36.3 million were closed in January 1997.




                                     F - 13

<PAGE>



                            TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS
                                DECEMBER 31, 1996

REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES--35.82%
    Location                 Description                               Value
    --------                 -----------                               -----
Arizona:
  Phoenix                  Office building........................ $ 10,500,000
Colorado:
  Boulder                  Industrial building....................    9,920,680
  Littleton                Apartments.............................   17,750,000
Florida:
  Ocoee                    Shopping center........................    7,400,000
  Orlando                  Apartments.............................   12,800,000
  West Palm Beach          Apartments.............................   16,072,275
Georgia:
  Atlanta                  Apartments.............................   16,000,000
Minnesota:
  Eagan                    Industrial building....................    6,485,249
  Fridley                  Industrial building....................    4,175,000
North Carolina:
  Raleigh                  Shopping center........................    6,400,000
  Raleigh                  Shopping center........................    6,600,000
Texas:
  El Paso(1)               Industrial building....................    4,600,000
Virginia:
  Woodbridge               Shopping center........................   13,100,000
                                                                   ------------
        TOTAL REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES    
         (Cost $130,849,444)......................................  131,803,204
                                                                   ------------

(1) Leasehold interest only


MARKETABLE SECURITIES--64.18%

  Shares                 Issuer
  ------                 ------
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS--4.95%

    45,000          Associated Estates Realty Corporation.........    1,068,750
    45,000          Avalon Properties,Inc.........................    1,293,750
    80,000          BrandyWine Realty Trust.......................    1,560,000
    29,000          Cali Realty Corporation.......................      895,375
    45,000          Camden Property Trust.........................    1,288,125
    55,000          CBL & Associates Properties, Inc..............    1,423,125
    40,000          Colonial Properties Trust Co.................     1,215,000
     4,434          Homestead Village, Inc. ......................       79,812
     2,975          Homestead Village, Inc. - Wts.................       24,172
    40,000          Hospitality Properties Trust..................    1,160,000
    85,000          Innkeepers USA Trust. ........................    1,179,375
    45,000          Security Capital Atlantic, Inc................    1,102,500
    19,900          Security Capital Industrial Trust.............      507,450
    15,000          Starwood Lodging..............................      826,875
    40,000          Storage USA, Inc..............................    1,505,000
    40,000          Trinet Corporate Realty Trust, Inc............    1,420,000
    50,000          Weeks Corporation.............................    1,662,500
                                                                   ------------
        TOTAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
        (Cost $15,886,587)........................................   18,211,809
                                                                   ------------

                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                     F - 14

<PAGE>



Principal               Issuer, Coupon and Maturity Date             Value
- ---------               --------------------------------             -----
COMMERCIAL PAPER--4.05%
$ 15,000,000      Morgan Stanley Group
                   5.37% 02/14/97............................... $ 14,887,875
                                                                 ------------
        TOTAL COMMERCIAL PAPER
         (Amortized cost $14,901,550)...........................   14,887,875
                                                                 ------------

CORPORATE BONDS--1.07%
  4,000,000       Associates Corporation of North America
                   5.25% 09/01/98...............................    3,941,560
                                                                 ------------
        TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
         (Amortized cost $3,950,280)............................    3,941,560
                                                                 ------------

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES--54.11%
  2,000,000       Federal Home Loan Bank
                   5.22% 01/16/97...............................    1,995,200
  2,000,000       Federal Home Loan Bank
                   5.20% 02/04/97...............................    1,989,500
 18,500,000       Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
                   5.40% 01/02/97...............................   18,494,369
  2,100,000       Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
                   5.45% 01/10/97...............................    2,096,850
 10,120,000       Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
                   5.45% 01/21/97...............................   10,088,122
 30,000,000       Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
                   5.27% 01/30/97...............................   29,865,000
  8,000,000       Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
                   5.22% 02/06/97...............................    7,955,600
 26,000,000       Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
                   5.25% 02/13/97...............................   25,828,400
 23,200,000       Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
                   5.26% 02/28/97...............................   22,997,341
 11,000,000       Federal National Mortgage Association
                   5.26% 01/09/97...............................   10,985,150
 17,000,000       Federal National Mortgage Association
                   5.33% 02/03/97...............................   16,913,300
  9,500,000       Federal National Mortgage Association
                   5.33% 02/04/97...............................    9,450,125
 10,000,000       Federal National Mortgage Association
                   5.22% 02/10/97...............................    9,938,500
 10,000,000       Federal National Mortgage Association
                   5.33% 02/10/97...............................    9,938,500
  2,000,000       Federal National Mortgage Association
                   5.20% 03/04/97...............................    1,981,380
 15,700,000       Federal National Mortgage Association
                   5.23% 03/13/97...............................   15,532,952
  2,000,000       Federal National Mortgage Association
                   5.19% 04/03/97...............................    1,972,513
  1,100,000       United States Treasury Bill
                   5.56% 08/21/97...............................    1,063,477
                                                                 ------------
        TOTAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
         (Amortized cost $199,134,028)..........................  199,086,279
                                                                 ------------

TOTAL MARKETABLE SECURITIES
 (Amortized cost $233,872,445)..................................  236,127,523
                                                                 ------------

TOTAL INVESTMENTS--100.00%
 (Cost $364,721,889)............................................ $367,930,727
                                                                 ============


                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                     F - 15

<PAGE>

   
                            TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT

                               PROFORMA CONDENSED
                 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Unaudited)
                                DECEMBER 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                Historical     Adjustments          Proforma
                                               ------------   -------------       ------------
<S>                                            <C>            <C>                 <C>         
ASSETS
  Investments, at value:
    Real estate properties ..................  $131,803,204   $ 184,717,186 (a)   $316,520,390
    Marketable securities ...................   236,127,523    (184,717,186)(a)     51,410,337
  Receivable from securities transactions ...    47,480,000              --         47,480,000
  Other .....................................    10,961,280              --         10,961,280
                                               ------------   -------------       ------------

     TOTAL ASSETS ...........................   426,372,007              --        426,372,007
                                               ------------   -------------       ------------

LIABILITIES
  Payable for securities transactions .......    51,354,619              --         51,354,619
  Other .....................................     5,322,335              --          5,322,335
                                               ------------   -------------       ------------

     TOTAL LIABILITIES ......................    56,676,954              --         56,676,954
                                               ------------   -------------       ------------


NET ASSETS
  Accumulation Fund .........................   366,197,755              --        366,197,755
  Annuity Fund ..............................     3,497,298              --          3,497,298
                                               ------------   -------------       ------------

     TOTAL NET ASSETS .......................  $369,695,053              --       $369,695,053
                                               ============   =============       ============
</TABLE>

              See notes to proforma condensed financial statements.

                                     F - 16

<PAGE>

                            TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT

                               PROFORMA CONDENSED
                       STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Proforma    
                                                Historical        Adjustments          Proforma
                                               ------------      ------------        ------------
<S>                                            <C>               <C>                <C>         
INVESTMENT INCOME
  Income:
    Real estate income, net:
      Rental income ........................   $ 10,951,183      $ 35,374,335(b)    $ 46,325,518
                                               ------------      ------------       ------------
      Real estate property level
        expenses and taxes:
        Operating expenses .................      2,116,334         8,587,507(b)      10,703,841
        Real estate taxes ..................      1,254,163         3,347,105(b)       4,601,268
                                               ------------      ------------       ------------
      Total real estate property
        level expenses and taxes ...........      3,370,497        11,934,612         15,305,109
                                               ------------      ------------       ------------

    Real estate income, net ................      7,580,686        23,439,723         31,020,409
    Interest and dividends .................      6,027,486        (6,027,486)(c)             -- 
                                               ------------      ------------       ------------

TOTAL INCOME ...............................     13,608,172        17,412,237         31,020,409
                                               ------------      ------------       ------------

EXPENSES
  Interest .................................             --         8,950,000(d)       8,950,000
  Other ....................................      1,155,796           444,000(e)       1,599,796
                                               ------------      ------------       ------------
TOTAL EXPENSES .............................      1,155,796         9,394,000         10,549,796
                                               ------------      ------------       ------------

INVESTMENT INCOME-NET ......................     12,452,376         8,018,237         20,470,613

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED
 GAIN ON INVESTMENTS .......................      3,330,539        (2,357,041)(f)        973,498
                                               ------------      ------------       ------------

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
 RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS .................   $ 15,782,915      $  5,661,196       $ 21,444,111
                                               ============      ============       ============
</TABLE>

              See notes to proforma condensed financial statements.


                                     F - 17

<PAGE>


                            TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT

          NOTES TO PROFORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)


Note 1--Purpose and Assumptions

As required by the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  under  Regulation  S-X
Article 11-01(5), these proforma condensed financial statements of the TIAA Real
Estate  Account  ("Account")  have been  prepared  because  the Account has made
significant  purchases of real estate  properties  during the period  January 1,
1996 through the date of this prospectus.  Various assumptions have been made in
order to prepare these proforma condensed financial  statements;  however,  such
assumptions do not  necessarily  reflect the intentions or expectations of TIAA.
The proforma condensed  statement of assets and liabilities has been prepared in
order to reflect the Account  assuming  that real  estate  properties  purchased
during  the period  January 1, 1997  through  the date of this  prospectus  were
purchased  as  of  December  31,  1996.  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 January 1, 1996 through the
date of this prospectus were purchased as of January 1, 1996.

Note 2--Proforma Adjustments

The following proforma adjustments were made in preparing the proforma condensed
financial statements 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, 1997 through the date of this  prospectus,  assuming such  properties
        were purchased as of December 31, 1996.

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 January 1, 1996
        through the date of this prospectus, assuming such properties were owned
        for the period January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996.

    (c) To record the decrease in the  interest and dividend  income from having
        less cash to invest in marketable  securities,  assuming the real estate
        properties  purchased during the period January 1, 1996 through the date
        of this prospectus had been purchased as of January 1, 1996.

    (d) To record the interest  expense  which would have been incurred in order
        to borrow  cash to  purchase,  as of January 1,  1996,  the real  estate
        properties  which were actually  purchased  during the period January 1,
        1996 through the date of this prospectus.

    (e) To record  additional  expenses  which would have been  incurred  during
        1996,  assuming  the  Account's  assets had been fully  invested in real
        estate  properties  rather than partially in real estate  properties and
        partially in marketable securities.

    (f) To record the decrease in realized and unrealized  gains that would have
        occurred had the Account not held any marketable  securities during 1996
        because any amounts  invested in marketable  securities  would have been
        sold as of  January  1,  1996 in  order  to  purchase  the  real  estate
        properties  which were actually  purchased  during the period January 1,
        1996 through the date of this prospectus.


                                     F - 18

<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  accompanying  combined  statement  of revenues and certain
expenses of the  properties  known as The Millbrook  Collection and The Lynnwood
Collection  Retail Centers  (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 financial statement presentation.
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.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
April 12, 1996

- ---------------
Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu
International
- ---------------

                                     F - 19

<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 - 20
<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 - 21

<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 - 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


                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

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

We have  audited the  accompanying  combined  statement  of revenues and certain
expenses of the properties  known as Arapahoe Park East,  Westcreek  Apartments,
Parkview Plaza,  Fairgate at Ballston,  Two Newton Place and Longview  Executive
Park,  (collectively,  the  "Properties")  for the year ended December 31, 1996.
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 financial statement presentation.
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 31, 1996 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.



/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
April 29, 1997

- ---------------
Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu
International
- ---------------

                                     F - 23

<PAGE>



                               ARAPAHOE PARK EAST
                              WESTCREEK APARTMENTS
                                 PARKVIEW PLAZA
                              FAIRGATE AT BALLSTON
                                TWO NEWTON PLACE
                             LONGVIEW EXECUTIVE PARK
               Combined Statement of Revenues and Certain Expenses
                          Year Ended December 31, 1996



Revenues:
   Rental income................................................... $17,588,503
   Other..........................................................    2,047,736
                                                                    -----------
                     Total revenues                                  19,636,239
                                                                    -----------
Certain Expenses:
   Building operating expenses.....................................   3,418,537
   Real estate taxes...............................................   1,642,127
   Management fees.................................................     385,726
                                                                    -----------

                     Total expenses                                   5,446,390
                                                                    -----------

                     Revenues in excess of certain expenses         $14,189,849
                                                                    ===========


        See notes to combined statement of revenues and certain expenses.


                                     F - 24


<PAGE>


                               ARAPAHOE PARK EAST
                              WESTCREEK APARTMENTS
                                 PARKVIEW PLAZA
                              FAIRGATE AT BALLSTON
                                TWO NEWTON PLACE
                             LONGVIEW EXECUTIVE PARK
          Notes to Combined Statement of Revenues and Certain Expenses
                          Year Ended December 31, 1996



Note 1--Description of Properties

The  combined  statement  of  revenues  and  certain  expenses  relates  to  the
properties  known as  Arapahoe  Park  East  ("Arapahoe"),  Westcreek  Apartments
("Westcreek"),  Parkview Plaza ("Parkview"),  Fairgate at Ballston ("Fairgate"),
Two  Newton  Place   ("Newton")  and  Longview   Executive   Park   ("Longview")
(collectively,  the "Properties").  Arapahoe,  located in Boulder Colorado,  was
acquired by TIAA Real  Estate  Account  (the  "Account")  on October  21,  1996.
Westcreek,  located in Westlake Village, California, was acquired by the Account
on January 2, 1997. Fairgate,  located in Arlington Virginia, Newton, located in
Newton  Massachusetts,  and  Longview,  located in Hunt  Valley,  Maryland  were
acquired  by the  Account  on April 21,  1997.  Parkview,  located  in  Oakbrook
Terrace, Illinois, was acquired by the Account on April 29, 1997.


Note 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 actual  operations  for the year
ended December 31, 1996 as certain expenses,  which may not be comparable to the
expenses  expected to be incurred in 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.


Note 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.


Note 4--Leases

At  December  31,  1996,  future  minimum  base  rentals,  excluding  short term
residential  leases,  to be received for years ending 1997 through 2001, and the
aggregate amount thereafter,  under  noncancellable  operating leases in effect,
are as follows:

          1997                             $17,267,000
          1998                              16,301,000
          1999                              13,435,000
          2000                              12,092,000
          2001                              10,380,000
          Aggregate amount thereafter       29,550,000
                                           -----------
                                           $99,025,000
                                           ===========

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


                                     F - 25

<PAGE>

              TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

                    Condensed Unaudited Financial statements

            (These condensed unaudited financial statements have been
               derived from audited financial statements which are
                             available upon request)

TIAA Condensed Balance Sheets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                           (in thousands)
                                                                                            December 31,
                                                                                     1996               1995
                                                                                  -----------        -----------
ASSETS
<S>                                                                               <C>                <C>        
Bonds......................................................................       $56,092,131        $48,835,831
Mortgages..................................................................        20,074,002         21,000,279
Real Estate................................................................         6,704,889          7,013,053
Stocks.....................................................................           355,093            223,028
Other long-term investments................................................           500,351            476,804
Cash and short-term investments............................................           615,082            713,051
Investment income due and accrued..........................................         1,140,956          1,118,708
Separate Account assets....................................................           663,458            209,170
Other assets...............................................................           211,516            204,689
                                                                                  -----------        -----------
                                                               Total Assets       $86,357,478        $79,794,613
                                                                                  ===========        ===========
LIABILITIES                                      
Policy and contract reserves...............................................       $75,909,906        $70,983,831
Dividends declared for the following year..................................         1,636,738          1,493,744
Asset Valuation Reserve....................................................         2,134,921          1,860,868
Interest Maintenance Reserve...............................................           729,090            621,366
Separate Account liabilities...............................................           559,754            106,512
Other liabilities..........................................................           636,364            672,112
                                                                                  -----------        -----------
                                                          Total Liabilities        81,606,773         75,738,433
                                                                                  -----------        -----------
CAPITAL AND CONTINGENCY RESERVES                 
Capital....................................................................             2,500              2,500
                                                                                  -----------        -----------
Contingency reserves:                            
    For group life insurance...............................................             8,739              7,762
    For investment losses, annuity and insurance mortality, and other risks         4,739,466          4,045,918
                                                                                  -----------        -----------
                                                 Total Contingency Reserves         4,748,205          4,053,680
                                                                                  -----------        -----------
                                     Total Capital and Contingency Reserves         4,750,705          4,056,180
                                                                                  -----------        -----------
                       Total Liabilities, Capital  and Contingency Reserves       $86,357,478        $79,794,613
                                                                                  ===========        ===========
</TABLE>

                                     F - 26

<PAGE>



              TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

TIAA Condensed Statements of Operations and
Changes in Contingency Reserves

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          (in thousands)
                                                                                 For the Years Ended December 31,
                                                                                     1996               1995
                                                                                  -----------        -----------
<S>                                                                               <C>                <C>        
INCOME
Insurance and annuity premiums and deposits...............................        $ 2,781,827        $ 2,854,600
Transfers from CREF, net..................................................            366,920            351,869
Annuity dividend additions................................................          2,131,890          1,943,614
Net investment income.....................................................          6,525,529          6,108,497
Supplementary contract consideration......................................            203,770            150,976
                                                                                  -----------        -----------
                                                              Total Income        $12,009,936        $11,409,556
                                                                                  ===========        ===========
DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME                                                           
Policy and contract benefits..............................................        $ 1,916,597        $ 1,718,597
Dividends.................................................................          3,399,581          3,098,931
Increase in policy and contract reserves..................................          5,097,213          5,329,040
Operating expenses........................................................            249,000            241,795
Transfers to Separate Accounts, net.......................................            395,686             92,995
Federal income taxes......................................................             13,154              9,488
Other, net................................................................              1,112             (4,380)
Increase in contingency reserves from operations..........................            937,593            923,090
                                                                                  -----------        -----------
                                              Total Distribution of Income        $12,009,936        $11,409,556
                                                                                  ===========        ===========
                                                                                 
CHANGES IN CONTINGENCY RESERVES:                                                 
From operations...........................................................        $   937,593        $   923,090
Net realized capital gain (loss) on investments...........................            163,950            (56,265)
Net unrealized capital gain on investments................................             30,452             52,706
Transfer to the Interest Maintenance Reserve..............................           (167,086)          (114,840)
Transfers from (to) the Asset Valuation Reserve:                                    
    Required formula contribution.........................................           (246,181)          (302,387)
    Net capital (gains) losses absorbed...................................            (27,872)           106,215
Increase in non-admitted assets other than investments....................             (4,764)              (803)
Other, net................................................................              8,433             10,640
                                                                                  ------------       -----------
                                        Net Change in Contingency Reserves            694,525            618,356
                                 Contingency Reserves at Beginning of Year          4,053,680          3,435,324
                                                                                  ------------       -----------
                                       Contingency Reserves at End of Year        $ 4,748,205        $ 4,053,680
                                                                                  ============       ===========
                                                                               
</TABLE>

                                     F - 27

<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 amortized  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
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:

                                                                   1996     1995
                                                                   ----     ----
As a percentage of total bond investments:
    Below investment grade bonds                                     5%       5%

As a percentage of total mortgage investments:
    Below investment grade mortgage loans                            4%       4%
    Total mortgage investments in California                        22%      24%
    Total mortgage investments in office buildings                  41%      41%
    Total mortgage investments in shopping centers                  29%      31%

As a percentage of total real estate investments:
    Total real estate investments in Minnesota                      12%      12%
    Total real estate investments in California                     10%      12%
    Total real estate investments in office buildings               63%      62%


Derivative  Positions:  TIAA makes limited use of derivatives to reduce interest
rate risks and foreign currency risks associated with certain investments.  TIAA
is exposed to the risk of default of the counterparties,  although TIAA does not
anticipate non-performance by such counterparties. In order to minimize the risk
associated with potential counterparty default, TIAA monitors the credit quality
of its  counterparties.  At  December  31, 1996 and 1995,  TIAA had  outstanding
foreign  currency swap contracts  with a total  notional value of  approximately
$337,404,000 and  $238,063,000,  respectively,  and interest rate swap contracts
with a total  notional value of  approximately  $187,355,000  and  $105,600,000,
respectively.  At December  31,  1996,  TIAA had  outstanding  foreign  currency
forward contracts with a total notional value of approximately $12,522,000, swap
options with a total notional value of  approximately  $58,000,000  and interest
rate cap contracts with a total notional value of approximately $32,520,000.

