NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT 8
N-4 EL, 1995-09-14
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<PAGE>   1
            As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                                '33 Act File No.
                                                                '40 Act File No.
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D. C. 20549

                                    FORM N-4

                  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
                                  ACT OF 1933                    [x]

                                      and

                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                         INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940          [x]



                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-8
                           (Exact Name of Registrant)

                       NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                              (Name of Depositor)

                ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43216-6609
        (Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

       Depositor's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (614) 249-7111

 GORDON E. MCCUTCHAN, SECRETARY, ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43216-6609
                   (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

        The Registrant elects to register an indefinite number of securities in
accordance with Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.  Pursuant
to Paragraph (a)(3) thereof, a non-refundable fee in the amount of $500.00
accompanies this registration.

Approximate date of proposed public offering:  (Upon the effective date of this
Registration Statement)

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file
a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
================================================================================


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<PAGE>   2
                        NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-8
                   REFERENCE TO ITEMS REQUIRED BY FORM N-4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

N-4 ITEM                                                                                        Page
<S>                                                                                             <C>
Part A  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS
  Item    1.  Cover page........................................................................ 3
  Item    2.  Definitions....................................................................... 5
  Item    3.  Synopsis or Highlights........................................................... 12
  Item    4.  Condensed Financial Information................................................. N/A
  Item    5.  General Description of Registrant, Depositor, and Portfolio Companies............ 13
  Item    6.  Deductions and Expenses.......................................................... 14
  Item    7.  General Description of Variable Annuity Contracts................................ 16
  Item    8.  Annuity Period................................................................... 20
  Item    9.  Death Benefit and Distributions.................................................. 22
  Item    10. Purchases and Contract Value..................................................... 25
  Item    11. Redemptions...................................................................... 27
  Item    12. Taxes............................................................................ 28
  Item    13. Legal Proceedings................................................................ 32
  Item    14. Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information..................... 32

Part B  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
  Item    15. Cover Page....................................................................... 37
  Item    16. Table of Contents................................................................ 37
  Item    17. General Information and History.................................................. 37
  Item    18. Services......................................................................... 37
  Item    19. Purchase of Securities Being Offered............................................. 37
  Item    20. Underwriters..................................................................... 38
  Item    21. Calculation of Performance Information........................................... 38
  Item    22. Annuity Payments................................................................. 39
  Item    23. Financial Statements............................................................. 40

Part C  OTHER INFORMATION
  Item    24. Financial Statements and Exhibits................................................ 64
  Item    25. Directors and Officers of the Depositor.......................................... 66
  Item    26. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Depositor or Registrant... 68
  Item    27. Number of Contract Owners........................................................ 79
  Item    28. Indemnification.................................................................. 79
  Item    29. Principal Underwriter............................................................ 79
  Item    30. Location of Accounts and Records................................................. 82
  Item    31. Management Services.............................................................. 82
  Item    32. Undertakings..................................................................... 82
</TABLE>
                                   2 of 85
<PAGE>   3
                      NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                 Home Office
                                P.O. Box 16609
                  Columbus, Ohio 43216-6609, 1-800-848-6331
                              TDD 1-800-238-3035
                INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
                 ISSUED BY THE NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-8
                     OF NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

        The Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts described in this
Prospectus are flexible purchase payment contracts (collectively referred to as
the "Contracts").  Reference throughout the prospectus to Individual Deferred
Variable Annuity Contracts shall also mean certificates issued under Group
Flexible Fund Retirement Contracts.  For such Group Contracts, references to
"Owner" shall mean the "Participant" unless the Plan otherwise permits or
requires the Owner to exercise such rights under the authority of the Plan
terms.  The Contracts are sold to individuals for use in retirement plans which
may qualify for special federal tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code.
Annuity payments under the Contracts are deferred until a selected later date.

        Purchase payments are allocated to the Nationwide Variable Account-8
("Variable Account"), a separate account of Nationwide Life Insurance Company
(the "Company").  The Variable Account uses its assets to purchase shares at
net asset value in one or more of the following series of the underlying Mutual
Fund options:

<TABLE>
    <S>                                                 <C>
    AIM Variable Insurance Products Funds, Inc.         MFS(R) Variable Insurance Trust(ST)
       -AIM V.I. Capital Appreciation Fund                 -MFS(R) Emerging Growth Series
    Federated Insurance Management Series                  -MFS(R) Total Return Series
       -Corporate Bond Fund*
    Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund           Nationwide(R) Separate Account Trust   
       -Equity-Income Portfolio                            -Government Bond Fund
       -Overseas Portfolio                                 -Money Market Fund
</TABLE>

This Prospectus provides you with the basic information you should know about
the Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts issued by the Nationwide
Variable Account-8 before investing.  You should read it and keep it for future
reference.  A Statement of Additional Information dated January 1, 1996,
containing further information about the Contracts and the Nationwide Variable
Account-8 has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  You can
obtain a copy without charge from Nationwide Life Insurance Company by calling
the number listed above, or writing P.O. Box 16609, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6609.

INVESTMENTS IN THESE CONTRACTS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY THE ADVISER, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, THE BANK, OR ANY OF
THEIR AFFILIATES.  INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT
INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCY, AND AN INVESTMENT IN THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT MUTUAL FUND OPTIONS INVOLVES
CERTAIN INVESTMENT RISK WHICH MAY INCLUDE THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THE PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

        THE VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS OFFERED UNDER THIS CONTRACT ARE MADE
AVAILABLE TO THE CUSTOMERS OF VARIOUS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.  ALTHOUGH THESE
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS MAY COOPERATE WITH THE COMPANY IN THE MARKETING OF THE
CONTRACTS TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE LAW, SUCH COOPERATION
IN NO WAY IMPLIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE GUARANTEES UNDER THE CONTRACTS, WHICH
ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMPANY; NOR DOES SUCH COOPERATION IN ANY
WAY IMPLY THAT THE ANNUITY CONTRACTS ARE OBLIGATIONS OF THE FINANCIAL
INSTITUTION OR ARE INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.  IN
THE FUTURE, THE COMPANY MAY ADD TO THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT ONE OR MORE UNDERLYING
MUTUAL FUND OPTIONS WHICH ARE MANAGED BY THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THROUGH
WHICH THIS PROSPECTUS WAS OBTAINED.

THESE ADDITIONAL UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND OPTIONS WILL BE EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE   
TO THE CUSTOMERS OF THAT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.  SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS WITH
OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS MAY BE PURSUED BY THE COMPANY.

* The Federated Corporate Bond Fund may invest in lower quality debt securities
  commonly referred to as junk bonds.



                                      1

                                   3 of 85
<PAGE>   4
THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED JANUARY 1, 1996, IS INCORPORATED
HEREIN BY REFERENCE.  THE TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION APPEARS ON PAGE 30 OF THE PROSPECTUS.

               THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS JANUARY 1, 1996.

                                      2

                                   4 of 85






<PAGE>   5
                          GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS

ACCUMULATION UNIT- An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the Variable
Account Contract Value prior to the Annuitization Date.

ANNUITANT- The person actually receiving annuity payments and upon whose
continuation of life any annuity payment involving life contingencies depends.
This person must be age 78 or younger at the time of contract issuance.

ANNUITIZATION DATE- The date on which annuity payments actually commence.

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE- The date on which annuity payments are scheduled to
commence, as originally shown on the Contract Data Page of the Contract unless
changed by the Owner.

ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTION- The method for making annuity payments.  Several
options are available under the Contract.

ANNUITY UNIT- An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the value of
Variable Annuity payments.

BENEFICIARY- The Beneficiary is the person designated to receive certain
benefits under the Contract upon the death of the Designated Annuitant. The
Beneficiary can be changed by the Contract Owner as set forth in the Contract.

CODE- The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY- The Contingent Beneficiary is the person designated to
be the Beneficiary if the named Beneficiary is not living at the time of the
death of the Designated Annuitant.

CONTINGENT DESIGNATED ANNUITANT- The Contingent Designated Annuitant may be the
recipient of certain rights or benefits under this Contract when the Designated
Annuitant dies before the Annuitization Date. If a Contingent Designated
Annuitant is named in the application, all provisions of the Contract which are
based on the death of the Designated Annuitant will be based on the death of
the last survivor of the Designated Annuitant and the Contingent Designated
Annuitant. The Owner's right to name a Contingent Designated Annuitant may be
restricted under the provisions of any retirement or deferred compensation plan
for which this Contract is issued.

CONTINGENT OWNER- A Contingent Owner succeeds to the rights of Contract Owner
upon the Contract Owner's death before Annuitization. For contracts issued in
the State of New York, references throughout this prospectus to "Contingent
Owner" shall mean "Owner's Beneficiary."

CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY- An anniversary of the Date of Issue of the Contract.

CONTRACT OWNER (OWNER)- The Contract Owner is the person who possesses all
rights under the Contract, including the right to designate and change any
designations of the Contingent Owner, Designated Annuitant, Contingent
Designated Annuitant, Beneficiary, Contingent Beneficiary, Annuity Payment
Option, and the Annuity Commencement Date.

CONTRACT VALUE- The sum of the Variable Account Contract Value and the Fixed
Account Contract Value.

CONTRACT YEAR- Each year commencing with the Date of Issue, and each Contract
Anniversary thereafter shall be a Contract Year.

DATE OF ISSUE- The date shown as the Date of Issue on the Contract Data Page of
the Contract.

DEATH BENEFIT- The benefit payable upon the death of the Designated Annuitant.
This benefit does not apply upon the death of the Contract Owner when the Owner
and Designated Annuitant are not the same person.  If the Annuitant dies after
the Annuitization Date, any benefit that may be payable shall be as specified
in the Annuity Payment Option elected.

DESIGNATED ANNUITANT- The person designated prior to the Annuitization Date to
receive annuity payments.  No change of Designated Annuitant may be made
without the prior consent of the Company.

FIXED ACCOUNT- The Fixed Account is made up of all assets of the Company other
than those in any segregated asset account.

                                      3

                                   5 of 85
<PAGE>   6
FIXED ANNUITY- An annuity providing for payments which are guaranteed by the
Company as to dollar amount during the annuity payment period.

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITY- An annuity which qualifies for treatment under
Section 408 of the Internal Revenue Code.

INTEREST RATE GUARANTEE PERIOD- An Interest Rate Guarantee Period is the
interval of time in which an interest rate credited to the Fixed Account under
the Contract is guaranteed to remain the same.  For Purchase Payments into the
Fixed Account or transfers from the Variable Account, this period begins upon
the date of deposit or transfer and ends at the end of the calendar quarter at
least one year from deposit or transfer.  At the end of an Interest Rate
Guarantee Period, a new interest rate is declared with an Interest Rate
Guarantee Period starting at the end of the prior period and ending at the end
of the calendar quarter one year later.

MUTUAL FUND- The registered management investment companies in which the assets
of the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account will be invested.

NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS- Contracts not issued to Qualified Plans or Tax
Sheltered Annuity Plans, or as Individual Retirement Annuities or Tax Sheltered
Annuities.

NON-QUALIFIED PLANS- Retirement Plans which do not receive favorable tax
treatment under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

PLAN PARTICIPANT- The Plan Participant is the person for whom contributions are
being made to a Qualified Plan or Tax Sheltered Annuity either through employer
contributions or employee salary reduction contributions.

QUALIFIED CONTRACTS- Contracts issued under Qualified Plans.

QUALIFIED PLANS- Retirement Plans which receive favorable tax treatment under
the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, including those described in
Section 401 and 403(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

TAX SHELTERED ANNUITY- An annuity which qualifies for treatment under Section
403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

VALUATION DATE- Each day the New York Stock Exchange and the Company's home
office is open for business or any other day during which there is a sufficient
degree of trading of underlying Mutual Fund shares held by the Variable
Account, such that the current value of Variable Account Accumulation Units
might be materially affected.

VALUATION PERIOD- The period of time commencing at the close of business of the
New York Stock Exchange and ending at the close of business for the next
succeeding Valuation Date.

THE NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-8, a separate investment account of the
Company into which Variable Account Purchase Payments are allocated. The
Variable Account is divided into Sub-Accounts, each of which invests in the
shares of a separate Mutual Fund.

VARIABLE ANNUITY- An annuity providing for payments which vary in amount with
the investment experience of the Variable Account. 

                                      4

                                   6 of 85
<PAGE>   7
                              TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                       <C>
GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS................................................................. 3
SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES.............................................................. 7
SYNOPSIS................................................................................. 10
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION......................................................... N/A
NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY........................................................ 11
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT..................................................................... 11
     Underlying Mutual Fund Options...................................................... 11
     Voting Rights....................................................................... 11
VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES, PURCHASE PAYMENTS, AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS........................ 12
     Mortality Risk Charge............................................................... 12
     Expense Risk Charge................................................................. 12
     Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.................................................... 12
     Elimination of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge..................................... 13
     Contract Maintenance Charge and Administration Charge............................... 14
     Premium Taxes....................................................................... 14
     Expenses of Variable Account........................................................ 14
     Investments of the Variable Account................................................. 14
     Right to Revoke..................................................................... 14
     Transfers........................................................................... 15
     Assignment.......................................................................... 15
     Loan Privilege...................................................................... 16
     Beneficiary Provisions.............................................................. 17
     Ownership Provisions................................................................ 17
     Substitution of Securities.......................................................... 17
     Contract Owner Inquiries............................................................ 18
ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD-VARIABLE ACCOUNT.................................................. 18
     Value of an Annuity Unit............................................................ 18
     Assumed Investment Rate............................................................. 18
     Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments............................................ 18
     Annuity Commencement Date........................................................... 18
     Change in Annuity Commencement Date................................................. 18
     Change in Form of Annuity........................................................... 19
     Annuity Payment Options............................................................. 19
     Death of Contract Owner............................................................. 19
     Death Benefit at Death of Designated Annuitant Prior to the Annuitization Date...... 20
     Death Benefit After the Annuitization Date.......................................... 20
     Required Distribution for Qualified Plans or Tax Sheltered Annuities................ 20
     Required Distributions for Individual Retirement Annuities.......................... 21
     Generation-Skipping Transfers....................................................... 22
GENERAL INFORMATION...................................................................... 22
     Contract Owner Services............................................................. 22
     Statements and Reports.............................................................. 23
     Allocation of Purchase Payments and Contract Value.................................. 23
     Value of a Variable Account Accumulation Unit....................................... 24
     Net Investment Factor............................................................... 24
     Valuation of Assets................................................................. 24
     Determining the Contract Value...................................................... 24
     Surrender (Redemption).............................................................. 25
     Surrenders Under a Qualified Plan or Tax Sheltered Annuity Contract................. 25
     Taxes............................................................................... 26
     Non-Qualified Contracts............................................................. 27
     Diversification..................................................................... 28
     Charge for Tax Provisions........................................................... 28
     Qualified Plans, Individual Retirement Annuities, Individual Retirement Accounts 
       and Tax Sheltered Annuities....................................................... 28
</TABLE>

                                      5

                                   7 of 85
<PAGE>   8
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                              <C>
        Advertising............................................................. 28
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS............................................................... 30
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION........................ 30
APPENDIX A...................................................................... 31
APPENDIX B...................................................................... 33
</TABLE>

                                      6

                                   8 of 85
<PAGE>   9
                         SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES

CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
                                                               7%
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge(1) ................. ---
                                                             
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
        RANGE OF CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE OVER TIME

Number of Completed Years from          Contingent Deferred Sales Load
   Date of Purchase Payment                       Percentage
<S>                                     <C>
            0                                         7%
            1                                         6%
            2                                         5%
            3                                         4%
            4                                         3%
            5                                         2%
            6                                         1%
            7                                         0%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                                              $30
MAXIMUM ANNUAL CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE(2) ............. ------ 
                                                            
VARIABLE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES                             1.25%
        Mortality and Expense Risk Charges ................ ------ 
                                                             0.05%
        Administration Charge ............................. ------ 
                                                             1.30%
          Total Variable Account Annual Expenses .......... ------ 
                                                            

1       Starting with the second year after a purchase payment has been made,
        10% of that purchase payment may be withdrawn without imposition of 
        a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. This free withdrawal privilege is 
        non-cumulative and must be used in the year available. Under current 
        Company administrative practice the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge 
        is waived for: (1) first year withdrawals of up to 10% of each 
        purchase payment under Individual Retirement Annuity Contracts
        (IRAs as defined under Section 408 of the Internal Revenue Code of
        1986) issued on or after March 1, 1993, or (2) for distributions
        required for the Contract to meet minimum distribution rules.
        Withdrawals may be restricted for Contracts issued pursuant to the
        terms of a Tax Sheltered Annuity or other Qualified Plan.  The
        Contingent Deferred Sales Charge is imposed only against purchase
        payments (see "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge"). 

2       The annual Contract Maintenance Charge is deducted on each Contract
        Anniversary and in any year in which the entire Contract Value
        is surrendered on the date of Surrender (see "Contract Maintenance
        Charge and Administration Charge").
        
                                      7

                                   9 of 85
<PAGE>   10
                   UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES(3)
            (AS A PERCENTAGE OF UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND NET ASSETS)

<TABLE>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                              Management     Other Expenses     Total Portfolio
                                                  Fees                          Company Expenses
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
<S>                                            <C>             <C>                 <C>
AIM V.I. - Capital Appreciation Fund            0.65%           0.19%               0.84%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federated - Corporate Bond Fund                 0.60%           0.20%               0.80%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP-Equity-Income Portfolio            0.52%           0.06%               0.58%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio               0.77%           0.15%               0.92%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS(R) - Emerging Growth Series                 0.75%           0.51%               1.26%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS(R) - Total Return Series                    0.71%           0.05%               0.76%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT - Government Bond Fund                     0.50%           0.01%               0.51%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT - Money Market Fund                        0.50%           0.04%               0.54%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

3       The Mutual Fund expenses shown above are assessed at the underlying
        Mutual Fund level and are not direct charges against Variable
        Account assets or reductions from contract values.  These underlying
        Mutual Fund expenses are taken into consideration in computing each
        underlying Mutual Fund's net asset value, which is the share price used
        to calculate the unit values of the Variable Account.

                                      8

                                   10 of 85
<PAGE>   11
                                   EXAMPLE

The following chart depicts the dollar amount of expenses that would be
incurred under this Contract assuming a $1000 investment and 5% annual return.
These dollar figures are illustrative only and should not be considered a
representation of past or future expenses.  Actual expenses may be greater or
lesser than those shown below.  The expense amounts presented are derived from
a formula which allows the $30 Contract Maintenance Charge to be expressed as a
percentage of the average Contract account size for existing Contracts.  Since
the average Contract account size for Contracts issued under this prospectus is
greater than $1000, the expense effect of the Contract Maintenance Charge is
reduced accordingly.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      If you surrender your             If you do not surrender           If you annuitize your
                                      Contract at the end of            your Contract at the end          Contract at the end of
                                       the applicable time               of the applicable time             the applicable time
                                             period                              period                           period            
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                1 Yr.  3 Yrs.  5 Yrs.  10 Yrs.     1 Yr.   3 Yrs.  5 Yrs.  10 Yrs.    1 Yr.  3 Yrs.  5 Yrs.  10 Yrs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>          <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>
AIM V.I. - Capital
Appreciation Fund                92     114     146     255         22      69     119     255          *      69     119     255
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federated - Corporate 
Bond Fund                        92     113     144     250         22      68     117     250          *      68     117     250
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP-Equity-
Income Portfolio                 90     106     132     227         20      61     105     227          *      61     105     227
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP - Overseas 
Portfolio                        93     117     150     263         23      72     123     263          *      72     123     263
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS(R) - Emerging
Growth Series                    97     128     168     299         27      83     141     299          *      83     141     299
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS(R) - Total
Return Series                    92     112     141     246         22      67     114     246          *      67     114     246
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT - Government 
Bond Fund                        89     104     128     219         19      59     101     219          *      59     101     219
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT - Money Market 
Fund                             89     105     130     222         19      60     103     222          *      60     103     222
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
*The Contracts sold under this Prospectus do not permit annuitizations during
 the first two Contract years.
</TABLE>

The purpose of the Summary of Contract Expenses and Example is to assist the
Contract Owner in understanding the various costs and expenses that a Contract
Owner will bear directly or indirectly when investing in the Contract.  The
expenses of the Nationwide Variable Account-8 as well as those of the
underlying Mutual Fund options are reflected in the Example.  For more and
complete descriptions of the expenses of the Variable Account, see "Variable
Account Charges, Purchase Payments, and Other Deductions."  For more and
complete information regarding expenses paid out of the assets of the
underlying Mutual Fund options, see the underlying Mutual Fund prospectuses.
Deductions for premium taxes may also apply but are not reflected in the
Example shown above (see "Premium Taxes").

                                      9

                                   11 of 85
<PAGE>   12
                                   SYNOPSIS

        The Company does not deduct a sales charge from purchase payments made
for these Contracts.  However, if any part of the Contract Value of such
Contracts is surrendered, the Company will, with certain exceptions, deduct
from the Contract Owner's Contract Value a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge not
to exceed 7% of the lesser of the total of all purchase payments made within 84
months prior to the date of the request to surrender, or the amount
surrendered.  This charge, when applicable, is imposed to permit the Company to
recover sales expenses which have been advanced by the Company (see "Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge").

        In addition, on each Contract Anniversary the Company will deduct an
annual Contract Maintenance Charge from the Contract Value of the Contracts.
The Company will also assess an Administration Charge equal to an annual rate
of 0.05% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account.  These charges
are to reimburse the Company for administrative expenses related to the issue
and maintenance of the Contracts.  The Company does not expect to recover from
these charges an amount in excess of accumulated administrative expenses (see
"Contract Maintenance Charge and Administration Charge").

        The Company deducts a Mortality Risk Charge equal to an annual rate of
0.80% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account for mortality risk
assumed by the Company (see "Mortality Risk Charge").

        The Company deducts an Expense Risk Charge equal to an annual rate of
0.45% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account as compensation for
the Company's risk by undertaking not to increase administrative charges on the
Contracts regardless of the actual administrative costs (see "Expense Risk
Charge").

        The initial first year purchase payment must be at least $1,500 for
Non-Qualified Contracts.  However, if periodic payments are expected by the
Company, this initial first year minimum may be satisfied by purchase payments
made on an annualized basis.  The cumulative total of all purchase payments
under a Contract may not exceed $1,000,000 without the prior consent of the
Company (see "Allocation of Purchase Payments and Contract Value").

        If the Contract Value at the Annuitization Date is less than $500, the
Contract Value may be distributed in one lump sum in lieu of annuity payments.
If any annuity payment would be less than $20, the Company shall have the right
to change the frequency of payments to such intervals as will result in
payments of at least $20 (see "Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments").

        Premium taxes payable to any governmental entity will be charged
against the Contracts.  If any such premium taxes are payable at the time
purchase payments are made, the premium tax deduction will be made from the
Contract prior to allocation to any underlying Mutual Fund option (see "Premium
Taxes").

        To be sure that the Contract Owner is satisfied with the Contract, the
Contract Owner has a ten day free look.  Within ten days of the date the
Contract is received, it may be returned to the home office of the Company, at
the address shown on page 1 of this Prospectus.  When the Contract is received
by the Company, the Company will void the Contract and refund the Contract
Value in full unless otherwise required by state and/or federal law.  All
Individual Retirement Annuity refunds will be return of purchase payments (see
"Right to Revoke").

                                      10

                                   12 of 85
<PAGE>   13
                      NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

        The Company is a stock life insurance company organized under the laws
of the State of Ohio in March 1929.  The Company is a member of the "Nationwide
Insurance Enterprise," with its home office at One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus,
Ohio 43216-6609.  The Company offers a complete line of life insurance,
including annuities and accident and health insurance.  It is admitted to do
business in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and in all states.

                             THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

        The Variable Account was established by the Company on August 3, 1995,
pursuant to the provisions of Ohio law.  The Company has caused the Variable
Account to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a unit
investment trust pursuant to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of
1940.  Such registration does not involve supervision of the management of the
Variable Account or the Company by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        The Variable Account is a separate investment account of the Company
and as such, is not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other
business the Company may conduct.  The Company does not guarantee the
investment performance of the Variable Account.  Obligations under the
Contracts, however, are obligations of the Company.  Income, gains and losses,
whether or not realized, from the assets of the Variable Account are, in
accordance with the Contracts, credited to or charged against the Variable
Account without regard to other income, gains, or losses of the Company.

        Purchase payments are allocated within the Variable Account among one
or more sub-accounts made up of shares in the underlying Mutual Fund option(s)
designated by the Contract Owner.  There are two sub-accounts within the
Variable Account for each of the underlying Mutual Fund options which may be
designated by the Contract Owner.  One such sub-account contains the underlying
Mutual Funds shares attributable to Accumulation Units under Qualified
Contracts and one such sub-account contains the underlying Mutual Funds shares
attributable to Accumulation Units under Non-Qualified Contracts.

UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND OPTIONS

        Contract Owners may choose from among a number of different underlying
Mutual Fund options.  (See Appendix B which contains a summary of investment
objectives for each underlying Mutual Fund option.)  More detailed information
may be found in the current prospectus for each underlying Mutual Fund offered.
Such a prospectus for the Mutual Fund option(s) being considered must accompany
this Prospectus and should be read in conjunction herewith.  A copy of each
prospectus may be obtained without charge from Nationwide Life Insurance
Company by calling 1-800-243-6295, TDD 1-800-238-3035, or writing P.O. Box
16609, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6609.

        The underlying Mutual Fund options may also be available to registered
separate accounts offering variable annuity and variable life products of other
participating insurance companies, as well as to the Variable Account and other
separate accounts of the Company.  Although the Company does not anticipate any
disadvantages to this, there is a possibility that a material conflict may
arise between the interest of the Variable Account and one or more of the other
separate accounts participating in the underlying Mutual Funds.  A conflict may
occur due to a change in law affecting the operations of variable life and
variable annuity separate accounts, differences in the voting instructions of
the Contract Owners and those of other companies, or some other reason.  In the
event of conflict, the Company will take any steps necessary to protect
Contract Owners and variable annuity payees, including withdrawal of the
Variable Account from participation in the underlying Mutual Fund or Mutual
Funds which are involved in the conflict.

VOTING RIGHTS

        Voting rights under the Contracts apply ONLY with respect to purchase
payments or accumulated amounts allocated to the Variable Account.

        In accordance with its view of present applicable law, the Company will
vote the shares of the underlying Mutual Funds held in the Variable Account at
regular and special meetings of the shareholders of the underlying Mutual Funds
in accordance with instructions received from persons whose Contract Value is
measured by units in the Variable Account.  However, if the Investment Company
Act of 1940 or any Regulation thereunder should be amended or if the present
interpretation thereof should change, and as a

                                      11

                                   13 of 85
<PAGE>   14
result the Company determines that it is permitted to vote the shares of the
underlying Mutual Funds in its own right, it may elect to do so.

        The person having the voting interest under a Contract shall be the
Contract Owner.  The number of shares held in the Variable Account which is
attributable to each Contract Owner is determined by dividing the Contract
Owner's interest in the Variable Account by the net asset value of the
applicable share of the underlying Mutual Funds.

        The number of shares held in the Variable Account which is attributable
to each Contract is determined by dividing the reserve for such Contract by the
net asset value of one share.

        The number of shares which a person has the right to vote will be
determined as of the date to be chosen by the Company not more than 90 days
prior to the meeting of the underlying Mutual Fund and voting instructions will
be solicited by written communication at least 21 days prior to such meeting.

        Underlying Mutual Fund shares held in the Variable Account as to which
no timely instructions are received will be voted by the Company in the same
proportion as the voting instructions which are received with respect to all
Contracts participating in the Variable Account.

        Each person having the voting interest in the Variable Account will
receive periodic reports relating to the underlying Mutual Fund, proxy material
and a form with which to give such voting instructions with respect to the
proportion of the underlying Mutual Fund shares held in the Variable Account
corresponding to his or her interest in the Variable Account.

      VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES, PURCHASE PAYMENTS, AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS

MORTALITY RISK CHARGE

        The Company assumes a "mortality risk" that variable annuity payments
will not be affected by the death rates of persons receiving such payments or
of the general population by virtue of annuity rates incorporated in the
Contract which cannot be changed.

        For assuming this mortality risk, the Company deducts a Mortality Risk
Charge from the Variable Account.  This amount is computed on a daily basis,
and is equal to an annual rate of 0.80% of the daily net asset value of the
Variable Account.  The Company expects to generate a profit through assessing
this charge.

EXPENSE RISK CHARGE

        The Company will not increase charges for administration of the
Contracts regardless of its actual expenses. For assuming this expense risk,
the Company deducts an Expense Risk Charge from the Variable Account.  This
amount is computed on a daily basis, and is equal to an annual rate of 0.45% of
the daily net asset value of the Variable Account. The Company expects to
generate a profit through assessing this charge.

CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

        No deduction for a sales charge is made from the purchase payments for
these Contracts.  However, the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, referred to
below, when it is applicable, will be used to cover expenses relating to the
sale of the Contracts, including commissions paid to sales personnel, the costs
of preparation of sales literature and other promotional activity. The Company
attempts to recover its distribution costs relating to the sale of the
Contracts from the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.  Any shortfall will be
made up from the General Account of the Company, which may indirectly include
portions of the Mortality and Expense Risk Charges, since the Company expects
to generate a profit from these charges.  The maximum amount that may be paid
to a selling agent on the sale of these Contracts is 5.25% of purchase
payments.

        If part or all of the Contract Value is surrendered, a Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge will be made by the Company. For purposes of the
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, surrenders under a Contract come first from
the purchase payments which have been on deposit under the Contract for the
longest time period.  (For tax purposes, a surrender is treated as a withdrawal
of earnings first.) This charge will apply in the amounts set forth below to
purchase payments within the time periods set forth. In no event will any
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge be made against any values which have been
held under the Contract for at least 84 months, or to commencement of an
annuity payout under Contracts which have been in effect for at least two years
or upon the death of the Designated Annuitant.

                                      12

                                   14 of 85
<PAGE>   15
        The Contingent Deferred Sales Charge applies to purchase payments as
follows for Contracts issued on or after December 15, 1988:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



NUMBER OF COMPLETED     CONTINGENT DEFERRED     NUMBER OF COMPLETED     CONTINGENT DEFERRED
YEARS FROM DATE OF         SALES CHARGE         YEARS FROM DATE OF         SALES CHARGE
 PURCHASE PAYMENT           PERCENTAGE           PURCHASE PAYMENT           PERCENTAGE
<S>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>
        0                       7%                      4                       3%
        1                       6%                      5                       2%
        2                       5%                      6                       1%
        3                       4%                      7                       0%
</TABLE>
 
       Starting with the second year after a purchase payment has been made
under the Contract, 10% of that purchase payment may be withdrawn each year
without imposition of the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. This free
withdrawal privilege is non-cumulative and will not exceed 10% of the purchase
payment in any year.  Under current Company administrative practice the
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge is waived for either:  (1) first year
withdrawals of up to 10% of each purchase payment under Individual Retirement
Annuity contracts (IRAs as defined under Section 408 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986) issued on or after March 1, 1993, or (2) for distributions
required for the Contract to meet minimum distribution rules.  Withdrawals may
be restricted for Contracts issued pursuant to the terms of a Tax Sheltered
Annuity or other Qualified Plan.  No sales charges are deducted on redemption
proceeds that are transferred to the Fixed Account option of this annuity.

        For Contracts issued prior to December 15, 1988, a Contingent Deferred
Sales charge will be made by the Company equal to 5% of the lesser of the total
of all purchase payments made within 96 months prior to the date of the request
for surrender, or the amount surrendered.  For Contracts issued prior to
December 15, 1988 the Contract Owner may, after the first year from the date of
each purchase payment, withdraw without a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, up
to 5% of that purchase payment for each year that the purchase payment has
remained on deposit (less the amount of such purchase payment previously
surrendered free of charge).

ELIMINATION OF CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

        For Tax Sheltered Annuity Contracts issued on or after December 17,
1990 and Qualified Contracts sold in conjunction with 401 cases sold on or
after January 14, 1991, the Company will waive the Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge when:

        A.      the Plan Participant experiences a case of hardship (as 
                provided in Code Section 403(b) and as defined for purposes of 
                Code Section 401(k));

        B.      the Plan Participant becomes disabled (within the meaning of 
                Code Section 72(m)(7));

        C.      the Plan Participant attains age 59-1/2 and has participated in 
                the Contract for at least 5 years, as determined from the 
                Contract Anniversary date;

        D.      the Plan Participant has participated in the Contract for at 
                least 15 years as determined from the Contract Anniversary date;

        E.      the Plan Participant dies; or

        F.      the Contract is annuitized after 2 years from the inception of 
                the Contract.

        For Non-Qualified Contracts and IRA Contracts other than SEP-IRA
Contracts, the Company will waive the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge when:

        A.      the Designated Annuitant dies; or

        B.      the Contract Owner annuitizes after 2 years in the Contract.

        When a Contract described in this Prospectus is exchanged for another
Contract issued by the Company, of the type and class which the Company
determined is eligible for such exchange, the Company will waive the Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge on the first Contract.

        In no event will elimination of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges be
permitted where such elimination will be unfairly discriminatory to any person,
or where it is prohibited by state law.

                                      13

                                   15 of 85
<PAGE>   16
CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE AND ADMINISTRATION CHARGE

        Each year on the Contract Anniversary, the Company deducts an annual
Contract Maintenance Charge from the Contract Value to reimburse it for
administrative expenses relating to the issuance and maintenance of the
Contract.  The Contract Maintenance Charge is $30 for Non-Qualified Plans and
Individual Retirement Annuities.  For Qualified Contracts or Tax Sheltered
Annuities, the Contract Maintenance Charge is $12 or $0 per contract.  The
charge is determined based on Company underwriting guidelines.  These
guidelines are applied on a nondiscriminatory basis.  The Contract Maintenance
Charge will be allocated between the Fixed Account and Variable Account in the
same percentages as the purchase payment investment allocations are to the
Fixed Account and Variable Account.  The Company also assesses an
Administration Charge equal on an annual basis to 0.05% of the daily net asset
value of the Variable Account.  The deduction of the Administration Charge is
made from each sub-account in the same proportion that the Contract Value in
each sub-account bears to the total Contract Value in the Variable Account.
These charges are designed only to reimburse the Company for administrative
expenses and the Company will monitor these charges to ensure that they do not
exceed annual administration expenses.  In any Contract Year when a Contract is
surrendered for its full value on other than the Contract Anniversary, the
Contract Maintenance Charge will be deducted at the time of such surrender.
The amount of the Contract Maintenance Charge may not be increased by the
Company.  In no event will reduction or elimination of the Contract Maintenance
Charge be permitted where such reduction or elimination will be unfairly
discriminatory to any person, or where it is prohibited by state law.

PREMIUM TAXES

        The Company will charge against the Contract Value the amount of any
premium taxes levied by a state or any other governmental entity upon purchase
payments received by the Company.  To the best of the Company's present
knowledge, premium taxes currently imposed by certain jurisdictions range from
0% to 3.5%.  This range is subject to change.  The method used to recoup
premium tax expense will be determined by the Company at its sole discretion
and in compliance with applicable state law.  The Company currently deducts
such charges from a Contract Owner's Contract Value either: (1) at the time the
Contract is surrendered, (2) at annuitization, or (3) in those states which
require, at the time purchase payments are made to the Contract.

EXPENSES OF VARIABLE ACCOUNT

        Expenses of the Variable Account include:  (1) administrative expenses
relating to the issuance and maintenance of the Contracts; (2) mortality
expenses relating to the guarantee of annuity purchase rates at issue for the
life of the Contracts and the payment of minimum death benefits regardless of
the investment experience of the Variable Account; and (3) expenses associated
with the risk assumed by the Company in guaranteeing that the Contract
Maintenance Charge and the administrative fee will not be increased regardless
of the actual administrative expenses of the Company.

        Deduction from and expenses paid out of the assets of the underlying
Mutual Funds are described in each of the underlying Mutual Fund's prospectus.

INVESTMENTS OF THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

        At the time of purchase each Contract Owner elects to have purchase
payments attributable to his or her participation in the Variable Account
allocated among one or more of the sub-accounts which consist of shares in the
underlying Mutual Fund options.  Shares of the respective underlying Mutual
Fund options specified by the Contract Owner are purchased at net asset value
for the respective sub-account(s) and converted into Accumulation Units.  At
the time of application, the Contract Owner designates the underlying Mutual
Funds to which he or she desires to have purchase payments allocated.  Such
election is subject to any minimum purchase payment limitations which may be
imposed by the underlying Mutual Funds designated.  The Contract Owner may
change the election as to allocation of purchase payments or may elect to
exchange amounts among the sub-account options pursuant to such terms and
conditions applicable to such transactions as may be imposed by each of the
underlying Mutual Fund options, in addition to those set forth in the
Contracts.

RIGHT TO REVOKE

        The Contract Owner may revoke the Contract at any time between the date
of application and the date 10 days after receipt of the Contract and receive a
refund of the Contract Value unless otherwise required by state and/or federal
law.  All Individual Retirement Annuity refunds will be return of purchase
payments.  In

                                      14

                                   16 of 85
<PAGE>   17
order to revoke the Contract, it must be mailed or delivered to the home office
of the Company at the mailing address shown on page 1 of this Prospectus. 
Mailing or delivery must occur on or before 10 days after receipt of the
Contract for revocation to be effective.  In order to revoke the Contract, if
it has not been received, written notice must be mailed or delivered to the
home office of the Company at the mailing address shown on page 1 of this
Prospectus.

        The liability of the Variable Account under this provision is limited
to the Contract Value in each sub-account on the date of revocation.  Any
additional amounts refunded to the Contract Owner will be paid by the Company.

TRANSFERS

        The Owner may request a transfer of up to 100% of the Contract Value
from the Variable Account to the Fixed Account.  No penalty shall be assessed
with respect to any such transfer.  All amounts transferred to the Fixed
Account must remain on deposit in the Fixed Account until the expiration of the
Interest Rate Guarantee Period.  The Interest Rate Guarantee Period expires on
the final day of a calendar quarter during which the one year anniversary of
the allocation to the Fixed Account occurs.  The Owner's value in each
sub-account will be determined as of the date the transfer request is received
in the home office in good order.  The Company reserves the right to restrict
transfers from the Variable Account to the Fixed Account to 25% of the Contract
Value for any 12 month period.

        The Owner may at the maturity of an Interest Rate Guarantee Period,
transfer a portion of the value of the Fixed Account to the Variable Account.
The maximum percentage that may be transferred from the Fixed Account to the
Variable Account will be determined by the Company, at its sole discretion, but
will not be less than 10% of the total value of the portion of the Fixed
Account that is maturing and will be declared upon the expiration date of the
then current Interest Rate Guarantee Period. The specific percentage will be
declared upon the expiration date of the guaranteed period.  Transfers from the
Fixed Account must be made within 45 days after the expiration date of the
guarantee period.  Owners who have entered into a Dollar Cost Averaging
agreement with the Company (see "Dollar Cost Averaging") may transfer from the
Fixed Account to the Variable Account under the terms of that agreement.

        Transfers from the Fixed Account may not be made prior to the first
Contract Anniversary.  Transfers must also be made prior to the Annuitization
Date.

        Transfers among the sub-accounts may be made either in writing or, in
states allowing such transfers, by telephone.  This telephone exchange
privilege is made available to Contract Owners automatically without their
having to elect this privilege.  The Company will employ reasonable procedures
to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine.  Such
procedures may include any or all of the following, or such other procedures as
the Company may, from time to time, deem reasonable:  requesting identifying
information, such as name, contract number, Social Security number, and/or
personal identification number; tape recording all telephone transactions; and
providing written confirmation thereof to both the Contract Owner and any agent
of record, at the last address of record. The Company will not be liable for
following instructions communicated by telephone which it reasonably believes
to be genuine.  Any losses incurred pursuant to actions taken by the Company in
reliance on telephone instructions reasonably believed to be genuine shall be
borne by the Contract Owner.  The Company may withdraw the telephone exchange
privilege upon 30 days' written notice to the Contract Owners.

ASSIGNMENT

        Where permitted, the Contract Owner may assign the Contract at any time
during the lifetime of the Designated Annuitant.  Such assignment will take
effect upon receipt by the Company of a written notice thereof executed by the
Contract Owner.  The Company assumes no responsibility for the validity or
sufficiency of any assignment. The Company shall not be liable as to any
payment or other settlement made by the Company before receipt of the
assignment.  Qualified Contracts may not be assigned, pledged or otherwise
transferred except under such conditions as may be allowed by applicable law.

        If this Contract is a Non-Qualified Contract, any portion of Contract
Value attributable to purchase payments made after August 13, 1982, which is
pledged or assigned after August 13, 1982, shall be treated as a distribution
and shall be included in gross income to the extent that the cash value exceeds
the investment in the Contract for the taxable year in which assigned or
pledged.  In addition, any Contract Values assigned may, under certain
conditions, be subject to a tax penalty equal to 10% of the amount which is
included in gross 

                                      15

                                   17 of 85
<PAGE>   18
income.  Individual Retirement Accounts, Individual Retirement Annuities and
Tax Sheltered Annuities are not eligible for assignment.

LOAN PRIVILEGE

        Prior to the Annuitization Date, the Owner of a Qualified Contract or
Tax Sheltered Annuity Contract may receive a loan from the Contract Value
subject to the terms of the Contract, the Plan, and the Internal Revenue Code
("Code"), which impose restrictions on loans.

        Loans from Qualified Contracts or Tax Sheltered Annuities are available
beginning 30 days after the Date of Issue.  The Contract Owner may borrow a
minimum of $1,000.  In non-ERISA plans, for Contract Values up to $20,000, the
maximum loan balance which may be outstanding at any time is 80% of the
Contract Value, but not more than $10,000.  If the Contract Value is $20,000 or
more, the maximum loan balance which may be outstanding at any time is 50% of
the Contract Value, but not more than $50,000.  For ERISA plans, the maximum
loan balance which may be outstanding at any time is 50% of the Contract Value,
but not more than $50,000.  The $50,000 limit will be reduced by the highest
loan balances owed during the prior one-year period.  Additional loans are
subject to the contract minimum amount.  The aggregate of all loans may not
exceed the Contract Value limitations stated above.

