e10vq
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)

     
/ x /   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003

OR

     
/   /   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___________ to ___________

Commission File Number 001-15166

AMERUS GROUP CO.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
     
IOWA
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  42-1458424
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

699 Walnut Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-3948

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (515) 362-3600

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.      Yes / x /   No /   /

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).      Yes / x /   No /   /

The number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of common stock on October 28, 2003 was as follows:

     
Common Stock   39,177,326 shares

Exhibit index - Page 42
Page 1 of 50

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Item 2. Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
SIGNATURES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Statement Re: Computation of Earnings Per Share
Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Certification of Chief Financial Officer


Table of Contents

INDEX

             
        Page No.
       
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION     4  
Item 1.   Financial Statements     4  
    Consolidated Balance Sheets        
    September 30, 2003 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2002     4  
    Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)        
    For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002     6  
    Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)        
    For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002     7  
    Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity        
    For the Nine Months Ended September, 2003 (Unaudited) and the Year Ended December 31, 2002     8  
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)        
    For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002     9  
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)     11  
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     25  
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     37  
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures     39  
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION     40  
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings     40  
Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K     40  
Signatures     41  
Index to Exhibits     42  

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SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

     All statements, trend analyses and other information contained in this report relative to markets for our products and trends in our operations or financial results, as well as other statements which include words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, and other similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities: (a) general economic conditions and other factors, including prevailing interest rate levels and stock and bond market performance, which may affect our ability to sell our products, the market value of our investments and the lapse rate and profitability of policies; (b) our ability to achieve anticipated levels of operational efficiencies and cost-saving initiatives and to meet cash requirements based upon projected liquidity sources; (c) customer response to new products, distribution channels and marketing initiatives; (d) mortality, morbidity, and other factors which may affect the profitability of our insurance products; (e) our ability to develop and maintain effective risk management policies and procedures and to maintain adequate reserves for future policy benefits and claims; (f) changes in the federal income tax and other federal laws, regulations, and interpretations, including currently proposed federal measures that may significantly affect the insurance business including limitations on antitrust immunity, minimum solvency requirements, and changes to the tax advantages of life insurance and annuity products or programs with which they are used; (g) increasing competition in the sale of insurance and annuities and the recruitment of sales representatives; (h) regulatory changes, interpretations or pronouncements, including those relating to the regulation of insurance companies and the regulation and sale of their products; (i) our ratings and those of our subsidiaries by independent rating organizations which we believe are particularly important to the sale of our products; (j) the performance of our investment portfolios; (k) the impact of changes in standards of accounting; (l) our ability to integrate the business and operations of acquired entities; (m) expected protection products and accumulation products margins; (n) the impact of anticipated investment transactions; and (o) unanticipated litigation or regulatory investigations or examinations.

     There can be no assurance that other factors not currently anticipated by us will not materially and adversely affect our results of operations. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

AMERUS GROUP CO.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in thousands)

                       
          September 30,   December 31,
          2003   2002
         
 
          (unaudited)        
Assets
               
Investments:
               
 
Securities available-for-sale at fair value:
               
   
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 14,218,810     $ 13,328,902  
   
Equity securities
    71,475       63,345  
   
Short-term investments
    23,308       32,318  
 
Securities held for trading purposes at fair value:
               
   
Fixed maturity securities
    1,840,758       1,843,868  
   
Equity securities
    537        
 
Mortgage loans
    939,975       883,034  
 
Real estate
    33       476  
 
Policy loans
    491,512       496,753  
 
Other investments
    389,756       283,794  
   
 
   
     
 
     
Total investments
    17,976,164       16,932,490  
Cash and cash equivalents
    681,607       102,612  
Accrued investment income
    198,515       185,660  
Premiums, fees and other receivables
    40,886       13,082  
Reinsurance receivables
    663,020       865,930  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    1,001,877       884,239  
Value of business acquired
    428,459       454,159  
Goodwill
    224,075       218,995  
Property and equipment
    49,016       74,188  
Other assets
    332,818       326,397  
Separate account assets
    243,464       235,913  
   
 
   
     
 
     
Total assets
  $ 21,839,901     $ 20,293,665  
 
   
     
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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AMERUS GROUP CO.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)
($ in thousands)

                       
          September 30,   December 31,
          2003   2002
         
 
          (unaudited)        
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Liabilities:
               
 
Policy reserves and policyowner funds:
               
   
Future life and annuity policy benefits
  $ 16,723,784     $ 16,244,016  
   
Policyowner funds
    1,537,345       1,335,144  
   
 
   
     
 
 
    18,261,129       17,579,160  
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    869,770       283,836  
 
Dividends payable to policyowners
    353,828       303,062  
 
Policy and contract claims
    32,731       39,569  
 
Income taxes payable
    31,274       61,325  
 
Deferred income taxes
    83,251       16,499  
 
Notes payable
    552,670       511,353  
 
Separate account liabilities
    243,464       235,913  
   
 
   
     
 
     
Total liabilities
    20,428,117       19,030,717  
Stockholders’ equity:
               
 
Preferred Stock, no par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
           
 
Common Stock, no par value, 230,000,000 shares authorized; 43,816,580 shares issued and 39,171,878 shares outstanding in 2003; 43,656,280 shares issued and 39,011,578 shares outstanding in 2002
    43,817       43,656  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    1,183,541       1,179,646  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    114,197       88,522  
 
Unearned compensation
    (1,730 )     (458 )
 
Unallocated ESOP shares
    (1,406 )     (1,443 )
 
Retained earnings
    229,857       109,517  
 
Treasury stock, at cost (4,644,702 shares in 2003 and 2002)
    (156,492 )     (156,492 )
   
 
   
     
 
     
Total stockholders’ equity
    1,411,784       1,262,948  
   
 
   
     
 
     
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 21,839,901     $ 20,293,665  
 
   
     
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
               

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AMERUS GROUP CO.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
($ in thousands, except share data)

                                   
      For The Three Months Ended September 30,   For The Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2003   2002   2003   2002
     
 
 
 
              (unaudited)        
Revenues:
                               
 
Insurance premiums
  $ 64,355     $ 80,926     $ 225,597     $ 263,262  
 
Product charges
    40,634       37,054       136,168       111,110  
 
Net investment income
    244,278       256,732       751,098       748,399  
 
Realized/unrealized gains (losses) on investments
    8,542       (21,951 )     75,365       (122,574 )
 
Other income
    17,757       20,634       53,073       53,568  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
    375,566       373,395       1,241,301       1,053,765  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Benefits and expenses:
                               
 
Policyowner benefits
    195,020       225,201       673,145       643,648  
 
Underwriting, acquisition and other expenses
    40,734       38,485       114,533       122,276  
 
Demutualization costs
          722             1,186  
 
Restructuring costs
    1,551       2,569       17,415       10,780  
 
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired
    47,780       35,289       147,755       103,452  
 
Dividends to policyowners
    22,016       24,377       86,330       72,000  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
    307,101       326,643       1,039,178       953,342  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Income before interest and income tax expense
    68,465       46,752       202,123       100,423  
Interest expense
    7,864       6,414       22,238       18,778  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
Income before income tax expense
    60,601       40,338       179,885       81,645  
Income tax expense
    19,766       13,848       59,545       25,978  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
Net income
  $ 40,835     $ 26,490     $ 120,340     $ 55,667  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Net income per common share:
                               
 
Basic
  $ 1.04     $ 0.67     $ 3.07     $ 1.38  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Diluted
  $ 1.03     $ 0.66     $ 3.05     $ 1.36  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                               
 
Basic
    39,208,151       39,497,355       39,144,872       40,327,236  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Diluted
    39,650,473       39,835,426       39,453,126       40,812,121  
 
   
     
     
     
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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AMERUS GROUP CO.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
($ in thousands)

                                     
        For The Three Months Ended September 30,   For The Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2003   2002   2003   2002
       
 
 
 
        (unaudited)
Net income
  $ 40,835     $ 26,490     $ 120,340     $ 55,667  
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                               
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
                               
   
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period
    (46,732 )     71,793       84,644       39,933  
   
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income
    27,370       (15,625 )     45,143       (57,085 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax
    (74,102 )     87,418       39,501       97,018  
 
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income
    25,936       (30,596 )     (13,826 )     (33,956 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
    (48,166 )     56,822       25,675       63,062  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ (7,331 )   $ 83,312     $ 146,015     $ 118,729  
 
   
     
     
     
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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AMERUS GROUP CO.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
September 30, 2003
($ in thousands)

                                     
                        Accumulated        
                Additional   Other        
                Paid-In   Comprehensive   Unearned
        Common Stock   Capital   Income   Compensation
       
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2001
  $ 43,506     $ 1,177,688     $ 12,669     $ (727 )
2002:
                               
   
Net income
                       
   
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities
                73,646        
   
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
                3,434        
   
Stock issued under various incentive plans, net of forfeitures
    150       5,730             269  
   
Stock issued under exercise of warrants
          (3,802 )            
   
Purchase of treasury stock
                       
   
Dividends declared on common stock
                       
   
Allocation of shares in leveraged ESOP
          30              
   
Minimum pension liability adjustment
                (1,227 )      
 
   
     
     
     
 
Balance at December 31, 2002
    43,656       1,179,646       88,522       (458 )
2003 (unaudited):
                               
   
Net income
                       
   
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities
                23,510        
   
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
                2,165        
   
Stock issued under various incentive plans, net of forfeitures
    161       11,162             (1,272 )
   
PRIDES purchase contract adjustment and allocated fees and expenses
          (7,267 )            
   
Allocation of shares in leveraged ESOP
                       
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Balance at September 30, 2003
  $ 43,817     $ 1,183,541     $ 114,197     $ (1,730 )
 
   
     
     
     
 

[Additional columns below]

[Continued from above table, first column(s) repeated]

                                     
        Unallocated                   Total
        ESOP   Retained   Treasury   Stockholders'
        Shares   Earnings   Stock   Equity
       
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2001
  $ (224 )   $ 62,187     $ (56,582 )   $ 1,238,517  
2002:
                               
   
Net income
          62,866             62,866  
   
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities
                      73,646  
   
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
                      3,434  
   
Stock issued under various incentive plans, net of forfeitures
                1       6,150  
   
Stock issued under exercise of warrants
                12,205       8,403  
   
Purchase of treasury stock
    (2,522 )           (112,116 )     (114,638 )
   
Dividends declared on common stock
          (15,536 )           (15,536 )
   
Allocation of shares in leveraged ESOP
    1,303                   1,333  
   
Minimum pension liability adjustment
                      (1,227 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
Balance at December 31, 2002
    (1,443 )     109,517       (156,492 )     1,262,948  
2003 (unaudited):
                               
   
Net income
          120,340             120,340  
   
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities
                      23,510  
   
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
                      2,165  
   
Stock issued under various incentive plans, net of forfeitures
                      10,051  
   
PRIDES purchase contract adjustment and allocated fees and expenses
                      (7,267 )
   
Allocation of shares in leveraged ESOP
    37                   37  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Balance at September 30, 2003
  $ (1,406 )   $ 229,857     $ (156,492 )   $ 1,411,784  
 
   
     
     
     
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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AMERUS GROUP CO.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
($ in thousands)

                         
            For The Nine Months Ended September 30,
            2003   2002
           
 
            (unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities
               
 
Net income
  $ 120,340     $ 55,667  
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
   
Product charges on universal life and annuity products
    (115,734 )     (105,970 )
   
Interest credited to policyowner account balances
    357,606       328,655  
   
Change in option value of equity-indexed products and market value adjustments on total return strategy annuities
    22,527       (41,110 )
   
