Nationwide Variable Account

04/24/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/24/2025 05:48

Post-Effective Amendment to Registration Statement by Investment Company (Form 485BPOS)

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 24, 2025
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933File No. 002-58043
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
☐
Post-Effective Amendment No. 75
☒
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940File No. 811-02716
Amendment No. 114
☒
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
Nationwide Variable Account
(Exact Name of Registrant)
Nationwide Life Insurance Company
(Name of Depositor)
One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(614) 249-7111
Depositor's Telephone Number, including Area Code
Denise L. Skingle, Senior Vice President and Secretary
One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
May 1, 2025
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
☐ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
☒ on May 1, 2025 pursuant to paragraph (b)
☐ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
☐ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
If appropriate, check the following box:
☐ this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
Supplement dated May 1, 2025
to the following statutory prospectus(es):
Soloist dated May 1, 2025 
This supplement updates certain information contained in your prospectus. Please read it and keep it with your
prospectus for future reference.
The Board of Trustees of Fidelity Advisor Series I approved the merger of the Fidelity Advisor Equity Income Fund: Class M (the "Target Fund") and the Fidelity Equity Dividend Income Fund: Fidelity Advisor Equity Dividend Income Fund: Class M (the "Acquiring Fund"). Subject to shareholder approval, the merger will be effective on or about June 6th, 2025 (the "Effective Date").
As of the Effective Date, the following changes apply to the contract:
•
the Target Fund will transfer all or substantially all of its assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund; and
•
the Acquiring Fund will assume all liabilities of the Target Fund.
Accordingly, the following changes apply to the prospectus:
(1) Appendix A is amended to add the following: 
Type
Underlying Mutual Fund and Adviser/Subadviser
Current
Expenses
Average Annual Total
Returns
(as of 12/31/2024)
1 year
5 year
10 year
Equity
Fidelity Advisor Equity Dividend Income Fund: Class M
Investment Advisor: Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR)
1.08%
12.47%
9.09%
8.63%
*
This underlying mutual fund's current expenses reflect a temporary fee reduction.
(2) All references in the prospectus to the Target Fund are deleted and replaced with the Acquiring Fund.
PROS-0986
Soloist®
Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts
Issued by
Nationwide Life Insurance Company
through its
Nationwide Variable Account
The date of this prospectus is May 1, 2025.
The contracts described in this prospectus are not available in the State of New York.
This prospectus contains basic information about the contracts that should be understood before investing. Read this prospectus carefully and keep it for future reference.
Variable annuities are complex investment products with unique benefits and advantages that may be particularly useful in meeting long-term savings and retirement needs. There are costs and charges associated with these benefits and advantages - costs and charges that are different, or do not exist at all, within other investment products. With help from financial professionals, investors are encouraged to compare and contrast the costs and benefits of the variable annuity described in this prospectus against those of other investment products, especially other variable annuity and variable life insurance products offered by Nationwide and its affiliates. Nationwide offers a wide array of such products, many with different charges, benefit features, and investment options. This process of comparison and analysis should aid in determining whether the purchase of the contract described in this prospectus is consistent with the purchaser's investment objectives, risk tolerance, investment time horizon, marital status, tax situation, and other personal characteristics and needs.
Variable annuities are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other federal government agency, and are not deposits of, guaranteed by, or insured by the depository institution where offered or any of its affiliates. The SEC has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Additional information about certain investment products, including variable annuities, has been prepared by the SEC's staff and is available at Investor.gov.
Under state insurance laws, Contract Owners have the right, during a limited period of time, to examine their contract and decide if they want to keep it or cancel it. This right is referred to as a "free look" right. The length of this time period depends on state law and may vary depending on whether the purchase is a replacement of another annuity contract. For ease of administration, Nationwide will honor any free look cancellation request that is in good order and received at the Service Center or postmarked within 30 days after the contract issue date (see Right to Examine and Canceland Contacting the Service Center).
If the Contract Owner elects to cancel the contract pursuant to the free look provision, where required by law, Nationwide will return the greater of the Contract Value or the amount of purchase payment(s) applied during the free look period, less any withdrawals from the contract, and applicable federal and state income tax withholding. Otherwise, Nationwide will return the Contract Value, less any withdrawals from the contract, and applicable federal and state income tax withholding (see Right to Examine and Cancel).
1
Glossary of Special Terms 
Accumulation Unit- An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the Contract Value allocated to the Variable
Account before the Annuitization Date.
Annuitant - The person(s) whose length of life determines how long annuity payments are paid. The Annuitant must
be living on the date the contract is issued.
Annuitization Date - The date on which annuity payments begin.
Annuity Commencement Date - The date on which annuity payments are scheduled to begin.
Annuity Unit- An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the value of variable annuity payments.
Contract Anniversary - Each recurring one-year anniversary of the date the contract was issued.
Contract Owner(s)- The person(s) who owns all rights under the contract.
Contract Value - The value of all Accumulation Units in a contract plus any amount held in the Fixed Account.
Contract Year- Each year the contract is in force beginning with the date the contract is issued.
Daily Net Assets - A figure that is calculated at the end of each Valuation Date and represents the sum of all the
Contract Ownersinterests in the Sub-Accounts after the deduction of underlying mutual fund expenses.
ERISA - The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
Fixed Account- An investment option that is funded by Nationwide's General Account. Amounts allocated to the
Fixed Accountwill receive periodic interest subject to a guaranteed minimum crediting rate.
General Account- All assets of Nationwide other than those of the Variable Account or in other separate accounts of
Nationwide.
Individual Retirement Account- An account that qualifies for favorable tax treatment under Section 408(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code, but does not include Roth IRAs.
Individual Retirement Annuity or IRA - An annuity contract that qualifies for favorable tax treatment under Section
408(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, but does not include Roth IRAs or Simple IRAs.
Nationwide - Nationwide Life Insurance Company.
Net Asset Value- The value of one share of an underlying mutual fund at the close of regular trading on the New
York Stock Exchange.
Non-Qualified Contract- A contract which does not qualify for favorable tax treatment as a Qualified Plan, IRA, Roth
IRA, SEP IRA, Simple IRA, or Tax Sheltered Annuity.
Qualified Plan- A retirement plan that receives favorable tax treatment under Section 401 or 403(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code.
Roth IRA- An annuity contract that qualifies for favorable tax treatment under Section 408A of the Internal Revenue
Code.
SEC - Securities and Exchange Commission.
Service Center- The department of Nationwide responsible for receiving all service and transaction requests relating
to the contract. For service and transaction requests submitted other than by telephone (including fax requests), the
Service Centeris Nationwide's mail and document processing facility. For service and transaction requests
communicated by telephone, the Service Center is Nationwide's operations processing facility. Information on how to
contact the Service Center is in the Contacting the Service Centerprovision.
Simple IRA- An Individual Retirement Account as defined by Section 408(a) or an Individual Retirement Annuity as
defined by Section 408(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to which the only contributions that can be made are
contributions under a Simple Plan and rollovers or transfers from another Simple IRA.
2
Simple Plan- The Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers. This plan is a written
arrangement established under Section 408(p) of the Internal Revenue Code which provides a simplified tax-favored
retirement plan for Small Employers. In a Simple Plan, each employee may choose whether to have the Small
Employermake payments as contributions under the Simple Plan or to receive these payments directly in cash. A
Small Employerthat chooses to establish a Simple Plan must make either matching contributions or non-elective
contributions. All contributions under a Simple Plan are made to Simple IRAs.
Small Employer- An employer that had no more than 100 employees who earned $5,000 or more in compensation
during the preceding calendar year.
Sub-Accounts- Divisions of the Variable Account, each of which invests in a single underlying mutual fund.
Tax Sheltered Annuity - An annuity that qualifies for favorable tax treatment under Section 403(b) of the Internal
Revenue Code.
Two-Year Period- The Two-Year Period begins on the first day in which contributions made by a Small Employer are
deposited into the individual employee's Simple IRA.
Valuation Date- Each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business or any other day during which there is
a sufficient degree of trading such that the current Net Asset Value of the underlying mutual fund shares might be
materially affected. Values of the Variable Account are determined as of the close of regular trading on the New
York Stock Exchange, which generally closes at 4:00 p.m. EST.
Valuation Period- The period of time commencing at the close of a Valuation Date and ending at the close of
regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange for the next succeeding Valuation Date.
Variable Account - Nationwide Variable Account, a separate account that Nationwide established to hold Contract
Owner assets allocated to variable investment options. The Variable Account is divided into Sub-Accounts, each of
which invests in a separate underlying mutual fund.
3
Table of Contents
 
Page
Glossary of Special Terms
2
Important Information You Should Consider About the Contract
6
Overview of the Contract
8
Purpose of the Contract
8
Phases of the Contract
8
Contract Features
8
Fee Table
10
Example
10
Principal Risks
11
Nationwide and the Variable Account
12
Investment Options
13
The Sub-Accounts and Underlying Mutual Funds
13
The Fixed Account
14
Contacting the Service Center
15
Charges and Deductions
16
Mortality and Expense Risk Charge
16
Administrative Charge
16
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
16
Contract Maintenance Charge
17
Premium Taxes
18
Short-Term Trading Fees
18
Underlying Mutual Fund Charges
18
The Contract in General
19
Types of Contracts
19
Money Laundering
19
Payments to Minors
19
Contract Misuse
19
Nationwide's General Account Obligations
20
Contractual Guarantees
20
Reservation of Rights
20
Distribution, Promotional, and Sales Expenses
20
Underlying Mutual Fund Service Fee Payments
21
Treatment of Unclaimed Property
22
Profitability
22
Benefits Under the Contract
22
Standard Benefits Table
23
Standard Death Benefit
23
Ownership and Interests in the Contract
24
Contract Owner
24
Annuitant
24
Contingent Annuitant
24
Joint Annuitant
24
Beneficiary and Contingent Beneficiary
24
Changes to the Parties to the Contract
24
Community Property States
25
Beneficially Owned Contracts
25
Operation of the Contract
26
Pricing
26
Application and Allocation of Purchase Payments
26
Determining the Contract Value
27
Transfer Requests
27
Transfers Prior to Annuitization
28
Transfers After Annuitization
28
Transfer Restrictions
28
Right to Examine and Cancel
30
Allocation of Purchase Payments during Free Look Period
30
4
Table of Contents (continued)
Page
Surrender/Withdrawal Prior to Annuitization
31
Partial Withdrawals
31
Full Surrenders
31
Surrender/Withdrawal After Annuitization
32
Withdrawals Under a Qualified Plan
32
Contract Owner Services
32
Asset Rebalancing
32
Dollar Cost Averaging
32
Enhanced Fixed Account Dollar Cost Averaging
33
Systematic Withdrawals
33
Death Benefit
34
Death of Annuitant
34
Death Benefit Payment
34
Death Benefit Calculations
35
Annuity Commencement Date
35
Annuitizing the Contract
36
Annuitization Date
36
Annuitization
36
Fixed Annuity Payments
36
Variable Annuity Payments
36
Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments
37
Annuity Payment Options
37
Annuity Payment Options Available to All Contracts
37
Statements and Reports
38
Legal Proceedings
38
Nationwide Life Insurance Company
38
Nationwide Investment Services Corporation
39
Financial Statements
39
Appendix A: Underlying Mutual Funds Available Under the Contract
40
Appendix B: State Variations
45
Appendix C: Contract Types and Tax Information
46
Types of Contracts
46
Federal Tax Considerations
48
Required Distributions
52
Other Considerations
55
Tax Changes
56
State Taxation
57
5
Important Information You Should Consider About the Contract 
FEES AND EXPENSES
(see Fee Table and Charges and Deductions)
Charges for Early
Withdrawals
If the Contract Owner withdraws money from the contract within 7years following his/her
last purchase payment, a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (or "CDSC") may apply (see
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge). The CDSC is used to recoup sales and other
expenses associated with the contract that Nationwide incurs during the early years of the
contract. The CDSC will not exceed 7% of the amount of purchase payments withdrawn,
declining to 0% over 7 years.
For example, for a contract with a $100,000 investment, a withdrawal taken during the
CDSC period could result in a CDSC of up to $7,000.
Ongoing Fees and
Expenses (annual
charges)
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay each year, depending
on the options chosen. Please refer to your contract specifications page for information
about the specific fees you will pay each year based on the options you have elected.
Annual Fee
Minimum
Maximum
Base Contract
1.30%1
1.33%1
Investment options (underlying mutual fund fees
and expenses)
0.40%2
1.59%2
1 As a percentage of Daily Net Assets, plus a percentage attributable to the Contract
Maintenance Charge.
2 As a percentage of underlying mutual fund assets.
Because each contract is customizable, the options elected affect how much each
Contract Owner will pay. To help you understand the cost of owning the contract, the
following table shows the lowest and highest cost a Contract Owner could pay each year,
based on current charges. This estimate assumes that no withdrawals are taken from the
contract, which could add a CDSC that substantially increases costs.
Lowest Annual Cost Estimate:
$1,598.06
Highest Annual Cost Estimate:
$2,562.85
Assumes:
● Investment of $100,000
● 5% annual appreciation
● Least expensive underlying mutual fund fees
and expenses
● No CDSC
● No additional purchase payments, transfers or
withdrawals
Assumes:
● Investment of $100,000
● 5% annual appreciation
● Most expensive underlying mutual
fund fees and expenses
● No CDSC
● No additional purchase payments,
transfers or withdrawals
 
RISKS
Risk of Loss
Contract Owners of variable annuities can lose money by investing in the contract,
including loss of principal (see Principal Risks).
Not a Short-Term
Investment
The contract is not a short-term investment and is not appropriate for an investor who
needs ready access to cash. Nationwide has designed the contract to offer features,
pricing, and investment options that encourage long-term ownership (see Principal Risks).
 
A CDSC may apply for up to 7 years following the last purchase payment and could reduce
the value of the contract if purchase payments are withdrawn during that time (see
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge). The benefits of tax deferral provided through an
Individual Retirement Account or a Qualified Plan also mean that the contract is more
beneficial to investors with a long time horizon (see Principal Risks).
Risks Associated with
Investment Options
● Investment in this contract is subject to the risk of poor investment performance of the
investment options chosen by the Contract Owner.
● Each investment option (including the Fixed Account) has its own unique risks.
● Review the prospectuses and disclosures for the investment options before making an
investment decision.
See Principal Risks.
6
RISKS
Insurance Company Risks
Investment in the contract is subject to the risks associated with Nationwide, including that
any obligations (including interest payable for allocations to the Fixed Account),
guarantees, or benefits are subject to the claims-paying ability of Nationwide. More
information about Nationwide, including its financial strength ratings, is available by
contacting Nationwide at the address and/or toll-free phone number indicated in
Contacting the Service Center (see Principal Risks).
RESTRICTIONS
Investments
● Nationwide reserves the right to add, remove, and substitute investment options
available under the contract (see The Sub-Accounts and Underlying Mutual Funds).
● Allocations to the Fixed Account may not be transferred to another investment option
except at the end of a Fixed Account interest rate guarantee period (see The Fixed
Account).
● Not all investment options may be available under your contract (see Appendix A:
Underlying Mutual Funds Available Under the Contract).
● Transfers between Sub-Accounts are subject to policies designed to deter short-term
and excessively frequent transfers. Nationwide may restrict the form in which transfer
requests will be accepted (see Transfer Restrictions).
TAXES
Tax Implications
● Consult with a tax professional to determine the tax implications of an investment in and
payments received under this contract.
● If the contract is purchased through a tax-qualified plan or IRA, there is no additional tax
deferral.
● Earnings in the contract are taxed at ordinary income tax rates at the time of
withdrawals and there may be a tax penalty if withdrawals are taken before the Contract
Ownerreaches age 59½.
See Appendix C: Contract Types and Tax Information.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Investment Professional
Compensation
Some financial professionals receive compensation for selling the contract. Compensation
can take the form of commission and other indirect compensation in that Nationwide may
share the revenue it earns on this contract with the financial professional's firm. This
conflict of interest may influence a financial professional, as these financial professionals
may have a financial incentive to offer or recommend this contract over another investment
(see Distribution, Promotional, and Sales Expenses).
Exchanges
Some financial professionals may have a financial incentive to offer an investor a new
contract in place of the one he/she already owns. An investor should only exchange his/her
contract if he/she determines, after comparing the features, fees, and risks of both
contracts, that it is preferable for him/her to purchase the new contract, rather than to
continue to own the existing one (see Replacementsand Distribution, Promotional, and
Sales Expenses).
7
Overview of the Contract
Purpose of the Contract
The contract is intended to be a long-term investment vehicle to assist investors in saving for and living in retirement. Nationwide has designed the contract to offer features, pricing, and investment options that encourage long-term ownership. The contract can help supplement retirement income through the annuitization feature, which provides a stream of periodic income payments. During the years leading up to those income payments, the Contract Owner manages his/her assets in the contract according to their specific goals and risk preferences by directing the allocation and reallocation among a variety of investment options. Contract growth is tax-deferred through the tax deferral provided by the Individual Retirement Account or Qualified Plan, meaning that gains in the contract are not taxable until withdrawn from the Individual Retirement Account or Qualified Plan. Finally, in the event that the Annuitant dies before beginning income payments, the contract offers a death benefit.
Prospective purchasers should consult with a financial professional to determine whether this contract is appropriate for them, taking into consideration their particular needs, including investment objectives, risk tolerance, investment time horizon, marital status, tax situation, and other personal characteristics. Generally speaking, this contract is intended to provide benefits to a single individual and his/her beneficiaries. The contract is not intended to be used by institutional investors, in connection with other Nationwide contracts that have the same Annuitant, or in connection with other Nationwide contracts that have different Annuitants but the same Contract Owner. It is not intended to be sold to a terminally ill Contract Owner or Annuitant.
Phases of the Contract
The contract exists in two separate phases: accumulation (savings) and annuitization (income). During the accumulation phase, the contract offers a variety of investment options to which the Contract Owner can allocate and reallocate his/her Contract Value. The investment options available under the contract consist of Sub-Accounts that invest in underlying mutual funds, which offer a variable rate of return and a Fixed Account, which offers a fixed rate of return. Additional information about the underlying mutual funds is available in Appendix A: Underlying Mutual Funds Available Under the Contract.
During the annuitization phase, Nationwide makes periodic income payments to the Annuitant. At the time of annuitization, the Contract Owner elects the duration of the annuity payments - either for a fixed period of time or for the duration of the Annuitant's (and possibly the Annuitant's spouse's) life. The Contract Owner also elects whether the annuity payments will be fixed or variable. If variable annuity payments are elected, the Annuitant controls the allocation/reallocation of annuitized assets among the available Sub-Accounts. After annuitization begins, the only value associated with the contract is the stream of annuity payments; unless otherwise specified in the annuity option, amounts cannot be withdrawn from the contract over and above the annuity payments. Additionally, once annuitization has begun, there is no death benefit, which means that upon the death of the Annuitant (and the Annuitant's spouse if a joint annuity option was elected), all payments stop and the contract terminates, unless the particular annuitization option provides otherwise.
Contract Features
Investment Options.Contract Owners can allocate Contract Value to Sub-Accounts that invest in underlying mutual funds, and/or the Fixed Account. Contract Owners can reallocate those assets at their discretion, subject to certain restrictions.
Deposits to the Contract.Contract Owners can apply additional purchase payments to the contract until the Annuitization Date, subject to certain restrictions.
Withdrawals from the Contract.Contract Owners can withdraw some or all of their Contract Value at any time prior to annuitization, subject to certain restrictions. A CDSC may apply. After Annuitization, withdrawals other than annuity payments are not permitted.
Death Benefit.During the accumulation phase, the contract contains a standard death benefit at no additional charge. If the Annuitant dies prior to his or her 75th birthday and before the Annuitization Date, the death benefit will be the greater of (i) Contract Value or (ii) net purchase payments. If the Annuitant dies on or after his or her 75th birthday and before the Annuitization Date, the death benefit will equal the Contract Value.
Annuity Payments.On the Annuitization Date, Nationwide will make annuity payments based on the annuity payment option chosen prior to annuitization.
8
Tax Deferral.Generally, Contract Owners will not be taxed on any earnings on the assets in the contract until such earnings are distributed from the contract. How each contract's distributions are taxed depends on the type of contract issued. Note that if this contract is issued in connection with a plan that qualifies for special income tax treatment under the Code, the contract does not provide additional tax deferral benefits (see Appendix C: Contract Types and Tax Information).
Cancellation of the Contract.Under state insurance laws, Contract Owners have the right, during a limited period of time, to examine their contract and decide if they want to keep it or cancel it. Nationwide will honor any free look cancellation request that is in good order and received at the Service Center or postmarked within 30 days after the contract issue date (see Right to Examine and CancelandContacting the Service Center).
Contract Owner Services.The contract offers several services at no additional charge to assist Contract Owners in managing their contract, including:
•
Asset Rebalancing
•
Dollar Cost Averaging
•
Enhanced Fixed Account Dollar Cost Averaging
•
Systematic Withdrawals
9
Fee Table
The following tables describe the fees and expenses that a Contract Owner will pay when buying, owning, and surrendering or making withdrawals from the contract. Please refer to the contract specifications page for information about the specific fees the Contract Owner will pay each year based on the options elected.
The first table describes the fees and expenses a Contract Owner will pay at the time the Contract Owner buys the contract, surrenders or makes withdrawals from the contract, or transfers Contract Value between investment options. State premium taxes may also be deducted.
  
Transaction Expenses
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge ("CDSC") for contracts issued on or after January 1, 1993(as a
percentage of purchase payments surrendered)
7%1
Range of CDSC over time: 
Number of Completed Years from Date of
Purchase Payment
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
CDSC Percentage
7%
6%
5%
4%
3%
2%
1%
0%
Some state jurisdictions require a lower CDSC schedule. Please refer to your contract for state specific information. 
Maximum CDSC for contracts issued prior to January 1, 1993
5%2
Maximum Short-Term Trading Fee(as a percentage of transaction amount)
1%
 
The next table describes the fees and expenses that a Contract Owner will pay each year during the time that the Contract Owner owns the contract (not including underlying mutual fund fees and expenses).   
Annual Contract Expenses
Administrative Expense3
$30
Base Contract Expenses4(assessed as an annualized percentage of the Daily Net Assets)
1.30%
 
1
As required by federal law, no CDSC will be assessed to contracts issued under a Simple Plan. References throughout this prospectus to CDSC do not apply to contracts issued under Simple Plans.
2
After the first year from the date of any purchase payment, the Contract Owner may withdraw 5% of that purchase payment without a CDSC.
3
Throughout this prospectus, the Administrative Expense will be referred to as the Contract Maintenance Charge. The Contract Maintenance charge is deducted annually from all contracts on each Contract Anniversary and upon a full surrender of the contract.
4
Throughout this prospectus, the Base Contract Expenses will be referred to as Mortality and Expense Risk Charge and/or Administrative Charge, as appropriate. These charges apply only to Sub-Account allocations. They do not apply to allocations made to the Fixed Account.
The next item shows the minimum and maximum total operating expenses charged by the underlying mutual funds that the Contract Owner may pay periodically during the life of the contract. A complete list of the underlying mutual funds available under the contract, including their annual expenses, may be found in Appendix A: Underlying Mutual Funds Available Under the Contract. 
Annual Underlying Mutual Fund Expenses
Minimum
Maximum
(Expenses that are deducted from underlying mutual fund assets, including
management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees, and other expenses, as a
percentage of average underlying mutual fund net assets.)
0.40%
1.59%
Example
This Example is intended to help Contract Owners compare the cost of investing in the contract with the cost of investing in other variable annuity contracts. These costs include transaction expenses, annual contract expenses, and annual underlying mutual fund expenses.
