NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT 8
485BPOS, 1997-04-28
Previous: NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT 8, 485BPOS, 1997-04-28
Next: SANDISK CORP, 8-K, 1997-04-28



<PAGE>   1

     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                       '33 Act File No. 33-62637
                                                       '40 Act File No. 811-7357

================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549

                                    FORM N-4

                   REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
                                 ACT OF 1933                     [x]

   
                         Post-Effective Amendment No. 2
    

                                       and

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

   
                                 Amendment No. 3
    

                          NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-8
                           (Exact Name of Registrant)

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                               (Name of Depositor)

                   One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215
         (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 43215
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

     This Post-Effective Amendment amends the Registration Statement in respect
of the Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information and the Financial
Statements.

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

[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
   
[X] on May 1, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
    
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485
[ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
    previously filed post-effective amendment.

     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 has been
paid to the Commission.

================================================================================


                                    1 of 90            REDLINED
<PAGE>   2

                          NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-8
                     REFERENCE TO ITEMS REQUIRED BY FORM N-4

N-4 Item                                                                    Page
   
Part A       INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS
    Item      1.  Cover page...................................................3
    Item      2.  Definitions..................................................5
    Item      3.  Synopsis or Highlights......................................13
    Item      4.  Condensed Financial Information............................N/A
    Item      5.  General Description of Registrant, Depositor, and 
                   Portfolio Companies........................................14
    Item      6.  Deductions and Expenses.....................................15
    Item      7.  General Description of Variable Annuity Contracts...........18
    Item      8.  Annuity Period..............................................25
    Item      9.  Death Benefit and Distributions.............................27
    Item     10.  Purchases and Contract Value................................18
    Item     11.  Redemptions.................................................21
    Item     12.  Taxes.......................................................30
    Item     13.  Legal Proceedings...........................................36
    Item     14.  Table of Contents of the Statement of 
                  Additional Information......................................36

Part B       INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    Item     15.  Cover Page..................................................41
    Item     16.  Table of Contents...........................................41
    Item     17.  General Information and History.............................41
    Item     18.  Services....................................................41
    Item     19.  Purchase of Securities Being Offered........................41
    Item     20.  Underwriters................................................42
    Item     21.  Calculation of Performance Information......................42
    Item     22.  Annuity Payments............................................43
    Item     23.  Financial Statements........................................44

Part C       OTHER INFORMATION
    Item     24.  Financial Statements and Exhibits...........................71
    Item     25.  Directors and Officers of the Depositor.....................73
    Item     26.  Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control
                  with the Depositor or Registrant............................75
    Item     27.  Number of Contract Owners...................................84
    Item     28.  Indemnification.............................................84
    Item     29.  Principal Underwriter.......................................84
    Item     30.  Location of Accounts and Records............................86
    Item     31.  Management Services.........................................86
    Item     32.  Undertakings................................................86
    


                                    2 of 90
<PAGE>   3

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                   Home Office
                                 P.O. Box 182008
                    Columbus, Ohio 43218-2008, 1-800-533-5622
                               TDD 1-800-238-3035
                 INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
                 ISSUED BY THE NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                    THROUGH ITS NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-8

     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 such 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 is divided into Sub-Accounts, each of
which invests in shares of one or the underlying Mutual Funds described below:

Federated Insurance Series                  MFS(R) Variable Insurance TrustST
  -Federated American Leaders Fund II         -MFS(R) Emerging Growth Series
  -Federated High Income Bond Fund II*        -MFS(R) Total Return Series
Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund   Nationwide(R) Separate Account Trust
  -Equity-Income Portfolio                    -Government Bond Fund
  -Overseas Portfolio                         -Money Market Fund
                                              -Small Company Fund

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

   
     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 May 1, 1997
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 182008, Columbus, Ohio 43218-2008.
    

     INVESTMENTS IN THESE CONTRACTS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, AND ARE
NOT GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, THE ADVISER OF ANY OF THE UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS
IDENTIFIED ABOVE, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, OR ANY BANK OR BANK AFFILIATE.
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY. ANY
INVESTMENT IN THE CONTRACT INVOLVES CERTAIN INVESTMENT RISK WHICH MAY INCLUDE
THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.

     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.


                                       1

                                    3 of 90
<PAGE>   4

     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 STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED MAY 1, 1997, IS INCORPORATED
HEREIN BY REFERENCE. THE TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION APPEARS ON PAGE 34 OF THE PROSPECTUS.

                   THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MAY 1, 1997.
    


                                       2

                                    4 of 90
<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, unless
the Company has approved a request for an Annuitant of greater age. The
Annuitant may be changed prior to the Annuitization Date with the consent of the
Company.
    

Annuitization- The date on which annuity payments are actually received.

   
Annuitization Date- The date on which annuity payments actually commence at
Annuitization.
    

Annuity Commencement Date- The date on which annuity payments are scheduled to
commence. The Annuity Commencement Date is shown on the Data Page of the
Contract, and is subject to change by the Owner.

Annuity Payment Option- The chosen form of 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 prior to
the Annuitization Date. The Beneficiary can be changed by the Contract Owner as
set forth in the Contract.

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

Company- Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

   
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 designated and the Annuitant dies before the Annuitization Date,
the Contingent Designated Annuitant becomes the Annuitant. A Contingent
Designated Annuitant may not be named for Contracts issued as Qualified
Contracts, Individual Retirement Annuities, SEP IRAs or Tax Sheltered Annuities.
    

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 Owner- A Contingent Owner succeeds to the rights of the 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." A Contingent Owner may not be named for
Contracts issued as Qualified Contracts, Individual Retirement Annuities, SEP
IRAs or Tax Sheltered Annuities.
    

Contract- The Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contract described in this
prospectus.

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 Owner, Contingent Owner, Designated Annuitant, Contingent
Designated Annuitant, Beneficiary, Contingent Beneficiary, Annuity Payment
Option, and the Annuity Commencement Date. The Contract Owner is the person
named as Owner on the Data Page, unless changed.

Contract Value- The sum of the value of all Accumulation Units attributable to
the Contract plus any amount held under the Contract in the Fixed Account.

Contract Year- Each year the Contract remains in force, commencing with the Date
of Issue.

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

   
Death Benefit- The benefit which is payable upon the death of the Designated
Annuitant or the Contingent Designated Annuitant, if applicable. This benefit
does not apply upon the death of the Contract Owner when
    


                                       3

                                    5 of 90
<PAGE>   6

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.

Distribution- Any payment of part or all of the Contract Value.

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

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

Fixed Annuity- An annuity providing for payments which are guaranteed by the
Company as to dollar amount during Annuitization.

Home Office- The main office of the Company located in Columbus, Ohio.

Individual Retirement Annuity- An annuity which qualifies for favorable tax
treatment under Section 408 of the Code.

Interest Rate Guarantee Period- An Interest Rate Guarantee Period is the
interval of time during which an interest rate credited to the Fixed Account
under the Contract is guaranteed to remain the same. For new Purchase Payments
allocated to 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 (but not more than 15 months) 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.

   
Joint Owner- The Joint Owner, if any, possesses an undivided interest in the
entire Contract in conjunction with the Owner. If a Joint Owner is named,
references to "Contract Owner" or "Owner" in this prospectus will apply to both
the Owner and Joint Owner or either of them. If permitted by state law, Joint
Owners must be spouses at the time Joint Ownership is requested. Joint Ownership
may be selected only for Non-Qualified Plans.
    

Mutual Fund (Fund)- A registered management investment companies in which the
assets of the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account will be invested.

Non-Qualified Contracts- A Contract which does not qualify for favorable tax
treatment under Sections 401 and 403(a) (Qualified Plans), 408 (IRAs) or 403(b)
(Tax Sheltered Annuities) of the Code.

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

Purchase Payment- A deposit of new value into the Contract. The term "Purchase
Payment" does not include transfers between the Variable Account and Fixed
Account, or among the Sub-Accounts.

   
Qualified Contracts- A Contract issued to fund a Qualified Plan.

Qualified Plans- Retirement plans which receive favorable tax treatment under
the provisions of Sections 401 or 403(a) of the Code.

SEP IRA- A retirement plan which receives favorable tax treatment under the
provisions of Section 408(k) of the Code.
    

Sub-Accounts- Separate and distinct divisions of the Variable Account, to which
specific underlying Mutual Fund shares are allocated and for which Accumulation
Units and Annuity Units are separately maintained.

Tax Sheltered Annuity- An annuity which qualifies for favorable tax treatment
under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.

   
Valuation Date- Each day the New York Stock Exchange and the Company's Home
Office are open for business or any other day during which there is a sufficient
degree of trading of the Variable Account's underlying Mutual Fund shares that
the current net asset value of its Accumulation Units might be materially
affected.
    


                                       4

                                    6 of 90
<PAGE>   7

   
Valuation Period- The period of time commencing at the close of a Valuation Date
and ending at the close of business for the next succeeding Valuation Date.
    

Variable Account- 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 underlying Mutual Fund.

   
Variable Annuity- An annuity providing for payments which are not predetermined
or guaranteed as to dollar amount and which vary in amount with the investment
experience of the Variable Account.
    


                                       5

                                    7 of 90
<PAGE>   8

                                Table of Contents

   
GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS......................................................3
SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES...................................................8
UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES.........................................9
SYNOPSIS......................................................................11
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION..............................................N/A
NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY.............................................12
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT..........................................................12
             Underlying Mutual Fund Options...................................12
             Voting Rights....................................................12
             Substitution of Securities.......................................13
VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS.................................13
             Expenses of the Variable Account.................................13
             Mortality Risk Charge............................................13
             Expense Risk Charge..............................................13
             Contract Maintenance and Administration Charge...................13
             Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.................................14
             Waiver of the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge...................15
             Premium Taxes....................................................15
OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT.....................................................16
             Investments of the Variable Account..............................16
             Allocation of Purchase Payments and Contract Value...............16
             Value of an Accumulation Unit....................................16
             Net Investment Factor............................................16
             Valuation of Assets..............................................17
             Determining the Contract Value...................................17
             Right to Revoke..................................................17
             Transfers........................................................17
             Contract Ownership Provisions....................................18
             Joint Ownership Provisions.......................................18
             Contingent Ownership Provisions..................................18
             Beneficiary Provisions...........................................19
             Surrender (Redemption)...........................................19
             Surrenders Under a Qualified Contract or Tax-Sheltered 
             Annuity Contract.................................................20
             Loan Privilege...................................................20
             Assignment.......................................................21
             Contract Owner Services..........................................22
                     Asset Rebalancing........................................22
                     Dollar Cost Averaging....................................22
                     Systematic Withdrawals...................................22
ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD, DEATH BENEFIT, AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS................23
             Annuity Commencement Date........................................23
             Change in Annuity Commencement Date..............................23
             Annuity Payment Period-Variable Account..........................23
             Value of an Annuity Unit.........................................23
             Assumed Investment Rate..........................................23
             Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments.........................23
             Change in Form of Annuity........................................24
             Annuity Payment Options..........................................24
             Death of Contract Owner Provisions-Non-Qualified Contracts.......24
             Death of Annuitant Provisions- Non-Qualified Contracts...........24
             Death of the Contract Owner/Annuitant Provisions.................25
             Death Benefit Payment Provisions.................................25
             Required Distribution Provisions for Non-Qualified Contracts.....25
    


                                       6

                                    8 of 90
<PAGE>   9

   
             Required Distribution For Qualified Plans and Tax
             Sheltered Annuities..............................................26
             Required Distributions for Individual Retirement 
             Annuities and SEP IRAs...........................................27
             Generation-Skipping Transfers....................................27
FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS....................................................28
             Federal Income Taxes.............................................28
             Non-Qualified Contracts-Natural Persons as Owners................28
             Non-Qualified Contracts-Non-Natural Persons as Owners............29
             Qualified Plans, Individual Retirement Annuities, 
             SEP IRAs, and Tax Sheltered Annuities............................29
             Withholding......................................................30
             Non-Resident Aliens..............................................30
             Federal Estate, Gift, and Generation Skipping Transfer Taxes.....31
             Charge for Tax Provisions........................................31
             Diversification..................................................31
             Tax Changes......................................................31
GENERAL INFORMATION...........................................................32
             Contract Owner Inquiries.........................................32
             Statements and Reports...........................................32
             Advertising......................................................32
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.............................................................34
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION......................34
APPENDIX A....................................................................35
APPENDIX B....................................................................37
    


                                       7

                                    9 of 90
<PAGE>   10

                          SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES

CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES

   
     Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge(1)....................... 7%
    

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Range of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Over Time

Number of Completed Years from                 Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
  Date of Purchase Payment                               Percentage
  ------------------------                               ----------
            0                                               7%
            1                                               6%
            2                                               5%
            3                                               4%
            4                                               3%
            5                                               2%
            6                                               1%
            7                                               0%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   
MAXIMUM ANNUAL CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE(2)........................    $30
    

VARIABLE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES

   
     Mortality and Expense Risk Charges .......................         1.25%
     Administration Charge ....................................         0.05%
          Total Variable Account Annual Expenses ..............         1.30%

(1)  During the first Contract Year, the Contract Owner may withdraw without a
     Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC) any amount in order for this
     Contract to meet minimum distribution requirements under the Code or up to
     10% of each Purchase Payment under Individual Retirement Annuity Contracts
     issued on or after March 1, 1993. Starting with the second Contract Year
     after a Purchase Payment has been made, the Contract Owner may withdraw
     without a CDSC, the greater of (a) an amount equal to 10% of that Purchase
     Payment made to the Contract or (b) any amount withdrawn in order for this
     Contract to meet minimum distribution requirements under the Code.
     Withdrawals may be restricted for Contracts issued pursuant to the terms of
     a Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan or other Qualified Plan. This CDSC-free
     withdrawal privilege is non-cumulative; that is, free amounts not taken
     during any given Contract Year cannot be taken as free amounts in a
     subsequent Contract Year (see "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" for
     additional waiver provisions).
    

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


                                       8

                                    10 of 90
<PAGE>   11

                    UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES(3)
             (as a percentage of underlying Mutual Fund net assets)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Total
                                                                      Portfolio
                                          Management        Other      Company
                                             Fees          Expenses    Expenses
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
Federated Insurance Series -
Federated American Leaders Fund II           0.00%          0.85%        2.16%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federated Insurance Series -
Federated High Income Bond Fund II           0.00%          0.80%        0.80%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio       0.51%          0.07%        0.58%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio            0.76%          0.17%        0.93%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS(R)- Emerging Growth Series               0.75%          0.25%        1.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS(R)- Total Return Series                  0.75%          0.25%        1.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT - Government Bond Fund                  0.50%          0.01%        0.51%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT - Money Market Fund                     0.50%          0.03%        0.53%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT - Small Company Fund                    1.00%          0.01%        1.01%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(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. The management fees and other expenses, are more
     fully described in the prospectus for each individual underlying Mutual
     Fund. The information relating to the underlying Mutual Fund expenses was
     provided by the underlying Mutual Fund and was not independently verified
     by the Company.

*    The investment advisers for the indicated underlying Mutual Funds have
     voluntarily agreed to reimburse a portion of the management fees and/or
     operating expenses resulting in a reduction of the total expenses. Absent
     any such partial reimbursement, "Total Mutual Fund Expenses" would have
     been 4.20% for the Federated Insurance Series-Federated High Income Bond
     Fund II and 2.16% for the Federated Insurance Series-Federated American
     Leaders Fund II. Absent any such partial reimbursement, "Other Expenses"
     would have been 0.41% for the MFS(R)-Emerging Growth Series and 1.35% for
     the MFS(R)-Total Return Series.
    


                                       9

                                    11 of 90
<PAGE>   12

                                     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 your         If you annuitize your
                               Contract at the end of the         Contract at the end of the       Contract at the end of the
                                 applicable time period             applicable time period           applicable time  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>
Federated Insurance
Series - Federated
American Leaders Fund II      93     115     146     256          23      70     119     256          *      70     119     256
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federated Insurance                                                                                 
Series - Federated High                                                                             
Income Bond Fund II           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     264          23      72     123     264          *      72     123     264
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS(R)- Emerging Growth                                                                             
Series                        94     119     154     272          24      74     127     272          *      74     127     272
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS(R)- Total Return                                                                                
Series                        94     119     154     272          24      74     127     272          *      74     127     272
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT -  Government Bond                                                                             
Fund                          89     104     128     219          19      59     101     219          *      59     101     219
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT - Money Market Fund      89     104     129     221          19      59     102     221          *      59     102     221
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT - Small Company                                                                                
Fund                          94     120     155     273          24      75     128     273          *      75     128     273
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>

*    The Contracts sold under this prospectus do not permit annuitizations
     during the first two Contract years.

     The purpose of the Summary of Contract Expenses and Example is to assist
the Contract Owner in understanding the various costs and expenses that will be
borne 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 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").


                                       10

                                    12 of 90
<PAGE>   13

                                    SYNOPSIS

   
     The Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts described in this
prospectus are designed for use in connection with the following types of
Contracts: (1) Non-Qualified, (2) Individual Retirement Annuities, (3) Tax
Sheltered Annuities, (4) SEP IRAs and (5) Qualified.
    

     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
Contracts issued on the life of any one Designated Annuitant may not exceed
$1,000,000 without the prior consent of the Company (see "Allocation of Purchase
Payments and Contract Value").

     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").

   
     Upon Annuitization, the selected Annuity Payment Option will begin (see
"Annuity Payment Option"). However, if the net amount to be applied to any
Annuity Payment Option 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. In no event, however, will annuity payments be made less
frequently than annually (see "Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments").

     The Company will charge against the Purchase Payments or the Contract Value
the amount of any premium taxes levied by a state or any other governmental
entity (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. If a Contract is returned to the
Company in a timely manner, the Company will void the Contract and refund the
Contract Value in full unless otherwise required by state and/or federal law.
State and/or federal law may provide additional free look privileges. All
Individual Retirement Annuity refunds will be return of Purchase Payments (see
"Right to Revoke").
    


                                       11

                                    13 of 90
<PAGE>   14

                        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 43215. 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, Individual
Retirement Annuities, and Tax Sheltered Annuities 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 underlying Mutual Fund option(s) should be read in
conjunction with this prospectus. A copy of each prospectus may be obtained
without charge from Nationwide Life Insurance Company by calling 1-800-533-5622,
TDD 1-800-238-3035, or writing P.O. Box 182008 Columbus, Ohio 43218-2008.
    

     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.
These shares will be voted in accordance with instructions received from
Contract Owners who have an interest in the Variable Account. 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 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.


                                       12

                                    14 of 90
<PAGE>   15

   
     The Contract Owner shall be the person who has the voting interest under
the Contract. The number of underlying Mutual Fund shares attributable to each
Contract Owner is determined by dividing the Contract Owner's interest in each
respective Sub-Account of the Variable Account by the net asset value of the
underlying Mutual Fund corresponding to the Sub-Account. 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. Each person having a voting interest will receive
periodic reports relating to the underlying Mutual Fund, proxy material and a
form with which to give such voting instructions.

     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.

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, the Company may
eliminate Sub-Accounts, combine two or more Sub-Accounts, or 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, under such
requirements as it may impose.
    

                  VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS

   
Expenses of Variable Account

     The Variable Account is responsible for the following types of expenses:
(1) administrative expenses relating to the issuance and maintenance of the
Contracts; (2) mortality risk charge associated with guaranteeing the annuity
purchase rates at issue for the life of the Contracts; and (3) expense risk
charge associated with guaranteeing that the Mortality Risk, Expense Risk,
Contract Maintenance and Administration Charges described in this prospectus
will not change regardless of actual expenses. If these charges are insufficient
to cover these expenses, the loss will be borne by the Company.

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

Mortality Risk Charge

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

     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.

   
Contract Maintenance Charge and Administration Charge

     Each year on the Contract Anniversary, (and on the date of surrender in any
year in which the entire Contract Value is surrendered) the Company deducts a
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 Charges are as follows:
    


                                       13

                                    15 of 90
<PAGE>   16

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Amount                             Type of Contract Issued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          $30.00                        - Non-Qualified Contracts
                                        - Individual Retirement Annuities
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     $12.00 to $0.00(1)                 - Qualified Contracts
                                        - Tax Sheltered Annuity Contracts
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   
1    The charge is determined based on Company underwriting guidelines.

     All Contract Maintenance Charge reductions shall be based on objective
underwriting guidelines which shall be applied in a non-discriminatory manner.

     The deduction of the Contract Maintenance Charge is made from each
Sub-Account and the Fixed Account in the same proportion that the value of the
Sub-Account or Fixed Account bears to the total Contract Value. In any Contract
Year when a Contract is surrendered for its full value on any date 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.

     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 value in that Sub-Account bears to the total Variable Account value.
The Contract Maintenance Charge and Administrative Charge 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.
    

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge

     No deduction for a sales charge is made from the Purchase Payments for
these Contracts. However, if any part of the Contract Value of such Contracts is
surrendered, the Company will, with certain exceptions (see "Waiver of
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" section), deduct 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. The Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, 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.

   
     The Contingent Deferred Sales Charge is calculated by multiplying the
applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge percentages noted below by the
Purchase Payments that are surrendered. For purposes of calculating the
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, surrenders are considered to come first from
the oldest Purchase Payment made to the Contract, then the next oldest Purchase
Payment and so forth. For tax purposes, a surrender is usually treated as a
withdrawal of earnings first.
    

     The Contingent Deferred Sales Charge applies to Purchase Payments as
follows:

<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>


                                       14

                                    16 of 90
<PAGE>   17

   
Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge

     During the first Contract Year, the Contract Owner may withdraw without a
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge ("CDSC") any amount in order for this Contract
to meet minimum distribution requirements under the Code or up to 10% of each
purchase payment under Individual Retirement Annuity Contracts issued on or
after March 1, 1993. Starting with the second year after a Purchase Payment has
been made, the Contract Owner may withdraw, without a CDSC, the greater of: (a)
an amount equal to 10% of that Purchase Payment or (b) any amount withdrawn from
the Contract to meet minimum distribution requirements under the Code. This
CDSC-free withdrawal privilege is non-cumulative; that is, free amounts not
taken during any given Contract Year cannot be taken as free amounts in a
subsequent Contract Year.

