prospectus.htm

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities and contract owners’ equity of Nationwide VLI Separate Account-4 (comprised of the sub-accounts listed in note 1(b) (collectively, “the Accounts”)) as of December 31, 2008, and the related statements of operations and changes in contract owners’ equity, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated herein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Accounts’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2008, by correspondence with the transfer agents of the underlying mutual funds. 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 financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Accounts as of December 31, 2008, and the results of their operations, changes in contract owners’ equity, and financial highlights for each of the periods indicated herein, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The Nationwide VLI Separate Account-4 (the Account) was established pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company (the Company) on December 3, 1997. The Account is registered as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company offers Flexible Premium, Modified Single Premium, Variable Executive Life and Survivorship Life Variable Life Insurance Policies through the Account. The primary distribution for contracts is through wholesalers and brokers.

Only contracts with a front-end sales charge and certain other fees are offered for purchase. See note 2 for a discussion of policy charges and note 3 for asset charges.

Portfolios of the AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. (AllianceBernstein VPS);

Portfolios of the American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. (American Century VP);

NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-4 (NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued)

Portfolios of the Fidelity(R) Variable Insurance Products Fund (Fidelity(R) VIP);

Portfolios of the Fidelity(R) Variable Insurance Products Fund II (Fidelity(R) VIP II);

Fidelity(R) VIP II - Investment Grade Bond Portfolio - Service Class 2 (FIGBP2)*

Portfolios of the Fidelity(R) Variable Insurance Products Fund III (Fidelity(R) VIP III);

Portfolios of the Fidelity(R) Variable Insurance Products Fund IV (Fidelity(R) VIP IV);

Portfolios of the Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (Franklin Templeton VIP);

Portfolios of the Ivy Fund Variable Insurance Portfolio, Inc. (Ivy Fund VIP,Inc.) ( formerly W&R Target Funds, Inc.);

NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-4 (NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued)

Janus Aspen Series - INTECH Risk Managed Core Portfolio - Service Class (JARLCS)

JPMorgan Insurance Trust - Intrepid Growth Portfolio - Class 1 (OGLG) (formerly Large Cap Growth Portfolio -Class 1)*

Portfolios of the Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust (Legg Mason Partners VET);

Portfolios of the Lehman Brothers Advisers Management Trust (Lehman Brothers AMT);

Nationwide VIT - Gartmore International Equity Fund - Class I (GIG) (formerly Gartmore International Growth Fund - Class I)

Nationwide VIT - Gartmore International Equity Fund - Class III (GIG3) (formerly Gartmore International Growth Fund - Class III)

NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-4 (NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued)

Nationwide VIT - Health Sciences Fund - Class I (GVGH1) (formerly Global Health Sciences Fund - Class I)

Nationwide VIT - Health Sciences Fund - Class III (GVGHS) (formerly Global Health Sciences Fund - Class III)

Nationwide VIT - Investor Destinations Moderately Aggressive Fund - Class II (GVDMA)

Nationwide VIT - Investor Destinations Moderately Conservative Fund - Class II (GVDMC)

Nationwide VIT - Multi-Manager International Value Fund - Class I (GVDIVI) (formerly International Value Fund - Class I)

Nationwide VIT - Multi-Manager International Value Fund - Class III (GVDIV3) (formerly International Value Fund - Class III)

Nationwide VIT - Neuberger Berman Multi-Cap Opportunities Fund - Class I (NVNMO1)

Nationwide VIT - Neuberger Berman Socially Responsible Fund - Class II (NVNSR2)*

Nationwide VIT - Technology and Communications Fund - Class I (GGTC) (formerly Global Technology and Communications Fund - Class I)

Nationwide VIT - Technology and Communications Fund - Class III (GGTC3) (formerly Global Technology and Communications Fund - Class III)

Portfolios of the Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust (Neuberger Berman AMT);

Neuberger Berman AMT - Small Cap Growth Portfolio - Class S (AMFAS) (formerly Fasciano Portfolio – Class S)

NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-4 (NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued)

The Universal IF, Inc. - Capital Growth Portfolio - Class I (MSVEG) (formerly Van Kampen UIF - Equity Growth Portfolio - Class I)

Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust - Emerging Markets Fund - Initial Class (VWEM)

Van Kampen LIT - Capital Growth Portfolio - Class II (ACEG2) (formerly Strategic Growth Portfolio - Class II)*

Portfolios of the Van Kampen - The Universal Institutional Funds, Inc. (Van Kampen UIF);

Portfolios of the Wells Fargo Advantage Variable Trust Funds(SM) (Wells Fargo AVT);

The contract owners’ equity is affected by the investment results of each fund, equity transactions by contract owners and certain policy and asset charges (see notes 2 and 3). The accompanying financial statements include only contract owners’ purchase payments pertaining to the variable portions of their contracts and exclude any purchase payments for fixed dollar benefits, the latter being included in the accounts of the Company. A contract owner may choose from among a number of different underlying mutual fund options.

NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-4 (NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued)

The underlying mutual fund options are not available to the general public directly. The underlying mutual funds are available as investment options in variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts issued by life insurance companies or, in some cases, through participation in certain qualified pension or retirement plans.

Some of the underlying mutual funds have been established by investment advisers which manage publicly traded mutual funds having similar names and investment objectives. While some of the underlying mutual funds may be similar to, and may in fact be modeled after, publicly traded mutual funds, the underlying mutual funds are not otherwise directly related to any publicly traded mutual fund. Consequently, the investment performance of publicly traded mutual funds and any corresponding underlying mutual funds may differ substantially.

A purchase payment could be presented as a negative equity transaction in the Statements of Changes in Contract Owners’ Equity if a prior period purchase payment is refunded to a contract owner due to a contract cancellation during the free look period, and/or if a gain is realized by the contract owner during the free look period.

Investments in underlying mutual funds are valued on the closing net asset value per share at December 31, 2008 of such funds, which value their investment securities at fair value. The cost of investments sold is determined on a first in – first out basis. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed), and dividends and capital gain distributions are accrued as of the ex-dividend date and are reinvested in the underlying mutual funds.

Operations of the Account form a part of, and are taxed with, operations of the Company, which is taxed as a life insurance company under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company does not provide for income taxes within the Account. Taxes are generally the responsibility of the contract owner upon termination or withdrawal.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, if any, at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and requires new disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 also provides guidance regarding the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. For assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition, the reporting entity shall disclose information that enables financial statement users to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements. SFAS 157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value but does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt SFAS 157 effective January 1, 2008. SFAS 157 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations upon adoption.

For individual flexible premium and survivorship contracts, the Company deducts a minimum of 0.5% to a maximum of 7.5% of all premiums received to cover premium tax and sales expense. The Company may, at its sole discretion, reduce the sales loading portion of the premium load.

For the Corporate Series, the Company deducts a front-end sales load of 9.0% (5.5% starting in the seventh policy year) from each premium payment received. The Company may reduce this charge where the size or nature of the group results in savings in sales, underwriting, or administrative costs. Variations due to differences in costs are determined in a manner not unfairly discriminatory to policy owners.

NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-4 (NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued)

For Future Corporate Flexible Premium Variable Universal Life this charge is guaranteed not to exceed 12% (5.5% starting in the sixth policy year) from each premium payment received.

For Next Generation Corporate Owned Flexible Premium Variable Universal Life this charge is guaranteed not to exceed 10% from each premium payment received.

For the periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, total front-end sales charge deductions were $18,211,128 and $22,337,781, respectively and were recognized as a reduction of purchase payments on the Statement of Changes in Contract Owners’ Equity.

A cost of insurance charge is assessed monthly against each contract by liquidating units. The amount of the charge varies widely and is based upon age, sex, rate class and net amount at risk (death benefit less total contract value).

For flexible premium survivorship, the Company currently deducts a minimum monthly administration charge of $5 per policy month to a maximum of $10 per policy month to recover policy maintenance, accounting, record keeping and other administrative expenses. These charges are assessed monthly against each contract by liquidating units.

For modified single premium contracts, for all states other than New York, the Company currently deducts a minimum monthly administration charge of $10 per policy per month. The actual charge is determined by multiplying 0.30% on an annualized basis by the policy’s cash value. This charge may be reduced to 0.15% on an annualized basis for policy years 11 and later. In New York, this charge is assessed in all policy years, with a maximum charge of $7.50 per month. These charges are assessed monthly against each contract by liquidating units.

For ProtectionSM flexible premium contracts, the Company deducts a policy expense per $1,000 of Specified Amount charge for the first two policy years. This charge varies with the age of the insured and will not exceed $0.30 per $1,000 of Specified Amount. For last survivor contracts, the Company deducts a per $1,000 of Specified Amount charge for the first 3 policy years. This charge varies with the age of the insured and will not exceed $0.40 per $1,000 of Specified Amount. These charges are assessed monthly against each contract by liquidating units.

For the Corporate Series, the Company deducts a monthly administrative expense charge to recover policy maintenance, accounting, record keeping and other administrative expenses. These charges are assessed against each contract by liquidating units. Currently, this charge is $5 per month in all policy years (guaranteed not to exceed $10 per month).

Policy surrenders result in a redemption of the contract value from the Account and payment of the surrender proceeds to the contract owner or designee. The surrender proceeds consist of the contract value, less any outstanding policy loans, and less a surrender charge, if applicable. The amount of the charge is based upon a specified percentage of the initial surrender charge which varies by issue age, sex and rate class. For individual flexible premium, flexible premium survivorship and modified single premium and corporate contracts, the charge is 100% of the initial surrender charge in the first year, and declines a Specified Amount each year to 0% of the initial surrender charge in the ninth year or later. The Company may waive the surrender charge for certain contracts in which the sales expenses normally associated with the distribution of a contract are not incurred. The charges are assessed against each contract by liquidating units.

The Company deducts a charge related to the assumption of mortality and expense risk.

For modified single premium contracts, the Company deducts a charge equal to an annualized rate of 0.70% of the cash surrender value of the sub-accounts. This charge is assessed monthly against each contract by liquidating units.

NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-4 (NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued)

For Choice LifeSM contracts, the Company deducts a charge of $0.50 per $1,000 on the first $25,000 of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account, $0.25 per $1,000 on $25,001 up to $250,000 of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account and $0.08 per $1,000 over $250,000 of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account. This charge is assessed monthly against each contract by liquidating units. For Choice Life ProtectionSM contracts and Best of America^® ProtectionSM contracts, the Company deducts $0.66 per $1,000 of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account during the first through fifteenth years from the Policy Date. Thereafter, this charge is $0.25 per $1,000 of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account. This charge is assessed monthly against each contract by liquidating units.

For Choice Survivorship and Last Survivor contracts, during the first ten policy years, the Company deducts a charge of $0.46 per $1,000 on the first $25,000 of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account; $0.46 per $1,000 on $25,001 up to $99,999 of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account; and $0.46 per $1,000 on $100,000 or more of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account. After ten years from the Policy Date, the Company deducts $0.46 per $1,000 on the first $25,000 of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account; $0.29 per $1,000 on $25,001 up to $99,999 of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account; and $0.17 per $1,000 on $100,000 or more of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account. This charge is assessed monthly against each contract by liquidating units.

For ChoiceLifeSM Survivorship II and Next GenerationSM Survivorship Life contracts, during the first fifteen policy years, the Company deducts a charge of $0.50 per $1,000 on the first $25,000 of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account; $0.25 per $1,000 on $25,001 up to $250,000 of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account; and $0.08 per $1,000 over $250,000 of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account. After fifteen years from the Policy Date, the Company deducts $0.50 per $1,000 on the first $25,000 of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account and $0.08 per $1,000 over $25,000 of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account. This charge is assessed monthly against each contract by liquidating units.

For ProtectionSM Survivorship and ChoiceLife ProtectionSM Survivorship Life contracts, during the first fifteen policy years, the Company deducts a charge of $0.66 per $1,000 of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account. After fifteen years from the Policy Date, the Company deducts $0.25 per $1,000 of cash surrender value attributable to the variable account. This charge is assessed monthly against each contract by liquidating units.

For Future Corporate Flexible Premium Variable Universal Life, the Company deducts a charge guaranteed not to exceed an annualized rate of 0.90% of the daily net assets of the Account for the first five policy years. For policy years six and later this charge is guaranteed not to exceed 5.5%. Currently, this rate is 0.25% during the first through fourth policy years, 0.20% during the fifth through fifteenth policy years, and 0.10% thereafter. This charge is assessed monthly against each contract by liquidating units.

For Next Generation Corporate Owned Flexible Premium Variable Universal Life, the Company deducts a charge guaranteed not to exceed an annualized rate of 1.25% of the daily net assets of the Account. Currently, this rate will not exceed 0.60%. This charge is assessed monthly against each contract by liquidating units.

The Company may reduce or eliminate certain charges where the size or nature of the group results in savings in sales, underwriting, administrative or other costs to the Company. These charges may be reduced in certain group sponsored arrangements or special exchange programs made available by the Company.

Death benefit proceeds result in a redemption of the contract value from the Account and payment of those proceeds, less any outstanding policy loans (and policy charges), to the legal beneficiary. For last survivor flexible premium contracts, the proceeds are payable on the death of the last surviving insured. In the event that the guaranteed death benefit exceeds the contract value on the date of death, the excess is paid by the Company’s general account.

Contract provisions allow contract owners to borrow 90% of a policy’s variable cash surrender value plus 100% of a policy’s fixed cash surrender value less applicable value of surrender charge. Interest is charged on the outstanding loan and is due and payable in advance on the policy anniversary. At the time the loan is granted, the amount of the loan is transferred from the Account to the Company’s general account as collateral for the outstanding loan. Collateral amounts in the general

NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-4 (NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued)

account are credited with the stated rate of interest in effect at the time the loan is made, subject to a guaranteed minimum rate. Interest credited is paid by the Company’s general account to the Account. Loan repayments result in a transfer of collateral including interest credited back to the Account.

The Company performs various services on behalf of the mutual fund companies in which the Account invests and may receive fees for the services performed. These services include, among other things, shareholder communications, postage, fund transfer agency and various other record keeping and customer service functions. These fees are paid to an affiliate of the Company. Contract owners may, with certain restrictions, transfer their assets between the Account and a fixed dollar contract (fixed account) maintained in the accounts of the Company. These transfers are the result of the contract owner executing fund exchanges. Fund exchanges from the Account to the fixed account are included in surrenders, and fund exchanges from the fixed account to the Account are included in purchase payments received from contact owners, as applicable, on the accompanying Statements of Change in Contract Owners’ Equity. Policy loan transactions (note 5), executed at the direction of the contract owner, also result in transfers between the Account and the fixed account of the Company, but are included in Net Policy (Loans) Repayments. The fixed account assets are not reflected in the accompanying financial statements. For the periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, total transfers into the Account from the fixed account were $37,793,952 and $26,820,115, respectively, and total transfers from the Account to the fixed account were $78,945,707 and $52,254,217, respectively.

SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Account generally uses the market approach as the valuation technique due to the nature of the mutual fund investments offered in the Account. This technique maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs.

In accordance with SFAS 157, the Account categorized its financial instruments into a three level hierarchy based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument in its entirety.

The following table summarizes assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2008:

Accounts Payable of $151,674 are measured at settlement value which approximates the fair value due to the short-term nature of such liabilities.

The Account did not have any assets or liabilities reported at fair value on a nonrecurring basis required to be disclosed under SFAS 157.

NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-4 (NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued)

The following tabular presentation is a summary of units, unit fair values and contract owners’ equity outstanding for variable annuity contracts as of the end of the periods indicated, and the contract expense rate, investment income ratio and total return for each of the periods in the five year period ended December 31, 2008.

NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-4 (NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Continued)

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholder

Nationwide Life Insurance Company:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nationwide Life Insurance Company and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of (loss) income, changes in shareholder’s equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedules as listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. 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, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related 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 therein.

As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Statement of Position 05-1, Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection with Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts, in 2007.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

March 2, 2009

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income

(in millions)


	Years ended December 31,
	2008			2007			2006
Revenues:
Policy charges	$	1,168.0		$	1,208.3		$	1,132.6
Premiums		283.5			291.7			308.3
Net investment income		1,687.0			1,975.8			2,058.5
Net realized investment (losses) gains		(1,439.3	)		(166.2	)		7.1
Other income		6.4			7.5			0.2

Total revenues		1,705.6			3,317.1			3,506.7

Benefits and expenses:
Interest credited to policyholder accounts		1,130.6			1,262.6			1,330.1
Benefits and claims		660.3			479.3			450.3
Policyholder dividends		26.4			24.5			25.6
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		674.5			368.5			450.3
Interest expense, primarily with Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NFS)		61.8			70.0			65.5
Other operating expenses		516.1			529.5			536.8

Total benefits and expenses		3,069.7			2,734.4			2,858.6

(Loss) income from continuing operations before federal income tax (benefit) expense		(1,364.1	)		582.7			648.1
Federal income tax (benefit) expense		(534.3	)		128.5			28.7

(Loss) income from continuing operations		(829.8	)		454.2			619.4
Cumulative effect of adoption of accounting principle, net of taxes		—			(6.0	)		—

Net (loss) income	$	(829.8	)	$	448.2		$	619.4

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in millions, except per share amounts)


	December 31,
	2008			2007
Assets
Investments:
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
Fixed maturity securities (amortized cost $21,820.9 and $24,021.2)	$	19,247.2		$	23,933.4
Equity securities (amortized cost $30.9 and $69.6)		26.5			72.9
Mortgage loans on real estate, net		7,189.9			7,615.4
Short-term investments, including amounts managed by a related party		2,780.9			959.1
Other investments		1,305.5			1,330.8

Total investments		30,550.0			33,911.6

Cash		36.7			1.3
Accrued investment income		300.9			314.3
Deferred policy acquisition costs		4,423.9			3,997.4
Other assets		2,564.0			1,638.9
Separate account assets		46,936.9			69,676.5

Total assets	$	84,812.4		$	109,540.0

Liabilities and Shareholder’s Equity
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits and claims	$	32,536.3		$	31,998.4
Short-term debt		249.7			285.3
Long-term debt, payable to NFS		700.0			700.0
Other liabilities		2,110.5			2,642.6
Separate account liabilities		46,936.9			69,676.5

Total liabilities		82,533.4			105,302.8

Shareholder’s equity:
Common stock ($1 par value; authorized - 5.0 shares; issued and outstanding - 3.8 shares)		3.8			3.8
Additional paid-in capital		613.2			274.4
Retained earnings		2,973.2			4,049.5
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(1,311.2	)		(90.5	)

Total shareholder’s equity		2,279.0			4,237.2

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity	$	84,812.4		$	109,540.0

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder’s Equity

(in millions)


	Capital shares		Additional paid-in capital		Retained earnings			Accumlated other comprehensive income (loss)			Total shareholder’s equity
Balance as of December 31, 2005		3.8		274.4		3,894.4			93.6			4,266.2

Dividends to NFS		—		—		(375.0	)		—			(375.0	)

Comprehensive income:
Net income		—		—		619.4			—			619.4
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes		—		—		—			(64.9	)		(64.9	)

Total comprehensive income												554.5

Balance as of December 31, 2006		3.8		274.4		4,138.8			28.7			4,445.7

Dividends to NFS		—		—		(537.5	)		—			(537.5	)

Comprehensive income:
Net income		—		—		448.2			—			448.2
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes		—		—		—			(119.2	)		(119.2	)

Total comprehensive income												329.0

Balance as of December 31, 2007	$	3.8	$	274.4	$	4,049.5		$	(90.5	)	$	4,237.2

Dividends to NFS						(246.5	)					(246.5	)
Capital contributed by NFS				338.8								338.8

Comprehensive income:
Net loss						(829.8	)					(829.8	)
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes									(1,220.7	)		(1,220.7	)

Total comprehensive loss												(2,050.5	)

Balance as of December 31, 2008	$	3.8	$	613.2	$	2,973.2		$	(1,311.2	)	$	2,279.0

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in millions)


	Years ended December 31,
	2008			2007			2006
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(829.8	)	$	448.2		$	619.4
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net realized investment losses (gains)		1,439.3			166.2			(7.1	)
Interest credited to policyholder accounts		1,130.6			1,262.6			1,330.1
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs		(572.2	)		(612.6	)		(569.6	)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		674.5			368.5			450.3
Amortization and depreciation		6.7			22.3			46.6
Decrease (increase) in other assets		64.5			557.4			(336.2	)
(Decrease) increase in policy and other liabilities		(226.1	)		(331.8	)		54.1
(Increase) decrease in derivative assets		(1,030.7	)		(146.9	)		38.2
Increase in derivative liabilities		153.9			101.5			174.7
Other, net		3.7			8.5			0.1

Net cash provided by operating activities		814.4			1,843.9			1,800.6

Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale		3,935.6			4,379.8			5,128.6
Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale		4,185.2			4,657.5			2,267.3
Proceeds from repayments or sales of mortgage loans on real estate		763.1			2,467.7			2,430.8
Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired		(6,831.8	)		(8,008.3	)		(5,658.9	)
Cost of mortgage loans on real estate originated or acquired		(358.7	)		(1,887.0	)		(2,180.4	)
Net decrease (increase) in short-term investments		(1,827.0	)		762.9			(125.4	)
Collateral received (paid), net		603.4			(175.6	)		(332.6	)
Other, net		(34.0	)		(68.6	)		52.1

Net cash provided by investing activities		435.8			2,128.4			1,581.5

Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt		(35.6	)		210.1			(167.1	)
Capital contributed by NFS		153.4			—			—
Cash dividends paid to NFS		(181.8	)		(537.5	)		(375.0	)
Investment and universal life insurance product deposits and other additions		3,511.1			3,586.1			3,400.8
Investment and universal life insurance product withdrawals and other deductions		(4,795.9	)		(7,230.2	)		(6,241.2	)
Other, net		134.0			—			—

Net cash used in financing activities		(1,214.8	)		(3,971.5	)		(3,382.5	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash		35.4			0.8			(0.4	)
Cash, beginning of period		1.3			0.5			0.9

Cash, end of period	$	36.7		$	1.3		$	0.5

Supplemental Non-cash Disclosure:
Dividends paid to NFS	$	(64.6	)	$	—		$	—
Capital contributed by NFS		185.4			—			—

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

(1)	Nature of Operations

Nationwide Life Insurance Company (NLIC, or collectively with its subsidiaries, the Company) was incorporated in 1929 and is an Ohio stock legal reserve life insurance company. The Company is a member of the Nationwide group of companies (Nationwide), which is comprised of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (NMIC) and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates.

All of the outstanding shares of NLIC’s common stock are owned by NFS, a holding company formed by Nationwide Corporation (Nationwide Corp.), a majority-owned subsidiary of NMIC.

On August 6, 2008, NFS entered into a definitive agreement for NMIC, and Nationwide Corporation (Nationwide Corp.)., to acquire all of the outstanding publicly held Class A common shares of NFS for $52.25 per share in cash. The transaction closed on January 1, 2009 and NFS became a privately held subsidiary of Nationwide Corp.