Realized/unrealized (gains) losses on investments
    (75,365 )     122,574  
   
DAC and VOBA amortization
    147,755       103,452  
   
DAC and VOBA capitalized
    (299,565 )     (289,273 )
   
Change in:
               
     
Accrued investment income
    (12,855 )     (15,238 )
     
Reinsurance receivables
    279,984       (104,959 )
     
Securities held for trading purposes:
               
       
Fixed maturities
    44,166       299,674  
       
Equity securities
    (473 )     12,013  
       
Short-term investments
          (3,927 )
     
Liabilities for future policy benefits
    (233,796 )     489,022  
     
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    530,153       (63,474 )
     
Policy and contract claims and other policyowner funds
    46,069       19,613  
     
Income taxes:
               
       
Current
    (30,051 )     (60,244 )
       
Deferred
    53,425       51,382  
   
Other, net
    16,099       (19,264 )
 
 
   
     
 
   
Net cash provided by operating activities
    850,285       778,593  
 
 
   
     
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
 
Purchase of fixed maturities available-for-sale
    (9,308,393 )     (5,049,012 )
 
Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities available-for-sale
    6,615,403       3,379,047  
 
Maturities, calls and principal reductions of fixed maturities available-for-sale
    2,027,662       531,840  
 
Purchase of equity securities
    (8,267 )     (58,417 )
 
Proceeds from sale of equity securities
    13,695       769  
 
Change in short-term investments, net
    4,595       (8,768 )
 
Purchase of mortgage loans
    (143,567 )     (53,375 )

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AMERUS GROUP CO.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
($ in thousands)

                     
        For The Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2003   2002
       
 
        (unaudited)
 
Proceeds from repayment and sale of mortgage loans
  $ 92,414     $ 77,002  
 
Purchase of real estate and other invested assets
    (339,763 )     (16,998 )
 
Proceeds from sale of real estate and other invested assets
    226,853       64,700  
 
Change in policy loans, net
    5,241       9,704  
 
Other assets, net
    (3,464 )     (5,537 )
 
 
   
     
 
   
Net cash used in investing activities
    (817,591 )     (1,129,045 )
 
 
   
     
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
 
Deposits to policyowner account balances
    1,684,637       1,563,532  
 
Withdrawals from policyowner account balances
    (1,182,474 )     (1,292,534 )
 
Change in debt, net
    (102,433 )     (50,576 )
 
Stock issued under various incentive plans, net of forfeitures
    10,051       5,510  
 
Purchase of treasury stock
          (114,638 )
 
Proceeds from issuance of OCEANs
          179,358  
 
Proceeds from issuance of PRIDES
    136,483        
 
Retirement of company-obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities
          (20,805 )
 
Allocation of shares in leveraged ESOP
    37        
 
 
   
     
 
   
Net cash provided by financing activities
    546,301       269,847  
 
 
   
     
 
   
Net increase (decrease) in cash
    578,995       (80,605 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    102,612       179,376  
 
 
   
     
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 681,607     $ 98,771  
 
 
   
     
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash activities:
               
 
Interest paid
  $ 29,642     $ 28,815  
 
 
   
     
 
 
Income taxes paid
  $ 15,102     $ 22,690  
 
 
   
     
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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AMERUS GROUP CO.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

(1)   CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

          The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. All adjustments were of a normal recurring nature, unless otherwise noted in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2003. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2002 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. For further information and for capitalized terms not defined in this Form 10-Q, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

          The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, principally AmerUs Life Insurance Company (ALIC), AmerUs Annuity Group Co. and its subsidiaries (collectively, AAG), AmerUs Capital Management Group, Inc. (ACM), and ILICO Holdings, Inc., the holding company of Indianapolis Life Insurance Company (ILIC) and its subsidiaries (collectively, ILICO). Effective June 30, 2003, IL Annuity and Insurance Company (IL Annuity), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ILIC, was merged into ILIC. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

          The Company has certain stock-based employee compensation plans which are accounted for under the recognition and measurement principles of the Accounting Principles Board’s Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. The plans are stock option plans for which no stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to stock-based employee compensation:

                                   
      For The Three Months Ended September 30,   For The Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2003   2002   2003   2002
     
 
 
 
      ($ in thousands, except share data)
Net income, as reported
  $ 40,835     $ 26,490     $ 120,340     $ 55,667  
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects
    (1,014 )     (996 )     (3,092 )     (4,098 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
Pro forma net income
  $ 39,821     $ 25,494     $ 117,248     $ 51,569  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Earnings per share:
                               
 
Basic - as reported
  $ 1.04     $ 0.67     $ 3.07     $ 1.38  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Basic - pro forma
  $ 1.02     $ 0.65     $ 3.00     $ 1.28  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Diluted - as reported
  $ 1.03     $ 0.66     $ 3.05     $ 1.36  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Diluted - pro forma
  $ 1.00     $ 0.64     $ 2.97     $ 1.26  
 
   
     
     
     
 

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          Certain amounts in the 2002 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2003 financial statement presentation.

(2)   EARNINGS PER SHARE

          Basic earnings per share of common stock are computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share assumes the issuance of common shares applicable to stock options and warrants calculated using the treasury stock method.

          Diluted earnings per share applicable to the Company’s Optionally Convertible Equity-linked Accreting Notes (OCEANsSM) are determined using the if-converted method for the number of days in the period in which the common stock price conversion condition is met. The common stock price conversion condition was not met for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002. No undistributed net income has been allocated to the convertible securities holders since their participation in dividends with common stockholders is limited to the amount of the annual regular dividend.

           Diluted earnings per share applicable to the Company’s PRIDESSM securities are determined using the treasury stock method as it is currently anticipated that holders of the PRIDES are more likely to tender cash in the future for the securities’ forward contract. The PRIDES did not have any dilution impact for earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

(3)   CLOSED BLOCK

          The Company has established two closed blocks, which we refer to as the Closed Block. The first was established on June 30, 1996 in connection with the reorganization of ALIC from a mutual company to a stock company. The second was established as of March 31, 2000 in connection with the reorganization of ILIC from a mutual company to a stock company. Insurance policies which had a dividend scale in effect as of each Closed Block establishment date were included in the Closed Block. The Closed Block was designed to provide reasonable assurance to owners of insurance policies included therein that, after the reorganization of ALIC and ILIC, assets would be available to maintain the dividend scales and interest credits in effect prior to the reorganization if the experience underlying such scales and credits continues.

          Summarized financial information of the Closed Block as of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:

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      September 30,   December 31,
      2003   2002
     
 
      ($ in thousands)
Liabilities:
               
Future life and annuity policy benefits
  $ 2,837,215     $ 2,840,041  
Policyowner funds
    9,083       4,400  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    43,500       44,295  
Dividends payable to policyowners
    172,917       147,177  
Policy and contract claims
    9,679       10,390  
Policyowner dividend obligation
    167,963       118,623  
 
   
     
 
 
Total Liabilities
    3,240,357       3,164,926  
 
   
     
 
Assets:
               
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale at fair value
    2,043,771       1,970,659  
Mortgage loans
    83,563       90,872  
Policy loans
    346,029       354,784  
Other investments
    8,356       1,047  
Cash and cash equivalents
    2,494       6,178  
Accrued investment income
    32,937       30,726  
Premiums and fees receivable
    33,329       16,999  
Other assets
    26,448       23,917  
 
   
     
 
 
Total Assets
    2,576,927       2,495,182  
 
   
     
 
Maximum future earnings to be recognized from assets and liabilities of the Closed Block
  $ 663,430     $ 669,744  
 
   
     
 

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    For The Three Months Ended September 30,
    2003   2002
   
 
    ($ in thousands)
Operations:
               
Insurance premiums
  $ 43,037     $ 61,547  
Product charges
    1,560       3,500  
Net investment income
    37,350       40,315  
Realized gains (losses) on investments
    3,915       (1,126 )
Policyowner benefits
    (55,427 )     (70,101 )
Underwriting, acquisition and other expenses
    (744 )     (968 )
Dividends to policyowners
    (19,962 )     (22,132 )
 
   
     
 
Contribution from the Closed Block before income taxes
  $ 9,729     $ 11,035  
 
   
     
 
                 
    For The Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2003   2002
   
 
    ($ in thousands)
Operations:
               
Insurance premiums
  $ 160,853     $ 195,657  
Product charges
    7,784       6,941  
Net investment income
    114,666       117,292  
Realized gains (losses) on investments
    11,259       (1,880 )
Policyowner benefits
    (183,946 )     (214,850 )
Underwriting, acquisition and other expenses
    (2,991 )     (3,704 )
Dividends to policyowners
    (77,611 )     (65,437 )
 
   
     
 
Contribution from the Closed Block before income taxes
  $ 30,014     $ 34,019  
 
   
     
 

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(4) DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

     The Company accounts for derivatives, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, at fair value. Accounting for gains and losses resulting from changes in the values of derivatives is dependent upon the use of the derivative and its qualification for special hedge accounting. During the first nine months of 2003 and 2002, realized/unrealized gains (losses) on investments included an unrealized gain of $23.0 million and an unrealized loss of $47.8 million, respectively, from the change in fair value on call options used as a natural hedge of embedded options within equity-indexed products. Additionally, the first nine months of 2003 and 2002 included an unrealized gain of $10.8 million and an unrealized loss of $16.8 million, respectively, from the change in fair value on the trading securities backing the total return strategy products. Policyowner benefits included an offsetting adjustment to (increase) reduce contract liabilities for fair value changes in options embedded within the equity-indexed products and fair value changes on total return strategy annuity contracts of ($22.5) million and $41.1 million for the first nine months of 2003 and 2002, respectively. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) included an unrealized gain of $2.2 million and $2.3 million from the fair value change in interest rate swaps used to hedge the floating rate funding agreement liability during the first nine months of 2003 and 2002, respectively. In 2002, the Company undesignated a cash flow hedge and is now amortizing the amount in AOCI to earnings over the remaining life of the swap, which amounted to $3.2 million and $2.7 million in expense in the first nine months of 2003 and 2002, respectively. The Company estimates that $1.0 million of after-tax derivative losses, included in AOCI will be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months.

     The following table summarizes the income (loss) impact of the market value adjustments on trading securities and derivatives and the cash flow hedge amortization for the first nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002:

                   
      For The Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2003   2002
     
 
      ($ in thousands)
Fixed maturity securities held for trading
  $ 10,839     $ (16,792 )
Options on equity-indexed products
    22,960       (47,763 )
Equity-indexed and total return strategy liabilities
    (22,527 )     41,110  
Cash flow hedge amortization
    (3,241 )     (2,659 )
DAC amortization impact of net adjustments above
    (2,819 )     (676 )
 
   
     
 
 
Pre-tax total
    5,212       (26,780 )
Income taxes
    (1,824 )     9,373  
 
   
     
 
 
After-tax total
  $ 3,388     $ (17,407 )
 
   
     
 

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(5) NOTES PAYABLE

     Notes payable consist of the following:

                 
    September 30,   December 31,
    2003   2002
   
 
    ($ in thousands)
Federal Home Loan Bank community investment long-term advances maturing at various dates through June 12, 2012
  $ 13,475     $ 13,871  
OCEANs due on March 6, 2032
    187,350       186,233  
PRIDES notes (A)
    143,750        
Senior notes bearing interest at 6.95% due June, 2005
    125,000       125,000  
Revolving credit agreement
    10,000       113,000  
Surplus notes bearing interest at 8.66% due on April 11, 2011
    25,000       25,000  
AmerUs Capital I 8.85 % Capital Securities Series A due February 1, 2027
    48,095       48,095  
AmerUs Capital II 7.00 % Quarterly Income Preferred Securities due July 27, 2003
          154  
 
   
     
 
 
  $ 552,670     $ 511,353  
 
   
     
 

(A)  On May 28, 2003, the Company issued $125.0 million of PRIDES which were registered on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. On June 5, 2003, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full and the Company issued an additional $18.8 million of PRIDES. The PRIDES initially consist of a $25 senior note and a contract requiring the holder to purchase the Company’s common stock. The note has a minimum term of 4.75 years, which may be extended by the Company in certain circumstances. The PRIDES have quarterly payments of interest at an annual rate of 5.5 percent and quarterly contract adjustment payments at an annual rate of 0.75 percent, both payable on February 16, May 16, August 16 and November 16 of each year, commencing August 16, 2003. Under the purchase contract, holders of each contract are required to purchase the Company’s common stock on the settlement date of August 16, 2006 based on a specified settlement rate, which will vary according to the applicable market value of the Company’s common stock at the settlement date. The value of the common stock to be issued upon settlement of each purchase contract will not exceed $25, the stated value of the PRIDES, unless the applicable market value of the Company’s common stock (which is measured by the common stock price over a 20-day trading day period) increases to more than $33.80 per share. The present value of the contract adjustment payment, amounting to $2.9 million, has been reflected as an other liability with a corresponding charge to additional paid-in capital. Subsequent contract adjustment payments will be allocated between the liability and interest expense based on a constant rate over the life of the PRIDES. Expenses incurred with the offering were allocated between

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the senior notes and the purchase contracts. The expenses allocated to the senior notes, amounting to $0.8 million, have been capitalized and will be recognized as interest expense over the term of the notes. The amount allocated to the purchase contracts, totaling $4.4 million, was charged to additional paid-in capital.

