AMERUS GROUP CO/IA - 10-Q Quarterly Report

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005

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

For the transition period from ___________ to ___________

Commission File Number 001-15166

AMERUS GROUP CO.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


IOWA		42-1458424
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification No.)

699 Walnut Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-3948
(Address of principal executive offices)

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

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

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

The number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of common stock on May 2, 2005 was as follows:

Common Stock 39,172,030 shares

Exhibit index — Page 39
Page 1 of 41

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to trends in operations and financial results and the business and the products of the Registrant and its subsidiaries, which include words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities: (a) general economic conditions and other factors, including prevailing interest rate levels and stock and bond market performance, which may affect our ability to sell our products, the market value of our investments and the lapse rate and profitability of policies; (b) our ability to achieve anticipated levels of operational efficiencies and cost-saving initiatives and to meet cash requirements based upon projected liquidity sources; (c) customer response to new products, distribution channels and marketing initiatives; (d) mortality, morbidity, and other factors which may affect the profitability of our insurance products; (e) our ability to develop and maintain effective risk management policies and procedures and to maintain adequate reserves for future policy benefits and claims; (f) changes in the federal income tax and other federal laws, regulations, and interpretations, including federal regulatory measures that may significantly affect the insurance business including limitations on antitrust immunity, minimum solvency requirements, and changes to the tax advantages offered by life insurance and annuity products or programs with which they are used; (g) increasing competition in the sale of insurance and annuities and the recruitment of sales representatives; (h) regulatory changes, interpretations, initiatives or pronouncements, including those relating to the regulation of insurance companies and the regulation and sale of their products and the programs in which they are used; (i) our ratings and those of our subsidiaries by independent rating organizations which we believe are particularly important to the sale of our products; (j) the performance of our investment portfolios; (k) the impact of changes in standards of accounting; (l) our ability to integrate the business and operations of acquired entities; (m) expected protection products and accumulation products margins; (n) the impact of anticipated investment transactions; and (o) litigation or regulatory investigations or examinations.

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

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

AMERUS GROUP CO.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

($ in thousands)


	March 31,		December 31,
	2005		2004
	(unaudited)
Assets
Investments:
Securities available-for-sale at fair value:
Fixed maturity securities	$	15,740,652	$	15,646,653
Equity securities		76,438		77,024
Short-term investments		2,927		2,979
Securities held for trading purposes at fair value:
Fixed maturity securities		1,602,262		1,718,125
Equity securities		534		15,468
Mortgage loans		874,650		865,733
Policy loans		487,915		486,071
Other investments		367,231		374,240


Total investments		19,152,609		19,186,293

Cash and cash equivalents		572,185		478,441
Accrued investment income		227,182		222,294
Premiums, fees and other receivables		38,363		39,688
Income taxes receivable		3,473		—
Reinsurance receivables		680,488		666,493
Deferred policy acquisition costs		1,446,716		1,248,009
Deferred sales inducements		168,630		137,538
Value of business acquired		369,232		374,792
Goodwill		228,869		226,291
Property and equipment		45,777		46,114
Other assets		302,819		296,409
Separate account assets		233,533		248,507


Total assets	$	23,469,876	$	23,170,869

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

AMERUS GROUP CO.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

($ in thousands)


	March 31,			December 31,
	2005			2004
	(unaudited)
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Policy reserves and policyowner funds:
Future life and annuity policy benefits	$	18,239,450		$	17,923,329
Policyowner funds		1,443,814			1,419,762

		19,683,264			19,343,091

Accrued expenses and other liabilities		965,390			837,514
Dividends payable to policyowners		287,415			322,037
Policy and contract claims		69,149			70,465
Income taxes payable		—			9,299
Deferred income taxes		68,666			145,332
Notes payable		571,385			571,155
Separate account liabilities		233,533			248,507


Total liabilities		21,878,802			21,547,400

Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred Stock, no par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, none issued		—			—
Common Stock, no par value, 230,000,000 shares authorized; 44,529,858 shares issued and 39,162,518 shares outstanding in 2005; 44,225,902 shares issued and 39,400,663 shares outstanding in 2004		44,530			44,226
Additional paid-in capital		1,204,360			1,198,379
Accumulated other comprehensive income		34,546			114,670
Unearned compensation		(2,700	)		(1,238	)
Retained earnings		493,399			431,911
Treasury stock, at cost (5,367,340 shares in 2005 and 4,825,239 shares in 2004)		(183,061	)		(164,479	)


Total stockholders’ equity		1,591,074			1,623,469


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	23,469,876		$	23,170,869

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

AMERUS GROUP CO.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

($ in thousands, except share data)


	For The Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005			2004
	(unaudited)
Revenues:
Insurance premiums	$	62,546		$	70,737
Product charges		59,033			49,562
Net investment income		268,711			256,875
Realized/unrealized capital losses		(48,944	)		(85	)
Other income		12,556			11,702


		353,902			388,791

Benefits and expenses:
Policyowner benefits		169,583			238,429
Underwriting, acquisition and other expenses		40,608			32,700
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired		52,743			47,911
Dividends to policyowners		20,003			25,484


		282,937			344,524


Income from continuing operations		70,965			44,267

Interest expense		7,780			8,398


Income before income tax expense		63,185			35,869

Income tax expense		1,697			6,129


Net income from continuing operations		61,488			29,740

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		—			3,899


Net income before cumulative effect of change in accounting		61,488			33,639

Cumulative effect of change in accounting, net of tax		—			(510	)


Net income	$	61,488		$	33,129


Net income from continuing operations per common share:
Basic	$	1.55		$	0.76

Diluted	$	1.43		$	0.74


Net income per common share:
Basic	$	1.55		$	0.84

Diluted	$	1.43		$	0.82


Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		39,575,696			39,263,367

Diluted		42,930,905			40,434,902

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

AMERUS GROUP CO.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and the Year Ended December 31, 2004

($ in thousands)


					Accumulated
			Additional		Other												Total
			Paid-In		Comprehensive			Unearned			Retained			Treasury			Stockholders’
	Common Stock		Capital		Income			Compensation			Earnings			Stock			Equity
Balance at December 31, 2003	$	43,836	$	1,184,237	$	84,519		$	(1,361	)	$	255,006		$	(156,426	)	$	1,409,811

2004:
Net income		—		—		—			—			192,642			—			192,642
Net unrealized gain on securities		—		—		33,959			—			—			—			33,959
Net unrealized gain on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges		—		—		420			—			—			—			420
Stock issued under various incentive plans, net of forfeitures		390		14,142		—			123			—			1,100			15,755
Purchase of treasury stock		—		—		—			—			—			(9,153	)		(9,153	)
Dividends declared on common stock		—		—		—			—			(15,737	)		—			(15,737	)
Minimum pension liability adjustment		—		—		(4,228	)		—			—			—			(4,228	)


Balance at December 31, 2004		44,226		1,198,379		114,670			(1,238	)		431,911			(164,479	)		1,623,469

2005 (unaudited):
Net income		—		—		—			—			61,488			—			61,488
Net unrealized loss on securities		—		—		(80,018	)		—			—			—			(80,018	)
Net unrealized loss on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges		—		—		(106	)		—			—			—			(106	)
Stock issued under various incentive plans, net of forfeitures		304		5,981		—			(1,462	)		—			996			5,819
Purchase of treasury stock		—		—		—			—			—			(19,578	)		(19,578	)


Balance at March 31, 2005	$	44,530	$	1,204,360		34,546		$	(2,700	)	$	493,399		$	(183,061	)	$	1,591,074

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

AMERUS GROUP CO.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

($ in thousands)