10
The Example assumes:
•
a $100,000 investment in the contract for the time periods indicated;
•
a 5% return each year;
•
the maximum and the minimum annual underlying mutual fund expenses;
•
the seven year CDSC schedule;
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be: 
If the contract is surrendered
at the end of the
applicable time period
If the contract is annuitized
at the end of the
applicable time period
If the contract is not
surrendered
1 Yr.
3 Yrs.
5 Yrs.
10 Yrs.
1 Yr.
3 Yrs.
5 Yrs.
10 Yrs.
1 Yr.
3 Yrs.
5 Yrs.
10 Yrs.
Maximum Annual
Underlying
Mutual Fund
Expenses
(1.59%)
$9,066
$13,377
$17,935
$33,471
*
$9,377
$15,935
$33,471
$3,066
$9,377
$15,935
$33,471
Minimum Annual
Underlying
Mutual Fund
Expenses
(0.40%)
$7,817
$9,625
$11,679
$21,001
*
$5,625
$9,679
$21,001
$1,817
$5,625
$9,679
$21,001
*
The contracts sold under this prospectus do not permit annuitization during the first two Contract Years
Principal Risks
Contract Owners should be aware of the following risks associated with owning the contract:
Risk of loss.The Sub-Accounts invest in underlying mutual funds. Underlying mutual funds are variable investments, meaning their value will increase or decrease based on the performance of their portfolio holdings. Poor underlying mutual fund performance can result in a loss of Contract Value and/or principal.
Not a short-term investment.In general, deferred variable annuities are long-term investments; they are not suitable as short-term savings vehicles. Nationwide has designed the contract to offer features, pricing, and investment options that encourage long-term ownership. Specifically:
•
A Contract Owner who takes withdrawals from the contract in early Contract Years could be subject to a CDSC, which in the short-term will reduce Contract Value, and in the long-term will reduce the ability of the Contract Value to grow over time.
•
A Contract Owner who takes withdrawals from the contract before reaching age 59 1/2 could be subject to tax penalties that are mandated by the federal tax laws.
Sub-Account availability. Nationwide reserves the right to change the Sub-Accounts available under the contract, including adding new Sub-Accounts, discontinuing availability of Sub-Accounts, and substituting Sub-Accounts. Decisions to make such changes are at Nationwide's discretion but will be in accordance with Nationwide's internal policies and procedures relating to such matters. Any changes to the availability of Sub-Accounts may be subject to regulatory approval and notice will be provided.
Active trading. Neither the contracts described in this prospectus nor the underlying mutual funds are designed to support active trading strategies that require frequent movement between or among Sub-Accounts. Nationwide discourages (and will take action to deter) short-term trading in this contract because the frequent movement between or among Sub-Accounts may negatively impact other investors in the contract. In certain circumstances, to address active trading, Nationwide may require transfer requests to be submitted via U.S. mail. Additionally, underlying mutual funds are required to take certain actions in order to protect shareholders from negative impacts of short-term trading, which may include requiring Nationwide to prohibit particular Contract Owners from investing in a Sub-Account that invests in the impacted underlying mutual fund.
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Financial strength.Contractual guarantees that exceed the value of the assets in the Variable Account (including death benefit guarantees that exceed the Contract Value and interest credited to Fixed Account allocations are paid from Nationwide's general account, which is subject to Nationwide's financial strength and claims-paying ability. If Nationwide experiences financial distress, it may not be able to meet its obligations.
Regulatory risk.The contract is governed by various state and federal laws and regulations, which are subject to change. Those changes could require Nationwide to make changes to the contract that alter the nature or value of certain benefits. Additionally, changes to the tax laws or regulations could limit or eliminate the tax benefits of the contract, resulting in greater tax liability or less earnings.
Cybersecurity. Nationwide's businesses are highly dependent upon its computer systems and those of its business partners and service providers. This makes Nationwide potentially susceptible to operational and information security risks resulting from a cybersecurity incident. These risks include direct risks, such as theft, misuse, corruption, and destruction of data maintained by Nationwide, and indirect risks, such as denial of service, attacks on systems or websites and other operational disruptions that could severely impede Nationwide's ability to conduct its businesses or administer the contract (e.g., calculate unit values or process transactions).
Financial services companies and their third-party service providers are increasingly the targets of cyber-attacks involving the encryption and/or threat to disclose personal or confidential information (e.g., ransomware) or disruptions of communications (e.g., denial of service) to extort money or for other malicious purposes. The techniques used to attack systems and networks change frequently, are becoming more sophisticated, and can originate from a wide variety of sources. The use of remote or flexible work arrangements, remote access tools, and mobile technology have expanded potential targets for cyber-attack.
Cyber-attacks affecting Nationwide, the underlying mutual funds, intermediaries, and other service providers may adversely affect Nationwide and contract values. As a result of a cybersecurity incident, Nationwide may be subject to regulatory fines and financial losses and/or reputational damage. Cybersecurity risks may also impact the issuers of securities in which the underlying mutual funds invest, which may cause the underlying mutual funds to lose value. There may be an increased risk of cyber-attacks during periods of geopolitical or military conflict. Although Nationwide undertakes substantial efforts to protect its computer systems from cyber-attacks, including internal processes and technological defenses that are preventative or detective, and other controls designed to provide multiple layers of security assurance, there can be no guarantee that Nationwide, its service providers, or the underlying mutual funds will be able to avoid cybersecurity incidents affecting Contract Owners in the future. It is possible that a cybersecurity incident could persist for an extended period of time without detection.
In the event that contract administration or contract values are adversely affected as a result of a failure of Nationwide's cybersecurity controls, Nationwide will take reasonable steps to take corrective action and restore Contract Values to the levels that they would have been had the cybersecurity incident not occurred. Nationwide will not, however, be responsible for any adverse impact to contracts or contract values that result from the Contract Owner or its designee's negligent acts or failure to use reasonably appropriate safeguards to protect against cyber-attacks or to protect personal information.
Business continuity risks. Nationwide is exposed to risks related to natural and man-made disasters, such as storms, fires, earthquakes, public health crises, geopolitical disputes, military actions, and terrorist acts, which could adversely affect Nationwide's ability to administer the contract. Nationwide has adopted business continuity policies and procedures that may be implemented in the event of a natural or man-made disaster, but such business continuity plans may not operate as intended or fully mitigate the operational risks associated with such disasters.
Nationwide outsources certain critical business functions to third parties and, in the event of a natural or man-made disaster, relies upon the successful implementation and execution of the business continuity planning of such entities. While Nationwide closely monitors the business continuity activities of these third parties, successful implementation and execution of their business continuity strategies are largely beyond Nationwide's control. If one or more of the third parties to whom Nationwide outsources such critical business functions experience operational failures, Nationwide's ability to administer the contract could be impaired.
Nationwide and the Variable Account
The contract is issued by Nationwide, with its home office at One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Nationwide Variable Account is a separate account of Nationwide that invests in the underlying mutual funds listed in Appendix A: Underlying Mutual Funds Available Under the Contract. Income, gains, and losses credited to or charged against the Variable Account reflect the Variable Account's own investment experience and not the investment experience of Nationwide's other assets. The Variable Account's assets are held separately from General Account assets and may not
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be used to pay any liabilities of Nationwide other than those arising from the contract or other contracts supported by the Variable Account. The Variable Account is divided into Sub-Accounts, each of which invests in shares of a single underlying mutual fund.
The contracts are distributed by the general distributor, Nationwide Investment Services Corporation ("NISC"), One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215. NISC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide.
Investment Options
The Sub-Accounts and Underlying Mutual Funds
Contract Value allocated to a Sub-Account will vary based on the investment experience of the corresponding underlying mutual fund in which the Sub-Account invests. There is a risk of loss of the entire amount invested.
The Contract Owner can allocate Contract Value to Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account, subject to conditions in the contract and underlying mutual funds. Each Sub-Account invests in shares of a single underlying mutual fund. Nationwide uses the assets of each Sub-Account to buy shares of the underlying mutual funds based on Contract Owner instructions. Nationwide buys and sells the mutual fund shares at their respective net asset value (NAV). Any dividends and distributions from a mutual fund are reinvested at NAV in shares of that mutual fund.
Information about each underlying mutual fund, including its name, type, adviser and subadviser (if applicable), current expenses, and performance, is available in Appendix A: Underlying Mutual Funds Available Under the Contract. Each underlying mutual fund issues its own prospectus that contains more detailed information about the underlying mutual fund. Contract Owners can obtain prospectuses for underlying mutual funds free of charge at any time by visting the website listed in Appendix A: Underlying Mutual Funds Available Under the Contractor contacting the Service Center (see Contacting the Service Center). Contract Owners should read these prospectuses carefully before investing.
The particular underlying mutual funds available under the contract may change from time to time. Specifically, underlying mutual funds or underlying mutual fund share classes that are currently available may be removed or closed off to future investment. New underlying mutual funds or new share classes of currently available underlying mutual funds may be added. Contract Owners will receive notice of any such changes that affect their contract. The underlying mutual funds, which sell their shares to the Sub-Accounts pursuant to participation agreements, also may terminate these agreements and discontinue offering their shares to the Sub-Accounts.
Voting Rights
Contract Owners are not shareholders of the underlying mutual funds in which the Sub-Accounts invest; however, Contract Owners with assets allocated to Sub-Accounts are entitled to certain voting rights. Nationwide will vote underlying mutual fund shares at shareholder meetings based on Contract Owner instructions and the instructions of owners of other contracts supported by the Variable Account. However, if the law changes and Nationwide is allowed to vote in its own right, it may elect to do so.
Contract Owners with voting interests in an underlying mutual fund will be notified of issues requiring shareholder vote as soon as possible before the shareholder meeting. Notification will contain proxy materials and a form with which to give Nationwide voting instructions. Nationwide will vote shares for which no instructions are received in the same proportion as those that are received. What this means is that when only a small number of Contract Owners vote, each vote has a greater impact on, and may control, the outcome.
The number of shares which a Contract Owner may vote is determined by dividing the cash value of the amount they have allocated to an underlying mutual fund by the Net Asset Value of that underlying mutual fund (as of a date set by the underlying mutual fund).
Material Conflicts
The underlying mutual funds may be offered through separate accounts of other insurance companies, as well as through other separate accounts of Nationwide. Nationwide does not anticipate any disadvantages to this. However, it is possible that a conflict may arise between the interests of the Variable Account and one or more of the other separate accounts in which these underlying mutual funds participate.
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Material conflicts may occur due to a change in law affecting the operations of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts, or differences in the voting instructions of the Contract Owners and those of other companies. If a material conflict occurs, Nationwide will take whatever steps are necessary to protect Contract Owners and variable annuity payees, including withdrawal of the Variable Account from participation in the underlying mutual fund(s) involved in the conflict.
Substitution of Securities
Nationwide may substitute shares of another underlying mutual fund for shares already purchased or to be purchased in the future if either of the following occurs:
(1)
shares of a current underlying mutual fund are no longer available for investment; or
(2)
further investment in an underlying mutual fund is inappropriate.
Nationwide will not substitute shares of any underlying mutual fund in which the Sub-Accounts invest without any necessary prior approval of the appropriate state or federal regulatory authorities. All affected Contract Owners will be notified in the event there is a substitution, elimination, or combination of shares.
The substitute underlying mutual fund may have different fees and expenses. Substitution may be made with respect to existing investments or the investment of future purchase payments, or both. Nationwide may close Sub-Accounts to allocations of purchase payments or Contract Value, or both, at any time in its sole discretion. The underlying mutual funds, which sell their shares to the Sub-Accounts pursuant to participation agreements, also may terminate these agreements and discontinue offering their shares to the Sub-Accounts.
Deregistration of the Variable Account
Nationwide may deregister the Variable Account under the 1940 Act in the event the Variable Account meets an exemption from registration under the 1940 Act, if there are no outstanding contracts supported by the Variable Account, or for any other purpose approved by the SEC.
No deregistration may take place without the prior approval of the SEC. All affected Contract Owners will be notified in the event Nationwide deregisters the Variable Account. If the Variable Account is deregistered, Nationwide's contractual obligations to the Contract Owner will continue.
The Fixed Account
The Contract Owner can allocate Contract Value to the Fixed Account, subject to conditions imposed by the contract. The Fixed Account is an investment option that is funded by assets of Nationwide's General Account. The General Account contains all of Nationwide's assets other than those in this and other Nationwide separate accounts and is used to support Nationwide's annuity and insurance obligations. The General Account is not subject to the same laws as the Variable Account.
Purchase payments will be allocated to the Fixed Account by election of the Contract Owner. Nationwide reserves the right to limit or refuse purchase payments and/or transfers allocated to the Fixed Account at its sole discretion. Generally, Nationwide will invoke this right when interest rates are low by historical standards. Nationwide also reserves the right to limit the amount that can be transferred from the Fixed Account at the end of an interest rate guaranteed period. State law requires Nationwide to reserve the right to postpone payment or transfer out of the Fixed Account for a period of up to six months from the date of the withdrawal or transfer request. The Fixed Account may not be available in every state.
Nationwide reserves the right to refuse transfers to the Fixed Account if the Fixed Account is (or would be after the transfer) equal to or greater than 25% of the Contract Value at the time the transfer is requested. Generally, Nationwide will invoke this right when interest rates are low by historical standards.
The investment income earned by the Fixed Account will be allocated to the contracts at varying guaranteed interest rate(s) depending on the following categories of Fixed Account allocations:
•
New Money Rate - The rate credited on the Fixed Account allocation when the contract is purchased or when subsequent purchase payments are made. Subsequent purchase payments may receive different New Money Rates than the rate when the contract was issued, since the New Money Rate is subject to change based on market conditions.
•
Variable Account to Fixed Rate - Allocations transferred from any of the Sub-Accounts to the Fixed Account may receive a different rate. The rate may be lower than the New Money Rate. There may be limits on the amount and frequency of movements from the Sub-Accounts to the Fixed Account.
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•
Renewal Rate - The rate available for maturing Fixed Account allocations which are entering a new guarantee period. The Contract Owner will be notified of this rate in a letter issued with the quarterly statements when a Contract Owner's Fixed Account allocation matures. At that time, the Contract Owner will have an opportunity to leave the money in the Fixed Account and receive the Renewal Rate or the Contract Owner can move the money to any of the other investment options. If no instruction is received by Nationwide, the Contract Owner will remain invested in the Fixed Account and will receive the Renewal Rate.
•
Dollar Cost Averaging Rate - From time to time, Nationwide may offer a more favorable rate for an initial purchase payment into a new contract when used in conjunction with a Dollar Cost Averaging program. Rates will vary depending on the Dollar Cost Averaging program elected (see Contract Owner Services).
All of these rates are subject to change on a daily basis; however, once applied to the Fixed Account, the interest rates are guaranteed until the end of the calendar quarter during which the 12-month anniversary of the Fixed Account allocation occurs.
Credited interest rates are annualized rates - the effective yield of interest over a one-year period. Interest is credited to each contract on a daily basis. As a result, the credited interest rate is compounded daily to achieve the stated effective yield.
The guaranteed rate for any purchase payment will be effective for not less than 12 months. Nationwide guarantees that the rate will not be less than the minimum interest rate required by applicable state law. Any interest in excess of the minimum interest rate required by applicable state law will be credited to Fixed Account allocations at Nationwide's sole discretion.
Nationwide guarantees that the value of Fixed Account allocations will not be less than the amount of the purchase payments allocated to the Fixed Account, plus interest credited as described above, less any withdrawals and any applicable charges including CDSC.
Fixed Account Interest Rate Guarantee Period
The Fixed Account interest rate guarantee period is the period of time that the Fixed Account interest rate is guaranteed to remain the same. During a Fixed Account interest rate guarantee period, transfers cannot be made from the Fixed Account, and amounts transferred to the Fixed Account must remain on deposit.
For new purchase payments allocated to the Fixed Account and transfers to the Fixed Account, the Fixed Account interest rate guarantee period begins on the date of deposit or transfer and ends on the one-year anniversary of the deposit or transfer. The guaranteed interest rate period may last for up to three months beyond the one-year anniversary because guaranteed terms end on the last day of a calendar quarter.
Contacting the Service Center
All inquiries, paperwork, information requests, service requests, and transaction requests should be made to the Service Center:
•
by telephone at 1-800-848-6331 (TDD 1-800-238-3035)
•
by mail to P.O. Box 182021, Columbus, Ohio 43218-2021
•
by fax at 1-888-634-4472
•
by Internet at www.nationwide.com.
Nationwide reserves the right to restrict or remove the ability to submit service requests via Internet, phone, or fax upon written notice.
Not all methods of communication are available for all types of requests. To determine which methods are permitted for a particular request, refer to the specific transaction provision in this prospectus or call the Service Center. Requests submitted by means other than described in this prospectus could be returned or delayed.
Service and transaction requests will generally be processed on the Valuation Date they are received at the Service Center as long as the request is in good order, see Operation of the Contract. Good order generally means that all necessary information to process the request is complete and in a form acceptable to Nationwide. If a request is not in good order, Nationwide will take reasonable actions to obtain the information necessary to process the request. Requests that are not in good order may be delayed or returned. Nationwide reserves the right to process any purchase payment or
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withdrawal request sent to a location other than the Service Center on the Valuation Date it is received at the Service Center. On any day the post office is closed, Nationwide is unable to retrieve service and transaction requests that are submitted by mail. This will result in a delay of the delivery of those requests to the Service Center.
Nationwide will use reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions are genuine and will not be liable for following instructions that it reasonably determined to be genuine. Nationwide may record telephone requests. Telephone and computer systems may not always be available. Any telephone system or computer can experience outages or slowdowns for a variety of reasons. The outages or slowdowns could prevent or delay processing. Although Nationwide has taken precautions to support heavy use, it is still possible to incur an outage or delay. To avoid technical difficulties, submit transaction requests by mail.
Charges and Deductions
Mortality and Expense Risk Charge
For contracts issued on or after January 1, 1993, Nationwide deducts a Mortality and Expense Risk Charge equal to an annualized rate of 1.25% of the Daily Net Assets. For contracts issued before January 1, 1993, Nationwide deducts a Mortality and Expense Risk Charge equal to an annualized rate of 1.30% of the Daily Net Assets. The Mortality and Expense Risk Charge compensates Nationwide for providing the insurance benefits under the contract, including the contract's standard death benefit. It also compensates Nationwide for assuming the risk that Annuitants will live longer than assumed. Finally, the Mortality and Expense Risk Charge compensates Nationwide for guaranteeing that charges will not increase regardless of actual expenses. Nationwide may realize a profit from this charge.
Administrative Charge
For contracts issued on or after January 1, 1993, Nationwide deducts an Administrative Charge equal to an annualized rate of 0.05% of the Daily Net Assets. The Administrative Charge reimburses Nationwide for administrative costs it incurs resulting from providing contract benefits, including preparation of the contract and prospectus, confirmation statements, annual account statements and annual reports, legal and accounting fees, as well as various related expenses. Nationwide may realize a profit from this charge.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
No sales charge deduction is made from purchase payments upon deposit into the contract. However, if any part of the contract is withdrawn, Nationwide may deduct a CDSC. The CDSC will not exceed 7% of purchase payments withdrawn (5% of purchase payments withdrawn for contracts issued prior to January 1, 1993). As required by federal law, no CDSC will be assessed to contracts issued under a Simple Plan. References throughout this prospectus to CDSC do not apply to contracts issued under Simple Plans.
For purposes of calculating the CDSC, withdrawals are considered to come first from the oldest purchase payment made to the contract, then the next oldest purchase payment, and so forth. CDSC provisions vary by state. Refer to the contract for state specific information.
For contracts issued on or after January 1, 1993, the CDSC is calculated by multiplying the applicable CDSC percentage (noted in the following table) by the amount of purchase payments withdrawn: 
Number of Completed Years from Date of Purchase Payment
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7+
CDSC Percentage
7%
6%
5%
4%
3%
2%
1%
0%
Starting with the second year after a purchase payment has been made under the contract, 10% of that purchase payment may be withdrawn each year without imposition of the CDSC. This free withdrawal privilege is non-cumulative and will not exceed 10% of the purchase payment in any year. The CDSC is waived:
(a)
for first year withdrawals of up to 10% of purchase payments for Individual Retirement Account rollover contracts; or
(b)
for any amount withdrawn from this contract in order to meet minimum distribution requirements for this contract under the Internal Revenue Code.
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For contracts issued before January 1, 1993, Nationwide may deduct a CDSC equal to 5% of the lesser of the total of all purchase payments made within eight years of the date of the withdrawal request, or the amount withdrawn. In no event will any CDSC be charged against any amounts held under the contract for at least eight years. Certain partial withdrawals may be requested for which no CDSC will be assessed. For any purchase payments made, the Contract Owner (or Annuitant, if applicable) may, after the first year from the date of each purchase payment, withdraw without a CDSC, up to 5% of that purchase payment for each year that the purchase payment has remained on deposit (less the amount of such purchase payment previously withdrawn free of charge).
Earnings are not subject to the CDSC, but may not be distributed prior to the distribution of all purchase payments. (For tax purposes, a withdrawal is usually treated as a withdrawal of earnings first.)
The CDSC is used to cover sales expenses, including commissions, production of sales material, and other promotional expenses. If expenses are greater than the CDSC, the shortfall will be made up from Nationwide's general assets, which may indirectly include portions of the Variable Account charges, since Nationwide may generate a profit from these charges.
All or a portion of any withdrawal may be subject to federal income taxes. Contract Owners taking withdrawals before age 59½ may be subject to a 10% penalty tax.
Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
For contracts sold to Qualified Plans established on or after January 1, 1993, as described in Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, SEP IRAs sold on or after January 1, 1993, and Roth IRAs, Nationwide will waive the CDSC when:
•
the plan participant experiences a case of hardship (as provided in Internal Revenue Code Section 403(b) and as defined for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k));
•
the plan participant becomes disabled (within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 72(m)(7));
•
the plan participant attains age 59½ and has participated in the contract for at least five years, as determined from the Contract Anniversary immediately preceding the distribution;
•
the plan participant has participated in the contract for at least 15 years as determined from the Contract Anniversary immediately preceding the distribution;
•
the plan participant dies; or
•
the contract is annuitized after two years from the inception of the contract.
For Individual Retirement Accounts, Nationwide will waive the CDSC when:
•
the designated Annuitant dies; or
•
the contract is annuitized after two years from the inception of the contract.
No CDSC applies to transfers between or among the various investment options in the contract.
In no event will elimination of the CDSC be permitted where such elimination would be unfairly discriminatory to any person, or where it is prohibited by law.
Contract Maintenance Charge
Each year on the Contract Anniversary (and on the date of surrender upon full surrender of the contact), Nationwide deducts a Contract Maintenance Charge of $30 from the Contract Value. This charge reimburses Nationwide for administrative expenses relating to the issuance and maintenance of the contract. For contracts issued to Qualified Plans described in Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code established on or after January 1, 1993 and SEP IRAs established between January 1, 1993 and August 1, 1994, the Contract Maintenance Charge varies from $0 to $30 depending on certain underwriting considerations. Such underwriting considerations include the size of the group, the average participant account balance transferred to Nationwide, if any, and administrative savings. For contracts issued to Qualified Plans described in Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code and SEP IRAs established on or after August 1, 1994, the Contract Maintenance Charge varies from $0 to $12. Variances are based on internal underwriting guidelines. The Contract Maintenance Charge will be deducted proportionately from the Fixed Account and Variable Account in the same percentages as purchase payments are allocated at the time of the deduction.
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Premium Taxes
Certain states or other governmental entities charge premium tax on purchase payments. Nationwide will charge against the Contract Value any premium taxes levied by a state or other government entity. Premium tax rates currently range from 0% to 3.5% and vary from state to state. The range is subject to change. Nationwide will assess premium taxes to the contract at the time Nationwide is assessed the premium taxes by the state. Premium taxes may be deducted from death benefit proceeds.
Short-Term Trading Fees
Some underlying mutual funds may assess (or reserve the right to assess) a short-term trading fee in connection with transfers from a Sub-Account that occur within 60 days after the date of allocation to the Sub-Account.
Short-term trading fees are intended to compensate the underlying mutual fund (and Contract Owners with interests in the underlying mutual fund) for the negative impact on fund performance that may result from frequent, short-term trading strategies. Short-term trading fees are not intended to affect the large majority of Contract Owners not engaged in such strategies.