     In addition, no CDSC will be deducted: (1) upon the Annuitization of
Contracts which have been in force for at least two years, (2) upon payment of a
death benefit pursuant to the death of the Annuitant, or (3) from any values
which have been held under a Contract for at least 84 months. No CDSC applies
upon the transfer of value among the Sub-Accounts or between the Fixed Account
and the Variable Account. When a Contract described in this prospectus is
exchanged for another Contract issued by the Company or any of its affiliated
insurance companies, of the type and class which the Company determined is
eligible for such exchange, the Company may waive the CDSC on the first
Contract. A CDSC may apply to the contract received in the exchange.

     When a Contract is held by a Charitable Remainder Trust, the amount which
may be withdrawn from this Contract without application of a CDSC, shall be the
larger of (a) or (b), where (a) is the amount which would otherwise be available
for withdrawal without application of a CDSC; and where (b) is the difference
between the total Purchase Payments made to the Contract as of the date of the
withdrawal (reduced by previous withdrawals of such Purchase Payments), and the
Contract Value at the close of the day prior to the date of the withdrawal.
    

     For Tax Sheltered Annuity Contracts issued on or after December 17, 1990,
Qualified Contracts sold in conjunction with 401 cases sold on or after January
14, 1991, and SEP-IRA Contracts 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 immediately preceding the Distribution;

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

     E.   the Plan Participant dies; or

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

   
     The Contract Owner may be subject to income tax on all or a portion of any
such withdrawals and to a tax penalty if the Contract Owner takes withdrawals
prior to age 59 1/2 (See "FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS- Non-Qualified
Contracts-Natural Persons as Owners").
    

     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.

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. 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: (1) at the time the
Contract is surrendered, (2) at Annuitization, or (3) at such earlier date as
the Company may become subject to such taxes.


                                       15

                                    17 of 90
<PAGE>   18

   
                            OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT
    

Investments of the Variable Account

     The 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. 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 Funds, in addition to those set forth in the Contracts.

   
Allocation Of Purchase Payments and Contract Value

     Purchase Payments are allocated to the Fixed Account or 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. Subsequent Purchase Payments, if any, after the first
Contract Year must be at least $10 each. 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 Company reserves the right to
lower the subsequent Purchase Payment $10 minimum for certain employer sponsored
programs. 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.

     The initial Purchase Payment allocated to designated Sub-Accounts of the
Variable Account will be priced no 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. The Company may, however, retain the
Purchase Payment for up to 5 business days while attempting to complete an order
to purchase. If it is not 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 complete.
Thereafter, subsequent Purchase Payments will be priced on the basis of the
Accumulation Value next computed for the appropriate Sub-Account after the
additional Purchase Payment is received.

     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 an Accumulation Unit

     The value of an 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.
    


                                       16

                                    18 of 90
<PAGE>   19

   
     (b)  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 immediately
               preceding Valuation Period, plus or minus

          (2)  the per share charge or credit, if any, for any taxes reserved
               for in the immediately preceding Valuation Period (see "Charge
               For Tax Provisions").

     (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, Administration Charge
and any charge or credit for tax reserves.

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 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.
    

Right to Revoke

   
     Unless otherwise required by state and/or federal law, the Contract Owner
may revoke the Contract 10 days after receipt of the Contract and receive a
refund of the Contract Value. All Individual Retirement Annuity refunds will be
return of Purchase Payments. In 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

   
     Transfers between the Fixed and Variable Account must be made prior to the
Annuitization Date. The Contract Owner may request a transfer of up to 100% of
the Variable Account value to the Fixed Account, without penalty or adjustment.
However, 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. All amounts transferred to the Fixed Account must remain on deposit in
the Fixed Account until the expiration of the current Interest Rate Guarantee
Period. In addition, transfers from the Fixed Account may not be made prior to
the end of the then current Interest Rate Guarantee Period. The Interest Rate
Guarantee Period for any amount allocated to the Fixed Account expires on the
final day of a calendar quarter during which the one year anniversary of the
allocation to the Fixed Account occurs. Transfers must also be made prior to the
Annuitization Date. For all transfers involving the Variable Account, the
Contract 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 Contract 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 amount that may be transferred from the Fixed
    


                                       17

                                    19 of 90
<PAGE>   20

   
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. The amount that may be transferred will be
declared upon the expiration date of the then current Interest Rate Guarantee
Period. Transfers from the Fixed Account must be made within 30 days after the
expiration date of the guarantee period. Contract 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 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 the Contract Owner's election. The Company
will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by
telephone are genuine. Such procedures may include the following: requesting
identifying information, such as name, contract number, Social Security Number,
and/or personal identification number; tape recording all telephone
transactions; or providing written confirmation thereof to both the Contract
Owner and any agent of record, at the last address of record; or such other
procedures as the Company may deem reasonable. Although failure to follow
reasonable procedures may result in the Company's liability for any losses due
to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone transfers, 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.

Contract 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. Prior to the Annuitization
Date, the Contract Owner may name a new Contract Owner in Non-Qualified
Contracts. Such change may be subject to state and federal gift taxes and may
also result in federal income taxation. Any change of Contract Owner designation
will automatically revoke any prior Contract Owner designation. Once proper
notice of the change is received and recorded by the Company, the change will
become effective as of the date the written request recorded. A change of Owner
will not apply and will not be effective with respect to any payment made or
action taken by the Company prior to the time that the change was received and
recorded by the Company.

     Prior to the Annuitization Date, the Contract Owner may request a change in
the Annuitant, the Contingent Annuitant, Contingent Owner, Beneficiary, or
Contingent Beneficiary. Such a request must be made in writing on a form
acceptable to the Company and must be signed by both the Contract Owner and the
person to be named as Annuitant, Contingent Annuitant, or Contingent Owner, as
applicable. Such request must be received by the Company at its Home Office
prior to the Annuitization Date. Any such change is subject to underwriting and
approval by the Company. If the Contract Owner is not a natural person and there
is a change of the Annuitant, such change shall be treated as the death of a
Contract Owner and Distributions shall be made as if the Contract Owner died at
the time of such change.

     On the Annutization Date, the Annuitant shall become the Contract Owner.

Joint Ownership Provisions

     Where permitted by state law, joint owners must be spouses at the time
joint ownership is requested. If a Joint Owner is named, the Joint Owner will
possess an undivided interest in the Contract. Unless otherwise provided, the
exercise of any ownership right in the Contract (including the right to
surrender or partially surrender the Contract, to change the Contract Owner, the
Contingent Owner, the Designated Annuitant, the Contingent Designated Annuitant,
the Beneficiary, the Contingent Beneficiary, the Annuity Payment Option or the
Annuitization Date) shall require a written request signed by both Joint Owners.

Contingent Ownership Provisions

     The Contingent Owner is the person who may receive certain benefits under
the Contract if the Contract Owner, who is not the Annuitant, dies prior to the
Annuitization Date and there is no surviving Joint Owner. If more than one
Contingent Owner survives the Contract Owner, each will share equally unless
otherwise specified in the Contingent Owner designation. If no Contingent Owner
survives a Contract Owner and there is no surviving Joint Owner, all rights and
interest of the Contingent Owner will vest in the Annuitant. If a Contract
Owner, who is also the Annuitant, dies before the Annuitization Date and there
is no surviving Joint Owner, then the Contingent Owner does not have any rights
in the Contract; however, if the Contingent Owner is also the Beneficiary, the
Contingent Owner will have all the rights of a beneficiary.
    


                                       18

                                    20 of 90
<PAGE>   21

   
     Subject to the terms of any existing assignment, the Contract Owner may
change the Contingent Owner prior to the Annuitization Date by written notice to
the Company. The change, upon receipt and recording by the Company at its Home
Office, will take effect as of the time the written notice was signed, whether
or not the Contract Owner 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.

Beneficiary Provisions

     The Beneficiary is the person or persons who may receive certain benefits
under the Contract in the event the Annuitant dies prior to the Annuitization
Date. If more than one Beneficiary survives the Annuitant, each will share
equally unless otherwise specified in the Beneficiary designation. If no
Beneficiary survives the Annuitant, all rights and interest of the Beneficiary
shall vest in the Contingent Beneficiary, and if more than one Contingent
Beneficiary survives, each will share equally unless otherwise specified in the
Contingent Beneficiary designation. If no Contingent Beneficiaries survive the
Annuitant, all rights and interest of the Contingent Beneficiary will vest with
the Contract Owner or the estate of the last surviving Contract Owner.

     Subject to the terms of any existing assignment, the Contract Owner may
change the Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary during the lifetime of the
Designated Annuitant, by written notice to the Company. The change will take
effect, upon receipt and recording by the Company at its Home Office, whether or
not the Designated 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.

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 Contract Owner must
request the surrender in writing and include the Contract. The Company may
require that the signature(s) be guaranteed by a member firm of a major stock
exchange or other depository institution qualified to give such a guaranty.

     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. 
    


                                       19

                                    21 of 90
<PAGE>   22

   
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 Contract 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 Code, may be executed only:

          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 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. Distributions pursuant to Qualified Domestic Relations Orders will not
be considered to be a violation of the restrictions stated in this provision.

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

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 Code, which may 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 in this provision.


                                       20

                                    22 of 90
<PAGE>   23

     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 be
allocated between the Fixed and Variable Accounts in the same manner as a
Purchase Payment. Both loan repayments and Purchase Payments will be allocated
to the Contract in accordance with the most current allocation, unless the
Contract Owner and the Company agree otherwise on a case by case basis.
    

     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 a Contract Owner who is not the Annuitant dies prior to
Annuitization and while the loan is outstanding, the Distribution 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 Code.

   
     If a loan payment is not made when due, interest will continue to accrue. A
grace period may be available under the terms of the loan agreement. If a loan
payment is not made when due, or by the end of the applicable grace period, the
entire loan will be treated as a deemed Distribution, may be taxable to the
borrower, and may be subject to the early withdrawal tax penalty. Interest which
subsequently accrues on defaulted amounts may also be treated as additional
deemed Distributions each year. Any defaulted amounts, plus accrued interest,
will be deducted from the Contract when the Participant becomes eligible for a
Distribution of at least that amount, and this amount may again be treated as a
Distribution where required by law. Additional loans may not be available while
a previous loan remains in default.
    

     Loans may also be subject to additional limitations or restrictions under
the terms of the employer's plan. Loans permitted under this contract may still
be taxable in whole or part if the Participant has additional loans from other
plans or contracts. The Company will calculate the maximum nontaxable loan base
on the information provided by the Participant or the Employer.

     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 loan's terms or
procedures of the loan in the event of a change in the laws or regulations
relating to the treatment of loans. The Company also reserves the right to
assess a loan processing fee.

     Individual Retirement Annuities, SEP-IRAs and Non-Qualified Contracts are
not eligible for loans.

   
Assignment
    

     Where permitted, the Contract Owner may assign some or all rights under the
Contract at any time during the lifetime of the Designated Annuitant prior to
the Annuitization Date. Such assignment will take effect upon receipt and
recording by the Company at its Home Office of a written notice executed by the
Contract Owner. The Company is not responsible for the validity or tax
consequences of any assignment. The Company shall not be liable as to any
payment or other settlement made by the Company before recording of the


                                       21

                                    23 of 90
<PAGE>   24

assignment. Where necessary for the proper administration of the terms of the
Contract, an assignment will not be recorded until the Company has received
sufficient direction from the Contract Owner and assignee as to the proper
allocation of Contract rights under the assignment.

   
     If this Contract is a Non-Qualified Contract, any portion of the Contract
Value attributable to Purchase Payments 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 it was pledged or
assigned. 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 income. All rights in this Contract are personal to the
Contract Owner and may not be assigned without written consent of the Company.
Assignment of the entire Contract Value may cause the portion of the Contract
Value exceeding the total investment in the Contract and previously taxed
amounts to be included in gross income for federal income tax purposes each year
that the assignment is in effect. Individual Retirement Annuities, SEP IRAs, Tax
Sheltered Annuities, and Qualified Contracts, may not be assigned, pledged or
otherwise transferred except under such conditions as may be allowed by law.

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 or based on another frequency authorized by
the Company. 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 first business day
after that day. An Asset Rebalancing request must be in writing on a form
provided by the Company. The Contract Owner may want to contact a financial
adviser in order to discuss the use of Asset Rebalancing in his or her Contract.

     Contracts issued to a Qualified Plan or a Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan as
defined by the Code may have superseding plan restrictions with regard to the
frequency of fund exchanges and underlying Mutual Fund options.

     The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Asset Rebalancing
upon 30 days' written notice; such discontinuation will 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- If the Contract Value is $15,000 or more, the
Contract Owner may direct the Company to automatically transfer a specified
amount from the Money Market Fund Sub-Account or the Fixed Account to any other
Sub-Account within the Variable Account on a monthly basis or as frequently as
otherwise authorized by the Company. 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. 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. Once elected, transfers from the Money Market Fund Sub-Account
or the Fixed Account will be processed monthly or on another approved frequency
until either the value in the Money Market Fund Sub-Account or the Fixed Account
is completely depleted or the Contract Owner instructs the Company in writing to
cancel the transfers.

     The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Dollar Cost
Averaging upon 30 days' written notice; such discontinuation will 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 of 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. Unless
directed by the Contract Owner, the Company will withhold federal income taxes
from each Systematic Withdrawal. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service may
assess a 10% federal penalty tax on Systematic Withdrawals if the Contract Owner
is under age 59 1/2. 
    


                                       22

                                    24 of 90
<PAGE>   25

   
Unless the Contract Owner has made an irrevocable election of distributions of
substantially equal payments, the Systematic Withdrawals may be discontinued at
any time by notifying the Company in writing.

     The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Systematic
Withdrawals upon 30 days' written notice; such discontinuation will not affect
any Systematic Withdrawal programs already commenced. The Company also reserves
the right to assess a processing fee for this service. Systematic withdrawals
are not available prior to the expiration of the "ten day free look" provision
of the Contract or of applicable state/federal law.

          ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD, DEATH BENEFIT AND OTHER DISTRIBUTION

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 or Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan,
Annuitization may occur during the first 2 years subject to approval by the
Company.

Change in Annuity Commencement Date

     If the Contract Owner requests in writing and the Company approves the
request, the Annuity Commencement Date may be deferred. The new date must comply
with the Annuity Commencement Date provisions above.

Annuity Payment Period-Variable Account
    

     At the Annuitization Date, the Variable Account Contract Value is applied
to the Annuity Payment Option elected and the amount of the first such payment
shall be determined 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. In no event will the Company make payments under an annuity option less
frequently than annually.


                                       23

                                    25 of 90
<PAGE>   26

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 periodically, but at least
     annually, 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 periodically,
     but at least annually, 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 such
          recipient as chosen by the Annuitant at the time the Annuity Payment
          Option was selected. In the alternative, the recipient 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 someone other than the Annuitant 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, computed 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
Contract 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 Contract Owner of a Non-Qualified Contract fails to elect an Annuity
Payment Option, no distribution will be made until an effective Annuity Payment
Option has been elected. Qualified Plan Contracts, Individual Retirement
Annuities, SEP IRAs, or Tax Sheltered Annuities are subject to the minimum
Distribution requirements set forth in the Plan, Contract, or Code.

Death of Contract Owner Provisions - Non-Qualified Contracts

     For Non-Qualified Contracts, if the Contract Owner and the Annuitant are
not the same person and such Contract Owner dies prior to the Annuitization
Date, then the Joint Owner, if any, becomes the new Contract Owner. If there is
no surviving Joint Owner, the Contingent Owner becomes the new Contract Owner.
If there is no surviving Contingent Owner, the Designated Annuitant becomes the
Contract Owner. The entire interest in the Contract Value, less any applicable
deductions (which may include a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge), must be
distributed in accordance with the "Required Distribution Provisions-
Non-Qualified Contracts" provisions.

Death of the Annuitant Provisions - Non-Qualified Contracts

     If the Contract Owner and Designated Annuitant are not the same person, and
the Designated Annuitant dies prior to the Annuitization Date, a Death Benefit
will be payable to the Beneficiary, the Contingent Beneficiary, the Contract
Owner, or the last surviving Contract Owner's estate, as specified in the
"Beneficiary Provisions", unless there is a surviving Contingent Designated
Annuitant. In such case, the Contingent Designated Annuitant becomes the
Designated Annuitant and no Death Benefit is payable.
    


                                       24

                                    26 of 90
<PAGE>   27

   
     The Beneficiary may elect to receive such Death Benefits in the form of:
(1) a lump sum distribution; (2) election of an annuity payout; or (3) any
distribution that is permitted under state and federal regulations and is
acceptable by the Company. Such election must be received by the Company within
60 days of the Annuitant's death.

     If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any benefit that may be
payable shall be paid according to the selected Annuity Payment Option.

Death of the Contract Owner/Annuitant Provisions

     If any Contract Owner and Designated Annuitant are the same person, and
such person dies before the Annuitization Date, a Death Benefit will be payable
to the Beneficiary, the Contingent Beneficiary, the Contract Owner, or the last
surviving Contract Owner's estate, as specified in the Beneficiary Provisions
and in accordance with the appropriate "Required Distributions Provisions."

     If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any benefit that may be
payable shall be paid according to the selected Annuity Payment Option.

Death Benefit Payment Provisions

The value of the Death Benefit will be determined as of the Valuation Date
coincident with or next following the date the Company receives in writing at
the Home Office the following three items: (1) proper proof of the Designated
Annuitant's death; (2) an election specifying the distribution method; and (3)
any applicable state required form(s).

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

     If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any payment that may be
payable will be determined according to the selected Annuity Payment Option.

Required Distribution Provisions For Non-Qualified Contracts

     Upon the death of any Contract Owner or Joint Owner (including an Annuitant
who becomes the Owner of the Contract on the Annuitization Date) (each of the
foregoing "a deceased Owner"), certain distributions for Non-Qualified Contracts
issued on or after January 19, 1985, are required by Section 72(s) of the Code.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Contract to the contrary, the following
distributions shall be made in accordance with such requirements:

     1.   If any deceased Owner dies on or after the Annuitization Date and
          before the entire interest under the Contract has been distributed,
          then the remaining portion of such interest shall be distributed at
          least as rapidly as under the method of distribution in effect as of
          the date of such deceased Owner's death.

     2.   If any deceased Owner dies prior to the Annuitization Date, then the
          entire interest in the Contract (consisting of either the Death
          Benefit or the Contract Value reduced by certain changes as set forth
          elsewhere in the Contract) shall be distributed within 5 years of the
          death of the deceased Owner, provided however:

          (a)  If any portion of such interest is payable to or for the benefit
               of a natural person who is a surviving Contract Owner, Contingent
               Owner, Joint Owner, Annuitant, Contingent Designated Annuitant,
               Beneficiary, or Contingent Beneficiary as the case may be (each a
               "designated beneficiary"), such portion may, at the election of
               the designated beneficiary, be distributed over the life of such
               designated beneficiary, or over a period not extending beyond the
               life expectancy of such designated beneficiary, provided that
               payments begin within one year of the date of the deceased
               Owner's death (or such longer period as may be permitted by
               federal income tax regulations), and

          (b)  If the designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse of the
               deceased Owner, such spouse may elect to become the Owner of this
               Contract, in lieu of a Death Benefit, and the distributions
               required under these distribution rules will be made upon the
               death of such spouse.
    


                                       25

                                    27 of 90
<PAGE>   28

   
     In the event that this Contract is owned by a person that is not a natural
person (e.g., a trust or corporation), then, for purposes of these distribution
provisions, (i) the death of the Annuitant shall be treated as the death of any
Owner, (ii) any change of the Annuitant shall be treated as the death of any
Owner, and (iii) in either case the appropriate distribution required under
these distribution rules shall be made upon such death or change, as the case
may be. The Annuitant is the primary annuitant as defined in Section 72(s)(6)(B)
of the Code.

     These distribution provisions shall not be applicable to any Contract that
is not required to be subject to the provisions of 72(s) of the Code by reason
of Section 72(s)(5) or any other law or rule (including Tax Sheltered Annuities,
Individual Retirement Annuities, Qualified Plans and SEP IRAs).

     Upon the death of a "deceased Owner", the designated beneficiary must elect
a method of distribution which complies with these above distribution provisions
and which is acceptable to the Company. Such election must be received by the
Company within 60 days of the deceased Owner's death.
    

Required Distributions 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 Code and applicable regulations and will be paid,
notwithstanding anything else contained herein, to the Annuitant under the
Annuity Payments Option selected, over a period not exceeding:

     A.   the life of the Annuitant or the lives of the Annuitant and the
          Annuitant's designated beneficiary under the selected Annuity Payment
          Option; or

     B.   a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the Annuitant or
          the life expectancy of the Annuitant and the Annuitant's designated
          beneficiary under the selected annuity Payment Option.

     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 Annuitant's entire interest in a Qualified Plan or Tax Sheltered
Annuity is to be distributed in equal or substantially equal payments over a
period described in (a) or (b), above, such payments will commence no later than
(i) the first day of April following the calendar year in which the Annuitant
attains age 70 1/2 or (ii) when the Annuitant retires, whichever is later (the
"required beginning date"). However, provision (ii) does not apply to any
employee who is a 5% Owner (as defined in Section 416 of the Code) with respect
to the plan year ending in the calendar year in which the employee attains the
age of 70 1/2.

     If the Annuitant 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 calendar year in which the fifth anniversary
of his or her death occurs unless:

     (a)  the Annuitant names his or her surviving spouse as the Beneficiary and
          such spouse elects to receive Distribution of the account in
          substantially 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 Contract Owner would have
          attained age 70 1/2; or

     (b)  the Annuitant names a Beneficiary other than his or her surviving
          spouse and such Beneficiary elects to receive a Distribution of the
          account in substantially 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 Annuitant
          dies.

     If the Annuitant dies after Distribution has commenced, Distribution must
continue at least as rapidly as under the schedule being used prior to his or
her death.