    
                                     F - 28

<PAGE>



                                   APPENDIX A

                            DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES

     The following table summaries the properties currently held by the Account.
Details regarding each property are provided after the table.
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                         Net
                                                      Year               Year          Rentable                           Percent
Property                      Location               Built             Purchased         Area            Units            Leased
- --------                      --------               -----             ---------       --------          -----            -------
                                                                                       (sq.ft.)
<S>                           <C>                    <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>

MULTI-FAMILY
- ------------
The Crest at Shadow Mountain  El Paso, TX            1992              1997             NA                232               92%
Westcreek                     Westlake Village, CA   1988              1997             NA                126               94%
Royal St. George              W. Palm Beach, FL      1995              1996             NA                224               94%
Monte Vista                   Littleton, CO          1995              1996             NA                219               90%
Brixworth                     Atlanta, GA            1989              1995             NA                271               88%
The Greens At Metrowest       Orlando, FL            1990              1995             NA                200               92%
                              
OFFICE BUILDINGS              
- ----------------              
Parkview Plaza*               Oakbrook, IL           1990              1997             263,912           NA                98%
Fairgate at Ballston*         Arlington, VA          1988              1997             143,564           NA                99%
Five Centerpointe*            Lake Oswego, OR        1988              1997             113,910           NA                92%
Two Newton Place*             Newton, MA             1987              1997             108,819           NA                97%
USF&G Building*               Salt Lake City, UT     1988              1997              66,352           NA               100%
Northmark Business Center*    Blue Ash, OH           1985              1997             105,406           NA                90%
Metro Center Office Park*     Sacramento, CA         1986              1997             255,858           NA                67%
Longview Executive Park*      Hunt Valley, MD        1988              1997             257,944           NA               100%
Southbank                     Phoenix, AZ            1995              1996             122,535           NA               100%
                              
RETAIL                        
- ------                        
River Oaks                    Woodbridge, VA         1995              1996              90,885           NA                94%
The Lynnwood Collection       Raleigh, NC            1988              1996              86,362           NA               100%
The Millbrook Collection      Raleigh, NC            1988              1996             102,221           NA                83%
Plantation Grove              Ocoee, FL              1995              1995              73,655           NA                95%
                              
INDUSTRIAL                    
- ----------                    
Westinghouse                  Coral Springs, FL      NA                1997              75,630           NA               100%
Interstate Acres              Urbandale, IA          1981-1988         1997             440,000           NA                97%
Interstate Crossing           Eagan, MN              1995              1996             131,380           NA               100%
Arapahoe Park E.              Boulder, CO            1979-1982         1996             129,425           NA               100%
River Road                    Fridley, MN            1995              1995             100,584           NA               100%
Butterfield                   El Paso, TX            1980-1981         1995             183,600           NA               100%

- -----------------------    
* - Purchased in joint venture
</TABLE>
    


MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL COMPLEXES

The Crest At Shadow Mountain Apartments -- El Paso, Texas

   
         On January 31, 1997,  the Account  purchased  the fee  interest  (i.e.,
ownership of underlying  land and all buildings  and other  improvements  on the
land) in The Crest at Shadow Mountain Apartments, a first class garden apartment
complex  located  in El Paso,  Texas,  for a  purchase  price  of  approximately
$9.2 million. The property is not subject to a mortgage.
    

                                     A - 1
<PAGE>


   
         The  Crest  at  Shadow  Mountain  Apartments  was  built in 1992 and is
located on 9.5  acres of land. The  complex  contains  232 one-, two- and three-
bedroom units in 17 two-story apartment  buildings.  Buildings are of wood frame
construction  with stucco and brick  exteriors and pitched  composition  shingle
roofs. The project includes a community  clubhouse/leasing office with a fitness
center,  outdoor pool, sports court and sand volleyball  court.  Apartment units
offer fully equipped kitchens, cable, walk-in closets, ceiling fans, thermo-pane
windows  and are wired for  contract  security  systems.  There are 332  parking
spaces plus 91 covered  carports.  The complex is currently  92%  occupied  with
monthly rents  averaging $590 per unit.  Rents are comparable  with  competitive
complexes and are not subject to rent regulation. The Account is responsible for
the expenses of operating the property.
    

         The Crest at Shadow Mountain Apartments is located  approximately seven
miles west of the El Paso central business  district.  The El Paso  metropolitan
area,  with a current  population of almost seven hundred  thousand  persons has
experienced  population  growth over the past five years that is more than twice
the national rate. This growth is expected to continue.

   
Westcreek Apartments -- Westlake Village, California
    

         On January 2, 1997, the Account purchased the fee interest in Westcreek
Apartments,  a luxury  garden  apartment  complex  located in Westlake  Village,
California, for a purchase price of approximately $13.0 million. The property is
not subject to a mortgage.

   
         Westcreek  Apartments was built in 1988 and is located on approximately
10.4 acres of land.  The complex  contains 126 one- and two-bedroom  units in 11
two-story  buildings,  with each unit  containing  such amenities as a microwave
oven, fireplace, washer and dryer and nine foot ceilings. Building exteriors are
stucco with tile roofs.  There are 128 covered  parking spaces plus 76 uncovered
parking spaces. Residents have use of an on-site clubhouse with a fully equipped
weight room and a swimming  pool.  The complex is currently  94%  occupied  with
monthly rents averaging  $1,090 per unit.  Rents are comparable with competitive
complexes and are not subject to rent regulation. The Account is responsible for
the expenses of operating the property.
    

         Westlake  Village  is  located  approximately  38  miles  northwest  of
downtown Los Angeles in Ventura County. Ventura County has enjoyed above-average
population  growth  during the last five years and this  growth is  expected  to
continue into the foreseeable future.

                                     A - 2
<PAGE>

   
Royal St. George Apartments -- West Palm Beach, Florida
    

         On December 20, 1996,  the Account  purchased the fee interest in Royal
St. George  Apartments,  a first class garden apartment  complex located in West
Palm Beach,  Florida,  for a purchase price of approximately $15.9 million.  The
property is not subject to a mortgage.

   
         Royal St.  George  Apartments  was built in 1995 and is located on 10.4
acres of land. The complex contains 224 one-, two- and three-bedroom  units in 8
two- and  three-story  buildings,  with each unit containing such amenities as a
washer and dryer,  patio or solarium,  and a security system.  Upper level units
contain vaulted ceilings.  Building  exteriors are stucco with tile roofs. There
are 388  parking  spaces  plus 64  detached  garages.  Residents  have use of an
on-site  clubhouse,  a fully  equipped  exercise  center,  swimming pool and two
lighted tennis courts.  The complex is currently 94% occupied with monthly rents
averaging $834 per unit. Rents are comparable with competitive complexes and are
not subject to rent  regulation.  The Account is responsible for the expenses of
operating the property.
    

         Royal St.  George  Apartments  is located three miles south of the West
Palm Beach central business  district.  The West Palm Beach  metropolitan  area,
with a current  population  of  almost  one  million  persons,  has  experienced
population  growth over the past five years that is more than twice the national
rate. This growth is expected to continue.

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  90%
occupied with monthly rents  averaging  $923.00 per unit.  Rents are  comparable
with  competitive  complexes  in the  locality  and  are  not  subject  to  rent
regulation.  The  Account is  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   


                                     A - 3
<PAGE>

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 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  swimming  pool.  Brixworth
Apartments is currently 88% occupied.  Average  monthly rents are $785 per unit.
Rents are comparable  with  competitive  communities and are not subject to rent
regulation.  The  Account is  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 92% occupied,  with monthly rents  averaging $815 per unit.
Rents are  comparable  with  competitive  complexes  and are 

                                     A - 4
<PAGE>


not subject to rent  regulation.  The Account is 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.

OFFICE BUILDINGS

   
Joint Venture To Purchase Eight Office Buildings

               In April,  1997,  the Account  purchased  in joint  venture  with
Pegasus Partners, Inc., wholly-owned by USF&G Corporation, eight suburban office
buildings in various metropolitan  locations for a combined total purchase price
of  approximately  $164.5  million.  Rents  on  the  properties,  which  contain
1,315,765  square feet of rentable square feet,  average $16.60 per square foot.
None of the  buildings  are  subject to a  mortgage.  TIAA owns 90% of the joint
venture and Pegasus owns 10%.  USF&G  Realty  Advisors,  Inc.  will provide real
estate  advisory  services  to the  joint  venture  and  assist  in the  overall
management of the eight office properties. Because the asset management services
to be performed by USF&G Realty Advisors,  Inc. are similar to those which would
be performed by TIAA for other  properties in the Account,  TIAA has  determined
that it will not charge the Account its standard  advisory fee for the Account's
investment  in the eight  properties.  TIAA  reserves  the right to reimpose its
advisory  fee  with  respect  to  those  properties  at  its  discretion  should
circumstances warrant such a change.

         The following is a summary of each property:

         Parkview Plaza -- Oakbrook, Illinois

         The  building,   completed  in  1990,  contains  approximately  263,912
rentable  square  feet and is  situated  on  approximately  2.99  acres with 890
parking  spaces.  The land is subject to an air rights lease that has been fully
prepaid and has a remaining  term of  approximately  90 years.  The  building is
leased to various tenants.  Van Kampen American  Capital occupies  approximately
72% of the  building.  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 in Oakbrook,  a suburb of Chicago.  The market
contains  over 10 million  square  feet of Class A office  space and at year end
1996, the Class A vacancy rate was 7.8%.

                                     A - 5
<PAGE>


         Fairgate at Ballston -- Arlington, Virginia

         The  building,   completed  in  1988,  contains  approximately  143,564
rentable square feet and is situated on approximately 1.3 acres of land with 364
parking spaces.  It is approximately  99% leased to various  tenants.  Scheduled
Airlines Traffic Offices, Inc. (SATO) is a major tenant, occupying approximately
57% of the  building.  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 in Arlington, Virginia, within the metropolitan
Washington, D.C. area and particularly, within the Ballston office submarket.
The Ballston submarket contains approximately 3.5 million square feet and
presently has a vacancy rate of 9%.

         Five Centerpointe -- Lake Oswego, Oregon

         The  building,   completed  in  1988,  contains  approximately  113,910
rentable square feet and is situated on approximately 5.5 acres of land with 415
parking spaces.  It is approximately  92% leased to various  tenants,  including
Pacificare of Oregon and MCI.  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,  located in Lake Oswego, is a part of Portland,  Oregon's
Westside suburban office market which contains  approximately 6.8 million square
feet and is currently experiencing a 5.5% vacancy rate.

         Two Newton Place -- Newton, Massachusetts

         The  building,   completed  in  1987,  contains  approximately  108,819
rentable square feet and is situated on approximately 1.4 acres of land with 261
parking spaces.  It is approximately  97% leased to various tenants with Cahners
Publishing  Company occupying  approximately  42% of the building.  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 in the suburban  Boston  office market known as
the Route 128/Mass Pike market,  and more  specifically in the Newton submarket.
The Route 128/Mass Pike market contains  approximately  11.3 million square feet
of Class A space which is presently experiencing a 5% vacancy rate.

         USF&G Building -- Salt Lake City, Utah

         The building, completed in 1988, contains approximately 66,352 rentable
square feet and is situated on approximately  3.0 


                                     A - 6
<PAGE>

acres of land with 272 parking  spaces.  It is currently  100% leased to various
tenants,  including Information Access Tech and USF&G Corporation.  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 in the  suburban  Union  Park/Murray  submarket
which is part of the larger Salt Lake City suburban office market. The Salt Lake
City market  contains  approximately  2.1 million  square feet of space which is
experiencing a 4.8% vacancy rate.

         Northmark Business Center -- Blue Ash, Ohio

         The  building,   completed  in  1985,  contains  approximately  105,406
rentable  square  feet and is  situated  on 9.4 acres of land  with 539  parking
spaces. It is currently 90% leased to various tenants, including Hewlett-Packard
and Toyota Motor Credit.  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 in the  suburban  Blue Ash  submarket  which is
part of the larger  Cincinnati  suburban  office market.  The Cincinnati  market
contains  approximately  5.7  million  square  feet of  Class A space  which  is
currently experiencing a 9% vacancy rate.

         Metro Center Office Park -- Sacramento, California

         Three  buildings,  completed  in 1986,  contain  approximately  255,858
rentable  square feet and are situated on 20.8 acres of land with 1,057  parking
spaces.  They are currently 67% leased to various tenants,  including  Providian
Bankcorp and IBM. Although the terms vary under each lease, most of the expenses
for operating the property are either borne or reimbursed by the tenants.

         The office park is located in the South Natomas  suburban office market
in  Sacramento.  The market  contains  approximately  1.7 million square feet of
space which is currently experiencing a 7.3% vacancy rate.

         Longview Executive Park -- Hunt Valley, Maryland

         Three  buildings,  completed  in 1988,  contain  approximately  257,944
rentable  square feet and are situated on 16.1 acres of land with 1,086  parking
spaces.  They are  currently  100%  leased to various  tenants  with PHH Vehicle
Management  Services  Corporation  (VMS)  occupying  approximately  77%  of  the
building.  Although  the terms vary under each lease,  most of the  expenses 


                                     A - 7
<PAGE>

for operating the property are either borne or reimbursed by the tenants.

         The  property  is located in the Hunt  Valley  submarket  of the larger
Baltimore  County suburban office market.  The Baltimore  County market contains
approximately 13 million square feet of space which is currently  experiencing a
9.6% vacancy rate.

Southbank Business Park -- Phoenix, Arizona
    
         On February  27,  1996,  the Account  purchased  the fee  interest in a
122,535 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 645 parking spaces.  It is currently 100% leased by four tenants in
the service  industry,  with rents  averaging $9.01 per square foot. None of the
leases  expire  until the year 2000 and  2001,  when  leases on 65% of the space
expire;   those  leases  together   represent  total  annual  rent  payments  of
approximately  $727,300.  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 all areas of the metropolitan
Phoenix 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
$14.19 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 19% of the center's space expire;
those leases  together  represent  total annual rent payments of $352,695 in the

                                     A - 8
<PAGE>


year of their expiration. The Giant lease expires in the year 2021.

         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 100% occupied,  and is
anchored  by a 52,337  square foot Kroger  supermarket,  a national  supermarket
chain.  Rents average $8.26 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 39% of the
center's  space  expire;  those  leases  together  represent  total  annual rent
payments of $426,810 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  11.9
acres of land with space for 670 cars.  The center is currently 83% occupied and
is anchored by a 52,337 square foot Kroger supermarket.  Rents average $7.55 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 

                                     A - 9
<PAGE>


29% of the center's space expire;  those leases together  represent total annual
rent  payments  of $327,066 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  95%  occupied  and is  anchored by a
47,955  square foot Publix  supermarket,  a regional  supermarket  chain.  Rents
average $9.86 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  total annual rent payments of $335,600 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 above.

INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES

Westinghouse Facility -- Coral Springs, Florida
   

         On  February  5, 1997,  the  Account  purchased  the fee  interest in a
single-story  industrial  building  located  in  Coral  Springs,  Florida  for a
purchase price of approximately  $6.07 million. The improvements which have been
recently  completed for the  Westinghouse  Corporation  have 75,630 square feet.
Westinghouse Corporation occupies 100% of the building area under a ten year net
lease. The initial rent is $7.29 per square foot for the first five years of the
lease term  increasing  to $8.02 per  square  foot for the  second  five  years.
Operating expenses for the property are borne or reimbursed by the tenant.
    

         The subject property is located in northwest  Broward County within the
municipality  of Coral Springs and is in Corporate Park of Coral Springs,  a 600
acre  master-planned  commercial  industrial  park.  Corporate  Park has enjoyed
significant  success  and  development  in  recent  years  primarily  due to the
completion of the Sawgrass  Expressway,  which provides a link to I-95, I-75 and
I-595.


                                     A - 10
<PAGE>

       


   
Interstate Acres - Urbandale, Iowa

         On January 24,  1997,  the Account  purchased  the fee interest in four
warehouse  distribution  buildings  located in Urbandale,  Iowa,  for a purchase
price of  approximately  $13.6 million.  Rents on the buildings,  which together
have 440,000 square feet of rentable  space,  average $3.19 per square foot. The
buildings are not subject to a mortgage.  Operating  expenses for the properties
are borne or reimbursed by the tenants.

         The   buildings,   built   between  1981  and  1988,   are  located  on
approximately  29.6 acres of land with  space for 388 cars.  The  buildings  are
presently 97% leased to 15 tenants under leases which expire over the eight year
period from 1998-2005.

         Urbandale lies approximately 10 miles northwest of downtown Des Moines.
All buildings are located within the Interstate  Acres  Industrial Park which is
approximately  1/2 mile east of a full  interchange  with Interstates 35 and 80.
The population of the Des Moines  metropolitan  area, which includes  Urbandale,
has grown  steadily  during the past five years and is  expected  to continue to
expand consistent with the national average into the near future.
    

Interstate Crossing - Eagan, Minnesota

         On December 31,  1996,  the Account  purchased  the fee interest in two
industrial  buildings  located  in Eagan,  Minnesota,  for a  purchase  price of
approximately $6.4 million. Rents on the buildings,  which together have 131,380
square feet of rentable space, average $5.10 per square foot. Operating expenses
for the properties are borne or reimbursed by the tenants. The buildings are not
subject to a mortgage.

         The buildings,  built in 1995, are located on approximately  10.6 acres
of land with 288 parking  spaces.  The buildings are presently 100% leased to 10
tenants, with the majority of leases expiring in 2000 and 2001.

   
         The  subject  property  is  located  10  miles  southeast  of  downtown
Minneapolis  and 7 miles  south  of  downtown  St.  Paul.  The  twin  cities  of
Minneapolis/St. Paul currently have a population of 2.7 million people and enjoy
a strong and diverse economy.
    

                                     A - 11
<PAGE>


Arapahoe Park East - Boulder, Colorado

         On October 31,  1996,  the Account  purchased  the fee interest in five
research and development buildings located in Boulder,  Colorado, for a purchase
price of approximately $9.9 million. Rents on the buildings, which together have
129,425  square feet of  rentable  space,  average  $8.83 per square  foot.  The
buildings are not subject to a mortgage.

         The   buildings,   built   between  1979  and  1982,   are  located  on
approximately  6.46 acres of land with space for 332 cars. Ball Aerospace Corp.,
a leading aerospace and telecommunications  equipment manufacturer,  leases 100%
of the five buildings  under leases which expire over the three year period from
1998 to 2000.

         Boulder is located 25 miles  northwest  of Denver,  the largest city in
the  seven-state  Rocky  Mountain  region  and  the  capital  of  Colorado.  The
population of the Denver  metropolitan  area, which includes Boulder,  has grown
steadily  during the past ten years and is  expected  to continue to expand into
the near future.  Boulder's economy has been strengthened in recent years by the
establishment  of several  high tech firms in the area,  which have  attracted a
highly-educated and skilled labor force.

   
Other Warehouse 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 average $3.77 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 - 12
<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
 River Road                         100,456           1995             100%             Packaging         2005
 Distribution Center                                                                    Materials,
                                                                                        Inc.

El Paso, Texas
 Butterfield warehouse               80,000           1980             100%             Rockwell          2000
 Zane Gray warehouse                103,510           1981             100%             D.J. Inc.         2003
</TABLE>
    

                                     A - 13
<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, 65.
Board of Trustees,  Professor  of Economics  and  Professor  of  Management  and
Strategy, J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University.
    

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

Robert C. Clark, 53.
Dean and Royall Professor of Law, Harvard Law School, Harvard University.

Flora Mancuso Edwards, 52.
Of Counsel to the law firm of  Dublirer,  Haydon,  Straci & Victor  since  1996.
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, 61.
Executive Vice President and Treasurer, Purdue University.

