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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>As filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on June&nbsp;27, 2003</B>
</FONT>
<P align="right"><FONT size="2"><B>Registration No. ____________</B>
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="4"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</FONT>
<div align="center"><FONT size="3"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</FONT>
</DIV>
<P>
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<P>
<P align="center"><FONT size="5"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>_____________________________</B>
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="5"><B>AmerUs Group Co.</B>
</FONT>
<div align="center"><FONT size="2">(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)</FONT>
</DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>_____________________________</B>
</FONT>
<DIV align="center">
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    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>Iowa</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<B>42-1458424</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
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    <TD align="center" valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<HR size="1" noshade></FONT></TD>
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    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">(State or other jurisdiction of<br>incorporation or
organization)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
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</DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>699 Walnut Street<BR>
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-3948</B><BR>
(Address of principal executive offices)
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>_____________________________</B>
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>AmerUs Group Co. MIP Deferral Plan</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>_____________________________</B>
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Joseph K. Haggerty, Senior Vice President and General Counsel</B><BR>
AmerUs Group Co., 699 Walnut Street<BR>
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-3948 &#151; (515)&nbsp;362-3600<BR>
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</FONT>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title of Each Class of Securities to</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount to be</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Offering Price Per</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Aggregate Offering</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount of</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Registered (1) (2)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Share (3)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Price</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Registration Fee</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">AmerUs Group Co. common stock, no
par value</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
500,000 shares
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">27.07<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">13,535,000<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">1094.98<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<HR size="1" noshade>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Deferred Compensation Obligations (4)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
$16,242,000
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">27.07<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">16,242,000<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">1313.98<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<HR size="1" noshade>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade><br>
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    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
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</DIV>

<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="4%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">(1)
</FONT></TD>
 <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
 <TD><FONT size="2">The Deferred Compensation Obligations and the Common Stock registered
herein are unsecured obligations of AmerUs Group Co. to pay deferred
compensation in the future in accordance with the terms of the AmerUs Group Co.
MIP Deferral Plan.
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="4%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">(2)
</FONT></TD>
 <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
 <TD><FONT size="2">Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416 under the Securities Act of 1933, the Registration
Statement also covers an additional and indeterminate number of shares which
may become issuable because of the provisions of the Plan relating to
adjustments for changes resulting from stock dividends, stock splits and
similar changes.
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="4%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">(3)
</FONT></TD>
 <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
 <TD><FONT size="2">Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee as
contemplated by Rule 457(c) and (h)&nbsp;and based on the average of the high and
low prices of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock
Exchange on June&nbsp;24, 2003, the latest practicable date prior to the filing of
this Registration Statement.
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="4%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">(4)
</FONT></TD>
 <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
 <TD><FONT size="2">Calculated pursuant to 457 (h).
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT>
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<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
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	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#002">Signatures</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c77923exv4w3.htm">AmerUs Group Co. MIP Deferral Plan</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c77923exv5w1.htm">Opinion of Joseph K. Haggerty, Esq.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c77923exv23w2.htm">Consent of Ernst & Young LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c77923exv23w3.htm">Consent of KPMG LLP</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>




<!-- link1 "PART I" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>PART I</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
</FONT>

<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="2%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">
</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD><FONT size="2"><B>Item</B>&nbsp;<B>1.</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Plan Information.</B>*
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="2%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">
</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD><FONT size="2"><B>Item</B>&nbsp;<B>2.</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.</B>*
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="2%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">*
</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD><FONT size="2">Information required by Part&nbsp;I to be contained in the Section
10(a) prospectus is omitted from the registration statement in
accordance with Rule&nbsp;428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the Note to Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8. Such information will
be sent or given to participants as specified by Rule&nbsp;428 (b)(1) and
will along with the documents incorporated by reference in the
registration statement pursuant to Item&nbsp;3 of Part&nbsp;II of this form
constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>PART II</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</FONT>

<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="2%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">
</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD><FONT size="2"><B>Item</B>&nbsp;<B>3.</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.</B>
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="2%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">
</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD><FONT size="2">The following documents heretofore filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) by AmerUs Group Co. (the
&#147;Company&#148;) are incorporated herein by reference:
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December&nbsp;31, 2002 filed under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;);
</FONT>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal
quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2003, filed under the Exchange Act;
</FONT>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The Company&#146;s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed under the
Exchange Act on February&nbsp;7, 2003, March&nbsp;14, 2003, May&nbsp;8, 2003, May&nbsp;15,
2003, May&nbsp;22, 2003 and May&nbsp;28, 2003; and
</FONT>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) The description of the Common Stock, no par value, of the
Company (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;) which is contained in the Company&#146;s
Registration on Form S-4 filed under the Exchange Act on May&nbsp;12, 2000,
including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating
such description.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c),
14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this registration
statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which
indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, are deemed to be
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">2
</FONT>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">incorporated by reference into this registration statement and to be a part
hereof from the respective dates of filing of such documents (such
documents, and the documents enumerated above, being hereinafter referred to
as &#147;Incorporated Documents&#148;).