(6) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

     The effective income tax rate for the three months and nine months ending September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively, varied from the prevailing corporate rate primarily as a result of tax-exempt income and a dividends received deduction in 2003 and non-deductible demutualization costs, low income housing and rehabilitation credits, and tax-exempt income in 2002.

(7) RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

     During the third quarter of 2001, the Company began consolidating various functions in connection with a restructuring of its protection products and accumulation products operations and investment activities. The objective of the restructuring plan is to eliminate duplicative functions for all business units and to reduce ongoing costs. Corporate administrative functions are being transitioned so they are performed primarily in Des Moines, Iowa. Protection products administrative processes are being transitioned so they are performed primarily in Des Moines; Woodbury, New York; or outsourced. Accumulation products functions have been transitioned so they are primarily performed in Topeka, Kansas. Investment activities have been restructured to eliminate certain real estate management services which have been outsourced.

     The Company has listed its office building located in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a real estate broker. During the second quarter of 2003, the Company began to substantially vacate this location as a result of staff reductions. In addition, the Company also selected a new location in the second quarter of 2003 for those employees who are going to continue to work in Indianapolis. Most of the remaining Indianapolis employees moved to the new space during August 2003. On June 30, 2003, the Company determined that the plan of sale criteria in SFAS 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” had been met. Accordingly, the carrying value of the building was adjusted to its fair value less costs to sell, amounting to $15.5 million, which was based upon comparable properties recently marketed in Indianapolis. The resulting $7.7 million pre-tax impairment loss was recorded as restructuring cost in the consolidated statement of income during the second quarter of 2003. The carrying value of the building that is held for sale is included in the other assets line item of the consolidated balance sheet.

     During the second quarter of 2003, the Company initiated and executed a restructuring plan to merge one of its subsidiaries, IL Annuity, into its parent, ILIC. The merger was effective June 30, 2003 and total restructuring costs associated with this plan amounted to $2.5 million pre-tax, which primarily consisted of legal, accounting, and printing costs and the write off of $2.2 million of insurance licenses.

     Restructuring charges have been included as a separate item in the consolidated statement of income and include severance and termination benefits for additional benefits provided to previously terminated individuals during the first nine months of 2003 and benefits associated with the elimination of approximately 90 positions for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The other costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2003, primarily related to the impairment loss on the Indianapolis office building, expenses associated with the merger of IL Annuity into ILIC, and systems conversion costs. Other costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2002, primarily consisted of systems conversion and relocation of employees. A summary of the pre-tax restructuring charges are as follows:

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    Accrual at                   Payments   Accrual at
    December 31,   2003   Other   and   September 30,
    2002   Charge   Adjustments   Write-downs   2003
   
 
 
 
 
    ($ in thousands)
Severance and termination benefits
  $ 5,133     $ 1,062     $ (381 )   $ (3,875 )   $ 1,939  
Other costs
    1,012       16,795       (61 )     (17,501 )     245  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
 
  $ 6,145     $ 17,857     $ (442 )   $ (21,376 )   $ 2,184  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
                                         
    Accrual at                           Accrual at
    December 31,   2002   Other   Cash   September 30,
    2001   Charge   Adjustments   Payments   2002
   
 
 
 
 
    ($ in thousands)
Severance and termination benefits
  $ 2,065     $ 5,627     $ (151 )   $ (5,876 )   $ 1,665  
Other costs
    36       5,542       (238 )     (4,207 )     1,133  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
 
  $ 2,101     $ 11,169     $ (389 )   $ (10,083 )   $ 2,798  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 

     Additional charges will be incurred for continuing restructuring activities primarily involving severance or relocation benefits for affected employees and various administrative, financial, and actuarial system conversion costs. Expenditures for all restructuring activities are expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2003.

(8) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     In recent years, the life insurance industry, including the Company and its subsidiaries, have been subject to an increase in litigation pursued on behalf of purported classes of insurance purchasers, questioning the conduct of insurers in the marketing of their products. The Company is often involved in litigation and other proceedings, including class actions, reinsurance claims and regulatory proceedings, arising in the ordinary course of its business. Some of these claims and legal actions are in jurisdictions where juries are given substantial latitude in assessing damages, including punitive damages. Although no assurances can be given and no determinations can be made at this time, the Company believes that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these claims and legal actions, would have no material effect on its results of operations and financial position.

(9) OPERATING SEGMENTS

     The Company has two operating segments: Protection Products and Accumulation Products. Products generally distinguish a segment. A brief description of each segment follows:

     Protection Products. The primary product offerings consist of interest-sensitive whole life, term life, universal life and equity-indexed life insurance policies. These products are marketed on a national basis primarily through a Preferred Producer agency system, a Personal Producing General Agent (PPGA) distribution system and Independent Marketing Organizations (IMOs).

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     Accumulation Products. The primary product offerings consist of traditional fixed annuities and equity-indexed annuities, marketed on a national basis primarily through IMOs and independent brokers, and insurance contracts issued through funding agreements.

     The Company uses the same accounting policies and procedures to measure operating segment income and assets as it uses to measure its consolidated income from operations and assets with the exception of the elimination of certain items which management believes are not necessarily indicative of overall operating trends. These items are shown between adjusted pre-tax operating income and income from continuing operations on the following operating segment tables and are as follows:

  1)   Realized gains and losses on open block investments.
 
  2)   Market value changes and amortization of assets and liabilities associated with the accounting derivatives, such as:

    Unrealized gains and losses on open block options and securities held for trading.
 
    Change in option value of equity-indexed products and market value adjustments on total return strategy annuities.
 
    Cash flow hedge amortization.

  3)   Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC) and value of business acquired (VOBA) related to the realized gains and losses on the open block investments and the derivative adjustments.
 
  4)   Demutualization costs.
 
  5)   Restructuring costs.
 
  6)   Non-recurring reinsurance adjustments.
 
  7)   Other income from non-insurance operations.

     These items will fluctuate from period to period depending on the prevailing interest rate and economic environment, or are not continuing in nature, or are not part of the core insurance operations. As a result, management believes they do not reflect the ongoing earnings capacity of the Company’s operating segments.

     Premiums, product charges, policyowner benefits, insurance expenses, amortization of DAC and VOBA and dividends to policyowners are attributed directly to each operating segment. Net investment income and closed block realized gains and losses on investments are allocated based on directly-related assets required for transacting the business of that segment. Other revenues and benefits and expenses which are deemed not to be associated with any specific segment are grouped together in the “All Other” category. These items primarily consist of holding company revenues and expenses and the operations of the Company’s real estate management subsidiary.

     Assets are segmented based on policy liabilities directly attributable to each segment. There are no significant intersegment transactions. Depreciation and amortization, excluding amortization of DAC and VOBA as previously discussed, are not significant. There have been no material changes in segment assets since December 31, 2002.

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Operating Segment Income
($ in thousands)
(unaudited)

                                       
          Three Months Ended September 30, 2003
         
          Protection   Accumulation           Total
          Products   Products   All Other   Consolidated
         
 
 
 
Revenues:
                               
   
Insurance premiums
  $ 62,640     $ 1,482     $ 233     $ 64,355  
   
Product charges
    28,770       11,864             40,634  
   
Net investment income
    76,412       166,355       1,511       244,278  
   
Realized gains (losses) on closed block investments
    3,915                   3,915  
   
Other income
    1,037       15,549       169       16,755  
   
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
    172,774       195,250       1,913       369,937  
Benefits and expenses:
                               
   
Policyowner benefits
    85,628       114,015       (704 )     198,939  
   
Underwriting, acquisition, and other expenses
    17,608       19,537       3,589       40,734  
   
Amortization of DAC and VOBA, net of open block gain/loss adjustment of $2,347
    18,938       26,495             45,433  
   
Dividends to policyowners
    22,016                   22,016  
   
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
    144,190       160,047       2,885       307,122  
   
 
   
     
     
     
 
Adjusted pre-tax operating income
  $ 28,584     $ 35,203     $ (972 )     62,815  
 
   
     
     
         
   
Realized gains (losses) on open block investments
                            5,855  
   
Unrealized gains (losses) on open block options and trading investments
                            (1,228 )
   
Change in option value of equity-indexed products and market value adjustments on total return strategy annuities
                          4,682  
   
Cash flow hedge amortization
                          (763 )
   
Amortization of DAC and VOBA due to open block gains and losses
                            (2,347 )
   
Restructuring costs
                            (1,551 )
   
Other income from non-insurance operations
                            1,002  
 
                           
 
Income before interest and income tax (expense)
                            68,465  
Interest (expense)
                            (7,864 )
Income tax (expense)
                            (19,766 )
 
                           
 
     
Net income
                          $ 40,835  
 
                           
 

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Operating Segment Income
($ in thousands)
(unaudited)

                                       
          Three Months Ended September 30, 2002
         
          Protection   Accumulation           Total
          Products   Products   All Other   Consolidated
         
 
 
 
Revenues:
                               
   
Insurance premiums
  $ 77,736     $ 2,958     $ 232     $ 80,926  
   
Product charges
    26,509       10,545             37,054  
   
Net investment income
    84,202       171,398       1,132       256,732  
   
Realized gains (losses) on closed block investments
    (1,126 )                 (1,126 )
   
Other income
    1,068       16,521       773       18,362  
   
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
    188,389       201,422       2,137       391,948  
Benefits and expenses:
                               
   
Policyowner benefits
    100,876       127,068       538       228,482  
   
Underwriting, acquisition, and other expenses
    17,722       17,422       3,341       38,485  
   
Amortization of DAC and VOBA, net of open block gain/loss adjustment of $4,616
    15,287       24,618             39,905  
   
Dividends to policyowners
    24,377                   24,377  
   
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
    158,262       169,108       3,879       331,249  
   
 
   
     
     
     
 
Adjusted pre-tax operating income
  $ 30,127     $ 32,314     $ (1,742 )     60,699  
 
   
     
     
         
   
Realized gains (losses) on open block investments
                            (10,506 )
   
Unrealized gains (losses) on open block options and trading investments
                            (10,319 )
   
Change in option value of equity-indexed products and market value adjustments on total return strategy annuities
                            5,242  
   