Martin J. Gruber, 59.
Chairman of the Department of Finance and Nomura Professor of Finance,  New York
University Stern School of Business.

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


                                     B - 1
<PAGE>

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.

Leonard S. Simon, 60.
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, 68.
Chairman and Chief Executive  Officer,  HRE Properties (a real estate investment
trust) and Trustee Emeritus, Pace University.

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 since 1994.
Formerly,  Executive Vice President,  Sithe Energies,  Inc. from January 1994 to
June 1994, and 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.


                                     B - 2
<PAGE>

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, 50.
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; 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, 54.
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
<PAGE>

                                     PART II

                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS


<PAGE>



Item 13.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
          --------------------------------------------

         SEC Registration Fees                                $1,515,151.52
         Costs of printing and
           engraving                                          $  500,000.00*
         Legal fees                                           $    2,500.00*
         Accounting fees                                      $    5,000.00*
                                                              -------------
               TOTAL                                          $2,022,651.52*

- -----------------
* - Approximate

Item 14.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
          ------------------------------------------

          Trustees,  officers,  and employees of TIAA may be indemnified against
liabilities  and expenses  incurred in such capacity  pursuant to Article Six of
TIAA's  bylaws (see  Exhibit  3(B)).  Article Six provides  that,  to the extent
permitted by law, TIAA will indemnify any person made or threatened to be made a
party to any action,  suit or  proceeding by reason of the fact that such person
is or was a trustee,  officer, or employee of TIAA or, while a trustee, officer,
or employee of TIAA,  served any other  organization  in any  capacity at TIAA's
request.  To the extent  permitted by law,  such  indemnification  could include
judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement, and expenses, including attorney's
fees.  TIAA has in effect an insurance  policy that will indemnify its trustees,
officers, and employees for liabilities arising from certain forms of conduct.

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


Item 15.  Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
          ----------------------------------------

          On July 3, 1995, the Account issued  1,000,000  accumulation  units to
TIAA,  at $100 per unit,  in  consideration  of TIAA's  $100,000,000  seed money
investment. This transaction was


                                     II - 1
<PAGE>

exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.

Item 16.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
          -------------------------------------------

(a)  Exhibits

     (1)  Distribution and Administrative Services Agreement by and between TIAA
          and TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, Inc. (as amended)*

   
     (3)  (A) Charter of TIAA (as amended)*
          (B)  Bylaws of TIAA (as amended)**
    

     (4)  (A)  Forms of RA, GRA, GSRA, SRA, and IRA Real Estate Account Contract
               Endorsements*
          (B)  Forms of Income-Paying Contracts*

     (5)  Opinion and Consent of Charles H. Stamm, Esquire

     (10) (A)  Independent   Fiduciary   Agreement   by  and  among  TIAA,   the
               Registrant,  and  Institutional  Property  Consultants,  Inc. (as
               amended)

          (B)  Custodial  Services  Agreement  by and  between  TIAA and  Morgan
               Guaranty  Trust  Company  of New York  with  respect  to the Real
               Estate Account*

     (23) (A)  Opinion  and  Consent  of  Charles H.  Stamm,  Esquire  (filed as
               Exhibit 5)
          (B)  Consent of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, L.L.P.
          (C)  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

   
     (27) Financial Data Schedule of the Account's Financial  Statements for the
          year ended December 31, 1996***
    

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

* - Previously  filed and  incorporated  herein by  reference to  Post-Effective
Amendment No. 2 to the  Account's  previous  Registration  Statement on Form S-1
filed April 30, 1996 (File No. 33-92990).

   
** - Previously filed and incorporated herein by reference to the Account's Form
10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 33-92990).

*** - Previously filed and incorporated herein by reference to the March 5, 1997
filing of this Registration Statement (File No. 333-22809).
    



                                     II - 2
<PAGE>


(b)  Financial Statement Schedules
     -----------------------------

     Schedule III -- Real Estate Owned

     All other  Schedules have been omitted  because they are not required under
the related instructions or are inapplicable.

Item 17.  Undertakings.
          -------------

     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1) To file,  during any period in which  offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

     (i)  To  include  any  prospectus  required  by  Section  10(a)(3)  of  the
     Securities Act of 1933;

     (ii) To reflect in the  prospectus  any facts or events  arising  after the
     effective  date  of  the   Registration   Statement  (or  the  most  recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which,  individually or in the aggregate,
     represent  a  fundamental  change  in  the  information  set  forth  in the
     Registration Statement;

     (iii) To  include  any  material  information  with  respect to the plan of
     distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration  Statement or any
     material change to such information in the Registration Statement.

     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933,  each  such  post-effective  amendment  shall be deemed to be a new
registration  statement  relating to the  securities  offered  therein,  and the
offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective  amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

     (4) To provide the full financial  statements of TIAA promptly upon written
or oral request.

   
     Following are the full audited financial statements of TIAA.
    


                                     II - 3
<PAGE>



[TIAA logo]

                              CHAIRMAN'S LETTER

To the Policyholders of
 Teachers Insurance and Annuity
 Association of America:

We are pleased to provide you with the accompanying audited financial statements
of  Teachers  Insurance  and Annuity  Association  of America  ("TIAA")  for the
year-ended  December  31,  1996.  As you  review  these  statements,  it is also
important to note that TIAA continues to maintain the highest possible financial
strength ratings from each of the four nationally recognized  independent rating
organizations.  We continue to manage TIAA in a prudent  manner with the goal of
maximizing our long-term  performance  within reasonable risk parameters for the
long- term benefit of our policyholders.

The report of management responsibility, on the following page, demonstrates our
ongoing commitment to conduct TIAA's activities in a well-controlled  management
environment.   Additionally,   the   accompanying   audit  report  indicates  an
unqualified opinion from the independent  auditing firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP
regarding  TIAA's  statutory  financial  statements.  These statements have been
prepared  consistently  in accordance  with statutory  accounting  practices,  a
comprehensive basis of accounting comprised of accounting policies prescribed or
permitted by the New York State Insurance Department.

Let me  specifically  address the  reference  to generally  accepted  accounting
principles  ("GAAP")  contained  in the  auditors'  report.  GAAP is an  overall
accounting  methodology  that,  while  similar  in many  respects  to  statutory
accounting,  is a  separate  basis of  accounting.  As noted in the  independent
auditors'  report,  our  financial  statements  are not intended to conform with
GAAP.  This  is  the  first  year  that  the  auditors  have  referred  to  this
distinction,  even  though we have not  changed  the way in which we prepare our
financial statements.  This reference to GAAP is a change that has been required
by the auditors' professional standards.

Statutory accounting is the only basis of accounting  recognized by the New York
State Insurance  Department  ("Department") for regulatory  purposes.  It is the
only basis of  accounting  used by the  Department  in measuring  the  financial
condition  and results of  operations  of an insurance  company.  It is also the
basis for determining  insurance  company  solvency under the New York Insurance
Law. While we could prepare a separate set of GAAP financial  statements,  there
is no legal requirement for us to do so. Additionally,  TIAA does not believe at
this time that it would be a  worthwhile  expenditure  to maintain  two separate
sets of financial  records,  particularly  since it would  provide  little added
value for our policyholders.  Accordingly,  we believe that it is prudent for us
to  continue  to  manage  and  report  on  the  operations  of  TIAA  under  the
conservative statutory accounting methodology that we have always utilized.

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

                                     II - 4
<PAGE>

[TIAA logo]

                     REPORT OF MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

To the Policyholders of
 Teachers Insurance and Annuity
 Association of America:

The  accompanying   financial  statements  of  Teachers  Insurance  and  Annuity
Association of America ("TIAA") are the responsibility of management.  They have
been prepared on the basis of statutory  accounting  practices,  a comprehensive
basis of accounting  comprised of accounting policies prescribed or permitted by
the New York State Insurance  Department.  The financial statements of TIAA have
been  presented  fairly  and  objectively  in  accordance  with  such  statutory
accounting practices.

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, and
the internal Auditor  regularly reports to the Audit Committee of the TIAA Board
of Trustees.

The  accompanying  financial  statements  of  TIAA  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.  In addition to the
annual  audit of the TIAA  financial  statements,  the New York State  Insurance
Department and other state insurance departments regularly examine the financial
statements of TIAA as part of the periodic corporate examinations.

                                                            /s/ John H. Biggs
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                              Chairman and
                                                         Chief Executive Officer
                                                                                
                                                        /s/ Thomas W. Jones
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                    Vice Chairman, President and
                                                      Chief Operating Officer
                                           
                                                         /s/ Richard Gibbs
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                    Executive Vice President and
                                                    Principal Accounting Officer
                     

                                     II - 5
<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 Board of Trustees of
 Teachers Insurance and Annuity
 Association of America:

We have audited the accompanying  statutory balance sheets of Teachers Insurance
and Annuity  Association  of America  ("TIAA") as of December 31, 1996 and 1995,
and the related  statutory  statements  of  operations,  changes in  contingency
reserves,  and cash  flows  for each of the  three  years  in the  period  ended
December 31, 1996. These financial  statements are the  responsibility of TIAA's
management.  Our  responsibility  is to express  an  opinion on these  financial
statements based on our audits.

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

As described more fully in Note 2 to these financial  statements,  TIAA prepared
these financial statements using accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
the New York State Insurance  Department,  hereinafter  referred to as statutory
accounting  practices,  which is a comprehensive  basis of accounting other than
generally  accepted   accounting   principles.   Accordingly,   these  financial
statements  are not  intended  to be  presented  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted accounting  principles.  The effects on the financial statements of the
differences  between  statutory  accounting  practices  and  generally  accepted
accounting principles are presumed to be material.

In our report  dated March 12,  1996,  we expressed an opinion that the 1995 and
1994  financial  statements,  prepared  using  statutory  accounting  practices,
presented fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of TIAA as of
December 31, 1995,  and the results of its  operations,  changes in  contingency
reserves,  and its cash  flows  for each of the two  years in the  period  ended
December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting  principles.
As  described  in  Note  2  to  these  financial  statements,  pursuant  to  the
pronouncements  of the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board, the 1995 and 1994
financial statements of TIAA, prepared using statutory accounting practices, are
no longer  considered to be presentations in conformity with generally  accepted
accounting principles when presented for comparative purposes with the company's
statutory  financial  statements for periods  beginning after December 15, 1995.
Accordingly,  our  present  opinion  on the  presentation  of the  1995 and 1994
financial   statements  in  conformity   with  generally   accepted   accounting
principles,  as  presented  herein,  is  different  from that  expressed  in our
previous report.

In our opinion, because of the effects of the matters discussed in the third and
fourth  paragraphs,  the financial  statements  referred to above do not present
fairly,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  the
financial  position of TIAA as of December 31, 1996 and 1995,  or the results of
its  operations,  changes in contingency  reserves or its cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996.


                                     II - 6
<PAGE>

Also, in our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects,  the statutory  financial position of TIAA at December
31, 1996 and 1995 and the results of its operations,  changes in its contingency
reserves,  and its cash flows for each of the three  years in the  period  ended
December 31, 1996 on the basis of statutory accounting practices as described in
Note 2.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

March 11, 1997

[Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu logo]


                                     II - 7
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                                BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             December 31,
                                                             --------------------------------------------
                                                                      1996                   1995
                                                             ---------------------   ---------------------
<S>                                                          <C>                     <C>
ASSETS
Bonds ......................................................     $56,092,130,827       $48,835,831,058
Mortgages ..................................................      20,074,002,277        21,000,279,330
Real Estate ................................................       6,704,888,918         7,013,052,678
Stocks .....................................................         355,093,378           223,028,483
Other long-term investments ................................         500,351,437           476,803,951
Cash and short-term investments ............................         615,082,177           713,051,046
Investment income due and accrued ..........................       1,140,956,380         1,118,707,821
Separate Account assets ....................................         663,457,762           209,170,183
Other assets ...............................................         211,515,189           204,688,878
                                                             ---------------------   ---------------------
                                               TOTAL ASSETS      $86,357,478,345       $79,794,613,428
                                                             =====================   =====================
LIABILITIES, CAPITAL AND CONTINGENCY RESERVES
Policy and contract reserves ..............................      $75,909,906,253       $70,983,830,958
Dividends declared for the following year .................        1,636,737,654         1,493,744,768
Asset Valuation Reserve ...................................        2,134,921,269         1,860,867,891
Interest Maintenance Reserve ..............................          729,089,789           621,365,961
Separate Account liabilities ..............................          559,754,255           106,511,880
Other liabilities .........................................          636,364,432           672,112,096
                                                             ---------------------   ---------------------
                                          Total Liabilities       81,606,773,652        75,738,433,554
                                                             ---------------------   ---------------------
Capital: 2,500 shares of $1,000 par value common stock
  issued and outstanding ..................................            2,500,000             2,500,000
                                                             ---------------------   ---------------------
Contingency reserves:
 For group life insurance .................................            8,738,769             7,761,722
 For investment losses, annuity and insurance mortality,
   and other risks ........................................        4,739,465,924         4,045,918,152
                                                             ---------------------   ---------------------
                                 Total Contingency Reserves        4,748,204,693         4,053,679,874
                                                             ---------------------   ---------------------
                     Total Capital and Contingency Reserves        4,750,704,693         4,056,179,874
                                                             ---------------------   ---------------------
        TOTAL LIABILITIES, CAPITAL AND CONTINGENCY RESERVES      $86,357,478,345       $79,794,613,428
                                                             =====================   =====================
</TABLE>

                       See notes to financial statements.


                                     II - 8
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                           STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           For the Years Ended December 31,
                                         ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  1996                  1995                   1994
                                         ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
<S>                                      <C>                    <C>                    <C>
INCOME
Insurance and annuity premiums
  and deposits .........................     $ 2,781,826,827       $ 2,854,599,816       $ 2,785,546,486
Transfers from CREF, net ...............         366,920,403           351,869,029           191,582,916
Annuity dividend additions .............       2,131,889,910         1,943,614,354         1,844,416,805
Net investment income ..................       6,525,528,935         6,108,496,984         5,486,071,238
Supplementary contract consideration ...         203,769,996           150,975,982           104,999,526
                                         ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
                             TOTAL INCOME    $12,009,936,071       $11,409,556,165       $10,412,616,971
                                         =====================  =====================  =====================
DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME
Policy and contract benefits ...........     $ 1,916,596,781       $ 1,718,596,923       $ 1,538,301,850
Dividends ..............................       3,399,581,218         3,098,930,945         2,874,077,216
Increase in policy and contract reserves       5,097,213,011         5,329,040,178         5,043,786,384
Operating expenses .....................         249,000,231           241,795,245           216,465,411
Transfers to Separate Accounts, net ....         395,686,225            92,995,463             4,270,646
Federal income taxes ...................          13,153,881             9,487,967             9,843,630
Other, net .............................           1,111,320            (4,380,395)           (2,972,008)
Increase in contingency reserves
  from operations ......................         937,593,404           923,089,839           728,843,842
                                         ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
             TOTAL DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME    $12,009,936,071       $11,409,556,165       $10,412,616,971
                                         =====================  =====================  =====================
</TABLE>

                       See notes to financial statements.


                                     II - 9
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN CONTINGENCY RESERVES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          For the Years Ended December 31,
                                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 1996                  1995                   1994
                                                        ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
<S>                                                     <C>                    <C>                    <C>
Changes in Contingency Reserves:
From operations ......................................      $  937,593,404        $  923,089,839         $  728,843,842
Net realized capital gain (loss) on investments ......         163,950,475           (56,264,893)           (95,070,954)
Net unrealized capital gain on investments ...........          30,452,145            52,706,109             38,906,936
Transfer to the Interest Maintenance Reserve .........        (167,086,192)         (114,840,183)          (170,430,156)
Transfers from (to) the Asset Valuation Reserve:
 Required formula contribution .......................        (246,181,408)         (302,387,557)          (249,405,235)
 Net capital (gains) losses absorbed .................         (27,871,970)          106,215,365            226,638,932
 Voluntary contribution                                                                                    (193,508,281)
Increase in non-admitted assets other than investments          (4,763,942)             (802,629)           (22,194,906)
Change in valuation basis of policy reserves .........                                                        2,314,689
Other, net ...........................................           8,432,307            10,639,807              1,522,064
                                                        ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
                      NET CHANGE IN CONTINGENCY RESERVES       694,524,819           618,355,858            267,616,931
               CONTINGENCY RESERVES AT BEGINNING OF YEAR     4,053,679,874         3,435,324,016          3,167,707,085
                                                        ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
                     CONTINGENCY RESERVES AT END OF YEAR    $4,748,204,693        $4,053,679,874         $3,435,324,016
                                                        =====================  =====================  =====================
</TABLE>

                       See notes to financial statements.


                                    II - 10
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                           STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                For the Years Ended December 31,
                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       1996                  1995                   1994
                                              ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
<S>                                           <C>                    <C>                    <C>
CASH PROVIDED By operating activities:
 Insurance and annuity premiums, deposits and
   considerations ...........................     $ 2,973,898,849       $ 2,999,426,179       $ 2,886,724,538
 Transfers from CREF, net ...................         366,920,403           351,869,029           191,582,916
 Annuity dividend additions .................       2,131,889,910         1,943,614,354         1,844,416,805
 Investment income, net .....................       6,485,402,589         5,998,015,040         5,372,299,141
                                              ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
                                Total Receipts     11,958,111,751        11,292,924,602        10,295,023,400
                                              ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
 Policy and contract benefits ...............       2,084,121,901         1,715,727,236         1,500,323,250
 Dividends ..................................       3,251,329,333         2,987,866,832         2,819,852,489
 Operating expenses .........................         247,250,730           240,323,235           214,008,001
 Federal income taxes .......................          14,984,747             8,510,881            10,114,286
 Transfers to Separate Accounts, net ........         396,239,152            92,270,003             4,164,199
 Separate Accounts seed money investment
   contributed (withdrawn), net .............          (7,387,104)           66,747,895            25,000,000
 Other, net .................................          48,215,232             6,823,917             6,798,405
                                              ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
                           Total Disbursements      6,034,753,991         5,118,269,999         4,580,260,630
                                              ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
         Cash Provided by Operating Activities      5,923,357,760         6,174,654,603         5,714,762,770
                                              ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
By investing activities:
 Sales and redemptions of bonds and stocks ..       4,480,206,152         3,863,412,778         3,810,787,301
 Repayment of mortgage principal ............       3,481,965,154         1,166,625,456         1,684,113,871
Sales of real estate ........................         834,010,275         1,084,222,765         1,610,589,922
 Other, net .................................         276,394,277           135,661,132           243,837,007
                                              ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
         Cash Provided by Investing Activities      9,072,575,858         6,249,922,131         7,349,328,101
                                              ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
                           TOTAL CASH PROVIDED     14,995,933,618        12,424,576,734        13,064,090,871
                                              ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
DISBURSEMENTS FOR NEW INVESTMENTS
Investments acquired:
 Bonds and stocks ...........................      11,577,235,443         8,696,169,089        10,084,139,605
 Mortgages ..................................       2,761,896,596         2,352,232,441         2,217,021,154
 Real Estate ................................         488,543,147           866,388,613         1,495,492,478
 Other, net .................................         266,227,301           228,181,527           352,457,763
                                              ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
                       TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS FOR
                               NEW INVESTMENTS     15,093,902,487        12,142,971,670        14,149,111,000
                                              ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
               INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
                        SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS        (97,968,869)          281,605,064        (1,085,020,129)
               CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
                          AT BEGINNING OF YEAR        713,051,046           431,445,982         1,516,466,111
                                              ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
               CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
                                AT END OF YEAR    $   615,082,177       $   713,051,046       $   431,445,982
                                              =====================  =====================  =====================
</TABLE>

                       See notes to financial statements.