Wholly-owned subsidiaries of NLIC as of December 31, 2008 include Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company (NLAIC) and Nationwide Investment Services Corporation (NISC). NLAIC offers universal life insurance, variable universal life insurance, corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) and individual annuity contracts on a non-participating basis. NISC is a registered broker/dealer.

The Company is a leading provider of long-term savings and retirement products in the United States of America (U.S.). The Company develops and sells a diverse range of products including individual annuities, private and public sector group retirement plans, other investment products sold to institutions, life insurance and advisory services.

The Company sells its products through a diverse distribution network. Unaffiliated entities that sell the Company’s products to their own customer bases include independent broker/dealers, financial institutions, wirehouse and regional firms, pension plan administrators, and life insurance specialists. Representatives of affiliates who market products directly to a customer base include Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc. (NRS), and Nationwide Financial Network (NFN) producers. The Company also distributes products through the agency distribution force of its ultimate parent company, NMIC.

As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company did not have a significant concentration of financial instruments in a single investee, industry or geographic region of the U.S. Also, the Company did not have a concentration of business transactions with a particular customer, lender, distribution source, market or geographic region of the U.S. in which business is conducted that makes it overly vulnerable to a single event which could cause a severe impact to the Company’s financial position.

(2)	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Company’s significant accounting policies that materially affect financial reporting are summarized below. The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

The Company’s most significant estimates include those used to determine the following: the balance, recoverability and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC); whether an available-for-sale security is other-than-temporarily impaired, valuation allowances for mortgage loans on real estate; valuation of derivatives; the liability for future policy benefits and claims, including the valuation of embedded derivative resulting from living benefit contracts; and federal income tax provision. Although some variability is inherent in these estimates, recorded amounts reflect management’s best estimates based on facts and circumstances as of the balance sheet date. Management believes the amounts provided are appropriate.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The Company determined that certain cash flows related to future policy benefits and claims totaling $111.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, which were included as cash flows provided by operating activities on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows in the applicable Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, should have been presented as financing activities. The net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 as originally filed and revised was $351.1 million and $239.2 million, respectively. The net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 as originally filed and revised was $368.9 million and $257.0 million, respectively. They will be presented in that manner on a comparative basis in the 2009 filings. The consolidated statement of cash flows for 2008 included in this filing reflects the revised presentation described above.

Certain items in the 2007 and 2006 consolidated financial statements and related notes have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

(a) Consolidation Policy

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NLIC and companies in which NLIC directly or indirectly has a controlling financial interest. Minority interest expense is included in other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of (loss) income, and the minority interest liability is included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. All significant intercompany balances and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.

(b) Valuation of Investments, Investment Income and Related Gains and Losses

The Company is required to classify its fixed maturity securities and marketable equity securities as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale or trading. All fixed maturity and marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are stated at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of adjustments to DAC, future policy benefits and claims, and deferred federal income taxes reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (AOCI) in shareholder’s equity. The adjustment to DAC represents the changes in amortization of DAC that would have been required as a charge or credit to operations had such unrealized amounts been realized and allocated to the product lines. The adjustment to future policy benefits and claims represents the increase in policy reserves from using a discount rate that would have been required had such unrealized amounts been realized and the proceeds reinvested at then current market interest rates, which were lower than the then current effective portfolio rate.

For fixed maturity and marketable equity securities for which market quotations generally are available, the Company generally uses independent pricing services to assist in determining the fair value measurement. For certain fixed maturity securities not priced by independent services (generally private placement securities without quoted market prices), an internally developed pricing model or “corporate pricing matrix” is most often used. The corporate pricing matrix is developed by obtaining private spreads versus the U.S. Treasury yield for corporate securities with varying weighted average lives and bond ratings. The weighted average life and bond rating of a particular fixed maturity security to be priced using the corporate matrix are important inputs into the model and are used to determine a corresponding spread that is added to the U.S. Treasury yield to create an estimated market yield for that bond. The estimated market yield and other relevant factors are then used to estimate the fair value of the particular fixed maturity security. The Company also utilized broker quotes in pricing securities or to validate modeled prices.

For mortgage-backed securities (MBSs), the Company recognizes income using a constant effective yield method based on prepayment assumptions and the estimated economic life of the securities. When estimated prepayments differ significantly from anticipated prepayments, the effective yield is recalculated to reflect actual payments to date and anticipated future payments. Any resulting adjustment is included in net investment income. All other investment income is recorded using the interest method without anticipating the impact of prepayments.

Management regularly reviews each investment in its fixed maturity and equity securities portfolios to evaluate the necessity of recording impairment losses for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of investments.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

For debt securities not subject to Emerging Issues Task Force Issue (EITF) No. 99-20, Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets, as amended by Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Staff Position (FSP) EITF 99-20-1 (EITF 99-20), as well as debt securities subject to EITF 99-20, an other-than-temporary impairment charge is taken when the Company does not have the ability and intent to hold the security until the forecasted recovery or if it is probable that the Company will not recover all contractual amounts when due. Furthermore, equity securities may experience other-than-temporary impairments based on prospects of recovery in a reasonable period of time. Many criteria are considered during this process including, but not limited to, specific credit issues and financial prospects related to the issuer, the quality of the underlying collateral, management’s intent and ability to hold the security until recovery, current economic conditions that could affect the creditworthiness of the issuer in the future, the current fair value as compared to the amortized cost of the security, the extent and duration of the unrealized loss, and the rating of the affected security. Other-than-temporary impairment losses result in a permanent reduction to the cost basis of the underlying investment.

In addition to the above, for certain beneficial interests in securitized financial assets with contractual cash flows, including asset-backed securities (ABSs), EITF 99-20 also requires the Company to periodically update its best estimate of cash flows over the life of the security. If the fair value of a securitized financial asset is not greater than or equal to its carrying value based on current information and events, and if there has been , or if it is probable that, an adverse change in estimated cash flows since the last revised estimate (considering both timing and amount), then the Company recognizes an other-than-temporary impairment and writes down the investment to fair value.

The Company provides valuation allowances for impairments of mortgage loans on real estate based on a review by portfolio managers. Mortgage loans on real estate are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When management determines that a loan is impaired, a provision for loss is established equal to either the difference between the carrying value and the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. In addition to the valuation allowance on specific loans, the Company maintains an allowance not yet specifically identified by loan for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The valuation allowance account for mortgage loans on real estate reflects management’s best estimate of probable credit losses, including losses incurred at the balance sheet date but not yet identified by specific loan. Management’s periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for losses is based on past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of the underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and other relevant factors. Changes in the valuation allowance are recorded in net realized investment gains and losses. Loans in foreclosure are placed on non-accrual status. Interest received on non-accrual status mortgage loans on real estate is included in net investment income in the period received.

Real estate to be held and used is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Real estate designated as held for disposal is not depreciated and is carried at the lower of the carrying value at the time of such designation or fair value less cost to sell. Other long-term investments are carried on the equity method of accounting.

Impairment losses are recorded on investments in 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 amounts.

Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined on the basis of specific security identification. Changes in the Company’s mortgage loan valuation allowance and recognition of impairment losses for other-than-temporary declines in the fair values of applicable investments are included in net realized investment gains and losses.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

Derivatives are carried at fair value. On the date the derivative contract is entered into, the Company designates the derivative as a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (fair value hedge); a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge); a foreign currency fair value or cash flow hedge (foreign currency hedge); or a non-hedge transaction. The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for entering into various hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as fair value, cash flow or foreign currency hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used for hedging transactions are expected to be and, for ongoing hedging relationships, have been highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. When it is determined that a derivative is not, or is not expected to be, highly effective as a hedge or that it has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively.

The Company enters into interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps or Euro futures to hedge the fair value of existing fixed rate assets and liabilities. In addition, the Company uses short U.S. Treasury future positions to hedge the fair value of bond and mortgage loan commitments. Typically, the Company is hedging the risk of changes in fair value attributable to changes in benchmark interest rates. Derivative instruments classified as fair value hedges are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in net realized investment gains and losses. Changes in the fair value of the hedged item that are attributable to the risk being hedged are also recorded in net realized investment gains and losses.

The Company enters into interest rate swaps to hedge the variability in cash flows and investment income due to changes in the benchmark interest rates on variable rate assets and liabilities. The Company also enters into cross-currency interest rate swaps to eliminate the currency risk on variable rate and fixed rate foreign denominated assets. Derivative instruments classified as cash flow hedges are carried at fair value, with the effective portion of changes in fair value recorded in other comprehensive income and the ineffective portion recorded in net realized investment gains and losses.

Accrued interest receivable or payable under interest rate and foreign currency swaps are recognized as an adjustment to net investment income or interest credited to policyholder accounts consistent with the nature of the hedged item, except for interest rate swaps hedging the anticipated sale of investments where amounts receivable or payable under the swaps are recorded as net realized investment gains and losses, and except for interest rate swaps hedging the anticipated purchase of investments where amounts receivable or payable under the swaps are initially recorded in AOCI to the extent the hedging relationship is effective.

The Company periodically may enter into a derivative transaction that will not qualify for hedge accounting. The Company does not enter into speculative positions. Although these transactions do not qualify for hedge accounting, or have not been designated in hedging relationships by the Company, they are part of its overall risk management strategy. For example, the Company may sell credit default protection through a credit default swap. Although the credit default swap is not effective in hedging specific investments, the income stream allows the Company to manage overall investment yields while exposing the Company to acceptable credit risk. The Company may enter into a cross-currency basis swap (pay a variable U.S. rate and receive a variable foreign-denominated rate) to eliminate the foreign currency exposure of a variable rate foreign-denominated liability. Although basis swaps may qualify for hedge accounting, the Company has chosen not to designate these derivatives as hedging instruments due to the difficulty in assessing and monitoring effectiveness for both sides of the basis swap. Derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not designated as hedging instruments are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in net realized investment gains and losses.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

(d) Revenues and Benefits

Investment and Universal Life Insurance Products: Investment products consist primarily of individual and group variable and fixed deferred annuities. Universal life insurance products include universal life insurance, variable universal life insurance, corporate-owned life insurance (COLI), bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) 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 charges, administrative fees and surrender charges that have been earned and assessed against policy account balances during the period. The timing of revenue recognition as it relates to fees assessed on investment contracts and universal life contracts is determined based on the nature of such fees. Asset fees, cost of insurance charges and administrative fees are assessed on a daily or monthly basis and recognized as revenue when assessed and earned. Certain amounts assessed that represent compensation for services to be provided in future periods are reported as unearned revenue and recognized in income over the periods benefited. Surrender charges are recognized upon surrender of a contract in accordance with contractual terms. Policy benefits and claims that are charged to expense include interest credited to policyholder accounts and benefits and claims incurred in the period in excess of related policyholder accounts.

Traditional Life Insurance Products: Traditional life insurance products include those products with fixed and guaranteed premiums and benefits, and primarily consist 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 that profits are recognized over the life of the contract. This association is accomplished through the provision for future policy benefits and the deferral and amortization of policy acquisition costs.

(e) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of less than three months at the time of purchase. The Company carries cash and cash equivalents at cost, which approximates fair value.

(f) Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Investment and universal life insurance products. The Company has deferred certain costs of acquiring investment and universal life insurance products business, principally commissions, certain expenses of the policy issue and underwriting department, and certain variable sales expenses that relate to and vary with the production of new and renewal business. In addition, the Company defers sales inducements, such as interest credit bonuses and jumbo deposit bonuses. Investment products primarily consist of individual and group variable and fixed deferred annuities in the Individual Investments and Retirement Plans segments. Universal life insurance products include universal life insurance, variable universal life insurance, COLI, BOLI and other interest-sensitive life insurance policies in the Individual Protection segment. DAC is subject to recoverability testing in the year of policy issuance and loss recognition testing at the end of each reporting period.

For investment and universal life insurance products, the Company amortizes DAC with interest over the lives of the policies in relation to the present value of estimated gross profits from projected interest margins, asset fees, cost of insurance charges, administrative fees, surrender charges, and net realized investment gains and losses less policy benefits and policy maintenance expenses. The Company adjusts the DAC asset related to investment and universal life insurance products to reflect the impact of unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, as described in Note 2(b).

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The assumptions used in the estimation of future gross profits are based on the Company’s current best estimates of future events and are reviewed as part of an annual process during the second quarter. During the annual process, the Company performs a comprehensive study of assumptions, including mortality and persistency studies, maintenance expense studies, and an evaluation of projected general and separate account investment returns. The most significant assumptions that are involved in the estimation of future gross profits include future net separate account investment performance, surrender/lapse rates, interest margins and mortality. Currently, the Company’s long-term assumption for net separate account investment performance is approximately 7% growth per year and varies by product. The Company reviews this assumption, like others, as part of its annual process. If this assumption were unlocked, the date of the unlocking could become the anchor date used in the reversion to the mean process (defined below). Variances from the long-term assumption are expected since the majority of the investments in the underlying separate accounts are in equity securities, which strongly correlate in the aggregate with the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index. The Company bases its reversion to the mean process on actual net separate account investment performance from the anchor date to the valuation date. The Company then assumes different performance levels over the next three years such that the separate account mean return measured from the anchor date to the end of the life of the product equals the long-term assumption. The assumed net separate account investment performance used in the DAC models is intended to reflect what is anticipated. However, based on historical returns of the S&P 500 Index, and as part of its pre-set parameters, the Company’s reversion to the mean process generally limits net separate account investment performance to 0-15% during the three-year reversion period. See below for a discussion of 2008 and 2007 assumption changes that impacted DAC amortization and related balances.

Changes in assumptions can have a significant impact on the amount of DAC reported for investment and universal life insurance products and their related amortization patterns. In the event actual experience differs from assumptions or future assumptions are revised, the Company is required to record an increase or decrease in DAC amortization expense, which could be significant. In general, increases in the estimated long-term general and separate account returns result in increased expected future profitability and may lower the rate of DAC amortization, while increases in long-term lapse/surrender and mortality assumptions reduce the expected future profitability of the underlying business and may increase the rate of DAC amortization.

In addition to the comprehensive annual study of assumptions, management evaluates the appropriateness of the individual variable annuity DAC balance quarterly within pre-set parameters. These parameters are designed to appropriately reflect the Company’s long-term expectations with respect to individual variable annuity contracts while also evaluating the potential impact of short-term experience on the Company’s recorded individual variable annuity DAC balance. If the recorded balance of individual variable annuity DAC falls outside of these parameters for a prescribed period, or if the recorded balance falls outside of these parameters and management determines it is not reasonably possible to get back within the parameters during a given period, assumptions are required to be unlocked, and DAC is recalculated using revised best estimate assumptions. When DAC assumptions are unlocked and revised, the Company continues to use the reversion to the mean process. See below for a discussion of 2008 and 2007 assumption changes that impacted DAC amortization and related balances.

During the second quarter of 2007, the Company conducted its annual comprehensive review of model assumptions used to project DAC and other related balances, including sales inducement assets, unearned revenue reserves, and guaranteed minimum death and income benefit reserves. This review included all assumptions, including expected separate account investment returns during the three-year reversion period, lapse rates, mortality and expenses. The Company determined as part of this annual review that the overall separate account returns were expected to exceed previous estimates due to favorable financial market trends. Additionally, while the Company estimated that the overall profitability of its variable products had improved, it expected the long-term net growth in separate account investment performance to moderate.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

Accordingly, the second quarter 2007 unlocking process included changes in several assumptions, including assumptions affecting net separate account investment performance. This unlocking resulted in a net increase in DAC and a benefit to DAC amortization and other related balances totaling $221.6 million pre-tax, which was reported in the following segments in the pre-tax amounts indicated: Individual Investments - $196.4 million; Retirement Plans - $10.5 million; and Individual Protection - $14.7 million. First, the Company reset the anchor date for its reversion to the mean calculations, which increased the annual net separate account growth rate to 7% during the first three years of the projection period from 0% (which was the rate of return for the three-year reversion period required from the previous anchor date). Second, as a result of its current analysis, including its evaluation of ongoing trends and expectations regarding financial market performance, the Company unlocked and reset its long-term assumption for net separate account growth rates to 7% from 8%. This decreased the net separate account growth rate by 1% to 7% for all years subsequent to the three-year reversion period. The combination of resetting these two factors resulted in a $167.0 million increase in DAC and benefit to DAC amortization and other related balances. The impact of changing the annual net separate account growth rate from 0% to 7% during the three-year reversion period had a much larger effect on the DAC balance when compared to the 1% incremental change in the long-term assumption for net separate account investment performance. The remainder of the increase in DAC and benefit to DAC amortization and other related balances resulting from the DAC unlocking process primarily was related to the recorded balance of individual variable annuity DAC falling outside the Company’s preset parameters for the prescribed period, which was driven by favorable market performance in excess of the assumed net separate account returns. Accordingly, the Company recalculated DAC using revised best estimate assumptions, which resulted in a $78.8 million increase in DAC and benefit to DAC amortization and other related balances. This was partially offset by a $24.2 million decrease in DAC and increase in DAC amortization and other related balances due to increasing estimated lapse rates for fixed annuity and BOLI products.

During the second quarter of 2007, the Company added a new feature to its existing guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit rider, Lifetime Income (L.inc). This new feature resulted in a substantial change in the existing contracts and, therefore, an extinguishment of the DAC associated with those contracts pursuant to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (AICPA) Statement of Position (SOP) 05-1, Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection with Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts (SOP 05-1). As a result, the Company eliminated existing DAC and other related balances resulting in a $135.0 million pre-tax charge.

At the end of the second quarter of 2008, the Company determined as part of its comprehensive annual study of assumptions that certain assumptions should be unlocked. The unlocked assumptions primarily related to lapse and spread assumptions in the Individual Investments segment, the assumed growth rate on deposits per contract in the Retirement Plans segment, and mortality and lapse assumptions in the Individual Protection segment. Therefore, in the second quarter of 2008, the Company recorded the following pre-tax adjustments: 1) a decrease in DAC and additional DAC amortization of $13.4 million; 2) a decrease in other assets and additional benefits and claims of $0.6 million; and 3) a decrease in unearned revenue liability and additional administrative fees of $3.1 million. The net impact of this activity was a $10.9 million unfavorable pre-tax adjustment to net income in the second quarter of 2008, which was reported in the following segments in the pre-tax amounts indicated: Individual Investments - $9.4 million unfavorable; Retirement Plans - $2.3 million unfavorable; and Individual Protection - $0.8 million favorable.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

During the third quarter of 2008, the Company’s recorded balance of individual variable annuity DAC fell outside the Company’s preset parameters for the prescribed period, which primarily was driven by unfavorable market performance compared to the assumed net separate account returns. Accordingly, the Company recalculated DAC using revised best estimate assumptions, which resulted in a decrease in DAC and an increase in DAC amortization and other related balances totaling $177.2 million pre-tax in the Individual Investments segment. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company’s recorded balance of individual variable annuity DAC fell outside the Company’s preset parameters, which primarily was driven by continued unfavorable market performance compared to assumed net separate account returns. Management made a determination that it was not reasonably possible to get back within the preset parameters during the remaining prescribed period. Accordingly, the Company recalculated DAC using revised best estimate assumptions, which resulted in a decrease in DAC and an increase in DAC amortization and other related balances of $243.1 million pre-tax in the Individual Investments segment. The Company continues to use the reversion to the mean process with the anchor date that was reset during the second quarter 2007 unlocking as described above. The Company evaluated the assumed separate account performance level over the next three years and determined that the assumptions inherent in the reversion period were reasonable. The annual net separate account growth rate for the mean reversion period is 15%, the maximum rate under the Company’s parameters. Accordingly, future periods may incur additional amortization of DAC if the Company’s actual returns are less than assumed.

Traditional life insurance products. Generally, DAC related to traditional life insurance products is 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 is estimated using the same assumptions as those used for computing liabilities for future policy benefits at issuance. Under existing accounting guidance, the concept of DAC unlocking does not apply to traditional life insurance products, although evaluations of DAC for recoverability at the time of policy issuance and loss recognition testing at each reporting period are required.

(g) Separate Accounts

Separate account assets and liabilities represent contractholders’ funds that have been legally segregated into accounts with specific investment objectives. Separate account assets are recorded at fair value primarily based on market quotations of the underlying securities. Investment income and realized investment 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 (loss) income except for (1) the fees the Company receives, which are assessed on a daily or monthly basis and recognized as revenue when assessed and earned, and (2) the activity related to contract guarantees, which are riders to existing variable annuity contracts.

(h) Future Policy Benefits and Claims

The process of calculating reserve amounts for a life insurance organization involves the use of a number of assumptions, including those related to persistency (how long a contract stays with a company), mortality (the relative incidence of death in a given time), morbidity (the relative incidence of disability resulting from disease or physical impairment) and interest rates (the rates expected to be paid or received on financial instruments, including insurance or investment contracts).

The Company calculates its liability for future policy benefits and claims for investment products in the accumulation phase and universal life and variable universal life insurance policies as the policy account balance, which represents participants’ net premiums and deposits plus investment performance and interest credited less applicable contract charges.

The Company’s liability for funding agreements to an unrelated third party trust related to the Company’s medium-term note (MTN) program equals the balance that accrues to the benefit of the contractholder, including interest credited. The funding agreements constitute insurance obligations and are considered annuity contracts under Ohio insurance laws.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The liability for future policy benefits and claims for traditional life insurance policies was determined using the net level premium method using interest rates varying from 2.0% to 10.5% and estimates of mortality, morbidity, investment yields and withdrawals that were used or being experienced at the time the policies were issued.

The liability for future policy benefits for payout annuities was calculated using the present value of future benefits and maintenance costs discounted using interest rates varying generally from 3.0% to 13.0%.

(i) Participating Business

Participating business, which refers to policies that participate in profits through policyholder dividends, represented approximately 5% of the Company’s life insurance in force in 2008 (6% in 2007 and 8% in 2006), 44% of the number of life insurance policies in force in 2008 (48% in 2007 and 50% in 2006) and 7% of life insurance statutory premiums in 2008 (7% in 2007 and 5% in 2006). The provision for policyholder dividends was based on the current dividend scales and has been included in future policy benefits and claims in the consolidated balance sheets.

(j) Federal Income Taxes

The Company provides for federal income taxes based on amounts the Company believes it ultimately will owe. Inherent in the provision for federal income taxes are estimates regarding the deductibility of certain items and the realization of certain tax credits. In the event the ultimate deductibility of certain items or the realization of certain tax credits differs from estimates, the Company may be required to significantly change the provision for federal income taxes recorded in the consolidated financial statements. Any such change could significantly affect the amounts reported in the consolidated statements of (loss) income. Management has established reserves in accordance with FIN 48 based on current facts and circumstances regarding tax exposure items where the ultimate deductibility is open to interpretation. Management evaluates the appropriateness of such reserves quarterly based on any new developments specific to their fact patterns. Information considered includes results of completed tax examinations, Technical Advice Memorandums and other rulings issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the tax courts.

The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. 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 it is determined that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be fully realized.