Cash flow hedge amortization
                            (1,961 )
   
Amortization of DAC and VOBA due to open block gains and losses
                            4,616  
   
Demutualization costs
                            (722 )
   
Restructuring costs
                            (2,569 )
   
Other income from non-insurance operations
                            2,272  
 
                           
 
Income before interest and income tax (expense)
                            46,752  
Interest (expense)
                            (6,414 )
Income tax (expense)
                            (13,848 )
 
                           
 
     
Net income
                          $ 26,490  
 
                           
 

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Operating Segment Income
($ in thousands)
(unaudited)

                                       
          Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003
         
          Protection   Accumulation           Total
          Products   Products   All Other   Consolidated
         
 
 
 
Revenues:
                               
   
Insurance premiums
  $ 219,313     $ 3,724     $ 980     $ 224,017  
   
Product charges
    104,912       31,256             136,168  
   
Net investment income
    240,863       504,212       6,023       751,098  
   
Realized gains (losses) on closed block investments
    11,259                   11,259  
   
Other income
    3,083       45,962       700       49,745  
   
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
    579,430       585,154       7,703       1,172,287  
Benefits and expenses:
                               
   
Policyowner benefits
    278,909       363,390       (814 )     641,485  
   
Underwriting, acquisition, and other expenses
    59,224       52,251       11,224       122,699  
   
Amortization of DAC and VOBA, net of open block gain/loss adjustment of $12,800
    59,421       75,534             134,955  
   
Dividends to policyowners
    86,330                   86,330  
   
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
    483,884       491,175       10,410       985,469  
   
 
   
     
     
     
 
Adjusted pre-tax operating income
  $ 95,546     $ 93,979     $ (2,707 )     186,818  
 
   
     
     
         
   
Realized gains (losses) on open block investments
                            30,307  
   
Unrealized gains (losses) on open block options and trading investments
                            33,799  
   
Change in option value of equity-indexed products and market value adjustments on total return strategy annuities
                            (22,527 )
   
Cash flow hedge amortization
                            (3,241 )
   
Amortization of DAC and VOBA due to open block gains and losses
                            (12,800 )
   
Non-recurring reinsurance adjustments
                            3,854  
   
Restructuring costs
                            (17,415 )
   
Other income from non-insurance operations
                            3,328  
 
                           
 
Income before interest and income tax (expense)
                            202,123  
Interest (expense)
                            (22,238 )
Income tax (expense)
                            (59,545 )
 
                           
 
     
Net income
                          $ 120,340  
 
                           
 

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Operating Segment Income
($ in thousands)
(unaudited)

                                     
        Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002
       
        Protection   Accumulation           Total
        Products   Products   All Other   Consolidated
       
 
 
 
Revenues:
                               
 
Insurance premiums
  $ 256,430     $ 5,767     $ 1,065     $ 263,262  
 
Product charges
    79,826       31,284             111,110  
 
Net investment income
    248,044       496,286       4,069       748,399  
 
Realized gains (losses) on closed block investments
    (1,880 )                 (1,880 )
 
Other income
    3,013       44,962       2,325       50,300  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
    585,433       578,299       7,459       1,171,191  
Benefits and expenses:
                               
 
Policyowner benefits
    310,910       369,461       1,728       682,099  
 
Underwriting, acquisition, and other expenses
    63,003       48,810       10,463       122,276  
 
Amortization of DAC and VOBA, net of open block gain/loss adjustment of $9,902
    44,126       69,228             113,354  
 
Dividends to policyowners
    72,000                   72,000  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
    490,039       487,499       12,191       989,729  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
Adjusted pre-tax operating income
  $ 95,394     $ 90,800     $ (4,732 )     181,462  
 
   
     
     
         
 
Realized gains (losses) on open block investments
                            (56,139 )
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on open block options and trading investments
                            (64,555 )
 
Change in option value of equity-indexed products and market value adjustments on total return strategy annuities
                            41,110  
 
Cash flow hedge amortization
                            (2,659 )
 
Amortization of DAC and VOBA due to open block gains and losses
                            9,902  
 
Demutualization costs
                            (1,186 )
 
Restructuring costs
                            (10,780 )
 
Other income from non-insurance operations
                            3,268  
 
                           
 
Income before interest and income tax (expense)
                            100,423  
Interest (expense)
                            (18,778 )
Income tax (expense)
                            (25,978 )
 
                           
 
   
Net income
                          $ 55,667  
 
                           
 

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(10) EMERGING ACCOUNTING MATTERS

     In February 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Derivatives Implementation Group issued SFAS 133 Implementation Issue No. B36, “Embedded Derivatives: Bifurcation of a Debt Instrument that Incorporates both Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk Exposures that are Unrelated or Only Partially Related to the Creditworthiness of the Issuer of that Instrument,” or DIG Issue B36. DIG Issue B36 applies to modified coinsurance and coinsurance funds withheld reinsurance agreements where interest is determined by reference to a pool of fixed maturity assets or a total return debt index. Such arrangements in which funds are withheld by the ceding insurer cause the reinsurer to recognize a receivable from the ceding insurer as well as a liability representing reserves for the insurance coverage assumed under the reinsurance arrangements. The terms of the reinsurer’s receivable provide for the future payment of principal plus a rate of return on either its general account assets or a specified block of those assets which is typically composed of fixed-rate debt securities. DIG Issue B36 considers the reinsurer’s receivable from the ceding company to contain an embedded derivative that must be bifurcated and accounted for separately under SFAS 133. DIG Issue B36 is effective for quarters beginning after September 15, 2003. The adoption of DIG Issue B36 will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption on October 1, 2003.

     The Financial Accounting Standards Board has deferred the effective date for applying provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51,” (FIN 46) for interests in variable interest entities (VIEs) acquired before February 1, 2003. The initial application date is delayed until the end of the period ending after December 15, 2003, to allow time for certain implementation issues to be addressed through modification of FIN 46. The Company owns an investment in a trust, which has issued trust preferred securities. The trust meets the definition of a VIE and analysis is continuing to determine the appropriate primary beneficiary and related accounting. If the Company was not considered the primary beneficiary of the trust, the trust would no longer be consolidated. At September 30, 2003, non-consolidation of the trust and removal of related intercompany eliminations would result in increases of approximately $3 million to other invested assets and to notes payable. It is anticipated that there would be no effect to stockholders’ equity or net income upon adoption of FIN 46 as the Company intends to apply the provisions on a prospective basis.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations

     The following analysis of the consolidated results of operations and financial condition of AmerUs Group Co. should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes.

Results of Operation

     We are a holding company whose subsidiaries are primarily engaged in the business of marketing, underwriting and distributing a broad range of individual life, annuity and insurance deposit products to individuals and businesses in 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We have two reportable operating segments: protection products and accumulation products. The primary offerings of the protection products segment are interest-sensitive whole life, term life, universal life and equity-indexed life insurance policies. The primary offerings of the accumulation products segment are individual fixed annuities and funding agreements.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

     Our financial highlights are as follows:

                                     
        For The Three Months Ended September 30,   For The Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2003   2002   2003   2002
       
 
 
 
                ($ in thousands, except share data)        
Segment pre-tax operating income:
                               
 
Protection Products
  $ 28,584     $ 30,127     $ 95,546     $ 95,394  
 
Accumulation Products
    35,203       32,314       93,979       90,800  
 
Other operations
    (972 )     (1,742 )     (2,707 )     (4,732 )
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Total segment pre-tax operating income
    62,815       60,699       186,818       181,462  
Non-segment expense, net (A)
    21,980       34,209       66,478       125,795  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 40,835     $ 26,490     $ 120,340     $ 55,667  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 1.03     $ 0.66     $ 3.05     $ 1.36  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
                 
    September 30,   December 31,
    2003   2002
   
 
Total assets
  $ 21,839,901     $ 20,293,665  
Stockholders’ equity
  $ 1,411,784     $ 1,262,948  

  (A)   Non-segment expense, net consists primarily of open block gains and losses, derivative related market value adjustments, non-insurance operations, non-recurring reinsurance adjustments, restructuring costs, interest expense, and income taxes.

     Operating segment income decreased for the protection products segment in the third quarter of 2003 and increased slightly for the first nine months of 2003, compared to the respective periods in 2002. Lower net investment income and the cost of a new reinsurance agreement entered into during the quarter contributed to the decrease in our protection products pre-tax operating segment income in the third quarter of 2003. Year-to-date, higher product margins experienced during the first half of 2003 resulted in the increase in the nine months operating income of the protection products segment. Operating income for the accumulation products segment increased in the three

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months and nine months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to the respective periods in 2002. The higher margins on equity indexed annuities and additional income from funding agreements increased accumulation products segment earnings in 2003.

     Net income increased in the 2003 periods compared to the respective 2002 periods primarily due to increased realized gains on open block investments and increased net unrealized gains from SFAS 133 related market value adjustments on trading securities, derivatives and certain equity-indexed contracts.

     Total assets increased $1.5 billion during the first nine months of 2003 primarily as a result of additional invested assets under management and the utilization of securities lending arrangements and dollar-roll repurchase investment transactions.

     Stockholders’ equity increased $148.8 million for the first nine months of 2003 primarily as a result of year-to-date net income of $120.3 million and the increase in accumulated other comprehensive income for unrealized investment gains of $25.7 million.

PROTECTION PRODUCTS

     Our protection products segment primarily consists of interest-sensitive whole life, term life, universal life and equity-indexed life insurance policies. These products are marketed on a national basis primarily through a Preferred Producer agency system, PPGA distribution system and IMOs. Included in protection products is the closed block of ALIC and the closed block of ILIC, established when the companies reorganized from mutual companies to stock companies. When protection products are sold, we invest the premiums we receive in our investment portfolio and establish a liability representing our commitment to the policyholder. We manage investment spread by seeking to maximize the return on these invested assets, consistent with our asset/liability and credit quality needs. We enter into reinsurance arrangements in order to reduce the effects of mortality risk and the statutory capital strain from writing new business. All income statement line items are presented net of reinsurance amounts. Protection products in force totaled $84.1 billion at September 30, 2003 and $80.6 billion at December 31, 2002. Protection products in force is a non-GAAP financial measure utilized by investors, analysts and the Company to assess the Company’s position in the industry. We do not believe there is a comparable GAAP financial measure. A summary of our protection products segment operations follows:

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        For The Three Months Ended September 30,   For The Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2003   2002   2003   2002
       
 
 
 
                ($ in thousands)        
Revenues:
                               
 
Insurance premiums
  $ 62,640     $ 77,736     $ 219,313     $ 256,430  
 
Product charges
    28,770       26,509       104,912       79,826  
 
Net investment income
    76,412       84,202       240,863       248,044  
 
Realized gains (losses) on closed block investments
    3,915       (1,126 )     11,259       (1,880 )
 
Other income
    1,037       1,068       3,083       3,013  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Total revenues
    172,774       188,389       579,430       585,433  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
Benefits and expenses:
                               
 
Policyowner benefits
    85,628       100,876       278,909       310,910  
 
Underwriting, acquisition and other expenses
    17,608       17,722       59,224       63,003  
 
Amortization of DAC and VOBA, net of open block gain/loss adjustment
    18,938       15,287       59,421       44,126  
 
Dividends to policyowners
    22,016       24,377       86,330       72,000  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Total benefits and expenses
    144,190       158,262       483,884       490,039  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
Adjusted pre-tax operating income - Protection Products segment
  $ 28,584     $ 30,127     $ 95,546     $ 95,394  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 

     Adjusted pre-tax operating income from our protection products decreased 5.1% in the third quarter of 2003 and increased 0.2% in the first nine months of 2003 compared to the respective 2002 periods. The operating income of the closed block decreased $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2003 and $4.0 million in the first nine months of 2003, compared to the same periods in 2002, as the closed block continues to reflect the declining closed block glide path. Open block operating income decreased $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2003 and increased $4.2 million in the first nine months of 2003, compared to the respective 2002 periods. Lower net investment income and the cost of a new reinsurance agreement entered into during the quarter contributed to the decrease in our open block protection products pre-tax operating segment income in the third quarter of 2003. Year-to-date, higher product margins experienced during the first half of 2003 resulted in the increase in the nine months open block operating income. The key drivers of our protection products business include sales, persistency, net investment income, mortality and expenses.