     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
Annuitant by the life expectancy of the Annuitant, or the joint and last
survivor expectancy of the Annuitant and the Annuitant's designated beneficiary
(if the Annuitant dies prior to the required beginning date) or the beneficiary
under the selected Annuity Payment Option (if the Annuitant dies after the
required beginning date) 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.

     If the amounts distributed to the Annuitant are less than those mentioned
above, penalty tax of 50% is levied on the excess of the amount that should have
been distributed for that year over the amount that actually was distributed for
that year.
    


                                       26

                                    28 of 90
<PAGE>   29

   
Required Distributions for Individual Retirement Annuities and SEP IRAs

     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. Distribution may be accepted in a lump sum or in
substantially 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 life expectancy of the Owner or the joint life expectancy
of the Owner and the Owner's 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
          exceeding his or her life expectancy) commencing not later than
          December 31 of the year following the year in which the Owner dies.

   
     No Distribution will be required from this Contract if Distributions
otherwise required from this Contract are being withdrawn from another
Individual Retirement Annuity or Individual Annuity Account of the Contract
Owner.

     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 who is the beneficiary under the
Annuity Payment Option, may treat the Contract as his or her own, in the same
manner as is described in section (a)(i) of this provision.

     If the amounts distributed to the Contract Owner are less than those
mentioned above, penalty tax of 50% is levied on the excess of the amount that
should have been distributed for that year over the amount that actually was
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 Purchase Payments 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 Purchase Payments, the amount of any Distribution,
the amount by which non-deductible Purchase Payments for all years exceed
non-taxable Distributions for all years, and the total balance of all Individual
Retirement 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.

   
     Simplified Employee Pensions (SEPs) and Salary Reduction Simplified
Employee Pensions (SAR SEPs), described in Section 408(k) of the Code, are taxed
in a manner similar to IRAs, and are subject to similar distribution
requirements as IRAs. SAR SEPs cannot be established after 1996.
    

Generation-Skipping Transfers

     The Company may determine whether the Death Benefit or any other payment
constitutes a direct skip as defined in Section 2612 of the 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 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.


                                       27

                                    29 of 90
<PAGE>   30

   
                           FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
    

Federal Income Taxes

   
     The Company does not make any guarantee regarding the tax status for any
Contract or any transaction involving the Contracts. Contract Owners should
consult a financial consultant, legal counsel or tax advisor to discuss in
detail the taxation and the use of the Contracts.

     Section 72 of the Code governs federal income taxation of annuities in
general. That section sets forth different rules for: (1) Qualified Contracts;
(2) Individual Retirement Annuities including SEP IRAs; (3) Tax Sheltered
Annuities; and (4) Non-Qualified Contracts. Each type of annuity is discussed
below.

     Distributions to participants from Qualified Contracts or Tax Sheltered
Annuities are generally taxed when received. A portion of each Distribution is
excludable from income based on the ratio between the after tax investment of
the Owner/Annuitant in the Contract and the value of the Contract at the time of
the withdrawal or Annuitization.

     Distributions from Individual Retirement Annuities and Contracts owned by
Individual Retirement Accounts are also generally taxed when received. The
portion of each such payment which is excludable is based on the ratio between
the amount by which nondeductible Purchase Payments to all such Contracts
exceeds prior non-taxable Distributions from such Contracts, and the total
account balances in such Contracts at the time of the Distribution. The Owner of
such Individual Retirement Annuities or the Annuitant under Contracts held by
Individual Retirement Accounts must annually report to the Internal Revenue
Service the amount of nondeductible Purchase Payments, the amount of any
Distribution, the amount by which nondeductible Purchase Payments for all years
exceed non-taxable Distributions for all years, and the total balance in all
Individual Retirement Annuities and Accounts.

     A change of the Annuitant or Contingent Annuitant may be treated by the
Internal Revenue Service as a taxable transaction.
    

Non-Qualified Contracts - Natural Persons as Owners

   
     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 until the investment has been recovered; thereafter the
entire amount is includable in income. The maximum amount excludable from income
is the investment in the Contract. If the Annuitant dies prior to excluding from
income the entire investment in the Contract, the 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 Annuitization 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 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 Annuitization 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 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. If this
Contract is issued as the result of an exchange described in Section 1035 of the
Code, for purposes of determining whether the Contract is an immediate annuity,
it will generally be considered to have been purchased on the purchase date of
the contract given up in the exchange.

     Code Section 72 also provides for a penalty tax, equal to 10% of the
portion of any Distribution that is includable in gross income, if such
Distribution is made prior to attaining age 59 1/2. The penalty tax does not
apply if the Distribution is attributable to the Contract Owner's death,
disability, or is one of a series of 
    


                                       28

                                    30 of 90
<PAGE>   31

   
substantially equal periodic payments made over the life or life expectancy of
the Contract Owner (or the joint lives or joint life expectancies of the
Contract Owner and the beneficiary selected by the Contract Owner to receive
payment under the Annuity Payment Option selected by the Contract Owner) or for
the purchase of 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. Such election shall be irrevocable
and may not be amended or changed.

     In order to qualify as an annuity contract under Section 72 of the Code,
the contract must provide for Distribution of the entire contract to be made
upon the death of a Contract Owner. If a Contract Owner dies prior to the
Annuitization Date, then the Joint Contract Owner, the Contingent Owner or other
named recipient must receive the Distribution within 5 years of the Contract
Owner's death. However, the recipient may elect for payments to be made over
his/her life or life expectancy provided that such payments begin within one
year from the death of the Contract Owner. If the Joint Contract Owner,
Contingent Owner or other named recipient 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 (see "Required Distribution For Qualified Plans and Tax Sheltered
Annuities"). 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 is named.

     The Code requires that any election to receive an annuity rather than a
lump sum payment must be made within 60 days after the lump sum becomes payable
(generally, the election must be made within 60 days after the death of an Owner
or the Annuitant). If the election is made more than 60 days after the lump sum
first becomes payable, the election would be ignored for tax purposes, and the
entire amount of the lump sum would be subject to immediate tax. If the election
is made within the 60 day period, each Distribution would be taxable when it is
paid.

Non-Qualified Contracts - Non-Natural Persons as Owners

     The foregoing discussion of the taxation of Non-Qualified Contracts applies
to Contracts owned (or, pursuant to Section 72(u) of the Code, deemed to be
owned) by individuals; it does not apply to Contracts where one or more
non-individuals is an Owner.

     As a general rule, contracts owned by corporations, partnerships, trusts,
and similar entities ("Non-Natural Persons"), rather than by one or more
individuals, are not treated as annuity contracts for most purposes under the
Code; in particular, they are not treated as annuity contracts for purposes of
Section 72. Therefore, the taxation rules for Distributions, as described above,
do not apply to Non-Qualified Contracts owned by Non-Natural Persons. Rather,
the following rules will apply:

     The income earned under a Non-Qualified Contract that is owned by a
Non-Natural Person is taxed as ordinary income during the taxable year that it
is earned, and is not deferred, even if the income is not distributed out of the
Contract to the Owner.

     The foregoing Non-Natural Person rule does not apply to all entity-owned
contracts. First, for this purpose, a Contract that is owned by a Non-Natural
Person as an agent for an individual is treated as owned by the individual. This
exception does not apply, however, to a Non-Natural Person who is an employer
that holds the Contract under a non-qualified deferred compensation arrangement
for one or more employees.

     The Non-Natural Person rules also do not apply to a Contract that is (a)
acquired by the estate of a decedent by reason of the death of the decedent; (b)
issued in connection with certain qualified retirement plans and individual
retirement plans; (c) used in connection with certain structured settlements;
(d) purchased by an employer upon the termination of certain qualified
retirement plans; or (e) an immediate annuity.

Qualified Plans, Individual Retirement Annuities, SEP IRAs and Tax Sheltered
Annuities

     The Contract may be purchased as a Qualified Contract, an Individual
Retirement Annuity, SEP IRA, or a Tax Sheltered Annuity. The Contract Owner
should seek competent advice as to the tax consequences associated with the use
of a Contract as an Individual Retirement Annuity.
    


                                       29

                                    31 of 90
<PAGE>   32

   
     For information regarding eligibility, limitations on permissible amounts
of Purchase Payments, and the tax consequences of distributions from Qualified
Plans, Tax Sheltered Annuities, Individual Retirement Annuities, SEP IRAs and
other plans that receive favorable tax treatment, the purchasers of such
contracts should seek competent advice. The terms of such plans may limit the
rights available under the Contracts.

     Pursuant to Section 403(b)(1)(E) Code, a Contract that is issued as a
Tax-Sheltered Annuity is required to limit the amount of the Purchase Payment
for any year to an amount that does not exceed the limit set forth in Section
402(g) of the Code ($7,000), as it is from time to time increased to reflect
increases in the cost of living. This limit may be reduced by any deposits,
contributions or payments made to any other Tax-Sheltered Annuity or other plan,
contract or arrangement by or on behalf of the Owner.

     The Code permits the rollover of most Distributions from Qualified Plans to
other Qualified Plans or Individual Retirement Annuities. Most Distributions
from Tax-Sheltered Annuities may be rolled into another Tax-Sheltered Annuity,
Individual Retirement Annuity, or an Individual Retirement Account.
Distributions that 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 Contract
          Owner, (b) over the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the
          Contract Owner and the Contract Owner'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 rate of twenty percent (20%) unless the Distribution is
transferred directly to an appropriate plan as described above.

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

Withholding

     The Company is required to withhold tax from certain Distributions to the
extent that such Distribution would constitute income to the Contract Owner or
other payee. The Contract Owner or other payee is entitled to elect not to have
federal income tax withheld from any such Distribution, but may be subject to
penalties in the event insufficient federal income tax is withheld during a
calendar year. However, if the Internal Revenue Service notifies the Company
that the Contract Owner or other payee has furnished an incorrect taxpayer
identification number, or if the Contract Owner or other payee fails to provide
a taxpayer identification number, the Distributions may be subject to back-up
withholding at the statutory rate, which is presently 31%, and which cannot be
waived by the Contract Owner or other payee.

Non-Resident Aliens

     Distributions to nonresident aliens (NRAs) are generally subject to federal
income tax and tax withholding, at a statutory rate of thirty percent (30%) of
the amount of income that is distributed. The Company may be required to
withhold such amount from the Distribution and remit it to the Internal Revenue
Service. Distributions to certain NRAs may be subject to lower, or in certain
instances, zero tax and withholding rates, if the United States has entered into
an applicable treaty. However, in order to obtain the benefits of such treaty
provisions, the NRA must give to the Company sufficient proof of his or her
residency and citizenship in the form and manner prescribed by the Internal
Revenue Service. In addition, for any Distribution made after December 31, 1997,
the NRA must obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number from the
Internal Revenue Service, and furnish that number to the Company prior to the
Distribution. If the Company does not have the proper proof of citizenship or
residency and (for Distributions after December 31, 1997) a proper Individual
Taxpayer Identification Number prior to any Distribution, the Company will be
required to withhold 30% of the income, regardless of any treaty provision.

     A payment may not be subject to withholding where the recipient
sufficiently establishes to the Company that such payment is effectively
connected to the recipient's conduct of a trade or business in the United States
and that such payment is includable in the recipient's gross income for United
States federal income tax purposes. Any such Distributions will be subject to
the rules set forth in the section entitled "Withholding."
    


                                       30

                                    32 of 90
<PAGE>   33

   
Federal Estate, Gift, and Generation Skipping Transfer Taxes

     A transfer of the Contract from one Contract Owner to another, or the
payment of a Distribution under the Contract to someone other than a Contract
Owner, may constitute a gift for federal gift tax purposes. Upon the death of
the Contract Owner, the value of the Contract may be included in his or her
gross estate, even if a all or a portion of the value is also subject to federal
income taxes.

     The Company may be required to determine whether the Death Benefit or any
other payment or Distribution constitutes a "direct skip" as defined in Section
2612 of the Code, and the amount of the generation skipping transfer tax, if
any, resulting from such direct skip. A direct skip may occur when property is
transferred to, or a Death Benefit or other Distribution is made to (a) an
individual who is two or more generations younger than the Owner; or (b) certain
trusts, as described in Section 2613 of the Code (generally, trusts that have no
beneficiaries who are not 2 or more generations younger than the Owner). If the
Owner is not an individual, then for this purpose only, "Owner" refers to any
person who would be required to include the Contract, Death Benefit,
Distribution, or other payment in his federal gross estate at his death, or who
is required to report the transfer of the Contract, Death Benefit, Distribution,
or other payment for federal gift tax purposes.

     If the Company determines that a generation skipping transfer tax is
required to be paid by reason of such direct skip, the Company is required to
reduce the amount of such Death Benefit, Distribution, or other payment by such
tax liability, and pay the tax liability directly to the Internal Revenue
Service.

     Federal estate, gift and generation skipping transfer tax consequences, and
state and local estate, inheritance, succession, generation skipping transfer,
and other tax consequences, of owning or transferring a Contract, and of
receiving a Distribution, Death Benefit, or other payment, depend on the
circumstances of the person owning or transferring the Contract, or receiving a
Distribution, Death Benefit, or other payment.
    

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.

Diversification

     The Internal Revenue Service has promulgated regulations under Section
817(h) of the 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.

     Representatives of the Internal Revenue Service have suggested, from time
to time, that the number of underlying Mutual Funds available or the number of
transfer opportunities available under a variable product may be relevant in
determining whether the product qualifies for the desired tax treatment. No
formal guidance has been issued in this area. Should the Secretary of the
Treasury issue additional rules or regulations limiting the number of underlying
Mutual Funds, transfers between underlying Mutual Funds, exchanges of underlying
Mutual Funds or changes in investment objectives of underlying Mutual Funds such
that the Contract would no longer qualify as an annuity under Section 72 of the
Code, the Company will take whatever steps are available to remain in
compliance.

   
Tax Changes

     In the recent past, the Code has been subjected to numerous amendments and
changes, and it is reasonable to believe that it will continue to be revised.
The United States Congress has, in the past, considered numerous legislative
proposals that, if enacted, could change the tax treatment of the Contracts. It
is reasonable to believe that such proposals, and other proposals will be
considered in the future, and some of them may be enacted into law. In addition,
the Treasury Department may amend existing regulations, issue new regulations,
or adopt new interpretations of existing law that may be in variance with its
current positions 
    


                                       31

                                    33 of 90
<PAGE>   34

   
on these matters. In addition, current state law (which is not discussed
herein), and future amendments to state law, may affect the tax consequences of
the Contract.

     The foregoing discussion, which is based on the Company's understanding of
federal tax laws as they are currently interpreted by the Internal Revenue
Service, is general and is not intended as tax advice. Statutes, regulations,
and rulings are subject to interpretation by the courts. The courts may
determine that a different interpretation than the currently favored
interpretation is appropriate, thereby changing the operation of the rules that
are applicable to annuity contracts.

     Any of the foregoing may change from time to time without any notice, and
the tax consequences arising out of a Contract may be changed retroactively.
There is no way of predicting whether, when, and to what extent any such change
may take place. No representation is made as to the likelihood of the
continuation of these current laws, interpretations, and policies.

THE FOREGOING IS A GENERAL EXPLANATION AS TO CERTAIN TAX MATTERS PERTAINING TO
ANNUITY CONTRACTS. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE, AND SHOULD NOT
TAKE THE PLACE OF YOUR INDEPENDENT LEGAL, TAX AND/OR FINANCIAL ADVISOR.
    

                               GENERAL INFORMATION

   
Contract Owner Inquiries

     Contract Owner inquiries may be directed to Nationwide Life Insurance
Company by writing P.O. Box 182008, Columbus, Ohio 43218-2008, or calling
1-800-533-5622, TDD 1-800-238-3035.
    

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. 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 accurately reported on quarterly statements or confirmation
statements 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.

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 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 a
Sub-Account 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.


                                       32

                                    34 of 90
<PAGE>   35

   
     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 fees.
    

     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.

     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.


                                       33

                                    35 of 90
<PAGE>   36

                                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 Advisory Services, Inc., is not engaged
in any litigation of any material nature.

   
     From time to time the Company is a party to litigation and arbitration
proceedings in the ordinary course of its business, none of which is expected to
have a material adverse effect on the Company.

     In recent years, life insurance companies have been named as defendants in
lawsuits, including class action lawsuits, relating to life insurance pricing
and sales practices. A number of these lawsuits have resulted in substantial
jury awards or settlements. In October 1996, a policyholder of Nationwide Life
filed a complaint in Alabama state court against Nationwide Life and an agent of
Nationwide Life (Wayne M. King v. Nationwide Life Insurance Company and Danny
Nix) related to the sale of a whole life policy on a "vanishing premium" basis
and seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. In February 1997,
Nationwide Life was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in New York Supreme
Court also related to the sale of whole life policies on a "vanishing premium"
basis (John H. Snyder v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Nationwide Mutual
Insurance Co. and Nationwide Life Insurance Co.). The plaintiff in such lawsuit
seeks to represent a national class of Nationwide Life policyholders and claims
unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. This lawsuit is in an early stage
and has not been certified as a class action. Nationwide Life intends to defend
these cases vigorously. There can be no assurance that any future litigation
relating to pricing and sales practices will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company.
    

            TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                                                            Page
General Information and History................................................1
Services.......................................................................1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered...........................................1
Underwriters...................................................................2
Calculations of Performance....................................................2
Underlying Mutual Fund Performance Summary...................................N/A
Annuity Payments...............................................................3
Financial Statements...........................................................4


                                       34

                                    36 of 90
<PAGE>   37

                                   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. Transfers
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.


                                       35

                                    37 of 90
<PAGE>   38

                      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.


                                       36

                                    38 of 90
<PAGE>   39

                                   APPENDIX B
                      PARTICIPATING UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS

       Below are the investment objectives of each Underlying Mutual Fund
             available through the Variable Account. THERE CAN BE NO
                          ASSURANCE THAT THE INVESTMENT
                          OBJECTIVES WILL BE ACHIEVED.

Federated Insurance Series

     The Federated Insurance 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 Funds 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.

     -Federated American Leaders Fund II

     Investment Objective: Primarily to achieve long-term growth of capital and
     secondarily, to provide income. The Fund pursues its investment objectives
     by investing under normal circumstances at least 65% of its total assets in
     the common stock of "blue-chip" companies. "Blue-chip" companies are
     generally top-quality, established growth companies which, in the opinion
     of the investment adviser, meet specified criteria which is enumerated in
     the underlying mutual fund prospectus. There is no assurance that the Fund
     will achieve its investment objectives.

     -Federated High Income Bond Fund II

     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(R) Variable Insurance TrustST

     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. Massachusetts Financial Services Company, a Delaware
Corporation ("MFS" or the "Adviser"), is the investment adviser to each Series.


                                       37

                                    39 of 90
<PAGE>   40

     - 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(R) Emerging Growth Series and the MFS(R) 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 Advisory Services, Inc. of One Nationwide
Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215, 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.

     - Small Company Fund

   
     Investment Objective: The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by
     investing primarily in equity securities of domestic and foreign companies
     with market capitalizations of less than $1 billion at the time of
     purchase. Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS"), the Fund's adviser,
     has employed a group of sub-advisers, each of which will manage a portion
     of the Fund's portfolio. These sub-advisers are the Dreyfus Corporation,
     Neuberger & Berman, L.P., Pictet International Management Limited, Van Eck
     Associates Corporation, Strong Capital Management, Inc. and Warburg, Pincus
     Counsellors, Inc. The sub-advisers were chosen because they utilize a
     number of different investment styles when investing in small company
     stocks. By utilizing a number of different investment styles, NAS hopes to
     increase prospects for investment return and to reduce market risk and
     volatility.
    


                                       38

                                    40 of 90
<PAGE>   41

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
   
                                   MAY 1, 1997
    

              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 May
1, 1997. The prospectus may be obtained from Nationwide Life Insurance Company
by writing P. O. Box 182008, Columbus, Ohio 43218-2008, or calling
1-800-533-5622, TDD 1-800-238-3035.
    

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            Page
General Information and History................................................1
Services.......................................................................1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered...........................................1
Underwriters...................................................................2
Calculations of Performance....................................................2
Underlying Mutual Fund Performance Summary...................................N/A
Annuity Payments...............................................................3
Financial Statements...........................................................4

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 Financial Services, Inc. ("NFS"), a holding company. NFS has two
classes of common stock outstanding with different voting rights enabling
Nationwide Corporation (the holder of all of the outstanding Class B Common
Stock) to control NFS. Nationwide Corporation is a holding company, as well. All
of its common stock is held by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (95.3%) and
Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company (4.7%), the ultimate controlling
persons of Nationwide Insurance Enterprise. The Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
is one of America's largest insurance and financial services family of
companies, with combined assets of over $67.5 billion as of December 31, 1996.
    

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 Company, or affiliates of the Company may have
entered into agreements with either the investment adviser or distributor for
several of the underlying Mutual Funds. The agreements relate to administrative
services furnished by the Company or an affiliate of the Company and provide for
an annual fee based on the average aggregate net assets of the Variable Account
(and other separate accounts of the Company or life insurance company
subsidiaries of the Company) invested in particular underlying Mutual Funds.
These fees in no way affect the net asset value of the underlying Mutual Funds
or fees paid by the Contract Owner.

     The financial statements and schedules have been included herein in
reliance upon the report 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


                                        1

                                    41 of 90
<PAGE>   42

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.

     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 Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS"), One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio
43215, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995, no underwriting commissions were paid by the Company to NAS.

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. 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.

     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. 


                                        2

                                    42 of 90
<PAGE>   43

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.

     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

                                    43 of 90
<PAGE>   44

<PAGE>   1


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
                          ----------------------------


The Board of Directors
Nationwide Life Insurance Company:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company and subsidiaries (collectively the Company) as of December 31,
1996 and 1995, 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, 1996.  These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles. 

In 1994, the Company adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting
Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115,
Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.

