AMERUS LIFE HOLDINGS INC
8-K, 1997-10-08
LIFE INSURANCE
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                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                               _______________

                                   FORM 8-K

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


         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 13, 1997


                          AMERUS LIFE HOLDINGS, INC.
              (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


                 IOWA               0-21459               42-1459712
           (State or Other     (Commission File         (IRS Employer
           Jurisdiction of          Number)          Identification No.)
           Incorporation)

           418 SIXTH AVENUE, DES MOINES, IOWA                 50309-2407
           (Address of Principal Executive Offices)           (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (515) 280-1331


                                  Not Applicable.
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)


          ITEM 5.   OTHER EVENTS.

          ACQUISITION OF AMERUS LIFE HOLDINGS, INC.  

               On September 19, 1997, AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.
          ("Registrant"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the
          Registrant and AmVestors Financial Corporation
          ("AmVestors") entered into an Agreement and Plan of
          Merger dated as of September 19, 1997 and as amended and
          restated as of October 8, 1997 ("AmVestors Merger
          Agreement"), providing for a merger ("AmVestors Merger")
          pursuant to which, and subject to the terms thereof,
          AmVestors would become a wholly owned subsidiary of the
          Registrant.  As of the effective time of the AmVestors
          Merger, each outstanding share of common stock of
          AmVestors, no par value ("AmVestors Common Stock"), other
          than shares held in the treasury of AmVestors and shares
          owned by the Registrant or any of its subsidiaries, shall
          be converted into the right to receive (x) if the Average
          Registrant Share Price (as defined below) is greater than
          or equal to $27.00 but less than or equal to $29.75, the
          number of shares of Series A common stock, no par value,
          of the Registrant ("Registrant Common Stock") determined
          by dividing $20.00 by the Average Registrant Share Price;
          (y) if the Average Registrant Share Price is less than
          $27.00, 0.7407 shares of Registrant Common Stock (subject
          to the termination rights described below), and (z) if
          the Average Registrant Share Price is greater than
          $29.75, 0.6724 shares of Registrant Common Stock (as
          applicable, the "AmVestors Merger Consideration").  The
          "Average Registrant Share Price" is the average of the
          last reported sales price per share of Registrant Common
          Stock quoted by The Nasdaq National Market for the twenty
          consecutive trading days ending on the tenth trading day
          prior to the date the AmVestors Merger is consummated. 
          If the Average Registrant Share Price falls below $27.00,
          the AmVestors Merger Consideration would be worth less
          than $20.00 per share and AmVestors has the right to
          terminate the AmVestors Merger Agreement unless the
          Registrant agrees to provide additional Registrant Common
          Stock valued at $20.00 per share of AmVestors Common
          Stock.  If the Average Registrant Share Price rises above
          $29.75, the AmVestors Merger Consideration would be worth
          more than $20.00 per share.  The AmVestors Merger is
          intended to qualify as a reorganization within the
          meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of
          1986, as amended.

               AmVestors' principal subsidiaries are American
          Investors Life Insurance Company ("American") and Florida
          Benefit Group, Inc. ("FBL").  Consummation of the
          AmVestors Merger is subject to satisfaction or waiver by
          the parties of certain closing conditions, including the
          receipt of regulatory approvals, approvals by the
          stockholders of the Registrant and AmVestors and other
          customary closing conditions.

               The foregoing description of the AmVestors Merger
          Agreement does not purport to be complete and is
          qualified in its entirety by reference to the AmVestors
          Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as
          Exhibit 2.1 and is hereby incorporated by reference in
          its entirety. 

          ACQUISITION OF DELTA LIFE CORPORATION

               On August 13, 1997 the Registrant, a wholly owned
          subsidiary ("Sub") of the Registrant, and Delta Life
          Corporation ("Delta")  entered into an Agreement and Plan
          of Merger (the "Delta Merger Agreement") dated as of
          August 13, 1997, and as amended on September 5, 1997,
          pursuant to which all of the outstanding capital stock of
          Delta would be acquired for $162.9 million in cash. Under
          the Delta Merger Agreement, Sub would merge with and into
          Delta, and Delta would be the surviving corporation and
          become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant's
          wholly owned subsidiary, AmerUs Life Insurance Company,
          or of AmerUs. The principal asset of Delta is its
          wholly-owned subsidiary, Delta Life and Annuity Company
          ("Delta Life"), a Tennessee domiciled life insurance
          company formed in 1955.  As of June 30, 1997, Delta had
          approximately 52,000 annuity contracts outstanding, had
          assets of $2.0 billion, had total stockholders' equity of
          $107.4 million, and had reserves of approximately $1.8
          billion. Delta Life specializes in the sale of individual
          single and flexible premium deferred annuities, primarily
          in the southeastern, western, southwestern and midwestern
          regions of the United States. Such sales are made
          primarily through a network of over 3,400 independent
          agents. Approximately 55% of Delta Life's 1996 direct
          collected premiums were derived from retirement-oriented
          tax-qualified annuities. Delta Life is licensed in the
          District of Columbia and in all states except New York. 

               Consummation of the Delta Merger is subject to
          satisfaction or waiver by the parties of certain closing
          conditions, including the receipt of regulatory
          approvals, approvals by the stockholders of the
          Registrant and Delta and other customary closing
          conditions.  It is anticipated that the Delta Merger will
          close in the fourth quarter of this year.

               The foregoing description of the Delta Merger
          Agreement does not purport to be complete and is
          qualified in its entirety by reference to the Delta
          Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as
          Exhibit 2.2 and is hereby incorporated by reference in
          its entirety. 

          ITEM 7:   FINANCIAL STATEMENT, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL
                    INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

                    (a)  Not applicable.
                    (b)  Not applicable.
                    (c)  Exhibits.

          -         2.1  Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
          September 19, 1997 and as amended and restated as of
          October 8, 1997, among AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., a
          wholly owned subsidiary of AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.and
          AmVestors Financial Corporation

                    2.2  Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
          August 13, 1997 and as amended as of September 5, 1997,
          among AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned
          subsidiary of AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and Delta Life
          Corporation



                                SIGNATURES

                    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
          Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this
          report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
          hereunto duly authorized.

                                   AMERUS LIFE HOLDINGS, INC.

                                   By: /s/ Roger K. Brooks
                                      ------------------------------
                                      Name:  Roger K. Brooks
                                      Title: Chairman, President and
                                             Chief Executive Officer



          Date:  October  8, 1997




          EXHIBIT INDEX

          2.1  Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September
               19, 1997 and as amended and restated as of October
               8, 1997, among AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., a wholly
               owned subsidiary of AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and
               AmVestors Financial Corporation

          2.2  Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 13,
               1997 and as amended as of September 5, 1997, among
               AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned
               subsidiary of AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc. and Delta
               Life Corporation






                             AMENDED AND RESTATED
                         AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

               THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement") is
     dated as of September 19, 1997 and amended and restated as of
     October 8, 1997, and is by and among AmVestors Financial
     Corporation, a Kansas corporation (the "Company"), AmerUs Life
     Holdings, Inc., an Iowa corporation ("Parent"), and AFC Corp.,
     a Kansas corporation and a subsidiary of Parent ("Sub").  A
     Glossary of Terms is attached as Annex A and incorporated herein
     by reference.

                                   RECITALS

               WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Parent,
     Sub and the Company have approved the merger of Sub into the
     Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
     in this Agreement, whereby each issued and outstanding share of
     common stock, no par value, of the Company (the "Company Common
     Stock"), not owned directly or indirectly by Parent or held in
     treasury by the Company, will be converted into the right to
     receive the Merger Consideration (as defined below), on the terms
     set forth herein;

               WHEREAS, Parent, Sub and the Company desire to make
     certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in
     connection with the Merger and also to prescribe various
     conditions to the Merger; and

               WHEREAS, for federal income tax purposes, it is
     intended that the Merger of the Company and Sub shall qualify as
     a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and that
     this Agreement shall be, and is hereby, adopted as a plan of
     reorganization for the purposes of Section 368 of the Code.

                                   AGREEMENT

               NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and
     the respective representations, warranties and covenants set
     forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the
     receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the
     parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I
                                  THE MERGER

               SECTION 1.01  The Merger.

               (a)  Subject to the terms and conditions of this
     Agreement, at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.01(b)),
     Sub shall be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger") in
     accordance with the Kansas Statutes Annotated ("KSA"), Chapter 17
     (the "KGCC"), whereupon the separate existence of the Sub shall
     cease, and the Company shall be the surviving corporation (the
     "Surviving Corporation").

               (b)  The consummation of the Merger (the "Closing")
     shall take place (i) at the offices of Bryan Cave LLP, One
     Metropolitan Square, 211 North Broadway, Suite 3600, St. Louis,
     Missouri, at 10:00 A.M., on such date (the "Closing Date") which
     is three business days after the date on which the last of the
     conditions set forth in Article 8 hereof shall have been
     satisfied or waived in accordance with this Agreement, or (ii)
     such other place, time and date as the parties hereto shall
     agree.  Prior to the Closing, Sub and the Company shall execute
     and deliver to the Secretary of State of the State of Kansas (the
     "Kansas Secretary of State") a Certificate of Merger in proper
     form for filing under the KGCC on the day of the Closing, and the
     Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the Certificate
     of Merger with the Kansas Secretary of State or at such later
     time as may be specified in the Certificate of Merger, such time
     being herein called the "Effective Time".

               (c)  The Merger shall have the effects set forth in the
     KGCC.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, at the
     Effective Time (i) the Surviving Corporation shall possess all
     assets and property of every description, and every interest
     therein, wherever located, and the rights, privileges,
     immunities, power, franchises, and authority, of a public as well
     as of a private nature, of each of the Company and the Sub and
     all obligations belonging to or due each of them shall be vested
     in the Surviving Corporation without further act or deed; (ii)
     title to any real estate or any interest therein vested in either
     of the Company or the Sub shall not revert or in any way be
     impaired by reason of the Merger; (iii) all rights of creditors
     and all liens on any property of the Company and the Sub shall be
     preserved unimpaired; and (iv) the Surviving Corporation shall be
     liable for all the obligations of the Company and the Sub, and
     any claim existing, or action or proceeding pending, by or
     against either of them, may be prosecuted to judgment with the
     right of appeal, as if the Merger had not taken place. 

               SECTION 1.02  Stock Options.

               (a)  As soon as practicable following the date of this
     Agreement, but in any event not less than fifteen trading days
     prior to the Closing, the Board of Directors of the Company (or,
     if appropriate, any committee administering the Company's 1989
     Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the "NQSO Plan") or 1996
     Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "ISO Plan," and together with
     the NQSO Plan, the "Company Option Plans") shall adopt such
     resolutions or take such other actions as may be required to
     adjust the terms of all outstanding Company Options (as defined
     in Section 3.03) issued pursuant to the Company Option Plans and
     related agreements, to provide that at the Effective Time, each
     Company Option outstanding (whether or not vested and
     exercisable) immediately prior to the Effective Time shall at the
     Effective Time cease to represent a right to acquire shares of
     Company Common Stock and shall be converted automatically into an
     option (a "Continuing Option") to acquire Parent Common Stock in
     an amount and at an exercise price determined as provided in the
     immediately following sentence (and on substantially the same
     terms and conditions as were applicable under such Company Option
     Plan and the agreements evidencing grants thereunder), subject to
     Section 1.02(b).  At the Effective Time, if the holder of a
     Company Option which is then outstanding and unexercised has not
     timely elected (with respect to Company Options granted under the
     NQSO Plan) or has not timely requested (with respect to Company
     Options granted under the ISO Plan; or if so requested, if such
     request has been denied by the Company) to receive cash for such
     Company Option as described in subsection (b) of this Section
     1.02, then such Company Option shall, in accordance with the
     provisions of the NQSO Plan or the ISO Plan, whichever is
     applicable, become a Continuing Option to acquire (x) the number
     of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the product of (i) the
     number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company
     Option immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (ii)
     the Merger Consideration (a partial share shall be rounded down
     to the next lower whole share), with (y) an exercise price equal
     to the quotient of (i) the original exercise price per share (the
     "Original Exercise Price") of Company Common Stock subject to
     such Company Option in effect immediately prior to the Effective
     Time divided by (ii) the Merger Consideration and rounding the
     exercise price thus determined to the nearest whole cent (a half
     cent shall be rounded to the next higher whole cent).  In the
     case of Company Options intended to be incentive stock options
     (as defined in Section 422 of the Code), the exercise price,
     number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to such
     Continuing Option and terms and conditions or exercise of such
     Continuing Option shall be determined in order to comply with the
     requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code. 

               (b)  As soon as practicable following the date of this
     Agreement, but in any event not less than fifteen trading days
     prior to the Closing, the Company shall deliver to the holders of
     Company Options (whether or not vested and exercisable) a Cash
     Option Notice Form (as defined below) offering to (i) holders of
     Company Options issued pursuant to the NQSO Plan the right to
     elect, and (ii) holders of Company Options issued pursuant to the
     ISO Plan the right to request, to receive in consideration for
     the cancellation of all (but not less than all) of such holder's
     Company Options, an amount in cash equal to the product of (x)
     the excess of (i) the Option Cash Price (as defined below), over
     (ii) the Original Exercise Price of such Company Option,
     multiplied by (y) the number of shares subject to such Company
     Option.  The  Option Cash Price  is the product of (A) the last
     reported sales price per share of Parent Common Stock as quoted
     by Nasdaq (as defined below) on the Closing Date multiplied by
     (B) the Merger Consideration.  Alternatively, with the consent of
     Parent prior to the Closing, holders of Company Options may
     request to receive in consideration for the cancellation of such
     holder's Company Options, a number of shares of Parent Common
     Stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) equal to the
     amount of cash which otherwise would be payable upon termination
     of such Company Options pursuant to the first sentence of this
     Section 1.02(b), divided by the last sales price of Parent Common
     Stock as reported on Nasdaq as of the Effective Time.

               (c)  As soon as practicable after the Effective Time,
     Parent shall deliver to the holders of Continuing Options
     appropriate notices setting forth such holders' rights pursuant
     to the respective Company Option Plans.

               (d)  To make the election for cash consideration
     described in Section 1.02(b) above, any eligible Company Option
     holder must deposit with the Exchange Agent at least ten trading
     days prior to the Closing a properly completed notice ("Cash
     Option Notice Form"), in form and substance reasonably
     satisfactory to Parent (including an appropriate release), and
     the Option Agreements (as defined below) relating to any such
     Company Options for which such election is made.  Such election
     shall be irrevocable unless the Agreement is terminated before
     the Effective Time.  Following the Effective Time, the Company
     shall deliver to each such holder the cash amount so elected,
     calculated in accordance with Section 1.02(b) above.  No interest
     shall be paid on such amount.  If this Agreement is terminated
     before the Effective Time, the Option Agreement(s) shall be
     returned to each such holder.  

               SECTION 1.03  Stock Appreciation Rights.  Following the
     Effective Time, the holders of outstanding Company SARs (as
     defined in Section 3.03(e) hereof), shall be entitled to receive
     in consideration for the cancellation of such Company SAR an
     amount in cash equal to the product of (x) the excess of (i) the
     Option Cash Price over (ii) the strike price of such Company SAR,
     multiplied by (y) the number of shares of Company Common Stock
     referenced by the Company SARs; provided, that Parent shall have
     received from each such holder a written acknowledgement that
     such payment is in full satisfaction of the Company's and
     Parent's obligations in respect of the Company SARs.

               SECTION 1.04  Articles of Incorporation and By-laws.

               (a)  The Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as
     in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the
     Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until
     thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by
     applicable law.

               (b)  The By-laws of Sub as in effect immediately prior
     to the Effective Time shall be the By-laws of the Surviving
     Corporation until thereafter changed or amended as provided
     therein or by applicable law.

               SECTION 1.05  Directors.  The individuals who are the
     directors of Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
     the directors of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter they
     cease to be directors in accordance with the KGCC and the
     Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving
     Corporation.

               SECTION 1.06  Officers.  The individuals who are the
     officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time
     shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation until
     thereafter they cease to be officers in accordance with the KGCC
     and the Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving
     Corporation.

                                  ARTICLE II
                      EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL
                    STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS;
                           EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES

               SECTION 2.01  Capital Stock of Sub.  As of the
     Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on
     the part of the holder of any shares of Company Common Stock or
     any shares of capital stock of Sub, each share of common stock,
     without par value, of Sub issued and outstanding immediately
     prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and become
     one fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, without
     par value, of the Surviving Corporation.

               SECTION 2.02  Cancellation of Treasury Stock and Parent
     Owned Stock.  As of the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger
     and without any action on the part of the holder of any shares of
     Company Common Stock or any shares of capital stock of Sub, each
     share of Company Common Stock issued and held immediately prior
     to the Effective Time in the Company's treasury and each share of
     Company Common Stock that is owned by Parent, Sub or any other
     subsidiary of Parent shall automatically be canceled and retired
     and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered
     in exchange therefor.  At the Effective Time, shares of Company
     Common Stock held by subsidiaries of the Company shall be
     converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration in
     accordance with Section 2.03.

               SECTION 2.03  Conversion of Company Common Stock.

               (a)  As of the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger
     and without any action on the part of the holder of any shares of
     Company Common Stock or any shares of capital stock of Sub,
     except as otherwise provided in this Section 2.03 and subject to
     Section 2.04(f), each share of Company Common Stock issued and
     outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than
     shares to be canceled in accordance with Section 2.02) shall be
     converted into the right to receive (x) if the Average Parent
     Share Price (as defined below) is greater than or equal to $27.00
     but less than or equal to $29.75, the number of shares of Parent
     Common Stock (as defined in Section 4.10 hereof) determined by
     dividing $20.00 by the Average Parent Share Price and rounding
     the result to the nearest one ten-thousandth of a share; (y) if
     the Average Parent Share Price is less than $27.00, 0.7407 shares
     of Parent Common Stock (subject to the next succeeding
     paragraph); and (z) if the Average Parent Share Price is greater
     than $29.75, 0.6724 shares of Parent Common Stock (as applicable,
     the "Merger Consideration"); provided, however, that, in any
     event, if between the date of this Agreement and the Effective
     Time the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock shall have
     been changed into a different number of shares or a different
     class, by reason of any stock dividend, subdivision,
     reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination or
     exchange of shares, the Merger Consideration shall be
     correspondingly adjusted to the extent appropriate to reflect
     such stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification,
     recapitalization, split, combination or exchange of shares.  The
     "Average Parent Share Price" means the average of the last
     reported sales prices per share of Parent Common Stock as quoted
     by The Nasdaq National Market ("Nasdaq") for the 20 consecutive
     trading days ending on the trading day (the "Price Measuring
     Date") which is ten trading days prior to the Closing Date.

               (b)  In the event that the Average Parent Share Price
     on the Price Measuring Date is less than $27.00, the Company
     shall have the option to deliver a written notice  to Parent on
     the trading day following the Price Measuring Date providing for
     the termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section
     2.03(b) and Article IX, subject to the next sentence (the
     "Termination Notice").   If the Company properly delivers a
     Termination Notice, this Agreement shall terminate in accordance
     with Article IX hereof at the close of business on the fifth
     trading day following the Price Measuring Date unless prior to
     such time Parent shall have delivered to the Company a written
     notice whereby the Parent agrees to adjust the consideration into
     which each share of Company Common Stock from the Merger
     Consideration as determined above to the number of shares of
     Parent Common Stock (the "Adjusted Merger Consideration")
     determined by dividing $20.00 by the Average Parent Share Price
     as of the Price Measuring Date and rounding the result to the
     nearest one ten-thousandth of a share.

               (c)  As of the Effective Time, all such shares of
     Company Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall
     automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist,
     and each holder of a certificate representing any such shares of
     Company Common Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect
     thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration.

               SECTION 2.04  Exchange of Certificates.

               (a)  Exchange Agent.  From and after the Effective
     Time, (i) Parent shall make available to a bank or trust company
     designated by Parent and reasonably satisfactory to the Company
     (the "Exchange Agent"), for the benefit of the holders of shares
     of Company Common Stock, for exchange in accordance with this
     Article II through the Exchange Agent, (i) certificates
     evidencing such number of shares of Parent Common Stock issuable
     to holders of Company Common Stock in the Merger pursuant to
     Section 2.03 and (ii) upon request of the Exchange Agent cash in
     the amount required to be exchanged for shares of Company Common
     Stock in the Merger pursuant to Section 2.04(f) (such
     certificates for shares of Parent Common Stock, together with any
     dividends or distributions with respect thereto and cash, being
     hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Fund").  The Exchange
     Agent shall, pursuant to irrevocable instructions, deliver the
     Parent Common Stock contemplated to be issued pursuant to Section
     2.03 out of the Exchange Fund.  Except as contemplated by Section
     2.04(f) hereof, the Exchange Fund shall not be used for any other
     purpose. The Exchange Agent shall invest any cash included in the
     Exchange Fund, as directed by Parent, on a daily basis.  Any
     interest and other income resulting from such investments shall
     be paid to Parent.

               (b)  Exchange Procedures.  As promptly as practicable
     after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the Exchange Agent
     to mail to each holder of a certificate or certificates which
     immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding
     shares of Company Common Stock (the "Certificates") (i) a letter
     of transmittal (which shall be in customary form and shall
     specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and
     title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon proper delivery
     of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent) and (ii) instructions
     for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in
     exchange for certificates evidencing shares of Parent Common
     Stock.

               (c)  Exchange of Certificates.  Upon surrender to the
     Exchange Agent of a Certificate for cancellation, together with
     such letter of transmittal, duly executed and completed in
     accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other
     documents as may be reasonably required pursuant to such
     instructions, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to
     receive in exchange therefor (i) a Certificate representing that
     number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock, if any, which such
     holder has the right to receive pursuant to this Article II and
     (ii) a check in the amount equal to the cash, if any, which such
     holder has the right to receive pursuant to the provisions of
     this Article II (including any cash in lieu of any fractional
     shares of Parent Common Stock to which such holder is entitled
     pursuant to Section 2.04(f) and any dividends or other
     distributions to which such holder is entitled pursuant to
     Section 2.04(d)), and the Certificate so surrendered shall
     forthwith be canceled.  In the event of a transfer of ownership
     of shares of Company Common Stock which is not registered in the
     transfer records of the Company, the applicable Merger
     Consideration, cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Parent
     Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section
     2.04(f) and any dividends or other distributions to which such
     holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.04(d) may be issued to a
     transferee if the Certificate representing such shares of Company
     Common Stock is presented to the Exchange Agent, accompanied by
     all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer and
     by evidence that any applicable stock transfer taxes have been
     paid.  Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.04,
     each Certificate shall be deemed at all times after the Effective
     Time to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender
     the applicable Merger Consideration with respect to the shares of
     Company Common Stock formerly represented thereby, cash in lieu
     of any fractional shares of Parent Common Stock to which such
     holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.04(f) and any dividends
     or other distributions to which such holder is entitled pursuant
     to Section 2.04(d). 

               (d)  Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares
     of Parent Common Stock.  No dividends or other distributions
     declared or made after the Effective Time with respect to Parent
     Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time shall be
     paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect
     to the shares of Parent Common Stock represented thereby, and no
     cash payment in lieu of any fractional shares shall be paid to
     any such holder pursuant to Section 2.04(f), until the holder of
     such Certificate shall surrender such Certificate.  Subject to
     the effect of escheat, tax or other applicable laws, following
     surrender of any such Certificate, there shall be paid to the
     holder of the certificates representing whole shares of Parent
     Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest,
     (i) promptly, the amount of any cash payable with respect to a
     fractional share of Parent Common Stock to which such holder is
     entitled pursuant to Section 2.04(f) and the amount of dividends
     or other distributions with a record date after the Effective
     Time and theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares of
     Parent Common Stock, and (ii) at the appropriate payment date,
     the amount of dividends or other distributions, with a record
     date after the Effective Time but prior to surrender and a
     payment date occurring after surrender, payable with respect to
     such whole shares of Parent Common Stock. 

               (e)  No Further Rights in Company Common Stock.  All
     shares of Parent Common Stock issued or cash paid upon conversion
     of the shares of Company Common Stock in accordance with the
     terms hereof (including any cash paid pursuant to Section 2.04(d)
     or (f)) shall be deemed to have been issued in full satisfaction
     of all rights pertaining to such shares of Company Common Stock. 

               (f)  No Fractional Shares.  No certificates or scrip
     representing fractional shares of Parent Common Stock shall be
     issued upon the surrender for exchange of Certificates, and such
     fractional share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to
     vote or to any other rights of a shareholder of Parent.  Each
     holder of a fractional share interest shall be paid an amount in
     cash equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) such
     fractional share interest to which such holder (after taking into
     account all fractional share interests then held by such holder)
     would otherwise be entitled by (ii) the product of the (x) Merger
     Consideration or (y) Adjusted Merger Consideration, as
     appropriate, and the Average Parent Share Price.  As promptly as
     practicable after the determination of the amount of cash, if
     any, to be paid to holders of fractional share interests, the
     Exchange Agent shall so notify Parent, and Parent shall deposit
     such amount with the Exchange Agent and shall cause the Exchange
     Agent to forward payments to such holders of fractional share
     interests subject to and in accordance with the terms of Sections
     2.04(b), (c) and (d). 

               (g)  Termination of Exchange Fund.  Any portion of the
     Exchange Fund (including any shares of Parent Common Stock) which
     remains undistributed to the holders of Company Common Stock for
     one year after the Effective Time shall be delivered to Parent,
     upon demand, and any holders of Company Common Stock who have not
     theretofore complied with this Article II shall thereafter look
     only to Parent for the applicable Merger Consideration, any cash
     in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock to which they
     are entitled pursuant to Section 2.04(f) and any dividends or
     other distributions with respect to the Parent Common Stock to
     which they are entitled pursuant to Section 2.04(d).  Any portion
     of the Exchange Fund remaining unclaimed by holders of shares of
     Company Common Stock as of a date which is immediately prior to
     such time as such amounts would otherwise escheat to or become
     property of any government entity shall, to the extent permitted
     by applicable law, become the property of Parent free and clear
     of any claims or interest of any person previously entitled
     thereto. 

               (h)  No Liability.  None of the Exchange Agent, Parent
     nor the Surviving Corporation shall be liable to any holder of
     shares of Company Common Stock for any such shares of Parent
     Common Stock  (or dividends or distributions with respect
     thereto), or cash delivered to a public official pursuant to any
     abandoned property, escheat or similar law. 

               (i)  Withholding Rights.  Each of the Surviving
     Corporation and Parent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold
     from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this
     Agreement to any holder of shares of Company Common Stock such
     amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to
     the making of such payment under the Code, or any provision of
     state, local or foreign tax law.  To the extent that amounts are
     so withheld by the Surviving Corporation or Parent, as the case
     may be, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes
     of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of the shares
     of Company Common Stock in respect of which such deduction and
     withholding was made by the Surviving Corporation or Parent, as
     the case may be.

               (j)  Lost Certificates.  If any Certificate shall have
     been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit
     of that fact by the person claiming such Certificate to be lost,
     stolen or destroyed and, if required by the Surviving
     Corporation, the posting by such person of a bond, in such
     reasonable amount as the Surviving Corporation may direct, as
     indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with
     respect to such Certificate, the Exchange Agent will issue in
     exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the
     applicable Merger Consideration, any cash in lieu of fractional
     shares of Parent Common Stock to which the holders thereof are
     entitled pursuant to Section 2.04(f) and any dividends or other
     distributions to which the holders thereof are entitled pursuant
     to this Agreement. 

               (k)  Further Assurances.  If, at any time after the
     Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall consider or be
     advised that any deeds, bills of sale, assignments, assurances or
     any other actions or things are necessary or desirable to vest,
     perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the Surviving
     Corporation its right, title and interest in, to or under any of
     the rights, properties or assets of either the Sub or the Company
     acquired or to be acquired by the Surviving Corporation as a
     result of, or in connection with, the Merger or otherwise to
     carry out this Agreement, the officers of the Surviving
     Corporation shall be authorized to execute and deliver, in the
     name and on behalf of each of the Sub and the Company or
     otherwise, all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments and
     assurances and to take and do, in such names and on such behalves
     or otherwise, all such other actions and things as may be
     necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm any and all
     right, title and interest in, to and under such rights,
     properties or assets in the Surviving Corporation or otherwise to
     carry out the purposes of this Agreement. 

               SECTION 2.05  Stock Transfer Books.  At the Effective
     Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and
     there shall be no further registration of transfers of shares of
     Company Common Stock thereafter on the records of the Company. 
     From and after the Effective Time, the holders of certificates
     representing shares of Company Common Stock outstanding
     immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any
     rights with respect to such shares of Company Common Stock,
     except as otherwise provided herein or by law.  On or after the
     Effective Time, any Certificates presented to the Exchange Agent
     or Parent for any reason shall be converted into shares of Parent
     Common Stock, any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent
     Common Stock to which the holders thereof are entitled pursuant
     to Section 2.04(f) and any dividends or other distributions to
     which the holders thereof are entitled pursuant to
     Section 2.04(d). 

               SECTION 2.06  Registered Stock.  The shares of Parent
     Common Stock receivable as Merger Consideration and upon exercise
     of the Continuing Options and in exchange for Company Warrants,
     shall be registered pursuant to an effective registration
     statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
     "Securities Act").

                                  ARTICLE III
                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

               The Company represents and warrants to Parent that, as
     of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date:

               SECTION 3.01  Organization, Standing and Corporate
     Power.  Each Acquired Company (as defined below) is a corporation
     duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
     laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized and has the
     requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now
     being conducted. "Acquired Companies" shall mean the Company,
     American Investors Life Insurance Company ( American ) and
     Financial Benefit Life Insurance Company ( FBL ) (together,
     American and FBL are referred to herein as the "Company Insurance
     Subsidiaries") and any other direct or indirect subsidiary of the
     Company.  Each Acquired Company is duly qualified to do business
     and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature
     of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties
     makes such qualification necessary, other than in such
     jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified (individually
     or in the aggregate) would not reasonably be expected to have a
     Material Adverse Effect on the Company.  The Company has made
     available to Parent complete and correct copies of its Articles
     of Incorporation and By-laws and, to the extent requested by
     Parent, the certificates of incorporation and by-laws or
     comparable organization documents of the Acquired Companies, in
     each case as amended to the date of this Agreement. No Acquired
     Company is in violation of any provision of its Articles of
     Incorporation or By-laws, except to the extent that such
     violations would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
     Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

               SECTION 3.02  Acquired Companies.  

               (a)  Section 3.02 of the disclosure schedule delivered
     on or prior to the date hereof to Parent by the Company (the
     "Company Disclosure Schedule") lists each Acquired Company and
     the ownership or interest therein of the Company.  All the
     outstanding shares of capital stock of each Acquired Company have
     been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and are
     owned by the Company or by another subsidiary of the Company,
     free and clear of all Liens.  Except for (i) the capital stock of
     the Acquired Companies, (ii) the ownership interests set forth in
     Section 3.02 of the Company Disclosure Schedule and
     (iii) investments made by the Acquired Companies in the ordinary
     course of business, the Acquired Companies do not own, directly
     or indirectly, any capital stock or other ownership interest in
     any Person, with a fair market value as of the date of this
     Agreement greater than  $500,000.

               (b)  Except for the subsidiaries disclosed in Section
     3.02 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, each Acquired Company
     has no subsidiaries and does not control (whether directly or
     indirectly, whether through the ownership of securities or by
     Contract or proxy or otherwise, and whether alone or in
     combination with others) any corporation, partnership, business
     organization, or other similar Person.  For purposes of this
     Section,  control" shall mean the right to elect a majority of
     the Board of Directors or other governing body of any such entity
     or Person or otherwise manage, direct or govern the business
     operations of such entity or Person.

               SECTION 3.03  Capital Structure.

               (a)  The authorized capital stock of the Company
     consists of 25,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock and
     2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par value per share
     ("Company Preferred Stock").  As of September 18, 1997, there
     were outstanding 13,249,119 shares of Company Common Stock, no
     shares of Company Preferred Stock, Company Options to purchase
     1,859,884 shares of Company Common Stock, Company Warrants to
     purchase 896,747 shares of Company Common Stock, Company
     Convertible Debentures convertible into 3,795,620 shares of
     Company Common Stock and Company SARs relating to 820,500 shares
     of Company Common Stock.

               (b)  All of the outstanding options to acquire shares
     of the Company's Common Stock (collectively, "Company Options")
     were issued pursuant to either the NQSO Plan or the ISO Plan. 
     The number of shares covered by and the exercise prices of the
     Company Options as of September 18, 1997 are set forth in the
     Section 3.03 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.  The Company has
     made available to Parent true and complete copies of all
     agreements (the "Option Agreements") entered into by the Company
     under the Company Option Plans.

               (c)  All outstanding warrants to acquire shares of
     Company Common Stock (the "Company Warrants") consist of (i)
     warrants for 716,361 shares of Company Common Stock  issued in
     connection with the acquisition of Financial Benefit Group, Inc.
     ( FBG ) ("Acquisition Warrants"), (ii) warrants for 10,384 shares
     of Company Common Stock assumed by the Company from FBG in
     connection with the acquisition of FBG ("FBG Warrants"), and
     (iii) warrants for 170,002 shares of Company Common Stock  issued
     in connection with previous financing by the Company ("Bank
     Warrants"). The Company Warrants and the exercise prices
     therefor, as of September 18, 1997 are set forth in Section 3.03
     of the Company Disclosure Schedule. 

               (d)  All of the Company's outstanding convertible debt
     securities are the Company's 3% Convertible Debentures Due 2003
     ("Company Convertible Debentures") issued pursuant to the
     Indenture (the "Indenture") dated July 12, 1996, between the
     Company and Boatmen's Trust Company, as trustee.  The outstanding
     principal amount of the Company Convertible Debentures and the
     conversion price thereof, as of September 18, 1997 are set forth
     in Section 3.03 of the Company Disclosure Schedule. 

               (e)  All of the outstanding stock appreciation rights
     with respect to the Company Common Stock (the "Company SARs")
     were issued pursuant to resolutions of the Board of Directors on
     March 27, 1997.  The number of shares covered by and the weighted
     average strike price of the Company SARs as of September 18, 1997
     are set forth in Section 3.03 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

               (f)  All outstanding shares of capital stock of the
     Acquired Companies have been duly authorized and validly issued
     and are fully paid and nonassessable and all outstanding shares
     of capital stock of the Company are free of preemptive rights. 
     Except as set forth in this Section 3.03, and as of the date
     hereof, there are outstanding (i) no other shares of capital
     stock or other voting securities of the Company, (ii) no
     securities of the Acquired Companies convertible into or
     exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting securities of
     the Acquired Companies, and (iii) no other options, warrants,
     calls, rights, commitments, agreements, arrangements or
     undertakings of any kind to acquire from the Acquired Companies,
     and no obligation of the Acquired Companies to issue, any capital
     stock, voting securities or securities convertible into or
     exchangeable for capital stock or voting securities of the
     Acquired Companies. All shares of Company Capital Stock that are
     subject to issuance as aforesaid, upon issuance on the terms and
     conditions specified in the instrument pursuant to which they are
     issuable, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
     nonassessable.  Except as set forth in Section 3.03 of the
     Company Disclosure Schedule, as of the date of this Agreement,
     there are not any outstanding contractual obligations of any
     Acquired Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any
     shares of capital stock, or to make any investment in excess of
     $500,000 (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or
     otherwise) in, any Acquired Company or any other person
     (excluding non-equity investments made in the ordinary course).

               SECTION 3.04  Authority.  The Company has all requisite
     corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform
     this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by
     this Agreement, subject to the conditions set forth in this
     Agreement.  The Board of Directors of the Company has unanimously
     approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
     and has resolved to recommend to the stockholders of the Company
     that they approve this Agreement and the transactions
     contemplated hereby.  The execution and delivery of this
     Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of
     the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly
     authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the
     Company, subject to Company Stockholder Approval.  This Agreement
     has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming
     the due authorization, execution and delivery by each of Parent
     and Sub, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the
     Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its
     terms, except to the extent that (a) enforcement may be limited
     by or subject to any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
     moratorium, or similar Laws now or hereafter in effect relating
     to or limiting creditors  rights generally and (b) the remedy of
     specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable
     relief are subject to certain equitable defenses and to the
     discretion of the court or other similar Person before which any
     proceeding therefor may be brought.

               SECTION 3.05  No Conflicts or Violations.  Except as
     disclosed in Section 3.05 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the
     execution and delivery of this Agreement by Company does not, and
     the performance by Company of its obligations under this
     Agreement will not:

               (a)  violate any term or provision of any applicable
     Law or any writ, judgment, decree, injunction, or similar order
     applicable to any Acquired Company and Known to the Company;

               (b)  conflict with or result in a violation or breach
     of the provisions of the articles of incorporation or by-laws of
     any Acquired Company; 

               (c)  cause any Permits (as defined below) of the
     Company to lapse or become invalid or subject to any material
     limitations after the Closing as a result of the Merger;

               (d)  result in the creation or imposition of any Lien
     upon any Acquired Company or any of their respective Assets and
     Properties;

               (e)  conflict with or result in a violation or breach
     of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or
     both) a default under, or give to any Person any right of
     termination, cancellation, acceleration, or modification in or
     with respect to, any Contract to which any Acquired Company is a
     party or by which any of their respective Assets or Properties
     may be bound; or

               (f)  require any Acquired Company to obtain any
     consent, approval, or action of, or make any filing with or give
     any notice to, any Person (including pursuant to any Laws);

     except (i) as contemplated or disclosed in Sections 3.04, 3.05
     and 3.06 hereof or the sections of the Company Disclosure
     Schedule relating thereto, and (ii) those violations, conflicts,
     Liens, breaches, defaults and rights which do not individually or
     in the aggregate with any other such matters, have, or would
     reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect on the
     Company.

               SECTION 3.06  No Consents.   No consent, approval,
     order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing
     with, any United States Federal, state or local government or any
     court, administrative agency or commission or other governmental
     authority or agency, domestic or foreign, including Canada and
     its provinces (a "Governmental Entity"), is required by or with
     respect to any Acquired Company in connection with the execution,
     delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company under
     any Laws or the consummation by the Company of the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement, except for (i) the filing of a
     premerger notification and report form by the Company and Parent
     under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
     as amended (the "HSR Act"), (ii) the filing with the Securities
     and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") of (A) a  proxy statement
     relating to the meetings of the Company's stockholders and, if
     required, the Parent's stockholders to be held in connection with
     the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
     (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Proxy
     Statement"), (B) the Form S-4 (hereinafter defined), and (C) such
     reports under Section 12 or 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
     of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as may be required in
     connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
     by this Agreement, (iii) such filings with the New York Stock
     Exchange, Inc. ( NYSE ) as may be required in connection with
     this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement, (iv) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the
     Kansas Secretary of State and appropriate documents with the
     relevant authorities of other states in which Acquired Companies
     are qualified to do business, (v) such as may be required by any
     applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws, (vi) such
     filings, consents or approvals with or from the Kansas, Michigan,
     Connecticut and Florida Insurance Commissions and such other
     state insurance commissions and similar agencies as may be
     required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
     contemplated hereby, (vii) those that may be required solely by
     reason of Parent's or Sub's (as opposed to any other third
     party's) participation in the Merger and the other transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement and (viii) such other consents,
     approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations
     and filings, (x) as may be required under the laws of any foreign
     country in which any Acquired Company conducts any business or
     owns any property or assets, (y) as are set forth in Section 3.06
     of the Company Disclosure Schedule or (z) that, if not obtained
     or made, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have, or
     would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect
     on the Company.

               SECTION 3.07  Books and Records.  The corporate minute
     books of each Acquired Company are complete and accurate in all
     material respects and have been made available to the Parent.

               SECTION 3.08  Financial Statements and Filings.  

               (a)   The Company has made available to Parent true and
     complete copies of the following financial statements (the
     "Company Financial Statements"):

                    (i)  audited (A) annual GAAP Statements for the
          Company and (B) Annual Statements for the Company Insurance
          Subsidiaries, for each of the years ended December 31, 1994,
          1995, and 1996, including all the notes thereto; and

                    (ii)  unaudited (A) quarterly GAAP Statements for
          the Company and (B) Quarterly Statements for the Company
          Insurance Subsidiaries, for each of the first three quarters
          of each of 1995 and 1996, and the first two quarters of
          1997, including all the notes thereto.

               (b)  Each such Company Financial Statement (and the
     notes thereto), and each GAAP Statement and Quarterly Statement
     made available by the Company pursuant to Section 5.04, including
     without limitation each balance sheet and each of the statements
     of operations, capital and surplus account, and cash flow
     contained therein was prepared in accordance with SAP ("SAP
     Statements") or GAAP ("GAAP Statements"), respectively, except as
     may be otherwise indicated in notes filed as a part thereof, as
     the case may be, presents fairly in all material respects, the
     financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of
     the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries or the Company
     Insurance Subsidiaries, as the case may be, as of the respective
     dates thereof or for the respective periods presented therein,
     subject, in the case of quarterly statements, to normal year end
     adjustments.  Each SAP Statement was timely filed and complied in
     all material respects with all applicable Laws when filed with
     the applicable insurance regulatory authority, and any
     deficiencies known to the Company with respect to any such SAP
     Statement have been cured or corrected to the satisfaction of
     such insurance regulatory authority.

               (c)  Except as indicated on Section 3.08 of the Company
     Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not received written notice
     from the Kansas Commissioner of Insurance ("KCI") or the Florida
     Commissioner of Insurance ("FCI") asserting any deficiency with
     respect to such SAP Statements. 

               (d)  Since December 31, 1996, the Company Insurance
     Subsidiaries have filed all reports and other filings, together
     with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto,
     that it has been required to file with state insurance regulatory
     authorities (the "Company Insurance Subsidiaries Filings"), and
     all of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries Filings prior to the
     date hereof complied, and all such filings made hereafter prior
     to the Effective Time will comply, in all material respects with
     applicable insurance laws, rules and regulations, and, except as
     disclosed in Section 3.08 of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
     there are no material open or unresolved issues which were raised
     by any insurance or securities regulatory authority and brought
     to the attention of the Company by such regulatory authority with
     respect to any of such filings. 

               (e)  The Company has no reason to believe that any
     material amount recoverable pursuant to any material reinsurance,
     coinsurance, excess insurance, ceding of insurance, assumption of
     insurance or indemnification with respect to insurance or similar
     material arrangements applicable to the Company Insurance
     Subsidiaries or their properties or assets (collectively,
     "Reinsurance Agreements") is not fully collectible in due course. 
     The Company Insurance Subsidiaries are entitled to take full
     credit in their SAP Statements pursuant to applicable insurance
     laws, rules and regulations for such reinsurance, coinsurance or
     excess insurance ceded pursuant to any such Reinsurance
     Agreement.  Section 3.08 of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets
     forth all reinsurance contracts or arrangements entered into by
     the Company or any of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries in which
     the Company or such subsidiary has ceded risk to any person. 

               SECTION 3.09  Reserves.

               (a)  All reserves and other liabilities with respect to
     insurance and annuities and for claims and benefits incurred but
     not reported ( Reserve Liabilities ) as established or reflected
     in the SAP Statements of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries were
     determined in accordance with generally accepted actuarial
     standards consistently applied, are fairly stated in accordance
     with sound actuarial principles, are based on actuarial
     assumptions that are in accordance with those called for by the
     provisions of the related insurance and annuity Contracts and in
     the related reinsurance, coinsurance and other similar Contracts
     of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries, and meet in all material
     respects the requirements of the insurance Laws of its state of
     domicile.  Adequate provision for all such Reserve Liabilities
     have been made (under generally accepted actuarial principles
     consistently applied) to cover the total amount of all reasonably
     anticipated matured and unmatured benefits, dividends, claims and
     other liabilities of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries under all
     insurance and annuity Contracts under which the Company Insurance
     Subsidiaries have any liability (including without limitation any
     liability arising under or as a result of any reinsurance,
     coinsurance or other similar Contract) on the respective dates of
     such SAP Statement based on then current information regarding
     interest earnings, mortality and morbidity experience,
     persistency and expenses.  The Company Insurance Subsidiaries own
     assets that qualify as legal reserve assets under applicable
     insurance Laws in an amount at least equal to all such Reserve
     Liabilities; and

               (b)  Adequate provision has been made for all estimated
     losses, settlements, costs and expenses from pending suits,
     actions and proceedings included in the December 31, 1996 Annual
     Statement and the latest Quarterly Statements, and the reserves
     and accrued Liabilities relating thereto were determined in
     accordance with SAP and Statement of Financial Accounting
     Standards No. 5 issued by the Financial Accounting Standards
     Board.