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any statement contained in an Incorporated Document shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
Incorporated Document modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We will provide to participants without charge upon written or oral
request, a copy of any or all of the documents which are incorporated by
reference into this registration statement, excluding any exhibits to
those documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by
reference as an exhibit in this registration statement. Such documents
are incorporated by reference into the Section 10(a) prospectus.
Requests should be directed to: AmerUs Group Co., 699 Walnut Street, Des
Moines, Iowa 50309-3948, telephone number (515)&nbsp;362-3600, Attention:
James A. Smallenberger.
</FONT>
<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="2%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">
</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD><FONT size="2"><B>Item</B>&nbsp;<B>4.</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Description of Securities.</B>
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Securities being registered are the obligations (the &#147;Deferred
Compensation Obligations&#148;) of the Registrant to pay to participants
(&#147;Participants&#148;) in the AmerUs Group MIP Deferral Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;)
compensation, together with any earnings or losses thereon, the receipt
of which such Participants have elected to defer until expiration of a
restricted period or, under certain circumstances, until the death,
disability, retirement or termination of employment of such Participants.
Earnings or losses on such deferred compensation are based upon the
increase or decrease in value of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock. The
Deferred Compensation Obligations are payable in the form approved by
the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Registrant&#146;s Board
of Directors (the &#147;Human Resources Committee&#148;). The Human Resources
Committee has instituted a policy of paying all Deferred Compensation
Obligations in Common Stock of the Registrant. There is no trading
market for the Deferred Compensation Obligations. The Deferred
Compensation Obligations are unsecured general obligations of the
Registrant and rank pari passu with other unsecured and unsubordinated
indebtedness of the Registrant. The Deferred Compensation Obligations
are not subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale,
transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment;
provided, however, that the Human Resources Committee may provide that
Deferred Compensation Obligations are transferable to members of a
Participant&#146;s immediate family, including trusts for the benefit of such
family members and partnerships in which such family members are the only
partners. Any attempt by any person to transfer or assign benefits under
the Plan, other than as described above or other than a claim for
benefits by a Participant or his or her beneficiary or beneficiaries,
will be null and void.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Deferred Compensation Obligations are not convertible into any
other security of the Registrant. No trustee has been appointed to take
action with respect to the Deferred Compensation Obligations and each
Participant will be responsible for enforcing his or her own rights with
respect to the Deferred Compensation Obligations. The Human Resources
Committee may amend the Plan, but no amendment may impair the right of a
Participant without his or her consent.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">3
</FONT>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="2%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">
</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD><FONT size="2"><B>Item</B>&nbsp;<B>5.</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Certain legal matters in connection with the Deferred Compensation
Obligations and Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Joseph K. Haggerty, Esq., Senior Vice President, General
Counsel of the Company. As of June&nbsp;26, 2003, Mr.&nbsp;Haggerty beneficially
owns 21,362 shares of the Common Stock, has current exercisable options
to purchase 30,000 shares of Common Stock.