(k) 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 generally are reported in the consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis, separately from the related future policy benefits and claims of the Company. The ceding of risk does not discharge the original insurer from its primary obligation to the policyholder.

(l) Change in Accounting Principle

Historically, the Company accrued for legal costs associated with litigation defense and regulatory investigations by estimating the ultimate costs of such activity. Beginning April 1, 2007, the Company’s accrual for such legal expenses includes only the amount for services that have been provided but not yet paid. The Company believes the newly adopted accounting principle is preferable because it more accurately reflects expenses in the periods in which they are incurred. The Company continues to estimate and accrue the ultimate amounts expected to be paid for litigation and regulatory investigation loss contingencies. The Company has presented its consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes as applicable for all periods presented to retroactively apply the adoption of this change in accounting principle.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The following table summarizes the impact of the change in accounting principle described above for the years ended December 31:


(in millions)	2007			2006
Other operating expenses	$	2.8		$	5.0
Net income		(1.9	)		(3.1	)

The cumulative effect of the change on retained earnings as of January 1, 2006 was an $11.0 million increase.

(3)	Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In January 2009, the FASB issued FSP EITF 99-20-1, Amendments to the Impairment Guidance of EITF Issue No. 99-20 (FSP EITF 99-20-1). FSP EITF 99-20-1 amends the impairment guidance in EITF Issue No. 99-20, Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased Beneficial Interests and Beneficial Interests That Continue to Be Held by a Transferor in Securitized Financial Assets, to achieve more consistent determination of whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. FSP EITF 99-20-1 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2008, and will be applied prospectively. Retrospective application to a prior interim or annual reporting period is not permitted. The Company will adopt FSP EITF 99-20-1 effective December 31, 2008 and will apply the standard prospectively, as is required.

In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 132R-1, Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets (FSP FAS 132R-1). FSP FAS 132R-1 amends FASB Statement No. 132 revised 2003, Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits, to provide guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The portion of FSP FAS 132R-1 related to the disclosures about plan assets is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. FSP FAS 132R-1 will have no impact on the Company’s disclosures.

In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46R-8, Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities, (FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46R-8). FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46R-8 amends FASB Statement No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, to require public entities to provide additional disclosures about transfers of financial assets. It also amends FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, to require public enterprises, including sponsors that have a variable interest in a variable interest entity, to provide additional disclosures about their involvement with variable interest entities. This FSP will be effective for the first reporting period (interim or annual) ending after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46R-8 effective December 31, 2008. See Note 17 for the required disclosures.

In November 2008, the FASB Board ratified the Emerging Issues Task Force’s consensus EITF 08-7, Accounting for Defensive Intangible Assets (EITF 08-7). EITF 08-7 requires defensive intangible assets acquired in a business combination or asset acquisition to be accounted for as a separate unit of accounting. In doing so, the asset should not be included as part of the cost of an entity’s existing intangible asset(s) because the defensive intangible asset is separately identifiable. EITF 08-7 is effective for intangible assets acquired on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. EITF 08-7 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations upon adoption. The Company will adopt EITF 08-7 effective January 1, 2009 and will apply it prospectively for intangible assets acquired on or after that date.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

In November 2008, the FASB Board ratified the Emerging Issues Task Force’s consensus EITF 08-6, Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations (EITF 08-6). EITF 08-6 clarifies how to account for certain transactions and impairment considerations involving equity method investments. Specifically, EITF 08-6 notes: 1) an entity shall measure its equity method investment initially at cost 2) an equity method investor is required to recognize other-than-temporary impairments of an equity method investment in accordance with paragraph 19(h) of Opinion 18 and an equity method investor shall not separately test an investee’s underlying indefinite-lived intangible asset(s) for impairment 3) an equity method investor shall account for a share issuance by an investee as if the investor had sold a proportionate share of its investment and any gain or loss to the investor resulting from an investee’s share issuance shall be recognized in earnings. This Issue shall be is effective on a prospective basis in fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will adopt EITF 08-6 effective January 1, 2009 and will apply the standard prospectively, as is required.

In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active (FSP FAS 157-3). FSP FAS 157-3 clarifies the application of SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. FSP FAS 157-3 was effective upon issuance and was adopted by the Company effective September 30, 2008. The adoption of FSP FAS 157-3 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In September 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4, Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB Interpretation No. 45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 161 (FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4). FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4 requires additional disclosure about credit derivatives including their nature, potential amount of future payments, fair value, recourse provisions and current status of the payment/performance risk. FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4 also requires the disclosure of the current status of the payment/performance risk of a guarantee subject to FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others – an interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57, and 107 and rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34. FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4 is effective for reporting periods ending after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4 effective for the December 31, 2008 reporting period. See Note 5 for the required disclosures

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (SFAS 162). SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP (the GAAP hierarchy). SFAS 162 will be effective 60 days following the approval by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The adoption of SFAS 162 did not the C result in a change in its current practices.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (SFAS 161). SFAS 161 amends and expands the disclosure requirements of SFAS 133 with the intent to provide users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS 133 and its related interpretations, and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about derivative instrument fair values and related gains and losses, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company currently is evaluating the new disclosures required under SFAS 161 and will adopt it March 31, 2009.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (FSP FAS 157-2). This FSP delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities until fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. FSP FAS 157-2 applies to nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the Company’s financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually), and is effective upon issuance. The Company has not yet applied the provisions of SFAS 157 to the nonfinancial assets and liabilities within the scope of FSP FAS 157-2. However, the Company does not expect such application to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations (SFAS 141R), which replaces SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations (SFAS 141). The objective of SFAS 141R is to improve the relevance, representational faithfulness, and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial reports about a business combination and its effects. Accordingly, SFAS 141R establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer: 1) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree; 2) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase; and 3) determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141R applies to all transactions or other events in which an entity obtains control of one or more businesses and retains the fundamental requirements in SFAS 141 that the acquisition method of accounting be used for all business combinations and for an acquirer to be identified for each business combination. SFAS 141R defines the acquirer as the entity that obtains control of one or more businesses in the business combination and establishes the acquisition date as the date that the acquirer achieves control. SFAS 141R is applicable prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier application is prohibited. The Company will adopt SFAS 141R effective January 1, 2009 and will apply it to any business combination on or after that date.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an Amendment of ARB No. 51 (SFAS 160). The objective of SFAS 160 is to improve the relevance, comparability, and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements by establishing accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS 160 also amends certain consolidation procedures prescribed by Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements, for consistency with the requirements of SFAS 141R. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited. The Company will adopt SFAS 160 effective January 1, 2009 and will apply it to any acquisitions or dispositions of noncontrolling interests on or after that date.

In June 2007, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee (AcSEC) of the AICPA issued SOP 07-1, Clarification of the Scope of the Audit and Accounting Guide Investment Companies and Accounting by Parent Companies and Equity Method Investors for Investments in Investment Companies (SOP 07-1). SOP 07-1 provides guidance for determining whether an entity is within the scope of the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide Investment Companies (the Guide). For those entities that are investment companies under SOP 07-1, this SOP also addresses whether the specialized industry accounting principles of the Guide (i.e., fair value accounting) should be retained by a parent company in consolidation or by an investor that has the ability to exercise significant influence over the investment company and applies the equity method of accounting to its investment in the entity (referred to as an equity method investor). In addition, SOP 07-1 includes certain disclosure requirements for parent companies and equity method investors in investment companies that retain investment company accounting in the parent company’s consolidated financial statements or the financial statements of an equity method investor. The provisions of SOP 07-1 were to be effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2007. On February 14, 2008, the FASB issued FSP SOP 07-1-1, which delays indefinitely the effective date of SOP 07-1. The Company will monitor the FASB and AICPA deliberations regarding this standard.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

In April 2007, the FASB issued FSP FIN 39-1, An Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39 (FSP FIN 39-1). FSP FIN 39-1 addresses whether a reporting entity that is party to a master netting arrangement can offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments that have been offset under the same master netting arrangement in accordance with paragraph 10 of Interpretation 39. FSP FIN 39-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with early application permitted. The Company adopted FSP FIN 39-1 effective January 1, 2008. The Company elected to present the fair value of cash collateral received separate from the obligation to return the collateral. The adoption of FSP FIN 39-1 did not impact the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. SFAS 159 is expected to expand the use of fair value measurement, which is consistent with the FASB’s long-term measurement objectives for accounting for financial instruments. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 does not affect any existing accounting literature that requires certain assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value. In addition, SFAS 159 does not establish requirements for recognizing and measuring dividend income, interest income or interest expense, nor does it eliminate disclosure requirements included in other accounting standards, including requirements for disclosures about fair value measurements included in SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), and SFAS No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company adopted SFAS 159 for commercial mortgage loans held for sale effective January 1, 2008, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The Company will assess the fair value election for new financial assets or liabilities on a prospective basis. See Note 4 for disclosures required by SFAS 159.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R) (SFAS 158). SFAS 158 requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan (other than a multiemployer plan) as an asset or liability on its balance sheet and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income. SFAS 158 also requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end balance sheet, with limited exceptions. An employer with publicly traded equity securities is required to initially recognize the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan and to provide the required disclosures as of the end of the fiscal year ending after December 15, 2006. The requirement to measure plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end balance sheet is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted SFAS 158 effective December 31, 2006. The adoption of SFAS 158 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157. SFAS 157 provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and requires new disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 also provides guidance regarding the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. For assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition, the reporting entity shall disclose information that enables financial statement users to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements. For recurring fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs, the reporting entity shall disclose the effect of the measurements on earnings for the period. SFAS 157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value but does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted SFAS 157 effective January 1, 2008. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. See Note 4 for disclosures required by SFAS 157.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 108 (SAB 108). SAB 108 addresses how the effects of prior year uncorrected misstatements should be considered when quantifying misstatements in current-year financial statements. SAB 108 requires registrants to quantify misstatements using both the balance sheet and income-statement approaches and to evaluate whether either approach results in quantifying an error that is material in light of relevant quantitative and qualitative factors. SAB 108 does not change the SEC’s previous guidance in SAB No. 99 on evaluating the materiality of misstatements. The Company adopted SAB 108 effective December 31, 2006. SAB 108 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations upon adoption.

In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations upon adoption.

In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets (SFAS 156). SFAS 156 amends SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities (SFAS 140). SFAS 156 requires that all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities be initially measured at fair value, if practicable. SFAS 156 permits, but does not require, the subsequent measurement of separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities at fair value. An entity that uses derivative instruments to mitigate the risks inherent in servicing assets and servicing liabilities is required to account for those derivative instruments at fair value. Under SFAS 156, an entity can elect subsequent fair value measurement to account for its separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. By electing that option, an entity may simplify its accounting because SFAS 156 permits income statement recognition of the potential offsetting changes in fair value of those servicing assets and servicing liabilities and derivative instruments in the same accounting period. SFAS 156 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. The Company adopted SFAS 156 effective January 1, 2007. SFAS 156 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations upon adoption.

In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments (SFAS 155). SFAS 155 amends SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133), and SFAS 140. SFAS 155 also resolves issues addressed in SFAS 133 Implementation Issue No. D1, Application of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets. In summary, SFAS 155: (1) permits an entity to make an irrevocable election to measure any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation at fair value in its entirety, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings; (2) clarifies which interest-only strips and principal-only strips are not subject to the requirements of SFAS 133; (3) establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation; (4) clarifies that concentrations of credit risk in the form of subordination are not embedded derivatives; and (5) amends SFAS 140 to eliminate the prohibition on a qualifying special purpose entity from holding a derivative financial instrument that pertains to a beneficial interest other than another derivative financial instrument. SFAS 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. Provisions of SFAS 155 may be applied to instruments that an entity holds at the date of adoption on an instrument-by-instrument basis. The Company adopted SFAS 155 effective January 1, 2006. On the date of adoption, there was no impact to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

In September 2005, AcSEC issued SOP 05-1. SOP 05-1 provides guidance on accounting by insurance enterprises for deferred acquisition costs on internal replacements of insurance and investment contracts other than those specifically described in SFAS No. 97, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration Contracts and for Realized Gains and Losses from the Sale of Investments, issued by the FASB. SOP 05-1 defines an internal replacement as a modification in product benefits, features, rights or coverages that occurs as a result of the exchange of a contract for a new contract, or by amendment, endorsement or rider to a contract, or by the election of a new feature or coverage within a contract. SOP 05-1 is effective for internal replacements occurring in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Retrospective application of SOP 05-1 to previously issued financial statements is not permitted. Initial application of SOP 05-1 is required as of the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year. The Company adopted SOP 05-1 effective January 1, 2007, which resulted in a $6.0 million charge, net of taxes, as the cumulative effect of adoption of this accounting principle.

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (SFAS 154), which replaces Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes, and SFAS No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements. SFAS 154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle as well as to changes required by an accounting pronouncement in the unusual instance that the pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions. SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company adopted SFAS 154 effective January 1, 2006. SFAS 154 did not have any impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations upon adoption.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

(4)	Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Option

As described in Note 3, the Company adopted SFAS 159 effective January 1, 2008 and elected SFAS 159 fair value treatment for commercial mortgage loans held for sale. Accordingly, the Company now records in earnings all market fluctuations associated with this portfolio. The Company previously recorded such loans at the lower of cost or market value. Balances for these loans will be measured at fair value prospectively with unrealized gains and losses included as a component of net realized investment gains and losses. The Company will assess the fair value option election for new financial assets or liabilities on a prospective basis.

Fair Value Hierarchy

As described in Note 3, the Company adopted SFAS 157 effective January 1, 2008. SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company uses various methods including market, income and cost approaches. The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

In accordance with SFAS 157, the Company categorized its financial instruments into a three level hierarchy based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument in its entirety.

The Company categorizes financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

•

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices accessible in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. The types of assets and liabilities utilizing Level 1 valuations include U.S. Treasury and agency securities, equity securities listed in active markets, investments in publicly traded mutual funds with quoted market prices, and listed derivatives.

•

Level 2 – Unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable or that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means. The types of assets and liabilities utilizing Level 2 valuations generally include U.S. Government securities not backed by the full faith of the government, municipal bonds, structured notes and certain MBSs and ABSs, certain corporate debt, certain private placement investments, and certain derivatives, including basis swaps and commodity total return swaps.

•

Level 3 – Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Inputs reflect management’s best estimate about the assumptions market participants would use at the measurement date in pricing the asset or liability. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in both the method of valuation and the valuation inputs. Generally, the types of assets and liabilities utilizing Level 3 valuations are certain MBSs and ABSs, certain corporate debt, certain private placement investments, certain mutual fund holdings, and certain derivatives, including embedded derivatives associated with living benefit contracts.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The following table summarizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2008:


(in millions)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
Assets
Investments:
Securities available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government corporations and agencies	$	561.3		$	10.0		$	—		$	571.3
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		—			217.1			—			217.1
Debt securities issued by foreign governments		—			38.9			—			38.9
Corporate securities		—			10,135.7			1,220.8			11,356.5
Mortgage-backed securities		520.8			1,936.4			2,219.6			4,676.8
Asset-backed securities		—			1,218.4			1,168.2			2,386.6

Total fixed maturity securities		1,082.1			13,556.5			4,608.6			19,247.2
Equity securities		1.4			15.2			9.9			26.5

Total securities available-for-sale		1,083.5			13,571.7			4,618.5			19,273.7

Mortgage loans held for sale1		—			—			124.5			124.5
Short-term investments		36.2			2,744.7			—			2,780.9

Total investments		1,119.7			16,316.4			4,743.0			22,179.1

Cash		36.7			—			—			36.7
Derivative assets2		—			708.5			597.6			1,306.1
Separate account assets3.5		9,530.3			35,270.0			2,136.6			46,936.9

Total assets	$	10,686.7		$	52,294.9		$	7,477.2		$	70,458.8

Liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims4	$	—		$	—		$	(1,739.7	)	$	(1,739.7	)
Derivative liabilities2		(6.0	)		(385.9	)		(4.2	)		(396.1	)

Total liabilities	$	(6.0	)	$	(385.9	)	$	(1,743.9	)	$	(2,135.8	)

Carried at fair value as elected under SFAS 159.

Comprised of interest rate swaps, cross-currency interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, other non-hedging instruments, equity option contracts and interest rate futures contracts.

Comprised of public, privately registered and non-registered mutual funds and investments in securities.

Related to embedded derivatives associated with living benefit contracts. The Company’s guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (GMABs), guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits (GLWBs) and hybrid GMABs/GLWBs are considered embedded derivatives under current accounting guidance, resulting in the related liabilities being separated from the host insurance product and recognized at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in earnings. This balance also includes embedded derivatives associated with fixed equity-indexed annuities (EIA) that provide for interest earnings that are linked to the performance of specified equity market indices.

The value of separate account liabilities is set to equal the fair value of separate account assets

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The following table summarizes financial instruments for which the Company used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) to determine fair value measurements for the year ended December 31, 2008:


				Net investment gains (losses)																	Change in unrealized gains (losses) in earnings due to assets still held
(in millions)	Balance as of December 31, 2007			In earnings (realized and unrealized)1			In OCI (unrealized)2			Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements			Transfers in to Level 3		Transfers out of Level 3			Balance as of December 31, 2008
Assets
Investments:
Securities available-for-sale3 :
Fixed maturity securities
Corporate securities	$	1,429.5		$	(179.4	)	$	(230.7	)	$	(360.3	)	$	816.6	$	(254.9	)	$	1,220.8		$	—
Mortgage-backed securities		176.6			(283.4	)		(556.9	)		(139.8	)		3,029.4		(6.3	)		2,219.6			—
Asset-backed securities		754.4			(382.4	)		(539.0	)		11.3			1,469.8		(145.9	)		1,168.2			—

Total fixed maturity securities		2,360.5			(845.2	)		(1,326.6	)		(488.8	)		5,315.8		(407.1	)		4,608.6			—
Equity securities		1.4			(54.9	)		(5.7	)		28.7			40.4		—			9.9			—

Total securities available-for-sale		2,361.9			(900.1	)		(1,332.3	)		(460.1	)		5,356.2		(407.1	)		4,618.5			—
Mortgage loans held for sale		86.1			(49.3	)		—			87.7			—		—			124.5			(49.3	)
Short-term investments		371.9			—			—			—			—		(371.9	)		—			—

Total investments		2,819.9			(949.4	)		(1,332.3	)		(372.4	)		5,356.2		(779.0	)		4,743.0			(49.3	)

Derivative assets		166.6			405.4			4.4			21.2			—		—			597.6			394.0
Separate account assets4.6		2,258.3			310.1			—			509.4			16.8		(958.0	)		2,136.6			333.9

Total assets	$	5,244.8		$	(233.9	)	$	(1,327.9	)	$	158.2		$	5,373.0	$	(1,737.0	)	$	7,477.2		$	678.6

Liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims5	$	(128.9	)	$	(1,602.1	)	$	—		$	(8.7	)	$	—	$	—		$	(1,739.7	)	$	1,602.1
Derivative liabilities		(16.3	)		3.9			—			8.2			—		—			(4.2	)		(12.0	)

Total liabilities	$	(145.2	)	$	(1,598.2	)	$	—		$	(0.5	)	$	—	$	—		$	(1,743.9	)	$	1,590.1

Includes gains and losses on sales of financial instruments, changes in market value of certain instruments and other-than-temporary impairments.

Includes changes in market value of certain instruments.

Includes non-investment grade collateralized mortgage obligations, MBSs and ABSs, ABS trust preferred notes, certain counterparty or internally priced securities, and securities that are at or near default based on designations assigned by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) (see Note 5 for a discussion of NAIC Designations). Equity securities represent holdings in non-registered mutual funds with significant unobservable inputs.

Comprised of non-registered mutual funds with significant unobservable and/or liquidity restrictions. The net unrealized investment loss on these non-registered mutual funds is attributable to contractholders and, therefore, is not included in the Company’s earnings.

Relates to GMAB, GMWB and EIA embedded derivatives associated with contracts with living benefit riders. Related derivatives are internally valued. The valuation of guaranteed minimum benefit embedded derivatives is based on capital market and actuarial risk assumptions, including risk margin considerations reflecting policyholder behavior. The Company uses observable inputs, such as published swap rates, in its capital market assumptions. Actuarial assumptions, including lapse behavior and mortality rates, are based on actual experience.

The value of separate account liabilities is set to equal the fair value of separate account assets

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

Transfers

The Company will review its fair value hierarchy classifications quarterly. Changes in observability of significant valuation inputs identified during these reviews may trigger reclassification of fair value hierarchy levels of financial assets and liabilities. These reclassifications will be reported as transfers in/out of Level 3 in the beginning of the period in which the change occurs. During 2008, certain of the Company’s investments in corporate securities, MBSs and ABSs were considered to be in inactive markets, due to concerns in the securities markets and resulting lack of liquidity. As a result, there have been significant changes in certain inputs which led to transfers into Level 3. During 2008, additional observable inputs were obtained on assets previously considered Level 3, which led to transfers out of that category.

Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The Company did not have any material assets or liabilities reported at fair value on a nonrecurring basis required to be disclosed under SFAS 157.

Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value

SFAS No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (SFAS 107) requires additional disclosures of fair value information of financial instruments. The following include disclosures for the other financial instruments not carried at fair value and not included in the above SFAS 157 disclosure.

In estimating fair value for its SFAS 107 disclosures, the Company used the following methods and assumptions:

Mortgage loans on real estate, net: The fair values of mortgage loans on real estate are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on 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. Estimated fair value is based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective market interest rate. In the current year, mortgage loans held for sale are included in the above SFAS 157 disclosure, as the Company elected to carry these assets at fair value under SFAS 159 (effective January 1, 2008).

Policy loans: The carrying amount reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximates fair value.

Investment contracts: The fair values of the Company’s liabilities under investment type contracts are based on one of two methods. For investment contracts without defined maturities, fair value is the amount payable on demand, net of certain surrender charges. For investment contracts with known or determined maturities, fair value is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis. Interest rates used in this analysis are similar to currently offered contracts with maturities consistent with those remaining for the contracts being valued.

Short-term debt: The carrying amount reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximates fair value.

Long-term debt: The fair values for senior notes are based on quoted market prices. The fair values of the junior subordinated debentures issued to a related party are based on quoted market prices of the capital securities of Nationwide Financial Services Capital Trust I (Trust I), which approximate the fair value of this obligation.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The following table summarizes the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments subject to disclosure requirements as of December 31:


	2008						2007
(in millions)	Carrying value			Estimated fair value			Carrying value			Estimated fair value
Assets
Investments:
Mortgage loans on real estate, net	$	7,065.4		$	6,335.3		$	7,615.4		$	7,659.9
Policy loans		767.4			767.4			687.9			687.9

Liabilities
Investment contracts		(24,978.2	)		(18,905.4	)		(24,671.0	)		(23,084.7	)
Short-term debt		(249.7	)		(249.7	)		(285.3	)		(285.3	)
Long-term debt, payable to NFS		(700.0	)		(568.7	)		(700.0	)		(751.3	)

(5)	Derivative Financial Instruments

Qualitative Disclosure

Interest Rate Risk Management

The Company periodically purchases fixed rate investments to back variable rate liabilities. As a result, the Company can be exposed to interest rate risk due to the mismatch between variable rate liabilities and fixed rate assets. In an effort to mitigate the risk from this mismatch, the Company enters into various types of derivative instruments, with fluctuations in the fair values of the derivatives offsetting changes in the fair values of the investments resulting from changes in interest rates. The Company principally uses pay fixed/receive variable interest rate swaps to manage this risk.