               SECTION 3.10  Absence of Changes.  Except (i) as set
     forth in Section 3.10 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or
     (ii) as disclosed in the Company SEC Documents (hereinafter
     defined) filed and publicly available prior to the date of this
     Agreement (the "Filed Company SEC Documents"), from December 31,
     1996 to the date of this Agreement (or such other date or period
     as may be specifically referred to below), the Company has
     conducted its business only in the ordinary course and there has
     not been, occurred, or arisen:

               (a)  any change in, or any event (including without
     limitation any damage, destruction, or loss whether or not
     covered by insurance), condition, or state of facts of any
     character that individually or in the aggregate has or would
     reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
     Company;

               (b)  any declaration, setting aside, or payment of any
     dividend or other distribution in respect of the capital stock of
     any Acquired Company or any direct or indirect redemption,
     purchase or other acquisition by any Acquired Company of any such
     stock or of any interest in or right to acquire any such stock;

               (c)  any employment, deferred compensation, or other
     salary, wage or compensation Contract entered into between any
     Acquired Company and any Company Employee, except for normal and
     customary Contracts with agents and consultants and Employees who
     would earn total annual compensation (other than from Company
     Options and Company SARs included in Section 3.03) of less than
     $50,000 in the ordinary course of business and consistent with
     past practice; or, since June 30, 1997 any increase in the
     salary, wages, or other compensation of any kind, whether current
     or deferred, of any Company Employee, other than routine
     increases that were made in the ordinary course of business and
     consistent with past practice and that did not result in an
     increase of more than 10% of the respective salary, wages or
     compensation of any such Person, except for increases which
     relate to increases in production by agents consistent with the
     terms of their existing Contracts; or any creation of any Plan
     (as defined in Section 3.14) or any contribution to (other than a
     contribution made in the ordinary course of business and
     consistent with past practice) or amendment or modification of
     any Plan; or any election by or on behalf of any Acquired Company
     made pursuant to the provisions of any Plan to accelerate any
     payments, obligations or vesting schedules under any Plans;

               (d)  any payment, discharge, or satisfaction by an
     Acquired Company of any Lien or Liability other than Liens or
     Liabilities that (i) were paid, discharged, or satisfied in the
     ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, or
     (ii) were paid, discharged, or satisfied as required under this
     Agreement;

               (e)  except for value received in the ordinary course
     of business and consistent with past practice, any cancellation
     of any Liability owed to any Acquired Company by any other
     Person;

               (f)  any amendment, termination, waiver, disposal or
     lapse of, or other failure to preserve, or regulatory agreement
     with respect to any Permit of any Acquired Company the result of
     which individually or in the aggregate has or would reasonably be
     expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company;

               (g)  any agreement for the sale, merger or transfer of
     any Acquired Company or substantially all of the assets or
     business thereof (except for this Agreement and documents
     relating thereto); 

               (h)  any damage, destruction, loss (whether or not
     covered by insurance) affecting any of the Assets or Properties
     of any Acquired Company which damage, destruction, or loss
     individually or in the aggregate exceeds $1 million; or

               (i)  any issuance, sale or disposition by any Acquired
     Company of any debenture, note, stock or other security issued by
     such Acquired Company (except pursuant to the Company Option
     Plans), or any modification or amendment of any right of the
     holder of any outstanding debenture, note, stock or other
     security issued by such Acquired Company (except pursuant to
     Section 1.02);

               (j)  any Liability involving the borrowing of money by
     any Acquired Company, except in the ordinary course of business
     and consistent with past practice;

               (k)  any termination, amendment or entering into by any
     Company Insurance Subsidiary as ceding or assuming insurer of any
     reinsurance, coinsurance or other similar Contract or any trust
     agreement or security agreement related thereto;

               (l)  any material restriction or limitation in any
     Permit of any Acquired Company, including any Company Insurance
     Subsidiary; or

               (m)  any Contract to take any of the actions described
     in this Section 3.10 other than actions expressly permitted under
     this Section 3.10.

               SECTION 3.11  Taxes.  Except as disclosed in Section
     3.11 of the Company Disclosure Schedule (with paragraph
     references corresponding to those set forth below):

               (a)  All Tax Returns required to be filed with respect
     to each Acquired Company or the affiliated, combined or unitary
     group of which any such company is or was a member have been duly
     and timely filed and all such Tax Returns are true, correct and
     complete in all material respects.  Each Acquired Company (i) has
     duly and timely paid all Taxes that are shown as due on such Tax
     Returns, or claimed or asserted by any taxing authority to be
     due, from such company for the periods covered by such Tax
     Returns (unless such Taxes are being contested in good faith and
     adequate reserves therefor have been established in the Acquired
     Companies books and records) and have made all required estimated
     payments of Taxes sufficient to avoid any penalties for
     underpayment, or (ii) has duly provided for all such Taxes in the
     applicable financial statements, and in the SAP and GAAP
     Statements, in the case of Company Insurance Subsidiaries.  There
     are no filed Liens with respect to Taxes (except for Liens on
     Taxes not yet due and owing) upon any of the Assets and
     Properties of any Acquired Company.

               (b)  With respect to any period or portion thereof
     through the Closing for which Tax Returns have not yet been
     filed, or for which Taxes are not yet due or owing, each Acquired
     Company has established due and sufficient reserves for the
     payment of such Taxes in accordance with SAP and GAAP in the case
     of Company Insurance Subsidiaries or otherwise in accordance with
     GAAP, and such current reserves through the Closing are duly and
     fully provided for in all material respects in the SAP and GAAP
     Statements of such company for the period then ended.

               (c)  Section 3.11(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
     discloses all years for which (i) United States federal income
     Tax Returns of each Acquired Company and of each affiliated group
     (within the meaning of the Code) of which any Acquired Company is
     or has been a member which have been audited or examined by the
     IRS, or the statute of limitations has expired; and (ii) state,
     local and foreign income Tax Returns of each Acquired Company and
     of each affiliated or consolidated group of which they are or
     have been members which have been audited or examined by the
     appropriate state, local or foreign authority, or all statutes of
     limitation for the applicable state, local and foreign taxable
     periods has expired.  All material deficiencies that have been
     asserted, proposed or assessed as a result of the above
     referenced examinations specified in the first two sentences of
     this Section 3.11(c) have been paid in full or finally settled or
     adequately reserved against to the extent there is a reasonable
     possibility that the position of any of the taxing authorities
     specified in the first two sentences of this Section 3.11(c) will
     be sustained, and to the Knowledge of Company, no issue has been
     raised by any taxing authority in any such examination which, by
     application of the same or similar principles, reasonably could
     be expected to result in a material proposed deficiency for any
     other period not so examined, except to the extent adequate
     reserves have been established in the Acquired Companies books
     and records.  To the Knowledge of Company, no state of facts
     exists or has existed that would constitute grounds for the
     assessment of any material Tax liability with respect to any
     Acquired Company for the periods that have not been audited by
     the taxing authorities specified in the first two sentences of
     this Section 3.11(c).  There are no outstanding agreements,
     waivers or arrangements extending the statutory period of
     limitation applicable to any Tax Return or claim for, or the
     period for the collection or assessment of, Taxes due from any
     Acquired Company for any taxable period.  The Company has
     previously delivered or made available to the Parent  copies,
     which are true, correct and complete in all material respects, of
     each of (i) the most recent audit reports relating to the United
     States federal, state, local and foreign income taxes due from
     each Acquired Company and (ii) the United States federal, state,
     local and foreign income Tax Returns, for each of the last three
     taxable years, filed by each Acquired Company, and the Company
     has made available to Parent for inspection copies, which are
     true, correct and complete in all material respects, of such Tax
     Returns, (insofar as such Tax Returns relate to any Acquired
     Company) filed by any affiliated or consolidated group of which
     any Acquired Company was then a member.

               (d)  No audit or other proceeding by any U.S. or
     foreign court, governmental or regulatory authority  has been
     asserted or is pending with respect to any Taxes due from any
     Acquired Company or any Tax Return filed or required to be filed
     by or relating to any Acquired Company.  No material assessment,
     deficiency or adjustment of Tax has been asserted or, based on
     existing facts and circumstances, is threatened against any
     Acquired Company or any Assets and Properties of any Acquired
     Company.

               (e)  No election under any of Section 108, 168, 338,
     441, 472, 1017, 1033 or 4977 of the Code (or any predecessor
     provisions) has been made or filed by or with respect to any
     Acquired Company or any of their Assets and Properties.  No
     consent to the application of Section 341(f)(2) of the Code (or
     any predecessor provision) has been made or filed by or with
     respect to any Acquired Company or any of their Assets and
     Properties.  None of the Assets and Properties of any Acquired
     Company is an asset or property that the Parent or any of its
     Affiliates is or will be required to treat as being (i) owned by
     any other Person pursuant to the provisions of Section 168(f)(8)
     of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended and in effect
     immediately before the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 or
     (ii) tax-exempt use property within the meaning of Section
     168(h)(1) of the Code.  No election has been made under Section
     815(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended and in
     effect immediately before the enactment of the Deficit Reduction
     Act of 1984.  No closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of
     the Code (or any predecessor provision) or any similar provision
     of any state, local or foreign Law has been entered into by or
     with respect to any Acquired Company or any of their Assets and
     Properties.

               (f)  No Acquired Company has agreed to or is required
     to make any material adjustment pursuant to Section 481(a) or
     807(f)(1) of the Code (or any predecessor provision) by reason of
     any change in any accounting method or change in basis for
     determining the reserves of such company or otherwise, and no
     Acquired Company has any application pending with any taxing
     authority requesting permission for any changes in any accounting
     method or in the basis for determining reserves of any of them. 
     Except as may apply to the industry generally, the IRS has not
     proposed any such adjustment or change in accounting method or in
     the basis of determining reserves of any of them.

               (g)  No Acquired Company has been or is in material
     violation (or with notice or lapse of time or both, would be in
     violation) of any applicable Law relating to the payment or
     withholding of Taxes (including, without limitation, withholding
     of Taxes pursuant to Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code or
     similar provisions under any foreign laws).  Each Acquired
     Company has duly and timely withheld in all material respects
     from employee salaries, wages and other compensation and paid
     over to the appropriate taxing authorities all amounts required
     to be so withheld and paid over for all periods under all
     applicable Laws.

               (h)  Except as disclosed in Section 3.11(h) of the
     Company Disclosure Schedule, no Acquired Company is a party to,
     is bound by, or has any obligation under, any tax allocation
     agreement, tax sharing agreement, or tax indemnification
     agreement.

               (i)  No Acquired Company has made any direct, indirect
     or deemed distributions that have been or to the Knowledge of
     Company, could be taxed under Section 815 of the Code.

               (j)  For any open tax years, all ceding commission
     expenses paid or accrued by Company Insurance Subsidiaries in
     connection with any reinsurance arrangement or Contract or
     transaction have been capitalized and amortized over the life or
     lives of such reinsurance arrangement or Contract in accordance
     with the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Colonial
     American Life Insurance Company v. Commissioner of Internal
     Revenue, 109 S.Ct. 240 (1989) or, in the case of any such expense
     incurred on or after September 30, 1990, in accordance with
     Sections 848 and 197 of the Code.

               (k)  No material Liabilities have been proposed in
     connection with any audit or other proceeding by any U.S. or
     foreign court, governmental or regulatory authority, or similar
     person with respect to any Taxes due from any Acquired Company or
     Tax Return filed by or relating to any Acquired Company, other
     than those that are disclosed in Section 3.11(k) of the Company
     Disclosure Schedule which are being contested in good faith and
     adequate reserves therefor have been established in the Acquired
     Companies books and records.

               (l)  Each reserve item with respect to each Acquired
     Company set forth in its respective 1996 Federal income tax
     return was determined in all material respects in accordance with
     Section 807 of the Code or other applicable Code Sections, and
     has been consistently applied with respect to the filing of the
     Federal income tax returns for all years through December 31,
     1995 for which the statute of limitations has not expired, and
     will be consistently applied for any Tax Return filed on or prior
     to the Closing Date.

               (m)  As of December 31, 1996, no Acquired Company had
     and during the period from December 31, 1996 through the Closing
     Date will have, any Tax Liability in respect of Taxes to any
     stockholder of the Company or any of such stockholder's
     Affiliates that resulted or will result from a transaction with
     an Affiliate prior to the Closing Date that would require payment
     after December 31, 1996.

               (n)  The Company Insurance Subsidiaries satisfy the
     definition of life insurance company under Section 816 of the
     Code.

               (o)  All material elections with respect to Federal
     income Taxes affecting the Acquired Companies are set forth in
     Section 3.11(o) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

               (p)  Except as set forth in Section 3.11(p) of the
     Company Disclosure Schedule, there is no valid power of attorney
     given by or binding upon any of the Acquired Companies with
     respect to Taxes for any period for which the statute of
     limitations (including any waivers or extensions) has not yet
     expired.

               (q)  There are no intercompany transactions within the
     meaning of Treasury Regulations section 1.1502-13 for which gain
     has been deferred, and there are no excess loss accounts as
     described in Treasury Regulations section 1.1502-19 that exist
     with respect to any of the Acquired Companies.

               (r)  None of the Acquired Companies is a party to or
     otherwise subject to any arrangement entered into in anticipation
     of the Closing and not required by this Agreement, (i) having the
     effect of or giving rise to the recognition of a deduction or
     loss before the Closing Date, and a corresponding recognition of
     taxable income or gain after the Closing Date, or (ii) that would
     reasonably be expected to have the effect of or give rise to the
     recognition of taxable income or gain by any Acquired Company
     after the Closing Date without the receipt of or entitlement to a
     corresponding amount of cash.

               (s)  Section 3.11(s) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
     sets forth the amount of any existing policyholders surplus
     account and shareholders surplus account with respect to the
     Acquired Companies within the meaning of Section 815 of the Code.

               (t)  Except for federal income Tax Returns, the
     Acquired Companies do not file or join in filing any
     consolidated, unitary, combined or similar Tax Returns with any
     corporation.

               (u)  None of the Acquired Companies has requested any
     extension of time within which to file any Tax Return, which Tax
     Return has not since been filed.

               (v)  The Company has filed, as a common parent
     corporation of an "affiliate group" (within the meaning of
     Section 1504(a) of the Code) a consolidated return for federal
     income tax purposes on behalf of itself and each other Acquired
     Company which is an "includible corporation" (within the meaning
     of Section 1504(b) of the Code).  The Company and each of the
     Acquired Companies have not been members of any other affiliated
     group of corporations within the meaning of Section 1504 of the
     Code.

               (w)  The Company is not and has not been a United
     States real property holding company (as defined in Section
     897(c)(2) of the Code) during the applicable period specified in
     Section 897(c)(1)(ii) of the Code.

               (x)  All transactions which could give rise to a
     substantial understatement of federal income tax (within the
     meaning of Section 6662(d) of the Code) were adequately disclosed
     (or, with respect to Tax Returns filed before the Closing will be
     adequately disclosed) on the Tax Returns required in accordance
     with Section 6662(d)(2)(B) of the Code.

               SECTION 3.12  Litigation.  Except as disclosed in the
     Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year ended
     December 31, 1996 (the "Company 10-K") or in Section 3.12 of the
     Company Disclosure Schedule:

               (a)  There are no actions, suits, investigations or
     pending, or, to the Knowledge of Company, threatened, against any
     Acquired Company or its Assets and Properties, at law or in
     equity, in, before, or by any Person that individually or in the
     aggregate have or would reasonably be expected to have a Material
     Adverse Effect on the Company; and no event, fact or circumstance
     has arisen or occurred (other than claims for benefits under
     insurance policies and annuities in force) Known to the Company
     that would likely result in the commencement of any action, suit,
     proceeding or investigation, against any Acquired Company or any
     of its Assets and Properties, at law or in equity, in, before, or
     by any Person that individually involves a claim or claims for
     any injunction or similar relief or for damages exceeding
     $250,000 or an unspecified amount of  damages, or that
     individually or in the aggregate have or would reasonably be
     expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on such Acquired
     Company.

               (b)  There are no writs, judgments, decrees or similar
     orders of any Governmental Entity with competent jurisdiction
     outstanding against any Acquired Company that individually exceed
     $100,000 or that individually or in the aggregate have or would
     reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
     Company.

               (c)  There is no suit, action or proceeding before any
     Governmental Entity with competent jurisdiction pending, or, to
     the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, against any Acquired
     Company that expressly seeks to prevent or delay in any material
     respect the consummation of the Merger or the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement.

               SECTION 3.13  Compliance with Laws; Regulatory Filings.

               (a)  To the Knowledge of the Company, the business of
     the Acquired Companies is being conducted in compliance in all
     material respects with all applicable Laws, including, without
     limitation, all insurance laws, ordinances, rules, regulations,
     decrees and orders of any Governmental Entity, and all material
     notices, reports, documents and other information required to be
     filed thereunder within the last three years were properly filed
     in all material respects and were in compliance in all material
     respects with such laws.

               (b)  Each Acquired Company has all material permits and
     insurance and other licenses, franchises, approvals,
     authorizations, exemptions, classifications, certificates,
     registrations, and similar documents (each of which, a "Permit")
     in each jurisdiction (as listed in Section 3.13(b) of the Company
     Disclosure Schedule) in which the Acquired Companies require
     Permits by virtue of the business conducted or the properties
     owned is required and which are necessary to conduct of its
     business as it is currently conducted.  The business of the
     Acquired Companies has been and is being conducted in compliance,
     in all material respects, with all such Permits.  To the
     Knowledge of the Company, all such Permits are in full force and
     effect, and there is no proceeding or investigation pending or
     threatened which would reasonably be expected to lead to the
     revocation, amendment, failure to renew, limitation,
     modification, suspension or restriction of any such Permit.  No
     Acquired Company is operating under any formal or informal
     agreement or understanding with the regulatory authority of any
     state which restricts its authority to do business or requires
     any Acquired Company to take, or refrain from taking, any action
     otherwise permitted by law.  No Acquired Company is a
     "commercially domiciled insurer" for purposes of Section 1215.13
     of the California Insurance Code.

               (c)  The Acquired Companies have made available for
     inspection by Parent complete copies of all material
     registrations, filings and submissions made since January 1, 1995
     by the Acquired Companies with any Governmental Entity and any
     material reports of examinations issued since January 1, 1995 by
     any such Governmental Entity that relate to the Acquired
     Companies.  To the Knowledge of the Company, the Acquired
     Companies have filed all reports, statements, documents,
     registrations, filings or submissions required to be filed by any
     of them with any Governmental Entity, except where the failure to
     file, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect
     on the Company; and, to the Knowledge of the Company, all such
     reports, statements, documents, registrations, filings or
     submissions were in all material respects true, complete and
     accurate when filed.

               (d)  To the knowledge of the Company, all outstanding
     insurance and annuity Contracts issued, reinsured or underwritten
     by the Company Insurance Subsidiaries are, to the extent required
     under applicable Laws in all material respects, on forms approved
     by the insurance regulatory authority of the jurisdiction where
     issued or have been filed with and not objected to by such
     authority within the period provided for objection, and have been
     filed or registered as required with all other applicable
     governmental authorities.

               (e)  Neither the Company nor the Company Insurance
     Subsidiaries has received any information which would reasonably
     cause it to believe that the financial condition of any other
     party to any material reinsurance, coinsurance, or other similar
     Contracts with the Company is so impaired as to result in a
     default thereunder.

                (f)  Except as set forth on Section 3.13 of the
     Company Disclosure Schedule, no Real Estate has been used for the
     storage, treatment, generation, transportation, manufacture,
     processing, handling, production, distribution, deposit, burial,
     use, or disposal of any Hazardous Substance except in compliance
     with Environmental Laws, no Acquired Company has any material
     liability arising out of or resulting from a Release of any
     Hazardous Substance on or from any Real Estate and each Acquired
     Company has complied in all material respects with all applicable
     Environmental Laws relating to Real Estate and the business,
     activities and processing respectively conducted thereon.

               (g)  (i)  Section 3.13(g) of the Company Disclosure
     Schedule contains a true and complete list of (A) each master or
     prototype (as well as any individually designed) pension, profit
     sharing, defined benefit, Code Section 401(k), and other
     retirement or employee benefit plan or Contract (including, but
     not limited to, simplified employee pension plans, Code Section
     403(a), (b) and (c) annuities, Keogh plans, and individual
     retirement accounts and annuities) offered or sold by any
     Acquired Company to, or maintained or sponsored for the benefit
     of any employees of, any other Person, and (B) each determination
     letter relating to the creation or amendment of any such plan or
     Contract. Each such plan or Contract in all material respects
     conforms with, and has been offered, sold, maintained and
     sponsored in accordance with, all applicable Laws.  No Acquired
     Company is a fiduciary with respect to any plan or Contract
     referenced in this Section 3.13.

                    (ii)  No Acquired Company provides administrative
          or other contractual services for any plan or Contract
          referenced in Section 3.13(g)(i), including, but not limited
          to, any third party administrative services for any Plan or
          Parent Plan (as defined in Section 3.14) which is an
          "employee welfare benefit plan" within the meaning of
          Section 3(1) of ERISA.

                    (iii)  To the extent that any Acquired Company
          maintains any collective or commingled funds or accounts
          which restrict the Persons who may invest therein to tax-
          exempt entities or qualified plans, each such fund or
          account (of which a true and complete list and description
          is disclosed in Section 3.13 of the Company Disclosure
          Schedule) has been established, maintained and operated in
          accordance with all applicable Laws in all material
          respects, has maintained its tax-exempt status and has no
          non-qualified plans or trusts or other taxable entities
          investing within it.

                    (iv)  In addition to the representations and
          warranties contained in this Section 3.13 hereof, there are
          no claims pending, or (to the Knowledge of the Company)
          threatened against any Acquired Company or any of their
          respective Assets or Properties, under any fiduciary
          liability insurance policy issued by or to any of them that
          individually or in the aggregate has or would reasonably be
          expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Acquired
          Company.

               (h)  No insurance contracts or insurance policies
     (including without limitation annuity contracts, variable annuity
     contracts, and modified guaranteed contracts) issued by the
     Company Insurance Subsidiaries fail to comply with the applicable
     provisions of Sections 72, 817, 817A, 7702 and 7702A of the Code.

               (i)  The tax treatment under the Code of all insurance
     annuity of investment policies, plans or contracts; all financial
     products, employee benefit plans, individual retirement accounts
     or annuities; or any similar of related policy, contract, plan or
     product, whether individual, group or otherwise, issued or sold
     by the Company Insurance Subsidiaries is and at all times has
     been in all material respects the same or more favorable to the
     purchaser, policyholder or intended beneficiaries thereof as the
     tax treatment under the Code for which such contracts qualified
     or purported to qualify at the time of its issuance or purchase,
     except for changes resulting from changes to the Code effective
     after the date of such issuance or purchase.  For purposes of
     this Section 3.13(i), the provisions of the Code relating to the
     tax treatment of such contracts shall include, but not be limited
     to, Sections 72, 79, 89, 101, 104, 105, 106, 125, 130, 401, 402,
     403, 404, 408, 412, 415, 419, 419A, 457, 501, 505, 817, 818, 7702
     and 7702A of the Code.

               SECTION 3.14  Benefit Plans; ERISA.  (a)  Each
     "employee benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA),
     bonus, deferred compensation, stock option, stock purchase or
     other equity compensation plan, program or arrangement, each
     employment, termination or severance agreement or plan, incentive
     compensation or other agreement, whether written or oral, in each
     case, which is sponsored, maintained or contributed to or
     required to be contributed to by the Company or any other
     Acquired Company at any time during the seven-calendar year
     period immediately preceding the Closing Date for the benefit of
     employees or directors of the Company or any other Acquired
     Company or former employees or directors of the Company or any
     other Acquired Company (collectively, the "Plans") is listed at
     Section 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.  Except as
     may be required by applicable Law or regulatory action, neither
     the Company, nor any Acquired Company, nor any of their
     respective Affiliates, has any Contract, plan or commitment,
     whether legally binding or not, to create any additional Plan or
     to modify or change any existing Plan.

               (b)  With respect to each Plan, the Company has made
     available to, or delivered or caused to be delivered to, Parent
     and its counsel true and complete copies of the following
     documents, as applicable, for each respective Plan:  (i) all Plan
     documents, with all amendments thereto or, if the Plan is not a
     written Plan, a description thereof; (ii) the current summary
     plan description with any applicable summaries of material
     modifications thereto as well as any other material employee
     communications; (iii) all current trust agreements and/or other
     documents establishing Plan funding arrangements; (iv) the most
     recent IRS determination letter and, if a request for such a
     letter has been filed and is currently pending with the IRS, a
     copy of such filing; (v) the three most recently prepared IRS
     Forms 5500; (vi) the most recently prepared financial statements;
     and (vii) all material related to contracts, service provider
     agreements and investment management and investment advisory
     agreements.

               (c)  Except as disclosed at Section 3.14(c) of the
     Company Disclosure Schedule and except for the Financial Benefit
     Group, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "FBGESOP"), each
     Plan is in material compliance with applicable Law, including but
     not limited to ERISA and the Code, and has been administered and
     operated in all material respects in accordance with such
     applicable Law and the terms of the Plan.  Except for the
     FBGESOP, each Plan which is intended to be "qualified" within the
     meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable
     determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service and no
     event has occurred and no condition exists which could reasonably
     be expected to result in the revocation of any such
     determination.  Other than with respect to those matters (the
     "FBGESOP Matters") that have been specifically disclosed to the
     IRS in writing in connection with the Company's application,
     dated as of July 1996, under the Employee Plan Closing Agreement
     Program ("CAP"), the FBGESOP is qualified under Section 401 of
     the Code.  The Company anticipates finalizing a closing agreement
     pursuant to the requirements of Rev. Proc. 94-16 to the effect
     that (x) the total non-deductible sanction payable as a result of
     the tax qualification defects in the FBGESOP will not exceed
     $10,000, and (y) provided that the Company corrects the defects
     in the FBGESOP, the IRS will treat the FBGESOP as tax-qualified
     and in compliance with the requirements of Section 401(a) of the
     Code.  Except as disclosed at Section 3.14(c) of the Company
     Disclosure Schedule, other than with respect to the FBGESOP
     Matters, all trusts maintained under the Plans are exempt from
     taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code. 

               (d)  Except as disclosed at Section 3.14(d) of the
     Company Disclosure Schedule, no Plan is or has been covered by
     Section 302 or Title IV of ERISA or is or has been subject to the
     minimum funding requirements of Section 412 of the Code.  No
     liability has been, or could reasonably be expected to be,
     incurred under Title IV of ERISA (other than for benefits payable
     in the ordinary course of PBGC insurance premiums) or Section
     412(f) or (n) of the Code by any entity required to be aggregated
     with the Company or any other Acquired Company pursuant to
     Section 4001(b) of ERISA and/or Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code
     (and the regulations promulgated thereunder) with respect to any
     "employee pension benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(2) of
     ERISA) which is not a Plan.  

               (e)  Full payment has been made of all amounts which
     the Company or any other Acquired Company were required under the
     terms of the Plans to have paid as contributions to such Plans on
     or prior to the date hereof (excluding any amounts not yet due). 

               (f)  Except as disclosed at Section 3.14(f) of the
     Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any other
     Acquired Company nor any other "disqualified person" or "party in
     interest" (as defined in Section 4975(e)(2) of the Code and
     Section 3(14) of ERISA, respectively) has engaged in any
     transaction in connection with any Plan that could reasonably be
     expected to result in the imposition of a material penalty
     pursuant to Section 409 of ERISA or a Tax pursuant to Section
     4975(a) of the Code.  Except as disclosed at Section 3.14(f) of
     the Company Disclosure Schedule, no Plan or related trust owns
     any securities in violation of Section 407 of ERISA.  

               (g)  No Plan provides medical, surgical,
     hospitalization, death or similar benefits (whether or not
     insured) for employees or former employees of the Acquired
     Companies or any Subsidiary for periods extending beyond their
     retirement or other termination of service, other than (i)
     coverage mandated by applicable Law, (ii) death benefits under
     any "pension plan," or (iii) benefits the full cost of which is
     borne by the current or former employee (or his beneficiary).  

               (h)  To the Knowledge of the Company, each Plan subject
     to the requirements of Section 601 of ERISA has been operated in
     material compliance therewith.  

               (i)  Except as disclosed at Section 3.14 of the Company
     Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution of this Agreement nor
     the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (x)
     entitle any current or former director, employee or officer of
     the Company or any other Acquired Company to severance pay,
     unemployment compensation or any other payment, except as
     expressly provided in this Agreement, or (y) accelerate the time
     of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due
     any such director, employee or officer.   

               (j)  Except as disclosed at Section 3.14(j) of the
     Company Disclosure Schedule, no liability, claim, investigation,
     audit, action or litigation has been incurred, made, commenced
     or, to the Knowledge of the Company, is threatened or
     anticipated, by or against the Company or any other Acquired
     Company with respect to any Plan (other than for benefits payable
     in the ordinary course).

               SECTION 3.15  Properties.  Except as disclosed in
     Section 3.15 of the Company Disclosure Schedule (with the
     paragraph references specified below):

               (a)  Each of the Acquired Companies:

                    (i)  has good and valid title to all of its
               properties, assets and other rights that do not
               constitute real property, free and clear of all Liens;

                    (ii)  owns, has valid leasehold interests in or
               valid contractual rights to use, all of the assets,
               tangible and intangible, used by, or necessary for the
               conduct of, its business, except where the failure to
               have such valid ownership, interests or rights do not,
               individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
               Adverse Effect on the Company;

                    (iii)  owns and has good and marketable title in
               fee simple to the real property owned by such party,
               free and clear of all Liens; and

                    (iv)  has good and valid rights of ingress and
               egress to and from all the real property owned or
               leased by such party.

               (b)  Each Acquired Company has the nonexclusive right
     to use, free and clear of any royalty or other payment
     obligations, claims of infringement or alleged infringement Known
     to the Company, or other Liens:

                    (i)  all marks, names, trademarks, service marks,
               patents, patent rights, assumed names, logos, trade
               secrets, copyrights, trade names, and service marks
               that are used in the conduct of its business,
               operations, or affairs (of which a true and complete
               list and description has been made available to
               Parent); and 

                    (ii)  all material computer software, programs,
               and similar systems owned by or licensed to such
               Acquired Company or used in the conduct of its
               business, operations, or affairs (of which a true and
               complete list and description).  To the Company s
               Knowledge, no Acquired Company is in conflict with or
               in violation or infringement of, nor has any Acquired
               Company received any notice of any conflict with or
               violation or infringement of or any claimed conflict
               with any asserted rights of any other Person with
               respect to any intellectual property or any material
               computer software, programs, or similar systems.

               SECTION 3.16  Investments.

               (a)  The Statutory Financial Statements of the Company
     set forth a list, which list is accurate and complete in all
     material respects, of all securities, mortgages and other
     investments (collectively, the  Company Investments ) owned by
     the Company Insurance Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996,
     together with the cost basis, book or amortized value, as the
     case may be, as of December 31, 1996.  Section 3.16(a) of the
     Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list, which list is
     accurate and complete in all material respects, of all Company
     Investments by  Company Insurance Subsidiaries at June 30, 1997. 
     All transactions in Company Investments by each of the Company
     Insurance Subsidiaries from June 30, 1997 to the date hereof have
     complied in all material respects with the investment policies of
     such Company Insurance Subsidiary and all applicable insurance
     laws and regulations.

               (b)  Except as set forth in the Statutory Financial
     Statements of the Company, the Company Insurance Subsidiaries
     have good and marketable title to the Company Investments listed
     in the Statutory Financial Statements of the Company or acquired
     in the ordinary course of business since June 30, 1997, other
     than with respect to those Company Investments which have been
     disposed of in the ordinary course of business or as contemplated
     by this Agreement or redeemed in accordance with their terms
     since such date and other than Permitted Liens or with respect to
     statutory deposits which are subject to certain restrictions on
     transfer.

               SECTION 3.17  Contracts.  Section 3.17 of the Company
     Disclosure Schedule (with paragraph references corresponding to
     those set forth below) contains a true and complete list of each
     of the following Contracts or other documents or arrangements
     (true and complete copies, or, if none, written descriptions, of
     which have been made available to Parent, together with all
     amendments thereto) to which any of the Acquired Companies is a
     party or by which any of the Assets and Properties of any of the
     Acquired Companies is bound:

               (a)  All employment, agency, consultation, contracts
     for services or other Contracts of any type (except insurance and
     annuity Contracts or Plans including, without limitation, loans
     or advances) with any present Company Employee, if there exists
     any present or future liability with respect to such Contract,
     whether now existing or contingent) other than (i) Contracts
     terminable without penalty or other Liability upon 30 days or
     less notice, (ii) Contracts with consultants and similar
     representatives who do not receive compensation of $100,000 or
     more per year, (iii) employment or agency Contracts not
     containing terms which are unduly burdensome to any of the
     Acquired Companies with agents who do not receive compensation of
     $100,000 or more per year, and (iv) agency Contracts not on the
     standard form, copies of which have been made available to
     Parent;

               (b)  All Contracts with any Person containing any
     provision or covenant limiting the ability of any Acquired
     Company to engage in any line of business or to compete with or
     to obtain products or services from any Person or is a party
     thereto, limiting the ability of any Person to compete with any
     Acquired Company;

               (c)  All material partnership, joint venture, profit-
     sharing, or similar Contracts with any Person except for any such
     arrangement disclosed in the December 31, 1996 Annual Statement
     (and the notes thereto) and Plans;

               (d)  All Contracts relating to the borrowing of money
     by any Acquired Company or to the direct or indirect guarantee by
     any Acquired Company of any obligation for borrowed money in
     excess of $500,000 in the aggregate or any other Liability in
     respect of indebtedness of any other Person, including without
     limitation any Contract relating to (i) the maintenance of
     compensating balances that are not terminable by the Acquired
     Company without penalty or other Liability upon not more than 60
     calendar days' notice, (ii) any line of credit or similar
     facility, (iii) the payment for property, products, or services
     of any other Person even if such property, products, or services
     not conveyed, have not yet been delivered, or rendered, or (iv)
     the obligation to take-or-pay, keep-well, make-whole, or maintain
     surplus or earnings levels or perform other financial ratios or
     requirements; and Section 3.17(d) of the Company Disclosure
     Schedule contains a true and complete list of any requirements
     for consents or approvals of creditors needed for the Company to
     consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;

               (e)  All leases or subleases of real property used in
     the business, operations, or affairs of the Company, and all
     other material leases, subleases, or rental or use Contracts for
     which the Company is liable;

               (f)  All Contracts relating to the future disposition
     or acquisition of any material Assets or Properties of any Person
     or of any interest in any business enterprise (other than the
     disposition or acquisition of material Assets or Properties
     (including Company Investments) in the ordinary course of
     business and consistent with past practice);

               (g)  All Contracts or arrangements (including without
     limitation those relating to allocation of expenses, personnel,
     services, or facilities) with any Company Affiliate involving
     annual payments of more than $100,000;

               (h)  All material reinsurance, coinsurance, or other
     similar Contracts, and all trust agreements or other security
     agreements related thereto, indicating, with respect to each
     group of such Contracts (by reinsurer or coinsurer) or security
     agreement, the information required to be disclosed in Schedule S
     of an Annual Statement;

               (i)  All outstanding proxies, powers of attorney, or
     similar delegations of authority, except for powers of attorney
     for the service of process pursuant to applicable insurance or
     corporate Laws;

               (j)  All Contracts for the provision of administrative
     services by or to any Acquired Company;

               (k)  All material Contracts for any product, service,
     equipment, facility, or similar item (other than insurance and
     annuity Contracts and other than reinsurance, coinsurance, and
     other similar Contracts) that by their respective terms do not
     expire or terminate or are not terminable by an Acquired Company,
     without penalty or other Liability, within three months after
     March 31, 1998; and 

               (l)  All other Contracts (other than insurance and
     annuity Contracts and Contracts terminable without penalty or
     other Liability upon 90 days or less notice) not otherwise
     disclosed in the Company Disclosure Schedule that involve the
     payment or potential payment, pursuant to the terms of such
     Contracts, by or to any of the Acquired Companies of more than
     $250,000 individually or $500,000 in the aggregate or that are
     otherwise material to the Company.

               Each Contract disclosed or required to be disclosed in
     the Company Disclosure Schedule pursuant to this Section 3.17, 
     is in full force and effect and constitutes a valid, and binding
     obligation of any of the Acquired Companies and of each other
     Person that is a party thereto in accordance with its terms
     subject to equitable rights and the rights of creditors; and (to
     the Knowledge of the Company) none of the Acquired Companies nor
     any other party to such Contract has materially violated,
     breached or defaulted under any such Contract (or with or without
     notice or lapse of time or both, would be in material violation
     or breach of or default under any such Contract). Except as
     disclosed in Section 3.17 of the Company Disclosure Schedule and
     excluding Contracts that involve the payment or potential
     payment, pursuant to the terms of such Contracts, by or to any of
     the Acquired Companies of less than $100,000 or that are
     otherwise not material to the Company, none of the Acquired
     Companies is a party to or bound by any Contract that was not
     entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent
     with past practice.  None of the Acquired Companies is a party to
     or bound by any collective bargaining or similar labor Contract.

               SECTION 3.18  Threats of Cancellation.  Except as
     disclosed in Section 3.18 of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
     since December 31, 1996, and to the Knowledge of the Company to
     June 30, 1997, no group of policyholder Affiliates or Persons
     writing, selling, or producing, either directly or through
     reinsurance assumed, insurance business that individually or in
     the aggregate for each such group or Person, respectively,
     accounted for 3% or more of the premium or annuity income of the
     Company Insurance Subsidiaries for the year ended December 31,
     1996, has terminated or threatened to terminate its relationship
     with the Company Insurance Subsidiaries.

               SECTION 3.19  Operations Insurance.  Section 3.19 of
     the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a true and complete list
     and description of all liability, property, workers compensation,
     directors and officers liability, and other similar insurance
     Contracts that insure the business, operations, or affairs of and
     Acquired Company or affect or relate to the ownership, use, or
     operations of any of their respective Assets and Properties and
     (a) that have been issued to such Acquired Company (including
     without limitation the names and addresses of the insurers, the
     expiration dates thereof, and the annual premiums and payment
     terms thereof) or (b) that are held by any Affiliate of the
     Company (including any stockholder of the Company) for the
     benefit of any Acquired Company following the Closing. All such
     insurance is in full force and effect and (to the Knowledge of
     the Company) is with financially sound and reputable insurers
     and, in light of the business, operations, and affairs of the
     Acquired Companies, is in amounts and provides coverage that are
     reasonable and customary for Persons in similar businesses.

               SECTION 3.20  Related Party Transactions.  Except for
     the transactions described in Section 3.20 of the Company
     Disclosure Schedule, all transactions involving the Acquired
     Companies that are required to be disclosed in the Company 10-K
     in accordance with Item 404 of Regulation S-K have been so
     disclosed, and to the knowledge of the Company, since
     December 31, 1996, none of the Acquired Companies has entered
     into any transactions that would be required to be disclosed in
     future public filings under the Exchange Act pursuant to such
     Item which have not already been disclosed in the Company SEC
     Reports filed prior to the date hereof.

               SECTION 3.21  Brokers; Schedule of Fees and Expenses.
     Goldman, Sachs & Co. ("Goldman Sachs"), a copy of whose
     engagement agreement has been provided to Parent, and Bush-
     O'Donnell & Co., Inc. ("Bush-O'Donnell"), a copy of whose
     engagement agreement has been provided to Parent, are each
     entitled to fees from the Company in accordance with the
     provisions of said engagement agreements by virtue of the
     transactions contemplated hereby.  Except for Goldman Sachs and
     Bush-O'Donnell, there is no investment banker, broker, finder or
     other intermediary which has been retained by or is authorized to
     act on behalf of the Company who might be entitled to any fee or
     commission upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by
     this Agreement.

               SECTION 3.22  Disclosure.  To the Company s Knowledge,
     neither the representations and warranties set forth in this
     Article III nor any certificate required to be furnished by the
     Company to Parent or Sub in connection with this Agreement or the
     transactions contemplated hereby contains any untrue statement of
     a material fact concerning any of the Acquired Companies or omits
     to state a material fact concerning any of the Acquired Companies
     necessary to make the statements herein or therein not misleading
     in light of the circumstances in which they were made.

               SECTION 3.23  Voting Requirements.  The approval and
     adoption of this Agreement by the holders of a majority of the
     outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (the "Company
     Stockholder Approval") is the only vote of the holders of any
     class or series of Company capital stock necessary to approve
     this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement.

               SECTION 3.24  SEC Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities.

               (a)  The Company has filed all required reports, forms
     and other documents with the SEC since January 1, 1995 (the
     "Company SEC Documents").  As of its date, each Company SEC
     Document complied in all material respects with the requirements
     of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be,
     and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder
     applicable to such Company SEC Documents.  To the Company s
     Knowledge, none of the Company SEC Documents contains any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact
     required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
     statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
     they were made, not misleading, except to the extent that such
     statements have been modified or superseded by a later filed
     Company SEC Document.

               (b)  The consolidated financial statements of the
     Company included in the Company SEC Documents comply as to form
     in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements
     and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect
     thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in
     the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of
     the SEC) applied on a consistent basis during the periods
     indicated (except as may be indicated in the notes filed as a
     part thereof) and fairly present, in all material respects, the
     consolidated financial position of the Company as of the dates
     thereof and the consolidated results of its operations and cash
     flows for the respective periods indicated therein (subject, in
     the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit
     adjustments).  Except as set forth in the Filed Company SEC
     Documents, neither the Company nor any other Acquired Company has
     any Liabilities required by GAAP to be set forth on a
     consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the consolidated
     other Acquired Companies or in the notes filed as a part thereof
     (other than policyholder benefits payable in the ordinary course
     of business and consistent with past practice) against, relating
     to, or affecting any Acquired Company as of June 30, 1997
     exceeding $1 million in the aggregate.  None of the Acquired
     Companies (other than the Company) is independently subject to
     the informational reporting requirements of Section 13 of the
     Exchange Act.

               SECTION 3.25  Information Supplied.  None of the
     information supplied or to be supplied by the Company for
     inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) the registration
     statement on Form S-4 (or such other form as deemed appropriate)
     to be filed with the SEC by Parent in connection with the
     issuance of Parent Common Stock in the Merger (the "Form S-4")
     will, at the time the Form S-4 is filed with the SEC, at any time
     it is amended or supplemented or at the time it becomes effective
     under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a
     material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
     stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
     misleading, or (ii) the Proxy Statement will, at the date the
     Proxy Statement is first mailed to the Company's stockholders and
     Parent's stockholders or at the time of the Company Special
     Meeting and the Parent Special Meeting (as defined in Section
     7.01(c)), contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
     to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
     necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
     the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.  The
     Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all material respects
     with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and
     regulations promulgated thereunder, except that no representation
     or warranty is made by the Company with respect to statements
     made or incorporated by reference therein based on information
     supplied by Parent or Sub for inclusion or incorporation by
     reference in the Proxy Statement.

               SECTION 3.26  Opinion of Financial Advisor.  The Board
     of Directors of the Company has received the written opinion of
     Goldman Sachs, dated the date of this Agreement, that, as of such
     date, the Merger Consideration is fair from a financial point of
     view to the Company's stockholders, a signed copy of which has
     been delivered to Parent.

               SECTION 3.27  State Takeover Statute.  The Merger is
     not a  control share acquisition  subject to the provisions of
     the Kansas Control Share Acquisition Act (KSA 17-1286 et seq.),
     as such term is defined by such Act.

               SECTION 3.28  Indenture.  The Company is in compliance
     with all covenants set forth in the Indenture pursuant to which
     the Company Convertible Debentures were issued, and no
     Fundamental Change (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred or
     will occur as a result of the consummation of the Merger.  The
     Company Board of Directors has adopted resolutions authorizing
     the redemption of the Company Convertible Debentures pursuant to
     Section 1102 of the Indenture.  For the 20 consecutive Trading
     Days (as defined in the Indenture) ended September 19, 1997, the
     average closing price of the Company Common Stock has exceeded
     135% of the Conversion Price (as defined in the Indenture).  The
     Company Convertible Debentures may be redeemed pursuant to
     Section 1102 of the Indenture provided that notices of redemption
     (the "Redemption Notices") with respect thereto are given prior
     to September 26, 1997.