        For salary reduction Tax Sheltered Annuities, loans may only be secured
by the Contract Value.  For loans from Qualified Contracts and other Tax
Sheltered Annuities, the Company reserves the right to limit a loan to 50% of
the Contract Value subject to the acceptance by the Contract Owner of the
Company's loan agreement.  Where permitted, the Company may require other named
collateral where the loan from a Contract exceeds 50% of the Contract Value.

        All loans are made from a collateral fixed account.  An amount equal to
the principal amount of the loan will be transferred to the collateral fixed
account.  Unless instructed to the contrary by the Contract Owner, the Company
will first transfer to the collateral fixed account the Variable Account units
from the Contract Owner's investment options in proportion to the assets in
each option until the required balance is reached or all such variable units
are exhausted.  The remaining required collateral will next be transferred from
the Fixed Account.  No withdrawal charges are deducted at the time of the loan,
or on the transfer from the Variable Account to the collateral fixed account.

        Until the loan has been repaid in full, that portion of the collateral
fixed account equal to the outstanding loan balance shall be credited with
interest at a rate 2.25% less than the loan interest rate fixed by the Company
for the term of the loan.  However, the interest rate credited to the
collateral fixed account will never be less than 3.0%.  Specific loan terms are
disclosed at the time of loan application or loan issuance.

        Loans must be repaid in substantially level payments, not less
frequently than quarterly, within five years.  Loans used to purchase the
principal residence of the Contract Owner must be repaid within 15 years.
During the loan term, the outstanding balance of the loan will continue to earn
interest at an annual rate as specified in the loan agreement.  Loan repayments
will consist of principal and interest in amounts set forth in the loan
agreement.  Loan repayments will be allocated between the Fixed and Variable
Accounts in the same proportion as when the loan was made.

        If the Contract is surrendered while the loan is outstanding, the
surrender value will be reduced by the amount of the loan outstanding plus
accrued interest.  If the Contract Owner/Annuitant dies while the loan is
outstanding, the Death Benefit will be reduced by the amount of the loan
outstanding plus accrued interest.  If annuity payments start while the loan is
outstanding, the Contract Value will be reduced by the amount of the
outstanding loan plus accrued interest.  Until the loan is repaid, the Company
reserves the right to restrict any transfer of the Contract which would
otherwise qualify as a transfer as permitted in the Internal Revenue Code.

        If a loan payment is not made when due, interest will continue to
accrue.  The defaulted payment plus accrued interest will be deducted from any
future distribution under the Contract and paid to the Company.  Any loan
payment which is not made when due, plus interest, will be treated as a
distribution, as permitted by law, may be taxable to the borrower, and may be
subject to the early withdrawal tax penalty.

        Loans may also be limited or controlled by the provisions of the
employer's plan.

        Loan repayments must be identified as such or else they will be treated
as purchase payments, and will not be used to reduce the outstanding loan
principal or interest due.  The Company reserves the right to modify the term
or procedures of the loan in the event of a change in the laws or regulations
relating to the treatment 

                                      16

                                   18 of 85
<PAGE>   19
of loans.  The Company also reserves the right to assess a loan processing fee. 
Individual Retirement Annuities, SEP-IRA accounts and Non-Qualified Contracts
are not eligible for loans.

BENEFICIARY PROVISIONS

        Subject to the terms of any existing assignment, the Contract Owner may
change the Beneficiary from time to time during the lifetime of the Designated
Annuitant or Annuitant, by written notice to the Company.  The change will,
upon receipt by the Company at its home office, take effect as of the time the
written notice was signed, whether or not the Designated Annuitant or the
Annuitant is living at the time of recording, but without further liability as
to any payment or settlement made by the Company before receipt of such change.

        Unless otherwise provided in the Contract or in an effective change of
Beneficiary designation, all rights and interests of any Beneficiary
predeceasing the Designated Annuitant or the Annuitant shall vest in the
Contingent Beneficiary if designated.  If a Contingent Beneficiary is not
designated or predeceases the Beneficiary, all rights and interests of the
Beneficiary will vest in the Contract Owner or the Contract Owner's estate.

        The Beneficiary will be the designated person or persons who survive
the Designated Annuitant, and if more than one survive, they will share equally
unless otherwise specified in the Beneficiary designation.  In the event that
the Beneficiary dies before the Designated Annuitant or Annuitant, the
Contingent Beneficiary will become the Beneficiary.

OWNERSHIP PROVISIONS

        Unless otherwise provided, the Contract Owner has all rights under the
Contract.  IF THE PURCHASER NAMES SOMEONE OTHER THAN HIMSELF OR HERSELF AS
OWNER, THE PURCHASER WILL HAVE NO RIGHTS UNDER THE CONTRACT.  The Annuitant may
become the Contract Owner on and after the Annuitization Date subject to the
terms of the Annuity Payment Option elected.  If the Owner dies prior to the
Annuitization Date, Contract ownership will be determined in accordance with
the "Death of Contract Owner" provision.  If the Designated Annuitant does not
survive the Contract Owner or if the Designated Annuitant and the Owner are the
same person, Contract ownership will be determined in accordance with the
"Death Benefit At Death Of Designated Annuitant Prior To The Annuitization
Date" provision.  After the Annuitization Date ownership will be based on the
Annuity Payment Option selected.  Ownership rights under this Contract may be
restricted under the provisions of the retirement or deferred compensation plan
under which this Contract may be issued.

        Prior to the Annuitization Date, the Contract Owner may name a new
Contract Owner at any time, but such change may be subject to state and federal
gift taxes and may be treated as an assignment of the Contract for income tax
purposes.  Such an assignment would result in a deemed distribution of the
value of the Contract.  Any new choice of Contract Owner will automatically
revoke any prior choice of Contract Owner.  Any request for change must be: (1)
made in writing; and (2) received by the Company at its home office.  A request
for change of Contract Owner must be a "Proper Written Application" and may
include a signature guarantee as specified in the "Surrender" section.  The
change will become effective as of the date the written request is signed.  A
new choice of Contract Owner will not apply to any payment made or action taken
by the Company prior to the time it was received.

        A change in the Designated Annuitant will have the following
conditions: (1) request for such change must be made by the Contract Owner; (2)
request must be made in writing on a form acceptable to the Company; (3)
request must be signed by the Contract Owner; and (4) such change is subject to
underwriting and approval by the Company.

SUBSTITUTION OF SECURITIES

        If the shares of the underlying Mutual Fund options described in this
Prospectus should no longer be available for investment by the Variable Account
or if, in the judgment of the Company's management, further investment in such
underlying Mutual Fund shares should become inappropriate in view of the
purposes of the Contract, the Company may substitute shares of another
underlying Mutual Fund for underlying Mutual Fund shares already purchased or
to be purchased in the future with purchase payments under the Contract.  No
substitution of securities in the Variable Account may take place without prior
approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and under such requirements
as it may impose.

                                      17

                                   19 of 85
<PAGE>   20
CONTRACT OWNER INQUIRIES

        Contract Owner inquiries may be directed to Nationwide Life Insurance
Company by writing P.O. Box 16609, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6609, or calling
1-800-243-6295, TDD 1-800-238-3035.

                   ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD-VARIABLE ACCOUNT

        At the Annuitization Date the Variable Account Contract Value is
applied to the Annuity Payment Option elected in accordance with the Annuity
Table in the Contract.

        Subsequent Variable Annuity payments vary in amount in accordance with
the investment performance of the Variable Account.  The dollar amount of the
first annuity payment determined as above is divided by the value of an Annuity
Unit as of the Annuitization Date to establish the number of Annuity Units
representing each monthly annuity payment.  This number of Annuity Units
remains fixed during the annuity payment period. The dollar amount of the
second and subsequent payments is not predetermined and may change from month
to month. The dollar amount of each subsequent payment is determined by
multiplying the fixed number of Annuity Units by the Annuity Unit Value for the
Valuation Period in which the payment is due. The Company guarantees that the
dollar amount of each payment after the first will not be affected by
variations in mortality experience from mortality assumptions used to determine
the first payment.

VALUE OF AN ANNUITY UNIT

        The value of an Annuity Unit was arbitrarily set initially at $10 when
the first underlying Mutual Fund shares were purchased.  The value of an
Annuity Unit for a sub-account for any subsequent Valuation Period is
determined by multiplying the Annuity Unit Value for the immediately preceding
Valuation Period by the Net Investment Factor for the Valuation Period for
which the Annuity Unit Value is being calculated, and multiplying the result by
an interest factor to neutralize the assumed investment rate of 3.5% per annum
built into the Annuity Tables contained in the Contracts (see "Net Investment
Factor).

ASSUMED INVESTMENT RATE

        A 3.5% Assumed Investment Rate is built into the Annuity Tables
contained in the Contracts.  A higher assumption would mean a higher initial
payment but more slowly rising or more rapidly falling subsequent payments.  A
lower assumption would have the opposite effect.  If the actual investment rate
is at the annual rate of 3.5%, the annuity payments will be level.

FREQUENCY AND AMOUNT OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS

        Annuity payments will be paid as monthly installments.  However, if the
net amount available to apply under any Annuity Payment Option is less than
$500, the Company shall have the right to pay such amount in one lump sum in
lieu of the payments otherwise provided for.  In addition, if the payments
provided for would be or become less than $20, the Company shall have the right
to change the frequency of payments to such intervals as will result in
payments of at least $20.

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE

        The Contract Owner selects an Annuity Commencement Date at the time of
Application.  Such date must be the first day of a calendar month and must be
at least 2 years after the Date of Issue. In the event the Contract is issued
subject to the terms of a Qualified Plan, Annuitization may occur during the
first 2 years subject to approval by the Company.

CHANGE IN ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE

        The Contract Owner may, upon prior written notice to the Company,
change the Annuity Commencement Date.  The date to which such a change may be
made shall be the first day of a calendar month.

        If the Contract Owner requests in writing (see "Ownership Provisions"),
and the Company approves the request, the Annuity Commencement Date may be
deferred.  No further changes in the Designated Annuitant will be permitted
under the Contract.  The amount of the Death Benefit will be limited to the
Contract Value if the Annuity Commencement Date is postponed beyond the first
day of the calendar month after the Designated Annuitant's 75th birthday or
such other Annuity Commencement Date provided under the Contract Owner's
Qualified Plan.

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CHANGE IN FORM OF ANNUITY

        The Contract Owner may, upon prior written notice to the Company, at
any time prior to the Annuitization Date, elect one of the Annuity Payment
Options.

ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTIONS

        Any of the following Annuity Payment Options may be elected:
        
        Option 1-Life Annuity-An annuity payable monthly during the lifetime of
        the Annuitant, ceasing with the last payment due prior to the death of
        the Annuitant.  IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE UNDER THIS OPTION FOR THE ANNUITANT
        TO RECEIVE ONLY ONE ANNUITY PAYMENT IF HE OR SHE DIED BEFORE THE SECOND
        ANNUITY PAYMENT DATE, TWO ANNUITY PAYMENTS IF HE OR SHE DIED BEFORE THE
        THIRD ANNUITY PAYMENT DATE, AND SO ON.

        Option 2-Joint and Last Survivor Annuity-An annuity payable monthly 
        during the joint lifetimes of the Annuitant and designated second 
        person and continuing thereafter during the lifetime of the survivor.  
        AS IS THE CASE UNDER OPTION 1 ABOVE, THERE IS NO MINIMUM NUMBER OF 
        PAYMENTS GUARANTEED UNDER THIS OPTION. PAYMENTS CEASE UPON THE DEATH 
        OF THE LAST SURVIVING ANNUITANT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF PAYMENTS 
        RECEIVED.

        Option 3-Life Annuity With 120 or 240 Monthly Payments Guaranteed-An 
        annuity payable monthly during the lifetime of the Annuitant with the 
        guarantee that if at the death of the Annuitant payments have been 
        made for fewer than 120 or 240 months, as selected, payments will 
        be made as follows:

        (1)  If the Annuitant is the payee, any guaranteed annuity payments 
             will be continued during the remainder of the selected period to
             the Beneficiary or the Beneficiary may, at any time, elect to have
             the present value of the guaranteed number of annuity payments
             remaining paid in a lump sum  as specified in section (2) below.
        
        (2)  If a Beneficiary is the payee, the present value, computed as of 
             the date on which notice of death is received by the Company at
             its home  office, of the guaranteed number of annuity payments
             remaining after receipt of such notice and to which the deceased
             would have been entitled had he or she not died, commuted at the
             Assumed Investment Rate effective in determining the Annuity
             Tables, shall be paid in a lump sum.
        
        Some of the stated Annuity Options may not be available in all states.
The Owner may request an alternative non-guaranteed option by giving notice in
writing prior to annuitization.  If such a request is approved by the Company,
it will be permitted under the Contract.

        If the Owner of a Non-Qualified Contract fails to elect an Annuity
Payment Option, the Contract Value will continue to accumulate.  Qualified Plan
Contracts, Individual Retirement Annuities or Tax Sheltered Annuities are
subject to the minimum distribution requirements set forth in the Plan,
Contract, or Internal Revenue Code.

DEATH OF CONTRACT OWNER

A.      For Non-Qualified Contracts issued on or after January 19, 1985, in the
event the Contract Owner dies, the following rules will apply:

(1)     If the Contract Owner dies prior to the Annuitization Date, the entire
        interest in the Contract, less any applicable deductions (which
        may include a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge), must be distributed
        within 5 years.  Such distribution will be paid to the Designated
        Annuitant unless the Owner has named a Contingent Owner or estate to
        receive the distribution.  In the alternative, the Designated Annuitant
        or Contingent Owner (where one is named) may elect to receive
        distribution in the form of a life annuity or an annuity for a period
        certain not exceeding the Designated Annuitant's (Contingent Owner's)
        life expectancy and such annuity must begin within one year following
        the date of the Contract Owner's death.  If no Contingent Owner is
        named, (or if the Contingent Owner predeceases the Contract Owner),
        then the Contract Owner's estate becomes the Contract Owner.  In the
        event the Designated Annuitant or Contingent Owner is the Contract
        Owner's spouse, the Contract may be continued by such Designated
        Annuitant or Contingent Owner, treating the spouse as the Contract
        Owner.  In the event the Designated Annuitant does not survive the
        Contract Owner, or if the Designated Annuitant and the Contract Owner
        are the same person, a distribution will be made in accordance with the
        "Death Benefit At Death of Designated Annuitant Prior To The
        Annuitization Date" below provided, however, that all distributions

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        made as a result of the death of the Contract Owner shall be made
        within the time limits set forth in this paragraph.  If the Contract
        Owner and the Designated Annuitant are not the same, no Death Benefit
        is payable upon the death of the Contract Owner, but distribution must
        be made as discussed above.

(2)     In the event the Contract Owner/Annuitant dies on or after the
        Annuitization Date, distribution, if any, must be made to the
        Beneficiary at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution
        being used as of the date of the Contract Owner/Annuitant's death.

B.      If the Contract Owner is not a natural person, the death of the
Annuitant (or a change of the Annuitant) will be treated like a death of the
Contract Owner and will result in a distribution pursuant to Section (1),
regardless of whether a Contingent Annuitant has also been named.  The
distribution will take the form of either:

        (a)     the Death Benefit described below (if the Annuitant has died
                and there is no Contingent Annuitant), or, in all other cases,

        (b)     the benefit described in Section (1) above, except that in the
                event of a change of Annuitant, the benefit will be paid to 
                the Contract Owner if the Annuitant is living, or as a Death 
                Benefit to the Beneficiary upon the death of the Annuitant 
                (and the Contingent Annuitant, if any) prior to the expiration 
                of the period described in Section (1) above.

DEATH BENEFIT AT DEATH OF DESIGNATED ANNUITANT PRIOR TO THE ANNUITIZATION DATE

        The Death Benefit is payable to the Beneficiary unless the Owner has
named a Contingent Designated Annuitant.  In such case, the Death Benefit is
payable to the Beneficiary upon the death of the last survivor of the
Designated Annuitant and Contingent Designated Annuitant.  The value of the
Death Benefit will be determined as of the Valuation Date coincident with or
next following the date the Company receives both (1) due proof of death and
(2) an election for (a) a single sum payment or (b) Annuity Payment Option.

        Contracts issued in connection with Qualified Plans, Individual
Retirement Annuities, or Tax Sheltered Annuities will be subject to specific
rules, set forth in the Plan, Contract, or Internal Revenue Code concerning
distributions upon the death of the Owner or Designated Annuitant (see the
"Required Distribution For Qualified Plans or Tax Sheltered Annuities"
provision).

        If a single sum settlement is requested, payment will be made in
accordance with any applicable laws and regulations governing the payment of
Death Benefits.  If an Annuity Payment Option is desired, election may be made
by the Beneficiary during the 90-day period commencing with the date written
notice is received by the Company.  If no election has been made by the end of
such 90-day period, the Death Benefit will be paid to the Beneficiary in a
single sum.  The amount of the Death Benefit will be the greater of (i) the sum
of all purchase payments, less any amounts surrendered, or (ii) the Contract
Value.

        If the Contract Owner has (1) requested an Annuity Commencement Date
later than the first day of the calendar month after the Designated Annuitant's
75th birthday, (2) the Company has approved the request, and (3) the Designated
Annuitant dies after his or her 75th birthday, the dollar amount of the Death
Benefit will be equal to the Contract Value.

DEATH BENEFIT AFTER THE ANNUITIZATION DATE

        If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any benefit that
may be payable shall be as specified in the Annuity Payment Option elected.

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTION FOR QUALIFIED PLANS OR TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

        The entire interest of an Annuitant under a Qualified Contract or Tax
Sheltered Annuity Contract will be distributed in a manner consistent with the
Minimum Distribution and Incidental Benefit (MDIB) provisions of Section
401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code and regulations thereunder, as
applicable, and will be paid, notwithstanding anything else contained herein,
to the Owner/Annuitant under the Annuity Payments Option selected, over a
period not exceeding:

        A.      the life of the Owner/Annuitant or the lives of the 
                Owner/Annuitant and the Owner/Annuitant's designated 
                Beneficiary; or

        B.      a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the
                Owner/Annuitant or the life expectancy of the Owner/Annuitant 
                and the Owner/Annuitant's designated Beneficiary provided 
                that, for Tax 
        
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                Sheltered Annuity Contracts, no distributions will be required
                from this Contract if distributions otherwise required from
                this Contract are  being withdrawn from another Tax Sheltered
                Annuity Contract of the  Annuitant.
        
        If the Owner/Annuitant's entire interest is to be distributed in equal
or substantially equal payments over a period described in A or B, such
payments will commence not later than the first day of April following the
calendar year in which the Owner/Annuitant attains age 70-1/2 (the Required
Beginning Date).  In the case of a governmental plan or church plan (as those
terms are used in Code Section 401(a)(9)(c)), the Required Beginning Date will
be the later of the dates determined under the preceding sentence or April 1 of
the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Annuitant retires.

        If the Owner dies prior to the commencement of his or her distribution,
the interest in the Qualified Contract or Tax Sheltered Annuity must be
distributed by December 31 of the year in which the fifth anniversary of his or
her death occurs unless:

(a)     In the case of a Tax Sheltered Annuity, the Owner names his or her
        surviving spouse as the Beneficiary and such spouse elects to:

        (i)     treat the annuity as a Tax Sheltered Annuity established for 
                his or her benefit; or

        (ii)    receive distribution of the account in nearly equal payments 
                over his or her life (or a period not exceeding his or her 
                life expectancy) and commencing not later than December 31 of 
                the year in which the Owner would have attained age 70-1/2; or

(b)     In the case of a Tax Sheltered Annuity or a Qualified Contract, the
        Owner names a Beneficiary other than his or her surviving spouse and 
        such beneficiary elects to receive a distribution of the account in 
        nearly equal payments over his or her life (or a period not exceeding 
        his or her life expectancy) commencing not later than December 31 of 
        the year following the year in which the Owner dies.

        If the Owner dies after distribution has commenced, distribution must
continue at least as rapidly as under the schedule being used prior to his or
her death, except that a surviving spouse may treat a Tax Sheltered Annuity as
his or her own to the extent permitted by law.

        Payments commencing on the Required Beginning Date will not be less
than the lesser of the quotient obtained by dividing the entire interest of the
Owner/Annuitant by the life expectancy of the Owner/Annuitant, or the joint and
last survivor expectancy of the Owner/Annuitant and the Owner/Annuitant's
Designated Beneficiary (whichever is applicable under the applicable Minimum
Distribution or MDIB provisions).  Life expectancy and joint and last survivor
expectancy are computed by the use of return multiples contained in Section
1.72-9 of the Treasury Regulations.

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES

        Distribution from an Individual Retirement Annuity must begin not later
than April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the
Owner attains age 70-1/2, provided that, for Individual Retirement Annuity
Contracts, no distributions will be required from this Contract if
distributions otherwise required from this Contract are being withdrawn from
another Individual Retirement Annuity Contract of the Annuitant.  Distribution
may be accepted in a lump sum or in nearly equal payments over: (a) the Owner's
life or the lives of the Owner and his or her spouse or Designated Beneficiary,
or (b) a period not extending beyond the Owner's life expectancy or the life
expectancy of the Owner and the Owner's spouse or designated Beneficiary.

        If the Owner dies prior to the commencement of his or her distribution,
the interest in the Individual Retirement Annuity must be distributed by
December 31 of the calendar year in which the fifth anniversary of his or her
death occurs, unless:

(a)     The Owner names his or her surviving spouse as the Beneficiary and such
        spouse elects to:

        (i)     treat the annuity as an Individual Retirement Annuity 
                established for his or her benefit; or

        (ii)    receive distribution of the account in nearly equal payments 
                over his or her life (or a period not exceeding his or her 
                life expectancy) and commencing not later than December 31 of 
                the year in which the Owner would have attained age 70-1/2; or

(b)     The Owner names a Beneficiary other than his or her surviving spouse
        and such beneficiary elects to receive a distribution of the account 
        in nearly equal payments over his or her life (or a period not 

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        exceeding his or her life expectancy) commencing not later than 
        December 31 of the year following the year in which the Owner dies.

        If the Owner dies after distribution has commenced, distribution must
continue at least as rapidly as under the schedule being used prior to his or
her death, except that a surviving spouse may treat the Individual Retirement
Annuity as his or her own, in the same manner as is described in section (a)(i)
of this provision.

        If the amounts distributed do not satisfy the distribution rules
mentioned above, a penalty tax of 50% is levied on the amount that should have
been distributed for that year.

        A pro-rata portion of all distributions will be included in the gross
income of the person receiving the distribution and taxed at ordinary income
tax rates.  The portion of the distribution which is taxable is based on the
ratio between the amount by which non-deductible contributions exceed prior
non-taxable distributions and total account balances at the time of the
distribution.  The Owner of an Individual Retirement Annuity must annually
report the amount of non-deductible contributions, the amount of any
distribution, the amount by which non-deductible contributions for all years
exceed non-taxable distributions for all years, and the total balance of all
Individual Retirement Accounts and Annuities.

        Individual Retirement Annuity Distributions will not receive the
benefit of the tax treatment of a lump sum distribution from a Qualified Plan.
If the Owner dies prior to the time distribution of his or her interest in the
annuity is completed, the balance will also be included in his or her gross
estate.

GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFERS

        The Company may be required to determine whether the Death Benefit or
any other payment constitutes a direct skip as defined in Section 2612 of the
Internal Revenue Code, and the amount of the tax on the generation-skipping
transfer resulting from such direct skip.  If applicable, such payment will be
reduced by any tax the Company is required to pay by Section 2603 of the
Internal Revenue Code.

        A direct skip may occur when property is transferred to or a Death
Benefit is paid to an individual two or more generations younger than the
Contract Owner.

                             GENERAL INFORMATION

CONTRACT OWNER SERVICES

        ASSET REBALANCING- The Contract Owner may direct the automatic
reallocation of contract values to the underlying Mutual Fund options on a
predetermined percentage basis every three months.  If the last day of the
three month period falls on a Saturday, Sunday, recognized holiday or any other
day when the New York Stock Exchange is closed, the Asset Rebalancing exchange
will occur on the last business day before that day.  An Asset Rebalancing
request must be in writing on a form provided by the Company.

        Contracts issued to a Qualified Plan or a Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan as
defined by the Internal Revenue Code may have superseding plan restrictions
with regard to the frequency of fund exchanges and underlying Mutual Fund
options.  The Contract Owner may want to contact a financial adviser in order
to discuss a specific contract.

        The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Asset
Rebalancing upon 30 days' written notice to the Contract Owners; however, any
such discontinuation would not affect Asset Rebalancing programs which have
already commenced.  The Company also reserves the right to assess a processing
fee for this service.

        DOLLAR COST AVERAGING- The Contract Owner may direct the Company to
automatically transfer from the Money Market sub-account or the Fixed Account
to any other sub-account within the Variable Account on a monthly basis.  This
service is intended to allow the Contract Owner to utilize Dollar Cost
Averaging, a long-term investment program which provides for regular, level
investments over time.  The Company makes no guarantees that Dollar Cost
Averaging will result in a profit or protect against loss in a declining
market.  To qualify for Dollar Cost Averaging, there must be a minimum total
Contract Value of $15,000.  Transfers for purposes of Dollar Cost Averaging can
only be made from the Money Market sub-account or the Fixed Account.  The
minimum monthly Dollar Cost Averaging transfer is $100.  In addition, Dollar
Cost Averaging monthly transfers from the Fixed Account must be equal to or
less than 1/30th of the Fixed Account value when the Dollar Cost Averaging
program is requested.  Transfers out of the Fixed Account, other than for
Dollar Cost Averaging, may be subject to certain additional restrictions (see
"Transfers").  A written election of this service, on a form provided by the
Company, must be completed by the Contract Owner in order to begin transfers.

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                                   24 of 85
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Once elected, transfers from the Money Market sub-account or the Fixed Account
will be processed monthly until either the value in the Money Market
sub-account or the Fixed Account is completely depleted or the Contract Owner
instructs the Company in writing to cancel the monthly transfers.

        The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Dollar Cost
Averaging upon 30 days' written notice to Contract Owners; however, any such
discontinuation would not affect Dollar Cost Averaging programs which have
already commenced.  The Company also reserves the right to assess a processing
fee for this service.

        SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS- A Contract Owner may elect in writing on a form
provided by the Company to take Systematic Withdrawals by surrendering a
specified dollar amount (of at least $100) on a monthly, quarterly,
semi-annual, or annual basis.  The Company will process the withdrawals as
directed by surrendering on a pro-rata basis Accumulation Units from all
sub-accounts in which the Contract Owner has an interest, and the Fixed
Account.  A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge may also apply to Systematic
Withdrawals in accordance with the considerations set forth in the "Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge" section.  Each Systematic Withdrawal is subject to
federal income taxes on the taxable portion.  In addition, a 10% federal
penalty tax may be assessed on Systematic Withdrawals if the Contract Owner is
under age 59-1/2.  If directed by the Contract Owner, the Company will withhold
federal income taxes from each Systematic Withdrawal.  The Contract Owner may
discontinue Systematic Withdrawals at any time by notifying the Company in
writing.

        The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Systematic
Withdrawals upon 30 days' written notice to Contract Owners; however, any such
discontinuation would not affect any Systematic Withdrawal programs already
commenced.  The Company also reserves the right to assess a processing fee for
this service.

STATEMENTS AND REPORTS

        The Company will mail to Contract Owners, at their last known address
of record, any statements and reports required by applicable law or regulation.
Contract Owners should therefore give the Company prompt notice of any address
change.  The Company will send a confirmation statement to Contract Owners each
time a transaction is made affecting the Owners' Variable Account Contract
Value, such as making additional purchase payments, transfers, exchanges or
withdrawals.  Quarterly statements are also mailed detailing the Contract
activity during the calendar quarter.  Instead of receiving an immediate
confirmation of transactions made pursuant to some types of periodic payment
plan (such as a dollar cost averaging program) or salary reduction arrangement,
the Contract Owner may receive confirmation of such transactions in their
quarterly statements.  The Contract Owner should review the information in
these statements carefully.  All errors or corrections must be reported to the
Company immediately to assure proper crediting to the Owner's Contract.  The
Company will assume all transactions are accurate unless the Contract Owner
notifies the Company otherwise within 30 days after receipt of the statement.
The Company will also send to Contract Owners each year an annual report and a
semi-annual report containing financial statements for the Variable Account, as
of December 31 and June 30, respectively.

ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS AND CONTRACT VALUE

        Purchase payments are allocated to one or more sub-accounts within the
Variable Account in accordance with the designation of the underlying Mutual
Funds by the Contract Owner, and converted into Accumulation Units.

        The initial first year purchase payment must be at least $1,500 for
Non-Qualified Contracts.  However, if periodic payments are expected by the
Company, this initial first year minimum may be satisfied by purchase payments
made on an annualized basis.  Purchase payments, if any, after the first
Contract Year must be at least $10 each.  The Company, however, reserves the
right to lower this $10 purchase payment minimum for certain employer sponsored
programs.  The Contract Owner may increase or decrease purchase payments or
change the frequency of payment.  The Contract Owner is not obligated to
continue purchase payments in the amount or at the frequency elected.  There
are no penalties for failure to continue purchase payments.

        The cumulative total of all purchase payments under Contracts issued on
the life of any one Designated Annuitant may not exceed $1,000,000 without
prior consent of the Company.

        THE PURCHASER IS CAUTIONED THAT INVESTMENT RETURN ON SMALL INITIAL AND
SUBSEQUENT PURCHASE PAYMENTS MAY BE LESS THAN CHARGES ASSESSED BY THE COMPANY.

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        The initial purchase payment allocated to designated sub-accounts of
the Variable Account will be priced not later than 2 business days after
receipt of an order to purchase if the Application and all information
necessary for processing the purchase order are complete upon receipt by the
Company. The Company may retain the purchase payment for up to 5 business days
while attempting to complete an incomplete Application.  If the Application
cannot be made complete within 5 days, the prospective purchaser will be
informed of the reasons for the delay and the purchase payment will be returned
immediately unless the prospective purchaser specifically consents to the
Company retaining the purchase payment until the Application is made complete.
When the application is made complete, the purchase payment will be priced
within two business days.

        Purchase payments will not be priced on the following nationally
recognized holidays: New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial
Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

VALUE OF A VARIABLE ACCOUNT ACCUMULATION UNIT

        The value of a Variable Account Accumulation Unit for each sub-account
was arbitrarily set initially at $10 when underlying Mutual Fund shares in that
sub-account were available for purchase.  The value for any subsequent
Valuation Period is determined by multiplying the Accumulation Unit value for
each sub-account for the immediately preceding Valuation Period by the Net
Investment Factor for the sub-account during the subsequent Valuation Period.
The value of an Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease from Valuation
Period to Valuation Period.  The number of Accumulation Units will not change
as a result of investment experience.

NET INVESTMENT FACTOR

        The Net Investment Factor for any Valuation Period is determined by
dividing (a) by (b) and subtracting (c) from the result where:

(a)     is the net of:

        (1)     the net asset value per share of the underlying Mutual Fund 
                held in the sub-account determined at the end of the current 
                Valuation Period, plus

        (2)     the per share amount of any dividend or capital gain 
                distributions made by the underlying Mutual Fund held in the 
                sub-account if the "ex-dividend" date occurs during the 
                current Valuation Period.

(b)     is the net asset value per share of the underlying Mutual Fund held in
        the sub-account determined at the end of the immediately preceding 
        Valuation Period.

(c)     is a factor representing the daily Mortality Risk Charge, Expense Risk
        Charge and Administration Charge deducted from the Variable Account.  
        Such factor is equal to an annual rate of 1.30% of the daily net asset 
        value of the Variable Account.

        For underlying Mutual Fund options that credit dividends on a daily
basis and pay such dividends once a month (the Nationwide Separate Account
Trust - Money Market Fund), the Net Investment Factor allows for the monthly
reinvestment of these daily dividends.

        The Net Investment Factor may be greater or less than one; therefore,
the value of an Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease.  It should be noted
that changes in the Net Investment Factor may not be directly proportional to
changes in the net asset value of underlying Mutual Fund shares, because of the
deduction for Mortality Risk Charge, Expense Risk Charge and Administration
Charge.

VALUATION OF ASSETS

        Underlying Mutual Fund shares in the Variable Account will be valued at
their net asset value.

DETERMINING THE CONTRACT VALUE

        The sum of the value of all Variable Account Accumulation Units
attributable to the Contract and amounts credited to the Fixed Account is the
Contract Value.  The number of Accumulation Units credited per each sub-account
are determined by dividing the net amount allocated to the sub-account by the
Accumulation Unit Value for the sub-account for the Valuation Period during
which the purchase payment is received by the Company.  In the event part or
all of the Contract Value is surrendered or charges or deductions are made
against the Contract Value, an appropriate number of Accumulation Units from
the Variable Account and an appropriate amount from the Fixed Account will be
deducted in the same proportion that the Contract Owner's interest in the
Variable Account and the Fixed Account bears to the total Contract Value.

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SURRENDER (REDEMPTION)

        While the Contract is in force and prior to the earlier of the
Annuitization Date or the death of the Designated Annuitant, the Company will,
upon proper written application by the Contract Owner deemed by the Company to
be in good order, allow the Contract Owner to surrender a portion or all of the
Contract Value.  "Proper Written Application" means that the surrender must be
requested in writing by the Contract Owner, satisfy all good order
requirements, and the Company may require that the signature(s) be guaranteed
by a member firm of the New York, American, Boston, Midwest, Philadelphia, or
Pacific Stock Exchange, or by a Commercial Bank or a Savings and Loan, which is
a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  In some cases (for
example, requests by a corporation, partnership, agent, fiduciary, or surviving
joint owner), the Company will require additional documentation of a customary
nature.

        The Company will, upon receipt of any such written request, surrender a
number of Accumulation Units from the Variable Account and an amount from the
Fixed Account necessary to equal the gross dollar amount requested, less any
applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (see "Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge").  In the event of a partial surrender, the Company will, unless
instructed to the contrary, surrender Accumulation Units from all sub-accounts
in which the Contract Owner has an interest, and the Fixed Account.  The number
of Accumulation Units surrendered from each sub-account and the amount
surrendered from the Fixed Account will be in the same proportion that the
Contract Owner's interest in the sub-accounts and Fixed Account bears to the
total Contract Value.

        The Company will pay any funds applied for from the Variable Account
within 7 days of receipt of such application in the Company's home office.
However, the Company reserves the right to suspend or postpone the date of any
payment of any benefit or values for any Valuation Period (1) when the New York
Stock Exchange ("Exchange") is closed, (2) when trading on the Exchange is
restricted, (3) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of
securities held in the Variable Account is not reasonably practicable or it is
not reasonably practicable to determine the value of the Variable Account's net
assets, or (4) during any other period when the Securities and Exchange
Commission, by order, so permits for the protection of security holders;
provided that applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (2) and (3)
exist.  The Contract Value on surrender may be more or less than the total of
purchase payments made by a Contract Owner, depending on the market value of
the underlying Mutual Fund shares.

        Certain redemption restrictions also apply to Contracts issued under
the Texas Optional Retirement Program or the Louisiana Optional Retirement
Plan.  With respect to Contracts issued under the Texas Optional Retirement
Program, the Texas Attorney General has ruled that withdrawal benefits are
available only in the event of a participant's death, retirement, termination
of employment due to total disability, or other termination of employment in a
Texas public institution of higher education.  Retirement benefits made
pursuant to the Louisiana Optional Retirement Plan are to be paid in the form
of lifetime income and, except for Death Benefits, lump sum cash payments are
not permitted.  A participant under the Louisiana Optional Retirement Plan may
take a distribution from the Contract only in the event of retirement or
termination of employment.  A participant under either the Texas Optional
Retirement Program or the Louisiana Optional Retirement Plan will not,
therefore, be entitled to receive the right of withdrawal in order to receive
the cash values credited to such participant under the Contract unless one of
the foregoing conditions has been satisfied.  The value of such Contracts may,
however, be transferred to other contracts or other carriers during the
participation in these retirement programs, subject to any applicable
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.  The Company issues this Contract to
participants in the Texas Optional Retirement Program in reliance upon, and in
compliance with, Rule 6c-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and to
participants in the Louisiana Optional Retirement Plan in reliance upon, and in
compliance with, an exemptive order the Company obtained from the Securities
and Exchange Commission on August 22, 1990.

SURRENDERS UNDER A QUALIFIED PLAN OR TAX SHELTERED ANNUITY CONTRACT

        Except as provided below, the Owner may Surrender part or all of the
Contract Value at any time this Contract is in force prior to the earlier of
the Annuitization Date or the death of the Designated Annuitant:

A.      The surrender of Contract Value attributable to contributions made
        pursuant to a salary reduction agreement (within the meaning of
        Code Section 402(g)(3)(A) or (C)), or transfers from a Custodial
        Account described in Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code,
        may be executed only:

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        1.      when the Contract Owner attains age 59-1/2, separates from
                service, dies, or becomes disabled (within the meaning
                of Code Section 72(m)(7)); or
                
        2.      in the case of hardship (as defined for purposes of Code Section
                401(k)), provided that any surrender of Contract Value in the 
                case of hardship may not include any income attributable to 
                salary reduction contributions.

B.      The surrender limitations described in Section A. above also apply to:

        1.      salary reduction contributions to Tax Sheltered Annuities made 
                for plan years beginning after December 31, 1988;

        2.      earnings credited to such contracts after the last plan year 
                beginning before January 1, 1989, on amounts attributable to 
                salary reduction contributions; and

        3.      all amounts transferred from 403(b)(7) Custodial Accounts 
                (except that earnings, and employer contributions as of 
                December 31, 1988 in such Custodial Accounts, may be withdrawn 
                in the case of hardship).

C.      Any distribution other than the above, including exercise of a
        contractual ten-day free look provision (when available) may result in
        the immediate application of taxes and penalties and/or retroactive
        disqualification of a Qualified Contract or Tax Sheltered Annuity.
        
        A premature distribution may not be eligible for rollover treatment.
To assist in preventing disqualification of a Tax Sheltered Annuity in the
event of a ten-day free look, the Company will agree to transfer the proceeds
to another contract which meets the requirements of Section 403(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code, upon proper direction by the Contract Owner.  The
foregoing is the Company's understanding of the withdrawal restrictions which
are currently applicable under Code Section 401(k)(2)(B), Code Section
403(b)(11) and Revenue Ruling 90-24.  Such restrictions are subject to
legislative change and/or reinterpretation from time to time.

        The contract surrender provisions may also be modified pursuant to the
plan terms and Internal Revenue Code tax provisions when the contract is issued
to fund a Qualified Plan.

        INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD NOT BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THE ADVICE
OF A PERSONAL TAX ADVISER.

TAXES

        The Company does not make any guarantee regarding the tax status of any
Contract or any transaction involving the Contracts.

        Section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") governs taxation
of annuities in general.  That section sets forth different rules for annuities
purchased by Qualified Plans (corporate pension and profit sharing plans,
simplified employee pension-individual retirement account plans, and retirement
plans for self-employed individuals), Individual Retirement Annuities,
Individual Retirement Accounts, and Tax Sheltered Annuities and annuities which
are not purchased by such plans.  (For discussion of tax treatment of
non-qualified contracts, see below.)  Each type of annuity is discussed
separately below.

        The tax treatment of Qualified Plans, Individual Retirement Annuities,
Tax Sheltered Annuities, and annuities purchased by such plans is controlled by
the Internal Revenue Code.  You should consult your financial consultant or tax
adviser to discuss in detail your particular tax situation and the use of the
Contracts.

        The Tax Reform Act of 1986 and subsequent legislation changed some of
the rules regarding the tax treatment of distributions from Qualified Plans and
annuities purchased by Qualified Plans.  You should consult your financial
consultant or legal or tax advisor to discuss in detail your particular tax
situation and the use of the Contracts.

        Generally the amount of any payment of items of interest to a
nonresident alien of the United States shall be subject to withholding of a tax
equal to thirty percent (30%) of such amount or, if applicable, a lower treaty
rate.  A payment may not be subject to withholding where the recipient
sufficiently establishes that such payment is effectively connected to the
recipient's conduct of a trade or business in the United States and such
payment is includable in the recipient's gross income.

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NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

        The rules applicable to Non-Qualified Contracts provide that a portion
of each annuity payment received is excludable from taxable income based on the
ratio between the Contract Owner's investment in the Contract and the expected
return on the Contract.  The maximum amount excludable from income is the
investment in the Contract.  If the Designated Annuitant dies prior to
excluding from income the entire investment in the Contract, the Designated
Annuitant's final tax return may reflect a deduction for the balance of the
investment in the Contract.

        Distributions made from the Contract prior to the Annuity Commencement
Date are taxable to the Contract Owner to the extent that the cash value of the
Contract exceeds the Contract Owner's investment at the time of the
distribution.  Distributions, for this purpose, include partial surrenders,
dividends, loans, or any portion of the Contract which is assigned or pledged;
or for Contracts issued after April 22, 1987, any portion of the Contract
transferred by gift.  For these purposes, a transfer by gift may occur upon
annuitization if the Contract Owner and the Designated Annuitant are not the
same individual.  In determining the taxable amount of a distribution, all
annuity contracts issued after October 21, 1988, by the same company to the
same contract owner during any 12 month period, will be treated as one annuity
contract.  (Additional limitations on the use of multiple contracts may be
imposed by Treasury regulations).  Distributions prior to the Annuity
Commencement Date with respect to that portion of the Contract invested prior
to August 14, 1982, are treated first as a recovery of the investment in the
Contract as of that date.  A distribution in excess of the amount of the
investment in the Contract as of August 14, 1982, will be treated as taxable
income.

        The Tax Reform Act of 1986 has changed the tax treatment of certain
Non-Qualified Contracts held by entities other than individuals.  Such entities
are taxed currently on the earnings on the Contract which are attributable to
contributions made to the Contract after February 28, 1986.  There are
exceptions for Qualified Contracts, Individual Retirement Annuities and Tax
Sheltered Annuities; immediate annuities; and certain Contracts owned for the
benefit of an individual.  An immediate annuity, for purposes of this
discussion, is a single premium Contract on which payments begin within one
year of purchase.