	For The Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005			2004
	(unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	61,488		$	33,129
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Cumulative effect of change in accounting		—			510
Gain on sale of discontinued operations		—			(3,899	)
Product charges		(59,033	)		(49,562	)
Interest credited to policyowner account balances		128,781			120,594
Change in option value of indexed products and market value adjustments on total return strategy annuities		(44,334	)		23,733
Realized/unrealized capital (gains) losses		48,944			85
DAC and VOBA amortization		52,743			47,911
DAC and VOBA capitalized		(114,527	)		(88,790	)
Change in:
Accrued investment income		(4,888	)		(9,566	)
Reinsurance receivables		(35,861	)		(18,370	)
Securities held for trading purposes:
Fixed maturities		74,126			82,999
Equity securities		14,913			(4,029	)
Liabilities for future policy benefits		(44,876	)		(32,635	)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		108,299			161,338
Policy and contract claims and other policyowner funds		21,492			48,237
Income taxes:
Current		(12,771	)		24,953
Deferred		(32,304	)		(17,710	)
Other, net		12,632			(18,003	)


Net cash provided by operating activities		174,824			300,925


Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of fixed maturities available-for-sale		(1,225,650	)		(1,491,077	)
Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities available-for-sale		503,684			892,538
Maturities, calls and principal reductions of fixed maturities available-for-sale		322,205			293,607
Purchase of equity securities		(681	)		(37,116	)
Proceeds from sale of equity securities		880			35,962
Change in short-term investments, net		982			10,503
Purchase of mortgage loans		(42,365	)		(24,268	)

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


	For The Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005			2004
	(unaudited)
Proceeds from repayment and sale of mortgage loans		33,187			148,101
Purchase of other invested assets		(25,868	)		(80,971	)
Proceeds from sale of other invested assets		19,385			31,942
Change in policy loans, net		(1,844	)		4,402
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations		—			15,000
Other assets, net		(6,075	)		3,793


Net cash used in investing activities		(422,160	)		(197,584	)


Cash flows from financing activities:
Deposits to policyowner account balances		744,034			508,716
Withdrawals from policyowner account balances		(409,003	)		(429,342	)
Change in debt, net		230			(50,500	)
Stock issued under various incentive plans, net of forfeitures		5,819			3,164


Net cash provided by financing activities		341,080			32,038


Net increase in cash		93,744			135,379

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		478,441			274,150


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	572,185		$	409,529


Supplemental disclosure of cash activities:

Interest paid	$	8,738		$	7,818

Income taxes paid	$	43,044		$	78


Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating activities:

Capitalization of deferred sales inducements	$	22,418		$	11,362


Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:

Accrual of treasury stock purchases	$	19,578		$	—

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

AMERUS GROUP CO.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(1) CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. All adjustments were of a normal recurring nature, unless otherwise noted in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2005. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2004 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. For further information and for capitalized terms not defined in this Form 10-Q, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

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

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


	For The Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005			2004
	($ in thousands, except share data)
Net income, as reported	$	61,488		$	33,129
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects		(659	)		(1,162	)

Pro forma net income	$	60,829		$	31,967


Earnings per share:
Basic — as reported	$	1.55		$	0.84

Basic — pro forma	$	1.54		$	0.81


Diluted — as reported	$	1.43		$	0.82

Diluted — pro forma	$	1.42		$	0.79

Certain amounts in the 2004 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2005 financial statement presentation.

(2) EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share of common stock are computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share assumes the issuance of common shares applicable to stock options, PRIDES^SM and the Company’s Optionally Convertible Equity-Linked Accreting Notes (OCEANS^SM) and is calculated using the treasury stock method.

Diluted earnings per share applicable to the Company’s PRIDES^SM securities are determined using the treasury stock method as it is currently anticipated that holders of the PRIDES are more likely to tender cash in the future for the securities’ forward contract. The PRIDES added 1,502,762 and 523,539 shares to the diluted earnings per share calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Diluted earnings per share applicable to the Company’s OCEANs^SM are determined using the guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 04-8 (EITF 04-8), “The Effect of Contingently Convertible Debt on Diluted Earnings per Share,” which was effective for periods ending after December 15, 2004. EITF 04-8 requires diluted earnings per share to be computed following the guidance of EITF 90-19, “Convertible Bonds with Issuer Option to Settle for Cash upon Conversion,” for securities such as the OCEANs which are considered to be “Instrument C” securities. The conversion spread portion of an Instrument C security should be included in diluted earnings per share based on the number of shares that would be required to be delivered if the instrument had been converted at the end of the period. The OCEANs added 990,066 shares for the diluted earnings per share calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and no shares for the three months ended March 31, 2004.


	For The Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005							2004
			Number of		Per Share					Number of		Per Share
	Net Income		Shares		Amount			Net Income		Shares		Amount
	($ in thousands, except share data)
Basic EPS
Net Income from Continuing Operations	$	61,488		39,576	$	1.55		$	29,740		39,263	$	0.76

Effect of dilutive securities
Options and other stock based compensation		—		862		(0.04	)		—		648		(0.01	)
PRIDES		—		1,503		(0.05	)		—		524		(0.01	)
OCEANs		—		990		(0.03	)		—		—		—

Diluted EPS	$	61,488		42,931	$	1.43		$	29,740		40,435	$	0.74

(3) CLOSED BLOCK

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

Summarized financial information of the Closed Block as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 and for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:


	For The Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005			2004
	($ in thousands)
Operations:
Insurance premiums	$	41,887		$	52,596
Product charges		1,701			90
Net investment income		34,419			35,734
Realized gains on investments		130			830
Policyowner benefits		(50,121	)		(55,170	)
Underwriting, acquisition and other expenses		(557	)		(1,089	)
Dividends to policyowners		(18,168	)		(23,399	)


Contribution from the Closed Block before income taxes	$	9,291		$	9,592

(4) DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company accounts for derivatives, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, at fair value. Accounting for gains and losses resulting from changes in the values of derivatives is dependent upon the use of the derivative and its qualification for special hedge accounting. In addition, we also have trading securities that back our total return strategy traditional annuity products. During the first three months of 2005 and 2004, realized/unrealized gains (losses) on investments included an unrealized loss of $27.6 million and an unrealized gain of $6.2 million, respectively, from the change in fair value on call options used as a natural hedge of embedded options within indexed products. Additionally, an unrealized loss has been recognized amounting to $21.7 million and an unrealized gain of $17.7 million for the first three months of 2005 and 2004, respectively, from the change in fair value on the trading securities backing the total return strategy products. Policyowner benefits included an offsetting adjustment to contract liabilities for fair value changes in options embedded within the indexed products and fair value changes on total return strategy annuity contracts. The total adjustment to policyowner benefits amounted to a decrease in expense of $44.3 million and an additional expense of $23.7 million the first three months of 2005 and 2004, respectively.

The following table summarizes the income (loss) impact of the market value adjustments on trading securities, derivatives and the cash flow hedge amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004:


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2005
	Total Return			Indexed
	Products			Products			Other			Total
	($ in thousands)
Fixed maturity securities held for trading	$	(18,374	)	$	—		$	(3,294	)	$	(21,668	)
Options		—			(26,895	)		(688	)		(27,583	)
Market value adjustment to liabilities		9,392			32,478			2,464			44,334
Cash flow hedge amortization		—			—			39			39
DAC amortization impact of net adjustments above		1,237			(4,361	)		—			(3,124	)


Pre-tax total		(7,745	)		1,222			(1,479	)		(8,002	)
Income taxes		2,711			(428	)		518			2,801


After-tax total	$	(5,034	)	$	794		$	(961	)	$	(5,201	)


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2004
	Total Return			Indexed
	Products			Products			Other			Total
	($ in thousands)
Fixed maturity securities held for trading	$	14,606		$	—		$	3,046		$	17,652
Options		—			7,148			(985	)		6,163
Market value adjustment to liabilities		(12,772	)		(9,166	)		(1,795	)		(23,733	)
Cash flow hedge amortization		—			—			(462	)		(462	)
DAC amortization impact of net adjustments above		694			1,635			331			2,660


Pre-tax total		2,528			(383	)		135			2,280
Income taxes		(885	)		134			(47	)		(798	)


After-tax total	$	1,643		$	(249	)	$	88		$	1,482

(5) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

The effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 varied from the prevailing corporate rate primarily as a result of tax exempt interest and dividends received deduction. The effective tax rate was also reduced by a reduction in the income tax accrual. The accrual reduction, amounting to $19.9 million and $5.2 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, was for the release of provisions originally established for potential tax adjustments which have been settled or eliminated. The effective income tax rate excluding the accrual reductions was 34.23% and 31.54% for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

(6) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In recent years, the life insurance industry, including the Company and its subsidiaries, has been subject to an increase in litigation pursued on behalf of purported classes of insurance purchasers, questioning the conduct of insurers in the marketing of their products. The Company is routinely involved in litigation and other proceedings, including class actions, reinsurance claims and regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of its business. Some of these claims and legal actions are in jurisdictions where juries are given substantial latitude in assessing damages, including punitive and exemplary damages. In addition, regulatory bodies, such as state insurance departments and attorneys

general, periodically make inquiries and conduct examinations concerning the Company’s compliance with insurance and other laws. The Company responds to such inquiries and cooperates with regulatory examinations in the ordinary course of business.

