NORTHBROOK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                          LAW AND REGULATION DEPARTMENT
                             3100 Sanders Road, J5B
                           Northbrook, Illinois 60062

Angela M. King                                Direct Dial:  (847) 402-9237
Assistant Counsel                             Fax:          (847) 402-3781



                                                     April 24, 2000

BY EDGAR

Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

Re:      Northbrook Variable Annuity Account II ("Registrant")
         Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 to Form N-4 Registration Statement
         under the Securities Act and
         Amendment No. 27 under the Investment Company Act
         File Nos. 033-35412 and 811-06116
         CIK No.  0000864922

Commissioners:

On behalf of the  Registrant  and  pursuant  to Rule 477  promulgated  under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"), I hereby request  withdrawal of
post-effective  amendment no. 25  ("Amendment")  to the above captioned Form N-4
registration  statement as filed with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission
("Commission") on March 3, 2000. I am requesting  withdrawal  because Registrant
has decided to defer the offering of the riders  described in the  Amendment for
the time being.

For the foregoing  reasons,  I submit that  withdrawal of the Amendment would be
consistent  with the  public  interest  and the  protection  of  investors,  and
respectfully request that the Commission grant this request for withdrawal.  The
cooperation of the Commission staff is greatly appreciated in this matter.

Please direct any question or comment to me at the number above. Thank you.


                                                     Very truly yours,

                                                     /s/ ANGELA M. KING
                                                     -----------------
                                                     Angela M. King