                                    II - 11
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                        NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1--Organization

Teachers  Insurance and Annuity  Association of America ("TIAA") was established
as a legal reserve life insurance  company under the insurance laws of the State
of New  York in  1918.  TIAA  was  formed  by the  Carnegie  Foundation  for the
Advancement  of  Teaching  for the express  purpose of aiding and  strengthening
nonprofit  educational and research  organizations  by providing  retirement and
insurance  benefits  for  their  faculties  and  other  staff  members,  and  by
counseling  these  organizations  and their employees on benefit plans and other
measures of economic  security.  All of the outstanding  common stock of TIAA is
collectively  held by the  TIAA  Board of  Overseers,  a  nonprofit  corporation
created solely for the purpose of holding the stock of TIAA.

Note 2--Significant Accounting Policies

TIAA's  financial  statements  have been  prepared  on the  basis of  accounting
policies  prescribed  or  permitted by the New York State  Insurance  Department
("Department").   Such  policies  are  hereinafter   referred  to  as  statutory
accounting  practices,  a  comprehensive  basis of accounting  that differs from
generally accepted accounting  principles ("GAAP").  The 1995 and 1994 financial
statements presented for comparative purposes were previously described as being
in  conformity  with GAAP,  but they are no longer  considered to be prepared in
accordance  with GAAP.  (Refer to the  separate  sections,  entitled  "Generally
Accepted Accounting  Principles" and "Permitted Statutory Accounting  Policies",
within this note.)

The  preparation  of TIAA's  financial  statements  requires  management to make
estimates  and  assumptions   that  affect  the  reported   amounts  of  assets,
liabilities,  revenue  and  expenses.  Actual  results  could  differ from those
estimates.  The following is a summary of the  significant  accounting  policies
consistently followed by TIAA.

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 amortized  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
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.

Accounting for Investments:  Investment transactions are accounted for as of the
date the  investments  are  purchased or sold (trade  date) for publicly  traded
common  stocks  and as of the  date  the  investment  transactions  are  settled
(settlement date) for all other  investments.  Realized capital gains and losses
on investment  transactions are accounted for under the specific  identification
method.


                                    II - 12
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 2--Significant Accounting Policies--(Continued)

Foreign  Currency  Transactions  and  Translation:  Investments  denominated  in
foreign  currencies and foreign currency  contracts are valued in U.S.  dollars,
based on exchange  rates at the end of the period.  Investment  transactions  in
foreign  currencies  are  recorded  at  the  exchange  rates  prevailing  on the
respective  transaction  dates. All other asset and liability  accounts that are
denominated in foreign  currencies are adjusted to reflect exchange rates at the
end of the  period.  Realized  and  unrealized  gains and  losses due to foreign
exchange  transactions,  and  those  due to  translation  adjustments,  are  not
separately  reported and are reflected in realized and unrealized  capital gains
and losses, respectively.

Securities  Lending:  TIAA has a  securities  lending  program  whereby it loans
securities to qualified  brokers in exchange for cash  collateral,  generally at
least  equal  to  102%  of the  market  value  of the  securities  loaned.  When
securities  are loaned,  TIAA receives  additional  income on the collateral and
continues to receive income on the securities loaned.  The collateral  liability
is netted  against the short-term  investments  in which the cash  collateral is
invested and such short-term  investments  and the equivalent  liability are not
reflected in the balance sheet caption, "Cash and short-term investments".  TIAA
may bear the risk of delay in recovery of, or loss of rights in, the  securities
loaned should a borrower of securities fail to return the securities in a timely
manner.

Foreign  Currency  Swap  Contracts:  TIAA  enters  into  foreign  currency  swap
contracts  to  exchange  fixed and  variable  amounts  of  foreign  currency  at
specified future dates and at specified rates (in U.S. dollars) to hedge against
currency risks on investments denominated in foreign currencies.  Changes in the
value of the contracts related to foreign currency exchange rates are recognized
at the end of the period as unrealized  gains or losses.  Foreign  currency swap
contracts incorporate a series of swap transactions which result in the exchange
of TIAA's fixed and variable  foreign  currency cash flows into fixed amounts of
U.S.  dollar  cash flows.  Foreign  currency  swap  contracts  are entered  into
directly with a counterparty  and TIAA is exposed to the risk of default of such
counterparty,  although TIAA does not anticipate  non-performance  by any of its
counterparties. The maximum potential loss from such risk is equal to the change
in the value of the foreign  currency swap during the term of the  contract.  In
order to minimize the risk associated with potential  counterparty default, TIAA
monitors the credit quality of its counterparties.

Foreign  Currency Forward  Contracts:  TIAA enters into foreign currency forward
contracts to exchange  fixed  amounts of foreign  currency at  specified  future
dates and at specified rates (in U.S.  dollars) to hedge against  currency risks
on investments  denominated in foreign  currencies.  Changes in the value of the
contracts  related to foreign currency  exchange rates are recognized at the end
of the period as unrealized gains or losses.  Forward contracts  incorporate one
swap transaction  which results in the exchange of TIAA's fixed foreign currency
cash flow into a fixed  amount of U.S.  dollar  cash  flow.  A foreign  exchange
premium  (discount)  is recorded at the time the  contract is opened,  and it is
calculated  based on the  difference  between the forward  exchange rate and the
spot  rate.  TIAA  amortizes  the  foreign  exchange  premium   (discount)  into
investment income over the life of the


                                    II - 13
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 2--Significant Accounting Policies--(Continued)

forward contract, or at the settlement date if the forward contract is less than
a year. TIAA is subject to  counterparty  credit risk upon entering into foreign
currency  forward  contracts,  as  discussed  above for  foreign  currency  swap
contracts.

Interest Rate Swap  Contracts:  TIAA enters into interest rate swap contracts to
hedge  against  the effect of interest  rate  fluctuations  on certain  variable
interest rate bonds. These contracts allow TIAA to lock in a fixed interest rate
and to transfer  the risk of higher or lower  interest  rates.  TIAA also enters
into  interest  rate swap  contracts to exchange the cash flows on certain fixed
interest  rate bonds into variable  interest rate cash flows in connection  with
certain  adjustable  rate  products.  Payments  received and payments made under
interest rate swap  contracts are reflected in net investment  income.  Interest
rate swap contracts  subject TIAA to credit risk should the  counterparties  not
perform according to the terms of the contracts.  However, the maximum potential
loss from such  credit  risk is much  smaller  than the par value of the related
notes,   and  TIAA   does  not   anticipate   non-performance   by  any  of  its
counterparties.  In  order  to  minimize  the  risk  associated  with  potential
counterparty default, TIAA monitors the credit quality of its counterparties.

Swap  Options:  TIAA writes  (sells)  swap  options on  selected  bonds to hedge
against the effect of interest  rate  fluctuations  as part of TIAA's  asset and
liability management program for certain adjustable rate products.  Swap options
give the holder the right,  but not the  obligation,  to enter into an  interest
rate swap  contract  with TIAA where TIAA  would pay a fixed  interest  rate and
would receive a variable  interest rate on a specified  notional amount.  When a
swap option is written, the premium received is recorded as a liability. Because
the swap options expire within one year of their  inception date, the premium is
recognized  as  investment  income at the  earlier of the  exercise  date or the
expiration of the swap option. TIAA would be exposed to counterparty credit risk
upon entering into an interest rate swap contract, as discussed above.

Interest Rate Cap Contracts: TIAA purchases interest rate cap contracts to hedge
against the risk of a rising  interest rate  environment as part of TIAA's asset
and liability management program for certain adjustable rate products. Under the
terms of the interest rate cap  contracts,  the selling entity makes payments to
TIAA  on  a  specified  notional  amount  if  an  agreed-upon  index  exceeds  a
predetermined  strike rate.  Payments received under interest rate cap contracts
are  recognized  as  investment  income.  When an interest  rate cap contract is
purchased,  the  premium  paid is  recorded  as an  asset,  and the  premium  is
amortized  into  investment  expense  over  the  life of the  interest  rate cap
contract. TIAA would be subject to counterparty credit risk if the index exceeds
the predetermined strike rate, causing a payment to be payable to TIAA. In order
to minimize  the risk  associated  with  potential  counterparty  default,  TIAA
monitors the credit quality of its counterparties.

Covered Call Options: TIAA writes (sells) covered call options on selected bonds
as part of TIAA's asset and liability  management program for certain adjustable
rate products.  When an option is written, the premium received is recorded as a
liability.  Premiums  received on options  which expire are recorded as realized
capital gains.

                                    II - 14
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 2--Significant Accounting Policies--(Continued)

Premiums  received  from writing  options  which are  exercised are added to the
proceeds from the sale of the underlying  bond in  recognizing  the net realized
capital gain or loss on the disposition.  In writing options, it is assumed that
the  option  may be  exercised  at any time  prior to the  expiration  of TIAA's
obligation as a writer,  and that in such  circumstances the net proceeds of the
sale of the  underlying  bond  pursuant  to the call  option  may be  below  the
prevailing market value.

Investment  Income Due and Accrued:  Investment  income due and accrued excludes
non-admitted amounts of approximately  $291,742,000 and $311,279,000 at December
31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Non-Admitted Assets Other than Investments:  Certain non-investment assets, such
as  furniture  and  fixtures  and  various   receivables,   are   designated  as
non-admitted  assets by the Department and, as such,  cannot be included in life
insurance  company balance sheets filed with the Department.  Such  non-admitted
assets  approximated  $179,363,000  at  December  31, 1996 and  $174,603,000  at
December 31, 1995.

Policy  and  Contract  Reserves:  TIAA  offers a range of group  and  individual
retirement annuities and group and individual life and other insurance products.
Policy and contract reserves for such products are determined in accordance with
standard  valuation  methods approved by the Department.  Reserves are stated at
account balances for annuities in the  accumulation  phase, at the present value
of all future  guaranteed  benefits  for  annuities in the payout phase and, for
insurance policies, are computed in accordance with standard actuarial formulas.
The reserves established utilize assumptions for interest (at an average rate of
approximately 3%), mortality and other risks insured.  Such reserves establish a
sufficient  provision for all contractual  benefits  guaranteed under policy and
contract provisions.

Dividends  Declared for the Following Year:  Dividends on insurance policies and
pension annuity contracts in the payout phase are generally declared by the TIAA
Board of Trustees  ("Board") in November of each year,  and such  dividends  are
credited to policyholders in the following  calendar year.  Dividends on pension
annuity contracts in the accumulation  phase are generally declared by the Board
in February of each year and such dividends on the various existing  vintages of
pension   annuity   contracts  in  the   accumulation   phase  are  credited  to
policyholders during the ensuing twelve month period beginning March 1.

Asset Valuation Reserve:  The Asset Valuation Reserve ("AVR"),  which covers all
invested  asset  classes,  is an  explicit  liability  reserve  required  by the
National  Association  of  Insurance  Commissioners  ("NAIC") and is intended to
provide for potential future credit and equity losses. Reserve components of the
AVR are maintained for bonds, stocks,  mortgages, real estate and other invested
assets.  Realized and unrealized credit and equity capital gains and losses, net
of  capital  gains  taxes,  are  credited  to or  charged  against  the  related
components of the AVR. Formula calculations  determine the required contribution
amounts  for  each  component.  Insurance  companies  may  also  make  voluntary
contributions  to any component as long as the resulting ending balance does not
exceed the computed  maximum  reserve for that  component.  TIAA makes voluntary
contributions to the mortgage and real


                                    II - 15
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 2--Significant Accounting Policies--(Continued)

estate  reserves of the AVR as necessary  to keep the reserve  balances at least
equal to the aggregate  differences  between  carrying value and the most recent
valuation  for  mortgage and real estate  investments  under  valuation  review.
Contributions to the AVR are reported as transfers from Contingency Reserves.

Interest  Maintenance  Reserve:  The Interest  Maintenance  Reserve ("IMR") is a
liability reserve required by the NAIC which accumulates  realized capital gains
and losses  resulting  from interest rate  fluctuations.  Such capital gains and
losses are amortized out of the IMR as an  adjustment to net  investment  income
over the remaining lives of the assets sold.

Contingency   Reserves:   By  Charter,  TIAA  operates  without  profit  to  the
corporation or its sole shareholder,  the TIAA Board of Overseers.  As a result,
all   contingency   reserves   are  held   solely  for  the  benefit  of  TIAA's
policyholders.

Income and Expenses: Premiums, investment income and expenses are reported as
incurred.

Federal Income Taxes: TIAA is a nonprofit  educational  organization exempt from
federal income  taxation under Section  501(c)(3) of the Internal  Revenue Code.
However, any non-pension related income is subject to federal income taxation as
unrelated  business income. The federal income tax provision in the accompanying
statements of operations is based on taxes  actually paid or  anticipated  to be
paid with the tax return filing.

Separate  Accounts:  The balance sheet captions for Separate  Account assets and
liabilities  (which  include  participant  account  values) are stated at market
value. The Separate Accounts'  operating results are reflected in the changes to
these assets and liabilities.

TIAA Separate Account VA-1 ("VA-1") is a segregated  investment  account and was
organized on February 16, 1994 under the insurance laws of the State of New York
for the purpose of issuing  and funding  variable  annuity  contracts.  VA-1 was
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission  ("Commission") effective
November 1, 1994 as an open-end, diversified management investment company under
the  Investment  Company  Act of  1940.  Currently,  VA-1  consists  of a single
investment  portfolio,  the Stock  Index  Account  ("SIA"),  which  invests in a
diversified  portfolio of equity securities selected to track the overall United
States stock market.  SIA was  established on October 3, 1994 with a $25,000,000
seed money investment by TIAA. TIAA purchased  1,000,000  Accumulation  Units of
SIA and such units shared in the pro rata investment  experience of SIA and were
subject to the same  valuation  procedures  and expense  deductions as all other
Accumulation   Units  in  SIA.  On  November  14,  1994,  TIAA  began  to  offer
Accumulation Units of SIA to participants other than TIAA. At December 31, 1995,
the value of  TIAA's  2,685  units in SIA was  approximately  $92,000,  and TIAA
redeemed its remaining units during 1996.

The TIAA Real Estate Account ("REA") is a segregated  investment account and was
organized on February 22, 1995 under the insurance laws of the State of New York
for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts.

                                    II - 16
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 2--Significant Accounting Policies--(Continued)

REA  was  registered  with  the  Commission  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933
effective  October 2, 1995. REA's target is to invest between 70% and 80% of its
assets directly in real estate or in real estate-related  investments,  with the
remainder  of its assets  invested  in  publicly-traded  securities  to maintain
adequate liquidity. REA was established on July 3, 1995 with a $100,000,000 seed
money investment by TIAA. TIAA purchased 1,000,000 Accumulation Units of REA and
such units share in the pro rata investment experience of REA and are subject to
the same valuation  procedures and expense  deductions as all other Accumulation
Units in REA. On October 2, 1995, TIAA began to offer  Accumulation Units of REA
to  participants  other than TIAA. At December 31, 1996 and 1995,  the number of
units retained by TIAA in REA were 933,333 and 1,000,000,  respectively,  with a
total value of approximately $103,704,000 and $102,566,000, respectively.

Generally Accepted Accounting  Principles:  The Financial  Accounting  Standards
Board ("FASB") issued FASB  Interpretation  No. 40, entitled  "Applicability  of
Generally  Accepted  Accounting  Principles  to Mutual Life  Insurance and Other
Enterprises"  ("Interpretation"),  in April 1993. The  Interpretation  clarifies
that financial statements that are intended to be in conformity with GAAP should
follow all authoritative  accounting  pronouncements except to the extent that a
pronouncement  explicitly  exempts  a  particular  type  of  enterprise  or that
enterprise does not have the  transaction,  event, or circumstance  addressed in
the pronouncement. The Interpretation,  as amended, is effective for 1996 annual
financial statements.

The effect of the  Interpretation  is that,  beginning in 1996, TIAA (and mutual
life  insurance  and  other  enterprises)  can  no  longer  refer  to  financial
statements prepared in accordance with statutory  accounting practices as having
been  prepared  in  accordance  with  GAAP.  Furthermore,  financial  statements
prepared in conformity with statutory  accounting practices for periods prior to
the effective  date of the  Interpretation  are no longer  considered to be GAAP
statements  when  presented in comparative  form with  financial  statements for
periods subsequent to the Interpretation's  effective date. Accordingly,  TIAA's
1995  and  1994  statutory  financial   statements,   while  presented  in  full
conformance with statutory accounting practices,  are no longer considered to be
presented in conformity with GAAP.

The differences between generally accepted  accounting  principles and statutory
accounting   practices  would  have  a  material  effect  on  TIAA's   financial
statements,  and the primary  differences  can be summarized  as follows.  Under
GAAP:

(bullet) The AVR is  eliminated  and valuation  allowances  are  established  as
         contra  assets  based  on  asset-specific   analyses  rather  than  the
         formula-based AVR being reflected as a liability reserve;

(bullet) The IMR is  eliminated  and realized  gains and losses  resulting  from
         interest  rate  fluctuations  are reported as a component of net income
         rather than being accumulated in and subsequently  amortized out of the
         IMR;

(bullet) Dividends on insurance  policies and annuity  contracts  are accrued as
         the necessary earnings emerge from operations rather than being accrued
         in the year when they are declared;

                                    II - 17
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 2--Significant Accounting Policies--(Concluded)

(bullet) The "non-admitted" asset designation is not utilized;

(bullet) Policy  acquisition  costs are deferred and amortized over the lives of
         the  policies  issued  rather  than  being  charged  to  operations  as
         incurred;

(bullet) Policy  and  contract  reserves  are  based on  estimates  of  expected
         mortality and interest  rather than being based on statutory  mortality
         and interest requirements;

(bullet) Investments  in  wholly-owned  subsidiaries  are  consolidated  in  the
         parent's financial statements rather than being carried at the parent's
         equity in the net assets of the subsidiaries;

(bullet) Long-term  bond  investments  considered to be "available for sale" are
         carried  at fair  value  rather  than  at  amortized  cost.  Management
         believes  that the  effects of these  differences  on TIAA's  financial
         statements, if GAAP were implemented, would increase TIAA's capital.

Permitted  Statutory   Accounting   Policies:   Statutory   accounting  policies
prescribed by the Department include accounting  practices reflected in New York
State Insurance Laws and Regulations as well as in NAIC publications.  Permitted
statutory  accounting  policies  encompass all  accounting  practices  which are
allowed by the  Department but have not been  prescribed.  TIAA does not utilize
any  statutory  accounting  practices  which  depart from  prescribed  statutory
accounting  practices;  however,  TIAA does follow certain  permitted  statutory
accounting practices. The following permitted statutory accounting policies have
been approved by the Department:  inclusion of real estate subsidiaries and real
estate  limited  partnerships  in the Real  Estate  caption in the  accompanying
balance  sheets;   determination  of  permanent  impairments;   and  netting  of
securities lending collateral against short-term investments.

The NAIC issued prescribed accounting  requirements for loan-backed  securities,
including  collateralized  mortgage  obligations  ("CMO's"),  in  1993.  The new
accounting   requirements  stipulated  that  loan-backed  securities  should  be
accounted for using the interest method.  Under the interest method,  actual and
anticipated  cash flows of a security  are  utilized to  determine  the carrying
value of that  security.  TIAA elected the  prospective  method for  determining
yields and carrying values for interest-only CMO's and the retrospective  method
for all other CMO's.

Certain  provisions of these statutory  accounting  policies were required to be
implemented  in 1994;  the remaining  provisions  were  required for 1995.  TIAA
implemented the required  provisions of the new accounting  policies in 1994 and
also adopted the provisions in 1994 for TIAA's public market CMO portfolio. This
early  adoption  for public  market  CMO's  represented  a permitted  accounting
practice which was also approved by the Department.  The required  provisions of
the new  accounting  policies  for  TIAA's  private  market CMO  portfolio  were
implemented  in 1995.  The effect of this change in  accounting in 1995 and 1994
was to  increase  contingency  reserves  by  approximately  $11  million and $50
million, respectively.

Reclassifications: Certain amounts in the 1995 and 1994 financial statements
have been reclassified to conform with the 1996 presentations.