        Internal Revenue Code Section 72 also provides for a penalty, equal to
10% of any distribution which is includable in gross income, if such
distribution is made prior to attaining age 59-1/2, the death or disability of
the Contract Owner.  The penalty does not apply if the distribution is one of a
series of substantially equal periodic payments made over the life or life
expectancy (or joint lives or life expectancies) of the Designated Annuitant
(and the Designated Annuitant's Beneficiary), or is made from an immediate
annuity, or is allocable to an investment in the Contract before August 14,
1982.  A Contract Owner wishing to begin taking distributions to which the 10%
tax penalty does not apply should forward a written request to the Company.
Upon receipt of a written request from the Contract Owner, the Company will
inform the Contract Owner of the procedures pursuant to Company Policy and
subject to limitations of the Contract including but not limited to first year
withdrawals.  If the Designated Annuitant selects an annuity for life or life
expectancy and changes the method of payment before the expiration of 5 years
and the attainment of age 59-1/2, the early withdrawal penalty will apply.  The
penalty will be equal to that which would have been imposed had no exception
applied from the outset, and the Designated Annuitant will also pay interest on
the amount of the penalty from the date it would have originally applied until
it is actually paid.

        In order to qualify as an Annuity Contract under Section 72 of the
Code, the Contract must provide for distribution to be made upon the death of
the Contract Owner.  In such case the Designated Annuitant, Beneficiary or
other named recipient must receive the distribution within 5 years of the
Owner's death.  However, the recipient may elect for payments to be made over
his or her life or life expectancy if such payments begin within one year from
the death of the Contract Owner.  If the Contract Owner's Beneficiary is the
surviving spouse, such spouse may be treated as the Contract Owner and the
Contract may be continued throughout the life of the surviving spouse.  In the
event the Contract Owner dies on or after the Annuitization Date and before the
entire interest has been distributed, the remaining portion must be distributed
at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used as of the
date of the Contract Owner's death.  If the Contract Owner is not an
individual, the death of the Annuitant (or a change in the Annuitant) will
result in a distribution pursuant to these rules, regardless of whether a
Contingent Annuitant has been named (see "Required Distribution For Qualified
Plans or Tax Sheltered Annuities").

        The Company is required to withhold tax from certain distributions to
the extent that such distribution would constitute income to the Contract
Owner.  The Contract Owner is entitled to elect not to have federal 

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<PAGE>   30
income tax withheld from any such distribution, but may be subject to penalties
in the event insufficient federal income tax is paid, through withholding
estimated payments.

        Payment of a benefit or transfer of any property to an individual two
or more generations younger than the Contract Owner may constitute a
generation-skipping transfer, subject to taxation under Section 2601 et seq. of
the Internal Revenue Code.

DIVERSIFICATION

        The Internal Revenue Service has promulgated regulations under Section
817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code") relating to diversification
standards for the investments underlying a variable annuity contract.  The
regulations provide that a variable annuity contract which does not satisfy the
diversification standards will not be treated as an annuity contract, unless
the failure to satisfy the regulations was inadvertent, the failure is
corrected, and the Owner or the Company pays an amount to the Internal Revenue
Service.  The amount will be based on the tax that would have been paid by the
Owner if the income, for the period the contract was not diversified, had been
received by the Owner.  If the failure to diversify is not corrected in this
manner, the Owner of an annuity contract will be deemed the Owner of the
underlying securities and will be taxed on the earnings of his or her account.
The Company believes, under its interpretation of the Code and regulations
thereunder, that the investments underlying this Contract meet these
diversification standards.

CHARGE FOR TAX PROVISIONS

        The Company is no longer required to maintain a capital gain reserve
liability on Non-Qualified Contracts since capital gains attributable to assets
held in the Company's Variable Account for such Contracts are not taxable to
the Company.  However, the Company reserves the right to implement and adjust
the tax charge in the future, if the tax laws change.

QUALIFIED PLANS, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT
ACCOUNTS AND TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

        The Contracts may be used with Qualified Plans, Individual Retirement
Annuities, Individual Retirement Accounts, Tax Sheltered Annuities and other
plans receiving favorable tax treatment. For information regarding eligibility,
limitations on permissible amounts of purchase payments, and tax consequences
on distribution from such plans, the purchasers of such Contracts should seek
competent advice. The terms of such plans may limit the rights available under
the Contracts.

        The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 permits the rollover of most
distributions from Qualified Plans to other Qualified Plans, Individual
Retirement Accounts, or Individual Retirement Annuities.  Most distributions
from Tax Sheltered Annuities may be rolled into another Tax Sheltered Annuity,
an Individual Retirement Account, or an Individual Retirement Annuity.
Distributions which may not be rolled over are those which are:

        1.      one of a series of substantially equal annual (or more 
                frequent) payments made: a) over the life (or life expectancy)
                of the employee,  b) the joint lives (or joint life
                expectancies) of the employee and  the employee's designated
                beneficiary, or c) for a specified period  of ten years or
                more, or
        
        2.      a required minimum distribution.

        Any distribution eligible for rollover will be subject to federal tax
withholding at a 20 percent rate unless the distribution is transferred
directly to an appropriate plan as described above.

        Individual Retirement Accounts and Individual Retirement Annuities may
not provide life insurance benefits.  If the Death Benefit exceeds the greater
of the cash value of the Contract or the sum of all purchase payments (less
surrenders), it is possible the Internal Revenue Service could determine that
the Individual Retirement Account or Individual Retirement Annuity did not
qualify for the desired tax treatment.

        The Contract is available for Qualified Plans electing to comply with
section 404(c) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).  It is
the responsibility of the plan and its fiduciaries to determine and satisfy
section 404(c) requirements.

ADVERTISING

        A "yield" and "effective yield" may be advertised for the Nationwide
Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund sub-account.  "Yield" is a measure of
the net dividend and interest income earned over a specific seven-day period
(which period will be stated in the advertisement) expressed as a percentage of
the offering 

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<PAGE>   31
price of the sub-account's units.  Yield is an annualized figure, which means
that it is assumed that the sub-account generates the same level of net income
over a 52-week period.  The "effective yield" is calculated similarly but
includes the effect of assumed compounding, calculated under rules prescribed
by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The effective yield will be
slightly higher than yield due to this compounding effect.

        The Company may also from time to time advertise the performance of the
sub-accounts of the Variable Account relative to the performance of other
variable annuity sub-accounts or underlying mutual fund options with similar or
different objectives, or the investment industry as a whole.  Other investments
to which the sub-accounts may be compared include, but are not limited to:
precious metals; real estate; stocks and bonds; closed-end funds; CDs; bank
money market deposit accounts and passbook savings; and the Consumer Price
Index.

        The sub-accounts of the Variable Account may also be compared to
certain market indexes, which may include, but are not limited to:  S&P 500;
Shearson/Lehman Intermediate Government/Corporate Bond Index; Shearson/Lehman
Long-Term Government/Corporate Bond Index; Donoghue Money Fund Average; U.S.
Treasury Note Index; Bank Rate Monitor National Index of 2-1/2 Year CD Rates; 
and Dow Jones Industrial Average.

        Normally these rankings and ratings are published by independent
tracking services and publications of general interest including, but not
limited to: Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., CDA/Wiesenberger, Morningstar,
Donoghue's, magazines such as MONEY, FORBES, KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE
MAGAZINE, FINANCIAL WORLD, CONSUMER REPORTS, BUSINESS WEEK, TIME, NEWSWEEK,
NATIONAL UNDERWRITER, U.S.  NEWS and WORLD REPORT; rating services such as
LIMRA, VALUE, BEST'S AGENT GUIDE, WESTERN ANNUITY GUIDE, COMPARATIVE ANNUITY
REPORTS; and other publications such as the WALL STREET JOURNAL, BARRON'S,
INVESTOR'S DAILY, and Standard & Poor's OUTLOOK.  In addition, Variable Annuity
Research & Data Service (THE VARDS REPORT) is an independent rating service
that ranks over 500 variable annuity funds based upon total return performance.
These rating services and publications rank the performance of the underlying
Mutual Fund options against all underlying mutual funds over specified periods
and against underlying mutual funds in specified categories.  The rankings may
or may not include the effects of sales or other charges.

        The Company is also ranked and rated by independent financial rating
services, among which are Moody's, Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best Company.
The purpose of these ratings is to reflect the financial strength or
claims-paying ability of the Company.  The ratings are not intended to reflect
the investment experience or financial strength of the Variable Account.  The
Company may advertise these ratings from time to time.  In addition, the
Company may include in certain advertisements, endorsements in the form of a
list of organizations, individuals or other parties which recommend the Company
or the Contracts.  Furthermore, the Company may occasionally include in
advertisements comparisons of currently taxable and tax deferred investment
programs, based on selected tax brackets, or discussions of alternative
investment vehicles and general economic conditions.

        The Company may from time to time advertise several types of historical
performance for the sub-accounts of the Variable Account.  The Company may
advertise for the sub-accounts standardized "average annual total return,"
calculated in a manner prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and nonstandardized "total return."  "Average annual total return" will show
the percentage rate of return of a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000
for at least the most recent one, five and ten year period, or for a period
covering the time the underlying Mutual Fund option held in the sub-account has
been in existence, if the underlying Mutual Fund option has not been in
existence for one of the prescribed periods.  This calculation reflects the
deduction of all applicable charges made to the Contracts except for premium
taxes, which may be imposed by certain states.

        Nonstandardized "total return" will be calculated in a similar manner
and for the same time periods as the average annual total return except total
return will assume an initial investment of $10,000 and will not reflect the
deduction of any applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, which, if
reflected, would decrease the level of performance shown.  The Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge is not reflected because the Contracts are designed for
long term investment.  An assumed initial investment of $10,000 will be used
because that figure more closely approximates the size of a typical Contract
than does the $1,000 figure used in calculating the standardized average annual
total return quotations.  The amount of the hypothetical initial investment
assumed affects performance because the Contract Maintenance Charge is a fixed
per Contract charge.

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        For those underlying Mutual Fund options which have not been held as
sub-accounts within the Variable Account for one of the quoted periods, the
standardized average annual total return and nonstandardized total return
quotations will show the investment performance such underlying Mutual Fund
options would have achieved (reduced by the applicable charges) had they been
held as sub-accounts within the Variable Account for the period quoted.

ALL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AND COMPARATIVE MATERIAL ADVERTISED BY THE COMPANY
IS HISTORICAL IN NATURE AND IS NOT INTENDED TO REPRESENT OR GUARANTEE FUTURE
RESULTS.  A CONTRACT OWNER'S CONTRACT VALUE AT REDEMPTION MAY BE MORE OR LESS
THAN ORIGINAL COST.

                              LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        There are no material legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine
litigation incidental to the business to which the Company and the Variable
Account are parties or to which any of their property is the subject.

        The General Distributor, Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., is not
engaged in any litigation of any material nature.

           TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        PAGE
<S>                                                                     <C>
General Information and History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1
Services  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1
Underwriters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2
Calculations of Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2
Fund Performance Summary  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   N/A
Annuity Payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    3
Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    4
</TABLE>

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                                  APPENDIX A

        Purchase Payments under the Fixed Account portion of the Contract and
transfers to the Fixed Account portion become part of the general account of
the Company, which support insurance and annuity obligations. Because of
exemptive and exclusionary provisions, interests in the general account have
not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 ("1933 Act"), nor is the
general account registered as an investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"). Accordingly, neither the general account nor
any interest therein are generally subject to the provisions of the 1933 or
1940 Acts, and we have been advised that the staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission has not reviewed the disclosures in this prospectus which
related to the guaranteed  interest portion. Disclosures regarding the Fixed
Account portion of the Contract and the general account, however, may be
subject to certain generally applicable provisions of the federal securities
laws relating to the accuracy and completeness of statements made in
prospectuses.

                          FIXED ACCOUNT ALLOCATIONS

THE FIXED ACCOUNT

        The Fixed Account is made up of all the general assets of the Company,
other than those in the Nationwide Variable Account II and any other segregated
asset account. Fixed Account purchase payments will be allocated to the Fixed
Account by election of the Contract Owner at the time of purchase.

        The Company will invest the assets of the Fixed Account in those assets
chosen by the Company and allowed by applicable law. Investment income from
such Fixed Account assets will be allocated by the Company between itself and
the Contracts participating in the Fixed Account.

        The level of annuity payments made to Annuitants under the Contracts
will not be affected by the mortality experience (death rate) of persons
receiving such payments or of the general population. The Company assumes this
"mortality risk" by virtue of annuity rates incorporated in the Contract which
cannot be changed. In addition, the Company guarantees that it will not
increase charges for maintenance of the Contracts regardless of its actual
expenses.

        Investment income from the Fixed Account allocated to the Company
includes compensation for mortality and expense risks borne by the Company in
connection with Fixed Account Contracts. The amount of such investment income
allocated to the Contracts will vary from year to year in the sole discretion
of the Company at such rate or rates as the Company prospectively declares from
time to time. Any such rate or rates so determined will remain effective for a
period of not less than twelve months, and remain at such rate unless changed.
However, the Company guarantees that it will credit interest at not less than
3.0% per year (or as otherwise required under state law, or at such minimum
rate as stated in the contract when sold).  ANY INTEREST CREDITED TO AMOUNTS
ALLOCATED TO THE FIXED ACCOUNT IN EXCESS OF 3.0% PER YEAR WILL BE DETERMINED IN
THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE COMPANY. THE CONTRACT OWNER ASSUMES THE RISK THAT
INTEREST CREDITED TO FIXED ACCOUNT ALLOCATIONS MAY NOT EXCEED THE MINIMUM
GUARANTEE OF 3.0% FOR ANY GIVEN YEAR.  New purchase payments deposited to the
Contract which are allocated to the Fixed Account may receive a different rate
of interest than money transferred from the Variable sub-accounts to the Fixed
Account and amounts maturing in the Fixed Account at the expiration of an
Interest Rate Guarantee Period.

        The Company guarantees that, at any time, the Fixed Account Contract
Value will not be less than the amount of the purchase payments allocated to
the Fixed Account, plus interest credited as described above, less the sum of
all administrative charges, any applicable premium taxes, and less any amounts
surrendered. If the Contract Owner effects a surrender, the amount available
from the Fixed Account will be reduced by any applicable Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge (see "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").

TRANSFERS

        Contract Owners may at the maturity of an Interest Rate Guarantee
Period, transfer a portion of the value of the Fixed Account to the Variable
Account. The maximum percentage that may be transferred will be determined by
the Company at its sole discretion, but will not be less than 10% of the total
value of the portion of the Fixed Account that is maturing and will be declared
upon the expiration date of the then current Interest Rate Guarantee Period.
The Interest Rate Guarantee Period expires on the final day of a calendar
quarter.  Transfer under this provision must be made within 45 days after the
expiration date of the guarantee period.  

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Owners who have entered into a Dollar Cost Averaging Agreement with the Company
(see "Dollar Cost Averaging") may transfer from the Fixed Account to the
Variable Account under the terms of that agreement.

                     ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD-FIXED ACCOUNT

FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT PAYMENTS

        A Fixed Annuity is an annuity with payments which are guaranteed by the
Company as to dollar amount during the annuity payment period. The first Fixed
Annuity payment will be determined by applying the Fixed Account Contract Value
to the applicable Annuity Table in accordance with the Annuity Payment Option
elected.  This will be done at the Annuitization Date on an age last birthday
basis. Fixed Annuity payments after the first will not be less than the first
Fixed Annuity payment.

        The Company does not credit discretionary interest to Fixed Annuity
payments during the annuity payment period for annuity options based on life
contingencies.  The Annuitant must rely on the Annuity Tables applicable to the
Contracts to determine the amount of such Fixed Annuity payments.

ANNUITY TABLES

        The Annuity Tables contained in the Contracts are based on the 1971
Individual Annuity Mortality Table (set back one year).

ASSUMED INTEREST RATE

        The Annuity Tables contained in the Contracts are based on the 1971
Individual Annuity Mortality Table (set back one year) and an assumed interest
rate of 3.5%.

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                                  APPENDIX B
                    PARTICIPATING UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS
                         AVAILABLE FOR ALL CONTRACTS

AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUNDS, INC.

        The AIM Variable Insurance Products Fund, Inc. is an open-end series
management company organized as a Maryland corporation on January 22, 1993 and
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.  Shares of the Funds are
sold only to insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits of
variable annuity contracts.  AIM Advisors ("AIM"), Inc., serves as the
investment adviser to the Funds.

        -AIM V.I. CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND     

        Investment Objective: To provide capital appreciation through
        investments in common stocks, with emphasis on medium-sized and smaller
        emerging growth companies.  AIM will be particularly interested in
        companies that are likely to benefit from new or innovative products,
        services or processes that should enhance such companies' prospects for
        future growth earnings.  Any income received from securities held by
        the Fund will be incidental, and an investor should not consider a
        purchase of shares of the Fund as equivalent to a complete investment
        program.

FEDERATED INSURANCE MANAGEMENT SERIES

        The Insurance Management Series (the "Trust") is an open-end,
management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust under
a Declaration of Trust on September 15, 1993.  Shares of the Fund are sold to
insurance companies as funding vehicles for variable annuity contracts and
variable life insurance policies issued by the insurance companies.  Federated
Advisers, a Delaware business trust organized on April 11, 1989, serves as the
Series' adviser.

        -CORPORATE BOND FUND
        
        Investment Objective:  To seek high current income by investing at
        least 65% of its assets in lower-rated fixed income bonds. 
        Other fixed income securities in which the Fund invests include, but
        are not limited to, preferred stocks, bonds, debentures, notes,
        equipment lease certificates, and equipment trust certificates.  The
        potential for capital growth may be considered in the purchase of
        various fund assets, but only when consistent with the investment
        objective of high current income.

        THE FUND'S PORTFOLIO CONSISTS PRIMARILY OF LOWER-RATED CORPORATE 
        DEBT OBLIGATIONS, WHICH ARE COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS "JUNK BONDS."  
        PURCHASERS SHOULD CAREFULLY ASSESS THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH 
        AN INVESTMENT IN THIS FUND.

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND

        The fund is an open-end, diversified, management investment company
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on November 13, 1981.  The fund's
shares are purchased by insurance companies to fund benefits under variable
insurance and annuity policies.  Fidelity Management & Research Company ("FMR")
is the fund's manager.

        -EQUITY-INCOME PORTFOLIO

        Investment Objective:  To seek reasonable income by investing 
        primarily in income-producing equity securities.  In choosing these 
        securities FMR also will consider the potential for capital 
        appreciation.  The Portfolio's goal is to achieve a yield which 
        exceeds the composite yield of the securities comprising the 
        Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index.

        -OVERSEAS PORTFOLIO

        Investment Objective:  To seek long term growth of capital primarily 
        through investments in foreign securities.  The Overseas Portfolio 
        provides a means for investors to diversify their own portfolios by 
        participating in companies and economies outside the United States.

MFS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST

        The Trust is an open-end, registered management investment company
organized as a business trust under the laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts by a Declaration of Trust dated February 1, 1994.  The Trust
currently offers shares of each Series to insurance company separate accounts
that fund Contracts.  

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<PAGE>   36
Massachusetts Financial Services Company, a Delaware Corporation ("MFS" of the
"Adviser"), is the investment adviser to each Series.

        MFS(R) EMERGING GROWTH SERIES

        Investment Objective:  To seek growth of capital.  The selection of 
        securities is made solely on the basis of potential for growth of 
        capital.  Dividend and interest income from portfolio securities, 
        if any, is incidental to the investment objective of long-term growth 
        of capital.

        -MFS(R) TOTAL RETURN SERIES

        Investment Objective:  To obtain above-average income consistent with 
        what management believes to be prudent employment of capital.  While 
        current income is the primary objective, the Series believes that 
        there also should be a reasonable opportunity for growth of capital 
        and income, since many securities offering a better-than-average yield
        may possess growth potential.

THE MFS EMERGING GROWTH SERIES AND THE MFS TOTAL RETURN SERIES MAY INVEST TO A
LIMITED EXTENT IN LOWER RATED FIXED INCOME SECURITIES OR COMPARABLE UNRATED
SECURITIES COMMONLY KNOWN AS "JUNK BONDS."  PURCHASERS SHOULD CAREFULLY ASSESS
THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THIS FUND.

NATIONWIDE SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST

        Nationwide Separate Account Trust (the "Trust") is a diversified
open-end management investment company created under the laws of Massachusetts.
The Trust offers shares in the separate underlying Mutual Funds listed below,
each with its own investment objectives. Currently, shares of the Trust will be
sold to life insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits under
variable insurance or annuity policies issued by life insurance companies. The
assets of the Trust are managed by Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. of One
Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43216, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide
Life Insurance Company.

        -GOVERNMENT BOND FUND

        Investment Objective: To provide as high a level of income as is 
        consistent with the preservation of capital. It seeks to achieve its 
        objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of securities issued 
        or backed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.

        -MONEY MARKET FUND

        Investment Objective: To seek as high a level of current income as is
        considered consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity by
        investing primarily in money market instruments.

                                      34

                                   36 of 85
<PAGE>   37
                     STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                               JANUARY 1, 1996
            INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS ISSUED
                     BY THE NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-8
                     OF NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

        This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It
contains information in addition to and in some respects more detailed than set
forth in the Prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus
dated January 1, 1996. The Prospectus may be obtained from Nationwide Life
Insurance Company by writing P. O. Box 16609, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6609, or
calling 1-800-243-6295, TDD 1-800-238-3035.

                              TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PAGE
<S>                                                                       <C>
General Information and History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       1
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . .       1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       1
Underwriters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . .       2
Calculations of Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       2
Fund Performance Summary . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      N/A
Annuity Payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       3
Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . .       4
</TABLE>

GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY

        The Nationwide Variable Account-8 is a separate investment account of
Nationwide Life Insurance Company ("Company").  The Company is a member of the
Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and all of the Company's common stock is owned
by Nationwide Corporation. Nationwide Corporation is a holding company. All of
its common stock is held by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (95.3%) and
Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company (4.7%).

SERVICES

        The Company, which has responsibility for administration of the
Contracts and the Variable Account, maintains records of the name, address,
taxpayer identification number, and other pertinent information for each
Contract Owner and the number and type of Contract issued to each such Contract
Owner and records with respect to the Contract Value of each Contract.

        The Custodian of the assets of the Variable Account is the Company. The
Company will maintain a record of all purchases and redemptions of shares of
the underlying Mutual Funds.

        The financial statements have been included herein in reliance upon the
reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants, 
Two Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215, and upon the authority of said firm
as experts in accounting and auditing.

PURCHASE OF SECURITIES BEING OFFERED

        The Contracts will be sold by licensed insurance agents in the states
where the Contracts may be lawfully sold. Such agents will be registered
representatives of broker-dealers registered under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 who are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD").

        The Contract Owner may transfer up to 100% of the Contract Value from
the Variable Account to the Fixed Account. However, the Company, at its sole
discretion, reserves the right to limit such transfers to 25% of the Contract
Value for any 12 month period. Contract Owners may at the maturity of an
Interest Rate Guarantee Period transfer a portion of the Contract Value of the
Fixed Account to the Variable Account. Such portion will be determined by the
Company at its sole discretion (but will not be less than 10% of the total
value of the portion of the Fixed Account that is maturing), and will be
declared upon the expiration date of the then current Interest Rate Guarantee
Period.  The Interest Rate Guarantee Period expires on the final day of a
calendar quarter.  Transfer under this provision must be made within 45 days
after the termination date of the guarantee period.  Owners who have entered
into a Dollar Cost Averaging agreement with the Company may transfer from the
Fixed Account under the terms of that agreement.

                                      1

                                   37 of 85
<PAGE>   38
        Transfers from the Fixed and Variable Accounts may not be made prior to
the first Contract Anniversary.  Transfers from the Fixed Account may not be
made within 12 months of any prior Transfer.  Transfers must also be made prior
to the Annuitization Date.

UNDERWRITERS

        The Contracts, which are offered continuously, are distributed by
Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. ("NFS"), One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus,
Ohio 43216, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. During the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1994, no underwriting commissions were paid by the Company
to NFS.

CALCULATIONS OF PERFORMANCE

        Any current yield quotations of the Nationwide Separate Account Trust
Money Market Fund sub-account, subject to Rule 482 of the Securities Act of
1933, shall consist of a seven calendar day historical yield, carried at least
to the nearest hundredth of a percent.  The yield shall be calculated by
determining the net change, exclusive of capital changes, in the value of
hypothetical pre-existing account having a balance of one accumulation unit at
the beginning of the base period, subtracting a hypothetical charge reflecting
deductions from Contract Owner accounts, and dividing the net change in account
value by the value of the account at the beginning of the period to obtain a
base period return, and multiplying the base period return by (365/7) or
(366/7) in a leap year.  As of December 30, 1994, the Nationwide Separate
Account Trust Money Market Fund sub-account's seven-day current unit value
yield was 4.32%.  The Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund
sub-account's effective yield is computed similarly but includes the effect of
assumed compounding on an annualized basis of the current unit value yield
quotations of the Fund, and for the period ending December 30, 1994 was 4.41%.

        The Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund sub-account's
yield and effective yield will fluctuate daily.  Actual yields will depend on
factors such as the type of instruments in the Fund's portfolio, portfolio
quality and average maturity, changes in interest rates, and the Fund's
expenses.  Although the sub-account determines its yield on the basis of a
seven calendar day period, it may use a different time period on occasion.  The
yield quotes may reflect the expense limitation described "Investment Manager
and Other Services" in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.  There
is no assurance that the yields quoted on any given occasion will remain in
effect for any period of time and there is no guarantee that the net asset
values will remain constant.  It should be noted that a Contract Owner's
investment in the Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund
sub-account is not guaranteed or insured.  Yield of other money market funds
may not be comparable if a different base period or another method of
calculation is used.

        All performance advertising shall also include quotations of
standardized average annual total return, calculated in accordance with a
standard method prescribed by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
to facilitate comparison with standardized average annual total return
advertised for a specific period is found by first taking a hypothetical $1,000
investment in each of the sub-accounts' units on the first day of the period at
the offering price, which is the Accumulation Unit Value per unit ("initial
investment") and computing the ending redeemable value ("redeemable value") of
that investment at the end of the period.  The redeemable value is then divided
by the initial investment and this quotient is taken to the Nth root (N
represents the number of years in the period) and 1 is subtracted from the
result which is then expressed as a percentage, carried to at least the nearest
hundredth of a percent.  Standardized average annual total return reflects the
deduction of a maximum $30 Contract Maintenance Charge and a 1.30% Mortality,
Expense Risk and Administration Charge.  The redeemable value also reflects the
effect of any applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge that may be imposed
at the end of the period (see "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" located in the
Prospectus).  No deduction is made for premium taxes which may be assessed by
certain states.  Nonstandardized total return may also be advertised, and is
calculated in a manner similar to standardized average annual total return
except the nonstandardized total return is based on a hypothetical initial
investment of $10,000 and does not reflect the deduction of any applicable
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.  Reflecting the Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge would decrease the level of the performance advertised.  The Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge is not reflected because the Contract is designed for
long term investment.  An assumed initial investment of $10,000 will be used
because that figure more closely approximates the size of a typical Contract
than does the $1,000 figure used in calculating the standardized average annual
total return quotations.  The amount of the hypothetical initial investment
used affects performance because the Contract Maintenance Charge is fixed per
Contract charge.

                                      2

                                   38 of 85
<PAGE>   39
        The standardized average annual total return and nonstandardized
average annual total return quotations will be current to the last day of the
calendar quarter preceding the date on which an advertisement is submitted for
publication.  Both the standardized average annual return and the
nonstandardized average annual total return will be based on rolling calendar
quarters and will cover periods of one, five, and ten years, or a period
covering the time the underlying Mutual Fund held in the sub-account has been
in existence, if the underlying Mutual Fund has not been in existence for one
of the prescribed periods.  For those underlying Mutual Funds which have not
been held as sub-accounts within the Variable Account for one of the quoted
periods, the average annual total return and nonstandardized total return
quotations will show the investment performance such underlying Mutual Funds
would have achieved (reduced by the applicable charges) had they been held as
sub-accounts within the Variable Account for the period quoted.

        Quotations of average annual total return and total return are based
upon historical earnings and will fluctuate.  Any quotation of performance,
therefore, would not be considered a guarantee of future performance.  Factors
affecting a sub-account's performance include general market conditions,
operating expenses and investment management.  A Contract Owner's account when
redeemed may be more or less than original cost.

ANNUITY PAYMENTS

        See "Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments" located in the
Prospectus.

                                      3

                                   39 of 85
<PAGE>   40

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

The Board of Directors
Nationwide Life Insurance Company:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation) and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the related consolidated
statements of income, shareholder's equity and cash flows for each of the years
in the three-year period ended December 31, 1994. These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.

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

Participating insurance and the related surplus are discussed in note 13. The
Company and its counsel are of the opinion that the ultimate ownership of the
participating surplus in excess of the contemplated equitable policyholder
dividends belongs to the shareholder. The accompanying consolidated financial
statements are presented on such basis.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1994, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.

As discussed in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, in 1994 the
Company adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, Accounting for
Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.

In 1993, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for
Income Taxes and SFAS No. 106, Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits
Other Than Pensions.

                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
February 27, 1995
                                      4

                                   40 of 85

<PAGE>   41

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

<TABLE>
                          Consolidated Balance Sheets

                           December 31, 1994 and 1993
                                (000's omitted)

<CAPTION>
                                     Assets                                                1994                1993
                                     ------                                             -----------         ----------  
<S>                                                                                     <C>                <C>
Investments (notes 5, 8 and 9):
   Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
      Fixed maturities (cost $8,318,865 in 1994)                                        $ 8,045,906                 -
      Equity securities (cost $18,373 in 1994; $8,263 in 1993)                               24,713            16,593
   Fixed maturities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $3,602,310
      in 1994; $10,886,820 in 1993)                                                       3,688,787        10,120,978
   Mortgage loans on real estate                                                          4,222,284         3,871,560
   Real estate                                                                              252,681           253,831
   Policy loans                                                                             340,491           315,898
   Other long-term investments                                                               63,914           118,490
   Short-term investments (note 14)                                                         131,643            41,797
                                                                                        -----------       -----------
                                                                                         16,770,419        14,739,147
                                                                                        -----------       -----------

Cash                                                                                          7,436            21,835
Accrued investment income                                                                   220,540           190,886
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                         1,064,159           811,944
Deferred Federal income tax                                                                  36,515                 -
Other assets                                                                                790,603           636,161
Assets held in Separate Accounts (note 8)                                                12,222,461         9,006,388
                                                                                        -----------       -----------
                                                                                        $31,112,133        25,406,361
                                                                                        ===========       ===========

                      Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity
                      ------------------------------------

Future policy benefits and claims (notes 6 and 8)                                        16,321,461        14,092,255
Policyholders' dividend accumulations                                                       338,058           322,686
Other policyholder funds                                                                     72,770            71,959
Accrued Federal income tax (note 7):
   Current                                                                                   13,126            12,294
   Deferred                                                                                       -            31,659
                                                                                        -----------       -----------
                                                                                             13,126            43,953
                                                                                        -----------       -----------

Other liabilities                                                                           235,778           217,952
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts (note 8)                                        12,222,461         9,006,388
                                                                                        -----------       -----------
                                                                                         29,203,654        23,755,193
                                                                                        -----------       -----------

Shareholder's equity (notes 3, 4, 7 and 13):
   Capital shares, $1 par value.  Authorized 5,000 shares, issued and
     outstanding 3,815 shares                                                                 3,815             3,815
   Paid-in additional capital                                                               622,753           422,753
   Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale, net of adjustment
     to deferred policy acquisition costs of $82,525 ($0 in 1993) and net of               
     deferred Federal income tax benefit of $64,425 ($1,583 expense in 1993)               (119,668)            6,747
   Retained earnings                                                                      1,401,579         1,217,853
                                                                                        -----------       -----------
                                                                                          1,908,479         1,651,168
                                                                                        -----------       -----------
Commitments and contingencies (notes 9 and 16)                                          
                                                                                        $31,112,133        25,406,361
                                                                                        ===========       ===========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                   41 of 85
<PAGE>   42


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

                       Consolidated Statements of Income

                  Years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992
                                (000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1994             1993             1992
                                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
<S>                                                                      <C>              <C>             <C>
Revenues (note 17):
   Traditional life insurance premiums                                   $  209,538          215,715          226,888
   Accident and health insurance premiums                                   324,524          312,655          430,009
   Universal life and investment product policy charges                     239,021          188,057          148,464
   Net investment income (note 5)                                         1,289,501        1,204,426        1,120,157
   Net ceded commissions from disposition of credit life and                                             
     credit accident and health business (note 12)                                -                -           27,115
   Realized gains (losses) on investments (notes 5 and 14)                  (16,384)         113,673          (19,315)
                                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
                                                                          2,046,200        2,034,526        1,933,318
                                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
Benefits and expenses:                                                                                   
   Benefits and claims                                                    1,279,763        1,236,906        1,319,735
   Provision for policyholders' dividends on participating                                                
     policies (note 13)                                                      46,061           53,189           61,834
  Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                          94,744          102,134           99,197
  Other operating costs and expenses                                        352,402          329,396          321,993
                                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
                                                                          1,772,970        1,721,625        1,802,759
                                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
          Income before Federal income tax and cumulative                                                
            effect of changes in accounting principles                      273,230          312,901          130,559
                                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
                                                                                                         
Federal income tax (note 7):                                                                             
   Current expense                                                           79,847           75,124           47,402
   Deferred expense (benefit)                                                 9,657           31,634          (13,660)
                                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
                                                                             89,504          106,758           33,742
                                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
                                                                                                         
          Income before cumulative effect of changes in                                                  
            accounting principles                                           183,726          206,143           96,817
                                                                                                         
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles,                                                   
   net of tax (note 3)                                                            -            5,365                -
                                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
          Net income                                                     $  183,726          211,508           96,817
                                                                         ==========       ==========       ==========

</TABLE>                                                                       

                                                                               
         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.          

                                   42 of 85
<PAGE>   43


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

                Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity

                  Years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992
                                (000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Unrealized
                                                                      gains (losses)
                                                        Paid-in       on securities                             Total
                                        Capital       additional      available-for-        Retained        shareholder's
                                         shares         capital         sale, net           earnings           equity
                                       ---------      -----------     --------------       ----------       -------------
<S>                                    <C>            <C>             <C>                  <C>              <C>
1992:
   Balance, beginning of year           $  3,815         311,753              96,048          933,179           1,344,795
   Dividends paid to shareholder               -               -                   -           (5,846)             (5,846)
   Net income                                  -               -                   -           96,817              96,817
   Unrealized losses on equity
     securities, net of deferred
     Federal income tax                        -               -              (5,524)               -              (5,524)
                                       ---------      -----------     --------------       ----------       -------------
   Balance, end of year                 $  3,815         311,753              90,524        1,024,150           1,430,242
                                       =========      ===========     ==============       ==========       =============

1993:
   Balance, beginning of year              3,815         311,753              90,524        1,024,150           1,430,242
   Capital contributions                       -         111,000                   -                -             111,000
   Dividends paid to shareholder               -               -                   -          (17,805)            (17,805)
   Net income                                  -               -                   -          211,508             211,508
   Unrealized losses on equity
     securities, net of deferred
     Federal income tax                        -               -             (83,777)               -             (83,777)
                                       ---------      -----------     --------------       ----------       -------------
   Balance, end of year                 $  3,815         422,753               6,747        1,217,853           1,651,168
                                       =========      ===========     ==============       ==========       =============

1994:
   Balance, beginning of year              3,815         422,753               6,747        1,217,853           1,651,168
   Capital contribution                        -         200,000                   -                -             200,000
   Net income                                  -               -                   -          183,726             183,726
   Adjustment for change in
     accounting for certain
     investments in debt and 
     equity securities, net of
     adjustment to deferred policy          
     acquisition costs and deferred
     Federal income tax (note 3)               -               -             216,915                -             216,915
  Unrealized losses on securities
     available-for-sale, net of
     adjustment to deferred policy
     acquisition costs and deferred
     Federal income tax                        -               -            (343,330)               -            (343,330)
                                       ---------      -----------     --------------       ----------       -------------
  Balance, end of year                 $   3,815         622,753            (119,668)       1,401,579           1,908,479
                                       =========      ===========     ==============       ==========       =============
</TABLE>


                                                                     
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                   43 of 85
<PAGE>   44


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

                     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                  Years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992
                                (000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              1994             1993             1992
                                                                           ----------       ----------       ----------
<S>                                                                       <C>               <C>              <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                                               $  183,726          211,508           96,817
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
    operating activities:
      Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs                    (264,434)        (191,994)        (177,928)
      Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                        94,744          102,134           99,197
      Amortization and depreciation                                             6,207           11,156            5,607
      Realized losses (gains) on invested assets, net                          15,949         (113,648)          19,092
      Deferred Federal income tax benefit                                      (2,166)          (6,006)         (13,105)
      Increase in accrued investment income                                   (29,654)         (4,218)          (11,518)
      (Increase) decrease in other assets                                    (112,566)        (549,277)           6,132
      Increase in policyholder account balances                             1,038,641          509,370           19,087
      Increase in policyholders' dividend accumulations                        15,372           17,316           18,708
      Increase (decrease) in accrued Federal income tax payable                   832           16,838          (15,723)
      Increase in other liabilities                                            17,826           26,958           73,512
      Other, net                                                              (19,303)         (11,745)         (10,586)
                                                                           ----------       ----------       ----------
        Net cash provided by operating activities                             945,174           18,392          109,292
                                                                           ----------       ----------       ----------
                                                                                                                       
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale                     579,067                -                -
  Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                         247,876          247,502           27,844
  Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturities held-to-maturity                 516,003        1,192,093        1,030,397
  Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities                                            -           33,959          123,422
  Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans on real estate                   220,744          146,047          259,659
  Proceeds from sale of real estate                                            46,713           23,587           22,682
  Proceeds from repayments of policy loans and
     sale of other invested assets                                            134,998           59,643           99,189
  Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired                           (2,569,672)         (12,550)         (12,718)
  Cost of fixed maturities held-to-maturity acquired                         (675,835)      (2,016,831)      (2,687,975)
  Cost of mortgage loans on real estate acquired                             (627,025)        (475,336)        (654,403)
  Cost of real estate acquired                                                (15,962)          (8,827)        (137,843)
  Policy loans issued and other invested assets acquired                     (118,012)         (76,491)         (97,491)
                                                                           ----------       ----------       ----------
      Net cash used in investing activities                                (2,261,105)        (887,204)      (2,027,620)
                                                                           ----------       ----------       ----------

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from capital contributions                                         200,000          111,000                -
  Dividends paid to shareholder                                                     -          (17,805)          (5,846)
  Increase in universal life and investment product account balances        3,640,958        2,249,740        2,468,236
  Decrease in universal life and investment product account balances       (2,449,580)      (1,458,504)        (575,180)
                                                                           ----------       ----------       ----------
      Net cash provided by financing activities                             1,391,378          884,431        1,887,210
                                                                           ----------       ----------       ----------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                           75,447           15,619          (31,118)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year                                   63,632           48,013           79,131
                                                                           ----------       ----------       ----------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year                                     $  139,079           63,632           48,013
                                                                           ==========       ==========       ==========

</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                   44 of 85
<PAGE>   45


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                        December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992
                                (000 s omitted)

(1)     Organization and Description of Business
        ----------------------------------------
        Nationwide Life Insurance Company (NLIC) is a wholly owned      
        subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation (Corp.).  Wholly-owned
        subsidiaries of NLIC include Financial Horizons Life Insurance
        Company (FHLIC), West Coast  Life Insurance Company (WCLIC), National 
        Casualty Company and subsidiaries (NCC), Nationwide Financial
        Services, Inc. (NFS), and effective December 31, 1994, Employers Life
        Insurance Company of Wausau and subsidiary (ELICW).  NLIC and its
        subsidiaries are collectively referred to as "the Company".

        NLIC, FHLIC, WCLIC and ELICW are life and accident and health
        insurers and NCC is a property  and casualty insurer. The Company is
        licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin
        Islands and Puerto Rico.  The  Company offers a full range of life, 
        health and annuity products through exclusive agents and other
        distribution channels and is subject to competition from other
        insurers throughout the United States.  The Company is subject to
        regulation by the Insurance Departments of states in which it is
        licensed, and undergoes periodic examinations by those departments.

        The following is a description of the most significant risks facing
        life and health insurers and how the Company mitigates those risks:

            LEGAL/REGULATORY RISK is the risk that changes in the legal
            or regulatory environment in which an insurer operates will create 
            additional expenses not anticipated by the insurer in pricing 
            its products.  That is, regulatory initiatives designed to 
            reduce insurer profits, new legal theories or insurance 
            company insolvencies through guaranty fund assessments may create
            costs for the insurer beyond those recorded in the consolidated
            financial statements.  The Company mitigates this risk by offering
            a wide range of products and by operating throughout the United 
            States, thus reducing its exposure to any single product or
            jurisdiction, and also by employing underwriting practices
            which identify and minimize the adverse impact of this risk.

            CREDIT RISK is the risk that issuers of securities owned by the
            Company or mortgagors on mortgage loans on real estate owned by the
            Company will default or that other parties, including reinsurers,
            which owe the Company money, will not pay.  The Company minimizes
            this risk by adhering to a conservative investment strategy, by     
            maintaining sound reinsurance and credit and collection policies
            and by providing for any amounts deemed uncollectible.

            INTEREST RATE RISK is the risk that interest rates will change
            and cause a decrease in the value of an insurer's investments. 
            This change in rates may  cause certain interest-sensitive
            products to become uncompetitive or may cause disintermediation. 
            The Company mitigates this risk by charging fees for
            non-conformance with certain policy provisions, by offering 
            products that transfer this risk to the  purchaser, and/or by
            attempting to match the maturity schedule of its assets with the
            expected payouts of its liabilities.  To the extent that
            liabilities come due more quickly than assets mature, an insurer
            would have to borrow funds or sell assets prior to maturity and
            potentially recognize a gain or loss.