</FONT>
<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="2%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">
</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD><FONT size="2"><B>Item</B>&nbsp;<B>6.</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;490.202 of the Iowa Business Corporation Act, or the IBCA,
provides that a corporation&#146;s articles of incorporation may contain a provision
eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation
or its shareholders for monetary damages for any action taken, or failure to
take action, as a director, provided that the provision does not eliminate or
limit the liability of a director for the amount of a financial benefit
received by a director to which the director is not entitled; an intentional
infliction of harm on the corporation or the shareholder; violation of Section
490.833; or an intentional violation of criminal law. Further, Section&nbsp;490.851
of the IBCA provides that a corporation may indemnify its directors party to a
proceeding against liability incurred in the proceeding by reason of such
person serving in the capacity of director, if such person has acted in good
faith and in a manner reasonably believed by the individual to be in the best
interests of the corporation, if the director was acting in an official
capacity and in all other cases was not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and in any criminal proceeding if such person had no reasonable
cause to believe the individual&#146;s conduct was unlawful or the director engaged
in conduct for which broader indemnification has been made permissible or
obligatory under a provision of the articles of incorporation.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The indemnity provisions under Section&nbsp;490.851 do not apply (i)&nbsp;in the
case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation except for
reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding if it is
determined that the director has met the relevant standard of conduct under
Subsection 1 of Section&nbsp;490.851; or (ii)&nbsp;in connection with any proceedings
with respect to conduct for which the director was adjudged liable on the basis
that the director received a financial benefit to which the director was not
entitled, whether or not involving action in the director&#146;s official capacity.
In addition, Section&nbsp;490.852 of the IBCA provides mandatory indemnification of
reasonable expenses incurred by a director who successfully defends any action
in which the director was a party because the director is or was a director of
the corporation. A director who is a party to a proceeding because the person
is a director may also apply for court-ordered indemnification and advance of
expenses under Section&nbsp;490.854.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Under Section&nbsp;490.856, a corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to
an officer of the corporation who is a party to a proceeding because the person
is an officer to the same extent as to a director. If the person is an officer
but not a director, further indemnification may be provided by the articles of
incorporation, the bylaws, a resolution of the board of directors, or contract,
except for liability in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the
corporation other than for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the
proceeding or for, liability arising out of conduct that constitutes receipt by
the officer of a financial benefit to which the officer is not entitled; an
intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or the shareholders; or an
intentional violation of criminal law. Such indemnification is also available
to an officer who is also a director if the basis on which the officer is made
a party to a proceeding is an act or omission solely as an officer.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;An officer of a corporation who is not a director is entitled to mandatory
indemnification under Section&nbsp;490.852, and may apply to a court under Section
490.854 for indemnification or an advance for expenses, in each case to the
same extent to which a director may be entitled to indemnification or advance
for expenses under those provisions.
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">4
</FONT>
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<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s Articles of Incorporation provide that no director of the
Registrant will be liable to the Registrant or its shareholders for monetary
damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent
required by the IBCA. This provision will not prevent shareholders from
obtaining injunctive or other equitable relief against directors nor will it
shield directors from liability under Federal or state securities laws. In
addition, the Articles of Incorporation provide that the Registrant will to the
maximum extent permitted by law, indemnify a person who incurs any loss by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was or has agreed to be a director or
officer of the Registrant or while a director or officer of the Registrant is
or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director, officer,
partner, trustee, employee or agent of any corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee
benefit plans, subject to such person having met the standards of conduct
required for such indemnification under Iowa law.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s Bylaws provide that the Registrant shall indemnify and
advance expenses to any person who was or is a party to or is threatened to be
made a party to any threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including
a grand jury proceeding) and whether formal or informal, by reason of the fact
that such person (i)&nbsp;is or was a director or officer of the Registrant or any
of its subsidiaries, whether before or after the conversion of the Registrant
from a mutual insurance holding company to a stock company, or (ii)&nbsp;while a
director or officer of the Registrant or any of its subsidiaries, whether
before or after the conversion of the Registrant from a mutual insurance
holding company, is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a
director, officer, employee, agent, partner or trustee (or in a similar
capacity) of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, other
enterprise, or employee benefit plan, to the maximum extent it is permitted to
do so by the IBCA. An amendment to the IBCA will be adopted and applied only to
the extent that such amendment permits the Registrant to provide broader
indemnification than previously permitted prior to such amendment. The Bylaws
provide for indemnification of such person against reasonable expenses
(including attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines, penalties, including an excise
tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan, and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with
such claim, action, suit or proceeding or any appeal thereof. However,
entitlement to such indemnification is conditional upon the Registrant being
afforded the opportunity to participate directly on behalf of such person in
such claim, action, suit or proceeding or any related settlement discussions.
