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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">As filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on June&nbsp;24, 2010</font></b></p>

<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM&nbsp;S-8</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">REGISTRATION STATEMENT</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNDER</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">American Equity Investment
Life Holding Company</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact name of
registrant as specified in its charter)</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

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  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Iowa</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">42-1447959</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.94%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or other
  jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(I.R.S.
  Employer Identification No.)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">6000 Westown Parkway</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">West Des Moines,&nbsp;Iowa
50266</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of
Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">American Equity Investment
Life Holding Company 2009 Employee Incentive Plan</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Full title of
the plan)</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Wendy C. Waugaman <br>
Chief Executive Officer and President <br>
6000 Westown Parkway<br>
West Des Moines,&nbsp;Iowa 50266 <br>
(515)&nbsp;221-0002</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Name, address,
including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for
service)</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Copies to:</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">William R. Kunkel <br>
Shilpi Gupta</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher&nbsp;&amp; Flom LLP</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">155 North Wacker
Drive</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Chicago,&nbsp;Illinois
60606</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(312) 407-0700</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">  </font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a
large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a
smaller reporting company.&#160; See the
definitions of &#147;large accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller
reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the Exchange Act.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

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<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="18%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:18.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Large accelerated filer </font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="21%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Accelerated filer </font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="13%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:13.08%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="18%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:18.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Non-accelerated filer </font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="21%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Smaller reporting company </font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="13%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:13.08%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

</div>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE</font></b></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="33%" colspan="3" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:33.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="14%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:14.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="14%" colspan="2" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:14.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="14%" colspan="2" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:14.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="14%" colspan="2" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:14.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="33%" colspan="3" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:33.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Title of securities<br>
  to be registered</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="14%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:14.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Amount to be<br>
  registered(1)</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="14%" colspan="2" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:14.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Proposed maximum<br>
  offering price per<br>
  share(2)</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="14%" colspan="2" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:14.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Proposed maximum<br>
  aggregate offering<br>
  price(2)</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="14%" colspan="2" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:14.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Amount of<br>
  registration<br>
  fee(3)(4)</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="33%" colspan="3" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:33.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Common stock, par value
  $1 per share</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="14%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:14.0%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2,500,000 shares</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">$</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="12%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:12.7%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">10.19</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">$</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="12%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:12.7%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">25,475,000</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">$</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="12%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:12.7%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1,816.37</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="0%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" colspan="13" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(1)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="0%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" colspan="13" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Represents the maximum number of shares of common
  stock of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (the &#147;Registrant&#148;)
  issuable under the Registrant&#146;s 2009 Employee Incentive Plan (the &#147;2009
  Employee Incentive Plan&#148;). Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416(a)&nbsp;under the
  Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), this registration
  statement also covers an indeterminate amount of additional shares which may
  be issued if the anti-dilution and adjustment provisions of the 2009 Employee
  Incentive Plan become operative.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="0%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" colspan="13" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(2)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="0%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" colspan="13" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the
  registration fee in accordance with Rules&nbsp;457(c)&nbsp;and
  457(h)&nbsp;under the Securities Act, based on the average high and low
  prices per share of common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange
  on June&nbsp;23, 2010.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="0%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" colspan="13" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(3)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="0%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" colspan="13" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Calculated pursuant to Section&nbsp;6(b)&nbsp;of
  the Securities Act by multiplying 0.00007130 by the proposed maximum
  aggregate offering price (as computed in accordance with Rule&nbsp;457 under
  the Securities Act solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee
  of the securities registered hereby).</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="0%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" colspan="13" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(4)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="0%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" colspan="13" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Registrant previously paid a registration fee