On April 7, 2005, a national class action complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against the Company and certain of its subsidiaries alleging conduct and causes of action, and seeking relief, similar to that alleged in class action lawsuits in California state courts described in the Company’s 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K. On April 25, 2005 a similar national class action complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas against a subsidiary of the Company. These class actions were brought on behalf of purchasers of annuity products claiming that the products and manner in which they were sold were inappropriate for the senior citizen market. The Company continues to believe it has appropriate defenses against these lawsuits and intends to vigorously defend its position.

The Company’s pending litigation (including without limitation the proceedings described in the immediately preceding paragraph) is subject to many uncertainties, and given its complexity and scope, the outcomes cannot be predicted. Given these uncertainties, the Company is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result from the Company’s pending litigation. It is possible that the Company’s results of operations or cash flow in a particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected by an ultimate unfavorable resolution of pending litigation and regulatory matters depending, in part, upon the results of operations or cash flow for such period. Although no assurances can be given and no determinations can be made at this time, the Company believes that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to the Company’s pending claims and legal actions, would have no material effect on its operations and financial position.

(7) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company has a frozen defined benefit pension plan and also has defined benefit plans which provide supplemental retirement benefits to certain agents and executives. In addition to pension benefits, the Company also provides certain health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees. The following is a summary of net periodic benefit cost for these plans for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005			2004
	($ in thousands)
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	79		$	82
Interest cost		1,472			1,550
Expected return on plan assets		(1,216	)		(1,214	)
Amortization of prior service cost		22			22
Amortizaton of actuarial loss		178			62


Net periodic benefit cost		535			502
Curtailment		—			(951	)


Total expense	$	535		$	(449	)

(8) ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

In December 2004, the FASB issued a revision to SFAS 123, “Share-Based Payment,” (SFAS 123R) which is a revision of SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” (SFAS 123). SFAS 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on fair values. Pro forma disclosure of fair value information is no longer an alternative. The implementation date of the statement has been delayed to be effective for the fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005. Adoption is to be made using either the modified prospective method or the modified retrospective method. The modified prospective method recognizes cost based on the requirements for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and for awards granted prior to the effective date that remain unvested prior to the effective date. The modified retrospective method includes the requirements of the modified prospective method but also permits restatement of financial statements based on pro forma amounts previously recognized under SFAS 123. Restatement can either be for all prior periods presented or prior interim periods of the year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company continues to evaluate the impacts of SFAS 123R which the Company will adopt January 1, 2006. The Company currently discloses the pro forma impacts of recognizing fair value as permitted by SFAS 123 in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

(9) OPERATING SEGMENTS

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

Protection Products. The primary product offerings consist of interest-sensitive whole life, term life, universal life and indexed life insurance policies. Indexed life is a type of universal life or interest-sensitive whole life product. These products are marketed on a national basis primarily through a Career Marketing Organization (CMOs) system, a Personal Producing General Agent (PPGA) system, Independent Marketing Organizations (IMOs) and a New York distribution system.

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

The product offerings within each segment are of a very similar nature. Insurance premiums of the protection products segment primarily include term life products. Product charges of the protection products segment include interest-sensitive whole life, universal life and indexed life insurance products. Product charges of the accumulation products segment include traditional fixed and indexed annuities. Due to the similarity of products within each segment, premiums and product charges are shown by segment and not by specific product type.

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

1) Realized/unrealized gains and losses on open block assets.

2) Market value changes and amortization of assets and liabilities associated with the accounting for derivatives, such as:

•   Unrealized gains and losses on open block options and securities held for trading.

•   Change in option value of indexed products and market value adjustments on total return strategy annuities.

•   Cash flow hedge amortization.

3)   Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC) and value of business acquired (VOBA) related to the unrealized and realized gains and losses on the open block investments and the derivative adjustments.

4)   Other income from non-insurance operations.

5)   Interest expense.

6)   Income tax expense.

7)   Income from discontinued operations.

8)   Cumulative effect of changes in accounting.

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

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

Assets are segmented based on policy liabilities directly attributable to each segment. There are no significant intersegment transactions. Depreciation and amortization, excluding amortization of DAC, deferred sales inducements, and VOBA as previously discussed, are not significant. There have been no material changes in segment assets since December 31, 2004.

Operating Segment Income
($ in thousands)


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2005
	Protection		Accumulation					Total
	Products		Products		All Other			Consolidated
Revenues:
Insurance premiums	$	61,483	$	480	$	583		$	62,546
Product charges		47,077		11,956		—			59,033
Net investment income		86,886		181,646		179			268,711
Realized/unrealized gains on closed block investments		130		—		—			130
Other income		861		11,552		520			12,933


		196,437		205,634		1,282			403,353
Benefits and expenses:

Policyowner benefits		89,201		124,728		27			213,956
Underwriting, acquisition, and other expenses		18,393		15,191		7,024			40,608
Amortization of DAC and VOBA, net of open block gain adjustment of $2,825		24,871		25,047		—			49,918
Dividends to policyowners		20,002		1		—			20,003


		152,467		164,967		7,051			324,485


Segment pre-tax operating income	$	43,970	$	40,667	$	(5,769	)		78,868


Realized/unrealized gains on open block assets									177

Unrealized losses on open block options and trading investments									(49,251	)

Change in option value of indexed products and market value adjustments on total return strategy annuities									44,334

Cash flow hedge amortization									39

Amortization of DAC and VOBA due to open block gains and losses									(2,825	)

Other loss from non-insurance operations									(377	)


Income from continuing operations									70,965

Interest (expense)									(7,780	)

Income tax (expense)									(1,697	)


Net income								$	61,488

Operating Segment Income
($ in thousands)


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2004
	Protection		Accumulation					Total
	Products		Products		All Other			Consolidated
Revenues:
Insurance premiums	$	69,716	$	723	$	298		$	70,737
Product charges		35,459		14,103		—			49,562
Net investment income		81,258		174,263		1,354			256,875
Realized/unrealized gains on closed block investments		830		—		—			830
Other income		906		9,487		1,508			11,901


		188,169		198,576		3,160			389,905

Benefits and expenses:
Policyowner benefits		93,395		120,818		21			214,234
Underwriting, acquisition, and other expenses		16,958		10,828		4,914			32,700
Amortization of DAC and VOBA, net of open block loss adjustment of ($1,260)		19,241		29,930		—			49,171
Dividends to policyowners		25,484		—		—			25,484


		155,078		161,576		4,935			321,589


Segment pre-tax operating income	$	33,091	$	37,000	$	(1,775	)		68,316


Realized/unrealized losses on open block assets									(24,730	)

Unrealized gains on open block options and trading investments									23,815

Change in option value of indexed products and market value adjustments on total return strategy annuities									(23,733	)

Cash flow hedge amortization									(462	)

Amortization of DAC and VOBA due to open block gains and losses									1,260

Other loss from non-insurance operations									(199	)


Income from continuing operations									44,267

Interest (expense)									(8,398	)

Income tax (expense)									(6,129	)

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax									3,899

Cumulative effect of change in accounting, net of tax									(510	)


Net income								$	33,129

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

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) addresses the consolidated financial condition of AmerUs Group Co. as of March 31, 2005, compared with December 31, 2004, and our consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004. You should read the following analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our MD&A and audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

NATURE OF OPERATIONS

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

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Our financial highlights are as follows:


	For The Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005			2004
	($ in thousands, except share data)
Segment pre-tax operating income:
Protection Products	$	43,970		$	33,091
Accumulation Products		40,667			37,000
Other operations		(5,769	)		(1,775	)

Total segment pre-tax operating income		78,868			68,316

Non-segment expense, net (A)		17,380			35,187


Net income	$	61,488		$	33,129


Diluted net income per share	$	1.43		$	0.82


	March 31,		December 31,
	2005		2004
Total assets	$	23,469,876	$	23,170,869

Stockholders’ equity	$	1,591,074	$	1,623,469

(A)

Non-segment expense, net consists primarily of open block realized/unrealized gains and losses, derivative related market value adjustments, non-insurance operations, interest expense, income taxes, discontinued operations and cumulative effect of change in accounting.