Entitlement to indemnification with respect to any settlement or other
nonadjudicated disposition is further conditional upon the prior approval by
the Registrant of the proposed settlement or nonadjudicated disposition. Such
approval shall be made (a)&nbsp;by the Board of Directors by majority vote of a
quorum consisting of directors not at the time parties to the claim, action,
suit or proceeding, or (b)&nbsp;by special legal counsel selected by the Board of
Directors by majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors not at the time
parties to the claim, action, suit, or proceeding, or, if the requisite quorum
of the full board cannot be obtained therefor, by a majority vote of the full
board, in which selection of counsel directors who are parties may participate.
The Bylaws also provide that the Registrant shall indemnify a person for costs
and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing in any
action or proceeding his or her right to indemnification by the Registrant.
Except as limited by the IBCA, the indemnification and advancement of expenses
provisions of the Bylaws are not exclusive of any other rights to which a
person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under
any other bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors,
law or otherwise.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As permitted by and in accordance with Section&nbsp;490.857 of the IBCA, the
Registrant maintains a directors&#146; and officers&#146; liability insurance policy to
insure against losses arising from claims made against its directors and
officers, subject to the limitations and conditions as set forth in the
policies. In addition, the Registrant has entered into indemnification
agreements with its directors and certain of its executive officers providing
for the indemnification of such persons as permitted by its Articles of
Incorporation and Iowa law.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">5
</FONT>
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<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="2%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">
</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD><FONT size="2"><B>Item</B>&nbsp;<B>7.</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="4%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">
</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD><FONT size="2">Not applicable.
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="2%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">
</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD><FONT size="2"><B>Item</B>&nbsp;<B>8.</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Exhibits.</B>
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="2%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">
</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD><FONT size="2">The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by reference as
part of this Registration Statement:
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="75%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="86%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><FONT size="1"><B>Number</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Description of Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">4.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Company&#146;s
Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q dated November&nbsp;14, 2000.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">4.2</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.2 to the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on
Form&nbsp;S-8, filed on June&nbsp;13, 2003.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">4.3*</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
AmerUs Group Co. MIP Deferral Plan.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">5.1*</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Opinion of Joseph K. Haggerty, Esq., Senior Vice President and General
Counsel of the Company as to the legality of the securities being
registered.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.1*</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Joseph K. Haggerty, Esq., Senior Vice President and General
Counsel of the Company (included in opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.2*</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.3*</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of KPMG LLP.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">24*</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<P>
<HR size="1" width="18%" align="left" noshade>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
      <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">*
</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="2%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="97%"><FONT size="2">Filed herewith.
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="2%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">
</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD><FONT size="2"><B>Item</B>&nbsp;<B>9.</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Undertakings.</B>
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
</FONT>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration
statement:
</FONT>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;);
</FONT>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
the
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">6
</FONT>
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<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information
set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered
(if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed
that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high
end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)
if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no
more than a 20&nbsp;percent change in the maximum aggregate offering
price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in
the effective registration statement; and
</FONT>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) To include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;
</FONT>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not
apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form
F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed
with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to
Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
reference in the registration statement.
</FONT>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide </I>offering thereof.
</FONT>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold
at the termination of the offering.
</FONT>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for
purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a)
or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each
filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference
in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
be the initial <I>bona fide </I>offering thereof.
</FONT>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under
the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in
the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant
of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit
to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">7
</FONT>
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<!-- link1 "Signatures" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Signatures</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Company certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly
caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Des Moines,
State of Iowa, on this 26th day of June, 2003.
</FONT>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="55%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="18%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="68%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left"><FONT size="2">AmerUs Group Co.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
By:
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Melinda S. Urion</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Melinda S. Urion<br>
Executive Vice President and<br>
Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Power of Attorney and Signatures</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We, the undersigned officers and directors of AmerUs Group Co.
hereby severally constitute and appoint Thomas C. Godlasky, James A.
Smallenberger and Melinda S. Urion, and each of them singly, our
true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of them
singly, to sign for us in our names and in the capacities indicated
below, all pre-effective and post-effective amendments to this
registration statement, and generally to do all things in our names
and on our behalf in such capacities to enable the Company to comply
with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, and all
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
this registration statement has been signed by the following persons
in the capacities indicated on this 26th day of June, 2003.
