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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 16, 2006 </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:right;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:right;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Registration No. 333-_______</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:right;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>UNITED STATES</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>FORM S-8</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>REGISTRATION STATEMENT</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>UNDER</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Delaware  </font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="92" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>58-1407235</font></b></p> </td>
        <td  width="55">
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td> </tr>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="3" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(State or other jurisdiction of  </font></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="3" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</font></p> </td> </tr>
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        <td width="48" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="2" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>incorporation or organization)</font></p> </td>
        <td   colspan="4">
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td> </tr>
    <tr>
        <td width="48" ></td>

        <td width="48" ></td>

        <td width="116" ></td>

        <td width="172" ></td>

        <td width="48" ></td>

        <td width="92" ></td>

        <td width="55" ></td> </tr> </table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>96 Cummings Point Road</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Stamford, Connecticut 06902</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>(Full title of the plan)</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>David Ketting</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Chief Legal Officer and Secretary </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Independence Holding Company</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>96 Cummings Point Road</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Stamford, Connecticut 06902</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>(203) 358-8000</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2> </font><font size=2>(Name, address and telephone number, </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:6pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE       </font></B></p>

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            <p style='margin-left:0in;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:2.75pt;margin-bottom: 2.75pt'><font size=1>Title of securities<BR>to be registered</font></p> </td>
        <td width="120" valign=bottom style='border-top:double black 2.25pt; border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;'>
            <p style='margin-left:0in;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:2.75pt;margin-bottom: 2.75pt'><font size=1>Amount to be<BR>registered(1)</font></p> </td>
        <td width="120" valign=bottom style='border-top:double black 2.25pt; border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;'>
            <p style='margin-left:0in;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:2.75pt;margin-bottom: 2.75pt'><font size=1>Proposed maximum<BR>offering price<BR>per share(2)</font></p> </td>
        <td width="120" valign=bottom style='border-top:double black 2.25pt; border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;'>
            <p style='margin-left:0in;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:2.75pt;margin-bottom: 2.75pt'><font size=1>Proposed maximum<BR>aggregate<BR>offering price</font></p> </td>
        <td width="120" valign=bottom style='border-top:double black 2.25pt; border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;'>
            <p style='margin-left:0in;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:2.75pt;margin-bottom: 2.75pt'><font size=1>Amount of<BR>registration fee</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='page-break-inside:avoid'>
        <td width="122" valign=bottom style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:double black 2.25pt;'>
            <p style='margin-left:0in;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:2.75pt;margin-bottom:2.75pt'><font size=1>Common Stock, $1.00 par value</font></p> </td>
        <td width="120" valign=bottom style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:double black 2.25pt;border-right:none;'>
            <p style='margin-left:0in;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:2.75pt;margin-bottom: 2.75pt'><font size=1>1,100,000 shares</font></p> </td>
        <td width="120" valign=bottom style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:double black 2.25pt;border-right:none'>
            <p style='margin-left:0in;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:2.75pt;margin-bottom: 2.75pt'><font size=1>$21.42</font></p> </td>
        <td width="120" valign=bottom style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:double black 2.25pt;border-right:none'>
            <p style='margin-left:0in;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:2.75pt;margin-bottom: 2.75pt'><font size=1>$23,562,000</font></p> </td>
        <td width="120" valign=bottom style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:double black 2.25pt;border-right:none'>
            <p style='margin-left:0in;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:2.75pt;margin-bottom: 2.75pt'><font size=1>$2521.14</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(1) </font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement also covers an indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock with respect to the shares registered hereunder in the event of a stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction.</font></p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(2)</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to
Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  based
upon the average  ($21.42) of the high ($21.58) and low ($21.25) sales prices of
the registrant&#146;s common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on
June 13, 2006.</font></p> </td> </tr></table>


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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>   </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>PART I</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The documents containing the information specified in &#147;Item 1. Plan Information&#148; and &#147;Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information&#148; of Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants of the Independence Holding Company 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;).  In accordance with the Note to Part I of Form S-8, such documents are not required to be, and are not, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) either as part of this registration statement or as a prospectus or prospectus supplement pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act.  These documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this registration statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of Form S-8, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets
the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>PART II</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><b><font size=2>Item 3.  Incorporation By Reference.  </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.54in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The following documents, which have been filed with the Commission by the Registrant, are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this Registration Statement, and information that the Registrant files later with the Commission will automatically update and supersede this information. The Registrant incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any future filings the Registrant makes with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;):</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.58in;text-align:left;'><font size=2> (a)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>the Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the Commission on March 16, 2006;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.58in;text-align:left;'><font size=2> (b)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>the Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 , as filed with the Commission on May 10, 2006;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.58in;text-align:left;'><font size=2> (c)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>the Registrant&#146;s current reports on Forms 8-K subsequent to December 31, 2005, as filed with the Commission on January 27, 2006, February 6, 2006, March 9, 2006, March 16, 2006 and May 10, 2006;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.58in;text-align:left;'><font size=2> (d)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>the description of the Registrant&#146;s common stock contained in the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated July 13, 2004, as filed with the Commission on July 13, 2004; and</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.58in;text-align:left;'><font size=2> (e)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>all other reports of the Registrant filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since December 31, 2005.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:11pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this registration statement which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents with the Commission.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:11pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein 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 document which also is </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:11pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>- 2 -</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:11pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:11pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:11pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such earlier 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>