Operating segment income in the first quarter of 2005 increased for both the protection products and accumulation products segments as compared to the same periods in 2004. Protection products earnings were primarily impacted by increased open block product margins. Our accumulation products pre-tax operating segment income increased primarily due to growth in assets and increased product spread. The increases in protection products and accumulation products segment income were partially offset by higher operating losses of the other segment in the first quarter of 2005 compared to 2004. The 2004 other segment results were favorably impacted by gains from an equipment transaction and an employee postretirement benefit plan curtailment.

Net income increased in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004 primarily as a result of higher operating segment income and income tax accrual reductions.

Total assets increased $299 million during the first quarter of 2005 primarily as a result of net cash received from collected premiums and deposits, positive cash flows from operating activities and the utilization of securities lending arrangements. Total investments grew $269 million which was more than offset by declines in unrealized investment gains of $303 million. Liabilities increased primarily due to policy reserves and policyowner funds which increased due to the higher volume of insurance in force and additional securities lending arrangements. Stockholders’ equity decreased $32 million in the first quarter of 2005 primarily as a result of reduced unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments of $80 million and treasury stock purchases of $20 million. The decrease was partially offset by additions to equity for year-to-date net income of $61 million and stock issued under various incentive plans of $6 million. The unrealized gains included in accumulated other comprehensive income are presented after related adjustments to DAC, VOBA, capitalized deferred sales inducements, closed block policyowner dividend obligation, unearned revenue reserves and deferred income taxes.

PROTECTION PRODUCTS

Our protection products segment primarily consists of interest-sensitive whole life, term life, universal life and indexed life insurance policies. These products are marketed on a national basis primarily through CMOs, a PPGA distribution system, IMOs and a New York distribution system. Included in protection products is the closed block of ALIC and the closed block of ILIC, established when the companies reorganized from mutual companies to stock companies. When protection products are sold, we invest the premiums we receive in our investment portfolio and establish a liability representing our commitment to the policyowner. We manage investment spread by seeking to maximize the return on these invested assets, consistent with our asset/liability and credit quality policies. We enter into reinsurance arrangements in order to reduce the effects of mortality risk and the statutory capital strain from writing new business. All income statement line items are presented net of reinsurance amounts. Protection products in force totaled $98.9 billion at March 31, 2005 and $97.5 billion at December 31, 2004. Protection products in force is a performance measure utilized by investors, analysts and the Company to assess the Company’s position in the industry. A summary of our protection products segment operations follows:


	For The Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005		2004
	($ in thousands)
Revenues:
Insurance premiums	$	61,483	$	69,716
Product charges		47,077		35,459
Net investment income		86,886		81,258
Realized gains on closed block investments		130		830
Other income		861		906

Total revenues		196,437		188,169


Benefits and expenses:
Policyowner benefits		89,201		93,395
Underwriting, acquisition and other expenses		18,393		16,958
Amortization of DAC and VOBA, net of open block gain/loss adjustment		24,871		19,241
Dividends to policyowners		20,002		25,484

Total benefits and expenses		152,467		155,078


Pre-tax operating income — Protection Products segment	$	43,970	$	33,091

Pre-tax operating income from our protection products increased 33% in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004. The increase was primarily due to higher open block product margins, in particular increased product charges and net investment income. The increase was partially reduced by higher expenses and DAC and VOBA amortization. The key drivers of our protection products business include sales, persistency, net investment income, mortality and expenses.

Sales. Sales are a key driver of our business as they are a leading indicator of future revenue trends to emerge in segment operating income. Sales are presented as annualized premium which is in accordance with industry practice, and represent the amount of new business sold during the period. Sales are a performance metric which we use to measure the productivity of our distribution network and for compensation of sales and marketing employees and agents. The following table summarizes annualized premium by life insurance product:


	Sales Activity by Product
	For The Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005		2004
	($ in thousands)
Traditional life insurance:
Interest-sensitive whole life	$	106	$	3,418
Term and other life		3,057		3,575
Universal life		4,871		7,534
Indexed life		18,026		17,303


Total	$	26,060	$	31,830

Direct first year annualized premiums decreased 18% in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004. We continue to focus our marketing efforts on indexed life products. In the first three months of 2005, sales of

indexed life products were $18.0 million as compared to $17.3 million for 2004 and comprised 69% of total direct sales in the first quarter of 2005 compared to 54% in the first quarter of 2004. We are a leading writer of indexed life products in the United States. Interest-sensitive whole life insurance sales decreased in the first quarter of 2005 compared to 2004 due to our sales focus on indexed products and our withdrawal from certain tax-advantaged markets. Universal life insurance sales decreased between periods as a result of pricing changes associated with products launched in January 2005. Pricing for the new universal life products reflect higher reinsurance costs and increased mortality expectations in the senior age markets. We also continue to de-emphasize our term insurance products.

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

Insurance premium revenue was lower in the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the first quarter of 2004 primarily due to a decline in closed block in force business and our shift in product mix from traditional to indexed life products. Product charge revenue was higher in 2005 as compared to 2004 due to growth in the indexed life block of business.

Persistency. Persistency, which we measure in terms of a lapse rate, is a key driver of our business because it refers to the policies which remain in our block of business. A low lapse rate means higher persistency indicating more business is remaining in force to generate future revenues. Annualized lapse rates, based on a rolling four quarter period, were 6.5% as of March 31, 2005 compared to 6.3% as of March 31, 2004. This slight increase in our lapses primarily resulted from the dividend reductions we made on our policies. Our persistency experience remained within our pricing assumptions.

Net Investment Income. Net investment income is a key driver of our business as it reflects earnings on our invested assets. Net investment income increased for the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the same period a year ago primarily as a result of the growth in protection products assets which were approximately $452 million higher in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004. The year-to-date earned rate of the investment portfolio was 6.35% compared to 6.48% a year ago.

Mortality and Benefit Expense. Mortality is a key driver of our business as it impacts the amount of our benefit expense. We utilize reinsurance to reduce the effects of mortality risk. We experienced unfavorable mortality in the first quarter 2005 as compared to the same period a year ago, primarily in the closed block. However, a significant amount of the increased mortality in this period was offset by reserves released on these elevated claims. Our open block mortality experience continues to be in line with our pricing assumptions.

Interest benefit expense increased in the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the same period in 2004 due to the growth in our in force block of indexed life, universal life and interest-sensitive whole life business. The increased mortality and interest benefit expense in the first quarter of 2005 was offset by reserves released on the excess mortality and by reduced surrender benefit activity, resulting in a decrease in policyowner benefits of $4.2 million.

Underwriting, Acquisition and Other Expenses. Underwriting, acquisition and other expenses are a key driver of our business as they are costs of our operations. Expenses increased for the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 primarily due to higher employee benefit costs and additional expenses of integrating ILIC in force policy services and data center activities from the Woodbury, New York site to Des Moines.

Amortization of DAC and VOBA. The amortization of DAC and VOBA are expense items which increased for the first quarter 2005 as compared to the respective period in 2004. DAC and VOBA are generally amortized in proportion to policy gross margins which increased in 2005, resulting in higher amortization expense.