</FONT>
<DIV align="left">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="75%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="21%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="61%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Names</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Capacity</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Roger K. Brooks</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Roger K. Brooks
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Melinda S. Urion</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Melinda S. Urion
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Brenda J. Cushing</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Brenda J. Cushing
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Senior Vice President and Controller</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
John R. Albers</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
John R. Albers
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
David A. Arledge</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
David A. Arledge
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Alecia A. DeCoudreaux</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Alecia A. DeCoudreaux
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Thomas F. Gaffney</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Thomas F. Gaffney
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
John W. Norris, Jr.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
John W. Norris, Jr.
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Andrew J. Paine, Jr.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Andrew J. Paine, Jr.
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Jack C. Pester</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Jack C. Pester
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
John A. Wing</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
John A. Wing
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
F.A. Wittern, Jr.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
F.A. Wittern, Jr.
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">8
</FONT>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Index to Exhibits to Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8</B>
</FONT>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="75%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="86%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><FONT size="1"><B>Number</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Description of Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">4.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Company&#146;s
Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q dated November&nbsp;14, 2000.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">4.2</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.2 to the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on
Form&nbsp;S-8, filed on June&nbsp;13, 2003.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">4.3*</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
AmerUs Group Co. MIP Deferral Plan.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">5.1*</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Opinion of Joseph K. Haggerty, Esq., Senior Vice President and General
Counsel of the Company as to the legality of the securities being
registered.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.1*</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Joseph K. Haggerty, Esq., Senior Vice President and General
Counsel of the Company (included in opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.2*</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.3*</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of KPMG LLP.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">24*</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<P>
<HR size="1" width="18%" align="left" noshade>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
      <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">*
</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="2%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="97%"><FONT size="2">Filed herewith.
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">9
</FONT>
</BODY>
</HTML>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "AMERUS GROUP CO/IA", "cik": "0001051717", "assigned-sic": "6311", "irs-number": "421458424", "state-of-incorporation": "IA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-106572", "film-number": "03760740"}, "business-address": {"street1": "699 WALNUT STREET", "city": "DES MOINES", "state": "IA", "zip": "50309", "phone": "5153623600"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "AMERICAN MUTUAL HOLDING CO", "date-changed": "19971217"}}
Registration Statement
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on June 27, 2003
Registration No. ____________
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
_____________________________
AmerUs Group Co.
(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
_____________________________
Iowa
42-1458424
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or
organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
699 Walnut Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-3948
(Address of principal executive offices)
_____________________________
AmerUs Group Co. MIP Deferral Plan
(Full title of the plan)
_____________________________
Joseph K. Haggerty, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
AmerUs Group Co., 699 Walnut Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-3948 — (515) 362-3600
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Maximum
Proposed Maximum
Title of Each Class of Securities to
Amount to be
Offering Price Per
Aggregate Offering
Amount of
be Registered
Registered (1) (2)
Share (3)
Price
Registration Fee
AmerUs Group Co. common stock, no
par value
500,000 shares
$
27.07
$
13,535,000
$
1094.98
Deferred Compensation Obligations (4)
$16,242,000
$
27.07
$
16,242,000
$
1313.98
(1)
The Deferred Compensation Obligations and the Common Stock registered
herein are unsecured obligations of AmerUs Group Co. to pay deferred
compensation in the future in accordance with the terms of the AmerUs Group Co.
MIP Deferral Plan.
(2)
Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, the Registration
Statement also covers an additional and indeterminate number of shares which
may become issuable because of the provisions of the Plan relating to
adjustments for changes resulting from stock dividends, stock splits and
similar changes.
(3)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee as
contemplated by Rule 457(c) and (h) and based on the average of the high and
low prices of the Registrant's Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock
Exchange on June 24, 2003, the latest practicable date prior to the filing of
this Registration Statement.
(4)
Calculated pursuant to 457 (h).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
PART II
Signatures
AmerUs Group Co. MIP Deferral Plan
Opinion of Joseph K. Haggerty, Esq.
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
Consent of KPMG LLP
Table of Contents
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item
1.
Plan Information.
*
Item
2.
Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
*
*
Information required by Part I to be contained in the Section
10(a) prospectus is omitted from the registration statement in
accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the Note to Part I of Form S-8. Such information will
be sent or given to participants as specified by Rule 428 (b)(1) and
will along with the documents incorporated by reference in the
registration statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this form
constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item
3.
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
The following documents heretofore filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") by AmerUs Group Co. (the
"Company") are incorporated herein by reference:
(a) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2002 filed under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act");
(b) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal
quarter ended March 31, 2003, filed under the Exchange Act;
(c) The Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed under the
Exchange Act on February 7, 2003, March 14, 2003, May 8, 2003, May 15,
2003, May 22, 2003 and May 28, 2003; and
(d) The description of the Common Stock, no par value, of the
Company (the "Common Stock") which is contained in the Company's
Registration on Form S-4 filed under the Exchange Act on May 12, 2000,
including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating
such description.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this registration
statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which
indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, are deemed to be
2
Table of Contents
incorporated by reference into this registration statement and to be a part
hereof from the respective dates of filing of such documents (such
documents, and the documents enumerated above, being hereinafter referred to
as "Incorporated Documents").
Any statement contained in an Incorporated Document shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
Incorporated Document modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.
We will provide to participants without charge upon written or oral
request, a copy of any or all of the documents which are incorporated by
reference into this registration statement, excluding any exhibits to
those documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by
reference as an exhibit in this registration statement. Such documents
are incorporated by reference into the Section 10(a) prospectus.
Requests should be directed to: AmerUs Group Co., 699 Walnut Street, Des
Moines, Iowa 50309-3948, telephone number (515) 362-3600, Attention:
James A. Smallenberger.
Item
4.
Description of Securities.
The Securities being registered are the obligations (the "Deferred
Compensation Obligations") of the Registrant to pay to participants
("Participants") in the AmerUs Group MIP Deferral Plan (the "Plan")
compensation, together with any earnings or losses thereon, the receipt
of which such Participants have elected to defer until expiration of a
restricted period or, under certain circumstances, until the death,
disability, retirement or termination of employment of such Participants.
Earnings or losses on such deferred compensation are based upon the
increase or decrease in value of the Registrant's Common Stock. The
Deferred Compensation Obligations are payable in the form approved by
the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Registrant's Board
of Directors (the "Human Resources Committee"). The Human Resources
Committee has instituted a policy of paying all Deferred Compensation
Obligations in Common Stock of the Registrant. There is no trading
market for the Deferred Compensation Obligations. The Deferred
Compensation Obligations are unsecured general obligations of the
Registrant and rank pari passu with other unsecured and unsubordinated
indebtedness of the Registrant. The Deferred Compensation Obligations
are not subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale,
transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment;
provided, however, that the Human Resources Committee may provide that
Deferred Compensation Obligations are transferable to members of a
Participant's immediate family, including trusts for the benefit of such
family members and partnerships in which such family members are the only
partners. Any attempt by any person to transfer or assign benefits under
the Plan, other than as described above or other than a claim for
benefits by a Participant or his or her beneficiary or beneficiaries,
will be null and void.
The Deferred Compensation Obligations are not convertible into any
other security of the Registrant. No trustee has been appointed to take
action with respect to the Deferred Compensation Obligations and each
Participant will be responsible for enforcing his or her own rights with
respect to the Deferred Compensation Obligations. The Human Resources
Committee may amend the Plan, but no amendment may impair the right of a
Participant without his or her consent.
3
Table of Contents
Item
5.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Certain legal matters in connection with the Deferred Compensation
Obligations and Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Joseph K. Haggerty, Esq., Senior Vice President, General
Counsel of the Company. As of June 26, 2003, Mr. Haggerty beneficially
owns 21,362 shares of the Common Stock, has current exercisable options
to purchase 30,000 shares of Common Stock.