<p style=' margin-bottom:11pt; margin-top:11pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>You may contact the Registrant to request copies of these filings as follows:</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>Independence Holding Company</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>485 Madison Avenue, 14th Floor</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>New York, New York  10022</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>Attn: Corporate Secretary</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>Telephone requests may be directed to (212) 355-4141.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><b><font size=2>Item 4.  Description of Securities.</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Not applicable.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><b><font size=2>Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Not applicable.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><b><font size=2>Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers, as well as other employees and individuals, against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by any such person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings in which such person is made a party by reason of such person being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company.  The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that Section 145 is not exclusive of other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.  The Registrant&#146;s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and it Bylaws provide for indemnification by the
Registrant of its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware General Corporation Law. </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchase, redemptions or other distributions, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. The Registrant&#146;s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides for indemnification of its directors in connection with any proceeding to the fullest extent
permitted by law. </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The Registrant has obtained directors&#146; and officers&#146; insurance providing indemnification for certain of the Registrant&#146;s directors, officers and employees for certain liabilities.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><b><font size=2>Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Not applicable.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><b><font size=2>Item 8.  Exhibits.</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.54in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The Exhibit Index filed herewith and appearing immediately before the exhibits hereto is incorporated by reference.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>- 3 -</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><b><font size=2>Item 9.  Undertakings.</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(a) </font><u><font size=2>Rule 415 Offering</font></u><font size=2>.  The Registrant hereby undertakes:</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: </font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(i) </font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;</font></p> </td> </tr></table>



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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(ii) </font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>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 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 would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the 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 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in
the effective registration statement. </font></p> </td> </tr></table>



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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(iii) </font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>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> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in;text-align:left;'><i><font size=2>provided, however</font></i><font size=2>, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(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 </font><i><font size=2>bona fide</font></i><font size=2> offering thereof.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(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>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.75in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(i) If the Registrant is relying on Rule 430B:</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(A) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and</font></p>

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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>- 4 -</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(l)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of 314 securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(C) If the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or
made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this Registration Statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of the following communication, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.75in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.75in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.75in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.75in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.</font></p>

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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>- 5 -</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(b) </font><u><font size=2>Subsequent Exchange Act Documents</font></u><font size=2>.  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 </font><i><font size=2>bona fide</font></i><font size=2> offering thereof.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(c) </font><u><font size=2>Periodic Reports</font></u><font size=2>.  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report, to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Exchange Act; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X is not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(d) </font><u><font size=2>Indemnification</font></u><font size=2>.  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>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>- 6 -</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>SIGNATURES</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant 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 New York, State of New York, on this 16th day of June, 2006.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:3in;text-align:left;'><font SIZE=2>INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:3in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p  style='margin-left:0in'><u><font size=2>By: /s/ Roy T.K. Thung  </font></u></p> </td>
        <td  width="128">
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td> </tr>
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            <p  style='margin-left:0in'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="2" valign=top >
            <p  style='margin-left:0in'><font size=2>Name: Roy T.K. Thung  </font></p> </td>
        <td  width="128">
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td> </tr>
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            <p  style='margin-left:0in'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="43" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Title:  </font></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="2" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>President and Chief Executive Officer</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr>
        <td width="288" ></td>