                                    II - 18
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 3--Investments

Securities Investments: At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the carrying values
(balance sheet amounts) and estimated market values of long-term bond
investments, and gross unrealized gains and losses with respect to such
market values, are shown below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Gross              Gross
                                          Carrying          Unrealized        Unrealized           Estimated
December 31, 1996                           Value             Gains             Losses           Market Value
 ------------------------------------ -----------------  ----------------- -----------------  -------------------
<S>                                   <C>                <C>               <C>                <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and
  obligations of U.S. government
  agencies and corporations ........   $   708,002,451    $   58,453,457     $101,219,004       $   665,236,904
Debt securities issued by foreign
  governments ......................     1,318,580,240       160,530,266        5,770,226         1,473,340,280
Corporate securities ...............    29,838,430,523     1,723,358,249      236,333,975        31,325,454,797
Mortgage-backed securities .........    18,880,847,006     1,360,640,261      224,627,980        20,016,859,287
Asset-backed securities ............     5,346,270,607       539,946,158       78,199,108         5,808,017,657
                                      -----------------  ----------------- -----------------  -------------------
    Total ..........................   $56,092,130,827    $3,842,928,391     $646,150,293       $59,288,908,925
                                      =================  ================= =================  ===================
December 31, 1995
 ------------------------------------
U.S. Treasury securities and
  obligations of U.S. government
  agencies and corporations ........   $   805,105,863    $  195,202,463                        $ 1,000,308,326
Debt securities issued by foreign
  governments ......................     1,456,997,622       226,995,685     $  1,494,536         1,682,498,771
Corporate securities ...............    28,094,698,003     2,942,081,089       78,607,386        30,958,171,706
Mortgage-backed securities .........    15,163,886,154     1,547,907,663       45,110,081        16,666,683,736
Asset-backed securities ............     3,315,143,416       317,275,533        4,448,112         3,627,970,837
                                      -----------------  ----------------- -----------------  -------------------
    Total ..........................   $48,835,831,058    $5,229,462,433     $129,660,115       $53,935,633,376
                                      =================  ================= =================  ===================
</TABLE>

At December 31, 1996 and 1995, approximately 95.4% and 94.9%,  respectively,  of
the long-term bond portfolio was comprised of investment  grade  securities.  At
December 31, 1996,  outstanding  forward  commitments for future  long-term bond
investments  approximated  $1,171,942,000,   and  it  is  anticipated  that  all
commitments  will be disbursed  during 1997. The funding of bond  commitments is
contingent upon the continued favorable  financial  performance of the potential
borrowers.   Debt   securities   amounting  to   approximately   $2,610,000  and
$237,943,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995,  respectively,  were on deposit with
governmental authorities or trustees as required by law.


                                    II - 19
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 3--Investments--(Continued)

The carrying values and estimated market values of long-term bond investments at
December 31, 1996, by contractual maturity, are shown below:

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Carrying          Estimated
                                               Value          Market Value
                                         ----------------- ------------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>
Due in one year or less ................  $   369,061,445   $   375,202,319
Due after one year through five years ..    3,760,546,344     3,972,202,814
Due after five years through ten years .   12,148,746,120    12,582,733,274
Due after ten years ....................   15,586,659,305    16,533,893,574
                                         ----------------- ------------------
    Subtotal ...........................   31,865,013,214    33,464,031,981
Mortgage-backed securities .............   18,880,847,006    20,016,859,287
Asset-backed securities ................    5,346,270,607     5,808,017,657
                                         ----------------- ------------------
    Total ..............................  $56,092,130,827   $59,288,908,925
                                         ================= ==================
</TABLE>
    


Bonds not due at a single  maturity  date have been  included  in the  preceding
table based on the year of final  maturity.  Actual  maturities  may differ from
contractual  maturities  because  borrowers may have the right to call or prepay
obligations, although prepayment premiums may be applicable.

At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the carrying values of long-term bond
investments were diversified by industry classification as follows:


                                   1996    1995
                                --------  -------
Mortgage-backed securities .....   33.7%    31.1%
Manufacturing ..................   13.0     14.0
Public utilities ...............   12.9     15.5
Asset-backed securities ........    9.5      6.8
Finance and financial services .    8.9      8.8
Government .....................    4.8      5.7
Retail and wholesale trade .....    4.3      5.1
Oil and gas ....................    4.0      3.9
Communications .................    3.7      4.3
Other ..........................    5.2      4.8
                                --------  -------
    Total ......................  100.0%   100.0%
                                ========  =======


                                    II - 20
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 3--Investments--(Continued)

The approximate carrying values and market values of debt securities loaned, and
the cash collateral received in connection therewith,  were as follows:  

                        Carrying            Market              Cash
                          Value             Value            Collateral
                    -----------------  -----------------------------------
December 31, 1996    $1,625,029,000     $1,678,166,000     $1,746,346,000
December 31, 1995    $1,345,534,000     $1,410,965,000     $1,482,603,000


At December 31, 1996 and 1995, TIAA had interest rate swap contracts outstanding
with a total notional value of $187,355,000 and $105,600,000, respectively.

At  December  31,  1996 and  1995,  TIAA had  foreign  currency  swap  contracts
outstanding  with a total  notional  value  of  approximately  $337,404,000  and
$238,063,000,  respectively.  The net change in  unrealized  gains  (losses)  on
foreign currency swap contracts was approximately  $1,367,000,  $(1,099,000) and
$(7,635,000) for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

During 1996, TIAA entered into five foreign  currency  forward  contracts with a
total notional value of approximately  $12,522,000,  and recorded total premiums
of approximately  $188,000.  All five forward contracts remained  outstanding at
December 31, 1996, and the unamortized  value of the premiums was  approximately
$188,000.  Unrealized gains on the forward contracts were approximately  $28,000
for the year ended December 31, 1996.

During  1996,  TIAA  wrote  four swap  options  with a total  notional  value of
$132,000,000,  and received a total premium of  approximately  $554,000.  One of
these swap options  expired and one was  exercised  during the year,  with total
notional values of $30,000,000 and $44,000,000,  respectively. The interest rate
swap  contract  created from the exercise of the swap option is reflected in the
aggregate  totals for  interest  rate swap  contracts  disclosed  in the related
paragraph above. At December 31, 1996, the unamortized value of the premiums was
approximately  $434,000,  and two swap options remained outstanding with a total
notional value of  $58,000,000.  During 1996, TIAA purchased three interest rate
cap  contracts  with a total  notional  value of  $32,520,000,  and paid a total
premium  of  approximately  $553,000.  All  three  interest  rate cap  contracts
remained  outstanding  at December 31, 1996,  and the  unamortized  value of the
premiums  was  approximately  $507,000.  TIAA  received  no  payments  under the
interest rate cap contracts during 1996.

During  1995,  TIAA wrote two covered call options  related to  $13,500,000  par
value of bonds and received premiums of approximately $142,000. The options were
exercised  and  the  premiums  were  recorded  as  additional  proceeds  on  the
dispositions.  There were no  outstanding  covered  call options at December 31,
1996 and 1995.

Mortgage  Loan  and  Real  Estate   Investments:   TIAA  makes  mortgage  loans,
principally  collateralized by commercial real estate, and direct investments in
real estate.  TIAA's mortgage  underwriting  standards  generally limit mortgage
investments to first mortgage liens on completed income-producing properties for
which the loan-to- value ratio at the time of closing  generally  ranges between
65% and 75%. TIAA employs a system to monitor


                                    II - 21
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 3--Investments--(Continued)

the effects of current and expected  market  conditions and other factors on the
collectability   of  mortgage  loans  and  the   realizability  of  real  estate
investments.  This system is utilized to identify  and  quantify  any  permanent
impairments in value and to determine the appropriate level of mortgage and real
estate reserves in the AVR.

At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the carrying values of mortgage loan  investments
were  diversified  by property type and  geographic  region as follows:  


Property Type              1996             1995
- ---------------------   --------------- ----------------

Office buildings ......      41.3%            41.1%
Shopping centers ......      29.4             30.6
Mixed-use projects ....      10.7              9.9
Apartments ............       7.3              8.1
Industrial buildings ..       5.4              3.9
Hotels ................       4.2              4.6
Other .................       1.7              1.8
                         --------------- ----------------
    Total .............     100.0%           100.0%
                         =============== ================
Geographic Region
 ---------------------
West ..................      28.1%            29.2%
Northeast .............      22.5             23.1
Midwest ...............      20.5             20.4
Southeast .............      18.6             17.1
Southwest/Plains ......      10.3             10.2
                         --------------- ----------------
    Total .............     100.0%           100.0%
                         =============== ================

At December 31, 1996 and 1995,  approximately 22% and 24%, respectively,  of the
mortgage portfolio was invested in California and is included in the West region
shown above.

At December 31, 1996, the contractual maturity schedule of mortgage loans is
shown below:

                                          Carrying Value
                                        ------------------

Due in one year or less ...............   $ 1,467,338,932
Due after one year through five years .     3,710,129,134
Due after five years through ten years      9,137,638,879
Due after ten years ...................     5,758,895,332
                                        ------------------
    Total .............................   $20,074,002,277
                                        ==================


                                    II - 22
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 3--Investments--(Continued)

Actual maturities may differ from contractual  maturities  because borrowers may
have the right to prepay mortgage  loans,  although  prepayment  premiums may be
applicable.

At December 31, 1996,  outstanding  forward commitments for future mortgage loan
investments approximated $1,217,430,000, including commitments under litigation.
Of this,  $836,936,000 is scheduled for  disbursement  in 1997,  $309,276,000 in
1998 and $71,218,000 in later years. The funding of mortgage loan commitments is
contingent  upon  the  underlying  properties  meeting  specified  construction,
leasing,  occupancy and other requirements.  Of the total commitments  scheduled
for disbursement in 1997, $250,000,000 is related to a mortgage loan refinancing
which occurred in 1993. In connection with the refinancing, a third party made a
five year, interest-only loan to a TIAA borrower and the borrower made a partial
repayment to TIAA. TIAA made a one year forward  commitment to loan $250,000,000
to the borrower.  The loan  commitment may be extended,  at TIAA's  option,  for
additional  one year  periods,  up to a total of five years,  provided  that the
borrower's  first  mortgage to the third party is not in default at the time the
loan commitment is extended. The loan commitment has been extended to 1997.

At December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the aggregate  carrying values of mortgages
with restructured or modified terms, as defined by generally accepted accounting
principles,  were  approximately  $621,056,000,  $872,377,000 and  $913,551,000,
respectively.  For the  years  ended  December  31,  1996,  1995 and  1994,  the
investment  income  earned  on such  mortgages  was  approximately  $43,408,000,
$57,142,000 and $41,643,000,  respectively,  which would have been approximately
$68,371,000,  $96,625,000 and $101,394,000,  respectively, if they had performed
in accordance with their original terms. When restructuring mortgage loans, TIAA
generally  requires  participation  features,  yield  maintenance  stipulations,
and/or the  establishment  of property  specific  escrow  accounts funded by the
borrowers.

At December 31, 1996 and 1995,  the carrying  values of real estate  investments
were  diversified  by property type and  geographic  region as follows:  

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Property Type                                               1996             1995
- -----------------------------------------------------   --------------- ----------------
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>
Office buildings ....................................         63.2%            61.7%
Shopping centers ....................................         16.3             15.2
Mixed-use projects ..................................          7.3              7.3
Industrial buildings ................................          3.5              3.4
Income-producing land underlying improved real estate          3.5              3.3
Land held for future development ....................          1.8              2.0
Apartments ..........................................          0.4              0.7
Other ...............................................          4.0              6.4
                                                        --------------- ----------------
    Total ...........................................        100.0%           100.0%
                                                        =============== ================
</TABLE>


                                    II - 23
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 3--Investments--(Concluded)


Geographic Region      1996          1995
- -----------------  ------------  ------------

Midwest                34.6%        34.8%
Southeast              26.0         24.7
Northeast              14.5         14.2
West                   14.4         16.2
Southwest/Plains       10.5         10.1
                  ------------  ------------
    Total             100.0%       100.0%
                  ============  ============


At December 31, 1996 and 1995,  approximately  12% of the real estate  portfolio
was invested in Minnesota  and  included in the Midwest  region shown above.  At
December  31,  1995,  approximately  12% of the real estate  portfolio  was also
invested  in  California  and  included  in the West  region  shown  above.  The
percentage of the portfolio  invested in California  declined to 10% at December
31, 1996.

At December 31, 1996,  outstanding  forward  commitments  for future real estate
investments approximated $99,640,000.  Under these commitments,  it is estimated
that  $79,412,000  will be disbursed in 1997 and $20,228,000 in later years. The
funding of real estate investment  commitments is contingent upon the properties
meeting specified construction, leasing, occupancy and other requirements.

Depreciation expense on real estate investments for the years ended December 31,
1996,   1995  and  1994,  was   approximately   $135,982,000,   $98,198,000  and
$84,872,000,  respectively;  the amount of accumulated  depreciation at December
31, 1996 was approximately $646,662,000.

Asset Valuation Reserves: The AVR balances at December 31, 1996 and 1995 were
comprised of the following asset-specific reserves:


                                   1996                 1995
                            -------------------  -------------------

Bonds and preferred stock     $  692,863,748       $  673,859,636
Mortgages                        647,666,546          564,444,067
Real Estate                      707,054,921          514,833,826
Common stock                      53,869,704           62,372,040
Other invested assets             33,466,350           45,358,322
                            -------------------  -------------------
    Total                     $2,134,921,269       $1,860,867,891
                            ===================  ===================


                                    II - 24
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 4--Investment Income and Capital Gains and Losses

Net Investment Income: For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
the components of net investment income were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         1996               1995               1994
                                                   -----------------  -----------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>                <C>              <C>
Gross Investment Income:
 Bonds ...........................................  $4,397,330,653     $4,113,077,743     $3,591,625,656
 Mortgages .......................................   1,704,612,536      1,688,836,730      1,613,072,996
 Real Estate (net of property expenses, taxes and
   depreciation) .................................     349,550,153        279,016,562        298,290,866
 Stocks ..........................................      14,512,747         24,460,434         12,296,076
 Other long-term investments .....................      16,299,166         16,706,459         10,794,114
 Cash and short-term investments .................      64,600,106         52,050,980         37,997,294
 Other ...........................................      30,748,262          8,500,640          9,894,077
                                                   -----------------  -----------------------------------
    Total ........................................   6,577,653,623      6,182,649,548      5,573,971,079
Less investment expenses .........................    (111,487,052)      (112,287,010)      (102,523,873)
                                                   -----------------  -----------------------------------
Net investment income before amortization of net
  IMR gains ......................................   6,466,166,571      6,070,362,538      5,471,447,206
Plus amortization of net IMR gains ...............      59,362,364         38,134,446         14,624,032
                                                   -----------------  -----------------------------------
Net investment income ............................  $6,525,528,935     $6,108,496,984     $5,486,071,238
                                                   =================  ===================================
</TABLE>

Participation income received on securities,  mortgages and real estate included
in the above table was approximately $21,121,000, $28,088,000 and $27,488,000 in
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

The net earned rates of investment  income on total invested assets (computed as
net  investment  income  before  amortization  of net IMR gains  divided by mean
invested  assets)  were  8.17%,   8.29%  and  8.11%  in  1996,  1995  and  1994,
respectively.

Future  rental income  expected to be received  during the next five years under
existing real estate  leases in effect as of December 31, 1996 is  approximately
$510,962,000 in 1997,  $460,487,000 in 1998,  $396,760,000 in 1999, $322,444,000
in 2000 and $244,048,000 in 2001.


                                    II - 25
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 4--Investment Income and Capital Gains and Losses--(Concluded)

Realized Capital Gains and Losses: For the years ended December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994, the net realized capital gains (losses) on sales, redemptions
and writedowns of investments computed under the specific identification
method were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996                 1995                1994
                                                         -------------------  ------------------- -------------------
<S>                                                        <C>                  <C>                 <C>
Bonds .................................................     $  83,521,853       $  32,698,203        $  23,169,838
Mortgages .............................................      (120,569,347)       (204,033,034)        (103,763,171)
Real Estate ...........................................        62,836,567          99,207,556          (24,555,825)
Stocks ................................................       123,374,256           9,808,562            5,435,716
Other long-term investments ...........................        27,068,040           7,885,199            1,550,624
Cash and short-term investments .......................       (13,797,036)           (758,274)           2,377,735
Other .................................................            14,400           1,360,695              714,129
                                                         -------------------  ------------------- -------------------
Total realized gains (losses) before capital gains tax        162,448,733         (53,831,093)         (95,070,954)
Capital gains (tax) benefit ...........................         1,501,742          (2,433,800)                   0
                                                         -------------------  ------------------- -------------------
    Total .............................................     $ 163,950,475      $  (56,264,893)      $  (95,070,954)
                                                         ===================  =================== ===================
</TABLE>

Proceeds from sales and redemptions of long-term bond  investments  during 1996,
1995  and   1994   were   approximately   $4,329,771,000,   $3,822,394,000   and
$3,685,078,000,   respectively.   Gross  gains  of  approximately  $133,807,000,
$122,093,000  and  $96,579,000  and gross losses of  approximately  $45,397,000,
$49,736,000 and $75,097,000 were realized on these sales and redemptions  during
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

Unrealized Capital Gains and Losses: For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995
and 1994, the net changes in unrealized  capital gains (losses) on  investments,
resulting in a net increase (decrease) in the valuation of investments,  were as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         1996                 1995                1994
                                  -------------------  ------------------- -------------------
<S>                               <C>                  <C>                 <C>
Bonds                                $  3,982,108         $ 51,534,565        $ 64,026,744
Mortgages                               2,393,812           (1,807,561)         (3,125,696)
Real Estate                            20,766,890          (42,391,326)        (37,141,679)
Stocks                                (26,004,886)          26,290,762          19,432,861
Other long-term investments            10,306,026           22,455,069             824,045
Cash and short-term investments             8,605                    0           1,285,511
Other                                  18,999,590           (3,375,400)         (6,394,850)
                                  -------------------  ------------------- -------------------
    Total                            $ 30,452,145         $ 52,706,109        $ 38,906,936
                                  ===================  =================== ===================
</TABLE>


                                    II - 26
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 5--Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The  estimated  fair value  amounts of  financial  instruments  presented in the
following tables have been determined by TIAA using market information available
as of  December  31,  1996  and 1995 and  appropriate  valuation  methodologies.
However,  considerable judgment is necessarily required to interpret market data
in developing  the estimates of fair value for financial  instruments  for which
there are no available market value quotations.  The estimates presented are not
necessarily  indicative  of the  amounts  TIAA could have  realized  in a market
exchange.   The  use  of  different   market   assumptions   and/or   estimation
methodologies  may have a material  effect on the estimated  fair value amounts.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                Notional             Carrying            Estimated
December 31, 1996                                 Value               Value             Fair Value
 ----------------------------------------- -------------------  ------------------- -------------------
<S>                                        <C>                  <C>                 <C>
Assets
 Bonds                                                           $56,092,130,827      $59,288,908,925
 Mortgages                                                        20,074,002,277       20,605,405,622
 Stocks                                                              355,093,378          355,093,378
 Cash and short-term investments                                     615,082,177          615,082,177
 Policy loans                                                        187,636,651          187,636,651
Liabilities
 Teachers Personal Annuity--Fixed Account                            700,580,748          700,580,748
Other financial instruments
 Foreign currency swap contracts              $337,403,818            (6,031,762)         (26,524,318)
 Foreign currency forward contracts             12,522,424               216,215               30,162
 Interest rate swap contracts                  187,355,000                                  8,463,177
 Swap options                                   58,000,000              (433,554)            (308,108)
 Interest rate cap contracts                    32,520,000               506,579              443,878
 Stock warrants                                                                                    --


December 31, 1995
 -----------------------------------------
Assets
 Bonds                                                           $48,835,831,058      $53,935,633,376
 Mortgages                                                        21,000,279,330       22,600,402,237
 Stocks                                                              223,028,483          223,028,483
 Cash and short-term investments                                     713,051,046          713,051,046
 Policy loans                                                        134,538,623          134,538,623
Liabilities
 Teachers Personal Annuity--Fixed Account                            580,720,683          580,720,683
Other financial instruments
 Foreign currency swap contracts              $238,063,450            (7,398,975)         (27,116,738)
 Interest rate swap contracts                  105,600,000                                 15,152,000
 Stock warrants                                                                             6,532,500
</TABLE>


                                    II - 27
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 5--Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments--(Continued)

Bonds:   Fair  values  for  publicly  traded  long-term  bond  investments  were
determined  using quoted market  prices.  For privately  placed  long-term  bond
investments  without a readily  ascertainable  market  value,  such  values were
determined  with the assistance of an independent  pricing  service  utilizing a
discounted cash flow methodology based on coupon rates,  maturity provisions and
assigned credit ratings. The aggregate carrying values and estimated fair values
of publicly traded and privately placed bonds at December 31, 1996 and 1995 were
as follows: 

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>
                                          1996                                     1995
                         --------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
                              Carrying            Estimated            Carrying            Estimated
                                Value             Fair Value            Value              Fair Value
                         -------------------  ------------------- -------------------  -------------------
<S>                      <C>                  <C>                 <C>                  <C>
Publicly traded bonds      $33,088,013,741     $34,773,725,991     $28,152,735,556      $31,029,476,823
Privately placed bonds      23,004,117,086      24,515,182,934      20,683,095,502       22,906,156,553
                         -------------------  ------------------- -------------------  -------------------
    Total                  $56,092,130,827     $59,288,908,925     $48,835,831,058      $53,935,633,376
                         ===================  =================== ===================  ===================
</TABLE>

Mortgages:  The fair value of mortgages was determined with the assistance of an
independent  pricing service  utilizing a discounted cash flow methodology based
on coupon rates, maturity provisions and assigned credit ratings.