Dividends to Policyowners. In addition to basic policyowner dividends, dividend expense includes increases or decreases to the closed block policyowner dividend obligation liability carried on the consolidated balance sheet. The actual results of the closed block are adjusted to equal the expected earnings based on the actuarial calculation at the time of formation of the closed block (which we refer to as the closed block glide path). The adjustment to have the closed block operating results equal the closed block glide path is made to dividend expense. If the actual results for the period exceed the closed block glide path, increased dividend expense is recorded as a policyowner dividend obligation to reduce the actual closed block results. For actual results less than the closed block glide path, dividend expense is reduced to increase the actual closed block results. As a result of this accounting treatment, operating earnings from the closed block only include the predetermined closed block glide path.

Dividend expense decreased for the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004. This reduction was primarily due to closed block dividend reductions.

Outlook. We will continue to focus our sales on indexed life products which we expect will favorably impact our product margins. We also expect to incur additional expenses in 2005 to further integrate administrative functions to enhance operating efficiencies in future periods.

ACCUMULATION PRODUCTS

Our accumulation products segment primary offerings consist of individual fixed annuities and funding agreements. The fixed annuities are marketed on a national basis primarily through IMOs and independent brokers. Similar to our protection products segment, we invest the premiums we receive from accumulation product deposits in our investment portfolio and establish a liability representing our commitment to the policyowner. We manage product spread by seeking to maximize the return on our invested assets consistent with our asset/liability management and credit quality policies. When appropriate, we periodically reset the interest rates credited to our policyowner liability. Accumulation products reserves totaled $12.6 billion at March 31, 2005 and $12.3 billion at December 31, 2004. A summary of our accumulation products segment operations follows:


	For The Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005		2004
	($ in thousands)
Revenues:
Immediate annuity and supplementary contract premiums	$	480	$	723
Product charges		11,956		14,103
Net investment income		181,646		174,263
Other income		2,541		2,751

Total revenues		196,623		191,840


Benefits and expenses:
Policyowner benefits		124,728		120,818
Underwriting, acquisition and other expenses		7,260		6,332
Amortization of DAC and VOBA		25,047		29,930
Dividends to policyowners		1		—

Total benefits and expenses		157,036		157,080


IMO Operations:
Other income		9,011		6,736
Other expenses		7,931		4,496

Net IMO operating income		1,080		2,240


Pre-tax operating income — Accumulation Products segment	$	40,667	$	37,000

Pre-tax operating income from our accumulation products operations increased 10% in the first quarter of 2005 compared to 2004 primarily due to higher assets and increased product spread. The drivers of profitability in our accumulation products business include deposits, persistency, product spread, expenses and IMO operations.

Deposits. Deposits are a key driver of our business as this is a measure which represents collected premiums to be deposited to policyowner accounts for which we will earn a future product spread. Deposits are presented as collected premiums, which are measured in accordance with industry practice, and represent the amount of new business sold during the period. Deposits are a performance metric which we use to measure the productivity of our distribution network and for compensation of sales and marketing employees and agents. The following table summarizes our accumulation products segment deposits:


	Deposits by Product
	For The Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005			2004
	($ in thousands)
Annuities Deferred fixed annuities:
Traditional fixed annuities	$	68,882		$	82,170
Indexed annuities		503,070			296,875
Variable annuities		545			852

Total annuities		572,497			379,897

Reinsurance ceded		(1,970	)		(3,196	)


Total deposits, net of reinsurance	$	570,527		$	376,701

Direct annuity deposits increased 51% in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter 2004. Deposits increased in 2005 as compared to 2004 primarily due to our indexed annuities. Indexed annuities comprised 88% of total direct annuity deposits in the first quarter of 2005 compared to 78% in the first quarter of 2004. Our wholly-owned and proprietary organizations accounted for approximately 84% of our annuity deposits in the first quarter of 2005 compared to 75% in the first quarter of 2004.

Product Charges. The deposits we receive on accumulation products are not recorded as revenue but instead as a policyowner liability. Surrender charges collected on accumulation products are recorded as revenue and shown as a product charge. Product charges decreased in the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the first quarter of 2004 due to fewer policy withdrawals within the surrender charge period.

Persistency. Persistency, which we measure in terms of a withdrawal rate, is a key driver of our business as it refers to the policies which remain in our block of business. A low withdrawal rate reflects higher persistency indicating more business is remaining in force to generate future revenues. Withdrawals represent funds taken out of accumulation products by policyowners not including those due to the death of policyowners. Annuity withdrawal rates without internal replacements, based on a rolling four quarter period, continued to improve in 2005 and amounted to 8.0% and 9.0% as of March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Annuity withdrawals without internal replacements totaled $243.2 million and $295.8 million for the first three months of 2005 and 2004, respectively. Our withdrawal experience remained within our pricing assumptions.

Product Spread. Product spread is a key driver of our business as it measures the difference between the income earned on our invested assets and the rate which we credit to policyowners, with the difference reflected as segment operating income. Asset earned rates and liability crediting rates, based on a rolling four quarter period, were as follows for our annuity products:


	For The Twelve Months Ended March 31,
	2005			2004
Asset earned rate		5.74	%		5.82	%
Liability credited rate		3.53	%		3.81	%

Product spread		2.21	%		2.01	%

The product spread increased 20 basis points to 221 basis points for the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004. Liability crediting rates were lowered throughout 2004 to correspond with the decline in investment yields caused by the overall combined lower rates for new and reinvested funds.

At March 31, 2005, the account value of traditional annuities totaled $6.4 billion of which approximately 94% have minimum guarantee rates ranging from 3% to 4%. For traditional annuities with an account value of $4.7 billion, the credited rate was equal to the minimum guarantee rate, and as a result, the credited rate cannot be lowered. Traditional annuities with an account value of $1.1 billion had a multi-year guarantee for which the credited rate cannot be decreased until the end of the multi-year period. At the end of the multi-year period, we will have the ability to lower the crediting rate to the minimum guaranteed rate by an average of approximately 275 basis points. The remaining multi-year period is generally either one or two years. Due to these limitations on the ability to lower interest crediting rates and the potential for additional credit defaults and lower reinvestment rates on investments, we could experience spread compression in future periods.

Underwriting, Acquisition and Other Expenses. Underwriting, acquisition and other expenses are a key driver of our business as they are costs of our operations. Expenses increased for the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 primarily due to non-deferrable agent commissions associated with a new policy persistency program started in 2004.

Amortization of DAC and VOBA. The amortization of DAC and VOBA decreased for the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004. During the third quarter of 2004, projected future margin items for DAC and VOBA amortization were updated with current estimates. These updated projected margins continued to be appropriate for first quarter of 2005 amortization and, as a result, DAC and VOBA amortization in the first quarter of 2005 is lower than for the same period in 2004.

IMO Operations. IMO Operations are a key driver of our business as the earnings from the IMOs are a component of the accumulation products segment operating income. IMOs have contractual arrangements to promote our insurance products in their networks of agents and brokers. Additionally, they also contract with third party insurance companies. We own four such IMOs. The income from IMO operations primarily represents annuity commissions received by our IMOs from those third party insurance companies. Net IMO operating income decreased in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004 primarily due to changes in distribution strategies and higher operating expenses, including litigation costs.

Outlook. We anticipate increased product sales from our owned and proprietary distribution organizations but decreased product sales from other distribution channels as we manage our sales in this current low interest rate environment. We also expect to continue our sales focus on the indexed annuity products and to actively manage surrenders. We will continue to manage our spreads as we strive for our desired profitability in this economic environment.

OTHER

The other operations consist of our non-core lines of business outside of protection and accumulation products. These lines of business include holding company revenues and expenses, operations of our real estate management subsidiary, and accident and health insurance. The pre-tax operating loss of our other operations in the first quarter of 2005 increased as compared to the first quarter of 2004 primarily as a result of gains on an equipment transaction and an employee postretirement benefit plan curtailment which occurred in the first quarter of 2004.

