<?xml version="1.0"?>
<edgarSubmission>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <submissionType>EFFECT</submissionType>

    <act>33</act>

    <testOrLive>LIVE</testOrLive>

    <effectiveData>
        <finalEffectivenessDispDate>2012-09-10</finalEffectivenessDispDate>
        <finalEffectivenessDispTime>14:15:00</finalEffectivenessDispTime>
        <form>N-6</form>
        <filer>
            <cik>0000768836</cik>
            <entityName>RIVERSOURCE VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNT</entityName>
            <fileNumber>333-182361</fileNumber>
            <seriesClassContractData>
                <existing>
                    <seriesId>S000003510</seriesId>
                    <seriesName>RIVERSOURCE VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNT</seriesName>
                    <classContractId>C000117958</classContractId>
                    <classContractName>RiverSource Variable Universal Life 5/RiverSource Variable Universal Life 5 - Estate Series</classContractName>
                </existing>
            </seriesClassContractData>
        </filer>
    </effectiveData>
</edgarSubmission>