Any short-term trading fee assessed by any underlying mutual fund available in conjunction with the contracts described in this prospectus will equal 1% of the amount determined to be engaged in short-term trading.
Short-term trading fees will only apply to those Sub-Accounts corresponding to underlying mutual funds that charge such fees (see Appendix A: Underlying Mutual Funds Available Under the Contract). Contract Owners are responsible for monitoring the length of time allocations are held in any particular Sub-Account. Nationwide will not provide advance notice of the assessment of any applicable short-term trading fee.
To determine whether a particular underlying mutual fund assesses (or reserves the right to assess) a short-term trading fee, see Appendix A: Underlying Mutual Funds Available Under the Contract.
If a short-term trading fee is assessed, the underlying mutual fund will charge the Variable Account 1% of the amount determined to be engaged in short-term trading. The Variable Account will then pass the short-term trading fee on to the specific Contract Owner that engaged in short-term trading by deducting an amount equal to the short-term trading fee from that Contract Owner's Sub-Account value. All such fees will be remitted to the underlying mutual fund; none of the fee proceeds will be retained by Nationwide or the Variable Account.
When multiple purchase payments (or exchanges) are made to a Sub-Account that is subject to short-term trading fees, transfers will be considered to be made on a first in/first out (FIFO) basis for purposes of determining short-term trading fees. In other words, units held the longest time will be treated as being transferred first, and units held for the shortest time will be treated as being transferred last.
Some transactions are not subject to the short-term trading fees, including:
•
scheduled and systematic transfers;
•
withdrawals, including CDSC-free withdrawals;
•
withdrawals of Annuity Units to make annuity payments;
•
withdrawals of Accumulation Units to pay the Contract Maintenance Charge;
•
withdrawals of Accumulation Units to pay a death benefit; or
•
transfers made upon annuitization of the contract.
New share classes of currently available underlying mutual funds may be added as investment options under the contracts. These new share classes may require the assessment of short-term trading fees. When these new share classes are added, new purchase payment allocations and exchange reallocations to the underlying mutual funds in question may be limited to the new share class.
Underlying Mutual Fund Charges
In addition to the charges indicated above, the underlying mutual funds in which the Sub-Accounts invest have their own fees and charges which are paid out of the assets of the underlying mutual fund. More information about the fees and charges of the underlying mutual funds can be found in the prospectus for each underlying mutual fund which can be obtained free of charge by contacting Nationwide's Service Center.
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The Contract in General
Types of Contracts
Contracts issued prior to January 1, 1993 were issued to the trustees of Qualified Plans as Qualified Contracts. All contracts issued on or after January 1, 1993 were issued to custodians of Individual Retirement Accounts for the benefit of Individual Retirement Account holders.
Contracts issued after January 1, 1993 do not qualify for tax-deferral under federal tax rules governing non-qualified annuities or Individual Retirement Annuities. Such contracts are, however, issued to custodians of Individual Retirement Accounts for the benefit of Individual Retirement Account holders. Such account holders will be the Annuitant under these contracts. Annuity payments under the contracts are deferred until a selected later date.
For more detailed information about the differences in contract types, see Appendix C: Contract Types and Tax Information.
Nationwide reserves the right to refuse any purchase payment that would result in the cumulative total for all contracts issued by Nationwide or its affiliates or subsidiaries on the life of any one Annuitant or owned by any one Contract Owner to exceed $1,000,000.Its decision as to whether or not to accept a purchase payment in excess of that amount will be based on one or more factors, including, but not limited to: age, spouse age (if applicable), Annuitant age, state of issue, total purchase payments, optional benefits elected, current market conditions, and current hedging costs. All such decisions will be based on internally established actuarial guidelines and will be applied in a non-discriminatory manner. In the event that Nationwide does not accept a purchase payment under these guidelines, the purchase payment will be immediately returned in its entirety in the same manner as it was received. If Nationwide accepts the purchase payment, it will be applied to the contract immediately and will receive the next calculated Accumulation Unit value. Any references in this prospectus to purchase payment amounts in excess of $1,000,000 are assumed to have been approved by Nationwide.
Nationwide prohibits subsequent purchase payments made after death of the Contract Owner(s) or the Annuitant. If upon notification of death of the Contract Owner(s) or the Annuitant, it is determined that death occurred prior to a subsequent purchase payment being made, Nationwide reserves the right to return the purchase payment.
Money Laundering
In order to comply with the USA PATRIOT Act and rules promulgated thereunder, Nationwide has implemented procedures designed to prevent contracts described in this prospectus from being used to facilitate money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. If mandated under applicable law, Nationwide may be required to reject a purchase payment and/or block a Contract Owner's account and thereby refuse to process any request for transfers, withdrawals, surrenders, loans, or death benefits until instructions are received from the appropriate regulators. Nationwide may also be required to provide additional information about a Contract Owner or a Contract Owner's account to governmental regulators.
Payments to Minors
Nationwide will not pay insurance proceeds directly to minors. Contact a legal advisor for options to facilitate the timely availability of monies intended for a minor's benefit.
Contract Misuse
The annuity described in this prospectus is intended to provide benefits to a single individual and his/her beneficiaries. It is not intended to be used by institutional investors, in connection with other Nationwide contracts that have the same Annuitant, or in connection with other Nationwide contracts that have different Annuitants, but the same Contract Owner. If Nationwide determines that the risks it intended to assume in issuing the contract have been altered by misusing the contract as described above, Nationwide reserves the right to take any action it deems necessary to reduce or eliminate the altered risk. Nationwide also reserves the right to take any action it deems necessary to reduce or eliminate altered risk resulting from materially false, misleading, incomplete, or otherwise deficient information provided by the Contract Owner.
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Nationwide's General Account Obligations
Nationwide is obligated to pay all amounts promised to Contract Owners under the contract. Any obligations Nationwide has to Contract Owners under the contracts in excess of the Contract Value are paid from the General Account and are subject to Nationwide's creditors and ultimately, its overall claims paying ability.
Contractual Guarantees
These contracts are offered to customers of various financial institutions and brokerage firms. No financial institution or brokerage firm is responsible for any of the contractual insurance benefits and features guaranteed under the contracts. These guarantees are the sole responsibility of Nationwide.
Reservation of Rights
In addition to rights that Nationwide specifically reserves elsewhere in this prospectus, Nationwide reserves the right, subject to any applicable regulatory approvals, to perform any or all of the following:
•
close Sub-Accounts to additional purchase payments on existing contracts or close Sub-Accounts for contracts purchased on or after specified dates. Changes of this nature will be made as directed by the underlying mutual funds or because Nationwide determines that the underlying mutual fund is no longer suitable (see Underlying Mutual Fund Service Fee Payments);
•
make changes required by any change in the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Company Act of 1940, or any other changes to the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and regulations thereunder or interpretation thereof;
•
make any changes necessary to maintain the status of the contracts as annuities under the Internal Revenue Code;
•
make any changes required by federal or state laws with respect to annuity contracts; and
•
suspend or discontinue sale of the contracts. The decision to suspend or discontinue sale of the contracts is made at Nationwide's discretion. Any decision of this nature would not impact current Contract Owners.
Contract Owners will be notified of any resulting changes by way of a supplement to the prospectus.
Distribution, Promotional, and Sales Expenses
Nationwide pays commissions to the firms that sell the contracts. The maximum gross commission that Nationwide will pay on the sale of the contracts is 5.25% of purchase payments. Note:The individual financial professionals typically receive only a portion of this amount; the remainder is retained by the firm. Nationwide may also, instead of a premium-based commission, pay an asset-based commission (sometimes referred to as "trails" or "residuals"), or a combination of the two.
In addition to or partially in lieu of commission, and to the extent permitted by SEC and FINRA rules and other applicable laws and regulations, Nationwide may also pay the selling firms a marketing allowance, which is based on the firm's ability and demonstrated willingness to promote and market Nationwide's products. How any marketing allowance is spent is determined by the firm, but generally will be used to finance firm activities that may contribute to the promotion and marketing of Nationwide's products, which may include but not be limited to providing conferences or seminars, sales or training programs, advertising and sales campaigns regarding the contracts, and payments to assist a firm in connection with its administrative systems, operations and marketing expenses and/or other events or activities sponsored by the firms.
Nationwide may also host training and/or educational meetings including the cost of travel, accommodations and meals for firms that sell the contracts as well as assist such firms with marketing or advertisement costs.
For more information on the exact compensation arrangement associated with this contract, consult your financial professional.
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Underlying Mutual Fund Service Fee Payments
Nationwide's Relationship with the Underlying Mutual Funds
The underlying mutual funds incur expenses each time they sell, administer, or redeem their shares. The Variable Account aggregates Contract Owner purchase, redemption, and transfer requests and submits net or aggregated purchase/redemption requests to each underlying mutual fund on each Valuation Date. The Variable Account (not the Contract Owners) is the underlying mutual fund shareholder. When the Variable Account aggregates transactions, the underlying mutual fund does not incur the expense of processing individual transactions it would normally incur if it sold its shares directly to the public. Nationwide incurs these expenses instead.
Nationwide also incurs the distribution costs of selling the contract (as discussed above), which benefit the underlying mutual funds by providing Contract Owners with Sub-Account options that correspond to the underlying mutual funds.
An investment adviser or subadviser of an underlying mutual fund or its affiliates may provide Nationwide or its affiliates with wholesaling services that assist in the distribution of the contract and may pay Nationwide or its affiliates to participate in educational and/or marketing activities. These activities may provide the adviser or subadviser (or their affiliates) with increased exposure to persons involved in the distribution of the contract.
Types of Payments Nationwide Receives
In light of the above, the underlying mutual funds and their affiliates make certain payments to Nationwide or its affiliates (the "payments"). The amount of these payments is typically based on a percentage of assets invested in the underlying mutual funds attributable to the contracts and other variable contracts Nationwide and its affiliates issue, but in some cases may involve a flat fee. These payments are made for various purposes, including payments for the services provided and expenses incurred by the Nationwide companies in promoting, marketing and administering the contracts and underlying funds. Nationwide may realize a profit on the payments received.
Nationwide or its affiliates receive the following types of payments:
•
Underlying mutual fund 12b-1 fees, which are deducted from underlying mutual fund assets;
•
Sub-transfer agent fees or fees pursuant to administrative service plans adopted by the underlying mutual fund, which may be deducted from underlying mutual fund assets; and
•
Payments by an underlying mutual fund's adviser or subadviser (or its affiliates), from their own revenues. Such payments are not from underlying mutual fund assets. However, the revenues from which such payments are made may be derived from advisory fees, which are deducted from underlying mutual fund assets and are reflected in mutual fund charges.
Furthermore, Nationwide benefits from assets invested in Nationwide's affiliated underlying mutual funds (i.e., Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust) because its affiliates also receive compensation from the underlying mutual funds for investment advisory, administrative, transfer agency, distribution, and/or other services provided. Thus, Nationwide may receive more revenue with respect to affiliated underlying mutual funds than unaffiliated underlying mutual funds.
Nationwide took into consideration the anticipated mutual fund service fee payments from the underlying mutual funds when it determined the charges imposed under the contracts. Without these mutual fund service fee payments, Nationwide would have imposed higher charges under the contract.
Amount of Payments Nationwide Receives
For the year end December 31, 2024, the underlying mutual fund service fee payments Nationwide and its affiliates received from the underlying mutual funds did not exceed 0.75% (as a percentage of the average Daily Net Assets invested in the underlying mutual funds) offered through the contract or other variable contracts that Nationwide and its affiliates issue. Payments from investment advisers or subadvisers to participate in educational and/or marketing activities have not been taken into account in this percentage.
Most underlying mutual funds or their affiliates have agreed to make payments to Nationwide or its affiliates, although the applicable percentages may vary from underlying mutual fund to underlying mutual fund and some may not make any payments at all. Because the amount of the actual payments Nationwide and its affiliates receive depends on the assets of the underlying mutual funds attributable to the contract, Nationwide and its affiliates may receive higher payments from underlying mutual funds with lower percentages (but greater assets) than from underlying mutual funds that have higher percentages (but fewer assets).
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For contracts owned by an employer sponsored retirement plan subject to ERISA, upon a plan trustee's request, Nationwide will provide a best estimate of plan-specific, aggregate data regarding the amount of underlying mutual fund service fee payments Nationwide received in connection with the plan's investments either for the previous calendar year or plan year, if the plan year is not the same as the calendar year.
Identification of Underlying Mutual Funds
Nationwide may consider several criteria when identifying the underlying mutual funds, including some or all of the following: investment objectives, investment process, risk characteristics, investment capabilities, experience and resources, investment consistency, fund expenses, asset class coverage, the alignment of the investment objectives of the underlying mutual fund with Nationwide's hedging strategy, the strength of the adviser's or subadviser's reputation and tenure, brand recognition, and the capability and qualification of each investment firm. Other factors Nationwide may consider during the identification process are: whether the underlying mutual fund's adviser or subadviser is a Nationwide affiliate; whether the underlying mutual fund or its service providers (e.g. the investment adviser or subadvisers), or its affiliates will make mutual fund service fee payments to Nationwide or its affiliates in connection with certain administrative, marketing, and support services; or whether affiliates of the underlying mutual fund can provide marketing and distribution support for sales of the contracts. For additional information on these arrangements, see above. Nationwide reviews the funds periodically and may remove a fund or limit its availability to new contributions and/or transfers of account value if Nationwide determines that a fund no longer satisfies one or more of the selection criteria, and/or if the fund has not attracted significant allocations from Contract Owners.
Nationwide does not recommend or endorse any particular fund and it does not provide investment advice.
There may be underlying mutual funds with lower fees and expenses, as well as other variable contracts that offer underlying mutual funds with lower fees and expenses. The purchaser should consider all of the fees and charges of the contract in relation to its features and benefits when making a decision to invest. Note:Higher contract and underlying mutual fund fees and expenses have a direct effect on and may lower investment performance.
Treatment of Unclaimed Property
Every state has unclaimed property laws which generally declare annuity contracts to be abandoned after a period of inactivity of three to five years from the contract's Annuity Commencement Date or the date Nationwide becomes informed that a death benefit is due and payable. For example, if the payment of a death benefit has been triggered, but, if after a thorough search, Nationwide is still unable to locate the beneficiary of the death benefit, or the beneficiary does not come forward to claim the death benefit in a timely manner, the death benefit will be surrendered and placed in a non-interest bearing account. While in the non-interest bearing account, Nationwide will continue to perform due diligence required by state law. Once the state mandated period has expired, Nationwide will escheat the death benefit to the abandoned property division or unclaimed property office of the state in which the beneficiary or the Contract Owner last resided, as shown on Nationwide's books and records, or to Ohio, Nationwide's state of domicile. If a claim is subsequently made, the state is obligated to pay any such amount (without interest) to the designated recipient upon presentation of proper documentation.
To prevent escheatment, it is important to update beneficiary designations - including complete names, complete addresses, phone numbers, and social security numbers - as they change. Such updates should be sent to the Service Center.
Profitability
Nationwide does consider profitability when determining the charges in the contract. In early Contract Years, Nationwide does not anticipate earning a profit, since that is a time when administrative and distribution expenses are typically higher. Nationwide does, however, anticipate earning a profit in later Contract Years. In general, Nationwide's profit will be greater the higher the investment return and the longer the contract is held.
Benefits Under the Contract
The following tables summarize information about the benefits under the contract.
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Standard Benefits Table 
Name of Benefit
Purpose
Maximum
Fee
Brief Description of Restrictions/Limitations
Standard Death Benefit
Death benefit upon
death of Annuitant prior
to Annuitization
None
● Nationwide may limit purchase payments to
$1,000,000
Asset Rebalancing (see
Contract Owner
Services)
Automatic reallocation
of assets on a
predetermined
percentage basis
None
Dollar Cost Averaging
(see Contract Owner
Services)
Long-term transfer
program involving
automatic transfer of
assets
None
● Transfers are only permitted from the Fixed Account
and a limited number of Sub-Accounts
● Transfers may not be directed to the Fixed Account
● Transfers from the Fixed Account must be equal to
or less than 1/30th of the Fixed Account value at
the time the program is requested
Enhanced Fixed
Account Dollar Cost
Averaging (see Contract
Owner Services)
Long-term transfer
program involving
automatic transfer of
Fixed Account
allocations with higher
interest crediting rate
None
● Transfers are only permitted from the Fixed Account
● Only new purchase payments to the contract are
eligible for the program
● Transfers may not be directed to the Fixed Account
Systematic Withdrawals
(see Contract Owner
Services)
Automatic withdrawals
of Contract Value on a
periodic basis
None
● Withdrawals must be at least $100 each
Standard Death Benefit
For contracts issued on or after May 1, 1998 (or a later date if required by state law):
•
If the Annuitant dies prior to his or her 75th birthday and before the Annuitization Date, the death benefit will be the greater of:
(1)
the Contract Value; or
(2)
the total of all purchase payments, less an adjustment for amounts withdrawn.
Any adjustment for amounts withdrawn will reduce the applicable factor in the same proportion that the Contract Value was reduced on the date(s) of the partial withdrawal(s).
•
If the Annuitant dies on or after his or her 75th birthday and prior to the Annuitization Date, the death benefit will equal the Contract Value.
 
Example:
On June 1, which is before her Annuitization Date, Ms. P passes away after her 75th
birthday. To calculate the standard death benefit, on the date of Ms. P's death, her Contract
Value = $24,000. The death benefit for Ms. P's contract will equal $24,000.
For contracts issued before May 1, 1998 (or before state approval of the death benefit calculation described previously):
•
If the Annuitant dies prior to his or her 75th birthday and before the Annuitization Date, the death benefit will be the greater of:
(1)
the Contract Value; or
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(2)
the total of all purchase payments, less any amounts withdrawn.
 
Example:
On August 1, which is before her Annuitization Date, Ms. R passes away prior to her 75th
birthday. To calculate the standard death benefit, on the date of Ms. R's death, her Contract
Value = $24,000. Her total purchase payments = $30,000, and Ms. R has withdrawn $2,000.
The death benefit for Ms. R's contract will equal $28,000.
•
If the Annuitant dies on or after his or her 75th birthday and prior to the Annuitization Date, the death benefit will equal the Contract Value.
Ownership and Interests in the Contract
Contract Owner
All contract rights are exercised by the Annuitant. Throughout this prospectus, all discussions relating to the rights and capabilities of a Contract Owner under the contracts apply to the Annuitant.
Annuitant
The Annuitant is the person who will receive annuity payments and upon whose continuation of life any annuity payment involving life contingencies depends. This person must be age 78 or younger at the time of contract issuance, unless Nationwide approves a request for an Annuitant of greater age.
The Contract Owner may not name a new Annuitant without Nationwide's consent.
Although not the Contract Owner, the Annuitant may exercise contract rights if authorized by the holder of the contract (an Individual Retirement Account or Qualified Plan trustee(s)).
Contingent Annuitant
Prior to the Annuitization Date, if the Annuitant dies before the Annuitization Date, the Contingent Annuitant becomes the Annuitant and all provisions of the contract that are based on the Annuitants death prior to the Annuitization Date will be based on the death of the Contingent Annuitant. Only Non-Qualified Contract Owners may name a Contingent Annuitant. The Contingent Annuitant need not be named at the time of application. Regardless of when the Contingent Annuitant is added he/she must be (or must have been) age 78 or younger at the time of contract issuance, unless Nationwide approves a request for a Contingent Annuitant of greater age.
Joint Annuitant
Prior to the Annuitization Date, there is no joint annuitant.
On the Annuitization Date, if applicable, a joint annuitant is named. The joint annuitant is designated as a second person (in addition to the Annuitant) upon whose continuation of life any annuity payment involving life contingencies depends.
Beneficiary and Contingent Beneficiary
Prior to the Annuitization Date, the beneficiary is the person who is entitled to the death benefit if the Annuitant (and Contingent Annuitant, if applicable) dies before the Annuitization Date. The Contract Owner can name more than one beneficiary. Multiple beneficiaries will share the death benefit equally, unless otherwise specified.
A contingent beneficiary will succeed to the rights of the beneficiary if no beneficiary is alive when a death benefit is paid. The Contract Owner can name more than one contingent beneficiary. Multiple contingent beneficiaries will share the death benefit equally, unless otherwise specified.
After the Annuitization Date, the beneficiaries and contingent beneficiaries have no interest in the contract.
Changes to the Parties to the Contract
Prior to the Annuitization Date (and subject to any existing assignments), the Annuitant exercising the right of the Contract Owner may request to change the following:
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•
Annuitant;
•
Contingent Annuitant;
•
beneficiary; or
•
contingent beneficiary.
The Annuitant must submit the request to Nationwide in writing and Nationwide must receive the request at the Service Center before the Annuitization Date. Once Nationwide receives and records the change request, the change will be effective as of the date the written request was signed (unless otherwise specified by the Annuitant), whether or not the Annuitant is living at the time it was recorded. The change will not affect any action taken by Nationwide before the change was recorded.
Nationwide reserves the right to reject any change request that would alter the nature of the risk that Nationwide assumed when it originally issued the contract.
Community Property States
In community property states, the Contract Owner's spouse may have a community property interest in the proceeds of an annuity contract even if the spouse is not a named party on the contract. Changes of beneficiary and/or ownership, assignment, and certain financial transactions may impede the spouse's community property interest. The spouse may need to consent to these types of transactions. The Contract Owner should seek legal advice regarding the applicability of community property laws to the contract and whether spousal consent is necessary. Nationwide is not responsible for determining the applicability of community property laws to the contract.
Beneficially Owned Contracts
A beneficially owned contract is a contract that is inherited or purchased by a beneficiary and the beneficiary holds the contract as a beneficiary (as opposed to treating the contract as his/her own) to facilitate the distribution of a death benefit or contract value in accordance with the applicable federal tax laws (see Appendix C: Contract Types and Tax Information). An owner of a beneficially owned contract is referred to as a "beneficial owner."
There are two types of beneficially owned contracts, a "continued beneficially owned contract" and a "purchased beneficially owned contract." A continued beneficially owned contract is when a beneficiary inherits a contract and continues that contract as a beneficial owner. A "purchased beneficially owned contract" is when a beneficiary purchases a new contract using a death benefit or contract value that the beneficiary inherited under a different annuity contract.
Not all options and features described in this prospectus are available to beneficially owned contracts:
•
Subsequent purchase payments are not permitted under any beneficially owned contract.
•
Withdrawals under beneficially owned contracts are subject to applicable CDSC except when the withdrawals are made from a continued beneficially owned contract that is inherited as death benefit proceeds (as opposed to inherited contract value).
•
A beneficial owner must be both the Contract Owner and the Annuitant of a beneficially owned contract, and no additional parties may be named.
•
No changes to the parties will be permitted on any beneficially owned contract, except that a beneficial owner may request changes to their successor beneficiary(ies).
•
Beneficially owned contracts cannot be assigned, except that a beneficial owner may assign rights to the distribution payments.
There is no death benefit payable on a continued beneficially owned contract. After the death of the beneficial owner, any remaining death benefit or contract value to be distributed will be payable to a successor beneficiary in accordance with applicable federal tax laws.
A beneficiary who is the surviving spouse of a contract owner has the option under the tax laws to continue the contract as the sole contract owner and treat the contract as the spouse's own. If a spouse continues the contract as the sole contract owner, the spouse will not be treated as a beneficial owner and this section will not apply.
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Operation of the Contract
Pricing
Generally, Nationwide prices Accumulation Units on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. (Pricing is the calculation of a new Accumulation Unit value that reflects that day's investment experience.)
Accumulation Units are not priced when the New York Stock Exchange is closed or on the following nationally recognized holidays (or on the dates that such holidays are observed by the New York Stock Exchange):
•
New Year's Day
•
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
•
Presidents' Day
•
Good Friday
•
Memorial Day
•
Juneteenth National Independence Day
•
Independence Day
•
Labor Day
•
Thanksgiving
•
Christmas
Nationwide also will not price purchase payments, withdrawals, or transfers if:
(1)
trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted;
(2)
an emergency exists making disposal or valuation of securities held in the Variable Account impracticable; or
(3)
the SEC, by order, permits a suspension or postponement for the protection of security holders.