     Sales. Sales are presented as annualized premiums, which are measured in accordance with industry practice, and represent the amount of new business sold during the period. Sales are a non-GAAP financial measure for an insurance company for which there is no comparable GAAP financial measure. We use sales to measure the productivity of our distribution network and as a basis for compensation of sales and marketing employees and agents. Sales are also a leading indicator of future revenue trends. However, revenues are driven by prior period sales as well as current period sales and therefore, a reconciliation of sales to revenues would not be meaningful or determinable. The following table summarizes annualized premiums by life insurance product:

                                   
      For The Three Months Ended September 30,   For The Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2003   2002   2003   2002
     
 
 
 
              ($ in thousands)        
Traditional life insurance:
                               
 
Whole life
  $ 364     $ 1,468     $ 584     $ 3,728  
 
Interest-sensitive whole life
    3,764       3,427       16,602       24,913  
 
Term life
    3,421       4,246       10,761       12,761  
Universal life
    7,553       9,914       23,931       24,639  
Equity-indexed life
    11,449       9,277       36,676       30,037  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
Direct first year annualized premiums
    26,551       28,332       88,554       96,078  
Private label term life premiums
    488       2,071       4,181       6,715  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Total
  $ 27,039     $ 30,403     $ 92,735     $ 102,793  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 

     Direct first year annualized premiums decreased 6.3% in the third quarter and 7.8% on a year-to-date basis in 2003 compared to the same periods in 2002. We continue to focus our marketing efforts on equity-indexed life products. In the first nine months of 2003, sales of equity-indexed life products were $36.7 million as compared to

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$30.0 million for 2002. We are a leading writer of equity-indexed life products in the United States. Sales of traditional and universal life insurance products have declined as we have re-priced our products and discontinued our par whole life product. In addition, interest-sensitive whole life sales were lower in the first nine months of 2003 due to uncertainty in government tax policy and regulation.

     Premiums and Product Charges. We recognize premiums on traditional life insurance policies as revenues when the premiums are due. Amounts received as payments for universal life and equity-indexed life insurance policies are not recorded as premium revenue, but are instead recorded as a policyowner liability. Revenues from the universal life and equity-indexed life policies consist of product charges for the cost of insurance, policy administration and policy surrender and are included on the line item “product charges.” All revenue is reported net of reinsurance ceded.

     Insurance premium revenue was lower in the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 as compared to the same periods in 2002 primarily due to lower sales of traditional products, additional premiums ceded, and a decline in closed block in force business. Product charge revenue was higher in the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 as compared to the same periods in 2002 due to the growth in the equity-indexed life block of business and fluctuations in reinsurance premiums.

     Persistency. Annualized lapse rates were 6.2% in the first nine months of 2003 compared to 7.5% in the first nine months of 2002. Our persistency experience remained within our pricing assumptions.

     Net Investment Income. Net investment income decreased for the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 as compared to the same periods a year ago. The decrease in net investment income was a result of low interest rates and increased prepayments of mortgage-backed securities in the third quarter of 2003. The year-to-date effective yield of the investment portfolio was 6.65% compared to 7.17% a year ago.

     Mortality and Benefit Expense. We experienced favorable mortality in the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 as compared to the same periods a year ago. In addition, due to the reinsurance arrangements we have put in place over the last twelve months for mortality, policyowner benefits declined in the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 compared to the same periods in 2002.

     Underwriting, Acquisition and Other Expenses. Expenses decreased for the third quarter and year-to-date periods of 2003 compared to the respective periods in 2002. The decrease was primarily due to increased reimbursement from reinsurers of non-deferrable commission and expense allowances as more policies are subject to reinsurance and expense changes resulting from the restructuring activities.

     Amortization of DAC and VOBA. The amortization of DAC and VOBA increased for the third quarter and year-to-date periods of 2003 as compared to the same periods a year ago. DAC and VOBA are generally amortized in proportion to policy gross margins which increased in both periods of 2003 compared to 2002, resulting in higher amortization expense.

     Dividends to Policyowners. Dividend expense decreased for the third quarter of 2003 and increased for the first nine months of 2003 compared to the respective 2002 periods. Dividend expense includes increases or decreases to the closed block policyholder dividend obligation liability carried on the consolidated balance sheet. To the extent cumulative actual earnings of the closed block exceed the cumulative expected earnings based on the actuarial calculation at the time of formation of the closed block (which we refer to as the closed block glide path), a policyholder dividend obligation is recorded. The higher realized gains in both periods of 2003 as compared to 2002 increased closed block earnings, which in turn were added to the policyholder dividend obligation liability. Lower investment income was experienced in the closed block which decreased dividend expense offsetting the increase for

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realized gains for both periods. In addition, the reinsurance adjustment related to the settlement activity of the closed block in the second quarter of 2003 caused an increase in the dividend expense and related policyholder dividend obligation liability for the first nine months of 2003. See “Non-Recurring Expenses” section of this discussion for additional information. As a result of this accounting treatment, operating earnings only include the predetermined closed block glide path.

     Outlook. We expect to continue to shift our sales to higher return products, in particular the equity-indexed life products. We also expect to continue to realize operating efficiencies created by the restructuring of the protection products operations and centralization of our administrative functions.

ACCUMULATION PRODUCTS

     Our accumulation products segment primary offerings consist of individual fixed annuities and funding agreements. The fixed annuities are marketed on a national basis primarily through IMOs and independent brokers. Similar to our protection products segment, we invest the premiums we receive from accumulation product deposits in our investment portfolio and establish a liability representing our commitment to our policyowner. We manage investment spread by seeking to maximize the return on our invested assets consistent with our asset/liability management and credit quality needs. When appropriate, we periodically reset the interest rates credited to our policyowner liability. Accumulation products in force totaled $11.5 billion at September 30, 2003 and $11.3 billion at December 31, 2002. Accumulation products in force is a non-GAAP financial measure utilized by investors, analysts and the Company to assess the Company’s position in the industry. We do not believe there is a comparable GAAP financial measure. A summary of our accumulation products segment operations follows:

                                       
          For The Three Months Ended September 30,   For The Nine Months Ended September 30,
          2003   2002   2003   2002
         
 
 
 
                  ($ in thousands)        
Revenues:
                               
 
Immediate annuity and supplementary contract premiums
  $ 1,482     $ 2,958     $ 3,724     $ 5,767  
 
Product charges
    11,864       10,545       31,256       31,284  
 
Net investment income
    166,355       171,398       504,212       496,286  
 
Other income
    2,898       2,938       8,753       8,741  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
     
Total revenues
    182,599       187,839       547,945       542,078  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
Benefits and expenses:
                               
 
Policyowner benefits
    114,015       127,068       363,390       369,461  
 
Underwriting, acquisition and other expenses
    9,401       8,394       22,536       23,826  
 
Amortization of DAC and VOBA, net of open block gain/loss adjustment
    26,495       24,618       75,534       69,228  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Total benefits and expenses
    149,911       160,080       461,460       462,515  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
IMO operations:
                               
 
Other income
    12,651       13,583       37,209       36,221  
 
Other expenses
    10,136       9,028       29,715       24,984  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Net IMO operating income
    2,515       4,555       7,494       11,237  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
Adjusted pre-tax operating income - Accumulation Products segment
  $ 35,203     $ 32,314     $ 93,979     $ 90,800  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 

     Adjusted pre-tax operating income from our accumulation products operations increased 8.9% in the third quarter of 2003 and 3.5% in the first nine months of 2003 compared to the respective 2002 periods. The higher margins on equity-indexed annuities and the additional income from funding agreements increased accumulation products earnings in 2003. The increase was partially offset by lower contributions from IMO operations. The drivers of profitability in our accumulation products business are deposits, persistency, investment spread, expenses and IMO operations.

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     Deposits. Deposits are presented as collected premiums, which is measured in accordance with industry practice, and represent the amount of new business sold during the period. Deposits are a non-GAAP financial measure for an insurance company for which there is no comparable GAAP financial measure. We use deposits to measure the productivity of our distribution network and as a basis for compensation of sales and marketing employees and agents. The following table summarizes our accumulation products segment deposits:

                                     
        For The Three Months Ended September 30,   For The Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2003   2002   2003   2002
       
 
 
 
                ($ in thousands)        
Annuities
                               
 
Deferred fixed annuities:
                               
   
Traditional annuities
  $ 103,966     $ 311,857     $ 347,828     $ 782,248  
   
Equity-indexed annuities
    392,630       161,185       993,075       487,828  
 
Variable annuities
    682       1,561       2,570       6,042  
   
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
Total Annuities
    497,278       474,603       1,343,473       1,276,118  
Funding agreements
          400,000             750,000  
   
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Total
    497,278       874,603       1,343,473       2,026,118  
Reinsurance assumed
                       
Reinsurance ceded
    (5,345 )     (49,593 )     (20,964 )     (53,975 )
   
 
   
     
     
     
 
Total deposits, net of reinsurance
  $ 491,933     $ 825,010     $ 1,322,509     $ 1,972,143  
   
 
   
     
     
     
 

     Total annuity deposits increased 5.3% year-to-date for 2003 compared to 2002. The increase was from our sales of equity-indexed annuities as consumers continue to favor these products. We slowed our 2003 traditional annuity sales due to the low interest rate environment and have focused on sales of our higher returning equity-indexed products.

     We placed fixed rate funding agreements totaling $400 million and $750 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2002, respectively. Funding agreements are insurance contracts for which we receive deposit funds and for which we agree to repay the deposit and a contractual return for the duration of the contract. Total funding agreements outstanding as of September 30, 2003 amounted to $1.125 billion.

     Product Charges. The deposits we receive on accumulation products are not recorded as revenue but instead as a policyowner liability. Surrender charges are recorded as revenue as an annuity product charge. Product charges in 2003 were comparable to the respective 2002 periods.

     Persistency. Withdrawals represent funds taken out of accumulation products by policyowners not including those due to the death of policyowners. Annuity withdrawal rates without internal replacements continued to improve in 2003 and amounted to 8.8% and 11.1% for the first nine months of 2003 and 2002, respectively. Annuity withdrawals without internal replacements totaled $1,063.5 million and $1,174.0 million for the first nine months of 2003 and 2002, respectively.

     Our withdrawal experience remained within our pricing assumptions. Withdrawal rates declined for the first nine months of 2003 as compared to 2002 as our annuity products provide a favorable investment return in this current low interest rate environment.

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     Investment Spread. Investment results and interest crediting rates were as follows for traditional annuities:

                   
      For The Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2003   2002
     
 
Investment yield
    5.96 %     6.71 %
Average crediting rate
    4.12 %     4.66 %
       
     
 
 
Investment spread
    1.84 %     2.05 %
       
     
 

     The investment spread on traditional annuities decreased 21 basis points to 184 basis points in the first nine months of 2003 compared to the first nine months of 2002. Crediting rates were lowered throughout 2002 and the first nine months of 2003 to correspond with the decline in investment yields caused by lower rates on new and reinvested funds. At September 30, 2003, the account value of traditional annuities totaled $7.1 billion of which $3.6 billion did not have a differential between the credited rate and minimum guarantee rate and as such, could not be lowered. Additionally, traditional annuities with account values totaling $1.3 billion have multi-year interest rate guarantees for which the credited rate cannot be decreased until the end of the multi-year period. At the end of the multi-year guarantee period, we will have the ability to lower the crediting rate to the minimum guaranteed rate by an average of approximately 275 basis points. Also, at September 30, 2003, account values of equity-indexed annuities totaled $4.1 billion, which provide guaranteed rates based on a cumulative floor over the term of the product. Due to these limitations on the ability to lower interest crediting rates and the potential for additional credit defaults and lower reinvestment rates on investments, we could experience additional spread compression in future periods.