                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
January 31, 1997
<PAGE>   2





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

                           December 31, 1996 and 1995
                                ($000's omitted)

                                        Assets                                                1996               1995
                                        ------                                          -----------------   ----------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>                 <C>       
Investments (notes 5, 8 and 9): 
   Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
      Fixed maturity securities (cost $11,970,878 in 1996; $11,862,556 in 1995)             $12,304,639          12,485,564
      Equity securities (cost $43,890 in 1996; $23,617 in 1995)                                  59,131              29,953
   Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                         5,272,119           4,602,764
   Real estate, net                                                                             265,759             229,442
   Policy loans                                                                                 371,816             336,356
   Other long-term investments                                                                   28,668              61,989
   Short-term investments (note 13)                                                               4,789              32,792
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                             18,306,921          17,778,860
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------

Cash                                                                                             43,784               9,455
Accrued investment income                                                                       210,182             212,963
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                             1,366,509           1,020,356
Investment in subsidiaries classified as discontinued operations (notes 1 and 2)                485,707             506,677
Other assets (note 6)                                                                           426,441             388,214
Assets held in Separate Accounts (note 8)                                                    26,926,702          18,591,108
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                            $47,766,246          38,507,633
                                                                                        =================   ================

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

Future policy benefits and claims (notes 6 and 8)                                           $17,179,060          16,358,614
Policyholders' dividend accumulations                                                           361,401             348,027
Other policyholder funds                                                                         60,073              65,297
Accrued federal income tax (note 7):
   Current                                                                                       30,170              35,301
   Deferred                                                                                     162,212             246,627
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                                192,382             281,928
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------

Dividend payable to shareholder (notes 1 and 2)                                                 485,707                   -
Other liabilities                                                                               423,047             234,147
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts (note 8)                                            26,926,702          18,591,108
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                             45,628,372          35,879,121
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------

Commitments and contingencies (notes 6, 9 and 15)

Shareholder's equity (notes 3, 4, 5, 12 and 13):
   Capital shares, $1 par value.  Authorized 5,000,000 shares, issued and
      outstanding 3,814,779 shares                                                                3,815               3,815
   Additional paid-in capital                                                                   527,874             657,118
   Retained earnings                                                                          1,432,593           1,583,275
   Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net                                       173,592             384,304
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                              2,137,874           2,628,512
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                            $47,766,246          38,507,633
                                                                                        =================   ================
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   3


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        Consolidated Statements of Income

                  Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   1996            1995            1994
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
<S>                                                                           <C>              <C>             <C>    
Revenues (note 16):
   Investment product and universal life insurance product policy charges       $   400,902        286,534         217,245
   Traditional life insurance premiums                                              198,642        199,106         176,658
   Net investment income (note 5)                                                 1,357,759      1,294,033       1,210,811
   Realized losses on investments  (note 5)                                            (326)        (1,724)        (16,527)
   Other income                                                                      35,861         20,702          11,312
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
                                                                                  1,992,838      1,798,651       1,599,499
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
Benefits and expenses:
   Benefits and claims                                                            1,160,580      1,115,493         992,667
   Provision for policyholders' dividends on participating policies (note 12)        40,973         39,937          38,754
   Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                133,394         82,695          85,568
   Other operating expenses (note 13)                                               342,394        272,954         240,652
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
                                                                                  1,677,341      1,511,079       1,357,641
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
      Income from continuing operations before federal income tax expense           315,497        287,572         241,858
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------

Federal income tax expense (benefit) (note 7):
   Current                                                                          116,512         88,700          73,559
   Deferred                                                                          (5,623)        11,108           5,030
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
                                                                                    110,889         99,808          78,589
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
      Income from continuing operations                                             204,608        187,764         163,269

Income from discontinued operations (less federal income tax expense of
   $4,453, $7,446 and $10,915 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively) (note 2)         11,324         24,714          20,459
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------

      Net income                                                                $   215,932        212,478         183,728
                                                                              ===============  ==============  =============
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   4


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity

                  Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             Unrealized
                                                                                           gains (losses)
                                                             Additional                    on securities        Total
                                                 Capital      paid-in        Retained      available-for-   shareholder's
                                                  shares      capital        earnings        sale, net          equity
                                                ----------- ------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------
<S>                                             <C>         <C>           <C>             <C>               <C>      
1994:
   Balance, beginning of year                       $3,815      406,089       1,194,519             6,745       1,611,168
   Capital contribution                                  -      200,000               -                 -         200,000
   Net income                                            -            -         183,728                 -         183,728
   Adjustment for change in accounting for
      certain investments in debt and equity
      securities, net (note 4)                           -            -               -           212,553         212,553
   Unrealized losses on securities available-
      for-sale, net                                      -            -               -          (338,971)       (338,971)
                                                ----------- ------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------
   Balance, end of year                             $3,815      606,089       1,378,247          (119,673)      1,868,478
                                                =========== ============= =============== ================= ===============

1995:
   Balance, beginning of year                        3,815      606,089       1,378,247          (119,673)      1,868,478
   Capital contribution (note 13)                        -       51,029               -            (4,111)         46,918
   Dividends to shareholder                              -            -          (7,450)                -          (7,450)
   Net income                                            -            -         212,478                 -         212,478
   Unrealized gains on securities available-
      for-sale, net                                      -            -               -           508,088         508,088
                                                ----------- ------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------
   Balance, end of year                             $3,815      657,118       1,583,275           384,304       2,628,512
                                                =========== ============= =============== ================= ===============

1996:
   Balance, beginning of year                        3,815      657,118       1,583,275           384,304       2,628,512
   Capital contribution (note 13)                        -           25               5                 -              30
   Dividends to shareholder                              -     (129,269)       (366,619)          (39,819)       (535,707)
   Net income                                            -            -         215,932                 -         215,932
   Unrealized losses on securities available-
      for-sale, net                                      -            -               -          (170,893)       (170,893)
                                                ----------- ------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------
   Balance, end of year                             $3,815      527,874       1,432,593           173,592       2,137,874
                                                =========== ============= =============== ================= ===============

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   5


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                  Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       1996            1995            1994
                                                                                 ---------------- --------------- ---------------
<S>                                                                              <C>              <C>             <C>    
  Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net income                                                                    $    215,932        212,478         183,728
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
        activities:
           Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs                         (422,572)      (321,327)       (242,431)
           Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                            133,394         82,695          85,568
           Amortization and depreciation                                                  6,962         10,234           3,603
           Realized (gains) losses on invested assets, net                                 (284)         3,250          16,094
           Deferred federal income tax expense (benefit)                                  7,603        (30,673)          9,946
           Decrease (increase) in accrued investment income                               2,781        (16,999)        (12,808)
           (Increase) decrease in other assets                                          (38,876)        39,880        (102,676)
           Increase in policy liabilities                                               305,755        135,937         118,361
           Increase in policyholders' dividend accumulations                             13,374         12,639          15,298
           (Decrease) increase in accrued federal income tax payable                     (5,131)        30,836          (5,714)
           Increase in other liabilities                                                188,900         26,851             506
           Other, net                                                                   (61,679)         1,832         (29,595)
                                                                                 ---------------  --------------- ---------------
              Net cash provided by operating activities                                 346,159        187,633          39,880
                                                                                 ---------------- --------------- ---------------

  Cash flows from investing activities:
     Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale                          1,162,766        634,553         544,843
     Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                                299,558        107,345         228,308
     Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                     -        564,450         491,862
     Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans on real estate                          309,050        207,832         190,574
     Proceeds from sale of real estate                                                   18,519         48,331          46,713
     Proceeds from repayments of policy loans and sale of other invested assets          22,795         53,587         120,506
     Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired                                  (1,573,640)    (1,942,413)     (1,816,370)
     Cost of fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity acquired                              -       (593,636)       (410,379)
     Cost of mortgage loans on real estate acquired                                    (972,776)      (796,026)       (471,570)
     Cost of real estate acquired                                                        (7,862)       (10,928)         (6,385)
     Policy loans issued and other invested assets acquired                             (57,740)       (75,910)        (65,302)
     Short-term investments, net                                                         28,003         77,837         (89,376)
     Purchase of affiliate (note 13)                                                          -              -        (155,000)
                                                                                ---------------- --------------- ---------------
              Net cash used in investing activities                                    (771,327)    (1,724,978)     (1,391,576)
                                                                                ---------------- --------------- ---------------

  Cash flows from financing activities:
     Proceeds from capital contributions                                                     30              -         200,000
     Dividends paid to shareholder                                                      (50,000)        (7,450)              -
     Increase in investment product and universal life insurance
        product account balances                                                      2,293,933      2,809,385       3,547,976
     Decrease in investment product and universal life insurance
        product account balances                                                     (1,784,466)    (1,258,758)     (2,412,595)
                                                                                ---------------- --------------- --------------
              Net cash provided by financing activities                                 459,497      1,543,177       1,335,381
                                                                                ---------------- --------------- --------------

  Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                        34,329          5,832         (16,315)

                                                                                 ---------------- --------------- ---------------
  Cash, beginning of year                                                                 9,455          3,623          19,938
                                                                                 ---------------- --------------- ---------------
  Cash, end of year                                                               $      43,784          9,455           3,623
                                                                                 ================ =============== ===============
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   6




               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                        December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)

(1)      Organization and Description of Business
         ----------------------------------------

         Nationwide Life Insurance Company (NLIC) is a wholly owned subsidiary
         of Nationwide Corporation (Nationwide Corp.). Wholly owned subsidiaries
         of NLIC include Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company (NLAIC),
         Employers Life Insurance Company of Wausau and subsidiaries (ELICW),
         National Casualty Company (NCC), West Coast Life Insurance Company
         (WCLIC), Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. (formerly Nationwide
         Financial Services, Inc.), Nationwide Investment Services Corporation
         (formerly PEBSCO Securities Corporation) (NISC) and NWE, Inc. NLIC and
         its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as "the Company."

         Nationwide Corp. formed Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NFS) in
         November 1996 as a holding company for NLIC and the other companies of
         the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise that offer or distribute long-term
         savings and retirement products. On January 27, 1997, Nationwide Corp.
         contributed to NFS the common stock of NLIC and three marketing and
         distribution companies. NFS is planning an initial public offering of
         its Class A common stock during the first quarter of 1997.

         In anticipation of the restructuring described above, on September 24,
         1996, NLIC's Board of Directors declared a dividend payable January 1,
         1997 to Nationwide Corp. consisting of the outstanding shares of common
         stock of certain subsidiaries (ELICW, NCC and WCLIC) that do not offer
         or distribute long-term savings and retirement products. In addition,
         during 1996, NLIC entered into two reinsurance agreements whereby all
         of NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business was
         ceded to ELICW and another affiliate effective January 1, 1996. These
         subsidiaries and all accident and health and group life insurance
         business have been accounted for as discontinued operations for all
         periods presented. See notes 2 and 13.

         In addition, as part of the restructuring described above, NLIC intends
         to make an $850,000 distribution to NFS which will then make an
         equivalent distribution to Nationwide Corp.

         The Company is a leading provider of long-term savings and retirement
         products to retail and institutional customers and is subject to
         competition from other financial services providers 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 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, new legal theories or
              insurance company insolvencies through guaranty fund assessments
              may create costs for the insurer beyond those currently 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 reinsurance and credit and collection
              policies and by providing for any amounts deemed uncollectible.
<PAGE>   7



               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


              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)      Discontinued Operations
         -----------------------

         As discussed in note 1, NFS is a holding company for NLIC and certain
         other companies that offer or distribute long-term savings and
         retirement products. Prior to the contribution by Nationwide Corp. to
         NFS of the outstanding common stock of NLIC and other companies, NLIC
         effected certain transactions with respect to certain subsidiaries and
         lines of business that were unrelated to long-term savings and
         retirement products.

         On September 24, 1996, NLIC's Board of Directors declared a dividend to
         Nationwide Corp. consisting of the outstanding shares of common stock
         of three subsidiaries: ELICW, NCC and WCLIC. ELICW writes group
         accident and health and group life insurance business and maintains it
         offices in Wausau, Wisconsin. NCC is a property and casualty company
         that serves as a fronting company for a property and casualty
         subsidiary of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (NMIC), an affiliate.
         NCC maintains its offices in Scottsdale, Arizona. WCLIC writes high
         dollar term life insurance policies and is located in San Francisco,
         California. ELICW, NCC and WCLIC have been accounted for as
         discontinued operations for all periods presented. NLIC did not
         recognize any gain or loss on the disposal of these subsidiaries.

         A summary of the combined results of operations, including the results
         of the accident and health and group life insurance business ELICW
         assumed from NLIC in 1996, and assets and liabilities of ELICW, NCC and
         WCLIC as of and for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 is
         as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    1996           1995          1994
                                                                                ------------   -----------   -----------

               <S>                                                               <C>             <C>           <C>   
               Revenues                                                          $   668,870       422,149        84,226
               Net income                                                             11,324        26,456        11,753
               Assets, consisting primarily of investments                         3,029,293     2,967,326     2,537,692
               Liabilities, consisting primarily of policy benefits and claims     2,543,586     2,460,649     2,179,263
</TABLE>

         During 1996, NLIC entered into two reinsurance agreements whereby all
         of NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business was
         ceded to ELICW and NMIC, effective January 1, 1996. See note 13 for a
         complete discussion of the reinsurance agreements. NLIC has
         discontinued its accident and health and group life insurance business
         and in connection therewith has entered into reinsurance agreements to
         cede all existing and any future writings to other affiliated companies
         and will cease writing any new business prior to December 31, 1997.
         NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business is
         accounted for as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
         NLIC did not recognize any gain or loss on the disposal of the accident
         and health and group life insurance business. The assets, liabilities,
         results of operations and activities of discontinued operations are
         distinguished physically, operationally and for financial reporting
         purposes from the remaining assets, liabilities, results of operations
         and activities of NLIC.
<PAGE>   8
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         A summary of the results of operations, net of amounts ceded to ELICW
         and NMIC in 1996, and assets and liabilities of NLIC's accident and
         health and group life insurance business as of and for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    1996           1995          1994
                                                                                ------------   -----------   -----------

<S>                                                                                 <C>            <C>           <C>    
               Revenues                                                             $      -       354,788       362,476
               Net income (loss)                                                           -        (1,742)        8,706
               Assets, consisting primarily of investments                           259,185       239,426       234,082
               Liabilities, consisting primarily of policy benefits and claims       259,185       239,426       234,082
</TABLE>

(3)      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. Annual Statements for NLIC and its insurance
         subsidiaries, filed with the department of insurance of each insurance
         company's state of domicile, are prepared on the basis of accounting
         practices prescribed or permitted by each department. 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.

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

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

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

              The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NLIC
              and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Subsidiaries that are
              classified and reported as discontinued operations are not
              consolidated but rather are reported as "Investment in
              Subsidiaries Classified as Discontinued Operations" in the
              accompanying consolidated balance sheets and "Income for
              Discontinued Operations" in the accompanying consolidated
              statements of income. All significant intercompany balances and
              transactions have been eliminated.

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

              The Company is required to classify its fixed maturity securities
              and equity securities as either held-to-maturity,
              available-for-sale or trading. 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. The Company has no fixed
              maturity securities classified as held-to-maturity or trading as
              of December 31, 1996 or 1995.
<PAGE>   9
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



              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. The measurement of impaired
              loans is 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 fair value of the collateral, if the
              loan is collateral dependent. Loans in foreclosure and loans
              considered to be impaired are placed on non-accrual status.
              Interest received on non-accrual status mortgage loans on real
              estate are included in interest income in the period received.

              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. Impairment
              losses are recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when
              indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash
              flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the
              assets' carrying amount.

              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.

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

              INVESTMENT PRODUCTS AND UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS:
              Investment products consist primarily of individual and group
              variable and fixed annuities, annuities without life contingencies
              and guaranteed investment contracts. Universal life insurance
              products include universal life insurance, variable universal life
              insurance and other interest-sensitive life insurance policies.
              Revenues for investment products and universal life insurance
              products consist of net investment income, asset fees, 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 interest credited to policy account balances and benefits
              and claims incurred in the period in excess of related policy
              account balances.

              TRADITIONAL LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS: Traditional life insurance
              products include those products with fixed and guaranteed premiums
              and benefits and consist primarily of whole life insurance,
              limited-payment life insurance, term life insurance and certain
              annuities with life contingencies. Premiums for traditional life
              insurance products are recognized as revenue when due. 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.

              ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE PRODUCTS: 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. All accident and health insurance
              business is accounted for as discontinued operations. See note 2.

         (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
              investment products and universal life insurance 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, asset fees, 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. For traditional life products,
              these deferred policy 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. Deferred policy acquisition costs are adjusted to
              reflect the impact of unrealized gains and losses on fixed
              maturity securities available-for-sale as described in note 3(b).
<PAGE>   10

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

         (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.

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

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

              Future policy benefits for traditional life insurance 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 and claims for collectively renewable
              long-term disability policies and group long-term disability
              policies are the present value 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
              insurance policies are not discounted. All health insurance
              business is accounted for as discontinued operations. See note 2.

         (g)  Participating Business
              ----------------------

              Participating business represents approximately 52% in 1996 (54%
              in 1995 and 55% in 1994) of the Company's life insurance in force,
              78% in 1996 (79% in 1995 and 79% in 1994) of the number of life
              insurance policies in force, and 40% in 1996 (47% in 1995 and 51%
              in 1994) 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.

         (h)  Federal Income Tax
              ------------------

              The Company, with the exception of ELICW, files a consolidated
              federal income tax return with NMIC, the majority shareholder of
              Nationwide Corp. The members of the consolidated tax return group
              have a tax sharing arrangement which provides, in effect, for each
              member to bear essentially the same federal income tax liability
              as if separate tax returns were filed. Through 1994, ELICW filed a
              consolidated federal income tax return with Employers Insurance of
              Wausau A Mutual Company, an affiliate. Beginning in 1995, ELICW
              files a separate federal income tax return.

              The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting
              for income tax. Under this 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.
<PAGE>   11
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         (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. All of the Company's accident
              and health and group life insurance business is ceded to
              affiliates and is accounted for as discontinued operations. See
              notes 2 and 13.

         (j)  Reclassification
              ----------------

              Certain items in the 1995 and 1994 consolidated financial
              statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1996
              presentation.


(4)      Change in Accounting Principle
         ------------------------------

         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 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (SFAS)
         NO. 115 - ACCOUNTING FOR CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY
         SECURITIES. As of January 1, 1994, the Company classified fixed
         maturity securities with amortized cost and fair value of $6,299,665
         and $6,721,714, 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>
<CAPTION>

             <S>                                                                     <C>    
             Excess of fair value over amortized cost of fixed maturity
                securities available-for-sale                                         $ 422,049
             Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                            (95,044)
             Deferred federal income tax                                               (114,452)
                                                                                    --------------
                                                                                      $ 212,553
                                                                                    ==============
</TABLE>


(5)      Investments
         -----------

         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities
         available-for-sale were as follows as of December 31, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     Gross         Gross
                                                                    Amortized     unrealized    unrealized     Estimated
                                                                      cost           gains        losses       fair value
                                                                  ------------    ----------    -----------    -----------  
<S>                                                                <C>             <C>          <C>            <C>    
             1996:
               Fixed maturity securities:
                 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
                   U.S. government corporations and agencies       $   275,696         4,795        (1,340)        279,151
                 Obligations of states and political subdivisions        6,242           450            (2)          6,690
                 Debt securities issued by foreign governments         100,656         2,141          (857)        101,940
                 Corporate securities                                7,999,310       285,946       (33,686)      8,251,570
                 Mortgage-backed securities                          3,588,974        91,438       (15,124)      3,665,288
                                                                   ------------    ----------   ------------   ------------ 
                     Total fixed maturity securities                11,970,878       384,770       (51,009)     12,304,639
               Equity securities                                        43,890        15,571          (330)         59,131
                                                                   ------------    ----------   ------------   ------------ 
                                                                   $12,014,768       400,341       (51,339)     12,363,770
                                                                   ============    ==========   ============   ============ 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   12
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities
         available-for-sale were as follows as of December 31, 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     Gross         Gross
                                                                    Amortized     unrealized    unrealized     Estimated
                                                                      cost           gains        losses       fair value
                                                                   ------------    ----------   -----------  ---------------
<S>                                                                <C>                <C>              <C>         <C>    
             1995:
               Fixed maturity securities:
                 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of 
                   U.S. government corporations and agencies       $   310,186        12,764           (1)         322,949
                 Obligations of states and political subdivisions        8,655         1,205           (1)           9,859
                 Debt securities issued by foreign governments         101,414         4,387          (66)         105,735
                 Corporate securities                                7,888,440       473,681      (25,742)       8,336,379
                 Mortgage-backed securities                          3,553,861       165,169       (8,388)       3,710,642
                                                                   ------------    ----------   -----------  ---------------
                     Total fixed maturity securities                11,862,556       657,206      (34,198)      12,485,564
               Equity securities                                        23,617         6,382          (46)          29,953
                                                                   ------------    ----------   -----------  ---------------
                                                                   $11,886,173       663,588      (34,244)      12,515,517
                                                                   ============    ==========   ===========  ===============
</TABLE>


         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity
         securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 1996, 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                                         $     440,235          444,214
                Due after one year through five years                               3,937,010        4,053,152
                Due after five years through ten years                              2,809,813        2,871,806
                Due after ten years                                                 1,194,846        1,270,179
                                                                                ---------------   --------------
                                                                                    8,381,904        8,639,351

             Mortgage-backed securities                                             3,588,974        3,665,288
                                                                                ---------------   --------------
                                                                                  $11,970,878       12,304,639
                                                                                ===============   ==============
</TABLE>


         The components of unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale,
         net, were as follows as of December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

             <S>                                                                  <C>              <C>    
             Gross unrealized gains                                               $349,002         629,344
             Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                       (81,939)       (138,914)
             Deferred federal income tax                                           (93,471)       (171,649)
                                                                              ---------------  --------------
                                                                                   173,592         318,781

             Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net, of
                subsidiaries classified as discontinued operations (note 2)              -          65,523
                                                                              ---------------  --------------
                                                                                  $173,592         384,304
                                                                              ===============  ==============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   13
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         An analysis of the change in gross unrealized gains (losses) on
         securities available-for-sale and fixed maturity securities
         held-to-maturity follows for the years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          1996             1995            1994
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  --------------
             <S>                                                     <C>               <C>            <C>    
             Securities available-for-sale:
                Fixed maturity securities                               $(289,247)         876,332       (675,373)
                Equity securities                                           8,905              (26)        (1,927)
             Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                         -           75,626       (398,183)
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  --------------
                                                                        $(280,342)         951,932     (1,075,483)
                                                                     ===============   =============  ==============
</TABLE>

         Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale during 1996,
         1995 and 1994 were $299,558, $107,345 and $228,308, respectively.
         During 1996, gross gains of $6,606 ($4,838 and $3,045 in 1995 and 1994,
         respectively) and gross losses of $6,925 ($2,147 and $21,280 in 1995
         and 1994, respectively) were realized on those sales.