Rules and regulations of the SEC will govern as to when the conditions described in (1) and (2) exist. If Nationwide is closed on days when the New York Stock Exchange is open, Contract Value may change and Contract Owners will not have access to their accounts.
Application and Allocation of Purchase Payments
Initial Purchase Payments
Initial purchase payments will be priced at the Accumulation Unit value next determined no later than two business days after receipt of an order to purchase if the application and all necessary information are complete and are received at the Service Center before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange, which generally occurs at 4:00 p.m. EST. If the order is received after the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the initial purchase payment will be priced within two business days after the next Valuation Date.
If an incomplete application is not completed within five business days after receipt at the Service Center, the prospective purchaser will be informed of the reason for the delay. The purchase payment will be returned unless the prospective purchaser specifically consents to allow Nationwide to hold the purchase payment until the application is completed.
Generally, initial purchase payments are allocated according to Contract Owner instructions on the application. However, in some states, Nationwide will allocate initial purchase payments to the money market Sub-Account during the free look period. After the free look period, Nationwide will reallocate the Contract Value among the investment options based on the instructions contained on the application. In other states, Nationwide will immediately allocate initial purchase payments to the investment options based on the instructions contained on the application. Contact the Service Center or refer to your contract for state specific information on the allocation of initial purchase payments.
Subsequent Purchase Payments
Any subsequent purchase payment received at the Service Center (along with all necessary information) before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on any Valuation Date will be priced at the Accumulation Unit value next determined after receipt of the purchase payment. If a subsequent purchase payment is received at the Service Center (along with all necessary information) after the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange, it will be priced at the Accumulation Unit value determined on the following Valuation Date.
Allocation of Purchase Payments
Nationwide allocates purchase payments to the Fixed Account and/or Sub-Accounts as instructed by the Contract Owner. Shares of the underlying mutual funds in which the Sub-Accounts invest are purchased at Net Asset Value, then the Contract Owner receives Accumulation Units in the Sub-Account(s) to which the Contract Owner allocated purchase payments.
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Contract Owners can change allocations or make exchanges among the Sub-Accounts after the time of application by submitting a written request to the Service Center. However, no change may be made that would result in an amount less than 1% of the purchase payments being allocated to any Sub-Account. In the event that Nationwide receives such a request, Nationwide will inform the Contract Owner that the allocation instructions are invalid and that the contract's allocations among the Sub-Accounts prior to the request will remain in effect. Certain transactions may be subject to conditions imposed by the underlying mutual funds.
Determining the Contract Value
The Contract Value is the sum of the value of amounts allocated to the Sub-Accounts plus any amount held in the Fixed Account. If charges are assessed against the whole Contract Value, Nationwide will deduct a proportionate amount from each Sub-Account and the Fixed Account based on current cash values.
Determining Variable Account Value - Valuing an Accumulation Unit
Sub-Account allocations are accounted for in Accumulation Units. Accumulation Unit values (for each Sub-Account) are determined by calculating the Net Investment Factor for the Sub-Accounts for the current Valuation Period and multiplying that result with the Accumulation Unit values determined on the previous Valuation Period. For each Sub-Account, the Net Investment Factor is the investment performance of the underlying mutual fund in which a particular Sub-Account invests, including the charges assessed against that Sub-Account for a Valuation Period.
Nationwide uses the Net Investment Factor as a way to calculate the investment performance of a Sub-Account from Valuation Period to Valuation Period.
The Net Investment Factor for any particular Sub-Account before the Annuitization Date is determined by dividing (a) by (b), and then subtracting (c) from the result, where:
(a)
is the sum of:
(1)
the Net Asset Value of the underlying mutual fund as of the end of the current Valuation Period; and
(2)
the per share amount of any dividend or income distributions made by the underlying mutual fund (if the date of the dividend or income distribution occurs during the current Valuation Period).
(b)
is the Net Asset Value of the underlying mutual fund determined as of the end of the preceding Valuation Period.
(c)
is a factor representing the daily Variable Account charges, which is equal to 1.30% of the Daily Net Assets.
Based on the change in the Net Investment Factor, the value of an Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease. Changes in the Net Investment Factor may not be directly proportional to changes in the Net Asset Value of the underlying mutual fund shares because of the deduction of Variable Account charges.
Though the number of Accumulation Units will not change as a result of investment experience, the value of an Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease from Valuation Period to Valuation Period.
Determining Fixed Account Value
Nationwide determines the value of the Fixed Account by:
(1)
adding all amounts allocated to the Fixed Account, minus amounts previously transferred or withdrawn from the Fixed Account;
(2)
adding any interest earned on the amounts allocated to the Fixed Account; and
(3)
subtracting charges deducted in accordance with the contract.
Transfer Requests
Contract Owners may submit transfer requests in writing, over the telephone, or via the Internet to the Service Center. Some benefits or features under the contract may limit the manner in which transfer requests can be submitted, as indicated in the respective provision. Nationwide may restrict or withdraw the telephone and/or Internet transfer privilege at any time.
27
Generally, Sub-Account transfers will receive the Accumulation Unit value next computed after the transfer request is received at the Service Center. However, if a contract that is limited to submitting transfer requests via U.S. mail submits a transfer request via the Internet or telephone pursuant to Nationwide's one-day delay policy, the transfer will be executed on the next Valuation Date after the exchange request is received at the Service Center (see Transfer Restrictions).
Transfers Prior to Annuitization
Transfers from the Fixed Account
A Contract Owner may request to transfer allocations from the Fixed Account to the Sub-Accounts only upon reaching the end of a Fixed Account interest rate guarantee period. Fixed Account transfers must be made within 45 days after the end of the interest rate guarantee period.
Normally, Nationwide will permit 100% of the maturing Fixed Account allocations to be transferred. However, Nationwide may limit the amount that can be transferred from the Fixed Account. Nationwide will determine the amount that may be transferred and will declare this amount at the end of the Fixed Account interest rate guarantee period. The maximum transferable amount will never be less than 10% of the Fixed Account allocation reaching the end of a Fixed Account interest rate guarantee period. Any limit on the amount that can be transferred from the Fixed Account will be communicated to impacted Contract Owners at the end of the Fixed Account interest rate guarantee period. Any such limitations will substantially extend the amount of time it takes to transfer the entire Fixed Account allocation to another investment option.
Contract Owners who use Dollar Cost Averaging may transfer from the Fixed Account under the terms of that program.
Transfers from the Sub-Accounts
A Contract Owner may request to transfer allocations from the Sub-Accounts to the Fixed Account at any time.
Normally, Nationwide will not restrict transfers from the Sub-Accounts to the Fixed Account; however, Nationwide may establish a maximum transfer limit from the Variable Account to the Fixed Account. Nationwide reserves the right to refuse transfers to the Fixed Account if the Fixed Account value is (or would be after the transfer) equal to or greater than 25% of the Contract Value at the time the transfer is requested. Generally, Nationwide will invoke this right when interest rates are low by historical standards.
Transfers Among the Sub-Accounts
A Contract Owner may request to transfer allocations among the Sub-Accounts at any time, subject to terms and conditions imposed by this prospectus and the underlying mutual funds.
Transfers After Annuitization
After annuitization, the portion of the Contract Value allocated to fixed annuity payments and the portion of the Contract Value allocated to variable annuity payments may not be changed.
After annuitization, if variable annuity payments are elected, transfers among Sub-Accounts may only be made once per calendar year. See Annuitizing the Contract.
Transfer Restrictions
Neither the contracts described in this prospectus nor the underlying mutual funds are designed to support active trading strategies that require frequent movement between or among Sub-Accounts (sometimes referred to as "market-timing" or "short-term trading"). A Contract Owner who intends to use an active trading strategy should consult his/her financial professional and request information on other Nationwide variable annuity contracts that offer investment in underlying mutual funds that are designed specifically to support active trading strategies.
Nationwide discourages (and will take action to deter) short-term trading in this contract because the frequent movement between or among Sub-Accounts may negatively impact other investors in the contract. Short-term trading can result in:
•
the dilution of the value of the investors' interests in the underlying mutual fund;
•
underlying mutual fund managers taking actions that negatively impact performance (keeping a larger portion of the underlying mutual fund assets in cash or liquidating investments prematurely in order to support redemption requests); and/or
•
increased administrative costs due to frequent purchases and redemptions.
28
To protect investors in this contract from the negative impact of these practices, Nationwide has implemented, or reserves the right to implement, several processes and/or restrictions aimed at eliminating the negative impact of active trading strategies. Nationwide makes no assurances that all risks associated with short-term trading will be completely eliminated by these processes and/or restrictions.
Nationwide cannot guarantee that its attempts to deter active trading strategies will be successful. If Nationwide is unable to deter active trading strategies, the performance of the Sub-Accounts that are actively traded may be adversely impacted.
U.S. Mail Restrictions
Nationwide monitors transfer activity in order to identify those who may be engaged in harmful trading practices. Transaction reports are produced and examined. Generally, a contract may appear on these reports if the Contract Owner (or a third party acting on their behalf) engages in a certain number of "transfer events" in a given period. A "transfer event" is any transfer, or combination of transfers, occurring on a given trading day (Valuation Period). For example, if a Contract Owner executes multiple transfers involving 10 investment options in one day, this counts as one transfer event. A single transfer occurring on a given trading day and involving only two investment options will also count as one transfer event.
As a result of this monitoring process, Nationwide may restrict the method of communication by which transfer orders will be accepted. In general, Nationwide will adhere to the following guidelines: 
Trading Behavior
Nationwide's Response
Six or more transfer events within
one calendar quarter
Nationwide will mail a letter to the Contract Owner notifying them that:
(1)they have been identified as engaging in harmful trading practices; and
(2)if their transfer events total 11 within two consecutive calendar quarters or 20 within one
calendar year, the Contract Owner will be limited to submitting transfer requests via U.S.
mail on a Nationwide issued form.
11 transfer events within two
consecutive calendar quarters
OR
20 transfer events within one
calendar year
Nationwide will automatically limit the Contract Owner to submitting transfer requests via U.S.
mail on a Nationwide issued form.
For purposes of Nationwide's transfer policy, U.S. mail includes standard U.S. mail, overnight U.S. mail, and overnight delivery via private carrier.
For calendar year restrictions, each January 1, Nationwide will start the monitoring anew, so that each contract starts with 0 transfer events each January 1. For restrictions on transfer events within two consecutive calendar quarters, Nationwide refreshes the transfer event restriction period at the beginning of each calendar quarter considering only transfers that occur in the current calendar quarter and occurred in the immediately preceding calendar quarter.
Contract Owners that are required to submit transfer requests via U.S. mail will be required to use a Nationwide issued form for their transfer request. Nationwide will refuse transfer requests that either do not use the Nationwide issued form for their transfer request or fail to provide accurate and complete information on their transfer request form. In the event that a Contract Owner's transfer request is refused by Nationwide, they will receive notice in writing by U.S. mail and will be required to resubmit their transfer request on a Nationwide issued form.
Managers of Multiple Contracts
Some investment financial professionals manage the assets of multiple Nationwide contracts pursuant to trading authority granted or conveyed by multiple Contract Owners. These multi-contract financial professionals will generally be required by Nationwide to submit all transfer requests via U.S. mail.
Nationwide may, as an administrative practice, implement a "one-day delay" program for these multi-contract financial professionals, which they can use in addition to or in lieu of submitting transfer requests via U.S. mail. The one-day delay option permits multi-contract financial professionals to continue to submit transfer requests via the Internet or telephone. However, transfer requests submitted by multi-contract financial professionals via the Internet or telephone will not receive the next available Accumulation Unit value. Rather, they will receive the Accumulation Unit value that is calculated on the following Valuation Date. Transfer requests submitted under the one-day delay program are irrevocable. Multi-contract financial professionals will receive advance notice of being subject to the one-day delay program.
29
Other Restrictions
Nationwide reserves the right to refuse or limit transfer requests, or take any other action it deems necessary in order to protect Contract Owners, Annuitants, and beneficiaries from the negative investment results that may result from short-term trading or other harmful investment practices employed by some Contract Owners (or third parties acting on their behalf). In particular, trading strategies designed to avoid or take advantage of Nationwide's monitoring procedures (and other measures aimed at curbing harmful trading practices) that are nevertheless determined by Nationwide to constitute harmful trading practices, may be restricted.
Any restrictions that Nationwide implements will be applied consistently and uniformly.
Underlying Mutual Fund Restrictions and Prohibitions
Pursuant to regulations adopted by the SEC, Nationwide is required to enter into written agreements with the underlying mutual funds which allow the underlying mutual funds to:
(1)
request the taxpayer identification number, international taxpayer identification number, or other government issued identifier of any Contract Owner;
(2)
request the amounts and dates of any purchase, redemption, transfer, or exchange request ("transaction information"); and
(3)
instruct Nationwide to restrict or prohibit further purchases or exchanges by Contract Owners that violate policies established by the underlying mutual fund (whose policies may be more restrictive than Nationwide's policies).
Nationwide is required to provide such transaction information to the underlying mutual funds upon their request. In addition, Nationwide is required to restrict or prohibit further purchases or requests to exchange into a specific Sub-Account upon instruction from the underlying mutual fund in which that Sub-Account invests. Nationwide and any affected Contract Owner may not have advance notice of such instructions from an underlying mutual fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases or requests to exchange. If an underlying mutual fund refuses to accept a purchase or request to exchange into the Sub-Account associated with the underlying mutual fund submitted by Nationwide, Nationwide will keep any affected Contract Owner in their current Sub-Account allocation.
Right to Examine and Cancel
If the Contract Owner elects to cancel the contract, he/she may return it to the Service Center within a certain period of time known as the "free look" period. Depending on the state in which the contract was purchased (and, in some states, if the contract is purchased as a replacement for another annuity contract), the free look period may be 10 days or longer. For ease of administration, Nationwide will honor any free look cancellation request that is in good order and received at the Service Center or postmarked within 30 days after the contract issue date. The contract issue date is the date the initial purchase payment is applied to the contract.
Where state law requires the return of purchase payments for free look cancellations, Nationwide will return all purchase payments applied to the contract, less any withdrawals from the contract and any applicable federal and state income tax withholding.
Where state law requires the return of Contract Value for free look cancellations, Nationwide will return the Contract Value as of the date of the cancellation, less any withdrawals from the contract and any applicable federal and state income tax withholding.
Liability of the Variable Account under this provision is limited to the Contract Value in each Sub-Account on the date of revocation. Any additional amounts refunded to the Contract Owner will be paid by Nationwide.
Allocation of Purchase Payments during Free Look Period
Where state law requires the return of purchase payments for free look cancellations, Nationwide will allocate initial purchase payments allocated to Sub-Accounts to the money market Sub-Account during the free look period.
Where state law requires the return of Contract Value for free look cancellations, Nationwide will immediately allocate initial purchase payments to the investment options based on the instructions contained on the application.
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Surrender/Withdrawal Prior to Annuitization
Prior to annuitization and before the Annuitant's death, Contract Owners may generally withdraw some or all of their Contract Value. Withdrawals from the contract may be subject to federal income tax and/or a tax penalty (see Appendix C: Contract Types and Tax Information). Withdrawal requests may be submitted in writing or by telephone to the Service Center and Nationwide may require additional information. Requests submitted by telephone may be subject to dollar amount limitations and may be subject to payment and other restrictions to prevent fraud. Nationwide reserves the right to require written requests to be submitted on current Nationwide forms for withdrawals. Nationwide reserves the right to remove the ability to submit requests by telephone upon written notice. Contact the Service Center for current limitations and restrictions. When taking a full surrender, Nationwide may require that the contract accompany the request. Nationwide may require a signature guarantee.
Surrender and withdrawal requests will receive the Accumulation Unit value next determined at the end of the current Valuation Period if the request and all necessary information is received at the Service Center before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally, 4:00 pm EST). If the request and all necessary information is received after the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the request will receive the Accumulation Unit value determined at the end of the next Valuation Day.
Nationwide will pay any amounts withdrawn from the Sub-Accounts within seven days after the request is received in good order at the Service Center (see Determining the Contract Value). However, Nationwide may suspend or postpone payment when it is unable to price a purchase payment or transfer, or as permitted or required by federal securities laws and rules and regulations of the SEC.
Nationwide is required by state law to reserve the right to postpone payment or transfer of assets from the Fixed Account for a period of up to six months from the date of the withdrawal or transfer request.
Partial Withdrawals
If a Contract Owner requests a partial withdrawal, Nationwide will redeem Accumulation Units from the Sub-Accounts and an amount from the Fixed Account. The amount withdrawn from each investment option will be in proportion to the value in each option at the time of the withdrawal request, unless Nationwide is instructed otherwise.
Partial withdrawals are subject to the CDSC provisions of the contract. If a CDSC is assessed, the Contract Owner may elect to have the CDSC deducted from either:
(a)
the amount requested; or
(b)
the Contract Value remaining after the Contract Owner has received the amount requested.
If the Contract Owner does not make a specific election, any applicable CDSC will be deducted from the amount requested by the Contract Owner.
The CDSC deducted is a percentage of the amount requested by the Contract Owner. Amounts deducted for CDSC are not subject to subsequent CDSC.
Partial Withdrawals to Pay Investment Advisory Fees
Some Contract Owners utilize an investment advisor(s) to manage their assets, for which the investment advisor assesses a fee. Investment advisors are not endorsed or affiliated with Nationwide and Nationwide makes no representation as to their qualifications. The fees for these investment advisory services are specified in the respective account agreements and are separate from and in addition to the contract fees and expenses described in this prospectus. Some Contract Owners authorize their investment advisor to take a partial withdrawal(s) from the contract in order to collect investment advisory fees. Withdrawals taken from this contract to pay advisory or investment management fees are subject to the CDSC provisions of the contract and may be subject to income tax and/or tax penalties.
Full Surrenders
Upon full surrender, the Contract Value may be more or less than the total of all purchase payments made to the contract. The Contract Value will reflect:
•
standard contract charges
•
underlying mutual fund charges
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•
investment performance of the Sub-Accounts
•
interest credited to Fixed Account allocations
A CDSC may apply.
Surrender/Withdrawal After Annuitization
After the Annuitization Date, withdrawals other than regularly scheduled annuity payments are not permitted.
Withdrawals Under a Qualified Plan
The contract withdrawal provisions may be modified pursuant to the plan terms and Internal Revenue Code provisions when the contract is issued to fund a Qualified Plan.
Contract Owner Services
Asset Rebalancing
Asset Rebalancing is the automatic reallocation of Contract Values to the Sub-Accounts on a predetermined percentage basis. Asset Rebalancing is not available for assets held in the Fixed Account. Requests for Asset Rebalancing must be on a Nationwide form and submitted to the Service Center. Once Asset Rebalancing is elected, it will only be terminated upon specific instruction from the Contract Owner; manual transfers will not automatically terminate the program. Currently, there is no additional charge for Asset Rebalancing.
Asset Rebalancing occurs every three months or on another frequency if permitted by Nationwide. If the last day of the designated rebalancing period falls on a Saturday, Sunday, recognized holiday, or any other day when the New York Stock Exchange is closed, Asset Rebalancing will occur on the next business day. Each Asset Rebalancing reallocation is considered a transfer event (see Transfer Restrictions).
Asset Rebalancing may be subject to employer limitations or restrictions for contracts issued to a Qualified Plan. Contract Owners should consult a financial professional to discuss the use of Asset Rebalancing.
Nationwide reserves the right to stop establishing new Asset Rebalancing programs. Existing Asset Rebalancing programs will remain in effect unless otherwise terminated. 
Example:
Mr. C elects to participate in Asset Rebalancing and has instructed his Contract Value be
allocated as follows: 40% to Sub-Account A, 40% to Sub-Account B, and 20% to Sub-
Account C. Mr. C elects to rebalance quarterly. Each quarter, Nationwide will automatically
rebalance Mr. C's Contract Value by transferring Contract Value among the three elected
Sub-Accounts so that his 40%/40%/20% allocation remains intact.
Dollar Cost Averaging
Dollar Cost Averaging is a long-term transfer program that allows the Contract Owner to make regular, level investments over time. Dollar Cost Averaging involves the automatic transfer of a specific amount from the Fixed Account and/or certain Sub-Accounts into other Sub-Accounts. With this service, the Contract Owner benefits from the ability to invest in the Sub-Accounts over a period of time, thereby smoothing out the effects of market volatility. Nationwide does not guarantee that this program will result in profit or protect Contract Owners from loss.
Contract Owners direct Nationwide to automatically transfer specified amounts from the Fixed Account and the following Sub-Account(s) (if available):
•
Nationwide Government Money Market Fund - Investor Shares
or to any other Sub-Account(s). Dollar Cost Averaging transfers may not be directed to the Fixed Account. Transfers from the Fixed Account must be equal to or less than 1/30th of the Fixed Account value at the time the program is requested. Contract Owners that wish to utilize Dollar Cost Averaging from the Fixed Account should first inquire as to whether any Enhanced Fixed Account Dollar Cost Averaging programs are available.
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Transfers occur monthly or on another frequency if permitted by Nationwide. Nationwide will process transfers until either the value in the originating investment option is exhausted or the Contract Owner instructs Nationwide to stop the transfers. When a Contract Owner instructs Nationwide to stop the transfers, all amounts remaining in the originating Fixed Account or Sub-Account will remain allocated to the Fixed Account or Sub-Account, unless Nationwide is instructed otherwise. Dollar Cost Averaging transfers are not considered transfer events.
Nationwide reserves the right to stop establishing new Dollar Cost Averaging programs.
Nationwide is required by state law to reserve the right to postpone payment or transfer of assets from the Fixed Account for a period of up to six months from the date of the withdrawal or transfer request. 
Example:
Ms. T elects to participate in Dollar Cost Averaging and has transferred $25,000 to an
eligible Sub-Account (Sub-Account S) that will serve as the source investment option for her
Dollar Cost Averaging program. She would like the Dollar Cost Averaging transfers to be
allocated as follows: $500 to Sub-Account L and $1,000 to Sub-Account M. Each month,
Nationwide will automatically transfer $1,500 from Sub-Account S and allocate $1,000 to
Sub-Account M and $500 to Sub-Account L.
Enhanced Fixed Account Dollar Cost Averaging
Nationwide may, periodically, offer Dollar Cost Averaging programs with an enhanced interest rate referred to as "Enhanced Fixed Account Dollar Cost Averaging." Enhanced Fixed Account Dollar Cost Averaging involves the automatic transfer of a specific amount from an enhanced rate Fixed Account into any Sub-Account(s). With this service, the Contract Owner benefits from the ability to invest in the Sub-Accounts over a period of time, thereby smoothing out the effects of market volatility. Nationwide does not guarantee that this program will result in profit or protect Contract Owners from loss.
Only new purchase payments to the contract are eligible for Enhanced Fixed Account Dollar Cost Averaging. Enhanced Fixed Account Dollar Cost Averaging transfers may not be directed to the Fixed Account. Amounts allocated to the enhanced rate Fixed Account as part of an Enhanced Fixed Account Dollar Cost Averaging program earn a higher rate of interest than assets allocated to the standard Fixed Account. Each enhanced rate is guaranteed for as long as the corresponding program is in effect.
Transfers occur monthly or on another frequency if permitted by Nationwide. Nationwide will process transfers until either amounts allocated to the Fixed Account as part of an Enhanced Fixed Account Dollar Cost Averaging program are exhausted or the Contract Owner instructs Nationwide to stop the transfers. When a Contract Owner instructs Nationwide to stop the transfers, Nationwide will automatically reallocate any amount remaining in the enhanced rate Fixed Account according to future investment allocation instructions, unless directed otherwise. Enhanced Fixed Account Dollar Cost Averaging transfers are not considered transfer events.
Nationwide reserves the right to stop establishing new Enhanced Fixed Account Dollar Cost Averaging programs.