(2)     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
        ------------------------------------------
        The significant accounting policies followed by the Company that
        materially affect financial reporting are summarized below.  The
        accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
        accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) which
        differ from statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
        regulatory authorities.  See note 4.

        In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is
        required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported 
        amounts of assets and liabilities as  of the date of the consolidated 
        financial statements and revenues and expenses for the period.  Actual
        results could differ significantly from those estimates.

        The estimates susceptible to significant change are those used in
        determining the liability for future policy benefits and claims and 
        those used in determining valuation allowances for mortgage loans on 
        real estate and real estate.  Although some variability is inherent in
        these estimates, management believes the amounts provided are adequate.


                                   45 of 85
<PAGE>   46

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



                 (a) Consolidation Policy
                     --------------------

                     The December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992 consolidated
                     financial statements include the accounts of  NLIC and its
                     wholly owned subsidiaries FHLIC, WCLIC, NCC and NFS.  The
                     December 31, 1994 consolidated balance sheet also
                     includes the accounts of ELICW, which was acquired by
                     NLIC effective December 31, 1994.  See Note 14.  All
                     significant intercompany balances and transactions have
                     been eliminated.

                 (b) Valuation of Investments and Related Gains and Losses
                     -----------------------------------------------------

                     Prior to January 1, 1994, the Company classified fixed
                     maturities in accordance with the then existing accounting
                     standards, and accordingly, fixed maturity securities were
                     carried at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of
                     premium or discount, since the Company had both the
                     ability and intent to hold those securities until
                     maturity.  Equity securities were carried at fair value
                     with the unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred
                     Federal income tax, reported as a separate component of
                     shareholder's equity.

                     In May 1993, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
                     (FASB) issued STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
                     STANDARDS NO. 115 - ACCOUNTING FOR CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN
                     DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES (SFAS 115).  SFAS 115
                     requires fixed maturities and equity securities to be
                     classified as either held-to-maturity, available-for-sale,
                     or trading.  The Company has  no trading securities.  The 
                     Company adopted SFAS 115 as of January 1, 1994, with no 
                     effect on consolidated net income.  See note 3 regarding 
                     the effect on consolidated shareholder's equity.

                     Fixed maturity securities are classified as held-to-
                     maturity when the Company has the positive intent
                     and ability to hold the securities to maturity and are     
                     stated at amortized cost.  Fixed maturity securities not
                     classified as held-to-maturity and all equity securities
                     are classified as available-for-sale and are stated at
                     fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of
                     adjustments to deferred policy acquisition costs and
                     deferred Federal income tax, reported as a separate
                     component of shareholder's equity.  The adjustment to
                     deferred policy acquisition costs represents the change
                     in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs that
                     would have been required as a charge or credit to
                     operations had such unrealized amounts been realized.

                     Mortgage loans on real estate are carried at the unpaid
                     principal balance less valuation allowances.  The Company
                     provides valuation allowances for impairments of
                     mortgage loans on real estate based on a review by
                     portfolio managers.  Loans in foreclosure and loans
                     considered in-substance foreclosed as of the balance
                     sheet date are placed on non-accrual status and written
                     down to the fair value of the existing property to
                     derive a new cost basis.   Real estate is carried at
                     cost less accumulated depreciation and valuation
                     allowances.  Other long-term investments are carried on
                     the equity basis, adjusted for valuation allowances.

                     Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are
                     determined on the basis of specific security 
                     identification.  Estimates for valuation allowances and
                     other than temporary declines are included in realized
                     gains and losses on investments.

                     In May, 1993, the FASB issued STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL
                     ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 114 - ACCOUNTING BY CREDITORS
                     FOR IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN (SFAS 114).  SFAS 114, which
                     was amended by STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
                     STANDARDS NO. 118 - ACCOUNTING BY CREDITORS FOR
                     IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN - INCOME RECOGNITION AND
                     DISCLOSURE in October, 1994, requires the measurement of
                     impaired loans be based on the present value of expected
                     future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective
                     interest rate or,  as a practical expedient, at the
                     loan's observable market price or the fair value of the
                     collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  The
                     impact on  the consolidated financial statements of
                     adopting SFAS 114 as amended is not expected to be
                     material.  Previously issued consolidated financial
                     statements shall not be restated.  The Company will adopt
                     SFAS 114 as amended in 1995.


                                   46 of 85
<PAGE>   47

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



                 (c) Revenues and Benefits
                     ---------------------

                     TRADITIONAL LIFE INSURANCE  PRODUCTS:  Traditional life
                     insurance products include those products with fixed and
                     guaranteed premiums and benefits and consist primarily of
                     whole life, limited-payment life, term life and certain
                     annuities with life contingencies.  Premiums for
                     traditional life insurance products are recognized as
                     revenue when due and collected.  Benefits and expenses
                     are associated with earned premiums so as to result in
                     recognition of profits over the life of the contract.
                     This association is accomplished by the provision for
                     future policy benefits and the deferral and amortization
                     of policy acquisition costs.

                     UNIVERSAL LIFE AND INVESTMENT PRODUCTS:  Universal life
                     products include universal life, variable universal life
                     and other interest-sensitive life insurance policies.
                     Investment products consist primarily of individual and
                     group deferred annuities, annuities without life
                     contingencies and guaranteed investment contracts.
                     Revenues for universal life and investment products
                     consist of cost of insurance, policy administration and
                     surrender charges that have been earned and assessed
                     against policy account balances during the period.
                     Policy benefits and claims that are charged to expense
                     include benefits and claims incurred in the period in
                     excess of related policy account balances and interest
                     credited to policy account balances.

                     ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE:  Accident and health 
                     insurance premiums are recognized as revenue over the 
                     terms of the policies.  Policy claims are charged to 
                     expense in the period that the claims are incurred.

                 (d) Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
                     ---------------------------------

                     The costs of acquiring new business, principally
                     commissions, certain expenses of the policy issue
                     and underwriting department and certain variable
                     agency expenses have been deferred.  For traditional
                     life and individual health insurance products, these
                     deferred acquisition costs are predominantly being
                     amortized with interest over the premium paying period
                     of the related policies in proportion to the ratio of
                     actual annual premium revenue to the anticipated total
                     premium revenue.  Such anticipated premium revenue was
                     estimated using the same assumptions as were used for
                     computing liabilities for future policy benefits.  For
                     universal life and investment products, deferred policy
                     acquisition costs are being amortized with interest over
                     the lives of the policies in relation to the present
                     value of estimated future gross profits from projected
                     interest margins, cost of insurance, policy
                     administration and surrender  charges.  For years in
                     which gross profits are negative, deferred policy
                     acquisition costs are amortized based on the present
                     value of gross revenues.  Beginning January 1, 1994,
                     deferred policy acquisition costs are adjusted to
                     reflect the impact of unrealized gains and losses on
                     fixed maturity securities available-for-sale.  See note
                     2(b).

                 (e) Separate Accounts
                     -----------------

                     Separate Account assets and liabilities represent
                     contractholders' funds which have been segregated into
                     accounts with specific investment objectives.  The
                     investment income and gains or losses of these accounts
                     accrue directly to the contractholders.  The activity of
                     the Separate Accounts is not reflected in the
                     consolidated statements of income and cash flows except
                     for the fees the Company receives for administrative
                     services and risks assumed.

                 (f) Future Policy Benefits
                     ----------------------

                     Future policy benefits for traditional life and individual
                     health policies have been calculated using a net level
                     premium method based on estimates of mortality,
                     morbidity, investment yields and withdrawals which were
                     used or which were being experienced at the time the
                     policies were issued, rather than the assumptions
                     prescribed by state regulatory authorities.  See note 6.

                     Future policy benefits for annuity policies in the
                     accumulation phase, universal life and variable universal
                     life policies have been calculated based on participants'
                     contributions plus interest credited less applicable
                     contract charges.

                     Future policy benefits and claims for group long-term
                     disability policies are the present value (primarily
                     discounted at 5.5%) of amounts not yet due on reported
                     claims and an estimate of amounts to be paid on incurred
                     but unreported claims.  The impact of reserve discounting
                     is not material.  Future policy benefits and claims on
                     other group health policies are not discounted.


                                   47 of 85
<PAGE>   48


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

                 (g) Participating Business
                     ----------------------
                     Participating business represents approximately 45%
                     (48% in 1993 and 1992) of the Company's ordinary
                     life insurance in force, 72% (72% in 1993; 71% in 1992)
                     of the number of policies in force, and 41% (45% in 1993
                     and 1992) of life insurance premiums.  The provision for
                     policyholder dividends is based on current dividend
                     scales.  Future dividends are provided for ratably in
                     future policy benefits based on dividend scales in effect
                     at the time the policies were issued.  Dividend scales are
                     approved by the Board of Directors.

                     Income attributable to participating policies in excess
                     of policyholder dividends is accounted for as belonging to
                     the shareholder.  See note 13.

                 (h) Federal Income Tax
                     ------------------
                     NLIC, FHLIC, WCLIC and NCC file a consolidated Federal
                     income tax return with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
                     (NMIC), the majority shareholder of Corp.  Through 1994,
                     ELICW filed a consolidated Federal income tax return with
                     Employers Insurance of Wausau A Mutual Company.
                     Beginning in 1995, ELICW will file a separate Federal
                     income tax return.

                     In 1993, the Company adopted STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL
                     ACCOUNTING STANDARDS  NO. 109 - ACCOUNTING  FOR INCOME
                     TAXES, which required a change from the deferred method
                     of accounting  for income tax of APB Opinion 11 to the
                     asset and liability method of accounting for income tax.
                     Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax
                     assets and liabilities are recognized for the future
                     tax consequences attributable to differences between
                     the financial statement carrying amounts of existing
                     assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases
                     and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.
                     Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using
                     enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in
                     the years in which those temporary differences are
                     expected to be recovered or settled.  Under this
                     method, the effect on deferred tax assets and
                     liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in
                     income in the period that includes the enactment date.
                     Valuation allowances are established when necessary to
                     reduce the deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to
                     be realized.

                     Prior to 1993, the Company applied the deferred method
                     of accounting for income tax which recognized deferred
                     income tax for income and expense items that are reported
                     in different years for financial reporting purposes and
                     income tax purposes using the tax rate applicable for
                     the year of calculation.  Under the deferred method,
                     deferred tax is not adjusted for subsequent changes in tax
                     rates.  See note 7.

                     The Company has reported the cumulative effect of the
                     change in method of accounting for income tax in the
                     1993 consolidated statement of income.  See note 3.

                 (i) Reinsurance Ceded
                     -----------------
                     Reinsurance premiums ceded and reinsurance recoveries
                     on benefits and claims incurred are deducted from the
                     respective income and expense accounts.  Assets and
                     liabilities related to reinsurance ceded are reported on
                     a gross basis.

                 (j) Cash Equivalents
                     ----------------
                     For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash
                     flows, the Company considers all short-term investments
                     with original maturities of three months or less to be
                     cash equivalents.

                 (k) Reclassification
                     ----------------
                     Certain items in the 1993 and 1992 consolidated financial
                     statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1994
                     presentation.


                                   48 of 85
<PAGE>   49


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

(3)     Changes in Accounting Principles
        --------------------------------

        Effective January 1, 1994, the Company changed its method of
        accounting for certain investments in debt and equity securities in
        connection with the issuance of a new accounting standard by the FASB
        as described in Note 2(b).  As of January 1, 1994, the company
        classified fixed maturity securities with amortized cost and fair value
        of $6,593,844 and $7,024,736, respectively, as available-for-sale
        and recorded the securities at fair value.  Previously, these
        securities were recorded at amortized cost.  The effect as of January
        1, 1994 has been recorded as  a direct credit to shareholder's equity
        as follows:

<TABLE>
           <S>                                                                   <C>
           Excess of fair value over amortized cost of fixed maturity
              securities available-for-sale                                       $430,892
           Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                         (97,177)
           Deferred Federal income tax                                            (116,800)
                                                                                  --------
                                                                                  $216,915
                                                                                  ========
</TABLE>   

        During 1993, the Company adopted accounting principles in       
        connection with the issuance of two accounting standards by the FASB.  
        The effect as of January 1, 1993, the date of adoption, has been
        recognized in the 1993 consolidated statement of income as the
        cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, as follows:

<TABLE>        
           <S>                                                                   <C>
           Asset/liability method of recognizing income tax (note 7)              $ 26,344
           Accrual method of recognizing postretirement benefits other
              than pensions (net of tax benefit of $11,296), (note 11)             (20,979)
                                                                                  --------
                  Net cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles       $  5,365
                                                                                  ========
</TABLE>  

(4)     Basis of Presentation
        ---------------------
        The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in     
        accordance with GAAP.  Annual Statements for NLIC and FHLIC, WCLIC,
        ELICW and NCC, filed with the Department ofInsurance of the State of 
        Ohio, California Department of Insurance, Wisconsin Insurance
        Department and Michigan Bureau of Insurance, respectively, are prepared
        on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or permitted by 
        such regulatory authorities.  Prescribed statutory accounting
        practices include a variety of publications of the National Association
        of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), as  well as state laws, regulations 
        and general administrative rules.  Permitted statutory accounting
        practices encompass all accounting practices not so prescribed.  The
        Company has no material permitted statutory accounting practices.

        The following reconciles the statutory net income of NLIC as
        reported to regulatory authorities to the net income as shown
        in the accompanying consolidated financial statements:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1994           1993            1992
                                                                                   --------        -------         -------
           <S>                                                                   <C>              <C>             <C>
           Statutory net income                                                    $ 76,532        185,943          33,812
           Adjustments to restate to the basis of GAAP:
                 Consolidating statutory net income of subsidiaries                  14,350         19,545          21,519
                 Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs, net                 167,166         89,860          78,731
                 Future policy benefits                                             (76,310)       (70,640)        (63,355)
                 Deferred Federal income tax (expense) benefit                       (9,657)       (31,634)         13,660
                 Equity in earnings of affiliates                                     1,013          7,121           4,618
                 Valuation allowances and other than temporary
                   declines accounted for directly in surplus                         6,275         (6,638)          3,402
                 Interest maintenance reserve                                        (7,332)        13,754           7,588
                 Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, 
                   net of tax                                                             -          5,365               -
                 Other, net                                                          11,689         (1,168)         (3,158)
                                                                                   --------        -------         -------
                    Net income per accompanying consolidated
                       statements of income                                        $183,726        211,508          96,817
                                                                                   ========        =======         =======
</TABLE>   


                                   49 of 85
<PAGE>   50


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

        The following reconciles the statutory capital shares and
        surplus of NLIC as reported to regulatory authorities to the
        shareholder's equity as shown in the accompanying consolidated
        financial statements:

<TABLE>        
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      1994            1993           1992
                                                                                   ----------       --------       --------
           <S>                                                                    <C>              <C>            <C>
           Statutory capital shares and surplus                                    $1,262,861        992,631        647,307
           Add (deduct) cumulative effect of adjustments:
                 Deferred policy acquisition costs                                  1,064,159        811,944        722,084
                 Nonadmitted assets and furniture and equipment charged to
                   income in the year of acquisition, net of accumulated
                   depreciation                                                        16,120         22,573         15,712
                 Asset valuation reserve                                              153,387        105,596        138,727
                 Interest maintenance reserve                                          18,843         21,069          7,315
                 Future policy benefits                                              (310,302)      (238,231)      (167,591)
                 Deferred Federal income tax, including effect of changes in
                   accounting principles in 1993                                       36,515        (31,659)       (82,724)
                 Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles for
                   postretirement benefits other than pensions, gross                       -        (32,275)             -
                 Difference between amortized cost and fair value of fixed
                  maturity securities available-for-sale, gross                      (272,959)             -              -
                 Other, net                                                           (60,145)          (480)       149,412
                                                                                   ----------     ----------     ----------
                     Shareholder's equity per accompanying consolidated
                        balance sheets                                             $1,908,479      1,651,168      1,430,242
                                                                                   ==========     ==========     ==========
</TABLE>   
           
(5)     Investments
        -----------

        An analysis of investment income by investment type follows for the 
        years ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      1994            1993           1992
                                                                                   ----------       --------       --------
           <S>                                                                    <C>              <C>            <C>
           Gross investment income:
               Securities available-for-sale:
                 Fixed maturities                                                  $  674,346              -              -
                 Equity securities                                                        550          7,230          6,949
               Fixed maturities held-to-maturity                                      193,009        800,255        754,876
               Mortgage loans on real estate                                          376,783        364,810        334,769
               Real estate                                                             40,280         39,684         27,410
               Short-term                                                               6,990          5,080          7,298
               Other                                                                   42,831         33,832         30,717
                                                                                   ----------       --------       --------
                     Total investment income                                        1,334,789      1,250,891      1,162,019
           Less investment expenses                                                    45,288         46,465         41,862
                                                                                   ----------     ----------     ----------
                     Net investment income                                         $1,289,501      1,204,426      1,120,157
                                                                                   ==========     ==========     ==========
</TABLE>  
          

        An analysis of the change in gross unrealized gains (losses) on
        securities available-for-sale and fixed maturities held-to-maturity
        follows for the years ended December 31:
        
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      1994            1993           1992
                                                                                   ----------       --------       --------
           <S>                                                                    <C>              <C>            <C>
           Securities available-for-sale:
              Fixed maturities                                                    $  (703,851)             -              -
              Equity securities                                                        (1,990)      (128,837)        (9,195)
           Fixed maturities held-to-maturity                                         (421,427)       223,392         17,774
                                                                                  -----------       --------       --------
                                                                                  $(1,127,268)        94,555          8,579
                                                                                  ===========       ========       ========
                                                                               
</TABLE>   


                                   50 of 85
<PAGE>   51


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



        An analysis of realized gains (losses) on investments by investment 
        type follows for the years ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      1994            1993           1992
                                                                                   ----------       --------       --------
           <S>                                                                    <C>              <C>            <C>
           Realized on disposition of investments:
             Securities available-for-sale:
                Fixed maturities                                                     $(13,720)             -              -
                Equity securities                                                       1,427        129,728          7,215
             Fixed maturities                                                               -         21,159         13,399
             Mortgage loans on real estate                                            (16,130)       (17,763)       (30,334)
             Real estate and other                                                      5,765        (12,813)       (12,997)
                                                                                   ----------       --------       --------
                                                                                      (22,658)       120,311        (22,717)
                                                                                   ----------       --------       --------
                                                                                          
           
           Valuation allowances:
             Securities available-for-sale:
                Fixed maturities                                                        6,600              -              -
             Fixed maturities                                                               -           (934)         1,792
             Mortgage loans on real estate                                             (4,332)       (10,478)        (5,969)
             Real estate and other                                                      4,006          4,774          7,579
                                                                                   ----------       --------       --------
                                                                                        6,274         (6,638)         3,402
                                                                                   ----------       --------       --------
                                                                                     $(16,384)       113,673        (19,315)
                                                                                   ==========       ========       ========
</TABLE>   
           
        The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities       
        available-for-sale and fixed maturities held-to-maturity were as
        follows as of December 31, 1994:
       
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Gross           Gross
                                                                  Amortized        unrealized     unrealized        Estimated
                                                                     cost            gains          losses         fair value
                                                                 -----------       ----------     ----------       ----------
          <S>                                                    <C>               <C>            <C>              <C>
          Securities available-for-sale                                                                    
          -----------------------------                                                        
            Fixed maturities:
              US Treasury securities and obligations of US
                government corporations and agencies              $  393,156           1,794         (18,941)         376,009
              Obligations of states and political           
                subdivisions                                           2,202              55             (21)           2,236
              Debt securities issued by foreign governments          177,910             872          (9,205)         169,577
              Corporate securities                                 4,201,738          50,405        (128,698)       4,123,445
              Mortgage-backed securities                           3,543,859          18,125        (187,345)       3,374,639
                                                                 -----------       ----------     ----------       ----------
                  Total fixed maturities                           8,318,865          71,251        (344,210)       8,045,906
            Equity securities                                         18,373           6,636            (296)          24,713
                                                                 -----------       ----------     ----------       ----------
                                                                  $8,337,238          77,887        (344,506)       8,070,619
                                                                 ===========       ==========     ==========       ==========
                                                                                                              
          Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                                       
          ------------------------------------------                                                          
              Obligations of states and political               
                subdivisions                                      $   11,613              92            (255)          11,450
              Debt securities issued by foreign governments           16,131             111             (39)          16,203
              Corporate securities                                 3,661,043          34,180        (120,566)       3,574,657
                                                                 -----------       ----------     ----------       ----------
                                                                  $3,688,787          34,383        (120,860)       3,602,310
                                                                 ===========       ==========     ==========       ==========
</TABLE>                                                                      


                                   51 of 85
<PAGE>   52

              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

        The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments of fixed
        maturity securities were as follows as of December 31, 1993:
       
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Gross           Gross
                                                                  Amortized        unrealized     unrealized        Estimated
                                                                     cost            gains          losses         fair value
                                                                 -----------       ----------     ----------       ----------
          <S>                                                    <C>               <C>            <C>              <C>
               US Treasury securities and obligations of US
                 government corporations and agencies            $   287,738          18,204          (392)           305,550
               Obligations of states and political        
                 subdivisions                                         16,519           2,700            (5)            19,214
               Debt securities issued by foreign governments         137,092           7,719        (1,213)           143,598
               Corporate securities                                6,819,355         647,778       (15,648)         7,451,485
               Mortgage-backed securities                          2,860,274         121,721       (15,022)         2,966,973
                                                                 -----------       ----------     ----------       ----------
                                                                 $10,120,978         798,122       (32,280)        10,886,820
                                                                 ===========       ==========     ==========       ==========
</TABLE>               
        As of December 31, 1993 the net unrealized gain on equity       
        securities, before providing for deferred Federal income tax, was
        $8,330, comprised of gross unrealized gains of $8,345 and gross 
        unrealized losses of $15.

        The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity
        securities available-for-sale and fixed maturity securities 
        held-to-maturity as of December 31, 1994, by contractual maturity,
        are shown below.  Expected maturities will differ from contractual 
        maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay
        obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Amortized          Estimated
                                                                        cost            fair value
                                                                     ----------         -----------
           <S>                                                      <C>                <C>
           Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
           --------------------------------------------
           Due in one year or less                                   $  294,779            294,778
           Due after one year through five years                      2,553,825          2,490,886
           Due after five years through ten years                     1,382,311          1,327,089
           Due after ten years                                          544,091            558,514
                                                                     ----------         -----------
                                                                      4,775,006          4,671,267
           Mortgage-backed securities                                 3,543,859          3,374,639
                                                                     ----------         -----------
                                                                     $8,318,865          8,045,906
                                                                     ==========         ===========
           
           Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity
           ------------------------------------------
           Due in one year or less                                   $  333,517            333,000
           Due after one year through five years                      1,953,179          1,942,260
           Due after five years through ten years                     1,080,069          1,013,083
           Due after ten years                                          322,022            313,967
                                                                     ----------         -----------
                                                                     $3,688,787          3,602,310
                                                                     ==========         ===========
</TABLE>   
        Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale during 
        1994 were $247,876, while proceeds from sales of investments in
        fixed maturity securities during 1993 were $33,959 ($123,422 during
        1992).  Gross gains of $3,406 ($2,413 in 1993 and $3,194 in 1992) and
        gross losses of $21,866 ($39 in 1993 and $513 in 1992) were realized 
        on those sales.

        Investments that were non-income producing for the twelve month
        period preceding December 31, 1994 amounted to $11,513 ($13,158 for
        1993) and consisted of $11,111 ($10,907 in 1993) in real estate and
        $402 ($2,251 in 1993) in other long-term investments.

        Real estate is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation of 
        $29,275 in 1994 ($24,717 in 1993) and valuation allowances of $27,330 
        in 1994 ($31,357 in 1993). Other valuation allowances are $0 in 1994
        ($6,680 in 1993) on fixed maturities and $47,892 in 1994 ($42,350 in
        1993) on mortgage loans on real estate.


                                   52 of 85
<PAGE>   53

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

        The Company generally initiates foreclosure proceedings on all
        mortgage loans on real estate delinquent sixty days.  Foreclosures 
        of mortgage loans on real estate were $37,187 in 1994 ($39,281 in
        1993) and mortgage loans on real estate in process of foreclosure or
        in-substance foreclosed as of December 31, 1994 totaled $19,878
        ($24,658 as of December 31, 1993), which approximates fair value.

        Investments with an amortized cost of $11,137 and $11,383 as of 
        December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively, were on deposit with various
        regulatory agencies as required by law.

(6)     Future Policy Benefits and Claims
        ---------------------------------
        The liability for future policy benefits for traditional life and
        individual health policies has been established based upon the
        following assumptions:

           Interest rates:  Interest rates vary as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Year of issue                                   Life                                     Health
                  -------------                                   ----                                     ------
                  <S>                 <C>                                                                  <C>
                  1994                7.2 %, not graded - permanent contracts with loan provisions;         5.0%
                                      6.0%, not graded - all other contracts
                  1984-1993           7.4% to 10.5%, not graded                                             5.0% to 6%
                  1966-1983           6% to 8.1%, graded over 20 years to 4% to 6.6%                        3.5% to 6%
                  1965 and prior      generally lower than post 1965 issues                                 3.5% to 4%
</TABLE>                            
           Withdrawals:  Rates, which vary by issue age, type of coverage       
           and policy duration, are based on Company experience. 

           Mortality:  Mortality and morbidity rates are based on       
           published tables, modified for the Company's actual experience.

        The liability for future policy benefits for investment contracts
        (approximately 81% and 80% of the total liability for future policy
        benefits as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively) has been
        established based on policy term, interest rates and various contract
        provisions.  The average interest rate credited on investment product
        policies was 6.5%, 7.0% and 7.5% for the years ended December 31, 1994,
        1993 and 1992, respectively.

        Future policy benefits and claims for group long-term disability
        policies are the present value (primarily discounted at 5.5%) of 
        amounts not yet due on reported claims and an estimate of amounts to be
        paid on incurred but unreported claims.  The impact of reserve
        discounting is not material.  Future policy benefits and claims on 
        other group health policies are not discounted.

        Activity in the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment
        expenses is summarized for the years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1994           1993           1992
                                                                ---------      --------       --------
           <S>                                                <C>             <C>            <C>
           Balance as of January 1                              $591,258        760,312        672,581
              Less reinsurance recoverables                      429,798        547,786        445,934
                                                                ---------      --------       --------
                    Net balance as of January 1                  161,460        212,526        226,647
                                                                ---------      --------       --------
           Incurred related to:
              Current year                                       273,299        309,721        360,545
              Prior years                                        (26,156)       (26,248)       (17,433)
                                                                ---------      --------       --------
                 Total incurred                                  247,143        283,473        343,112
                                                                ---------      --------       --------
           Paid related to:
              Current year                                       175,700        208,978        226,886
              Prior years                                         73,889        125,561        130,347
                                                                ---------      --------       --------
                 Total paid                                      249,589        334,539        357,233
                                                                ---------      --------       --------
           Unpaid claims of ELICW (note 14)                       40,223              -              -
                                                                ---------      --------       --------
                    Net balance as of December 31                199,237        161,460        212,526

              Plus reinsurance recoverables                      457,694        429,798        547,786
                                                                ---------      --------       --------
           Balance as of December 31                            $656,931        591,258        760,312
                                                                ========       ========       ========
</TABLE> 


                                   53 of 85
<PAGE>   54

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

        As a result of changes in estimates for insured events of prior
        years, the provision for claims and claim adjustment expenses
        decreased in each of the three years ended December 31, 1994 due to
        lower-than-anticipated costs to settle accident and health claims.
        
(7)     Federal Income Tax
        ------------------

        Prior to 1984, the Life Insurance Company Income Tax Act of 1959 as 
        amended by the Deficit Reduction Act  of 1984 (DRA), permitted the 
        deferral from taxation of a portion of statutory income under certain
        circumstances.  In these situations, the deferred income was
        accumulated in the Policyholders' Surplus Account (PSA).  Management 
        considers the likelihood of distributions from  the PSA to be remote;
        therefore, no Federal income tax has been provided for such
        distributions in the consolidated financial statements.  The DRA 
        eliminated any additional deferrals to the PSA.  Any distributions
        from the PSA, however, will continue to be taxable at the then current
        tax rate.  The balance of the PSA is approximately $35,344 as of
        December 31, 1994.

        The Company adopted STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO.
        109 - ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES (SFAS 109), as of January 1, 1993.  
        See note 3.  The 1992 consolidated financial statements have not 
        been restated to apply the provisions of SFAS 109.

        The significant components of deferred income tax expense for the years
        ended December 31 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       1994           1993
                                                                      ------         ------
           <S>                                                       <C>            <C>
           Deferred income tax expense (exclusive of the
              effects of other components listed below)               $9,657         29,930
           Adjustments to deferred income tax assets and
              liabilities for enacted changes in tax laws             
              and rates                                                    -          1,704
                                                                      ------         ------
                                                                      $9,657         31,634
                                                                      ======         ======
</TABLE>   
        For the year ended December 31, 1992, the deferred income tax
        benefit results from timing differences in the recognition of 
        income and expense for income tax and financial reporting purposes.  
        The primary sources of those timing differences were deferred policy
        acquisition costs (deferred expense  of $16,457) and reserves for future
        policy benefits (deferred benefit of $32,045).
        
        Total Federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31,
        1994, 1993 and 1992 differs from the amount computed by applying the
        U.S. Federal income tax rate to income before tax as follows:        
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   
                                                   
                                                                 1994                        1993                  1992            
                                                                 ----                        ----                  ----            
                                                          Amount        %           Amount        %           Amount      %
                                                         -------       ----        --------      ----        -------     ----  
           <S>                                           <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>         <C> 
           Computed (expected) tax expense               $95,631       35.0        $109,515      35.0        $44,390     34.0
           Tax exempt interest and dividends
              received deduction                            (194)      (0.1)         (2,322)     (0.7)        (4,172)    (3.2)
           Current year increase in U.S. Federal
              income tax rate                                  -          -           1,704       0.5              -        -
           Real estate valuation allowance
              adjustment                                       -          -               -         -         (3,463)    (2.7)
           Other, net                                     (5,933)      (2.1)         (2,139)     (0.7)        (3,013)    (2.3)
                                                         -------       ----        --------      ----        -------     ----  
                 Total (effective rate of each           
                   year)                                 $89,504       32.8        $106,758      34.1        $33,742     25.8
                                                         =======       ====        ========      ====        =======     ====  
</TABLE> 
        Total Federal income tax paid was $87,576, $58,286 and $63,124 during
        the years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively.


                                   54 of 85
<PAGE>   55

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

        The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
        components of the net deferred tax asset (liability) as of December 31,
        1994 and 1993 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                                              
                                                                              1994            1993
                                                                            --------        ---------
           <S>                                                             <C>             <C>
           Deferred tax assets:
              Future policy benefits                                        $124,044          129,995
              Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale                    95,536                -
              Liabilities in Separate Accounts                                94,783           64,722
              Mortgage loans on real estate and real estate                   25,632           24,020
              Other policyholder funds                                         7,137            7,759
              Other assets and other liabilities                              57,528           41,390
                                                                            --------        ---------
                Total gross deferred tax assets                              404,660          267,886
                                                                            --------        ---------
                                                                                                     
           
           Deferred tax liabilities:
              Deferred policy acquisition costs                              317,224          243,731
              Fixed maturities, equity securities and other
                 long-term investments                                         3,620           11,137
              Other                                                           47,301           44,677
                                                                            --------        ---------
                Total gross deferred tax liabilities                         368,145          299,545
                                                                            --------        ---------
                      Net deferred tax asset (liability)                    $ 36,515          (31,659)
                                                                            ========        =========
</TABLE>   
        The Company has determined that valuation  allowances are not   
        necessary as of December 31, 1994 and 1993 and January 1, 1993 (date of
        adoption of SFAS 109) based on its analysis of future deductible
        amounts.   All future deductible amounts can be offset by future 
        taxable amounts or recovery of Federal income tax paid  within the
        statutory carryback period.  In addition,  for future  deductible
        amounts for  securities available-for-sale,  affiliates of  the Company
        which  are included in the same consolidated Federal income tax return
        hold investments that could  be sold for capital gains that could offset
        capital losses realized by the Company should securities
        available-for-sale be sold at a loss.

(8)     Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments
        -----------------------------------------------------

        STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 107 - DISCLOSURES ABOUT
        FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (SFAS 107) requires disclosure of
        fair value information about existing on and off-balance sheet financial
        instruments.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available,
        fair value is based on estimates using present value or other valuation
        techniques.

        These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used,
        including the discount rate and estimates of future cash  flows. 
        Although fair value estimates are calculated using assumptions that
        management believes are appropriate, changes in assumptions could cause
        these estimates to vary materially.  In that regard, the derived fair
        value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent
        markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in the immediate
        settlement of the instruments.  SFAS 107 excludes certain assets and
        liabilities from its disclosure requirements.  Accordingly, the
        aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying
        value of the Company.

        Although insurance contracts, other than policies such as annuities that
        are classified as investment contracts, are specifically exempted from 
        SFAS 107 disclosures, estimated fair value of policy reserves on
        insurance contracts are provided to make the fair value disclosures more
        meaningful.

        The tax ramifications of the related unrealized gains and losses can 
        have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been
        considered in the estimates.

        The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in 
        estimating its fair value disclosures:

           CASH, SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AND POLICY LOANS:  The carrying 
           amount reported in the balance sheets for these instruments
           approximate their fair value.


                                   55 of 85
<PAGE>   56

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



           INVESTMENT SECURITIES:  Fair value for fixed maturity        
           securities is based on quoted market prices, where available.  
           For fixed maturity securities not actively traded, fair value is
           estimated using values obtained from independent pricing services
           or, in the case of private placements, is estimated by
           discounting expected future cash flows using a current market rate
           applicable to the yield, credit quality and maturity of the
           investments.  The fair value for equity securities is based on quoted
           market prices.

           SEPARATE ACCOUNT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES:  The fair value of assets 
           held in Separate Accounts is based on quoted market prices. 
           The fair value of liabilities related to Separate Accounts is the
           amount payable on demand.

           MORTGAGE LOANS ON REAL ESTATE:  The fair value for mortgage loans on
           real estate is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, 
           using interest rates currently being offered for similar loans 
           to borrowers with similar credit ratings.  Loans with similar
           characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations. 
           Fair value for mortgages in default is valued at the estimated fair
           value of the underlying collateral.

           INVESTMENT CONTRACTS:  Fair value for the Company's liabilities
           under investment type contracts is disclosed using two methods.  
           For investment contracts without defined maturities, fair value
           is the amount payable on demand.  For investment contracts with 
           known or determined maturities, fair value is estimated using
           discounted cash flow analysis.  Interest rates used are similar
           to currently offered contracts with maturities consistent with
           those remaining for the contracts being valued.

           POLICY RESERVES ON INSURANCE CONTRACTS:  Included are disclosures
           for individual life, universal life and supplementary contracts with
           life contingencies for which the estimated fair value is the
           amount payable on demand.  Also included are disclosures for the
           Company's limited payment policies, which the Company has used
           discounted cash flow analyses similar to those used for investment
           contracts with known maturities to estimate fair value.

           POLICYHOLDERS DIVIDEND ACCUMULATIONS AND OTHER POLICYHOLDER 
           FUNDS:  The carrying amount reported in the consolidated
           balance sheets for these instruments approximates their fair value.

        Carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instruments 
        subject to SFAS 107 and policy reserves on insurance contracts were as 
        follows as of December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1994                             1993
                                                                    ----                             ----
                                                       Carrying         Estimated        Carrying         Estimated
                                                        amount         fair value         amount         fair value
                                                      -----------      -----------      -----------      -----------
        <S>                                           <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
        Assets                                        
        ------
        Investments:                                  
          Securities available-for-sale:              
            Fixed maturities                          $ 8,045,906        8,045,906                -                -
            Equity securities                              24,713           24,713           16,593           16,593
          Fixed maturities held-to-maturity             3,688,787        3,602,310       10,120,978       10,886,820
          Mortgage loans on real estate                 4,222,284        4,173,284        3,871,560        4,175,271
          Policy loans                                    340,491          340,491          315,898          315,898
          Short-term investments                          131,643          131,643           41,797           41,797
        Cash                                                7,436            7,436           21,835           21,835
        Assets held in Separate Accounts               12,222,461       12,222,461        9,006,388        9,006,388

        Liabilities
        -----------
        Investment contracts                           12,189,894       11,657,556       10,332,661       10,117,288
        Policy reserves on insurance contracts          3,170,085        2,934,384        2,945,120        2,873,503         
        Policyholders' dividend accumulations             338,058          338,058          322,686          322,686
        Other policyholder funds                           72,770           72,770           71,959           71,959
        Liabilities related to Separate Accounts       12,222,461       11,807,331        9,006,388        8,714,586
                                                      
</TABLE>


                                   56 of 85
<PAGE>   57

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



(9)     Additional Financial Instruments Disclosures
        --------------------------------------------

        FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK:  The Company is a
        party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the
        normal course of business through management of its investment
        portfolio.  These financial instruments include commitments to
        extend credit in the form of loans.  These instruments involve, to
        varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of amounts
        recognized on the consolidated balance sheets.

        Commitments to fund fixed rate mortgage loans on real estate are
        agreements to lend to a borrower, and are subject to conditions 
        established in the contract.  Commitments generally have fixed 
        expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require
        payment of a deposit.  Commitments extended by the Company are based on
        management's case-by-case credit evaluation of the borrower and
        the borrower's loan collateral.  The underlying mortgage property
        represents the collateral if the commitment is funded.  The Company's
        policy for new mortgage loans on real estate is to lend no more than
        80% of collateral value.  Should the commitment be funded, the
        Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by
        the borrower is represented by the contractual amounts of these
        commitments less the net realizable value of the collateral.  The
        contractual amounts also represent the cash requirements for all
        unfunded commitments.  Commitments  on mortgage loans on real estate 
        of $243,200 extending into 1995 were outstanding as of December 31,
        1994.

        SIGNIFICANT CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK:  The Company grants mainly 
        commercial mortgage loans on real estate to customers throughout the 
        United States.  The Company has a diversified portfolio with no more
        than 22% (23% in 1993) in any geographic area and no more than 2%
        (2% in 1993) with any one  borrower. The summary below depicts loans
        by remaining principal balance as of each December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 Apartment
                                                Office            Warehouse       Retail          & other           Total
                                               --------           ---------      ---------       ---------        ----------
             <S>                               <C>                <C>            <C>              <C>              <C>
             1994:
               East North Central              $109,233            103,499         540,686         191,489           944,907
               East South Central                24,298             10,803         127,845          76,897           239,843
               Mountain                           3,150             13,770         140,358          39,682           196,960
               Middle Atlantic                   61,299             53,285         140,847          30,111           285,542
               New England                       10,536             43,282         139,131               4           192,953
               Pacific                          195,393            210,930         397,911          68,768           873,002
               South Atlantic                    87,150             81,576         424,150         210,354           803,230
               West North Central               127,760             11,766          80,854           4,738           225,118
               West South Central                51,013             84,796         184,923         194,788           515,520
                                               --------           ---------      ---------       ---------        ----------
                                               $669,832            613,707       2,176,705         816,831         4,277,075
                                               ========           =========      =========       =========
                  Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                                                  54,791
                                                                                                                  ----------
                       Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                   $4,222,284
                                                                                                                  ==========
             1993:
               East North Central              $109,208           108,478          470,755         158,964           847,405
               East South Central                27,562             1,460          117,341          69,991           216,354
               Mountain                           3,228             4,742          105,560          23,065           136,595
               Middle Atlantic                   56,664            52,766          132,821          15,414           257,665
               New England                       10,565            48,398          142,530               8           201,501
               Pacific                          174,409           185,116          389,428          65,497           814,450
               South Atlantic                   112,640            58,165          391,102         238,337           800,244
               West North Central               104,933            13,458           78,408           3,917           200,716
               West South Central                50,955            47,103          183,420         161,033           442,511
                                               --------           ---------        -------       ---------        ----------
                                               $650,164           519,686        2,011,365         736,226         3,917,441
                                               ========           =========      =========       =========
                  Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                                                  45,881
                                                                                                                  ----------    
                       Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                   $3,871,560
                                                                                                                  ==========
</TABLE> 


                                   57 of 85
<PAGE>   58

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(10)    Pension Plan
        ------------

        NLIC, FHLIC, WCLIC, NCC, and NFS participate together with other
        affiliated companies, in a pension plan covering all employees who
        have completed at least one thousand hours of service within a 
        twelve-month period and who have met certain age requirements.  Plan
        contributions are invested in a group annuity contract of NLIC.  
        Benefits are based upon the highest average annual salary of any 
        three consecutive years of the last ten years of service.  The Company
        funds pension costs accrued for direct employees plus an allocation of 
        pension costs accrued for employees of affiliates whose work efforts 
        benefit the Company.

        Pension costs charged to operations by the Company during the years
        ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992 were $10,451, $6,702 and
        $4,613, respectively.

        The Company's net accrued pension expense as of December 31, 1994
        and 1993 was $1,836 and $1,472, respectively.