         During 1995, the Company transferred fixed maturity securities
         classified as held-to-maturity with amortized cost of $25,429 to
         available-for-sale securities due to evidence of a significant
         deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness. The transfer of those
         fixed maturity securities resulted in a gross unrealized loss of
         $3,535.

         As permitted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Special
         Report, A GUIDE TO IMPLEMENTATION OF STATEMENT 115 ON ACCOUNTING FOR
         CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES, issued in November
         1995 the Company transferred all of its fixed maturity securities
         previously classified as held-to-maturity to available-for-sale. As of
         December 14, 1995, the date of transfer, the fixed maturity securities
         had amortized cost of $3,320,093, resulting in a gross unrealized gain
         of $155,940.

         Investments that were non-income producing for the twelve month period
         preceding December 31, 1996 amounted to $26,805 ($27,712 in 1995) and
         consisted of $248 ($6,982 in 1995) in fixed maturity securities,
         $20,633 ($14,740 in 1995) in real estate and $5,924 ($5,990 in 1995) in
         other long-term investments.

         Real estate is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation of
         $30,338 as of December 31, 1996 ($30,482 as of December 31, 1995) and
         valuation allowances of $15,219 as of December 31, 1996 ($25,819 as of
         December 31, 1995).

         The recorded investment of mortgage loans on real estate considered to
         be impaired (under SFAS NO. 114 - ACCOUNTING BY CREDITORS FOR
         IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN as amended by SFAS NO. 118 - ACCOUNTING BY
         CREDITORS FOR IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN-INCOME RECOGNITION AND DISCLOSURE)
         as of December 31, 1996 was $51,765 ($44,409 as of December 31, 1995),
         which includes $41,663 ($23,975 as of December 31, 1995) of impaired
         mortgage loans on real estate for which the related valuation allowance
         was $8,485 ($5,276 as of December 31, 1995) and $10,102 ($20,434 as of
         December 31, 1995) of impaired mortgage loans on real estate for which
         there was no valuation allowance. During 1996, the average recorded
         investment in impaired mortgage loans on real estate was approximately
         $39,674 ($22,181 in 1995) and interest income recognized on those loans
         was $2,103 ($387 in 1995), which is equal to interest income recognized
         using a cash-basis method of income recognition.

         Activity in the valuation allowance account for mortgage loans on real
         estate is summarized for the years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

<S>                                                                                <C>             <C>   
             Allowance, beginning of year                                          $49,128         46,381
                  Additions charged to operations                                    4,497          7,433
                  Direct write-downs charged against the allowance                  (2,587)        (4,686)
                                                                               -------------  -------------  
             Allowance, end of year                                                $51,038         49,128
                                                                               =============  ==============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   14

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         An analysis of investment income by investment type follows for the
         years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          1996             1995           1994
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  ------------
        <S>                                                           <C>              <C>            <C>          
             Gross investment income:
                 Securities available-for-sale:
                   Fixed maturity securities                          $   917,135          685,787        647,927
                   Equity securities                                        1,291            1,330            509
                 Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                     -          201,808        185,938
                 Mortgage loans on real estate                            432,815          395,478        372,734
                 Real estate                                               44,332           38,344         40,170
                 Short-term investments                                     4,155           10,576          6,141
                 Other                                                      3,998            7,239          2,121
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  --------------
                       Total investment income                          1,403,726        1,340,562      1,255,540
             Less investment expenses                                      45,967           46,529         44,729
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  ---------------  
                       Net investment income                           $1,357,759        1,294,033      1,210,811
                                                                     ===============   =============  ==============
</TABLE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1996          1995          1994
                                                                     ------------  ------------  ------------
        <S>                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>    
             Securities available-for-sale:
                Fixed maturity securities                              $(3,462)        4,213        (7,296)
                Equity securities                                        3,143         3,386         1,422
             Mortgage loans on real estate                              (4,115)       (7,091)      (20,446)
             Real estate and other                                       4,108        (2,232)        9,793
                                                                     ------------  ------------  ------------ 
                                                                      $   (326)       (1,724)      (16,527)
                                                                     ============  ============  ============
</TABLE>

         Fixed maturity securities with an amortized cost of $6,161 and $5,592
         as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, 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 investment contracts
         represents approximately 87% and 87% of the total liability for future
         policy benefits as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The
         average interest rate credited on investment product policies was
         approximately 6.3%, 6.6% and 6.5% for the years ended December 31,
         1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

         The liability for future policy benefits for traditional life insurance
         policies has been established based upon the following assumptions:

              Interest rates:  Interest rates vary as follows:
              --------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                   Year of issue                Interest rates
                   -----------------   ----------------------------------------

                   <S>                <C>                
                   1996                6.6%, not graded
                   1984-1995           6.0% to 10.5%, not graded
                   1966-1983           6.0% to 8.1%, graded over 20 years to 4.0% to 6.6%
                   1965 and prior      generally lower than post 1965 issues

</TABLE>
<PAGE>   15
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


              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 Company has entered into a reinsurance contract to cede a portion
         of its general account individual annuity business to The Franklin Life
         Insurance Company (Franklin). Total recoveries due from Franklin were
         $240,451 and $245,255 as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
         The contract is immaterial to the Company's results of operations. The
         ceding of risk does not discharge the original insurer from its primary
         obligation to the policyholder. Under the terms of the contract,
         Franklin has established a trust as collateral for the recoveries. The
         trust assets are invested in investment grade securities, the market
         value of which must at all times be greater than or equal to 102% of
         the reinsured reserves.

         The Company has reinsurance agreements with certain affiliates as
         described in note 13. All other reinsurance agreements are not material
         to either premiums or reinsurance recoverables.

(7)      Federal Income Tax
         -------------------

         The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
         components of the net deferred tax liability as of December 31, 1996
         and 1995 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              1996               1995
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
            <S>                                                         <C>                 <C>    
             Deferred tax assets:
                Future policy benefits                                        $175,571            149,192
                Liabilities in Separate Accounts                               188,426            129,120
                Mortgage loans on real estate and real estate                   23,366             25,165
                Other policyholder funds                                         7,407              7,424
                Other assets and other liabilities                              53,757             41,847
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
                  Total gross deferred tax assets                              448,527            352,748
                  Less valuation allowances                                     (7,000)            (7,000)
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
                  Net deferred tax assets                                      441,527            345,748
                                                                        =================   ===============

             Deferred tax liabilities:
                Deferred policy acquisition costs                              399,345            299,579
                Fixed maturity securities                                      133,210            227,345
                Deferred tax on realized investment gains                       37,597             40,634
                Equity securities and other long-term investments                8,210              3,780
                Other                                                           25,377             21,037
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
                  Total gross deferred tax liabilities                         603,739            592,375
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
                                                                              $162,212            246,627
                                                                        =================   ===============
</TABLE>

         In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management
         considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of the
         total gross deferred tax assets will not be realized. Nearly all future
         deductible amounts can be offset by future taxable amounts or recovery
         of federal income tax paid within the statutory carryback period. There
         has been no change in the valuation allowance for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.
<PAGE>   16

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

         Total federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1996,
         1995 and 1994 differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S.
         federal income tax rate to income before tax as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                1996                    1995                    1994
                                                   ----------------------   ----------------------   ----------------------
                                                      Amount        %          Amount        %          Amount        %
                                                   ----------------------   ----------------------   ----------------------

             <S>                                      <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>         <C> 
             Computed (expected) tax expense          $110,424     35.0        $100,650     35.0         $84,650     35.0
             Tax exempt interest and dividends
                received deduction                        (212)    (0.1)            (18)    (0.0)           (130)    (0.1)
             Other, net                                    677      0.3            (824)    (0.3)         (5,931)    (2.5)
                                                   ------------  --------   ------------- --------   ------------- --------
               Total (effective rate of each year)    $110,889     35.2       $  99,808     34.7         $78,589     32.5
                                                   ============  ========   ============= ========   ============= ========
</TABLE>

         Total federal  income tax paid was $115,839,  $51,840 and $83,239  
         during the years ended  December 31, 1996,  1995 and 1994, 
         respectively.


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

         SFAS 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. SFAS 107 defines the
         fair value of a financial instrument as the amount at which the
         financial instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction
         between willing parties. 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
         life insurance contracts is 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 consolidated balance sheets for these instruments
              approximates their fair value.

              FIXED MATURITY AND EQUITY 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, which includes certain surrender
              charges.
<PAGE>   17
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


              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 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 analyses. Interest rates used are similar to currently
              offered contracts with maturities consistent with those remaining
              for the contracts being valued.

              POLICY RESERVES ON LIFE INSURANCE CONTRACTS: Included are
              disclosures for individual life insurance, universal life
              insurance 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.

              COMMITMENTS TO EXTEND CREDIT: Commitments to extend credit have
              nominal fair value because of the short-term nature of such
              commitments. See note 9.

           Carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instruments
           subject to SFAS 107 and policy reserves on life insurance contracts
           were as follows as of December 31, 1996 and 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           1996                            1995
                                                             ------------------------------   -------------------------------
                                                                Carrying      Estimated          Carrying       Estimated
                                                                 amount       fair value          amount        fair value
                                                             ------------------------------   --------------- ---------------
               <S>                                             <C>             <C>               <C>             <C>       
               Assets
               ------
               Investments:
                  Securities available-for-sale:
                     Fixed maturity securities                 $12,304,639     12,304,639        12,485,564      12,485,564
                     Equity securities                              59,131         59,131            29,953          29,953
                  Mortgage loans on real estate, net             5,272,119      5,397,865         4,602,764       4,961,655
                  Policy loans                                     371,816        371,816           336,356         336,356
                  Short-term investments                             4,789          4,789            32,792          32,792
               Cash                                                 43,784         43,784             9,455           9,455
               Assets held in Separate Accounts                 26,926,702     26,926,702        18,591,108      18,591,108

               Liabilities
               -----------
               Investment contracts                             13,914,441     13,484,526        13,229,360      12,876,798
               Policy reserves on life insurance contracts       2,971,337      2,775,991         2,836,323       2,733,486
               Policyholders' dividend accumulations               361,401        361,401           348,027         348,027
               Other policyholder funds                             60,073         60,073            65,297          65,297
               Liabilities related to Separate Accounts         26,926,702     26,164,213        18,591,108      18,052,362
</TABLE>

(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.
<PAGE>   18
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         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 75% 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 $327,456 extending into
         1997 were outstanding as of December 31, 1996.

         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 21% (20% in 1995) in any geographic area and no more than 2% (2%
         in 1995) with any one borrower as of December 31, 1996.

         The Company had a significant reinsurance recoverable balance from one
         reinsurer as of December 31, 1996 and 1995. See note 6.

         The summary below depicts loans by remaining principal balance as of
         December 31, 1996 and 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             Apartment
                                                Office       Warehouse         Retail         & other           Total
                                              ------------  -------------   -------------   -------------   --------------
              <S>                              <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>                 
               1996:
                 East North Central             $139,518        119,069         549,064         215,038        1,022,689
                 East South Central               33,267         22,252         172,968          90,623          319,110
                 Mountain                         17,972         43,027         113,292          73,390          247,681
                 Middle Atlantic                 129,077         54,046         160,833          18,498          362,454
                 New England                      33,348         43,581         161,960               -          238,889
                 Pacific                         202,562        325,046         424,295         110,108        1,062,011
                 South Atlantic                  103,889        134,492         482,934         385,185        1,106,500
                 West North Central              126,467          2,441          75,180          40,529          244,617
                 West South Central              104,877        120,314         197,090         304,256          726,537
                                              -------------   -------------   -------------   --------------  ------------
                                                $890,977        864,268       2,337,616       1,237,627        5,330,488
                                              ============  =============   =============   =============
                    Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                                            58,369
                                                                                                            --------------
                         Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                                             $5,272,119
                                                                                                            ==============
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                 <S>                          <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>    
               1995:
                 East North Central             $138,965        101,925         514,995         175,213          931,098
                 East South Central               21,329         13,053         180,858          82,383          297,623
                 Mountain                              -         17,219         138,220          45,274          200,713
                 Middle Atlantic                 116,187         64,813         158,252          10,793          350,045
                 New England                       9,559         39,525         148,449               1          197,534
                 Pacific                         183,206        233,186         374,915         105,419          896,726
                 South Atlantic                  106,246         73,541         446,800         278,265          904,852
                 West North Central              133,899         14,205          78,065          36,651          262,820
                 West South Central               69,140         92,594         190,299         267,268          619,301
                                              ------------  ------------    -------------   -------------   --------------
                                                $778,531        650,061       2,230,853       1,001,267        4,660,712
                                              ============  =============   =============   =============
                    Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                                            57,948
                                                                                                            --------------
                         Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                                             $4,602,764
                                                                                                            ==============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   19
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


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

         The Company is a participant, 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. Benefits are based upon the highest
         average annual salary of a specified number of 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.

         Effective January 1, 1995, the plan was amended to provide enhanced
         benefits for participants who met certain eligibility requirements and
         elected early retirement no later than March 15, 1995. The entire cost
         of the enhanced benefit was borne by NMIC and certain of its property
         and casualty insurance company affiliates.

         Effective December 31, 1995, the Nationwide Insurance Companies and
         Affiliates Retirement Plan was merged with the Farmland Mutual
         Insurance Company Employees' Retirement Plan and the Wausau Insurance
         Companies Pension Plan to form the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
         Retirement Plan. Immediately prior to the merger, the plans were
         amended to provide consistent benefits for service after January 1,
         1996. These amendments had no significant impact on the accumulated
         benefit obligation or projected benefit obligation as of December 31,
         1995.

         Pension costs charged to operations by the Company during the years
         ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $7,381, $10,478 and
         $10,063, respectively.

         The Company's net accrued pension expense as of December 31, 1996 and
         1995 was $1,075 and $1,392, respectively.

         The net periodic pension cost for the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
         Retirement Plan as a whole for the year ended December 31, 1996 and for
         the Nationwide Insurance Companies and Affiliates Retirement Plan as a
         whole for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1996             1995              1994
                                                                   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

              <S>                                                    <C>                  <C>               <C>   
              Service cost (benefits earned during the period)       $   75,466           64,524            64,740
              Interest cost on projected benefit obligation             105,511           95,283            73,951
              Actual return on plan assets                             (210,583)        (249,294)          (21,495)
              Net amortization and deferral                             101,795          143,353           (62,150)
                                                                   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                     $   72,189           53,866            55,046
                                                                   ===============  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>


         Basis for measurements, net periodic pension cost:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1996             1995              1994
                                                                   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

              <S>                                                   <C>              <C>               <C>  
              Weighted average discount rate                           6.00%            7.50%             5.75%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels           4.25%            6.25%             4.50%
              Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets         6.75%            8.75%             7.00%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   20
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         Information regarding the funded status of the Nationwide Insurance
         Enterprise Retirement Plan as a whole as of December 31, 1996 and 1995
         follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                1996              1995
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------
              <S>                                                          <C>               <C>      
              Accumulated benefit obligation:
                 Vested                                                      $1,338,554         1,236,730
                 Nonvested                                                       11,149            26,503
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------
                                                                             $1,349,703         1,263,233
                                                                           ===============   ===============

              Net accrued pension expense:
                 Projected benefit obligation for services rendered to       
                    date                                                     $1,847,828         1,780,616
                 Plan assets at fair value                                    1,947,933         1,738,004
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------
                    Plan assets in excess of (less than) projected benefit
                       obligation                                               100,105           (42,612)
                 Unrecognized prior service cost                                 37,870            42,845
                 Unrecognized net gains                                        (201,952)          (63,130)
                 Unrecognized net asset at transition                            37,158            41,305
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------
                                                                            $   (26,819)          (21,592)
                                                                           ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

         Basis for measurements, funded status of plan:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                1996              1995
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------

              <S>                                                              <C>               <C>  
              Weighted average discount rate                                   6.50%             6.00%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels                   4.75%             4.25%
</TABLE>

         Assets of the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise Retirement Plan are
         invested in group annuity contracts of NLIC and ELICW.

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

         In addition to the defined benefit pension plan, the Company, together
         with other affiliated companies, participates in life and health care
         defined benefit plans for qualifying retirees. Postretirement life and
         health care benefits are contributory and generally 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
         health care benefit contributions are adjusted annually and contain
         cost-sharing features such as deductibles and coinsurance. In addition,
         there are caps on the Company's portion of the per-participant cost of
         the postretirement health care benefits. These caps can increase
         annually, but not more than three percent. The Company's policy is to
         fund the cost of health care benefits in amounts determined at the
         discretion of management. Plan assets are invested primarily in group
         annuity contracts of NLIC.

         The Company elected to immediately recognize its estimated accumulated
         postretirement benefit obligation; however, certain affiliated
         companies elected to amortize their initial transition obligation over
         periods ranging from 10 to 20 years.

         The Company's accrued postretirement benefit expense as of December 31,
         1996 and 1995 was $34,884 and $33,537, respectively, and the net
         periodic postretirement benefit cost (NPPBC) for 1996, 1995 and 1994
         was $3,286, $3,132 and $4,284, respectively.
<PAGE>   21
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The amount of NPPBC for the plan as a whole for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                        1996          1995          1994
                                                                                     -----------   -----------   -----------

            <S>                                                                       <C>              <C>           <C>  
             Service cost (benefits attributed to employee service during the year)   $  6,541         6,235         8,586
             Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation             13,679        14,151        14,011
             Actual return on plan assets                                               (4,348)       (2,657)       (1,622)
             Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates              173         2,966           568
             Net amortization and deferral                                               1,830        (1,619)        1,622
                                                                                     -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                                                       $17,875        19,076        23,165
                                                                                     ===========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>

         Information regarding the funded status of the plan as a whole as of
         December 31, 1996 and 1995 follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             1996              1995
                                                                                        ---------------   ---------------
             <S>                                                                          <C>                   <C>   
             Accrued postretirement benefit expense:
                Retirees                                                                  $   92,954            88,680
                Fully eligible, active plan participants                                      23,749            28,793
                Other active plan participants                                                83,986            90,375
                                                                                        ---------------   ---------------
                   Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)                      200,689           207,848
                Plan assets at fair value                                                     63,044            54,325
                                                                                        ---------------   ---------------
                   Plan assets less than accumulated postretirement benefit obligation      (137,645)         (153,523)
                Unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates                               1,654             1,827
                Unrecognized net gains                                                       (23,225)           (1,038)
                                                                                        ---------------   ---------------
                                                                                           $(159,216)         (152,734)
                                                                                        ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

         Actuarial  assumptions  used for the  measurement  of the APBO as of 
         December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the NPPBC for 1996, 1995 and 1994 were 
         as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1996          1996         1995         1995         1994
                                                      APBO         NPPBC         APBO        NPPBC         NPPBC
                                                   ------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------
             <S>                                     <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>  

             Discount rate                            7.25%         6.65%        6.75%        8.00%        7.00%
             Long-term rate of return on plan
                 assets, net of tax                     -           4.80%         -           8.00%         N/A
             Assumed health care cost trend rate:
                 Initial rate                        11.00%        11.00%       11.00%       10.00%       12.00%
                 Ultimate rate                        6.00%         6.00%        6.00%        6.00%        6.00%
                 Uniform declining period           12 Years      12 Years     12 Years     12 Years     12 Years
</TABLE>


         The health care cost trend rate assumption has an effect on the amounts
         reported. For the plan as a whole, a one percentage point increase in
         the assumed health care cost trend rate would increase the APBO as of
         December 31, 1996 by $701 and the NPPBC for the year ended December 31,
         1996 by $83.

(12)     Shareholder's Equity, 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 company subsidiaries exceed the minimum risk-based capital
         requirements.
<PAGE>   22
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The statutory capital shares and surplus of NLIC as of December 31,
         1996, 1995 and 1994 was $1,000,647, $1,363,031 and $1,262,861,
         respectively. The statutory net income of NLIC for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was $73,218, $86,529 and $76,532,
         respectively.

         NLIC is limited in the amount of shareholder dividends it may pay
         without prior approval by the Department of Insurance of the State of
         Ohio (the Department). NLIC's dividend of the outstanding shares of
         common stock of certain companies which was declared on September 24,
         1996 and the anticipated $850,000 dividend (as discussed in note 1) are
         deemed extraordinary under Ohio insurance laws. As a result of such
         dividends, any dividend paid by NLIC during the 12-month period
         immediately following the $850,000 dividend would also be an
         extraordinary dividend under Ohio insurance laws. Accordingly, no such
         dividend could be paid without prior regulatory approval.

         In addition, the payment of dividends by NLIC may also be subject to
         restrictions set forth in the insurance laws of New York that limit the
         amount of statutory profits on NLIC's participating policies (measured
         before dividends to policyholders) that can inure to the benefit of the
         Company and its stockholder.

         The Company currently does not expect such regulatory requirements to
         impair its ability to pay operating expenses and stockholder dividends
         in the future.

(13)     Transactions With Affiliates
         ----------------------------

         The Company leases office space from NMIC and certain of its
         subsidiaries. For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the
         Company made lease payments to NMIC and its subsidiaries of $9,065,
         $8,986 and $8,133, respectively.