INCOME STATEMENT RECONCILIATION

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


	For The Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005			2004
	($ in thousands)
Segment pre-tax operating income:
Protection Products	$	43,970		$	33,091
Accumulation Products		40,667			37,000
Other operations		(5,769	)		(1,775	)

Total segment pre-tax operating income		78,868			68,316

Non-segment items — increases (decreases) to income:
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on assets and liabilities:
Realized/unrealized gains (losses) on open block assets		177			(24,730	)
Unrealized gains (losses) on open block options and trading investments		(49,251	)		23,815
Change in option value of indexed products and market value adjustments on total return strategy annuities		44,334			(23,733	)
Cash flow hedge amortization		39			(462	)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA due to open block realized/unrealized gains and losses		(2,825	)		1,260
Other loss from non-insurance operations		(377	)		(199	)


Income from continuing operations		70,965			44,267
Interest expense		(7,780	)		(8,398	)
Income tax expense		(1,697	)		(6,129	)


Net income from continuing operations		61,488			29,740

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		—			3,899
Cumulative effect of change in accounting, net of tax		—			(510	)


Net income	$	61,488		$	33,129

Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Assets and Liabilities. Realized gains (losses) on open block assets will fluctuate from period to period depending on the prevailing interest rate, the economic environment and the timing of investment sales and credit events. As part of managing our invested assets, we routinely sell securities and realize gains and losses. In addition, in the first quarter of 2004, we recognized a pre-tax impairment loss of $12.2 million on our Indianapolis, Indiana office building. The building, which was listed for sale in 2003, was sold in the third quarter of 2004.

Unrealized gains (losses) on open block options and trading investments also will fluctuate from period to period depending on the prevailing interest rate, the economic environment and credit events. We use options to hedge our indexed products. In accounting for derivatives, we adjusted our options to market value, which, due to the

economic environment and stock market conditions, resulted in an unrealized loss of $27.6 million and an unrealized gain of $6.2 million in the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, respectively. In addition, we also have trading securities that back our total return strategy traditional annuity products. The market value adjustment on the trading securities resulted in an unrealized loss of $21.7 million and an unrealized gain of $17.7 million in the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, respectively. Most of the unrealized gains and losses on the options and trading securities are offset by similar adjustments to the option portion of the indexed product reserves and to the total return strategy annuity reserves. The reserve adjustments are reflected in policyowner benefits expense in the consolidated statements of income and are included in the fair value change as decreased expense of $44.3 million and additional expense of $23.7 million in the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, respectively.

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

Income Tax Expense. The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2005 and 2004 varied from the prevailing corporate rate primarily as a result of tax exempt interest, dividends received deduction and a reduction in the income tax accrual. The accrual reduction amounting to $19.9 million and $5.2 million in the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, respectively, was for the release of provisions originally established for potential tax adjustments which have been settled or eliminated.

Discontinued Operations. In November 2003, we entered into an agreement to sell our residential financing operations. The results of the residential financing operations have been classified as discontinued operations. The sale was completed in January 2004, resulting in an after-tax gain of $3.9 million.

Change in Accounting. Effective January 1, 2004, the Company adopted SOP 03-1 resulting in the establishment of additional policy reserve liabilities for fees charged for insurance benefit features which are assessed in a manner that is expected to result in profits in earlier years and losses in subsequent years. The total effect of adopting SOP 03-1 (including reinsurance recoverables) as of January 1, 2004, amounted to a decrease of $0.8 million ($0.5 million after-tax) in net income which has been reflected as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting.

ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

In December 2004, the FASB issued a revision to SFAS 123, “Share-Based Payment,” (SFAS 123R) which is a revision of SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” (SFAS 123). SFAS 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on fair values. Pro forma disclosure of fair value information is no longer an alternative. The implementation date of the statement has been delayed to be effective for the fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005. Adoption is to be made using either the modified prospective method or the modified retrospective method. The modified prospective method recognizes cost based on the requirements for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and for awards granted prior to the effective date that remain unvested prior to the effective date. The modified retrospective method includes the requirements of the modified prospective method but also permits restatement of financial statements based on pro forma amounts previously recognized under SFAS 123. Restatement can either be for all prior periods presented or prior interim periods of the year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. We continue to evaluate the impacts of SFAS 123R which we will adopt January 1, 2006. We currently disclose the pro forma impacts of recognizing fair value as permitted by SFAS 123 in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

AmerUs Group Co.

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

The payment of dividends by our insurance subsidiaries is regulated under various state laws. Generally, under the various state statutes, our insurance subsidiaries’ dividends may be paid only from the earned surplus arising from their respective businesses and must receive the prior approval of the respective state regulator to pay any dividend that would exceed certain statutory limitations. The current statutes generally limit any dividend, together with dividends paid out within the preceding 12 months, to the greater of (i) 10% of the respective company’s policyowners’ statutory surplus as of the preceding year end or (ii) the statutory net gain from operations for the previous calendar year. Generally, the various state laws give the state regulators discretion to approve or disapprove requests for dividends in excess of these limits. We also consider risk-based capital levels, capital and liquidity operating needs, and other factors prior to paying dividends from the insurance subsidiaries. Based on the state law limitations and 2004 results, our life insurance subsidiaries could pay us an estimated $186 million in dividends in 2005 without obtaining regulatory approval. Our subsidiaries paid no dividends in the first three months of 2005.

We have a $200 million revolving credit facility, which we refer to as the Revolving Credit Agreement, with a syndicate of lenders. As of March 31, 2005, there was no outstanding loan balance under the facility. The Revolving Credit Agreement provides for typical events of default and covenants with respect to the conduct of business and requires the maintenance of various financial levels and ratios. Among other covenants, we (a) cannot have a leverage ratio greater than 0.35:1.0, (b) cannot have an interest coverage ratio less than 2.50:1.0, (c) are prohibited from paying cash dividends on common stock in excess of an amount equal to 3% of consolidated net worth as of the last day of the preceding fiscal year, (d) must cause our insurance subsidiaries to maintain certain levels of risk-based capital, and (e) are prohibited from incurring additional indebtedness for borrowed money in excess of certain limits typical for such lines of credit. We closely monitor all of these covenants to ensure continued compliance. We also have $125 million senior notes payable which will mature and become payable in June 2005. We may utilize our Revolving Credit Agreement to retire these senior notes.

The Company has several options for deploying excess capital, including supporting higher sales growth, reducing debt levels, pursuing acquisitions and buying back common stock. Our Board of Directors approved a stock purchase program effective August 9, 2002, under which we may purchase up to three million shares of our common stock at such times and under such conditions, as we deem advisable. The purchases may be made in the open market or by such other means as we determine to be appropriate, including privately negotiated purchases. The purchase program supercedes all prior purchase programs. We plan to fund the purchase program from a combination of our internal sources and dividends from insurance subsidiaries. On March 31, 2005, we purchased 414,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to an accelerated share repurchase program. The program allowed the Company to purchase the shares immediately, with a third party purchasing the shares in the open market over the next few months. The initial purchase price was $47.25 per share, plus commission, subject to a market price adjustment feature based on the actual cost of the shares purchased. Approximately 1.6 million shares remain available for repurchase under the purchase program.

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

Insurance Subsidiaries

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

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

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

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

In addition to the interest-sensitive products, our insurance subsidiaries have issued funding agreements totaling $960 million outstanding as of March 31, 2005, consisting primarily of six to ten year fixed rate insurance contracts. The assets backing the funding agreements are legally segregated and are not subject to claims that arise out of any other business of the insurance subsidiaries. The funding agreements are further backed by the general account assets of the insurance subsidiaries. The segregated assets and liabilities are included with general account assets in the financial statements. The funding agreements may not be cancelled by the holders unless there is a default under the agreements, but the insurance subsidiaries may terminate the agreements at any time.