        The net periodic pension cost for the plan as a whole for the years
        ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992 follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>
                                                                       1994             1993             1992
                                                                     --------         --------         --------
        <S>                                                         <C>              <C>              <C>
            Service cost (benefits earned during the period)          $64,740           47,694           44,343
            Interest cost on projected benefit obligation              73,951           70,543           68,215
            Actual return on plan assets                              (21,495)        (105,002)         (62,307)
            Net amortization and deferral                             (62,150)          20,832          (24,281)
                                                                     --------         --------         --------
               Net periodic pension cost                              $55,046           34,067           25,970
                                                                     ========         ========         ========
   
        Basis for measurements, net periodic pension cost:
   
            Weighted average discount rate                               5.75%           6.75%            7.25%
            Rate of increase in future compensation levels               4.50%           4.75%            5.25%
            Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets             7.00%           7.50%            8.00%
</TABLE>

        Information regarding the funded status of the plan as a whole as of 
        December 31, 1994 and 1993 follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>
                                                                                1994             1993
                                                                             ----------       ----------
                 <S>                                                        <C>              <C>
                     Accumulated benefit obligation:
                        Vested                                               $  914,850          972,475
                        Nonvested                                                 7,570           10,227
                                                                             ----------       ----------
                                                                             $  922,420          982,702
                                                                             ==========       ==========
                     Projected benefit obligation for
                        services rendered to date                             1,305,547        1,292,477
                     Plan assets at fair value                                1,241,771        1,208,007
                                                                             ----------       ----------
                     Plan assets less than projected benefit
                        obligation                                              (63,776)         (84,470)
                     Unrecognized prior service cost                             46,201           49,551
                     Unrecognized net losses                                     39,408           55,936
                     Unrecognized net assets at January 1, 1987                 (21,994)         (24,146)
                                                                             ----------       ----------
                          Net accrued pension expense                        $     (161)          (3,129)
                                                                             ==========       ==========

                 Basis for measurements, funded status of plan:

                     Weighted average discount rate                               7.50%            5.75%
                     Rate of increase in future compensation levels               6.75%            4.50%
</TABLE>


                                   58 of 85
<PAGE>   59

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(11)    Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
        -------------------------------------------

        In addition to the defined benefit pension plan, NLIC, FHLIC, WCLIC, 
        NCC and NFS participate with other affiliated companies in life and
        health care defined benefit plans for qualifying retirees. 
        Postretirement life and health care benefits are contributory and
        available to full time employees who have attained age 55 and
        have accumulated 15 years of service with the Company after reaching 
        age 40.  Postretirement life insurance contributions are based on age
        and coverage amount of each retiree.  Postretirement health care 
        benefit contributions are adjusted annually and contain cost-sharing
        features such as deductibles and coinsurance.  The accounting for the
        health care plan anticipates future cost-sharing changes to the
        written plan that are consistent with the Company's expressed intent
        to increase the retiree contribution amount annually for expected
        health care inflation.  The Company's policy is to fund the cost of
        health care benefits in amounts determined at the discretion of
        management.  The Company began funding in 1994.  Plan assets are
        invested in group annuity contracts of NLIC.

        Effective  January 1, 1993, the Company adopted the provisions of
        STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 106 - EMPLOYERS'
        ACCOUNTING FOR POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS (SFAS 106), 
        which requires the accrual method of accounting for postretirement  
        life and health care insurance benefits based on actuarially 
        determined costs to be recognized over the period from the date of 
        hire to the full eligibility date of employees who are expected to 
        qualify for such benefits.  Postretirement benefit cost for 1992, which
        was recorded on a cash basis, has not been restated.

        The Company elected to immediately recognize its estimated accumulated
        postretirement benefit obligation  as of January 1, 1993.  Accordingly,
        a noncash charge of $32,275 ($20,979 net of related income tax
        benefit) was recorded in the consolidated statement of income as a 
        cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.   See note 3. 
        The adoption of SFAS 106, including the cumulative effect of the
        change in accounting principle, increased the expense for
        postretirement benefits by $35,277 to $36,544 in 1993.  Net periodic
        postretirement benefit cost for 1994 was $4,627.  The Company's 
        accrued postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 1994 and
        1993 was $36,001 and $35,277, respectively.

        Actuarial assumptions for the measurement of the December 31, 1994 
        accumulated postretirement benefit obligation include a discount rate  
        of 8% and an assumed health care cost trend rate of 11%, uniformly 
        declining to an ultimate rate of 6% over 12 years.

        Actuarial assumptions for the measurement of the December 31, 1993
        accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and the 1994 net
        periodic postretirement benefit cost include a discount rate of 7% and 
        an assumed health care cost trend rate of 12%, uniformly declining to
        an ultimate rate of 6% over 12 years.

        Actuarial assumptions used to determine the accumulated postretirement
        benefit obligation as of January 1, 1993 and the 1993 net periodic
        postretirement benefit cost include a discount rate of 8% and an
        assumed health care cost trend rate of 14%, uniformly declining to an
        ultimate rate of 6% over 12 years.

        Information regarding the funded status of the plan as a whole as of
        December 31, 1994 and 1993 follows:       

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             1994             1993
                                                                                          ---------        ---------
           <S>                                                                           <C>              <C>
           Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
              Retirees                                                                    $  76,677           90,312
              Fully eligible, active plan participants                                       22,013           24,833
              Other active plan participants                                                 59,089           84,103
                                                                                          ---------        ---------
                 Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation                              157,779          199,248
              Plan assets at fair value                                                      49,012                -
                                                                                          ---------        ---------
                 Plan assets less than accumulated postretirement benefit
                   obligation                                                              (108,767)        (199,248)
              Unrecognized net (gains) losses                                               (41,497)          15,128
                                                                                          ---------        ---------
                 Accrued postretirement benefit obligation                                $(150,264)        (184,120)
                                                                                          =========        =========              
</TABLE>


                                   59 of 85
<PAGE>   60

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued
        The amount of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the plan as 
        a whole for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   1994            1993
                                                                                                 -------         -------        
           <S>                                                                                  <C>             <C>
           Net periodic postretirement benefit cost:
              Service cost - benefits attributed to employee service during the year             $ 8,586            7,090
              Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation                      14,011           13,928
              Actual return on plan assets                                                        (1,622)               -
              Net amortization and deferral                                                        1,622                -
                                                                                                 -------           ------
                 Net periodic postretirement benefit cost                                        $22,597           21,018
                                                                                                 =======           ======
</TABLE>
        The health care cost trend rate assumption has a significant effect
        on the amounts reported.  A one percentage point increase in the
        assumed health care cost trend rate would increase the accumulated
        postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 1994 and 1993 by
        $8,109 and $15,621, respectively, and the net periodic postretirement 
        benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993 by $866 and
        $2,377, respectively.

(12)    Portfolio Transfer of Credit Life and Credit Accident and Health
        ----------------------------------------------------------------
        On March 13, 1992, WCLIC entered into an assignment and assumption
        agreement with American Bankers Life Assurance Company of Florida
        (ABLAC) under which ABLAC assumed, by portfolio transfer, substantially
        all of WCLIC's credit life and accident and health policies in force as
        of January 1, 1992.  A pre-tax loss of approximately $15,000 was
        recognized from this transaction in 1992.  The loss represents
        approximately $34,000 of amortization of deferred policy acquisition
        costs, less approximately $27,000 in ceded commissions earned, plus
        death benefits incurred and other expenses.  Under the terms defined in
        the assignment and assumption agreement, WCLIC is contingently liable
        for adverse development of claims  activity up to a defined limit.  As
        of December 31, 1994, WCLIC has provided for a contingent liability
        based on the development of claims experience through December 31,
        1994.  As of December 31, 1993, WCLIC had provided for the maximum
        contingent liability in the absence of conclusive claims experience
        development.

(13)    Regulatory Risk-Based Capital, Retained Earnings and Dividend
        -------------------------------------------------------------
        Restrictions
        ------------

        Each insurance company's state of domicile imposes minimum risk-based
        capital requirements that were developed by the NAIC.  The
        formulas for determining the amount of risk-based capital specify 
        various weighting factors that are applied to financial balances or
        various levels of activity based on the perceived degree of risk.
        Regulatory compliance is determined by a ratio of the company's
        regulatory total adjusted capital, as defined by the NAIC, to its
        authorized control level risk-based capital, as defined by the NAIC.  
        Companies below specific trigger points or ratios are classified
        within certain levels, each of which requires specified corrective
        action.  NLIC and each of its insurance subsidiaries exceed the minimum
        risk-based capital requirements.

        In accordance with the requirements of the New York statutes, the
        Company has agreed with the Superintendent of Insurance of that state
        that so long as participating policies and contracts are held by
        residents of New York, no profits on participating policies and
        contracts in excess of the larger of (a) ten percent of such profits or
        (b) fifty cents per year per thousand dollars of participating life
        insurance in force, exclusive of group term, at the year-end shall
        inure to the benefit of the shareholders.  Such New York statutes
        further provide that so long as such agreement is in effect, such
        excess of profits shall be exhibited as "participating policyholders'
        surplus" in annual statements filed with the Superintendent and shall be
        used only for the payment or apportionment of dividends to participating
        policyholders at least to the extent required by statute or for the
        purpose of making up any loss on participating policies.

        In the opinion of counsel for the Company, the ultimate ownership of
        the entire surplus, however classified, of the Company resides with the
        shareholder, subject to the usual requirements under state laws and
        regulations that certain deposits, reserves and minimum surplus be 
        maintained for the protection of the policyholders until all policy
        contracts are discharged.


                                   60 of 85
<PAGE>   61

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

        Based on the opinion of counsel with respect to the ownership of its
        surplus, the Company is of the opinion that the earnings attributable
        to participating policies in excess of the amounts paid as dividends
        to policyholders belong to the shareholder rather than the
        policyholders, and such earnings are so treated by the Company.

        The amount of shareholder's equity other than capital shares
        was $1,904,664, $1,647,353, and $1,426,427 as of December 31,
        1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively.  The amount thereof not 
        presently available for dividends to the shareholder due to the New
        York restrictions and to adjustments relating to GAAP was $929,934,
        $954,037 and $841,583 as of December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992,
        respectively.

        Ohio law limits the payment of dividends to shareholders.  The 
        maximum dividend that may be paid by the Company without prior
        approval of the Director of the Department of Insurance of the State
        of Ohio is limited to the greater of statutory gain from operations of
        the preceding calendar year or 10% of statutory shareholder's surplus
        as of the prior December 31.  Therefore, $1,707,110, of shareholder's 
        equity, as presented in the accompanying consolidated financial 
        statements, is restricted as to dividend payments in 1995.

        California law limits the payment of dividends to shareholders of
        WCLIC.  The maximum dividend that  may be paid by WCLIC without
        prior approval of the Commissioner of the State of California
        Department of Insurance is limited to the greater of WCLIC's
        statutory net income of the preceding calendar year or 10% of 
        WCLIC's statutory shareholder's surplus as of the prior December 31. 
        Therefore, $126,489 of WCLIC's shareholder's equity is restricted as
        to dividend payments in 1995.

        Wisconsin law limits the payment of dividends to shareholders of ELICW. 
        The maximum dividend that may be paid by ELICW  without prior approval 
        of the Commissioner of the State of Wisconsin is limited to the greater
        of ELICW's statutory net income of the preceding calendar year or 10%
        of ELICW s statutory surplus as of the prior December 31, Therefore,
        $135,369 of ELICW's shareholder's equity is restricted as to dividend
        payments in 1995.

        Michigan law limits the payment of dividends to shareholders of NCC. 
        The maximum dividend that may be paid by NCC without prior approval
        of the Commissioner of the State of Michigan Bureau of Insurance is
        limited to the greater of NCC's statutory net income, not including
        realized capital gains, of the preceding calendar year or 10% of
        NCC's statutory shareholder's  surplus as of the prior December 31.  
        Therefore, $66,564 of NCC's shareholder's equity is restricted as to
        dividend payments in 1995.  In addition, prior approval is not required
        for a dividend which does not increase gross leverage to a point in 
        excess of the United States consolidated industry average for the most
        recent available year.

(14)    Transactions With Affiliates
        ----------------------------
        Effective December 31, 1994, NLIC purchased all of the outstanding 
        shares of ELICW from Wausau Service Corporation (WSC) for an
        amount approximating $165,000, subject to specified adjustments, if
        any, subsequent to year end.  NLIC transferred fixed maturity
        securities and cash with a fair value of $155,000 to WSC on 
        December 28, 1994, which resulted in a realized loss of $19,239 on
        the disposition of the securities.  An accrual approximating $10,000
        is reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.  The
        purchase price approximated both the historical cost basis and fair 
        value of net assets of ELICW.  ELICW has and will continue to share 
        home office, other  facilities, equipment and common management and
        administrative services with WSC.

        The deferred compensation annuity line of business of the Company
        is primarily sold through  Public Employees Benefit Services
        Corporation (PEBSCO).  The Company paid PEBSCO commissions and 
        administrative fees of $26,699, $22,681 and $20,146 in 1994, 1993 and
        1992, respectively.  PEBSCO is a wholly owned subsidiary of Corp.

        The Company and NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services, Inc. (NEAVIS) have 
        contracted with the National Education Association (NEA) to provide 
        individual annuity contracts to be marketed exclusively to members of 
        the NEA.  The Company paid NEAVIS a marketing development fee of 
        $11,095, $9,229 and $6,426 in 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively. 
        NEAVIS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Corp.

        The Company shares home office, other facilities, equipment and
        common management and administrative services with affiliates.


                                   61 of 85
<PAGE>   62

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



        The Company participates in intercompany repurchase agreements 
        with affiliates whereby the seller will transfer securities to the
        buyer at a stated value.  Upon demand or a stated period, the 
        securities will be repurchased by the seller at the original sales 
        price plus a price differential.  Transactions under the agreements
        during 1994 and 1993 were not material.

        During 1993, the Company sold equity securities with a market value
        $194,515 to NMIC, resulting in a realized gain of $122,823.  With the
        proceeds, the Company purchased securities with a market value of
        $194,139 and cash of $376 from NMIC.

        Intercompany reinsurance contracts exist between NLIC and NMIC,
        NLIC and WCLIC, NLIC and NCC, WCLIC and NMIC and WCLIC and
        ELICW as of December 31, 1994.  These contracts are immaterial to
        the consolidated financial statements.

        NCC participates in several 100% quota share reinsurance agreements     
        with NMIC.  NCC serves as the licensed insurer as required for an
        affiliated excess and surplus lines company and cedes 100% of direct
        written premiums to NMIC.  In 1989, NCC transferred 100% of assets and
        unearned premiums and loss reserves related to a  discontinued block of
        assumed reinsurance to NMIC (95.3%) and  Nationwide Mutual Fire
        Insurance Company (4.7%).  Effective January 1, 1993, NCC entered into
        a 100% quota share reinsurance agreement to cede to NMIC 100% of all
        written premiums not subject to any other reinsurance agreements.

        As a result of these agreements, and in accordance with STATEMENT OF  
        FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 113 - ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING FOR 
        REINSURANCE OF SHORT-DURATION AND LONG-DURATION CONTRACTS, the  
        following amounts are included in the consolidated financial statements
        as of December 31, 1994 and 1993 for reinsurance ceded:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1994             1993
                                                                  --------         --------
           <S>                                                   <C>              <C>
           Reinsurance recoverable                                $575,721          533,401
           Unearned premium reserves                              (118,092)        (102,644)
           Loss and claim reserves                                (371,974)        (352,303)
           Loss and expense reserves                               (85,655)         (78,454)
                                                                  --------         --------
                                                                  $      0                0
                                                                  ========         ========
</TABLE>

        The ceding of reinsurance does not discharge the original insurer 
        from primary liability to its policyholder.  The insurer which assumes
        the coverage assumes the related liability and it is the practice of 
        insurers to treat insured risks, to the extent of reinsurance ceded, 
        as though they were risks for which the original insurer is not liable.
        Management believes the financial strength of NMIC reduces to an 
        acceptable level any risk to NCC under these intercompany reinsurance 
        agreements.

        The Company and various affiliates entered into agreements with
        Nationwide Cash Management Company (NCMC) and California Cash
        Management Company (CCMC), both affiliates, under which NCMC and CCMC
        act as common agents in handling the purchase and sale of short-term
        securities for the respective accounts of the  participants.  Amounts on
        deposit with NCMC and CCMC were $92,531 and $28,683 at December 31,
        1994 and 1993, respectively, and are included in short-term
        investments on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

(15)    Bank Lines of Credit
        --------------------

        As of December 31, 1994 and 1993, NLIC had $120,000 of confirmed but 
        unused bank lines of credit which support a $100,000 commercial paper 
        borrowing authorization.  Additionally, NFS had $27,000 of confirmed 
        but unused bank lines of credit.


                                   62 of 85
<PAGE>   63

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



(16)    Contingencies
        -------------

        The  Company is a defendant in various lawsuits.   In the
        opinion of management, the  effects, if any, of such lawsuits
        are not expected to be material to the Company's financial
        position or results of operations.

(17)    Major Lines of Business
        -----------------------

        The Company operates in the life and accident and health lines of
        business in the life insurance and property and casualty insurance 
        industries.  Life insurance operations include whole life, universal 
        life, variable universal life, endowment and term life insurance and  
        annuity contracts issued to individuals and groups.  Accident and 
        health operations also provide coverage to individuals and groups.

        The following table summarizes the revenues and income before Federal
        income tax and cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles 
        for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992 and assets as of
        December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992, by line of business.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  1994              1993             1992
                                                                              -----------       ----------       ----------
            <S>                                                             <C>                 <C>              <C>
            Revenues:
                 Life insurance                                               $ 1,577,809        1,479,956        1,406,417
                 Accident and health                                              345,544          339,764          475,290
                 Investment income allocated to capital and surplus               122,847          214,806           51,611
                                                                              -----------        ---------        ---------
                      Total                                                   $ 2,046,200        2,034,526        1,933,318
                                                                              ===========        =========        =========
            Income before Federal income tax and cumulative
                effect of changes in accounting principles:
                 Life insurance                                                   141,650           83,917           78,627
                 Accident and health                                               13,220           15,043              436
                 Investment income allocated to capital and surplus               118,360          213,941           51,496
                                                                              -----------        ---------        ---------
                      Total                                                   $   273,230          312,901          130,559
                                                                              ===========        =========        =========
            Assets:
                 Life insurance                                                28,351,628       22,982,186       19,180,561
                 Accident and health                                              852,026          773,007          343,535
                 Capital and surplus                                            1,908,479        1,651,168        1,430,242
                                                                              -----------        ---------        ---------
                      Total                                                   $31,112,133       25,406,361       20,954,338
                                                                              ===========        =========        =========
</TABLE>

        Included in life insurance revenues are premiums from certain annuities
        with life contingencies of $20,134 ($35,341 and $54,066 for the years  
        ended December 31, 1993 and 1992, respectively) as well as universal  
        life and investment product policy charges of $239,021 ($188,057 and 
        $148,464 for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1992 respectively) 
        for the year ended December 31, 1994.

        Allocations of investment income and certain general expenses were
        based on a number of assumptions and estimates, and reported operating
        results would change by line if different methods were applied.  
        Investment income and realized gains allocable to policyholders in 1994
        were $1,193,292 and $1,775, respectively.

(18)    Subsequent Event
        ----------------

        On January 30, 1995, FHLIC received approval from the Ohio Secretary of
        State to change its name to Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance 
        Company.


                                   63 of 85
<PAGE>   64
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 24.        FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
                                                                                         PAGE
                (a)  Financial Statements:
                     (1)  Financial statements and schedule included      
                          in Prospectus
                          (Part A):
                          Condensed Financial Information.                               N/A
                     (2)  Financial statements and schedule included
                          in Part B:
                          Those financial statements and schedule                        40
                          required by Item 23 to be included in Part B
                          have been incorporated therein by reference
                          to the Prospectus (Part A).

                Nationwide Variable Account-8:                                           N/A

                Nationwide Life Insurance Company:
                          Independent Auditors' Report                                   40
                          Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December                     41
                          31, 1994 and 1993.
                          Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended          42
                          December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992.
                          Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity for the        43
                          years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992.
                          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years            44
                          ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992.
                          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                     45
</TABLE>

                                   64 of 85
<PAGE>   65
Item 24.        (b) Exhibits
                          (1)  Resolution of the Depositor's Board of
                               Directors authorizing the establishment of
                               the Registrant - Attached hereto.
                          (2)  Not Applicable
                          (3)  Underwriting or Distribution of contracts
                               between the Registrant and Principal
                               Underwriter - Attached hereto.
                          (4)  The form of the Variable Annuity Contract -
                               Attached hereto.
                          (5)  Variable Annuity Application - Attached
                               hereto.
                          (6)  Articles of Incorporation of Depositor - Filed
                               previously with the Registration Statement
                               (33-82190) filed on November 8, 1994, and
                               hereby incorporated by reference.
                          (7)  Not Applicable
                          (8)  Not Applicable
                          (9)  Opinion of Counsel - Attached hereto.
                         (10)  Not Applicable
                         (11)  Not Applicable
                         (12)  Not Applicable
                         (13)  Performance Advertising Calculation
                               Schedule - Attached hereto.

                                   65 of 85
<PAGE>   66
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Item 25.   DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE DEPOSITOR

                   NAME AND PRINCIPAL                                        POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                    BUSINESS ADDRESS                                             WITH DEPOSITOR
                   <S>                                            <C> 
                    Lewis J. Alphin                                                  Director
                    519 Bethel Church Road
                    Mount Olivet, NC  28365

                    Willard J. Engel                                                 Director
                    1100 East Main Street
                    Marshall, MN 56258

                    Fred C. Finney                                                   Director
                    1558 West Moreland Road
                    Wooster, OH 44691

                    Peter F. Frenzer                                  President and Chief Operating Officer
                    One Nationwide Plaza                                           and Director
                    Columbus, OH  43215
        
                    Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.                                        Director
                    600 South Washington Street
                    Butler, PA  16001

                    Henry S. Holloway                                             Chairman of the
                    1247 Stafford Road                                                 Board
                    Darlington, MD  21034

                    D. Richard McFerson                               President and Chief Executive Officer-
                    One Nationwide Plaza                                 Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
                    Columbus, OH  43215                                            and Director

                    David O. Miller                                                  Director
                    115 Sprague Drive
                    Hebron, Ohio  43025

                    C. Roy Noecker                                                   Director
                    2770 State Route 674 South
                    Ashville, OH 43103

                    James F. Patterson                                               Director
                    8765 Mulberry Road
                    Chesterland, OH  44026

                    Robert H. Rickel                                                 Director
                    P.O. Box 319
                    Bayview, ID  83803
</TABLE>

                                   66 of 85
<PAGE>   67
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

        NAME AND PRINCIPAL                                  POSITIONS AND OFFICES
        BUSINESS ADDRESS                                       WITH DEPOSITOR
        <S>                                                 <C> 
        Arden L. Shisler                                          Director
        2724 West Lebanon Road
        Dalton, OH  44618

        Robert L. Stewart                                         Director
        88740 Fairview Road
        Jewett, OH  43986

        Nancy C. Thomas                                           Director
        10835 Georgetown Street NE
        Louisville, OH  44641

        Harold W. Weihl                                           Director
        14282 King Road
        Bowling Green, OH  43402

        Gordon E. McCutchan                                 Executive Vice President,
        One Nationwide Plaza                               Law and Corporate Services
        Columbus, OH  43215                                      and Secretary

        James E. Brock                                       Senior Vice President -
        One Nationwide Plaza                              Investment Product Operations
        Columbus, OH  43215

        W. Sidney Druen                                 Senior Vice President and General
        One Nationwide Plaza                             Counsel and Assistant Secretary
        Columbus, OH  43215

        Harvey S. Galloway, Jr.                        Senior Vice President-Chief Actuary-
        One Nationwide Plaza                               Life, Health, and Annuities
        Columbus, OH  43215

        Richard A. Karas                                 Senior Vice President - Sales
        One Nationwide Plaza                                  Financial Services
        Columbus, OH  43215

        Robert A. Oakley                                   Executive Vice President-
        One Nationwide Plaza                                 Chief Financial Officer
        Columbus, Ohio  43215

        Carl J. Santillo                                     Senior Vice President
        One Nationwide Plaza                               Life and Health Operations
        Columbus, OH  43215

        Michael D. Bleiweiss                                    Vice President-
        One Nationwide Plaza                                 Deferred Compensation           
        Columbus, OH  43215

        Joseph F. Ciminero                                      Vice President-
        One Nationwide Plaza                                 Financial Operations
        Columbus, OH  43215
</TABLE>

                                   67 of 85
<PAGE>   68
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

               <S>                                     <C>
                NAME AND PRINCIPAL                      POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                BUSINESS ADDRESS                           WITH DEPOSITOR

                Matthew S. Easley                          Vice President -
                One Nationwide Plaza                 Annuity and Pension Actuarial
                Columbus, OH  43215

                Ronald L. Eppley                           Vice President-
                One Nationwide Plaza                          Pensions
                Columbus, OH  43215

                Timothy E. Murphy                      Vice President-Strategic
                One Nationwide Plaza                      Planning/Marketing
                Columbus, Ohio  43215

                R. Dennis Noice                            Vice President-
                One Nationwide Plaza               Individual Investment Products
                Columbus, OH  43215

                Joseph P. Rath                             Vice President -
                One Nationwide Plaza                  Associate General Counsel
                Columbus, OH  43215
</TABLE>

Item 26.        PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE 
                DEPOSITOR OR REGISTRANT.

           *    Subsidiaries for which separate financial statements are filed

          **    Subsidiaries included in the respective consolidated financial
                statements

         ***    Subsidiaries included in the respective group financial
                statements filed for unconsolidated subsidiaries

        ****    other subsidiaries

                                   68 of 85
<PAGE>   69
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             NO. VOTING
                                                                             SECURITIES
                                                                        (SEE ATTACHED CHART)
                                                       STATE OF           UNLESS OTHERWISE
                 COMPANY                             ORGANIZATION            INDICATED             PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
<S>                                                  <C>                 <C>                       <C>
        Nationwide Mutual Insurance                      Ohio                                      Insurance Company 
        Company (Casualty)

        Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance                 Ohio                                      Insurance Company
        Company                                                                                   
                                                                                                  
        Nationwide Investing Foundation                Michigan                                    Investment Company

        Nationwide Insurance Enterprise                  Ohio                                      Membership Non-Profit
        Foundation                                                                                 Corporation

        Nationwide Insurance Golf Charities,             Ohio                                      Membership Non-Profit
        Inc.                                                                                       Corporation

        Farmland Mutual Insurance Company                Iowa                                      Insurance Company

        F & B, Inc.                                      Iowa                                      Insurance Agency

        Farmland Life Insurance Company                  Iowa                                      Life Insurance Company

        Nationwide AgribusinessInsurance                 Iowa                                      Insurance Company
        Company

        Colonial Insurance Company of                 California                                   Insurance Company
        California

        Nationwide General Insurance                     Ohio                                      Insurance Company 
        Company

        Nationwide Property & Casualty                   Ohio                                      Insurance Company 
        Insurance Company

**      Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance            Ohio                                      Life Insurance Company
        Company

        Scottsdale Insurance Company                     Ohio                                      Insurance Company    

        Scottsdale Indemnity Company                     Ohio                                      Insurance Company    

        Neckura Insurance Company                      Germany                                     Insurance Company

        Neckura Life Insurance Company                 Germany                                     Life Insurance Company  

        Neckura General Insurance Company              Germany                                     Insurance Company 

        Columbus Service, GMBH                         Germany                                     Insurance Broker

        Auto-Direkt Insurance Company                  Germany                                     Insurance Company

        Neckura Holding Company                        Germany                                     Administrative service for 
                                                                                                   Neckura Insurance Group

        SVM Sales GMBH, Neckura Insurance              Germany                                     Sales support for
        Group                                                                                      Neckura Insurance Group
</TABLE>

                                                             69 of 85
        
<PAGE>   70
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             NO. VOTING
                                                                             SECURITIES
                                                                        (SEE ATTACHED CHART)
                                                       STATE OF           UNLESS OTHERWISE
                 COMPANY                             ORGANIZATION            INDICATED             PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
<S>                                                  <C>                  <C>                      <C>
Lone Star General Agency, Inc.                          Texas                                      Insurance Agency 

Colonial County Mutual Insurance                        Texas                                      Insurance Company 
Company

Nationwide Communications Inc.                           Ohio                                      Radio Broadcasting
                                                                                                   Business 

Nationwide Community Urban                               Ohio                                      Redevelopment of
Redevelopment Corporation                                                                          blighted areas within the
                                                                                                   City of Columbus, Ohio

Insurance Intermediaries, Inc.                           Ohio                                      Insurance Broker and
                                                                                                   Insurance Agency

Nationwide Cash Management                               Ohio                                      Investment Securities 
Company                                                                                            Agent        

California Cash Management                            California                                   Investment  Securities 
Company                                                                                            Agent        
                                                                                                     
Nationwide Development Company                           Ohio                                      Owns, leases and
                                                                                                   manages commercial
                                                                                                   real estate

Allnations, Inc.                                         Ohio                                      Promotes cooperative
                                                                                                   insurance corporations
                                                                                                   worldwide

Gates, McDonald & Company of New                        New York                                   Workers Compensation
York                                                                                               Claims Administration

Nationwide Indemnity Company                             Ohio                                      Reinsurance Company

NWE, Inc.                                                Ohio                                      Special Investments

</TABLE>

                                   70 of 85
<PAGE>   71
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             NO. VOTING
                                                                             SECURITIES
                                                                        (SEE ATTACHED CHART)
                                                       STATE OF           UNLESS OTHERWISE
                 COMPANY                             ORGANIZATION            INDICATED             PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
<S>                                                  <C>                  <C>                     <C>
     Nationwide Corporation                             Ohio                                       Organized for the
                                                                                                   purpose of acquiring, 
                                                                                                   holding, encumbering,
                                                                                                   transferring, or otherwise 
                                                                                                   disposing of shares, 
                                                                                                   bonds, and other 
                                                                                                   evidences of 
                                                                                                   indebtedness, securities, 
                                                                                                   and contracts of other
                                                                                                   persons, associations,
                                                                                                   corporations, domestic or 
                                                                                                   foreign and to form or
                                                                                                   acquire the control
                                                                                                   of other corporations 

     Nationwide Health Care Corporation                 Ohio                                       Develops and operates 
                                                                                                   Managed Care Delivery
                                                                                                   System

     InHealth, Inc.                                     Ohio                                       Health Maintenance
                                                                                                   Organization (HMO)

     InHealth Agency, Inc.                              Ohio                                       Insurance Agency


     InHealth Management Systems, Inc.                  Ohio                                       Develops and operates 
                                                                                                   Managed Care Delivery
                                                                                                   System

**   West Coast Life Insurance Company               California                                    Life Insurance Company 
                                                                                                
     Gates, McDonald & Company                          Ohio                                       Cost Control Business 

     Gates, McDonald & Company of                      Nevada                                      Self-Insurance
     Nevada                                                                                        Administration, Claims 
                                                                                                   Examining, and Data 
                                                                                                   Processing Services

     Nationwide Investors Services, Inc.                Ohio                                       Stock Transfer Agent

     Leber Direkt Insurance Company                   Germany                                      Life Insurance Company

**   Nationwide Life Insurance Company                  Ohio                                       Life Insurance Company
</TABLE>

                                   71 of 85
<PAGE>   72
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             NO. VOTING
                                                                             SECURITIES
                                                                        (SEE ATTACHED CHART)
                                                       STATE OF           UNLESS OTHERWISE
                 COMPANY                             ORGANIZATION            INDICATED             PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
<C>                                                   <C>                  <C>                     <C>
**    Nationwide Property Management,                    Ohio                                      Owns, leases, manages 
      Inc.                                                                                         and deals in Real 
                                                                                                   Property.

**    MRM Investments, Inc.                              Ohio                                      Owns and operates a
                                                                                                   Recreational Ski Facility

**    National Casualty Company                        Michigan                                    Insurance Company

**    Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.                Ohio                                      Registered Broker-
                                                                                                   Dealer, Investment 
                                                                                                   Manager and 
                                                                                                   Administrator

*     Nationwide Separate Account Trust             Massachusetts                                  Investment Company
                                                                               
*     Nationwide Investing Foundation II            Massachusetts                                  Investment Company

*     Financial Horizons Investment Trust           Massachusetts                                  Investment Company

      PEBSCO Securities Corp.                         Oklahoma                                     Registered Broker-Dealer 
                                                                                                   in Deferred
                                                                                                   Compensation Market

**    National Premium and Benefit                    Delaware                                     Insurance Administrative
      Administration Company                                                                       Services

      Public Employees Benefit Services               Delaware                                     Marketing and
      Corporation                                                                                  Administration of
                                                                                                   Deferred Employee
                                                                                                   Compensation Plans for 
                                                                                                   Public Employees

      
      PEBSCO of Massachusetts Insurance             Massachusetts                                  Markets and Administers 
      Agency, Inc.                                                                                 Deferred Compensation 
                                                                                                   Plans for Public
                                                                                                   Employees

</TABLE>

                                   72 of 85
<PAGE>   73
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             NO. VOTING
                                                                             SECURITIES
                                                                        (SEE ATTACHED CHART)
                                                       STATE OF           UNLESS OTHERWISE
                 COMPANY                             ORGANIZATION            INDICATED             PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
<S>                                                 <C>                  <C>                       <C>
Public Employees Benefit Services                      Alabama                                     Markets and Administers 
Corporation of Alabama                                                                             Deferred Compensation 
                                                                                                   Plans for Public
                                                                                                   Employees

Public Employees Benefit Services                      Montana                                     Markets and Administers 
Corporation of Montana                                                                             Deferred Compensation 
                                                                                                   Plans for Public
                                                                                                   Employees
 
PEBSCO of Texas, Inc.                                  Texas                                       Markets and Administers 
                                                                                                   Deferred Compensation 
                                                                                                   Plans for Public
                                                                                                   Employees

Public Employees Benefit Services                     Arkansas                                     Markets and Administers 
Corporation of Arkansas                                                                            Deferred Compensation 
                                                                                                   Plans for Public
                                                                                                   Employees

Public Employees Benefit Services                    New Mexico                                    Markets and Administers 
Corporation of New Mexico                                                                          Deferred Compensation 
                                                                                                   Plans for Public
                                                                                                   Employees

Wausau Lloyds                                         Texas                                        Texas Lloyds Company

Wausau Service Corporation                           Wisconsin                                     Holding Company

American Marine Underwriters, Inc.                    Florida                                      Underwriting Manager

Greater La Crosse Health Plans, Inc.                 Wisconsin                                     Writes Commercial
                                                                                                   Health and Medicare
                                                                                                   Supplement Insurance

Wausau Business Insurance Company                    Illinois                                      Insurance Company

Wausau Preferred Health Insurance                    Wisconsin                                     Insurance and
Company                                                                                            Reinsurance Company

Wausau Insurance Co. Limited (U.K.)               United Kingdom                                   Insurance and
                                                                                                   Reinsurance Company

Wausau Underwriters Insurance Company                Wisconsin                                     Insurance Company

Employers Life Insurance Company of                  Wisconsin                                     Life Insurance Company       
Wausau

</TABLE>

                                   73 of 85
<PAGE>   74
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             NO. VOTING
                                                                             SECURITIES
                                                                        (SEE ATTACHED CHART)
                                                       STATE OF           UNLESS OTHERWISE
                 COMPANY                             ORGANIZATION            INDICATED             PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
<S>                                                  <C>                 <C>                       <C>
Employers Insurance of Wausau                         Wisconsin                                   Insurance Company  
A Mutual Company                                                                     
                                                                                      
Wausau General Insurance Company                      Illinois                                    Insurance Company
                                                                                        
Countrywide Services Corporation                      Delaware                                    Products Liability,
                                                                                                  Investigative and Claims 
                                                                                                  Management Services
                                                                                            
Wausau International Underwriters                    California                                   Special Risks, Excess 
                                                                                                  and Surplus Lines 
                                                                                                  Insurance Underwriting
                                                                                                  Manager


Companies Agency, Inc. (Wisconsin)                    Wisconsin                                   Insurance Broker

Companies Agency Insurance                           California                                   Insurance Broker
Services of California, Inc.

Companies Agency of Idaho, Inc.                        Idaho                                      Insurance Broker

Key Health Plan, Inc.                                California                                   Pre-paid health plans

Pension Associates of Wausau, Inc.                   Wisconsin                                    Pension plan
                                                                                                  administration, record 
                                                                                                  keeping and consulting 
                                                                                                  and compensation
                                                                                                  consulting

Companies Agency of Phoenix, Inc.                     Arizona                                     Insurance Broker

Companies Agency of Illinois, Inc.                   Illinois                                     Acts as Collection Agent 
                                                                                                  for Policies placed 
                                                                                                  through Brokers
                                                 
Companies Agency of Kentucky, Inc.                   Kentucky                                     Insurance Broker
                                                                            
Companies Agency of Alabama, Inc.                    Alabama                                      Insurance Broker

Companies Agency of Pennsylvania,                 Pennsylvania                                    Insurance Broker
Inc. 

Companies Agency of Massachusetts,                Massachusetts                                   Insurance Broker      
Inc.



</TABLE>

                                   74 of 85
<PAGE>   75
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             NO. VOTING
                                                                             SECURITIES
                                                                        (SEE ATTACHED CHART)
                                                       STATE OF           UNLESS OTHERWISE
                 COMPANY                             ORGANIZATION            INDICATED             PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
<S>                                                  <C>                <C>                       <C>
Companies Agency of New York, Inc.                     New York                                     Insurance Broker

Nationwide Financial Institution                       Oklahoma                                     Life Insurance Agency  
Distributors Agency of Oklahoma, Inc.

Nationwide Financial Institution                       Delaware                                     Insurance Agency  
Distributors Agency, Inc.

Nationwide Financial Institution                        Ohio                                        Insurance Agency 
Distributors Agency of Ohio, Inc.

Landmark Financial Services of New                     New York                                     Life Insurance Agency 
York, Inc.

Nationwide Financial Institution                       Alabama                                      Life Insurance Agency  
Distributors Agency of Alabama, Inc.

Financial Horizons Securities                          Oklahoma                                     Broker Dealer  
Corporation

Affiliate Agency of Ohio, Inc.                          Ohio                                        Life Insurance Agency

Affiliate Agency, Inc.                                Delaware                                      Life Insurance Agency

NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services,                   Delaware                                      Life Insurance Agency  
Inc.

NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of                  Alabama                                      Life Insurance Agency  
Alabama, Inc.

NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of                Massachusetts                                  Life Insurance Agency       
Massachusetts, Inc.

NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of                   Ohio                                        Life Insurance Agency  
Ohio, Inc.

NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of                   Texas                                       Life Insurance Agency 
Texas, Inc.

NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of                  Oklahoma                                     Life Insurance Agency  
Oklahoma, Inc.

Nationwide Financial Institution                        Texas                                       Life Insurance Agency 
Distributors Agency of Texas, Inc.

Colonial General Insurance Agency,                     Arizona                                      Insurance Agency  
Inc.