  of $61,100 with respect to securities that were registered pursuant to the
  Registrant&#146;s prior registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-3 (Registration
  Statement No.&nbsp;333-129694), filed on November&nbsp;15, 2005, of which
  $23,022.24 was not used thereunder. In accordance with
  Rule&nbsp;457(p)&nbsp;under the Securities Act, $1,816.37 of the unused amount
  of the registration fee paid with respect to the prior registration statement
  will be applied to pay the registration fee payable with respect to the
  securities registered under this registration statement.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr height="0">
  <td width="25" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="5" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="217" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="19" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="105" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="19" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="10" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="95" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="19" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="10" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="95" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="19" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="10" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="95" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="7" style="border:none;"></td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="border-bottom:solid windowtext 3.0pt;border-left:none;border-right:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in;">

<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

</div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

</div>
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<br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">PART&nbsp;I</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION&nbsp;10(a)&nbsp;PROSPECTUS</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 1.</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Plan Information.*</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 2.</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual
Information.*</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="left"></div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">*
The documents containing the information specified in Part&nbsp;I of Form&nbsp;S-8
will be sent or given to employees as specified by Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1)&nbsp;of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;). Such documents
need not be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;)
either as part of this registration statement or as prospectuses or prospectus
supplements pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424 of the Securities Act. These documents
and the documents incorporated by reference in this registration statement
pursuant to Item 3 of Part&nbsp;II of this registration statement, taken
together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section&nbsp;10(a)&nbsp;of
the Securities Act.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">PART&nbsp;II</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 3.</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The following documents previously filed by American
Equity Investment Life Holding Company (the &#147;Registrant&#148;) with the Commission
are incorporated by reference into this registration statement:</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(a)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">the Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year
ended December&nbsp;31, 2009, filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;10, 2010;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(b)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">the Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter
ended March&nbsp;31, 2010, filed with the Commission on May&nbsp;10, 2010;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(c)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">the Registrant&#146;s Current Reports on Form&nbsp;8-K, filed with the
Commission on March&nbsp;3, 2010 and April&nbsp;2, 2010; and</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(d)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">the description of the Registrant&#146;s common stock, which is contained in
the Registrant&#146;s registration statement on Form&nbsp;8-A filed with the
Commission on November&nbsp;26, 2003 (File No.&nbsp;001-31911) under the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), including
any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d)&nbsp;of the Exchange Act, prior
to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this registration statement
which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters
all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference into this registration statement and to be part hereof from the date
of filing of such documents.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Any statement contained in a document incorporated
or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be
modified, superseded or replaced for purposes of this registration statement to
the extent that a statement contained in this registration statement, or in any
other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated
by reference herein modifies, supersedes or replaces such prior statement.&#160; Any statement contained in this registration
statement shall be deemed to be modified, superseded or replaced to the extent
that a statement contained in a subsequently filed document that is or is
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement modifies
or supersedes such prior statement.&#160; Any
statement so modified, superseded or replaced shall not be deemed, except as so
modified, superseded or replaced, to constitute a part of this registration
statement.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 4.</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description of Securities.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Not applicable.</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1<a name="PB_1_072109_7056"></a></font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">


<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 5.</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The validity of the issuance of the shares of the
Registrant&#146;s common stock, $1 par value per share, offered hereby will be
passed upon for the Registrant by Marla G. Lacey, Associate General Counsel of
the Registrant.&#160; As of June&nbsp;23,
2010, Ms.&nbsp;Lacey beneficially owns 1,157 shares of the Registrant&#146;s common
stock and held options to purchase an additional 20,000 shares of the
Registrant&#146;s common stock. Ms.&nbsp;Lacey is eligible to participate in the
2009 Employee Incentive Plan.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 6.</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">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 (1)&nbsp;the amount of a financial benefit received by a director
to which the director is not entitled; (2)&nbsp;an intentional infliction of
harm on the corporation or its shareholders; (3)&nbsp;a violation of Section&nbsp;490.833
of the IBCA, which relates to liability for unlawful distributions; or (4)&nbsp;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 that the individual&#146;s conduct was at least 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>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The indemnity provisions under Section&nbsp;490.851
do not apply (1)&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 (2)&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 is wholly successful in defending 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
of the IBCA.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Section&nbsp; 490.853 of the IBCA provides that a
corporation may, before final disposition of a proceeding, advance funds to pay
for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is a party
to a proceeding because he is a director if the director delivers the following
to the corporation: (1)&nbsp;a written affirmation that the director has met
the standard of conduct described above or that the proceeding involved conduct
for which liability has been eliminated under the corporation&#146;s articles of
incorporation; and (2)&nbsp;the director&#146;s written undertaking to repay any
funds advanced if the director is not entitled to mandatory indemnification
under Section&nbsp;490.852 and it is ultimately determined that the director
has not met the standard of conduct described above.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Under Section&nbsp;490.856 of the IBCA, a
corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer of the corporation
who is a party to a proceeding because he is an officer to the same extent as a
director. In addition, if the person is an officer but not a director, further indemnification