Item
6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 490.202 of the Iowa Business Corporation Act, or the IBCA,
provides that a corporation's articles of incorporation may contain a provision
eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation
or its shareholders for monetary damages for any action taken, or failure to
take action, as a director, provided that the provision does not eliminate or
limit the liability of a director for the amount of a financial benefit
received by a director to which the director is not entitled; an intentional
infliction of harm on the corporation or the shareholder; violation of Section
490.833; or an intentional violation of criminal law. Further, Section 490.851
of the IBCA provides that a corporation may indemnify its directors party to a
proceeding against liability incurred in the proceeding by reason of such
person serving in the capacity of director, if such person has acted in good
faith and in a manner reasonably believed by the individual to be in the best
interests of the corporation, if the director was acting in an official
capacity and in all other cases was not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and in any criminal proceeding if such person had no reasonable
cause to believe the individual's conduct was unlawful or the director engaged
in conduct for which broader indemnification has been made permissible or
obligatory under a provision of the articles of incorporation.
The indemnity provisions under Section 490.851 do not apply (i) in the
case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation except for
reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding if it is
determined that the director has met the relevant standard of conduct under
Subsection 1 of Section 490.851; or (ii) in connection with any proceedings
with respect to conduct for which the director was adjudged liable on the basis
that the director received a financial benefit to which the director was not
entitled, whether or not involving action in the director's official capacity.
In addition, Section 490.852 of the IBCA provides mandatory indemnification of
reasonable expenses incurred by a director who successfully defends any action
in which the director was a party because the director is or was a director of
the corporation. A director who is a party to a proceeding because the person
is a director may also apply for court-ordered indemnification and advance of
expenses under Section 490.854.
Under Section 490.856, a corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to
an officer of the corporation who is a party to a proceeding because the person
is an officer to the same extent as to a director. If the person is an officer
but not a director, further indemnification may be provided by the articles of
incorporation, the bylaws, a resolution of the board of directors, or contract,
except for liability in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the
corporation other than for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the
proceeding or for, liability arising out of conduct that constitutes receipt by
the officer of a financial benefit to which the officer is not entitled; an
intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or the shareholders; or an
intentional violation of criminal law. Such indemnification is also available
to an officer who is also a director if the basis on which the officer is made
a party to a proceeding is an act or omission solely as an officer.
An officer of a corporation who is not a director is entitled to mandatory
indemnification under Section 490.852, and may apply to a court under Section
490.854 for indemnification or an advance for expenses, in each case to the
same extent to which a director may be entitled to indemnification or advance
for expenses under those provisions.
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The Registrant's Articles of Incorporation provide that no director of the
Registrant will be liable to the Registrant or its shareholders for monetary
damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent
required by the IBCA. This provision will not prevent shareholders from
obtaining injunctive or other equitable relief against directors nor will it
shield directors from liability under Federal or state securities laws. In
addition, the Articles of Incorporation provide that the Registrant will to the
maximum extent permitted by law, indemnify a person who incurs any loss by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was or has agreed to be a director or
officer of the Registrant or while a director or officer of the Registrant is
or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director, officer,
partner, trustee, employee or agent of any corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee
benefit plans, subject to such person having met the standards of conduct
required for such indemnification under Iowa law.
The Registrant's Bylaws provide that the Registrant shall indemnify and
advance expenses to any person who was or is a party to or is threatened to be
made a party to any threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including
a grand jury proceeding) and whether formal or informal, by reason of the fact
that such person (i) is or was a director or officer of the Registrant or any
of its subsidiaries, whether before or after the conversion of the Registrant
from a mutual insurance holding company to a stock company, or (ii) while a
director or officer of the Registrant or any of its subsidiaries, whether
before or after the conversion of the Registrant from a mutual insurance
holding company, is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a
director, officer, employee, agent, partner or trustee (or in a similar
capacity) of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, other
enterprise, or employee benefit plan, to the maximum extent it is permitted to
do so by the IBCA. An amendment to the IBCA will be adopted and applied only to
the extent that such amendment permits the Registrant to provide broader
indemnification than previously permitted prior to such amendment. The Bylaws
provide for indemnification of such person against reasonable expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, penalties, including an excise
tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan, and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with
such claim, action, suit or proceeding or any appeal thereof. However,
entitlement to such indemnification is conditional upon the Registrant being
afforded the opportunity to participate directly on behalf of such person in
such claim, action, suit or proceeding or any related settlement discussions.