The Beak and Wire Corporation                           Ohio                                        Radio Tower Joint
                                                                                                    Venture

Video Eagle, Inc.                                       Ohio                                        Operates Several Video 
                                                                                                    Cable Systems   




</TABLE>

                                   75 of 85
<PAGE>   76
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             NO. VOTING
                                                                             SECURITIES
                                                                        (SEE ATTACHED CHART)
                                                       STATE OF           UNLESS OTHERWISE
                 COMPANY                             ORGANIZATION            INDICATED             PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
<S>                                                  <C>                <C>                        <C>
*    MFS Variable Account                               Ohio             Nationwide Life           Issuer of Annuity
                                                                         Separate Account          Contracts

*    Nationwide Multi-Flex Variable                     Ohio             Nationwide Life           Issuer of Annuity
     Account                                                             Separate Account          Contracts

*    Nationwide Variable Account-II                     Ohio             Nationwide Life           Issuer of Annuity
                                                                         Separate Account          Contracts

*    Nationwide Variable Account                        Ohio             Nationwide Life           Issuer of Annuity
                                                                         Separate Account          Contracts
                                                                                                   
*    Nationwide DC Variable Account                     Ohio             Nationwide Life           Issuer of Annuity
                                                                         Separate Account          Contracts
                                                                                                   
*    Separate Account No. 1                             Ohio             Nationwide Life           Issuer of Annuity
                                                                         Separate Account          Contracts

*    Nationwide VLI Separate Account                    Ohio             Nationwide Life           Issuer of Life insurance
                                                                         Separate Account          Contracts

*     Nationwide Variable Account-3                     Ohio             Nationwide Life           Issuer of Annuity
                                                                         Separate Account          Contracts

*     Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2                 Ohio             Nationwide Life           Issuer of Life Insurance 
                                                                         Separate Account          Contracts

*     Nationwide VA Separate Account-A                  Ohio             Nationwide Life and       Issuer of Annuity
                                                                         Annuity Separate          Contracts 
                                                                         Account
                                                                                                   
*     Nationwide Variable Account-4                     Ohio             Nationwide Life           Issuer of Annuity
                                                                         Separate Account          Contracts

*     Nationwide Variable Account-5                     Ohio             Nationwide Life           Issuer of Annuity
                                                                         Separate Account          Contracts

*     NACo Variable Account                             Ohio             Nationwide Life           Issuer of Annuity
                                                                         Separate Account          Contracts

*     Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3                 Ohio             Nationwide Life           Issuer of Life
                                                                         Separate Account          Insurance Contracts

*     Nationwide VL Separate Account-A                  Ohio             Nationwide Life and       Issuer of Life
                                                                         Annuity Separate          Insurance Contracts   
                                                                         Account
                                                                                                   
*     Nationwide Variable Account-6                     Ohio             Nationwide Life           Issuer of Annuity
                                                                         Separate Account          Contracts

*     Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable              Ohio             Nationwide Life           Issuer of Annuity
      Account                                                            Separate Account          Contracts

*     Nationwide VA Separate Account-C                  Ohio             Nationwide Life and       Issuer of Annuity
                                                                         Annuity Separate          Contracts    
                                                                         Account
                                                                                                   
*     Nationwide VA Separate Account-B                  Ohio             Nationwide Life and       Issuer of Annuity
                                                                         Annuity Separate          Contracts
                                                                         Account
                                                                         
*     Nationwide VA Separate Account-Q                  Ohio             Nationwide Life and       Issuer of Annuity
                                                                         Annuity Separate          Contracts
                                                                         Account
                                                                                                  
*     Nationwide Variable Account-8                     Ohio             Nationwide Life           Issuer of Annuity
                                                                         Separate Account          Contracts
                                                                         
</TABLE>


                                   76 of 85
<PAGE>   77

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE                                        (left side}
 ______________________
| NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |            
| GOLF CHARITIES, INC. |
|                      |
|     MEMBERSHIP       |
|     NONPROFIT        |
|    CORPORATION       |
|______________________|
<S>                                      <C>                                           <C>
 ________________________________________________________________________________________________
|                               EMPLOYERS INSURANCE OF WAUSAU                                    |         
|                                    A MUTUAL COMPANY                                            |       
|                                                                                                |=================================
|                         Contribution Note          Cost                                        |   
|                         -----------------          ----                                        |         
|                         Casualty                   $400,000,000                                |              
|________________________________________________________________________________________________|              
                 |                                    |
    _____________|_________________      _____________|__________________               _____________________
   |      WAUSAU INSURANCE CO.     |    |        WAUSAU SERVICE          |             |                     |
   |        (U.K.) LIMITED         |    |      CORPORATION (WSC)         |             |                     |
   |                               |    |                                |             |    WAUSAU LLOYDS    |
   |  Common Stock:   8,506,800    |    |   Common Stock:   1,000        |             |                     |
   |  -------------   Shares       |    |   -------------   Shares       |=============|                     |
   |                               |    |                                |             |                     |
   |                  Cost         |    |                   Cost         |             |                     |
   |                  ----         |    |                   ----         |             |    A TEXAS LLOYDS   |
   |  Employers--                  |    |   Employers--                  |             |                     |
   |  100%            $15,683,300  |    |   100%            $106,763,000 |             |                     |
   |_______________________________|    |________________________________|             |_____________________|
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |        WAUSAU BUSINESS       |
                                                        |    |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  5,900,000    |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 -----        |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $11,800,000  |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       WAUSAU UNDERWRITERS    |
                                                        |    |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  8,750        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                  Cost        |
                                                        |    |                  ----        |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%        $24,560,006 |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       GREATER LA CROSSE      |
                                                        |    |       HEALTH PLANS, INC.     |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  3,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-33.3%      $861,761     |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |       OF ALABAMA, INC.       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $100         |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |











                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |       OF KENTUCKY, INC.      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  ------------   Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |     OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.    |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $100         |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |     OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC.   |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |       OF NEW YORK, INC.      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |         OF IDAHO, INC.       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |          OF PHOENIX          |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |     COUNTRYWIDE SERVICES     |
                                                        |    |          CORPORATION         |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  100          |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $145,852     |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |










                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |         WAUSAU GENERAL       |
                                                        |    |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  200,000      |                    
                                                        |____|  ------------   Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $31,000,000  |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |     WAUSAU INTERNATIONAL     |
                                                        |    |         UNDERWRITERS         |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $10,000      |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |      INSURANCE SERVICES      |
                                                        |    |        OF CALIFORNIA         |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |____|  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |    |  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |      
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |        AMERICAN MARINE       |
                                                        |    |   UNDERWRITERS, INC. (AMU)   |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  20           |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $248,222     |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |       OF ILLINOIS, INC.      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  250          |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $2,500       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________      _____________________________
                                                        |    |    COMPANIES AGENCY, INC.    |    |     PENSION ASSOCIATES      |  
                                                        |    |          (WISCONSIN)         |    |       OF WAUSAU, INC.       |
                                                        |    |                              |    |                             |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  100          |    |  Common Stock:  1,000       |
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |____|  -------------  Shares      |
                                                             |                              |    |                             |
                                                             |                 Cost         |    |  Companies        Cost      |
                                                             |                 ----         |    |  Agency, Inc.     ----      |
                                                             |  WSC-100%       $10,000      |    |  (Wisconsin) --   $10,000   |
                                                             |______________________________|    |  100%                       |  
                                                                                                 |_____________________________|
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   78


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE                                (right side)
<S>                                         <C>                                  <C>             <C>
                                                                                            _________________________________
                                                                                           | NATIONWIDE ENTERPRISE INSURANCE |
                                                                                           |            FOUNDATION           |
                                                                                           |                                 | 
                                                                                           |            MEMBERSHIP           |
                                                                                           |            NONPROFIT            |
                                                                                           |           CORPORATION           |
                                                                                           |_________________________________|      
                                                       

    _________________________________________                                               ___________________________
   |                                         |                                             |                           |
===|           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL             |=============================================|     NATIONWIDE MUTUAL     |
   |              (CASUALTY)                 |                                             |            FIRE           |
   |_________________________________________|                                             |___________________________|        
                  |               | |   |__________________________________________________________________  :
                  |               | |   |                                                                  | :
    ______________|__________     | |   |    _____________________________                    _____________|_:____________________
   |       ALLNATIONS        |    | |   |   |         NATIONWIDE          |                  |            NATIONWIDE              |
   |                         |    | |   |   |           GENERAL           |                  |            CORPORATION             |
   | Common Stock:  2,939    |    | |   |   |                             |                  |                                    |
   | -------------  Shares   |    | |   |   | Common Stock: 20,000 Shares |                  | Common Stock:           Control    |
   |                         |    | |   |___| -------------               |                  | -------------           -------    |
   |                  Cost   |    | |   |   |                             |                  | $13,092,790             100%       |
   |                  ----   |    | |   |   |                Cost         |                  |                                    |
   | Casualty-26%    $88,320 |    | |   |   |                ----         |                  |          Shares      Cost          |
   | Fire-26%        $88,463 |    | |   |   | Casualty-100%  $5,944,422   |                  |          -----       ----          |
   |_________________________|    | |   |   |_____________________________|                  | Casualty $12,443,280  $710,293,557 |
                                  | |   |                                                    | Fire         649,510    24,007,936 |
    _________________________     | |   |    _____________________________                   |                                    |
   |      FARMLAND MUTUAL    |    | |   |   |     NATIONWIDE PROPERTY     |                  |           (See Page 2)             |
   |     INSURANCE COMPANY   |    | |   |   |        AND CASUALTY         |                  |____________________________________|
   |                         |    | |   |   |                             |
   | Guaranty Fund           |____| |   |   | Common Stock: 60,000 Shares |
   | -------------           |______|   |___| -------------               |
   | Certificate             |          |   |                             |
   | -----------             |          |   |                   Cost      |
   |                         |          |   |                   ----      |
   |                Cost     |          |   | Casualty-100%    $6,000,000 |
   |                ----     |          |   |_____________________________|
   | Casualty       $500,000 |          |   
   |_________________________|          |    _____________________________
                   |                    |   |     COLONIAL INS. CO.       |
    _______________|___________         |   |      OF CALIFORNIA          |     
   |          F & B, INC.      |        |   |                             |
   |                           |        |   | Common Stock: 1,750 Shares  |
   | Common Stock:    1 Share  |        |___| -------------               |
   | -------------             |        |   |                             |
   |                           |        |   |                 Cost        |
   |                   Cost    |        |   |                 ----        |
   |                   ----    |        |   | Casualty-100%   $11,750,000 |
   | Farmland Mutual-  $10     |        |   |_____________________________|
   | 100%                      |        |
   |___________________________|        |    _____________________________        __________________________ 
        ____________________________    |   |         SCOTTSDALE          |      |     COLONIAL GENERAL     |
       |       FARMLAND LIFE        |   |   |     INSURANCE COMPANY       |      |  INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.  |
       |     INSURANCE COMPANY      |   |   |                             |      |                          |
       |                            |   |   | Common Stock: 30,136 Shares |      | Common Stock: 1 Share    |
       | Common Stock:  1,000,000   |___|___| -------------               |______| ------------             |
       | -------------  Shares      |   |   |                             |      |                          |
       |                            |   |   |                Cost         |      |              Cost        | 
       |                Cost        |   |   |                ----         |      |              ----        |
       |                ----        |   |   | Casualty-100%  $150,000,000 |      | Scottsdale-  $1,082,336  |                    
       | Casualty-100%  $23,826,196 |   |   |_____________________________|      | 100%                     |
       |____________________________|   |                                        |__________________________|
                                               
                                              
                                             
                                              



                                                 
                                           
                                              
                                             
                                             
                                                                 
                                             
                                                 
                                         
                                         







                                
                                        |    _____________________________                                      
                                        |   |   NATIONWIDE AGRIBUSINESS   |                            
                                        |   |          INS. CO.           |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   | Common Stock:  1,000,000    |
                                        |   | -------------  Shares       |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |___| Casualty-       Cost        |
                                        |   | 99.9%           ----        |
                                        |   |                 $26,300,981 |
                                        |   | Other Capital:              |
                                        |   | Casualty-                   |
                                        |   | Ptd.            $713,567    |      
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        | 
                                        |    _____________________________                      ______________________________
                                        |   |    NECKURA HOLDING CO.      |                    |          NECKURA             |
                                        |   |        (NECKURA)            |                    |        INSURANCE CO.         |
                                        |   |                             |                    |                              |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 10,000 Shares |                    | Common Stock: 6,000 Shares   |
                                        |___| -------------               |____________________| -------------                |
                                        |   |                             |               |    |                              |
                                        |   |                 Cost        |               |    |               Cost           |
                                        |   |                 ---         |               |    |               ----           |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%   $87,943,140 |               |    | Neckura-100%  DM 6,000,000   |
                                        |   |_____________________________|               |    |______________________________|   
                                        |                                                 |
                                        |                                                 |      _____________________________
                                        |                                                 |     |        NECKURA LIFE         |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     | Common Stock: 4,000 Shares  |
                                        |                                                 |_____| -------------               |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     |                  Cost       |
                                        |                                                 |     |                  ----       |
                                        |                                                 |     | Neckura-100%  DM 15,825,681 |   
                                        |                                                 |     |_____________________________|
                                        |                                                 |
                                        |                                                 |      _____________________________
                                        |                                                 |     |      NECKURA GENERAL        |
                                        |                                                 |     |    AUTO INSURANCE CO.       |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     | Common Stock: 1,500 Shares  |
                                        |                                                 |_____| ------------                |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     |               Cost          |
                                        |                                                 |     |               ----          |
                                        |                                                 |     | Neckura-100%  DM 1,656,925  |
                                        |                                                 |     |_____________________________|
                                        |                                                 | 
                                        |                                                 |      _____________________________
                                        |                                                 |     |      COLUMBUS SERVICE       |
                                        |                                                 |     |            GmbH             |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     | Common Stock: 1 Share       |
                                        |                                                 |_____| -------------               |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     |                Cost         |
                                        |                                                 |     |                -----        |
                                        |                                                 |     |  Neckura-100%   DM 51,639   |
                                        |                                                 |     |_____________________________|
                                        |                                                 |
                                        |                                                 |      _____________________________
                                        |                                                 |     |        AUTO DIRECT          |
                                        |                                                 |     |        INSURANCE CO.        |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     | Common Stock: 1,500 Shares  |
                                        |                                                 |     | -------------               |
                                        |                                                 |_____|                             |
                                        |                                                 |     |               Cost          |
                                        |                                                 |     |               ----          |
                                        |                                                 |     | Neckura-100%  DM 1,643,149  |
                                        |                                                 |     |_____________________________|
                                        |                                                 |
                                        |    _____________________________                |      ____________________________
                                        |   |          NATIONWIDE         |               |     |         SVM SALES          |
                                        |   |          DEVELOPMENT        |               |     |           GmbH             |
                                        |   |                             |               |     |                            |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 99,000 Shares |               |     | Common Stock: 50 Shares    |
                                        |   | -------------               |               |_____| -------------              |
                                        |   |                             |                     |                            |
                                        |___|                Cost         |                     |              Cost          |
                                        |   |                ---          |                     |              ----          |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $15,100,000  |                     | Neckura-100%  DM 50,000    |
                                        |   | Other Capital:              |                     |____________________________|
                                        |   | --------------              |
                                        |   | Casualty-Ptd.  $ 2,796,100  | 
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        |
                                        |











                                        |    _____________________________
                                        |   |          SCOTTSDALE         |
                                        |   |          INDEMNITY          |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |___| Common Stock: 50,000 Shares |
                                        |   | -------------               |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   |                Cost         |
                                        |   |                ----         |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $8,800,000   |
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        | 
                                        |    _____________________________
                                        |   |    NATIONWIDE INDEMNITY     |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 28,000 Shares |
                                        |___| -------------               |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   |                Cost         |
                                        |   |                ----         |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $294,529,000 |
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        |
                                        |    _____________________________        __________________________
                                        |   |          LONE STAR          |      |   COLONIAL COUNTY MUTUAL |
                                        |   |     GENERAL AGENCY, INC.    |      |     INSURANCE COMPANY    |
                                        |   |                             |      |                          |
                                        |   | Common Stock:  1,000 Shares |      | Surplus Debentures:      |
                                        |___| -------------               |______| -------------------      |
                                        |   |                             |______|                          |
                                        |   |                Cost         |      |          Cost            |
                                        |   |                ----         |      |          ----            |
                                        |   | Casualty       $5,000,000   |      | Colonial $500,000        |
                                        |   | 100%                        |      | Lone Star 150,000        |
                                        |   |_____________________________|      |__________________________|
                                        |
                                        |    _____________________________
                                        |   |         NATIONWIDE          |
                                        |   |      COMMUNITY URBAN        |
                                        |   |       REDEVELOPMENT         |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 10 Shares     |
                                        |___| -------------               |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   |                Cost         |
                                        |   |                ----         |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $1,000       |
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        |
                                        |    _____________________________
                                        |   |         INSURANCE           |
                                        |   |    INTERMEDIARIES, INC.     |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 1,615 Shares  |
                                        |___| -------------               |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   |                Cost         |
                                        |   |                ----         |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $1,615,000   |
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        |
                                        |    _____________________________
                                        |   |         NATIONWIDE          |
                                        |   |      CASH MANAGEMENT        |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 100 Shares    |
                                        |   | -------------               |
                                        |___|                             |
                                        |   |                Cost         |
                                        |   |                ----         |
                                        |   | Casualty-90%   $9,000       |
                                        |   | NW Fin Serv-    1,000       |
                                        |   | 10%                         | 
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        |
                                        |
                                        |    _____________________________        __________________________
                                        |   |          CALIFORNIA         |      |      VIDEO EAGLE INC.    |
                                        |   |       CASH MANAGEMENT       |      |                          |
                                        |   |                             |      | Common Stock: 750 Shares |
                                        |   | Common Stock:  90 Shares    |      | -------------            |
                                        |___| -------------               |  ____|                          |
                                        |   |                             |  |   |              Cost        |
                                        |   |                Cost         |  |   |              ----        |
                                        |   |                ----         |  |   | NW Comm.-    $0          |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $9,000       |  |   | 100%                     |
                                        |   |_____________________________|  |   |__________________________|         
                                        |                                    |
                                        |                                    |











                                        |                                    |
                                        |    _____________________________   |    __________________________
                                        |   |          NATIONWIDE         |  |   |       THE BEAK AND       |
                                        |   |     COMMUNICATIONS INC.     |  |   |     WIRE CORPORATION     |
                                        |   |                             |  |   |                          |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 14,750 Shares |  |   | Common Stock: 750 Shares |
                                        |___| -------------               |__|___| -------------            |
                                            |                             |      |                          |
                                            |                Cost         |      |           Cost           |
                                            |                ----         |      |           ----           |
                                            | Casualty-100%  $11,510,000  |      | NW Comm-  $531,000       |
                                            |                             |      | 100%                     |
                                            | Other Capital:              |      |__________________________|
                                            | --------------              |
                                            | Casualty-Ptd.     1,000,000 |
                                            |_____________________________|
    

<FN>
                                                                                          Subsidiary Companies     - Solid Line
                                                                                          Associated Companies     - Dotted Line
                                                                                          Contractural Association - Double Line

                                                                                                          December 31, 1994
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   79


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE                                           (left side)

<S>                                       <C>                                            <C>
                                           _______________________________________
                                          |                                       |
                                          |          EMPLOYERS INSURANCE          |___________________________________________
                                          |              OF WAUSAU                |___________________________________________
                                          |           A MUTUAL COMPANY            |
                                          |_______________________________________|













                                                                                                        __________________________
                                                                                                       |
                                                                                           ____________|__________________
                                                                                          |       NATIONWIDE LIFE        |
                                                                                          | Common Stock: 3,814,779      |
                                                                                          | ------------- Shares         |
                                                                                          |                              |
                                                                                          | NW Corp.-    Cost            |
                                                                                          | 100%         ----            |
                                                                                          |              $909,179,664    |
                                                                                          |______________________________|
                                                                                                      |
                     _________________________________________________________________________________| 
                    |                                      |                      |
        ____________|____________               ___________|_______________       |        ______________________________
       |        NATIONWIDE       |             |     NATIONAL CASUALTY     |      |       |      FINANCIAL HORIZONS      |
       |    FINANCIAL SERVICES   |             | Common Stock: 100 Shares  |      |       |              LIFE            |
       | Common Stock: 7,676     |             | -------------             |      |       | Common Stock: 66,000         |
 ______| ------------- Shares    |        _____|                           |      |_______| ------------- Shares         |
|  ____|               Cost      |       |     |               Cost        |      |       | NW Life-       Cost          |
| |    |               ----      |       |     |               ----        |      |       | 100%           ----          |
| |    | NW Life-100% $5,996,261 |       |     | NW Life-100%  $66,132,811 |      |       |               $58,070,003    |
| |    |_________________________|       |     |___________________________|      |       |______________________________|
| |                                      |                 | |                    |
| |     _________________________        |      ___________|_|_____________       |
| |    |        NATIONWIDE       |       |     |                           |      |                                          
| |    |    INVESTOR SERVICES    |       |     |                           |      |                                          
| |    | Common Stock: 5 Shares  |       |     |       NCC OF AMERICA,     |      |                                         
| |____| -------------           |       |     |      INC. (INACTIVE)      |      |        ______________________________   
| |    |                         |       |     |                           |      |       |        WEST COAST LIFE       |  
| |    | NW Fin. Serv.- Cost     |       |     |                           |      |       | Common Stock: 1,000,000      |  
| |    |    100%        ----     |       |     |                           |      |       | ------------- Shares         |  
| |    |                $5,000   |       |     |                           |      |_______|               Cost           |  
| |    |_________________________|       |     |___________________________|      |       |               ----           |  
| |                                      |                                        |       | NW Life-100%  $92,762,014    |  
| |     _________________________        |      ___________________________       |       |______________________________|  
| |    |        NATIONWIDE       |       |     |     HICKEY-MITCHELL       |      |                                         
| |    |        INVESTING        |       |     |    INSURANCE AGENCY       |      |                                         
| |    |       FOUNDATION        |       |     | Common Stock: 101 Shares  |      |                                           
| |____|                         |       |_____|  -----------              |      |                                           
|  ____|                         |             |                           |      |        ______________________________    
| |    |                         |             |                Cost       |      |       | EMPLOYERS LIFE INSURANCE CO. |   
| |    |                         |             |                ----       |      |       |        OF WAUSAU (EL)        |   
| |    |   COMMON LAW TRUST      |             | Nat. Cas.-100% $4,701,200 |      |       |                              |   
| |    |_________________________|             |___________________________|      |       | Common Stock: 250,000 Shares |   
| |                                                         |                     |_______| -------------                |   
| |     _________________________               ____________|______________       |       |                ----          |   
| |    |        NATIONWIDE       |             |     NATIONAL PREMIUM &    |      |       | NW Life-100%   $165,627,416  |   
| |    |        INVESTING        |             |  BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION   |      |       |______________________________|   
| |____|        FOUNDATION II    |             | Common Stock: 10,000      |      |                    |                     
|  ____|                         |             | ------------  Shares      |      |                    |                       
| |    |                         |             |                Cost       |      |                    |                          
| |    |                         |             | Hickey-        ----       |      |         ___________|_________________    
| |    |    COMMON LAW TRUST     |             | Mitchell-100%  $1,319,469 |      |        |       WAUSAU PREFERRED      |   
| |    |_________________________|             |___________________________|      |        |        HEALTH INS. CO.      |   
| |                                                                               |        |                             |   
| |                                                                               |        | Common Stock: 200 Shares    |   
| |     _________________________                                                 |        | -------------               |   
| |    |       NATIONWIDE        |                                                |        |  EL -- 100%   Cost          |   
| |____|    SEPARATE ACCOUNT     |                                                |        |               ----          |   
|  ____|          TRUST          |                                                |        |              $51,413,193    |   
| |    |    COMMON LAW TRUST     |                                                |        |_____________________________|   
| |    |_________________________|                                                |                                          
| |                                                                               |                                          












| |                                                                               |                                              
| |     _________________________                                                 |                                              
| |    |   FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |                                                |        ______________________________       
| |____|    INVESTMENT TRUST     |                                                |       |           NATIONWIDE         |      
|______|         TRUST           |                                                |       |      PROPERTY MANAGEMENT     |      
       |    COMMON LAW TRUST     |                                                |       | Common Stock: 59 Shares      |      
       |_________________________|                                                |_______| -------------                |      
                                                                                  |       |                              |      
                                                                                  |       |                Cost          |      
                                                                                  |       |                ----          |      
                                                                                  |       | NW Life-100%   $1,907,896    |      
                                                                                  |       |______________________________|      
                                                                                  |                    |                        
                                                                                  |                    |                        
                                                                                  |                    |                        
                                                                                  |                    |                        
                                                                                  |        ____________|_________________       
                                                                                  |       |     MRM INVESTMENTS, INC.    |      
                                                                                  |       | Common Stock: 1 Share        |      
                                                                                  |       | ------------                 |      
                                                                                  |       |                              |      
                                                                                  |       |                Cost          |      
                                                                                  |       | Nat. Prop.     ----          |      
                                                                                  |       | Mgmt.-100%     $550,000      |      
                                                                                  |       |______________________________|      
                                                                                  |                                             
                                                                                  |                                             
                                                                                  |        ___________________________          
                                                                                  |       |        NWE, INC.          |         
                                                                                  |       |                           |         
                                                                                  |       | Common Stock: 100 Shares  |         
                                                                                  |_______|                           |         
                                                                                          | NW Life-100% Cost         |         
                                                                                          |              ----         |         
                                                                                          |             $35,971,375   |         
                                                                                          |___________________________|         
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
</TABLE>                                                                       
                                                 
<PAGE>   80

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE                                           (middle)

<S>                              <C>                        <C>                                      <C>
                                 _______________________________________
                                |                                       |
________________________________|          NATIONWIDE MUTUAL            |___________________________________________________________
________________________________|              (CASUALTY)               |___________________________________________________________
                                |                                       |
                                |_______________________________________|
                                                    |               _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
                                  __________________|______________|___       
                                 |        NATIONWIDE CORPORATION       |      
                                 | Common Stock:     Control:          |
                                 | -------------     -------           |
                                 |  13,092,790         100%            |                        
                                 |                                     |
                                 |           Shares       Cost         |                 
                                 |           ------       ----         |
                                 | Casualty  $12,443,280  $710,293,557 |
                                 | Fire          649,510    24,007,936 |
                                 |_____________________________________|
                                                    |
____________________________________________________|______________________________________________________________________________
                   |                                                    |                                          |
        ___________|_______________                        _____________|_____________                 ____________|______________
       |     PUBLIC EMPLOYEES      |                      |      GATES, McDONALD      |               |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS     |
       |    BENEFIT SERV. CORP.    |                      |      & COMPANY (GATES)    |               |  DISTRIBUTORS AGY., INC.  |
 ______| Common Stock: 236,494     |                      | Common Stock: 254 Shares  |               | Common Stock: 1,000 Shares|
|  ____| ------------- Shares      |                      | -------------             |___       _____| -------------             |
| |    |               Cost        |                      |                           |   |     |  ___|                           |
| |    | NW Corp.-     ----        |                      |               Cost        |   |     | |   |               Cost        |
| |    | 100%          $12,830,936 |                      |               ----        |   |     | |   | NW Corp.      ----        |
| |    |___________________________|                      | MW Corp.-     $22,126,323 |   |     | |   | 100%          $19,501,000 |
| |                                                       | 100%                      |   |     | |   |___________________________|
| |                                                       |___________________________|   |     | |
| |                                                                                       |     | |
| |                                                        ___________________________    |     | |                                
| |     ___________________________                       |   GATES, McDONALD & Co.   |   |     | |    ___________________________ 
| |    |     PEBSCO SECURITIES     |                      |        OF NEW YORK        |   |     | |   |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS     |
| |    |           CORP.           |                      | Common Stock: 3 Shares    |   |     | |   |     DISTRIBUTORS AGY.     |
| |____| Common Stock: 5,000       |                      | -------------             |___|     | |   |      OF ALABAMA, INC.     |
| |    | ------------- Shares      |                      |                           |   |     | |___| Common Stock: 10,000      |
| |    |                  Cost     |                      |                Cost       |   |     | |   |  -----------  Shares      |
| |    | Pub. Emp. Ben.   ----     |                      |                ----       |   |     | |   |               Cost        |
| |    | Serv.Corp.-100%  $25,000  |                      | Gates-100%     $106,947   |   |     | |   |               ----        |
| |    |___________________________|                      |                           |   |     | |   | FHDAI-100%    $100        |
| |                                                       |___________________________|   |     | |   |___________________________|
| |                                                                                       |     | |                                
| |                                                                                       |     | |                                
| |                                                        ___________________________    |     | |                                
| |     ___________________________                       |  GATES, McDONALD & Co.    |   |     | |                                
| |    |          PEBSCO OF        |                      |         OF NEVADA         |   |     | |    ___________________________ 
| |    |         NEW MEXICO        |                      |                           |   |     | |   |    LANDMARK FINANCIAL     |
| |    | Common Stock: 1,000       |                      |   Common Stock: 40 Shares |___|     | |   |        SERVICES OF        |
| |____| ------------- Shares      |                      |                           |         | |   |       NEW YORK, INC.      |
| |    |                   Cost    |                      |   Gates-100%    Cost      |         | |___| Common Stock: 10,000      |
| |    | Pub. Emp. Ben.    ----    |                      |                 ----      |         | |   | ------------- Shares      |
| |    | Serv.Corp.-100%   $1,000  |                      |                 $93,750   |         | |   |               Cost        |
| |    |___________________________|                      |___________________________|         | |   |               ----        |
| |                                                                                             | |   | FHDAI-100%    $10,100     |
| |                                                                                             | |   |___________________________|
| |                                                                                             | |                                
| |                                                                                             | |                                
| |     ___________________________                                                             | |                                
| |    |         PEBSCO OF         |                                                            | |                                
| |    |         ARKANSAS          |                                                            | |    ___________________________ 
| |    | Common Stock: 50,000      |                                                            | |   |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS     |
| |____| ------------- Shares      |                                                            | |   |      SECURITIES CORP.     |
| |    |                  Cost     |                                                            | |___| Common Stock: 10,000      |
| |    | Pub. Emp. Ben.   ----     |                                                            | |   | ------------- Shares      |
| |    | Serv.Corp. 100%  $500     |                                                            | |   |               Cost        |
| |    |___________________________|                                                            | |   |               ----        |
| |                                                                                             | |   | FHDAI-100%    $153,000    |
| |                                                                                             | |   |___________________________|
| |                                                                                             | |                                
| |     ___________________________                                                             | |                                
| |    |         PEBSCO OF         |                             ___________________________    | |                                
| |    |          MONTANA          |                            |  AFFILIATE AGENCY, INC.   |   | |    ___________________________ 
| |____| Common Stock: 500         |                            |                           |   | |   |                           |
| |    | ------------- Shares      |                            |  Common Stock: 100 Shares |__ | |   |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| |    |                   Cost    |                            |                           |   | |___|        DISTRIBUTORS       |
| |    | Pub. Emp. Ben.    ----    |                            |   FHDAI-100%    Cost      |   |  ___|       AGENCY OF TEXAS,    |
| |    | Serv.Corp.-100%  $500     |                            |                 ----      |   | |   |            INC.           |
| |    |___________________________|                            |                 $100      |   | |   |___________________________|
| |                                                             |___________________________|   | |                                
| |                                                                                             | |                                
| |                                                                                             | |                                
| |     ___________________________                                                             | |    ___________________________ 
| |    |         PEBSCO OF         |                                                            | |   |                           |
| |    |          ALABAMA          |                                                            | |___|     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| |____| Common Stock: 100,000     |                                                            |  ___|      DISTRIBUTORS AGY.    |
| |    | ------------- Shares      |                                                            | |   |         OF OHIO, INC.     |
| |    |                  Cost     |                                                            | |   |___________________________|
| |    | Pub. Emp. Ben.   ----     |                                                            | |                              
| |    | Serv.Corp.-100%  $1,000   |                                                            | |                           
| |    |___________________________|                                                            | |                           
| |                                                                                             | |                                
| |     ___________________________                                                             | |                                
| |    |         PEBSCO OF         |                                                            | |    ___________________________ 
| |    |       MASSACHUSETTS       |                                                            | |   |                           |
| |    |   INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.  |                                                            | |___|    FINANCIAL HORIZONS     |
| |____| Common Stock: 1,000       |                                                            |  ___|     DISTRIBUTORS AGY.     |
| |    | ------------- Shares      |                                                            | |   |     OF OKLAHOMA, INC.     |
| |    |                   Cost    |                                                            | |   |___________________________|
| |    | Pub. Emp. Ben.    -----   |                                                            | |                                
| |    | Serv.Corp.-100%  $1,000   |                                                            | |                                
| |    |___________________________|                                                            | |    ___________________________ 
| |                                                                                             | |   |                           |
| |     ___________________________                                                             | |___|         AFFILIATE         |
| |____|                           |                                                            |_____          AGENCY OF         |
|______|         PEBSCO OF         |                                                                  |         OHIO, INC.        |
       |           TEXAS           |                                                                  |                           |
       |___________________________|                                                                  |___________________________|
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
</TABLE>
                                                    
<PAGE>   81

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE                                           (right side)

<S>                     <C>                             <C>                                      
                       _______________________________________
                      |                                       |
______________________|          NATIONWIDE MUTUAL            |
______________________|             FIRE (FIRE)               |
                      |                                       |
                      |_______________________________________|
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  _ _|                                                  











                                                    
____________________________________________________________________
                        |                        |                  |
           _____________|_____________           |      ____________|______________
          |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          |     |      INHEALTH, INC.       |
          |  INVESTOR SERVICES, INC.  |          |     | Common Stock: 100         |
   _______| Common Stock: 500         |          |     | ------------  Shares      |
  |  _____| ------------- Shares      |          |     |               Cost        |
  | |     |               Cost        |          |     |               ----        |
  | |     | NW Corp.-     ----        |          |     | NW Corp.-                 |
  | |     | 100%          $5,000      |          |     | 100%          $12,046,413 |
  | |     |___________________________|          |     |___________________________|
  | |                                            |                   
  | |      ___________________________           |      ___________________________
  | |     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          |     |         NATIONWIDE        |
  | |     |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |          |     |        HEALTH CARE        |
  | |_____|      OF ALABAMA, INC.     |          |_____| Common Stock: 15 Shares   |
  | |     | Common Stock: 500         |           _____| ------------              |
  | |     | ------------- Shares      |          |     |                           |
  | |     |               Cost        |          |     |               Cost        |
  | |     |               ----        |          |     | NW Corp.-     ----        |
  | |     | NEA-100%      $5,000      |          |     | 100%          $16,850,000 |
  | |     |___________________________|          |     |___________________________|
  | |                                            |                   
  | |      ___________________________           |      ___________________________
  | |     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          |     |       INHEALTH MGT.       |
  | |     |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |          |     |       SYSTEMS, INC.       |
  | |     |        OF OHIO, INC.      |          |     | Common Stock: 100 Shares  |
  | |_____| Common Stock: 100         |          |_____| -------------             |
  | |     | ------------- Shares      |          |     |                           |
  | |     |               Cost        |          |     |               Cost        |
  | |     |               -----       |          |     | NW Health     ----        |
  | |     | NEA-91%       $5,000      |          |     | Care-100%   $25,149       |
  | |     |___________________________|          |     |___________________________|
  | |                                            |                   
  | |      ___________________________           |      ___________________________
  | |     |                           |          |     |         INHEALTH          |
  | |     |                           |          |     |        AGENCY, INC.       |
  | |     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          |     | Common Stock: 99 Shares   |
  | |_____|     INVESTOR SERVICES     |          |_____| -------------             |
  | |     |       OF TEXAS, INC.      |                |               Cost        |
  | |     |                           |                | NW Health     ----        |
  | |     |                           |                | Corp.-99%   $116,077      |
  | |     |___________________________|                |___________________________|
  | |                                                               
  | |      ___________________________        
  | |     |                           |       
  | |     |                           |       
  | |_____|      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |       
  |_______|     INVESTOR SERVICES     |       
          |      OF OKLAHOMA, INC.    |       
          |                           |       
          |___________________________|       
                                              






Subsidiary Companies     --  Solid Line
Associated Companies     --  Dotted Line
Contractual Association  --  Double Line

December 31, 1994

</TABLE>
                                    Page 2
<PAGE>   82
Item 27.        NUMBER OF CONTRACT OWNERS

                Not Applicable.

Item 28.        INDEMNIFICATION

                Provision is made in the Company's Amended Code of
                Regulations and expressly authorized by the General
                Corporation Law of the State of Ohio, for indemnification by
                the Company of any person who was or is a party or is
                threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
                completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
                administrative or investigative by reason of the fact that
                such person is or was a director, officer or employee of the
                Company, against expenses, including attorneys' fees,
                judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
                reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such
                action, suit or proceeding, to the extent and under the
                circumstances permitted by the General Corporation Law of the
                State of Ohio.

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

Item 29.        PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

                (a)     Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. ("NFS") acts 
                        as general distributor for the Nationwide
                        Multi-Flex Variable Account, Nationwide DC Variable
                        Account, Nationwide Variable Account-II, Nationwide 
                        Variable Account-5, Nationwide Variable Account-6, 
                        Nationwide Variable Account-8, Nationwide VA Separate 
                        Account-A, Nationwide VA Separate Account-B, Nationwide
                        VA Separate Account-C, Nationwide VL Separate 
                        Account-A, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2, 
                        Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3, NACo Variable
                        Account and the Nationwide Variable Account, all of 
                        which are separate investment accounts of the Company 
                        or its affiliates.

                        NFS also acts as principal underwriter for the 
                        Nationwide Investing Foundation, Nationwide Separate 
                        Account Trust, Financial Horizons Investment Trust, 
                        and Nationwide Investing Foundation II, which are 
                        open-end management investment companies.

                (b)          NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
                                   DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

                NAME AND BUSINESS ADDRESS            POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                                                        WITH UNDERWRITER

                Lewis J. Alphin                              Director
                519 Bethel Church Road
                Mount Olivet, NC  28365

                Willard J. Engel                             Director
                1100 E. Main Street
                Marshall, MN 56258

                Fred C. Finney                               Director
                1558 West Moreland Road
                Wooster, OH  44691


                                   79 OF 85
<PAGE>   83
(b)             NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
                     DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Peter F. Frenzer                        Vice Chairman, President
One Nationwide Plaza                          and Director
Columbus, OH  43215

Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.                       Director
600 South Washington Street
Butler, PA  16001

Henry S. Holloway                               Director
1247 Stafford Road
Darlington, MD  21034

Gordon E. McCutchan                        Executive Vice President-Law and     
One Nationwide Plaza                       Corporate Services and Director
Columbus, OH  43215

D. Richard McFerson                              President and
One Nationwide Plaza               Chief Executive Officer--Nationwide Insurance
Columbus, OH  43215                          Enterprise and Director

David O. Miller                                     Director
115 Sprague Drive                                   
Hebron, Ohio  43025

C. Roy Noecker                                      Director
2770 State Route 674 South
Ashville, OH 43103

James F. Patterson                                  Director
8765 Mulberry Road
Chesterland, OH  44026

Robert H. Rickel                                    Director
P.O. Box 319
Bayview, ID  83803

Arden L. Shisler                                    Director
2724 West Lebanon Road
Dalton, OH  44618

Robert L. Stewart                                   Director
88740 Fairview Road
Jewett, OH  43986

Nancy C. Thomas                                     Director
10835 Georgetown Street NE
Louisville, OH  44641

Harold W. Weihl                           Chairman of the Board of Directors
14282 King Road
Bowling Green, OH  43402
                                         
W. Sidney Druen                            Senior Vice President and
One Nationwide Plaza                 General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
Columbus, OH  43215

Robert A. Oakley                            Executive Vice President -
One Nationwide Plaza                          Chief Financial Officer
Columbus, OH  43215


                                   80 OF 85
<PAGE>   84
(b)             NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
                      DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

James F. Laird, Jr.                             Vice President and General
One Nationwide Plaza                              Manager and Treasurer
Columbus, OH  43215

Peter J. Neckermann                                 Vice President
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

Harry S. Schermer                             Vice President - Investments
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

Rae I. Mercer                                         Secretary
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                     
(c)       NAME OF      NET UNDERWRITING     COMPENSATION ON
         PRINCIPAL      DISCOUNTS AND        REDEMPTION OR     BROKERAGE
        UNDERWRITER      COMMISSIONS         ANNUITIZATION    COMMISSIONS     COMPENSATION
        -----------    ----------------     ---------------   -----------     ------------
       <S>                  <C>                   <C>             <C>             <C>             
        Nationwide           N/A                   N/A             N/A             N/A
        Financial
        Services,
          Inc.
</TABLE>

                                   81 OF 85
<PAGE>   85
Item 30.        LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

                Joseph F. Ciminero
                Nationwide Life Insurance Company
                One Nationwide Plaza
                Columbus, OH  43216


Item 31.        MANAGEMENT SERVICES

                Not Applicable


Item 32.        UNDERTAKINGS

                The Registrant hereby undertakes to:

                (a)     file a post-effective amendment to this registration 
                        statement as frequently as is necessary to ensure that 
                        the audited financial statements in the registration 
                        statement are never more than 16 months old for so 
                        long as payments under the variable annuity contracts 
                        may be accepted;

                (b)     include either (1) as part of any application to 
                        purchase a contract offered by the prospectus, a space 
                        that an applicant can check to request a Statement of 
                        Additional Information, or (2) a post card or similar 
                        written communication affixed to or included in the
                        prospectus that the applicant can remove to send for 
                        a Statement of Additional Information; and

                (c)     deliver any Statement of Additional Information and 
                        any financial statements required to be made available 
                        under this form promptly upon written or oral request.

                The Registrant hereby represents that any contract offered by 
                the prospectus and which is issued pursuant to Section 403(b) 
                of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, is issued by 
                the Registrant in reliance upon, and in compliance with, the 
                Securities and Exchange Commission's no-action letter to the 
                American Council of Life Insurance (publicly available 
                November 28, 1988) which permits withdrawal restrictions to 
                the extent necessary to comply with IRC Section 403(b)(11).

                                   82 OF 85
<PAGE>   86
                                      
                                  Offered by
                      Nationwide Life Insurance Company
                                      
                                      
                                      
                                      
                                      
                      NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                      
                                      
                                      
                                      
                                      
                       Nationwide Variable Account - 8
                                      
                Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contract
                                      

                                    
                                      
                                  PROSPECTUS
                                      
                                      
                                      
                               January 1, 1996






                                   83 OF 85
<PAGE>   87
                             ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors
        Nationwide Life Insurance Company:



We consent to the use of our report included herein and to the reference to our
firm under the heading "Services" in the Statement of Additional Information.



                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Columbus, Ohio
Sesptember 7, 1995




                                   84 OF 85
<PAGE>   88
                                   SIGNATURES

        As required by the Securities Act of 1933, and the Investment Company
Act of 1940, the Registrant, NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-8, has caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf in the City of Columbus, and
State of Ohio, on this 7th day of September 1995.


                                              NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-8
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                     (Registrant)
                                        
                                            NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                     (Depositor)
                                          
                                                   By/s/JOSEPH P. RATH
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                       Joseph P. Rath
                                                     Vice President and
                                                 Associate General Counsel

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 7th day of
September, 1995.


        SIGNATURE                      TITLE
                                
LEWIS J. ALPHIN                      Director
--------------------------         
Lewis J. Alphin

WILLARD J. ENGEL                     Director
--------------------------         
Willard J. Engel

FRED C. FINNEY                       Director
--------------------------         
Fred C. Finney

PETER F. FRENZER               President/Chief Operating
--------------------------       Officer and Director
Peter F. Frenzer

CHARLES L. FUELLGRAF, JR.            Director
--------------------------         
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.

HENRY S. HOLLOWAY                 Chairman of the Board
--------------------------            and Director
Henry S. Holloway

D. RICHARD MCFERSON             Chief Executive Officer and
--------------------------               Director
D. Richard McFerson

DAVID O. MILLER
--------------------------            Director
David O. Miller

C. RAY NOECKER
--------------------------            Director
C. Ray Noecker

ROBERT A. OAKLEY
--------------------------      Executive Vice President-
Robert A. Oakley                 Chief Financial Officer

JAMES F. PATTERSON
--------------------------           Director              By/s/JOSEPH P. RATH
James F. Patterson                                       -----------------------
                                                             Joseph P. Rath 
ROBERT H. RICKEL                                            Attorney-in-Fact
--------------------------           Director           
Robert H. Rickel

ARDEN L. SHISLER
--------------------------           Director            
Arden L. Shisler

ROBERT L. STEWART
--------------------------           Director            
Robert L. Stewart

NANCY C. THOMAS
--------------------------           Director            
Nancy C. Thomas

HAROLD W. WEIHL
--------------------------           Director            
Harold W. Weihl


                                   85 OF 85

<PAGE>   1

                              POWER OF ATTORNEY


        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned as
directors and/or officers of NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, an Ohio
corporation, which has filed or will file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
various Registration Statements and amendments thereto for the registration
under said Act of Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts in connection
with the MFS Variable Account, Nationwide Variable Account, Nationwide Variable 
Account-II, Nationwide Variable Account-3, Nationwide Variable Account-4,
Nationwide Variable Account-5, Nationwide Variable Account-6, Nationwide
Fidelity Advisor Variable Account and Nationwide Multi-Flex Variable Account;
and the registration of fixed interest rate options subject to a market value
adjustment offered under some or all of the aforementioned Individual Variable
Annuity Contracts in connection with the Nationwide Multiple Maturity Separate
Account; and the registration of Group Flexible Fund Retirement Contracts in
connection with the Nationwide DC Variable Account and the NACo Variable
Account; and the registration of Group Common Stock Variable Annuity Contracts
in connection with Separate Account No.1; and the registration of variable life
insurance policies in connection with the Nationwide VU Separate Account,
Nationwide VU Separate Account-2 and Nationwide VU Separate Account-3 of
Nationwide Life Insurance Company, hereby constitutes and appoints D. Richard
McFerson, Peter F. Frenzer, Gordon E. McCutchan, W. Sidney Druen, and Joseph P.
Rath, and each of them with power to act without the others, his/her attorney,
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in his/her name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to approve, and sign such
Registration Statements and any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix
the corporate seal of said corporation thereto and to attest said seal and to
file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto
said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
all and every act and thing requisite to all intents and purposes as he/she
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said
attorneys, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof. This instrument may be executed in one or more counterparts.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have herewith set their names and
seals as of this 6th day of September, 1995.