may be provided by the corporation&#146;s articles of incorporation, the bylaws, a
resolution of the board of directors or contract, except for liability in
connection with (1)&nbsp;a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation
other than for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding;
and (2)&nbsp;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>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Registrant&#146;s amended articles of incorporation
provide that its directors will not be liable to the Registrant or its
shareholders for money damages for any action taken, or any failure to take any
action, as a director, except liability for (1)&nbsp;the amount of a financial
benefit received by a director to which the director is not entitled;
(2)&nbsp;intentional infliction of harm on the Registrant or its shareholders; (3)&nbsp;a
violation of Section&nbsp;490.833; and (4)&nbsp;an intentional violation of
criminal law.</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2<a name="PB_2_072129_5335"></a></font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Registrant&#146;s amended articles of incorporation
also provide that each of its current and former directors who was or is made a
party to, or is involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit
or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by
reason of the fact that such person is or was a director of the Registrant or
is or was serving at its request as a director, officer, partner, trustee,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be indemnified and held
harmless by the Registrant to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
except liability for (1)&nbsp;a financial benefit received by a director to
which the director is not entitled; (2)&nbsp;an intentional infliction of harm
on the Registrant or its shareholders; (3)&nbsp;an unlawful distribution to
shareholders; and (4)&nbsp;an intentional violation of criminal law. In
addition to such indemnification, any such director and any officer are
entitled to have any expenses reasonably incurred in defending any such
proceeding or any similar proceeding against any officer in advance of its
final disposition paid directly by the Registrant to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Registrant&#146;s bylaws also provide
indemnification to its directors on the same terms as the indemnification
provided in the Registrant&#146;s amended articles of incorporation.&#160; The Registrant&#146;s bylaws also provide for
advances of expenses to its directors and officers on the same terms as
provided in the Registrant&#146;s amended articles of incorporation. The
indemnification provisions of the Registrant&#146;s bylaws are not exclusive of any
other right which any person seeking indemnification may have or acquire under
any statute, the Registrant&#146;s&#160; amended
articles of incorporation or any agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Section&nbsp;490.857 of the IBCA provides that a
corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a person who is a
director or officer of a corporation, or who, while a director or officer of a
corporation, serves at the corporation&#146;s request as a director, officer,
partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity, against liability
asserted against or incurred by that person in that capacity or arising from
that person&#146;s status as a director or officer, whether or not the corporation
would have the power to indemnify or advance expenses to that person against
the same liability under the IBCA. As permitted by and in accordance with Section&nbsp;490.857,
the Registrant maintains insurance coverage for its officers and directors as
well as insurance coverage to reimburse the Registrant for potential costs for
indemnification of directors and officers.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 7.</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exemption from Registration Claimed.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Not applicable.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 8.</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibits.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&nbsp;No.</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Articles of Incorporation, including Articles of
  Amendment, of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated
  by reference to the Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;10, filed on
  May&nbsp;6, 1999, File No.&nbsp;000-25985, and Post-Effective Amendment
  No.&nbsp;1 to the Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;10, filed on July&nbsp;22,
  1999, File No.&nbsp;000-25985, and the Form&nbsp;10-Q for the period ended
  June&nbsp;30, 2000, filed on August&nbsp;14, 2000, File No.&nbsp;000-25985)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4.2</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Articles of Amendment to Articles of
  Incorporation of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
  (incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No.&nbsp;1 to the
  Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1, filed on October&nbsp;20, 2003, File
  No.&nbsp;333-108794)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4.3</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Articles of Amendment to Articles of
  Incorporation of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated
  by reference to the Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-3, filed on
  January&nbsp;15, 2008, File No.&nbsp;333-148681)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4.4</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of American
  Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated by reference to
  Form&nbsp;8-K, filed on September&nbsp;2, 2008, File No.&nbsp;001-31911)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">5.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Opinion of Marla G. Lacey, Associate General
  Counsel of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company*</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">23.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Consent of KPMG LLP*</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">23.2</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Consent of Marla G. Lacey (contained in
  Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)*</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">24.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Powers of Attorney of certain officers and
  directors (included on the signature page&nbsp;of the registration
  statement)*</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
  2009 Employee Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Form&nbsp;8-K,
  filed on June&nbsp;9, 2009, File No.&nbsp;001-31911)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="left"></div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">* Filed herewith.</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3<a name="PB_3_072244_5796"></a></font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">


<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 9.</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Undertakings.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(a)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(1)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(i)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3)&nbsp;of the
Securities Act;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(ii)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of this 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.&#160; 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&nbsp;424(b)&nbsp;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 &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148;
table in the effective registration statement;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(iii)&nbsp;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>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.25in;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">provided, however,</font></i><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> that paragraphs (1)(i)&nbsp;and (1)(ii)&nbsp;of this section do not
apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d)&nbsp;of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(2)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">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>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(3)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">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:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(b)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">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&nbsp;13(a)&nbsp;or Section&nbsp;15(d)&nbsp;of
the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;15(d)&nbsp;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>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(c)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">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.&#160; 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 align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4<a name="PB_4_072502_2897"></a></font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