Nationwide is required by state law to reserve the right to postpone payment or transfer of assets from the Fixed Account for a period of up to six months from the date of the withdrawal or transfer request. 
Example:
Mr. E elects to participate in Enhanced Fixed Account Dollar Cost Averaging and has
allocated new purchase payments of $22,000 to the Fixed Account, which will receive an
enhanced interest crediting rate. He would like the Enhanced Fixed Account Dollar Cost
Averaging transfers to be allocated as follows: $1,000 to Sub-Account L and $1,000 to Sub-
Account M. Each month, Nationwide will automatically transfer $2,000 from the Fixed
Account and allocate $1,000 to Sub-Account M and $1,000 to Sub-Account L.
Systematic Withdrawals
Systematic Withdrawals allow Contract Owners to receive a specified amount (of at least $100) on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. Requests for Systematic Withdrawals and requests to discontinue Systematic Withdrawals must be submitted in good order and in writing to the Service Center.
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The withdrawals will be taken from the Sub-Accounts and the Fixed Account proportionally unless Nationwide is instructed otherwise.
Nationwide will withhold federal income taxes from Systematic Withdrawals unless otherwise instructed by the Contract Owner. The Internal Revenue Service may impose a 10% penalty tax if the Contract Owner is under age 59½, unless the Contract Owner has made an irrevocable election of distributions of substantially equal payments.
A CDSC may apply to amounts taken through Systematic Withdrawals. If the Contract Owner takes Systematic Withdrawals, the maximum amount that can be withdrawn annually without a CDSC is the amount available under the CDSC-free withdrawal privilege (see Contingent Deferred Sales Charge).
The CDSC-free withdrawal privilege for Systematic Withdrawals is non-cumulative. Free amounts not taken during any Contract Year cannot be taken as free amounts in a subsequent Contract Year. In any given Contract Year, any amount withdrawn in excess of the amount permitted under this program will be subject to the CDSC provisions (see Contingent Deferred Sales Charge).
Nationwide reserves the right to stop establishing new Systematic Withdrawal programs. Systematic Withdrawals are not available before the end of the free look period. 
Example:
Ms. H elects to take Systematic Withdrawals equal to $5,000 on a quarterly basis. She has
not directed that the withdrawals be taken from specific Sub-Accounts, so each quarter,
Nationwide will withdraw $5,000 from Ms. H's contract proportionally from each Sub-
Account, and will mail her a check or wire the funds to the financial institution of her choice.
Nationwide is required by state law to reserve the right to postpone payment or transfer of assets from the Fixed Account for a period of up to six months from the date of the withdrawal or transfer request.
Death Benefit
Death of Annuitant
If the Annuitant dies before the Annuitization Date, the Contingent Annuitant becomes the Annuitant and no death benefit is payable. If no Contingent Annuitant is named, a death benefit is payable to the beneficiary. Multiple beneficiaries will share the death benefit equally unless otherwise specified. If no beneficiaries survive the Annuitant, the contingent beneficiary receives the death benefit. Multiple contingent beneficiaries will share the death benefit equally unless otherwise specified. If no beneficiaries or contingent beneficiaries survive the Annuitant, the Contract Owner or the last surviving Contract Owner's estate will receive the death benefit.
If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any benefit that may be payable will be paid according to the selected annuity payment option.
Death Benefit Payment
The recipient of the death benefit may elect to receive the death benefit:
(1)
in a lump sum;
(2)
as an annuity (see Annuity Payment Options); or
(3)
in any other manner permitted by law and approved by Nationwide.
Premium taxes may be deducted from death benefit proceeds. Nationwide will pay (or will begin to pay) the death benefit after it receives proof of death and the instructions as to the payment of the death benefit. Death benefit claims must be submitted to the Service Center. If the recipient of the death benefit does not elect the form in which to receive the death benefit payment, Nationwide will pay the death benefit in a lump sum. Contract Value will continue to be allocated according to the most recent allocation instructions until the death benefit is paid.
If the contract has multiple beneficiaries entitled to receive a portion of the death benefit, the Contract Value will continue to be allocated according to the most recent allocation instructions until the first beneficiary provides Nationwide with all the information necessary to pay that beneficiary's portion of the death benefit proceeds. At the time the first beneficiary's proceeds are paid, the remaining portion(s) of the death benefit proceeds that are allocated to Sub-Accounts will be reallocated to the available money market Sub-Account until instructions are received from the remaining beneficiary(ies).
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Any Contract Value not allocated to the Sub-Accounts will remain invested and will not be reallocated to the available money market Sub-Account.
Death Benefit Calculations
The value of each component of the death benefit calculation will be determined as of the date Nationwide receives:
(1)
proper proof of the Annuitant's death;
(2)
an election specifying the distribution method; and
(3)
any state required form(s).
For contracts issued on or after May 1, 1998 (or a later date if required by state law):
•
If the Annuitant dies prior to his or her 75th birthday and before the Annuitization Date, the death benefit will be the greater of:
(1)
the Contract Value; or
(2)
the total of all purchase payments, less an adjustment for amounts withdrawn.
Any adjustment for amounts withdrawn will reduce the applicable factor above in the same proportion that the Contract Value was reduced on the date(s) of the partial withdrawal(s).
•
If the Annuitant dies on or after his or her 75th birthday and prior to the Annuitization Date, the death benefit will equal the Contract Value.
For contracts issued before May 1, 1998 (or before state approval of the death benefit calculation described previously):
•
If the Annuitant dies prior to his or her 75th birthday and before the Annuitization Date, the death benefit will be the greater of:
(1)
the Contract Value; or
(2)
the total of all purchase payments, less any amounts withdrawn.
•
If the Annuitant dies on or after his or her 75th birthday and prior to the Annuitization Date, the death benefit will equal the Contract Value.
If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, payment will be determined according to the selected annuity payment option.
Annuity Commencement Date
The Annuity Commencement Date is the date on which annuity payments are scheduled to begin. Generally, the Contract Owner designates the Annuity Commencement Date at the time of application. If no Annuity Commencement Date is designated at the time of application, Nationwide will establish the Annuity Commencement Date as the date the Annuitant reaches age 90. The Contract Owner may initiate a change to the Annuity Commencement Date at any time. Additionally, Nationwide will notify the Contract Owner approximately 90 days before the impending Annuity Commencement Date of the opportunity to change the Annuity Commencement Date or annuitize the contract.
Any request to change the Annuity Commencement Date must meet the following requirements:
•
the request is made prior to annuitization;
•
the requested date is at least two years after the date of issue;
•
the requested date is not later than the Annuitant's 90th birthday (or the 90th birthday of the oldest Annuitant if there are joint Annuitants) unless approved by Nationwide; and
•
the request for change is made in writing, submitted in good order to the Service Center, and approved by Nationwide.
Generally, Nationwide will not initiate annuitization until specifically directed to do so. However, for Non-Qualified Contracts only, Nationwide will automatically initiate annuitization within 45 days after the Annuity Commencement Date (whether default or otherwise), unless (1) Nationwide has had direct contact with the Contract Owner (indicating that the contract is not abandoned); or (2) the Contract Owner has taken some type of action which is inconsistent with the desire to annuitize.
35
Annuitizing the Contract
Annuitization Date
The Annuitization Date is the date that annuity payments begin.
Any optional death benefit that the Contract Owner elects will automatically terminate upon annuitization.
The Annuitization Date will be the first day of a calendar month unless otherwise agreed. Unless otherwise required by state law, the Annuitization Date must be at least two years after the contract is issued, but may not be later than either:
•
the age (or date) specified in the contract; or
•
the age (or date) specified by state law, where applicable.
The Internal Revenue Code may require that distributions be made prior to the Annuitization Date (see Appendix C: Contract Types and Tax Information).
If the contract is issued to fund a Qualified Plan, annuitization may occur during the first two Contract Years subject to Nationwide's approval.
Annuitization
Annuitization is the period during which annuity payments are received. It is irrevocable once payments have begun. Upon arrival of the Annuitization Date, the Contract Owner must choose:
(1)
an annuity payment option; and
(2)
either a fixed payment annuity, variable payment annuity, or an available combination.
On the Annuitization Date, the Contract Value, less any premium tax, will be applied under the annuity payment option(s) selected by the Contract Owner. Annuity purchase rates are used to determine the amount of the annuity payments based upon the annuity payment option elected. Actual purchase rates used to determine annuity payments will be those in effect on the Annuitization Date, and will not be less than the guaranteed minimum purchase rates as provided in the contract.
Nationwide guarantees that each payment under a fixed payment annuity will be the same throughout annuitization. Under a variable payment annuity, the amount of each payment will vary with the performance of the Sub-Accounts elected.
Any allocations in the Fixed Account that are to be annuitized as a variable payment annuity must be transferred to one or more Sub-Accounts prior to the Annuitization Date. There are no restrictions on Fixed Account transfers made in anticipation of annuitization.
Any allocations in the Sub-Accounts that are to be annuitized as a fixed payment annuity must be transferred to the Fixed Account prior to the Annuitization Date. Short-term trading fees do not apply to transfers made in anticipation of annuitization.
Fixed Annuity Payments
Fixed annuity payments provide for level annuity payments. The fixed annuity payments will remain level unless the annuity payment option provides otherwise.
Variable Annuity Payments
Variable annuity payments will vary depending on the performance of the Sub-Accounts selected. The Sub-Accounts available during annuitization are those Sub-Accounts corresponding to the underlying mutual funds shown in Appendix A: Underlying Mutual Funds Available Under the Contract. Nationwide uses an assumed investment return factor of 3.5%. An assumed investment return is the net investment return required to maintain level variable annuity payments. To the extent that investment performance is not equal to 3.5% for given payment periods, the amount of the payments in those periods will not be the same. Payments will increase from one payment date to the next if the annualized net rate of return is greater than 3.5% during that time. Conversely, payments will decrease from one payment to the next if the annualized net rate of return is less than 3.5% during that time.
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Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments
Annuity payments are based on the annuity payment option elected.
If the net amount to be annuitized is less than $500, Nationwide reserves the right to pay this amount in a lump sum instead of periodic annuity payments.
Annuity payments are made at any frequency approved by Nationwide. Nationwide reserves the right to change the frequency of payments if the amount of any payment becomes less than $100. The payment frequency will be changed to an interval that will result in payments of at least $100. Nationwide will send annuity payments no later than seven days after each annuity payment date.
Annuity Payment Options
The Annuitant must elect an annuity payment option before the Annuitization Date. If the Annuitant does not elect an annuity payment option by that date, a variable payment Single Life with a 20 Year Term Certain annuity payment option will be assumed as the automatic form of payment upon annuitization. Once elected or assumed, the annuity payment option may not be changed.
Not all of the annuity payment options may be available in all states. Additionally, the annuity payment options available may be limited based on the Annuitant's age (and the joint Annuitant's age, if applicable) or requirements under the Internal Revenue Code.
Annuity Payment Options Available to All Contracts
•
Single Life;
•
Standard Joint and Survivor; and
•
Single Life with a 10 or 20 Year Term Certain.
Each of the annuity payment options is discussed more thoroughly below.
Single Life
The Single Life annuity payment option provides for annuity payments to be paid during the lifetime of the Annuitant. This option is not available if the Annuitant is 86 or older on the Annuitization Date.
Payments will cease with the last payment before the Annuitant's death. For example, if the Annuitant dies before the second annuity payment date, the Annuitant will receive only one payment. The Annuitant will only receive two annuity payments if he or she dies before the third payment date, and so on. No death benefit will be paid.
No withdrawals other than the scheduled annuity payments are permitted.
Standard Joint and Survivor
The Standard Joint and Survivor annuity payment option provides for annuity payments to continue during the joint lifetimes of the Annuitant and joint Annuitant. After the death of either the Annuitant or joint Annuitant, payments will continue for the life of the survivor. This option is not available if the Annuitant or joint Annuitant is 86 or older on the Annuitization Date.
Payments will cease with the last payment due prior to the death of the last survivor of the Annuitant and joint Annuitant. As is the case of the Single Life annuity payment option, there is no guaranteed number of payments. Therefore, it is possible that if the Annuitant dies before the second annuity payment date, the Annuitant will receive only one annuity payment. No death benefit will be paid.
No withdrawals other than the scheduled annuity payments are permitted.
Single Life with a 10 or 20 Year Term Certain
The Single Life with a 10 or 20 Year Term Certain annuity payment option provides that monthly annuity payments will be paid during the Annuitant's lifetime or for the term selected, whichever is longer. The term may be either 10 or 20 years.
If the Annuitant dies before the end of the 10 or 20 year term, payments will be paid to the beneficiary for the remainder of the term.
No withdrawals other than the scheduled annuity payments are permitted.
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Any Other Option
Annuity payment options not set forth in this provision may be available. Any annuity payment option not set forth in this provision must be approved by Nationwide.
Statements and Reports
Nationwide's default delivery method is U.S. mail and Nationwide will deliver required documents by U.S. mail unless other delivery methods (e.g. electronic delivery) are permitted by law or regulation. Therefore, Contract Owners should promptly notify the Service Center of any address change.
Nationwide will mail to Contract Owners:
•
statements showing the contract's quarterly activity; and
•
confirmation statements showing transactions that affect the contract's value. Confirmation statements will not be sent for recurring transactions (i.e., Dollar Cost Averaging or salary reduction programs). Instead, confirmation of recurring transactions will appear in the contract's quarterly statements.
Contract Owners can receive information from Nationwide faster and reduce the amount of mail received by signing up for Nationwide's eDelivery program. Nationwide will notify Contract Owners by email when important documents (statements, prospectuses, and other documents) are ready for a Contract Owner to view, print, or download from Nationwide's secure server. To choose this option, go to: www.nationwide.com.
Contract Owners should review statements and confirmations carefully. All errors or corrections must be reported to Nationwide immediately to assure proper crediting to the contract. Unless Nationwide is notified within 30 days of receipt of the statement, Nationwide will assume statements and confirmation statements are correct.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING DELIVERY OF SECURITY OWNER DOCUMENTS
When multiple copies of the same disclosure document(s), such as prospectuses, supplements, proxy statements, and semi-annual and annual reports are required to be mailed to multiple Contract Owners in the same household, Nationwide will mail only one copy of each document, unless notified otherwise by the Contract Owner(s). Household delivery will continue for the life of the contracts.
A Contract Owner can revoke their consent to household delivery and reinstitute individual delivery by contacting the Service Center. Nationwide will reinstitute individual delivery within 30 days after receiving such notification.
Legal Proceedings
Nationwide Life Insurance Company
Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NFS, or collectively with its subsidiaries, the "Company") was formed in November 1996. NFS is the holding company for Nationwide Life Insurance Company (NLIC), Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company (NLAIC) and other companies that comprise the life insurance and retirement savings operations of the Nationwide group of companies (Nationwide). This group includes Nationwide Financial Network (NFN), an affiliated distribution network that markets directly to its customer base. NFS is incorporated in Delaware and maintains its principal executive offices in Columbus, Ohio.
The Company is subject to legal and regulatory proceedings in the ordinary course of its business. These include proceedings specific to the Company and proceedings generally applicable to business practices in the industries in which the Company operates. The outcomes of these proceedings cannot be predicted due to their complexity, scope, and many uncertainties. The Company believes, however, that based on currently known information, the ultimate outcome of all pending legal and regulatory proceedings is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition.
The various businesses conducted by the Company are subject to oversight by numerous federal and state regulatory entities, including but not limited to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and state insurance authorities. Such regulatory entities may, in the normal course of business, be engaged in general or targeted inquiries, examinations and investigations of the Company and/or its affiliates. With respect to all such scrutiny directed at the Company or its affiliates, the Company is cooperating with regulators.
38
Nationwide Investment Services Corporation
The general distributor, NISC (the "Company"), is subject to legal and regulatory proceedings in the ordinary course of its business. These include proceedings specific to the Company and proceedings generally applicable to business practices in the industries in which the Company operates. The outcomes of these proceedings cannot be predicted due to their complexity, scope and many uncertainties. The Company believes, however, that based on currently known information, the ultimate outcome of all pending legal and regulatory proceedings is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition.
The various businesses conducted by the Company are subject to oversight by numerous federal and state regulatory entities, including but not limited to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and state securities divisions. Such regulatory entities may, in the normal course of business, be engaged in general or targeted inquiries, examinations and investigations of the Company and/or its affiliates. With respect to all such scrutiny directed at the Company or its affiliates, the Company is cooperating with regulators.
Financial Statements
Financial statements for the Variable Account and financial statements and schedules of Nationwide are located in the Statement of Additional Information. A current Statement of Additional Information may be obtained, without charge, by contacting the Service Center, or can be found online at https://nationwide.onlineprospectus.net/NW/C000024492NW/index.php?ctype=product_sai.
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Appendix A: Underlying Mutual Funds Available Under the Contract
The following is a list of underlying mutual funds available under the contract. More information about the underlying mutual funds is available in the prospectuses for the underlying mutual funds, which may be amended from time to time and can be found online at https://nationwide.onlineprospectus.net/NW/C000024492NW/index.php. This information can also be obtained at no cost by calling 1-800-848-6331 or by sending an email request to FLSS@nationwide.com. Depending on the optional benefits chosen, access to certain underlying mutual funds may be limited.
The current expenses and performance information below reflects fees and expenses of the underlying mutual funds, but do not reflect the other fees and expenses that the contract may charge. Expenses would be higher and performance would be lower if these other charges were included. Each underlying mutual fund's past performance is not necessarily an indication of future performance. 
Type
Underlying Mutual Fund and Adviser/Sub-Adviser
Current
Expenses
Average Annual Total
Returns
(as of 12/31/2024)
1 year
5 year
10 year
Alternative
abrdn Infrastructure Debt Fund - Institutional Service Class
Investment Advisor: abrdn Inc.
Subadvisor: abrdn Investments Limited
0.79%*
4.83%
-0.91%
1.03%
Equity
abrdn U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund - Class A
This underlying mutual fund is only available in contracts for which good order
applications were received before May 1, 2004
Investment Advisor: abrdn Inc.
1.39%*
15.66%
9.47%
9.67%
Equity
abrdn U.S. Sustainable Leaders Fund - Institutional Service Class
Investment Advisor: abrdn Inc.
0.96%*
10.11%
7.94%
9.25%
Equity
Allspring Common Stock Fund - Class A
This underlying mutual fund is only available in contracts for which good order
applications were received before May 1, 2004
Investment Advisor: Allspring Funds Management, LLC
Subadvisor: Allspring Global Investments, LLC
1.26%*
6.56%
7.38%
7.94%
Equity
Allspring Large Cap Growth Fund - Class A
This underlying mutual fund is only available in contracts for which good order
applications were received before May 1, 2004
Investment Advisor: Allspring Funds Management, LLC
Subadvisor: Allspring Global Investments, LLC
1.02%*
30.13%
14.02%
13.29%
Equity
Allspring Special Large Cap Value Fund - Administrative Class
Investment Advisor: Allspring Funds Management, LLC
Subadvisor: Allspring Global Investments, LLC
0.75%*
16.68%
9.29%
9.22%
Equity
American Century Disciplined Core Value Fund: Investor Class
Investment Advisor: American Century Investment Management, Inc.
0.66%
13.26%
8.24%
8.29%
Equity
American Century Growth Fund: Investor Class
This underlying mutual fund is only available in contracts for which good order
applications were received before August 31, 2011
Investment Advisor: American Century Investment Management, Inc.
0.88%*
26.21%
16.41%
14.96%
Equity
American Century International Growth Fund: Investor Class
This underlying mutual fund is no longer available to receive transfers or new
purchase payments effective May 1, 2004
Investment Advisor: American Century Investment Management, Inc.
1.26%
2.31%
3.25%
4.68%
Fixed Income
American Century Short-Term Government Fund: Investor Class
Investment Advisor: American Century Investment Management, Inc.
0.55%
3.54%
1.26%
1.10%
Equity
American Century Ultra® Fund: Investor Class
Investment Advisor: American Century Investment Management, Inc.
0.91%*
29.55%
18.27%
16.44%
Equity
BNY Mellon Appreciation Fund, Inc.: Investor Shares
Investment Advisor: BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.
Subadvisor: Fayez Sarofim & Co.
0.89%
12.42%
12.02%
11.44%
40
Type
Underlying Mutual Fund and Adviser/Sub-Adviser
Current
Expenses
Average Annual Total
Returns
(as of 12/31/2024)
1 year
5 year
10 year
Allocation
BNY Mellon Balanced Opportunity Fund: Class Z
This underlying mutual fund is only available in contracts for which good order
applications were received before August 16, 2011
Investment Advisor: BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.
Subadvisor: Newton Investment Management North America, LLC
0.98%*
12.29%
7.13%
7.16%
Fixed Income
BNY Mellon Core Plus Fund: Class A
Investment Advisor: BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.
Subadvisor: Insight North America LLC
0.70%*
2.09%
0.41%
2.09%
Equity
BNY Mellon S&P 500 Index Fund
Investment Advisor: BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.
0.50%*
24.40%
13.95%
12.54%
Equity
BNY Mellon Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc.: Class Z
This underlying mutual fund is only available in contracts for which good order
applications were received before May 1, 2004
Investment Advisor: BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.
Subadvisor: Newton Investment Management Limited
0.76%*
24.67%
13.39%
11.41%
Fixed Income
Federated Hermes Corporate Bond Fund: Class F Shares
Investment Advisor: Federated Investment Management Company
0.86%*
2.37%
0.47%
2.50%
Fixed Income
Federated Hermes Opportunistic High Yield Bond Fund: Service Shares
Investment Advisor: Federated Investment Management Company
0.98%*
6.25%
3.95%
4.69%
Equity
Fidelity Advisor Equity Income Fund: Class M
This underlying mutual fund is no longer available to receive transfers or new
purchase payments effective February 3, 2025
Investment Advisor: Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR)
1.09%
11.92%
8.47%
7.87%
Allocation
Fidelity Advisor® Balanced Fund: Class M
Investment Advisor: Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR)
Subadvisor: FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, Fidelity Management
& Research (Hong Kong) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Japan)
Limited
1.02%
15.35%
10.21%
8.96%
Fixed Income
Fidelity Advisor® Capital & Income Fund: Class M
This underlying mutual fund is no longer available to receive transfers or new
purchase payments effective May 1, 2004
Investment Advisor: Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR)
Subadvisor: FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, Fidelity Management
& Research (Hong Kong) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Japan)
Limited
1.20%*
10.05%
6.02%
6.18%
Equity
Fidelity Advisor® Growth Opportunities Fund: Class M
Investment Advisor: Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR)
Subadvisor: FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, Fidelity Management
& Research (Hong Kong) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Japan)
Limited
0.99%
38.37%
18.14%
17.78%
Fixed Income
Fidelity Capital & Income Fund
This underlying mutual fund is no longer available to receive transfers or new
purchase payments effective May 1, 1999
Investment Advisor: Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR)
Subadvisor: FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, Fidelity Management
& Research (Hong Kong) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Japan)
Limited
0.97%*
10.68%
6.62%
6.58%
Equity
Fidelity Equity-Income Fund
Investment Advisor: Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR)
Subadvisor: FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, Fidelity Management
& Research (Hong Kong) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Japan)
Limited
0.54%
15.29%
9.96%
9.23%
Equity
Fidelity Magellan® Fund
Investment Advisor: Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR)
Subadvisor: FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, Fidelity Management
& Research (Hong Kong) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Japan)
Limited
0.47%
28.03%
14.76%
13.07%
41
Type
Underlying Mutual Fund and Adviser/Sub-Adviser
Current
Expenses
Average Annual Total
Returns
(as of 12/31/2024)
1 year
5 year
10 year
Allocation
Fidelity Puritan Fund
Investment Advisor: Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR)
Subadvisor: FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, Fidelity Management
& Research (Hong Kong) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Japan)
Limited
0.48%
18.85%
11.14%
9.60%
Fixed Income
Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund - VIP High Income Portfolio:
Initial Class
This underlying mutual fund is no longer available to receive transfers or new
purchase payments effective December 1, 1993
Investment Advisor: Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR)
Subadvisor: FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, Fidelity Management
& Research (Hong Kong) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Japan)
Limited
0.81%*
8.97%
2.74%
4.17%
Equity
Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund - VIP Overseas Portfolio:
Service Class 2
Investment Advisor: Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR)
Subadvisor: FIL Investment Advisors, FIL Investment Advisors (UK) Limited,
FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research
(Hong Kong) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Limited
0.98%
4.81%
5.50%
6.06%
Allocation
Fidelity® Asset Manager 50%
Investment Advisor: Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR)
Subadvisor: FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, Fidelity Management
& Research (Hong Kong) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Japan)
Limited
0.55%
8.46%
5.62%
5.92%
Allocation
Franklin Mutual Series Fund, Inc. - Mutual Shares Fund: Class A
Investment Advisor: Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC
1.00%
11.23%
5.87%
5.94%
Equity
Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust - Templeton
Foreign VIP Fund: Class 2
This underlying mutual fund is only available in contracts for which good order
applications were received before April 30, 2014
Investment Advisor: Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC
1.06%*
-1.00%
2.60%
2.38%
Equity
Invesco - Invesco V.I. Global Fund: Series II
This underlying mutual fund is only available in contracts for which good order
applications were received before May 1, 2023
Investment Advisor: Invesco Advisers, Inc.