               SECTION 3.29.  Certain Company Information.  No IMO
     doing business with any of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries
     produced more than 5%, and no individual agent of the Company
     Insurance Subsidiaries produced more than 1%, of the premiums
     written by the Company Insurance Subsidiaries, neither (i) during
     the period beginning January 1, 1997 through the date hereof
     (except as disclosed in Section 3.29(b) of the Company Disclosure
     Schedule) nor (ii) from the date hereof to the Closing Date
     (except as disclosed by the Company to Parent in writing prior to
     Closing).

                                  ARTICLE IV
                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND SUB. 

               Parent and Sub each jointly and severally represent and
     warrant to the Company that, as of the date hereof and the
     Closing Date:

               SECTION 4.01  Organization, Standing and Corporate
     Power.  Parent and Sub are each corporations duly organized,
     validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
     states of Iowa and Kansas, respectively, and have the requisite
     power and authority to carry on its business as now being
     conducted.  Parent and Sub are duly qualified to do business and
     is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of
     its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes
     such qualification necessary, other than in such jurisdictions
     where the failure to be so qualified (individually or in the
     aggregate) would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
     Adverse Effect on Parent.  Parent and Sub have each made
     available to the Company complete and correct copies of their
     respective Articles of Incorporation and By-laws and, to the
     extent requested by the Company, the certificates of
     incorporation and by-laws or comparable organization documents of
     each of the "significant subsidiaries" within the meaning of Rule
     1-02 of Regulation S-X of the SEC of Parent (the  Parent
     Subsidiaries ), in each case as amended to the date of this
     Agreement. Neither Parent nor Sub is in violation of any
     provision of its Articles of Incorporation or By-laws, except to
     the extent that such violations would not, individually or in the
     aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent.

               SECTION 4.02  Subsidiaries of Parent.  Section 4.02 of
     the Parent Disclosure Schedule lists each Parent Subsidiary  and
     the ownership or interest therein of Parent as of the date
     hereof.  Except as set forth in Section 4.02 of the Parent
     Disclosure Schedule, all the outstanding shares of capital stock
     of each Parent Subsidiary have been validly issued and are fully
     paid and nonassessable and are owned by the Parent or by another
     Parent Subsidiary, free and clear of all Liens.

               SECTION 4.03  Authority of Parent and Sub. Each of
     Parent and Sub has all requisite corporate power and authority to
     execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to consummate the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement, subject to the
     conditions set forth in this Agreement.  The Board of Directors
     of the Parent and the Sub, respectively, has unanimously approved
     this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and the
     Board of Directors of Parent has resolved to recommend to the
     stockholders of Parent that they approve the issuance of the
     Parent Common Stock in connection with the Merger.  The execution
     and delivery of this Agreement by the Parent and Sub and the
     consummation by the Parent and Sub of the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by all
     necessary corporate action on the part of the Parent and Sub,
     respectively, subject to Parent Stockholder Approval.  This
     Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Parent and
     Sub and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery
     by the Company, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the
     Parent and Sub, enforceable against the Parent and Sub in
     accordance with its terms, except to the extent that (a)
     enforcement may be limited by or subject to any bankruptcy,
     insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar Laws now or
     hereafter in effect relating to or limiting creditors  rights
     generally and (b) the remedy of specific performance and
     injunctive and other forms of equitable relief are subject to
     certain equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court or
     other similar Person before which any proceeding therefor may be
     brought.

               SECTION 4.04  No Conflicts or Violations.  Except as
     set forth in Section 4.04 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, the
     execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and by Sub do
     not, and the performance by Parent and by Sub of their respective
     obligations under this Agreement will not:

               (a)  violate any term or provision of any applicable
     Law or any writ, judgment, decree, injunction, or similar order
     naming Parent or Sub and Known to Parent or Sub;

               (b)  conflict with or result in a violation or breach
     of any of the provisions of the articles or certificate of
     incorporation or by-laws of Parent or Sub;

               (c)  result in the creation or imposition of any Lien
     upon Parent or Sub or any of their respective Assets and
     Properties; 

               (d)  conflict with or result in a violation or breach
     of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or
     both) a default under, or give to any Person any right of
     termination, cancellation, acceleration, or modification in or
     with respect to, any Contract to which Parent or Sub is a party
     or by which any of their respective Assets or Properties may be
     bound (other than pursuant to the Revolving Credit and Term Loan
     Agreement, dated as of December 11, 1996, among Parent, certain
     signatory Banks thereto and The Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Parent
     Credit Agreement"); or

               (e)  require Parent or Sub to obtain any other consent,
     approval, or action of, or make any filing with or give any
     notice to, any Person (including pursuant to any Laws);

     except (i) as contemplated or disclosed in Sections 4.03, 4.04
     and 4.05 hereof or the sections of the Parent Disclosure Schedule
     relating thereto, and (ii) those violations, conflicts, Liens,
     breaches, defaults and rights which do not individually or in the
     aggregate with any other such matters, have a Material Adverse
     Effect on the Parent or Sub.

               SECTION 4.05  No Consents.  No consent, approval, order
     or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with,
     any Governmental Entity is required by or with respect to Parent,
     Sub or any other Parent Subsidiary in connection with the
     execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent or Sub, as the
     case may be, or the consummation by Parent or Sub, as the case
     may be, of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
     except for (i) the filing of a premerger notification and report
     form by Parent, the Company and Sub under the HSR Act, (ii) the
     filing with the SEC of the Proxy Statement and the Form S-4,
     (iii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Kansas
     Secretary of State and appropriate documents with the relevant
     authorities of other states in which Parent is qualified to do
     business, (iv) such as may be required by any applicable state
     securities or "blue sky" laws, (v) such filings, consents or
     approvals with or from the Iowa Insurance Commission and such
     other state insurance commissions and similar agencies as may be
     required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement, (vi) such filings with the Nasdaq
     as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (vi) those that may
     be required solely by reason of the Company's (as opposed to any
     other third party's) participation in the Merger and the other
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement,  and (vii) such
     other consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations,
     declarations and filings, (x) as may be required under the laws
     of any foreign country in which Parent or any Parent Subsidiary
     conducts any business or owns any property or assets, (y) as are
     set forth in Section 4.05 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule or
     (z) that, if not obtained or made, would not, individually or in
     the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent. 

               SECTION 4.06  Books and Records.  The corporate minute
     books of Parent, Sub and each Parent Subsidiary are complete and
     accurate in all material respects and have been made available to
     the Company.

               SECTION 4.07  SEC Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities. 

               (a)  Parent has filed all required reports, forms and
     other documents with the SEC since January 1, 1997 (the "Parent
     SEC Documents").  As of its date, each Parent SEC Document
     complied in all material respects with the requirements of the
     Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the
     rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder
     applicable to such Parent SEC Documents. To Parent s Knowledge,
     none of the Parent SEC Documents contains any untrue statement of
     a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be
     stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
     therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
     made, not misleading, except to the extent that such statements
     have been modified or superseded by a later filed Parent SEC
     Document. 

               (b)  The consolidated financial statements of the
     Parent included in the Parent SEC Documents complies as to form
     in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements
     and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect
     thereto, have been prepared in accordance with United States
     generally accepted accounting principles (except, in the case of
     unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC)
     applied on a consistent basis during the periods indicated
     (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly
     present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial
     position of the Parent as of the dates thereof and the
     consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for the
     respective periods indicated therein (subject, in the case of
     unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). 
     Except as set forth in the Filed Parent SEC Documents (as defined
     in Section 4.09) or in Section 4.07 of the Parent Disclosure
     Schedule, neither the Parent nor any Parent Subsidiary has any
     liabilities or obligations of any nature (whether accrued,
     absolute, contingent or otherwise) required by generally accepted
     accounting principles to be set forth on a consolidated balance
     sheet of the Parent and the consolidated Parent Subsidiaries or
     in the notes filed as a part thereof and which, individually or
     in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material
     Adverse Effect on Parent.  

               (c)  None of the Parent Subsidiaries is independently
     subject to the informational reporting requirements of the
     Exchange Act.

               SECTION 4.08  Information Supplied.  None of the
     information supplied or to be supplied by Parent or Sub for
     inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) the Form S-4 will,
     at the time the Form S-4 is filed with the SEC, at any time it is
     amended or supplemented or at the time it becomes effective under
     the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material
     fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
     therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
     misleading, or (ii) the Proxy Statement will, at the date the
     Proxy Statement is first mailed to the Company's stockholders and
     Parent's stockholders or at the time of the Company Special
     Meeting and the Parent Special Meeting, contain any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
     required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
     statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
     they are made, not misleading.  The Form S-4 will comply as to
     form in all material respects with the requirements of the
     Securities Act and Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
     promulgated thereunder, except that no representation or warranty
     is made by Parent or Sub with respect to statements made or
     incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied
     by the Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
     Form S-4.

               SECTION 4.09  Absence of Certain Changes.  Except as
     disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents filed and publicly
     available prior to the date of this Agreement (the "Filed Parent
     SEC Documents"), or as set forth in Section 4.09 of the Parent
     Disclosure Schedule, from December 31, 1996 to the date of this
     Agreement, Parent has conducted its business only in the ordinary
     course and there has not been, occurred or arisen: 

               (a)  any change in, or any event (including without
     limitation any damage, destruction, or loss whether or not
     covered by insurance), condition, or state of facts of any
     character that individually or in the aggregate has or would
     reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
     Parent;

               (b)  any declaration, setting aside, or payment of any
     dividend (other than Parent's regular quarterly dividend) or
     other distribution in respect of the capital stock of Parent or
     Sub or any direct or indirect redemption, purchase or other
     acquisition by Parent of any such stock or of any interest in or
     right to acquire any such stock;

               (c)  any amendment, termination, waiver, disposal or
     lapse of, or other failure to preserve, or regulatory agreement
     with respect to any Permit of the Parent or any Parent Subsidiary 
     the result of which individually or in the aggregate has or would
     reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
     Parent; or

               (d)  any binding agreement for the sale, merger or
     transfer of Parent or any Parent Subsidiary or substantially all
     of the assets or business thereof.

               SECTION 4.10  Capitalization.

               (a)  The authorized capital stock of Parent consists of
     145,000,000 shares, of which 75,000,000 shares are shares of
     Series A Common Stock, no par value, of Parent ("Parent Common
     Stock"), 45,000,000 shares are shares of Series B Common Stock,
     no par value, of Parent common stock ("Series B Common Stock")
     and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, ("Parent Preferred
     Stock").  As of September 1, 1997, there were outstanding
     18,155,989 shares of Parent Common Stock, 5,000,000 shares of
     Series B Common Stock, no shares of Parent Preferred Stock and
     Parent Options to purchase 664,000 shares of Parent Common Stock.

               (b)  All outstanding shares of capital stock of Parent
     and each Parent Subsidiary have been duly authorized and validly
     issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and all outstanding
     shares of capital stock of Parent are free of preemptive rights. 
     Except as set forth in this Section 4.10, as of the date of this
     Agreement, there are outstanding (i) no other shares of capital
     stock or other voting securities of Parent, (ii) no securities of
     Parent convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital
     stock or voting securities of Parent and (iii) no other options
     or other rights to acquire from Parent, and no obligation of
     Parent to issue, any capital stock, voting securities or
     securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or
     voting securities of Parent.  All shares of Parent Common Stock
     that are subject to issuance pursuant to the Merger, upon
     issuance pursuant to this Agreement, will be duly authorized,
     validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.  

               (c)  As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized
     capital stock of Sub consists of 100 shares of common stock, par
     value $0.01 per share, all of which have been validly issued, are
     fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by Parent free and
     clear of any Lien.

               SECTION 4.11  Financial Statements.

               (a)   Parent has made available to the Company true and
     complete copies of the following financial statements (the
     "Parent Financial Statements"):

                    (i)  audited (A) annual GAAP Statements for Parent
          and (B) Annual Statements for AmerUs Life Insurance Company,
          (the  Parent Insurance Subsidiary ), for each of the years
          ended December 31, 1994, 1995, and 1996, including all the
          notes thereto (or such shorter period as such entity has
          existed); and

                    (ii)  unaudited (A) quarterly GAAP Statements for
          Parent and (B) Quarterly Statements for the Parent Insurance
          Subsidiaries, for each of the first three quarters of each
          of 1995 and 1996, and the first two quarters of 1997,
          including all the notes thereto (or such shorter period as
          such entity has existed).

               (b)  Each such Parent Financial Statement (and the
     notes thereto), and each GAAP Statement and Quarterly Statement
     made available by Parent pursuant to Section 4.11(a), including
     without limitation each balance sheet and each of the statements
     of operations, capital and surplus account, and cash flow
     contained therein was prepared in accordance with SAP ("SAP
     Statements") or GAAP ("GAAP Statements"), respectively, except as
     may be otherwise indicated in notes filed as a part thereof, as
     the case may be, presents fairly in all material respects, the
     financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of
     the Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries or the Parent
     Insurance Subsidiaries, as the case may be, as of the respective
     dates thereof or for the respective periods presented therein,
     subject, in the case of quarterly statements, to normal year end
     adjustments.  Each SAP Statement complied in all material
     respects with all applicable Laws when filed with the applicable
     insurance regulatory authority, and any deficiencies known to
     Parent with respect to any such SAP Statement have been cured or
     corrected to the satisfaction of such insurance regulatory
     authority.

               (c)  Except as indicated on Section 4.11 of the Parent
     Disclosure Schedule, Parent  has not received written notice from
     the Iowa Commissioner of Insurance ("ICI") asserting any
     deficiency with respect to such SAP Statements. 

               (d)  Since June 30, 1997, the Parent Insurance
     Subsidiaries have filed all reports and other filings, together
     with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto,
     that it has been required to file with state insurance regulatory
     authorities (the "Parent Insurance Subsidiaries Filings"), and
     all of the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries Filings prior to the
     date hereof complied, and all such filings made hereafter prior
     to the Effective Time will comply, in all material respects with
     applicable insurance laws, rules and regulations, and, except as
     disclosed in Section 4.11 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule,
     there are no material open or unresolved issues which were raised
     by any insurance or securities regulatory authority and brought
     to the attention of the Parent by such regulatory authority with
     respect to any of such filings.

               (e)  Except where such would not reasonably be expected
     to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent, (i) Parent has no
     reason to believe that any material amount recoverable pursuant
     to Reinsurance Agreements is not fully collectible in due course,
     and (ii) Parent Insurance Subsidiaries are entitled to take full
     credit in their SAP Statements pursuant to applicable insurance
     laws, rules and regulations for such reinsurance, coinsurance or
     excess insurance ceded pursuant to any such Reinsurance
     Agreement.

               SECTION 4.12  Reserves. 

               (a)  All Reserve Liabilities as established or
     reflected in the SAP Statements of the Parent Insurance
     Subsidiaries were determined in accordance with generally
     accepted actuarial standards consistently applied, are fairly
     stated in accordance with sound actuarial principles, are based
     on actuarial assumptions that are in accordance with those called
     for by the provisions of the related insurance and annuity
     Contracts and in the related reinsurance, coinsurance and other
     similar Contracts of the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries, and meet
     in all material respects the requirements of the insurance Laws
     of its state of domicile.  Adequate provision for all such
     Reserve Liabilities have been made (under generally accepted
     actuarial principles consistently applied) to cover the total
     amount of all reasonably anticipated matured and unmatured
     benefits, dividends, claims and other liabilities of the Company
     Insurance Subsidiaries under all insurance and annuity Contracts
     under which the Company Insurance Subsidiaries have any liability
     (including without limitation any liability arising under or as a
     result of any reinsurance, coinsurance or other similar Contract)
     on the respective dates of such SAP Statement based on then
     current information regarding interest earnings, mortality and
     morbidity experience, persistency and expenses.  The Company
     Insurance Subsidiaries own assets that qualify as legal reserve
     assets under applicable insurance Laws in an amount at least
     equal to all such Reserve Liabilities; and

               (b)  Adequate provision has been made for all estimated
     losses, settlements, costs and expenses from pending suits,
     actions and proceedings included in the December 31, 1996 Annual
     Statement and the latest Quarterly Statements, and the reserves
     and accrued Liabilities relating thereto were determined in
     accordance with SAP and Statement of Financial Accounting
     Standards No. 5 issued by the Financial Accounting Standards
     Board.

               SECTION 4.13  Taxes. Except as disclosed in Section
     4.13 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule:

               (a)  All Tax Returns required to be filed with respect
     to Parent and each Parent Subsidiary have been duly and timely
     filed, other than any Tax Returns the failure of which to timely
     file would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
     Effect on Parent.  Except where failure to do so would not
     reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on
     Parent (x) all such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in
     all material respects and (y) each of Parent and each Parent
     Subsidiary  (i) has duly and timely paid all Taxes that are shown
     as due, or claimed or asserted by any taxing authority to be due,
     from such company for the periods covered by such Tax Returns and
     have made all required estimated payments of Taxes sufficient to
     avoid any penalties for underpayment, or (ii) has duly provided
     for all such Taxes in the applicable financial statements, and in
     the SAP or GAAP Statements, in the case of Parent Insurance
     Subsidiaries.

               (b)  Except where failure to do so would not reasonably
     be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent, with
     respect to any period or any portion thereof through the Closing
     for which Tax Returns have not yet been filed, or for which Taxes
     are not yet due or owing, Parent and each Parent Subsidiary has
     made due and sufficient current accruals for such Taxes in
     accordance with SAP in the case of Parent Insurance Subsidiaries
     or otherwise in accordance with GAAP, and such current accruals
     through the Closing are duly and fully provided for in the SAP or
     GAAP Statements of such company for the period then ended.

               SECTION 4.14  Litigation.  Except as disclosed in the
     Parent Filed SEC Documents or in Section 4.14 of the Parent
     Disclosure Schedule:

               (a)  There are no actions, suits, investigations or
     pending, or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened, against
     Parent or any Parent Subsidiary or its Assets and Properties, at
     law or in equity, in, before, or by any Person that individually
     or in the aggregate have or would reasonably be expected to have
     a Material Adverse Effect on the Parent.

               (b)  There are no writs, judgments, decrees or similar
     orders of any Governmental Entity with competent jurisdiction
     outstanding against Parent or any Parent Subsidiary that
     individually exceed $100,000 or that individually or in the
     aggregate have or would reasonably be expected to have a Material
     Adverse Effect on the Parent.

               As of the date of this Agreement, except as disclosed
     in the Parent Filed SEC Documents, there is no suit, action or
     proceeding of any Governmental Entity with competent jurisdiction
     and pending, or, to the Knowledge of the Parent, threatened,
     against Parent or any Parent Subsidiary that expressly seeks to
     prevent or delay in any material respect the consummation of the
     Merger or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

               SECTION 4.15  Compliance with Laws; Regulatory Filings.

               (a)  The business of Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries
     is being conducted in compliance in all respects with all
     applicable Laws, including, without limitation, all insurance
     laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, decrees and orders of any
     Governmental Entity, and all notices, reports, documents and
     other information required to be filed thereunder within the last
     three years were properly filed in all respects and were in
     compliance in all respects with such laws, except where the
     failure to do so would not, individually or in the aggregate, be
     reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent.

               (b)  Except where the failure to do so would not,
     individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have
     a Material Adverse Effect on Parent, (i) Parent and the Parent
     Subsidiaries have all Permits the use and exercise of which are
     necessary for the conduct of its business as now conducted, (ii)
     the business of Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries has been and
     is being conducted in compliance, in all material respects, with
     all such Permits, (iii) all such Permits are in full force and
     effect, and (iv) there is no proceeding or investigation pending
     or threatened which would reasonably be expected to lead to the
     revocation, amendment, failure to renew, limitation, suspension
     or restriction of any such Permit.

               (c)  Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries have filed all
     reports, statements, documents, registrations, filings or
     submissions required to be filed by any of them with any
     Governmental Entity, and, to the Knowledge of Parent, all such
     reports, statements, documents, registrations, filings or
     submissions were in all material respects true, complete and
     accurate when filed  except where the failure to file, in the
     aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent.

               (d)  Except as set forth on Section 4.15 of the Parent
     Disclosure Schedule, and except where such would not individually
     or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material
     Adverse Effect and no Real Estate has been used for the storage,
     treatment, generation, transportation, manufacture, processing,
     handling, production, distribution, deposit, burial, use, or
     disposal of any Hazardous Substance except in compliance with
     Environmental Laws, neither Parent nor any Parent Subsidiary has
     any liability arising out of or resulting from a Release of any
     Hazardous Substance on or from any Real Estate and Parent and
     each Parent Subsidiary has complied in all material respects with
     all applicable Environmental Laws relating to Real Estate and the
     business, activities and processing respectively conducted
     thereon.

               SECTION 4.16  Properties.  Except as disclosed in
     Section 4.16 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule and except where
     such would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably
     expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent and each of
     the Parent Subsidiaries:

               (a)  has good and valid title to all of its properties,
     assets and other rights that do not constitute real property,
     free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens;

               (b)  owns, has valid leasehold interests in or valid
     contractual rights to use, all of the assets, tangible and
     intangible, used by, or necessary for the conduct of, its
     business, except where the failure to have such valid ownership,
     interests or rights do not, individually or in the aggregate,
     have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent; and

               (c)  owns and has good and marketable title in fee
     simple to the real property owned by such party, free and clear
     of all liens except Permitted Liens.

               SECTION 4.17  Investments.

               (a)  The Statutory Financial Statement of Parent
     Insurance Subsidiary sets forth a list, which list is accurate
     and complete in all material respects, of all securities,
     mortgages and other investments (collectively, the  Parent
     Investments ) owned by the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries as of
     December 31, 1996, together with the cost basis book or amortized
     value, as the case may be, as of December 31, 1996. All
     transactions in Parent Investments by each of the Parent
     Insurance Subsidiaries from December 31, 1996 to the date hereof
     have complied in all material respects with the investment
     policies of such Parent Insurance Subsidiary and all applicable
     insurance laws and regulations except where the failure to so
     comply does not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
     Material Adverse Effect on Parent.

               (b)  Except as set forth in the Statutory Financial
     Statements of the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries and except where
     the failure to so comply does not, individually or in the
     aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent, the Parent
     Insurance Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to the
     Parent Investments listed in the Statutory Financial Statements
     of the Parent Insurance Subsidiary or acquired in the ordinary
     course of business since December 31, 1996, other than with
     respect to those Parent Investments which have been disposed of
     in the ordinary course of business or as contemplated by this
     Agreement or redeemed in accordance with their terms since such
     date and other than Permitted Liens or with respect to statutory
     deposits which are subject to certain restrictions on transfer.

               SECTION 4.18  Contracts.  As of the date hereof, each
     Contract listed as a  material contract  (pursuant to Item
     601(10) of Regulation S-K) in the Parent SEC Documents is in full
     force and effect and constitutes a valid, and binding obligation
     of the Parent or Parent Subsidiary and of each other Person that
     is a party thereto in accordance with its terms subject to
     equitable rights and the rights of creditors; and (to the
     Knowledge of Parent), neither Parent nor any Parent Subsidiary
     nor any other party to such Contract has materially violated,
     breached or defaulted under any such Contract (or with or without
     notice or lapse of time or both, would be in material violation
     or breach of or default under any such Contract).  

               SECTION 4.19  Voting Requirements; Voting.  The
     approval and adoption by Parent's stockholders of the issuance of
     shares of Parent Common Stock in connection with the consummation
     of the Merger ("Parent Stockholder Approval") as required by
     Nasdaq is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of
     Parent Capital Stock necessary to approve this Agreement and the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  The Board of
     Directors of AmerUs Group Co., the holder of approximately 70% of
     the outstanding voting securities of Parent (the  Group Shares ),
     has resolved to vote its shares of Parent Common Stock to approve
     the issuance of shares of Parent Common Stock in connection with
     consummation of the Merger. 

               SECTION 4.20  Brokers; Schedule of Fees and Expenses.
     Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and Fox-Pitt & Kelton Inc. are the
     only brokers, investment bankers, financial advisors or other
     persons entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial advisor's
     or other similar fee or commission in connection with the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon
     arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent or Sub, and such fee
     or commission is payable by Parent.  

               SECTION 4.21  Benefit Plans; ERISA.  Each Parent Plan
     (as defined below) is in material compliance with applicable Law,
     including but not limited to ERISA and the Code, and has been
     administered and operated in all material respects in accordance
     with such applicable Law and the terms of the Plan, except where
     the failure to so administer and operate such Plan would not
     reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
     Parent.  For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Parent Plan"
     shall mean each "employee benefit plan" (as defined in Section
     3(3) of ERISA), bonus, deferred compensation, stock option, stock
     purchase or other equity compensation plan, program or
     arrangement, each employment, termination or severance agreement
     or plan, incentive compensation or other agreement, whether
     written or oral, in each case, which is sponsored, maintained or
     contributed to or required to be contributed to by the Parent or
     any Parent Subsidiaries at any time during the seven-year
     calendar year period immediately preceding the Closing Date for
     the benefit of employees or directors of the Parent or any Parent
     Subsidiaries or former employees or directors of the Parent or
     any Parent Subsidiaries.  No liability has been, or could
     reasonably be expected to be, incurred under Title IV of ERISA
     (other than for benefits payable in the ordinary course or PBGC
     insurance premiums) or Section 412(f) or (n) of the Code by an
     entity required to be aggregated with the Parent or any of its
     Affiliates pursuant to Section 4001(b) of ERISA and/or Section
     414(b) or (c) of the Code (and the regulations promulgated
     thereunder) with respect to any Parent Plan or "employee benefit
     plan" (as defined in Section 3(2)) which is not a Parent Plan.

               SECTION 4.22  Related Party Transactions.  All
     transactions involving Parent that are required to have been
     disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents in accordance with Item 404
     of Regulation S-K have been so disclosed, and to the Knowledge of
     Parent, since December 31, 1996, neither it nor any Parent
     Subsidiary has entered into any transactions that would be
     required to be disclosed in future public filings under the
     Exchange Act pursuant to such Item except for such transactions
     that are on economic terms no less favorable to Parent or any
     Parent Subsidiary, as the case may be, than Parent or such Parent
     Subsidiary would be able to obtain in a comparable arms'-length
     transaction with a Person that is not affiliated with Parent, or
     as have been disclosed in Section 4.22 of the Parent Disclosure
     Schedule.    

               SECTION 4.23  Disclosure.  To Parent's Knowledge,
     neither the representations and warranties set forth in this
     Article IV nor any certificate required to be furnished by the
     Parent, Parent Subsidiaries or Sub to the Company in connection
     with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby
     contains any untrue statement of a material fact concerning
     Parent, Parent Subsidiaries or Sub or omits to state a material
     fact concerning any of them necessary to make the statements
     herein or therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in
     which they were made.

               SECTION 4.24  Interim Operations of Sub.  Sub was
     formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement and has not engaged in any
     business activities or conducted any operations other than in
     connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE V
                           COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

               The Company covenants and agrees with Parent that, at
     all times before the Closing, the Company will comply with all
     covenants and provisions of this Article V, except to the extent
     Parent may otherwise consent in writing, or to the extent
     otherwise required or permitted by this Agreement.

               SECTION 5.01  Contract and Regulatory Approvals.  The
     Company will (a) take all commercially reasonable steps necessary
     or desirable, and proceed diligently and in good faith and use
     all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, as promptly as
     practicable, all approvals required by any applicable Contract to
     permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
     (b) take all commercially reasonable steps necessary or
     desirable, and proceed diligently and in good faith and use all
     commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, as promptly as
     practicable, all approvals, authorizations, and clearances of
     governmental and regulatory authorities required to permit the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including
     without limitation any required approvals of the insurance
     regulatory authorities in Kansas, Florida, Michigan and
     Connecticut), (c) provide such other information and
     communications to such governmental and regulatory authorities as
     Parent or such authorities may reasonably request, and (d)
     cooperate with Parent and Sub in obtaining, as promptly as
     practicable, all approvals, authorizations, and clearances of
     governmental or regulatory authorities and others required of
     Parent or Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

               SECTION 5.02  HSR Filings.  The Company will (a) take
     promptly all actions necessary to make the filings required of it
     and the Acquired Companies under the HSR Act, (b) comply at the
     earliest practicable date with any request for additional
     information received from the Federal Trade Commission or
     Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice pursuant to the
     HSR Act, (c) cooperate with Parent and Sub in connection with
     their filings under the HSR Act, and (d) request early
     termination of the applicable waiting period.

               SECTION 5.03  Conduct of Business.  The Company will,
     and will cause the Acquired Companies to, conduct its and their
     respective businesses only in the ordinary course and consistent
     with past practice, except as otherwise provided in this
     Agreement or except as may be consented to by Parent in writing. 
     Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

               (a)  The Company will use all commercially reasonable
     efforts permitted by this Agreement to and cause each of the
     Acquired Companies to (i) preserve intact its present business
     organization, field force, reputation, and policyholder,
     annuitant or customer relations, (ii) keep available the services
     of its present key officers, directors, employees, agents,
     consultants, and other similar representatives, (iii) maintain
     all Permits to do business in each jurisdiction in which it has
     such Permits, (iv) maintain in full force and effect all
     Contracts, documents, and arrangements set forth in Section 3.17
     of the Company Disclosure Schedule, except to the extent they are
     terminated in the ordinary course of business, (v) maintain all
     of its Assets and Properties in current working order and
     condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, (vi) continue all
     current marketing and selling activities relating to its
     business, operations, or affairs in accordance with its current
     marketing plan and applicable Law, and (vii) with respect to the
     Company Insurance Subsidiaries, maintain the rating
     classification, or its equivalent, assigned as of the date hereof
     to it by A.M. Best Company, Inc.

               (b)  The Company will maintain, and will cause each of
     the Acquired Companies to maintain, their respective Books and
     Records in the usual manner and consistent with past practice and
     will not permit a material change in any applicable underwriting,
     investment, actuarial, financial reporting, or accounting
     practice or policy of each Acquired Company or in any assumption
     underlying such a practice or policy, or in any method of
     calculating any bad debt, contingency, or other reserve for
     financial reporting purposes or for other accounting purposes
     (including without limitation, any practice, policy, assumption,
     or method relating to or affecting the determination of insurance
     or annuities in force, premium or investment income, Reserve
     Liabilities, or operating ratios with respect to expenses,
     losses, or lapses).

               (c)  The Company will (i) prepare properly and file
     duly and validly all reports and all Tax Returns required to be
     filed with any governmental or regulatory authorities with
     respect to its business, operations, or affairs and (ii) pay in
     full and when due all Taxes indicated by such Tax Returns or
     otherwise levied or assessed upon it or any of its Assets and
     Properties, and withhold or collect and pay to the proper taxing
     authorities or hold in separate bank accounts for such payment
     all Taxes that it is required to so withhold or collect and pay,
     unless reasonable reserves therefor have been established and
     reflected in its Books and Records.  The Company will not make
     any tax election with respect to such Tax Returns without the
     consent of Parent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
     withheld.  The Company shall not and shall not permit any
     Acquired Company to settle any material audit, make or change any
     material Tax election or file any amended Tax Return (except as
     provided in Section 3.11 of the Company Disclosure Schedule).  At
     least 10 days prior to filing any income Tax Return or other
     material Tax Return relating to the Company or any Acquired
     Company, the Company shall deliver a copy of such Tax Return to
     Parent for Parent's review and comment.  The Company will refrain
     from making, filing, or entering into (whether before or after
     the closing) any election, consent, or agreement described in
     Section 3.11(e) or Section 3.11(f) hereof with respect to any
     Acquired Company or any of their respective Assets and
     Properties.

               (d)  The Company will cause (i) all Reserve Liabilities
     with respect to insurance and annuity Contracts established or
     reflected in the Books and Records of the Company Insurance
     Subsidiaries to be (A) established in accordance with the methods
     for establishing Liabilities and reserving methods followed by
     the Company Insurance Subsidiaries in the preparation of the
     December 31, 1996 Annual Statement and (B) adequate (under
     generally accepted actuarial principles consistently applied) to
     cover the total amount of all reasonably anticipated matured and
     unmatured benefits, dividends, losses, claims, expenses, and
     other Liabilities of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries under all
     insurance and annuity Contracts pursuant to which the Company
     Insurance Subsidiaries has or will have any liability (including
     without limitation any liability arising under or as a result of
     any reinsurance, coinsurance, or other similar Contract) and (ii)
     the Company Insurance Subsidiaries to continue to own assets that
     qualify as legal reserve assets under all applicable insurance
     Laws in an amount at least equal to its required Reserve
     Liabilities.

               (e)  The Company will use all commercially reasonable
     efforts to maintain in full force and effect until the Closing
     substantially the same levels of coverage as the insurance
     afforded under the Contracts described in Section 3.17 of the
     Company Disclosure Schedule.  Any and all benefits under such
     Contracts paid or payable to any Acquired Company prior to the
     Closing with respect to the business, operations, affairs, or
     Assets and Properties of such Acquired Company shall be paid to
     such Acquired Company.

               (f)  The Company will continue to and will cause the
     other Acquired Companies to comply, in all material respects,
     with all Laws applicable to its business, operations, or affairs.

               (g)  The Company will not and will cause the other
     Acquired Companies not to incur any Liabilities outside of the
     ordinary course of their respective businesses and consistent
     with past practices. 

               SECTION 5.04  Financial Statements and Reports.

               (a)  As promptly as practicable but not later than (i)
     sixty days following the end of each calendar quarter, the
     Company will deliver to the Parent true and complete copies of
     the quarterly GAAP consolidated balance sheet of the Acquired
     Companies and the related consolidated statements of income of
     the Acquired Companies for the quarter then ended, together with
     any consolidating supplementary schedules related thereto and
     (ii) forty-five days following the end of each calendar quarter,
     the Company will deliver to the Parent a copy of the Quarterly
     Statement of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries for such quarter,
     prepared in accordance with SAP.

               (b)  As promptly as practicable, the Company will
     deliver to the Parent true and complete copies of the Company's
     monthly financial, marketing and investment reports distributed
     to the Company's Board of Directors and at the request of Parent
     such other material financial statements, reports, or analyses as
     may be prepared or received by it or any of the Acquired
     Companies and as relate to any of the business, operations, or
     affairs of the Acquired Companies, including without limitation
     normal internal reports which the Company prepares (such as those
     reflecting monthly premiums, claims, and cash flow) and special
     reports (such as those of financial or actuarial consultants), as
     well as any reports prepared for the stockholders of the Company.

               (c)  As promptly as practicable, the Company will
     deliver to the Parent the calculation of the accrued liability
     with respect to each Plan which is a non-qualified deferred
     compensation plan.

               SECTION 5.05  Investments.  Each of the Acquired
     Companies will invest its future cash flow, any cash from matured
     and maturing investments, any cash proceeds from the sale of its
     Assets and Properties, and any cash funds currently held by it
     exclusively in cash equivalent assets or in short-term
     investments (consisting of United States government issued or
     guaranteed securities, commercial paper rated A-1 or P-1, or
     certificates of deposit issued by one or more of the banks or
     financial institutions listed in Section 5.05 of the Company
     Disclosure Schedule), except (i) as otherwise required by Law,
     (ii) as required to provide cash (in the ordinary course of
     business and consistent with past practice) to meet its
     reasonably anticipated current obligations, (iii) in accordance
     with past practices in the ordinary course of business, and in
     the case of the Company and the Company Insurance Subsidiaries,
     with the investment policies set forth in Section 5.05 of the
     Company Disclosure Schedule, or (iv) as consented to by the
     Parent.  The Company Insurance Subsidiaries will not take any
     actions, other than as otherwise permitted by this Agreement or
     in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
     practice (including, without limitation, normal amortization and
     depreciation of any depreciable asset) designed to cause the
     assets of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries that are classified
     as nonadmitted under SAP or by the applicable insurance
     regulatory authorities, to be greater or less than their
     respective dollar amounts as of December 31, 1996.

               SECTION 5.06  Employee Matters.  Except as may be
     required by Law or by this Agreement or as disclosed in Section
     5.06 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or except for such
     Contract representations, promises, changes, alterations, or
     amendments that do not and will not result in any Liability to
     any of the Acquired Companies, the Acquired Companies will
     refrain from directly or indirectly, without the consent of
     Parent:

               (a)  Making any representation or promise, oral or
     written, to any Company Employee which is inconsistent with the
     terms of any Plan;

               (b)  Making any change to, or amending in any way, the
     Contracts, salaries, wages, or other compensation of any Company
     Employee whose annual compensation exceeds $100,000 other than
     routine changes or amendments that (i) are made in the ordinary
     course of business and consistent with past practice, (ii) do not
     and will not result in increases of more than 5% in the salary,
     wages, or other compensation of any such Person, and (iii) do not
     and will not exceed, in the aggregate, 5% of the total salaries,
     wages, and other compensation of all Company Employees;

               (c)  Adopting, entering into, amending, altering or
     terminating, partially or completely, any Plan; or making any
     election made pursuant to the provisions of any Plan to
     accelerate any payments, obligations or vesting schedules under
     any Plans;

               (d)  Adopting, entering into, amending, altering, or
     terminating, partially or completely, any employment, agency
     consultation, or representation Contract that is, or had it been
     in existence on the date of this Agreement would have been,
     required to be disclosed in Section 3.17(a) of the Company
     Disclosure Schedule;

               (e)  Approving any general or company wide pay
     increases for Company Employees; or

               (f)  Entering into any Contract with any Company
     Employee that is not terminable by any of the Acquired Companies,
     without penalty or other Liability, upon not more than 60
     calendar days  notice.

               Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the
     contrary, the Company's Chief Executive Officer may award and pay
     severance compensation (not to exceed $30,000 with respect to any
     individual or $300,000 in the aggregate) to Company Employees
     pursuant to the Severance Plan authorized by the Company's Board
     of Directors in the resolutions of its March 27, 1997 meeting, a
     true and correct copy of which resolutions has been provided to
     Parent.

               SECTION 5.07  No Charter Amendments.  Each of the
     Acquired Companies will refrain from amending its certificate of
     incorporation or by-laws and from taking any action with respect
     to any such amendment.

               SECTION 5.08  No Issuance of Securities. Each of the
     Acquired Companies will refrain from authorizing or issuing any
     shares of their capital stock or other equity securities (except
     as required pursuant to the terms of the existing Company
     Options, Company Warrants, and Company Convertible Debentures) or
     entering into any Contract or granting any option, warrant, or
     right calling for the authorization or issuance of any such
     shares or other equity securities, or creating or issuing any
     securities directly or indirectly convertible into or
     exchangeable for any such shares or other equity securities, or
     issuing any options, warrants, or rights to purchase any such
     convertible securities.

               SECTION 5.09  No Dividends.  Except as set forth in
     Section 5.09 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company will
     refrain from declaring, setting aside, or paying any dividend
     (other than the regular quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share of
     Company Common Stock) or other distribution in respect of its
     capital stock and from directly or indirectly redeeming,
     purchasing, or otherwise acquiring any of its capital stock or
     any interest in or right to acquire any such stock.

               SECTION 5.10  No Disposal of Property.  Except as set
     forth in Section 5.10 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or as
     otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each of the
     Acquired Companies will refrain from (a) disposing of any of its
     Assets and Properties and from permitting any of its Assets and
     Properties to be subjected to any Liens, except to the extent any
     such disposition or any such Lien is made or incurred in the
     ordinary course of the business and consistent with past
     practice, (b) selling any material part of its insurance
     products, operations, or business to any third party (other than
     sales of insurance products in the ordinary course of business
     consistent with past practice), (c) entering into any Contracts
     obligating it to administer the insurance operations of any other
     Person, and (d) entering into any Contracts permitting any other
     Person to administer its insurance operations.

               SECTION 5.11  No Breach or Default.  Each of the
     Acquired Companies will refrain from violating, breaching, or
     defaulting, and from taking or failing to take any action that
     (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) would
     constitute a material violation, breach, or default, in any way
     under any term or provision of any Contract to which it is a
     party or by which any of its Assets and Properties is or may be
     bound.

               SECTION 5.12  No Indebtedness.  Except in the ordinary
     course of business and consistent with past practice and except
     for existing contractual obligations, each of the Acquired
     Companies will refrain from creating, incurring, assuming,
     guaranteeing, or otherwise becoming liable for, and from
     canceling, paying, agreeing to cancel or pay, or otherwise
     providing for a complete or partial discharge in advance of a
     scheduled payment date with respect to, any Liability, and from
     waiving any right to receive any direct or indirect payment or
     other benefit under any Liability owing to such company.

               SECTION 5.13  No Acquisitions.   The Company will
     refrain from (a) merging, consolidating, or otherwise combining
     or agreeing to merge, consolidate, or otherwise combine with any
     other Person, (b) acquiring or agreeing to acquire blocks of
     business of all or substantially all the Assets and Properties or
     capital stock or other equity securities of any other Person, or
     (c) otherwise acquiring or agreeing to acquire control of any
     other Person.

               SECTION 5.14  Notice and Cure.  The Company will notify
     Parent promptly in writing of, and contemporaneously will provide
     Parent with true and complete copies of any and all information
     or documents relating to, and will use all commercially
     reasonable efforts to cure before the Closing, any event,
     transaction, or circumstance occurring after the date of this
     Agreement and before the Effective Time that causes or will cause
     any covenant or agreement under this Agreement to be breached, or
     that renders or will render untrue any representation or warranty
     of the Company contained in this Agreement as if the same were
     made on or as of the date of such event, transaction, or
     circumstance. The Company also will use all commercially
     reasonable efforts to cure, before the Closing, any violation or
     breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement
     made by it in this Agreement, whether occurring or arising before
     or after the date of this Agreement.

               SECTION 5.15  Supplements to Schedules.  The Company
     shall at any time or from time to time after the date hereof and
     prior to the Closing Date, supplement or amend the Company
     Disclosure Schedule with respect to any matter arising after the
     date hereof which, if existing or occurring at the date hereof,
     would have been required to be set forth or described therein. 
     No supplement or amendment to the Company Disclosure Schedule
     shall be deemed to cure any breach of a representation or
     warranty of the Company made herein, or have any effect for the
     purpose of determining the satisfaction of the conditions to
     Closing set forth in Article VIII.

               SECTION 5.16  No Solicitation, etc.  

               (a)  Except as set forth below, the Company shall not,
     nor shall the Company authorize or permit any of the Acquired
     Companies, or any of its or their officers, directors, employees,
     representatives or agents, to, directly or indirectly, encourage,
     solicit, participate in, initiate or continue discussions or
     negotiations with, or provide any information to, any Person
     (other than Parent or Sub) with respect to, or take any action to
     facilitate any inquiries or the making of, or enter into any
     agreement (including any preliminary agreement) relating to, or
     approve any proposal that constitutes, or may reasonably be
     expected to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal (as defined below). 
     The Company shall, and shall cause each Acquired Company to,
     immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing
     activities, discussions, or negotiations by the Company, any
     Acquired Company or any officer, director or employee of,
     investment banker, attorney, accountant or other advisor or
     representative of, the Company or any Acquired Company, with
     parties conducted heretofore with respect to any of the
     foregoing.  Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section,
     at any time prior to the approval of this Agreement and the
     Merger by the Company's stockholders at the Company Special
     Meeting (as defined below), the Company may furnish information
     and access, in each case only in response to requests which were
     not solicited on or after the date hereof, to any Person pursuant
     to a customary confidentiality agreement, and may participate in
     discussions and negotiate with such Person concerning an
     Acquisition Proposal, if the Board of Directors of the Company
     determines in its good faith judgment, following consultation
     with outside counsel, that (i) such Person shall have submitted a
     Competitive Proposal (as defined below) which was not solicited
     on or after the date hereof, and (ii) that it is required to do
     so in order to comply with its fiduciary duties to stockholders
     under applicable Law.  The Company's Board of Directors shall
     notify Parent orally (within one Business Day), and in writing
     (as promptly as practicable) of all inquiries and proposals that
     it may receive relating to any Acquisition Proposal and the
     material terms and conditions thereof, that it and any Acquired
     Company or any of its or their officers, directors, employees,
     representatives or agents may receive relating to any Acquisition
     Proposal and thereafter keep Parent promptly advised of any
     material developments with respect thereto.