     Funding agreement income increased $5.4 million in the first nine months of 2003 compared to the first nine months of 2002. The increase was primarily due to the $875 million of the agreements placed throughout 2002.

     IMO Operations. IMOs have contractual arrangements to promote our insurance products to their networks of agents and brokers. Additionally, they also contract with third party insurance companies. We own five such IMOs. The income from IMO operations primarily represents annuity commissions received by our IMOs from those third party insurance companies. Net IMO operating income decreased $3.7 million between the first nine months of 2003 and the first nine months of 2002 due to increased expenses.

     Outlook. We anticipate increased product sales from our IMOs but decreased product sales from other distribution channels as we manage our sales in this current low interest rate environment. We also expect to continue the shift of our product mix to higher return products, in particular the equity-indexed annuity products. We will continue to manage our spreads as we strive for our desired profitability in this economic environment.

OTHER

     The other segment is our non-core lines of business outside of protection and accumulation products. These lines of business include holding company revenues and expenses, operations of our real estate management subsidiary, and accident and health insurance. The adjusted pre-tax operating loss in the first nine months of 2003 decreased as compared with the first nine months of 2002 due to higher investment income of our real estate management subsidiary.

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INCOME STATEMENT RECONCILIATION

     A reconciliation of our segment pre-tax operating income to net income as shown in our consolidated statements of income follows:

                                       
          For The Three Months Ended September 30,   For The Nine Months Ended September 30,
          2003   2002   2003   2002
         
 
 
 
                  ($ in thousands)        
Segment pre-tax operating income:
                               
 
Protection Products
  $ 28,584     $ 30,127     $ 95,546     $ 95,394  
 
Accumulation Products
    35,203       32,314       93,979       90,800  
 
Other operations
    (972 )     (1,742 )     (2,707 )     (4,732 )
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
     
Total segment pre-tax operating income
    62,815       60,699       186,818       181,462  
Non-segment items - increases (decreases) to income:
                               
 
Realized and unrealized losses on assets and liabilities:
                               
   
Realized gains (losses) on open block investments
    5,855       (10,506 )     30,307       (56,139 )
   
Unrealized gains (losses) on open block options and trading investments
    (1,228 )     (10,319 )     33,799       (64,555 )
   
Change in option value of equity-indexed products and market value adjustments on total return strategy annuities
    4,682       5,242       (22,527 )     41,110  
   
Cash flow hedge amortization
    (763 )     (1,961 )     (3,241 )     (2,659 )
   
Amortization of DAC & VOBA due to open block realized gains and losses
    (2,347 )     4,616       (12,800 )     9,902  
 
Non-recurring income (expenses):
                           
   
Reinsurance adjustments
            3,854        
   
Demutualization costs
      (722 )           (1,186 )
   
Restructuring costs
(1,551 )     (2,569 )     (17,415 )     (10,780 )
 
Other income from non-insurance operations
1,002       2,272       3,328       3,268  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
     
Income from continuing operations
    68,465       46,752       202,123       100,423  
Interest expense
    (7,864 )     (6,414 )     (22,238 )     (18,778 )
Income tax expense
    (19,766 )     (13,848 )     (59,545 )     (25,978 )
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
     
Net income
  $ 40,835     $ 26,490     $ 120,340     $ 55,667  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 

     Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Assets and Liabilities. Realized gains (losses) on open block investments will fluctuate from period to period depending on the prevailing interest rate, the economic environment and the timing of investment sales and impairments. Realized gains on open block investments in the first nine months of 2003 included $9.5 million of gains on sales of investments previously impaired and written-down in 2002 or 2003, primarily American Airlines, Dynegy Holdings, and Intermedia Communications. The realized losses, amounting to $10.5 million in the third quarter of 2002 and $56.1 million in the first nine months of 2002, primarily consisted of realized losses and writedowns on investments mainly related to Worldcom, Inc. and its related entities.

     Unrealized gains (losses) on open block options and trading investments also will fluctuate from period to period depending on the prevailing interest rate, the economic environment and the timing of investment sales and impairments. We use options to hedge our equity-indexed products. In accounting for derivatives, we adjusted our options to market value, which, due to the economic environment and stock market conditions, resulted in an unrealized gain of $7.6 million and $23.0 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2003, respectively, and an unrealized loss of $13.0 million and $47.8 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2002, respectively. In addition, we also have trading securities that back our total return strategy fixed annuity products. The market value adjustment on the trading securities resulted in a loss of $8.8 million and a gain of $10.8 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2003, respectively, and a gain of $2.7 million and a loss of $16.8 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2002, respectively. Most of the unrealized gains and losses on the options and trading securities are offset by similar adjustments to the option portion of the equity-indexed product reserves and to the total return strategy annuity reserves. The reserve adjustments are reflected in policyowner benefits expense in the

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consolidated statements of income and are included in the fair value change of $4.7 million and ($22.5) million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2003, respectively, and $5.2 million and $41.1 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2002, respectively, explained in the following paragraph.

     The fair value change in options embedded within our equity-indexed products and the fair value changes on our total return strategy fixed annuity contracts are being recorded at fair value. As previously discussed, these fair value changes are offset by similar adjustments to unrealized gains (losses) on investments related to the fair value changes on the options that hedge the equity-indexed products and on the trading securities that back the total return strategy products.

     Non-recurring Income (Expenses). Reinsurance related adjustments in the first nine months of 2003 consist of the release of a $8.2 million liability in conjunction with the settlement and amendment of a reinsurance arrangement and a $4.3 million true-up of pre-2003 reinsurance settlements under a reinsurance arrangement between ILIC open block and closed block. Both of the reinsurance adjustments were recorded in the second quarter of 2003.

     Restructuring costs relate to our consolidation of various functions in connection with a restructuring of our protection products and accumulation products operations and investment activities which began in the third quarter of 2001. The objective of the restructuring plan is to eliminate duplicative functions for all business units and to reduce on-going operating costs. Corporate administrative functions are being transitioned so they are performed primarily in Des Moines, Iowa. Protection products administration processes are being transitioned so they are performed in Des Moines; Woodbury, New York; or outsourced. Accumulation products functions have been transitioned to Topeka, Kansas. Investment activities have been restructured to eliminate certain real estate management services which have been outsourced.

     The Company listed its office building located in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a real estate broker. During the second quarter of 2003, the Company began to substantially vacate this location as a result of staff reductions. In addition, the Company also selected a new location in the second quarter of 2003 for those employees who are going to continue to work in Indianapolis. Most of the remaining Indianapolis employees moved to the new space during August 2003. On June 30, 2003, the Company determined that the plan of sale criteria in SFAS 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” had been met. Accordingly, the carrying value of the building was adjusted to its fair value less costs to sell, amounting to $15.5 million, which was based upon comparable properties recently marketed in Indianapolis. The resulting $7.7 million pre-tax impairment loss was recorded as restructuring cost in the consolidated statement of income during the second quarter of 2003. The carrying value of the building that is held for sale is included in the other assets line item of the consolidated balance sheet.

     During the second quarter of 2003, the Company initiated and executed a restructuring plan to merge one of its subsidiaries, IL Annuity, into its parent, ILIC. The merger was effective June 30, 2003 and total restructuring costs associated with this plan amounted to $2.5 million pre-tax, which primarily consisted of legal, accounting, and printing costs and the write off of $2.2 million of insurance licenses.

     The restructuring charges expensed in the first nine months of 2003 included pre-tax severance and termination benefits of $0.7 million for severance accrual adjustments and other pre-tax costs of $16.7 million primarily related to the impairment loss on the Indianapolis office, expenses associated with the merger of IL Annuity into ILIC, and systems conversion costs. For the first nine months of 2002, restructuring charges included pre-tax severance and termination benefits of $5.5 million for the elimination of approximately 90 positions and other pre-tax costs of $5.3 million. An accrual for severance and termination benefits not yet paid amounted to $2.2 million at September 30, 2003. Additional charges will be incurred for continuing restructuring activities primarily involving severance or relocation benefits for affected employees and various administrative, financial and actuarial system conversion costs. Expenditures for all restructuring activities are expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2003.

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     Interest expense increased for the third quarter and year-to-date periods of 2003 as compared to the same periods a year ago. The increase was primarily due to interest associated with the PRIDESSM securities of $143.8 million issued in the second quarter of 2003.

Liquidity And Capital Resources

AmerUs Group Co.

     As a holding company, AmerUs Group Co.’s cash flows from operations consist of dividends from subsidiaries, if declared and paid, interest from income on loans and advances to subsidiaries (including a surplus note issued to us by ALIC), investment income on our assets and fees which we charge our subsidiaries, offset by the expenses incurred for debt service, salaries and other expenses.

     We intend to rely primarily on dividends, interest income and fees from our insurance subsidiaries in order to make dividend payments to our shareholders. The payment of dividends by our insurance subsidiaries is regulated under various state laws. Generally, under the various state statutes, our insurance subsidiaries’ dividends may be paid only from the earned surplus arising from their respective businesses and must receive the prior approval of the respective state regulators to pay any dividend that would exceed certain statutory limitations. The current statutes generally limit any dividend, together with dividends paid out within the preceding 12 months, to the greater of (i) 10% of the respective company’s policyowners’ statutory surplus as of the preceding year end or (ii) the statutory net gain from operations for the previous calendar year. Generally, the various state laws give the state regulators discretion to approve or disapprove requests for dividends in excess of these limits. Based on these limitations and 2002 results, our life insurance subsidiaries could pay us an estimated $82.3 million in dividends in 2003 without obtaining regulatory approval. Our subsidiaries paid us $85.0 million in the first nine months of 2003 and included dividends for which we obtained regulatory approval. For the remaining period of 2003, additional dividends of $44.4 million can be paid by our life insurance subsidiaries without regulatory approval. We also consider risk-based capital levels, capital and liquidity operating needs, and other factors prior to paying dividends from the insurance subsidiaries.

     We have a $175 million revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders (which we refer to as the Revolving Credit Agreement). As of September 30, 2003, there was a $10 million outstanding loan balance under the facility. The Revolving Credit Agreement provides for typical events of default and covenants with respect to the conduct of business and requires the maintenance of various financial levels and ratios. Among other covenants, we (a) cannot have a leverage ratio greater than 0.35:1.0, (b) cannot have an interest coverage ratio less than 2.50:1.0, (c) are prohibited from paying cash dividends on common stock in excess of an amount equal to 3% of consolidated net worth as of the last day of the preceding fiscal year, and (d) must cause our insurance subsidiaries to maintain certain levels of risk-based capital. We closely monitor all of these covenants to ensure continued compliance.