<!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='4',FILE='C:\JMS\kdefran\10-12562-1\task4163941\12562-1-bc.htm',USER='kdefran',CD='Jun 24 16:20 2010' -->


<br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">


<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act
of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe
that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;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 West Des Moines, State
of Iowa, on this 24th day of June, 2010.</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="46%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/
  </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Wendy C. Waugaman</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="46%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Name:&nbsp;
  Wendy C. Waugaman</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  Chief Executive Officer and President</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">POWERS OF ATTORNEY</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person
whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Wendy C. Waugaman and
John M. Matovina, jointly and severally, as his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, acting alone, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any
and all capacities, to sign (i)&nbsp;any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and (ii)&nbsp;any
registration statement of the type contemplated by Rule&nbsp;462(b)&nbsp;under
the Securities Act of 1933 and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and
all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done, as
fully and for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act
of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons
in their capacities on June&nbsp;24, 2010.</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Signature</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Title</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Wendy C. Waugaman</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Chief Executive Officer, President and Director</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Wendy
  C. Waugaman</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Principal Executive Officer)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">John M. Matovina</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
  and Director</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">John
  M. Matovina</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Principal Financial Officer)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ted M. Johnson</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Vice President &#150; Controller</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ted
  M. Johnson</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Principal Accounting Officer)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">D.J. Noble</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Executive Chairman and Director</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">D.J.
  Noble</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Director</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Joyce
  A. Chapman</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Steven G. Chapman</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Director</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Steven
  G. Chapman</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Alexander M. Clark</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Director</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Alexander
  M. Clark</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">James M. Gerlach</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Director</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">James
  M. Gerlach</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Robert L. Hilton</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Director</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Robert
  L. Hilton</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Robert L. Howe</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Director</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Robert
  L. Howe</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Debra J. Richardson</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Director</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Debra
  J. Richardson</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Director</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">A.J.
  Strickland,&nbsp;III</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Director</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Harley
  A. Whitfield</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<div>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">EXHIBIT&nbsp;INDEX</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&nbsp;No.</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Articles of Incorporation, including Articles of
  Amendment, of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated
  by reference to the Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;10, filed on
  May&nbsp;6, 1999, File No.&nbsp;000-25985, and Post-Effective Amendment
  No.&nbsp;1 to the Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;10, filed on
  July&nbsp;22, 1999, File No.&nbsp;000-25985, and the Form&nbsp;10-Q for the
  period ended June&nbsp;30, 2000, File No.&nbsp;000-25985)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4.2</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Articles of Amendment to Articles of
  Incorporation of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
  (incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No.&nbsp;1 to the
  Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1, filed on October&nbsp;20, 2003, File
  No.&nbsp;333-108794)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4.3</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Articles of Amendment to Articles of
  Incorporation of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
  (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-3,
  filed on January&nbsp;15, 2008, File No.&nbsp;333-148681)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4.4</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of American
  Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated by reference to
  Form&nbsp;8-K, filed on September&nbsp;2, 2008, File No.&nbsp;001-31911)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">5.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Opinion of Marla G. Lacey, Associate General
  Counsel of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company*</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">23.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Consent of KPMG LLP*</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">23.2</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Consent of Marla G. Lacey (contained in
  Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)*</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">24.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Powers of Attorney of certain officers and
  directors (included on the signature page&nbsp;of the registration
  statement)*</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="9%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:9.34%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.2%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:88.46%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">American Equity Investment Life Holding Company 2009
  Employee Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Form&nbsp;8-K, filed on
  June&nbsp;9, 2009, File No.&nbsp;001-31911)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="left"></div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">* Filed herewith.</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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</html>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a10-12562_1s8.htm", "description": "S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 124958}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING CO", "cik": "0001039828", "assigned-sic": "6311", "irs-number": "421447959", "state-of-incorporation": "IA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-167755", "film-number": "10915684"}, "business-address": {"street1": "5000 WESTOWN PARKWAY", "street2": "SUITE 440", "city": "WEST DEMOINES", "state": "IA", "zip": "50266", "phone": "5152210002"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "5000 WESTOWN PKWY", "street2": "STE 440", "city": "WEST DES MOINES", "state": "IA", "zip": "50266"}}
As filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on June 24, 2010
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
American Equity Investment
Life Holding Company
(Exact name of
registrant as specified in its charter)
Iowa
42-1447959
(State or other
  jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S.