Under these interest rate swaps, the Company receives variable interest rate payments and makes fixed rate payments. The fixed interest paid on the swap offsets the fixed interest received on the investment, resulting in the Company receiving the variable interest payments on the swap, generally 3-month U.S. London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), and the credit spread on the investment. The net receipt of a variable rate will then more closely match the variable rate paid on the liability.

As a result of entering into fixed rate commercial mortgage loan and private placement commitments, the Company is exposed to changes in the fair value of such commitments due to changes in interest rates during the commitment period prior to funding of the loans. In an effort to manage this risk, the Company enters into short U.S. Treasury futures and/or pay fixed interest rate swaps during the commitment period. With short U.S. Treasury futures or pay fixed interest rate swaps, if interest rates rise/fall, the gains/losses on the futures will offset the change in fair value of the commitment attributable to the change in interest rates.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The Company periodically purchases variable rate investments such as commercial mortgage loans and corporate bonds. As a result, the Company can be exposed to variability in cash flows and investment income due to changes in interest rates. Such variability poses risks to the Company when the assets are funded with fixed rate liabilities. In an effort to manage this risk, the Company may enter into receive fixed/pay variable interest rate swaps. In using these interest rate swaps, the Company receives fixed interest rate payments and makes variable rate payments. The variable interest paid on the swap offsets the variable interest received on the investment, resulting in the Company receiving the fixed interest payments on the swap and the credit spread on the investment. The net receipt of a fixed rate will then more closely match the fixed rate paid on the liability.

The Company manages interest rate risk at the segment level. Different segments may simultaneously hedge interest rate risks associated with owning fixed and variable rate investments considering the risk relevant to a particular segment.

Foreign Currency Risk Management

In conjunction with the Company’s MTN program, the Company periodically issues both fixed and variable rate liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, the Company is exposed to changes in the fair value of liabilities due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and related interest rates. In an effort to manage these risks, the Company enters into cross-currency interest rate swaps.

The Company is exposed to changes in the fair value of fixed rate investments denominated in a foreign currency due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and related interest rates. In an effort to manage this risk, the Company uses cross-currency interest rate hedges to swap these asset characteristics to variable U.S. dollar rate instruments. Cross-currency interest rate swaps on assets are structured to pay a fixed rate, in a foreign currency, and receive a variable U.S. dollar rate, generally 3-month U.S. LIBOR. These derivative instruments are designated as a fair value hedge of a fixed rate foreign denominated asset.

Cross-currency interest rate swaps on variable rate investments are structured to pay a variable rate, in a foreign currency, and receive a fixed U.S. dollar rate. The terms of the foreign currency paid on the swap will exactly match the terms of the foreign currency received on the asset, thus eliminating currency risk. These derivative instruments are designated as a cash flow hedge.

Equity Market Risk Management

Asset fees calculated as a percentage of separate account assets are a significant source of revenue to the Company. As of December 31, 2008, approximately 71% of separate account assets were invested in equity mutual funds (approximately 82% as of December 31, 2007). Gains and losses in the equity markets result in corresponding increases and decreases in the Company’s separate account assets and asset fee revenue. In addition, a decrease in separate account assets may decrease the Company’s expectations of future profit margins due to a decrease in asset fee revenue and/or an increase in guaranteed contract claims, which also may require the Company to accelerate amortization of DAC.

The Company’s long-term assumption for net separate account returns is 7% annual growth. If equity markets were unchanged throughout a given year, the Company estimates that its net earnings per diluted share, calculated using current weighted average diluted shares outstanding, would be approximately $0.05 to $0.10 less than if the Company’s long-term assumption for net separate account returns were realized. This analysis assumes no other factors change and that an unlocking of DAC assumptions would not be required. However, as it does each quarter, the Company would evaluate its DAC balance and underlying assumptions to determine the need for unlocking. The Company can provide no assurance that the experience of flat equity market returns would not result in changes to other factors affecting profitability, including the possibility of unlocking of DAC assumptions.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

Many of the Company’s individual variable annuity contracts offer GMDB features. A GMDB generally provides a benefit if the annuitant dies and the contract value is less than a specified amount, which may be based on premiums paid less amounts withdrawn or contract value on a specified anniversary date. A decline in the stock market causing the contract value to fall below this specified amount, which varies from contract to contract based on the date the contract was entered into as well as the GMDB feature elected, will increase the net amount at risk, which is the GMDB in excess of the contract value. This could result in additional GMDB claims.

In an effort to mitigate this risk, the Company implemented a GMDB economic hedging program for certain new and existing business. Prior to implementation of the GMDB hedging program in 2000, the Company managed this risk primarily by entering into reinsurance arrangements. The GMDB economic hedging program is designed to offset changes in the economic value of the designated GMDB obligation. Currently the program shorts S&P 500 Index futures, which provides an offset to changes in the value of the designated obligation. The futures are not designated as hedges and, therefore, hedge accounting is not applied. The Company’s economic and accounting hedges are not perfectly offset. Therefore, the economic hedging activity is likely to lead to earnings volatility. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company’s net amount at risk was $8,718.7 million and $519.9 million before reinsurance, respectively, and $7,329.9 million and $317.2 million net of reinsurance, respectively. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company’s reserve for GMDB claims was $247.9 million and $38.9 million, respectively.

The Company also offers certain variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit (GMAB), guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit (GLWB) and hybrid GMAB/GLWB riders (collectively referred to as living benefits). A GMAB provides the contractholder with a guaranteed return of premium, adjusted proportionately for withdrawals, after a specified time period (5, 7 or 10 years) selected by the contractholder at the time of issuance of a variable annuity contract. In some cases, the contractholder also has the option, after a specified time, to drop the rider and continue the variable annuity contract without the GMAB. The design of the GMAB rider limits the risk to the Company in a variety of ways including asset allocation requirements, which serve to reduce the Company’s potential exposure to underlying fund performance risks. Specifically, the terms in the GMAB rider limit policyholder asset allocation by either (1) requiring partial allocation of assets to a guaranteed term option (a fixed rate investment option) and excluding certain funds that are highly volatile or difficult to hedge or (2) requiring all assets be allocated to one of the approved asset allocation funds or models defined by the Company.

Beginning in March 2005, the Company began offering a hybrid GMAB/GLWB through its Capital Preservation Plus Lifetime Income (CPPLI) contract rider. This living benefit combines a GMAB feature in its first 5-10 years with a lifetime withdrawal benefit election at the end of the GMAB feature. Upon maturity of the GMAB, the contractholder can elect the lifetime withdrawal benefit, which would continue for the duration of the insured’s life; elect a new CPPLI rider; or drop the rider completely and continue the variable annuity contract without any rider. If the lifetime withdrawal benefit is elected and the insured’s contract value is exhausted through such withdrawals and market conditions, the Company will continue to fund future withdrawals at a pre-defined level until the insured’s death. In some cases, the contractholder has the right to drop the GLWB portion of this rider or periodically reset the guaranteed withdrawal basis to a higher level. This benefit requires a minimum allocation to guaranteed term options or adherence to limitations required by an approved asset allocation strategy as previously described above.

In March 2006, the Company added Lifetime Income (L.inc), a stand-alone GLWB, to complement CPPLI in its product offerings. This rider is very similar to the hybrid benefit discussed above in that L.inc and CPPLI both have guaranteed withdrawal rates that increase based on the age at which the contractholder begins taking income. The withdrawal rates are applied to a benefit base to determine the guaranteed lifetime income amount available to a contractholder. The benefit base is equal to the variable annuity premium at contract issuance and may increase as a result of a ratchet feature that is driven by account performance and a roll-up feature that is driven by policy duration. Generally, the longer the contractholder waits before commencing withdrawals, the greater the guaranteed lifetime income. One key difference between L.inc and CPPLI is that the charge associated with L.inc is assessed against the benefit base. This is a risk mitigation feature as it alleviates much of the uncertainty around account performance and customer withdrawal patterns, both of which can lead to lower than expected revenue streams if the charge were assessed on account value. In June 2007, the Company added a feature to L.inc to allow for a lump settlement in lieu of lifetime withdrawals in certain situations.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The Company’s living benefit riders represent an embedded derivative in a variable annuity contract that is required to be separated from, and valued apart from, the host variable annuity contract. The embedded derivatives are carried at fair value. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the embedded derivatives are recognized in earnings as a component of net realized investment gains and losses. The fair value of the embedded derivatives is calculated based on a combination of capital market and actuarial assumptions. Projections of cash flows inherent in the valuation of the embedded derivative incorporate numerous assumptions including, but not limited to, expectations of contractholder persistency, contractholder withdrawal patterns, risk neutral market returns, correlations of market returns and market return volatility. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the net balance of the embedded derivatives for living benefits was a liability of $1.70 billion and $91.9 million, respectively. The Company does not expect any meaningful level of claims under the living benefit features for several years and believes any such claims would be mitigated by its economic hedging program.

Similar to the Company’s economic hedging for GMDBs, the living benefits features are also being economically hedged. The primary risks being hedged are the exposures associated with declining equity market returns and downward interest rate movements. The Company employs a variety of instruments to mitigate this exposure including S&P 500 Index futures, U.S. Treasury futures, interest rate swaps and long-dated over-the-counter put options. The positions used in the economic hedging program are not designated as hedges and, therefore, hedge accounting is not applied. The living benefits hedging program is designed to offset changes in the economic value of the living benefits obligation to contractholders. Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivatives are likely to create volatility in earnings. The hedging activity associated with changes in the economic value of the living benefits obligations will likely mitigate a portion of this earnings volatility.

Other Non-Hedging Derivatives

The Company periodically enters into basis swaps (receive one variable rate, pay another variable rate) to better match the cash flows received from the specific variable-rate investments with the variable rate paid on a group of liabilities. While the pay-side terms of the basis swap will be consistent with the terms of the asset, the Company is not able to match the receive-side terms of the derivative to a specific liability. Therefore, basis swaps do not receive hedge accounting treatment.

The Company sells credit default protection on selected debt instruments and combines the credit default swap with selected assets the Company owns to replicate a higher yielding bond. These selected assets may have sufficient duration for the related liability, but do not earn a sufficient credit spread. The combined credit default swap and investments provide cash flows with the duration and credit spread targeted by the Company. The credit default swaps do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment.

The Company also has purchased credit default protection on selected debt instruments exposed to short-term credit concerns, or because the combination of the corporate bond and purchased default protection provides sufficient spread and duration targeted by the Company. The purchased credit default protection is not designated for hedge accounting treatment.

Quantitative Disclosure

Fair Value Hedges

During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, a net gain of $8.3 million, a net loss of $2.4 million and a net gain of $2.9 million, respectively, were recognized in net realized investment gains and losses related to the ineffective portion of fair value hedging relationships. There were no gains or losses attributable to the portion of the derivative instruments’ changes in fair value excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. There were also no gains or losses recognized in earnings as a result of hedged firm commitments no longer qualifying as fair value hedges.

Cash Flow Hedges

For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the ineffective portion of cash flow hedges was a net gain of $3.1 million, a net loss of $1.4 million and a net loss of $1.5 million, respectively. There were no net gains or losses attributable to the portion of the derivative instruments’ changes in fair value excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

In general, the maximum length of time over which the Company is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows associated with forecasted transactions, other than those relating to variable interest on existing financial instruments, is twelve months or less. However, in 2003 the Company entered into a hedge of a forecasted purchase of shares of a mutual fund tied to the S&P 500 Index where delivery of the shares will occur in 2033.

During 2008, the Company did not discontinue any cash flow hedges because the original forecasted transaction was no longer probable. Additionally, no amounts were reclassified from AOCI into earnings due to the probability that a forecasted transaction would not occur.

Other Derivative Instruments, Including Embedded Derivatives

Net realized investment gains and losses for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 included a net gain of $58.2 million, a net loss of $12.4 million and a net loss of $0.5 million, respectively, related to other derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, not designated in hedging relationships. In addition, variable annuity contracts resulted in net losses of $442.5 million, $51.8 million, $11.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively, related to other derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, not designated in hedging relationships.

For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, net losses of $3.6 million, $0.5 million and $10.6 million, respectively, were recorded in net realized investment gains and losses reflecting the change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swaps hedging variable rate MTNs denominated in foreign currencies. No additional net gains were recorded to reflect the change in spot rates of foreign currency denominated obligations during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to none for the year ended December 31, 2007, and a net gain of $14.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.

The following table summarizes the notional amount of derivative financial instruments outstanding as of December 31:


(in millions)	2008		2007
Interest rate swaps:
Pay fixed/receive variable rate swaps hedging investments	$	1,218.4	$	1,692.9
Pay variable/receive fixed rate swaps hedging investments		924.5		21.0
Pay variable/receive variable rate swaps hedging liabilities		200.0		—
Pay fixed/receive variable rate swaps hedging liabilities		1,993.7		1,120.7
Pay variable/receive fixed rate swaps hedging liabilities		3,856.3		343.1
Cross-currency interest rate swaps:
Hedging foreign currency denominated investments		343.7		375.5
Hedging foreign currency denominated liabilities		463.4		1,144.1
Credit default swaps		271.2		300.3
Other non-hedging instruments		431.0		518.1
Equity option/futures contracts		3,675.3		2,361.8
Interest rate futures contracts		281.1		371.3

Total	$	13,658.6	$	8,248.8

The notional value is the amount upon which exchanges of interest are based. Exposure to a counterparty arises if the net expected cash flows are positive, as calculated based on forward interest rate curves and notional contract values.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

Credit Derivatives

The Company enters into two distinct types of credit derivative contracts (or credit default swaps) which allows the Company to either sell or buy credit protection on a specific creditor or credit index. When the Company sells credit protection against a specific creditor or credit index to a counterparty, it receives periodic premium payments similar to the risk premium received on an equivalent maturity bond from the same creditor. In return, the Company agrees to provide for losses if a credit event occurs during the lifetime of the contract, by buying a pre-determined cash bond from the counterparty at face value. In such a contract, a credit event will be defined in the trade settlement documentation and may include, but not be limited to, creditor bankruptcy or restructuring. There are no recourse provisions associated with these contracts.

The Company had exposure to credit protection contracts for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 and experienced losses of $18.8 million in 2008 and no losses in 2007 or 2006, on such contracts. The following table presents the Company’s outstanding exposure to credit protection contracts, all of which are related to corporate debt instruments, as of December 31, 2008 by contract maturity and industry exposure:


	Less than or equal to one year				One to three years					Three to five years					Total
(in millions)	Maximum potential risk		Estimated fair value		Maximum potential risk		Estimated fair value			Maximum potential risk		Estimated fair value			Maximum potential risk		Estimated fair value
Single sector exposure:
Consumer goods	$	—	$	—	$	6.0	$	(0.8	)	$	—	$	—		$	6.0	$	(0.8	)
Financial		—		—		35.0		(5.8	)		13.0		(0.5	)		48.0		(6.3	)
Oil & gas pipelines		10.0		—		15.0		(0.8	)		—		—			25.0		(0.8	)
Services		—		—		—		—			35.0		(3.0	)		35.0		(3.0	)
Utilities		4.5		—		—		—			—		—			4.5		—

Total single sector exposure		14.5		—		56.0		(7.4	)		48.0		(3.5	)		118.5		(10.9	)
Index exposure:
Corporate bonds		—		—		—		—			110.9		(0.3	)		110.9		(0.3	)

Total index exposure		—		—		—		—			110.9		(0.3	)		110.9		(0.3	)

Total	$	14.5	$	—	$	56.0	$	(7.4	)	$	158.9	$	(3.8	)	$	229.4	$	(11.2	)

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

(6)	Investments

The following table summarizes the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair values of securities available-for-sale as of the dates indicated:


(in millions)	Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains		Gross unrealized losses		Estimated fair value
December 31, 2008:
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government corporations	$	77.3	$	20.1	$	—	$	97.4
U. S. Government agencies1		384.6		89.3		—		473.9
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		223.0		1.5		7.4		217.1
Debt securities issued by foreign governments		33.9		5.0		—		38.9
Corporate securities
Public		8,042.9		85.4		1,040.3		7,088.0
Private		4,589.0		49.5		370.0		4,268.5
Mortgage-backed securities		5,248.2		68.2		639.6		4,676.8
Asset-backed securities		3,222.0		19.7		855.1		2,386.6

Total fixed maturity securities		21,820.9		338.7		2,912.4		19,247.2
Equity securities		30.9		0.7		5.1		26.5

Total securities available-for-sale	$	21,851.8	$	339.4	$	2,917.5	$	19,273.7

December 31, 2007:
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government corporations	$	110.8	$	14.3	$	0.4	$	124.7
U. S. Government agencies		406.1		61.2		—		467.3
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		245.3		1.6		2.7		244.2
Debt securities issued by foreign governments		40.0		2.5		0.1		42.4
Corporate securities
Public		8,253.8		133.4		161.6		8,225.6
Private		5,474.2		131.7		57.6		5,548.3
Mortgage-backed securities		5,855.9		31.3		98.4		5,788.8
Asset-backed securities		3,635.1		31.2		174.2		3,492.1

Total fixed maturity securities		24,021.2		407.2		495.0		23,933.4
Equity securities		69.6		4.8		1.5		72.9

Total securities available-for-sale	$	24,090.8	$	412.0	$	496.5	$	24,006.3

Includes $134.7 million of securities explicitly backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

The market value of the Company’s general account investments may fluctuate significantly in response to changes in interest rates, investment quality ratings and credit spreads. While the Company has the ability and intent to hold available-for-sale debt securities in unrealized loss positions that are not other-than-temporarily impaired until recovery, it may experience realized investment losses to the extent its liquidity needs require the disposition of general account fixed maturity securities in unfavorable interest rate, liquidity or credit spread environments.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

Debt securities accounted for under EITF 99-20 may experience other-than-temporary impairment in future periods in the event an adverse change in cash flows is anticipated or probable. Furthermore, equity securities may experience other-than-temporary impairment in the future based on the prospects for recovery in value in a reasonable period. In addition, debt securities may experience other-than-temporary impairment in the future based on the probability that that Company may not be able to receive all contractual payments when due.

The Company held securities issued by institutions in the financial sector with equity-type features, classified as fixed maturity, with estimated fair values of $634.2 million and $674.4 million, and gross unrealized losses of $366.6 million and $28.3 million, as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Of these securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2008, $104.7 million, or 18%, were in an unrealized loss position for more than one year compared to $149.3 million, or 39%, as of December 31, 2007. As of December 31, 2008, the Company evaluates such securities for other-than-temporary impairment using the criteria of either a debt or an equity security depending on the facts and circumstances of the individual issuer.

The table below summarizes the amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, by maturity, as of December 31, 2008. 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.


(in millions)	Amortized cost		Estimated fair value
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Due in one year or less	$	1,086.7	$	1,081.9
Due after one year through five years		6,697.6		6,173.1
Due after five years through ten years		2,704.5		2,537.5
Due after ten years		2,861.9		2,391.4

Subtotal		13,350.7		12,183.9
Mortgage-backed securities		5,248.2		4,676.7
Asset-backed securities		3,222.0		2,386.6

Total	$	21,820.9	$	19,247.2

The following table presents the components of net unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale as of December 31:


(in millions)	2008			2007
Net unrealized losses, before adjustments and taxes	$	(2,578.1	)	$	(84.5	)
Change in fair value attributable to fixed maturity securities designated in fair value hedging relationships		(57.8	)		—

Total net unrealized losses, before adjustments and taxes		(2,635.9	)		(84.5	)
Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs		615.9			87.1
Adjustment to future policy benefits and claims		43.8			(77.7	)
Deferred federal income tax benefit		691.7			26.1

Net unrealized losses	$	(1,284.5	)	$	(49.0	)

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The following table presents an analysis of the net increase in net unrealized (losses) gains on securities available-for-sale before adjustments and taxes for the years ended December 31:


(in millions)	2008			2007			2006
Fixed maturity securities	$	(2,485.9	)	$	(166.0	)	$	(161.0	)
Equity securities		(7.7	)		(2.6	)		(1.1	)

Net increase	$	(2,493.6	)	$	(168.6	)	$	(162.1	)

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

For securities available-for-sale as of the dates indicated, the following table summarizes the Company’s gross unrealized losses based on the amount of time each type of security has been in an unrealized loss position:


	Less than or equal to one year				More than one year				Total
(in millions)	Estimated fair value		Gross unrealized losses		Estimated fair value		Gross unrealized losses		Estimated fair value		Gross unrealized losses
December 31, 2008:
Fixed maturity securities:
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	$	94.9	$	3.5	$	29.3	$	3.9	$	124.2	$	7.4
Corporate securities
Public		3,678.8		700.8		1,233.6		339.5		4,912.4		1,040.3
Private		2,108.1		262.1		838.6		107.9		2,946.7		370.0
Mortgage-backed securities		592.1		149.1		1,694.3		490.6		2,286.4		639.7
Asset-backed securities		1,026.9		248.6		1,171.4		606.4		2,198.3		855.0

Total fixed maturity securities		7,500.8		1,364.1		4,967.2		1,548.3		12,468.0		2,912.4
Equity securities		11.2		4.9		3.4		0.2		14.6		5.1

Total	$	7,512.0	$	1,369.0	$	4,970.6	$	1,548.5	$	12,482.6	$	2,917.5

% of total gross unrealized losses				47%				53%

December 31, 2007:
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government corporations	$	16.4	$	0.4	$	2.6	$	—	$	19.0	$	0.4
U.S. Government agencies		—		—		13.9		—		13.9		—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		15.4		0.1		149.6		2.6		165.0		2.7
Debt securities issued by foreign governments		11.5		0.1		—		—		11.5		0.1
Corporate securities
Public		2,354.0		95.2		1,966.8		66.4		4,320.8		161.6
Private		680.6		17.1		1,814.7		40.5		2,495.3		57.6
Mortgage-backed securities		1,227.8		23.7		2,466.4		74.7		3,694.2		98.4
Asset-backed securities		1,453.8		127.1		1,078.1		47.1		2,531.9		174.2

Total fixed maturity securities		5,759.5		263.7		7,492.1		231.3		13,251.6		495.0
Equity securities		17.1		1.5		0.1		—		17.2		1.5

Total	$	5,776.6	$	265.2	$	7,492.2	$	231.3	$	13,268.8	$	496.5

% of total gross unrealized losses				53%				47%

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The Company has fixed maturity securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for more than one year that are not other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company reviews assets in unrealized loss positions and evaluates whether or not the losses are other-than-temporary. Many criteria are considered during this process including, but not limited to, specific credit issues and financial prospects related to the issuer, the quality of the underlying collateral, management’s intent and ability to hold the security until recovery, current economic conditions that could affect the creditworthiness of the issuer in the future, the current fair value as compared to the amortized cost of the security, the extent and duration of the unrealized loss, and the rating of the affected security.