1.06%
15.78%
9.21%
9.58%
Equity
Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund: Class A
Investment Advisor: Invesco Advisers, Inc.
1.05%
24.12%
9.98%
11.21%
Equity
Invesco Global Fund: Class A
This underlying mutual fund is no longer available to receive transfers or new
purchase payments effective May 1, 2004
Investment Advisor: Invesco Advisers, Inc.
1.05%
16.28%
9.26%
9.64%
Equity
Janus Henderson Forty Fund: Class T
This underlying mutual fund is only available in contracts for which good order
applications were received before April 28, 2017
Investment Advisor: Janus Henderson Investors US LLC
0.76%
28.07%
15.16%
15.30%
Equity
Janus Henderson Global Research Fund: Class T
This underlying mutual fund is no longer available to receive transfers or new
purchase payments effective May 1, 2004
Investment Advisor: Janus Henderson Investors US LLC
0.87%
23.39%
12.18%
10.38%
Equity
Janus Henderson Research Fund: Class T
This underlying mutual fund is only available in contracts for which good order
applications were received before April 28, 2017
Investment Advisor: Janus Henderson Investors US LLC
0.79%
34.93%
16.58%
14.32%
Equity
Lazard US Small Cap Equity Select Portfolio - Open Shares(formerly,
Lazard Retirement US Small Cap Equity Select Portfolio - Open Shares)
Investment Advisor: Lazard Asset Management LLC
1.20%*
10.87%
5.48%
6.53%
42
Type
Underlying Mutual Fund and Adviser/Sub-Adviser
Current
Expenses
Average Annual Total
Returns
(as of 12/31/2024)
1 year
5 year
10 year
Equity
Lincoln Variable Insurance Products Trust - LVIP American Century
International Fund: Service Class
This underlying mutual fund is only available in contracts for which good order
applications were received before April 26, 2024
Investment Advisor: Lincoln Financial Investments Corporation
Subadvisor: American Century Investment Management, Inc.
1.10%*
2.46%
3.39%
4.77%
Fixed Income
Macquarie High Income Fund - Institutional Class
Investment Advisor: Delaware Management Company, Inc.
Subadvisor: Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG,
Macquarie Investment Mangement Europe Limited, and Macquarie Investment
Management Global Limited
0.63%*
6.24%
3.68%
4.36%
Fixed Income
MFS® Income Fund: Class A
Investment Advisor: Massachusetts Financial Services Company
0.73%*
2.64%
0.79%
2.35%
Equity
Nationwide BNY Mellon Dynamic U.S. Core Fund - Class A
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
Subadvisor: Newton Investment Management North America, LLC
0.84%*
22.34%
12.67%
12.84%
Equity
Nationwide BNY Mellon Dynamic U.S. Core Fund - Class R6
This underlying mutual fund is no longer available to receive transfers or new
purchase payments effective December 19, 2003
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
Subadvisor: Newton Investment Management North America, LLC
0.50%*
22.68%
13.03%
13.19%
Equity
Nationwide Fund: Class A
This underlying mutual fund is no longer available to receive transfers or new
purchase payments effective February 25, 2011
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
Subadvisor: Wellington Management Company LLP
0.88%*
21.68%
13.39%
11.89%
Equity
Nationwide Fund: Institutional Service Class
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
Subadvisor: Wellington Management Company LLP
0.63%*
21.95%
13.65%
12.17%
Money Market
Nationwide Government Money Market Fund: Investor Shares
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
Subadvisor: Dreyfus Cash Investment Strategies, a division of BNY Mellon
Investment Adviser, Inc.
0.54%*
4.80%
2.16%
1.42%
Fixed Income
Nationwide Inflation-Protected Securities Fund: Institutional Service
Class
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
Subadvisor: Nationwide Asset Management, LLC
0.48%*
2.04%
1.52%
1.90%
Fixed Income
Nationwide Loomis Core Bond Fund: Eagle Class
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
Subadvisor: Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.
0.45%*
1.96%
-0.10%
1.48%
Equity
Nationwide S&P 500 Index Fund: Service Class
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
Subadvisor: BlackRock Investment Management, LLC
0.58%
24.27%
13.87%
12.46%
Equity
Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust - NVIT Fidelity Institutional AM®
Worldwide Fund: Class II
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
Subadvisor: FIAM LLC
1.06%
Allocation
Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust - NVIT Investor Destinations
Aggressive Fund: Class II
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
0.92%
12.63%
7.28%
7.48%
Allocation
Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust - NVIT Investor Destinations
Conservative Fund: Class II
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
0.87%
3.82%
1.55%
2.52%
Allocation
Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust - NVIT Investor Destinations
Moderate Fund: Class II
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
0.88%
9.02%
4.90%
5.46%
43
Type
Underlying Mutual Fund and Adviser/Sub-Adviser
Current
Expenses
Average Annual Total
Returns
(as of 12/31/2024)
1 year
5 year
10 year
Allocation
Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust - NVIT Investor Destinations
Moderately Aggressive Fund: Class II
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
0.91%
11.21%
6.47%
6.81%
Allocation
Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust - NVIT Investor Destinations
Moderately Conservative Fund: Class II
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
0.87%
6.09%
3.20%
3.97%
Equity
Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust - NVIT J.P. Morgan Large Cap
Growth Fund: Class I
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
Subadvisor: J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
0.69%*
32.56%
Equity
Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust - NVIT Jacobs Levy Large Cap
Growth Fund: Class I
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
Subadvisor: Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc.
0.70%*
26.06%
22.23%
16.86%
Fixed Income
Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust - NVIT Loomis Short Term Bond
Fund: Class Y
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
Subadvisor: Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.
0.40%
5.49%
1.79%
1.96%
Equity
Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust - NVIT NS Partners International
Focused Growth Fund: Class II
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
Subadvisor: NS Partners Ltd
1.23%*
-1.72%
0.88%
3.47%
Equity
Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust - NVIT Putnam International Value
Fund: Class I
Investment Advisor: Nationwide Fund Advisors
Subadvisor: Putnam Investment Management, LLC
0.99%
4.25%
5.63%
4.05%
Equity
Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund: Trust Class
This underlying mutual fund is only available in contracts for which good order
applications were received before May 1, 2006
Investment Advisor: Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC
1.09%*
8.92%
8.36%
9.42%
Equity
Neuberger Berman Large Cap Growth Fund: Investor Class
This underlying mutual fund is only available in contracts for which good order
applications were received before June 15, 2009
Investment Advisor: Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC
0.81%
23.71%
16.93%
13.72%
Equity
Neuberger Berman Large Cap Value Fund: Investor Class
This underlying mutual fund is only available in contracts for which good order
applications were received before June 15, 2009
Investment Advisor: Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC
0.76%
10.94%
9.57%
9.47%
Equity
Neuberger Berman Sustainable Equity Fund: Trust Class
Investment Advisor: Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC
1.06%
27.93%
14.07%
11.43%
Equity
Templeton Foreign Fund: Class A
This underlying mutual fund is no longer available to receive transfers or new
purchase payments effective May 1, 2004
Investment Advisor: Templeton Global Advisors Limited
1.10%*
-2.48%
3.35%
3.19%
Allocation
Virtus Tactical Allocation Fund: Class A
Investment Advisor: Virtus Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadvisor: Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management, LLC (equity
portion), an affiliate of VIA, and Newfleet Asset Management, (fixed income
portion), an operating division of Virtus Fixed Income Advisers, LLC, an
affiliate of VIA.
0.99%*
14.33%
7.26%
6.87%
*
This underlying mutual fund's current expenses reflect a temporary fee reduction.
44
Appendix B: State Variations
Due to state law variations, the options and benefits described in this prospectus may vary or may not be available depending on the state in which the contract is issued. Possible state law variations include, but are not limited to, minimum initial and subsequent purchase payment amounts, age issuance limitations, availability of certain investment options, optional benefits, free look rights, annuity payment options, ownership and interests in the contract, assignment, death benefit calculations, and CDSC-free withdrawal privileges. This prospectus describes all the material features of the contract. State variations are subject to change without notice at any time. To review a copy of the contract and any endorsements, contact the Service Center. 
State
State Law Variations
Alabama
● After the initial purchase payment, subsequent purchase payments may only be made
until the later of the Contract Owner reaching age 63 or the third Contract Anniversary.
Indiana
● After the initial purchase payment, subsequent purchase payments must be at least
$500 and may only be made until the later of the Contract Owner reaching age 62 or the
second Contract Anniversary.
Massachusetts
● After the initial purchase payment, subsequent purchase payments may only be made
until the later of the Contract Owner reaching age 63 or the third Contract Anniversary.
New Jersey
● Under the Contingent Deferred Sales Chargesection of Standard Policy Charges, the
amount withdrawn to meet minimum distribution requirements for this contract under the
Internal Revenue Code is not included in the calculation to determine the amount that
may be surrendered without CDSC.
New York
● Applications are no longer being accepted in the state of New York for this contract.
● Under the Frequency and Amount of Annuity Paymentssection of Annuitizing the
Contract, if the net amount to be annuitized is less than $2,000 and if no purchase
payment is received three years prior to the Annuitization Date, Nationwide reserves the
right to pay this amount in one lump sum instead of periodic annuity payments.
Oregon
● After the initial purchase payment, subsequent purchase payments may only be made
until the later of the Contract Owner reaching age 63 or the third Contract Anniversary.
● Loans are not permitted.
● If Nationwide exercises its right to limit the amount that can be transferred from the
Fixed Account at the end of an interest rate guaranteed period, the maximum
transferable amount from the Fixed Account will never be less than 25% of the allocation
reaching the end of an interest rate guarantee period.
Texas
● If the Annuitant does not elect an annuity payment option by the Annuitization Date, a
variable payment Single Life with a 10 Year Term Certain annuity payment option will be
assumed as the automatic form of payment upon annuitization.
Washington
● After the initial purchase payment, subsequent purchase payments may only be made
until the later of the Contract Owner reaching age 63 or the third Contract Anniversary.
45
Appendix C: Contract Types and Tax Information
Types of Contracts
The contracts described in this prospectus are classified according to the tax treatment to which they are subject under the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). Following is a general description of the various contract types. Eligibility requirements, tax benefits (if any), limitations, and other features of the contracts will differ depending on contract type.
Non-Qualified Contracts
A non-qualified contract is a contract that does not qualify for certain tax benefits under the Code, such as deductibility of purchase payments, and which is not an IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, Simple IRA, tax sheltered annuity, or part of a pension plan or employer-sponsored retirement program.
Upon the death of the owner of a non-qualified contract, mandatory distribution requirements are imposed to ensure distribution of the entire balance in the contract within a required period.
Non-qualified contracts that are owned by natural persons allow the deferral of taxation on the income earned in the contract until it is distributed or deemed to be distributed. Non-qualified contracts that are owned by non-natural persons, such as trusts, corporations, and partnerships are generally subject to current income tax on the income earned inside the contract, unless the non-natural person owns the contract as an agent of a natural person.
Charitable Remainder Trusts
Charitable Remainder Trusts are trusts that meet the requirements of Section 664 of the Code. An annuity that has a Charitable Remainder Trust endorsement is not a Charitable Remainder Trust; the endorsement is merely to facilitate ownership of the contract by a Charitable Remainder Trust. Non-Qualified Contracts that are issued to Charitable Remainder Trusts will differ from other Non-Qualified Contracts in three respects:
(1)
Waiver of sales charges. In addition to any sales load waivers included in the contract, Charitable Remainder Trusts may also withdraw the difference between:
(a)
the contract value on the day before the withdrawal; and
(b)
the total amount of purchase payments made to the contract (less an adjustment for amounts surrendered).
(2)
Contract ownership at annuitization. On the annuitization date, if the contract owner is a Charitable Remainder Trust, the Charitable Remainder Trust will continue to be the contract owner and the annuitant will NOT become the contract owner.
(3)
Recipient of death benefit proceeds. With respect to the death benefit proceeds, if the contract owner is a Charitable Remainder Trust, the death benefit is payable to the Charitable Remainder Trust. Any designation in conflict with the Charitable Remainder Trust's right to the death benefit will be void.
While these provisions are intended to facilitate a Charitable Remainder Trust's ownership of this contract, the rules governing Charitable Remainder Trusts are numerous and complex. A Charitable Remainder Trust that is considering purchasing this contract should seek the advice of a qualified tax and/or financial professional prior to purchasing the contract.
Individual Retirement Annuities (IRAs)
IRAs are contracts that satisfy the provisions of Section 408(b) of the Code, including the following requirements:
•
the contract is not transferable by the owner;
•
the premiums are not fixed;
•
if the contract owner is younger than age 50, the annual premium cannot exceed $7,000; if the contract owner is age 50 or older, the annual premium cannot exceed $8,000 (although rollovers of greater amounts from Qualified Plans, Tax Sheltered Annuities, certain 457 governmental plans, and other IRAs can be received);
•
certain minimum distribution requirements must be satisfied after the owner attains their "applicable age" as defined in the Code;
•
the entire interest of the owner in the contract is nonforfeitable; and
•
after the death of the owner, additional distribution requirements may be imposed to ensure distribution of the entire balance in the contract within the statutory period of time.
46
As used herein, the term "individual retirement plans" shall refer to both individual retirement annuities and individual retirement accounts that are described in Section 408 of the Code.
For further details regarding IRAs, refer to the disclosure statement provided when the IRA was established and the annuity contract's IRA endorsement.
Roth IRAs
Roth IRA contracts are contracts that satisfy the provisions of Section 408A of the Code, including the following requirements:
•
the contract is not transferable by the owner;
•
the premiums are not fixed;
•
if the contract owner is younger than age 50, the annual premium cannot exceed $7,000; if the contract owner is age 50 or older, the annual premium cannot exceed $8,000 (although rollovers of greater amounts from other Roth IRAs and other individual retirement plans can be received);
•
the entire interest of the owner in the contract is nonforfeitable; and
•
after the death of the owner, certain distribution requirements may be imposed to ensure distribution of the entire balance in the contract within the statutory period of time.
For further details regarding Roth IRAs, please refer to the disclosure statement provided when the Roth IRA was established and the annuity contract's IRA endorsement.
Simplified Employee Pension IRAs (SEP IRA)
A SEP IRA is a written plan established by an employer for the benefit of employees which permits the employer to make contributions to an IRA established for the benefit of each employee.
An employee may make deductible contributions to a SEP IRA subject to the same restrictions and limitations as an IRA. In addition, the employer may make contributions to the SEP IRA, subject to dollar and percentage limitations imposed by both the Code and the written plan.
A SEP IRA plan must satisfy:
•
minimum participation rules;
•
top-heavy contribution rules;
•
nondiscriminatory allocation rules; and
•
requirements regarding a written allocation formula.
In addition, the plan cannot restrict withdrawals of non-elective contributions, and must restrict withdrawals of elective contributions before March 15th of the following year.
Simple IRAs
A Simple IRA is an Individual Retirement Annuity that is funded exclusively by a qualified salary reduction arrangement and satisfies:
•
vesting requirements;
•
participation requirements; and
•
administrative requirements.
The funds contributed to a Simple IRA cannot be commingled with funds in other individual retirement plans or SEP IRAs.
A Simple IRA cannot receive rollover distributions except from another Simple IRA.
Tax Sheltered Annuities
Certain tax-exempt organizations (described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code) and public school systems may establish a plan under which annuity contracts can be purchased for their employees. These annuity contracts are often referred to as Tax Sheltered Annuities.
Purchase payments made to Tax Sheltered Annuities are excludable from the income of the employee, up to statutory maximum amounts. These amounts should be set forth in the plan adopted by the employer.
47
The owner's interest in the contract is nonforfeitable (except for failure to pay premiums) and cannot be transferred.
Final 403(b) Regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service impose certain restrictions on non-taxable transfers or exchanges of one 403(b) Tax Sheltered Annuity contract for another. Nationwide will no longer issue or accept applications for new and/or in-service transfers to new or existing Nationwide individual 403(b) Tax Sheltered Annuity contracts used for salary reduction plans not subject to ERISA. Nationwide will continue to accept applications and in-service transfers for individual 403(b) Tax Sheltered Annuity contracts used for 403(b) plans that are subject to ERISA and certain state Optional Retirement Plans and/or Programs that have purchased at least one individual annuity contract issued by Nationwide prior to September 25, 2007.
Commencing in 2009, Tax Sheltered Annuities must be issued pursuant to a written plan, and the plan must satisfy various administrative requirements. Check with your employer to ensure that these requirements will be satisfied in a timely manner.
Investment Only (Qualified Plans)
Contracts that are owned by Qualified Plans are not intended to confer tax benefits on the beneficiaries of the plan; they are used as investment vehicles for the plan. The income tax consequences to the beneficiary of a Qualified Plan are controlled by the operation of the plan, not by operation of the assets in which the plan invests.
Beneficiaries of Qualified Plans should contact their employer and/or trustee of the plan to obtain and review the plan, trust, summary plan description and other documents for the tax and other consequences of being a participant in a Qualified Plan.
Federal Tax Considerations
Federal Income Taxes
The tax consequences of purchasing a contract described in this prospectus will depend on:
•
the type of contract purchased;
•
the purposes for which the contract is purchased; and
•
the personal circumstances of individual investors having interests in the contracts.
Existing tax rules are subject to change and may affect individuals differently depending on their situation. Nationwide does not guarantee the tax status of any contracts or any transactions involving the contracts.
The following is a brief summary of some of the federal income tax considerations related to the types of contracts sold in connection with this prospectus. In addition to the federal income tax, distributions from annuity contracts may be subject to state and local income taxes. Nothing in this prospectus should be considered to be tax advice. Purchasers and prospective purchasers of the contract should consult a financial professional, tax advisor, or legal counsel to discuss the taxation and use of the contracts.
IRAs, SEP IRAs, and Simple IRAs
Distributions from IRAs, SEP IRAs, and Simple IRAs are generally taxed as ordinary income when received. If any of the amounts contributed to the Individual Retirement Annuity was non-deductible for federal income tax purposes, then a portion of each distribution is excludable from income.
The portion of a distribution that is excludable from income is based on the ratio of the amount by which non-deductible purchase payments exceed prior non-taxable distributions to total account balances at the time of the distribution. The owner of an IRA, SEP IRA, or Simple IRA must annually report the amount of non-deductible purchase payments, the amount of any distribution, the amount by which non-deductible purchase payments for all years exceed nontaxable distributions for all years, and the total balance of all IRAs, SEP IRAs, or Simple IRAs. Depending on the circumstance of the owner, all or a portion of the contributions (purchase payments) made to the account may be deducted for federal income tax purposes.
IRAs may receive rollover contributions from other individual retirement accounts, other individual retirement annuities, tax sheltered annuities, certain 457 governmental plans, and qualified retirement plans (including 401(k) plans).
When the owner of an IRA attains their applicable age, the IRA owner is required to begin taking certain minimum distributions. In addition, upon the death of the owner of an IRA, the Code imposes mandatory distribution requirements to ensure distribution of the entire contract value within the required statutory period. Due to the Treasury Regulation's valuation rules, the amount used to compute the mandatory distributions may exceed the contract value.
48
If the contract owner dies before the contract is completely distributed, the balance will be included in the contract owner's gross estate for tax purposes.
One-Rollover-Per-Year Limitation
A contract owner can receive a distribution from an IRA and roll it into another IRA within 60 days from the date of the distribution and not have the amount of the distribution included in taxable income. Only one rollover per year from a contract owner's IRA is allowed. The one-year period begins on the date the contract owner receives the IRA distribution, and not on the date the IRA was rolled over.
The one-rollover-per-year limitation applies in the aggregate to all the IRAs that a taxpayer owns. This means that a contract owner cannot make an IRA rollover distribution if, within the previous one-year period, an IRA rollover distribution was taken from any other IRAs owned by the taxpayer. Also, rollovers between an individual's Roth IRAs would prevent a separate rollover between the individual's traditional IRAs within the one-year period, and vice versa.
Direct transfers of IRA funds between IRA trustees are not subject to the one rollover per year limitation because such transfers are not considered rollover distributions. Also, a rollover from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA (a conversion) is not subject to the one rollover per year limitation, and such a rollover is disregarded in applying the one rollover per year limitation to other rollovers.
Roth IRAs
Distributions of earnings from Roth IRAs are taxable or nontaxable depending upon whether they are "qualified distributions" or "non-qualified distributions." A "qualified distribution" is nontaxable if it is made after the Roth IRA has satisfied the five-year rule and meets one of the following requirements:
•
it is made on or after the date on which the contract owner attains age 59½;
•
it is made to a beneficiary (or the contract owner's estate) on or after the death of the contract owner;
•
it is attributable to the contract owner's disability; or
•
it is used for expenses attributable to the purchase of a home for a qualified first-time buyer.
The five-year rule is satisfied if a five taxable-year period has passed beginning with the first tax year in which a contribution is made to any Roth IRA established by the owner.
A non-qualified distribution is not includable in gross income to the extent that the distribution, when added to all previous distributions, does not exceed the total amount of contributions made to the Roth IRA. Any non-qualified distribution in excess of total contributions is includable in the contract owner's gross income as ordinary income in the year that it is distributed to the contract owner.
A Roth IRA can receive a rollover from an individual retirement plan or another eligible retirement plan; however, the amount rolled over from the individual retirement plan or other eligible retirement plan to the Roth IRA is required to be included in the owner's federal gross income at the time of the rollover and will be subject to federal income tax. However, a rollover or conversion of an amount from an IRA or eligible retirement plan cannot be recharacterized back to an IRA.
Special rules apply for Roth IRAs that have proceeds received from an individual retirement plan prior to January 1, 1999 if the owner elected the special four-year income averaging provisions that were in effect for 1998.
If the contract owner dies before the contract is completely distributed, the balance will be included in the contract owner's gross estate for tax purposes.
Tax Sheltered Annuities
Distributions in the form of annuity payments from Tax Sheltered Annuities are generally taxed when received. If nondeductible contributions, otherwise known as the investment in the contract, are made, then a portion of each distribution is excludable from income based on a formula established pursuant to the Code. The formula excludes from income the investment in the contract divided by the number of anticipated payments until the full investment in the contract is recovered. Thereafter all distributions are fully taxable.
A loan from a Tax Sheltered Annuity generally is not considered to be a distribution, and is therefore generally not taxable. However, if the loan is not repaid in accordance with the repayment schedule, the entire balance of the loan would be treated as being in default, and the defaulted amount would be treated as being distributed to the participant as a taxable distribution.
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Tax Sheltered Annuities may receive rollover contributions from Individual Retirement Accounts, Individual Retirement Annuities, other Tax Sheltered Annuities, certain 457 governmental plans, and qualified retirement plans (including 401(k) plans).
If the contract owner dies before the contract is completely distributed, the balance will be included in the contract owner's gross estate for tax purposes.