Stocks, Cash and Short-Term  Investments,  and Policy Loans: The carrying values
are reasonable estimates of fair values.

Teachers Personal Annuity--Fixed Account: The carrying values of the liabilities
are reasonable estimates of fair values.

Foreign  Currency  Swap  Contracts:  The fair  value of  foreign  currency  swap
contracts,  which are used for hedging  purposes,  is the  estimated net gain or
(loss) that TIAA would record if the foreign  currency swaps were  liquidated at
year-end.  The fair value of foreign  currency  swap  contracts was estimated by
external parties,  including TIAA's  counterparties,  based on future cash flows
and anticipated exchange relationships, and such values were reviewed internally
for reasonableness.

Foreign Currency Forward  Contracts:  The fair value of foreign currency forward
contracts,  which are used for hedging  purposes,  is the  estimated net gain or
(loss) that TIAA would record if the foreign  currency  forward  contracts  were
liquidated at year-end. The fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts
was estimated  internally  based on future cash flows and  anticipated  exchange
relationships,  and such values were reviewed for reasonableness  with estimates
from external parties, including TIAA's counterparties.

Interest Rate Swap  Contracts:  The fair value of interest rate swap  contracts,
which are used for hedging  purposes,  is the  estimated net gain or (loss) that
TIAA would record if the interest  rate swaps were  liquidated at year- end. The
swap  agreements  have no carrying  value.  The fair value of interest rate swap
contracts  was  estimated   internally  using  modeling  software  developed  by
independent third parties, and such values were reviewed for reasonableness with
estimates from external parties, including TIAA's counterparties.

                                    II - 28
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 5--Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments--(Continued)

Swap  Options:  The  fair  value of swap  options,  which  are used for  hedging
purposes,  is the estimated  amount that TIAA would receive or (pay) if the swap
options  were  liquidated  at  year-end.  The fair value of the swap options was
estimated by external  parties,  including TIAA's  counterparties,  using option
pricing  models,  and such values were reviewed  internally  for  reasonableness
using option pricing software developed by independent third parties.

Interest  Rate Cap  Contracts:  The fair value of interest  rate cap  contracts,
which are used for hedging  purposes,  is the  estimated  amount that TIAA would
receive or (pay) if the interest rate cap contracts were liquidated at year-end.
The fair value of the  interest  rate cap  contracts  was  estimated by external
parties, including TIAA's counterparties,  using option pricing models, and such
values were reviewed internally for reasonableness using option pricing software
developed by independent third parties.

Stock Warrants:  The fair value of stock warrants represents the excess, if any,
of the market value of the related stock over the exercise price associated with
the stock warrant. The stock warrants have no carrying value.

Commitments  to Extend  Credit or  Purchase  Investments:  TIAA does not  charge
commitment  fees on these  agreements,  and the related  interest  rates reflect
market levels at the time of the commitments.

Insurance and Annuity Contracts:  TIAA's insurance and annuity contracts,  other
than the  Teachers  Personal  Annuity--Fixed  Account  disclosed  above,  entail
mortality  risks  and are,  therefore,  exempt  from the fair  value  disclosure
requirements related to financial instruments.

Note 6--Management Agreements

All services  necessary  for the operation of College  Retirement  Equities Fund
(CREF), a companion organization,  are provided, at cost, by two subsidiaries of
TIAA,  TIAA-CREF  Investment  Management,  Inc.  ("Investment  Management")  and
TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, Inc. ("Services"),  which provide
investment  advisory,  administrative  and distribution  services for CREF. Such
services are  provided in  accordance  with an  Investment  Management  Services
Agreement  between CREF and  Investment  Management,  and in  accordance  with a
Principal  Underwriting and  Administrative  Services Agreement between CREF and
Services.  Investment  Management  is  registered  with  the  Commission  as  an
investment   adviser;   Services  is  registered   with  the   Commission  as  a
broker-dealer and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.  Investment  Management and Services  receive  management fee payments from
each CREF account on a daily basis according to formulas  established  each year
with the objective of keeping the  management  fees as close as possible to each
account's  actual  expenses.  Any  differences  between actual  expenses and the
management fees are adjusted quarterly.  Such fees and the equivalent  allocated
expenses,  which  amounted  to  approximately  $274,447,000,   $226,645,000  and
$199,396,000  in 1996,  1995 and 1994,  respectively,  are not  included  in the
statements of operations and had no effect on TIAA's operations.


                                    II - 29
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 6--Management Agreements--(Continued)

All services  necessary for the operation of REA are provided,  at cost, by TIAA
and  Services.  TIAA  provides  investment  management  services for REA,  while
distribution and administrative  services are provided by Services in accordance
with a  Distribution  and  Administrative  Services  Agreement  between  REA and
Services.  TIAA also provides a liquidity guarantee to REA, for a fee, to ensure
that  funds are  available  to meet  participant  transfer  and cash  withdrawal
requests  in the  event  that  REA's  cash  flows  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 REA on a daily
basis to TIAA and  Services  according  to formulas  established  annually.  Any
differences between actual expenses and daily charges are adjusted quarterly.

Teachers Advisors,  Inc.  ("Advisors"),  a subsidiary of TIAA VA Holdings,  Inc.
("Holdings"),  which is itself a wholly-owned  subsidiary of TIAA (see Note 11),
provides  investment advisory services for VA-1 in accordance with an Investment
Management  Agreement  between  TIAA,  Advisors  and  VA-1.  TIAA  provides  all
administrative  services for VA-1 in accordance with an Administrative  Services
Agreement with VA-1 and also receives a fee for assuming  certain  mortality and
expense risks. Teachers Personal Investors Services, Inc. ("TPIS"), a subsidiary
of Holdings,  distributes  contracts for VA-1.  Expense deductions are made from
VA-1  on a daily  basis.  Advisors  is  registered  with  the  Commission  as an
investment  adviser;  TPIS is registered with the Commission as a broker- dealer
and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

Note 7--Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefits

TIAA maintains a qualified,  noncontributory  defined  contribution pension plan
covering  substantially  all employees.  All pension plan  liabilities are fully
funded through  individually owned retirement  annuity contracts.  Contributions
are made  semi-monthly to each  participant's  contract based on a percentage of
salary,   with  the   applicable   percentage   varying  by  attained  age.  All
contributions are fully vested after five years of service.  Forfeitures arising
from  terminations   prior  to  vesting  are  used  to  reduce  future  employer
contributions.  The accompanying  statements of operations include contributions
to the pension plan of approximately $20,808,000, $19,467,000 and $17,828,000 in
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

In addition to the pension plan, TIAA provides certain other postretirement life
and health insurance  benefits to eligible retired employees who meet prescribed
age  and  service  requirements.  The  cost of such  benefits  reflected  in the
accompanying statements of operations were approximately $3,022,000,  $2,273,000
and  $2,307,000  for 1996,  1995 and 1994,  respectively.  TIAA also maintains a
deferred  compensation  plan for  non-officer  trustees  and members of the TIAA
Board of Overseers.  Under this plan, an eligible board member who has served at
least five years is eligible  for a  single-sum  payment  upon leaving the board
equal to 50% of the annual stipend in effect during the last term  multiplied by
the number of years of credited service, up to a maximum of 20 years.


                                    II - 30
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 8--Unconsolidated Subsidiaries and Other Affiliates

TIAA's  wholly-owned  subsidiaries  primarily  involve  real  estate  investment
activities and are primarily  included in real estate assets on the accompanying
balance  sheets.  At December 31, 1996 and 1995,  the carrying  values of TIAA's
investments in real estate  subsidiaries and other affiliates were approximately
$4,234,818,000  and  $4,599,673,000,   respectively.  Subsidiary  total  assets,
liabilities and gross rental income of real estate  subsidiaries,  as of and for
the years ended  December  31,  1996 and 1995,  were  approximately  as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             1996                 1995
                      -------------------  -------------------
<S>                   <C>                  <C>
Assets                  $5,149,487,000       $5,523,739,000
Liabilities                933,678,000          981,438,000
Gross rental income        760,704,000          841,970,000
</TABLE>


Earnings of approximately  $238,313,000,  $164,676,000 and $210,302,000 in 1996,
1995 and  1994,  respectively,  primarily  from  real  estate  subsidiaries  are
included in net investment income in the accompanying statements of operations.

Some of the real estate  subsidiaries  referred  to above are  partners in joint
ventures. At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the carrying values of TIAA real estate
subsidiaries   that  are   partners  in  joint   ventures   were   approximately
$2,242,791,000 and $2,371,931,000.  Joint venture total assets,  liabilities and
gross rental  income,  as of and for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995,
were approximately as follows: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             1996                 1995
                      -------------------  -------------------
<S>                   <C>                  <C>
Assets                  $3,099,467,000       $3,437,761,000
Liabilities              1,116,222,000        1,233,262,000
Gross rental income        484,657,000          608,507,000
</TABLE>

The  subsidiaries'  equity share in these total  assets,  liabilities  and gross
rental income were approximately as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            1996                 1995
                     -------------------  -------------------
<S>                  <C>                  <C>
Assets                 $2,981,156,000       $3,307,523,000
Liabilities               778,312,000          937,673,000
Gross rental income       455,196,000          551,259,000
</TABLE>

Net  income  earned by the  subsidiaries  from  joint  venture  investments  was
approximately $130,887,000,  $60,689,000 and $92,342,000 in 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively.  Some of the real estate joint  ventures have mortgage  loans from
TIAA. At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the unpaid principal of such mortgage loans
was approximately $782,460,000 and $826,216,000, respectively.

                                    II - 31
<PAGE>

            TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)

Note 9--Termination of Business in Canada

Effective  January  1,  1996,  TIAA  ceased  conducting  insurance  and  annuity
operations  in Canada and reinsured  all existing  business with an  independent
third  party  insurer  under an  assumption  reinsurance  agreement.  Under this
agreement,  TIAA transferred  approximately $129 million (U.S.) of assets to the
independent  third party insurer,  and, under the  reinsurance  agreement,  this
transfer released all of TIAA's Canadian policy reserves and other  liabilities.
The financial  effect of TIAA's  withdrawal from Canada is reflected in the 1996
statement of operations,  and the  transaction  had no material effect on TIAA's
financial results.  TIAA has no continuing material  obligation  associated with
its withdrawal from the Canadian insurance market.

Note 10--Contingencies

It is the  opinion of  management  that any  liabilities  which might arise from
litigation,  state guaranty fund assessments,  and other matters, over and above
amounts  already  provided for in the financial  statements,  are not considered
material  in  relation  to  TIAA's  financial  position  or the  results  of its
operations.

Note 11--Subsequent Events

Effective  January 1, 1997,  TIAA VA Holdings,  Inc.  merged into TIAA Holdings,
Inc.  ("THI"),  a wholly-owned  subsidiary of TIAA,  and TIAA VA Holdings,  Inc.
ceased to exist.  THI was  established in 1996 as a holding  company for various
subsidiaries of TIAA.

In addition,  effective January 1, 1997, TIAA contributed all of the outstanding
stock of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Macallister Holdings, Inc. ("Macallister")
to  THI.  Macallister  is a  holding  company  that  owns  various  real  estate
subsidiaries.


                                    II - 32
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------


   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant,
TIAA Real Estate  Account,  has duly caused this  Registration  Statement  to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in New York,
New York, on the 29th day of April, 1997.

    

                                    TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT

                                    By: TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY
                                        ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

                                    By:  /s/ Peter C. Clapman
                                         --------------------
                                         Peter C. Clapman
                                         Senior Vice President and
                                         Chief Counsel, Investments



     Pursuant  to  the   requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
Registration  Statement has been signed by the following  persons,  trustees and
officers  of  Teachers  Insurance  and Annuity  Association  of America,  in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
   
Signature                       Title                                    Date
- ---------                       -----                                    ----





  /s/ John H. Biggs             Chairman of the Board and                4-29-97
- -----------------------------   Chief Executive Officer       
  John H. Biggs                 (Principal Executive Officer) 
                                and Trustee


  /s/ Thomas W. Jones           Vice Chairman, President and             4-29-97
- -----------------------------   Chief Operating Officer       
  Thomas W. Jones               (Principal Financial Officer) 
                                and Trustee                   
                                

  /s/ Martin L. Leibowitz       Vice Chairman, Chief                     4-29-97
- -----------------------------   Investment Officer and Trustee  
  Martin L. Leibowitz           

  /s/ Richard L. Gibbs           Executive Vice President                4-29-97
- -----------------------------   (Principal Accounting Officer) 
  Richard L. Gibbs              


                                    II - 33
<PAGE>

Signature of Trustee        Date       Signature of Trustee              Date
- --------------------        ----       --------------------              ----

/s/ David Alexander        4-29-97                                             
- -------------------------              -------------------------
David Alexander                        Dorothy Ann Kelly, O.S.U.

/s/ Marcus Alexis          4-29-97     /s/ Robert M. O'Neil             4-29-97
- -------------------------              -------------------------
Marcus Alexis                          Robert M. O'Neil

/s/ Willard T. Carleton    4-29-97     /s/ Leonard S. Simon             4-29-97
- -------------------------              -------------------------
Willard T. Carleton                    Leonard S. Simon

/s/ Robert C. Clark        4-29-97     /s/ Ronald L. Thompson           4-29-97
- -------------------------              -------------------------
Robert C. Clark                        Ronald L. Thompson

                                                                        
- -------------------------              -------------------------
Flora Mancuso Edwards                  Paul R. Tregurtha

                                       /s/ Charles J. Urstadt           4-29-97
- -------------------------              -------------------------
Estelle A. Fishbein                    Charles J. Urstadt

/s/ Frederick R. Ford      4-29-97     /s/ William H. Waltrip           4-29-97
- -------------------------              -------------------------
Frederick R. Ford                      William H. Waltrip

/s/ Martin J. Gruber       4-29-97     /s/ Rosalie J. Wolf              4-29-97
- -------------------------              -------------------------
Martin J. Gruber                       Rosalie J. Wolf

/s/ Ruth Simms Hamilton    4-29-97
- -------------------------              
Ruth Simms Hamilton
    
                                    II - 34

<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  consolidated  financial  statements of the TIAA Real Estate
Account  ("Account")  of Teachers  Insurance and Annuity  Association of America
("TIAA") as of December 31, 1996, and for the period July 3, 1995  (commencement
of  operations)  to December 31, 1995,  and have issued our report thereon dated
February 6, 1997.  Our audit also  included the financial  statement  schedule -
Schedule  III - Real Estate  Owned.  This  financial  statement  schedule is the
responsibility of TIAA's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
based on our audit.  In our opinion,  such financial  statement  schedule,  when
considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a
whole,  presents  fairly in all  material  respects  the  information  set forth
therein.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
February 6, 1997

- ---------------
Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu
International
- ---------------


                                       S-1
<PAGE>


                                             TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                                         Schedule III - Real Estate Owned
                                                 December 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        Costs Capitalized
                                                                          Subsequent to
                                                                           Acquisition
                                                         Initial Cost       (Including        Value at         Year
                                               Encum-     to Acquire     Unrealized Gains   December 31,    Construction     Date
       Description                            brances      Property         and Losses)         1996         Completed     Acquired
      -------------                           -------    ------------   -----------------   ------------    ------------   ---------
<S>                                            <C>       <C>                <C>             <C>                <C>         <C>   
River Road Distribution Center                 $-0-      $ 4,166,787        $   8,213       $ 4,175,000        1995        11/22/95
Industrial Building                                                                                                       
Fridley, Minnesota                                                                                                        

The Greens At Metrowest                        -0-        12,490,895          309,105        12,800,000        1990        12/15/95
Apartments                                                                                                                
Orlando, Florida                                                                                                          

Butterfield Industrial Park                    -0-         4,431,166          168,834         4,600,000        1980        12/22/95
Industrial Building                                                                                                       
El Paso, Texas (1)                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                          
Brixworth Apartments                           -0-        15,574,647          425,353        16,000,000        1989        12/28/95
Apartments                                                                                                                
Atlanta, Georgia                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                          
Plantation Grove Shopping Center               -0-         7,326,170           73,830         7,400,000        1995        12/28/95
Shopping Center                                                                                                           
Ocoee, Florida                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                          
Southbank Business Park                        -0-        10,069,898          430,102        10,500,000        1995        02/27/96
Office Building                                                                                                           
Phoenix, Arizona                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                          
Millbrook Collection                           -0-         6,774,711         (374,711)        6,400,000        1988        03/29/96
Shopping Center                                                                                                           
Raleigh, North Carolina                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                          
Lynnwood Collection                            -0-         6,708,120         (108,120)        6,600,000        1988        03/29/96
Shopping Center                                                                                                           
Raleigh, North Carolina                                                                                                 


                                                      S-2

<PAGE>

                                                                        Costs Capitalized
                                                                          Subsequent to
                                                                           Acquisition
                                                         Initial Cost       (Including        Value at         Year
                                               Encum-     to Acquire     Unrealized Gains   December 31,    Construction     Date
       Description                            brances      Property         and Losses)         1996         Completed     Acquired
      -------------                           -------    ------------   -----------------   ------------    ------------   ---------
Monte Vista Apartments                          -0-        17,664,247           85,753        17,750,000       1995        06/21/96
Apartments                                                                                                                
Littleton, Colorado                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                          
River Oaks Shopping Center                      -0-        13,036,153           63,847        13,100,000       1995        07/12/96
Shopping Center                                                                                                           
Woodbridge, Virginia                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                          
Arapahoe Park East                              -0-         9,920,680              -0-         9,920,680       1979        10/31/96
Industrial Building                                                                                                       
Boulder, Colorado                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                          
Royal St. George Apartments                     -0-        16,072,275              -0-        16,072,275       1995        12/20/96
Apartments                                                                                                                
West Palm Beach, Florida                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                          
Interstate Crossing                             -0-         6,485,249              -0-         6,485,249       1995        12/31/96
Industrial Building                                                                                                       
Eagan, Minnesota                                                                                                          
                                               ----      ------------       ----------      ------------                  
                                               $-0-      $130,720,998       $1,082,206      $131,803,204                  
                                               ====      ============       ==========      ============                  
                                                                                                                          
(1)  Leasehold interest only                                                                                              
</TABLE>
Reconciliation of investment property owned:
Balance at beginning of period                           $ 43,989,665
   Acquisitions                                            86,731,333
   Capital improvements and carrying costs                  1,082,206
                                                         ------------
   (including unrealized gains and losses)
Balance at end of period                                 $131,803,204
                                                         ============

                                       S-3

<PAGE>


   
                                 Exhibit Index
                                 -------------

(5)      Opinion and Consent of Charles H. Stamm, Esquire

(10)(A)  Independent Fiduciary Agreement by and among TIAA, the Registrant, and
         Institutional Property Consultants, Inc. (as amended)

(23)(B)  Consent of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, L.L.P.
    (C)  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
    




[TIAA LOGO]                Teacher Insurance and Annuity Association
                           730 Third Avenue
                           New York, New York 10017-3206
                           212 490-9000



                                                                  April 18, 1997


Board of Trustees of
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association
730 Third Avenue
New York, New York  10017-3206

Ladies and Gentlemen:

               This  opinion is furnished in  connection  with the  Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-22809) (the "Registration Statement") of the
TIAA Real Estate  Account (the  "Account")  being filed with the  Securities and
Exchange  Commission under the Securities Act of 1933.  Interests in the Account
are offered through  endorsements to certain individual,  group and tax-deferred
annuity  contracts  and  through  income-paying  contracts  (collectively,   the
"Contracts")  issued by Teachers  Insurance and Annuity  Association  of America
("TIAA").