As of December 31, 2008, fixed maturity securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for more than one year totaled $1.55 billion, or 53% of the Company’s total unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities. Of this total, $1.31 billion, or 85%, were classified as investment grade securities, as defined by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

As of December 31, 2008, 1,913, or 65%, of the Company’s investments in fixed maturity securities were in an unrealized loss position, in comparison to 1,725, or 53%, as of December 31, 2007.

The majority of the increases in the Company’s unrealized losses from December 31, 2007 to 2008 were attributable to corporate securities, MBSs and ABSs. These increased unrealized loss positions primarily were driven by the combined impact of volatility in investment quality ratings and credit spreads, illiquid markets, and interest rate movements. In particular, exposure to the financial sector, including through structured securities such as trust preferred, collateralized loan obligations and collateralized debt obligations, have been significantly affected by negative circumstances in those sectors. It is reasonably possible that further declines in estimated fair values of such investments, or changes in assumptions or estimates of anticipated recoveries and/or cash flows, may cause further other-than-temporary impairments in the near term, which could be significant.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

For fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, the following tables summarize as of the dates indicated the Company’s gross unrealized loss position categorized as investment grade vs. non-investment grade, as defined by the NAIC, for the period of time indicated, and based on the ratio of estimated fair value to amortized cost (in millions):


	Period of time for which unrealized loss has existed as of December 31, 2008
	Investment Grade						Non-Investment Grade						Total
Ratio of estimated fair value to amortized cost	Less than or equal to one year		More than one year		Total		Less than or equal to one year		More than one year		Total		Less than or equal to one year		More than one year		Total
Corporate securities - public and private
99.9% - 95.0%	$	50.0	$	16.4	$	66.4	$	1.7	$	0.1	$	1.8	$	51.7	$	16.5	$	68.2
94.9% - 90.0%		94.0		28.3		122.3		5.2		6.2		11.4		99.2		34.5		133.7
89.9% - 85.0%		82.8		32.2		115.0		7.9		7.3		15.2		90.7		39.5		130.2
84.9% - 80.0%		94.1		27.2		121.3		14.5		7.1		21.6		108.6		34.3		142.9
Below 80.0%		453.1		150.5		603.6		159.6		172.1		331.7		612.7		322.6		935.3

Total		774.0		254.6		1,028.6		188.9		192.8		381.7		962.9		447.4		1,410.3


Mortgage-backed securities
99.9% - 95.0%		1.1		2.9		4.0		—		—		—		1.1		2.9		4.0
94.9% - 90.0%		5.7		14.4		20.1		0.1		—		0.1		5.8		14.4		20.2
89.9% - 85.0%		13.8		23.9		37.7		5.7		—		5.7		19.5		23.9		43.4
84.9% - 80.0%		14.0		40.0		54.0		17.1		10.0		27.1		31.1		50.0		81.1
Below 80.0%		91.5		377.4		468.9		—		22.0		22.0		91.5		399.4		490.9

Total		126.1		458.6		584.7		22.9		32.0		54.9		149.0		490.6		639.6


Asset-backed securities
99.9% - 95.0%		4.9		2.0		6.9		0.4		—		0.4		5.3		2.0		7.3
94.9% - 90.0%		15.5		18.6		34.1		1.0		—		1.0		16.5		18.6		35.1
89.9% - 85.0%		23.3		27.5		50.8		0.3		0.8		1.1		23.6		28.3		51.9
84.9% - 80.0%		15.3		33.7		49.0		0.1		1.0		1.1		15.4		34.7		50.1
Below 80.0%		171.0		513.0		684.0		16.9		9.8		26.7		187.9		522.8		710.7

Total		230.0		594.8		824.8		18.7		11.6		30.3		248.7		606.4		855.1


Other fixed maturity securities1
99.9% - 95.0%		1.3		—		1.3		—		—		—		1.3		—		1.3
94.9% - 90.0%		2.2		—		2.2		—		—		—		2.2		—		2.2
89.9% - 85.0%		—		3.9		3.9		—		—		—		—		3.9		3.9
84.9% - 80.0%		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Below 80.0%		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—

Total		3.5		3.9		7.4		—		—		—		3.5		3.9		7.4


Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
99.9% - 95.0%		57.3		21.3		78.6		2.1		0.1		2.2		59.4		21.4		80.8
94.9% - 90.0%		117.4		61.3		178.7		6.3		6.2		12.5		123.7		67.5		191.2
89.9% - 85.0%		119.9		87.5		207.4		13.9		8.1		22.0		133.8		95.6		229.4
84.9% - 80.0%		123.4		100.9		224.3		31.7		18.1		49.8		155.1		119.0		274.1
Below 80.0%		715.6		1,040.9		1,756.5		176.5		203.9		380.4		892.1		1,244.8		2,136.9

Total	$	1,133.6	$	1,311.9	$	2,445.5	$	230.5	$	236.4	$	466.9	$	1,364.1	$	1,548.3	$	2,912.4


1 Includes U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. Government corporations, U.S. Government agency securities, obligations of state and political subdivisions, and debt issued by foreign governments.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006


	Period of time for which unrealized loss has existed as of December 31, 2007
	Investment Grade						Non-Investment Grade						Total
Ratio of estimated fair value to amortized cost	Less than or equal to one year		More than one year		Total		Less than or equal to one year		More than one year		Total		Less than or equal to one year		More than one year		Total
Corporate securities - public and private
99.9% - 95.0%	$	21.2	$	43.6	$	64.8	$	12.9	$	5.2	$	18.1	$	34.1	$	48.8	$	82.9
94.9% - 90.0%		18.0		30.3		48.3		13.3		4.5		17.8		31.3		34.8		66.1
89.9% - 85.0%		16.5		10.7		27.2		3.1		6.3		9.4		19.6		17.0		36.6
84.9% - 80.0%		2.1		0.4		2.5		3.0		0.2		3.2		5.1		0.6		5.7
Below 80.0%		7.5		—		7.5		14.7		5.7		20.4		22.2		5.7		27.9

Total		65.3		85.0		150.3		47.0		21.9		68.9		112.3		106.9		219.2


Mortgage-backed securities
99.9% - 95.0%		18.6		35.3		53.9		—		—		—		18.6		35.3		53.9
94.9% - 90.0%		5.1		39.4		44.5		—		—		—		5.1		39.4		44.5
89.9% - 85.0%		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
84.9% - 80.0%		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Below 80.0%		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—

Total		23.7		74.7		98.4		—		—		—		23.7		74.7		98.4


Asset-backed securities
99.9% - 95.0%		14.7		13.2		27.9		0.2		—		0.2		14.9		13.2		28.1
94.9% - 90.0%		26.9		13.7		40.6		—		—		—		26.9		13.7		40.6
89.9% - 85.0%		18.0		8.6		26.6		—		—		—		18.0		8.6		26.6
84.9% - 80.0%		14.2		5.8		20.0		—		—		—		14.2		5.8		20.0
Below 80.0%		53.0		5.8		58.8		0.1		—		0.1		53.1		5.8		58.9

Total		126.8		47.1		173.9		0.3		—		0.3		127.1		47.1		174.2


Other fixed maturity securities1
99.9% - 95.0%		0.6		1.4		2.0		—		—		—		0.6		1.4		2.0
94.9% - 90.0%		—		1.2		1.2		—		—		—		—		1.2		1.2
89.9% - 85.0%		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
84.9% - 80.0%		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Below 80.0%		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—

Total		0.6		2.6		3.2		—		—		—		0.6		2.6		3.2


Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
99.9% - 95.0%		55.1		93.5		148.6		13.1		5.2		18.3		68.2		98.7		166.9
94.9% - 90.0%		50.0		84.6		134.6		13.3		4.5		17.8		63.3		89.1		152.4
89.9% - 85.0%		34.5		19.3		53.8		3.1		6.3		9.4		37.6		25.6		63.2
84.9% - 80.0%		16.3		6.2		22.5		3.0		0.2		3.2		19.3		6.4		25.7
Below 80.0%		60.5		5.8		66.3		14.8		5.7		20.5		75.3		11.5		86.8

Total	$	216.4	$	209.4	$	425.8	$	47.3	$	21.9	$	69.2	$	263.7	$	231.3	$	495.0

1 Includes U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. Government corporations, U.S. Government agency securities, obligations of state and political subdivisions, and debt issued by foreign governments.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

As of December 31, 2008, 27% of the Company’s investments in an unrealized loss position had ratios of estimated fair value to amortized cost of at least 80%. In addition, 84% of the Company’s investments in an unrealized loss position were classified as investment grade, as defined by the NAIC. Of the Company’s investments in unrealized loss positions classified as non-investment grade, 49% have been in an unrealized loss position for less than one year.

The NAIC assigns securities quality ratings and uniform valuations (called NAIC Designations), which are used by insurers when preparing their annual statements. For most securities, NAIC ratings are derived from ratings received from nationally recognized rating agencies. The NAIC also assigns ratings to securities that do not receive public ratings. The designations assigned by the NAIC range from class 1 (highest quality) to class 6 (lowest quality). Of the Company’s general account fixed maturity securities, 92% and 94% were in the two highest NAIC Designations as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The following table shows the equivalent ratings between the NAIC and nationally recognized rating agencies and summarizes the credit quality, as determined by NAIC Designation, of the Company’s general account fixed maturity securities portfolio as of December 31:


(in millions)		2008				2007
NAIC designation1	Rating agency equivalent designation2	Amortized cost		Estimated fair value		Amortized cost		Estimated fair value
1	Aaa/Aa/A	$	13,870.1	$	12,497.7	$	16,765.5	$	16,662.7
2	Baa		5,961.0		5,210.2		5,730.3		5,784.3
3	Ba		1,192.9		953.8		1,101.6		1,078.3
4	B		529.7		366.5		325.0		316.8
5	Caa and lower		166.9		128.9		60.2		52.7
6	In or near default		100.3		90.1		38.6		38.6

	Total	$	21,820.9	$	19,247.2	$	24,021.2	$	23,933.4


1 NAIC Designations are assigned at least annually. Some designations for securities shown have been assigned to securities not yet assigned an NAIC Designation in a manner approximating equivalent public rating categories. 2 Comparisons between NAIC and Moody’s designations are published by the NAIC. If no Moody’s rating is available, the Company assigns internal ratings corresponding to public ratings.

Recent conditions in the securities markets, including changes in investment quality ratings, liquidity, credit spreads and interest rates, have resulted in declines in the values of investment securities, including corporate debt securities, MBSs and ABSs. When evaluating whether these securities are other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company considers characteristics of the underlying collateral, such as delinquency and default rates, the quality of the underlying borrower, the type of collateral in the pool, the vintage year of the collateral, subordination levels within the structure of the collateral pool, expected future cash flows, and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security to recovery. These and other factors also affect the estimated fair value of these securities.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The Company’s investments in MBSs and ABSs include securities that are supported by Alt-A and Sub-prime collateral. The Company considers Alt-A collateral to be mortgages whose underwriting standards do not qualify the mortgage for regular conforming or jumbo loan programs. Typical underwriting characteristics that cause a mortgage to fall into the Alt-A classification may include, but are not limited to, inadequate loan documentation of a borrower’s financial information, debt-to-income ratios above normal lending limits, loan-to-value ratios above normal lending limits that do not have primary mortgage insurance, a borrower who is a temporary resident, and loans securing non-conforming types of real estate. Alt-A mortgages are generally issued to borrowers having higher Fair Isaac Credit Organization (FICO) scores, and the lender typically issues a slightly higher interest rate for such mortgages. The Company considers Sub-prime collateral to be mortgages that are first-lien mortgage loans issued to Sub-prime borrowers, as demonstrated by recent delinquent rent or housing payments or substandard FICO scores. Second-lien mortgage loans are also considered Sub-prime. The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Company’s investments in securities containing Alt-A collateral totaled $1,718.7 million and $1,335.8 million, respectively, and the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Company’s investments in securities containing Sub-prime collateral totaled $612.7 million and $480.2 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, 75% and 84% of securities containing Alt-A and Sub-prime collateral, respectively, were rated AA or better. In addition, 68% and 76% of Alt-A and Sub-prime collateral, respectively, was originated in 2005 or earlier.

In addition, recent market activity has negatively impacted the Company’s investments in commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS). These investments in CMBS are generally characterized by securities that are collateralized by static, heterogeneous pools of mortgages on commercial real estate properties. Deals are generally diversified across property types, geography, borrowers, tenants, loan size, coupon and vintages. As of December 31, 2008, the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Company’s investments in CMBS totaled $1.26 billion and $853.0 million, respectively, while the December 31, 2007 amortized cost was $1.10 billion and estimated fair value was $1.08 billion.

Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale during 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $4.19 billion, $4.65 billion and $2.27 billion, respectively. During 2008, gross gains of $32.9 million ($70.0 million and $61.6 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively) and gross losses of $23.9 million ($70.2 million and $64.1 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively) were realized on those sales.

Real estate held for use was $9.8 million and $17.8 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. These assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation, which was $2.1 million and $3.6 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The carrying value of real estate held for sale was $6.8 million as of December 31, 2008 (compared to no real estate held for sale as of December 31, 2007.)

The Company grants mainly commercial mortgage loans on real estate to customers throughout the U.S. As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s largest exposure to any single borrower, region and property type was 2%, 23% and 34%, respectively, of the Company’s general account mortgage loan portfolio, compared to 2%, 24% and 33%, respectively, as of December 31, 2007.

As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the carrying value of commercial mortgage loans on real estate considered specifically impaired was $35.4 million and $7.4 million, respectively, for which a $13.6 million and $3.0 million valuation allowance had been established, respectively. No valuation allowance exists for collateral dependent commercial mortgage loans for which the fair value of the collateral is estimated to be greater than the carrying value.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The following table summarizes activity in the valuation allowance account for mortgage loans on real estate for the years ended December 31:


(in millions)	2008		2007			2006
Allowance, beginning of period	$	23.1	$	34.3		$	31.1
Net change in allowance		16.4		(11.2	)		3.2

Allowance, end of period	$	39.5	$	23.1		$	34.3

The Company has securitized commercial mortgage loans on real estate to third parties. The Company, as the transferor, has continuing involvement in these loans which consists of receiving servicing fees on loans which the Company has transferred.

The Company did not participate in any securitization arrangements during 2008. During 2008, the Company received $0.6 million in servicing fees related to financial assets where there is a continuing involvement from the securitization of commercial mortgage loans on real estate. During 2007, the Company received proceeds of $928.0 million from the securitization of commercial mortgage loans on real estate to third parties, experienced realized losses of $7.3 million on these loans, and received $0.7 million in servicing fees related to loans securitized in 2007 and before. During 2006, the Company received proceeds of $545.0 million from the securitization of commercial mortgage loans on real estate to third parties, experienced realized gains of $5.3 million on these loans, and received $0.4 million in servicing fees related to loans securitized in 2006 and before.

The Company provides a representations and warranties letter to the transferee for each securitization arrangement. If it is found that the Company has made a misrepresentation, it could be required to provide financial support to the transferee or its beneficial interest holders. In 2008 and 2007, the Company was not required to provide any financial or other support that it was not previously contractually required to provide to the transferee or its beneficial interest holders.

The following table summarizes net realized investment (losses) gains from continuing operations by source for the years ended December 31:


(in millions)	2008			2007			2006
Total realized gains on sales, net of hedging losses	$	1.9		$	65.4		$	88.8
Total realized losses on sales, net of hedging gains		(93.1	)		(79.9	)		(64.8	)
Total other-than-temporary and other investment impairments		(1,051.4	)		(116.4	)		(17.1	)
Credit default swaps		(9.8	)		(7.5	)		(1.1	)
Derivatives and embedded derivatives associated with living benefit contracts		(500.7	)		(26.7	)		—
Derivatives associated with death benefits contracts		109.4			—			—
Other derivatives		104.4			(1.1	)		1.3

Net realized investment (losses) gains	$	(1,439.3	)	$	(166.2	)	$	7.1

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The following table summarizes other-than-temporary and other investment impairments by asset type for the years ended December 31:


(in millions)	2008		2007		2006
Fixed maturity securities:
Corporate securities
Public	$	191.1	$	10.5	$	4.6
Private		77.0		62.7		0.5
Mortgage-backed securities		313.5		—		—
Asset-backed securities		392.4		35.1		2.1

Total fixed maturity securities		974.0		108.3		7.2

Equity securities		60.2		—		—
Other		17.2		8.1		9.9

Total other-than-temporary and other investment impairments	$	1,051.4	$	116.4	$	17.1

The following table summarizes net investment income from continuing operations by investment type for the years ended December 31:


(in millions)	2008			2007		2006
Securities available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities	$	1,334.5		$	1,370.5	$	1,419.2
Equity securities		4.9			4.0		2.6
Mortgage loans on real estate		459.3			512.6		535.4
Short-term investments		16.1			28.7		47.3
Other		(74.3	)		124.3		120.9

Gross investment income		1,740.5			2,040.1		2,125.4
Less investment expenses		53.5			64.3		66.9

Net investment income	$	1,687.0		$	1,975.8	$	2,058.5

Fixed maturity securities with an amortized cost of $15.0 million and $8.3 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were on deposit with various regulatory agencies as required by law.

The Company, through an agent, lends certain portfolio holdings and in turn receives cash collateral with the objective of increasing the yield on its investments. The cash collateral is invested in high-quality, short-term and long-term investments. The Company’s policy requires the maintenance of collateral of a minimum of 102% of the fair value of the securities loaned. Net returns on the investments, after payment of a rebate to the borrower, are shared between the Company and its agent. Both the borrower and the Company can request or return the loaned securities at any time. The Company maintains ownership of the loaned securities at all times and is entitled to receive from the borrower any payments for interest or dividends received on such securities during the loan term. In 2008, the Company recognized loaned securities as part of its investments available-for-sale. The Company also recognizes the short-term and other long-term investments acquired with the cash collateral and its obligation to return such collateral to the borrower in short-term and other long-term investments and other liabilities, respectively.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had received $378.3 million and $551.9 million, respectively, of cash collateral on securities lending. The Company had not received any non-cash collateral on securities lending as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had loaned securities with a fair value of $367.2 million and $541.2 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had received $1,022.5 million and $245.4 million, respectively, of cash for derivative collateral, which is in turn invested in short-term investments. The Company also held $35.4 million and $18.5 million of securities as off-balance sheet collateral on derivative transactions as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had pledged fixed maturity securities with a fair value of $24.5 million as collateral to various derivative counterparties compared to $18.8 million as of December 31, 2007.

(7)	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

The following table presents a reconciliation of DAC for the years ended December 31:


(in millions)	2008			2007
Balance at beginning of period	$	3,997.4		$	3,758.0
Capitalization of DAC		572.2			612.5
Amortization of DAC		(674.5	)		(368.5	)
Adjustments to unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale and other		528.8			4.4
Cumulative effect of adoption of accounting principle		—			(9.0	)

Balance at end of period	$	4,423.9		$	3,997.4

See Note 2(f) for information on the Company’s DAC policies.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

(8)	Variable Annuity Contracts

The Company issues traditional variable annuity contracts through its separate accounts, for which investment income and gains and losses on investments accrue directly to, and investment risk is borne by, the contractholder. The Company also issues non-traditional variable annuity contracts in which the Company provides various forms of guarantees to benefit the related contractholders. The Company provides five primary guarantee types under non-traditional variable annuity contracts: (1) GMDB; (2) GMAB; (3) guaranteed minimum income benefits (GMIB); (4) GLWB; and (5) a hybrid guarantee with GMAB and GLWB.

The GMDB provides a specified minimum return upon death. Many of these death benefits are spousal, whereby a death benefit will be paid upon death of the first spouse. The survivor has the option to terminate the contract or continue it and have the death benefit paid into the contract and a second death benefit paid upon the survivor’s death. The Company has offered six primary GMDB types:

•

Return of premium – provides the greater of account value or total deposits made to the contract less any partial withdrawals and assessments, which is referred to as “net premiums.” There are two variations of this benefit. In general, there is no lock in age for this benefit. However, for some contracts the GMDB reverts to the account value at a specified age, typically age 75.

•

Reset – provides the greater of a return of premium death benefit or the most recent five-year anniversary (prior to lock-in age) account value adjusted for withdrawals. For most contracts, this GMDB locks in at age 86 or 90, and for others the GMDB reverts to the account value at age 75, 85, 86 or 90.

•

Ratchet – provides the greater of a return of premium death benefit or the highest specified “anniversary” account value (prior to age 86) adjusted for withdrawals. Currently, there are three versions of ratchet, with the difference based on the definition of anniversary: monthaversary – evaluated monthly; annual – evaluated annually; and five-year – evaluated every fifth year.

•

Rollup – provides the greater of a return of premium death benefit or premiums adjusted for withdrawals accumulated at generally 5% simple interest up to the earlier of age 86 or 200% of adjusted premiums. There are two variations of this benefit. For certain contracts, this GMDB locks in at age 86, and for others the GMDB reverts to the account value at age 75.

•

Combo – provides the greater of annual ratchet death benefit or rollup death benefit. This benefit locks in at either age 81 or 86.

•

Earnings enhancement – provides an enhancement to the death benefit that is a specified percentage of the adjusted earnings accumulated on the contract at the date of death. There are two versions of this benefit: (1) the benefit expires at age 86, and a credit of 4% of account value is deposited into the contract; and (2) the benefit does not have an end age, but has a cap on the payout and is paid upon the first death in a spousal situation. Both benefits have age limitations. This benefit is paid in addition to any other death benefits paid under the contract.

The GMAB, offered in the Company’s Capital Preservation Plus contract rider, is a living benefit that provides the contractholder with a guaranteed return of premium, adjusted proportionately for withdrawals, after a specified time period (5, 7 or 10 years) selected by the contractholder at the issuance of the variable annuity contract. In some cases, the contractholder also has the option, after a specified time period, to drop the rider and continue the variable annuity contract without the GMAB. In general, the GMAB requires a minimum allocation to guaranteed term options or adherence to limitations required by an approved asset allocation strategy.

The GMIB is a living benefit that provides the contractholder with a guaranteed annuitization value. The GMIB types are:

•

Ratchet – provides an annuitization value equal to the greater of account value, net premiums or the highest one-year anniversary account value (prior to age 86) adjusted for withdrawals.

•

Rollup – provides an annuitization value equal to the greater of account value and premiums adjusted for withdrawals accumulated at 5% compound interest up to the earlier of age 86 or 200% of adjusted premiums.

•

Combo – provides an annuitization value equal to the greater of account value, ratchet GMIB benefit or rollup GMIB benefit.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

See Note 5 for a complete description of the Company’s hybrid GMAB/GLWB offered through its CPPLI contract rider. All GMAB contracts with the hybrid GMAB/GLWB rider are included with GMAB contracts in the following tables.