               (b)  Except as set forth in this Section 5.16(b), the
     Company's Board of Directors shall not withdraw or modify, or
     propose to withdraw or modify, its recommendation of this
     Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby or approve or
     recommend, or propose to approve or recommend, any Acquisition
     Proposal.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company's Board
     of Directors determines in its good faith judgment, following
     consultation with outside counsel and an independent financial
     advisor, that (i) such Person shall have submitted a Superior
     Proposal (as defined below) which was not solicited on or after
     the date hereof, and (ii), that it is required to do so in order
     to comply with its fiduciary duties to stockholders under
     applicable law, the Company's Board of Directors may (x) withdraw
     or modify, or propose to withdraw or modify, its recommendation
     of the transactions contemplated hereby on account of such
     Superior Proposal or (y) approve or recommend such Superior
     Proposal or terminate this Agreement (and concurrently with or
     after such termination, cause the Company to enter into any
     agreement with respect to such Superior Proposal) but in each
     case of the foregoing (x) and (y) only after providing at least
     five Business Days' prior written notice to Parent (A) advising
     Parent that the Company's Board of Directors has received or
     become aware of a Superior Proposal, (B) specifying the material
     terms and conditions of such Superior Proposal, and (C)
     identifying the person making the Superior Proposal, and (D)
     stating that it intends to withdraw its recommendation or approve
     or recommend such Superior Proposal.

               (c)  Nothing contained in this Section 5.16 shall
     prohibit the Company s Board of Directors from disclosing to the
     Company s stockholders a position permitted by this Section 5.16
     in accordance with Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2 promulgated under the
     Exchange Act with respect to any tender offer for shares of
     capital stock of the Company.

               (d)  "Acquisition Proposal" means any proposal, offer
     or expression of interest from any Person involving a merger,
     consolidation or other business combination with the Company or
     any other Acquired Company or any proposal, offer or expression
     of interest to acquire or cause to be acquired in any manner,
     directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, through
     any reinsurance or coinsurance transaction, all or a significant
     portion of the business, assets, or capital stock of the Company
     or any other Acquired Company, other than the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement.

               (e)  "Superior Proposal" means any bona fide
     Acquisition Proposal from any Person and which is otherwise on
     terms that the Company's Board of Directors determines in its
     good faith reasonable judgment, following consultation with
     outside counsel and an independent financial advisor, to be more
     favorable to the Company's stockholders than the Merger and for
     which financing, to the extent required, is then committed or
     which, in the good faith judgement of the Board of Directors,
     based upon the advice of its financial advisors, is reasonably
     capable of being obtained by such third party on commercially
     reasonable terms.

               (f)  "Competitive Proposal" means any bona fide
     Acquisition Proposal from any Person that the Company's Board of
     Directors determines in its good faith reasonable judgment, could
     reasonably be expected to lead to a transaction which is
     financially superior to the Merger.

               SECTION 5.17  Notice to Warrant Holders.  The Company
     will cause to be mailed to the registered holders of Company
     Warrants, at least 20 days before the Effective Time, a notice
     stating (i) the date on which the Merger is expected to become
     effective, and (ii) the date as of which it is expected that
     holders of Company Common Stock of record will be entitled to
     exchange their shares of Common Stock for Merger Consideration.

               SECTION 5.18  Exercise of Call of Company Convertible
     Debentures.  (a) The Company will cause Redemption Notices to be
     mailed to all registered holders of Company Convertible
     Debentures prior to September 26, 1997, in accordance with
     applicable provisions of the Indenture, and shall use its
     commercially reasonable efforts to cause the redemption of all
     outstanding Company Convertible Debentures in accordance with
     Section 1102 of the Indenture (the "Redemption").  

               (b)  In the event that the Company requires cash to pay
     for any Company Convertible Debentures duly surrendered on the
     Redemption Date (as defined in the Indenture), the Company may
     request in writing not less than ten business days in advance of
     the Redemption Date that Parent purchase, and Parent shall
     purchase, at Parent's election, either such surrendered Company
     Convertible Debentures or a new issue of convertible debentures
     of the Company simultaneously with consummation of the
     Redemption, in each case, in the amount actually redeemed and at
     a price equal to par value and on terms which are substantially
     identical to the Company Convertible Debentures (including
     interest rate, maturity, conversion price and redemption
     provisions).  Notwithstanding the above, Parent may not convert
     any Company Convertible Debenture into shares of Company Common
     Stock, if and to the extent such conversion would require
     applicable regulatory approvals, if any, which Parent has not
     obtained. 

                                  ARTICLE VI
                          COVENANTS OF PARENT AND SUB

               SECTION 6.01  Contract and Regulatory Approvals. 
     Parent and Sub will (a) take all commercially reasonable steps
     necessary or desirable, and proceed diligently and in good faith
     and use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, as
     promptly as practicable, all approvals required by any applicable
     Contract to permit the consummation of the transactions
     contemplated hereby, (b) take all commercially reasonable steps
     necessary or desirable, and proceed diligently and in good faith
     and use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, as
     promptly as practicable, all approvals, authorizations, and
     clearances of governmental and regulatory authorities required to
     permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
     (c) provide such other information and communications to such
     governmental and regulatory authorities as Parent or such
     authorities may reasonably request (including without limitation
     any required approvals of the insurance regulatory authorities in
     Iowa and any other applicable state insurance commission or
     similar agency), and (d) cooperate with the Acquired Companies in
     obtaining, as promptly as practicable, all approvals,
     authorizations, and clearances of governmental or regulatory
     authorities and others required of the Acquired Companies to
     consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

               SECTION 6.02  HSR Filings.  Parent and Sub will (a)
     take promptly all actions necessary to make the filings required
     of it and Sub under the HSR Act and make payment of the required
     filing fee, (b) comply at the earliest practicable date with any
     request for additional information received from the Federal
     Trade Commission or Antitrust Division of the Department of
     Justice pursuant to the HSR Act, (c) cooperate with the Acquired
     Companies in connection with their filings under the HSR Act, and
     (d) request early termination of the applicable waiting period.

               SECTION 6.03  Notice and Cure.  The Parent and Sub will
     notify the Company promptly in writing of, and contemporaneously
     will provide the Company with true and complete copies of any and
     all information or documents relating to, and will use all
     commercially reasonable efforts to cure before the Closing, any
     event, transaction, or circumstance occurring after the date of
     this Agreement that causes or will cause any covenant or
     agreement of the Parent under this Agreement and before the
     Effective Time to be breached, or that renders or will render
     untrue any representation or warranty of the Parent contained in
     this Agreement as if the same were made on or as of the date of
     such event, transaction, or circumstance. The Parent also will
     use all commercially reasonable efforts to cure, before the
     Closing, any violation or breach of any representation, warranty,
     covenant, or agreement made by it in this Agreement, whether
     occurring or arising before or after the date of this Agreement.

               SECTION 6.04  Certain Further Tax Representations and
     Covenants.

               (a)  All current Employees of the Company or any
     Acquired Company as of the Closing shall be employed, immediately
     after the Closing, by the Surviving Corporation.  On and after
     the Closing, the Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall honor
     all provisions of all Plans in effect as of the Closing;
     provided, however, that nothing in this Section 6.04 shall be
     construed as preventing the Parent or the Surviving Corporation
     from amending, modifying or terminating any of the Plans, or
     other contracts, arrangements, commitments or understandings, in
     accordance with their terms and applicable Law.

               (b)  The Parent, following the Closing Date, shall
     permit such Employees who are retained as Employees of the
     Surviving Corporation or who become Employees of the Parent or
     any Parent Subsidiary thereafter, and who were participating in
     the Plans immediately prior to the Closing Date, to participate
     in corresponding Parent Plans (including but not limited to the
     Parent's "Section 125" Plan) or continue participating in the
     Plans on terms that are substantially similar to those provided
     to similarly situated Employees of the Parent (or Parent
     Subsidiary, as applicable).  With respect to those Parent Plans
     in which Employees of the Company will be participating on or
     after the Closing Date, the Parent shall credit prior service of
     Employees with the Company or any Acquired Company, as
     applicable, for purposes of determining the vesting, eligibility,
     waiting periods or qualification or participation of such
     Employees under the Parent Plans and any successor benefit
     programs to the extent that such service was recognized under the
     Plans; such prior service credited under a Parent Plan shall
     include service with other entities to the extent that such
     service is credited by the Company or any Acquired Company for
     purposes of any Plan similar to such Parent Plan.  All Employees
     of the Company or any Acquired Company shall receive credits for
     payments made under any Plan which is a welfare plan under
     Section 3(1) of ERISA during the plan year in which the Closing
     occurs for purposes of satisfying the applicable deductibles and
     maximum out-of-pocket limits of any similar welfare plans of the
     Surviving Corporation, the Parent or any Parent Subsidiary during
     the plan year in which the Closing occurs.

               (c)  The Parent shall reasonably cooperate with the
     Surviving Corporation to maintain the qualified status of each
     Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.

               (d)  As of the Closing, the Amvestors Financial
     Corporation Employees' Stock Ownership Plan shall be frozen with
     respect to participation.

                                ARTICLE VII
                           ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

               SECTION 7.01  Preparation of Form S-4 and the Proxy
     Statement; Company Special Meeting and Parent Special Meeting.

               (a)  As soon as practicable following the date of this
     Agreement, the Company and Parent shall prepare and file with the
     SEC the Proxy Statement and Parent shall prepare and file with
     the SEC the Form S-4, in which the Proxy Statement shall be
     included as part of the prospectus.  Each of the Company and
     Parent shall use reasonable efforts to have the Form S-4 declared
     effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable
     after such filing.  Each of the Company and Parent shall use
     reasonable efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to
     the Company's stockholders and, if required, Parent's
     stockholders, respectively, as promptly as practicable after the
     Form S-4 is declared effective under the Securities Act.  Parent
     shall also take any action required to be taken under any
     applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws in connection with
     the issuance of Parent Common Stock pursuant to the Merger, and
     the Company shall furnish all information concerning the Company
     and the holders of the Company Common Stock and rights to acquire
     the Company Common Stock pursuant to the Company Employee Stock
     Plans as may be reasonably requested in connection with any such
     action.

               (b)  The Company shall, in accordance with all
     applicable Laws, and the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of
     the Company, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a
     special meeting of its stockholders (the "Company Special
     Meeting") as promptly as practicable after the date hereof for
     the purpose of considering and taking action upon this Agreement
     and such other matters as may be appropriate at the Company
     Special Meeting.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to
     the contrary, the Company shall not take any action which
     interferes with the convening of the Company Special Meeting or
     the taking of the stockholders' vote at the meeting.  The Board
     of Directors of the Company will include its recommendation that
     the stockholders of the Company approve and adopt this Agreement
     and the transactions contemplated hereby in any proxy or other
     solicitation materials or communications prepared in connection
     with the Company Special Meeting.

               (c)  Parent shall, as soon as practicable following the
     date of this Agreement, duly call, give notice of, convene and
     hold a meeting of its stockholders (the "Parent Special Meeting")
     for the purpose of obtaining the Parent Stockholder Approval. 
     Parent shall, through its Board of Directors, recommend to its
     stockholders that they give the Parent Stockholder Approval
     unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors of Parent
     in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel, as
     necessary in order to comply with its fiduciary duties to Parent
     and its stockholders under applicable law.  The Company shall
     vote or cause to be voted any shares of Parent Capital Stock
     owned of record by the Company or any Acquired Company in favor
     of the Parent Stockholder Approval.

               SECTION 7.02  Letter of the Company's Accountants.  The
     Company shall use reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered to
     the Company and Parent a letter of Deloitte & Touche, LLP, the
     Company's independent public accountants, dated a date within two
     business days before the date on which the Form S-4 shall become
     effective and addressed to Parent, in form and substance
     reasonably satisfactory to Parent and customary in scope and
     substance for letters delivered by independent public accountants
     in connection with registration statements similar to the
     Form S-4.

               SECTION 7.03  Letter of Parent's Accountants.  Parent
     shall use reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered to the
     Company a letter of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, Parent's independent
     public accountants, dated a date within two business days before
     the date on which the Form S-4 shall become effective and
     addressed to the Company, in form and substance reasonably
     satisfactory to the Company and customary in scope and substance
     for letters delivered by independent public accountants in
     connection with registration statements similar to the Form S-4.

               SECTION 7.04  Access to Information; Confidentiality. 

               (a)  Each of the Company and Parent shall, and shall
     cause each of its respective subsidiaries to, afford to the other
     party and to the officers, directors, employees, accountants,
     counsel, financial advisors and other representatives of such
     other party, reasonable access during normal business hours
     during the period prior to the Effective Time to all their
     respective properties, books, contracts, commitments, personnel
     and records and, during such period, each of the Company and
     Parent shall, and shall cause each of its respective subsidiaries
     to, furnish promptly to the other party (i) a copy of each
     report, schedule, registration statement and other document filed
     or received by it during such period pursuant to the requirements
     of United States Federal or state securities laws and (ii) all
     other information concerning its business, properties and
     personnel as such other party may reasonably request.  Such
     information shall be held in confidence to the extent required
     by, and in accordance with, the provisions of the letters dated
     September 8, 1997, between the Company and Parent (the
     "Confidentiality Agreements").

               (b)  In the event that this Agreement is terminated in
     accordance with its terms, each party shall promptly redeliver to
     the other all non-public written material provided pursuant to
     this Section 7.04 and shall not retain any copies, extracts or
     other reproductions in whole or in part of such written material. 
     In such event, all documents, memoranda, notes and other writings
     prepared by Parent or the Company based on the information in
     such material shall be destroyed (and Parent and the Company
     shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to cause their
     advisors and representatives to similarly destroy their
     documents, memoranda and notes), and such destruction (and
     reasonable best efforts) shall be certified in writing by an
     authorized officer supervising such destruction.

               SECTION 7.05  Reasonable Efforts; Notification.  

               (a)  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
     forth in this Agreement, each of the parties shall use reasonable
     efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or
     cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other
     parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to
     consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner
     practicable, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
     by this Agreement, including (i) the obtaining of all necessary
     actions or nonactions, waivers, consents and approvals from
     Governmental Entities and the making of all necessary
     registrations and filings (including filings with Governmental
     Entities, if any) and the taking of all reasonable steps as may
     be necessary to obtain an approval or waiver from, or to avoid an
     action or proceeding by, any Governmental Entity, (ii) the
     obtaining of all necessary consents, approvals or waivers from
     third parties, (iii) the defending of any lawsuits or other legal
     proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, challenging this
     Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
     this Agreement including seeking to have any stay or temporary
     restraining order entered by any court or other Governmental
     Entity vacated or reversed, and (iv) the execution and delivery
     of any additional instruments necessary to consummate the
     transactions contemplated by, and to fully carry out the purposes
     of, this Agreement; provided, however, that Parent shall not be
     obligated to take any action pursuant to the foregoing if the
     taking of such action or the obtaining of any waiver, consent,
     approval or exemption is reasonably likely to result in the
     imposition of a condition or restriction of the type referred to
     in Section 8.01(g)(i) and (ii).  In connection with and without
     limiting the foregoing, Parent, the Company and their respective
     Boards of Directors shall (i) take all action necessary so that
     no state takeover statute or similar statute or regulation is or
     becomes applicable to the Merger, this Agreement or any  other
     transaction contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) if any state
     takeover statute or similar statute or regulation becomes
     applicable to the Merger, this Agreement or any other transaction
     contemplated by this Agreement, take all action necessary so that
     the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the
     terms contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise to minimize
     the effect of such statute or regulation on the Merger and the
     other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

               (b)  The Company shall give prompt notice to Parent,
     and Parent or Sub shall give prompt notice to the Company, of
     (i) any representation or warranty made by it or contained in
     this Agreement that is qualified as to materiality becoming
     untrue or inaccurate in any respect or any such representation or
     warranty that is not so qualified becoming untrue or inaccurate
     in any material respect or (ii) the failure by it to comply with
     or satisfy in any material respect any covenant, condition or
     agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under this
     Agreement; provided, however, that no such notification shall be
     deemed to cure any breach of the representations, warranties,
     covenants or agreements of the parties or the conditions to the
     obligations of the parties under this Agreement. 

               SECTION 7.06  Indemnification.

               (a)  Parent shall, to the fullest extent permitted by
     law, cause the Surviving Corporation to honor, and will itself
     honor, all the Company's obligations to indemnify each current or
     former director and officer of the Company or the Company
     subsidiaries (each, an "Indemnified Party" and collectively, the
     "Indemnified Parties") for acts or omissions by such Indemnified
     Parties occurring prior to the Effective Time to the extent that
     such obligations of the Company exist on the date of this
     Agreement, whether pursuant to the Company's Certificate of
     Incorporation, By-laws or individual indemnity agreements.  Any
     amendment, repeal or other modification to the Certificate of
     Incorporation or By-laws of the Company shall not affect the
     obligations of Parent hereunder and shall not adversely affect
     the rights thereunder of Indemnified Parties, unless such
     modification is required by law.

               (b)  For a period of six years after the Effective Time
     (it being understood that the Company has prepaid all premiums
     for such policies through February 17, 2000), Parent shall cause
     to be maintained in effect the current policies of directors' and
     officers' liability insurance maintained by the Company (provided
     that Parent may substitute therefor policies containing terms
     with respect to coverage and amounts identical or more extensive
     to the coverage and amounts currently provided by the Company's
     policy) with respect to claims arising from or related to facts
     or events which occurred at or prior to the Effective Time;
     provided, however, that Parent shall not be obligated to make
     annual premium payments for such insurance to the extent such
     premiums exceed 150% of the annual premiums paid as of the date
     hereof by the Company for such insurance (such 150% amount, the
     "Maximum Premium").  If such insurance coverage cannot be
     obtained at all, or can only be obtained at an annual premium in
     excess of the Maximum Premium, Parent shall maintain the most
     advantageous policies of directors' and officers' insurance
     obtainable for an annual premium equal to the Maximum Premium. 
     The Company represents to Parent that the Maximum Premium is
     $300,000.

               SECTION 7.07  Fees and Expenses.  Except as provided in
     Section 9.02, all fees and expenses, including any transfer taxes
     or fees payable to any broker, investment banker or financial
     advisor, incurred in connection with the Merger, this Agreement
     and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid
     by the party incurring such fees or expenses, whether or not the
     Merger is consummated, except that expenses incurred in
     connection with SEC filing fees, the printing and mailing of the
     Proxy Statement and the Form S-4 shall be shared equally by
     Parent and the Company.

               SECTION 7.08  Public Announcements.  Parent and Sub, on
     the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, shall consult
     with each other before issuing, and provide each other the
     opportunity to review and comment upon, any press release or
     other public statements with respect to the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, and shall
     not issue any such press release or make any such public
     statement without such consultation and the prior approval of the
     other party, except as may be required by applicable law, court
     process or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with
     any national securities exchange. 

               SECTION 7.09  Tax Treatment.  Each of Parent and the
     Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) not take any
     action and (ii) not fail to take any action either before or
     after the Effective Time which action or failure to act would
     prevent, or would be likely to prevent, the Merger from
     qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of
     Section 368(a) of the Code, and shall each use their reasonable
     efforts to obtain the opinion of their respective counsel
     referred to in Sections 8.02(d) and 8.03(d) of this Agreement.

               SECTION 7.10  Affiliates.  Prior to the Closing Date,
     the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to deliver to Parent
     a letter identifying all persons who are, at the time this
     Agreement is submitted for approval to the stockholders of the
     Company, "affiliates" of the Company (including all directors of
     the Company) for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act. 
     The Company shall use reasonable efforts to cause each such
     person to deliver to Parent on or prior to the Closing Date a
     written agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as
     Annex B.

               SECTION 7.11  Company Shareholder Tax Representation. 
     Immediately prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver
     to Parent a schedule identifying all persons who are five-percent
     shareholders of the Company.  The Company shall use reasonable
     best efforts to obtain from such persons representations which
     counsel may reasonably require in connection with their opinions
     under Sections 8.02(d) and 8.03(d) of this Agreement.

               SECTION 7.12  Certificates of Officers.  Immediately
     prior to the Closing Date, the Company, Sub and Parent shall
     deliver to Parent and the Company, as appropriate, certificates
     of officers and directors of Parent, Sub and the Company, as
     appropriate, which counsel may reasonably require in connection
     with their opinions under Sections 8.02(d) and 8.03(d) of this
     Agreement.

               SECTION 7.13  Stock Exchange Listing.  Parent shall as
     promptly as practicable prepare and submit to the Nasdaq a
     listing application covering the shares of Parent Common Stock to
     be issued in connection with the Merger and this Agreement, and
     shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain, prior to the
     Effective Time, approval for the listing of such shares, subject
     to official notice of issuance.

               SECTION 7.14  Other Actions and Agreements.  Except as
     expressly permitted by this Agreement, the Company and Parent
     shall not, and shall not permit any of their respective
     subsidiaries to, take any action that would, or that would
     reasonably be expected to, result in (i) any of the
     representations and warranties of such party set forth in this
     Agreement that are qualified as to materiality becoming untrue,
     (ii) any of such representations and warranties that are not so
     qualified becoming untrue in any material respect or (iii) any of
     the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VIII not being
     satisfied.  Notwithstanding any other provision herein, any
     consequence of the Company's good faith, commercially reasonable
     compliance with Section 5.18 of this Agreement will not be
     considered for purposes of determining whether a Material Adverse
     Effect on the Company has occurred, whether a representation or
     warranty has been breached or whether a condition to Parent's
     obligations hereunder has been satisfied, provided Section 3.28
     is accurate and the Company is in compliance with Section 5.18.

                                ARTICLE VIII
                            CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

               SECTION 8.01  Conditions to Each Party's Obligation To
     Effect The Merger.  The respective obligation of each party to
     effect the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or
     prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:

               (a)  Company Stockholder Approval and Parent
     Stockholder Approval.  The Company shall have obtained the
     Company Stockholder Approval and Parent shall have obtained the
     Parent Stockholder Approval.

               (b)  Stock Exchange Listing.  The shares of Parent
     Company Stock issuable to the Company's stockholders in the
     Merger and employees pursuant to this Agreement shall have been
     approved for listing on the Nasdaq, subject to official notice of
     issuance.

               (c)  Antitrust.  The waiting periods (and any
     extensions thereof) applicable to the transactions contemplated
     by this Agreement under the HSR Act shall have been terminated or
     shall have expired. 

               (d)  No Injunctions or Restraints.  No temporary
     restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other
     order issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other
     legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the
     Merger shall be in effect; provided, however, that subject to the
     proviso in Section 7.05(a) each of the parties shall have used
     reasonable efforts to prevent the entry of any such injunction or
     other order and to appeal as promptly as possible any such
     injunction or other order that may be entered.

               (e)  Form S-4.  The Form S-4 shall have become
     effective under the Securities Act and shall not be the subject
     of any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop order instituted
     by the SEC or state regulatory authorities, and Parent shall have
     received all state securities or "blue sky" authorizations
     necessary to issue the Parent Common Stock pursuant to this
     Agreement.

               (f)  Material Consents and Approvals.  The Company,
     Parent, each Acquired Company and each Parent Subsidiary shall
     have obtained or made, as appropriate, such material consents,
     approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations,
     Permits or filings in connection with this Agreement and the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement or for the conduct of
     their businesses as currently conducted or as expected to be
     conducted (including without limitation any requisite action of
     the insurance regulatory authorities in Iowa, Kansas, Florida,
     Michigan and Connecticut and any other state insurance
     commissions and similar agencies and Nasdaq), shall have been
     obtained and shall be in full force and effect, in each case
     without the abrogation or diminishment of the Permits currently
     held by the Company or the imposition of significant restrictions
     upon the transactions contemplated hereby or the conduct of the
     business of the Surviving Corporation.  

               (g)  No Litigation.  There shall not be instituted,
     pending, or threatened, any action, suit, investigation, or other
     proceeding in, before, or by any Governmental Entity or other
     Person (i) challenging the acquisition by Parent or Sub of any
     shares of Company Common Stock, seeking to restrain or prohibit
     the consummation of the Merger or any of the other transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement or seeking to obtain from the
     Company, Parent or Sub any damages that are material in relation
     to the Company and the other Acquired Companies taken as a whole,
     (ii) seeking to prohibit or limit the ownership or operation by
     the Company, any Acquired Company, Parent or any Parent
     Subsidiary of any material portion of the business or assets of
     the Company, any Acquired Company, Parent or any Parent
     Subsidiary or to compel the Company, any Acquired Company, Parent
     or any Parent Subsidiary to dispose of or hold separate any
     material portion of the business or assets of the Company, any
     Acquired Company, Parent or any Parent Subsidiary, as a result of
     the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement, or (iii) which otherwise is reasonably likely to have
     a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or a Material Adverse
     Effect on Parent.

               SECTION 8.02  Conditions to Obligations of Parent and
     Sub.  The obligations of Parent and Sub to effect the Merger are
     further subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Parent on or
     prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:

               (a)  Representations and Warranties.  The
     representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this
     Agreement that are qualified as to materiality shall be true and
     correct, and the representations and warranties of the Company
     set forth in this Agreement that are not so qualified shall be
     true and correct in all material respects, in each case as of the
     date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made
     on and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent any such
     representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date
     (in which case as of such date), and Parent shall have received a
     certificate signed on behalf of the Company by the Chief
     Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company
     to such effect.

               (b)  Performance of Obligations of the Company.  The
     Company shall have performed in all material respects all
     obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement
     at or prior to the Closing Date, and Parent shall have received a
     certificate signed on behalf of the Company by the Chief
     Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company
     to such effect.

               (c)  Officers' and Directors' Certificates.  The
     Company shall have delivered to Parent a certificate, dated the
     Closing Date and executed by the Secretary of the Company,
     certifying (a) that the Company has duly and validly taken all
     corporate action necessary to authorize its execution and
     delivery of this Agreement and its performance of its obligations
     under this Agreement, (b) that the resolutions (true and complete
     copies of which shall be attached to the certificate) of the
     Board of Directors and stockholders of the Company with respect
     to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby have
     been duly and validly adopted and are in full force and effect
     and (c) as to the aggregate amount of legal and investment
     banking fees incurred by the Company in connection with the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  In addition, the
     Company shall have delivered to Parent executed copies of the
     certificates, dated the Closing Date, of officers and directors
     of the Company, Parent and Sub that may reasonably be required by
     counsel in connection with the tax opinions referred to in
     Section 8.02(d) and 8.03(d) of this Agreement.

               (d)  Tax Opinion.  Parent shall have received an
     opinion dated the Closing Date from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher
     & Flom LLP, counsel to Parent and Sub, in form and substance
     reasonably satisfactory to Parent, substantially to the effect
     that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set
     forth in such opinion which are consistent with the state of
     facts existing on the Closing Date, the Merger will be treated
     for United States Federal income tax purposes as a reorganization
     within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.  In rendering
     such opinion, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may
     require and rely upon (and may incorporate by reference)
     representations and covenants, including those contained in
     certificates of officers of Parent, the Company, Sub and others. 
     The specific provisions of each such representation and covenant
     shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
     Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and each such
     representation and covenant shall be dated on or before the date
     of such opinion and shall not have been withdrawn or modified in
     any material respect.

               (e)  Absence of Material Adverse Effect on the Company. 
     There shall not have occurred since the date of this Agreement
     any event, change, effect or development which, individually or
     in the aggregate, has had or is reasonably likely to have, a
     Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

               (f)  Good Standing Certificates.  The Company shall
     have delivered to Parent at the Closing (i) certified
     certificates of good standing dated not more than 21 calendar
     days prior to the Closing Date from each of the jurisdictions
     listed in Section 3.13(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule with
     respect to each of the Permits issued to an Acquired Company by
     such jurisdiction and (ii) bringdown certificates of good
     standing  dated as of the Closing Date for insurance permits from
     the state insurance commission of Kansas, with respect to
     American, and of Florida, with respect to FBL.   

               SECTION 8.03  Conditions to Obligation of the Company. 
     The obligation of the Company to effect the Merger is further
     subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Company on or prior
     to the Closing Date of the following conditions:

               (a)  Representations and Warranties.  The
     representations and warranties of Parent and Sub set forth in
     this Agreement that are qualified as to materiality shall be true
     and correct, and the representations and warranties of Parent and
     Sub set forth in this Agreement that are not so qualified shall
     be true and correct in all material respects, in each case as of
     the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though
     made on and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent any such
     representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date
     (in which case as of such date), and the Company shall have
     received a certificate signed on behalf of Parent by the Chief
     Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Parent to
     such effect.

               (b)  Performance of Obligations of Parent and Sub. 
     Parent and Sub shall have performed in all material respects all
     obligations required to be performed by them under this Agreement
     at or prior to the Closing Date, and the Company shall have
     received a certificate signed on behalf of Parent by the Chief
     Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Parent to
     such effect.

               (c)  Officers' and Directors' Certificates.  Parent
     shall have delivered to the Company a certificate, dated the
     Closing Date and executed by the Secretary of Parent, certifying
     (a) that Parent has duly and validly taken all corporate action
     necessary to authorize its execution and delivery of this
     Agreement and its performance of its obligations under this
     Agreement, and (b) that the resolutions (true and complete copies
     of which shall be attached to the certificate) of the Board of
     Directors and stockholders of Parent with respect to this
     Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly
     and validly adopted and are in full force and effect.  In
     addition, Parent shall have delivered to Parent executed copies
     of the certificates, dated the Closing Date, of officers and
     directors of Parent, Parent and Sub that may reasonably be
     required by counsel in connection with the tax opinions referred
     to in Section 8.02(d) and 8.03(d) of this Agreement.

               (d)  Tax Opinion.  The Company shall have received an
     opinion dated the Closing Date from Bryan Cave LLP, counsel to
     the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
     Company, substantially to the effect that, on the basis of facts,
     representations and assumptions set forth in such opinion which
     are consistent with the state of facts existing on the Closing
     Date, the Merger will be treated for United States Federal income
     tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of
     Section 368(a) of the Code.  In rendering such opinion,  Bryan
     Cave LLP may require and rely upon (and may incorporate by
     reference) representations and covenants, including those
     contained in certificates of officers of Parent, the Company, Sub
     and others necessary to give such opinion and to provide
     assurance to stockholders of the Company that they will not
     recognize gain in the Merger, except to the extent cash is
     received in exchange for fractional shares.  The specific
     provisions of each such representation and covenant shall be in
     form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Bryan Cave LLP and
     each such representation and covenant shall be dated on or before
     the date of such opinion and shall not have been withdrawn or
     modified in any material respect.

               (e)  Absence of Material Adverse Effect on Parent or
     Delta.  There shall not have occurred since the date of this
     Agreement any event, change, effect or development which,
     individually or in the aggregate, has had or is reasonably likely
     to have, a Material Adverse Effect on Parent.  Notwithstanding
     any other provision of this Agreement, it is understood and
     agreed that for all purposes of this Agreement, except for the
     following sentence, no term, representation, warranty, covenant,
     agreement or other provision hereunder shall be deemed to apply
     to or include Delta Life Corporation, or its subsidiaries
     (collectively,  Delta ) or the effect of the acquisition of Delta
     on Parent.  In the event Parent acquires Delta, there shall not
     have occurred any event, change, effect or development which,
     individually or in the aggregate, has had or is reasonably likely
     to have, a Material Adverse Effect on Parent.  

                                  ARTICLE IX
                                  TERMINATION

               SECTION 9.01  Termination.  This Agreement may be
     terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be
     abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, upon notice by
     the terminating party to the other party:

               (a)  at any time before the Closing, by mutual written
     agreement of the parties; or 

               (b) at any time by the Company if any of the covenants
     set forth in Article VI or representations and warranties set
     forth in Article IV shall have been breached, or shall not have
     been performed or complied with, in any material respect, at or
     before the Closing Date and such breach, non-performance, or non-
     compliance has not been cured or eliminated within 30 calendar
     days after written notice thereof has been given to Parent, or if
     a condition under Sections 8.01 or 8.03 to the Company s
     obligations hereunder cannot be satisfied prior to the Outside
     Date;

               (c)  at any time by Parent if any of the covenants set
     forth in Article V or representations and warranties set forth in
     Article III shall have been breached, or shall not have been
     performed or complied with, in any material respect, before the
     Closing Date and such breach, non-performance, or non-compliance
     has not been cured or eliminated within 30 calendar days after
     written notice thereof has been given to Company, or if a
     condition under Sections 8.01 or 8.02 to Parent s obligations
     hereunder cannot be satisfied prior to the Outside Date;

               (d)  by Parent or Company, if this Agreement and the
     Merger shall have failed to receive the requisite approval of the
     stockholders of (i) the Company at the Company Special Meeting,
     or (ii) Parent at the Parent Special Meeting;

               (e)  at any time after June 30, 1998 (the "Outside
     Date") by the Company or Parent, if the transactions contemplated
     by this Agreement have not been consummated on or before such
     date, provided, that this Agreement shall be extended not more
     than ninety days thereafter if the Merger shall not have occurred
     as a result of the failure to receive the governmental approvals
     set forth in Section 3.06 of the Disclosure Schedule hereto, and
     such failure to obtain approval is not caused by a breach of this
     Agreement (or any representation, warranty, covenant, or
     agreement included herein) by the party electing to terminate
     pursuant to this clause (e);

               (f)  by the Company in accordance with Section 
     5.16(b);

               (g)  by Parent if the Board of Directors of the Company
     shall have withdrawn or modified its recommendation of this
     Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or approves or
     recommends any Acquisition Proposal; or

               (h)  by the Company in accordance with Section 2.03(b),
     unless Parent agrees to pay the Adjusted Merger Consideration.

               SECTION 9.02  Effect of Termination.  

               (a)  If this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant
     to Section 9.01 hereof, this Agreement will forthwith become null
     and void, and there will be no Liability on the part of Company
     or Parent or Sub (or any of their respective Affiliates,
     officers, directors, employees, agents, consultants, or other
     representatives), except that (i) the provisions of this Section
     9.02, Section 5.18, Section 7.07, the second sentence of Section
     7.14, and Section 10.02 will continue to apply following any such
     termination, (ii) the provisions relating to confidentiality in
     Section 7.04 hereof will continue to apply following any such
     termination and (iii) any such termination shall be without
     prejudice to any claim which either party may have against the
     other for breach of this Agreement (or any representation,
     warranty, covenant, or agreement included herein).  Without
     limitation on remedies all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
     incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
     contemplated hereby by a non-breaching party who terminates this
     Agreement pursuant to Section 9.01 hereof will be reimbursed
     promptly by the breaching party.

               (b)  In the event this Agreement is terminated by the
     Company pursuant to Section 9.01(f), or by Parent pursuant to
     Section 9.01(g), the Company shall pay to Parent by wire transfer
     of immediately available funds (A) within two Business Days
     following such termination the amount of $10.8 million, plus (B)
     within two Business Days following receipt of a written demand
     therefor, an amount equal to all reasonable out-of-pocket
     expenses incurred by Parent in connection with this Agreement and
     the transactions contemplated hereby, it being understood that
     such amounts are intended to constitute liquidated damages and
     not as a penalty. 

               (c)  In the event this Agreement is terminated (x) by
     either the Company or Parent pursuant to Section 9.01(d)(i), or
     (y) by either the Company or Parent pursuant to Section 9.01(e)
     (provided solely in the case of this subsection (y) that the
     Company's stockholders shall not have voted upon the approval of
     this Agreement at the Company Special Meeting prior to the
     Outside Date and such failure to vote was not primarily due to
     Parent's actions or inactions), (i) the Company shall pay to
     Parent by wire transfer of immediately available funds within two
     Business Days following receipt of a written demand therefor, an
     amount equal to all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
     Parent in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
     contemplated hereby and in addition (ii) if the Company, at any
     time within 24 months following the date of such termination,
     approves, enters into an agreement with respect to, or there is
     filed or publicly announced, (A) a merger, consolidation or other
     business combination involving  the Company or any other Acquired
     Company or (B) any direct or indirect (including through any
     reinsurance or coinsurance transaction) acquisition by any Person
     of all or a significant portion of the business or assets of the
     Company or any other Acquired Company or of the capital stock of
     any Acquired Company, or (C) any transaction which would result
     in the direct or indirect acquisition by any Person of the power
     to direct the voting or disposition of shares of capital stock of
     the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power of
     all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company, or
     otherwise resulting in a change in control of the Company, the
     Company shall pay to Parent by wire transfer of immediately
     available funds the amount of $10.8 million, it being understood
     that such amounts are intended to constitute liquidated damages
     and not as a penalty.

               (d)  In the event this Agreement is terminated by
     Parent or the Company pursuant to Section 9.01(d)(i) and, prior
     to the Company Special Meeting, (x) the Board of Directors of the
     Company withdrew or modified its recommendation of this Agreement
     or the transactions contemplated hereby or approved or
     recommended any Acquisition Proposal, and (y) Parent had not
     terminated this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.01(g), the
     Company shall pay to Parent by wire transfer of immediately
     available funds (A) within two Business Days following such
     termination the amount of $10.8 million, plus (B) within two
     Business Days following receipt of a written demand therefor, an
     amount equal to all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
     Parent in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
     contemplated hereby, it being understood that such amounts are
     intended to constitute liquidated damages and not as a penalty. 

               SECTION 9.03  Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended
     by the parties at any time before or after the Company
     Stockholder Approval or the Parent Stockholder Approval;
     provided, however, that after the Company Stockholder Approval or
     the Parent Stockholder Approval, there shall be made no amendment
     that by law requires further approval by such stockholders
     without the further approval of such stockholders.  This
     Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing
     signed on behalf of each of the parties.

               SECTION 9.04  Extension; Waiver.  At any time prior to
     the Effective Time, the parties may (a) extend the time for the
     performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other
     parties, or (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and
     warranties contained in this Agreement or in any document
     delivered pursuant to this Agreement, waive compliance with any
     of the covenants or conditions contained in this Agreement.  Any
     agreement on the part of a party to any such extension or waiver
     shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing
     signed on behalf of such party.  The failure of any party to this
     Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or
     otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.

               SECTION 9.05  Procedure for Termination, Amendment,
     Extension or Waiver.  A termination of this Agreement pursuant to
     Section 9.01, an amendment of this Agreement pursuant to Section
     9.03 or an extension or waiver pursuant to Section 9.04 shall, in
     order to be effective, require, in the case of Parent, Sub or the
     Company, action by its Board of Directors or, in the case of an
     extension or waiver pursuant to Section 9.04, the duly authorized
     designee of its Board of Directors.

                                 ARTICLE X
                             GENERAL PROVISIONS

               SECTION 10.01  Nonsurvival of Representations and
     Warranties.  None of the representations and warranties in this
     Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this
     Agreement shall survive the Effective Time.  This Section 10.01
     shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the parties which by
     its terms contemplates performance after the Effective Time.

               SECTION 10.02  Notices.  All notices, requests, claims,
     demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in
     writing (including by facsimile) and shall be deemed given upon
     receipt by the parties at the following addresses (or at such
     other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

                    (a)  if to Parent or Sub, to:

                       AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.
                       418 Sixth Avenue
                       Des Moines, Iowa  50309-2407
                       Phone:      (515) 283-3260
                       Fax: (515) 283-3402
                       Attention:  General Counsel

                    with a copy to:

                       Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher 
                         & Flom LLP
                       919 Third Avenue
                       New York, New York 10022
                       Phone:      (212) 735-3380
                       Fax: (212) 735-2000
                       Attention:  Jeffrey W. Tindell, Esq.

                    (b)  if to the Company, to:

                       AmVestors Financial Corporation
                       555 South Kansas Avenue
                       Topeka, Kansas 66603
                       Phone:       (913) 232-6945
                       Fax:  (913)  232-5827
                       Attention:  President

                    with a copy to:

                       Bryan Cave  LLP
                       One Metropolitan Square
                       211 North Broadway, Suite 3600
                       St. Louis, Missouri 63102
                       Phone:      (314) 259-2000
                       Fax: (314) 259-2020
                       Attention:  J. Mark Klamer, Esq.

               SECTION 10.03  Interpretation.  When a reference is
     made in this Agreement to a Section, Article, Annex or Exhibit,
     such reference shall be to a Section or Article of, or an Annex
     or Exhibit to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.  In
     this Agreement, unless a contrary intention appears, (i) the
     words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of
     similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any
     particular Article, Section or other subdivision.  The table of
     contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for
     reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
     meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.  Whenever the words
     "include", "includes" or "including" are used in this Agreement,
     they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
     limitation".

               SECTION 10.04  Severability.  If any term or other
     provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of
     being enforced by any rule or law, or public policy, all other
     conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless
     remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal
     substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected
     in any manner materially adverse to any party.  Upon such
     determination that any term or other provision is invalid,
     illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall
     negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect
     the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an
     acceptable manner to the end that transactions contemplated
     hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.

               SECTION 10.05  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be
     executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be
     considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective
     when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the
     parties and delivered to the other parties.

               SECTION 10.06  Entire Agreement; No Third-Party
     Beneficiaries.  This Agreement (including the documents referred
     to herein) (a) constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all
     prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among
     the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement
     and (b) except for the provisions of Sections 1.02 and 7.06 are
     not intended to confer upon any person other than the parties any
     rights or remedies.  It is expressly agreed that the stockholders
     of neither Parent nor the Company are intended beneficiaries of
     any provision hereof.

               SECTION 10.07  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be
     governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the
     State of New York, regardless of the laws that might otherwise
     govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof,
     provided that the laws of the state of Kansas shall govern the
     effects of the Merger contemplated hereby.

               SECTION 10.08  Assignment.  Neither this Agreement nor
     any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement
     shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of law or
     otherwise by any of the parties without the prior written consent
     of the other parties, except that Sub may assign, in its sole
     discretion, any of or all its rights, interests and obligations
     under this Agreement to Parent or to any direct or indirect
     wholly owned Parent Subsidiary, but no such assignment shall
     relieve Sub of any of its obligations under this Agreement. 
     Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding
     upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties
     and their respective successors and assigns.  Parent shall cause
     Sub to perform its obligations hereunder.

               SECTION 10.09  Enforcement; Consent to Jurisdiction. 
     The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the
     event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
     performed in accordance with their specific terms or were
     otherwise breached.  It is accordingly agreed that the parties
     shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent
     breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms
     and provisions of this Agreement in any court of the United
     States located in the State of New York or in New York state
     court, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they
     are entitled at law or in equity.  In addition, each of the
     parties hereto (a) consents to submit itself to the personal
     jurisdiction of any Federal court located in the State of  New
     York or any  New York state court in the event any dispute arises
     out of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by
     this Agreement, (b) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or
     defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for
     leave from any such court and (c) agrees that it will not
     initiate any action relating to this Agreement or any of the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any court other
     than a Federal court sitting in the State of New York or a New
     York state court.  


               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly
     executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers of
     Company, Parent and Sub, effective as of the date first written
     above.

                                AMERUS LIFE HOLDINGS, INC.

                                by: /s/ Roger K. Brooks
                                    __________________________________
                                    Name:  Roger K. Brooks
                                    Title: President

                                Signature Attested By:

                                /s/ James A. Smallenberger
                                ______________________________________
                                Name:   James A. Smallenberger
                                Title:  Secretary


                                AFC CORP.

                                by: /s/ Roger K. Brooks
                                    __________________________________
                                    Name:  Roger K. Brooks
                                    Title: President

                                Signature Attested By:

                                /s/ James A. Smallenberger
                                ______________________________________
                                Name:   James A. Smallenberger
                                Title:  Secretary


                                AMVESTORS FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                                by: /s/ Ralph W. Laster, Jr.
                                    __________________________________
                                    Name:  Ralph W. Laster, Jr.
                                    Title: Chairman and CEO

                                Signature Attested By:

                                /s/ Lynn F. Hammes
                                ______________________________________
                                Name:   Lynn F. Hammes
                                Title:  Secretary






                                    ANNEX A

                               GLOSSARY OF TERMS

               The capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not
     defined herein shall have the meanings set forth below.  Other
     terms are also defined in the text of the Agreement.  Unless the
     context otherwise requires, such capitalized terms shall include
     the singular and plural and the conjunctive and disjunctive forms
     of the terms defined.

               "Affiliate" shall mean any Person that, directly or
     indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is
     controlled by, or is under common control with the Person
     specified.

               "Agreement" shall mean this Agreement and Plan of
     Merger, together with the annexes and exhibits attached hereto,
     the Disclosure Schedules, and the other agreements and documents
     to be executed and delivered pursuant hereto.

               "Annual Statement" shall mean any annual statement of
     the Company Insurance Subsidiaries or the Parent Insurance
     Subsidiaries, as the case may be,  filed with or submitted to the
     insurance regulatory authority in the state in which the Company
     Insurance Subsidiaries or the Parent Insurance Subsidiaries, as
     the case may be, is domiciled on forms prescribed or permitted by
     such authority.