  Employer Identification No.)
6000 Westown Parkway
West Des Moines, Iowa
50266
(Address of
Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
American Equity Investment
Life Holding Company 2009 Employee Incentive Plan
(Full title of
the plan)
Wendy C. Waugaman
Chief Executive Officer and President
6000 Westown Parkway
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
(515) 221-0002
(Name, address,
including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for
service)
Copies to:
William R. Kunkel
Shilpi Gupta
Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
155 North Wacker
Drive
Chicago, Illinois
60606
(312) 407-0700
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a
large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a
smaller reporting company.  See the
definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller
reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
x
Non-accelerated filer
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
o
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(2)
Amount of
registration
fee(3)(4)
Common stock, par value
  $1 per share
2,500,000 shares
$
10.19
$
25,475,000
$
1,816.37
(1)
Represents the maximum number of shares of common
  stock of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (the "Registrant")
  issuable under the Registrant's 2009 Employee Incentive Plan (the "2009
  Employee Incentive Plan"). Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the
  Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), this registration
  statement also covers an indeterminate amount of additional shares which may
  be issued if the anti-dilution and adjustment provisions of the 2009 Employee
  Incentive Plan become operative.
(2)
Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the
  registration fee in accordance with Rules 457(c) and
  457(h) under the Securities Act, based on the average high and low
  prices per share of common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange
  on June 23, 2010.
(3)
Calculated pursuant to Section 6(b) of
  the Securities Act by multiplying 0.00007130 by the proposed maximum
  aggregate offering price (as computed in accordance with Rule 457 under
  the Securities Act solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee
  of the securities registered hereby).
(4)
The Registrant previously paid a registration fee
  of $61,100 with respect to securities that were registered pursuant to the
  Registrant's prior registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration
  Statement No. 333-129694), filed on November 15, 2005, of which
  $23,022.24 was not used thereunder. In accordance with
  Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act, $1,816.37 of the unused amount
  of the registration fee paid with respect to the prior registration statement
  will be applied to pay the registration fee payable with respect to the
  securities registered under this registration statement.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1.
Plan Information.*
Item 2.
Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual
Information.*
*
The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8
will be sent or given to employees as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Such documents
need not be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
either as part of this registration statement or as prospectuses or prospectus
supplements pursuant to Rule 424 of the Securities Act. These documents
and the documents incorporated by reference in this registration statement
pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this registration statement, 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 of Documents by Reference.
The following documents previously filed by American
Equity Investment Life Holding Company (the "Registrant") with the Commission
are incorporated by reference into this registration statement:
(a)
the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2009, filed with the Commission on March 10, 2010;
(b)
the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 31, 2010, filed with the Commission on May 10, 2010;
(c)
the Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the
Commission on March 3, 2010 and April 2, 2010; and
(d)
the description of the Registrant's common stock, which is contained in
the Registrant's registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the
Commission on November 26, 2003 (File No. 001-31911) under the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including
any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
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 have been sold or which deregisters
all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference into this registration statement and to be part hereof from the date
of filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated
or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be
modified, superseded or replaced for purposes of this registration statement to
the extent that a statement contained in this registration statement, or in any
other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated
by reference herein modifies, supersedes or replaces such prior statement.  Any statement contained in this registration
statement shall be deemed to be modified, superseded or replaced to the extent
that a statement contained in a subsequently filed document that is or is
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement modifies
or supersedes such prior statement.  Any
statement so modified, superseded or replaced shall not be deemed, except as so
modified, superseded or replaced, to constitute a part of this registration
statement.