     On May 28, 2003, we issued $125 million of PRIDES securities. On June 5, 2003, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full and we issued an additional $18.8 million of PRIDES. The PRIDES initially consist of a $25 senior note and a contract requiring the holder to purchase AmerUs Group common stock. The note has a minimum term of 4.75 years, which may be extended by AmerUs Group in certain circumstances. The PRIDES offer quarterly payments at an annual rate of 5.5 percent and quarterly contract adjustment payments at an annual rate of 0.75 percent, both payable on February 16, May 16, August 16 and November 16 of each year, commencing August 16, 2003. Under the purchase contract, holders of each contract are required to purchase AmerUs Group Co. common stock at the settlement date of August 16, 2006 based on a specified settlement rate, which will vary according to the applicable market value of AmerUs Group Co. common stock at the settlement date. The value of AmerUs Group Co. common stock to be issued upon settlement of each purchase contract will not exceed $25, the stated value of the PRIDES, unless the applicable market value of AmerUs Group Co. common stock (which is measured by the common stock price over a 20-day trading day period) increases to more than $33.80 per share. The PRIDES were registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form S-3 by means of a prospectus supplement filed on May 22, 2003, as further supplemented on May 23, 2003.

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     The proceeds from the PRIDES were used to repay borrowings on the Company’s Revolving Credit Agreement and for general operating purposes. The senior note component of the PRIDES ranks equally with all other senior debt of the Company.

     Our Board of Directors approved a stock purchase program effective August 9, 2002, under which we may purchase up to three million shares of our common stock at such times and under such conditions, as we deem advisable. The purchases may be made in the open market or by such other means as we determine to be appropriate, including privately negotiated purchases. The purchase program supercedes all prior purchase programs. Approximately 2.3 million shares remain available for repurchase under this program. We consider a variety of factors such as liquidity needs, capital levels and stock price in determining whether to repurchase shares. We do not anticipate any purchases of our common stock in 2003.

     We manage liquidity on a continuing basis. One way is to minimize our need for capital. We accomplish this by attempting to use our capital as efficiently as possible and by developing capital-efficient products in our insurance subsidiaries. We also manage our mix of sales by focusing on the more capital-efficient products. In addition, we use reinsurance agreements, where cost-effective, to reduce capital strain in the insurance subsidiaries. We also focus on optimizing the consolidated capital structure to properly balance the levels and sources of borrowing and the issuance of equity securities.

Insurance Subsidiaries

     The cash flows of our insurance subsidiaries consist primarily of premium income, deposits to policyowner account balances, income from investments, sales, maturities and calls of investments and repayments of investment principal. Cash outflows are primarily related to withdrawals of policyowner account balances, investment purchases, payment of policy acquisition costs, payment of policyowner benefits, payment of debt, income taxes and current operating expenses. Insurance companies generally produce a positive cash flow from operations, as measured by the amount by which cash flows are adequate to meet benefit obligations to policyowners and normal operating expenses as they are incurred. The remaining cash flow is generally used to increase the asset base to provide funds to meet the need for future policy benefit payments and for writing new business.

     Management believes that the current level of cash and available-for-sale and short-term securities, combined with expected net cash inflows from operations, maturities of fixed maturity investments, principal payments on mortgage-backed securities and its insurance products, will be adequate to meet the anticipated short-term cash obligations of the life insurance subsidiaries.

     Matching the investment portfolio maturities to the cash flow demands of the type of insurance being provided is an important consideration for each type of protection product and accumulation product. We continuously monitor benefits and surrenders to provide projections of future cash requirements. As part of this monitoring process, we perform cash flow testing of assets and liabilities under various scenarios to evaluate the adequacy of reserves. In developing our investment strategy, we establish a level of cash and securities which, combined with expected net cash inflows from operations, maturities of fixed maturity investments and principal payments on mortgage-backed securities, are believed adequate to meet anticipated short-term and long-term benefit and expense payment obligations. There can be no assurance that future experience regarding benefits and surrenders will be similar to historic experience since withdrawal and surrender levels are influenced by such factors as the interest rate environment and general economic conditions and the claims-paying and financial strength ratings of the insurance subsidiaries.

     We take into account asset/liability management considerations in the product development and design process. Contract terms for the interest-sensitive products include surrender and withdrawal provisions which mitigate the risk of losses due to early withdrawals. These provisions generally do one or more of the following: limit the amount of penalty-free withdrawals, limit the circumstances under which withdrawals are permitted, or assess a

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surrender charge or market value adjustment relating to the underlying assets. The following table summarizes statutory liabilities for interest-sensitive life products and annuities by their contractual withdrawal provisions at September 30, 2003 (including liabilities in the closed block and the general account):

           
      ($ in millions)
 
 
Not subject to discretionary withdrawal
  $ 514  
Subject to discretionary withdrawal with adjustments:
       
 
Specified surrender charges (A)
    8,409  
 
Market value adjustments
    3,027  
 
   
 
 
Subtotal
    11,436  
 
   
 
Subject to discretionary withdrawal without adjustments
    2,034  
 
   
 
Total
  $ 13,984  
 
   
 

  (A)   Includes $1,330 million of statutory liabilities with a contractual surrender charge of less than five percent of the account balance.

     In addition to the interest-sensitive products, an insurance subsidiary is party to a $250 million fixed rate funding agreement issued in 1999. Under the agreement, a five-year floating rate insurance contract was issued to a commercial paper conduit which was swapped to a fixed-rate. During 2002, our insurance subsidiaries placed additional funding agreements totaling $875 million in six to ten year fixed rate insurance contracts. The assets backing the funding agreements are legally segregated and are not subject to claims that arise out of any other business of the insurance subsidiaries. The funding agreements are further backed by the general account assets of the insurance subsidiaries. The segregated assets and liabilities are included with general account assets in the financial statements. The funding agreements may not be cancelled unless there is a default under the agreements, but the insurance subsidiaries may terminate the agreements at any time.

     We also have variable separate account assets and liabilities representing funds that are separately administered, principally for variable annuity contracts, and for which the contractholder bears the investment risk. Separate account assets and liabilities are reported at fair value and amounted to $243.5 million at September 30, 2003. Separate account contractholders have no claim against the assets of the general account. The operations of the separate accounts are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

     Through their respective memberships in the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLB) of Des Moines and Topeka, ALIC and American are eligible to borrow under variable-rate short term fed funds arrangements to provide additional liquidity. These borrowings are secured and interest is payable at the current rate at the time of each advance. There were no borrowings under these arrangements outstanding at September 30, 2003. In addition, ALIC has long-term fixed rate advances from FHLB outstanding of $13.5 million at September 30, 2003.

     The insurance subsidiaries may also obtain liquidity through sales of investments. The investment portfolio as of September 30, 2003 had a carrying value of $18.0 billion, including closed block investments.

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     The level of capital in the insurance companies is regulated by risk-based capital formulas and is monitored by rating agencies. In order to maintain appropriate capital levels, it may be necessary from time to time for AmerUs Group Co. to provide additional capital to the insurance companies.

     The Company participates in dollar-roll repurchase agreement transactions. Such transactions involve the sale of a mortgage-backed security to a holding institution and a simultaneous agreement to purchase a substantially similar security for forward settlement at a lower dollar price. The proceeds are invested in short-term investments at a positive spread until the settlement date of the similar security. During this same time period, the Company will continue to reflect the mortgage-backed security sold to the holding institution as a fixed maturity security, the cash received for such security as cash and cash equivalents, and the Company’s repurchase obligation as an other liability. The amount outstanding to repurchase securities under dollar-roll repurchase agreements was $92.6 million at September 30, 2003.

     The Company also participates in a securities lending program whereby certain fixed maturity securities from the investment portfolio are loaned to other institutions for a short period of time. The Company receives a fee in exchange for the loan of securities and requires initial collateral equal to 102 percent of the market value of the loaned securities to be separately maintained. Securities with a market value of $471.0 million were on loan under the program and the Company has cash collateral under its control of $480.2 million at September 30, 2003.

     At September 30, 2003, the statutory surplus of the insurance subsidiaries was approximately $760 million. Management believes that each life insurance company has statutory capital which provides adequate risk based capital that exceeds required levels.

     In the future, in addition to cash flows from operations and borrowing capacity, the insurance subsidiaries may obtain their required capital from AmerUs Group Co.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     The main objectives in managing our investment portfolios and our insurance subsidiaries are to maximize investment income and total investment returns while minimizing credit risks in order to provide maximum support to the insurance underwriting operations. Investment strategies are developed based on many factors including asset liability management, regulatory requirements, fluctuations in interest rates and consideration of other market risks. Investment decisions are centrally managed by investment professionals based on guidelines established by management and approved by the boards of directors.

     Market risk represents the potential for loss due to adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments. The market risks related to our financial instruments primarily relate to the investment portfolio, which exposes us to risks related to interest rates, credit quality and prepayment variation. Analytical tools and monitoring systems are in place to assess each of these elements of market risk.

     Interest rate risk is the price sensitivity of a fixed income security to changes in interest rates. Management views these potential changes in price within the overall context of asset and liability management. Actuarial professionals estimate the payout pattern of our liabilities, primarily lapses, to determine duration, which is the present value of the fixed income investment portfolios after consideration of the duration of these liabilities and other factors, which management believes mitigates the overall effect of interest rate risk.

     For variable and equity-indexed products, profitability on the portion of the policyowner’s account balance invested in the fixed general account option, if any, is also affected by the spreads between interest yields on investments and rates credited to the policies. For the variable products, the policyowner assumes essentially all the investment earnings risk for the portion of the account balance invested in the separate accounts. For the equity-indexed products, we purchase call options that are designed to match the return owed to contract holders who elect to

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participate in one or more market indices. Profitability on the portion of the equity-indexed products tied to market indices is significantly impacted by the spread on interest earned on investments and the sum of (1) the cost of underlying call options purchased to match the returns owed to contract holders and (2) the minimum interest guarantees owed to the contract holder, if any. Profitability on the equity-indexed products is also impacted by changes in the fair value of the embedded option which provides the contract holder the right to participate in market index returns after the next anniversary date of the contract. This impacts profitability as we primarily purchase one-year call options to fund the returns owed to the contract holders at the inception of each contract year. This practice matches with the contract holders’ rights to switch to different indices on each anniversary date. The value of the forward starting options embedded in the equity-indexed products can fluctuate with changes in assumptions as to future volatility of the market indices, risk free interest rates, market returns and the lives of the contracts.

     The following table provides information about our fixed maturity investments and mortgage loans for both our trading and other than trading portfolios at September 30, 2003. The table presents amortized cost and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates. The amortized cost approximates the cash flows of principal amounts in each of the periods. The cash flows are based on the earlier of the call date or the maturity date or, for mortgage-backed securities, expected payment patterns. Actual cash flows could differ from the expected amounts.

                                                                         
    Expected Cash Flows
    Remaining                                                   Amortized        
    2003   2004   2005   2006   2007   2008   Thereafter   Cost   Fair Value
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    ($ in millions)
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
  $ 444     $ 1,444     $ 1,297     $ 1,116     $ 1,149     $ 1,277     $ 6,907     $ 13,634     $ 14,219  
Average interest rate
    5.8 %     6.5 %     5.9 %     6.4 %     6.6 %     5.6 %     5.3 %                
Fixed maturity securities held for trading purposes
  $ 12     $ 183     $ 157     $ 200     $ 199     $ 214     $ 876     $ 1,841     $ 1,841  
Average interest rate
    1.3 %     1.5 %     1.6 %     1.8 %     2.6 %     2.8 %     4.5 %                
Mortgage loans
  $ 14     $ 63     $ 66     $ 63     $ 62     $ 71     $ 601     $ 940     $ 1,016  
Average interest rate
    7.9 %     7.8 %     7.7 %     7.7 %     7.7 %     7.6 %     7.5 %                
Total
  $ 470     $ 1,690     $ 1,520     $ 1,379     $ 1,410     $ 1,562     $ 8,384     $ 16,415     $ 17,076  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

     In accordance with our strategy of minimizing credit quality risk, we consistently invest in high quality marketable securities. Fixed maturity securities are comprised of U.S. Treasury, government agency, mortgage-backed and corporate securities. Approximately 66% of fixed maturity securities are issued by the U.S. Treasury or U.S. government agencies or are rated A or better by Moody’s, Standard and Poor’s, or the NAIC. Less than 7.5 % of the bond portfolio is below investment grade. Fixed maturity securities have an average maturity of approximately 7.18 years.