The following table summarizes the account values and net amount at risk, net of reinsurance, for variable annuity contracts with guarantees invested in both general and separate accounts as of December 31:


	2008					2007
(in millions)	Account value		Net amount at risk1		Wtd. avg. attained age	Account value		Net amount at risk1		Wtd. avg. attained age
GMDB:
Return of premium	$	5,991.9	$	440.6	60	$	9,082.6	$	18.7	59
Reset		12,468.7		2,468.0	64		17,915.0		61.1	63
Ratchet		12,352.3		3,767.2	67		15,789.2		132.2	66
Rollup		277.1		25.7	72		467.0		8.4	71
Combo		1,704.1		621.2	69		2,555.5		47.0	68

Subtotal		32,794.1		7,322.7	65		45,809.3		267.4	64
Earnings enhancement		333.5		7.2	63		519.2		49.8	62

Total - GMDB	$	33,127.6	$	7,329.9	65	$	46,328.5	$	317.2	64

GMAB2 :
5 Year	$	2,867.6	$	499.0	N/A	$	2,985.6	$	4.6	N/A
7 Year		2,265.9		482.9	N/A		2,644.1		6.2	N/A
10 Year		677.9		132.2	N/A		927.3		1.3	N/A

Total - GMAB	$	5,811.4	$	1,114.1	N/A	$	6,557.0	$	12.1	N/A

GMIB3 :
Ratchet	$	244.7	$	5.6	N/A	$	425.2	$	—	N/A
Rollup		659.5		1.3	N/A		1,119.9		—	N/A
Combo		0.1		—	N/A		0.3		—	N/A

Total - GMIB	$	904.3	$	6.9	N/A	$	1,545.4	$	—	N/A

GLWB:
L.inc	$	3,320.8	$	571.5	N/A	$	2,865.8	$	—	N/A

Net amount at risk is calculated on a seriatum basis and equals the respective guaranteed benefit less the account value (or zero if the account value exceeds the guaranteed benefit). As it relates to GMIB, net amount at risk is calculated as if all policies were eligible to annuitize immediately, although all GMIB options have a waiting period of at least 7 years from issuance.

GMAB contracts with the hybrid GMAB/GLWB rider had account values of $4.59 billion and $4.77 billion as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The weighted average period remaining until expected annuitization is not meaningful and has not been presented because there is currently no material GMIB exposure.

Net amount at risk is highly sensitive to changes in financial market movements. The increase in net amount at risk during 2008 is primarily due to declines in the financial markets. See Note 5 – Equity Market Risk Management for a discussion of the Company’s risk management practices with respect to declining financial market exposure and related reserve balances.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The following table summarizes account balances of variable annuity contracts that were invested in separate accounts as of December 31:


(in millions)	2008		2007
Mutual funds:
Bond	$	4,350.2	$	5,143.6
Domestic equity		18,572.8		31,217.7
International equity		2,412.7		3,987.3

Total mutual funds		25,335.7		40,348.6
Money market funds		2,132.6		1,728.2

Total	$	27,468.3	$	42,076.8

The Company’s GMDB claim reserves are determined by estimating the expected value of death benefits on contracts that trigger a policy benefit and recognizing the excess ratably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. GMIB claim reserves are determined each period by estimating the expected value of annuitization benefits in excess of the projected account balance at the date of annuitization and recognizing the excess ratably over the accumulation period based on total assessments. The Company regularly evaluates its GMDB and GMIB claim reserve estimates and adjusts the additional liability balances as appropriate, with a related charge or credit to other benefits and claims in the period of evaluation if actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier assumptions should be revised. The assumptions used in calculating GMIB claim reserves are consistent with those used for calculating GMDB claim reserves. In addition, the calculation of GMIB claim reserves assumes benefit utilization ranges from a low of 3% when the contractholder’s annuitization value is at least 10% in the money to 100% utilization when the contractholder is 90% or more in the money.

The following assumptions and methodology were used to determine the GMDB claim reserves as of December 31, 2008 and 2007:

•

Data used was based on a combination of historical numbers and future projections generally involving 50 probabilistically generated economic scenarios

•

Mean gross equity performance – 8.1%

•

Equity volatility – 18.7%

•

Mortality – 100% of Annuity 2000 table

•

Asset fees – equivalent to mutual fund and product loads

•

Discount rate – approximately 7.0%

Lapse rate assumptions vary by duration as shown below:


Duration (years)	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10+
Minimum	1.00%	2.00%	2.00%	3.00%	4.50%	6.00%	7.00%	7.00%	11.50%	11.50%
Maximum	1.50%	2.50%	4.00%	4.50%	40.00%	41.50%	21.50%	35.00%	35.00%	18.50%

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

(9)	Short-Term Debt

The following table summarizes short-term debt as of December 31:


(in millions)	2008		2007
$800.0 million commercial paper program	$	149.9	$	199.7
$350.0 million securities lending program facility		99.8		85.6

Total short-term debt	$	249.7	$	285.3

The Company has available as a source of funds a $1.00 billion revolving variable rate credit facility entered into by NFS, NLIC and NMIC with a group of national financial institutions. The facility provides for several and not joint liability with respect to any amount drawn by any party. The facility provides covenants, including, but not limited to, requirements that the Company’s debt not exceed 40% of tangible net worth, as defined, and that NLIC maintain statutory surplus, as defined, in excess of $1.67 billion. As of December 31, 2008, the Company and NLIC were in compliance with all covenants. NLIC and NMIC had no amounts outstanding under this agreement as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. NLIC also has an $800.0 million commercial paper program and is required to maintain an available credit facility equal to 50% of any amounts outstanding under the commercial paper program. Therefore, borrowing capacity under the aggregate $1.00 billion revolving credit facility is reduced by 50% of any amounts outstanding under the commercial paper program. NLIC had $149.9 million of commercial paper outstanding at December 31, 2008 at a weighted average interest rate of 2.07% and $199.7 million at a weighted average interest rate of 4.39% at December 31, 2007.

NLIC has entered into an agreement with its custodial bank to borrow against the cash collateral that is posted in connection with its securities lending program. This is an uncommitted facility contingent on the liquidity of the securities lending program. The borrowing facility was established to fund commercial mortgage loans that were originated with the intent of sale through securitization. The maximum amount available under the agreement is $350.0 million. The borrowing rate on this program is equal to one-month U.S. LIBOR (0.44% and 4.60% as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively). NLIC had $99.8 million and $85.6 million outstanding under this agreement as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had not provided any guarantees on such borrowings, either directly or indirectly.

The Company paid interest on short-term debt totaling $8.3 million, $15.0 million and $11.7 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

(10)	Long-Term Debt

The following table summarizes surplus notes payable to NFS as of December 31:


(in millions)	2008		2007
8.15% surplus note, due June 27, 2032	$	300.0	$	300.0
7.50% surplus note, due December 17, 2031		300.0		300.0
6.75% surplus note, due December 23, 2033		100.0		100.0

Total long-term debt	$	700.0	$	700.0

The Company made interest payments to NFS on surplus notes totaling $53.7 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006. Payments of interest and principal under the notes require the prior approval of the Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI).

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

(11)	Federal Income Taxes

In 2008, NFS will file a life/non-life federal income tax return with all of its eligible downstream subsidiaries. Effective January 1, 2009, pursuant to the merger agreement dated August 6, 2008 whereby NMIC and its affiliates purchased all of the NFS common stock they did not already own, Nationwide Corp. will own more than 80% of the value of NFS, meeting the requirements for NFS to join the NMIC consolidated federal income tax return. However, the life insurance company subsidiaries will not be eligible to join the NMIC consolidated federal income tax return until 2014. The members of the NFS consolidated federal income tax return group participate in a tax sharing arrangement, which uses a consolidated approach in allocating the amount of current and deferred expense to the separate financial statements of a subsidiary. This approach provides for a current tax benefit to the subsidary for losses that are utilized in the consoldiated tax return.

The following table summarizes the tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant components of the net deferred tax (asset) liability as of December 31:


(in millions)	2008			2007
Deferred tax assets:
Future policy benefits and claims	$	881.0		$	622.0
Securities available-for-sale		737.4			83.8
Derivatives		229.7			—
Other		238.3			129.4

Gross deferred tax assets		2,086.4			835.2
Less valuation allowance		(7.0	)		(7.0	)

Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		2,079.4			828.2

Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred policy acquisition costs		1,249.4			1,112.6
Derivatives		—			15.6
Other		188.4			115.2

Gross deferred tax liabilities		1,437.8			1,243.4

Net deferred tax (asset) liability	$	(641.6	)	$	415.2

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. Future taxable amounts or recovery of federal income taxes paid within the statutory carryback period can offset nearly all future deductible amounts. The valuation allowance was unchanged during 2008, 2007 and 2006. No additional valuation allowances are required to be recognized as the Company has prudent and feasible tax planning strategies that would, if necessary, be implemented to utilize deferred tax assets.

The Company’s current federal income tax asset was $127.2 million and $12.7 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Total federal income taxes (refunded) paid were $(46.1) million, $99.1 million and $(4.3) million during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

As of December 31, 2008, the Company has $38.9 million of capital loss carryforwards that can carry forward for five tax years and are expected to be fully utilized. In addition, the Company has $41.9 million in low income housing credit carryforwards which can be carried forward for twenty years. The Company expects that they will be fully utilized. The Company has $56.5 million in Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) credit carryforwards, which can be carried forward until utilized. The Company expects to fully realize the AMT credits in the future.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

During the third quarter of 2008, the Company refined its separate account dividends received deduction (DRD) calculation and estimation process. As a result, the Company reduced its third quarter separate account DRD projection from a federal income tax benefit of $14.3 million to a $4.4 million benefit. This reduction in estimate primarily was driven by the assumptions used in the estimation process regarding future dividend income within the separate accounts. The assumptions used in the separate account DRD calculation are based on the Company’s best estimate of future events.

In addition, during 2008, the Company recorded $12.7 million of net federal income tax expense adjustments primarily related to differences between the 2007 estimated tax liability and the amounts expected to be reported on the Company’s 2007 tax returns when filed. These changes in estimates primarily were driven by the Company’s separate account DRD.

During the second quarter of 2007, the Company recorded $6.8 million of net federal income tax expense adjustments primarily related to differences between the 2006 estimated tax liability and the amounts the Company reported on its 2006 tax returns. The Company recorded an additional $1.5 million and $0.2 million of such adjustments during the third and fourth quarters of 2007, respectively.

Through June 2006, the Company’s federal income tax returns for tax years 2000-2002 were under IRS examination pursuant to a routine audit. In accordance with its regular practice, management established tax reserves based on the current facts and circumstances regarding each tax exposure item for which the ultimate deductibility is open to interpretation. These reserves are reviewed regularly and are adjusted as events occur that management believes impacts the Company’s liability for additional taxes, such as lapsing of applicable statutes of limitations; conclusion of tax audits or substantial agreement on the deductibility/non-deductibility of uncertain items; additional exposure based on current calculations; identification of new issues; release of administrative guidance; or rendering of a court decision affecting a particular tax issue. A significant component of the Company’s tax reserve as of December 31, 2005 was related to the separate account dividends received deduction (DRD). See “Tax Matters” in Note 15 for more information regarding DRD.

In July 2006, the Company reached substantial agreement with the IRS on all open issues for tax years 2000-2002, including issues related to the DRD. Accordingly, the Company revised its estimate of amounts that may be due in connection with certain tax positions, including the DRD, for all open tax years. As a result of the revised estimate, $110.9 million of tax reserves were released into earnings during the second quarter of 2006.

During the third quarter of 2006, the Company recorded $7.8 million of net federal income tax expense adjustments primarily related to differences between the 2005 estimated tax liability and the amounts reported on the Company’s 2005 tax returns.

The following table summarizes federal income tax (benefit) expense attributable to (loss) income from continuing operations for the years ended December 31:


(in millions)	2008			2007		2006
Current	$	(135.5	)	$	106.5	$	(61.8	)
Deferred		(398.8	)		22.0		90.5

Federal income tax (benefit) expense	$	(534.3	)	$	128.5	$	28.7

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

Total federal income tax (benefit) expense differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate to (loss) income from continuing operations before federal income tax (benefit) expense as follows for the years ended December 31:


	2008				2007					2006
(dollars in millions)	Amount			%	Amount			%		Amount			%
Computed tax (benefit) expense	$	(477.4	)	35.0	$	204.0		35.0		$	226.8		35.0
DRD		(36.7	)	2.7		(61.0	)	(10.5	)		(67.5	)	(10.4	)
Reserve release		—		—		—		—			(110.9	)	(17.1	)
Other, net		(20.2	)	1.5		(14.5	)	(2.4	)		(19.7	)	(3.1	)

Total	$	(534.3	)	39.2	$	128.5		22.1		$	28.7		4.4

As noted previously, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. There was no impact to the Company’s retained earnings on adoption of FIN 48. A rollforward of the beginning and ending uncertain tax positions, including permanent and temporary differences, but excluding interest and penalties, is as follows:


(in millions)	2008			2007
Balance at beginning of period	$	8.6		$	4.6
Additions for current year tax positions		37.4			4.0
Additions for prior years tax positions		0.3			—
Reductions for prior years tax positions		(2.6	)		—

Balance at end of period	$	43.7		$	8.6

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate on December 31, 2008, is $37.4 million.

The Company has included tax on permanent uncertain tax positions and interest and penalties on all uncertain tax positions in determining the potential impact on the effective tax rate above. An uncertain tax timing position may result in the acceleration of cash payments to the IRS, but will not impact the effective tax rate.

During the years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, the Company incurred $1.0 million and $0.8 million in interest and penalties, respectively. The Company accrued $2.2 million and $1.2 million for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Interest expense and any associated penalties are shown as income tax expense.

Management is not aware of any reasonable possibility of a significant increase or decrease to the total of the uncertain tax positions within the next 12 months.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years through 2002. The IRS commenced an examination of the Company’s U.S. income tax returns for 2003 through 2005 in the first quarter of 2007. As of December 31, 2008, the IRS has proposed adjustments which would not result in a material change to the Company’s financial position.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

(12)	Shareholders’ Equity, Regulatory Risk-Based Capital, Statutory Results and Dividend Restrictions

Regulatory Risk-Based Capital

The State of Ohio, where NLIC and NLAIC are domiciled, 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 total adjusted capital, as defined by the NAIC, to 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 NLAIC each exceeded the minimum risk-based capital requirements for all periods presented herein.

Statutory Results

The Company and its subsidiary are required to prepare statutory financial statements in conformity with the NAIC’s Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual, subject to any deviations prescribed or permitted by the applicable state department of insurance. Statutory accounting practices focus on insurer solvency and differ from GAAP materially. The principal differences include charging policy acquisition and certain sales inducement costs to expense as incurred, establishing future policy benefits and claims reserves using different actuarial assumptions, excluding certain assets from statutory admitted assets, and valuing investments and establishing deferred taxes on a different basis. The following tables summarize the statutory net (loss) income and statutory capital and surplus for the Company and its insurance subsidiary for the years ended December 31:


(in millions)	20081			2007			2006
Statutory net (loss) income
NLIC	$	(898.3	)	$	309.0		$	537.5
NLAIC		(87.9	)		(13.4	)		(45.6	)

Statutory capital and surplus
NLIC	$	2,261.5		$	2,501.1		$	2,682.3
NLAIC		81.7			173.3			158.6

Unaudited as of the date of this report.

The Company has received approval from the Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) regarding the use of a permitted practice related to the statutory accounting provision for the admissibility of deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2008. The permitted practice modifies the practice prescribed by the NAIC by increasing the threshold for admissibility of deferred tax assets from 10% to 15% of statutory capital and surplus. The permitted practice resulted in an increase of the Company’s estimated statutory surplus of $68.9 million (unaudited) as of December 31, 2008. The permitted practice had no impact on the Company’s statutory net income. The benefits of this permitted practice may not be considered by the Company when determining capital and surplus available for dividends. NLAIC did not qualify for the permitted practice.

Dividend Restrictions

The payment of dividends by NLIC is subject to restrictions set forth in the insurance laws and regulations of the State of Ohio, its domiciliary state. The State of Ohio insurance laws require Ohio-domiciled life insurance companies to seek prior regulatory approval to pay a dividend or distribution of cash or other property if the fair market value thereof, together with that of other dividends or distributions made in the preceding 12 months, exceeds the greater of (1) 10% of statutory-basis policyholders’ surplus as of the prior December 31 or (2) the statutory-basis net income of the insurer for the prior year. During the year ended December 31, 2008, NLIC paid dividends of $246.5 million to NFS after providing prior notice to the ODI. The dividend included $181.9 million in cash and $64.6 million in securities. As of January 1, 2009, NLIC could not pay dividends to NFS without obtaining prior approval.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The State of Ohio insurance laws also require insurers to seek prior regulatory approval for any dividend paid from other than earned surplus. Earned surplus is defined under the State of Ohio insurance laws as the amount equal to the Company’s unassigned funds as set forth in its most recent statutory financial statements, including net unrealized capital gains and losses or revaluation of assets. Additionally, following any dividend, an insurer’s policyholder surplus must be reasonable in relation to the insurer’s outstanding liabilities and adequate for its financial needs. The payment of dividends by NLIC may also be subject to restrictions set forth in the insurance laws of the State of New York that limit the amount of statutory profits on NLIC’s participating policies (measured before dividends to policyholders) available for the benefit of the Company and its shareholder.

The Company currently does not expect such regulatory requirements to impair its ability to pay future operating expenses, interest and shareholder dividends.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

Comprehensive Loss

The Company’s comprehensive loss includes net income and certain items that are reported directly within separate components of shareholder’s equity that are not recorded in net income (other comprehensive income or loss).

The following table summarizes the Company’s other comprehensive loss, before and after federal income tax benefit, for the years ended December 31:


(in millions)	2008			2007			2006
Net unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale arising during the period:
Net unrealized losses before adjustments	$	(3,576.6	)	$	(276.3	)	$	(171.3	)
Net adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs		528.8			3.8			40.9
Net adjustment to future policy benefits and claims		121.5			5.4			21.5
Related federal income tax benefit		1,024.4			93.3			38.1

Net unrealized losses		(1,901.9	)		(173.8	)		(70.8	)

Reclassification adjustment for net realized losses on securities available-for-sale realized during the period:
Net unrealized losses		1,025.2			107.7			9.2
Related federal income tax benefit		(358.8	)		(37.7	)		(3.2	)

Net reclassification adjustment		666.4			70.0			6.0

Other comprehensive loss on securities available-for-sale		(1,235.5	)		(103.8	)		(64.8	)

Accumulated net holding gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized holding gains (losses)		16.5			(17.2	)		(0.2	)
Related federal income tax (expense) benefit		(5.8	)		6.0			0.1

Other comprehensive income (loss) on cash flow hedges		10.7			(11.2	)		(0.1	)

Other unrealized gains (losses):
Net unrealized gains (losses)		6.4			(6.4	)		—
Related federal income tax (expense) benefit		(2.3	)		2.2			—

Other net unrealized gains (losses)		4.1			(4.2	)		—

Total other comprehensive loss	$	(1,220.7	)	$	(119.2	)	$	(64.9	)

Adjustments for net realized gains and losses on the ineffective portion of cash flow hedges were immaterial during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

(13)	Employee Benefit Plans

Defined Benefit Plans

The Company and certain affiliated companies participate in a qualified defined benefit pension plan sponsored by NMIC. This plan covers all employees of participating companies who have completed at least one year of service. Plan contributions are invested in a group annuity contract issued by NLIC, and a trust with Bank of New York as the custodian and trustee. All participants are eligible for benefits based on an account balance feature. Participants last hired before 2002 are eligible for benefits based on the highest average annual salary of a specified number of consecutive years of the last ten years of service, if such benefits are of greater value than the account balance feature. The Company funds pension costs accrued for direct employees plus an allocation of pension costs accrued for employees of affiliates whose work benefits the Company. A separate non-qualified defined benefit pension plan sponsored by NMIC covers certain executives with at least one year of service. The Company’s portion of expense relating to these plans was $12.0 million, $13.5 million and $19.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

In addition to the NMIC pension plan, the Company and certain affiliated companies participate in life and health care defined benefit plans sponsored by NMIC for qualifying retirees. Postretirement life and health care benefits are contributory. The level of contribution required by a qualified retiree depends on the retiree’s years of service and date of hire. In general, postretirement benefits are available to full-time employees who are credited with 120 months of retiree life and health service. 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. 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 a group annuity contract issued by NLIC, and a trust with Bank of New York as the custodian and trustee. All participants are eligible for benefits based on an account balance feature. The Company’s portion of expense relating to these plans was immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.

Defined Contribution Plans

NMIC sponsors a defined contribution retirement savings plan covering substantially all employees of the Company. Employees may make salary deferral contributions of up to 80%. Salary deferrals of up to 6% are subject to a 50% Company match. The Company’s expense for contributions to these plans was $5.6 million, $7.3 million and $6.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

(14)	Related Party Transactions

The Company has entered into significant, recurring transactions and agreements with NMIC, other affiliates and subsidiaries as a part of its ongoing operations. These include annuity and life insurance contracts, office space leases, and agreements related to reinsurance, cost sharing, administrative services, marketing, intercompany loans, intercompany repurchases, cash management services and software licensing. Measures used to allocate expenses among companies include individual employee estimates of time spent, special cost studies, the number of full-time employees, commission expense and other methods agreed to by the participating companies.

In addition, Nationwide Services Company, LLC (NSC), a subsidiary of NMIC, provides data processing, systems development, hardware and software support, telephone, mail and other services to the Company, based on specified rates for units of service consumed.. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company made payments to NMIC and NSC totaling $280.8 million, $285.6 million and $261.7 million, respectively.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The Company has issued group annuity and life insurance contracts and performs administrative services for various employee benefit plans sponsored by NMIC or its affiliates. Total account values of these contracts were $2.85 billion and $2.90 billion as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Total revenues from these contracts were $137.7 million, $130.8 million and $133.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and include policy charges, net investment income from investments backing the contracts and administrative fees. Total interest credited to the account balances was $115.4 million, $109.7 million and $110.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The terms of these contracts are consistent in all material respects with what the Company offers to unaffiliated parties.

The Company leases office space from NMIC. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company made lease payments to NMIC of $22.9 million, $23.0 million and $19.3 million, respectively.

NLIC has a reinsurance agreement with NMIC whereby all of NLIC’s accident and health business not ceded to unaffiliated reinsurers is ceded to NMIC on a modified coinsurance basis. Either party may terminate the agreement on January 1 of any year with prior notice. Under a modified coinsurance agreement, the ceding company retains invested assets, 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 the reinsurer. The ceding of risk does not discharge the original insurer from its primary obligation to the policyholder. The Company believes that the terms of the modified coinsurance agreements are consistent in all material respects with what the Company could have obtained with unaffiliated parties. Revenues ceded to NMIC for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $202.3 million, $317.6 million and $430.8 million, respectively, while benefits, claims and expenses ceded during these years were $218.9 million, $348.1 million and $470.4 million, respectively.