Item 4.
Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
1
Item 5.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
The validity of the issuance of the shares of the
Registrant's common stock, $1 par value per share, offered hereby will be
passed upon for the Registrant by Marla G. Lacey, Associate General Counsel of
the Registrant.  As of June 23,
2010, Ms. Lacey beneficially owns 1,157 shares of the Registrant's common
stock and held options to purchase an additional 20,000 shares of the
Registrant's common stock. Ms. Lacey is eligible to participate in the
2009 Employee Incentive Plan.
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 (1) the amount of a financial benefit received by a director
to which the director is not entitled; (2) an intentional infliction of
harm on the corporation or its shareholders; (3) a violation of Section 490.833
of the IBCA, which relates to liability for unlawful distributions; or (4) 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 that the individual's conduct was at least 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 (1) 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 (2) 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 is wholly successful in defending 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
of the IBCA.
Section  490.853 of the IBCA provides that a
corporation may, before final disposition of a proceeding, advance funds to pay
for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is a party
to a proceeding because he is a director if the director delivers the following
to the corporation: (1) a written affirmation that the director has met
the standard of conduct described above or that the proceeding involved conduct
for which liability has been eliminated under the corporation's articles of
incorporation; and (2) the director's written undertaking to repay any
funds advanced if the director is not entitled to mandatory indemnification
under Section 490.852 and it is ultimately determined that the director
has not met the standard of conduct described above.
Under Section 490.856 of the IBCA, a
corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer of the corporation
who is a party to a proceeding because he is an officer to the same extent as a
director. In addition, if the person is an officer but not a director, further indemnification
may be provided by the corporation's articles of incorporation, the bylaws, a
resolution of the board of directors or contract, except for liability in
connection with (1) a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation
other than for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding;
and (2) 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.
The Registrant's amended articles of incorporation
provide that its directors will not be liable to the Registrant or its
shareholders for money damages for any action taken, or any failure to take any
action, as a director, except liability for (1) the amount of a financial
benefit received by a director to which the director is not entitled;
(2) intentional infliction of harm on the Registrant or its shareholders; (3) a
violation of Section 490.833; and (4) an intentional violation of
criminal law.
2
The Registrant's amended articles of incorporation
also provide that each of its current and former directors who was or is made a
party to, or is involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit
or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by
reason of the fact that such person is or was a director of the Registrant or
is or was serving at its request as a director, officer, partner, trustee,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be indemnified and held
harmless by the Registrant to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
except liability for (1) a financial benefit received by a director to
which the director is not entitled; (2) an intentional infliction of harm
on the Registrant or its shareholders; (3) an unlawful distribution to
shareholders; and (4) an intentional violation of criminal law. In
addition to such indemnification, any such director and any officer are
entitled to have any expenses reasonably incurred in defending any such
proceeding or any similar proceeding against any officer in advance of its
final disposition paid directly by the Registrant to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law.
The Registrant's bylaws also provide
indemnification to its directors on the same terms as the indemnification
provided in the Registrant's amended articles of incorporation.  The Registrant's bylaws also provide for
advances of expenses to its directors and officers on the same terms as
provided in the Registrant's amended articles of incorporation. The
indemnification provisions of the Registrant's bylaws are not exclusive of any
other right which any person seeking indemnification may have or acquire under
any statute, the Registrant's  amended
articles of incorporation or any agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 490.857 of the IBCA provides that a
corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a person who is a
director or officer of a corporation, or who, while a director or officer of a
corporation, serves at the corporation's request as a director, officer,
partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity, against liability
asserted against or incurred by that person in that capacity or arising from
that person's status as a director or officer, whether or not the corporation
would have the power to indemnify or advance expenses to that person against
the same liability under the IBCA. As permitted by and in accordance with Section 490.857,
the Registrant maintains insurance coverage for its officers and directors as
well as insurance coverage to reimburse the Registrant for potential costs for
indemnification of directors and officers.