         Pursuant to a cost sharing agreement among NMIC and certain of its
         direct and indirect subsidiaries, including the Company, NMIC provides
         certain operational and administrative services, such as sales support,
         advertising, personnel and general management services, to those
         subsidiaries. Expenses covered by this agreement are subject to
         allocation among NMIC, the Company and other affiliates. Amounts
         allocated to the Company were $101,584, $107,112, and $100,601 in 1996,
         1995 and 1994, respectively. The allocations are based on techniques
         and procedures in accordance with insurance regulatory guidelines.
         Measures used to allocate expenses among companies include individual
         employee estimates of time spent, special cost studies, salary expense,
         commissions expense and other methods agreed to by the participating
         companies that are within industry guidelines and practices. The
         Company believes these allocation methods are reasonable. In addition,
         the Company does not believe that expenses recognized under the
         intercompany agreements are materially different than expenses that
         would have been recognized had the Company operated on a stand alone
         basis. Amounts payable to NMIC from the Company under the cost sharing
         agreement were $15,111 and $1,186 as of December 31, 1996 and 1995,
         respectively.

         The Company also 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 1996 and
         1995 were not material. The Company believes that the terms of the
         repurchase agreements are materially consistent with what the Company
         could have obtained with unaffiliated parties.
<PAGE>   23

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

         Intercompany reinsurance contracts exist between NLIC and, respectively
         NMIC and ELICW whereby all of NLIC's accident and health and group life
         insurance business is ceded on a modified coinsurance basis. NLIC
         entered into the reinsurance agreements during 1996 because the
         accident and health and group life insurance business was unrelated to
         NLIC's long-term savings and retirement products. Accordingly, the
         accident and health and group life insurance business has been
         accounted for as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
         Under modified coinsurance agreements, invested assets are retained by
         the ceding company and investment earnings are paid to the reinsurer.
         Under the terms of NLIC's agreements, the investment risk associated
         with changes in interest rates is borne by NMIC or ELICW, as the case
         may be. Risk of asset default is retained by NLIC, although a fee is
         paid by NMIC or ELICW, as the case may be, to NLIC for the NLIC's
         retention of such risk. The agreements will remain in force until all
         policy obligations are settled. However, with respect to the agreement
         between NLIC and NMIC, either party may terminate the contract on
         January 1 of any year with prior notice. The ceding of risk does not
         discharge the original insurer from its primary obligation to the
         policyholder. NLIC believes that the terms of the modified coinsurance
         agreements are consistent in all material respects with what NLIC could
         have obtained with unaffiliated parties.

         Amounts ceded to ELICW in 1996 are included in ELICW's results of
         operations for 1996 which, combined with the results of WCLIC and NCC,
         are summarized in note 2. Amounts ceded to ELICW in 1996 include
         premiums of $224,224, net investment income and other revenue of
         $14,833, and benefits, claims and other expenses of $246,641. Amounts
         ceded to NMIC in 1996 include premiums of $97,331, net investment
         income of $10,890, and benefits, claims and other expenses of $100,476.

         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 $4,789 and $9,654 as of December 31,
         1996 and 1995, respectively, and are included in short-term investments
         on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

         On April, 5 1996, Nationwide Corp. contributed all of the outstanding
         shares, with shareholder equity value of $30, of NISC to NLIC. NLIC
         contributed an additional $500 to NISC on August 30, 1996.

         On March 1, 1995, Nationwide Corp. contributed all of the outstanding
         shares of common stock of Farmland Life Insurance Company (Farmland) to
         NLIC. Farmland merged into WCLIC effective June 30, 1995. The
         contribution resulted in a direct increase to consolidated
         shareholder's equity of $46,918. As discussed in note 2, WCLIC is
         accounted for as discontinued operations.

         Effective December 31, 1994, NLIC purchased all of the outstanding
         shares of common stock of ELICW from Wausau Service Corporation (WSC)
         for $155,000. 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. 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. As discussed in note 2, ELICW is
         accounted for as discontinued operations.

         Certain annuity products are sold through three affiliated companies
         which are also subsidiaries of Nationwide Corp. Total commissions and
         fees paid to these affiliates for the years ended December 31, 1996,
         1995 and 1994 were $76,922, $57,280 and $50,168, respectively.

(14)     Bank Lines of Credit
         --------------------

         In August 1996, NLIC, along with NMIC, established a $600,000 revolving
         credit facility which provides for a $600,000 loan over a five year
         term on a fully revolving basis with a group of national financial
         institutions. The credit facility provides for several and not joint
         liability with respect to any amount drawn by either NLIC or NMIC. NLIC
         and NMIC pay facility and usage fees to the financial institutions to
         maintain the revolving credit facility. All previously existing line of
         credit agreements were canceled.
<PAGE>   24
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(15)     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.

(16)     Segment Information
         -------------------

         The Company has three primary segments: Variable Annuities, Fixed
         Annuities and Life Insurance. The Variable Annuities segment consists
         of annuity contracts that provide the customer with the opportunity to
         invest in mutual funds managed by the Company and independent
         investment managers, with the investment returns accumulating on a
         tax-deferred basis. The Fixed Annuities segment consists of annuity
         contracts that generate a return for the customer at a specified
         interest rate, fixed for a prescribed period, with returns accumulating
         on a tax-deferred basis. The Life Insurance segment consists of
         insurance products that provide a death benefit and may also allow the
         customer to build cash value on a tax-deferred basis. In addition, the
         Company reports corporate expenses and investments, and the related
         investment income supporting capital not specifically allocated to its
         product segments in a Corporate and Other segment. In addition, all
         realized gains and losses, investment management fees and other revenue
         earned from mutual funds, other than the portion allocated to the
         variable annuities and life insurance segments, are reported in the
         Corporate and Other segment.

         During 1996, the Company changed its reporting segments to better
         reflect the way the businesses are managed. Prior periods have been
         restated to reflect these changes.

         The following table summarizes the revenues and income from continuing
         operations before federal income tax expense for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 and assets as of December 31, 1996,
         1995 and 1994, by business segment.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              1996              1995              1994
                                                                        -----------------  ---------------   ---------------
             <S>                                                        <C>                <C>               <C>    
              Revenues:
                   Variable Annuities                                      $    284,638          189,071           132,687
                   Fixed Annuities                                            1,092,566        1,051,970           939,868
                   Life Insurance                                               435,657          409,135           383,150
                   Corporate and Other                                          179,977          148,475           143,794
                                                                        -----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                           $  1,992,838        1,798,651         1,599,499
                                                                        =================  ===============   ===============

              Income from continuing operations before federal income tax
                 expense:
                   Variable Annuities                                            90,244           50,837            24,574
                   Fixed Annuities                                              135,405          137,000           138,950
                   Life Insurance                                                67,242           67,590            53,046
                   Corporate and Other                                           22,606           32,145            25,288
                                                                        -----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                          $     315,497          287,572           241,858
                                                                        =================  ===============   ===============

              Assets:

                   Variable Annuities                                        25,069,725       17,333,039        11,146,465
                   Fixed Annuities                                           13,994,715       13,250,359        11,668,973
                   Life Insurance                                             3,353,286        3,027,420         2,752,283
                   Corporate and Other                                        5,348,520        4,896,815         3,678,303
                                                                        -----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                            $47,766,246       38,507,633        29,246,024
                                                                        =================  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   25
<TABLE>


                                                                                                                 SCHEDULE I

                                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                 
                                               Consolidated Summary of Investments -
                                             Other Than Investments in Related Parties
                                                                 
                                                      As of December 31, 1996
                                                         ($000's omitted)
<CAPTION>

- --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------    --------------   -----------------
                           Column A                                 Column B         Column C          Column D
- --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------    --------------   -----------------
                                                                                                    Amount at which
                                                                                                     shown in the
                                                                                                     consolidated
                      Type of Investment                              Cost         Market value      balance sheet
- --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------    --------------   -----------------
<S>                                                             <C>                <C>               <C>      
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
   Bonds:
      U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities     $  3,757,887        3,834,762           3,834,762
      States, municipalities and political subdivisions                  6,242            6,690               6,690
      Foreign governments                                              100,656          101,940             101,940
      Public utilities                                               1,798,736        1,843,938           1,843,938
      All other corporate                                            6,307,357        6,517,309           6,517,309
                                                                ---------------    --------------   -----------------
          Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale        11,970,878       12,304,639          12,304,639
                                                                ---------------    --------------   -----------------

Equity securities available-for-sale:
   Common stocks:
      Industrial, miscellaneous and all other                           43,501           50,405              50,405
   Non-redeemable preferred stock                                          389            8,726               8,726
                                                                ---------------    --------------   -----------------
          Total equity securities available-for-sale                    43,890           59,131              59,131
                                                                ---------------    --------------   -----------------

Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                   5,327,317                            5,272,119 (1)
Real estate, net:
   Investment properties                                               253,383                              217,611 (1)
   Acquired in satisfaction of debt                                     57,933                               48,148 (1)
Policy loans                                                           371,816                              371,816
Other long-term investments                                             27,370                               28,668 (2)
Short-term investments                                                   4,789                                4,789
                                                                ---------------                      ----------------
          Total investments                                        $18,057,376                           18,306,921
                                                                ===============                      ================
<FN>

- ----------
(1)  Difference from Column B is primarily due to valuation allowances due to
     impairments on mortgage loans on real estate and due to accumulated
     depreciation and valuation allowances due to impairments on real estate.
     See note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.

(2) Difference from Column B is primarily due to operating gains of investments
    in limited partnerships.

</TABLE>






See accompanying independent auditors' report.
<PAGE>   26
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                                               SCHEDULE III

                                    NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                            Supplemental Insurance Information

                                          As of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                           and for each of the years then ended

                                                     ($000's omitted)

- ----------------------------------- --------------  ------------------  -----------------   ------------------ ---------------
             Column A                  Column B          Column C            Column D           Column E          Column F
- ----------------------------------- --------------  ------------------  -----------------   -----------------  ---------------
                                       Deferred       Future policy                            Other policy
                                        policy      benefits, losses,                           claims and         
                                     acquisition        claims and      Unearned premiums    benefits payable    Premium
             Segment                    costs         loss expenses            (1)                 (2)           revenue
- ----------------------------------- --------------  ------------------  -----------------    ----------------  --------------

<C>                                 <C>             <C>                 <C>                    <C>                <C>    
1996: Variable Annuities               $   791,611                   -                                      -               -
      Fixed Annuities                      242,421          14,952,877                                    687          24,030
      Life Insurance                       414,417           1,995,802                                395,739         174,612
      Corporate and Other                  (81,940)            230,381                                 25,048               -
                                    --------------  ------------------                       ----------------  -------------- 
             Total                      $1,366,509          17,179,060                                421,474         198,642
                                    ==============  ==================                       ================  ============== 

1995: Variable Annuities                   571,283                   -                                      -               -
      Fixed Annuities                      221,111          14,221,622                                    455          32,774
      Life Insurance                       366,876           1,898,641                                383,983         166,332
      Corporate and Other                 (138,914)            238,351                                 28,886               -
                                    --------------  ------------------                       ----------------  -------------- 
             Total                      $1,020,356          16,358,614                                413,324         199,106
                                    ==============  ==================                       ================  ============== 

1994: Variable Annuities                   395,397                   -                                      -               -
      Fixed Annuities                      198,639          12,633,253                                    240          20,134
      Life Insurance                       327,079           1,806,762                                371,984         156,524
      Corporate and Other                   74,445             233,569                                 26,927               -
                                    --------------  ------------------                       ----------------  -------------- 
             Total                     $   995,560          14,673,584                                399,151         176,658
                                    ==============  ==================                       ================  ============== 
<CAPTION>

- ----------------------------------- -------------- -------------------  -----------------    ----------------  -------------- 
             Column A                  Column G          Column H            Column I           Column J          Column K
- ----------------------------------- -------------- -------------------  -----------------    ----------------  -------------- 
                                         Net                               Amortization           Other
                                      investment    Benefits, claims,      of deferred          operating        
                                        income          losses and            policy            expenses          Premiums
             Segment                     (3)       settlement expenses  acquisition costs          (3)            written
- ----------------------------------- -------------- -------------------  -----------------   -----------------  -------------- 

1996: Variable Annuities               $   (21,449)              4,624             57,412             132,357
      Fixed Annuities                    1,050,557             838,533             38,635              79,737
      Life Insurance                       174,002             211,386             37,347              78,965
      Corporate and Other                  154,649             106,037                  -              51,335
                                    -------------- -------------------  -----------------   ----------------- 
             Total                      $1,357,759           1,160,580            133,394             342,394
                                    ============== ===================  =================   ================= 

1995: Variable Annuities                   (17,640)              2,881             26,264             109,089
      Fixed Annuities                    1,002,718             804,980             29,499              80,260
      Life Insurance                       171,255             201,986             31,021              68,832
      Corporate and Other                  137,700             105,646             (4,089)             14,773
                                    -------------- -------------------  -----------------   ----------------- 
             Total                      $1,294,033           1,115,493             82,695             272,954
                                    ============== ===================  =================   =================  

1994: Variable Annuities                   (13,415)              2,277             22,135              83,701
      Fixed Annuities                      903,572             702,082             29,849              69,975
      Life Insurance                       166,329             191,006             29,495              69,861
      Corporate and Other                  154,325              97,302              4,089              17,115
                                    -------------- -------------------  -----------------   ----------------- 
             Total                      $1,210,811             992,667             85,568             240,652
                                    ============== ===================  =================   =================  
<FN>

- ----------
(1)  Unearned premiums are included in Column C amounts.

(2)  Column E agrees to the sum of the Balance Sheet captions, Policyholders'
     dividend accumulations and Other policyholder funds.

(3)  Allocations of net investment income and certain general expenses are based
     on a number of assumptions and estimates, and reported operating results
     would change by segment if different methods were applied.


</TABLE>

See accompanying independent auditors' report.
<PAGE>   27


                                                                    SCHEDULE IV

                              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                  Reinsurance

                                    As of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                     and for each of the years then ended

                                                ($000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -------------------------------   ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
           Column A                  Column B           Column C           Column D          Column E          Column F
- -------------------------------   ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
                                                                                                              Percentage
                                                        Ceded to         Assumed from                         of amount
                                   Gross amount      other companies   other companies      Net amount      assumed to net
                                  ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
<S>                               <C>               <C>                <C>                <C>               <C> 
1996:
Life insurance in force              $47,071,264          6,633,567            288,593        40,726,290           0.7%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============

Premiums:
   Life insurance                        225,615             29,282              2,309           198,642           1.2%
   Accident and health insurance         291,871            305,789             13,918                 -         N/A
                                  ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
          Total                      $   517,486            335,071             16,227           198,642           8.2%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============


1995:
Life Insurance in force              $41,087,025          8,935,743            391,174        32,542,456           1.2%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============

Premiums:
   Life insurance                        221,257             24,360              2,209           199,106           1.1%
   Accident and health insurance         298,058            313,036             14,978                 -         N/A
                                  ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
          Total                      $   519,315            337,396             17,187           199,106           8.6%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============


1994:
Life Insurance in force              $35,926,633          7,550,623            829,742        29,205,752           2.8%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============

Premiums:
   Life insurance                        198,705             24,912              2,865           176,658           1.6%
   Accident and health insurance         303,435            321,696             18,261                 -         N/A
                                  ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
          Total                      $   502,140            346,608             21,126           176,658          12.0%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============
<FN>

- ----------
Note:  The life insurance caption represents principally premiums from
       traditional life insurance and life-contingent immediate annuities and
       excludes deposits on invesment products and universal life insurance
       products.
</TABLE>


See accompanying independent auditors' report.
<PAGE>   28

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                 SCHEDULE V

                                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                 
                                                 Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
                                                                 
                                           Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                                         ($000's omitted)

- -------------------------------------------------  ------------   -----------------------------   ------------ -------------
                    Column A                         Column B               Column C               Column D      Column E
- -------------------------------------------------  ------------   -----------------------------   ------------ -------------
                                                    Balance at     Charged to                                   Balance at
                                                   beginning of     costs and      Charged to     Deductions      end of
                  Description                         period        expenses     other accounts      (1)          period
- -------------------------------------------------  ------------   ------------   --------------   ------------ -------------
<S>                                                <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>          <C>   
1996:
Valuation  allowances - mortgage loans on real
   estate                                              $49,128          4,497               -          2,587        51,038
Valuation allowances - real estate                      25,819        (10,600)              -              -        15,219
                                                   ------------   ------------   --------------   ------------ -------------
     Total                                             $74,947         (6,103)              -          2,587        66,257
                                                   ============   ============   ==============   ============ =============


1995:
Valuation allowances - fixed maturity securities             -          8,908               -          8,908             -
Valuation  allowances  - mortgage  loans on real
   estate                                               46,381          7,433               -          4,686        49,128
Valuation allowances - real estate                      27,330         (1,511)              -              -        25,819
                                                   ------------   ------------   --------------   ------------ -------------
     Total                                             $73,711         14,830               -         13,594        74,947
                                                   ============   ============   ==============   ============ =============


1994:
Valuation allowances - fixed maturity securities         4,800         (4,800)              -              -             -
Valuation  allowances  - mortgage  loans on real
   estate                                               42,150         20,445               -         16,214        46,381
Valuation allowances - real estate                      31,357         (4,027)              -              -        27,330
                                                   ------------   ------------   --------------   ------------ -------------
     Total                                             $78,307         11,618               -         16,214        73,711
                                                   ============   ============   ==============   ============ =============
<FN>

- ----------
(1)  Amounts represent direct write-downs charged against the valuation allowance.
</TABLE>



See accompanying independent auditors' report.

<PAGE>   45

PART C.   OTHER INFORMATION

Item 24.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

          (a)  Financial Statements:

               (1)  Financial statements and schedules included             Page
                    in Prospectus
                    (Part A):
                    Condensed Financial Information.                         N/A

               (2)  Financial statements and schedules included
                    in Part B:
                    Those financial statements and schedules
                    required by Item 23 to be included in Part B
                    have been incorporated therein by reference
                    to the Prospectus (Part A).                               44

          Nationwide Variable Account-8:                                     N/A

          Nationwide Life Insurance Company:

                    Independent Auditors' Report.                             44

                    Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December
                    31, 1996 and 1995.                                        45

   
                    Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended
                    December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.                         46

                    Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity for
                    the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.         47

                    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years
                    ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.                   48
    

                    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.               49

   
                    Schedule I - Consolidated Summary of Investments -
                    Other Than Investments in Related Parties                 68
    

                    Schedule III - Supplementary Insurance Information        69

                    Schedule IV - Reinsurance                                 70

                    Schedule V - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts            71


                                    72 of 90
<PAGE>   46

Item 24.  (b) Exhibits

               (1)  Resolution of the Depositor's Board of Directors authorizing
                    the establishment of the Registrant - Filed previously with
                    the initial Registration (File No: 33-62637) and hereby
                    incorporated by reference.

               (2)  Not Applicable

               (3)  Underwriting or Distribution of contracts between the
                    Registrant and Principal Underwriter - Filed previously with
                    the initial Registration (File No: 33-62637) and hereby
                    incorporated by reference.

               (4)  The form of the Variable Annuity Contract - Filed previously
                    with the initial Registration (File No: 33-62637) and hereby
                    incorporated by reference.

               (5)  Variable Annuity Application - Filed previously with the
                    initial Registration (File No. 33-62637)and hereby
                    incorporated by reference.

               (6)  Articles of Incorporation of Depositor - Filed previously
                    with the initial Registration (File No. 33-62637) and hereby
                    incorporated by reference.

               (7)  Not Applicable

               (8)  Not Applicable

               (9)  Opinion of Counsel - Filed previously with initial
                    Registration (File No. 33-62637) and hereby incorporated by
                    reference.

               (10) Not Applicable

               (11) Not Applicable

               (12) Not Applicable

               (13) Performance Advertising Calculation Schedule - Filed
                    previously with initial registration (File No. 33-62637) and
                    hereby incorporated by reference.