/s/ Lewis J. Alphin                      /s/ C. Ray Noecker                
-------------------------------------    --------------------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin, Director                C. Ray Noecker, Director

/s/ Willard J. Engel                     /s/ Robert A. Oakley
-------------------------------------    --------------------------------------
Willard J. Engel, Director               Robert A. Oakley, Senior Vice
                                         President and Chief Financial Officer
/s/ Fred C. Finney
-------------------------------------    /s/ James F. Patterson
Fred C. Finney, Director                 --------------------------------------
                                         James F. Patterson, Director
/s/ Peter F. Frenzer
-------------------------------------    /s/ Robert H. Rickel
Peter F. Frenzer, President/Chief        -------------------------------------
Operating Officer and Director           Robert H. Rickel, Director

/s/ Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.            /s/ Arden L. Shisler
-------------------------------------    --------------------------------------
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr., Director      Arden L. Shisler, Director

/s/ Henry S. Holloway                    /s/ Robert L. Stewart
-------------------------------------    --------------------------------------
Henry S. Holloway, Chairman of the       Robert L. Stewart, Director
Board, Director
                                         /s/ Nancy C. Thomas
/s/ D. Richard McFerson                  --------------------------------------
-------------------------------------    Nancy C. Thomas, Director
D. Richard McFerson, Chief Executive
Officer and Director                     /s/ Harold W. Weihl
                                         -------------------------------------
/s/ David O. Miller                      Harold W. Weihl, Director
-------------------------------------    
David O. Miller, Director

<PAGE>   2
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  FORM N-8A

         NOTIFICATION OF REGISTRATION FILLED PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a)
                    OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

        The undersigned investment company hereby notifies the Securities and
Exchange Commission that it registers under and pursuant to the provisions of
Section 8(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and in connection with such
notification of registration submits the following information:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name:  Nationwide Variable Account-8

Address of Principal Business Office (No. & Street, City, State, Zip Code): One
Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43216

Telephone Number (including area code): (614) 249-7111

Name and address of agent for service of process:
        Gordon E. McCutchan, Secretary, One Nationwide Plaza,
        Columbus, Ohio 43216

Check Appropriate Box:

        Registrant is filing a Registration Statement pursuant to Section 8(b)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940 concurrently with the filing of Form
N-8A:

                YES [X]                         NO [ ]

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the
sponsor of the registrant has caused this notification of registration to be
duly signed on behalf of the registrant in the City of Columbus and the State
of Ohio on the 28th day of August, 1995.

(seal)    Signature:    NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-8
                        -------------------------------------------
                        (Name of Registrant)

          By:           NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                        -------------------------------------------
                        (Name of Sponsor)

          By:           /s/ W. Sidney Druen
                        -------------------------------------------
                        W. Sidney Druen, Senior Vice President,
                        General Counsel and Assistant Secretary


Attest:   /s/ Joseph P. Rath
        -------------------------------
        Joseph P. Rath, Vice President
        and Associate General Counsel

<PAGE>   3
EXCERPT FROM:

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF NATIONWIDE LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY, held at the Minneapolis Hilton and Towers Hotel,
Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 3, 1995.


The following resolution concerning the establishment of Nationwide Variable
Account-8 was presented for consideration:

RESOLVED, that the Company, pursuant to the provisions of Ohio Revised Code
Section 3907.15, hereby establishes a separate account, designated Nationwide
Variable Account-8 (hereinafter the Variable Account) for the following use and
purposes, and subject to such conditions as hereafter set forth:

RESOLVED, that the Variable Account shall be established for the purpose of
providing for the issuance of variable annuity contracts (hereinafter the
Contracts), which Contracts provide that part or all of the annuity benefits
and cash value will reflect the investment experience of one or more designated
underlying securities; and

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the fundamental investment policy of the Variable
Account shall be to invest or reinvest the assets of the Variable Account in
securities issued by investment companies registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as may be specified in the respective Contracts; and

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the proper officers of the Company be, and they thereby
are, authorized and directed to take all action necessary to: (a) register the
Variable Account as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended; (b) register one or more Contracts in such amounts as the
officers of the Company shall from time to time deem appropriate under the
Securities Act of 1933 and to prepare and file amendments to such registrations
as they may deem necessary or desirable; and (c) take all other action
necessary to comply with: the Investment Company Act of 1940, including the
filing of applications for such exemptions from the Investment Company Act of
1940 as the officers of the Company shall deem necessary or desirable; the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934; the Securities Act of 1933; and all other
applicable state and federal laws in connection with offering said Contracts
for sale and the operation of the Variable Account; and

RESOLVED FURTHER, that D. Richard McFerson, Peter F. Frenzer, Harvey S.
Galloway, James E. Brock, Robert A. Oakley, Gordon E. McCutchan, W. Sidney
Druen and Joseph P. Rath and each of them, with full power to act without the
others, hereby are severally authorized and empowered to execute and cause to
be



<PAGE>   4

filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of the Variable
Account and by the Company as sponsor and depositor any required Registration
Statement and Notice thereof registering the Variable Account as an investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940; and Registration Statements
under the Securities Act of 1933, registering the Contracts and any and all
amendments to the foregoing on behalf of and as attorneys for the Variable
Account and the Company and on behalf of and as attorneys for the principal
executive officer and/or the principal financial officer and/or the principal
accounting officer and/or any other officer of the Variable Account and the
Company; and

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the proper officers of the Company be, and they hereby
are, authorized on behalf of the Variable Account and on behalf of the Company
to take any and all action which they may deem necessary or advisable in order
to sell the Contracts and, if necessary, to register or qualify Contracts for
offer and sale under the insurance and securities laws of any of the states of
the United States of America and in connection therewith to execute, deliver
and file all such applications, reports, covenants, resolutions and other
papers and instruments as may be required under such laws, and to take any and
all further action which said officers or counsel of the Company may deem
necessary or desirable in order to maintain such registration or qualification
for as long as said officers or counsel deem it to be in the best interests of
the Variable Account and the Company; and

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the proper officers of the Company be, and they hereby
are, authorized in the names and on behalf of the Variable Account and the
Company to execute and file irrevocable written consents on the part of the
Variable Account and the Company to be used in such states wherein such
consents to service of process may be requisite under the insurance or
securities laws thereof in connection with said registration or qualification
of Contracts and appoint the appropriate state official, or such other persons
as may be allowed by said insurance or securities laws, agent of the Variable
Account and of the Company for the purpose of receiving and accepting process;
and

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the appropriate officers of the Company be, and they
hereby are, authorized to establish procedures under which the Company will
provide sales and administrative functions with respect to the Variable
Contracts issued in connection therewith, including, but not limited to
procedures for providing any voting rights required by the federal securities
laws for owners of such Contracts with respect to securities owned by the
Variable Account, adding additional underlying investment series to the
Variable Account, and permitting conversion or exchange of Contract values or
benefits among the various series.

A motion was made, seconded and carried, that the resolution be adopted.




<PAGE>   1

                           MARKETING COORDINATION AND
                       ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT


This Agreement entered into this ____ day of ______________, 1993, between
Nationwide Life Insurance Company ("Nationwide"), and Nationwide Financial
Services, Inc. ("NFS").

Nationwide proposes to develop, issue and administer, and NFS proposes to
provide the exclusive national distribution services for certain annuity
products (the "Products").  The Products to be sold hereunder are the
Individual Flexible Purchase Payment Deferred Variable Annuity Contract
(Nationwide Annuity)  and such other products as may hereafter be agreed upon
by the parties.

The parties hereby agree as follows:

A.       ADMINISTRATION OF PRODUCTS
         --------------------------

         1.      Appointment of Product Administration
                 -------------------------------------

                 Nationwide is hereby appointed Product Administrator for the
                 Products.

         2.      Duties of Nationwide
                 --------------------

                 Nationwide will perform in a proper and timely manner, those
                 functions enumerated in the column marked "Nationwide" in the
                 "Analysis of Administrative Functions," attached hereto as
                 EXHIBIT A, and incorporated herein by reference.

         3.      Duties of NFS
                 -------------

                 NFS will perform in a proper and timely manner, those
                 functions enumerated in the column marked "NFS" in the
                 "Analysis of Administrative Functions," attached hereto as
                 EXHIBIT A, and incorporated herein by reference.

B.       MARKETING COORDINATION AND SALES ADMINISTRATION
         -----------------------------------------------

         1.      Distribution of Products
                 ------------------------

                 The Products will be distributed through registered
                 representatives of NASD broker-dealer firms, appointed by
                 Nationwide, who shall be duly qualified and licensed as agents
                 (the "Agents"), in accordance with applicable state insurance
                 authority.

         2.      NFS shall be the exclusive National Distributor of the
                 Products.





<PAGE>   2
         3.      Appointment and Termination of Agents
                 -------------------------------------

                 Appointment and termination of Agents shall be processed and
                 executed by Nationwide.  NFS reserves the right to require
                 Nationwide to consult with it regarding licensing decisions.

         4.      Advertising
                 -----------

                 NFS shall not print, publish or distribute any advertisement,
                 circular or document relating to the Products or relating to
                 Nationwide unless such advertisement, circular or document has
                 been approved in writing by Nationwide.  Such approval shall
                 not be unreasonably withheld, and shall be given promptly,
                 normally within three (3) business days.  Neither Nationwide
                 nor any of its affiliates shall print, publish or distribute
                 any advertisement, circular or document relating to the
                 Products or relating to NFS unless such advertisement,
                 circular or document has been approved in writing by NFS.
                 Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, and shall be
                 given promptly, normally within three (3) business days.
                 However, nothing herein shall prohibit any person from
                 advertising the Products on a generic basis.

         5.      Marketing Conduct
                 -----------------

                 The parties will jointly develop standards, practices and
                 procedures respecting the marketing of the Products.  Such
                 standards, practices and procedures are intended to help
                 Nationwide meet its obligations as an issuer under the
                 securities laws, to assure compliance with state insurance
                 laws, and to help NFS meet its obligations under the
                 securities laws as National Distributor.  These standards,
                 practices and procedures are subject to continuing review and
                 neither Nationwide nor NFS will object unreasonably to changes
                 to such standards, practices and procedures recommended by the
                 other to comply with the intent of this provision.

         6.      Sales Material and Other Documents
                 ----------------------------------

                 a.       Sales Material
                          --------------

                          1)      Nationwide shall develop and prepare all
                                  promotional material to be used in the
                                  distribution of the Products, in consultation
                                  with NFS.

                          2)      Nationwide is responsible for the printing 
                                  and the expense of providing such 
                                  promotional material.





<PAGE>   3
                          3)      Nationwide is responsible for approval of
                                  such promotional material by state insurance
                                  regulators, where required.

                          4)      NFS and Nationwide agree to abide by the
                                  Advertising and Sales Promotion Material
                                  Guidelines, attached hereto as EXHIBIT B, and
                                  incorporated herein by reference.

                 b.       Prospectuses
                          ------------

                          1)      Nationwide is responsible for the preparation
                                  and regulatory clearance of any required
                                  registration statements and prospectuses for
                                  the Products.  NFS is responsible for the
                                  preparation and regulatory clearance of any
                                  underlying mutual fund registration
                                  statements and prospectuses.

                          2)      Nationwide is responsible for the printing of
                                  Product prospectuses in such quantities as
                                  the parties agree are necessary to assure
                                  sufficient supplies.

                          3)      Nationwide will bear the cost of providing 
                                  the required supply of mutual fund 
                                  prospectuses.

                          4)      Nationwide is responsible for supplying 
                                  Agents with sufficient quantities of Product 
                                  prospectuses.

                 c.       Contracts, Applications and Related Forms
                          -----------------------------------------

                          1)      Nationwide, in consultation with NFS, is
                                  responsible for the design and printing of
                                  adequate supplies of Product applications,
                                  contracts, related forms, and such service
                                  forms as the parties agree are necessary.

                          2)      Nationwide is responsible for supplying 
                                  adequate quantities of all such forms to the 
                                  Agents.

         7.      Appointment of Agents
                 ---------------------

                 a.       NFS will assist Nationwide in facilitating the
                          appointment of Agents by Nationwide.

                 b.       Nationwide will forward all appointment forms and
                          applications to the appropriate states and maintain
                          all contacts with the states.





<PAGE>   4
                 c.       Nationwide will maintain appointment files on Agents,
                          and NFS will have access to such files as needed.

         8.      Licensing and Appointment Guide
                 -------------------------------

                 Nationwide shall provide to NFS a Licensing and Appointment
                 Guide (as well periodic updates thereto), setting forth the
                 requirements for licensing and appointment, in such quantities
                 as NFS may reasonably require.

         9.      Other
                 -----
                 a.       Product Training
                          ----------------

                          Nationwide is responsible for any Product training 
                          for the Agents.

                 b.       Field Sales Material
                          --------------------

                          1)      Nationwide, in consultation with NFS, is
                                  responsible for the development, printing and
                                  distribution of non-public field sales
                                  material to be used by Agents.

                          2)      NFS shall have the right to review all field
                                  sales materials and to require any
                                  modification mandated by regulatory
                                  requirements.

                 c.       Production Reports
                          ------------------

                          Nationwide will deliver to NFS the items listed in
                          Production Reports to be Provided, attached hereto as
                          EXHIBIT C, and incorporated herein by reference.

                 d.       Customer Service
                          ----------------

                          Each party will notify the other of all material
                          pertinent inquiries and complaints it receives, from
                          whatever source and to whomever directed, and will
                          consult with the other in responding to such
                          inquiries and complaints.

         10.     Auditing
                 --------

                 NFS will maintain all records relating to the mutual funds or
                 other investment options in accordance with generally accepted
                 accounting procedures.  Any such records shall be made
                 available to Nationwide or its accountants or auditors upon
                 reasonable written request.  Nationwide will provide NFS with
                 any records, reports or other materials relative to the
                 distribution





<PAGE>   5
                 of the Products as may reasonably be required by NFS or as may
                 be required by any governmental agency having jurisdiction.

C.       GENERAL PROVISIONS
         ------------------

         1.      Waiver
                 ------

                 The forbearance or neglect of either party to insist upon
                 strict compliance by the other with any of the provisions of
                 this Agreement, whether continuing or not, or to declare a
                 forfeiture of termination against the other, shall not be
                 construed as a waiver of any rights or privileges of the
                 forbearing party in the event of a further default or failure
                 of performance.

         2.      Limitations
                 -----------

                 Neither party shall have authority on behalf of the other to:
                 make, alter or discharge any contractual terms of the
                 Products; waive any forfeiture; extend the time of making any
                 contributions to the products; guarantee dividends; alter the
                 forms which either may prescribe; nor substitute other forms
                 in place of those prescribed by the other.

         3.      Binding Effect
                 --------------

                 This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the
                 benefit of the parties to it and their respective successors
                 and assigns, provided that neither party shall assign or
                 sub-contract this Agreement or any rights or obligations
                 hereunder without prior written consent of the other.

         4.      Indemnification
                 ---------------

                 Each party ("Indemnifying Party") hereby agrees to release,
                 indemnify and hold harmless the other party, its officers,
                 directors, employers, agents, servants, predecessors or
                 successors from any claims or liability arising out of the
                 acts or omissions of the Indemnifying Party not authorized by
                 this Agreement, including the violation of any federal or
                 state law or regulation.

         5.      Notices
                 -------

                 All notices, requests, demands and other communication under
                 this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
                 been given on the date of service if served personally on the
                 party to whom notice is to be given, or on the date of mailing
                 if sent postage prepaid by First Class Mail, Registered or
                 Certified mail, by overnight mail, properly addressed as
                 follows:





<PAGE>   6
                 TO NATIONWIDE:

                 Nationwide Life Insurance Company
                 Richard A. Karas, Vice President
                 Sales - Financial Services
                 One Nationwide Plaza
                 Columbus, Ohio  43216

                 TO NFS:

                 Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.
                 Marian A. Trimble, President
                 One Nationwide Plaza
                 Columbus, Ohio  43216

         6.      Governing Law
                 -------------

                 This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and
                 governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.

         7.      Arbitration
                 -----------

                 The parties agree that misunderstandings or disputes arising
                 from this Agreement shall be decided by arbitration, conducted
                 upon request of either party before three arbitrators (unless
                 the parties agree on a single arbitrator) designated by the
                 American Arbitration Association, and in accordance with the
                 rules of such Association.  The expenses of the arbitration
                 proceedings conducted hereunder shall be borne equally by both
                 parties.

         8.      Confidentiality
                 ---------------

                 Any information, documents and materials, whether printed or
                 oral, furnished by either party or its agents or employees to
                 the other shall be held in confidence.  No such information
                 shall be given to any third party, other than to such
                 sub-contractors of NFS as may be permitted herein, or under
                 requirements of a lawful authority, without the express
                 written consent of the other party.

D.       TERM OF AGREEMENT
         -----------------

         This Agreement, including the Exhibits attached hereto, shall remain
         in full force and effect until terminated, and may be amended only by
         mutual agreement of the parties in writing.  Any decision by either
         party to cease issuance or distribution of any specific Product shall
         not effect a termination of the Agreement unless such termination is
         mutually agreed upon, or unless notice is given pursuant to Section
         E.2. hereof.





<PAGE>   7
E.       TERMINATION
         -----------

         1.      Either party may terminate this Agreement for cause at any
                 time, upon written notice to the other, if the other knowingly
                 and willfully: (a) fails to comply with the laws or
                 regulations of any state or governmental agency or body having
                 jurisdiction over the sale of insurance or securities; (b)
                 misappropriates any money or property belonging to the other;
                 (c) subjects the other to any actual or potential liability
                 due to misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance; (d) commits
                 any fraud upon the other; (e) has an assignment for the
                 benefit of creditors; (f) incurs bankruptcy; or (g) commits a
                 material breach of this Agreement.

         2.      Either party may terminate this Agreement, without regard to
                 cause, upon six months prior written notice to the other.

         3.      In the event of termination of this Agreement, the following
                 conditions shall apply:

                 a)       The parties irrevocably acknowledge the continuing
                          right to use any Product trademark that might then be
                          associated with any Products, but only with respect
                          to all business in force at the time of termination.

                 b)       NFS will continue to sell to Nationwide at net asset
                          value, shares of all mutual funds which serve as
                          underlying investments for Products actually issued
                          by Nationwide pursuant to this Agreement, until such
                          time as mutually agreed upon by the parties.  NFS may
                          discontinue the sale at net asset value of such
                          shares in connection with the issuance by Nationwide
                          of new contracts after termination.

                 c)       In the event this Agreement is terminated the parties
                          will use their best efforts to preserve in force the
                          business issued pursuant to this Agreement.





<PAGE>   8
                          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed
                          this Agreement to be effective as of the date first
                          above written.


                          NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                              /s/ R. A. Karas
                          By________________________________________
                                 Senior Vice President
                          Title_____________________________________


                          NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

                              /s/ M. A. Trimble
                          By________________________________________
                                 President
                          Title_____________________________________





<PAGE>   9
                                   EXHIBIT A

                      ANALYSIS OF ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS

A.       PRODUCT UNDERWRITING/ISSUE
         --------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NATIONWIDE                                         NFS
<S>      <C>                                                <C>     <C>
-        Establishes                                        -       Consults with regard
         underwriting criteria                                      to new business
         for application                                            procedures and
         processing and                                             processing.
         rejections.

-        Reviews the completed
         application.  Applies
         underwriting/issue
         criteria to application.

-        Notifies Agent and/or
         customer of any error
         or missing data
         necessary to underwrite
         application and establish
         records for owner of
         Product ("Contract Owner")

-        Prepares policy data page
         for approved business and
         mails with policy to Contract
         Owner.

-        Establishes and maintains
         all records required for
         each Contract Owner, as
         applicable.

-        Prepares and mails
         confirmation and other
         statements to Contract
         Owners and Agents, as
         required.

-        Prints, provides all
         forms ancillary to issue
         of contract/policy forms
         for Products.

-        Maintains supply of
         approved specimen policy
         forms and all ancillary
         forms, distributes
         same to Agents.
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   10
B.       BILLING AND COLLECTION
         ----------------------

NATIONWIDE

-        Receives premium/purchase
         payments and reconciles
         amount received with
         remittance media.

-        Updates Contract Owner
         records to reflect
         receipt of premium/
         purchase payment and
         performs accounting/
         investment allocation of
         each payment received.

-        Deposits all cash received
         under the Products in
         accordance with the terms
         of the Products.

C.       BANKING
         -------

NATIONWIDE

-        Balances, edits,
         endorses and prepares daily
         deposit.

-        Places deposits in
         depository account.

-        Transfers funds from
         depository account to NFS
         within 24 hours following
         underwriting approval, in
         accordance with investment
         allocation.

-        Prepares daily cash
         journal summary reports
         and maintains same for
         review by NFS.





<PAGE>   11
D.       PRICING/VALUATION/ACCOUNTING
         ----------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NATIONWIDE                                                 NFS
 <S>      <C>                                               <C>      <C>
 -        Determines the "Net Amount Available for          -        Issues Fund Shares to Nationwide at net
          Investment" in Fund Shares and places Fund                 asset Value.
          Share purchase or redemption orders with the
          Fund, by facsimile each day by 10:00 a.m. E.T.    -        Confirms Nationwide's Fund purchases and
          If for any reason Nationwide is unable to                  redemptions.
          process such orders, it will provide NFS with
          estimates.                                        -        Transmit by facsimile Fund Share prices
                                                                     to Nationwide by 6:00 p.m. EST each day.
 -        Maintains and makes available, as reasonably
          requested, records used in determining "Net       -        Maintains records of all Fund Shares
          Amount Available for Investment."                          owned by Nationwide, including the date
                                                                     purchased and sold, cost, and other
 -        Collects information needed in determining                 information maintained by NFS in its
          Variable Account unit values from the Funds                ordinary course of business.
          including daily net asset value, capital gains
          or dividend distributions, and the number of      -        Cooperates in annual audit of separate
          Fund Shares acquired or sold during the                    account financials conducted for
          immediately preceding valuation period.                    purposes of financial statement
                                                                     certification and publication.
 -        Performs daily unit valuation calculation.
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   12
E.       CONTRACT OWNER SERVICE/
         ----------------------
         RECORD MAINTENANCE
         ------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NATIONWIDE                                              NFS
 <S>      <C>                                            <C>     <C>
 -        Receives and processes all Contract Owner      -       Accommodates customer service function by
          service requests, including but not limited            providing any supporting information or
          to informational requests, beneficiary                 documentation which may be in the control
          changes, and transfers of Contract Value               of NFS.
          among eligible investment options.

 -        Maintains daily records of all changes made
          to Contract Owner accounts.

 -        Researches and responds to all Contract        -       Researches and responds to Nationwide's
          Owner/Agent inquiries.                                 inquiries regarding fund performance.

 -        Keeps all required Contract Owner records.

 -        Maintains adequate number of toll free
          lines to service Contract Owner/Agent
          inquiries.
</TABLE>


F.       DISBURSEMENTS
         -------------
         (SURRENDERS, DEATH
         ------------------
         CLAIMS, LOANS)     
         ------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NATIONWIDE                                              NFS
 <S>      <C>
 -        Receives and processes surrenders, loans,
          and death claims in accordance with
          established guidelines.

 -        Prepares checks for surrenders, loans, and
          death claims, and forwards to Contract
          Owner or Beneficiary.  Prepares and mails
          confirmation statement of disbursement to
          Contract Owner/Beneficiary with copy to
          Agent.
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   13
G.       COMMISSIONS
         -----------


 NATIONWIDE                                              NFS


 -        Ascertains, on receipt of applications,
          whether writing Agent is appropriately
          licensed.

 -        Pays commissions and other fees in
          accordance with agreements relating to
          same.

H.       PROXY PROCESSING
         ----------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NATIONWIDE                                              NFS
 <S>      <C>                                            <C>     <C>
 -        Receives record date information from Funds    -       Provides proxy, solicitation materials, and
          Receives proxy solicitation materials from             record date information.
          Funds.

 -        Prepares Voting Instruction cards and mails
          solicitation, if necessary.

 -        Tabulates and votes all Fund Shares in
          accordance with SEC requirements.
</TABLE>


I.       PERIODIC REPORTS TO CONTRACT OWNERS
         -----------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NATIONWIDE                                              NFS
 <S>      <C>                                            <C>     <C>
 -        Prepares and mails quarterly and annual
          Statements of Account to Contract Owners.

 -        Prepares and mails all semi-annual and         -       Prepares and mails to Nationwide all
          annual reports of Variable Account(s) to               required semi-annual and annual financial
          Contract Owners.                                       reports to shareholder of the Funds.
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   14
J.       REGULATORY/STATEMENT REPORTS
         ----------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NATIONWIDE                                              NFS
 <S>      <C>                                            <C>     <C>
 -        Prepares and files Separate Account Annual
          Statements.

 -        Prepares and mails the appropriate,
          required IRS reports at the Contract Owner
          level.  Files same with required regulatory
          agencies.

 -        Prepares and files form  N-SAR for the         -       Prepares and files form N-SAR for the
          Separate Account.                                      Funds.
</TABLE>

K.       PREMIUM TAXES
         -------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NATIONWIDE                                              NFS
 <S>      <C>
 -        Collects, pays and accounts for premium
          taxes as appropriate.

 -        Prepares and maintains all premium tax
          records by state.

 -        Maintains liabilities in General Account
          ledger for accrual of premium tax
          collected.

 -        Integrates all company premium taxes due
          and performs related accounting.
</TABLE>


L.       FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT REPORTS
         --------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NATIONWIDE                                              NFS
 <S>      <C>                                            <C>     <C>
 -        Provides periodic reports in accordance        -       Provides periodic reports in accordance
          with the Schedule of Reports to be prepared            with the Schedule of Reports to be prepared
          jointly by Nationwide and NFS.  (See                   jointly by Nationwide and NFS.  (See
          EXHIBIT C)                                             EXHIBIT C)
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   15
M.       AGENT LICENSE RECORDKEEPING
         ---------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NATIONWIDE                                              NFS
 <S>      <C>                                            <C>     <C>
 -        Receives, establishes, processes, and          -       Cooperates with Nationwide in the Agent
          maintains Agent appointment records.                   appointment process with the broker-dealer
                                                                 firms.
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   16
                                   EXHIBIT B

              ADVERTISING AND SALES PROMOTION MATERIAL GUIDELINES
             FOR APPROVAL BY THE OFFICE OF SALES-FINANCIAL SERVICES

In order to assure compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements
and to maintain control over the distribution of promotional materials dealing
with the Products, Nationwide and NFS require that all variable contract
promotional materials be REVIEWED and APPROVED by both Nationwide and NFS PRIOR
to their use.  These guidelines are intended to provide appropriate regulatory
and distribution controls.

1.       Sufficient lead time must be allowed in the submission of all
         promotional material.  The Office of Sales-Financial Services
         ("OS-FS") and NFS shall approve in writing all promotional material.
         Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, and shall be given
         promptly, normally within three (3) days.

2.       All promotional material will be submitted in "draft" form to permit
         any changes or corrections to be made prior to the printing.

3.       Nationwide and NFS will provide each other with details as to each and
         every use of all promotional material submitted. Approval for one use
         will not constitute approval for any other use.  Different standards
         of review may apply when the same advertising material is intended for
         different uses. The following information will be provided for each
         item of promotional material:

         a.      In what jurisdiction(s) the material will be used.

         b.      Whether distribution will be used (e.g., brochure, mailing,
                 482 ads, etc.).

         c.      How the material will be used (e.g., brochure, mailing, 482
                 ads, etc.).

         d.      The projected date of initial use and, if a special promotion,
                 the projected date of last use.

4.       Each party will advise the other of the date it discontinues the use
         of any material.

5.       Any changes to previously approved promotional material must be
         resubmitted, following these procedures.  When approved material is to
         be put to a different use, request for approval of the material for
         the new use must be submitted.

6.       OS-FS and NFS will assign a form number to each item of advertising
         and sales promotional material.  This number will appear on each piece
         of advertising and sales





<PAGE>   17
         promotional material.  It will be used to aid in necessary filings,
         and to maintain appropriate controls.

7.       OS-FS and NFS will provide WRITTEN APPROVAL for all material to be
         used.

8.       Nationwide and NFS will provide each other with a minimum of 50 copies
         of all material in final print form to effect necessary state filings.

9        NFS will coordinate SEC/NASD filings of sales and promotional
         material.

10.      All telephone communication and written correspondence regarding
         promotional materials should be directed to Marketing Director, Office
         of Sales-Financial Services, Nationwide Life Insurance Company, One
         Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio  43216 (phone (614)249-6258) or to
         President, Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., One Nationwide Plaza,
         Columbus, Ohio  (phone (614) 249-7863).





<PAGE>   18
                                   EXHIBIT C
                       PRODUCTION REPORTS TO BE PROVIDED

Nationwide agrees to provide the following reports to NFS:

<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                      <C>
1.       Daily Receipt Report:    Indicates which Agents are generating sales.

2.       Daily Approval Report:   Indicates which applications have been 
                                  approved.

3.       Daily Activity Summary:  Indicates top firms' sales and liquidation by 
                                  month, year-to-date as well as total assets 
                                  by firm.

4.       Dealer Activity          Indicates top firms' sales and
         Summary by Territory:    liquidation by month, year-to-date.

5.       Summary of Sales by      Indicates sales by territory/dealer/branch, 
         Territory and Dealer:    including non-commissionable amounts and 
                                  actual commission payments, as well as charge
                                  backs. (Internal use only)

6.       Summary of Sales by      Indicates sales by territory/
         Territory and Dealer:    dealer/branch, including chargebacks.

7.       Commission Report:       Indicates commissions paid and chargebacks, 
                                  matched to commission checks.
</TABLE>

In addition, Nationwide will provide reports detailing current appointments and
other information, as reasonably requested by NFS.






<PAGE>   1
[NATIONWIDE LOGO]

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
        HOME OFFICE - Columbus, Ohio
        (Hereinafter called the Company)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY will make annuity payments to the Annuitant
starting on the Annuitization Date, as set forth in the Contract.

This Contract is provided in return for: (1) the application, a copy of which
is attached to and made a part of this Contract; and (2) the purchase payments
made as required in the Contract.

TEN DAY LOOK

To be sure that the Owner is satisfied with this Contract, the Owner has ten
days to examine the Contract and return it for any reason.  Within ten days of
the date the Contract is received by the Owner, it may be returned to the Home
Office without deduction for any sales charges or administration fees. When the
Contract is received in the Home Office, the Company will return the Contract
Value to the Owner, as of the date of cancellation, where permitted by state
law.

Executed for the Company on the Date of Issue.



GORDON E. MCCUTCHEN                         PETER F. FRENZER
             Secretary                                  President

                         READ YOUR CONTRACT CAREFULLY

Individual Flexible Purchase Payment Deferred Variable Annuity,
Non-Participating.

ANNUITY PAYMENTS AND OTHER VALUES PROVIDED BY THIS CONTRACT, WHEN BASED ON THE
INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE OF A SEPARATE ACCOUNT, ARE VARIABLE, MAY INCREASE OR
DECREASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE NET INVESTMENT FACTOR, AND
ARE NOT GUARANTEED AS TO FIXED-DOLLAR AMOUNT.

            NOTICE - The details of the variable provisions in the
                Contract may be found on Pages 10, 13, and 14.



                                                            (Best of Banks/AO)
<PAGE>   2
                                   CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATA PAGE                                                             INSERT
<S>                                                                     <C>
DEFINITIONS
   The Company..........................................................1
   Accumulation Unit....................................................1
   Annuitant............................................................1
   Annuitization Date...................................................1
   Annuity Commencement Date............................................1
   Annuity Payment Option...............................................1
   Annuity Unit.........................................................1
   Beneficiary..........................................................1
   Contingent Beneficiary...............................................1
   Contingent Designated Annuitant......................................1
   Contingent Owner.....................................................1
   Contract Anniversary.................................................1
   Contract Owner (Owner)...............................................1
   Contract Value.......................................................1
   Contract Year........................................................2
   Date of Issue........................................................2
   Designated Annuitant.................................................2
   Distribution.........................................................2
   Fixed Account........................................................2
   Fixed Annuity........................................................2
   Home Office..........................................................2
   Non-Qualified Contract...............................................2
   Non-Qualified Plan...................................................2
   Purchase Payment Anniversary.........................................2
   Purchase Payment Year................................................2
   Qualified Contract...................................................2
   Qualified Plan.......................................................2
   Valuation Date.......................................................2
   Valuation Period.....................................................2
   Variable Account.....................................................2
   Variable Annuity.....................................................2
                                                
GENERAL PROVISIONS                           
   Contract Maintenance Charge..........................................3
   Deduction For Premium Taxes..........................................3
   Mortality And Expense Risk Charge....................................3
   Administration Charge................................................3
   Beneficiary Provisions...............................................3
   Contract Ownership Provisions........................................3
   Death Of Designated Annuitant........................................4
   Death Of Annuitant...................................................4
   Death Of Owner.......................................................4
   Alteration Or Modification...........................................5
   Assignment...........................................................5
   Entire Contract......................................................5
   Misstatement Of Age Or Sex...........................................6
   Evidence Of Survival.................................................6
   Protection Of Proceeds...............................................6
   Reports..............................................................6
   Incontestability.....................................................6
   Contract Settlement..................................................6
   Number And Gender....................................................6
   Non-Participating....................................................6
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>
ACCUMULATION PROVISIONS
   Surrender............................................................7
   Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.....................................7
   Reduction Or Elimination Of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.........7
   Surrenders Without Charge............................................8
   Surrender Value......................................................8
   Suspension Or Delay In Payment Of Surrender..........................8
   Flexible Purchase Payments...........................................8
   First Purchase Payment...............................................9
   No Default...........................................................9
   Change In Purchase Payments..........................................9
   Allocation Of Purchase Payments......................................9
   Contract Value.......................................................9
   Fixed Account Contract Value.........................................9
   Interest To Be Credited..............................................9
   Variable Account Contract Value.....................................10
   The Variable Account................................................10
   Investments Of The Variable Account.................................10
   Sub-Accounts........................................................10
   Valuation Of Assets.................................................10
   Variable Account Accumulation Units.................................10
   Variable Account Accumulation Unit Value............................10
   Net Investment Factor...............................................10
   Fixed Account Provisions............................................11
   Transfer Provisions.................................................11
   Distribution Provisions.............................................11
   Exchange Privilege..................................................12
                                                                    
ANNUITIZATION PROVISIONS                                         
   General.............................................................12
   Annuitization.......................................................12
   Change Of Annuity Commencement Date.................................12
   Change Of Annuity Payment Option....................................12
   Annuity Payment Options.............................................13
   Supplementary Agreement.............................................13
   Frequency And Amount Of Payments....................................13
   Fixed Annuity Provisions............................................14
   Variable Annuity....................................................14
   Determination Of First Variable Annuity Payment.....................14
   Annuity Unit Value..................................................14
   Variable Annuity Payments After The First Payment...................14
                                                                    
ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTIONS                                          
   General.............................................................14
   Life Annuity........................................................14
   Joint And Last Survivor Annuity.....................................14
   Life Annuity With 100 Or 240 Monthly Payments.......................14

ANNUITY TABLES.........................................................15
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   4
                                 DEFINITIONS


THE COMPANY - The Company is the Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

ACCUMULATION UNIT - An Accumulation Unit is an accounting unit of measure.  It
is used to calculate the Variable Account Contract Value prior to the
Annuitization Date.
                   
ANNUITANT - The Annuitant is the person actually receiving annuity payments and
upon whose continuation of life any annuity payment involving life
contingencies depends.
            
ANNUITIZATION DATE - The Annuitization Date is the date annuity payments
actually begin.

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE - The Annuity Commencement Date is the date on which
annuity payments are to commence.  Such date is the date shown on the Data
Page, unless changed.                   

ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTION - The Annuity Payment Option is the method for making
annuity payments.  Several options are available under this Contract.  The
Annuity Payment Option is the form named in the application, unless changed.

ANNUITY UNIT - An Annuity Unit is an accounting unit of measure used to
calculate the value of Variable Annuity payments.

BENEFICIARY - The Beneficiary is the person named in the application and is
subject to change by the Owner.  The Beneficiary may be the recipient of
certain benefits under this Contract when the Owner, Annuitant, or Designated
Annuitant dies.

CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY - The Contingent Beneficiary is the person named in the
application and is subject to change by the Owner.  The Contingent Beneficiary
may be the recipient of certain benefits under this Contract if the Beneficiary
is not living when the Owner, Annuitant, or Designated Annuitant dies.

CONTINGENT DESIGNATED ANNUITANT - The Contingent Designated Annuitant is named
in the application and is subject to change by the Owner.  If the Owner wishes
to name a Contingent Designated Annuitant he must do so in the application. 
The Contingent Designated Annuitant may be the recipient of certain rights or
benefits under this Contract when the Designated Annuitant dies before the
Annuitization Date.  If a Contingent Designated Annuitant is named in the
application, all provisions of the Contract which are based on the death of the
Designated Annuitant will be based on the death of the last survivor of the
Designated Annuitant and the Contingent Designated Annuitant.  The Owner's
right to name a Contingent Designated Annuitant may be restricted under the
provisions of the retirement or deferred compensation plan for which this
Contract is issued.

CONTINGENT OWNER - The Contingent Owner is named in the application and is
subject to change by the Owner.  If the Owner wishes to name a Contingent
Owner, he must do so in the application.  The Contingent Owner may be the
recipient of certain rights or benefits under this Contract when the Owner dies
before the Annuitization Date.  The Owner's right to name a Contingent Owner
may be restricted under the provisions of the retirement or deferred
compensation plan for which this Contract is issued.

CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY - A Contract Anniversary is an anniversary of the
Contract Issue Date as shown on the Data Page.

CONTRACT OWNER (OWNER) - The Contract Owner is the person who possesses all
rights under the Contract, including the right to designate and change any
designations of the Contingent Owner, Designated Annuitant, Contingent
Designated Annuitant, Beneficiary, Contingent Beneficiary, Annuity Payment
Option, and the Annuity Commencement  Date.  The Owner is the person named in
the application, unless changed.

CONTRACT VALUE - The Contract Value is the sum of the value of all Variable
Account Accumulation Units attributable to the Contract plus any amount held
under the Contract in the Fixed Account. 

                                      1
<PAGE>   5
                                 DEFINITIONS
                                 (CONTINUED)

CONTRACT YEAR - A Contract Year is each Contract Anniversary.

DATE OF ISSUE - The Date of Issue is shown on the Data Page.

DESIGNATED ANNUITANT - The Designated Annuitant is the person named, prior to
the Annuitization Date, to receive annuity payments.  The Designated Annuitant
is named on the Data Page, unless changed.  The Company reserves the right to
reject any change of the Designated Annuitant which has been made without the
prior consent of the Company.

DISTRIBUTION - A Distribution is any payment of part or all of the Contract
Value.

FIXED ACCOUNT - The Fixed Account is made up of all assets of the Company other
than those in any segregated asset account.

FIXED ANNUITY - A Fixed Annuity is a series of payments which are guaranteed by
the Company as to dollar amount during the Annuitization period.

HOME OFFICE - The Home Office is the main office of the Company located in
Columbus, Ohio.

NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACT - A Non-Qualified Contract is a Contract issued to fund
a Non-Qualified Plan.

NON-QUALIFIED PLAN - A Non-Qualified Plan is a retirement program which does
not receive favorable tax treatment under the provisions of the Internal 
Revenue Code.
                     
PURCHASE PAYMENT ANNIVERSARY - A Purchase Payment Anniversary is an anniversary
of the date a purchase payment is made under the Contract.

PURCHASE PAYMENT YEAR - A Purchase Payment Year is each year starting with the
date a purchase payment is made and each Purchase Payment Anniversary
thereafter.
                       
QUALIFIED CONTRACT - A Qualified Contract is a Contract issued to fund a
Qualified Plan.
                    
QUALIFIED PLAN - A Qualified Plan is a retirement program which receives
favorable tax treatment under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
                
VALUATION DATE - A Valuation Date is each day the New York Stock Exchange and
the Company's Home Office are open for business.  It may also be any other day
during which there is a sufficient degree of trading of the Variable Account's
Mutual Fund shares such that the current net asset value of its Accumulation
Units might be materially affected.

VALUATION PERIOD - A Valuation Period is the interval of time between one
Valuation Date and the next Valuation Date.  It is measured from the closing of
business of the New York Stock Exchange and ending at the close of business for
the next succeeding Valuation Date.
                  
VARIABLE ACCOUNT - The Variable Account is named on the Data Page.  It is a
separate investment account of the Company designated as the Nationwide
Variable Account-II into which Variable Account purchase payments are
allocated.

VARIABLE ANNUITY - A Variable Annuity is a series of payments which: (1) are
not predetermined or guaranteed as to dollar amount; and (2) vary in amount
with the investment experience of the Variable Account.

                                      2
<PAGE>   6
                              GENERAL PROVISIONS


CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE

This charge is a deduction of $30.00 made on each Contract Anniversary, and on
any date that full Contract Value is surrendered if such Surrender occurs on
any date other than a Contract Anniversary.  This charge will be allocated
between the Fixed and Variable Accounts in the same percentages as the purchase
payment investment allocations are to the Fixed and Variable Accounts.

DEDUCTION FOR PREMIUM TAXES

Any premium taxes levied by a state or other governmental entity will be
charged against the Contract Value.  The Company will deduct such taxes from
the Contract Value at the time of Annuitization, except in those states which
require such taxes to be paid when purchase payments are made.

MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE

The Company will deduct a Mortality and Expense Risk Charge equal, on an annual
basis, to 1.25% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account.  This
deduction is made to compensate the Company for assuming the mortality risks
and expense risks under this Contract.  The deduction will be: (1) made from
each Sub-Account; (2) computed on a daily basis; and (3) made in the same
proportion that the Contract Value in each Sub-Account bears to the total
Contract Value in the Variable Account.