Funds of Nationwide Funds Group (NFG), an affiliate, are offered to the Company’s customers as investment options in certain of the Company’s products. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, customer allocations to NFG funds totaled $17.48 billion and $21.41 billion, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, NFG paid the Company $74.4 million, $76.9 million and $64.4 million, respectively, for the distribution and servicing of these funds.

Under a marketing agreement with NMIC, NLIC makes payments to cover a portion of the agent marketing allowance that is paid to Nationwide agents. These costs cover product development and promotion, sales literature, rent and similar items. Payments under this agreement totaled $8.3 million, $20.1 million and $28.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The last payment under this agreement was made in 2008.

The Company also participates in intercompany repurchase agreements with affiliates whereby the seller transfers securities to the buyer at a stated value. Upon demand or after a stated period, the seller repurchases the securities at the original sales price plus interest. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had no outstanding borrowings from affiliated entities under such agreements. During 2008, 2007 and 2006, the most the Company had outstanding at any given time was $151.6 million, $178.2 million and $191.5 million, respectively, and the amounts the Company incurred for interest expense on intercompany repurchase agreements during these years were immaterial.

The Company and various affiliates have agreements with Nationwide Cash Management Company (NCMC), an affiliate, under which NCMC acts as a common agent in handling the purchase and sale of short-term securities for the respective accounts of the participants. Amounts on deposit with NCMC for the benefit of the Company were $2.57 billion and $368.2 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and are included in short-term investments on the consolidated balance sheets.

Certain annuity products are sold through affiliated companies, which are also subsidiaries of NFS. Total commissions and fees paid to these affiliates for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $52.7 million, $59.5 million and $58.1 million, respectively.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

An affiliate of the Company is currently developing a browser-based policy administration and online brokerage software application for defined benefit plans. In connection with the development of this application, the Company made net payments, which were expensed, to that affiliate related to development totaling $11.0 million, $9.4 million and $6.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The Company entered into a note purchase agreement with an affiliate on November 17, 2006 to purchase $25.0 million of the affiliate’s 5.6% senior notes due November 16, 2016. The notes are secured by certain pledged mortgage servicing rights. The note is payable in seven equal principal installments of $3.8 million, which begin November 6, 2010. Interest is payable semi-annually on each May 16 and November 16.

Through September 30, 2002, the Company filed a consolidated federal income tax return with NMIC, as discussed in more detail in Note 11. Effective October 1, 2002, NLIC began filing a consolidated federal income tax return with NLAIC. Total payments from NMIC were $22.5 million and $15.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2006, respectively. These payments related to tax years prior to deconsolidation. There were no payments during 2007.

During 2008, NLIC received a $338.8 million capital contribution from NFS. The capital contribution included $157.1 million in securities, $153.4 million in cash and $28.3 million in mortgage loans.

In 2008, 2007 and 2006, NLIC paid dividends to NFS totaling $246.5 million, $537.5 million and $375.0 million, respectively.

(15)	Contingencies

Legal Matters

The Company is a party to litigation and arbitration proceedings in the ordinary course of its business. It is often not possible to determine the ultimate outcome of the pending investigations and legal proceedings or to provide reasonable ranges of potential losses with any degree of certainty. Some matters, including certain of those referred to below, are in very preliminary stages, and the Company does not have sufficient information to make an assessment of the plaintiffs’ claims for liability or damages. In some of the cases seeking to be certified as class actions, the court has not yet decided whether a class will be certified or (in the event of certification) the size of the class and class period. In many of the cases, the plaintiffs are seeking undefined amounts of damages or other relief, including punitive damages and equitable remedies, which are difficult to quantify and cannot be defined based on the information currently available. The Company does not believe, based on information currently known by management, that the outcomes of such pending investigations and legal proceedings are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position. However, given the large and/or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial results in a particular quarterly or annual period.

In recent years, life insurance companies have been named as defendants in lawsuits, including class action lawsuits relating to life insurance and annuity pricing and sales practices. A number of these lawsuits have resulted in substantial jury awards or settlements against life insurers other than the Company.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The financial services industry, including mutual fund, variable annuity, retirement plan, life insurance and distribution companies, has also been the subject of increasing scrutiny by regulators, legislators and the media over the past few years. Numerous regulatory agencies, including the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the New York State Attorney General, have commenced industry-wide investigations regarding late trading and market timing in connection with mutual funds and variable insurance contracts, and have commenced enforcement actions against some mutual fund and life insurance companies on those issues. The Company has been contacted by or received subpoenas from the SEC and the New York State Attorney General, who are investigating market timing in certain mutual funds offered in insurance products sponsored by the Company. The Company has cooperated with these investigations. Information requests from the New York State Attorney General and the SEC with respect to investigations into late trading and market timing were last responded to by the Company and its affiliates in December 2003 and June 2005, respectively, and no further information requests have been received with respect to these matters.

In addition, state and federal regulators and other governmental bodies have commenced investigations, proceedings or inquiries relating to compensation and bidding arrangements and possible anti-competitive activities between insurance producers and brokers and issuers of insurance products, and unsuitable sales and replacements by producers on behalf of the issuer. Also under investigation are compensation and revenue sharing arrangements between the issuers of variable insurance contracts and mutual funds or their affiliates, fee arrangements in retirement plans, the use of side agreements and finite reinsurance agreements, funding agreements issued to back MTN programs, recordkeeping and retention compliance by broker/dealers, and supervision of former registered representatives. Related investigations, proceedings or inquiries may be commenced in the future. The Company and/or its affiliates have been contacted by or received subpoenas from state and federal regulatory agencies and other governmental bodies, state securities law regulators and state attorneys general for information relating to certain of these investigations, including those relating to compensation, revenue sharing and bidding arrangements, anti-competitive activities, unsuitable sales or replacement practices, fee arrangements in retirement plans, the use of side agreements and finite reinsurance agreements, and funding agreements backing the NLIC MTN program. The Company is cooperating with regulators in connection with these inquiries and will cooperate with NMIC in responding to these inquiries to the extent that any inquiries encompass NMIC’s operations.

A promotional and marketing arrangement associated with the Company’s offering of a retirement plan product and related services in Alabama is under investigation by the Alabama Securities Commission. The Company currently expects that any damages paid to settle this matter will not have a material adverse impact on its consolidated financial position. It is not possible to predict what effect, if any, the outcome of this investigation may have on the Company’s retirement plan operations with respect to promotional and marketing arrangements in general in the future.

These proceedings are expected to continue in the future and could result in legal precedents and new industry-wide legislation, rules and regulations that could significantly affect the financial services industry, including mutual fund, retirement plan, life insurance and annuity companies. These proceedings also could affect the outcome of one or more of the Company’s litigation matters. There can be no assurance that any litigation or regulatory actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company in the future.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

On November 20, 2007, NRS and NLIC were named in a lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama entitled Ruth A. Gwin and Sandra H. Turner, and a class of similarly situated individuals v Nationwide Life Insurance Company, Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc., Alabama State Employees Association, PEBCO, Inc. and Fictitious Defendants A to Z. On December 2, 2008, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. The plaintiffs claim to represent a class of all participants in the Alabama State Employees Association (ASEA) Plan, excluding members of the Deferred Compensation Committee, members of the Board of Control, ASEA’s directors, officers and board members, and PEBCO’s directors, officers and board members. The class period is from November 20, 2001, to the date of trial. In the amended class action complaint, the plaintiffs allege breach of fiduciary duty, wantonness and breach of contract. The amended class action complaint seeks a declaratory judgment, an injunction, an appointment of an independent fiduciary to protect Plan participants, disgorgement of amounts paid, reformation of Plan documents, compensatory damages and punitive damages, plus interest, attorneys’ fees and costs and such other equitable and legal relief to which plaintiffs and class members may be entitled. Also, on December 2, 2008, the plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary injunction seeking an order requiring periodic payments made by NRS and/or NLIC to ASEA or PEBCO to be held in a trust account for the benefit of Plan participants. On December 4, 2008, the Alabama State Personnel Board and the State of Alabama by, and through the State Personnel Board, filed a motion to intervene and a complaint in intervention. On December 16, 2008, the Companies filed their Answer. On February 4, 2009, the court provisionally agreed to add the State of Alabama, by and through the State Personnel Board as a party. NRS and NLIC continue to defend this case vigorously.

On July 11, 2007, NLIC was named in a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma entitled Jerre Daniels-Hall and David Hamblen, Individually and on behalf of All Others Similarly Situated v. National Education Association, NEA Member Benefits Corporation, Nationwide Life Insurance Company, Security Benefit Life Insurance Company, Security Benefit Group, Inc., Security Distributors, Inc., et. al. The plaintiffs seek to represent a class of all current or former National Education Association (NEA) members who participated in the NEA Valuebuilder 403(b) program at any time between January 1, 1991 and the present (and their heirs and/or beneficiaries). The plaintiffs allege that the defendants violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA) by failing to prudently and loyally manage plan assets, by failing to provide complete and accurate information, by engaging in prohibited transactions, and by breaching their fiduciary duties when they failed to prevent other fiduciaries from breaching their fiduciary duties. The complaint seeks to have the defendants restore all losses to the plan, restoration of plan assets and profits to participants, disgorgement of endorsement fees, disgorgement of service fee payments, disgorgement of excessive fees charged to plan participants, other unspecified relief for restitution, declaratory and injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees. On May 23, 2008, the Court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss. On June 19, 2008, the plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal. On October 17, 2008, the plaintiffs filed their opening brief. On December 19, 2008, the defendants filed their briefs. On January 26, 2009, the plaintiffs filed Appellants’ Reply Brief. NLIC continues to defend this lawsuit vigorously.

On November 15, 2006, NFS, NLIC and NRS were named in a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio entitled Kevin Beary, Sheriff of Orange County, Florida, In His Official Capacity, Individually and On Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated v. Nationwide Life Insurance Co., Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc. and Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. The plaintiff seeks to represent a class of all sponsors of 457(b) deferred compensation plans in the United States that had variable annuity contracts with the defendants at any time during the class period, or in the alternative, all sponsors of 457(b) deferred compensation plans in Florida that had variable annuity contracts with the defendants during the class period. The class period is from January 1, 1996 until the class notice is provided. The plaintiff alleges that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties by arranging for and retaining service payments from certain mutual funds. The complaint seeks an accounting, a declaratory judgment, a permanent injunction and disgorgement or restitution of the service fee payments allegedly received by the defendants, including interest. On January 25, 2007, NFS, NLIC and NRS filed a motion to dismiss. On September 17, 2007, the Court granted the motion to dismiss. On October 1, 2007, the plaintiff filed a motion to vacate judgment and for leave to file an amended complaint. On September 15, 2008, the Court denied the plaintiffs’ motion to vacate judgment and for leave to file an amended complaint. On October 15, 2008, the plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal. NFS, NLIC and NRS continue to defend this lawsuit vigorously.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

On February 11, 2005, NLIC was named in a class action lawsuit filed in Common Pleas Court, Franklin County, Ohio entitled Michael Carr v. Nationwide Life Insurance Company. The complaint seeks recovery for breach of contract, fraud by omission, violation of the Ohio Deceptive Trade Practices Act and unjust enrichment. The complaint also seeks unspecified compensatory damages, disgorgement of all amounts in excess of the guaranteed maximum premium and attorneys’ fees. On February 2, 2006, the court granted the plaintiff’s motion for class certification on the breach of contract and unjust enrichment claims. The court certified a class consisting of all residents of the United States and the Virgin Islands who, during the class period, paid premiums on a modal basis to NLIC for term life insurance policies issued by NLIC during the class period that provide for guaranteed maximum premiums, excluding certain specified products. Excluded from the class are NLIC; any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of NLIC; all employees, officers and directors of NLIC; and any justice, judge or magistrate judge of the State of Ohio who may hear the case. The class period is from February 10, 1990 through February 2, 2006, the date the class was certified. On January 26, 2007, the plaintiff filed a motion for summary judgment. On April 30, 2007, NLIC filed a motion for summary judgment. On February 4, 2008, the Court granted the class’s motion for summary judgment on the breach of contract claims arising from the term policies in 43 of 51 jurisdictions. The Court granted NLIC’s motion for summary judgment on the breach of contract claims on all decreasing term policies. On November 7, 2008, the case was settled.

On April 13, 2004, NLIC was named in a class action lawsuit filed in Circuit Court, Third Judicial Circuit, Madison County, Illinois, entitled Woodbury v. Nationwide Life Insurance Company. NLIC removed this case to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois on June 1, 2004. On December 27, 2004, the case was transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland and included in the multi-district proceeding entitled In Re Mutual Funds Investment Litigation. In response, on May 13, 2005, the plaintiff filed the first amended complaint purporting to represent, with certain exceptions, a class of all persons who held (through their ownership of an NLIC annuity or insurance product) units of any NLIC sub-account invested in mutual funds that included foreign securities in their portfolios and that experienced market timing or stale price trading activity. The first amended complaint purports to disclaim, with respect to market timing or stale price trading in NLIC’s annuities sub-accounts, any allegation based on NLIC’s untrue statement, failure to disclose any material fact, or usage of any manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance in connection with any class member’s purchases or sales of NLIC annuities or units in annuities sub-accounts. The plaintiff claims, in the alternative, that if NLIC is found with respect to market timing or stale price trading in its annuities sub-accounts, to have made any untrue statement, to have failed to disclose any material fact or to have used or employed any manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance, then the plaintiff purports to represent a class, with certain exceptions, of all persons who, prior to NLIC’s untrue statement, omission of material fact, use or employment of any manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance, held (through their ownership of an NLIC annuity or insurance product) units of any NLIC sub-account invested in mutual funds that included foreign securities in their portfolios and that experienced market timing activity. The first amended complaint alleges common law negligence and seeks to recover damages not to exceed $75,000 per plaintiff or class member, including all compensatory damages and costs. On June 1, 2006, the District Court granted NLIC’s motion to dismiss the plaintiff’s complaint. On January 30, 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed that dismissal. NLIC continues to defend this lawsuit vigorously.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

On August 15, 2001, NFS and NLIC were named in a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut entitled Lou Haddock, as trustee of the Flyte Tool & Die, Incorporated Deferred Compensation Plan, et al v. Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. and Nationwide Life Insurance Company. Currently, the plaintiffs’ fifth amended complaint, filed March 21, 2006, purports to represent a class of qualified retirement plans under ERISA that purchased variable annuities from NLIC. The plaintiffs allege that they invested ERISA plan assets in their variable annuity contracts and that NLIC and NFS breached ERISA fiduciary duties by allegedly accepting service payments from certain mutual funds. The complaint seeks disgorgement of some or all of the payments allegedly received by NFS and NLIC, other unspecified relief for restitution, declaratory and injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees. To date, the District Court has rejected the plaintiffs’ request for certification of the alleged class. On September 25, 2007, NFS’ and NLIC’s motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ fifth amended complaint was denied. On October 12, 2007, NFS and NLIC filed their answer to the plaintiffs’ fifth amended complaint and amended counterclaims. On November 1, 2007, the plaintiffs filed a motion to dismiss NFS’ and NLIC’s amended counterclaims. On November 15, 2007, the plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification. On February 8, 2008, the Court denied the plaintiffs’ motion to dismiss the amended counterclaim, with the exception that it was tentatively granting the plaintiffs’ motion to dismiss with respect to NFS’ and NLIC’s claim that it could recover any “disgorgement remedy” from plan sponsors. On April 25, 2008, NFS and NLIC filed their opposition to the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. On September 29, 2008, the plaintiffs filed their reply to NFS’ and NLIC’s opposition to class certification. The Court has set a hearing on the class certification motion for February 27, 2009. NFS and NLIC continue to defend this lawsuit vigorously.

Tax Matters

Management has established tax reserves in accordance with current accounting guidance, which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. These reserves are reviewed regularly and are adjusted as events occur that management believes impact its liability for additional taxes, such as lapsing of applicable statutes of limitations; conclusion of tax audits or substantial agreement on the deductibility/nondeductibility of uncertain items; additional exposure based on current calculations; identification of new issues; release of administrative guidance; or rendering of a court decision affecting a particular tax issue. Management believes its tax reserves reasonably provide for potential assessments that may result from IRS examinations and other tax-related matters for all open tax years.

The separate account DRD is a significant component of the Company’s federal income tax provision. On August 16, 2007, the IRS issued Revenue Ruling 2007-54. This ruling took a position with respect to the DRD that could have significantly reduced the Company’s DRD. The Company believes that the position taken by the IRS in the ruling was contrary to existing law and the relevant legislative history.

In Revenue Ruling 2007-61, released September 25, 2007, the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury suspended Revenue Ruling 2007-54 and informed taxpayers of their intention to address certain issues in connection with the DRD in future tax regulations. Final tax regulations could impact the Company’s DRD in periods subsequent to their effective date.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

(16)	Guarantees

Since 2002, the Company has sold $677.4 million of credit enhanced equity interests in Low-Income-Housing Tax Credit Funds (LIHTC Funds) to unrelated third parties. The Company has guaranteed cumulative after-tax yields to the third party investors ranging from 3.75% to 5.25% over periods ending between 2002 and 2022. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company held guarantee reserves totaling $5.1 million and $6.0 million, respectively, on these transactions. These guarantees are in effect for periods of approximately 15 years each. The LIHTC Funds provide a stream of tax benefits to the investors that will generate a yield and return of capital. If the tax benefits are not sufficient to provide these cumulative after-tax yields, then the Company must fund any shortfall, which is mitigated by stabilization collateral set aside by the Company at the inception of the transactions. The maximum amount of undiscounted future payments that the Company could be required to pay the investors under the terms of the guarantees is $1.10 billion. The Company does not anticipate making any material payments related to these guarantees.

As of December 31, 2008, the Company held stabilization reserves of $0.8 million as collateral for certain properties owned by the LIHTC Funds that had not met all of the criteria necessary to generate tax credits. Such criteria include completion of construction and the leasing of each unit to a qualified tenant, among others. Properties meeting the necessary criteria are considered to have “stabilized.” The properties are evaluated regularly, and the collateral is released when stabilized. In 2008, $0.8 million of the stabilization reserve was released into income. In 2007, the stabilization reserve was increased by $2.4 million and $3.1 million was released into income.

To the extent there are cash deficits in any specific property owned by the LIHTC Funds, property reserves, property operating guarantees and reserves held by the LIHTC Funds are exhausted before the Company is required to perform under its guarantees. To the extent the Company is ever required to perform under its guarantees, it may recover any such funding out of the cash flow distributed from the sale of the underlying properties of the LIHTC Funds. This cash flow distribution would be paid to the Company prior to any cash flow distributions to unrelated third party investors.

(17)	Variable Interest Entities

In the normal course of business, the Company has relationships with variable interest entities (VIEs). The Company’s VIEs are conduits that assist the Company in structured products transactions involving the sale of low-income-housing tax credit funds (LIHTC Funds) to third party investors, other structured product issuances, and private equity investments.

The Company considers many factors when determining whether it is (or is not) the primary beneficiary of a VIE. There is a review of the entity’s contract and other deal related information, such as 1) the entity’s equity investment at risk, decision-making abilities, obligations to absorb economic risks and right to receive economic rewards of the entity, 2) whether the contractual or ownership interest in the entity changes with the change in fair value of the entity, and 3) through the variable interest, if the Company shares in the entity’s expected losses and residual returns.

The Company was not required to provide financial or other support outside previous contractual requirements to any VIE.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

LIHTC Funds

The Company provides guarantees to limited partners related to the amount of tax credits that will be generated by the funds (see Note 16). The results of operations and financial position of each VIE of which the Company is the primary beneficiary are consolidated along with corresponding minority interest liabilities in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The Company had relationships with 19 LIHTC Funds that are considered VIEs as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, where the company was the primary beneficiary. Net assets of these consolidated VIEs were $416.1 million and $465.7 million as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The following table summarizes the components of net assets as of December 31:


(in millions)	2008			2007
Other long-term investments	$	371.1		$	434.1
Short-term investments		20.9			31.9
Other assets		41.6			38.1
Other liabilities		(17.5	)		(38.4	)

The Company’s total loss exposure from consolidated VIEs was immaterial as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 (except for the impact of guarantees disclosed in Note 16). Creditors (or beneficial interest holders) of the consolidated VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of the Company.

These LIHTC Funds are financed through the sale of these funds into the secondary market. The proceeds from these sales are used to participate in low-income housing projects that provide tax benefits to the investors.

In addition to the consolidated VIEs described above, the Company holds variable interests, in the form of LIHTC Funds that qualify as VIEs but of which the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The carrying amount on these unconsolidated VIEs was $78.9 million and $79.3 million as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The total exposure to loss on these unconsolidated VIEs was $93.4 million and $108.5 million as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The total exposure to loss is determined by adding any unfunded commitments to the carrying amount of the VIEs.

Structured Products

The Company had relationships with one structured product investment that is considered a VIE as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, where the Company was the primary beneficiary. Net assets of this consolidated VIE were $8.9 million and $20.1 million as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Creditors (or beneficial interest holders) of the consolidated VIE have no recourse to the general credit of the Company. There are no arrangements that would require the Company to provide financial support to the VIE.

As of both December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company was invested in 11 structured product investments that are considered VIEs but that the Company is not the primary beneficiary. These structured products are in the form of synthetic collateralized debt obligations and collateralized lease obligations. The carrying amount on these unconsolidated VIEs was $13.7 million and $84.0 million as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The total exposure to loss on these unconsolidated VIEs is determined to be the carrying amount of the VIEs.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

Private Equity Investments

The Company had relationships with one private equity investment that is considered a VIE as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, where the Company was the primary beneficiary. Net assets of this consolidated VIE were $18.6 million and $5.0 million as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Creditors (or beneficial interest holders) of the consolidated VIE have no recourse to the general credit of the Company. There are no arrangements that would require the Company to provide financial support to the VIE.

As of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company does not have any private equity investments considered to be a VIE where the Company is not the primary beneficiary.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

(18)	Segment Information

Management views the Company’s business primarily based on its underlying products and uses this basis to define its four reportable segments: Individual Investments, Retirement Plans, Individual Protection, and Corporate and Other.

The primary segment profitability measure that management uses is pre-tax operating earnings, which is calculated by adjusting income from continuing operations before federal income taxes to exclude (1) net realized investment gains and losses, except for periodic net amounts paid or received on interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, net realized gains and losses related to hedges on GMDB contracts and net realized gains and losses related to securitizations and (2) the adjustment to amortization of DAC related to net realized investment gains and losses.

Individual Investments

The Individual Investments segment consists of individual The BEST of AMERICA® and private label deferred variable annuity products, deferred fixed annuity products, income products and advisory services. Individual deferred annuity contracts provide the customer with tax-deferred accumulation of savings and flexible payout options including lump sum, systematic withdrawal or a stream of payments for life. In addition, individual variable annuity contracts provide the customer with access to a wide range of investment options and asset protection features, while individual fixed annuity contracts generate a return for the customer at a specified interest rate fixed for prescribed periods.