                                    73 of 90
<PAGE>   47

Item 25.  Directors and Officers of the Depositor

             Name and Principal                   Positions and Offices
              Business Address                       With Depositor

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

          Keith W. Eckel                                 Director
          1647 Falls Road
          Clarks Summit, PA 18411

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

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

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

          Joseph J. Gasper                 President and Chief Operating Officer
          One Nationwide Plaza                         and Director
          Columbus, OH  43215

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

          Dimon Richard McFerson           Chairman and Chief Executive Officer-
          One Nationwide Plaza                Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
          Columbus, OH  43215                          and Director
    

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

   
          C. Ray Noecker                                 Director
          2770 Winchester Southern S.
          Ashville, OH 43103
    

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


                                    74 of 90
<PAGE>   48

             Name and Principal                   Positions and Offices
              Business Address                       With Depositor

          Arden L. Shisler                               Director
          1356 North Wenger 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

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

   
          Robert J. Woodward Jr.                 Executive Vice President
          One Nationwide Plaza                   Chief Investment Officer
          Columbus, OH 43215
    

          James E. Brock                          Senior Vice President -
          One Nationwide Plaza                    Life Company 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

   
          Michael D. Bleiweiss                        Vice President-
          One Nationwide Plaza                 Individual Annuity Operation
          Columbus, OH  43215
    


                                    75 of 90
<PAGE>   49

             Name and Principal                   Positions and Offices
              Business Address                       With Depositor

   
          Matthew S. Easley                     Vice President - Marketing
          One Nationwide Plaza                  Innovation and Compliance
          Columbus, OH  43215

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

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

   
          R. Dennis Noice                             Vice President-
          One Nationwide Plaza                       Retail Operations
          Columbus, OH  43215

          Joseph P. Rath                             Vice President
          One Nationwide Plaza
          Columbus, OH  43215
    

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


                                    76 of 90
<PAGE>   50

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           NO. VOTING
                                                                           SECURITIES
                                                          STATE          (see Attached
                                                            OF           Chart) unless
          COMPANY                                      ORGANIZATION    otherwise indicated      PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
     <S>                                               <C>                                      <C>
   
     Affiliate Agency, Inc.                              Delaware                               Life Insurance Agency
    
     
     Affiliate Agency of Ohio, Inc.                        Ohio                                 Life Insurance Agency
     
     Allnations, Inc.                                      Ohio                                 Promotes cooperative insurance 
                                                                                                corporations worldwide
     
     American Marine Underwriters, Inc.                  Florida                                Underwriting Manager
     
     Auto Direkt Insurance Company                       Germany                                Insurance Company
     
     The Beak and Wire Corporation                         Ohio                                 Radio Tower Joint Venture
     
     California Cash Management Company                 California                              Investment Securities Agent
     
     Colonial County Mutual insurance Company             Texas                                 Insurance Company
     
     Colonial Insurance Company of California           California                              Insurance Company
     
     Columbus Insurance Brokerage and Service            Germany                                Insurance Broker
     GMBH
     
   
     Companies Agency, Inc.                             Wisconsin                               Insurance Broker
    
     
     Companies Agency Insurance Services of             California                              Insurance  Broker
     California
     
     Companies Agency of Alabama, Inc.                   Alabama                                Insurance Broker
     
     Companies Agency of Idaho, Inc.                      Idaho                                 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 Massachusetts, Inc.          Massachusetts                             Insurance Broker
     
     Companies Agency of New York, Inc.                  New York                               Insurance Broker
     
     Companies Agency of Pennsylvania, Inc.            Pennsylvania                             Insurance Broker
     
     Companies Agency of Phoenix, Inc.                   Arizona                                Insurance Broker
     
     Companies Agency of Texas, Inc.                      Texas                                 Insurance Broker
     
     Countrywide Services Corporation                    Delaware                               Products Liability, Investigative
                                                                                                and Claims Management Services
     
     Employers Insurance of Wausau                      Wisconsin                               Insurance Company
     A Mutual Company

**   Employers Life Insurance 
     Company of Wausau                                  Wisconsin                               Life Insurance Company

     F & B, Inc.                                          Iowa                                  Insurance Agency
</TABLE>


                                    77 of 90
<PAGE>   51

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         NO. VOTING
                                                                         SECURITIES
                                                         STATE          (see Attached
                                                           OF           Chart) unless
     COMPANY                                           ORGANIZATION    otherwise indicated      PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
<S>                                                    <C>                                      <C>
     Farmland Mutual Insurance Company                     Iowa                                 Insurance Company

     Financial Horizons Distributors Agency of           Alabama                                Life Insurance Agency
     Alabama, Inc.

   
     Financial Horizons Distributors Agency of             Ohio                                 Life Insurance Agency
     Ohio, Inc.
    

     Financial Horizons Distributors Agency of           Oklahoma                               Life Insurance Agency
     Oklahoma, Inc.

     Financial Horizons Distributors Agency of            Texas                                 Life Insurance Agency
     Texas, Inc.

*    Financial Horizons Investment Trust              Massachusetts                             Investment Company

     Financial Horizons Securities Corporation           Oklahoma                               Broker Dealer

     Gates, McDonald & Company                             Ohio                                 Cost Control Business

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

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

   
     Gates, McDonald Health Ohio Plus, Inc.                Ohio                                 Managed Care Organization
    

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

     Insurance Intermediaries, Inc.                        Ohio                                 Insurance Broker and Insurance 
                                                                                                Agency

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

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

     Leben Direkt Insurance Company                      Germany                                Life Insurance Company

     Lone Star General Agency, Inc.                       Texas                                 Insurance Agency

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

**   National Casualty Company                           Michigan                               Insurance Company

     National Casualty Company of America, Ltd.       Great Britain                             Insurance Company

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

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

     Nationwide Agency, Inc.                               Ohio                                 Insurance Agency
    

     Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance Company             Iowa                                 Insurance Company

   
     Nationwide Asset Allocation Trust                Massachusetts                             Investment Company
    

     Nationwide Cash Management Company                    Ohio                                 Investment Securities Agent
</TABLE>



                                    78 of 90
<PAGE>   52

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         NO. VOTING
                                                                         SECURITIES
                                                         STATE          (see Attached
                                                           OF           Chart) unless
     COMPANY                                           ORGANIZATION    otherwise indicated      PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
<S>                                                    <C>                                      <C>
     Nationwide Communications, Inc.                       Ohio                                 Radio Broadcasting Business

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

     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 Development Company                        Ohio                                 Owns, leases and manages commercial
                                                                                                real estate
    

     Nationwide Financial Institution                    Delaware                               Insurance Agency
     Distributors Agency, Inc.

   
     Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.                 Delaware                               Holding Company
    

     Nationwide General Insurance Company                  Ohio                                 Insurance Company

     Nationwide HMO, Inc.                                  Ohio                                 Health Maintenance Organization

*    Nationwide Indemnity Company                          Ohio                                 Reinsurance Company

     Nationwide Insurance Enterprise Foundation            Ohio                                 Membership Non-Profit Corporation

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

     Nationwide Investing Foundation                     Michigan                               Investment Company

*    Nationwide Investing                             Massachusetts                             Investment Company
     Foundation II

     Nationwide Investment Services Corporation          Oklahoma                               Registered Broker-Dealer in Deferred
                                                                                                Compensation Market

     Nationwide Investors Services, Inc.                   Ohio                                 Stock Transfer Agent

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

**   Nationwide Life Insurance Company                     Ohio                                 Life Insurance Company

     Nationwide Lloyds                                    Texas                                 Texas Lloyds Company

   
     Nationwide  Management Systems, Inc.                  Ohio                                 Develops and Operates Managed Care
                                                                                                Delivery System
    

     Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company              Ohio                                 Insurance Company

     Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company                   Ohio                                 Insurance Company

   
     Nationwide Properties, Ltd.                           Ohio                                 Develops, owns, and operates real
                                                                                                estate investments
    

     Nationwide Property and Casualty Insurance            Ohio                                 Insurance Company
     Company
</TABLE>


                                    79 of 90
<PAGE>   53

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         NO. VOTING
                                                                         SECURITIES
                                                         STATE          (see Attached
                                                           OF           Chart) unless
     COMPANY                                           ORGANIZATION    otherwise indicated      PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
<S>                                                    <C>                                      <C>
   
     Nationwide Realty Investors, Ltd.                     Ohio                                 Develops, owns and operates real
                                                                                                estate and real estate investments
    

*    Nationwide Separate Account Trust                Massachusetts                             Investment Company

   
     NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services, Inc.            Delaware                               Life Insurance Agency
    

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     Neckura General Insurance Company                   Germany                                Insurance Company

     Neckura Holding Company                             Germany                                Administrative Service for Neckura
                                                                                                Insurance Group
     Neckura Insurance Company                           Germany                                Insurance Company

     Neckura Life Insurance Company                      Germany                                Life Insurance Company

     NWE, Inc.                                             Ohio                                 Special Investments

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

     PEBSCO of Texas, Inc.                                Texas                                 Markets and Administers Deferred
                                                                                                Compensation Plansfor Public 
                                                                                                Employees

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

   
     Physicians Plus Insurance Corporation              Wisconsin                               Health Maintenance Organization

     Previa Health Insurance Plan, Inc.                 Wisconsin                               Health Maintenance Organization

     Public Employees Benefit Services                   Delaware                               Markets and Administers of 
     Corporation                                                                                Deferred Employee Compensation Plans
                                                                                                for Public Employees
</TABLE>
    


                                    80 of 90
<PAGE>   54

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         NO. VOTING
                                                                         SECURITIES
                                                         STATE          (see Attached
                                                           OF           Chart) unless
     COMPANY                                           ORGANIZATION    otherwise indicated      PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
<S>                                                    <C>                                      <C>

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

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

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

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

     Scottsdale Indemnity Company                          Ohio                                 Insurance Company

                                                                                                
     Scottsdale Insurance Company                          Ohio                                 Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance
                                                                                                Company                           
     Scottsdale Surplus Lines Insurance Company          Arizona                                Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance
                                                                                                Company
    

     SVM Sales GmbH, Neckura Insurance Group             Germany                                Sales support for Neckura Insurance
                                                                                                Group

     Wausau Business Insurance Company                   Illinois                               Insurance Company

     Wausau General Insurance Company                    Illinois                               Insurance Company

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

     Wausau International Underwriters                  California                              Special Risks, Excess and Surplus
                                                                                                Lines Insurance Underwriting Manager

**   Wausau Preferred Health Insurance Company          Wisconsin                               Insurance and Reinsurance Company

     Wausau Service Corporation                         Wisconsin                               Holding Company

     Wausau Underwriters Insurance Company              Wisconsin                               Insurance Company

**   West Coast Life Insurance Company                  California                              Life Insurance Company
</TABLE>


                                    81 of 90
<PAGE>   55

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  NO. VOTING
                                                                  SECURITIES
                                              STATE             (see Attached
                                               OF               Chart) unless
     COMPANY                               ORGANIZATION       otherwise indicated                 PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
<S>                                            <C>          <C>                                   <C>
*    MFS Variable Account                      Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate Account      Issuer of Annuity Contracts

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

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

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

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

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

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

*    Nationwide VA Separate Account-B          Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity           Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                            Separate Account

     Nationwide VA Separate Account-C          Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity           Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                            Separate Account

*    Nationwide VA Separate Account-Q          Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity           Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                            Separate Account

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

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

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

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

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

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

*    Nationwide Variable Account-6             Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate Account      Issuer of Annuity Contracts

*    Nationwide Variable Account-8             Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate Account      Issuer of Annuity Contracts

   
*    Nationwide VL Separate                    Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity           Issuer of Life Insurance Policies
     Account-A                                              Separate Account

*    Nationwide VL Separate                    Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity           Issuer of Life Insurance Policies
     Account-B                                              Separate Account

*    Nationwide VLI Separate Account           Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate Account      Issuer of Life Insurance Policies

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

*    Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3         Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate Account      Issuer of Life Insurance Policies
</TABLE>
    


                                    82 of 90
<PAGE>   56
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)                                               (left side)
<S>                               <C>                               <C>                                  <C>
- ------------------------
| NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |
| GOLF CHARITIES, INC. |
|                      |
|      MEMBERSHIP      |
|      NONPROFIT       |
|     CORPORATION      |
- ------------------------
                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                  |      EMPLOYERS INSURANCE OF WAUSAU     |
                                                  |           A MUTUAL COMPANY             |
                                                  |             (EMPLOYERS)                |
                                                  |                                        |========================================
                                                  | Contribution Note         Cost         |
                                                  | -----------------         ----         |
                                                  | Casualty                  $400,000,000 |
                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                                |
           -----------------------------------------------------------------------
           |                                  |                                  |
- ---------------------------       ---------------------------       ----------------------------         ---------------------------
|    SAN DIEGO LOTUS      |       |   WAUSAU INSURANCE CO.  |       |      WAUSAU SERVICE      |         |                         |
|     CORPORATION         |       |      (U.K.) LIMITED     |       |     CORPORATION (WSC)    |         |    NATIONWIDE LLOYDS    |
|Common Stock: 748,212    |       |Common Stock: 8,506,800  |       |Common Stock: 1,000 Shares|         |                         |
|------------  Shares     |       |------------  Shares     |       |------------              |         |                         |
|                         |       |                         |       |                          |=========|                         |
|              Cost       |       |              Cost       |       |              Cost        |     ||  |      A TEXAS LLOYDS     |
|              ----       |       |              ----       |       |              ----        |     ||  |                         |
|Employers-               |       |Employers-               |       |Employers-                |     ||  |                         |
|100%          $29,000,000|       |100%          $18,683,300|       |100%          $176,763,000|     ||  |                         |
- ---------------------------       ---------------------------       ----------------------------     ||  ---------------------------
                                                                                 |                   ||
                              ---------------------------------------------------------------------  ||
                              |                                 |                                 |  ||
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |  ||  ---------------------------
|     WAUSAU BUSINESS     |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |   COUNTRYWIDE SERVICES   |  |  ||  |                         |
|    INSURANCE COMPANY    |   |   |    OF KENTUCKY, INC.    |   |   |        CORPORATION       |  |  ||  |                         |
|Common Stock: 10,900,000 |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 100 Shares  |  |  ||  |        COMPANIES        |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------              |  |  ||  |        AGENCY OF        |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |---|                          |  |  ||==|        TEXAS, INC.      |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |  ||  |                         |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |  ||  |                         |
|WSC-100%      $33,800,000|   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $145,852    |  |  ||  |                         |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |  ||  ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |  ||
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |  ||  ---------------------------
|   WAUSAU UNDERWRITERS   |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |      WAUSAU GENERAL      |  |  ||  |                         |
|    INSURANCE COMPANY    |   |   | OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC.  |   |   |     INSURANCE COMPANY    |  |  ||  |                         |
|Common Stock: 8,750      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 200,000     |  |  ||  |     COMPANIES ANNUITY   |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |  |  ||  |         AGENCY OF       |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |---|                          |  |  ====|         TEXAS, INC.     |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |      |                         |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |      |                         |
|WSC-100%      $69,560,006|   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $39,000,000 |  |      |                         |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |      
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
|   GREATER LA CROSSE     |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |   WAUSAU INTERNATIONAL   |  |      |     AMERICAN MARINE     |
|   HEALTH PLANS, INC.    |   |   |    OF NEW YORK, INC.    |   |   |       UNDERWRITERS       |  |      |    UNDERWRITERS, INC.   |
|Common Stock: 3,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000       |  |      |Common Stock: 20         |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |  |      |------------  Shares     |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |---|                          |  |------|                         |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |      |              Cost       |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |      |              ----       |
|WSC-33.3%     $861,761   |   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $10,000     |  |      |WSC-100%      $248,222   |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |      
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
|    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |     COMPANIES AGENCY     |  |      |     COMPANIES AGENCY    |
|    OF ALABAMA, INC.     |   |   |  OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.  |   |   |    INSURANCE SERVICES    |  |      |     OF ILLINOIS, INC.   |
|                         |   |   |                         |   |   |       OF CALIFORNIA      |  |      |                         |
|Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000       |  |      |Common Stock: 250        |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |---|------------  Shares      |  |------|------------  Shares     |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |   |                          |  |      |                         |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |      |              Cost       |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |      |              ----       |
|WSC-100%      $100       |   |   |WSC-100%      $100       |   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000      |  |      |WSC-100%      $2,500     |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |      
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
|    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |   COMPANIES AGENCY      |   |   |      PHYSICIANS PLUS     |  |      |         COMPANIES       |
|     OF IDAHO, INC.      |   |   |     OF PHOENIX, INC.    |   |   |         INSURANCE        |  |      |        AGENCY, INC.     |
|                         |   |   |                         |   |   |        CORPORATION       |  |      |                         |
|Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock:    7,150    |  |      |Common Stock: 100        |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------     Shares   |  |      |------------  Shares     |
|                         |-------|                         |   |---|Preferred Stock: 11,540   |  |------|                         |
|                         |       |                         |   |   |---------------  Shares   |  |      |                         |
|                         |       |                         |   |   |                          |  |      |                         |
|              Cost       |       |              Cost       |   |   |                Cost      |  |      |              Cost       |
|              ----       |       |              ----       |   |   |                ----      |  |      |              ----       |
|WSC-100%      $1,000     |       |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-33 1/3%     $6,215,459|  |      |WSC-100%      $10,000    |
- ---------------------------       ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                                                                |                                 |      
                                                                |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                                                                |   |      PREVEA HEALTH       |  |      |    PENSION ASSOCIATES   |
                                                                |   |  INSURANCE PLAN, INC.    |  |      |      OF WAUSAU, INC.    |
                                                                |   |Common Stock: 3,000 Shares|  |      |Common Stock: 1,000      |
                                                                |   |------------              |  |      |------------  Shares     |
                                                                ----|                          |  -------|                         |
                                                                    |                          |         |                         |
                                                                    |              Cost        |         |Companies        Cost    |
                                                                    |              ----        |         |Agency, Inc.     ----    |
                                                                    |WSC-33 1/3%   $500,000    |         |(Wisconsin)-100% $10,000 |
                                                                    ----------------------------         ---------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   57
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)                                                  (middle)
<S>                                               <C>                                               <C>         
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       |                           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                               |
=======|                           INSURANCE COMPANY                               |================================================
       |                              (CASUALTY)                                   |
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||                              |
              |                        ||                              -------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||    |                                                                      |
- --------------------------------       ||    |    --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
|      ALLNATIONS, INC.        |       ||    |    |      NATIONWIDE GENERAL      |                  |        NECKURA HOLDING       |
|Common Stock:    3,136 Shares |       ||    |    |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |                  |       COMPANY (NECKURA)      |
|------------                  |       ||    |    |                              |                  |                              |
|                 Cost         |       ||    |    |Common Stock:    20,000       |                  |Common Stock:    10,000       |
|                 ----         |       ||    |    |------------     Shares       |                  |------------     Shares       |
|Casualty-24.5%   $88,320      |       ||    |    |                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |
|Fire-24.5%       $88,463      |       ||    |    |                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |
|Preferred Stock: 1,466 Shares |       ||    |----|Casualty-100%    $5,944,422   |         ---------|Casualty-100%    $87,943,140  |
|---------------               |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|                 Cost         |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|                 ----         |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|Casualty-7.7%    $100,000     |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|Fire-7.7%        $100,000     |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
- --------------------------------       ||    |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                       ||    |                                             |    
- --------------------------------       ||    |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|       FARMLAND MUTUAL        |       ||    |    |      NATIONWIDE PROPERTY     |         |        |           NECKURA            |
|      INSURANCE COMPANY       |       ||    |    |         AND CASUALTY         |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|Guaranty Fund                 |       ||    |    |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |         |        |                              |
|------------                  |=========    |----|Common Stock:    60,000       |         |--------|Common Stock:    6,000        |
|Certificate                   |             |    |------------     Shares       |         |        |------------     Shares       |
|-----------      Cost         |             |    |                 Cost         |         |        |                 Cost         |
|                 ----         |             |    |                 ----         |         |        |Neckura-         ----         |
|Casualty         $500,000     |             |    |Casualty-100%    $6,000,000   |         |        |100%             DM 6,000,000 |
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
              |                              |                                             |    
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|        F & B, INC.           |             |    |      COLONIAL INSURANCE      |         |        |         NECKURA LIFE         |
|                              |             |    |     COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA    |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|Common Stock:    1 Share      |             |    |          (COLONIAL)          |         |        |                              |
|------------                  |             |----|Common Stock:    1,750        |         |--------|Common Stock:   4,000         |
|                 Cost         |             |    |------------     Shares       |         |        |------------    Shares        |
|                 ----         |             |    |                 Cost         |         |        |                Cost          |
|Farmland                      |             |    |                 ----         |         |        |                ----          |
|Mutual-100%      $10          |             |    |Casualty-100%    $11,750,000  |         |        |Neckura-100%    DM 15,825,681 |
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                             |                                             |        
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|  NATIONWIDE AGRIBUSINESS     |             |    |         SCOTTSDALE           |         |        |        NECKURA GENERAL       |
|     INSURANCE COMPANY        |             |    |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|Common Stock:    1,000,000    |             |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|------------     Shares       |             |    |Common Stock:    30,136       |         |        |Common Stock:    1,500        |
|                 Cost         |------------------|------------     Shares       |         |--------|------------     Shares       |
|                 ----         |                  |                 Cost         |         |        |                 Cost         |
|Casualty-99.9%   $26,714,335  |                  |                 ----         |         |        |                 ----         |
|Other Capital:                |                  |Casualty-100%    $150,000,000 |         |        |Neckura-100%     DM 1,656,925 |
|-------------                 |                  |                              |         |        |                              |
|Casualty-Ptd.    $   713,567  |                  |                              |         |        |                              |
- --------------------------------                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                                                 |                         |        
                                                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                                  |          SCOTTSDALE          |         |        |       COLUMBUS INSURANCE     |
                                                  |        SURPLUS LINES         |         |        |      BROKERAGE AND SERVICE   |
                                                  |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |         |        |              GmbH            |
                                                  |                              |         |        |Common Stock:    1 Share      |
                                                  |                              |         |--------|------------                  |
                                                  |        "NEWLY FORMED"        |         |        |                 Cost         |
                                                  |                              |         |        |                 ----         |
                                                  |                              |         |        |Neckura-100%     DM 51,639    |
                                                  |                              |         |        |                              |
                                                  |                              |         |        |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                                                 |                         |        
                                                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                                  |      NATIONAL PREMIUM &      |         |        |          LEBEN DIREKT        |
                                                  |    BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION    |         |        |        INSURANCE COMPANY     |
                                                  |           COMPANY            |         |        |                              |
                                                  |Common Stock:    10,000       |         |        |Common Stock:    4,000 Shares |
                                                  |------------     Shares       |------------------|------------                  |
                                                  |                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |
                                                  |                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |
                                                  |Scottsdale-100%  $10,000      |                  |Neckura-100%     DM 4,000,000 |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------