10% Additional Tax for Early Withdrawal
If distributions of income from an IRA, SEP IRA, Simple IRA, Roth IRA, or Tax Sheltered Annuity are made prior to the date that the owner attains the age of 59½ years, the income is subject to an additional penalty tax of 10% unless an exception applies. (For Simple IRAs, the 10% penalty is increased to 25% if the distribution is made during the 2-year period beginning on the date that the individual first participated in the Simple IRA.) The 10% penalty tax can be avoided if the distribution is:
•
made to a beneficiary on or after the death of the owner;
•
attributable to the owner becoming disabled (as defined in the Code);
•
part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made not less frequently than annually for the life (or life expectancy) of the owner, or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the owner and his or her designated beneficiary. Substantially equal periodic payments must continue until the later of reaching age 59½ or five years from the date of the first periodic payment. Modification of payments during that time period will result in retroactive application of the 10% additional penalty tax;
•
made to the owner after separation from service with his or her employer after age 55 (in the case of a Tax Sheltered Annuity);
•
used for qualified higher education expenses; or
•
used for expenses attributable to the purchase of a home for a qualified first-time buyer.
Non-Qualified Contracts
Non-Qualified Contracts - Natural Persons as Contract Owners
Generally, the income earned inside a non-qualified annuity contract that is owned by a natural person is not taxable until it is distributed from the contract.
Distributions before the annuitization date are taxable to the contract owner to the extent that the cash value of the contract exceeds the investment in the contract at the time of the distribution. In general, the investment in the contract is equal to the purchase payments made with after-tax dollars reduced by any prior nontaxable distribution. Distributions, for this purpose, include full and partial surrenders, any portion of the contract that is assigned or pledged as collateral for a loan, amounts borrowed from the contract, or any portion of the contract that is transferred by gift. For these purposes, a transfer by gift may occur upon annuitization if the contract owner and the annuitant are not the same individual.
In determining the taxable amount of a distribution that is made prior to the annuitization date, all annuity contracts issued after October 21, 1988 by the same company to the same contract owner during the same calendar year will be treated as one annuity contract.
A special rule applies to distributions from contracts that have investments in the contract that were made prior to August 14, 1982. For those contracts, distributions that are made prior to the annuitization date are treated first as the nontaxable recovery of the investment in the contract as of that date. A distribution in excess of the amount of the investment in the contract as of August 14, 1982, will be treated as taxable income.
With respect to annuity distributions on or after the annuitization date, a portion of each annuity payment is excludable from taxable income. The amount excludable from each annuity payment is determined by multiplying the annuity payment by a fraction which is equal to the contract owner's investment in the contract, divided by the expected return on the contract. Once the entire investment in the contract is recovered, all distributions are fully includable in income. The maximum amount excludable from income is the investment in the contract. If the annuitant dies before the entire investment in the contract has been excluded from income, and as a result of the annuitant's death no more payments are due under the contract, then the unrecovered investment in the contract may be deducted on his or her final tax return.
The Code provides that a portion of a non-qualified annuity contract may be annuitized for either (a) a period of 10 years or greater, or (b) for the life or lives of one or more persons. The portion of the contract annuitized would be treated as if it were a separate annuity contract. This means that an annuitization date can be established for a portion of the annuity
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contract annuitized and the above description of the taxation of annuity distributions after the annuitization date would apply to the portion of the contract that has been annuitized. The investment in the contract is required to be allocated pro rata between the portion of the contract that is annuitized and the portion that is not. All other benefits under the contract (e.g., death benefit) would also be reduced pro rata. For example, if 1/3 of the cash value of the contract were to be annuitized, the death benefit would also be reduced by 1/3.
The Code imposes a penalty tax if a distribution is made before the contract owner reaches age 59½. The amount of the penalty is 10% of the portion of any distribution that is includable in gross income. The penalty tax does not apply if the distribution is:
•
the result of a contract owner's death;
•
the result of a contract owner's disability (as defined in the Code);
•
one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made over the life (or life expectancy) of the contract owner or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the contract owner and the beneficiary selected by the contract owner to receive payment under the annuity payment option selected by the contract owner. Substantially equal periodic payments must continue until the later of reaching age 59½ or five years. Modification of payments during that time period will result in retroactive application of the 10% additional penalty tax; or
•
is allocable to an investment in the contract before August 14, 1982.
If the contract owner dies before the contract is completely distributed, the balance will be included in the contract owner's gross estate for tax purposes.
Non-Qualified Contracts - Non-Natural Persons as Contract Owners
The previous discussion related to the taxation of non-qualified contracts owned by natural persons (individuals). Different rules (the so-called "non-natural persons" rules) apply if the contract owner is not a natural person.
Generally, contracts owned by corporations, partnerships, trusts, and similar entities are not treated as annuity contracts for most purposes of the Code. Therefore, income earned under a non-qualified contract that is owned by a non-natural person is taxed as ordinary income during the taxable year in which it is earned. Taxation is not deferred, even if the income is not distributed out of the contract. The income is taxable as ordinary income, not capital gain.
The non-natural persons rules do not apply to all entity-owned contracts. For purposes of the non-natural persons rule, a contract that is owned by a non-natural person as an agent of an individual is treated as owned by the individual. This would allow the contract to be treated as an annuity under the Code, allowing tax deferral. However, this exception does not apply when the non-natural person is an employer that holds the contract under a non-qualified deferred compensation arrangement for one or more employees.
The non-natural persons rules also do not apply to contracts that are:
•
acquired by the estate of a decedent by reason of the death of the decedent;
•
issued in connection with certain qualified retirement plans and individual retirement plans;
•
purchased by an employer upon the termination of certain qualified retirement plans; or
•
immediate annuities within the meaning of Section 72(u) of the Code.
If the annuitant, who is the individual treated as owning the contract, dies before the contract is completely distributed, the balance may be included in the annuitant's gross estate for tax purposes, depending on the obligations that the non-natural owner may have owed to the annuitant.
Diversification and Investor Control
Code Section 817(h) contains rules on diversification requirements for variable annuity contracts. A variable annuity contract that does not meet these diversification requirements will not be treated as an annuity, unless:
•
the failure to diversify was inadvertent;
•
the failure is corrected; and
•
a fine is paid to the Internal Revenue Service.
The amount of the fine will be the amount of tax that would have been paid by the contract owner if the income, for the period the contract was not diversified, had been received by the contract owner.
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If the violation is not corrected, the contract owner will be considered the owner of the underlying securities and will be currently taxed on the earnings of his or her contract. Nationwide believes that the investments underlying this contract meet these diversification requirements.
For a variable contract to receive favorable tax treatment, the life insurance company must be considered the owner of the underlying assets within the separate account that supports the investment options within the contract. If the contract owner is considered to exercise investment control over the separate account assets, the contract owner will be treated as the owner of those assets and not the insurance company. As a result, the income and gain attributed to the separate account assets will be taxed currently to the contract owner. The IRS has issued guidance that the number of investment options available or the number of transfer opportunities available under a variable product may be relevant in determining whether the variable contract owner will be considered the owner of the separate account assets. Should the Treasury Secretary issue additional rules or regulations that would limit the extent to which a contract owner may direct their investments of particular underlying investment options without being treated as owner of the separate account assets, then Nationwide will take whatever steps are available to remain in compliance.
Based on the above, we believe that the contract qualifies as an annuity contract for federal income tax purposes.
Exchanges
As a general rule, federal income tax law treats an exchange of property in the same manner as a taxable sale of the property. However, pursuant to Section 1035 of the Code, an annuity contract may be exchanged tax-free for another annuity contract, provided that the obligee (the person to whom the annuity obligation is owed) is the same for both contracts. If the exchange includes the receipt of other property, such as cash, in addition to another annuity contract, special rules may cause a portion of the transaction to be taxable to the extent of the value of the other property.
Tax Treatment of a Partial 1035 Exchange With Subsequent Withdrawal
Partial exchanges may be treated as a tax-free exchange under Code Section 1035. IRS Rev. Proc. 2011-38 addresses the income tax consequences of the direct transfer of a portion of the cash value of an annuity contract in exchange for the issuance of a second annuity contract (a partial exchange). A direct transfer that satisfies the revenue procedure will be treated as a tax-free exchange under Section 1035 of the Code if, for a period of at least 180 days from the date of the direct transfer, there are no distributions or surrenders from either annuity contract involved in the exchange. In addition, the 180-day period will be deemed to have been satisfied with respect to amounts received as an annuity for a period of 10 years or more, or as an annuity for the life of one or more persons. The taxation of distributions (other than distributions described in the immediately preceding sentence) received from either contract within the 180-day period will be determined using general tax principles. For example, they could be treated as taxable "boot" in an otherwise tax-free exchange, or as a distribution from the new contract. Please discuss any tax consequences concerning any contemplated or completed transactions with a professional tax advisor.
Additional Medicare Tax
Section 1411 of the Code imposes a surtax of 3.8% on certain net investment income received by individuals and certain trusts and estates. The surtax is imposed on the lesser of (a) net investment income or (b) the excess of the modified adjusted gross income over a threshold amount. For individuals, the threshold amount is $250,000 (married filing jointly); $125,000 (married filing separately); or $200,000 (other individuals). The threshold for estates and trusts is $15,650.
Modified adjusted gross income is equal to adjusted gross income with several modifications; consult with a qualified tax advisor regarding how to determine modified adjusted gross income for purposes of determining the applicability of the surtax.
Net investment income includes, but is not limited to, interest, dividends, capital gains, rent and royalty income, and income from nonqualified annuities. Net investment income does not include, among other things, distributions from certain qualified plans (such as IRAs, Roth IRAs, and plans described in Code Sections 401(a), 401(k), 403(a), 403(b) or 457(b)); however, such distributions, to the extent that they are includible in income for federal income tax purposes, are includible in modified adjusted gross income.
Required Distributions
The Code requires that certain distributions be made from the contracts issued in conjunction with this prospectus. Following is an overview of the required distribution rules applicable to each type of contract. Consult a qualified tax or financial professional for more specific required distribution information.
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Required Distributions - General Information
In general, depending on the type of contract, the Code requires that minimum distributions begin during the contract owner's lifetime. In addition, the Code requires that upon the death of the contract owner, minimum distributions must be made to the contract owner's beneficiary. A beneficiary is an individual or other entity that the contract owner designates to receive death proceeds upon the contract owner's death. The distribution rules in the Code make a distinction between "beneficiary" and "designated beneficiary" when determining the life expectancy that may be used for payments that are made after the death of the contract owner from IRAs, SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, Roth IRAs, Tax Sheltered Annuities, and non-qualified annuity contracts. A designated beneficiary is a natural person (individual) who is designated by the contract owner as the beneficiary under the contract. Non-natural beneficiaries (e.g. charities, estates, or certain trusts) are not designated beneficiaries for the purpose of required distributions and the life expectancy of such a beneficiary is zero.
Life expectancies and joint life expectancies will be determined in accordance with the relevant guidance provided by the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department, including but not limited to Treasury Regulation 1.72-9 and Treasury Regulation 1.401(a)(9)-9.
Required distributions paid upon the death of the contract owner are paid to the beneficiary or beneficiaries stipulated by the contract owner. How quickly the distributions must be made may be determined with respect to the life expectancies of the beneficiaries. For non-qualified contracts, the beneficiaries used in the determination of the distribution period are those in effect on the date of the contract owner's death. For contracts other than non-qualified contracts, the beneficiaries used in the determination of the distribution period do not have to be determined until September 30 of the year following the contract owner's death. Any beneficiary that is not a designated beneficiary has a life expectancy of zero.
Required Distributions for Non-Qualified Contracts
Code Section 72(s) requires Nationwide to make certain minimum distributions when a contract owner dies. The following distributions will be made in accordance with the following requirements:
(1)
If any contract owner dies on or after the annuitization date and before the entire interest in the contract has been distributed, then the remaining interest must be distributed at least as rapidly as the distribution method in effect on the contract owner's death.
(2)
If any contract owner dies before the annuitization date, then the entire interest in the contract (consisting of either the death benefit or the contract value reduced by charges set forth elsewhere in the contract) must be distributed within five years of the contract owner's death, provided however:
(a)
any interest payable to or for the benefit of a designated beneficiary may be distributed over the life of the designated beneficiary or over a period not longer than the life expectancy of the designated beneficiary. Payments must begin within one year of the contract owner's death unless otherwise permitted by federal income tax regulations; and
(b)
if the designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse of the deceased contract owner, the spouse can choose to become the contract owner instead of receiving a death benefit. Any distributions required under these distribution rules will be made upon that spouse's death.
In the event that the contract owner is not a natural person (e.g., a trust or corporation), but is acting as an agent for a natural person, for purposes of these distribution provisions:
(a)
the death of the annuitant will be treated as the death of a contract owner;
(b)
any change of annuitant will be treated as the death of a contract owner; and
(c)
in either case, the appropriate distribution will be made upon the death or change, as the case may be.
These distribution provisions do not apply to any contract exempt from Section 72(s) of the Code by reason of Section 72(s)(5) or any other law or rule.
The Code does not require that minimum distributions during the contract owner's lifetime.
Required Distributions for Tax Sheltered Annuities, IRAs SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, and Roth IRAs
Required Distributions During the Life of the Contract Owner
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Distributions from a Tax Sheltered Annuity, IRA, SEP IRA or Simple IRA must begin no later than the required beginning date which is April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the contract owner reaches their applicable age. The applicable age is 73 (age 72 if born after June 30, 1949 and before January 1, 1951, or age 70½ if born before July 1, 1949).
Distributions may be paid in a lump sum or in substantially equal payments over:
(a)
the life of the contract owner or the joint lives of the contract owner and the contract owner's designated beneficiary; or
(b)
a period not longer than the period determined under the table in Treasury Regulation 1.401(a)(9)-9, which is the deemed joint life expectancy of the contract owner and a person 10 years younger than the contract owner. If the designated beneficiary is the spouse of the contract owner, the period may not exceed the longer of the period determined under such table or the joint life expectancy of the contract owner and the contract owner's spouse, determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation 1.401(a)(9)-9.
For Tax Sheltered Annuities, required distributions do not have to be withdrawn from this contract if they are being withdrawn from another Tax Sheltered Annuity of the contract owner.
For IRAs, SEP IRAs, and Simple IRAs, required distributions do not have to be withdrawn from this contract if they are being withdrawn from another IRA, SEP IRA, or Simple IRA of the contract owner.
The rules for Roth IRAs do not require distributions to begin during the contract owner's lifetime, therefore, the required beginning date is not applicable to Roth IRAs.
Required Distributions Upon Death of a Contract Owner
For death of a contract owner before January 1, 2020, please consult your tax advisor or legal counsel regarding the post-death minimum distribution rules that apply. If the contract owner dies on or after January 1, 2020, and the designated beneficiary is not an eligible designated beneficiary as defined under Code Section 401(a)(9), then the entire balance of the contract must be distributed by December 31stof the tenth year following the contract owner's death. This 10-year post-death distribution period applies regardless of whether the contract owner dies before or after the contract owner's required beginning date. Where a contract owner dies after their required beginning date, a designated beneficiary who is not an eligible designated beneficiary must continue to take annual distributions during the 10-year post-death distribution period, based generally on their life expectancy, with the entire balance of the contract required to be distributed by the end of the 10-year post-death period. Please discuss with your tax advisor about the impact this may have on your situation.
In the case of an eligible designated beneficiary, which includes (1) the contract owner's surviving spouse, (2) a minor child of the contract owner, (3) a disabled individual, (4) a chronically ill individual, or (5) an individual not more than 10 years younger than the contract owner, the entire balance of the contract can be distributed over a period not exceeding the life or life expectancy of the eligible designated beneficiary provided that distributions begin within one year of death. If an eligible designated beneficiary dies before the entire interest is distributed, the remaining interest must be distributed by December 31st of the tenth year following the eligible designated beneficiary's death.
A distribution in the form of annuity payments (an annuitization) that began on or after January 1, 2020, while the contract owner was alive may need to be commuted or modified after the contract owner's death in order to comply with the post-death distribution requirements. However, distributions in the form of annuity payments (an annuitization) that began prior to January 1, 2020, while the contract owner was alive, can continue under that method after the death the contract owner without modification.
In addition, a beneficiary who is not a designated beneficiary, such as a charity, estate, or trust, must withdraw the entire account balance by December 31stof the fifth year following the contract owner's death.
Regardless of whether the contract owner dies before, or on or after January 1, 2020, a designated beneficiary who is the surviving spouse of the deceased contract owner may choose to become the contract owner. Any distributions required under these distribution rules will be made upon the surviving spouse's death.
If the above distribution requirements are not met, a penalty tax of 25% is levied on the difference between the amount that should have been distributed for that year and the amount that actually was distributed for that year. The penalty tax is reduced to 10% if the required distribution not taken is distributed within a "correction window" as defined under the Code.
Purchasers and prospective purchasers should consult a financial professional, tax advisor or legal counsel to discuss the taxation and use of the contracts.
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Other Considerations
Same-Sex Marriages, Domestic Partnership, and Other Similar Relationships
The Treasury issued final regulations that address what relationships are considered marriages for federal tax purposes. The final regulation's definition of a marriage reflects the United States Supreme Court holdings in Windsor and Obergefell, as well as Rev. Proc. 2017-13.
The final regulations define the terms "spouse," "husband," "wife," and "husband and wife" to be gender neutral so that these terms can apply equally to same sex couples and opposite sex couples. In addition, the regulations adopt the "place of celebration" rule to determine marital status for federal tax purposes. Therefore, a marriage of two individuals is recognized for federal tax purposes if the marriage is recognized by a state, possession, or territory of the US in which the marriage was entered into, regardless of the couple's place of domicile.
Consistent with IRS Rev. Proc. 2013-17, the final regulations provide that relationships entered into as civil unions or registered domestic partnerships that are not denominated as marriages under state law are not marriages for federal tax purposes. Therefore, the favorable income-tax deferral options afforded by federal tax law to a married spouse under Code Sections 72 and 401(a)(9) are not available to individuals who have entered into these formal relationships.
Withholding
The taxable portion of a distribution from a contract is subject to federal income tax. Nationwide is required to withhold the tax from the distributions unless the contract owner requests otherwise. Under some circumstances, the Code will not permit contract owners to waive withholding. Such circumstances include:
•
if the payee does not provide Nationwide with a taxpayer identification number; or
•
if Nationwide receives notice from the Internal Revenue Service that the taxpayer identification number furnished by the payee is incorrect.
If a contract owner is prohibited from waiving withholding, as described above, the portion of the distribution that represents income will be subject to withholding rates established by Section 3405 of the Code.
If the distribution is from a Tax Sheltered Annuity, it will be subject to mandatory 20% withholding that cannot be waived, unless:
•
the distribution is made directly to another Tax Sheltered Annuity, qualified pension or profit-sharing plan described in Section 401(a), an eligible deferred compensation plan described in Section 457(b) which is maintained by an eligible employer described in section 457(e)(1)(A) or individual retirement plan; or
•
the distribution satisfies the minimum distribution requirements imposed by the Code.
Non-Resident Aliens
Generally, the taxable portion of a distribution from a contract to a non-resident alien is subject to federal income tax at a rate of 30% of the amount of income that is distributed.
Nationwide is required to withhold this amount and send it to the Internal Revenue Service. Some distributions to non-resident aliens may be subject to a lower (or no) tax if a treaty applies. In order to obtain the benefits of such a treaty, the non-resident alien must:
(1)
provide Nationwide with a properly completed withholding certificate claiming the treaty benefit of a lower tax rate or exemption from tax; and
(2)
provide Nationwide with an individual taxpayer identification number.
If the non-resident alien does not meet the above conditions, Nationwide will withhold 30% of income from the distribution.
Another exemption from the 30% withholding rate is available if the non-resident alien provides Nationwide with sufficient evidence that:
(1)
the distribution is connected to the non-resident alien's conduct of business in the United States;
(2)
the distribution is includable in the non-resident alien's gross income for United States federal income tax purposes; and
(3)
provide Nationwide with a properly completed withholding certificate claiming the exemption.
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Note that for the preceding exemption, the distributions would be subject to the same withholding rules that are applicable to payments to United States persons.
This prospectus does not address any tax matters that may arise by reason of application of the laws of a non-resident alien's country of citizenship and/or country of residence. Purchasers and prospective purchasers should consult a financial professional, tax advisor or legal counsel to discuss the applicability of laws of those jurisdictions to the purchase or ownership of a contract.
FATCA
Under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code (commonly referred to as FATCA), distributions from a contract to a foreign financial institution or to a nonfinancial foreign entity, each as described by FATCA, may be subject to United States tax withholding at a flat rate equal to 30% of the taxable amount of the distribution, irrespective of the status of any beneficial owner of the contract or of the distribution. Nationwide may require a contract owner to provide certain information or documentation (e.g., Form W-9 or Form W-8BEN) to determine its withholding requirements under FATCA.
Federal Estate, Gift and Generation Skipping Transfer Taxes
The following transfers may be considered a gift for federal gift tax purposes:
•
a transfer of the contract from one contract owner to another; or
•
a distribution to someone other than a contract owner.
Upon the contract owner's death, the value of the contract may be subject to estate taxes, even if all or a portion of the value is also subject to federal income taxes.
Section 2612 of the Code may require Nationwide to determine whether a death benefit or other distribution is a "direct skip" and the amount of the resulting generation skipping transfer tax, if any. A direct skip is when property is transferred to, or a death benefit or other distribution is made to:
(a)
an individual who is two or more generations younger than the contract owner; or
(b)
certain trusts, as described in Section 2613 of the Code (generally, trusts that have no beneficiaries who are not two or more generations younger than the contract owner).
If the contract owner is not an individual, then for this purpose only, "contract owner" refers to any person:
•
who would be required to include the contract, death benefit, distribution, or other payment in his or her federal gross estate at his or her death; or
•
who is required to report the transfer of the contract, death benefit, distribution, or other payment for federal gift tax purposes.
If a payment is subject to the generation skipping transfer tax, Nationwide may be required to deduct the amount of the transfer tax from the death benefit, distribution or other payment, and remit it directly to the Internal Revenue Service.
Charge for Tax
Nationwide is not required to maintain a capital gain reserve liability on non-qualified contracts. If tax laws change requiring a reserve, Nationwide may implement and adjust a tax charge.
Tax Changes
SECURE Act 2.0 was enacted on December 29, 2022 and made changes to the Code that are effective January 1, 2023. They include but are not limited to the following:
•
Increasing the age that a contract owner must begin RMDs under IRAs and certain qualified plans from age 72 to age 75 in two phases. The age is first increased from age 72 to age 73 for those who turn age 72 after 2022. And starting in 2033, the age is then increased to age 75 for those who turn age 73 after 2032. If the contract owner was born in 1959, the owner should consult their tax advisor regarding their applicable age because it is not clear under SECURE 2.0, as enacted, whether the applicable age is age 73 or age 75.
•
Reducing the RMD excise tax for failure to take an RMD from 50% to 25%.
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•
Creating additional exceptions to the 10% penalty for early withdrawals that include but are not limited to the following: distributions to terminally ill individuals, distribution of net income on excess IRA contributions, and disaster recovery distributions.
State Taxation
The tax rules across the various states and localities are not uniform and therefore are not discussed in this prospectus. Tax rules that may apply to contracts issued in U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam are also not discussed. Purchasers and prospective purchasers should consult a financial professional, tax advisor or legal counsel to discuss the taxation and use of the contracts.
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Outside back cover page
The Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Variable Account. To obtain a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information, request other information about the contract, or to make any other service requests, contact Nationwide at 1-800-848-6331 or by one of the other methods described in Contacting the Service Center.
The Statement of Additional Information has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The SAI is also available at https://nationwide.onlineprospectus.net/NW/C000024492NW/index.php?ctype=product_sai. This prospectus is available at https://nationwide.onlineprospectus.net/NW/C000024492NW/index.php?ctype=product_prospectus.