        <td width="43" ></td>

        <td width="116" ></td>

        <td width="128" ></td> </tr> </table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:12pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>POWER OF ATTORNEY</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Roy T.K. Thung, David T. Kettig and Teresa A. Herbert, and each of them,  such person&#146;s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person&#146;s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities (including such person&#146;s capacity as a director and/or officer of Independence Holding Company), to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents
and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each said attorney-in-fact and agent, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><b><font size=2>Capacity</font></b></u><u></u></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><b><font size=2>Date</font></b></u><u></u></p> </td> </tr>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
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            <p  style='margin-bottom:0in'><font size=2>/s/ Roy T.K. Thung</font></p> </td>
        <td width="274" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)</font></p> </td>
        <td width="151" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>June 16, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
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        <td width="213" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="274" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="151" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="213" style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p  style='margin-bottom:0in'><font size=2>/s/ Teresa A. Herbert</font></p> </td>
        <td width="274" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</font></p> </td>
        <td width="151" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>June 16, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="213" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="274" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="151" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="213" style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p  style='margin-bottom:0in'><font size=2>/s/ Larry R. Graber</font></p> </td>
        <td width="274" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="151" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>June 16, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="213" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="274" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="151" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="213" style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p  style='margin-bottom:0in'><font size=2>/s/ Allan C. Kirkman</font></p> </td>
        <td width="274" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="151" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>June 16, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="213" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="274" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="151" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="213" style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p  style='margin-bottom:0in'><font size=2>/s/ John L. Lahey</font></p> </td>
        <td width="274" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="151" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>June 16, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="213" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="274" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="151" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="213" style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p  style='margin-bottom:0in'><font size=2>/s/ Steven B. Lapin</font></p> </td>
        <td width="274" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="151" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>June 16, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="343" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="301" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="41" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>- 7 -</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<br>
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<div style='width:600;'>