We also have variable separate account assets and liabilities representing funds that are separately administered, principally for variable annuity contracts, and for which the contract holder bears the investment risk. Separate account assets and liabilities are reported at fair value and amounted to $233.5 million as of March 31, 2005. Separate account contractholders generally have no claim against the assets of the general account, except with respect to certain insurance benefits. The operations of the separate accounts are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Through their respective memberships in the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLB) of Des Moines, Topeka and Indianapolis; ALIC, American and ILIC are eligible to borrow under variable -rate short term federal funds

arrangements to provide additional liquidity. These borrowings are secured and interest is payable at the current rate at the time of each advance. There were no borrowings outstanding under these arrangements at March 31, 2005. In addition, ALIC has long-term fixed rate advances from the FHLB outstanding of $12.4 million at March 31, 2005.

The insurance subsidiaries may also obtain liquidity through sales of investments. The investment portfolio as of March 31, 2005 had a carrying value of $19.2 billion, including closed block investments.

The level of capital in the insurance companies is regulated by risk-based capital formulas and is monitored by rating agencies. On February 15, 2005, Moody’s Investor Services changed the rating outlook for the Company and its insurance and other subsidiaries to negative from stable as a result of uncertainties in connection with a lawsuit filed by the California Attorney General. On February 17, 2005, Standard & Poor’s announced that our current A+ rating and our stable outlook would be unaffected by this lawsuit. In order to maintain appropriate capital levels, it may be necessary from time to time for AmerUs Group Co. to provide additional capital to the insurance companies.

We participate in a securities lending program whereby certain fixed maturity securities from the investment portfolio are loaned to other institutions for a short period of time. We receive a fee in exchange for the loan of securities and require initial collateral equal to 102 percent, with an on-going level of 100 percent, of the market value of the loaned securities to be separately maintained. Securities with a market value of approximately $436.0 million and $342.6 million were on loan under the program and we were liable for cash collateral under our control of approximately $446.3 million and $351.7 million at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. The collateral held under the securities lending program has been included in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheet and the obligation to return the collateral upon the return of the loaned securities has been included in accrued expenses and other liabilities.

We may also enter into securities borrowing arrangements from time to time whereby we borrow securities from other institutions and pay a fee. Securities borrowed amounted to $135.1 million and $138.2 million at March 31, 2005, and December 31, 2004, respectively, and are also included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.

At March 31, 2005, the statutory surplus of the insurance subsidiaries was approximately $1.1 billion. Management believes that each life insurance company has statutory capital which provides adequate risk based capital that exceeds required levels.

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

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

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

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

Interest rate risk is the price sensitivity of a fixed income security to changes in interest rates. Management views these potential changes in price within the overall context of asset and liability management. Actuarial professionals estimate the cash flow pattern of our liabilities to determine their duration. This is then compared to the characteristics of the assets that are currently backing the liabilities to arrive at an asset allocation strategy for future investments that management believes mitigates the overall effect of interest rates.

For variable and indexed products, profitability on the portion of the policyowner’s account balance invested in the fixed general account option, if any, is also affected by the spreads between interest yields on investments and rates credited to the policies. For the variable products, the policyowner assumes essentially all the investment earnings risk for the portion of the account balance invested in the separate accounts. For the indexed products, we primarily purchase call options that are designed to match the return owed to contract holders who elect to participate in one or more market indices. Profitability on the portion of the indexed products tied to market indices is significantly impacted by the spread on interest earned on investments and the sum of (1) the cost of underlying call options purchased to match the returns owed to contract holders and (2) the minimum interest guarantees owed to the contract holder, if any. Profitability on the indexed products is also impacted by changes in the fair value of the embedded option which provides the contract holder the right to participate in market index returns after the next anniversary date of the contract. This impacts profitability as we primarily purchase one-year call options to fund the returns owed to the contract holders at the inception of each contract year. This practice matches with the contract holders’ rights to switch to different indices on each anniversary date. The value of the forward starting options embedded in the indexed products can fluctuate with changes in assumptions as to future volatility of the market indices, risk free interest rates, market returns and the lives of the contracts.

The following table provides information about our fixed maturity investments and mortgage loans for both our trading and other than trading portfolios at March 31, 2005. The table presents amortized cost and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates. The amortized cost approximates the cash flows of principal amounts in each of the periods. The cash flows are based on the earlier of the call date or the maturity date or, for mortgage-backed securities, expected payment patterns. Actual cash flows could differ from the expected amounts.


	9 months																					Expected
	2005			2006			2007			2008			2009			2010			Thereafter			Cash Flows		Fair Value
	($ in thousands)
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	$	819		$	899		$	1,072		$	1,138		$	926		$	622		$	10,021		$	15,497	$	15,741
Average interest rate		6.4	%		6.5	%		6.2	%		5.9	%		6.0	%		5.6	%		5.8	%

Fixed maturity securities held for trading purposes	$	68		$	163		$	198		$	274		$	232		$	131		$	536		$	1,602	$	1,602
Average interest rate		3.8	%		2.8	%		3.4	%		2.8	%		2.5	%		3.2	%		4.1	%

Mortgage loans	$	41		$	59		$	56		$	69		$	65		$	70		$	515		$	875	$	897
Average interest rate		7.2	%		7.3	%		7.3	%		7.2	%		7.2	%		7.2	%		6.9	%

Total	$	928		$	1,121		$	1,326		$	1,481		$	1,223		$	823		$	11,072		$	17,974	$	18,240

In accordance with our strategy of minimizing credit quality risk, we consistently invest in high quality marketable securities. Fixed maturity securities are comprised of U.S. Treasury, government agency, mortgage-backed and corporate securities. Approximately 63% of our fixed maturity securities are issued by the U.S. Treasury or U.S. government agencies or are rated A or better by Moody’s, Standard and Poor’s, or the NAIC. Less than 7.7% of the bond portfolio is below investment grade. Fixed maturity securities have an average life of approximately 9.13 years.

Prepayment risk refers to the changes in prepayment patterns that can either shorten or lengthen the expected timing of the principal repayments and thus the average life and the effective yield of a security. Such risk exists

primarily within the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities. Management monitors such risk regularly. We invest primarily in those classes of mortgage-backed securities that have average or lower prepayment risk.

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

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

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

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

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

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

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table sets forth information regarding purchases of equity securities for the three months ended March 31, 2005:


						(c) Total number		(d) Maximum number
						of shares (or		(or approximate dollar
	(a) Total			(b) Average		units) purchased		value) of shares
	number of			price paid		as part of publicly		(or units) that may
	shares (or units)			per share		announced plans		yet be purchased under
Period	purchased (1)			(or units)		or programs		the plans or programs (3)
01/01/2005-01/31/2005		—		$	—		—		2,027,500
02/01/2005-02/28/2005		—			—		—		2,027,500
03/01/2005-03/31/2005		441,236	(2)		47.36		441,236		1,613,500


Total		441,236		$	47.36		441,236

(1)		Does not include shares withheld from employee stock awards to satisfy applicable tax withholding obligations.

(2)		The March 2005 shares purchased included 414,000 shares which were part of the repurchase program described in note 3 and 27,236 shares purchased by the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

(3)		In August 2002, our board of directors authorized a repurchase program of up to 3 million shares of our outstanding common stock. There is no expiration date for this program.

Item 6. Exhibits

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

AMERUS GROUP CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit
No.		Description
2.1		Combination and Investment Agreement, dated February 18, 2000, among American Mutual Holding Company, AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., Indianapolis Life Insurance Company and The Indianapolis Life Group of Companies, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.1 to AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.’s report on Form 8-K/A on March 6, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.

2.2		Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2000, by and between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.5 on Form 10-K, dated March 8, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.

2.3		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 17, 1999, by and between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.6 on Form 10-K, dated March 8, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.

2.4		Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated February 18, 2000, by and between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.7 on Form 10-K, dated March 8, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.

2.5		Letter Agreement, dated December 17, 1999, by and between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.8 on Form 10-K, dated March 8, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.

2.6		Notification Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2000, by and among American Mutual Holding Company, AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and Bankers Trust Company, filed as Exhibit 2.9 on Form 10-K, dated March 8, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.

2.7		Amendment No. 2 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 3, 2000, by and between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.10 on Form 10-Q, dated May 15, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.