Retirement Plans

The Retirement Plans segment is comprised of the Company’s private and public sector retirement plans business. The private sector primarily includes IRC Section 401 business, and the public sector primarily includes IRC Section 457 and Section 401(a) business, both in the form of full-service arrangements that provide plan administration and fixed and variable group annuities as well as administration-only business.

Individual Protection

The Individual Protection segment consists of investment life insurance products, including individual variable, COLI and BOLI products; traditional life insurance products; and universal life insurance products. Life insurance products provide a death benefit and generally allow the customer to build cash value on a tax-advantaged basis.

Corporate and Other

The Corporate and Other segment includes the MTN program; structured products business; non-operating realized gains and losses, including mark-to-market adjustments on embedded derivatives, net of economic hedges, related to products with living benefits included in the Individual Investments segment; and other revenues and expenses not allocated to other segments.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

The following tables summarize the Company’s business segment operating results for the years ended December 31:


(in millions)	Individual Investments			Retirement Plans		Individual Protection		Corporate and Other			Total
2008
Revenues:
Policy charges	$	599.0		$	115.6	$	453.4	$	—		$	1,168.0
Premiums		119.5			—		164.0		—			283.5
Net investment income		506.3			638.2		343.9		198.6			1,687.0
Non-operating net realized investment losses1		—			—		—		(1,478.2	)		(1,478.2	)
Other income		109.5			0.9		—		(65.1	)		45.3

Total revenues		1,334.3			754.7		961.3		(1,344.7	)		1,705.6

Benefits and expenses:
Interest credited to policyholder accounts		361.8			425.9		181.5		161.4			1,130.6
Benefits and claims		377.0			—		295.0		(11.7	)		660.3
Policyholder dividends		—			—		26.4		—			26.4
Amortization of DAC		647.7			39.7		113.5		(126.4	)		674.5
Interest expense		—			—		—		61.8			61.8
Other operating expenses		188.1			147.0		138.0		43.0			516.1

Total benefits and expenses		1,574.6			612.6		754.4		128.1			3,069.7

Income (loss) from continuing operations before federal income tax expense		(240.3	)		142.1		206.9		(1,472.8	)	$	(1,364.1	)

Less: non-operating net realized investment losses1		—			—		—		1,478.2
Less: adjustment to amortization related to net realized investment gains and losses		—			—		—		(138.5	)

Pre-tax operating (loss) earnings	$	(240.3	)	$	142.1	$	206.9	$	(133.1	)

Assets as of year end	$	41,902.1		$	21,671.1	$	16,563.2	$	4,676.0		$	84,812.4

Excluding periodic net amounts paid or received on interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and net realized gains and losses related to hedges on GMDB contracts and securitizations.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006


(in millions)	Individual Investments		Retirement Plans		Individual Protection		Corporate and Other			Total
2007
Revenues:
Policy charges	$	656.9	$	139.5	$	411.9	$	—		$	1,208.3
Premiums		133.1		—		158.6		—			291.7
Net investment income		609.1		639.4		330.2		397.1			1,975.8
Non-operating net realized investment losses1		—		—		—		(156.0	)		(156.0	)
Other income		3.1		—		—		(5.8	)		(2.7	)

Total revenues		1,402.2		778.9		900.7		235.3			3,317.1

Benefits and expenses:
Interest credited to policyholder accounts		419.7		433.7		178.0		231.2			1,262.6
Benefits and claims		234.2		—		245.1		—			479.3
Policyholder dividends		—		—		24.5		—			24.5
Amortization of DAC		287.1		26.7		80.2		(25.5	)		368.5
Interest expense		—		—		—		70.0			70.0
Other operating expenses		191.6		173.6		147.1		17.2			529.5

Total benefits and expenses		1,132.6		634.0		674.9		292.9			2,734.4

Income (loss) from continuing operations before federal income tax expense		269.6		144.9		225.8		(57.6	)	$	582.7

Less: non-operating net realized investment losses1		—		—		—		156.0
Less: adjustment to amortization related to net realized investment gains and losses		—		—		—		(25.5	)

Pre-tax operating earnings	$	269.6	$	144.9	$	225.8	$	72.9

Assets as of year end	$	55,692.9	$	26,912.6	$	18,251.1	$	8,683.4		$	109,540.0

Excluding periodic net amounts paid or received on interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and net realized gains and losses related to securitizations.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006


(in millions)	Individual Investments		Retirement Plans		Individual Protection		Corporate and Other			Total
2006
Revenues:
Policy charges	$	581.7	$	160.2	$	390.7	$	—		$	1,132.6
Premiums		142.5		—		165.8		—			308.3
Net investment income		739.5		636.0		328.2		354.8			2,058.5
Non-operating net realized investment gains 1		—		—		—		1.0			1.0
Other income		2.6		—		0.3		3.4			6.3

Total revenues		1,466.3		796.2		885.0		359.2			3,506.7

Benefits and expenses:
Interest credited to policyholder accounts		501.7		440.5		179.2		208.7			1,330.1
Benefits and claims		202.8		—		247.5		—			450.3
Policyholder dividends		—		—		25.6		—			25.6
Amortization of DAC		352.7		37.9		69.6		(9.9	)		450.3
Interest expense		—		—		—		65.5			65.5
Other operating expenses		206.3		179.1		142.4		9.0			536.8

Total benefits and expenses		1,263.5		657.5		664.3		273.3			2,858.6

Income from continuing operations before federal income tax expense		202.8		138.7		220.7		85.9		$	648.1

Less: non-operating net realized investment gains 1		—		—		—		(1.0	)
Less: adjustment to amortization related to net realized investment gains and losses		—		—		—		(9.9	)

Pre-tax operating earnings	$	202.8	$	138.7	$	220.7	$	75.0

Assets as of year end	$	55,404.6	$	28,817.2	$	16,948.8	$	8,791.8		$	109,962.4

Excluding periodic net amounts paid or received on interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and net realized gains and losses related to securitizations.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Schedule I Consolidated Summary of Investments – Other Than Investments in Related Parties

As of December 31, 2008 (in millions)


Column A	Column B		Column C		Column D
Type of investment	Cost		Market value		Amount at which shown in the consolidated balance sheet
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government corporations	$	77.3	$	97.4	$	97.4
Agencies not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government		384.6		473.9		473.9
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		223.0		217.1		217.1
Foreign governments		33.9		38.9		38.9
Public utilities		1,667.7		1,578.5		1,578.5
All other corporate		19,434.4		16,841.4		16,841.4

Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale		21,820.9		19,247.2		19,247.2

Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stocks:
Banks, trusts and insurance companies		14.3		9.5		9.5
Industrial, miscellaneous and all other		—		0.1		0.1
Nonredeemable preferred stocks		16.6		16.9		16.9

Total equity securities available-for-sale		30.9		26.5		26.5

Mortgage loans on real estate, net		7,249.7				7,189.9	1
Real estate, net:
Investment properties		11.0				8.5	2
Acquired in satisfaction of debt		9.8				8.0	2

Total real estate, net		20.8				16.5

Policy loans		767.4				767.4
Other long-term investments		521.6				521.6
Short-term investments, including amounts managed by a related party		2,780.9				2,780.9

Total investments	$	33,192.2			$	30,550.0

Difference from Column B primarily is attributable to valuation allowances due to impairments on mortgage loans on real estate (see Note 6 to the audited consolidated financial statements), hedges and commitment hedges on mortgage loans on real estate.

Difference from Column B primarily results from adjustments for accumulated depreciation.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements and report of independent registered public accounting firm.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Schedule III Supplementary Insurance Information

As of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 and for each of the years then ended (in millions)


Column A	Column B		Column C		Column D			Column E		Column F
Year: Segment	Deferred policy acquisition costs		Future policy benefits, losses, claims and loss expenses		Unearned premiums 1			Other policy claims and benefits payable1		Premium revenue
2008
Individual Investments	$	1,883.0	$	12,026.3						$	119.5
Retirement Plans		284.3		11,244.8							—
Individual Protection		1,640.7		5,941.2							164.0
Corporate and Other		615.9		3,324.0							—

Total	$	4,423.9	$	32,536.3						$	283.5

2007
Individual Investments	$	2,078.1	$	10,748.6						$	133.1
Retirement Plans		289.7		10,693.7							—
Individual Protection		1,542.5		5,635.9							158.6
Corporate and Other		87.1		4,920.2							—

Total	$	3,997.4	$	31,998.4						$	291.7

2006
Individual Investments	$	1,945.0	$	13,004.4						$	142.5
Retirement Plans		288.6		10,839.0							—
Individual Protection		1,441.0		5,574.1							165.8
Corporate and Other		83.4		4,991.9							—

Total	$	3,758.0	$	34,409.4						$	308.3


Column A	Column G		Column H		Column I			Column J		ColumnK
Year: Segment	Net investment income2		Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses		Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs			Other operating expenses 2		Premiums written
2008
Individual Investments	$	506.3	$	738.8	$	647.7		$	188.1
Retirement Plans		638.2		425.9		39.7			147.0
Individual Protection		343.9		502.9		113.5			138.0
Corporate and Other		198.6		149.7		(126.4	)		104.8

Total	$	1,687.0	$	1,817.3	$	674.5		$	577.9

2007
Individual Investments	$	609.1	$	653.9	$	287.1		$	191.6
Retirement Plans		639.4		433.7		26.7			173.6
Individual Protection		330.2		447.6		80.2			147.1
Corporate and Other		397.1		231.2		(25.5	)		87.1

Total	$	1,975.8	$	1,766.4	$	368.5		$	599.4

2006
Individual Investments	$	739.5	$	704.5	$	352.7		$	206.3
Retirement Plans		636.0		440.5		37.9			179.1
Individual Protection		328.2		452.3		69.6			142.4
Corporate and Other		354.8		208.7		(9.9	)		74.5

Total	$	2,058.5	$	1,806.0	$	450.3		$	602.3

1	Unearned premiums and other policy claims and benefits payable are included in Column C amounts.

2	Allocations of net investment income and certain operating expenses are based on numerous assumptions and estimates, and reported segment operating results would change if different methods were applied.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements and report of independent registered public accounting firm.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Schedule IV Reinsurance

As of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 and for each of the years then ended (dollars in millions)


Column A	Column B		Column C		Column D		Column E		Column F
	Gross amount		Ceded to other companies		Assumed from other companies		Net amount		Percentage of amount assumed to net
2008
Life insurance in force	$	167,715.4	$	58,850.8	$	3.8	$	108,868.4	0.0%

Premiums:
Life insurance1	$	348.2	$	64.8	$	0.1	$	283.5	0.0%
Accident and health insurance		182.9		209.3		26.4		—	NM

Total	$	531.1	$	274.1	$	26.5	$	283.5	9.3%

2007
Life insurance in force	$	156,899.3	$	58,529.0	$	4.4	$	98,374.7	0.0%

Premiums:
Life insurance1	$	364.2	$	72.7	$	0.2	$	291.7	0.0%
Accident and health insurance		289.2		316.8		27.6		—	NM

Total	$	653.4	$	389.5	$	27.8	$	291.7	9.5%

2006
Life insurance in force	$	151,109.9	$	58,189.8	$	7.9	$	92,928.0	0.0%

Premiums:
Life insurance1	$	336.4	$	28.4	$	0.3	$	308.3	0.1%
Accident and health insurance		388.9		417.4		28.5		—	NM

Total	$	725.3	$	445.8	$	28.8	$	308.3	9.3%

1	Primarily represents premiums from traditional life insurance and life-contingent immediate annuities and excludes deposits on investment and universal life insurance products.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements and report of independent registered public accounting firm.

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

Schedule V Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 (in millions)


Column A	Column B		Column C				Column D		Column E
Description	Balance at beginning of period		Charged (credited) to costs and expenses		Charged to other accounts		Deductions1		Balance at end of period
2008
Valuation allowances - mortgage loans on real estate	$	23.1	$	19.6	$	—	$	3.2	$	39.5

2007
Valuation allowances - mortgage loans on real estate	$	34.3	$	1.1	$	—	$	12.3	$	23.1

2006
Valuation allowances - mortgage loans on real estate	$	31.1	$	6.0	$	—	$	2.8	$	34.3

1	Amounts represent transfers to real estate owned and recoveries.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements and report of independent registered public accounting firm.

REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933	o
Pre-effective Amendment No.	o
Post-effective Amendment No. 22	þ

Investment Adviser:	Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC
Investment Objective:	The portfolio seeks capital appreciation


	Telephone:	1-800-547-7548
	TDD:	1-800-238-3035
	Internet:	www.nationwide.com
	U.S. Mail:	Nationwide Life Insurance Company
		5100 Rings Road, RR1-04-D4
		Dublin, OH 43017-1522

	Page
In Summary: Policy Benefits	4
In Summary: Policy Risks	5
In Summary: Variable Universal Life Insurance and the Policy	6
In Summary: Fee Tables	8
Policy Investment Options	11
The Fixed Investment Option
Variable Investment Options
Allocation of Net Premium and Cash Value
When Sub-Account Accumulation Units are Valued
How Sub-Account Investment Experience is Determined
Cash Value
Transfers Among and Between Policy Investment Options	15
Sub-Account Transfers
Fixed Account Transfers
Modes to Make a Transfer
The Policy	17
Policy Owner
The Beneficiaries
To Purchase
Coverage
Supplemental Coverage
Coverage Effective Dates
Temporary Insurance Coverage
Right To Cancel (Examination Right)
To Change Coverage
Conversion Right
To Terminate or Surrender
To Assign
Proceeds Upon Maturity
Reminders, Reports and Illustrations
Errors or Misstatements
Incontestability
If We Modify the Policy
Riders	21
Estate Protection Rider
Policy Split Option Rider
Premium	22
Initial Premium
Subsequent Premiums
Charges	23
Sales Load (Charge)
Premium Taxes
Surrender Charges
Partial Surrender Fee
Short-Term Trading Fees
Cost of Insurance Charge
Mortality and Expense Risk Charge
Administrative Charge (Per Policy)
Administrative (Per Specified Amount)
Policy Loan Interest
Estate Protection Rider Charge
Policy Split Option Rider Charge
A Note on Charges Information on Underlying Mutual Fund Payments

	Page
The Death Benefit	28
Calculation of the Death Benefit Proceeds
Death Benefit Options
The Minimum Required Death Benefit
Changes in the Death Benefit Option
Suicide
Surrenders	29
Full Surrender
Partial Surrender
Reduction of Specified Amount on a Partial Surrender
The Payout Options	30
Interest Income
Income for a Fixed Period
Life Income With Payments Guaranteed
Fixed Income For Varying Periods
Joint and Survivor Life
Alternate Life Income
Policy Owner Services	31
Dollar Cost Averaging
Asset Rebalancing
Automated Income Monitor
Policy Loans	34
Loan Amount And Interest
Collateral And Interest
Repayment
Net Effect of Policy Loans
Lapse	34
Guaranteed Policy Continuation Provision
Grace Period
Reinstatement
Taxes	36
Types of Taxes of Which to be Aware
Buying the Policy
Investment Gain in the Policy
Periodic Withdrawals, Non-Periodic Withdrawals, and Loans
Surrender of the Policy; Maturity
Withholding
Exchanging the Policy for Another Life Insurance Policy
Special Note Regarding the Policy Split Option Rider
Taxation of Death Benefits
Terminal Illness
Special Considerations for Corporations
Taxes and the Value of Your Policy
Business Uses of the Policy
Non-Resident Aliens and Other Persons who Are Not Citizens of the United States
Tax Changes
Nationwide Life Insurance Company	42
Nationwide VLI Separate Account 4	42
Organization, Registration and Operation
Addition, Deletion or Substitution of Mutual Funds
Voting Rights
Legal Proceedings	43
Nationwide Life Insurance Company
Nationwide Investment Services Corporation
Financial Statements	47
Appendix A: Sub-Account Information	48
Appendix B: Definitions	72

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940	o
Amendment No. 163	þ

	The policy is NOT: FDIC Insured; a bank deposit; available in every state; or Insured or endorsed by a bank or any federal government agency.
	The policy MAY decrease in value to the point of being valueless.

Transaction Fees
Charge	When Charge Is Deducted	Amount Deducted
Sales Load Charge (1)	Upon making a Premium payment	Maximum Guaranteed	Currently
		$50	$30
		Per $1,000 of premium payment
Premium Taxes Charge(1)	Upon making a premium payment	$35 Per $1,000 Of Premium Payment
Surrender Charge (2), (3), (4) Representative - Male and Female, both age 55 and non-tobacco preferred with a Specified Amount of $1,000,000 and Death Benefit Option One	Upon full surrender or policy Lapse	Maximum (5)	Minimum (6)
		$78,769	$4,691
		Representative (7)
		$11,301
		Proportionately from the policy’s Cash Value
Illustration Charge (8)	Upon requesting an illustration	Maximum Guaranteed		Currently
		$25		$0
Partial Surrender Fee (9)	Upon a partial surrender	Maximum Guaranteed(10)		Currently
		$25		$0
		From the policy's available Cash Value (11)
Short-Term Trading Fee(12)	Upon transfer of Sub-Account value out of a Sub-Account within 60 days after allocation to that Sub-Account	1% of the amount transferred from the Sub-Account within 60 days of allocation to that Sub-Account

Periodic Charges Other Than Sub-Account Portfolio Operating Expenses
Charge	When Charge Is Deducted	Amount Deducted From Cash Values
Cost Of Insurance (13), (14) Representative - for male and female, both age 55 and non-tobacco preferred with a Specified Amount of $1,000,000 and Death Benefit Option One	Monthly	Minimum	Maximum	Representative (15)
		$0.00007	$83.33	$0.00355
		Per $1,000 of Net Amount At Risk - proportionately from your chosen variable and fixed investment options

Periodic Charges Other Than Sub-Account Portfolio Operating Expenses (Continued)
Mortality and Expense Risk	Monthly	$0.46 Per $1,000 of variable Cash Value (16)
		Proportionately from your chosen variable investment options
Administrative (Per Policy)	Monthly	Maximum Guaranteed		Currently (17)
		$10		$10
		Proportionately from your chosen variable and fixed investment options
Administrative (Per Specified Amount) (18)	Monthly	Maximum Guaranteed		Currently
		$0.04		$0.04
		Per $1,000 of Specified Amount
Policy Loan Interest (19)	Annually	Maximum Guaranteed		Currently
		$60		$60
		Per $1,000 on outstanding policy loan
Periodic Charges Other Than Sub-Account Portfolio Operating Expenses For Riders
Optional Charge (20)	When Optional Charge Is Deducted	Amount Deducted From Cash Value
Estate Protection Rider (21)	Monthly	Minimum	Maximum		Representative
		$0.00007	$83.33		$0.004
		Per $1,000 of additional Death Benefit protection - proportionately from your chosen variable and fixed investment options
Policy Split Option Rider (22)	Monthly	Minimum	Maximum		Representative
		$0.01	$0.03		$0.02
		Per $1,000 of Specified Amount - proportionately from your chosen variable and fixed investment options

Total Annual Sub-Account Portfolio Operating Expenses
Total Annual Sub-Account Portfolio Operating Expenses	Maximum	Minimum
(expenses that are deducted from the Sub-Account portfolio assets, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, and other expenses)	3.02%	0.28%

Trading Behavior	Nationwide's Response
Six or more transfer events in one calendar quarter	Nationwide will mail a letter to the policy owner notifying them that: 1.they have been identified as engaging in harmful trading practices; and 2.if their transfer events exceed eleven in two consecutive calendar quarters or twenty in one calendar year, the policy owner will be limited to submitting transfer requests via U.S. mail.
More than eleven transfer events in two consecutive calendar quarters OR More than twenty transfer events in one calendar year	Nationwide will automatically limit the policy owner to submitting transfer requests via U.S. mail.

Policy year calculated from the Policy Date or effective date of Specified Amount increase:	Percentage Of Initial Surrender Charge
1	100%
2	100%
3	90%
4	80%
5	70%
6	60%
7	45%
8	30%
9	15%
10	0

Investment Adviser:	Invesco Aim Advisors, Inc.
Sub-adviser:	Invesco Trimark Investment Management, Inc.; Invesco Global Asset Management (N.A.), Inc.; Invesco Institutional (N.A.), Inc.; Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc.; Invesco Hong Kong Limited; Invesco Asset Management Limited; Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited; Invesco Asset Management Deutschland, GmbH; and Invesco Australia Limited
Investment Objective:	Long-term growth of capital.

Investment Adviser:	AllianceBernstein L.P.
Investment Objective:	Long-term growth of capital.

Investment Adviser:	American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Investment Objective:	Long-term total return using a strategy that seeks to protect against U.S. inflation.

Investment Adviser:	American Century Global Investment Management, Inc.
Investment Objective:	Capital growth.

Investment Adviser:	BlackRock Advisors, LLC
Sub-adviser:	BlackRock Investment Management, LLC; BlackRock Asset Management U.K. Limited
Investment Objective:	Seek high total investment return.

Investment Adviser:	The Dreyfus Corporation
Sub-adviser:	Mellon Capital Management
Investment Objective:	To match performance of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index®.

Sub-adviser:	Franklin Portfolio Associates
Investment Objective:	Capital growth.

Investment Adviser:	Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania
Investment Objective:	Long-term capital growth, and secondarily income.

Investment Adviser:	Federated Investment Management Company
Investment Objective:	Current income.

Investment Adviser:	Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR)
Sub-adviser:	Fidelity Management & Research Co., Inc. (FMR Co., Inc.); Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC)
Investment Objective:	Long-term capital appreciation.

Investment Adviser:	Franklin Advisors, Inc.
Investment Objective:	Maximum income while maintaining prospects for capital appreciation.

Investment Adviser:	Franklin Advisory Services, LLC
Investment Objective:	Long-term capital appreciation.

Investment Adviser:	Franklin Templeton Services, LLC
Investment Objective:	Capital appreciation with income as a secondary goal.

Investment Adviser:	Templeton Asset Management, Ltd.
Investment Objective:	Long-term capital appreciation.

Investment Adviser:	Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC
Investment Objective:	Long-term capital growth.

Investment Adviser:	Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company
Investment Objective:	High total return over the long run.

Investment Adviser:	Janus Capital Management LLC
Investment Objective:	Long-term growth of capital, consistent with preservation of capital and balanced by current income.

Investment Adviser:	Massachusetts Financial Services Company
Investment Objective:	To seek capital appreciation.

Investment Adviser:	Nationwide Fund Advisors
Sub-adviser:	AllianceBernstein L.P.
Investment Objective:	Seeks a high level of current income consistent with preserving capital.

Investment Adviser:	Capital Research and Management Company
Investment Objective:	Seeks to provide high total return (including income and capital gains) consistent with the preservation of capital over the long term.

Investment Adviser:	Neuberger Berman Management LLC.
Sub-adviser:	Neuberger Berman, LLC
Investment Objective:	Long-term growth of capital; current income is a secondary goal.

Investment Adviser:	Neuberger Berman Management Inc.
Sub-adviser:	Neuberger Berman, LLC
Investment Objective:	Long-term capital growth.