               I have examined the Charter,  Bylaws and other corporate  records
of TIAA, including TIAA's Plan of Operations for Separate Account Business,  and
other  organizational  records of the  Account,  and the  relevant  statutes and
regulations of the State of New York. On the basis of such examination, it is my
opinion that:

               1.   TIAA is a nonprofit  life  insurance  company duly organized
                    and  validly  existing  under  the laws of the  State of New
                    York.

               2.   The  Account  is a  "separate  account"  of TIAA  within the
                    meaning of Section 4240 of the New York  Insurance Law, duly
                    established  by a resolution of TIAA's Board of Trustees and
                    validly existing under the laws of the State of New York.

               3.   The  Contracts  have been duly  authorized by TIAA and, when
                    issued  as  contemplated  by  the  Registration   Statement,
                    constitute legal,  validly issued and binding obligations of
                    TIAA enforceable in accordance with their terms.



<PAGE>


April 18, 1997
Page -2-


               I hereby  consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and to the reference to my name under the heading "Legal
Matters" in the Registration Statement.

                                                        Sincerely,



                                                        /s/ Charles H. Stamm
                                                        --------------------
                                                        Charles H. Stamm
                                                        Executive Vice President
                                                        and General Counsel



                    TEACHER INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION
                                730 Third Avenue
                          New York, New York 10017-3206
                                 (212) 490-9000


                                                                   June 9, 1995


Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.
4330 La Jolla Village Drive,  Suite 310
San Diego, California   92122


                       RE:  Teachers Insurance and Annuity
                            Association of America
                            Real Estate Separate Account;
                            ERISA Independent Fiduciary
                            ------------------------------

Dear Sirs:

         This letter sets forth the terms and  conditions  under which  Teachers
Insurance and Annuity  Association of America (the "Company")  offers to appoint
Institutional  Property  Consultants,  Inc.  ("IPC") to serve as the Independent
Fiduciary,  as defined below, under the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended ("ERISA") for a new real estate pooled separate account (the
"Account")   designed  primarily  for  investment  by  participants  in  defined
contribution  plans qualified under (Section) 401(a) and (Section) 403(a) of the
Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended,  ("Code"),  Code  (Section)  403(b)
plans, and certain  individual  retirement  annuities under (Section) 408 of the
Code.

1.       Background
         ----------

                  On December  22, 1994 the Company  filed an  application  (the
         "Application")  with the Department of Labor ("DOL") for exemption from
         certain potential prohibited  transactions under (Section) 406 of ERISA
         and (Section) 4975 of the Code with respect to certain  transactions or
         classes of  transactions  involving the  establishment  and  subsequent
         administration by the Company of the Account. Among other features, the
         Account  offers a stand-by  liquidity  mechanism  under  which units of
         interest  in the  Account  ("Units")  may be  purchased  or sold by the
         Company. The Application contemplates that various

<PAGE>

Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.                                 Page 2
June 9, 1995


         aspects of the Account's  operation will be subject to the oversight of
         an  independent  fiduciary  ("Independent  Fiduciary")  which will be a
         business   organization   with  substantial   real  estate   investment
         experience  and which will be familiar with the  responsibilities  of a
         fiduciary  with respect to benefit plans under ERISA.  The  Independent
         Fiduciary will act for the exclusive  benefit of the plan  participants
         who elect to participate in the Account.

                  As of this date, the Application has yet to be approved by the
         DOL,   although  on  the  basis  of   discussions   to  date  with  the
         representatives  of the DOL,  the Company has no reason to believe that
         an  exemption  with  respect to the  Account  will not be issued in due
         course.  However,  prior to the final disposition of the Application by
         the DOL, the Company  intends to appoint an  Independent  Fiduciary who
         will undertake  responsibility  for such activities and such classes of
         transactions as are described in the Application,  pages 16-33, and for
         such  other  matters  as the  Company  may from  time to time  request.
         Included in the Application are descriptions of the responsibilities of
         the Independent Fiduciary.  The proposed valuation procedures and rules
         for the Account are  described in the  Application  and in Exhibit A to
         this Agreement.


2.       Compensation
         ------------

                  Compensation  for  services  rendered by IPC  pursuant to this
         Agreement  shall  be  paid  from  the  Account  in the  amounts  and in
         accordance  with the  terms and  conditions  set  forth in  Schedule  1
         attached hereto.


3.       Duties and Responsibilities of the Company
         ------------------------------------------

                  The Company is an  investment  manager,  as defined in Section
         3(38) of ERISA,  with  respect to the  Account,  and shall be primarily
         responsible,  as a  fiduciary  under  ERISA,  for  all  aspects  of the
         establishment  and  administration  of the Account.  The Company  alone
         shall be  responsible  for making  determinations  with  respect to the
         acquisition  and  disposition  of properties by the Account and for all
         other  aspects  of the  investment  of Account  assets,  subject to the
         duties  and  responsibilities  of IPC  specifically  set  forth  in the
         Application and paragraph 4 hereof.

<PAGE>

Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.                                  Page 3
June 9, 1995

4.       Duties and Responsibilities of IPC
         ----------------------------------

         A.     IPC's duties and responsibilities  under this Agreement shall be
                those set forth in the Application and as described below:

                (1)   IPC will review and approve the  valuation  of the Account
                      and of the  properties  held in the Account as outlined on
                      pages 24-27 of the  Application  and as more  specifically
                      described in Valuation Procedures and Rules which shall be
                      adopted  for the Account by the Company and which shall be
                      subject to the  approval  of IPC.  (A copy of the  current
                      draft  of the  valuation  procedures  and  rules  for  the
                      Account is attached as Exhibit A.)

                (2)   IPC  will  approve  the  appointment  of  all  independent
                      appraisers  retained  by the  Company to perform  periodic
                      valuations of Account  properties.  For this purpose,  the
                      Company  will forward to IPC  information  provided to the
                      Company  with  respect to the  background,  education  and
                      experience of each such independent appraiser.

                (3)   IPC  may  require  an   appraisal  in  addition  to  those
                      conducted  by  an  independent   appraiser   appointed  as
                      provided in clause (2) above,  when it  believes  that the
                      characteristics  of a  particular  property  have  changed
                      materially or with respect to any property  where it deems
                      an additional  appraisal to be necessary or appropriate in
                      order to  assure a  correct  Account  valuation.  IPC will
                      perform  such  reviews  of  Account  properties  as it may
                      determine to be necessary or desirable in establishing the
                      necessity of such  additional  appraisals.  IPC shall have
                      the  authority to designate  independent  appraisers to be
                      hired  by the  Company  to  perform  any  such  additional
                      appraisals,  but the Company hereby  reserves the right to
                      disapprove  any such  selection.  Accordingly,  IPC  shall
                      notify the  Company at least  fourteen  (14) days prior to
                      the  anticipated  hiring of any appraiser  not  previously
                      approved by the Company. Any such appraiser will be deemed
                      approved  by the  Company if the  Company  fails to object
                      within  fourteen  (14) days of  receipt  of the  aforesaid
                      notice  and  the  Company  will,   thereupon,   hire  such
                      appraiser. The Company may in its sole discretion withdraw
                      its approval

<PAGE>

Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.                                  Page 4
June 9, 1995




                      of an appraiser at any time prior to hiring such appraiser
                      for future  appraisals by giving a notice of withdrawal of
                      its approval.

                 (4)  IPC shall review  purchases  and sales of Units by Account
                      participants  and  the  Company  to  assure  that  correct
                      Account  values are  applied.  IPC shall  also  review the
                      fixed repayment  schedule  applicable to the redemption of
                      Seed Money Units during the Start Up Period, as defined in
                      the  Application,  as approved  by the New York  Insurance
                      Department.  With respect to the  foregoing,  IPC may rely
                      upon  the   truth,   completeness   and   correctness   of
                      information  provided  to  it by  the  Company  or by  the
                      independent auditor designated by the Company with respect
                      to the Account.

                 (5)  After (and, if necessary,  during) the Start Up Period, as
                      defined in the  Application,  IPC will  determine with the
                      Company the appropriate  "trigger"  guidelines relating to
                      the level of the Company's  ongoing ownership of Liquidity
                      Units in the Account,  as defined in the Application,  and
                      the  manner  in  which  any  reduction  of  the  Company's
                      participation  in  excess  of  such  guidelines  is  to be
                      effected as contemplated under the Application. If IPC and
                      the  Company  agree that asset  sales may be  required  in
                      order to reduce the  Company's  ownership  of Units in the
                      Account,  IPC will participate in the planning of any such
                      program  of  sales,   including   the   selection  of  the
                      properties to be sold and the guidelines to be followed in
                      making such sales.

                 (6)  In  the  event  of  the  termination  of  the  Account  as
                      described  on  pages  27-29 of the  Application,  IPC will
                      approve  the  sale of  Account  properties  and  supervise
                      Account  operation during the Wind Down Period (as defined
                      in the  Application).  Such period will  commence with the
                      Company's   notice   to   Account   participants   of  its
                      termination  of the  Account and will end on the date that
                      no Units are held by any Participant  (and, if applicable,
                      Participating Plans), as defined in the Application.


                 (7)  IPC will review and approve the investment

<PAGE>

Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.                                  Page 5
June 9, 1995


                      guidelines  established by the Company for the Account and
                      will monitor the  conformity of all property  acquisitions
                      and sales with the requirements of such guidelines.

                 (8)  With respect to any other  transaction or matter involving
                      the Account that is  submitted to IPC by the Company,  IPC
                      will  review  said  transaction  or  matter  in  order  to
                      determine  whether  it is fair to the  Account  and in the
                      Account's best interests.

          B.     In  the  event  that  the  Company  or the  DOL  or  any  other
                 governmental   agency  requires  or  requests  IPC  to  perform
                 additional  functions  reasonably related to the type of review
                 described  herein,  or to undertake  duties with respect to the
                 Account  beyond those  specifically  enumerated  herein,  these
                 additional  duties and functions shall be deemed to be included
                 among the duties of IPC under this Agreement, provided that:

                 (1)  The Company requests IPC to perform such activity in
                      writing; and

                 (2)  IPC and the Company determine the nature and amount of any
                      additional  compensation  that  may  be  appropriate  with
                      respect to such additional  duties. If IPC and the Company
                      are not able to agree  upon the  nature  and amount of any
                      additional compensation,  IPC and the Company hereby agree
                      to submit any  disputed  issues to  arbitration  and to be
                      bound by the results thereof; provided,  however, that IPC
                      shall nevertheless perform the additional duties described
                      above during the time  required for a final  determination
                      to be made with respect to the nature and/or amount of any
                      additional compensation that it may receive.

          C.     IPC will meet with the Company on a  quarterly  basis to review
                 the  activities  of the Account  and the  actions  that IPC has
                 taken  under this  Agreement.  IPC will submit to the Company a
                 summary  report from time to time as it may deem  necessary  or
                 appropriate,  but no less frequently than annually. Such report
                 shall be a written  report that  summarizes  and  explains  all
                 actions  and  activities  that  IPC has  undertaken  since  the
                 submission of the last such report or the  commencement  of its
                 terms,  except  those  actions and  activities  that IPC in its
                 judgment deems to be not material. All or

<PAGE>

Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.                                  Page 6
June 9, 1995


                 any part of any such report may, after  consultation  with IPC,
                 be provided by the Company to any Account participant or to the
                 DOL  or any  other  governmental  agency.  IPC  shall  maintain
                 appropriate  records of its actions and  activities  under this
                 Agreement  and will allow the  Company to review  such  records
                 during normal business hours upon  reasonable  prior request by
                 the Company, and the Company,  after consultation with IPC, may
                 provide  the  results  of any such  review to the DOL or to any
                 other governmental agency.

          D.     IPC may make all reasonable inquiries, consult with whomever it
                 reasonably  deems  necessary,  do all acts that are  reasonably
                 necessary  to the  performance  of its duties,  and review such
                 Company  documents as are reasonably  appropriate  for carrying
                 out its responsibilities  under this Agreement.  All work to be
                 performed pursuant to this paragraph 5, may be performed during
                 normal  business hours at the Company's Home Office,  730 Third
                 Avenue,  New York, New York 10017 or such other place as may be
                 reasonably designated by IPC, including IPC's offices.


5.       Representations
         ---------------

         IPC represents and agrees that:

          A.     IPC has at least  five  years of  experience  with  respect  to
                 commercial real estate investments.

          B.     The gross income  which is received by IPC (or any  partnership
                 or  corporation of which IPC is a 10 percent or more partner or
                 shareholder) from the Company and its affiliates (as defined in
                 any proposed  exemption issued with respect to the Account) for
                 any fiscal year ending during the term of this Agreement  shall
                 not  exceed 5  percent  of its  annual  gross  income  from all
                 sources for the preceding  fiscal year. Such income  limitation
                 will   include   services   rendered  to  the  Account  as  the
                 Independent   Fiduciary   under  any   prohibited   transaction
                 exemption  granted by the DOL. IPC will  provide,  on an annual
                 basis,  a report to the Company of the gross income it receives
                 from the Company as a percentage  of the gross income  received
                 during the preceding fiscal year.

          C.     IPC shall not (i) acquire any property from, sell any

<PAGE>

Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.                                  Page 7
June 9, 1995


                 property to or borrow any funds from, the Company or any of its
                 affiliates  during  the  period  for  which  it  serves  as  an
                 Independent  Fiduciary under this Agreement and for a period of
                 six months  thereafter,  or (ii) negotiate any such transaction
                 described  in (i)  during  the  period  that IPC  serves as the
                 Independent Fiduciary.

          D.     In the event that the DOL requires  additional  representations
                 by IPC,  it is agreed  that IPC will  make any such  reasonably
                 required representations that are true in fact.


6.       Independent Status
         ------------------

                 As the Independent Fiduciary,  IPC shall not be an agent of the
         Company.  In keeping with this status, IPC shall be free to control its
         method of fulfilling its  responsibilities  within the framework of its
         obligations  to the  Participants  and  their  beneficiaries  (and,  if
         applicable, Participating Plans), as defined in the Application, and to
         the Company.


7.       Fiduciary Standards/Confidentiality
         -----------------------------------

                 Notwithstanding  any other provision of this  Agreement,  it is
         understood that IPC will act as a fiduciary,  as defined in ERISA, with
         respect  to  the   Participants  and  their   beneficiaries   (and,  if
         applicable,  Participating  Plans) that invest in the Account, and that
         IPC will  perform its duties  under this  Agreement  for the  exclusive
         benefit of such  Participants,  their  beneficiaries  and Participating
         Plans and in conformity with the legal requirements  imposed upon it by
         ERISA.

                 It is understood that IPC will not unnecessarily  engage in any
         activity in  connection  with this  appointment  that is adverse to the
         interest of the Company. IPC may provide similar independent  fiduciary
         services with respect to other benefit plans subject to ERISA; provided
         that IPC does not use or  disclose in such  relationships  confidential
         information  obtained by it in the course of providing  services  under
         this Agreement.

                 Upon  termination of this  Agreement,  IPC will disclose to the
         Company all material in its possession that has been


<PAGE>


Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.                                  Page 8
June 9, 1995



         released to it by the Company or produced  pursuant to this  Agreement.
         Such  material may be retained by IPC if it deems such  retention to be
         necessary to protect its interests or the interests of the Participants
         and their beneficiaries (and, if applicable,  Participating Plans) that
         have  invested in the  Account.  If IPC retains any such  material,  it
         shall  promptly  notify the  Company in  writing  of such  action.  The
         aforesaid  notice  shall  include  an  itemized  list  of all  retained
         documents and other materials. Upon receipt of the aforesaid notice, or
         at any time thereafter, the Company may at its option, require that IPC
         deliver all such  retained  material to the person who  succeeds to its
         position  as  Independent  Fiduciary.   However,  IPC  may  retain  any
         materials that it deems  necessary to protect its  interests,  provided
         that copies of said  materials  are  furnished to either the Company or
         IPC's successor as Independent Fiduciary, upon request. IPC will not at
         any time during the term of this  Agreement or thereafter  disclose any
         of the Company's trade secrets,  confidential  business methods, or any
         other  confidential  information  which it may have acquired during its
         service as Independent fiduciary under this Agreement.

8.       Personnel
         ---------

                  IPC agrees that, without limiting its  responsibilities  under
         this  Agreement  or  under  ERISA,   primary   responsibility  for  the
         performance of the services  contemplated under this Agreement shall be
         assigned to Barbara R. Cambon and that it will use its best  efforts to
         assure that Barbara R. Cambon  continues to act in such capacity during
         the term of this  Agreement.  In the event that  Barbara R. Cambon does
         not,  for any reason,  continue to serve in such  capacity,  IPC agrees
         that it will assign primary  responsibility for the duties contemplated
         under this  Agreement to a senior  employee of similar  experience  and
         ability.

9.       Effective Date/Termination/Notice
         ---------------------------------

          A.     This Agreement shall become effective on the date of receipt by
                 the Company of a copy of this  Agreement that has been executed
                 by IPC and by an authorized officer of the Company.

          B.     IPC's  appointment  shall  commence on the date this  Agreement
                 becomes effective for a five year term, and


<PAGE>


Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.                                  Page 9
June 9, 1995



                 shall  be  renewable  by the  Company,  from  time to time  and
                 without  limitation on the number of renewals,  for  additional
                 three (3) year  terms.  Upon  expiration  of IPC's  appointment
                 without  renewal  this  Agreement  shall  terminate.   IPC  may
                 terminate this Agreement at any time but must give at least 180
                 days prior  written  notice to the  Company.  The  Company  may
                 terminate  this  Agreement and IPC's  appointment  prior to the
                 expiration  of the term of its  appointment  if:  (1) a special
                 subcommittee  of the  Company's  Mortgage  Committee,  after an
                 annual revue,  decides to terminate the Agreement upon 180 days
                 prior written notice; or (2) if the Company determines that IPC
                 has  breached  any  representation  set forth in paragraph 5 or
                 that IPC has  failed  to carry out its  responsibilities  under
                 this Agreement in an effective  manner,  or is unable to do so.
                 The Company may terminate this agreement if it determines  that
                 a merger or  restructuring  of IPC with or into another  entity
                 may cause a  conflict  of  interest  that  shall  impair  IPC's
                 ability to carry out its responsibilities  under this Agreement
                 in  an  effective  manner.   The  Company  may  terminate  this
                 Agreement  at any time  prior to the  date on which  Units  are
                 acquired by a  Participant  (or, if  applicable,  Participating
                 Plan).  In  the  event  that  IPC's  term  shall  terminate  as
                 described in this paragraph 9B, IPC shall be  compensated  only
                 for  services  performed  by it  prior  to  the  date  of  such
                 termination.