                                                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
                                                  |         SVM SALES            |                  |          AUTO DIREKT         |
                                                  |            GmbH              |                  |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  |Common Stock:    50 Shares    |                  |Common Stock:    1,500 Shares |
                                                  |------------                  |                  |------------                  |
                                                  |                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |
                                                  |                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |
                                                  |Neckura-100%     DM 50,000    |                  |Neckura-100%     DM 1,643,149 |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   58
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)                                              (right side)
<S>     <C>                                       <C>                                              <C>         
                                                                                                            ------------------------
                                                                                                            | NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |
                                                                                                            | ENTERPRISE FOUNDATION|
                                                                                                            |                      |
                                                                                                            |      MEMBERSHIP      |
                                                                                                            |      NONPROFIT       |
                                                                                                            |     CORPORATION      |
                                                                                                            ------------------------
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       |                           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                               |
=======|                         FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY                            |
       |                                (FIRE)                                     |
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       |
- ---------------                                                        --------------------------------------------------
              |                                                                                                         |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       |
  |                                          |                                                                  |       |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                ----------------------------------
  |     |         SCOTTSDALE           |     |    |         NATIONWIDE           |                |          NATIONWIDE            |
  |     |      INDEMNITY COMPANY       |     |    |      COMMUNITY URBAN         |                |          CORPORATION           |
  |     |                              |     |    |       REDEVELOPMENT          |                |                                |
  |     |                              |     |    |        CORPORATION           |                |Common Stock:    Control:       |
  |     |Common Stock:    50,000       |     |    |Common Stock:    10 Shares    |                |------------     -------        |
  |-----|------------     Shares       |     |----|------------                  |                |$13,642,432      100%           |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                |         Shares     Cost        |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                |         ------     ----        |
  |     |Casualty-100%    $8,800,000   |     |    |Casualty-100%    $1,000       |                |Casualty 12,992,922 $751,352,485|
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                |Fire        649,510   24,007,936|
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                |          (See Page 2)          |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                ----------------------------------
  |                                          |                                                      
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |     |         NATIONWIDE           |     |    |          INSURANCE           |                                                  
  |     |      INDEMNITY COMPANY       |     |    |     INTERMEDIARIES, INC.     |                                                  
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |-----|Common Stock:    28,000       |     |----|Common Stock:    1,615        |                                                  
  |     |------------     Shares       |     |    |------------     Shares       |                                                  
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
  |     |Casualty-100%    $294,529,000 |     |    |Casualty-100%    $1,615,000   |                                                  
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |                                          |                                                                                      
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |     |          LONE STAR           |     |    |       NATIONWIDE CASH        |                                                  
  |     |     GENERAL AGENCY, INC.     |     |    |      MANAGEMENT COMPANY      |                                                  
  |     |                              |     |    |Common Stock:    100 Shares   |                                                  
  ------|Common Stock:    1,000        |     |----|------------                  |                                                  
        |------------     Shares       |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
        |                 Cost         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
        |                 ----         |     |    |Casualty-90%     $9,000       |                                                  
        |Casualty-100%    $5,000,000   |     |    |NW Adv. Serv.     1,000       |                                                  
        --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
                      ||                     |                                                                                      
        --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
        |   COLONIAL COUNTY MUTUAL     |     |    |       CALIFORNIA CASH        |                                                  
        |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |     |    |          MANAGEMENT          |                                                  
        |                              |     |    |                              |                                                  
        |Surplus Debentures            |     |    |Common Stock:    90 Shares    |                                                  
        |------------------            |     |----|------------                  |                                                  
        |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
        |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
        |Colonial         $500,000     |     |    |Casualty-100%    $9,000       |                                                  
        |Lone Star         150,000     |     |    |                              |                                                  
        --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
                                             |                                                      
                                             |    --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
                                             |    |         NATIONWIDE           |                  |           THE BEAK AND       |
                                             |    |     COMMUNICATIONS, INC.     |                  |         WIRE CORPORATION     |
                                             |    |Common Stock:    14,750       |                  |                              |
                                             |    |------------     Shares       |                  |Common Stock:    750 Shares   |
                                             -----|                 Cost         |------------------|------------                  |
                                                  |                 ----         |                  |                 Cost         |
                                                  |Casualty-100%    $11,510,000  |                  |                 ----         |
                                                  |Other Capital:                |                  |NW Comm-100%     $531,000     |
                                                  |-------------                 |                  |                              |
                                                  |Casualty-Ptd.      1,000,000  |                  |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------



Subsidiary Companies -- Solid Line
Contractual Association -- Double Lines

March 6, 1997
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   59
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                        (Left Side)
                                                NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)

                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |              EMPLOYERS INSURANCE               |
                                        |                  OF WAUSAU                     |==========================================
                                        |               A MUTUAL COMPANY                 |
                                         ------------------------------------------------



























<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             |                                  |                                   |
                ---------------------------        ---------------------------        ---------------------------
               | NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE |      |        NATIONWIDE         |      |   NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL    |
               |     COMPANY (NW LIFE)     |      |    FINANCIAL SERVICES     |      | INSTITUTION DISTRIBUTORS  |
               |                           |      |      CAPITAL TRUST        |      |   AGENCY, INC. (NFIDAI)   |
               | Common Stock: 3,814,779   |      | Preferred Stock:          |      | Common Stock:     1,000   |
               | ------------  Shares      |      | ---------------           |      | ------------      Shares  |
               |                           |      |                           |      |                           |
               | NFS--100%                 |      | NFS--100%                 |      | NFS--100%                 |
                ---------------------------        ---------------------------        ---------------------------
                               |                                                                    ||  
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------        ---------------------------   ||   -------------------------- 
|    NATIONWIDE LIFE AND    |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |      |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |  ||  |                          |
| ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY |  |  |     ADVISORY SERVICES     |      |    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY    |  ||  |                          |
|        (NW LIFE)          |  |  |      (NW ADV. SERV.)      |      |      OF ALABAMA, INC.     |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 68,000      |  |  | Common Stock: 7,676       |      | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|--| ------------  Shares      |==||  | ------------  Shares      |--||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |       OF OHIO, INC.      |
|               Cost        |  |  |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life--100% $58,070,003 |  |  | NW Life--100% $5,996,261  |  ||  | NFIDIA--100% $100         |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   -------------------------- 
                               |                                 ||                                 ||                              
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
|         NWE, INC.         |  |  |        NATIONWIDE         |  ||  |    LANDMARK FINANCIAL     |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |   INVESTOR SERVICES, INC. |  ||  |        SERVICES OF        |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |       NEW YORK, INC.      |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 100         |  |  | Common Stock: 5           |  ||  | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  | ------------  Shares      |==||  | ------------  Shares      |  ||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |     OF OKLAHOMA, INC.    |
|               Cost        |  |  |                     Cost  |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |                     ----  |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life--100% $35,971,375 |  |  | NW Adv. Serv.--100% $5,000|  ||  | NFIDIA--100% $10,100      |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                 ||    
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
|   NATIONWIDE INVESTMENT   |  |  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS     |  ||  |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |  ||  |                          |
|   SERVICES CORPORATION    |  |  |     INVESTMENT TRUST      |  ||  |      SECURITIES CORP.     |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 5,000       |  |  |                           |  ||  | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |  ||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |       OF TEXAS, INC.     |
|               Cost        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life--100% $529,728    |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||  | NFIDIA--100% $153,000     |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                 ||                    
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
| NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||  |   AFFILIATE AGENCY, INC.  |  ||  |                          |
|    COMPANY OF NEW YORK    |  |  |         INVESTING         |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |         FOUNDATION        |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock:             |  |  |                           |  ||  | Common Stock: 100         |  ||  |          AFFILIATE       |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |__||==|          AGENCY OF       |
|               Cost        |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |      |          OHIO, INC.      |
|               ----        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               Cost        |      |                          |
| NW Life--100%             |  |  |                           |  ||  |               ----        |      |                          |
| (Proposed)                |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||  | NFIDIA--100% $100         |      |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------        --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                                                
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||                               
|     NATIONWIDE REALTY     |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||                               
|      INVESTORS, LTD.      |  |  |          INVESTING        |  ||                               
|                           |  |  |        FOUNDATION II      |  ||                               
| Units:                    |  |  |                           |  ||                               
| ------                    |  |  |                           |==||                               
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||                               
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||                               
| NW Life--90%              |  |  |                           |  ||                               
| NW Mutual--10%            |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||                               
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||                               
                               |                                 ||                               
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||                               
|     NATIONWIDE REALTY     |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||                               
|      INVESTORS, LTD.      |  |  |      SEPARATE ACCOUNT     |  ||                               
|                           |  |  |            TRUST          |  ||                               
| Units:                    |  |  |                           |  ||                               
| ------                    |__|  |                           |__||                               
|                           |     |                           |                                   
|                           |     |                           |                                   
| NW Life--97.6%            |     |                           |                                   
| NW Mutual--2.4%           |     |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |                                   
 ---------------------------       ---------------------------                                    
</TABLE>                           
<PAGE>   60
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                           (Center)

<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |               NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                |
========================================|               INSURANCE COMPANY                |==========================================
                                        |                  (CASUALTY)                    |
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                                                 |
                                                                 |              ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                 |              |
                                               ---------------------------------------
                                              |    NATIONWIDE CORPORATION (NW CORP)   |
                                              |   Common Stock:           Control     |
                                              |   ------------            -------     |
                                              |    13,642,432               100%      |
                                              |              Shares      Cost         |
                                              |             ------      ----          |
                                              | Casualty    12,992,922   $751,352,485 |
                                              | Fire           649,510     24,007,936 |
                                               ---------------------------------------
                                                                |
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              |                                     |                                |                             |
 ---------------------------     --------------------------       -----------------------------      ---------------------------- 
|    NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL   |   |   MRM INVESTMENTS, INC.   |    |      WEST COAST LIFE        |    |    NATIONAL CASUALTY       |
|    SERVICES, INC. (NFS)   |   |                           |    |     INSURANCE COMPANY       |    |         COMPANY            |
|                           |   |                           |    |                             |    |           (NC)             |
| Common Stock: Control     |   | Common Stock: 1           |    | Common Stock: 1,000,000     |    | Common Stock: 100          |
| ------------  -------     |   | ------------  Share       |    | ------------  Shares        |    | ------------  Shares       |
|                           |   |                           |    |                             |    |                            |
|                           |   |               Cost        |    |               Cost          |    |                Cost        | 
| Class A     Public--100%  |   |               ----        |    |               ----          |    |                ----        |
| Class B     NW Corp--100% |   | NW Corp.--100% $1,339,218 |    | NW Corp.--100% $152,946,930 |    | NW Corp.--100% $73,442,439 |
 ---------------------------     ---------------------------      -----------------------------      ---------------------------- 
             |                                                                                                     |
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                   |
                             |                                                  |                                  |
                ---------------------------                       ---------------------------        ----------------------------
               | PUBLIC EMPLOYEES BENEFIT  |                     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER       |    |   NCC OF AMERICA, INC.     |
               |   SERVICES CORPORATION    |                     |   INVESTOR SERVICES, INC.   |    |         (INACTIVE)         |
               |         (PEBSCO)          |                     |             (NEA)           |    |                            |
               | Common Stock: 236,494     |==||                 | Common Stock: 500           |    |                            |
               | ------------  Shares      |  ||                 | ------------  Shares        |    |                            |
               |                           |  ||                 |                             |    |                            |
               | NFS--100%                 |  ||                 | NFS--100%                   |    | NFS--100%                  |
                ---------------------------   ||                  -----------------------------      ----------------------------
                                              ||                                 ||  
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||  
               |          ALABAMA          |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||
               |                           |  ||  |     OF ALABAMA, INC.      |  ||
               | Common Stock: 100,000     |  ||  | Common Stock: 500         |  ||
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |--||
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||
               | PEBSCO--100%  $1,000      |  ||  | NEA--100%      $5,000     |  ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
                                              ||                                 || 
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||
               |         ARKANSAS          |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||
               |                           |  ||  |      OF ARIZONA, INC      |  ||
               | Common Stock: 50,000      |  ||  | Common Stock: 100         |  ||
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |--||
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||
               | PEBSCO--100%  $500        |  ||  | NEA--100%     $1,000      |  ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
               |  PEBSCO OF MASSACHUSETTS  |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||
               |  INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.   |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||
               |                           |  ||  |      OF MONTANA, INC.     |  ||
               | Common Stock: 1,000       |  ||  | Common Stock: 500         |  ||
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |--||
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||
               | PEBSCO--100%  $1,000      |  ||  | NEA--100%     $500        |  ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||  |                           |
               |          MONTANA          |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||  |                           |
               |                           |  ||  |      OF NEVADA, INC.      |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |
               | Common Stock: 500         |  ||  | Common Stock: 500         |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |  ||==|       OF OHIO, INC.       |
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                           |
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                           |
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                           |
               | PEBSCO--100%  $500        |  ||  | NEA--100%     $500        |  ||  |                           |
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||  |                           |
               |        NEW MEXICO         |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||  |                           |
               |                           |  ||  |      OF WYOMING, INC.     |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |
               | Common Stock: 1,000       |  ||  | Common Stock: 500         |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |  ||==|     OF OKLAHOMA, INC.     |
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                           |
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                           |
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                           |
               | PEBSCO--100%  $1,000      |  ||  | NEA--100%     $500        |  ||  |                           |
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ----------------------------
               |                           |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||  |                            |
               |                           |  ||  |    SERVICES INSURANCE     |  ||  |                            |
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |       AGENCY, INC.        |  ||  |      NEA VALUEBUILDER      |
               |        TEXAS, INC.        |  ||  | Common Stock: 100         |  ||  |      INVESTOR SERVICES     |
               |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |__||==|        OF TEXAS, INC.      |
               |                           |      |                           |      |                            |
               |                           |      |               Cost        |      |                            |
               |                           |      |               ----        |      |                            |
               |                           |      | NEA--100%     $1,000      |      |                            |
                ---------------------------        ---------------------------        ----------------------------

</TABLE>
<PAGE>   61
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                            (Right)

<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |               NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                |
========================================|            FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY              |
                                        |                   (FIRE)                       |
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                                                 |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------|   












- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              |                                |                              |
                ---------------------------         ------------------------------       ------------------------------
               |      GATES, MCDONALD        |     |   EMPLOYERS LIFE INSURANCE   |     |    NATIONWIDE HMO, INC.      |
               |     & COMPANY (GATES)       |     |       OF WAUSAU (ELIOW)      |     |         (NW HMO)             |
               |                             |     |                              |     |                              |
               | Common Stock:   254         |     | Common Stock:   250,000      |     | Common Stock:   100          |        
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  |--| ------------    Shares       |  |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |  |  |                 Cost         |  |  |                 Cost         | 
           |   |                 ----        |  |  |                 ----         |  |  |                 ----         |
           |   | NW CORP.--100%  $25,683,532 |  |  | NW CORP.--100%  $126,509,480 |  |  | NW CORP.--100%  $14,603,732  |
           |    -----------------------------   |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |                                    |                                    |
           |    ---------------------------     |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |   |  GATES, MCDONALD & COMPANY  |  |  |       WAUSAU PREFERRED       |  |  |    NATIONWIDE MANAGEMENT     |
           |   |      OF NEW YORK, INC.      |  |  |      HEALTH INSURANCE CO.    |  |  |         SYSTEMS, INC.        |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   | Common Stock:   3           |  |  | Common Stock:   250,000      |  |  | Common Stock:   100          |        
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  |--| ------------    Shares       |  |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |  |  |                 Cost         |  |  | NW HMO          Cost         | 
           |   |                 ----        |  |  |                 ----         |  |  |                 ----         |
           |   | GATES--100%     $106,947    |  |  | NW CORP.--100%  $57,413,193  |  |  | Inc.--100%      $25,149      |
           |    -----------------------------   |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |                                    |                                    |
           |    -----------------------------   |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |   |  GATES, MCDONALD & COMPANY  |  |  |     KEY HEALTH PLAN, INC.    |  |  |          NATIONWIDE          |
           |   |         OF NEVADA           |  |  |                              |  |  |          AGENCY, INC.        |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   | Common Stock:   40          |  |  | Common Stock:   1,000        |  |  | Common Stock:   100          |        
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  |--| ------------    Shares       |  |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |     |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |     |                 Cost         |  |  | NW HMO          Cost         | 
           |   |                 ----        |     |                 ----         |  |  |                 ----         |
           |   | Gates--100%     $93,750     |     | ELIOPW--80%  $2,700,000      |  |  | Inc.--99%       $116,077     |
           |    -----------------------------       ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |
           |    -----------------------------     
           |   |      GATES, MCDONALD        |  
           |   |     HEALTH PLUS, INC.       |  
           |   |                             |  
           |   | Common Stock:   200         |       
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  
               |                             |  
               |                 Cost        |  
               |                 ----        |  
               | NW CORP.--100%  $2,000,000  |  
                -----------------------------   









                                                                                Subsidiary Companies    -- Solid Line

                                                                                Contractual Association -- Double Line

                                                                                Partnership Interest    -- Dotted Line



                                                                                                             March 6, 1997

                                                                                                                    Page 2
</TABLE>
                                                
                                                                              
<PAGE>   62

Item 27.  Number of Contract Owners

          Not Applicable.

Item 28.  Indemnification

   
          Provision is made in the Company's Amended and Restated 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 Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS") acts as principal
               underwriter and general distributor for the Nationwide Multi-Flex
               Variable Account, Nationwide DC Variable Account, Nationwide DCVA
               II, 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 VL Separate Account B,
               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.

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

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

                                                   Positions and offices
     Name and Business Address                       with Underwriter

   
Joseph J. Gasper                                  President and Director
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

Dimon Richard McFerson                    Chairman of the Board of Directors and
One Nationwide Plaza                                  Chairman and
Columbus, OH  43215                        Chief Executive Officer--Nationwide
                                            Insurance Enterprise and Director
    

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

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


                                    85 of 90
<PAGE>   63

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

Robert J. Woodward, Jr.                     Executive Vice President - Chief
One Nationwide Plaza                        Investment Officer and Director
Columbus, OH 43215

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

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

Edwin P. McCausland                            Vice President - Fixed Income
One Nationwide Plaza                                   Securities
Columbus, OH 43215                               

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

Joseph P. Rath                                  Vice President - Compliance
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

William G. Goslee                                      Vice President
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

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

Rae M. Pollina                                            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
         Advisory                
         Services,
         Inc.
</TABLE>


                                    86 of 90
<PAGE>   64

Item 30.  Location of Accounts and Records

   
          Robert O. Cline
          Nationwide Life Insurance Company
          One Nationwide Plaza
          Columbus, OH  43215
    

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 represents that any of the Contracts which are issued
          pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code is issued by the Company
          through the Registrant in reliance upon, and in compliance with, a
          no-action letter issued by the Staff of the Securities and Exchange
          Commission to the American Council of Life Insurance (publicly
          available November 28, 1988) permitting withdrawal restrictions to the
          extent necessary to comply with Section 403(b)(11) of the Code.

          The Company represents that the fees and charges deducted under the
          Contract in the aggregate are reasonable in relation to the services
          rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred and risks assumed by
          the Company.
    


                                    87 of 90
<PAGE>   65

                                   Offered by
                        Nationwide Life Insurance Company







                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY







                         Nationwide Variable Account - 8

                  Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contract






                                   PROSPECTUS






   
                                   May 1, 1997
    


                                    88 of 90
<PAGE>   66

                 Accountants' Consent and Independent Auditors'
                     Report on Financial Statement Schedules

The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company:


   
The audits referred to in our report on Nationwide Life Insurance Company (the
Company) dated January 31, 1997 included the related financial statement
schedules as of December 31, 1996, and for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1996, included in the registration statement. These
financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statement schedules based on our audits. In our opinion, such financial
statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated
financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects
the information set forth herein.
    

We consent to the use of our reports 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

   
April 28, 1997
    


                                    89 of 90
<PAGE>   67

                                   SIGNATURES

   
      As required by the Securities Act of 1933, and the Investment Company Act
of 1940, the Registrant, NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-8, certifies that it meets
the requirements of Securities Act Rule 485(b) for effectiveness of this
Registration Statement, has caused this Post-Effective Amendment to the
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf in the City of Columbus, and
State of Ohio, on this 28th day of April, 1997.
    

                                           NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-8
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                                  (Registrant)

                                         NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                                   (Depositor)


                                               By /s/JOSEPH P. RATH
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                                  Joseph P. Rath
                                                Vice President and

   
As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 28th day
of April, 1997.
    

     Signature                        Title

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

KEITH W. ECKEL                       Director
- -----------------------------
Keith W. Eckel

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

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

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

JOSEPH J. GASPER                     President/Chief Operating 
- -----------------------------        Office and Director
Joseph J. Gasper                    

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

D. RICHARD McFERSON                  Chairman and Chief Executive 
- -----------------------------        Officer-Nationwide Insurance 
D. Richard McFerson                  Enterprise and Director

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

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

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

JAMES F. PATTERSON                   Director               By /s/JOSEPH P. RATH
- -----------------------------                               --------------------
James F. Patterson                                             Joseph P. Rath
                                                               Attorney-in-Fact
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


                                    90 of 90
<PAGE>   68
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



         KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned as
directors and/or officers of NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, and NATIONWIDE
LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY, both Ohio corporations, which have filed or
will file with the U.S. 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 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, Nationwide
Multi-Flex Variable Account, Nationwide Variable Account-8, Nationwide VA
Separate Account-A, Nationwide VA Separate Account-B, Nationwide VA Separate
Account-C and Nationwide VA Separate Account-Q; 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 Nationwide Multiple Maturity Separate Account and Nationwide Multiple
Maturity Separate Account-A, and the registration of Group Flexible Fund
Retirement Contracts in connection with Nationwide DC Variable Account,
Nationwide DCVA-II, and 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
Nationwide VLI Separate Account, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2, Nationwide
VLI Separate Account-3, Nationwide VL Separate Account-A and Nationwide VL
Separate Account-B, hereby constitutes and appoints Dimon Richard McFerson,
Joseph J. Gasper, 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 U.S.
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 2nd day of April, 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                 <C>
/s/ Lewis J. Alphin                                                 /s/ David O. Miller
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin, Director                                           David O. Miller, Director

/s/ Keith W. Eckel                                                  /s/ C. Ray Noecker
- -------------------------------------------------                   -------------------------------------------------
Keith W. Eckel, Director                                            C. Ray Noecker, Director

/s/ Willard J. Engel                                                /s/ Robert A. Oakley
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Willard J. Engel, Director                                          Robert A. Oakley, Executive Vice President and Chief
                                                                    Financial Officer

/s/ Fred C. Finney                                                  /s/ James F. Patterson
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Fred C. Finney, Director                                            James F. Patterson, Director

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

/s/ Joseph J. Gasper                                                /s/ Robert L. Stewart
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Joseph J. Gasper, President and Chief Operating Officer             Robert L. Stewart, Director
and Director

/s/ Henry S. Holloway                                               /s/ Nancy C. Thomas
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Henry S. Holloway, Chairman of the Board, Director                  Nancy C. Thomas, Director

/s/ Dimon Richard McFerson                                          /s/ Harold W. Weihl
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Dimon Richard McFerson, Chairman and Chief Executive                Harold W. Weihl, Director
Officer-Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and Director
</TABLE>






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