Entitlement to indemnification with respect to any settlement or other
nonadjudicated disposition is further conditional upon the prior approval by
the Registrant of the proposed settlement or nonadjudicated disposition. Such
approval shall be made (a) by the Board of Directors by majority vote of a
quorum consisting of directors not at the time parties to the claim, action,
suit or proceeding, or (b) by special legal counsel selected by the Board of
Directors by majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors not at the time
parties to the claim, action, suit, or proceeding, or, if the requisite quorum
of the full board cannot be obtained therefor, by a majority vote of the full
board, in which selection of counsel directors who are parties may participate.
The Bylaws also provide that the Registrant shall indemnify a person for costs
and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing in any
action or proceeding his or her right to indemnification by the Registrant.
Except as limited by the IBCA, the indemnification and advancement of expenses
provisions of the Bylaws are not exclusive of any other rights to which a
person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under
any other bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors,
law or otherwise.
As permitted by and in accordance with Section 490.857 of the IBCA, the
Registrant maintains a directors' and officers' liability insurance policy to
insure against losses arising from claims made against its directors and
officers, subject to the limitations and conditions as set forth in the
policies. In addition, the Registrant has entered into indemnification
agreements with its directors and certain of its executive officers providing
for the indemnification of such persons as permitted by its Articles of
Incorporation and Iowa law.
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Item
7.
Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item
8.
Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by reference as
part of this Registration Statement:
Exhibit
Number
Description of Exhibit
4.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2000.
4.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-8, filed on June 13, 2003.
4.3*
AmerUs Group Co. MIP Deferral Plan.
5.1*
Opinion of Joseph K. Haggerty, Esq., Senior Vice President and General
Counsel of the Company as to the legality of the securities being
registered.
23.1*
Consent of Joseph K. Haggerty, Esq., Senior Vice President and General
Counsel of the Company (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)
23.2*
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
23.3*
Consent of KPMG LLP.
24*
Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).
*
Filed herewith.
Item
9.
Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration
statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act");
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
the
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aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information
set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered
(if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed
that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high
end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)
if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no
more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering
price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in
the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not
apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form
F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed
with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
reference in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold
at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for
purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a)
or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each
filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference
in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under
the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in
the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant
of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit
to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
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Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Company certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly
caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Des Moines,
State of Iowa, on this 26th day of June, 2003.
AmerUs Group Co.
By:
/s/ Melinda S. Urion
Melinda S. Urion
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Power of Attorney and Signatures
We, the undersigned officers and directors of AmerUs Group Co.
hereby severally constitute and appoint Thomas C. Godlasky, James A.
Smallenberger and Melinda S. Urion, and each of them singly, our
true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of them
singly, to sign for us in our names and in the capacities indicated
below, all pre-effective and post-effective amendments to this
registration statement, and generally to do all things in our names
and on our behalf in such capacities to enable the Company to comply
with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, and all
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
this registration statement has been signed by the following persons
in the capacities indicated on this 26th day of June, 2003.
Names
Capacity
/s/
Roger K. Brooks
Roger K. Brooks
Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
/s/
Melinda S. Urion
Melinda S. Urion
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
/s/
Brenda J. Cushing
Brenda J. Cushing
Senior Vice President and Controller
/s/
John R. Albers
John R. Albers
Director
/s/
David A. Arledge
David A. Arledge
Director
/s/
Alecia A. DeCoudreaux
Alecia A. DeCoudreaux
Director
/s/
Thomas F. Gaffney
Thomas F. Gaffney
Director
/s/
John W. Norris, Jr.
John W. Norris, Jr.
Director
/s/
Andrew J. Paine, Jr.
Andrew J. Paine, Jr.
Director
/s/
Jack C. Pester
Jack C. Pester
Director
/s/
John A. Wing
John A. Wing
Director
/s/
F.A. Wittern, Jr.
F.A. Wittern, Jr.
Director
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Index to Exhibits to Registration Statement on Form S-8
Exhibit
Number
Description of Exhibit
4.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2000.
4.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-8, filed on June 13, 2003.
4.3*
AmerUs Group Co. MIP Deferral Plan.
5.1*
Opinion of Joseph K. Haggerty, Esq., Senior Vice President and General
Counsel of the Company as to the legality of the securities being
registered.
23.1*
Consent of Joseph K. Haggerty, Esq., Senior Vice President and General
Counsel of the Company (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)
23.2*
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
23.3*
Consent of KPMG LLP.
24*
Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).
*
Filed herewith.
9