               "Acquired Companies" shall mean the Company, American
     Investors Life Insurance Company, Financial Benefit Life
     Insurance Company and any other direct or indirect subsidiary of
     the Company.

               "Assets and Properties" shall mean all assets or
     properties of every kind, nature, character, and description
     (whether real, personal, or mixed, whether tangible or
     intangible, whether absolute, accrued, contingent, fixed, or
     otherwise, and wherever situated) as now operated, owned, or
     leased by a specified Person, including without limitation cash,
     cash equivalents, securities, accounts and notes receivable, real
     estate, equipment, furniture, fixtures, insurance or annuities in
     force, goodwill, and going concern value.

               "Books and Records" shall mean all accounting,
     financial reporting, Tax, business, marketing, corporate, and
     other files, documents, instruments, papers, books, and records
     of a specified Person, including without limitation financial
     statements, budgets, projections, ledgers, journals, deeds,
     titles, policies, manuals, minute books, stock certificates and
     books, stock transfer ledgers, Contracts, franchises, permits,
     agency lists, policyholder lists, supplier lists, complaint
     lists, underwriting manuals, correspondence files, marketing and
     sales materials, reports, computer files, retrieval programs,
     operating data or plans, and environmental studies or plans.

               "Business Day" shall mean a day other than Saturday,
     Sunday, or any day on which the principal commercial banks
     located in New York are authorized or obligated to close under
     the Laws of New York.

               "CERCLA" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental
     Response, Compensation and Liability Act.

               "Closing" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in
     Section 1.01(b).

               "Closing Date" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in
     Section 1.01(b).

               "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
     amended (including without limitation any successor code), and
     the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

               "Company" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the
     preamble to this Agreement.

               "Company Affiliate" shall mean (a) each Affiliate of
     Company, (b) each holder of 5% or more of any class of capital
     stock of Company, (c) each executive officer or director of an
     Acquired Company and (d) each of their respective Affiliates.

               "Company Common Stock"  shall have the meaning ascribed
     to it in the Preamble.

                Company Convertible Debentures  shall have the meaning
     ascribed to it in Section 3.03(d).

               "Company Disclosure Schedule" shall mean the schedule
     dated as of the date of this Agreement and furnished by Company
     to Parent, and containing all lists, descriptions, exceptions,
     and other information and materials as are required to be
     included therein pursuant to this Agreement.

                Company Warrants   shall have the meaning ascribed to
     it in Section 3.03(c). 

               "Contract" shall mean any agreement, lease, sublease,
     license, sublicense, promissory note, evidence of indebtedness,
     insurance policy, annuity contract, reinsurance agreement or
     other contract or commitment (whether written or oral).

               "Employee" shall mean any present or former officer,
     director, employee, agent, regional director, consultant or other
     similar representative of the Person referenced (including  any
     predecessor thereof).

               "Environmental Laws" shall mean any Federal, state or
     local law, statute, ordinance or regulation pertaining to health,
     industrial hygiene, or the environmental condition on or under
     any property including, without limitation, CERCLA and the Toxic
     Substance Control Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

               "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income
     Security Act of 1974, as amended (including without limitation
     any successor act), and the rules and regulations promulgated
     thereunder.

               "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting
     principles, consistently applied throughout the specified period
     and in the immediately prior comparable period.

               "GAAP Statements" shall have the meaning ascribed to it
     in Section 3.08(b).

               "Hazardous Substance" shall mean (I) any and all
     hazardous, toxic or dangerous waste, substance, pollutant,
     contaminant, radiation or material defined as such in (or deemed
     as such for purposes of) CERCLA, at the Closing Date, or any
     other Environmental Law and (II) any petroleum or petroleum-based
     products.

               "IRS" shall mean the United States Internal Revenue
     Service or any successor agency.

               "Knowledge of Company" or any capitalized derivative
     thereof means the actual knowledge of or knowledge which would
     have been obtained in a reasonable investigation by an officer of
     any Acquired Company with responsibility (sole or shared) for the
     particular subject matter. 

               "Knowledge of Parent" or any capitalized derivative
     thereof means the actual knowledge of or knowledge which would
     have been obtained in a reasonable investigation by an officer of
     Parent with responsibility (sole or shared) for the particular
     subject matter.

               "Laws" shall mean all laws, statutes, ordinances,
     regulations, and other pronouncements having the effect of law of
     the United States of America or any state, commonwealth, city,
     county, municipality, court, tribunal, agency, government,
     department, commission, bureau, or instrumentality thereof.

               "Liabilities" shall mean all debts, obligations, and
     other liabilities of a Person (whether absolute, accrued,
     contingent, fixed, or otherwise, or whether due or to become due)
     which are recognized as liabilities in accordance with SAP or
     GAAP, as the case may be.

               "Lien" shall mean any mortgage, pledge, assessment,
     security interest, lease, sublease, lien, adverse claim, levy,
     charge, covenant or other encumbrance of any kind, or any
     conditional sale Contract, title retention Contract, or other
     Contract to give or to refrain from giving any of the foregoing
     other than Permitted Liens.

               "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean, with respect to
     any Person, a material adverse effect on (I) the organization,
     existence, Assets, Liabilities, business, sales force, new sales,
     prospects, operations, condition (financial or otherwise), or
     results of operations of such Person, together with any
     subsidiaries thereof, taken as a whole, or (II) the ability of
     such Person to perform its material obligations under this
     Agreement, provided that the term Material Adverse Effect shall
     not include any changes or effects on the organization,
     existence, Assets, Liabilities, business, sales force, new sales,
     prospects, operations, condition (financial or otherwise), or
     results of operations on Parent, together with any subsidiaries
     thereof, taken as a whole, caused by changes in general economic
     conditions or changes generally affecting Parent's industry.

               "Parent" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the
     preamble of this Agreement.

               "Parent Common Stock"  shall have the meaning ascribed
     to it in  Section 4.10.

               "Parent Disclosure Schedule" shall mean the schedule
     dated as of the date of this Agreement and furnished by Parent to
     Company, and containing all lists, descriptions, exceptions, and
     other information and materials as are required to be included
     therein pursuant to this Agreement.

               "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty
     Corporation established under ERISA.

               "Permitted Liens" of a Person shall mean the following
     liens: (i) Liens for Taxes or assessments or other governmental
     charges or levies, either not yet due and payable or to the
     extent that nonpayment thereof is expressly permitted by the
     terms of this Agreement; (ii) pledges or deposits securing
     obligations under worker's compensation, unemployment insurance,
     social security or public liability laws or similar legislation;
     (iii) pledges or deposits securing bids, tenders, contracts
     (other than contracts for the payment of money) or leases to
     which such Person is a party as lessee made in the ordinary
     course of business; (iv) deposits securing public or statutory
     obligations of such Person; (v) workers', mechanics', suppliers',
     carriers', warehousemen's or other similar liens arising in the
     ordinary course of business and securing indebtedness aggregating
     not in excess of $500,000 at any time outstanding, not yet due
     and payable; (vi) deposits securing or in lieu of surety, appeal
     or customs bonds in proceedings to which such Person is a party;
     (vii) pledges or deposits effected by such Person as a condition
     to obtaining or maintaining any License of such Person; (viii)
     any attachment or judgment lien, unless the judgment it secures
     shall not, within 60 days after the entry thereof, have been
     discharged or execution thereof stayed pending appeal, or shall
     not have been discharged within 60 days after the expiration of
     any such stay; (ix) zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, or
     other restrictions on the use of real property or other minor
     irregularities in title (including leasehold title) thereto, so
     long as the same do not materially impair the use, value, or
     marketability of such real property, leases or leasehold estates;
     and (x) Liens under the provisions of insurance policies and
     annuities in force and reinsurance and coinsurance contracts in
     force.

               "Person" shall mean any natural person, corporation,
     general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability
     company, proprietorship, trust, union, association, court,
     tribunal, agency, government, department, commission, self-
     regulatory organization, arbitrator, board, bureau,
     instrumentality, or other entity, enterprise, authority, or
     business organization.

               "Quarterly Statement" of a Person shall mean (I) any
     quarterly statement of such Person prepared in accordance with
     GAAP, and (II) any quarterly statement of such Person s 
     Insurance Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with SAP and filed
     with or submitted to the insurance regulatory authority in the
     state in which it is domiciled on forms prescribed or permitted
     by such authority.

               "Real Estate" of a Person means all real property and
     interests therein, including without limitation leasehold
     interests, owned or held at any time since January 1, 1994 by
     such Person.

               "Release" shall mean any spilling, leaking, pumping,
     pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping,
     leaching, migrating, dumping or other disposal in any amount into
     or onto the air, ground or surface water, land, or other parts of
     the environment, however caused, not permitted by or in
     compliance with Environmental Laws.

               "SAP" shall mean the accounting practices required or
     permitted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
     and the insurance regulatory authority in the state in which the
     Company Insurance Subsidiaries or the Parent Insurance
     Subsidiaries, as the case may be, is domiciled, consistently
     applied throughout the specified period and in the immediately
     prior comparable period.

               "SAP Statements" shall have the meaning ascribed to it
     in Section 3.08(b).

               "Sub" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the
     preamble to this Agreement.

                subsidiary" shall mean each of those Persons,
     regardless of jurisdiction of organization, of which another
     Person, directly or indirectly through one or more subsidiaries,
     (I) owns beneficially securities having more than 50% of the
     voting power in the election of directors (or persons fulfilling
     similar functions or duties) of the owned Person (without giving
     effect to any contingent voting rights), or (II) controls as the
     general partner or managing member.

               "Taxes" shall mean all taxes, charges, duties, fees,
     levies, or other similar assessments or Liabilities, including
     without limitation all net and gross income, gross receipts, ad
     valorem, premium, excise, real property, personal property,
     windfall profit, sales, use, transfer, license, withholding,
     employment, payroll, Phase III, profit, estimated, severance,
     stamp, occupation, value added, registration, environmental,
     workers compensation, social security and franchise taxes imposed
     by the United States of America, any possession thereof, or any
     state, county, local, or foreign government, or any subdivision,
     agency, or other similar Person of any of the foregoing; and such
     term shall include any interest, fines, penalties, correction
     fees, sanction amounts, assessments, or additions to tax relating
     to, resulting from, attributable to, or incurred in connection
     with any such tax or any contest or dispute thereof.

               "Tax Returns" of a Person shall mean any report,
     return, information return, or other document (including any
     related or supporting information and any amendments thereto)
     filed or required to be filed with any federal, state, local, or
     foreign governmental entity or other authority in connection with
     the determination, assessment or collection of any Tax (whether
     or not such Tax is imposed on such Person) or the administration
     of any laws, regulations or administrative requirements relating
     to any Tax, or any statement required to be furnished to any
     Person under any Tax Law.





                                                            ANNEX B


                         FORM OF AFFILIATE LETTER FOR
                          AFFILIATES OF THE COMPANY


          [____________], 1997

          AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.
          418 Sixth Avenue
          Des Moines, Iowa 50309-2407

          Ladies and Gentlemen:

                    I have been advised that as of the date of this
          letter I may be deemed to be an "affiliate" of AmVestors
          Financial Corporation, a Kansas corporation (the
          "Company"), as the term "affiliate" is defined for
          purposes of paragraphs (c) and (d) of Rule 145 of the
          rules and regulations (the "Rules and Regulations") of
          the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
          under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"). 
          Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger
          dated as of September 19, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement")
          among AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., an Iowa corporation
          ("Parent"), AFC Corp., a Kansas corporation ("Merger
          Sub"), and the Company, the Merger Sub will be merged
          with and into the Company (the "Merger").  Capitalized
          terms used in this letter without definition shall have
          the meanings assigned to them in the Merger Agreement.

                    As a result of the Merger, I may receive shares
          of common stock, no par value, of Parent (the "Parent
          Shares").  I would receive such Parent Shares in exchange
          for shares (or upon exercise of options for shares) owned
          by me of common stock, no par value, of the Company (the
          "Company Shares").

               1.   I represent, warrant and covenant to Parent
          that in the event I receive any Parent Shares as a result
          of the Merger:

                    A.   I shall not make any sale, transfer or
          other disposition of the Parent Shares in violation of
          the Act or the Rules and Regulations.

                    B.   I have carefully read this letter and the
          Merger Agreement and discussed the requirements of such
          documents and other applicable limitations upon my
          ability to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of the
          Parent Shares, to the extent I felt necessary, with my
          counsel or counsel for the Company.

                    C.   I have been advised that the issuance of
          the Parent Shares to me pursuant to the Merger has been
          registered with the Commission under the Act on a
          Registration Statement on Form S-4.  However, I have also
          been advised that, because at the time the Merger is
          submitted for a vote of the shareholders of the Company,
          (a) I may be deemed to be an affiliate of the Company and
          (b) the distribution by me of the Parent Shares has not
          been registered under the Act, I may not sell, transfer
          or otherwise dispose of the Parent Shares issued to me in
          the Merger unless (i) such sale, transfer or other
          disposition is made in conformity with the volume and
          other limitations of Rule 145 promulgated by the
          Commission under the Act, (ii) such sale, transfer or
          other disposition has been registered under the Act or
          (iii) in the opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to
          Parent, such sale, transfer or other disposition is
          otherwise exempt from registration under the Act.

                    D.   I understand that Parent is under no
          obligation to register the sale, transfer or other
          disposition of the Parent Shares by me or on my behalf
          under the Act or, except as provided in paragraph 2(A)
          below, to take any other action necessary in order to
          make compliance with an exemption from such registration
          available.

                    E.   I understand that Parent reserves the
          right to place on the certificates for the Parent Shares
          issued to me, or any substitutions therefor, a legend
          stating in substance:

                    "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE
                    WERE ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION TO WHICH RULE 145
                    PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                    APPLIES.  THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS
                    CERTIFICATE MAY ONLY BE TRANSFERRED IN
                    ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT DATED
                    [____________], 1997 BETWEEN THE REGISTERED
                    HOLDER HEREOF AND AMERUS LIFE HOLDINGS, INC., A
                    COPY OF WHICH AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE
                    PRINCIPAL OFFICES OF AMERUS LIFE HOLDINGS,
                    INC."

                    F.   I understand that unless a sale or
          transfer is made in conformity with the provisions of
          Rule 145, or pursuant to a registration statement, Parent
          reserves the right to put the following legend on the
          certificates issued to my transferee:

                    "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE
                    HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
                    ACT OF 1933 AND WERE ACQUIRED FROM A PERSON WHO
                    RECEIVED SUCH SHARES IN A TRANSACTION TO WHICH
                    RULE 145 PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
                    OF 1933 APPLIES.  THE SHARES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED
                    BY THE HOLDER NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR RESALE
                    IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION THEREOF
                    WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF
                    1933 AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE
                    TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN
                    EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF
                    THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933."

                    G.   Execution of this letter should not be
          considered an admission on my part that I am an
          "affiliate" of the Company as described in the first
          paragraph of this letter, nor as a waiver of any rights I
          may have to object to any claim that I am such an
          affiliate on or after the date of this letter.

               2.   By Parent's acceptance of this letter, Parent
          hereby agrees with me as follows:

                    A.   For so long as and to the extent necessary
          to permit me to sell the Parent Shares pursuant to Rule
          145 and, to the extent applicable, Rule 144 under the
          Act, Parent shall (a) use its reasonable efforts to (i)
          file, on a timely basis, all reports and data required to
          be filed with the Commission by it pursuant to Section 13
          of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
          "1934 Act"), and (ii) furnish to me upon request a
          written statement as to whether Parent has complied with
          such reporting requirements during the 12 months (or such
          shorter period as Parent has been subject thereto)
          preceding any proposed sale of the Parent Shares by me
          under Rule 145, and (b) otherwise use its reasonable
          efforts to permit such sales pursuant to Rule 145 and
          Rule 144.  Parent hereby represents to me that it has
          filed all reports required to be filed with the
          Commission under Section 13 of the 1934 Act during the
          preceding 12 months (or such shorter period as Parent has
          been subject thereto).

                    B.   It is understood and agreed that
          certificates with the legends set forth in paragraphs E
          and F above will be substituted by delivery of
          certificates without such legend if (i) one year shall
          have elapsed from the date the undersigned acquired the
          Parent Shares received in the Merger and the provisions
          of Rule 145(d)(2) are then available to the undersigned,
          (ii) two years shall have elapsed from the date the
          undersigned acquired the Parent Shares received in the
          Merger and the provisions of Rule 145(d)(3) are then
          applicable to the undersigned, or (iii) Parent has
          received either an opinion of counsel, which opinion and
          counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to Parent, or a
          "no action" letter obtained by the undersigned from the
          staff of the Commission, to the effect that the
          restrictions imposed by Rule 145 under the Act no longer
          apply to the undersigned.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             _________________________
                                             Name:

          Agreed and accepted this __day
          of [____________], 1997, by

          AMERUS LIFE HOLDINGS, INC.

          By:  ______________________
             Name:
             Title:






                                                     CONFORMED COPY

                         AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                          Dated as of August 13, 1997

                                    Among

                         AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.,

                        AmerUs Acquisition Corporation

                                     And

                            Delta Life Corporation


                              Table of Contents

                                                               Page

                                  ARTICLE I
                                 DEFINITIONS  . . . . . . . . .   2

               1.1 "Affiliate"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
               1.2 "Agreement"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
               1.3 "Annual Statement" . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
               1.4 "Acquired Companies" . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
               1.5 "Acquiror" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
               1.6 "Assets and Properties"  . . . . . . . . . .   3
               1.7 "AVR"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
               1.8 "Benefit Plans"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
               1.9 "Books and Records"  . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
               1.10 "Business Day"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
               1.11 "CERCLA"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
               1.12 "Closing" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
               1.13 "Closing Date"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
               1.14 "Code"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
               1.15 "Common Stock"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
               1.16 "Common Stock Class A"  . . . . . . . . . .   4
               1.17 "Common Stock Class B"  . . . . . . . . . .   4
               1.18 "Contract"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
               1.19 "Delta Affiliate" . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
               1.20 "Delta Employee"  . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
               1.21 "Delta Employee Stock Option" . . . . . . .   5
               1.22 "Delta Stock Plan"  . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
               1.23 "Designated Subsidiary" . . . . . . . . . .   5
               1.24 "DGCL"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
               1.25 "Disclosure Schedule" . . . . . . . . . . .   5
               1.26 "Employee Benefit Plan" . . . . . . . . . .   5
               1.27 "Employee Welfare Benefit Plan" . . . . . .   6
               1.28 "Environmental Laws"  . . . . . . . . . . .   6
               1.29 "ERISA" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
               1.30 "ERISA Affiliate" . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
               1.31 "Escrow Agent"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
               1.32 "GAAP"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
               1.33 "GAAP Statements" . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
               1.34 "Hazardous Substance" . . . . . . . . . . .   6
               1.35 "HSR Act" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
               1.36 "IMR" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
               1.37 "IRS" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
               1.38 "Knowledge of Acquiror" . . . . . . . . . .   7
               1.39 "Knowledge of Delta"  . . . . . . . . . . .   7
               1.40 "Laws"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
               1.41 "Liabilities" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
               1.42 "Lien"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
               1.43 "Material Adverse Effect" . . . . . . . . .   7
               1.44 "PBGC"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
               1.45 "Permitted Encumbrances"  . . . . . . . . .   8
               1.46 "Person"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
               1.47 "Preferred Stock" . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
               1.48 "Quarterly Statement" . . . . . . . . . . .   9
               1.49 "Real Estate" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
               1.50 "Release" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
               1.51 "Reserve Liabilities" . . . . . . . . . . .   9
               1.52 "SAP" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
               1.53 "SAP Statements"  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
               1.54 "Subsidiaries"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
               1.55 "subsidiary"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
               1.56 "Taxes"   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
               1.57 "Tax Returns" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10

                                  ARTICLE II
                                  THE MERGER  . . . . . . . . .  11

               2.1 The Merger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
               2.2 Closing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
               2.3 Effective Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
               2.4 Effects of the Merger  . . . . . . . . . . .  12
               2.5 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws  . .  12
               2.6 Directors  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
               2.7 Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12

                                 ARTICLE III
               EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK
               OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE
               OF CERTIFICATES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12

               3.1 Effect on Capital Stock  . . . . . . . . . .  12
               3.2 Exchange of Certificates . . . . . . . . . .  16

                                  ARTICLE IV
                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF DELTA  . .  18

               4.1 Organization, Standing and Corporate Power .  18
               4.2 Acquired Companies . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
               4.3 Capital Structure  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
               4.4 Authority  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
               4.5 No Subsidiaries  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
               4.6 No Conflicts or Violations . . . . . . . . .  21
               4.7 Books and Records  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
               4.8 Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
               4.9 Reserves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
               4.10 Absence of Changes  . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
               4.11 No Undisclosed Liabilities  . . . . . . . .  28
               4.12 Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
               4.13 Litigation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
               4.14 Compliance with Laws  . . . . . . . . . . .  35
               4.15 Benefit Plans, ERISA  . . . . . . . . . . .  40
               4.16 Properties  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42
               4.17 Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
               4.18 Threats of Cancellation . . . . . . . . . .  47
               4.19 Licenses and Permits  . . . . . . . . . . .  48
               4.20 Operations Insurance  . . . . . . . . . . .  48
               4.21 Intercompany Liabilities  . . . . . . . . .  49
               4.22 Bank Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49
               4.23 Brokers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49
               4.24 Disclosure  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49
               4.25 Stockholders and Related Matters  . . . . .  50

                                  ARTICLE V
                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF AMERUS . .  51

               5.1 Organization of AmerUs and Sub . . . . . . .  51
               5.2 Authority of AmerUs and Sub  . . . . . . . .  51
               5.3 Organization of Designated Subsidiaries  . .  51
               5.4 No Conflicts or Violations . . . . . . . . .  52
               5.5 Financing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  53
               5.6 Brokers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  53
               5.7 Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  53

                                  ARTICLE VI
                              COVENANTS OF DELTA  . . . . . . .  54
               6.1 Lender and Regulatory Approvals  . . . . . .  54
               6.2 HSR Filings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54
               6.3 Investigation by AmerUs  . . . . . . . . . .  55
               6.4 No Negotiations, etc.  . . . . . . . . . . .  55
               6.5 Conduct of Business  . . . . . . . . . . . .  57
               6.6 Financial Statements and Reports . . . . . .  59
               6.7 Investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
               6.8 Employee Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
               6.9 No Charter Amendments  . . . . . . . . . . .  62
               6.10 No Issuance of Securities . . . . . . . . .  62
               6.11 No Dividends  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
               6.12 No Disposal of Property . . . . . . . . . .  62
               6.13 No Breach or Default  . . . . . . . . . . .  63
               6.14 No Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  63
               6.15 No Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  63
               6.16 Liabilities to Delta Affiliates . . . . . .  63
               6.17 Tax Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64
               6.18 Notice and Cure . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64
               6.19 Supplements to Schedules  . . . . . . . . .  64
               6.20 Stockholders Agreement  . . . . . . . . . .  64
               6.21 Stockholder Approval  . . . . . . . . . . .  65
               6.22 WARN Act Notification . . . . . . . . . . .  65
               6.23 London Life Reinsurance Company
                    Negotiations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  65

                                 ARTICLE VII
                  COVENANTS AND CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF AMERUS  .  66

               7.1 Regulatory Approvals . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
               7.2 HSR Filings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
               7.3 Notice and Cure  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
               7.4 Employment and Consulting Agreements . . . .  67

                                 ARTICLE VIII
                 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF AMERUS AND SUB  .  67

               8.1 Representations and Warranties . . . . . . .  67
               8.2 Performance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  67
               8.3 Officer's Certificates . . . . . . . . . . .  68
               8.4 HSR Act Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  68
               8.5 No Injunction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  68
               8.6 No Proceeding or Litigation  . . . . . . . .  69
               8.7 Consents, Authorizations, etc. . . . . . . .  69
               8.8 No Adverse Change  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  69
               8.9 Conformity With Annual Statement . . . . . .  70
               8.10 Opinion of Counsel  . . . . . . . . . . . .  70
               8.11 Stockholder Matters . . . . . . . . . . . .  70
               8.12 Dissenters' Rights  . . . . . . . . . . . .  70
               8.13 Employment and Non-Compete Agreement  . . .  70
               8.14 Severance Arrangements  . . . . . . . . . .  70

                                  ARTICLE IX
                      CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF DELTA  . . .  71

               9.1 Representations and Warranties . . . . . . .  71
               9.2 Performance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  71
               9.3 Officer's Certificates . . . . . . . . . . .  71
               9.4 HSR Act Approval.  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  72
               9.5 Merger Consideration . . . . . . . . . . . .  72
               9.6 No Injunction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  72
               9.7 Consents, Authorizations, etc. . . . . . . .  72
               9.8 Opinion of Counsel.  . . . . . . . . . . . .  72

                                  ARTICLE X
                       SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS; REMEDIES . . . .  72

               10.1 Survival  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  72
               10.2 Available Remedies. . . . . . . . . . . . .  72

                                  ARTICLE XI
                                 TERMINATION  . . . . . . . . .  73

               11.1 Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  73
               11.2 Effect of Termination . . . . . . . . . . .  75

                                 ARTICLE XII
                                   NOTICES  . . . . . . . . . .  77

               12.1 Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  77

                                 ARTICLE XIII
                                MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . .  78

               13.1 Entire Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  78
               13.2 Expenses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  79
               13.3 Public Announcements  . . . . . . . . . . .  79
               13.4 Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  80
               13.5 Further Assurances  . . . . . . . . . . . .  80
               13.6 Waiver  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  81
               13.7 Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  81
               13.8 Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures  . . . .  81
               13.9 No Third Party Beneficiary  . . . . . . . .  81
               13.10 Governing Law  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  81
               13.11 Binding Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  82
               13.12 Assignment Limited . . . . . . . . . . . .  82
               13.13 Headings, Gender, etc. . . . . . . . . . .  82
               13.14 Invalid Provisions.  . . . . . . . . . . .  82




                         AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                    AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER dated as of
          August 13, 1997, among AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc., an
          Iowa corporation ("AmerUs", also sometimes referred to
          herein as "Acquiror"), AmerUs Acquisition Corporation, a
          Delaware corporation ("Sub") and a wholly owned
          subsidiary of AmerUs, and Delta Life Corporation, a
          Delaware corporation ("Delta").

                    WHEREAS, Delta owns all of the issued and
          outstanding common stock of Delta Life and Annuity
          Company ("Delta Insurance"), a Tennessee life insurance
          company.

                    WHEREAS the respective Boards of Directors of
          AmerUs, Sub and Delta have approved the acquisition of
          Delta by AmerUs on the terms and subject to the
          conditions set forth in this Agreement and Plan of
          Merger;

                    WHEREAS, on the basis of its financial
          condition Acquiror has demonstrated to the satisfaction
          of Delta its financial capability of performing its
          obligations under this Agreement and the Board of
          Directors of Delta has negotiated the transaction to
          provide that the obtaining of financing by Acquiror is
          not a condition to consummation of the Merger, which was
          an important factor to the Delta Board of Directors in
          approving the Merger and this Agreement;

                    WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of
          AmerUs, Sub, and Delta have approved the merger of Sub
          into Delta, as set forth below (the "Merger"), upon the
          terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
          Agreement, whereby each issued and outstanding share of
          Delta Common Stock Class A, par value $1.00 per share
          (the "Common Stock Class A"), each issued and outstanding
          share of Delta Common Stock Class B, par value $1.00 (the
          "Common Stock Class B") (Common Stock Class A and Common
          Stock Class B are sometimes herein referred to as "Common
          Stock"), each issued and outstanding share of Series B
          Convertible Preferred Stock of Delta, par value $.01 per
          share ("Series B Preferred Stock"), each issued and
          outstanding share of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
          of Delta, par value $.01 per share ("Series C Preferred
          Stock"), and each issued and outstanding share of Series
          D Convertible Preferred Stock of Delta, par value $.01
          per share ("Series D Preferred Stock") (Series B
          Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and Series D
          Preferred Stock are sometimes herein referred to as
          "Preferred Stock"), other than Dissenting Shares (as
          defined in Section 3.1(d)) will be converted into the
          right to receive $65.25 per share, in all cases without
          interest;

                    WHEREAS as an inducement for AmerUs and Sub to
          enter into this Agreement, and in partial consideration
          of the representations, warranties, covenants and
          agreements of AmerUs and Sub contained herein, certain
          stockholders of Delta have entered into Voting
          Agreements, dated the date hereof, between each such
          stockholder and AmerUs (the "Voting Agreements"); and

                    WHEREAS AmerUs, Sub and Delta desire to make
          certain representations, warranties, covenants and
          agreements in connection with the Merger and also to
          prescribe various conditions to the Merger.

                    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the
          representations, warranties, covenants and agreements
          contained in this Agreement, the parties agree as
          follows:

                                  ARTICLE I
          DEFINITIONS

                    The capitalized terms used in this Agreement
          and not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth
          below.  Other terms are also defined in the text of the
          Agreement.  Unless the context otherwise requires, such
          capitalized terms shall include the singular and plural
          and the conjunctive and disjunctive forms of the terms
          defined.

                    1.1 "AFFILIATE" shall mean any Person that,
          directly or indirectly through one or more
          intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under
          common control with the Person specified.

                    1.2 "AGREEMENT" shall mean this Agreement and
          Plan of Merger, together with the exhibits attached
          hereto, the Disclosure Schedule, and the other agreements
          and documents to be executed and delivered pursuant
          hereto.

                    1.3 "ANNUAL STATEMENT" shall mean any annual
          statement of Delta Insurance filed with or submitted to
          the insurance regulatory authority in the state in which
          Delta Insurance is domiciled on forms prescribed or
          permitted by such authority.

                    1.4 "ACQUIRED COMPANIES" shall mean Delta and
          any subsidiary of Delta, all of which under the terms of
          this Agreement are being acquired by AmerUs, Sub or a
          Designated Subsidiary.

                    1.5 "ACQUIROR" shall have the meaning ascribed
          to it in the preamble of this Agreement.

                    1.6 "ASSETS AND PROPERTIES" shall mean all
          assets or properties of every kind, nature, character,
          and description (whether real, personal, or mixed,
          whether tangible or intangible, whether absolute,
          accrued, contingent, fixed, or otherwise, and wherever
          situated) as now operated, owned, or leased by a
          specified Person, including without limitation cash, cash
          equivalents, securities, accounts and notes receivable,
          real estate, equipment, furniture, fixtures, insurance or
          annuities in force, goodwill, and going concern value.

                    1.7 "AVR" shall mean the asset valuation
          reserve required by insurance regulatory authorities to
          stabilize statutory surplus from non interest-related
          fluctuations in the market value of bonds, stocks,
          mortgage loans, real estate and other invested assets.

                    1.8 "BENEFIT PLANS" shall mean all Employee
          Pension Benefit Plans, all Employee Welfare Benefit
          Plans, all stock bonus, stock ownership, stock option,
          stock purchase, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock,
          and other stock plans (whether qualified or non-
          qualified), and all other pension, welfare, severance,
          retirement, bonus, deferred compensation, incentive
          compensation, insurance (whether life, accident and
          health, or other and whether key man, group, workers
          compensation, or other), profit sharing, disability,
          thrift, day care, legal services, leave of absence,
          layoff, and supplemental or excess benefit plans, and all
          other benefit Contracts, arrangements, or procedures
          having the effect of a plan, in each case existing on or
          before the Closing Date under which Delta or Delta
          Insurance is or may hereafter become obligated in any
          manner (including without limitation obligations to make
          contributions or other payments) and which cover some or
          all of the Delta Employees.

                    1.9 "BOOKS AND RECORDS" shall mean all
          accounting, financial reporting, Tax, business,
          marketing, corporate, and other files, documents,
          instruments, papers, books, and records of a specified
          Person, including without limitation financial
          statements, budgets, projections, ledgers, journals,
          deeds, titles, policies, manuals, minute books, stock
          certificates and books, stock transfer ledgers,
          Contracts, franchises, permits, agency lists,
          policyholder lists, supplier lists, complaint lists,
          underwriting manuals, correspondence files, marketing and
          sales materials, reports, computer files, retrieval
          programs, operating data or plans, and environmental
          studies or plans.

                    1.10 "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean a day other than
          Saturday, Sunday, or any day on which the principal
          commercial banks located in New York are authorized or
          obligated to close under the Laws of New York.

                    1.11 "CERCLA" shall mean the Comprehensive
          Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act.

                    1.12 "CLOSING" shall mean the closing of the
          transactions contemplated by this Agreement as provided
          in Section 2.2 hereof.

                    1.13 "CLOSING DATE" shall have the meaning
          ascribed to it in Section 2.2.

                    1.14 "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue
          Code of 1986, as amended (including without limitation
          any successor code), and the rules and regulations
          promulgated thereunder.

                    1.15 "COMMON STOCK"  shall have the meaning
          ascribed to it in the Preamble.

                    1.16 "COMMON STOCK CLASS A"  shall have the
          meaning ascribed to it in the Preamble.

                    1.17 "COMMON STOCK CLASS B"  shall have the
          meaning ascribed to it in the Preamble.

                    1.18 "CONTRACT" shall mean any agreement,
          lease, sublease, license, sublicense, promissory note,
          evidence of indebtedness, insurance policy, annuity
          contract, reinsurance agreement or other contract or
          commitment (whether written or oral).

                    1.19 "DELTA AFFILIATE" shall mean (a) each
          Affiliate of Delta, (b) each holder of 5% or more of any
          class of capital stock of Delta, (c) each executive
          officer or director of an Acquired Company and (d) each
          of their respective Affiliates.

                    1.20 "DELTA EMPLOYEE" shall mean any present or
          former officer, director, employee, agent, regional
          director, consultant or other similar representative of
          any Acquired Company, or any predecessor thereof.

                    1.21 "DELTA EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION"  shall have
          the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.1(e).

                    1.22 "DELTA STOCK PLAN" shall mean Delta Life
          Corporation's 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended
          by Agreement dated January 4, 1995, the Second Amended
          and Restated 1989 Delta Life Corporation Stock Option
          Plan and the Delta Life Corporation Amended and Restated
          1987 Stock Option Plan.

                    1.23 "DESIGNATED SUBSIDIARY" shall mean any
          direct or indirect subsidiary organized by the Acquiror
          or its assigns that is designated by the Acquiror
          pursuant to Section 2.1 in a writing delivered to Delta
          at or before the Closing.

                    1.24 "DGCL" shall mean the General Corporation
          Law of the State of Delaware.

                    1.25 "DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE" shall mean the
          schedule dated as of the date of this Agreement and
          furnished by Delta to the Acquiror, and containing all
          lists, descriptions, exceptions, and other information
          and materials as are required to be included therein
          pursuant to this Agreement.

                    1.26 "EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN" shall mean each
          employee pension benefit plan (whether or not insured),
          as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, which is or was in
          existence on or before the Closing Date and to which any
          Acquired Company is or would hereafter become obligated
          in any manner as an employer.

                    1.27 "EMPLOYEE WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN" shall mean
          each employee welfare benefit plan (whether or not
          insured), as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA, which is
          or was in existence on or before the Closing Date and to
          which any Acquired Company is or would hereafter become
          obligated in any manner as an employer.

                    1.28 "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" shall mean any
          Federal, state or local law, statute, ordinance or
          regulation pertaining to health, industrial hygiene, or
          the environmental condition on or under any property
          including, without limitation, CERCLA and the Toxic
          Substance Control Act, and the rules and regulations
          thereunder.

                    1.29 "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement
          Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (including
          without limitation any successor act), and the rules and
          regulations promulgated thereunder.

                    1.30 "ERISA AFFILIATE" shall mean any Person
          under common control (as defined in Section 414 of the
          Code) with any of the Acquired Companies.

                    1.31 "ESCROW AGENT" shall mean First Tennessee
          Bank National Association, Memphis, Tennessee.

                    1.32 "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted
          accounting principles, consistently applied throughout
          the specified period and in the immediately prior
          comparable period.

                    1.33 "GAAP STATEMENTS" shall mean the
          consolidated financial statements of the Acquired
          Companies prepared accordance with GAAP.

                    1.34 "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE" shall mean (I) any
          and all hazardous, toxic or dangerous waste, substance,
          pollutant, contaminant, radiation or material defined as
          such in (or deemed as such for purposes of) CERCLA, at
          the Closing Date, or any other Environmental Law and (II)
          any petroleum or petroleum-based products.

                    1.35 "HSR ACT" shall mean Section 7A of the
          Clayton Act (Title II of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
          Improvements Act of 1976), as amended (including without
          limitation any successor act), and the rules and
          regulations promulgated thereunder.

                    1.36 "IMR" shall mean the interest maintenance 
          reserve required by insurance regulatory authorities to
          capture interest-rate related realized capital gains and
          losses (net of Taxes) on fixed income investments.

                    1.37 "IRS" shall mean the United States
          Internal Revenue Service or any successor agency.

                    1.38 "KNOWLEDGE OF ACQUIROR" means the actual
          knowledge of or knowledge which would have been obtained
          in a reasonable investigation by an officer of AmerUs
          with responsibility (sole or shared) for the particular
          subject matter.

                    1.39 "KNOWLEDGE OF DELTA" means the actual
          knowledge of or knowledge which would have been obtained
          in a reasonable investigation by an officer of any
          Acquired Company with responsibility (sole or shared) for
          the particular subject matter.

                    1.40 "LAWS" shall mean all laws, statutes,
          ordinances, regulations, and other pronouncements having
          the effect of law of the United States of America or any
          state, commonwealth, city, county, municipality, court,
          tribunal, agency, government, department, commission,
          bureau, or instrumentality thereof.

                    1.41 "LIABILITIES" shall mean all debts,
          obligations, and other liabilities of a Person (whether
          absolute, accrued, contingent, fixed, or otherwise, or
          whether due or to become due) which are recognized as
          liabilities in accordance with SAP or GAAP, as the case
          may be.

                    1.42 "LIEN" shall mean any mortgage, pledge,
          assessment, security interest, lease, sublease, lien,
          adverse claim, levy, charge, covenant or other
          encumbrance of any kind, or any conditional sale
          Contract, title retention Contract, or other Contract to
          give or to refrain from giving any of the foregoing other
          than Permitted Encumbrances.

                    1.43 "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" shall mean, with
          respect to any Person, a material adverse effect on (I)
          the organization, existence, authority, capitalization,
          business, licenses, condition (financial or otherwise),
          cash flow, management, sales force, solvency, prospects,
          SAP results of operations, insurance or annuities in
          force, SAP capital and surplus, AVR, IMR, Liabilities, or
          Assets and Properties of such Person, or (II) the ability
          of such Person to perform its obligations under this
          Agreement.

                    1.44 "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit
          Guaranty Corporation established under ERISA.

                    1.45 "PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES" shall mean the
          following encumbrances: (i) Liens for Taxes or
          assessments or other governmental charges or levies,
          either not yet due and payable or to the extent that
          nonpayment thereof is expressly permitted by the terms of
          this Agreement; (ii) pledges or deposits securing
          obligations under worker's compensation, unemployment
          insurance, social security or public liability laws or
          similar legislation; (iii) pledges or deposits securing
          bids, tenders, contracts (other than contracts for the
          payment of money) or leases to which any of the Acquired
          Companies is a party as lessee made in the ordinary
          course of business; (iv) deposits securing public or
          statutory obligations of any of the Acquired Companies;
          (v) workers', mechanics', suppliers', carriers',
          warehousemen's or other similar liens arising in the
          ordinary course of business and securing indebtedness
          aggregating not in excess of $100,000 at any time
          outstanding, not yet due and payable; (vi) deposits
          securing or in lieu of surety, appeal or customs bonds in
          proceedings to which any of the Acquired Companies is a
          party; (vii) pledges or deposits effected by any of the
          Acquired Companies as a condition to obtaining or
          maintaining any License of such Person; (viii) any
          attachment or judgment lien, unless the judgment it
          secures shall not, within 60 days after the entry
          thereof, have been discharged or execution thereof stayed
          pending appeal, or shall not have been discharged within
          60 days after the expiration of any such stay; (ix)
          zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, or other
          restrictions on the use of real property or other minor
          irregularities in title (including leasehold title)
          thereto, so long as the same do not materially impair the
          use, value, or marketability of such real property,
          leases or leasehold estates; and (x) Liens under the
          provisions of insurance policies and annuities in force
          and reinsurance and coinsurance contracts in force.

                    1.46 "PERSON" shall mean any natural person,
          corporation, general partnership, limited partnership,
          limited liability company, proprietorship, trust, union,
          association, court, tribunal, agency, government,
          department, commission, self-regulatory organization,
          arbitrator, board, bureau, instrumentality, or other
          entity, enterprise, authority, or business organization.

                    1.47 "PREFERRED STOCK" shall have the meaning
          ascribed to it in the Preamble. 

                    1.48 "QUARTERLY STATEMENT" shall mean (I) any
          quarterly statement of Delta prepared in accordance with
          GAAP, and (II) any quarterly statement of Delta Insurance
          prepared in accordance with SAP and filed with or
          submitted to the insurance regulatory authority in the
          state in which it is domiciled on forms prescribed or
          permitted by such authority.

                    1.49 "REAL ESTATE" means all real property and
          interests therein, including without limitation leasehold
          interests, owned or held at any time since January 1,
          1992 by any Acquired Company or nominee thereof.

                    1.50 "RELEASE" shall mean any spilling,
          leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying,
          discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, migrating,
          dumping or other disposal in any amount into or onto the
          air, ground or surface water, land, or other parts of the
          environment, however caused, not permitted by or in
          compliance with Environmental Laws.

                    1.51 "RESERVE LIABILITIES" shall have the
          meaning ascribed to it in Section 4.9 hereof.

                    1.52 "SAP" shall mean the accounting practices
          required or permitted by the National Association of
          Insurance Commissioners and the insurance regulatory
          authority in the state in which Delta Insurance is
          domiciled, consistently applied throughout the specified
          period and in the immediately prior comparable period.

                    1.53 "SAP STATEMENTS" shall mean the Annual
          Statements, Quarterly Statements, and other financial
          statements and presentations of Delta Insurance prepared
          in accordance with SAP and delivered to the Acquiror
          pursuant to either or both of Sections 4.8 and 6.6
          hereof.

                    1.54 "SUBSIDIARIES" shall mean all subsidiaries
          of Delta, including without limitation Delta Insurance
          and each such other subsidiary as of the date hereof
          listed in Section 4.5 of the Disclosure Schedule.

                    1.55 "SUBSIDIARY" shall mean each of those
          Persons, regardless of jurisdiction of organization, of
          which another Person, directly or indirectly through one
          or more subsidiaries, (I) owns beneficially securities
          having more than 50% of the voting power in the election
          of directors (or persons fulfilling similar functions or
          duties) of the owned Person (without giving effect to any
          contingent voting rights), or (II) controls as the
          general partner or managing member.

                    1.56 "TAXES" shall mean all taxes, charges,
          duties, fees, levies, or other similar assessments or
          Liabilities, including without limitation all net and
          gross income, gross receipts, ad valorem, premium,
          excise, real property, personal property, windfall
          profit, sales, use, transfer, license, withholding,
          employment, payroll, Phase III, profit, estimated,
          severance, stamp, occupation, value added, registration,
          environmental, workers compensation, social security and
          franchise taxes imposed by the United States of America,
          any possession thereof, or any state, county, local, or
          foreign government, or any subdivision, agency, or other
          similar Person of any of the foregoing; and such term
          shall include any interest, fines, penalties, correction
          fees, sanction amounts, assessments, or additions to tax
          relating to, resulting from, attributable to, or incurred
          in connection with any such tax or any contest or dispute
          thereof.

                    1.57 "TAX RETURNS" shall mean any report,
          return, information return, or other document (including
          any related or supporting information and any amendments
          thereto) filed or required to be filed with any federal,
          state, local, or foreign governmental entity or other
          authority in connection with the determination,
          assessment or collection of any Tax (whether or not such
          Tax is imposed on any Acquired Company) or the
          administration of any laws, regulations or administrative
          requirements relating to any Tax, or any statement
          required to be furnished to any Person under any Tax Law.

                                  ARTICLE II
                                  THE MERGER

                    2.1 THE MERGER.  Upon the terms and subject to
          the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in
          accordance with the DGCL, Sub shall be merged with and
          into Delta at the Effective Time (as hereinafter
          defined).  Following the Merger, the separate corporate
          existence of Sub shall cease and Delta shall continue as
          the surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation")
          and shall succeed to and assume all the rights and
          obligations of Delta in accordance with the DGCL.  At the
          election of AmerUs, any direct or indirect wholly owned
          subsidiary of AmerUs may be substituted for Sub as a
          constituent corporation in the Merger.  In such event,
          the parties agree to execute an appropriate amendment to
          this Agreement in order to reflect the foregoing.