2.8		Amendment No. 1 to the Purchase Agreement, dated April 3, 2000, by and between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.11 on Form 10-Q, dated May 15, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.

2.9		Amendment to Combination and Investment Agreement dated February 18, 2000 among American Mutual Holding Company, AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., Indianapolis Life Insurance Company and The Indianapolis Life Group of Companies, Inc., dated September 18, 2000, filed as Exhibit 2.2 to Form 8-K12G3 of the Registrant dated September 21, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.

2.10		Stock Purchase Agreement, dated January 1, 2002, by and among AmerUs Annuity Group Co., and the Stockholders of Family First Advanced Estate Planning and Family First Insurance Services, files as Exhibit 2.13 on Form 10-Q dated August 12, 2002, is hereby incorporated by reference.

3.1*		Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant as of May 20, 2004.

3.2		Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, filed as Exhibit 3.2 on Form 10-Q, dated August 6, 2004, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.1		Amended and Restated Trust Agreement dated as of February 3, 1997 among AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., Wilmington Trust Company, as property trustee, and the administrative trustees named therein (AmerUs Capital I business trust), filed as Exhibit 3.6 to the registration statement of AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and AmerUs Capital I on Form S-1, Registration Number 333-13713, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.2		Indenture dated as of February 3, 1997 between AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company relating to the Company’s 8.85% Junior Subordinated Debentures, Series A, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the registration statement of AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and AmerUs Capital I on Form S-1, Registration Number, 333-13713, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.3		Guaranty Agreement dated as of February 3, 1997 between AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., as guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, relating to the 8.85% Capital Securities, Series A, issued by AmerUs


Exhibit
No.		Description
		Capital I, filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the registration statement on Form S-1, Registration Number, 333-13713, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.4		Certificate of Trust of AmerUs Capital III filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the registration statement of AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., AmerUs Capital II and AmerUs Capital III, on Form S-3 (No. 333-50249), is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.5		Senior Indenture, dated as of June 16, 1998, by and between AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and First Union National Bank, as Indenture Trustee, relating to the AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.’s 6.95% Senior Notes, filed as Exhibit 4.14 on Form 10-Q, dated August 13, 1998, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.6		Subordinated Indenture, dated as of July 27, 1998, by and between AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and First Union National Bank, as Indenture Trustee, relating to AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.’s 6.86% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures, filed as Exhibit 4.15 on Form 10-Q, dated August 13, 1998, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.7		First Supplement to Indenture dated February 3, 1997 among American Mutual Holding Company, AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company as Trustee, relating to the Company’s 8.85% Junior Subordinated Debentures, Series A, dated September 20, 2000, filed as Exhibit 4.14 on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.8		Assignment and Assumption Agreement to Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated February 3, 1997 between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., dated September 20, 2000, filed as Exhibit 4.15 on Form 10-Q dated November 14, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.9		Assignment and Assumption to Guaranty Agreement, dated February 3, 1997 between American Mutual Holding Company and AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., dated September 20, 2000, filed as Exhibit 4.16 on Form 10-Q, dated November 14, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.10		First Supplement to Senior Indenture dated June 16, 1998, relating to AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.’s 6.95% Senior Notes, among American Mutual Holding Company, AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and First Union National Bank, as Trustee, dated September 20, 2000, filed as Exhibit 4.23 on Form 10-Q, dated November 14, 2000, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.11		Indenture dated as of March 6, 2002 between AmerUs Group Co. and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 on form 8-K/A, dated February 28, 2002, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.12		Form of Purchase Contract Agreement between AmerUs Group Co. and Wachovia Bank, National Association (formerly known as First Union National Bank), as Purchase Contract Agent, filed as Exhibit 4.1 on Form 8-A12B, dated May 22, 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.13		Form of Pledge Agreement among AmerUs Group Co., BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Collateral Agent, Custodial Agent and Securities Intermediary and Wachovia Bank, National Association (formerly known as First Union National Bank), as Purchase Contract Agent, filed as Exhibit 4.2 on Form 8-A12B dated May 22, 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.14		Form of Remarketing Agreement among AmerUs Group Co., Wachovia Bank, National Association (formerly known as First Union National Bank), as Purchase Contract Agent, and the Remarketing Agent named therein, filed as Exhibit 4.3 on Form 8-A12B dated May 22, 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.15		Form of Income PRIDES (included in Exhibit 4.1 as Exhibit A thereto), filed as Exhibit 4.1 on Form 8-A12B, dated May 22, 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.16		Officer’s Certificate attaching form of Senior Notes initially due 2008, filed as Exhibit 4.7 on Form 8-A12B, dated May 22, 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.17		Indenture dated as of December 15, 2004 between AmerUs Group Co. and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 on Form 8-K, dated December 15, 2004, is hereby incorporated by reference.

4.18		Form of Optionally Convertible Equity-Linked Accreting Note (OCEANs^SM) due March 6, 2032, filed as Exhibit 4.2 on Form 8-K, dated December 15, 2004, is hereby incorporated by reference.

11.1		Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings is included in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.

12*		Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.


	Page No.
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION		4
Item 1.Financial Statements		4
Consolidated Balance Sheets March 31, 2005 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2004		4
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004		6
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004		7
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 (Unaudited) and the Year Ended December 31, 2004		8
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004		9
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)		11
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		22
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		34
Item 4.Controls and Procedures		36
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION		36
Item 1.Legal Proceedings		36
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		37
Item 6.Exhibits		37

Signatures		38
Index to Exhibits		39
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Certification of Chief Financial Officer


	For The Three Months Ended March 31,
	2005			2004
	(unaudited)
Net income	$	61,488		$	33,129

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period		(123,642	)		88,879
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income		374			17,453


Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax		(123,268	)		106,332
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive income		43,144			(37,216	)


Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes		(80,124	)		69,116


Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(18,636	)	$	102,245


	March 31,		December 31,
	2005		2004
	($ in thousands)
Liabilities:
Future life and annuity policy benefits	$	2,791,668	$	2,804,222
Policyowner funds		8,039		8,096
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		8,099		32,140
Dividends payable to policyowners		158,750		161,475
Policy and contract claims		12,704		14,705
Policyowner dividend obligation		121,179		152,975


Total Liabilities		3,100,439		3,173,613


Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale at fair value		1,963,797		2,028,790
Mortgage loans		67,720		70,686
Policy loans		333,961		335,573
Other investments		—		34
Cash and cash equivalents		34,476		8,473
Accrued investment income		31,910		32,637
Premiums and fees receivable		40,894		59,369
Other assets		—		17


Total Assets		2,472,758		2,535,579


Maximum future earnings to be recognized from assets and liabilities of the Closed Block	$	627,681	$	638,034


DATED: May 5, 2005	AMERUS GROUP CO.

	By	/s/ Melinda S. Urion

		Melinda S. Urion
		Executive Vice President,
		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

	By	/s/ Brenda J. Cushing

		Brenda J. Cushing
		Senior Vice President and Controller
		(Principal Accounting Officer)


Exhibit
No.		Description
20.1		Offering Circular dated November 16, 2004, to Exchange Optionally Convertible Equity-Linked Accreting Notes (OCEANs^SM) filed as Exhibit 20.1 on Form 8-K, dated December 15, 2004, is hereby incorporated by reference.

31.1*		Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e).

31.2*		Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e).

32.1*		Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

32.2*		Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

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	1)	Realized/unrealized gains and losses on open block assets.

	2)	Market value changes and amortization of assets and liabilities associated with the accounting for derivatives, such as:

	•	Unrealized gains and losses on open block options and securities held for trading.

	•	Change in option value of indexed products and market value adjustments on total return strategy annuities.

	•	Cash flow hedge amortization.

	3)	Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC) and value of business acquired (VOBA) related to the unrealized and realized gains and losses on the open block investments and the derivative adjustments.

	4)	Other income from non-insurance operations.

	5)	Interest expense.

	6)	Income tax expense.

	7)	Income from discontinued operations.

	8)	Cumulative effect of changes in accounting.