Reports and other information about the Variable Account are available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of this information may be obtained, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
SEC Contract Identifier: C000024492
Soloist®
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
May 1, 2025
Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts
Issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company
through its Nationwide Variable Account
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It contains information in addition to and more detailed than set forth in the prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated May 1, 2025. The prospectus may be obtained from Nationwide Life Insurance Company by writing P.O. Box 182021, Columbus, Ohio 43218-2021 or calling 1-800-848-6331, TDD 1-800-238-3035. Capitalized terms in this Statement of Additional Information correspond to terms defined in the prospectus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
Page
General Information and History
2
Services
2
Financial Statements
2
Purchase of Securities Being Offered
3
Underwriters
3
Annuity Payments
3

General Information and History
Nationwide Variable Account (the "Variable Account") is a separate investment account of Nationwide Life Insurance Company ("Nationwide"). Nationwide established the Variable Account on March 3, 1976 pursuant to Ohio law. The Variable Account is registered with the SEC as a unit investment trust pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Nationwide is a stock life insurance company organized under the laws of the State of Ohio in March of 1929 with its Home Office at One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Nationwide provides life insurance, annuities and retirement products. Nationwide is admitted to do business in all states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Nationwide is a member of the Nationwide group of companies and all of its common stock is owned by Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. ("NFS"), a holding company. Nationwide Corporation owns all of NFS's common stock and is a holding company, as well. All of Nationwide Corporation's common stock is held by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (95.2%) and Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company (4.8%), the ultimate controlling persons of the Nationwide group of companies.
Services
Nationwide, which has responsibility for administration of the contracts and the Variable Account, maintains records of the name, address, taxpayer identification number, and other pertinent information for each Contract Owner, the number and type of contract issued to each Contract Owner, and records with respect to the Contract Value.
The custodian of the assets of the Variable Account is Nationwide. Nationwide will maintain a record of all purchases and redemptions of shares of the underlying mutual funds. Nationwide or its affiliates may have entered into agreements with the underlying mutual funds and/or their affiliates. The agreements relate to services furnished by Nationwide or an affiliate of Nationwide. Some of the services provided include distribution of underlying fund prospectuses, semi-annual and annual fund reports, proxy materials, and fund communications, as well as maintaining the websites and voice response systems necessary for Contract Owners to execute trades in the funds. Nationwide also acts as a limited agent for each underlying mutual fund for purposes of accepting the trades. See Underlying Mutual Fund Service Fee Payments located in the prospectus.
Distribution, Promotional, and Sales Expenses
In addition to or partially in lieu of commission, Nationwide may pay the selling firms a marketing allowance, which is based on the firm's ability and demonstrated willingness to promote and market Nationwide's products. How any marketing allowance is spent is determined by the firm, but generally will be used to finance firm activities that may contribute to the promotion and marketing of Nationwide's products. Nationwide makes certain assumptions about the amount of marketing allowance it will pay and takes these assumptions into consideration when it determines the charges that will be assessed under the contracts. For the contracts described in the prospectus, Nationwide assumed 0.75% (of the purchase payment amount) for the marketing allowance when determining the charges for the contracts. The actual amount of the marketing allowance may be higher or lower than this assumption. If the actual amount of marketing allowance paid is more than what was assumed, Nationwide will fund the difference. Nationwide generally does not profit from any excess marketing allowance if the amount assumed was higher than what is actually paid. Any excess would be spent on additional marketing for the contracts. For more information about marketing allowance or how a particular selling firm uses marketing allowances, consult with your financial professional.
When Nationwide is made aware that a Qualified Plan has been orphaned, commission payments payable with respect to that Qualified Plan will cease and commission payments that would have been due will not be sent to the Qualified Plan. An orphaned Qualified Plan is a plan without an agent or firm of record.
Financial Statements
The December 31, 2024financial statements of the Variable Account and the December 31, 2024financial statements of the Company are incorporated into this SAI by reference to the Variable Account's most recent Form N-VPFS("Form N-VPFS")filed with the SEC.
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Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The financial statements of Nationwide Variable Account and the statutory financial statements and financial statement schedules of Nationwide Life Insurance Company have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The KPMG LLP report dated March 20, 2025of Nationwide Life Insurance Company includes explanatory language that states that the financial statements are prepared by Nationwide Life Insurance Company using statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Ohio Department of Insurance, which is a basis of accounting other than U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, the KPMG LLP audit report states that the financial statements are not presented fairly in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and further states that those financial statements are presented fairly, in all material respects, in accordance with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Ohio Department of Insurance.
The KPMG LLP report dated March 20, 2025of Nationwide Life Insurance Company also contains an emphasis of matter paragraph that states that Nationwide Life Insurance Company's subsidiary received permission from the Ohio Department of Insurance in 2023 to account for an excess of loss reinsurance recoverable as an admitted asset. Under prescribed statutory accounting practices, the excess of loss reinsurance recoverable would not be an admitted asset. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, that permitted accounting practice increased statutory surplus over what it would have been had that prescribed accounting practice been followed. KPMG LLP's opinions are not modified with respect to this matter.
Purchase of Securities Being Offered
The contracts will be sold by licensed insurance agents in the states where the contracts may be lawfully sold. Such agents will be registered representatives of broker-dealers registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 who are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Underwriters
The contracts, which are offered continuously, are distributed by Nationwide Investment Services Corporation ("NISC"), One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide. For contracts issued in Michigan, all references to NISC will mean Nationwide Investment Svcs. Corporation. No underwriting commissions have been paid by Nationwide to NISC for each of this Variable Account's last three fiscal years.
Annuity Payments
See Annuitizing the Contractlocated in the prospectus. Annuity payments for contracts that have elected variable annuitization are determined as follows:
First Variable Annuity Payment
A number of factors determine the amount of the first variable annuity payment, including, but not limited to:
•
the portion of the Contract Valueallocated to provide variable annuity payments;
•
the Variable Account value on the Annuitization Date;
•
the adjusted age and sex of the Annuitant (and joint annuitant, if any) in accordance with the contract;
•
the annuity payment option elected;
•
the frequency of annuity payments;
•
the Annuitization Date;
•
the assumed investment return (the net investment return required to maintain level variable annuity payments);
•
the deduction of applicable premium taxes; and
•
the date the contract was issued.
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Assumed Investment Return
An assumed investment return is the net investment return required to maintain level variable annuity payments. Nationwide uses a 3.5% assumed investment return factor. Therefore, if the net investment performance of each Sub-Accountin which the Contract Owner invests exactly equals 3.5% for every payment period, then each payment will be the same amount. To the extent that investment performance is not equal to 3.5% for given payment periods, the amount of the payments in those periods will not be the same. Payments will increase from one payment date to the next if the annualized net rate of return is greater than 3.5% during that time. Conversely, payments will decrease from one payment to the next if the annualized net rate of return is less than 3.5% during that time.
Nationwide uses the assumed investment rate of return to determine the amount of the first variable annuity payment.
Subsequent Variable Annuity Payments
Variable annuity payments after the first will vary with the performance of the Sub-Accounts chosen by the Contract Owner after the investment performance is adjusted by the assumed investment return factor.
The dollar amount of each subsequent variable annuity payment is determined by taking the portion of the first annuity payment funded by a particular Sub-Account divided by the Annuity Unit value for that Sub-Account as of the Annuitization Date. This establishes the number of Annuity Units provided by each Sub-Account for each variable annuity payment after the first.
The number of Annuity Units comprising each variable annuity payment, on a Sub-Account basis, will remain constant, unless the Contract Owner transfers value from one Sub-Account to another. After annuitization, transfers among Sub-Accountsmay only be made once per calendar year.
The number of Annuity Units for each Sub-Account is multiplied by the Annuity Unit value for that Sub-Account for the Valuation Period for which the payment is due. The sum of these results for all the Sub-Accounts in which the Contract Owner invests establishes the dollar amount of the variable annuity payment.
Subsequent variable annuity payments may be more or less than the previous variable annuity payment, depending on whether the net investment performance of the elected Sub-Accounts is greater or lesser than the assumed investment return.
Value of an Annuity Unit
Annuity Unit values for Sub-Accounts are determined by:
(1)
multiplying the Annuity Unit value for each Sub-Account for the immediately preceding Valuation Period by the Net Investment Factor for the Sub-Account for the subsequent Valuation Period; and then
(2)
multiplying the result from (1) by a factor to neutralize the assumed investment return factor.
The Net Investment Factor for any particular Sub-Account on or after the Annuitization Date is determined by dividing (a) by (b), and then subtracting (c) from the result, where:
(a)
is the sum of:
(1)
the Net Asset Value of the underlying mutual fund as of the end of the current Valuation Period; and
(2)
the per share amount of any dividend or income distributions made by the underlying mutual fund (if the date of the dividend or income distribution occurs during the current Valuation Period).
(b)
is the Net Asset Value of the underlying mutual fund determined as of the end of the preceding Valuation Period.
(c)
is a factor representing the daily Variable Account charges applicable to the contract.
Based on the change in the Net Investment Factor, the value of an Annuity Unit may increase or decrease. Changes in the Net Investment Factor may not be directly proportional to changes in the Net Asset Value of the underlying mutual fund shares because of the deduction of Variable Account charges.
Though the number of Annuity Units will not change as a result of investment experience, the value of an Annuity Unit may increase or decrease from Valuation Period to Valuation Period.
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PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 27. Exhibits
a)
Resolution of the Depositor's Board of Directors authorizing the establishment of the Registrant - Filed previously with this Registration Statement (1933 act File No. 002-58043) and hereby incorporated by reference.
b)
Not Applicable.
d)
The form of the variable annuity contract - Filed previously with this Registration Statement (1933 act File No. 002-58043) and hereby incorporated by reference.
e)
Variable Annuity Application - Filed previously with this Registration Statement (1933 act File No. 002-58043) and hereby incorporated by reference.
f)
Depositor's Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws.
g)
Not Applicable.
h)
Form of Participation Agreements -
Unless indicated as attached hereto, the following fund participation agreements were previously filed and are hereby incorporated by reference.
i)
Form of Administrative Contracts
Unless indicated as attached hereto, the following administrative contracts were previously filed and are hereby incorporated by reference.
j)
Not Applicable.
k)
Opinion of Counsel - Filed previously with this Registration Statement (1933 act File No. 002-58043) and hereby incorporated by reference.
l)
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Attached hereto.
m)
Not Applicable.
n)
Not Applicable.
99)
Power of Attorney - Attached hereto.
Item 28. Directors and Officers of the Depositor
The business address of the Directors and Officers of the Depositor is:
One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215 
President and Chief Operating Officer and Director
Carter, John L.
Executive Vice President-Chief Human Resources Officer
Clements, Vinita J.
Executive Vice President-Nationwide Chief Technology Officer
Fowler, James R.
Executive Vice President and Director
Frommeyer, Timothy G.
Executive Vice President-Chief Legal Officer
Howard, Mark S.
Executive Vice President-Chief Marketing Officer
Jones, Ramon
Executive Vice President-Chief Customer, Strategy and Innovation Officer
Mahaffey, Michael W.
Senior Vice President-NF Strategic Customer Solutions
Ambrozy, Tina S.
Senior Vice President-Strategic Planning
Amodeo, Daniel W.
Senior Vice President-Marketing Management - Financial Services
Bair, Ann S.
Senior Vice President-Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
Benson, James D.
Senior Vice President-P&C Legal
Boyer, John N.
Senior Vice President-Human Resources - IT & Legal
Bretz, Angela D.
Senior Vice President-Internal Audit
Burchwell, Jason E.
Senior Vice President-Nationwide Pet
Carnes, Joel R.M.
Senior Vice President-Chief Technology Officer - Nationwide Financial
Carrel, Michael W.
Senior Vice President-Chief Investment Officer
Coleman, Joel L.
Senior Vice President-Chief Compliance Officer
Dankovic, Rae Ann
Senior Vice President-Chief Risk Officer
Diem, Klaus K.
Senior Vice President-External Affairs
English, Steven M.
Senior Vice President-Trial Division
Failor, Scott E.
Senior Vice President-Chief Financial Officer - Nationwide Financial and Director
Ginnan, Steven A.
Senior Vice President-Annuity Distribution
Guymon, Rona
Senior Vice President-Nationwide Annuity and Director
Hawley, Craig A.
Senior Vice President-Legal - NF
Innis-Thompson, Janice
Senior Vice President-Investment Management Group
Jestice, Kevin T.
Senior Vice President-Chief Innovation and Digital Officer
Kandhari, Chetan D.
Senior Vice President-Chief Technology Officer - Technology Strategy, Data &
Innovation
Kolp, Melanie A.
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
LaPaul, David
Senior Vice President-Chief Information Security Officer
Lukens, Todd
Senior Vice President-Marketing Management - P&C
MacKenzie, Jennifer B.
Senior Vice President-Corporate Development and Finance
O'Brien, Kevin G.
Senior Vice President-Corporate Solutions
Perez, Juan J.
Senior Vice President-Talent & Organization Effectiveness
Pheister, Erin R.
Senior Vice President-Retirement Solutions Sales
Porter, Richard
Senior Vice President-Nationwide Retirement Institute
Rodriguez, Kristi L.
Senior Vice President-Finance & Strategy Legal and Corporate Secretary
Skingle, Denise L.
Senior Vice President-Nationwide Life and Director
Snyder, Holly R.
Senior Vice President-Total Rewards
Sonneman, Christopher P.
Senior Vice President-Retirement Solutions
Stevenson, Eric
Senior Vice President-Chief Technology Officer - Property & Casualty
Vasudeva, Guruprasad C.
Senior Vice President-E-Risk Services - E&S/Specialty
Walsh, James
Senior Vice President-Human Resources - NF
Webster, Cynthia S.
Director
Walker, Kirt A.
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Depositor or Registrant.
Following is a list of entities directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control with the depositor or registrant. Ownership is indicated through indentation. Unless otherwise indicated, each subsidiary is either wholly-owned or majority-owned by the parent company immediately preceding it. (For example, Nationwide Fund Distributors, LLC is either wholly-owned or majority owned by NFS Distributors, Inc.) Separate accounts that have been established pursuant to board resolution but are not, and have never been, active are omitted. 
Company
Jurisdiction
of Domicile
Brief Description of Business
Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.
Delaware
The company acts primarily as a holding company for
companies within the Nationwide organization that offer or
distribute life insurance, long-term savings and retirement
products.
NFS Distributors, Inc.
Delaware
The company acts primarily as a holding company for
Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. companies.
Nationwide Financial General Agency, Inc.
Pennsylvania
The company is a multi-state licensed insurance agency.
Nationwide Fund Distributors, LLC
Delaware
The company is a limited purpose broker-dealer.
Nationwide Fund Management, LLC
Delaware
The company provides administration, transfer and
dividend disbursing agent services to various mutual fund
entities.
Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc.
Delaware
The company markets and administers deferred
compensation plans for public employees.
Nationwide Securities, LLC
Delaware
The company is a general purpose broker-dealer and
investment adviser registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Nationwide Trust Company, FSB
Federal
This is a federal savings bank chartered by the Office of
Thrift Supervision in the United States Department of
Treasury to exercise deposit, lending, agency, custody
and fiduciary powers and to engage in activities
permissible for federal savings banks under the Home
Owners' Loan Act of 1933.
Nationwide Financial Services Capital Trust
Delaware
The trust's sole purpose is to issue and sell certain
securities representing individual beneficial interests in the
assets of the trust
525 Cleveland Avenue, LLC
Ohio
This is a limited liability company organized under the
laws of the State of Ohio. The company was formed to
provide remedial real property cleanup prior to sale.
Nationwide Life Insurance Company 2
Ohio
The corporation provides individual life insurance, group
and health insurance, fixed and variable annuity products
and other life insurance products.
Jefferson National Life Insurance Company2,3
Texas
The company provides life, health and annuity products.
Jefferson National Life Annuity Company C2,3
A separate account issuing variable annuity products.
Jefferson National Life Annuity Account E2,3
A separate account issuing variable annuity products.
Jefferson National Life Annuity Account F2,3
A separate account issuing variable annuity products.
Jefferson National Life Annuity Account G2,3
A separate account issuing variable annuity products.
Jefferson National Life Insurance Company of
New York2,3
New York
The company provides variable annuity products.
Jefferson National Life of New York Annuity
Account 12,3
A separate account issuing variable annuity products.
MFS Variable Account2,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Multi-Flex Variable Account2,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Variable Account2,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Variable Account-II2,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Variable Account-32,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Company
Jurisdiction
of Domicile
Brief Description of Business
Nationwide Variable Account-42,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Variable Account-52,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Variable Account-62,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Variable Account-72,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Variable Account-82,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Variable Account-92,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Variable Account-102,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Variable Account-112,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Variable Account-122,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Variable Account-132,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Variable Account-142,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Variable Account-152,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Provident VA Separate Account 12,3
Pennsylvania
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide VLI Separate Account2,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable life insurance
policies.
Nationwide VLI Separate Account-22,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable life insurance
policies.
Nationwide VLI Separate Account-32,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable life insurance
policies.
Nationwide VLI Separate Account-42,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable life insurance
policies.
Nationwide VLI Separate Account-52,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable life insurance
policies.
Nationwide VLI Separate Account-62,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable life insurance
policies.
Nationwide VLI Separate Account-72,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable life insurance
policies.
Nationwide Provident VLI Separate Account 12,3
Pennsylvania
A separate account issuing variable life insurance
policies.
Nationwide Investment Services Corporation3
Oklahoma
This is a limited purpose broker-dealer and distributor of
variable annuities and variable life products for
Nationwide Life Insurance Company and Nationwide Life
and Annuity Insurance Company. The company also
provides educational services to retirement plan sponsors
and its participants.
Nationwide Financial Assignment Company3
Ohio
The company is an administrator of structured
settlements.
Nationwide Investment Advisors, LLC3
Ohio
The company provides investment advisory services.
Eagle Captive Reinsurance, LLC3
Ohio
The company is engaged in the business of insurance
Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance
Company2,3
Ohio
The company engages in underwriting life insurance and
granting, purchasing and disposing of annuities.
Nationwide VA Separate Account-A2,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide VA Separate Account-B2,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide VA Separate Account-C2,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide VA Separate Account-D2,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide Provident VA Separate Account
A2,3
Delaware
A separate account issuing variable annuity contracts.
Nationwide VL Separate Account-C2,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable life insurance
policies.
Nationwide VL Separate Account-D2,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable life insurance
policies.
Nationwide VL Separate Account-G2,3
Ohio
A separate account issuing variable life insurance
policies.
Nationwide Provident VLI Separate Account
A2,3
Delaware
A separate account issuing variable life insurance
policies.
Olentangy Reinsurance, LLC3
Vermont
The company is a captive life reinsurance company.
Nationwide SBL, LLC
Ohio
The company is a lender offering securities-back lines of
credit.
Company
Jurisdiction
of Domicile
Brief Description of Business
Registered Investment Advisors Services, Inc.
Texas
The company is a technology company that facilitates
third-party money management services for registered
investment advisors
Nationwide Fund Advisors4
Delaware
The trust acts as a registered investment advisor.
1
This subsidiary/entity is controlled by its immediate parent through contractual association.
2
This subsidiary/entity files separate financial statements.
3
Information for this subsidiary/entity is included in the consolidated financial statements of its immediate parent.
4
This subsidiary/entity is a business trust.
Item 30. Indemnification
Provision is made in Nationwide's Amended and Restated Code of Regulations and expressly authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Ohio, for indemnification by Nationwide of any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or employee of Nationwide, against expenses, including attorneys fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, to the extent and under the circumstances permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Ohio.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 ("Act") may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling Nationwide pursuant to the foregoing provisions, Nationwide has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 31. Principal Underwriter
Nationwide Investment Services Corporation ("NISC")
a)
NISC serves as principal underwriter and general distributor for the following separate investment accounts of Nationwide or its affiliates: 
Jefferson National Life Annuity Account C
Nationwide Variable Account-14
Jefferson National Life Annuity Account E
Nationwide Variable Account-15
Jefferson National Life Annuity Account F
Nationwide VA Separate Account-A
Jefferson National Life Annuity Account G
Nationwide VA Separate Account-B
Jefferson National Life of New York Annuity Account 1
Nationwide VA Separate Account-C
MFS Variable Account
Nationwide VA Separate Account-D
Multi-Flex Variable Account
Nationwide VLI Separate Account
Nationwide Variable Account
Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2
Nationwide Variable Account-II
Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3
Nationwide Variable Account-3
Nationwide VLI Separate Account-4
Nationwide Variable Account-4
Nationwide VLI Separate Account-5
Nationwide Variable Account-5
Nationwide VLI Separate Account-6
Nationwide Variable Account-6
Nationwide VLI Separate Account-7
Nationwide Variable Account-7
Nationwide VL Separate Account-C
Nationwide Variable Account-8
Nationwide VL Separate Account-D
Nationwide Variable Account-9
Nationwide VL Separate Account-G
Nationwide Variable Account-10
Nationwide Provident VA Separate Account 1
Nationwide Variable Account-11
Nationwide Provident VA Separate Account A
Nationwide Variable Account-12
Nationwide Provident VLI Separate Account 1
Nationwide Variable Account-13
Nationwide Provident VLI Separate Account A
b)
Directors and Officers of NISC:  
President and Director
Ambrozy, Tina S.
Senior Vice President and Secretary
Skingle, Denise L.
Vice President-Tax
Eppley, Daniel P.
Vice President and Assistant Secretary
Garman, David A.
Vice President-Chief Compliance Officer
Rabenstine, James J.
Vice President-Chief Tax Officer
Scheiderer, Kevin P.
Vice President-CFO - Life Insurance
Wild, Keith D.
Associate Vice President-NF Compliance - Strategic Customer Solutions
Deleget, J. Brian
Associate Vice President and Assistant Treasurer
Hacker, Hope C.
Associate Vice President and Assistant Treasurer
Radabaugh, Nathan
Associate Vice President and Treasurer
Roswell, Ewan T.
Associate Vice President and Assistant Treasurer
Walker, Tonya G.
Assistant Secretary
Bowman, Heidi K.
Assistant Secretary
Dokko, David H.
Assistant Secretary
Hartman, Mark E.
Director
Hawley, Craig A.
Director
Stevenson, Eric
The business address of the Directors and Officers of NISC is:
One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
c) 
Name of Principal Underwriter
Net Underwriting
Discounts
Compensation on
Redemption
Brokerage
Commissions
Other
Compensation
Nationwide Investment Services Corporation
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records
Steven A. Ginnan
Nationwide Life Insurance Company
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215
Item 33. Management Services
Not Applicable
Item 34. Fee Representation
Nationwide Life Insurance Company represents that the fees and charges deducted under the contract in the aggregate are reasonable in relation to the services rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred and risks assumed by Nationwide Life Insurance Company.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets the requirements of Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 for effectiveness of the Registration Statement and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Columbus, and State of Ohio, on April 24, 2025. 
Nationwide Variable Account
(Registrant)
By: /s/ John L. Carter*
John L. Carter
President and Chief Operating Officer
Nationwide Life Insurance Company
(Depositor)
By: /s/ John L. Carter*
John L. Carter
President and Chief Operating Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated, on April 24, 2025. 
/s/ JOHN L. CARTER*
John L. Carter, President and Chief Operating Officer
and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ HOLLY R. SNYDER*
Holly R. Snyder, Senior Vice President and Director
/s/ TIMOTHY G. FROMMEYER*
Timothy G. Frommeyer, Executive Vice President and
Director
/s/ CRAIG A. HAWLEY*
Craig A. Hawley, Senior Vice President-Nationwide
Annuity and Director
/s/ STEVEN A. GINNAN*
Steven A. Ginnan, Senior Vice President-Chief Financial
Officer-Nationwide Financial and Director
(Chief Financial Officer)
/s/ KIRT A. WALKER*
Director
/s/ JAMES D. BENSON*
James D. Benson, Senior Vice President-Corporate
Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
*By: /s/ Jamie Ruff Casto
Jamie Ruff Casto
Attorney-in-Fact
Pursuant to Power of Attorney