                    2.2 CLOSING.  The Closing of the Merger will
          take place (subject to the satisfaction or waiver of all
          the conditions set forth in Articles VIII and IX hereof) 
          at 10:00 a.m. on a date to be specified by AmerUs or Sub
          not more than five Business Days following the
          satisfaction or waiver of those conditions set forth in
          Articles VIII and IX capable of being satisfied prior to
          the Closing (the "Closing Date"), at the offices of Delta
          in Memphis, Tennessee.  The parties agree to use all
          reasonable efforts to cause the Closing to occur on or
          before September 30, 1997.  

                    2.3 EFFECTIVE TIME.  On the Closing Date, or as
          soon as practicable thereafter, the parties shall file
          with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a
          certificate of merger or other appropriate documents (in
          any such case, the "Certificate of Merger") executed in
          accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL and
          shall make all other filings or recordings required under
          the DGCL.  The Merger shall become effective at such time
          as the Certificate of Merger is duly filed with the
          Delaware Secretary of State, or at such other later time
          as Sub and Delta shall agree and specify in the
          Certificate of Merger (the time the Merger becomes
          effective being the "Effective Time").

                    2.4 EFFECTS OF THE MERGER.  The Merger shall
          have the effects set forth in the applicable provisions
          of Delaware law, including Section 259 of the DGCL.

                    2.5 CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS. 
          (a) The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of
          Incorporation of Delta, as in effect immediately prior to
          the Effective Time of the Merger, shall become the
          Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation
          after the Effective Time, and thereafter may be amended
          in accordance with its terms and as provided by law and
          this Agreement.

                    (b)  The By-laws of Delta as in effect on the
          Effective Time shall become the By-laws of the Surviving
          Corporation.

                    2.6  DIRECTORS.  The directors of Sub
          immediately prior to the Effective Time shall become the
          directors of the Surviving Corporation, until the earlier
          of their resignation or removal or until their respective
          successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case
          may be.  The directors of Delta and each Subsidiary will
          tender their resignations at the Closing.

                    2.7 OFFICERS.  The officers of Delta
          immediately prior to the Effective Time shall become the
          officers of the Surviving Corporation, until the earlier
          of their resignation or removal or until their respective
          successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case
          may be.

                                 ARTICLE III
               EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE
              CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES

                    3.1 EFFECT ON CAPITAL STOCK.   As of the
          Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any
          action on the part of the holder of any shares of Delta
          Common Stock or Preferred Stock or any shares of capital
          stock of Sub:

                    (a)  Capital Stock of Sub.  Each share of the
          capital stock of Sub issued and outstanding immediately
          prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and
          become one fully paid and nonassessable share of Common
          Stock.

                    (b)  Cancellation of Subsidiary Stock.  Each
          share of Delta Common Stock that is owned by AmerUs or
          any subsidiary thereof or by any subsidiary of Delta
          shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall
          cease to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered
          in exchange therefor.

                    (c)  Conversion of Common Stock and Preferred
          Stock.  Subject to Section 3.1(e) and Section 13.2, each
          issued and outstanding share of Common Stock and
          Preferred Stock shall be converted into the right to
          receive from the Surviving Corporation in cash, without
          interest, $65.25 per share (the "Merger Consideration"). 
          As of the Effective Time, all such shares of Common Stock
          and Preferred Stock shall no longer be outstanding and
          shall automatically be canceled and retired and shall
          cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate
          representing any such shares of Common Stock or Preferred
          Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect
          thereto, except the right to receive the Merger
          Consideration, without interest.

                    (d)  Shares of Dissenting Holders. 
          Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
          contrary, any issued and outstanding shares of Common
          Stock and Preferred Stock shall not be converted into the
          right to receive the Merger Consideration unless and
          until the holder shall have failed to perfect or shall
          have effectively withdrawn or lost his right to dissent
          from the Merger under the DGCL.  If any such holder shall
          have so failed to perfect or have effectively withdrawn
          or lost such right, such holder's Common Stock and/or
          Preferred Stock, as applicable, shall thereupon be
          converted into the right to receive the Merger
          Consideration.  Delta shall give AmerUs (i) prompt notice
          of any notice or demands for appraisal or payment for
          shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock received by
          Delta, and (ii) the opportunity to participate in and
          direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to
          any such demands or notices.  Delta shall not, without
          the prior written consent of AmerUs, make any payment
          with respect to, or settle, offer to settle or otherwise
          negotiate, any such demands.

                    (e)  Delta Equity-Based Awards.  Immediately
          prior to the Effective Time, each outstanding option to
          purchase Common Stock granted under the Delta Stock Plans
          (each, a "Delta Employee Stock Option") and each
          outstanding stock appreciation right granted under
          Delta's 1993 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan (each, a
          "SAR") shall be cancelled and each holder of a Delta
          Employee Stock Option or SAR as of such date, whether or
          not then vested, or in the case of a Delta Employee Stock
          Option, exercisable, shall be paid for such Delta
          Employee Stock Option or SAR, as the case may be, cash
          equal to the excess of the Merger Consideration over the
          sum of (x) the exercise price of such Delta Employee
          Stock Option or the grant price of such SAR, as the case
          may be, plus (y) the applicable amount required to be
          withheld for applicable Taxes.  Any Delta Employee Stock
          Option or SAR that is not "in-the-money" shall be
          cancelled and cease to exist, and no cash or other
          consideration shall be paid or payable in exchange
          therefor.  A Delta Employee Stock Option or SAR shall be
          "in-the-money" if the exercise price or grant price is
          less than the Merger Consideration.  The cancellation of
          a Delta Employee Stock Option or SAR or the surrender of
          any Delta Employee Stock Option or SAR to Delta in
          exchange for the consideration provided herein, in each
          case, shall be deemed a release of any and all rights the
          holder had or may have had in such Delta Employee Stock
          Option or SAR.  For purposes of this subsection (e), the
          term "grant price" means, with respect to a SAR, the
          specified price of Common Stock set forth in the
          agreement with respect to such SAR at the time the SAR
          was granted.

                    (f)  Delta Employee Termination Payments.  (i)
          Set forth on Exhibit 3.1(f)(i) attached hereto is a list
          of certain Delta Employees who have employment agreements
          with Delta or one of its Subsidiaries that provide
          termination or severance payments in the event of a
          change of control.  Each such Delta Employee's employment
          agreement shall be amended prior to Closing to provide
          that the termination payments will be reduced as
          necessary to assure that the aggregate payments to each
          such Delta Employee that are contingent on a change in
          ownership or control will not reach the threshold for
          parachute payments under section 280G(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the
          Code.

                         (ii)  Set forth on Exhibit 3.1(f)(ii)
          attached hereto is a list of certain Delta Employees who
          have employment agreements with Delta or one of its
          Subsidiaries that provide termination or severance
          payments in the event of a change of control, which
          agreements were amended by Delta and such Delta Employees
          effective as of July 31, 1997.  The terms and conditions
          of each such Delta Employee's employment agreement, as so
          amended, shall remain in full force and effect before, on
          and after the Closing Date.

                         (iii) Exhibit 3.1(f)(iii) attached hereto
          sets forth the name of one Delta Employee who has an
          employment agreement with Delta that provides termination
          or severance payments in the event of a change of
          control.  At Closing, such Delta Employee shall enter
          into a mutually acceptable Employment and Non-Competition
          Agreement with Delta, and such Delta Employee shall not
          be "deemed" terminated for purposes of his employment
          agreement.

                         (iv) Exhibit 3.1(f)(iv) attached hereto
          sets forth the names of certain former Delta Employees
          who had employment agreements with Delta or one of its
          Subsidiaries that provided termination or severance
          payments in the event of a change of control.  Upon the
          Closing Date, such Delta Employees shall receive the
          change of control termination payments set forth in their
          respective employment agreements net of any other
          termination payments such Delta Employees have received
          through the Closing Date.

                         (v) Exhibit 3.1(f)(v) attached hereto is
          the name of a certain Delta Employee who has an
          employment agreement with Delta or one of its
          Subsidiaries that provides termination or severance
          payments of six months' then current salary in the event
          of a sale of Delta.  Such Delta Employee shall receive
          the payments described in her employment agreement on the
          terms and conditions set forth therein.

                    (g)  Payment of Accrued Dividend.  Immediately
          prior to the Effective Time, each issued and outstanding
          share of Preferred Stock shall be paid a final dividend
          in an amount equal to the regular dividend accrued
          thereon from the preceding dividend payment date to the
          Effective Time.

                    (h)  Net Payments.  The amount of any Merger
          Consideration paid to any employees or agents of Delta or
          any Acquired Company for shares of Common Stock or
          Preferred Stock securing loans made to them by Delta or
          an Acquired Company shall be paid net of the principal
          amount of, and accrued interest on, any such loan at
          Closing.

                    3.2 EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES.

                    (a)  Exchange Procedure.  Prior to the
          Effective Time, Delta shall provide to each holder of
          record of a certificate or certificates representing
          outstanding shares of Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock
          (the "Certificates"), whose shares are to be converted
          into the right to receive the Merger Consideration
          pursuant to Section 3.1, (i) a letter of transmittal
          (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and
          risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass,
          only upon delivery of the Certificates to the Surviving
          Corporation and shall be in such form and have such other
          provisions as AmerUs may reasonably specify), and (ii)
          instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the
          Certificates in exchange for the Merger Consideration,
          which in the case of both (i) and (ii) shall be
          satisfactory in form and substance to AmerUs.  On the
          Closing Date, AmerUs or Sub shall deposit with the Escrow
          Agent pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Escrow
          Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2, in good funds,
          the Merger Consideration payable with respect to each
          issued and outstanding share of Common Stock and
          Preferred Stock which is convertible into the right to
          receive Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 3.1. 
          Upon surrender of a Certificate for cancellation to the
          Escrow Agent, together with such letter of transmittal,
          duly executed, and such other documents as may reasonably
          be required, and satisfaction of the conditions to
          payment set forth in the Escrow Agreement, the holder of
          such Certificate shall be paid in exchange therefor the
          amount of cash into which the shares of Common Stock and
          Preferred Stock theretofore represented by such
          Certificate shall have been converted pursuant to Section
          3.1, and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith
          be cancelled.  In the event of a transfer of ownership of
          Common Stock or Preferred Stock which is not registered
          in the transfer records of Delta, payment may be made to
          a person other than the person in whose name the
          Certificate so surrendered is registered, if such
          Certificate shall be properly endorsed or otherwise be in
          proper form for transfer and the person requesting such
          payment shall pay any transfer or other taxes required by
          reason of the payment to a person other than the
          registered holder of such Certificate or establish to the
          satisfaction of the Escrow Agent that such tax has been
          paid or is not applicable.  Until surrendered as
          contemplated by this Section 3.2, each Certificate shall
          be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to
          represent only the right to receive upon such surrender
          the amount of cash, without interest, into which the
          shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock theretofore
          represented by such Certificate shall have been converted
          pursuant to Section 3.1.  No interest will be paid or
          will accrue on the cash payable upon the surrender of any
          Certificate.  Any funds deposited with the Escrow Agent
          which remain undistributed to the former holders of the
          Certificates representing shares of Common Stock or
          Preferred Stock for 180 days after the Effective Time
          shall be delivered to the Surviving Corporation, upon
          demand, and any former holders of shares of Common Stock
          or Preferred Stock who have not theretofore complied with
          this Article III shall thereafter look only to the
          Surviving Corporation for payment of their claim for any
          Merger Consideration, without any interest thereon.

                    (b)  No Further Ownership Rights in Common
          Stock and Preferred Stock.  All cash paid upon the
          surrender of Certificates in accordance with the terms of
          this Article III shall be deemed to have been paid in
          full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the shares
          of Common Stock and Preferred Stock theretofore
          represented by such Certificates, and, from and after the
          Effective Time, there shall be no further registration of
          transfers on the stock transfer books of the Surviving
          Corporation of the shares of Common Stock and Preferred
          Stock which were outstanding immediately prior to the
          Effective Time.  If, after the Effective Time,
          Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation
          for any reason, they shall be cancelled and exchanged as
          provided in this Article III, except as otherwise
          provided by law.

                    (c)  No Liability.  None of AmerUs, Sub, Delta,
          Delta Insurance or the Paying Agent shall be liable to
          any person in respect of any cash delivered to a public
          official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property,
          escheat or similar law.

                    (d)  Maximum Merger Consideration.  In no event
          shall the aggregate Merger Consideration to be paid in
          exchange for all shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
          and in respect of the Delta Employee Stock Options,
          exceed $162,941,098.

                                  ARTICLE IV
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF DELTA

                    Delta hereby represents and warrants to AmerUs
          and Sub as follows:

                    4.1 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND CORPORATE POWER. 
          Each Acquired Company is a corporation, partnership or
          other legal entity duly organized, validly existing and
          in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in
          which it is organized and has the requisite power and
          authority to carry on its business as now being
          conducted.  Each Acquired Company is duly qualified to do
          business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in
          which the nature of its business or the ownership or
          leasing of its properties makes such qualification
          necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the
          failure to be so qualified (individually or in the
          aggregate) would not have a Material Adverse Effect. 
          Delta has made available to AmerUs complete and correct
          copies of its Second Amended and Restated Certificate of
          Incorporation and By-laws and, to the extent requested by
          AmerUs, the certificates of incorporation and by-laws or
          comparable organization documents of the Acquired
          Companies, in each case as amended to the date of this
          Agreement.  Delta is not in violation of any provision of
          its Second Amended and Restated Certificate of
          Incorporation or By-laws, and no Acquired Company is in
          violation of any provisions of its certificate of
          incorporation, by-laws or comparable organizational
          documents, except to the extent that such violations
          would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
          Material Adverse Effect.
           
                    4.2 ACQUIRED COMPANIES.  Section 4.2 of the
          Disclosure Schedule lists each Acquired Company and the
          ownership or interest therein of Delta.  Except as
          disclosed in Section 4.2 of the Disclosure Schedule, all
          the outstanding shares of capital stock of each Acquired
          Company have been validly issued and are fully paid and
          nonassessable and are owned by Delta or by a Subsidiary
          of Delta, free and clear of all Liens.  Except for the
          capital stock of the Acquired Companies and except for
          the ownership interests set forth in Section 4.2 of the
          Disclosure Schedule, Delta does not own, directly or
          indirectly, any capital stock or other ownership
          interest, with a fair market value as of the date of this
          Agreement greater than $100,000, in any Person.

                    4.3 CAPITAL STRUCTURE.  The authorized capital
          stock of Delta (the "Delta Capital Stock") consists of
          15,000,000 shares of Common Stock Class A, 1,650,000
          shares of Common Stock Class B, 600,000 shares of Series
          A Preferred Stock, 700,000 shares of Series B Preferred
          Stock, 300,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, and
          58,718 shares of Series D Preferred Stock.   Except as
          set forth in Section 4.3 of the Disclosure Schedule, as
          of the date of this Agreement and at the Effective Time:
          (i) 1,069,850 shares of Common Stock Class A are
          outstanding, 720,746 shares of Common Stock Class B are
          outstanding, no shares of Series A Preferred Stock are
          outstanding, 319,065 shares of Series B Preferred Stock
          are outstanding, 205,200 shares of Series C Preferred
          Stock are outstanding and 58,718 shares of Series D
          Preferred Stock are outstanding, all of which were
          validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and no
          shares of any other series of Delta Capital Stock were
          outstanding; (ii) 0 shares of Common Stock are held by
          Delta in its treasury; and (iii) 471,098 shares of Common
          Stock Class A are issuable upon the exercise of
          outstanding Delta Employee Stock Options.  Except as set
          forth on Section 4.3 of the Disclosure Schedule, no
          shares of capital stock or other voting securities of
          Delta (other than as set forth in the preceding sentence)
          are issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. 
          Section 4.3 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true,
          complete and accurate list of all outstanding,
          unexercised Delta Employee Stock Options and SARs, and
          the respective exercise prices and grant prices therefor. 
          Except as set forth above, there are not any bonds,
          debentures, notes or other indebtedness of Delta having
          the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable
          for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters
          on which stockholders of Delta must vote.  Except as set
          forth above and except as set forth in Section 4.3 of the
          Disclosure Schedule, there are not any options, warrants,
          calls, rights, commitments, agreements, arrangements or
          undertakings of any kind (collectively, "Options") to
          which any Acquired Company is a party or by which any of
          them is bound relating to the issued or unissued capital
          stock of any Acquired Company, or obligating any Acquired
          Company to issue, transfer, grant or sell any shares of
          capital stock or other equity interests in, or securities
          convertible or exchangeable for any capital stock or
          other equity interests in, any Acquired Company or
          obligating any Acquired Company to issue, grant, extend
          or enter into any such Options.  All shares of Delta
          Capital Stock that are subject to issuance as aforesaid,
          upon issuance on the terms and conditions specified in
          the instrument pursuant to which they are issuable, will
          be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
          nonassessable.  Except as set forth in Section 4.3 of the
          Disclosure Schedule, as of the date of this Agreement,
          there are not any outstanding contractual obligations of
          any Acquired Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise
          acquire any shares of capital stock of any Acquired
          Company, or make any investment in excess of $100,000 (in
          the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise)
          in, any Acquired Company or any other person.
            
                    4.4 AUTHORITY.  (a)  Delta has all requisite
          corporate power and authority to enter into this
          Agreement and, except as otherwise indicated herein,
          subject to the approval of its stockholders, to
          consummate the transactions contemplated by this
          Agreement.  The Board of Directors of Delta has
          unanimously approved this Agreement and the transactions
          contemplated by this Agreement, has determined that this
          Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
          (including, without limitation, the Merger) are fair to
          and in the best interests of the stockholders of Delta,
          and has resolved to recommend to the stockholders that
          they approve this Agreement and the transactions
          contemplated hereby.  The execution and delivery of this
          Agreement by Delta and the consummation by Delta of the
          transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been
          duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the
          part of Delta, subject to stockholder approval and
          compliance with the Stockholders' Agreement (as defined
          in Section 4.25(b) hereof), if and to the extent that
          such Stockholders' Agreement contains provisions that are
          determined to be applicable to the Merger.  This
          Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Delta
          and, assuming the due authorization, execution and
          delivery by each of AmerUs and Sub, constitutes a valid
          and binding obligation of Delta, enforceable against
          Delta in accordance with its terms.  

                    (b)  The Board of Directors of Delta has duly
          approved the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
          for purposes of Section 203 of the DGCL such that the
          provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL will not apply to
          the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  

                    4.5 NO SUBSIDIARIES.  Except for the
          subsidiaries disclosed in Section 4.5 of the Disclosure
          Schedule, each Acquired Company has no subsidiaries and
          does not control (whether directly or indirectly, whether
          through the ownership of securities or by Contract or
          proxy or otherwise, and whether alone or in combination
          with others) any corporation, partnership, business
          organization, or other similar Person.  For purposes of
          this Section, "control" shall mean the right to elect a
          majority of the Board of Directors or other governing
          body of any such entity or Person or otherwise manage,
          direct or govern the business operations of such entity
          or Person.

                    4.6 NO CONFLICTS OR VIOLATIONS.  Subject to the
          items set forth in Section 4.6 of the Disclosure Schedule
          the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Delta
          does not, and the performance by Delta of its obligations
          under this Agreement will not:

                    (a)  violate any term or provision of any Law
               or any writ, judgment, decree, injunction, or
               similar order applicable to any Acquired Company;

                    (b)  conflict with or result in a violation or
               breach of, or constitute (with or without notice or
               lapse of time or both) a default under, any of the
               terms, conditions or provisions of the articles or
               certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Delta;

                    (c)  result in the creation or imposition of
               any Lien upon any Acquired Company or any of their
               respective Assets and Properties that individually
               or in the aggregate with any other Liens has or
               would reasonably be expected to have a Material
               Adverse Effect on any Acquired Company;

                    (d)  conflict with or result in a violation or
               breach of, or constitute (with or without notice or
               lapse of time or both) a default under, or give to
               any Person any right of termination, cancellation,
               acceleration, or modification in or with respect to,
               any Contract to which any Acquired Company is a
               party or by which any of their respective Assets or
               Properties may be bound and as to which any such
               conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults, or rights
               individually or in the aggregate have or would
               reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
               Effect on any Acquired Company; or

                    (e)  require any Acquired Company to obtain any
               consent, approval, or action of, or make any filing
               with or give any notice to, any Person (including
               pursuant to any Laws) except those which the failure
               to obtain, make, or give individually or in the
               aggregate with any other such failures would not
               have a Material Adverse Effect on any Acquired
               Company.  Section 4.6(e) of the Disclosure Schedule
               contains a true, accurate and complete list of all
               consents, approvals, actions, filings and notices
               required in connection with the execution, delivery
               and performance of this Agreement by Delta under any
               Laws.

                    4.7 BOOKS AND RECORDS.  The minute books and
          other similar records of each Acquired Company contain a
          record, which is true and complete in all material
          respects, of all formal action taken at all meetings and
          by all written consents in lieu of meetings of
          stockholders, Boards of Directors, and each committee
          thereof, with respect to each Acquired Company.  The
          Books and Records of each Acquired Company accurately
          reflect in all material respects the business and
          financial condition of Delta and each such Acquired
          Company, and have been maintained in all material
          respects in accordance with good business and bookkeeping
          practices.

                    4.8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  Delta has previously
          delivered to the Acquiror, or will have delivered to the
          Acquiror upon completion, true and complete copies of the
          following financial statements (the "Financial
          Statements"):

                    (a)  audited (i) annual GAAP Statements for
               Delta and (ii) Annual Statements for Delta
               Insurance, for each of the years ended December 31,
               1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996, including all the
               notes relating thereto; and

                    (b)  unaudited Quarterly Statements for Delta
               and Delta Insurance, for each of the first three
               quarters of each of 1995 and 1996, and the first
               quarter of 1997, including all the notes relating
               thereto.

                    Each such Financial Statement (and the notes
          relating thereto), and each quarterly GAAP Statement and
          Quarterly Statement delivered by Delta pursuant to
          Section 6.6, including without limitation each balance
          sheet and each of the statements of operations, capital
          and surplus account, and cash flow contained therein, is
          accurate, was prepared in accordance with SAP ("SAP
          Statements") or GAAP ("GAAP Statements"), as the case may
          be, is true and complete and presents fairly in all
          material respects the financial condition and results of
          operations and cash flows of Delta and its consolidated
          subsidiaries or Delta Insurance, as the case may be, as
          of the respective dates thereof or for the respective
          periods presented therein, subject, in the case of
          quarterly statements, to normal year-end adjustments. 
          Each SAP Statement complied in all material respects with
          all applicable Laws when filed with the applicable
          insurance regulatory authority, and any deficiencies
          known to Delta or Delta Insurance with respect to any
          such SAP Statement have been cured or corrected to the
          satisfaction of such insurance regulatory authority.

                    4.9 RESERVES.

                    (a)  Except as set forth in Section 4.9 of the
               Disclosure Schedule, all reserves and other
               liabilities with respect to insurance and annuities
               and for claims and benefits incurred but not
               reported ("Reserve Liabilities") as established or
               reflected in the SAP Statements of Delta Insurance
               were determined in accordance with generally
               accepted actuarial standards consistently applied,
               are fairly stated in accordance with sound actuarial
               principles, are based on actuarial assumptions that
               are in accordance with those called for by the
               provisions of the related insurance and annuity
               Contracts and in the related reinsurance,
               coinsurance and other similar Contracts of Delta
               Insurance, and meet in all material respects the
               requirements of the insurance Laws of its state of
               domicile.  Adequate provision for all such Reserve
               Liabilities have been made (under generally accepted
               actuarial principles consistently applied) to cover
               the total amount of all reasonably anticipated
               matured and unmatured benefits, dividends, claims
               and other liabilities of Delta Insurance under all
               insurance and annuity Contracts under which Delta
               Insurance has any liability (including without
               limitation any liability arising under or as a
               result of any reinsurance, coinsurance or other
               similar Contract) on the respective dates of such
               SAP Statement based on then current information
               regarding interest earnings, mortality and morbidity
               experience, persistency and expenses.  Delta
               Insurance owns assets that qualify as legal reserve
               assets under applicable insurance Laws in an amount
               at least equal to all such Reserve Liabilities; and

                    (b)  Except as set forth in Section 4.9 of the
               Disclosure Schedule, adequate provision has been
               made for all estimated losses, settlements, costs
               and expenses from pending suits, actions and
               proceedings included in the December 31, 1996 Annual
               Statement and the latest Quarterly Statement, and
               the reserves and accrued Liabilities relating
               thereto were determined in accordance with SAP.

                    4.10 ABSENCE OF CHANGES.  Except as disclosed
          in Section 4.10 of the Disclosure Schedule, since
          December 31, 1996: (i) there has not been, occurred, or
          arisen any change in, or any event (including without
          limitation any damage, destruction, or loss whether or
          not covered by insurance), condition, or state of facts
          of any character that individually or in the aggregate
          has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material
          Adverse Effect on any Acquired Company, (ii) each
          Acquired Company has operated only in the ordinary course
          of business and consistent with past practice, and (iii)
          (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) there
          has not been, occurred or arisen:

                    (a)  any declaration, setting aside, or payment
               of any dividend or other distribution in respect of
               the capital stock of any Acquired Company or any
               direct or indirect redemption, purchase or other
               acquisition by any Acquired Company of any such
               stock or of any interest in or right to acquire any
               such stock;

                    (b)  any employment, deferred compensation, or
               other salary, wage or compensation Contract entered
               into between any Acquired Company and any Delta
               Employee, except for normal and customary Contracts
               with agents and consultants in the ordinary course
               of business and consistent with past practice; or
               any increase in the salary, wages, or other
               compensation of any kind, whether current or
               deferred, of any Delta Employee, other than routine
               increases that were made in the ordinary course of
               business and consistent with past practice and that
               did not result in an increase of more than 10% of
               the respective salary, wages or compensation of any
               such Person, except for increases which relate to
               increases in production by agents consistent with
               the terms of their existing Contracts; or any
               creation of any Benefit Plan or any contribution to
               (other than a contribution made in the ordinary
               course of business and consistent with past
               practice) or amendment or modification of any
               Benefit Plan; or any election by or on behalf of any
               Acquired Company made pursuant to the provisions of
               any Benefit Plan to accelerate any payments,
               obligations or vesting schedules under any Benefit
               Plans;

                    (c)  any issuance, sale or disposition by any
               Acquired Company of any debenture, note, stock or
               other security issued by such Acquired Company, or
               any modification or amendment of any right of the
               holder of any outstanding debenture, note, stock or
               other security issued by such Acquired Company;

                    (d)  any Lien created on or in any of the
               Assets and Properties of any Acquired Company or
               assumed by any Acquired Company with respect to any
               of such Assets and Properties which Lien related to
               Liabilities individually or in the aggregate
               exceeding $100,000;

                    (e)  any prepayment of any Liabilities (other
               than pursuant to any insurance or annuity Contract)
               individually or in the aggregate exceeding $10,000;

                    (f)  any Liability involving the borrowing of
               money by any Acquired Company, except in the
               ordinary course of business and consistent with past
               practice;

                    (g)  any damage, destruction or loss (whether
               or not covered by insurance), but not including
               unrealized losses on investment securities,
               affecting any of the Assets and Properties of any
               Acquired Company which damage, destruction or loss
               individually exceeds $100,000;

                    (h)  any work stoppage, strike, labor
               difficulty or union organizational campaign (in
               process or, to the Knowledge of Delta, threatened)
               materially affecting any Acquired Company;

                    (i)  any material change in any crediting,
               underwriting, actuarial, dividend, investment,
               financial reporting, marketing or accounting
               practice or policy followed by any Acquired Company,
               or in any assumption underlying such a practice or
               policy, or in any method of calculating any bad
               debt, contingency, or other reserve for financial
               reporting or any other accounting purposes;

                    (j)  any payment, discharge, or satisfaction by
               an Acquired Company of any Lien or Liability other
               than Liens or Liabilities that (i) were paid,
               discharged, or satisfied since December 31, 1996 in
               the ordinary course of business and consistent with
               past practice, or (ii) were paid, discharged, or
               satisfied as required under this Agreement;

                    (k)  except for fair value received, in the
               ordinary course of business and consistent with past
               practice, any cancellation of any Liability owed to
               any Acquired Company by any other Person;

                    (l)  any sale, transfer, or conveyance of any
               investments, or any other Assets and Properties
               except in the ordinary course of business and
               consistent with past practice;

                    (m)  any amendment, termination, waiver,
               disposal or lapse of, or other failure to preserve,
               or regulatory agreement with respect to, any
               license, permit or other form of authorization of
               any Acquired Company the result of which
               individually or in the aggregate has or would
               reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
               Effect on such Acquired Company;

                    (n)  any transaction or arrangement under which
               any Acquired Company guaranteed, paid, lent or
               advanced any amount to or in respect of, or sold,
               transferred, pledged or leased any of its Assets and
               Properties or any services to, (i) any Delta
               Affiliate (except for payments of salaries and wages
               to officers of the Acquired Companies in the
               ordinary course of business and consistent with past
               practice) or (ii) any business or other Person in
               which an Acquired Company or any Delta Affiliate has
               any material interest except for advances made to,
               or reimbursements of, officers and directors of
               Acquired Companies for travel and other business
               expenses in reasonable amounts in the ordinary
               course of business and consistent with past
               practice;

                    (o)  except for actions taken with respect to
               insurance policies and annuities in force, in the
               ordinary course of business and consistent with past
               practice, any material amendment of or any failure
               to perform all of its obligations under, or any
               default under, or any waiver of any right under, or
               any termination (other than on the stated expiration
               date) of, any Contract that involves or reasonably
               would involve the annual expenditure or receipt by
               any Acquired Company of more than $10,000;

                    (p)  any decrease of more than 3% in the amount
               of, or any material change in the nature of, the
               insurance and annuities in force of Delta Insurance
               or any material change in the amount or nature of
               the Reserve Liabilities of Delta Insurance;

                    (q)  any amendment to the articles or
               certification of incorporation or by-laws of any
               Acquired Company;

                    (r)  any agreement for the sale, merger or
               transfer of any Acquired Company;

                    (s)  any termination, amendment or entering
               into by Delta Insurance as ceding or assuming
               insurer of any reinsurance, coinsurance or other
               similar Contract or any trust agreement or security
               agreement related thereto;

                    (t)  any expenditure or commitment for
               additions to property, plant, equipment or other
               tangible or intangible capital assets of any
               Acquired Company, in excess of the budgeted amounts
               set forth in Section 4.10(t) of the Disclosure
               Schedule, which expenditures or commitments do not
               exceed $100,000 in the aggregate;

                    (u)  any amendment or introduction by Delta
               Insurance of any insurance or annuity Contract other
               than in the ordinary course of business consistent
               with past practices;

                    (v)  any restriction or limitation in any
               license or other authorization or business or
               operations of any Acquired Company, including Delta
               Insurance; or

                    (w)  any Contract to take any of the actions
               described in this Section 4.10 other than actions
               expressly permitted under this Section 4.10.

                    4.11 NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.  Except to the
          extent reflected in the balance sheet included in the
          December 31, 1996 annual GAAP Statement (and the notes
          relating thereto), or except as disclosed in Section 4.11
          of the Disclosure Schedule, there were no Liabilities
          (other than policyholder benefits payable in the ordinary
          course of business and consistent with past practice)
          against, relating to, or affecting any Acquired Company
          as of December 31, 1996 exceeding $100,000 in the
          aggregate.

                    4.12 TAXES.  Except as disclosed in Section
          4.12 of the Disclosure Schedule (with paragraph
          references corresponding to those set forth below):

                    (a)  All Tax Returns required to be filed with
               respect to each Acquired Company or the affiliated,
               combined or unitary group of which any such company
               is or was a member have been duly and timely filed,
               and all such Tax Returns are true, correct and
               complete in all material respects.  Each Acquired
               Company (i) has duly and timely paid all Taxes and
               other charges that are due on such Tax Returns, or
               claimed or asserted by any taxing authority to be
               due, from such company for the periods covered by
               such Tax Returns and have made all required
               estimated payments of Taxes sufficient to avoid any
               penalties for underpayment unless such Taxes are
               being contested in good faith and adequate reserves
               therefor have been established on the Acquired
               Companies' books and records, or (ii) has duly
               provided for all such Taxes in the applicable
               financial statements, and in the SAP and GAAP
               Statements, in the case of Delta Insurance.  There
               are no Liens with respect to Taxes (except for Liens
               with respect to real property Taxes not yet due)
               upon any of the Assets and Properties of any such
               company.

                    (b)  With respect to any period or portion
               thereof through the Closing for which Tax Returns
               have not yet been filed, or for which Taxes are not
               yet due or owing, each Acquired Company has
               established due and sufficient reserves for the
               payment of such Taxes in accordance with SAP and
               GAAP in the case of Delta Insurance or otherwise in
               accordance with GAAP, and such current reserves
               through the Closing are duly and fully provided for
               in all material respects in the SAP and GAAP
               Statements of such company for the period then
               ended.

                    (c)  The United States federal income Tax
               Returns of each Acquired Company and of each
               affiliated group (within the meaning of the Code) of
               which any Acquired Company is or has been a member
               have been audited or examined by the IRS, or the
               statute of limitations for all periods through the
               respective years specified in Section 4.12(c) of the
               Disclosure Schedule has expired.  The state, local
               and foreign income Tax Returns of each Acquired
               Company and of each affiliated or consolidated group
               of which they are or have been members have been
               audited or examined, or all statutes of limitation
               for all applicable state, local and foreign taxable
               periods through the respective years specified in
               Section 4.12(c) of the Disclosure Statement have
               expired.  All deficiencies which have been asserted,
               proposed or assessed as a result of the above
               referenced examinations have been paid in full or
               finally settled or adequately reserved against to
               the extent there is a reasonable possibility that
               the position of any of the above referenced taxing
               authorities will be sustained, and to the Knowledge
               of Delta, no issue has been raised by any taxing
               authority in any such examination which, by
               application of the same or similar principles,
               reasonably could be expected to result in a material
               proposed deficiency for any other period not so
               examined.  To the Knowledge of Delta, no state of
               facts exists or has existed which would constitute
               grounds for the assessment of any material Tax
               liability with respect to any Acquired Company for
               the periods which have not been audited by the above
               referenced taxing authorities.  There are no
               outstanding agreements, waivers or arrangements
               extending the statutory period of limitation
               applicable to any Tax Return or claim for, or the
               period for the collection or assessment of, Taxes
               due from any company for any taxable period.  Delta
               has previously delivered or made available to the
               Acquiror true, correct and complete copies of each
               of (i) the most recent audit reports relating to the
               United States federal, state, local and foreign
               income taxes due from each Acquired Company and (ii)
               the United States federal, state, local and foreign
               income Tax Returns, for each of the last three
               taxable years, filed by each Acquired Company, and
               Delta has made available to Acquiror for inspection
               true, correct and complete copies of such Tax
               Returns, (insofar as such Tax Returns relate to any
               Acquired Company) filed by any affiliated or
               consolidated group of which any Acquired Company was
               then a member.

                    (d)  No audit or other proceeding by any U.S.
               or foreign court, governmental or regulatory
               authority, or similar Person is pending or
               threatened with respect to any Taxes due from any
               Acquired Company or any Tax Return filed or required
               to be filed by or relating to any Acquired Company. 
               No assessment or deficiency for any Tax is proposed
               or, based on existing facts and circumstances, is
               threatened against any Acquired Company or any
               Assets and Properties of any Acquired Company.

                    (e)  No election under any of Section 108, 168,
               338, 441, 463, 472, 1017, 1033 or 4977 of the Code
               (or any predecessor provisions) has been made or
               filed by or with respect to any Acquired Company or
               any of their Assets and Properties. No consent to
               the application of Section 341(f)(2) of the Code (or
               any predecessor provision) has been made or filed by
               or with respect to any Acquired Company or any of
               their Assets and Properties.  None of the Assets and
               Properties of any Acquired Company is an asset or
               property that the Acquiror or any of its Affiliates
               is or will be required to treat as being (i) owned
               by any other Person pursuant to the provisions of
               Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of
               1954, as amended and in effect immediately before
               the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 or (ii)
               tax-exempt use property within the meaning of
               Section 168(h)(1) of the Code.  No election has been
               made under Section 815(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue
               Code of 1954, as amended and in effect immediately
               before the enactment of the Deficit Reduction Act of
               1984.  No closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121
               of the Code (or any predecessor provision) or any
               similar provision of any state, local or foreign Law
               has been entered into by or with respect to any
               Acquired Company or any of their Assets and
               Properties.

                    (f)  No Acquired Company has agreed to or is
               required to make any material adjustment pursuant to
               Section 481(a) or 807(f)(1) of the Code (or any
               predecessor provision) by reason of any change in
               any accounting method or change in basis for
               determining the reserves of such company or
               otherwise, and no Acquired Company has any
               application pending with any taxing authority
               requesting permission for any changes in any
               accounting method or in the basis for determining
               reserves of any of them. The IRS has not proposed
               any such adjustment or change in accounting method
               or in the basis of determining reserves of any of
               them.

                    (g)  No Acquired Company has been or is in
               material violation (or with notice or lapse of time
               or both, would be in violation) of any applicable
               Law relating to the payment or withholding of Taxes
               (including, without limitation, withholding of Taxes
               pursuant to Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code or
               similar provisions under any foreign laws).  Each
               Acquired Company has duly and timely withheld in all
               material respects from employee salaries, wages and
               other compensation and paid over to the appropriate
               taxing authorities all amounts required to be so
               withheld and paid over for all periods under all
               applicable Laws.

                    (h)  Except as disclosed in Section 4.12(h) of
               the Disclosure Schedule, no Acquired Company is a
               party to, is bound by, or has any obligation under,
               any tax sharing agreement or arrangement of any
               kind, whether written or verbal or similar Contract. 
               Delta is not a foreign person within the meaning of
               Section 1445(f)(3) of the Code.

                    (i)  No Acquired Company has made any direct,
               indirect or deemed distributions that have been or
               to the Knowledge of Delta, could be taxed under
               Section 815 of the Code.

                    (j)  All ceding commission expenses paid or
               accrued by Delta Insurance in connection with any
               reinsurance arrangement or Contract or transaction
               have been capitalized and amortized over the life or
               lives of such reinsurance arrangement or Contract in
               accordance with the decision of the United States
               Supreme Court in Colonial American Life Insurance
               Company v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 109
               S.Ct. 240 (1989) or, in the case of any such expense
               incurred on or after September 30, 1990, in
               accordance with Sections 848 and 197 of the Code.

                    (k)  No material Liabilities have been proposed
               in connection with any audit or other proceeding by
               any U.S. or foreign court, governmental or
               regulatory authority, or similar person with respect
               to any Taxes due from any Acquired Company or Tax
               Return filed by or relating to any Acquired Company.

                    (l)  Each reserve item with respect to each
               Acquired Company set forth in its respective 1996
               Federal income tax return was determined in all
               material respects in accordance with Section 807 of
               the Code or other applicable Code Sections, and has
               been consistently applied with respect to the filing
               of the Federal income tax returns for all years
               through December 31, 1995 for which the statute of
               limitations has not expired, and will be
               consistently applied for any Tax Return filed on or
               prior to the Closing Date.

                    (m)  As of December 31, 1996, no Acquired
               Company had and during the period from December 31,
               1996 through the Closing Date will have, any Tax
               liability in respect of Taxes to any stockholder of
               Delta or any of such stockholder's Affiliates that
               resulted or will result from a transaction with an
               Affiliate prior to the Closing Date that would
               require payment after December 31, 1996.

                    (n)  No Acquired Company will make an election
               to reattribute losses of such Acquired Company as
               provided by Section 1.1502-20(g) of the Regulations
               to the Code.

                    (o)  Delta Insurance satisfies the definition
               of life insurance company under section 816 of the
               Code.

                    (p)  Except as disclosed in Section 4.12(p) of
               the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Acquired
               Companies has entered into any compensatory
               agreements (whether written or oral) with respect to
               the performance of services for which payment
               thereunder would result in a nondeductible expense
               to such Company pursuant to section 162(m) or 280G
               of the Code.

                    (q)  All material elections with respect to
               Federal income Taxes affecting the Acquired
               Companies are set forth in Section 4.12(q) of the
               Disclosure Schedule.

                    (r)  Except as set forth in Section 4.12(r) of
               the Disclosure Schedule, there is no power of
               attorney given by or binding upon any of the
               Acquired Companies with respect to Taxes for any
               period for which the statute of limitations
               (including any waivers or extensions) has not yet
               expired.

                    (s)  There are no outstanding balances of
               deferred gain or loss accounts related to any
               deferred intercompany transactions to which any of
               the Acquired Companies was a party.

                    (t)  None of the Acquired Companies is a party
               to or otherwise subject to any arrangement entered
               into in anticipation of the Closing, not in
               accordance with past practice and not required by
               this Agreement, (i) having the effect of or giving
               rise to the recognition of a deduction or loss
               before the Closing Date, and a corresponding
               recognition of taxable income or gain after the
               Closing Date, or (ii) that would reasonably be
               expected to have the effect of or give rise to the
               recognition of taxable income or gain by any
               Acquired Company after the Closing Date without the
               receipt of or entitlement to a corresponding amount
               of cash.

                    (u)  Section 4.12(u) of the Disclosure Schedule
               sets forth the amount of any existing policyholders
               surplus account and shareholders surplus account
               with respect to the Acquired Companies within the
               meaning of Section 815 of the Code.

                    (v)  Except for federal income Tax Returns, the
               Acquired Companies do not file or join in filing any
               consolidated, unitary, combined or similar Tax
               Returns with any corporation other than the Acquired
               Companies.

                    (w)  None of the Acquired Companies has
               requested any extension of time within which to file
               any Return, which Return has not since been filed.

                    (x)  Delta has filed, as a common parent
               corporation of an "affiliate group" (within the
               meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code) a
               consolidated return for federal income tax purposes
               on behalf of itself and each other Acquired
               Corporation which is an "includible corporation"
               (within the meaning of Section 1504(b) of the Code).

                    (y)  Delta is not and has not been a United
               States real property holding company (as defined in
               Section 897(c)(2) of the Code) during the applicable
               period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(ii) of the
               Code.

                    (z)  All transactions which could give rise to
               an understatement of federal income tax (within the
               meaning of Section 6661 of the Code) were adequately
               disclosed (or, with respect to Tax Returns filed
               before the Closing will be adequately disclosed) on
               the Tax Returns required in accordance with Section
               6661(b)(2)(B) of the Code. 

                    4.13  LITIGATION.  Except as disclosed in
          Section 4.13 of the Disclosure Schedule (with paragraph
          references corresponding to those set forth below):

                    (a)  There are no actions, suits,
               investigations or proceedings pending, or, to the
               Knowledge of Delta, threatened, against any Acquired
               Company or its Assets and Properties, at law or in
               equity, in, before, or by any Person that
               individually or in the aggregate have or would
               reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
               Effect on any Acquired Company.

                    (b)  There are no actions, suits,
               investigations or proceedings pending or, to the
               Knowledge of Delta, threatened, and no event, fact
               or circumstance has arisen or occurred (other than
               claims for benefits under insurance policies and
               annuities in force) that may reasonably be expected
               to result in the commencement of any action, suit,
               proceeding or investigation, against any Acquired
               Company or any of its Assets and Properties, at law
               or in equity, in, before, or by any Person that
               individually involves a claim or claims for any
               injunction or similar relief or for damages
               exceeding $50,000 or an unspecified amount of
               damages, or that individually or in the aggregate
               have or would reasonably be expected to have a
               Material Adverse Effect on such Acquired Company.

                    (c)  There are no writs, judgments, decrees or
               similar orders of any Person outstanding against any
               Acquired Company that individually exceed $25,000 or
               that individually or in the aggregate have or would
               reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
               Effect on such Acquired Company and there are no
               injunctions or similar orders of any Person
               outstanding against any Acquired Company.