ADMINISTRATION CHARGE

The Company will deduct an Administration Charge equal, on an annual basis, to
0.05% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account.  This deduction is
made to reimburse the Company for expense incurred in the administration of the
Contract and of the Variable Account.  The deduction will be: (1) made from
each Sub-Account; (2) computed on a daily basis; and (3) made in the same
proportion that the Contract Value in each Sub-Account bears to the total
Contract Value in the Variable Account.

BENEFICIARY PROVISIONS

The Beneficiary and any Contingent Beneficiary are named in the application,
unless changed.  If the Beneficiary dies prior to the death of the Designated
Annuitant or Annuitant, the Contingent Beneficiary becomes the Beneficiary.
Unless the Owner has provided otherwise, if there are two or more
Beneficiaries, they will receive equal shares.  If there is no named
Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary when the Designated Annuitant or
Annuitant has died, all rights and interests of the Beneficiary will vest in
the Contract Owner or the Contract Owner's estate.

Subject to the terms of any existing assignment, the Owner may name a new
Beneficiary or a new Contingent Beneficiary at any time.  Any new choice of
Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary will automatically revoke any prior
choice of Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary.  Any request for change must
be:  (1) made in writing; and (2) received at the Home Office.  The change will
become effective as of the date the written request is signed, whether or not
the Designated Annuitant or the Annuitant is living at the time of receipt.   A
new choice of Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary will not apply to any
payment made or action taken by the Company prior to the time it was received.

CONTRACT OWNERSHIP PROVISIONS

The Owner has all rights under the Contract, unless otherwise provided.  If the
purchaser names someone other than himself as Owner, the purchaser would have
no rights under the Contract.  The Owner, during the lifetime of the Designated
Annuitant and prior to the Annuitization Date, is the person named in the
application, unless changed.  If the Owner dies before the Annuitization Date,
a Distribution will be made in accordance with the Death of Owner provision.

The Owner may name a new Owner or Contingent Owner at any time prior to the
Annuitization Date.  (However, a new Owner may not be named after one of the
events under the Distribution Provisions has occurred.)  Any new choice of
Owner or Contingent Owner will automatically revoke any prior choice of Owner
or Contingent Owner.  Any request for change must be:  (1) made in writing; and
(2) received at the Home Office.  The request for change must be a "Proper
Written Application" and include a signature guarantee as specified in the
"Surrender" section.  The change will become effective as of the date the
written request is signed.  A new choice of Owner or Contingent Owner will not
apply to any payment made or action taken by the Company prior to the time it
is received.

                                      3
<PAGE>   7
                              GENERAL PROVISIONS
                                 (CONTINUED)


CONTRACT OWNERSHIP PROVISIONS (CONTINUED)

The Designated Annuitant becomes the Annuitant and becomes the Owner on the
Annuitization Date.  The Annuitant's rights regarding ownership may be
restricted under the provisions of the retirement or deferred compensation plan
for which this Contract is issued.

A change in the Designated Annuitant or Contingent Designated Annuitant must be
received before the Annuitization Date and meet the following conditions: (1)
the request for such change must be made by the Owner; (2) the request must be
made in writing on a form acceptable to the Company; (3) the request must be
signed by the Owner and the person to be named as Designated Annuitant or
Contingent Designated Annuitant; and (4) such change is subject to underwriting
and approval by the Company.

DEATH OF DESIGNATED ANNUITANT

A death benefit may be payable to the Beneficiary when the Designated Annuitant
has died.

If the Designated Annuitant dies prior to the Annuitization Date, the value of
the death benefit will be determined as of the Valuation Date on or next after
the date on which the following are received at the Home Office.

1.  Proof of the death of the Designated Annuitant; and
2.  Written request for either a lump sum payment or an Annuity Payment Option.

Proof of death is:

1.  a copy of a certified death certificate
2.  a copy of a certified decree of a court of a competent jurisdiction
    as to the finding of death
3.  a written statement by a medical doctor who attended the deceased; or
4.  any other proof satisfactory to the Company.

The death benefit is payable to the Beneficiary unless:

The Owner has named a Contingent Designated Annuitant.  In such case, the death
benefit is payable upon the death of the last survivor of the Designated
Annuitant and Contingent Designated Annuitant.

If a lump sum payment is selected by the Beneficiary, payment will be made
within seven days of receipt of such request and proof of death.  If an Annuity
Payment Option is desired, such option must be selected within a ninety day
period.  The ninety day period starts with the date of receipt of notice of the
Designated Annuitant's death.

If neither a lump sum payment nor an Annuity Payment Option is selected, the
death benefit will be paid in lump sum to the payee at the end of such ninety
day period.

If the Designated Annuitant dies prior to the first day of the calendar month
after his 75th birthday the dollar amount of the death benefit will be the
greater of: (1) the Contract Value; or, (2) the sum of all purchase payments,
less any amounts surrendered.

If: (1) the Contract Owner has requested an Annuity Commencement Date later
than the first day of the calendar month after the Designed Annuitant's 75th
birthday; (2) the Company has approved the request; and (3) the Designated
Annuitant dies after such date; the dollar amount of the death benefit will be
equal to the Contract Value.

DEATH OF ANNUITANT

If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, the death benefit payable,
if any, will be based on the Annuity Payment Option selected.

DEATH OF OWNER

In the event the Owner dies, the following rules will apply in those situations
where the Contract was not issued in connection with a Qualified Plan.

                                      4
<PAGE>   8
                              GENERAL PROVISIONS
                                 (CONTINUED)


DEATH OF OWNER (CONTINUED)

1.  In the event the Contract Owner dies prior to the Annuitization Date, the
    entire interest [less any applicable deductions (which may include a
    Contingent Deferred Sales Charge),] must be distributed within five years
    after the death of the Contract Owner, unless the payee elects to receive
    Distribution in the form of a life annuity or an annuity for a period
    certain not exceeding his life expectancy.  If the payee does elect to
    receive such annuity, payments must begin within one year from the date of
    the Owner's death. Any Distribution will be paid in accordance with one of
    the following three elections:
    
    (a)   If the Contract Owner elects in the application, he may have the
          Distribution paid to his estate.  If the Owner wishes to have
          the Distribution paid to his estate, he must make the election in the
          application.  If such election is made in the application, the
          Distribution must be distributed to the estate within five years
          after the death of the Owner.
          
    (b)   In lieu of and as an alternative to naming his estate to receive the
          Distribution, the Owner may name a Contingent Owner.  If the
          Contract Owner names a Contingent Owner, the Distribution will be
          paid to the Contingent Owner.
          
    (c)   If neither the Owner's estate nor a Contingent Owner has been named
          to receive the Distribution, or if the Contingent Owner
          predeceases the Owner, the death benefit will be paid to the
          Designated Annuitant.  If the Owner is the Designated Annuitant, the
          Distribution will be paid to the Beneficiary under the Death of
          Designated Annuitant provisions.  If the Contract Owner and the
          Designated Annuitant are not the same person, no Death Benefit is
          payable upon the death of the Contract Owner, although a Distribution
          is still payable.

2.  In the event the recipient of the Distribution is the Contract Owner's
    spouse, the Contract may be continued by such spouse without compliance
    with the Distribution rules set forth herein.

3.  In the event the Contract Owner dies on or after the Annuitization Date,
    and before the entire interest has been distributed, any remaining
    portion of such interest must be distributed at least as rapidly as under
    the method of Distribution being used as of the date of the Contract
    Owner's death.
 
ALTERATION OR MODIFICATION

All changes in or to the terms of the Contract must be: (1) made in writing;
and (2) signed by the President or Secretary of the Company.  No other person
can alter or change any of the terms or conditions of this Contract.

ASSIGNMENT

Unless otherwise provided, the Owner may assign all rights under this Contract
at any time during the lifetime of the Designated Annuitant, prior to the
Annuitization Date.  The Company will not be bound by any assignment until
written notice is received and recorded at the Home Office.  The Company is not
responsible for the validity or tax consequences of any assignment.  An
assignment will not apply to any payment made or action taken by the Company
prior to the time it was recorded.

If this Contract is a Non-Qualified Contract, the value of any portion of the
Contract which is assigned or pledged may be treated like a cash withdrawal for
federal tax purposes.

If this Contract is issued to fund a retirement plan pursuant to Internal
Revenue Code Sections 401, 403, 404, or 408, it may not be assigned, pledged or
otherwise transferred except as allowable by applicable law.

ENTIRE CONTRACT

This document is the whole Contract between the Owner and the Company. This
Contract, Data Page and Endorsement(s) (if any), make up the entire Contract.

                                      5
<PAGE>   9
                              GENERAL PROVISIONS
                                 (CONTINUED)


MISSTATEMENT OF AGE OR SEX

If the age or sex of the Annuitant or Designated Annuitant has been misstated,
all payments and benefits under this Contract will be adjusted.  Payments and
benefits will be made, based on the correct information.  Proof of age of an
Annuitant or Designated Annuitant may be required at any time, on a form
satisfactory to the Company.  When the age or sex of an Annuitant or Designated
Annuitant has been misstated, the dollar amount of any overpayment will be
deducted from the next payment or payments due under this Contract. The dollar
amount of any underpayment made by the Company as a result of any such
misstatement will be paid in full with the next payment due under this
Contract.

EVIDENCE OF SURVIVAL

Where any payments under this Contract depend on the recipient being alive on a
given date, proof that such person is living may be required by the Company. 
Such proof may be required prior to making the payments.

PROTECTION OF PROCEEDS

Payments under this Contract are not assignable by any Beneficiary prior to the
time they are due.  Payments are not subject to the claims of creditors or to
legal process, except as mandated by applicable laws.
 
REPORTS

At least once each year, prior to the Annuitization Date, a Report showing the
Contract Value will be provided to the Owner.

INCONTESTABILITY

This Contract will not be contested.

CONTRACT SETTLEMENT

The Company may require this Contract to be returned to the Home Office prior
to making any payments.  All sums payable to or by the Company under this
Contract are payable at the Home Office.

NUMBER AND GENDER

Unless otherwise provided, all references in this Contract which are in the
singular form will include the plural; all references in the plural form will
include the singular; and all references in the male gender will include the
female and neuter genders.

NON-PARTICIPATING

This Contract is non-participating.  It will not share in the surplus of the 
Company.

                                      6
<PAGE>   10
                           ACCUMULATION PROVISIONS


SURRENDER

The Owner may Surrender part or all of the Contract Value at any time this
Contract is in force and prior to the earlier of the Annuitization Date or the
death of the Designated Annuitant. For the purpose of calculating the
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, and in order to minimize the applicable
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, all amounts withdrawn are deemed to be
withdrawn on a first-in first-out basis i.e., all withdrawals are deemed to
come from the oldest purchase payments first.  (Note - for tax purposes,
withdrawals might be treated differently.)  All Surrenders will have the
following conditions:

1.  The request for Surrender must be in writing.

2.  The Surrender Value will be paid to the Owner when proper written
    application and the Contract are received at the Home Office.
    
3.  The Company reserves the right to require that the signature(s) be
    guaranteed by a member firm of a major stock exchange, Commercial Bank
    or a Savings & Loan.  Payment of the Variable Account Contract Value will
    be made within seven days of receipt of both proper written application and
    the Contract.  Payment of the Fixed Account Contract Value may be deferred
    up to six months following receipt of application.
    
4.  When written application and the Contract are received, the Company will
    Surrender a number of Variable Account Accumulation Units and an amount
    from the Fixed Account needed to equal: (a) the dollar amount requested;
    plus (b) any Contingent Deferred Sales Charge which applies; plus (c) any
    Contract Maintenance Charge which applies.
    
5.  Unless the Owner has instructed otherwise, if a partial Surrender is
    requested, the Surrender will be made as follows: (a) from the Variable
    Account Contract Value; and (b) from the Fixed Account Contract Value.  The
    amounts surrendered from the Fixed Account and the Variable Account, will
    be in the same proportion that the Owner's interest in the Fixed Account
    and Variable Account bears to the total Contract Value.
    
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

If part or all of the Contract Value is surrendered, a Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge may be applied at the time of a Surrender.  The Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge will be equal to no more than 7% of the lesser of: (1)
the total of all purchase payments made within 84 months prior to the date of
the request for Surrender; or (2) the amount surrendered.

The Contingent Deferred Sales Charge applies to purchase payments as follows:

                       CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF COMPLETED      CONTINGENT DEFERRED      NUMBER OF COMPLETED      CONTINGENT DEFERRED
YEARS FROM DATE OF          SALES CHARGE          YEARS FROM DATE OF           SALES CHARGE       
 PURCHASE PAYMENT            PERCENTAGE            PURCHASE PAYMENT             PERCENTAGE         
 ----------------            ----------            ----------------             ----------
        <S>                      <C>                      <C>                       <C>
        0                        7%                       4                         3%
        1                        6%                       5                         2%
        2                        5%                       6                         1%
        3                        4%                       7                         0%
</TABLE>

A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge will not be assessed against any values which
have been held under the Contract for at least 84 months or any values applied
to purchase an annuity.

REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

The amount of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges on the Contracts may be reduced
when sales of the Contracts are made to a trustee, employer or similar entity
pursuant to a retirement plan or when sales are made in a similar arrangement
where offering the Contracts to a group of individuals under such a program
results in savings of sales

                                      7
<PAGE>   11
                            ACCUMULATION PROVISIONS
                                  (CONTINUED)


REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE (CONTINUED)

expenses. The entitlement to such a reduction in Contingent Deferred Sales
Charges will be determined by the Company.

SURRENDERS WITHOUT CHARGE

Once each year, starting with the second Purchase Payment Year of a purchase
payment, the Owner may Surrender, without a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge,
an amount equal to 10% of the purchase payment at the time of surrender.  This
free withdrawal privilege is non-cumulative and must be used in the year
available.

After a purchase payment's seventh eighth Purchase Payment Anniversary, the
Owner may Surrender without charge: (1) 100% of the purchase payment amount,
less (2) any amount of the purchase payment previously surrendered.

SURRENDER VALUE

The Surrender Value is the amount that will be paid if the full Contract Value
is surrendered.  The Surrender Value at any time will be:

1.  The Contract Value; less
2.  Any Contingent Deferred Sales Charge which applies; less
3.  Any Contract Maintenance Charge which applies.

SUSPENSION OR DELAY IN PAYMENT OF SURRENDER

The Company has the right to suspend or delay the date of any Surrender payment
from the Variable Account for any period:

1.  When the New York Stock Exchange is closed;

2.  When trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted;

3.  When an emergency exists as a result of which:  (a) disposal of securities
    held in the Variable Account is not reasonably practicable; or (b) it
    is not reasonably practicable to fairly determine the value of the net
    assets of the Variable Account;
    
4.  During any other period when the Securities and Exchange Commission, by
    order, so permits for the protection of security holders; or
    
5.  When the request for Surrender is not made in writing or when the
    signature(s) of the Owner are not properly guaranteed.
    
Rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission will govern as
to whether the conditions set forth in numbers 2,3, and 4 above exist.

The Company further reserves the right to delay payment of a total Surrender of
Fixed Account Contract Value for up to six months in those states where
applicable law requires the Company to reserve such right.

FLEXIBLE PURCHASE PAYMENTS

The Contract is bought for: (1) The First Purchase Payment; and (2) purchase
payments made after the First, if any.  The cumulative total of all purchase
payments under this and any other annuity contract(s) issued by the Company
having the same Designated Annuitant may not exceed $1,000,000 without the
prior consent of the Company.

                                      8
<PAGE>   12
                           ACCUMULATION PROVISIONS
                                 (CONTINUED)


FIRST PURCHASE PAYMENT (CONTINUED)

The First Purchase Payment is due on the Date of Issue.  The initial First Year
Purchase Payment may not be less than $1,500 for Non-Qualified Contracts. 
However, if periodic payments are expected by the Company, this initial first
year minimum may be satisfied by purchase payments made on an annualized basis. 
For Qualified Contracts issued pursuant to a retirement plan which receives
favorable tax treatment under the provisions of Sections 401, 403, 404 or 408
of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company will accept purchase payments, on an
annualized basis. Purchase payments, if any, after the first Contract Year must
be a least $10 each.  The Company reserves the right to reject any purchase
payment which does not meet this minimum payment requirement.

NO DEFAULT

There are no penalties for failure to continue purchase payments. Unless
surrendered for the full Contract Value, if any purchase payment after the
First is not paid when due, the Contract will continue in full force until the
Annuitization Date.  This Contract will not be in default, even if no
additional purchase payments are made.

CHANGE IN PURCHASE PAYMENTS

The Owner is not obligated to continue purchase payments in the amount or at
the frequency selected.  The Owner may: (1) increase or decrease the amount of
purchase payments, subject to any minimum payment requirements; or (2) change
the frequency of purchase payments.  A change in the frequency or amount of
purchase payments does not have to be made by written request.

ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS

The Owner elects to have the purchase payments allocated among the Fixed
Account and the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account at the time of
application.

CONTRACT VALUE

The Contract Value at any time will be the sum of: (1) the Variable Account
Contract Value; and (2) the Fixed Account Contract Value.

In the event of a partial Surrender, the Company will, unless instructed to the
contrary, surrender accumulation Units from all Sub-Accounts in which the
Contract Owner has an interest and from the Fixed Account.  The number of
Accumulation Units surrendered from each such Sub-Account and the amount
surrendered from the Fixed Account will be in the same proportion that the
Contract Owner's interest in these Sub-Accounts and Fixed Account bears to the
total Contract Value.

FIXED ACCOUNT CONTRACT VALUE

The Fixed Account Contract Value at any time will be: (1) the sum of all
amounts credited to the Fixed Account under this Contract; less (2) any amounts
cancelled or withdrawn for charges, deductions, or Surrenders.  With regard to
the Fixed Account, any paid-up annuity, cash surrender, or death benefits that
may become available, will not be less than the minimum benefits required by
any statute of any state in which this contract is delivered.

INTEREST TO BE CREDITED

The company will credit interest to the Fixed Account Contract Value. Such
interest will be credited at such rate or rates as the Company prospectively
declares from time to time, at the sole discretion of the Company.  Such rates
will be declared to the Owner in writing prior to each quarterly period. Any
such rate or rates so determined, for which deposits are received, will remain
in effect for a period of not less than 12 months, and remain at such rate
unless changed.  However, the Company guarantees that it will credit interest
at not less than 3.0% per year.

                                      9
<PAGE>   13
                           ACCUMULATION PROVISIONS
                                 (CONTINUED)


VARIABLE ACCOUNT CONTRACT VALUE

The Variable Account Contract Value is the sum of the value of all Variable
Account Accumulation Units under this Contract.

If: (1) part or all of the Variable Account Contract Value is surrendered; or
(2) charges or deductions are made against the Variable Account Contract Value;
then, an appropriate number of Accumulation Units will be cancelled or
surrendered to equal such amount.

THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

The Variable Account is a separate investment account of the Company. It is
named on the Data Page.  The Company has allocated a part of its assets for
this Contract and certain other contracts to the Variable Account.  Such assets
of the Variable Account remain the property of the Company. However, they may
not be charged with the liabilities from any other business in which the
Company may take part.

INVESTMENTS OF THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

The purchase payments applied to the Variable Account will be invested at net
asset value in one or more of the mutual funds shown on the Data Page.

SUB-ACCOUNTS

The Variable Account is divided into Sub-Accounts which invest in shares of
mutual funds.  Purchase payments are allocated among one or more of these
Sub-Accounts, as designated by the Owner.

VALUATION OF ASSETS

Mutual fund shares in the Variable Account will be valued at their net asset 
value.

VARIABLE ACCOUNT ACCUMULATION UNITS

The number of Accumulation Units for each Sub-Account of the Variable Account
is found by dividing: (1) the net amount allocated to the Sub-Account; by (2)
the Accumulation Unit value for the Sub-Account for the Valuation Period during
which the Company received the purchase payment.

VARIABLE ACCOUNT ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE

The value of an Accumulation Unit for each Sub-Account of the Variable Account
was arbitrarily set at $10 when the first mutual fund shares were bought.  The
value for any later Valuation Period is found as follows:

The Accumulation Unit Value for each Sub-Account for the last prior Valuation
Period is multiplied by the Net Investment Factor for the Sub-Account for the
next following Valuation Period.  The result is the Accumulation Unit Value. 
The value of an Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease from one Valuation
Period to the next.  The number of Accumulation Units will not change as a
result of investment experience.

NET INVESTMENT FACTOR

The Net Investment Factor is an index applied to measure the investment
performance of a Sub-Account from one Valuation Period to the next.  The Net
Investment Factor may be greater or less that one; therefore, the value of an
Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease.

The Net Investment Factor for any Sub-Account for any Valuation Period is
determined by: dividing (1) by (2) and subtracting (3) from the result, where:

1.  is the net result of:

                                      10
<PAGE>   14
                           ACCUMULATION PROVISIONS
                                 (CONTINUED)


NET INVESTMENT FACTOR (CONTINUED)

    a.    the net asset value per share of the mutual fund held in the
          Sub-Account, determined at the end of the current Valuation
          Period; plus
        
    b.    the per share amount of any dividend or capital gain distributions
          made by the mutual fund held in the Sub-Account, if the
          "ex-dividend" date occurs during the current Valuation Period; plus
          or minus
          
    c.    a per share charge or credit for any taxes reserved for, which is
          determined by the Company to have resulted from the investment
          operations of the Sub-Account.
          
2.  is the net result of:

    a.    the net asset value per share of the mutual fund held in the
          Sub-Account, determined at the end of the last prior Valuation
          Period; plus or minus
          
    b.    the per share charge or credit for any taxes reserved for the last
          prior Valuation Period.

3.  is a factor representing the Mortality and Expense Risk Charge and the
    Administration Charge deducted from the Variable Account.  Such factor
    is equal, on an annual basis, to 1.30% of the daily net asset value of the
    Variable Account.
    
For funds that credit dividends on a daily basis and pay such dividends once a
month, the Net Investment Factor allows for the monthly reinvestment of these
daily dividends.

FIXED ACCOUNT PROVISIONS

The Fixed Account is the general account of the Company.  It is made up of all
assets of the Company other than:  (1) those in the Variable Account; and (2)
those in any other segregated asset account.

TRANSFER PROVISIONS

The Owner may annually transfer a portion of the value of the Fixed Account to
the Variable Account and a portion of the Variable Account to the Fixed
Account, without penalty or adjustment.  Transfers from the Fixed Account to
the Variable Account will be determined by the Company, but will not be less
than 10%, and will be declared before the termination date of the then current
interest rate guarantee period. Transfers from the Fixed Account must be made
within 30 days after the termination date of the guaranteed period.

The Owner may request a transfer of up to 100% of the Contract Value from the
Variable Account to the Fixed Account.  The Owner's value in each Sub-Account
will be determined as of the date the transfer request is received in the Home
Office in good order.  The Company reserves the right to restrict transfers to
the Fixed Account to 25% of the Contract Value, depending on the market
conditions at the time of the transfer request.

Transfers from the Fixed Account may not be made prior to the first Contract
Anniversary or within 12 months of any prior Transfer.  Transfers must also be
made prior to the Annuitization Date.

DISTRIBUTION PROVISIONS

The following events will give rise to a Distribution:

1.  Reaching the Annuitization Date - Distribution will be made pursuant
    to the Annuity Payment Option selected.

2.  Death of the Designated Annuitant prior to the Annuity Commencement Date -
    Distribution to be made in accordance with the options available under
    the Death of Designated Annuitant provision of this Contract.
    
                                      11
<PAGE>   15
                           ACCUMULATION PROVISIONS
                                 (CONTINUED)


DISTRIBUTION PROVISIONS (CONTINUED)

3.  Death of the Owner - Distribution to be made in a manner consistent with
    the Death of Owner provisions of this Contract.
    
4.  Surrender - Distribution to be made in accordance with the Surrender
    provisions of this Contract.
    
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

The Contract Owner may exchange this Contract for an annuity contract which:
(1) is issued by the Company; and (2) is determined by the Company to be the
type and class eligible for such exchange.  In determining which contracts may
be of the same type and class as this Contract, the Company shall apply its
rules and regulations applicable thereto.  The Contract Owner must request an
exchange: (1) in writing; and (2) at least 45 days prior to the Annuitization
Date.  Any such exchange shall be made free from any Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge provided for in this Contract.


                           ANNUITIZATION PROVISIONS

GENERAL

All of the provisions within this section are subject to the restrictions set
forth in the Section entitled "Death Of Owner."

ANNUITIZATION

This is the process of purchasing an annuity according to the option selected,
during the payout phase of the Contract. As of the Annuitization Date, the
Contract Value is surrendered and applied to the purchase rate then in effect
for the option selected.  The purchase rates for all options will be determined
on a basis not less favorable than the 1971 Individual Annuity Mortality Table
(set back one year) with minimum interest at 3.5%.  The rates shown in the
Annuity Tables are calculated on this guaranteed basis.  Annuitization is
irrevocable once payments have begun.

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE

Such date: (1) must be the first day of a calendar month; and (2) must be at
least two years after the Date of Issue. The Annuity Commencement Date may not
be later than the first day of the first calendar month after the Annuitant's
75th birthday, unless a later date has: (1) been requested by the Contract
Owner; and (2) approved by the Company. This date is selected by the Owner at
the time of application.  Any applicable premium taxes not already deducted
will be deducted from the Contract Value at this time.  The remaining Contract
Value will then be applied to the Annuity Payment Option selected by the Owner.

CHANGE OF ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE

The Owner may change the Annuity Commencement Date.  A change of Annuity
Commencement Date must be made prior to the Annuitization Date and by written
request.  The request must be received at the Home Office prior to the new
Annuity Commencement Date.  The date to which such a change may be made must be
the first day of a calendar month.

CHANGE OF ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTION

The Owner may change the Annuity Payment Option prior to the Annuitization
Date.  A change of the Annuity Payment Option must be made by written request
and must be received at the Home Office prior to the Annuitization Date.  After
a change of Annuity Payment Option is received at the Home Office, it will
become effective as of the date it was requested.  A change of Annuity Payment
Option will not apply to any payment made or action taken by the Company before
it was received.

                                      12
<PAGE>   16
                           ANNUITIZATION PROVISIONS
                                 (CONTINUED)


ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTIONS

One Annuity Payment Option or a combination of Annuity Payment Options may be
selected.  Any Annuity Payment Option not set forth in the Contract which is
satisfactory to both the Company and the Annuitant may be selected.

SUPPLEMENTARY AGREEMENT

A Supplementary Agreement will be issued within 30 days following the
Annuitization Date.  The Supplementary Agreement will set forth the terms of
the Annuity Payment Option selected.

FREQUENCY AND AMOUNT OF PAYMENTS

Payments will be made based on the payment option selected and frequency
selected.  However, if the net amount to be applied at the Annuitization Date
is less than $500, the Company has the right to pay such amount in one lump
sum.

If any payment provided for would be or becomes less than $20, the Company has
the right to change the frequency of payment to an interval that will result in
payments of at least $20.

FIXED ANNUITY PROVISIONS

A Fixed Annuity is an annuity with level payments which are guaranteed by the
Company as to dollar amount during the annuity payment period.  At the
Annuitization Date, the Contract Value will be applied to the applicable
Annuity Table.  This will be done in accordance with the Annuity Payment Option
selected.

VARIABLE ANNUITY

A Variable Annuity is an annuity with payments which: (1) are not predetermined
or guaranteed as to dollar amount; and (2) vary in amount with the investment
experience of the Variable Account.

DETERMINATION OF FIRST VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENT

At the Annuitization Date, the Variable Account Contract Value will be applied
to the applicable Annuity Table.  This will be done in accordance with the
Annuity Payment Option selected. The Annuity Tables are based on the 1971
Individual Annuity Mortality Table (set back one year) with interest at 3.5%.

ANNUITY UNIT VALUE

An Annuity Unit is used to calculate the value of annuity payments. The value
of an Annuity Unit for each Sub-Account was arbitrarily set at $10 when the
first mutual funds were bought.  The value for any later Valuation Period is
found as follows:

1.  The Annuity Unit Value for each Sub-Account for the last prior Valuation
    Period is multiplied by the Net Investment Factor for the Sub-Account
    for the Valuation Period for which the Annuity Unit Value is being
    calculated.
    
2.  The result is multiplied by an interest factor.  This is done to neutralize
    the Assumed Investment Rate of 3.5% per year, which is built into the
    Annuity Tables.
    
VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS AFTER THE FIRST PAYMENT

Variable Annuity payments after the first vary in amount.  The payment amount
changes with the investment performance of the Sub-Accounts within the Variable
Account.  The dollar amount of such payments is determined as follows:

                                      13
<PAGE>   17
                           ANNUITIZATION PROVISIONS
                                 (CONTINUED)


VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS AFTER THE FIRST PAYMENT (CONTINUED)

1.  The dollar amount of the first annuity payment is divided by the value of
    an Annuity Unit as of the Annuitization Date.  This result establishes
    the fixed number of Annuity Units for each Sub-Account, for the] monthly
    annuity payment after the first.  This number of Annuity Units remains
    fixed during the annuity payment period.
    
2.  The fixed number of Annuity Units is multiplied by the Annuity Unit Value
    for the Valuation Period for which the payment is due.  This result
    establishes the dollar amount of the payment.
    
The Company guarantees that the dollar amount of each payment after the first
will not be affected by variations in expenses or mortality experience.


                           ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTIONS

GENERAL

All annuity payments will be mailed within 10 working days of the first of the
month in which they are scheduled to be made.

LIFE ANNUITY

The amount to be paid under this option will be paid during the lifetime of the
Annuitant.  Payments will cease with the last payment due prior to the death of
the Annuitant.

JOINT AND LAST SURVIVOR ANNUITY

The amount to be paid under this option will be paid and continued during the
lifetimes of the Annuitant and designated second person.  Payments will
continue as long as either is living.

LIFE ANNUITY WITH 120 OR 240 MONTHLY PAYMENTS GUARANTEED

The amount to be paid under this option will be paid during the lifetime of the
Annuitant.  A guaranteed period of 120 or 240 months may be selected.  If the
Annuitant dies prior to the end of this guaranteed period, the Beneficiary may
choose to continue receiving payments until the end of the guaranteed period,
or receive the commuted value of the remaining guaranteed payments in a lump
sum.  Such lump sum payment will be equal to the present value of the remaining
guaranteed payments to which the Annuitant would have been entitled had he not
died.  The payment will be computed as of the date on which proof of the death
of the Annuitant is received at the Home Office and computed at an assumed
investment rate which is the greater of that used in the Annuity Tables in
effect on the date of the calculation of the lump sum and that used in the
Annuity Tables in effect on the Annuitization Date.

                                      14
<PAGE>   18
                                ANNUITY TABLES

        JOINT AND SURVIVOR MONTHLY ANNUITY PAYMENTS PER $1,000 APPLIED
                                      
                        Annuitant's Age Last Birthday
                                      
                                  Female Age
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                50              55              60              65              70
                                --              --              --              --              --
<S>             <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Male Age        50            $3.91           $4.07           $4.21           $4.34           $4.44
                55             4.00            4.20            4.41            4.59            4.76
                60             4.08            4.32            4.59            4.86            5.12
                65                             4.42            4.75            5.12            5.50
                70                                             4.89            5.35            5.87
</TABLE>

           LIFE ANNUITY MONTHLY ANNUITY PAYMENTS PER $1,000 APPLIED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   Male                                                Female                  
Annuitant's        Guaranteed Period                  Annuitant's        Guaranteed Period     
 Attained                                              Attained                                
 Age Last                120        240                Age Last                120        240  
 Birthday      None     Months     Months              Birthday      None     Months     Months
 --------      ----     ------     ------              --------      ----     ------     ------
    <S>       <C>        <C>        <C>                   <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>
    40        $3.99      $3.98      $3.91                 40        $3.73      $3.72      $3.70
    41         4.05       4.03       3.95                 41         3.77       3.76       3.73
    42         4.11       4.08       4.00                 42         3.81       3.80       3.77
    43         4.16       4.14       4.04                 43         3.86       3.85       3.81
    44         4.23       4.20       4.09                 44         3.91       3.89       3.85
    45         4.29       4.26       4.14                 45         3.96       3.94       3.89
    46         4.36       4.32       4.19                 46         4.01       3.99       3.94
    47         4.44       4.39       4.24                 47         4.06       4.05       3.98
    48         4.51       4.46       4.29                 48         4.12       4.10       4.03
    49         4.59       4.53       4.35                 49         4.18       4.16       4.08
    50         4.67       4.60       4.40                 50         4.25       4.23       4.13
    51         4.76       4.68       4.46                 51         4.32       4.29       4.19
    52         4.85       4.76       4.51                 52         4.39       4.36       4.24
    53         4.95       4.85       4.57                 53         4.47       4.43       4.30
    54         5.05       4.93       4.63                 54         4.55       4.51       4.36
    55         5.15       5.03       4.69                 55         4.64       4.59       4.43
    56         5.26       5.12       4.75                 56         4.73       4.67       4.49
    57         5.38       5.22       4.81                 57         4.82       4.76       4.55
    58         5.50       5.33       4.87                 58         4.93       4.85       4.62
    59         5.63       5.44       4.93                 59         5.03       4.95       4.69
    60         5.77       5.55       4.99                 60         5.15       5.05       4.76
    61         5.91       5.67       5.05                 61         5.27       5.16       4.83
    62         6.07       5.80       5.11                 62         5.39       5.27       4.90
    63         6.23       5.93       5.17                 63         5.53       5.39       4.97
    64         6.41       6.06       5.23                 64         5.67       5.52       5.04
    65         6.60       6.21       5.28                 65         5.83       5.66       5.11
    66         6.81       6.36       5.34                 66         6.00       5.80       5.18
    67         7.03       6.51       5.38                 67         6.19       5.95       5.24
    68         7.26       6.67       5.43                 68         6.39       6.12       5.30
    69         7.51       6.84       5.47                 69         6.61       6.29       5.36
    70         7.79       7.01       5.51                 70         6.85       6.46       5.41
    71         8.08       7.19       5.54                 71         7.11       6.65       5.46
    72         8.40       7.36       5.57                 72         7.39       6.85       5.50
    73         8.74       7.54       5.60                 73         7.70       7.05       5.54
    74         9.10       7.73       5.62                 74         8.03       7.25       5.57
    75         9.50       7.91       5.64                 75         8.40       7.46       5.59
</TABLE>

                                      15

<PAGE>   1
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>
                               Please make check payable to:                          NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                                                                            COLUMBUS, OHIO 43216
                                                                                      SEND VARIABLE ANNUITY APPLICATION AND CHECK TO
                                                                                      INVESTMENT PRODUCT OPERATIONS
                                       ANNUITY APPLICATION                            P.O. BOX 16609, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43216-6609
                                                                                      1-800-848-6331
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DESIGNATED ANNUITANT (Print Name)  _______________________________________________________________        Sex    /  /  M     /  /  F
                                   LAST                              FIRST                     MI

        ADDRESS  _________________________________________________________________________      BIRTHDATE       MO.     DAY     YEAR
                                                                                                                ---     ---     ----
        __________________________________________________________________________________                      ____________________

SOC. SEC. NO.   /  /  /  /  /  /   /  /  /  /                                                   OCCUPATION  ________________________

                                                                                                EMPLOYER   ________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CONTRACT OWNER  (Print Name)  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                                                                                      Tax I.D. or Soc. Sec. No. 
        ADDRESS ___________________________________________________________                         /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /

        ___________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BENEFICIARY (Print Name) __________________________________________________      RELATIONSHIP  _____________________________________

CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY ___________________________________________________       RELATIONSHIP _____________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ANNUITY PURCHASE PAYMENTS:

        First Purchase Payment $  __________________________ submitted herewith.  A copy of this application duly signed by the 
agent will constitute receipt for such amount.  If this application is declined, there will be no liability on the part of the 
Company, and any sums submitted with this application will be refunded.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PURCHASE PAYMENT ALLOCATION:  (whole percentages only, must total 100%)

AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND, INC.                               MFS(R) VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST (ST)

______ % Capital Appreciation Fund                                       _____ % Emerging Growth Series

FEDERATED INSURANCE MANAGEMENT SERIES                                    _____  % Overseas Portfolio

_____  % Corporate Bond Fund                                             NATIONWIDE(R) SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND                                _____ % Government Bond Fund

_____ % Equity - Income Fund                                             _____ % Money Market Fund

_____ % Overseas Portfolio


_____ % FIXED ACCOUNT


                                                                                                                (Best of Banks-AO)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   2
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE:                                              OPTIONAL ANNUITY FORM ELECTED:
                                                                        Unless otherwise indicated, I hereby elect the Life 
The First Day of ________________________________________________       Annuity Option.
_________________________________________________________________

CHECK CONTRACT TYPE:
                                                                        /  / Life Annuity   /  / 120 or /  / 240 Monthly Payments 
/  / IRA            /  /  401(a)        /  /  403(b)                    and life.   /  / Joint and Last Survivor Annuity.

/  /  SEP IRA      /  /  401(k)        /  /   NON-QUALIFIED             Second Person ______________________________________________

/  /  CRT (Charitable Remainder Trust)                                               MO.      DAY     YR.           Relationship
                                                                        Birthdate    ---      ---     --- 
Year for which contribution applied  ________________________                        _____________________    ______________________
__________________________________________________________________      ____________________________________________________________
Will the annuity applied for replace existing annuity or life           REMARKS
insurance?   /  / Yes    /  /  No.    If yes, explain:





____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I hereby represent my answers to the above questions to be correct and true to the best of my knowledge and belief and agree that 
this application shall be a part of any annuity contract issued by the Company.

I UNDERSTAND THAT ANNUITY PAYMENTS AND SURRENDER VALUES, WHEN BASED UPON INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE OF A SEPARATE ACCOUNT, ARE VARIABLE 
AND ARE NOT GUARANTEED AS TO A FIXED DOLLAR AMOUNT.  RECEIPT OF A CURRENT VARIABLE ANNUITY PROSPECTUS IS HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGED.

/  /  Please send me a copy of the Statement of Additional Information to the prospectus.

SIGNED AT _____________________________________________________________________     ON  ___________________________________________
                                                                                                        (Date)

APPLICANT _________________________________________________________     WITNESS ___________________________________________________
                        (Signature of Applicant)                                             (Print Agent Name and No.)

AGENT'S PHONE # ___________________________________________________     ___________________________________________________________
                                                                                            (Signature of Agent)

AGENT:  Do you have reason to believe the Contract applied for is to replace existing annuities or insurance owned by the 
annuitant?    /  /  Yes    /  / No

General Agent _____________________________________________________     Branch Office Location ____________________________________


City _________________________________  State _____________   Zip ___________   Telephone _________________________________________
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   1

                             DRUEN, RATH & DIETRICH
                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW
                              ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA
                              COLUMBUS, OHIO 43216



                                 (614) 249-7617





                                                                  (614) 249-7603





September 7, 1995


Nationwide Life Insurance Company
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, Ohio 43216

To the Company:

We have prepared the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts to be sold by
Nationwide Life Insurance Company ("Nationwide Life") and to be issued and
administered through the Nationwide Variable Account-8.  In connection
therewith, we have examined the Articles of Incorporation, Code of Regulations
and Bylaws of Nationwide Life, minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors,
pertinent provisions of federal and Ohio laws, together with such other
documents as we have deemed relevant for the purposes of this opinion.  Based
on the foregoing, it is our opinion that:

         1.      Nationwide Life is a stock life insurance corporation duly
                 organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of
                 Ohio and duly authorized to issue and sell life insurance and
                 annuity contracts.

         2.      The Nationwide Variable Account-8 has been properly created
                 and is a validly existing separate account pursuant to the
                 laws of the State of Ohio.

         3.      The issuance and sale of the Individual Deferred Variable
                 Annuity Contracts have been duly authorized by Nationwide 
                 Life.  When issued and sold in the manner stated in the
<PAGE>   2

Nationwide Life Insurance Company
September 7, 1995
Page 2


                 prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement,
                 the contracts will be legal and binding obligations of
                 Nationwide Life in accordance with their terms, except that
                 clearance must be obtained, or the contract form must be
                 approved, prior to the issuance thereof in certain
                 jurisdictions.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption "Legal
Opinions" in the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,


DRUEN, RATH & DIETRICH

<PAGE>   1
PERFORMANCE ADVERTISING CALCULATION SCHEDULE

The Variable Account may from time to time quote historical performance in
advertisements.

A yield and effective yield may be advertised for money market sub-accounts,
computed according to the following formulas:

                           365
        YIELD  = [BPR X    ---  - 1] X 100
                            7


        EFFECTIVE YIELD = [BPR to the power of 365/7 - 1] X 100

Where:
                                    UVend)
        BPR = Base Period Return = (------)
                                    UVbeg

UVbeg = Unit Value at beginning of period
UVend = Unit Value at end of period

Standardized average annual total return may be advertised for non-money market
funds, computed according to the following general formula:

        ERV                     1
T = [ ( ----) to the power of  --- minus 1] times 100; if n > 1 
         P                      n

       ERV
T = [( ---) - 1] x 100; if n < 1
        P                          

        ERV = AV - CDSC

              1                              1
AVn<1 = P ( -----  X UVend) to the power of ---  - AC
            UVbeg                            n

               P        __     AC
AVn> 1  =  [ ----   -   \     ----- ]
   -         UVbeg      /__   UVann    X UV end
<PAGE>   2

Where:

T =  average annual total return
P =  a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
n =  number of years
ERV =  ending redeemable value or a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the
       beginning or the quoted periods at the end of the quoted periods
       (or fractional portion thereof)
AV =  accrued value
AC =  administrative charge, equal to $30 per year
CDSC =  contingent deferred sales charge, equal to (7.0)% of the lesser of
        $1,000 or AV (CDSC expires after 7 completed contract years)
UVbeg = Unit Value at beginning of period
UVend = Unit Value at end of period
UVann = Unit Value at contract anniversary


Nonstandardized total return is calculated similarly to the above, except that
CDSC will be equal to $0 and P will be $10,000.





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