          C.     Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, any notice,  demand
                 or request  under this  Agreement  shall be deemed to have been
                 properly  given and served by depositing the same in the United
                 States  mail,  addressed  as  provided  herein,   postpaid  and
                 registered or certified with return receipt requested. Any such
                 notice,  demand  or  request  shall  be  effective  upon  being
                 deposited in the United States mail.  However,  the time period
                 in which a  response  or action to any such  notice,  demand or
                 request  must be given or taken shall  commence to run from the
                 date of receipt on the return receipt of the notice,  demand or
                 request by the addressee thereof. Rejection or other refusal to
                 accept or the inability to deliver  because of changed  address
                 of which no notice  was given  shall be deemed to be receipt of
                 the notice,  demand or request.  Notice to the Company shall be
                 addressed to Joan H. Fallon,  Director,  Teachers Insurance and
                 Annuity Association of America, 730 Third Avenue, New York, New
                 York, 10017-3206, with a copy to


<PAGE>


Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.                                 Page 10
June 9, 1995


                  Jeanne   Cullinan  Ray,  Vice  President  and  Chief  Counsel,
                  Teachers  Insurance and Annuity  Association  of America,  730
                  Third Avenue, New York, New York,  10017-3206,  (or such other
                  person or persons as the Company may designate). Notice to IPC
                  shall  be  addressed  to  Barbara  R.  Cambon,   Institutional
                  Property Consultants, Inc., 4330 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite
                  310, San Diego, California 92122.


10.      Indemnification and Insurance
         -----------------------------

          A.     Subject to the  limitations  in clause C of this  paragraph 10,
                 IPC shall be indemnified and saved harmless by the Account from
                 and  against  any  and  all  claims  of  liability  arising  in
                 connection with the exercise of its duties and responsibilities
                 to the Account by reason of any act or omission,  including all
                 expenses  reasonably  incurred  in the  defense  of such act or
                 omission, unless (1) it shall be established by final judgement
                 of a court of competent  jurisdiction that such act or omission
                 involved a violation of the duties imposed by Part 4 of Title I
                 of ERISA on the part of IPC or (2) in the event of a settlement
                 or other disposition of such claim involving the Account, it is
                 determined by written opinion of independent counsel acceptable
                 to both parties that such act or omission  involved a violation
                 of the duties imposed by Part 4 of Title I of ERISA on the part
                 of IPC.

          B.     Subject to the limitation in clause C of this paragraph 10, the
                 Account  shall pay expenses  (including  reasonable  attorneys'
                 fees and disbursements),  judgments,  fines and amounts paid in
                 settlement  incurred  by  IPC  in  connection  with  any of the
                 proceedings   described   above,   in   advance  of  the  final
                 disposition  of such  proceedings,  provided that (1) IPC shall
                 repay such advances to the Account,  plus reasonable  interest,
                 if  it  is  established  by a  final  judgment  of a  court  of
                 competent  jurisdiction,  or by written  opinion of independent
                 counsel under the  circumstances  described in section A above,
                 that IPC  violated its duties under Part 4 of Title I of ERISA,
                 and (2) IPC shall,  in the  discretion  and upon the request of
                 the  Company,   provide  a  bond  or  make  other   appropriate
                 arrangements  for  repayment of advances.  Notwithstanding  the
                 foregoing,  no such advances  shall be made in connection  with
                 any claim against IPC that


<PAGE>


Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.                                 Page 11
June 9, 1995




                 is made by the Account or the Company,  provided  that upon the
                 final  disposition  of  such  claim,  the  expenses  (including
                 reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements), judgments, fines
                 and  amounts  paid  in  settlement  incurred  by IPC  shall  be
                 reimbursed by the Account to the extent provided above.

           C.    The  indemnification  provided  under  clauses  A and B of this
                 paragraph  10 shall  apply  only to  claims  and  expenses  not
                 actually   covered  by   insurance.   IPC  agrees  to  maintain
                 professional  liability coverage that includes coverage for its
                 responsibilities under this Agreement,  with limits of at least
                 $1 million, throughout the term of this Agreement.


11.      Entire Agreement
         ----------------

                 This letter contains the entire agreement  between the parties.
         However, where the text of this Agreement contains express reference to
         the Application,  or specific paragraphs of the Application,  it is the
         intention of the parties that the  Application be  incorporated in this
         Agreement  for the purpose of  construing  the meaning of such  express
         references.  This Agreement may not be changed orally or by conduct but
         only by agreement in writing signed by both parties.


12.      No Waiver
         ---------

                 Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of the terms,
         covenants, or conditions of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver
         of  such  term,  covenant,  or  condition,  nor  shall  any  waiver  or
         relinquishment of any right or power hereunder at any one or more times
         be  deemed a waiver  or  relinquishment  of such  right or power at any
         other time or times.


13.      Severability
         ------------

                 The  invalidity  or  unenforceability  of any provision of this
         Agreement shall in no way affect the validity or  enforceability of any
         other provision.



<PAGE>


Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.                                 Page 12
June 9, 1995




14.      Choice of Law
         -------------

                 This Agreement and  performance  hereunder is subject to ERISA.
         However, to the extent that this Agreement and performance hereunder is
         not governed by ERISA or other applicable  federal law, the laws of the
         State of New York  shall  apply.  The  choice of law  embodied  in this
         paragraph 15 shall be effective  irrespective  of the  jurisdiction  in
         which any suit, action or proceeding may be instituted.


         Please signify your acceptance by signing below and returning a copy of
this letter to the Company.

                                                 Sincerely,


                                                 TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY
                                                 ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA



                                                 By   /s/ Joan H. Fallon
                                                      ------------------
                                                      Joan H. Fallon



Accepted:

Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.



By: /s/ Barbara R. Cambon                            Date:  June 9, 1995
   ----------------------                                   ------------
        Barbara R. Cambon


<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE 1


              TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA


                         FIDUCIARY COMPENSATION SCHEDULE
                        FOR REAL ESTATE SEPARATE ACCOUNT
                        --------------------------------





         The  annual  fee  payable  to IPC shall be  $100,000  per year plus its
reasonable  direct  out-of-pocket   expenses.  The  annual  fee  shall  be  paid
quarterly,  on first  business day of each quarter,  in advance,  with the first
quarterly  payment due on July 3, 1995. Direct  out-of-pocket  expenses shall be
reimbursed  as  incurred  and  shall be  limited  to  reasonable  travel-related
expenses,   including   transportation,   hotels,  and  meals  incurred  in  the
performance of IPC's duties. IPC shall,  however, bear the cost of all operating
and  administrative  expenses relating to the performance of its obligations and
duties under this Agreement.



<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT A

              TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA


                         VALUATION PROCEDURES AND RULES
                             FOR REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
                             -----------------------


         This outline summarizes the basic elements of the valuation  procedures
and rules for the Account.


Basic Principles
- ----------------

1.        The valuation of equity real estate  holdings is not an exact science;
          it  requires  appraisals  which are  independent  estimates  of market
          value.

          A.     Sales are the best  measure of the value of equity  real estate
                 holdings, but since they don't occur frequently, appraisals are
                 generally  believed to be the best estimate of value at a given
                 point in time.

          B.     Independent appraisals are expensive, and a balance is required
                 between the  accuracy of the  estimate of value and the cost to
                 the Account of additional appraisals.


2.       The  Account's  valuation  procedures  and rules  are under the  direct
         supervision of an Independent  Fiduciary and operate within  guidelines
         and limits established by the Independent Fiduciary.


Valuation Procedures for the Account
- ------------------------------------

1.        Independent   Fiduciary.   The  valuation  of  Account  properties  is
          conducted under the supervision of the Independent Fiduciary.

          A.     The  valuation  procedures  and rules will be  approved  by the
                 Independent  Fiduciary.  They  cannot be  changed  without  the
                 consent of the Independent Fiduciary.

          B.     The rules will limit the extent to which a property's value can
                 change without the prior approval of the Independent Fiduciary.

          C.     The  Independent   Fiduciary  may  require  a  new  independent
                 appraisal of any property at any time.


<PAGE>


2.        Initial  Valuation.  The initial  value of each  property  will be the
          price at which it is  acquired  (including  all  expenses  relating to
          purchase, such as acquisition fees, legal fees and expenses, and other
          closing costs).


3.        Scheduled Valuations.
          ---------------------

          A.     Independent  Appraisals.  Each  property  will be  valued by an
                 independent appraiser at least once per year.

                 (i)       The appraisal cycle will be set up so that properties
                           will be independently  appraised in as even a pattern
                           as practical over the course of a calendar year. This
                           will be done by  assigning to each  property,  at the
                           time  it  is  purchased,   the  month  in  which  its
                           independent appraisal will occur each year.

                (ii)       The independent  appraisers  selected by TIAA must be
                           approved by the Independent Fiduciary.

               (iii)       The  following  would be among the factors  generally
                           considered in the annual appraisal:

                           -  description and condition of the property

                           -  regional and local market conditions

                           -  current and projected occupancy levels

                           -  highest and best use of the property

                           -  cost approach

                           -  sales comparison approach

                           -  income  approach  including  discounted  cash flow
                              analysis


         B.      Quarterly  Updates.  TIAA's  staff will update the  independent
                 appraisals on a quarterly basis.

                 (i)       Appraisal  assumption (e.g.  discount rates and rates
                           of  inflation)   will  be  reviewed  and  revised  as
                           necessary.

                (ii)       Occupancy levels, cash flow, etc. will be reviewed as
                           well as regional and local market conditions.


<PAGE>


          C.     Accruals.  The Accumulation,  Seed and Liquidity Unit Values of
                 the Account may change by a daily  accrual of projected  income
                 and expenses  during a given month.  The Annuity Unit values of
                 the Account may change on the last  calendar  day of each month
                 by the accrual of projected income and expenses for that month.


4.       Special Adjustments. The value of a given property could be adjusted at
         any time to reflect any immediate or significant changes in value.


5.       Limits and Supervision

         A.      The Independent  Fiduciary receives quarterly valuation reports
                 from TIAA  which,  in  addition  to their  involvement,  detail
                 Account activity. The format of these reports will be developed
                 with the Independent Fiduciary.  The Fiduciary will, therefore,
                 be familiar with Account properties.


         B.      Daily  accruals of income and expenses,  as well as incremental
                 adjustments in property value (from quarterly updates), will be
                 reported to the  Independent  Fiduciary as they are included in
                 the Unit value calculation.


         C.      Material  changes in value (as  described  in D. below) and all
                 independent  appraisals will be approved by the Fiduciary prior
                 to inclusion in a Unit Value calculation.


         D.      TIAA  cannot,  without the prior  approval  of the  Independent
                 Fiduciary,  change the values of one or more properties if such
                 changes would exceed the following limits:

                 (i)       The adjustment  would result in a 6 percent  increase
                           or  decrease in the value of a given  property  since
                           the last independent appraisal of that property;

                (ii)       The  adjustments  would  result in a  greater  than 2
                           percent  change in the value of the Account since the
                           prior monthly valuation date; or

               (iii)       The  adjustments  would  result in a  greater  than 4
                           percent change in the value of the Account within any
                           quarter.


<PAGE>


         In addition,  the  Independent  Fiduciary will approve any  adjustments
made within the first  three  months  after the receipt of the annual  appraisal
performed by an independent qualified appraiser.





<PAGE>



                    TEACHER INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION
                                730 Third Avenue
                          New York, New York 10017-3206
                                 (212) 490-9000


                                                                 October 5, 1995



Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.
4330 La Jolla Village Drive
San Diego, California   92122


                  Re: Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association
                      of America Real Estate Separate Account;
                      ERISA Independent Fiduciary
                      ------------------------------------------

Dear Sirs:

         This letter supplements the June 9, 1995 letter setting forth the terms
and conditions under which Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America
(the "Company") appointed  Institutional  Property Consultants,  Inc. ("IPC") to
serve as an Independent  Fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974 ("ERISA") for its Real Estate Account ("Account").

         Section  4A. of the June 9, 1995  letter  setting  forth the duties and
responsibilities  of IPC is amended by the addition of new  subparagraph  (9) to
read as follows:

         (9) IPC will review and approve in advance any  exercise of  discretion
         by the Company to accelerate the fixed repayment schedule applicable to
         the redemption of Seed Money Units and will only give its approval upon
         determining   that  it  would  be  to  the  benefit  of  the  Account's
         participants to do so.

                                                Sincerely,

                                                TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY
                                                ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

                                                By:     /s/ Joan H. Fallon
                                                        ------------------
                                                        Joan H. Fallon
Accepted:

INSTITUTIONAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS, INC.

By:   /s/ Barbara R. Cambon                              Date:   October 5, 1995
      ---------------------                                      ---------------
         Barbara R. Cambon


<PAGE>



                    TEACHER INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION
                                730 Third Avenue
                          New York, New York 10017-3206
                                 (212) 490-9000





                                                                   June 24, 1996





Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.
4330 La Jolla Village Drive
San Diego, California   92122


         Re:  Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association
              of America Real Estate Separate Account;
              ERISA Independent Fiduciary
              ------------------------------------------


Dear Sir or Madam:

         This  letter  supplements  the June 5,  1995 and the  October  5,  1995
letters  setting forth the terms and conditions  under which Teachers  Insurance
and Annuity  Association  of America  (the  "Company")  appointed  Institutional
Property  Consultants,  Inc. ("IPC") to serve as an Independent  Fiduciary under
the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974, as amended  ("ERISA") for
its Real Estate Account ("Account").

         Section 9B. of the June 9, 1995 letter setting forth the
termination provisions is deleted and replaced by a new Section
9B. to read as follows:

         IPC's  appointment  shall commence on the date this  Agreement  becomes
         effective for a five year term,  and shall be renewable by the Company,
         from time to time,  and without  limitation  on the number of renewals,
         for  additional  three (3) year terms.  The Company shall delegate to a
         special   subcommittee  of  the  Company's   Mortgage   Committee  (the
         "Subcommittee")  the sole power to renew any such  appointment  and the
         Subcommittee  shall not renew the appointment if forty percent (40%) of
         the Subcommittee members disapprove


<PAGE>


Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.                                  Page 2
June 24, 1996



         of such renewal.  Upon expiration of IPC's appointment  without renewal
         this Agreement shall terminate. IPC may terminate this Agreement at any
         time  but must  give at least  180 days  prior  written  notice  to the
         Company.   The  Company  must   terminate   this  Agreement  and  IPC's
         appointment prior to the expiration of the term of its appointment if a
         majority of the Special  Subcommittee  members determines that: (1) IPC
         has breached any  representation set forth in paragraph 5; (2) that IPC
         has failed to carry out its responsibilities under this Agreement in an
         effective  manner,  or is  unable  to do so;  or (3) that a  merger  or
         restructuring  of IPC with or into another  entity may cause a conflict
         of  interest   that  shall  impair  IPC's  ability  to  carry  out  its
         responsibilities  under this Agreement in an effective  manner.  In the
         event that IPC's term shall  terminate as  described in this  paragraph
         9B., IPC shall be compensated  only for services  performed by it prior
         to the date of such termination.


                                                Sincerely,

                                                TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY
                                                ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA


                                                By:   /s/ Joan H. Fallon
                                                      ------------------
                                                          Joan H. Fallon


Accepted:

INSTITUTIONAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS, INC.


By:    /s/ Barbara R. Cambon             Date:  June 27, 1996
       ---------------------                    -------------
           Barbara R. Cambon

<PAGE>


                   TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION
                                730 Third Avenue
                          New York, New York 10017-3206
                                 (212) 490-9000


                                                          February 11, 1997





Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.
4330 La Jolla Village Drive
San Diego, California   92122


        Re:    Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association
               of America Real Estate Separate Account;
               ERISA Independent Fiduciary
               ------------------------------------------               


Dear Sir or Madam:

        This letter supplements the June 5, 1995, the October 5,
1995, and the June 24, 1996 letters setting forth the terms and
conditions under which Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association
of America (the "Company") appointed Institutional Property
Consultants, Inc. ("IPC") to serve as an Independent Fiduciary
under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended ("ERISA") for its Real Estate Account ("Account").

        Section 9B. of the June 9, 1995 letter, as amended by the
June 24, 1996 letter, setting forth the termination provisions is
deleted and replaced by a new Section 9B. to read as follows:

        IPC's appointment shall commence on the date this Agreement
        becomes effective for a five year term, and shall be
        renewable by the Company, from time to time, and without
        limitation on the number of renewals, for additional three
        (3) year terms.  The Company shall delegate to a special
        subcommittee of the Company's Investment Committee (the
        "Subcommittee") the sole power to renew any such appointment
        and the Subcommittee shall not renew the appointment if forty
        percent (40%) of the Subcommittee members disapprove of such
        renewal.  Upon expiration of IPC's appointment without
        renewal this Agreement shall terminate.  IPC may terminate
        this Agreement at any time but must give at least 180 days
        prior written notice to the Company.  The Company must
        terminate this Agreement and IPC's appointment prior to the
        expiration of the term of its appointment if a majority of
        the Special Subcommittee members determines that: (1) IPC has
        breached any representation set forth in paragraph 5; (2)


<PAGE>

Institutional Property Consultants, Inc.                                Page 2
February 11, 1997



        that IPC has failed to carry out its responsibilities under
        this Agreement in an effective manner, or is unable to do so;
        or (3) that a merger or restructuring of IPC with or into
        another entity may cause a conflict of interest that shall
        impair IPC's ability to carry out its responsibilities under
        this Agreement in an effective manner.  In the event that
        IPC's term shall terminate as described in this paragraph
        9B., IPC shall be compensated only for services performed by
        it prior to the date of such termination.


                                              Sincerely,

                                              TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY
                                              ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA


                                              By:  /s/ Joan H. Fallon
                                              -------------------------
                                                       Joan H. Fallon


Accepted:

INSTITUTIONAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS, INC.


By:     /s/ Barbara R. Cambon                     Date:  3/1/97
        ---------------------
        Barbara R. Cambon


                      Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, L.L.P.
                         1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
                           Washington, D.C. 20004-2404


STEVEN B. BOEHM
DIRECT LINE:  (202) 383-0176                                 TEL: (202) 383-0100
Internet: [email protected]                                  FAX: (202) 637-3593



                                 April 29, 1997


Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America
730 Third Avenue
New York, New York  10017-3206

               Re:  Registration of Individual,  Group and Tax-Deferred Variable
                    Annuity  Contracts  on Form  S-1 for the  TIAA  Real  Estate
                    Account (File No. 333-22809)
                    ------------------------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  We  hereby  consent  to the  reference  to our name  under the
caption   "Legal   Matters"   in  the   Prospectus   filed  as  a  part  of  the
above-referenced  registration  statement  on Form S-1 for the TIAA Real  Estate
Account.  In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933.

                                   Sincerely,

                                   SUTHERLAND, ASBILL & BRENNAN, L.L.P.

                               By: /s/ Steven B. Boehm
                                   --------------------------
                                   Steven B. Boehm


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the use in this  Registration  Statement on Form S-1 of our report
dated  February 6, 1997  relating to the TIAA Real  Estate  Account,  our report
dated  April 12, 1996  relating to The  Millbrook  Collection  and The  Lynnwood
Collection  Retail  Centers,  and our report  dated April 29,  1997, relating to
Arapahoe Park East, Westcreek Apartments,  Parkview Plaza, Fairgate at Ballston,
Two Newton Place,  and Longview  Executive  Park,  appearing in the  Prospectus,
which is a part of this Registration  Statement and of our report dated February
6, 1997 relating to the financial statement schedule,  Schedule III--Real Estate
Owned, appearing elsewhere in this Registration Statement.

We also  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  into  this  Registration
Statement of our report dated March 11, 1997 relating to Teachers  Insurance and
Annuity Association of America ("TIAA").  Such report expresses our opinion that
the  financial  statements  present  fairly the financial  position,  results of
operations, changes in contingency reserves and cash flows of TIAA in conformity
with  statutory  accounting  practices,  a  comprehensive  basis  of  accounting
described in Note 2 of those  financial  statements,  and not in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.

We also  consent to the  reference  to us under the  heading  "Experts"  in such
Prospectus.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York

April 29, 1997



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