                    4.14 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.  No Acquired Company
          has been or is in violation (or with or without notice or
          lapse of time or both, would be in violation) of any term
          or provision of any Law or any writ, judgment, decree,
          injunction or similar order applicable to any Acquired
          Company or any of its Assets and Properties, except for
          violations (i) which have been cured, (ii) which have
          been resolved or settled through agreements with
          applicable governmental authorities or which are barred
          by an applicable statute of limitations, (iii) which have
          not had, and are not reasonably likely to have, a
          Material Adverse Effect on such Acquired Company, or (iv)
          that have been previously disclosed to counsel for
          Acquiror.  Without limiting the generality of the
          foregoing, except as disclosed in Section 4.14 of the
          Disclosure Schedule or as previously disclosed to counsel
          for Acquiror:

                    (a)  Since January 1, 1990, each Acquired
               Company has duly and validly filed or caused to be
               so filed all material reports, statements,
               documents, registrations, filings or submissions
               that were required by Law to be filed with any
               Person; all such filings complied with applicable
               Laws in all material respects when filed, and no
               material deficiencies have been asserted by any
               Person with respect to any such filings.

                    (b)  Delta has previously delivered to the
               Acquiror the reports reflecting the results of the
               two most recent market conduct and financial
               examinations of Delta Insurance issued by any
               insurance regulatory authority and all material
               deficiencies or violations in such reports have been
               resolved to the satisfaction of all applicable
               insurance regulatory authorities.

                    (c)  All outstanding insurance and annuity
               Contracts issued, reinsured or underwritten by Delta
               Insurance are, to the extent required under
               applicable Laws, on forms approved by the insurance
               regulatory authority of the jurisdiction where
               issued or have been filed with and not objected to
               by such authority within the period provided for
               objection, and have been filed or registered as
               required with all other applicable governmental
               authorities.

                    (d)  All insurance or annuity Contract benefits
               payable by Delta Insurance and (to the Knowledge of
               Delta) by any other Person that is a party to or
               bound by any reinsurance, coinsurance, or other
               similar Contract with Delta have in all material
               respects been paid in accordance with the terms of
               the insurance, annuity, and other Contracts under
               which they arose.

                    (e)  All insurance or annuity Contracts issued
               or underwritten by Delta Insurance have been
               marketed and sold in compliance with all applicable
               Laws.

                    (f)  No outstanding insurance or annuity
               Contract issued, reinsured, or underwritten by Delta
               Insurance  entitles the holder thereof or any other
               Person to receive dividends, distributions, or other
               benefits based on the revenues or earnings of Delta
               Insurance or any other Person.

                    (g)  The underwriting standards utilized and
               ratings applied by Delta Insurance and (to the
               Knowledge of Delta) by any other Person that is a
               party to or bound by any reinsurance, coinsurance,
               or other similar Contract with Delta Insurance
               conform in all material respects to industry
               accepted practices and to the standards and ratings
               required pursuant to the terms of the respective
               reinsurance, coinsurance, or other similar Contracts
               and by applicable Law.

                    (h)  Neither Delta nor Delta Insurance has
               received any information which would cause it to
               believe that the financial condition of any other
               party to any reinsurance, coinsurance, or other
               similar Contracts with Delta Insurance is so
               impaired as to result in a default thereunder.

                    (i)  Each insurance agent, at the time such
               agent wrote, sold, or produced business for Delta
               Insurance at any time since December 31, 1990, was
               duly licensed as an insurance agent (for the type of
               business written, sold, or produced by such
               insurance agent) in the particular jurisdiction in
               which such agent wrote, sold, or produced such
               business and no such insurance agent violated (or
               with or without notice or lapse of time or both,
               would have violated) any term or provision of any
               Law or any writ, judgment, decree, injunction, or
               similar order applicable to the writing, sale, or
               production of business for Delta Insurance, except
               for violations which have been cured, which have
               been resolved or settled through agreements with
               applicable governmental authorities or which are
               barred by an applicable statute of limitations or
               have not had, or are not reasonably likely to have,
               a Material Adverse Effect on Delta Insurance.

                    (j)  The tax treatment under the Code of all
               insurance annuity or investment policies, plans, or
               contracts; all financial products, employee benefit
               plans, individual retirement accounts or annuities;
               or any similar or related policy, contract, plan, or
               product, whether individual, group, or otherwise,
               issued or sold by Delta Insurance is and at all
               times has been in all material respects the same or
               more favorable to the purchaser, policyholder or
               intended beneficiaries thereof as the tax treatment
               under the Code for which such contracts qualified or
               purported to qualify at the time of its issuance or
               purchase, except for changes resulting from changes
               to the Code effective after the date of such
               issuance or purchase.  For purposes of this Section
               4.14(j), the provisions of the Code relating to the
               tax treatment of such contracts shall include, but
               not be limited to, Sections 72, 79, 101, 104, 105,
               106, 125, 130, 401, 402, 403, 404, 408, 412, 415,
               419, 419A, 457, 501, 505, 817, 818, 7702, and 7702A
               of the Code, to the extent applicable.

                    (k)  No regional director of Delta Insurance
               produced in 1996 more than 5% of the premiums
               written by Delta Insurance.

                    (l)  No individual agent of Delta Insurance
               produced in 1996 more than 1% of the premiums
               written by Delta Insurance; and no individual
               policyholder or contractholder represented in 1996
               more than 1% of the premiums written by Delta
               Insurance. 

                    (m)  All advertising and marketing materials
               used with respect to the sales and marketing of
               insurance and annuity Contracts issued by Delta
               Insurance are in conformity in all material respects
               with applicable Law.

                    (n)  (i) Section 4.14 of the Disclosure
                    Schedule contains a true and complete list of
                    (I) each master or prototype (as well as any
                    individually designed) pension, profit sharing,
                    defined benefit, Code Section 401(k), and other
                    retirement or employee benefit plan or Contract
                    (including, but not limited to, simplified
                    employee pension plans, Code Section 403(a),
                    (b) and (c) annuities, Keogh plans, and
                    individual retirement accounts and annuities)
                    offered or sold by any Acquired Company to, or
                    maintained or sponsored for the benefit of any
                    employees of, any other Person, and (II) each
                    determination letter or opinion letter relating
                    to the creation or amendment of any such plan
                    or Contract. Each such plan or Contract in all
                    material respects conforms with, and has been
                    offered, sold, maintained and sponsored in
                    accordance with, all applicable Laws.  Except
                    as set forth in Section 4.14(n) of the
                    Disclosure Schedule, no Acquired Company is a
                    fiduciary within the meaning of ERISA with
                    respect to any plan or Contract referenced in
                    this Section 4.14.

                    (ii) Each plan or Contract referenced in
                    Section 4.14(n)(i) has been timely amended to
                    comply with any amendment to the Code, ERISA or
                    other applicable Law or regulation, or in such
                    cases where the adoption of formal amendments
                    is not yet required, such plan or Contract has
                    been duly operated in compliance with any
                    applicable change in the Code, ERISA or other
                    applicable Law or regulations.

                    (iii)  No Acquired Company has engaged in any
                    prohibited transaction within the meaning of
                    Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
                    Code with respect to any plan or Contract
                    referenced in Section 4.14(n)(i).

                    (iv)  To the Knowledge of Delta and except as
                    disclosed in Section 4.14(n) of the Disclosure
                    Schedule, no Person to whom any Acquired
                    Company has offered or sold any plan or
                    Contract referenced in Section 4.14(n)(i) is
                    under examination or investigation by the
                    Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department
                    of Labor or any other governmental agency with
                    respect to such plan or Contract or with
                    respect to the Tax liabilities of such Person
                    or such Person's current or former employees
                    with respect to such plan or Contract.

                    (v) No Acquired Company provides administrative
                    or other contractual services for any plan or
                    Contract referenced in Section 4.14(n)(1),
                    including, but not limited to, any third party
                    administrative services for an Employee Welfare
                    Benefit Plan.

                    (vi) To the extent that any Acquired Company
                    maintains any collective or commingled funds or
                    accounts which restrict the Persons who may
                    invest therein to tax-exempt entities or
                    qualified plans, each such fund or account (of
                    which a true and complete list and description
                    is disclosed in Section 4.14 of the Disclosure
                    Schedule) has been established, maintained and
                    operated in accordance with all applicable
                    Laws, has maintained its tax-exempt status and
                    has no Persons investing within it other than
                    Persons permitted under Section 401(a)(24) of
                    the Code.

                    (vii) In addition to the representations and
                    warranties contained in Section 4.14 hereof,
                    there are no claims pending, or (to the
                    Knowledge of Delta) threatened against any
                    Acquired Company or any of their respective
                    Assets or Properties, under any fiduciary
                    liability insurance policy issued by or to any
                    of them that individually or in the aggregate
                    has or would reasonably be expected to have a
                    Material Adverse Effect on any Acquired
                    Company.

                         (o)  No Real Estate has been used for the
                    storage, treatment, generation, transportation,
                    manufacture, processing, handling, production,
                    distribution, deposit, burial, use, or disposal of
                    any Hazardous Substance except in compliance with
                    Environmental Laws.  No Acquired Company has any
                    liability arising out of or resulting from a Release
                    of any Hazardous Substance on or from any Real
                    Estate. Each Acquired Company has complied in all
                    material respects with all applicable Environmental
                    Laws relating to Real Estate and the business,
                    activities and processing respectively conducted
                    thereon.

                         4.15 BENEFIT PLANS, ERISA.  Each "employee
               benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3 (3) of ERISA),
               bonus, deferred compensation, stock option, stock
               purchase or other equity compensation plan, program or
               arrangement, each employment, termination or severance
               agreement or plan, incentive compensation or other
               agreement whether written or oral relating to employment
               or fringe benefits for employees, former employees,
               officers or directors of Delta or any of its
               Subsidiaries, maintained or contributed to by Delta of
               any of its Subsidiaries at any time during the 7-calendar
               year period immediately preceding the Closing Date
               (collectively, the "Plans") is listed at Section 4.15 of
               the Disclosure Schedule, attached hereto, and except as
               disclosed at Section 4.15 of the Disclosure Schedule, is
               in material compliance with applicable Law and has been
               administered and operated in all material respects in
               accordance with such applicable Law and the terms of the
               Plan.  No Plan is or has been covered by Section 302 or
               Title IV of ERISA or is or has been subject to the
               minimum funding requirements of Section 412 of the Code. 
               Each Plan which is intended to be "qualified" within the
               meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code has received a
               favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue
               Service and no event has occurred and no condition exists
               which could reasonably be expected to result in the
               revocation of any such determination.  All trusts
               maintained under the Plans are exempt from taxation under
               Section 501(a) of the Code.  Full payment has been made
               of all amounts which Delta or any of its Subsidiaries
               were required under the terms of the Plans to have paid
               as contributions to such Plans on or prior to the date
               hereof (excluding any amounts not yet due).  Neither
               Delta nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any other
               "disqualified person" or "party in interest" (as defined
               in Section 4975(e)(2) of the Code and Section 3 (14) of
               ERISA, respectively) has engaged in any transaction in
               connection with any Plan that could reasonably be
               expected to result in the imposition of a penalty
               pursuant to Section 409 of ERISA or a Tax pursuant to
               Section 4975(a) of the Code.  No Plan provides medical,
               surgical, hospitalization, death or similar benefits
               (whether or not insured) for employees or former
               employees of the Acquired Companies or any Subsidiary for
               periods extending beyond their retirement or other
               termination of service, other than (i) coverage mandated
               by applicable Law, (ii) death benefits under any "pension
               plan," or (iii) benefits the full cost of which is borne
               by the current or former employee (or his beneficiary). 
               Each Plan subject to the requirements of Section 601 or
               ERISA has been operated in compliance therewith.  Except
               as listed at Section 4.15 of the Disclosure Schedule, no
               individual shall accrue or receive additional benefits,
               services or accelerated rights to payment of benefits as
               a direct result of the transactions contemplated by this
               Agreement.  No material liability, claim, investigation,
               audit, action or litigation has been incurred, made,
               commenced or, to the Knowledge of Delta, is threatened or
               anticipated, by or against Delta or any of its
               Subsidiaries with respect to any Plan (other than for
               benefits payable in the ordinary course).  No plan or
               related trust owns any securities in violation of Section
               407 of ERISA.  No material liability has been, or could
               reasonably be expected to be, incurred under Title IV of
               ERISA (other than for benefits payable in the ordinary
               course of PBGC insurance premiums) or Section 412(f) or
               (n) of the Code by any entity required to be aggregated
               with Delta or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section
               4001 (b) of ERISA and/or Section 414(b) or (c) of the
               Code (and the regulations promulgated thereunder) with
               respect to any "employee pension benefit plan" (as
               defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) which is not a Plan. 
               With respect to each Plan, Delta has delivered or caused
               to be delivered to Acquiror and its counsel true and
               complete copies of the following documents, as
               applicable, for each respective Plan:  (i) all Plan
               documents, with all amendments thereto or, if the Plan is
               not a written Plan, a description thereof; (ii) the
               current summary plan description with any applicable
               summaries of material modifications thereto as well as
               any other material employee communications; (iii) all
               current trust agreements and/or other documents
               establishing Plan funding arrangements; (iv) the most
               recent Internal Revenue Service determination letter and,
               if a request for such a letter has been filed and is
               currently pending with the Internal Revenue Service, a
               copy of such filing; (v) the three most recently prepared
               Internal Revenue Service Forms 5500; (vi) the most
               recently prepared financial statements; and (vii) all
               material related to contracts, service provider
               agreements and investment management and investment
               advisory agreements.  Prior to 1997, Delta was exempt
               from any requirement to prepare audited financial
               statements for any Plan.

                         4.16 PROPERTIES.  Except as disclosed in
               Section 4.16 of the Disclosure Schedule (with paragraph
               references corresponding to those set forth below):

                         (a)  Delta Insurance has good and valid title
                    to all debentures, notes, stocks, securities, and
                    other assets that are of a type required to be
                    disclosed in Schedules A through E of its Annual
                    Statement, if applicable, and that are owned by it,
                    free and clear of all Liens.

                         (b)  (i) None of the mortgage loans or other
                    long term invested assets held by Delta Insurance,
                    of the type required to be disclosed in Schedule B
                    or BA of its Annual Statement, if applicable, is or
                    has been at any time since December 31, 1995, in
                    default for more than 60 days as to any payment of
                    interest or principal due thereon and, to the
                    Knowledge of Delta, the financial condition of any
                    other party to such loan or asset is not so impaired
                    as to cause a default thereunder, (ii) there is no
                    existing circumstance or condition with respect to
                    such loan or asset or any property mortgaged or
                    pledged as collateral for the repayment thereof that
                    would cause such loan to be subject to imminent
                    default, and (iii) there is no valid right of
                    offset, defense or counterclaim to such loan or
                    asset.

                         (c)  Except with respect to (i) Permitted
                    Encumbrances, (ii) real property owned by Delta or
                    Delta Insurance and leased to any Person, and (iii)
                    real property not used in the conduct of the
                    business of Delta or Delta Insurance, each of the
                    Acquired Companies owns good and indefeasible title
                    to, or has a valid leasehold interest in, all real
                    property used in the conduct of its business,
                    operations, or affairs, or of a type required to be
                    disclosed in Schedule A of an Annual Statement, if
                    applicable, free and clear of all Liens.  No
                    improvement on any such real property owned, leased,
                    or held by such Acquired Company encroaches upon any
                    real property of any other Person.  Each Acquired
                    Company owns, leases, or has a valid right under
                    Contract or otherwise to use adequate means of
                    ingress and egress to, from, and over all such real
                    property.

                         (d)  Each Acquired Company owns good and
                    indefeasible title to, or has a valid leasehold
                    interest in or has a valid right under Contract to
                    use, all tangible personal property that is used in
                    the conduct of its business, operations, or affairs,
                    free and clear of all Liens.  All such tangible
                    personal property is, except for reasonable wear and
                    tear, in good operating condition and repair and is
                    suitable for its current uses.

                         (e)   Each Acquired Company has, and
                    immediately after the Closing will have, the
                    nonexclusive right to use, after the Closing, free
                    and clear of any royalty or other payment
                    obligations, claims of infringement or alleged
                    infringement, or other Liens, (i) all marks, names,
                    trademarks, service marks, patents, patent rights,
                    assumed names, logos, trade secrets, copyrights,
                    trade names, and service marks that are used in the
                    conduct of its business, operations, or affairs (of
                    which a true and complete list and description is
                    disclosed in Section 4.16(e) of the Disclosure
                    Schedule), and (ii) all material computer software,
                    programs, and similar systems owned by or licensed
                    to such Acquired Company or used in the conduct of
                    its business, operations, or affairs (of which a
                    true and complete list and description is disclosed
                    in Section 4.16(e) of the Disclosure Schedule).  No
                    Acquired Company is in conflict with or in violation
                    or infringement of, nor has any Acquired Company
                    received any notice of any conflict with or
                    violation or infringement of or any claimed conflict
                    with any asserted rights of any other Person with
                    respect to any intellectual property or any material
                    computer software, programs, or similar systems,
                    including without limitation any of such items
                    disclosed in Section 4.16(e) of the Disclosure
                    Schedule.

                         4.17 CONTRACTS.  Section 4.17 of the Disclosure
               Schedule (with paragraph references corresponding to
               those set forth below) contains a true and complete list
               of each of the following Contracts or other documents or
               arrangements (true and complete copies, or, if none,
               written descriptions, of which have been made available
               to the Acquiror, together with all amendments thereto) to
               which any of the Acquired Companies is a party or by
               which any of the Assets and Properties of any of the
               Acquired Companies is bound:

                         (a)  all employment, marketing, agency,
                    consultation, contracts for services or other
                    Contracts of any type (except insurance and annuity
                    Contracts or Benefit Plans including, without
                    limitation, loans or advances) with any present
                    Delta Employee, including, without limitation, any
                    "Super producer" contracts, if there exists any
                    present or future liability with respect to such
                    Contract, whether now existing or contingent) other
                    than (i) Contracts terminable without penalty or
                    other Liability upon 30 days or less notice, (ii)
                    Contracts with consultants and similar
                    representatives who do not receive compensation of
                    $100,000 or more per year, (iii) employment or
                    agency Contracts not containing terms which are
                    unduly burdensome to any of the Acquired Companies
                    with agents who do not receive compensation of
                    $100,000 or more per year, and (iv) agency Contracts
                    not on the standard form attached hereto as Exhibit
                    I, and the name, position, and rate of compensation
                    of each such Person and the expiration date of each
                    such Contract, as well as all sick leave, vacation,
                    holiday, and other similar practices, procedures,
                    and policies of any of the Acquired Companies
                    established or administered other than as Benefit
                    Plans;

                         (b)  all Contracts with any Person containing
                    any provision or covenant limiting the ability of
                    any Acquired Company to engage in any line of
                    business or to compete with or to obtain products or
                    services from any Person or limiting the ability of
                    any Person to compete with or to provide products or
                    services to any Acquired Company;

                         (c)  all material partnership, joint venture,
                    profit-sharing, or similar Contracts with any Person
                    except for any such arrangement disclosed in the
                    December 31, 1996 Annual Statement (and the notes
                    relating thereto) and Benefit Plans;

                         (d)  all Contracts relating to the borrowing of
                    money by any Acquired Company or to the direct or
                    indirect guarantee by any Acquired Company of any
                    obligation for borrowed money in excess of $100,000
                    in the aggregate or any other Liability in respect
                    of indebtedness of any other Person, including
                    without limitation any Contract relating to (i) the
                    maintenance of compensating balances that are not
                    terminable by the Acquired Company without penalty
                    or other Liability upon not more than 60 calendar
                    days' notice, (ii) any line of credit or similar
                    facility, (iii) the payment for property, products,
                    or services of any other Person even if such
                    property, products, or services not conveyed, have
                    not yet been delivered, or rendered, or (iv) the
                    obligation to take-or-pay, keep-well, make-whole, or
                    maintain surplus or earnings levels or perform other
                    financial ratios or requirements; and Section
                    4.17(d) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a true
                    and complete list of any requirements for consents
                    or approvals of creditors needed for the Seller to
                    consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;

                         (e)  all leases or subleases of real property
                    used in the business, operations, or affairs of
                    Delta, and all other material leases, subleases, or
                    rental or use Contracts for which Delta is liable;

                         (f)  all Contracts relating to the future
                    disposition or acquisition of any material Assets or
                    Properties of any Person or of any interest in any
                    business enterprise (other than the disposition or
                    acquisition of material Assets or Properties in the
                    ordinary course of business and consistent with past
                    practice);

                         (g)  all Contracts or arrangements (including
                    without limitation those relating to allocation of
                    expenses, personnel, services, or facilities) with
                    any Delta Affiliate;

                         (h)  all reinsurance, coinsurance, or other
                    similar Contracts, and all investment contracts,
                    trust agreements or other security agreements
                    related thereto, indicating, with respect to each
                    group of such Contracts (by reinsurer or coinsurer)
                    or security agreement, the information required to
                    be disclosed in Schedule S of an Annual Statement;

                         (i)  all outstanding proxies, powers of
                    attorney, or similar delegations of authority,
                    except for powers of attorney for the service of
                    process pursuant to applicable insurance or
                    corporate Laws;

                         (j)  all Contracts for the provision of
                    administrative, underwriting, claims handling or
                    other services by or to any Acquired Company;

                         (k)  all material Contracts for any product,
                    service, equipment, facility, or similar item (other
                    than insurance and annuity Contracts and other than
                    reinsurance, coinsurance, and other similar
                    Contracts) that by their respective terms do not
                    expire or terminate or are not terminable by an
                    Acquired Company, without penalty or other
                    Liability, within three months after December 31,
                    1997; and 

                         (l)  all other Contracts (other than insurance
                    and annuity Contracts and Contracts terminable
                    without penalty or other Liability upon 90 days or
                    less notice) that involve the payment or potential
                    payment, pursuant to the terms of such Contracts, by
                    or to any of the Acquired Companies of more than
                    $50,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate or
                    that are otherwise material to the Acquired
                    Companies, taken as a whole.

               Each Contract disclosed or required to be disclosed in
               the Disclosure Schedule pursuant to this Section 4.17, 
               is in full force and effect and constitutes a valid and
               binding obligation of any of the Acquired Companies and,
               to the Knowledge of Delta, of each other Person that is a
               party thereto in accordance with its terms subject to
               equitable rights and the rights of creditors; and none of
               the Acquired Companies nor (to the Knowledge of Delta)
               any other party to such Contract has materially violated,
               breached or defaulted under any such Contract (or with or
               without notice or lapse of time or both, would be in
               material violation or breach of or default under any such
               Contract).  Except as disclosed in Section 4.17 of the
               Disclosure Schedule, none of the Acquired Companies is a
               party to or bound by any Contract that was not entered
               into in the ordinary course of business and consistent
               with past practice.  None of the Acquired Companies is a
               party to or bound by any collective bargaining or similar
               labor Contract.

                         4.18 THREATS OF CANCELLATION.  Except as
               disclosed in Section 4.18 of the Disclosure Schedule,
               since December 31, 1995, no policyholder, group of
               policyholder Affiliates, or Persons writing, selling, or
               producing, either directly or through reinsurance
               assumed, insurance business that individually or in the
               aggregate for each such policyholder, group or Person,
               respectively, accounted for 3% or more of the premium or
               annuity income of Delta Insurance for the year ended
               December 31, 1996, has terminated or (to the Knowledge of
               Delta) threatened to terminate its relationship with
               Delta Insurance.

                         4.19 LICENSES AND PERMITS.  Except as disclosed
               in Section 4.19 of the Disclosure Schedule (with
               paragraph references corresponding to those set forth
               below):

                         (a)  Each Acquired Company owns or validly
                    holds, all licenses, franchises, permits, approvals,
                    authorizations, exemptions, classifications,
                    certificates, registrations, and similar documents
                    or instruments that are required for its business,
                    operation, and affairs and that the failure to so
                    own or hold has or would reasonably be expected to
                    have a Material Adverse Effect on such Acquired
                    Company; and

                          (b) all such licenses, franchises, permits,
                    approvals, authorizations, exemptions,
                    classifications, certificates, registrations, and
                    similar documents or instruments are valid, binding,
                    and in full force and effect, and none of such
                    licenses, franchises, permits, approvals,
                    authorizations, exemptions, classifications,
                    certificates, registrations, and similar documents
                    or instruments will lapse or become invalid or
                    subject to any material limitations immediately
                    after the Closing as a result of the Merger.

                         4.20 OPERATIONS INSURANCE.  Section 4.20 of the
               Disclosure Schedule contains a true and complete list and
               description of all liability, property, workers
               compensation, directors and officers liability, and other
               similar insurance Contracts that insure the business,
               operations, or affairs of and Acquired Company or affect
               or relate to the ownership, use, or operations of any of
               their respective Assets and Properties and (a) that have
               been issued to such Acquired Company (including without
               limitation the names and addresses of the insurers, the
               expiration dates thereof, and the annual premiums and
               payment terms thereof) or (b) that are held by any
               Affiliate of Delta (including any stockholder of Delta)
               for the benefit of any Acquired Company following the
               Closing.  All such insurance is in full force and effect
               and (to the Knowledge of Delta) is with financially sound
               and reputable insurers and, in light of the business,
               operations, and affairs of the Acquired Companies, is in
               amounts and provides coverage that are reasonable and
               customary for Persons in similar businesses.

                         4.21 INTERCOMPANY LIABILITIES.  Except as
               reflected in the December 31, 1996 Annual Statement, or
               except as disclosed in Section 4.21 of the Disclosure
               Schedule, (a) there are no Liabilities between any
               Acquired Company and any other Affiliate (including any
               stockholder of Delta) of Delta, and (b) no Affiliate of
               Delta (including any stockholder of Delta) provides or
               causes to be provided to Delta any products, services,
               equipment, facilities, or similar items. Except as
               disclosed in Section 4.21 of the Disclosure Schedule,
               since December 31, 1996, no such intercompany Liabilities
               in excess of an aggregate of $100,000 have been paid, and
               no settlements of such intercompany Liabilities have been
               made.

                         4.22 BANK ACCOUNTS.  Section 4.22 of the
               Disclosure Schedule contains (a) a true and complete list
               of the names and locations of all banks, trust companies,
               securities brokers, and other financial institutions at
               which an Acquired Company has an account or safe deposit
               box or maintains a banking, custodial, trading, or other
               similar relationship and (b) a true and complete list and
               description of each such account, box, and relationship,
               indicating in each case the account number and the names
               of the respective officers, employees, agents, or other
               similar representatives of Delta transacting business
               with respect thereto.

                         4.23 BROKERS.  Except for the fee payable to
               Lazard Freres & Co. LLC for providing a fairness opinion,
               all negotiations relative to this Agreement and the
               transactions contemplated hereby have been carried out on
               behalf of Delta without the intervention of any Person as
               to give rise to any valid claim by any Person against the
               Acquiror, a Designated Subsidiary, or Delta for a
               finder's fee, brokerage commission, or similar payment.

                         4.24 DISCLOSURE.  Neither this Agreement nor
               any certificate required to be furnished by Delta to the
               Acquiror, Sub or any Designated Subsidiary in connection
               with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
               hereby contains any untrue statement of a material fact
               concerning any of the Acquired Companies or omits to
               state a material fact concerning any of the Acquired
               Companies necessary to make the statements herein or
               therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in
               which they were made.  Delta shall not be deemed to have
               made to AmerUs, Sub or any Designated Subsidiary any
               representation or warranty other than as expressly made
               by Delta in Article IV hereof.  Without limiting the
               generality of the foregoing, and notwithstanding any
               otherwise express representations and warranties made by
               Delta in Article IV hereof, Delta makes no representation
               or warranty with respect to:

                         (a)  any projections, estimates or budgets
               heretofore delivered to or made available to AmerUs, Sub
               or any Designated Subsidiary of future revenues,
               expenses, or expenditures or future results of
               operations; or

                         (b)  except as expressly covered by
               representations and warranties contained in Article IV
               hereof, any other information or documents (financial or
               otherwise) made available to AmerUs, Sub or any
               Designated Subsidiary or their respective counsel,
               accountants or advisors with respect to Delta or any of
               the Acquired Companies.

                         4.25 STOCKHOLDERS AND RELATED MATTERS. 
               (a) Delta represents and warrants that the Merger
               requires the affirmative vote of holders of 66-2/3% of
               the outstanding shares of each of the Series B Preferred
               Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock
               and Common Stock Class B.  In addition, the Merger
               requires the vote of holders of a majority of the
               outstanding shares of Common Stock Class A, with each
               series of Preferred Stock and the Common Stock Class B
               being entitled to vote with the Common Stock Class A on
               the basis of one vote for each share held.

                         (b)  Delta has provided AmerUs with copies of
               the Stockholders' Agreement dated as of December 21, 1990
               and Amendment I to the Stockholders' Agreement dated as
               of March 31, 1992 and Amendment II to the Stockholders'
               Agreement, dated as of December 1, 1993 (together, the
               "Stockholders' Agreement").  To the knowledge of Delta,
               without any investigation, there are no other agreements,
               verbal or written, by or among all or any of the
               stockholders of Delta, other than a Letter Agreement,
               dated February 23, 1996 which has been provided by Delta
               to AmerUs.  Nothing contained herein is intended to state
               or imply that the Stockholders' Agreement (or such Letter
               Agreement) is applicable to this Agreement or the Merger.

                                   ARTICLE V
                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF AMERUS

               AmerUs hereby represents and warrants to Delta as
               follows:

                         5.1 ORGANIZATION OF AMERUS AND SUB.  AmerUs is
               a corporation duly organized, and validly existing, under
               the Laws of Iowa and Sub is a corporation duly organized,
               and validly existing, under the Laws of Delaware, and
               each of AmerUs and Sub has the requisite power and
               authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its
               obligations under this Agreement.  AmerUs is duly
               licensed, qualified, or admitted to do business in all
               jurisdictions in which the failure to be so licensed,
               qualified, or admitted, individually or in the aggregate
               with other such failures, has or would reasonably be
               expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on AmerUs.

                         5.2 AUTHORITY OF AMERUS AND SUB.  Each of
               AmerUs and Sub has duly and validly approved this
               Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.  The
               execution and delivery of this Agreement by AmerUs and by
               Sub and the performance by AmerUs and Sub of their
               respective obligations under this Agreement have been
               duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate
               action.  This Agreement constitutes a valid, and binding
               obligation of AmerUs and of Sub and is enforceable
               against AmerUs and Sub, respectively, in accordance with
               its terms, except to the extent that (a) enforcement may
               be limited by or subject to any bankruptcy, insolvency,
               reorganization, moratorium, or similar Laws now or
               hereafter in effect relating to or limiting creditors 
               rights generally and (b) the remedy of specific
               performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable
               relief are subject to certain equitable defenses and to
               the discretion of the court or other similar Person
               before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

                         5.3 ORGANIZATION OF DESIGNATED SUBSIDIARIES. 
               On the Closing Date, each Designated Subsidiary will be a
               corporation duly organized, and validly existing, and in
               good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of
               incorporation and will have full corporate power and
               authority to consummate the transactions contemplated
               hereby.

                         5.4 NO CONFLICTS OR VIOLATIONS.  The execution
               and delivery of this Agreement by AmerUs and by Sub do
               not, and the performance by AmerUs and by Sub of their
               respective obligations under this Agreement will not:

                         (a)  subject to obtaining the approvals
                    contemplated by Sections 7.1 and 7.2 hereof, violate
                    any term or provision of any Law or any writ,
                    judgment, decree, injunction, or similar order
                    applicable to AmerUs or Sub;

                         (b)  conflict with or result in a violation or
                    breach of, or constitute (with or without notice or
                    lapse of time or both) a default under, any of the
                    terms, conditions, or provisions of the articles or
                    certificate of incorporation or by-laws of AmerUs or
                    Sub;

                         (c)  result in the creation or imposition of
                    any Lien upon AmerUs or Sub or any of their
                    respective Assets and Properties that individually
                    or in the aggregate with any other Liens has or
                    would reasonably be expected to have a Material
                    Adverse Effect on AmerUs or Sub;

                         (d)  conflict with or result in a violation or
                    breach of, or constitute (with or without notice or
                    lapse of time or both) a default under, or give to
                    any Person any right of termination, cancellation,
                    acceleration, or modification in or with respect to,
                    any Contract to which AmerUs or Sub is a party or by
                    which any of their respective Assets and Properties
                    may be bound other than (i) the consent of The Chase
                    Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, and the
                    holders of 66 2/3% of the outstanding debt, under
                    each of the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement
                    dated as of December 11, 1996 of Acquiror, and the
                    Credit Agreement dated as of January 29, 1997 of
                    AmerUs Group Co., each as amended, (ii) the consent
                    of American Mutual Holding Company pursuant to the
                    Amended and Restated Intercompany Agreement by and
                    among American Mutual Holding Company, AmerUs Group
                    Co. and the Acquiror, and (iii) those Contracts as
                    to which any such conflicts, violations, breaches,
                    defaults, or rights individually or in the aggregate
                    do not have or would not reasonably be expected to
                    have a Material Adverse Effect on AmerUs or Sub; or

                         (e)  require AmerUs or Sub to obtain any
                    consent, approval or action of, or make any filing
                    with or give any notice to, any Person except (i) as
                    contemplated in Section 7.1 or 7.2 hereof, (ii) or
                    those which the failure to obtain, make, or give
                    individually or in the aggregate with other such
                    failures has or would reasonably be expected to have
                    no Material Adverse Effect on AmerUs or Sub.

                         5.5 FINANCING.  AmerUs will have the requisite
               funds at Closing equal to the Merger Consideration as
               contemplated by Article III hereof.

                         5.6 BROKERS.  Except for the fee payable to
               Fox-Pitt, Kelton Inc., all negotiations relative to this
               Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby have
               been carried out by AmerUs directly with Delta, without
               the intervention of any Person on behalf of the AmerUs in
               such manner as to give rise to any valid claim by any
               Person against any of the Acquired Companies for a
               finder s fee, brokerage commission, or similar payment.

                         5.7 DISCLOSURE.  Neither this Agreement nor any
               certificate to be furnished by AmerUs to Delta in
               connection with this Agreement or the transactions
               contemplated hereby, contains any untrue statement of a
               material fact concerning any of AmerUs, Sub or any
               Designated Subsidiary or omits to state a material fact
               concerning any of the foregoing necessary to make the
               statements herein or therein not misleading in light of
               the circumstances in which they were made.  Neither
               AmerUs, nor Sub nor any Designated Subsidiary shall be
               deemed to have made to Delta any representation or
               warranty other than as expressly made by AmerUs in
               Article V hereof.  Without limiting the generality of the
               foregoing, and notwithstanding any otherwise express
               representations and warranties made by AmerUs in Article
               V hereof, AmerUs makes no representation or warranty with
               respect to:

                         (a)  any projections, estimates or budgets
               heretofore delivered to or made available to Delta of
               future revenues, expenses or expenditures or future
               results of operations; or

                         (b)  except as expressly covered by
               representations and warranties contained in Article V
               hereof, any other information or documents (financial or
               otherwise) made available to Delta or its counsel,
               accountants or advisors with respect to AmerUs, Sub or
               any Designated Subsidiary.

                                  ARTICLE VI
                              COVENANTS OF DELTA

                         Delta covenants and agrees with AmerUs that, at
               all times before the Closing, Delta will comply with all
               covenants and provisions of this Article VI, except to
               the extent AmerUs may otherwise consent in writing, or to
               the extent otherwise required or permitted by this
               Agreement.

                         6.1 LENDER AND REGULATORY APPROVALS.  Delta
               will (a) take all commercially reasonable steps necessary
               or desirable, and proceed diligently and in good faith
               and use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, as
               promptly as practicable, all approvals required by any
               applicable Contract, (b) take all commercially reasonable
               steps necessary or desirable, and proceed diligently and
               in good faith and use all commercially reasonable efforts
               to obtain, as promptly as practicable, all approvals,
               authorizations, and clearances of governmental and
               regulatory authorities required to permit the
               consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (c)
               provide such other information and communications to such
               governmental and regulatory authorities as AmerUs or such
               authorities may reasonably request, and (d) cooperate
               with AmerUs, Sub and each Designated Subsidiary in
               obtaining, as promptly as practicable, all approvals,
               authorizations, and clearances of governmental or
               regulatory authorities and others required of AmerUs, Sub
               or any Designated Subsidiary to consummate the
               transactions contemplated hereby, including without
               limitation any required approvals of the insurance
               regulatory authorities in Tennessee.

                         6.2 HSR FILINGS.  Delta will (a) take promptly
               all actions necessary to make the filings required of it
               and the Acquired Companies under the HSR Act, (b) comply
               at the earliest practicable date with any request for
               additional information received from the Federal Trade
               Commission or Antitrust Division of the Department of
               Justice pursuant to the HSR Act, (c) cooperate with
               AmerUs and Sub in connection with their filings under the
               HSR Act, and (d) request early termination of the
               applicable waiting period.

                         6.3 INVESTIGATION BY AMERUS.  Subject to the
               provisions of Section 13.4, Delta will provide AmerUs,
               its lenders, and their respective counsel, accountants,
               actuaries, and other representatives with access, upon
               reasonable notice and during normal business hours, to
               all facilities, officers, employees, agents, accountants,
               actuaries, Assets and Properties, and Books and Records
               of Delta and will furnish AmerUs and such other Persons
               during such period with all such information and data
               (including without limitation copies of Contracts,
               Benefit Plans, and other Books and Records) concerning
               the business, operations, and affairs of Delta as AmerUs
               or any of such other Persons reasonably may request.

                         6.4 NO NEGOTIATIONS, ETC.  (a)  Except as set
               forth below, Delta shall not, nor shall Delta authorize
               or permit any of its Subsidiaries, officers, directors,
               employees, representatives or agents, to, directly or
               indirectly, encourage, solicit, participate in, initiate
               or continue discussions or negotiations with, or provide
               any information to, any Person (other than AmerUs, Sub,
               or any Designated Subsidiary) with respect to, or take
               any action to facilitate any inquiries or the making of,
               or enter into any agreement (including any preliminary
               agreement) relating to, or approve any proposal that
               constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to,
               any Acquisition Proposal (as defined below). 
               Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, at any time prior
               to the approval of this Agreement and the Merger by
               Delta's stockholders, whether at the Special Meeting (as
               defined below) or by written consent, Delta may furnish
               information and access, in each case only in response to
               unsolicited requests therefor, to any Person pursuant to
               a customary confidentiality agreement, and may
               participate in discussions and negotiate with such Person
               concerning an Acquisition Proposal, if the Board of
               Directors of Delta determines in its good faith judgment
               following consultation with outside counsel and an
               independent financial advisor, that (i) such Person shall
               have submitted an unsolicited Superior Proposal (as
               defined below), and (ii) it is required to do so in order
               to comply with its fiduciary duties to stockholders under
               applicable Law.  Delta's Board of Directors shall notify
               AmerUs orally (within one Business Day), and in writing
               (as promptly as practicable) of all the relevant details
               relating to all inquiries and proposals that it and any
               of its Subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees,
               representatives or agents may receive relating to any
               Acquisition Proposal and, if such inquiries or proposals
               are in writing, Delta shall provide a copy of such
               written Acquisition Proposal to AmerUs immediately after
               receipt thereof and thereafter keep AmerUs promptly
               advised of any development with respect thereto.

                         (b)  Except as set forth in this Section
               6.4(b), Delta's Board of Directors shall not withdraw or
               modify, or propose to withdraw or modify, its
               recommendation of this Agreement and the transactions
               contemplated hereby or approve or recommend, or propose
               to approve or recommend, any Acquisition Proposal. 
               Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Delta's Board of
               Directors determines in its good faith judgment,
               following consultation with outside counsel and an
               independent financial advisor, that (i) it has received
               an unsolicited Superior Proposal and (ii) it is required
               to do so in order to comply with its fiduciary duties to
               stockholders under applicable law, Delta's Board of
               Directors may withdraw its recommendation of the
               transactions contemplated hereby or approve or recommend
               such unsolicited Superior Proposal, but in each case only
               after providing at least five Business Days' prior
               written notice to AmerUs (A) advising AmerUs that Delta's
               Board of Directors has received or become aware of a
               Superior Proposal, (B) specifying the material terms and
               conditions of such Superior Proposal, (C) identifying the
               person making the Superior Proposal, and (D) stating that
               it intends to withdraw its recommendation or approve or
               recommend such Superior Proposal.  

                         (c)  "Acquisition Proposal" means any proposal,
               offer or expression of interest from any Person involving
               a merger, consolidation or other business combination
               with Delta or any of its Subsidiaries or any proposal,
               offer or expression of interest to acquire or cause to be
               acquired in any manner, directly or indirectly,
               including, without limitation, through any reinsurance or
               coinsurance transaction, all or a significant portion of
               the business, assets, or capital stock of Delta or any of
               its Subsidiaries, other than the transactions
               contemplated by this Agreement.

                         (d)  "Superior Proposal" means any bona fide
               Acquisition Proposal from any Person for which any
               required financing is committed and which is otherwise on
               terms that Delta's Board of Directors determines in its
               good faith reasonable judgment, following consultation
               with outside counsel and an independent financial
               advisor, to be more favorable to Delta's stockholders
               than the Merger.

                         6.5 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.  Delta will, and will
               cause the Acquired Companies to, conduct its and their
               respective businesses only in the ordinary course and
               consistent with past practice, except as otherwise
               provided in this Agreement or except as may be consented
               to by AmerUs in writing.  Without limiting the generality
               of the foregoing:

                         (a)  Delta will use all commercially reasonable
                    efforts to and cause each of the Acquired Companies
                    to (i) preserve intact its present business
                    organization, field force, reputation, and
                    policyholder, annuitant or customer relations, (ii)
                    keep available the services of its present key
                    officers, directors, employees, agents, consultants,
                    and other similar representatives, (iii) except as
                    to Vermont, maintain all licenses, qualifications,
                    and authorizations to do business in each
                    jurisdiction in which it is so licensed, qualified,
                    or authorized, (iv) maintain in full force and
                    effect all Contracts, documents, and arrangements
                    set forth in Section 4.17 of the Disclosure
                    Schedule, except to the extent they are terminated
                    in the ordinary course of business, (v) maintain all
                    of its Assets and Properties in good working order
                    and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, (vi)
                    continue all current marketing and selling
                    activities relating to its business, operations, or
                    affairs in accordance with its current marketing
                    plan and applicable Law, and (vii) with respect to
                    Delta Insurance, maintain the rating classification,
                    or its equivalent, assigned as of the date hereof to
                    it by A.M. Best Company, Inc.

                         (b)  Delta will maintain, and will cause each
                    of the Acquired Companies to maintain, their
                    respective Books and Records in the usual manner and
                    consistent with past practice and will not permit a
                    material change in any applicable underwriting,
                    investment, actuarial, financial reporting, or
                    accounting practice or policy of any Acquired
                    Company or in any assumption underlying such a
                    practice or policy, or in any method of calculating
                    any bad debt, contingency, or other reserve for
                    financial reporting purposes or for other accounting
                    purposes (including without limitation any practice,
                    policy, assumption, or method relating to or
                    affecting the determination of insurance or
                    annuities in force, premium or investment income,
                    Reserve Liabilities, or operating ratios with
                    respect to expenses, losses, or lapses).

                         (c)  Delta will (i) prepare properly and file
                    duly and validly all reports and all Tax Returns
                    required to be filed with any governmental or
                    regulatory authorities with respect to its business,
                    operations, or affairs, and (ii) pay in full and
                    when due all Taxes indicated by such Tax Returns or
                    otherwise levied or assessed upon it or any of its
                    Assets and Properties, and withhold or collect and
                    pay to the proper taxing authorities or hold in
                    separate bank accounts for such payment all Taxes
                    that it is required to so withhold or collect and
                    pay, unless reasonable reserves therefor have been
                    established and reflected in its Books and Records.

                         (d)  Delta will cause (i) all Reserve
                    Liabilities with respect to insurance and annuity
                    Contracts established or reflected in the Books and
                    Records of Delta Insurance to be (A) established in
                    accordance with the methods for establishing
                    Liabilities and reserving methods followed by Delta
                    Insurance in the preparation of the December 31,
                    1996 Annual Statement and (B) adequate (under
                    generally accepted actuarial principles consistently
                    applied) to cover the total amount of all reasonably
                    anticipated matured and unmatured benefits,
                    dividends, losses, claims, expenses, and other
                    Liabilities of Delta Insurance under all insurance
                    and annuity Contracts pursuant to which Delta
                    Insurance has or will have any liability (including
                    without limitation any liability arising under or as
                    a result of any reinsurance, coinsurance, or other
                    similar Contract); and (ii) Delta Insurance to
                    continue to own assets that qualify as legal reserve
                    assets under all applicable insurance Laws in an
                    amount at least equal to its required Reserve
                    Liabilities.