<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="213" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="274" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="151" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="213" style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p  style='margin-bottom:0in'><font size=2>/s/ Edward Netter</font></p> </td>
        <td width="274" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="151" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>June 16, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="213" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="274" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="151" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="213" style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p  style='margin-bottom:0in'><font size=2>/s/ James G. Tatum</font></p> </td>
        <td width="274" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="151" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>June 16, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="343" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="301" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="41" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>- 8 -</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="624" style='margin-left:5.4pt;border-collapse:collapse'>
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        <td width="59" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
<p style='border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Exhibit <BR>No.</font></b>    </p>  </td>
        <td width="565" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
<p style='border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Description<BR>&nbsp;</font></b>    </p>  </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="59" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0in;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;<BR>4.1</font></p> </td>
        <td width="565" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:.9pt;text-indent:-.9pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;<BR>Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Independence Holding Company, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 9, 1996, incorporated herein by reference to the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1996, as amended on July 29, 2004, such amendment incorporated herein by reference to the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 29, 2004.</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="59" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0in;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>4.2</font></p> </td>
        <td width="565" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:.9pt;text-indent:-.9pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>By-laws of Independence Holding Company, incorporated by reference to the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1987, as amended. </font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="59" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0in;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>4.3</font></p> </td>
        <td width="565" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:.9pt;text-indent:-.9pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>Independence Holding Company 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement for the Company&#146;s Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 15, 2006.</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="59" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0in;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>4.4</font></p> </td>
        <td width="565" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:.9pt;text-indent:-.9pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement under the Independence Holding Company 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="59" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0in;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>4.5</font></p> </td>
        <td width="565" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:.9pt;text-indent:-.9pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>Form of Stock Option Award Agreement under the Independence Holding Company 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="59" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0in;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>5.1</font></p> </td>
        <td width="565" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:.9pt;text-indent:-.9pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>Opinion of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky &amp; Walker LLP regarding the legality of the securities being registered hereunder.</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='height:32.25pt'>
        <td width="59" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt; height:32.25pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0in;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>23.1</font></p> </td>
        <td width="565" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt; height:32.25pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:.9pt;text-indent:-.9pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>Consent of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky &amp; Walker LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="59" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0in;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>23.2</font></p> </td>
        <td width="565" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:.9pt;text-indent:-.9pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>Consent of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="59" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0in;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>24</font></p> </td>
        <td width="565" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:.9pt;text-indent:-.9pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=2>Power of Attorney (included on the Signature Page).</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "INDEPENDENCE HOLDING CO", "cik": "0000701869", "assigned-sic": "6311", "irs-number": "581407235", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-135070", "film-number": "06909026"}, "business-address": {"street1": "96 CUMMINGS POINT RD", "city": "STAMFORD", "state": "CT", "zip": "06902", "phone": "2033588000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "96 CUMMINGS POINT ROAD", "city": "STAMFORD", "state": "CT", "zip": "06902"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "STAMFORD CAPITAL GROUP INC", "date-changed": "19910925"}, {"former-conformed-name": "INDEPENDENCE HOLDING CO/", "date-changed": "19871115"}]}
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 16, 2006
Registration No. 333-_______
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
58-1407235
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
96 Cummings Point Road
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY
2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
David Ketting
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Independence Holding Company
96 Cummings Point Road
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
(203) 358-8000
(Name, address and telephone number,
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of securities
to be registered
Amount to be
registered(1)
Proposed maximum
offering price
per share(2)
Proposed maximum
aggregate
offering price
Amount of
registration fee
Common Stock, $1.00 par value
1,100,000 shares
$21.42
$23,562,000
$2521.14
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement also covers an indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock with respect to the shares registered hereunder in the event of a stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to
Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  based
upon the average  ($21.42) of the high ($21.58) and low ($21.25) sales prices of
the registrant's common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on
June 13, 2006.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS
The documents containing the information specified in "Item 1. Plan Information" and "Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information" of Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants of the Independence Holding Company 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").  In accordance with the Note to Part I of Form S-8, such documents are not required to be, and are not, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") either as part of this registration statement or as a prospectus or prospectus supplement pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act.  These documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this registration statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of Form S-8, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets
the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.  Incorporation By Reference.
The following documents, which have been filed with the Commission by the Registrant, are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this Registration Statement, and information that the Registrant files later with the Commission will automatically update and supersede this information. The Registrant incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any future filings the Registrant makes with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"):
(a)
the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the Commission on March 16, 2006;
(b)
the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 , as filed with the Commission on May 10, 2006;
(c)
the Registrant's current reports on Forms 8-K subsequent to December 31, 2005, as filed with the Commission on January 27, 2006, February 6, 2006, March 9, 2006, March 16, 2006 and May 10, 2006;
(d)
the description of the Registrant's common stock contained in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated July 13, 2004, as filed with the Commission on July 13, 2004; and
(e)
all other reports of the Registrant filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since December 31, 2005.
All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this registration statement which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents with the Commission.
Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein 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 document which also is
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or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such earlier 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.
You may contact the Registrant to request copies of these filings as follows:
Independence Holding Company
485 Madison Avenue, 14th Floor
New York, New York  10022
Attn: Corporate Secretary
Telephone requests may be directed to (212) 355-4141.
Item 4.  Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers, as well as other employees and individuals, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by any such person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings in which such person is made a party by reason of such person being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company.  The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that Section 145 is not exclusive of other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.  The Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and it Bylaws provide for indemnification by the
Registrant of its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware General Corporation Law.
Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchase, redemptions or other distributions, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. The Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides for indemnification of its directors in connection with any proceeding to the fullest extent
permitted by law.
The Registrant has obtained directors' and officers' insurance providing indemnification for certain of the Registrant's directors, officers and employees for certain liabilities.
Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed
Not applicable.
Item 8.  Exhibits.
The Exhibit Index filed herewith and appearing immediately before the exhibits hereto is incorporated by reference.
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Item 9.  Undertakings.
(a)
Rule 415 Offering
.  The 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;
(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 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 would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the 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 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in
the effective registration statement.
(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) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) If the Registrant is relying on Rule 430B:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
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(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(l)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of 314 securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or
(C) If the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or
made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this Registration Statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of the following communication, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;
(iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
(iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
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(b)
Subsequent Exchange Act Documents
.  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)
Periodic Reports
.  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report, to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Exchange Act; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X is not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.
(d)
Indemnification
.  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, as amended, the Registrant 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 New York, State of New York, on this 16th day of June, 2006.
INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY
By: /s/ Roy T.K. Thung
Name: Roy T.K. Thung
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Roy T.K. Thung, David T. Kettig and Teresa A. Herbert, and each of them,  such person's true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person's name, place and stead, in any and all capacities (including such person's capacity as a director and/or officer of Independence Holding Company), to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents
and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each said attorney-in-fact and agent, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:
Signature
Capacity
Date
/s/ Roy T.K. Thung
Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
June 16, 2006
/s/ Teresa A. Herbert
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
June 16, 2006
/s/ Larry R. Graber
Director
June 16, 2006
/s/ Allan C. Kirkman
Director
June 16, 2006
/s/ John L. Lahey
Director
June 16, 2006
/s/ Steven B. Lapin
Director
June 16, 2006
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/s/ Edward Netter
Director
June 16, 2006
/s/ James G. Tatum
Director
June 16, 2006
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
No.
Description
4.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Independence Holding Company, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 9, 1996, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1996, as amended on July 29, 2004, such amendment incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 29, 2004.
4.2
By-laws of Independence Holding Company, incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1987, as amended.
4.3
Independence Holding Company 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement for the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 15, 2006.
4.4
Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement under the Independence Holding Company 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.
4.5
Form of Stock Option Award Agreement under the Independence Holding Company 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.
5.1
Opinion of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP regarding the legality of the securities being registered hereunder.
23.1
Consent of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2
Consent of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
24
Power of Attorney (included on the Signature Page).