     Prepayment risk refers to the changes in prepayment patterns that can either shorten or lengthen the expected timing of the principal repayments and thus the average life and the effective yield of a security. Such risk exists primarily within the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities. Management monitors such risk regularly. We invest primarily in those classes of mortgage-backed securities that have average or lower prepayment risk.

     Our use of derivatives is generally limited to hedging purposes and has principally consisted of using interest rate swaps and options. These instruments, viewed separately, subject us to varying degrees of market and credit risk. However when used for hedging, the expectation is that these instruments would reduce overall market risk. Credit risk arises from the possibility that counterparties may fail to perform under the terms of the contracts.

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     Equity price risk is the potential loss arising from changes in the value of equity securities. In general, equities have more year-to-year price variability than intermediate term grade bonds. However, returns over longer time frames have been consistently higher.

     All of the above risks are monitored on an ongoing basis. A combination of in-house systems and proprietary models and externally licensed software are used to analyze individual securities as well as each portfolio. These tools provide the portfolio managers with information to assist them in the evaluation of the market risks of the portfolio.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     (a)  Based upon their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are effective for recording, processing, summarizing and reporting the information we are required to disclose in our reports filed under such act.

     (b)  There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     In recent years, the life insurance industry, including the Company and its subsidiaries, have been subject to an increase in litigation pursued on behalf of purported classes of insurance purchasers, questioning the conduct of insurers in the marketing of their products. The Company is often involved in litigation and other proceedings, including class actions, reinsurance claims and regulatory proceedings, arising in the ordinary course of its business. Some of these claims and legal actions are in jurisdictions where juries are given substantial latitude in assessing damages, including punitive damages. Although no assurances can be given and no determinations can be made at this time, the Company believes that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these claims and legal actions, would have no material effect on its results of operations and financial position.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

  (a)   Exhibits

     A list of exhibits included as part of this report is set forth in the Exhibit Index which immediately precedes such exhibits and is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

  (b)   The following report on Form 8-K was filed during the quarter ended September 30, 2003:
 
      Form 8-K dated August 7, 2003 announcing the release of second quarter 2003 earnings. Supplemental financial information of AmerUs Group Co. was attached.

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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

             
DATED: November 7, 2003           AMERUS GROUP CO.
             
    By   /s/   Melinda S. Urion
       
            Melinda S. Urion
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)
             
    By   /s/   Brenda J. Cushing
       
            Brenda J. Cushing
Senior Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)

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AMERUS GROUP CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

     
Exhibit    
No.   Description

 
2.1   Plan of Reorganization dated October 27, 1995, filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registration Statement of AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. on Form S-1, Registration Number 333-12239, is hereby incorporated by reference.
     
2.2   Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 19, 1997 and as amended and restated as of October 8, 1997, by and among AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., AFC Corp. and AmVestors Financial Corporation (“AmVestors”), filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Registration Statement of AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. on Form S-4, Registration Number 333-40065 is hereby incorporated by reference.
     
2.3   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 13, 1997 and as amended as of September 5, 1997, among AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and Delta Life Corporation, filed as Exhibit 2.2 to Form 8-K of AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. dated October 8, 1997, is hereby incorporated by reference.
     
2.4   Combination and Investment Agreement, dated February 18, 2000, among American Mutual Holding Company, AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., Indianapolis Life Insurance Company and The Indianapolis Life Group of Companies, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.1 to AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.’s report on Form 8-K/A on March 6, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
     
2.5   Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2000, by and between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.5 on Form 10-K, dated March 8, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
     
2.6   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 17, 1999, by and between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.6 on Form 10-K, dated March 8, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
     
2.7   Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated February 18, 2000, by and between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.7 on Form 10-K, dated March 8, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
     
2.8   Letter Agreement, dated December 17, 1999, by and between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.8 on Form 10-K, dated March 8, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
     
2.9   Notification Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2000, by and among American Mutual Holding Company, AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and Bankers Trust Company, filed as Exhibit 2.9 on Form 10-K, dated March 8, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
     
2.10   Amendment No. 2 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 3, 2000, by and between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.10 on Form 10-Q, dated May 15, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
     
2.11   Amendment No. 1 to the Purchase Agreement, dated April 3, 2000, by and between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.11 on Form 10-Q, dated May 15, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
     
2.12   Amendment to Combination and Investment Agreement dated February 18, 2000 among American Mutual Holding Company, AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., Indianapolis Life Insurance Company and The Indianapolis Life Group of Companies, Inc., dated September 18, 2000, filed as Exhibit 2.2 to Form 8-K12G3 of the Registrant dated September 21, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
     
2.13   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated January 1, 2002, by and among AmerUs Annuity Group Co., and the Stockholders of Family First Advanced Estate Planning and Family First Insurance Services, filed as Exhibit 2.13 on Form 10-Q dated August 12, 2002, is hereby incorporated by reference.
     
3.1   Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant filed as Exhibit 3.1 on Form 10-Q, dated November 14, 2000 is hereby incorporated by reference.
     
3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, filed as Exhibit 4.2 on Form S-8, dated June 13 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference.

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Exhibit
No.
  Description

 
  4.1     Amended and Restated Trust Agreement dated as of February 3, 1997 among AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., Wilmington Trust Company, as property trustee, and the administrative trustees named therein (AmerUs Capital I business trust), filed as Exhibit 3.6 to the registration statement of AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and AmerUs Capital I on Form S-1, Registration Number 333-13713, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.2     Indenture dated as of February 3, 1997 between AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company relating to the Company’s 8.85% Junior Subordinated Debentures, Series A, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the registration statement of AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and AmerUs Capital I on Form S-1, Registration Number, 333-13713, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.3     Guaranty Agreement dated as of February 3, 1997 between AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., as guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, relating to the 8.85% Capital Securities, Series A, issued by AmerUs Capital I, filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the registration statement on Form S-1, Registration Number, 333-13713, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.4     Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of AmerUs Capital II, dated as of July 27, 1998, among AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., First Union Trust Company and the administrative trustees named therein, relating to AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.’s 7.0% ACES Units, filed as Exhibit 4.5 on Form 10-Q, dated August 13, 1998, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.5     Certificate of Trust of AmerUs Capital III filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the registration statement of AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., AmerUs Capital II and AmerUs Capital III, on Form S-3 (No. 333-50249), is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.6     Common Trust Securities Guarantee Agreement, dated as of July 27, 1998, by AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., relating to AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.’s 7.0% ACES Units, filed as Exhibit 4.7 on Form 10-Q, dated August 13, 1998, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.7     QUIPS Guarantee Agreement, dated as of July 27, 1998, by AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., relating to AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.’s 7.0% ACES Units, filed as Exhibit 4.8 on Form 10-Q, dated August 13, 1998, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.8     Master Unit Agreement, dated as of July 27, 1998, between AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and First Union National Bank relating to AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.’s 7.0% ACES Units, filed as Exhibit 4.9 on Form 10-Q, dated August 13, 1998, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.9     Senior Indenture, dated as of June 16, 1998, by and between AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and First Union National Bank, as Indenture Trustee, relating to the AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.’s 6.95% Senior Notes, filed as Exhibit 4.14 on Form 10-Q, dated August 13, 1998, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.10     Subordinated Indenture, dated as of July 27, 1998, by and between AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and First Union National Bank, as Indenture Trustee, relating to AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.’s 6.86% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures, filed as Exhibit 4.15 on Form 10-Q, dated August 13, 1998, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.11     First Supplement to Indenture dated February 3, 1997 among American Mutual Holding Company, AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company as Trustee, relating to the Company’s 8.85% Junior Subordinated Debentures, Series A, dated September 20, 2000, filed as Exhibit 4.14 on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.12     Assignment and Assumption Agreement to Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated February 3, 1997 between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., dated September 20, 2000, filed as Exhibit 4.15 on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.13     Assignment and Assumption to Guaranty Agreement, dated February 3, 1997 between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., dated September 20, 2000, filed as Exhibit 4.16 on Form 10-Q, dated November 14, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.14     First Supplement to Subordinated Indenture, dated July 27, 1998, relating to AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.’s 6.86% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures, among American Mutual Holding Company, AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and First Union National Bank, as Indenture Trustee, dated September 20, 2000, filed as Exhibit 4.17 on Form 10-Q, dated November 14, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.15     First Supplement to Master Unit Agreement dated July 27, 1998, relating to AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.’s 7.0% ACES units, between American Mutual Holding Company and First Union National Bank, as Unit

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Exhibit
No.
  Description

 
        Agent, dated September 20, 2000, filed as Exhibit 4.18 on Form 10-Q, dated November 14, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.16     Assignment and Assumption Agreement to the QUIPS Guarantee Agreement dated July 27, 1998, relating to AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.’s 7.0% ACES units, between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., dated September 20, 2000, filed as Exhibit 4.19 on Form 10-Q, dated November 14, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.17     Assignment and Assumption Agreement to the Common Trust Securities Guarantee Agreement dated July 27, 1998, relating to AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.’s 7.0% ACES units, between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., dated September 20, 2000, filed as Exhibit 4.20 on Form 10-Q, dated November 14, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.18     First Supplement to Purchase Contracts between American Mutual Holding Company and Holders, as specified, dated September 20, 2000, filed as Exhibit 4.21 on Form 10-Q, dated November 14, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.19     First Supplement to Senior Indenture dated June 16, 1998, relating to AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.’s 6.95% Senior Notes, among American Mutual Holding Company, AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and First Union National Bank, as Trustee, dated September 20, 2000, filed as Exhibit 4.23 on Form 10-Q, dated November 14, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.20     Indenture dated as of March 6, 2002 between AmerUs Group Co. and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 on form 8-K/A, dated February 28, 2002, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.21     Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 6, 2002 between AmerUs Group Co. and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, filed as Exhibit 4.2 on Form 8-K/A, dated February 28, 2002, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.22     Form of Purchase Contract Agreement between AmerUs Group Co. and Wachovia Bank, National Association (formerly known as First Union National Bank), as Purchase Contract Agent, filed as Exhibit 4.1 on Form 8-A12B, dated May 22, 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.23     Form of Pledge Agreement among AmerUs Group Co., BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Collateral Agent, Custodial Agent and Securities Intermediary and Wachovia Bank, National Association (formerly known as First Union National Bank), as Purchase Contract Agent, filed as Exhibit 4.2 on Form 8-A12B dated May 22, 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.24     Form of Remarketing Agreement among AmerUs Group Co., Wachovia Bank, National Association (formerly known as First Union National Bank), as Purchase Contract Agent, and the Remarketing Agent named therein, filed as Exhibit 4.3 on Form 8-A12B dated May 22, 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.25     Form of Income PRIDES (included in Exhibit 4.1 as Exhibit A thereto), filed as Exhibit 4.1 on Form 8-A12B, dated May 22, 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.26     Officer’s Certificate attaching form of Senior Notes initially due 2008, filed as Exhibit 4.7 on Form 8-A12B, dated May 22, 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  4.27     Form of Purchase Agreement between AmerUs Group Co. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, filed as Exhibit 1.1 on Form 8-K, dated as of May 28, 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference.
         
  11*     Statement Re: Computation of Earnings Per Share.
         
  12*     Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
         
  31.1*     Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13(a) – 15(e) or Rule 15(d) – 15(e).
         
  31.2*     Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13(a) – 15(e) or Rule 15(d) – 15(e).
         
  32.1*     Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
         
  32.2*     Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

* Included herein.

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