                         (e)  Delta will use all commercially reasonable
                    efforts to maintain in full force and effect until
                    the Closing substantially the same levels of
                    coverage as the insurance afforded under the
                    Contracts listed in Section 4.20 of the Disclosure
                    Schedule.  Any and all benefits under such Contracts
                    paid or payable to any Acquired Company prior to the
                    Closing with respect to the business, operations,
                    affairs, or Assets and Properties of such Acquired
                    Company  shall be paid to such Acquired Company.

                         (f)  Delta will continue to and will cause the
                    other Acquired Companies to comply, in all material
                    respects, with all Laws applicable to its business,
                    operations, or affairs.

                         (g)  Delta will not and will cause the other
                    Acquired Companies not to incur any Liabilities
                    outside of the ordinary course of their respective
                    businesses and consistent with past practices. 

                         6.6 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS.  

                         (a) As promptly as practicable after each
                    calendar quarter ending between the date hereof and
                    the Closing Date, Delta will deliver to AmerUs true
                    and complete copies of the Quarterly Statement filed
                    by Delta Insurance for each quarter then ended. 

                         (b)  As promptly as practicable but not later
                    than (i) sixty days following the end of each
                    calendar quarter, Delta will deliver to the Acquiror
                    a quarterly GAAP consolidated balance sheet of the
                    Acquired Companies and the related consolidated
                    statements of income of the Acquired Companies for
                    the quarter then ended, together with any
                    consolidating supplementary schedules related
                    thereto, and (ii) forty-five days following the end
                    of each calendar quarter, Delta will deliver to the
                    Acquiror a copy of the Quarterly Statement of Delta
                    Insurance for such quarter, prepared in accordance
                    with SAP.

                         (c)  As promptly as practicable, Delta will
                    deliver to the Acquiror true and complete copies of
                    such other material financial statements, reports,
                    or analyses as may be prepared or received by it or
                    any of the Acquired Companies and as relate to any
                    of the business, operations, or affairs of the
                    Acquired Companies, including without limitation
                    normal internal reports which Delta prepares (such
                    as those reflecting monthly premiums, claims, and
                    cash flow) and special reports (such as those of
                    financial or actuarial consultants), as well as any
                    reports prepared for the stockholders of Delta.

                         (d)  As promptly as practicable, Delta will
                    deliver to the Acquiror the calculation of the
                    accrued liability with respect to each Benefit Plan
                    which is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

                         6.7 INVESTMENTS.  Each of the Acquired
               Companies will invest its future cash flow, any cash from
               matured and maturing investments, any cash proceeds from
               the sale of its Assets and Properties, and any cash funds
               currently held by it exclusively in cash equivalent
               assets or in short-term investments (consisting of United
               States government issued or guaranteed securities,
               commercial paper rated A-1 or P-1, or certificates of
               deposit issued by one or more of the banks or financial
               institutions listed in Section 6.7 of the Disclosure
               Schedule), except (i) as otherwise required by Law, (ii)
               as required to provide cash (in the ordinary course of
               business and consistent with past practice) to meet its
               reasonably anticipated current obligations, (iii) in
               accordance with past practices in the ordinary course of
               business, and in the case of Delta and Delta Insurance,
               with the investment policies set forth in Section 6.7 of
               the Disclosure Schedule, or (iv) as consented to by the
               Acquiror.  Delta Insurance will not take any actions,
               other than as otherwise permitted by this Agreement or in
               the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
               practice (including, without limitation, normal
               amortization and depreciation of any depreciable asset)
               designed to cause the assets of Delta Insurance that are
               classified as nonadmitted under SAP or by the applicable
               insurance regulatory authorities, to be greater or less
               than their respective dollar amounts as of December 31,
               1996.

                         6.8 EMPLOYEE MATTERS.  Except as may be
               required by Law, by this Agreement or as disclosed in
               Section 6.8 of the Disclosure Schedule, or except for
               such Contract representations, promises, changes,
               alterations, or amendments that do not and will not
               result in any Liability to any of the Acquired Companies,
               the Acquired Companies will refrain from directly or
               indirectly, without the consent of Acquiror:

                              (a) making any representation or promise,
                         oral or written, to any Delta Employee which is
                         inconsistent with the terms of any Benefit
                         Plan;

                              (b) making any change to, or amending in
                         any way, the Contracts, salaries, wages, or
                         other compensation of any Delta Employee whose
                         annual compensation exceeds $100,000 other than
                         routine changes or amendments that (a) are made
                         in the ordinary course of business and
                         consistent with past practice, (b) do not and
                         will not result in increases of more than 5% in
                         the salary, wages, or other compensation of any
                         such Person, and (c) do not and will not
                         exceed, in the aggregate, 5% of the total
                         salaries, wages, and other compensation of all
                         Delta Employees;

                              (c) adopting, entering into, amending,
                         altering or terminating, partially or
                         completely, any Benefit Plan; or any election
                         made pursuant to the provisions of any Benefit
                         Plan, to accelerate any payments, obligations
                         or vesting schedules under any Benefit Plans;

                              (d) adopting, entering into, amending,
                         altering, or terminating, partially or
                         completely, any employment, agency
                         consultation, or representation Contract that
                         is, or had it been in existence on the date of
                         this Agreement would have been, required to be
                         disclosed in Section 4.17(a) of the Disclosure
                         Schedule;

                         (e) approving any general or company wide pay
                         increases for Delta Employees; or

                         (f) entering into any Contract with any Delta
                         Employee that is not terminable by any of the
                         Acquired Companies, without penalty or other
                         Liability, upon not more than 60 calendar days 
                         notice.

                         6.9 NO CHARTER AMENDMENTS.  Each of the
               Acquired Companies will refrain from amending its
               certificate of incorporation or by-laws and from taking
               any action with respect to any such amendment.

                         6.10 NO ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES. Each of the
               Acquired Companies will refrain from authorizing or
               issuing any shares of their capital stock or other equity
               securities or entering into any Contract or granting any
               option, warrant, or right calling for the authorization
               or issuance of any such shares or other equity
               securities, or creating or issuing any securities
               directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable
               for any such shares or other equity securities, or
               issuing any options, warrants, or rights to purchase any
               such convertible securities.

                         6.11 NO DIVIDENDS.  Except as set forth in
               Section 6.11 of the Disclosure Schedule, Delta will
               refrain from declaring, setting aside, or paying any
               dividend or other distribution in respect of its capital
               stock and from directly or indirectly redeeming,
               purchasing, or otherwise acquiring any of its capital
               stock or any interest in or right to acquire any such
               stock.

                         6.12 NO DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY.  Except as set
               forth in Section 6.12 of the Disclosure Schedule or as
               otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each of
               the Acquired Companies will refrain from (a) disposing of
               any of its Assets and Properties and from permitting any
               of its Assets and Properties to be subjected to any
               Liens, except to the extent any such disposition or any
               such Lien is made or incurred in the ordinary course of
               the business and consistent with past practice, (b)
               selling any material part of its insurance products,
               operations, or business to any third party (other than
               sales of insurance products in the ordinary course of
               business consistent with past practice), (c) entering
               into any contracts obligating it to administer the
               insurance operations of any other Person, and (d)
               entering into any Contracts permitting any other Person
               to administer its insurance operations.

                         6.13 NO BREACH OR DEFAULT.  Each of the
               Acquired Companies will refrain from violating,
               breaching, or defaulting, and from taking or failing to
               take any action that (with or without notice or lapse of
               time or both) would constitute a material violation,
               breach, or default, in any way under any term or
               provision of any Contract to which it is a party or by
               which any of its Assets and Properties is or may be
               bound.

                         6.14 NO INDEBTEDNESS.  Except in the ordinary
               course of business and consistent with past practice and
               except for existing contractual obligations, each of the
               Acquired Companies will refrain from creating, incurring,
               assuming, guaranteeing, or otherwise becoming liable for,
               and from canceling, paying, agreeing to cancel or pay, or
               otherwise providing for a complete or partial discharge
               in advance of a scheduled payment date with respect to,
               any Liability, and from waiving any right to receive any
               direct or indirect payment or other benefit under any
               Liability owing to such company.

                         6.15 NO ACQUISITIONS.   Delta will refrain from
               (a) merging, consolidating, or otherwise combining or
               agreeing to merge, consolidate, or otherwise combine with
               any other Person, (b) acquiring or agreeing to acquire
               blocks of business of all or substantially all the Assets
               and Properties or capital stock or other equity
               securities of any other Person, or (c) otherwise
               acquiring or agreeing to acquire control of any other
               Person.

                         6.16 LIABILITIES TO DELTA AFFILIATES.  Except
               for agreements between or among Delta and its
               Subsidiaries, at least five Business Days before the
               Closing, Delta will deliver to the Acquiror a true and
               complete list and description of all Liabilities between
               Delta and any Delta Affiliate to be outstanding on the
               Closing Date.  At or prior to the Closing, all such
               Liabilities shall be paid, except as otherwise
               specifically provided herein or agreed by Acquiror. 
               Delta will not enter into any Contract or, except as
               required by any Contract disclosed in Section 4.17(g) of
               the Disclosure Schedule, engage in any transaction with
               any other Delta Affiliate.  Except as otherwise
               specifically provided herein or in a notice from Acquiror
               prior to the Closing Date, on the Closing Date Delta will
               terminate and will cause the other Acquired Companies to
               terminate each Contract between Delta and any Delta
               Affiliate, including without limitation each Contract
               disclosed in Section 4.17(g) of the Disclosure Schedule.

                         6.17 TAX MATTERS.  Delta shall not and shall
               not permit any Acquired Company to settle any material
               audit, make or change any material Tax election or file
               any amended Tax Return (except as provided in Section
               4.12(f) of the Disclosure Schedule).  At least 10 days
               prior to filing any income Tax Return or other material
               Tax Return relating to Delta or any Acquired Company,
               Delta shall deliver a copy of such Tax Return to Acquiror
               for Acquiror's review and comment.

                         6.18 NOTICE AND CURE.  Delta will notify the
               Acquiror promptly in writing of, and contemporaneously
               will provide the Acquiror with true and complete copies
               of any and all information or documents relating to, and
               will use all commercially reasonable efforts to cure
               before the Closing, any event, transaction, or
               circumstance occurring after the date of this Agreement
               that causes or will cause any covenant or agreement under
               this Agreement to be breached, or that renders or will
               render untrue any representation or warranty of Delta
               contained in this Agreement as if the same were made on
               or as of the date of such event, transaction, or
               circumstance. Delta also will use all commercially
               reasonable efforts to cure, before the Closing, any
               violation or breach of any representation, warranty,
               covenant, or agreement made by it in this Agreement,
               whether occurring or arising before or after the date of
               this Agreement.

                         6.19 SUPPLEMENTS TO SCHEDULES.  Delta shall at
               any time or from time to time after the date hereof and
               prior to the Closing Date, supplement or amend the
               Disclosure Schedule with respect to any matter arising
               after the date hereof which, if existing or occurring at
               the date hereof, would have been required to be set forth
               or described therein.  No supplement or amendment to the
               Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to cure any breach of
               a representation or warranty of Delta made herein, or
               have any effect for the purpose of determining the
               satisfaction of the conditions to Closing set forth in
               Article VIII.

                         6.20 STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT.  Delta shall take
               all actions that may be necessary in order to obtain the
               valid waiver of any provisions of the Stockholders
               Agreement or shall otherwise comply with the provisions
               of the Stockholders Agreement, to the extent applicable
               to the Merger.  Delta shall not, directly or indirectly,
               assert any rights that it may have under the Stockholders
               Agreement on account of this Agreement or the Merger, or
               assign or transfer to any other Person any such rights,
               it being understood that nothing in this Section 6.20 is
               intended to state or imply that the Stockholders
               Agreement is applicable to this Agreement or the Merger.

                         6.21  STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL.  Delta shall, in
               accordance with all applicable Laws, and the Second
               Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-
               Laws of Delta, duly call, give notice of, convene and
               hold a special meeting of its stockholders (the "Special
               Meeting") or solicit the written consent of its
               stockholders (the "Consent Solicitation") as promptly as
               practicable after the date hereof for the purpose of
               considering and taking action upon this Agreement and
               such other matters as may be appropriate at the Special
               Meeting or pursuant to the Consent Solicitation. 
               Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
               contrary, Delta shall not take any action which
               interferes with the convening of the Special Meeting or
               the taking of the stockholders' vote at the meeting or
               the Consent Solicitation.  The Board of Directors of
               Delta will include its recommendation that the
               stockholders of Delta approve and adopt this Agreement
               and the transactions contemplated hereby in any proxy or
               other solicitation materials or communications prepared
               in connection with the Special Meeting or the Consent
               Solicitation.

                    6.22 WARN ACT NOTIFICATION.  Delta shall, upon the
               request of Acquiror, provide any notices required under,
               and otherwise take all steps necessary to comply with,
               all applicable "plant closing", "mass layoff" or other
               similar Laws, including, but not limited to, the Worker
               Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.

                    6.23  LONDON LIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY NEGOTIATIONS. 
               Delta shall jointly with Acquiror negotiate with London
               Life Reinsurance Company to seek a reduction or
               elimination of the margin relating to the Delta Insurance
               Index Advantage product.  If a reduction is agreed to,
               then Acquiror shall have the right to determine the
               amount of the new margin.  London Life Reinsurance
               Company shall remain the coinsurer in connection with the
               Index Advantage product.

                                  ARTICLE VII
                  COVENANTS AND CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF AMERUS

                         7.1 REGULATORY APPROVALS.  The Acquiror will,
               or will cause Sub or any Designated Subsidiary to, (a)
               take all commercially reasonable steps necessary or
               desirable, and proceed diligently and in good faith and
               use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, as
               promptly as practicable, all approvals, authorizations,
               and clearances of governmental and regulatory authorities
               required of the Acquiror, Sub or such Designated
               Subsidiary to consummate the transactions contemplated
               hereby, including without limitation any required
               approvals of the insurance regulatory authorities in
               Tennessee, (b) provide such other information and
               communications to such governmental and regulatory
               authorities as Delta or such authorities may reasonably
               request, and (c) cooperate with Delta in obtaining, as
               promptly as practicable, all approvals, authorizations,
               and clearances of governmental or regulatory authorities
               required to consummate the transactions contemplated
               hereby.

                         7.2 HSR FILINGS.  The Acquiror will (a) take
               promptly all actions necessary to make the filings
               required of the Acquiror or its Affiliates under the HSR
               Act, (b) comply at the earliest practicable date with any
               request for additional information received by the
               Acquiror or its Affiliates from the Federal Trade
               Commission or Antitrust Division of the Department of
               Justice pursuant to the HSR Act, (c) cooperate with Delta
               in connection with the filings under the HSR Act, and (d)
               request early termination of the applicable waiting
               period.

                         7.3 NOTICE AND CURE.  The Acquiror will notify
               Delta promptly in writing of, and contemporaneously will
               provide Delta with true and complete copies of any and
               all information or documents relating to, and will use
               all commercially reasonable efforts to cure before the
               Closing, any event, transaction, or circumstance
               occurring after the date of this Agreement that causes or
               will cause any covenant or agreement of the Acquiror
               under this Agreement to be breached, or that renders or
               will render untrue any representation or warranty of the
               Acquiror contained in this Agreement as if the same were
               made on or as of the date of such event, transaction, or
               circumstance. The Acquiror also will use all commercially
               reasonable efforts to cure, before the Closing, any
               violation or breach of any representation, warranty,
               covenant, or agreement made by it in this Agreement,
               whether occurring or arising before or after the date of
               this Agreement.

                         7.4 EMPLOYMENT AND CONSULTING AGREEMENTS. 
               AmerUs will use all commercially reasonable efforts to
               enter into (or to cause Delta to enter into) a mutually
               agreeable Employment and Non-Competition Agreement with
               the Delta Employee set forth on Exhibit 3.1(f)(iii)
               hereto

                                 ARTICLE VIII
                  CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF AMERUS AND SUB

                         The obligations of AmerUs and Sub hereunder are
               subject to the fulfillment, at or before the Closing, of
               each of the following conditions (all or any of which may
               be waived in whole or in part by the Acquiror).

                         8.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The
               representations and warranties of Delta set forth in this
               Agreement that are qualified as to materiality shall be
               true and correct, and the representations and warranties
               of Delta set forth in this Agreement that are not so
               qualified shall be true and correct in all material
               respects, in each case as of the date of this Agreement
               and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of
               the Closing Date, except to the extent any such
               representation or warranty expressly relates to an
               earlier date (in which case as of such date), and AmerUs
               shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of
               Delta by its Chairman, President and Chief Executive
               Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
               Officer and (to the extent of her actual knowledge)
               Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel to
               such effect.

                         8.2 PERFORMANCE.  Delta shall have performed
               and complied in all material respects with all
               agreements, covenants, obligations, and conditions
               required by this Agreement to be so performed or complied
               with at or before the Closing, including those
               specifically referred to elsewhere in this Article VIII,
               and AmerUs shall have received a certificate signed on
               behalf of Delta by its Chairman, President and Chief
               Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief
               Operating Officer and (to the extent of her actual
               knowledge) Senior Vice President, Secretary and General
               Counsel to such effect.

                         8.3 OFFICER'S CERTIFICATES.  Delta shall have
               delivered to the Acquiror a certificate, dated the
               Closing Date in form reasonably acceptable to Acquiror
               and executed by the Chairman, President and Chief
               Executive Officer, the Executive Vice President and Chief
               Operating Officer and (to the extent of her actual
               knowledge) the Senior Vice President, Secretary and
               General Counsel of Delta, certifying with respect to the
               fulfillment of the conditions set forth in this Article
               VIII.  In addition, Delta shall have delivered to the
               Acquiror a certificate, dated the Closing Date and
               executed by the Secretary of Delta, certifying (a) that
               Delta has duly and validly taken all corporate action
               necessary to authorize its execution and delivery of this
               Agreement and its performance of its obligations under
               this Agreement, (b) that the resolutions (true and
               complete copies of which shall be attached to the
               certificate) of the Board of Directors and stockholders
               of Delta with respect to this Agreement and the
               transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and
               validly adopted and are in full force and effect and (c)
               as to the aggregate amount of legal and investment
               banking fees incurred by Delta in connection with the
               transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                         8.4 HSR ACT APPROVAL.  All waiting periods
               applicable to this Agreement and the transactions
               contemplated hereby under the HSR Act shall have expired
               or been waived.

                         8.5 NO INJUNCTION.  There shall not be in
               effect on the Closing Date any writ, judgment,
               injunction, decree, or similar order of any court or
               similar Person restraining, enjoining, or otherwise
               preventing consummation of any of the transactions
               contemplated by this Agreement.

                         8.6 NO PROCEEDING OR LITIGATION.  There shall
               not be instituted, pending, or threatened, any action,
               suit, investigation, or other proceeding in, before, or
               by any court, governmental or regulatory authority or
               other Person, to restrain, enjoin, or otherwise prevent
               consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by
               this Agreement or to recover any damages or obtain other
               relief as a result of this Agreement or any of the
               transactions contemplated hereby or as a result of any
               Contract entered into in connection with or as a
               condition precedent to the consummation hereof, which
               action, suit, investigation or other proceeding could, in
               the reasonable opinion of the Acquiror, result in a
               decision, ruling, or finding that individually or in the
               aggregate has or could reasonably be expected to have a
               Material Adverse Effect on the Surviving Corporation.

                         8.7 CONSENTS, AUTHORIZATIONS, ETC.   Delta,
               Delta Insurance and AmerUs shall have obtained or made,
               as appropriate, such material consents, approvals,
               orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations,
               permits or filings in connection with this Agreement and
               the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for the
               conduct of their businesses as currently conducted or as
               expected to be conducted.  All orders, consents, permits,
               authorizations, approvals, and waivers of every Person
               disclosed pursuant to Section 4.6(e) (including without
               limitation any requisite action of the insurance
               regulatory authorities in Tennessee and the NASD), in
               each case without the abrogation or diminishment of the
               authority or license currently held by Delta Insurance or
               Delta Life Securities, Inc. or the imposition of
               significant restrictions upon the transactions
               contemplated hereby or the conduct of the business of the
               Surviving Corporation, shall have been obtained and shall
               be in full force and effect.

                         8.8 NO ADVERSE CHANGE. There shall not have
               been, occurred, or arisen since the date of this
               Agreement any change, event (including without limitation
               any damage, destruction, or loss whether or not covered
               by insurance), condition, or state of facts of any
               character that individually or in the aggregate has or
               could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
               Effect on Delta or Delta Insurance.

                         8.9  CONFORMITY WITH ANNUAL STATEMENT.  No
               matter, event, condition or state of facts of any
               character shall have come to the attention of AmerUs
               which, in the judgment of AmerUs, differs materially and
               adversely from the statements and information set forth
               in the 1996 Annual Statement of Delta Life.

                         8.10 OPINION OF COUNSEL.  Delta shall have
               delivered to the Acquiror the opinion, substantially in
               the form of Exhibit 8.10 hereto, dated the Closing Date,
               of Waring Cox, PLC, special counsel to Delta.

                         8.11   STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.  The stockholders
               of Delta shall have approved the Merger by the requisite
               vote at the Special Meeting or through the Consent
               Solicitation, and the transfer, option and disposition
               provisions of the Stockholders' Agreement, if applicable
               to the Merger, shall not have been exercised by any party
               to the Stockholders' Agreement.

                         8.12  DISSENTERS' RIGHTS.  Delta shall not have
               received notices of intent to perfect rights as a
               dissenting shareholder under the DGCL from the holders of
               more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock and
               Preferred Stock.  

                         8.13  EMPLOYMENT AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT. 
               The Acquiror and Mr. Cody Phillips shall have entered
               into a mutually acceptable Employment and Non-Competition
               Agreement which shall be in full effect and force as of
               the Closing Date.

                         8.14 SEVERANCE ARRANGEMENTS.  No payments made
               by any Acquired Company or by the Surviving Corporation
               in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
               Agreement would constitute "parachute payments" within
               the meaning of Section 280G of the Code.

                                  ARTICLE IX
                      CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF DELTA

                         The obligations of Delta hereunder are subject
               to the fulfillment, at or before the Closing, of each of
               the following conditions (all or any of which may be
               waived in whole or in part by Delta).

                         9.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.   The
               representations and warranties of AmerUs set forth in
               this Agreement that are qualified as to materiality shall
               be true and correct, and the representations and
               warranties of AmerUs set forth in this Agreement that are
               not so qualified shall be true and correct in all
               material respects, in each case as of the date of this
               Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on
               and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent any such
               representation or warranty expressly relates to an
               earlier date (in which case as of such date), and Delta 
               shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of
               AmerUs by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
               Financial Officer to such effect.

                         9.2 PERFORMANCE. AmerUs shall have performed
               and complied with all agreements, covenants, obligations,
               and conditions required by this Agreement to be so
               performed or complied with at or before the Closing and
               Delta shall have received a certificate signed on behalf
               of AmerUs by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
               Financial Officer to such effect.

                         9.3 OFFICER'S CERTIFICATES. AmerUs shall have
               delivered to Delta a certificate, dated the Closing Date
               in form reasonably acceptable to Delta and executed by
               the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
               of AmerUs, certifying with respect to the fulfillment of
               the conditions set forth in this Article IX.  In
               addition, AmerUs shall have delivered to Delta a
               certificate, dated the Closing Date and executed by the
               secretary or any assistant secretary of AmerUs,
               certifying that AmerUs has duly and validly taken all
               corporate action necessary to authorize its execution and
               delivery of this Agreement and its performance of its
               obligations under this Agreement, and that the
               resolutions (true and complete copies of which shall be
               attached to the certificate) of the Board of Directors of
               AmerUs with respect to this Agreement and the
               transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and
               validly adopted and are in full force and effect.

                         9.4 HSR ACT APPROVAL.  All waiting periods
               applicable to this Agreement and the transactions
               contemplated hereby under the HSR Act shall have expired
               or been waived.

                         9.5 MERGER CONSIDERATION.  The Merger
               Consideration shall be deposited with the Escrow Agent
               pursuant to Section 2.3.2.

                         9.6 NO INJUNCTION.  There shall not be in
               effect on the Closing Date any writ, judgment,
               injunction, decree, or similar order of any court or
               similar Person restraining, enjoining, or otherwise
               preventing consummation of any of the transactions
               contemplated by this Agreement.

                         9.7 CONSENTS, AUTHORIZATIONS, ETC.  All orders,
               consents, permits, authorizations, approvals and waivers
               of every Person disclosed pursuant to Section 5.4(e) and
               necessary to permit Delta to perform its obligations
               under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
               contemplated hereby shall have been obtained and shall be
               in full force and effect.

                         9.8 OPINION OF COUNSEL.  AmerUs shall have
               delivered to Delta the opinion, in form and substance
               reasonably acceptable to Delta, dated the Closing Date,
               of Joseph K. Haggerty, Esq. counsel to AmerUs,
               substantially in the form attached as Exhibit 9.8 hereto.

                                   ARTICLE X
                       SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS; REMEDIES

                         10.1 SURVIVAL.  Except for Section 13.4, the
               representations, warranties, covenants and agreements
               respectively required to be made by Delta and the
               Acquiror in this Agreement will not survive after the
               Effective Time.  Thereafter, Delta and its Affiliates
               will have no liability (for damages, indemnification or
               otherwise) with respect to any representation, warranty,
               covenant or obligation to be performed or complied with
               prior to the Closing (except to the extent such liability
               is attributable to actual fraud on the part of Delta or
               any such Affiliates).

                         10.2 AVAILABLE REMEDIES.  Each party expressly
               agrees that, consistent with its intention and agreement
               to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and to
               consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, subject
               only to the performance or satisfaction of precedent
               conditions or of precedent requirements imposed upon
               another party hereto, the remedy of specific performance
               shall be available to a non-breaching and non-defaulting
               party to enforce performance of this Agreement by a
               breaching or defaulting party, including, without
               limitation, to require the consummation of the Closing on
               the Closing Date.  The rights and remedies provided for
               in this Agreement are cumulative and are not exclusive of
               any rights or remedies that any party may otherwise have
               at law or in equity.

                                  ARTICLE XI
                                  TERMINATION

                         11.1 TERMINATION.  This Agreement may be
               terminated, and the transactions contemplated hereby may
               be abandoned, upon notice by the terminating party to the
               other party:

                         (a)  at any time before the Closing, by mutual
                    written agreement of the parties; or 

                         (b)  at any time by Delta if any of the
                    covenants set forth in Article VII shall have been
                    breached or any of the conditions set forth in
                    Article IX hereof shall not have been satisfied,
                    performed, or complied with, in any material
                    respect, at or before the Closing Date and such
                    breach, non-satisfaction, non-performance, or non-
                    compliance has not been cured or eliminated within
                    30 calendar days after notice thereof has been given
                    to the Acquiror, provided that at the time of such
                    termination Delta has neither breached any of the
                    covenants set forth in Article VI nor failed to
                    satisfy, perform, or comply with any of the
                    conditions set forth in Article VIII hereof, in any
                    material respect;

                         (c)  at any time by the Acquiror if any of the
                    covenants set forth in Article VI shall have been
                    breached or any of the conditions set forth in
                    Article VIII hereof shall not have been satisfied,
                    performed, or complied with, in any material
                    respect, before the Closing Date and such breach,
                    non-satisfaction, non-performance, or non-compliance
                    has not been cured or eliminated within 30 days
                    after notice thereof has been given to Delta,
                    provided that at the time of such termination the
                    Acquiror has neither breached any of the covenants
                    set forth in Article VII nor failed to satisfy,
                    perform, or comply with any of the conditions set
                    forth in Article IX hereof, in any material respect;

                         (d)  by the Acquiror if (i) any supplement to
                    the Disclosure Schedule or other information
                    provided pursuant to Section 6.6, 6.19 or 6.20
                    discloses any material event, trend, condition,
                    contract, Liability, action, suit, proceeding,
                    claim, circumstance or fact of any character that is
                    not acceptable to the Acquiror, in its sole
                    discretion, and the Acquiror gives notice thereof to
                    Delta within seven days after receipt by the
                    Acquiror of such supplement or information, and such
                    event, trend, condition, contract, Liability,
                    action, suit, proceeding, claim, circumstance or
                    fact has not been cured or eliminated within 20 days
                    after notice thereof has been given to Delta, or
                    (ii) the Quarterly Statement of Delta Insurance for
                    the second quarter of 1997, when filed with the
                    Tennessee insurance regulatory authorities, is not
                    substantially identical to the portions thereof
                    provided by Delta to the Acquiror on August 13,
                    1997;

                         (e)  by the Acquiror or Delta, if this
                    Agreement and the Merger shall have failed to
                    receive the requisite approval of the stockholders
                    of Delta at the Special Meeting or by written
                    consent pursuant to the Consent Solicitation;

                         (f) at any time after December 31, 1997, by
                    Delta or the Acquiror, if the transactions
                    contemplated by this Agreement have not been
                    consummated on or before such date, provided, that
                    this Agreement shall be extended not more than
                    ninety days thereafter if the Merger shall not have
                    occurred as a result of the failure to receive the
                    governmental approvals set forth in Section 4.6(e)
                    of the Disclosure Schedule hereto, and such failure
                    to obtain approval is not caused by a breach of this
                    Agreement (or any representation, warranty,
                    covenant, or agreement included herein) by the party
                    electing to terminate pursuant to this clause (f);

                         (g)  by Delta or the Acquiror if, at any time
                    prior to approval of this Agreement and the Merger
                    at the Special Meeting or by action of the
                    stockholders of Delta taken by written consent
                    pursuant to the Consent Solicitation, a third party
                    shall have made an Acquisition Proposal which the
                    Board of Directors of Delta determines by majority
                    vote in its good faith reasonable judgment, after
                    consultation with outside counsel and an independent
                    financial advisor, is a Superior Proposal; 

                         (h)  by the Acquiror if the Board of Directors
                    of Delta shall have withdrawn or modified, or
                    proposed to withdraw or modify, its recommendation
                    of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
                    hereby or approves or recommends, or proposes to
                    approve or recommend, any Acquisition Proposal; or

                         (i)  by the Acquiror if Delta, one or more
                    stockholders of Delta, or any other Person shall
                    have exercised a right or option to acquire or
                    purchase Common Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to
                    the terms of the Stockholders' Agreement, it being
                    understood that nothing in this Section 11.1(i) is
                    intended to state or imply that the Stockholders'
                    Agreement is applicable to this Agreement or the
                    Merger.

                         11.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION.  (a)  If this
               Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 11.1
               hereof, this Agreement will forthwith become null and
               void, and there will be no Liability on the part of Delta
               or the Acquiror or Sub (or any of their respective
               Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents,
               consultants, or other representatives), except that (i)
               the provisions of this Section 11.2, Article XII and
               Section 13.2 will continue to apply following any such
               termination, (ii) the provisions relating to
               confidentiality in Section 13.4 hereof will continue to
               apply following any such termination and (iii) any such
               termination shall be without prejudice to any claim which
               either party may have against the other for breach of
               this Agreement (or any representation, warranty,
               covenant, or agreement included herein).  All reasonable
               out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with this
               Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby by a
               non-breaching party who terminates this Agreement
               pursuant to Section 11.1 hereof will be reimbursed
               promptly by the breaching party.

                         (b)  In the event this Agreement is terminated
               by Delta pursuant to Section 11.1(g) or by the Acquiror
               pursuant to Section 11.1(h), Delta shall pay to Acquiror
               by wire transfer of immediately available funds (A)
               within two Business Days following such termination the
               amount of $5 million, plus (B) within two Business Days
               following receipt of a written demand therefor, an amount
               equal to all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred
               by Acquiror in connection with this Agreement and the
               transactions contemplated hereby, it being understood
               that such amounts are intended to constitute liquidated
               damages and not as a penalty. 

                         (c)  In the event this Agreement is terminated
               by either Delta or the Acquiror pursuant to Section
               11.1(e), or by the Acquiror pursuant to Section 11.1(g),
               (i) Delta shall pay to Acquiror by wire transfer of
               immediately available funds within two Business Days
               following receipt of a written demand therefor, an amount
               equal to all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred
               by Acquiror in connection with this Agreement and the
               transactions contemplated hereby, and in addition (ii) if
               Delta or one or more stockholders of Delta, at any time
               within twenty-four months following the date of such
               termination, approves, enters into an agreement with
               respect to, or publicly announces, (A) a merger,
               consolidation or other business combination involving 
               Delta or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) any direct or
               indirect (including through any reinsurance or
               coinsurance transaction) acquisition by any Person of all
               or a significant portion of the business or assets of
               Delta or any of its Subsidiaries or of the capital stock
               of any of the Subsidiaries of Delta, or (C) any
               transaction which would  result in the direct or indirect
               acquisition by any Person of the power to direct the
               voting or disposition of shares of capital stock of Delta
               representing 50% or more of the total voting power of all
               outstanding shares of capital stock of Delta, or
               otherwise resulting in a change in control of Delta, or
               (D) the Company shall have filed a registration statement
               with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a
               demand made by a stockholder under the Registration
               Rights Agreement, as amended, by and among the Company
               and certain stockholders, and such registration statement
               shall have been declared effective then within two
               Business Days following the date of such approval,
               agreement or public announcement, Delta shall pay to
               Acquiror by wire transfer of immediately available funds
               the amount of $5 million, it being understood that such
               amounts are intended to constitute liquidated damages and
               not as a penalty. 

                         (d)  In the event this Agreement is terminated
               by Acquiror pursuant to Section 11.1(i), Delta shall pay
               to Acquiror by wire transfer of immediately available
               funds (A) within two Business Days following such
               termination the amount of $5 million, plus (B) within two
               Business Days following receipt of a written demand
               therefor, an amount equal to all reasonable out-of-pocket
               expenses incurred by Acquiror in connection with this
               Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, it
               being understood that such amounts are intended to
               constitute liquidated damages and not as a penalty. 

                                  ARTICLE XII
                                    NOTICES

                         12.1 NOTICES.  All notices and other
               communications under this Agreement must be in writing
               and will be deemed to have been duly given upon (a)
               confirmation of receipt of a facsimile transmission, (b)
               confirmed delivery by a standard overnight carrier or
               when delivered by hand or (c) the expiration of five
               Business Days after the day when mailed by registered or
               certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt
               requested), addressed to the respective parties at the
               following addresses (or such other address for a party as
               shall be specified by like notice):

                         If to Delta, to:

                              Delta Life Corporation
                              530 Oak Court, Suite 200
                              Memphis, TN 38117 
                              Attn:  Allen O. Jones, Jr.
                                     Executive Vice President
                                     and Chief Operating Officer
                              Fax No.: (901)685-7265

                         With a copy to:

                              Delta Life Corporation
                              530 Oak Court, Suite 200
                              Memphis, TN 38117 
                              Attn: Bettye S. Adams, Esq.
                                    Senior Vice President, Secretary and
                                    General Counsel
                              Fax No.: (901)684-0337

                         And to:

                              Waring Cox PLC
                              1300 Morgan Keegan Tower
                              50 North Front St.
                              Memphis, TN  38103-1190
                              Attn: Clayton D. Smith, Esq.
                              Fax No.: (901) 543-8030

                         If to Acquiror:

                              AmerUs Life Holdings, Inc.
                              611 5th Street
                              Des Moines, IA 50309
                              Attn: Roger K. Brooks
                                    Chairman, President and
                                    Chief Executive Officer
                              Fax No.: (515)283-3402

                         With Copy to:

                              AmerUs Life Holdings. Inc.


                              611 5th Street
                              Des Moines, IA 50309
                              Attn: Joseph K. Haggerty, Esq.
                                    Senior VP and General Counsel
                              Fax No.: (515)283-3402

                         And to:

                              Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
                              919 Third Avenue
                              New York, NY 10022
                              Attn: Jeffrey W. Tindell, Esq.
                              Fax No.:(212)735-2000

                                 ARTICLE XIII
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

                         13.1 ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  Except for documents
               executed by Delta and the Acquiror pursuant hereto, this
               Agreement supersedes all prior discussions and agreements
               between the parties with respect to the subject matter of
               this Agreement, and this Agreement (including the
               exhibits hereto, the Disclosure Schedule and other
               Contracts and documents delivered in connection herewith)
               contains the sole and entire agreement between the
               parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

                         13.2 EXPENSES.  Except as otherwise expressly
               provided in this Agreement (including, without
               limitation, Section 11.2 hereof), each of Delta and the
               Acquiror will pay its own costs and expenses in
               connection with this Agreement and the transactions
               contemplated hereby.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
               expenses incurred by Delta for legal and investment
               banking fees in connection with this Agreement and the
               transactions contemplated hereby in excess of an
               aggregate amount of $500,000 shall be borne and paid for
               by the stockholders of Delta and shall be deducted from
               the cash consideration otherwise payable to them under
               Article III hereof.  Such amount not in excess of
               $500,000 shall be paid by the Surviving Corporation at
               the Closing, and each party to whom any portion of such
               amount is paid shall deliver to Acquiror a receipt for
               such amount, which receipt shall state that such payment
               fully satisfies all amounts relating to services rendered
               in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
               contemplated hereby.  

                         13.3 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.  At all times at or
               before the Closing, AmerUs and Delta will each consult
               with the other before issuing or making any reports,
               statements, or releases to the public with respect to
               this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby
               and will use good faith efforts to agree on the text of a
               joint public report, statement, or release or will use
               good faith efforts to obtain the other party's approval
               of the text of any public report, statement, or release
               to be made solely on behalf of a party. If Delta and the
               Acquiror are unable to agree on or approve any such
               public report, statement, or release and such report,
               statement, or release is, in the opinion of legal counsel
               to a party, required by Law or may be appropriate in
               order to discharge such party's disclosure obligations,
               then such party may make or issue the legally required
               report, statement, or release.  Any such report,
               statement, or release approved or permitted to be made
               pursuant to this Section 13.3 may be disclosed or
               otherwise provided by Delta or the Acquiror to any
               Person, including without limitation to any employee or
               customer of either party hereto and to any governmental
               or regulatory authority.

                         13.4 CONFIDENTIALITY.  Each of Delta and the
               Acquiror will hold, and will cause its respective
               Affiliates and their respective officers, directors,
               employees, agents, consultants, and other representatives
               to hold, in strict confidence, unless compelled to
               disclose by judicial or administrative process (including
               without limitation in connection with obtaining the
               necessary approval of insurance regulatory authorities)
               or by other requirements of Law, all confidential
               documents and confidential or proprietary information
               concerning the other party furnished to it by the other
               party or such other party's officers, directors,
               employees, agents, consultants, or representatives in
               connection with this Agreement or the transactions
               contemplated hereby, except to the extent that such
               documents or information can be shown to have been (a)
               previously lawfully known by the party receiving such
               documents or information, (b) in the public domain
               through no fault of such receiving party, or (c) later
               acquired by the receiving party from other sources not
               themselves bound by, and in breach of, a confidentiality
               agreement. Except as provided in Sections 6.1, 6.2, 7.1
               and 7.2 hereof, no party hereto will disclose or
               otherwise provide any such confidential or proprietary
               documents or information to any other Person, except to
               the Acquiror's lenders and investors and to either
               party's respective auditors, actuaries, attorneys,
               financial advisors, and other consultants and advisors
               who need such documents or information in connection with
               this Agreement, and the parties hereto agree to cause
               each of the foregoing to be subject to and bound by the
               confidentiality provisions hereof.  Moreover in the event
               of termination of this Agreement, as provided in Section
               11.1, no party hereto or any of their respective
               Affiliates will knowingly attempt to contact, solicit,
               engage, or otherwise employ or hire any employee,
               regional director or agent of the other for a period of
               12 months immediately following such termination.

                         13.5 FURTHER ASSURANCES; COOPERATION WITH
               CAPITAL-RAISING.  (a) Upon the terms and subject to the
               conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of the
               parties shall use reasonable efforts to take, or cause to
               be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done,
               and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in
               doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to
               consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious
               manner practicable, the Merger and the other transactions
               contemplated by this Agreement including, without
               limitation, providing all information needed to secure
               the financing of the Merger Consideration.

                         (b)  Delta shall assist and cooperate with the
               Acquiror in connection with an offering of securities of
               the Acquiror to the extent such cooperation is necessary
               to comply with the rules and regulations of the
               Securities and Exchange Commission or is otherwise
               reasonably requested by the Acquiror.

                         13.6 WAIVER.  Any term or condition of this
               Agreement may be waived at any time by the party that is
               entitled to the benefit thereof; such waiver must be in
               writing and must be executed by the Chairman of the
               Board, chief executive officer, chief financial officer,
               general counsel, or chief operating officer of such
               party. A waiver on one occasion will not be deemed to be
               a waiver of the same or any other breach on a future
               occasion. All remedies, either under this Agreement, or
               by Law or otherwise afforded, will be cumulative and not
               alternative.

                         13.7 AMENDMENT.  This Agreement may be modified
               or amended only by a writing duly executed by or on
               behalf of all parties hereto.

                         13.8 COUNTERPARTS; FACSIMILE SIGNATURES.  This
               Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any number of
               counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original,
               but all of which will constitute one and the same
               instrument.  Signatures may be exchanged by facsimile,
               and such signatures will be deemed originals.   

                         13.9 NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY.  The terms and
               provisions of this Agreement are intended solely for the
               benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective
               successors or assigns, and it is not the intention of the
               parties to confer third-party beneficiary rights upon any
               other Person.

                         13.10 GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be
               governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of
               the State of Delaware applicable to a Contract executed
               and performable in such state.

                         13.11 BINDING EFFECT.  This Agreement is
               binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the parties
               and their respective successors and assignees.

                         13.12 ASSIGNMENT LIMITED.  Except as otherwise
               provided herein, this Agreement or any right hereunder or
               part hereof may not be assigned by any party hereto
               without the prior written consent of the other party
               hereto. As contemplated by Section 2.1 hereof, each of
               AmerUs and Sub may assign its rights (but not its
               obligations) in this Agreement pursuant to an assignment
               under which a Designated Subsidiary assumes and agrees to
               perform all of the obligations of AmerUs or Sub hereunder
               provided.

                         13.13 HEADINGS, GENDER, ETC.  The headings used
               in this Agreement have been inserted for convenience and
               do not constitute matter to be construed or interpreted
               in connection with this Agreement. Unless the context of
               this Agreement otherwise requires, (a) words of any
               gender are deemed to include each other gender; (b) words
               using the singular or plural number also include the
               plural or singular number, respectively; (c) the terms
               "hereof," "herein," "hereby," "hereto," and derivative or
               similar words refer to this entire Agreement; (d) the
               terms "Article" or "Section" refer to the specified
               Article or Section of this Agreement; and (e) all
               references to "dollars" or "$" refer to currency of the
               United States of America.

                         13.14 INVALID PROVISIONS.  If any provision of
               this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or
               unenforceable under any present or future Law, and if the
               rights or obligations of Delta or the Acquiror under this
               Agreement will not be materially and adversely affected
               thereby, (a) such provision will be fully severable; (b)
               this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if such
               illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had never
               comprised a part hereof; (c) the remaining provisions of
               this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and
               will not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or
               unenforceable provision or by its severance herefrom; and
               (d) in lieu of such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable
               provision, there will be added automatically as a part of
               this Agreement a legal, valid, and enforceable provision
               as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or
               unenforceable provision as may be possible.

                         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been
               duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized
               officers of Delta, AmerUs and Sub, effective as of the
               date first written above.

                                        AMERUS LIFE HOLDINGS, INC.

                                        by: /s/ Roger K. Brooks      
                                            Name:  Roger K. Brooks
                                            Title: Chairman, President
                                                    and Chief Executive
                                                    Officer

                                        AMERUS ACQUISITION CORPORATION

                                        by: /s/ Roger K. Brooks      
                                            Name:  Roger K. Brooks
                                            Title: Chairman, President
                                                    and Chief Executive
                                                    Officer

                                        DELTA LIFE CORPORATION

                                        by: /s/ Gerald Tsai, Jr.     
                                            Name:  Gerald Tsai, Jr.
                                            Title: Chairman, President
                                                    and Chief Executive
                                                    Officer


                                   Exhibit 3.1(f)(i)

               Gerald Tsai, Jr.
               Allen O. Jones, Jr.





                                   Exhibit 3.1(f)(ii)

               Bettye S. Adams
               Marilyn D. Johnson
               Michael P. Hydanus
               Lura L. Bond
               James L. Bergin
               James D. Wingett
               Danielle K. Schonbaum


                                  Exhibit 3.1(f)(iii)

               Cody Phillips


                                   Exhibit 3.1(f)(iv)

               John Chandler
               David W. Rikard


                                   Exhibit 3.1(f)(v)

               Nancy Fatjo





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