Item 7.
Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Description
4.1
Articles of Incorporation, including Articles of
  Amendment, of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated
  by reference to the Registration Statement on Form 10, filed on
  May 6, 1999, File No. 000-25985, and Post-Effective Amendment
  No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form 10, filed on July 22,
  1999, File No. 000-25985, and the Form 10-Q for the period ended
  June 30, 2000, filed on August 14, 2000, File No. 000-25985)
4.2
Articles of Amendment to Articles of
  Incorporation of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
  (incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
  Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed on October 20, 2003, File
  No. 333-108794)
4.3
Articles of Amendment to Articles of
  Incorporation of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated
  by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-3, filed on
  January 15, 2008, File No. 333-148681)
4.4
Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of American
  Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated by reference to
  Form 8-K, filed on September 2, 2008, File No. 001-31911)
5.1
Opinion of Marla G. Lacey, Associate General
  Counsel of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company*
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP*
23.2
Consent of Marla G. Lacey (contained in
  Exhibit 5.1)*
24.1
Powers of Attorney of certain officers and
  directors (included on the signature page of the registration
  statement)*
99.1
American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
  2009 Employee Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K,
  filed on June 9, 2009, File No. 001-31911)
* Filed herewith.
3
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;
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of this 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 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;
(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 (1)(i) and (1)(ii) of this section do not
apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by those paragraphs is contained in 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 this 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.
4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act
of 1933, 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 West Des Moines, State
of Iowa, on this 24th day of June, 2010.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
By:
/s/
Wendy C. Waugaman
Name: 
  Wendy C. Waugaman
Title:   
  Chief Executive Officer and President
POWERS OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person
whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Wendy C. Waugaman and
John M. Matovina, jointly and severally, as his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, acting alone, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any
and all capacities, to sign (i) any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and (ii) any
registration statement of the type contemplated by Rule 462(b) under
the Securities Act of 1933 and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and
all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done, as
fully and for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act
of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons
in their capacities on June 24, 2010.
Signature
Title
/s/
Wendy C. Waugaman
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
Wendy
  C. Waugaman
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/
John M. Matovina
Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
  and Director
John
  M. Matovina
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/
Ted M. Johnson
Vice President – Controller
Ted
  M. Johnson
(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/
D.J. Noble
Executive Chairman and Director
D.J.
  Noble
Director
Joyce
  A. Chapman
/s/
Steven G. Chapman
Director
Steven
  G. Chapman
/s/
Alexander M. Clark
Director
Alexander
  M. Clark
/s/
James M. Gerlach
Director
James
  M. Gerlach
/s/
Robert L. Hilton
Director
Robert
  L. Hilton
/s/
Robert L. Howe
Director
Robert
  L. Howe
/s/
Debra J. Richardson
Director
Debra
  J. Richardson
Director
A.J.
  Strickland, III
Director
Harley
  A. Whitfield
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
4.1
Articles of Incorporation, including Articles of
  Amendment, of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated
  by reference to the Registration Statement on Form 10, filed on
  May 6, 1999, File No. 000-25985, and Post-Effective Amendment
  No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form 10, filed on
  July 22, 1999, File No. 000-25985, and the Form 10-Q for the
  period ended June 30, 2000, File No. 000-25985)
4.2
Articles of Amendment to Articles of
  Incorporation of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
  (incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
  Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed on October 20, 2003, File
  No. 333-108794)
4.3
Articles of Amendment to Articles of
  Incorporation of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
  (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-3,
  filed on January 15, 2008, File No. 333-148681)
4.4
Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of American
  Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated by reference to
  Form 8-K, filed on September 2, 2008, File No. 001-31911)
5.1
Opinion of Marla G. Lacey, Associate General
  Counsel of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company*
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP*
23.2
Consent of Marla G. Lacey (contained in
  Exhibit 5.1)*
24.1
Powers of Attorney of certain officers and
  directors (included on the signature page of the registration
  statement)*
99.1
American Equity Investment Life Holding Company 2009
  Employee Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K, filed on
  June 9, 2009, File No. 001-31911)
* Filed herewith.