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Registration No. 333-_________
Exhibit 5.1
November 15, 2000
AmerUs Group Co.
699 Walnut Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-3948
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am Senior Vice President and General Counsel of AmerUs Group Co. (the
"Company") and I have acted as counsel to the Company in connection with the
preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by the Company
with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 1,600,000 shares of stock, no par value
per share, of AmerUs Group Co. ("AGC Stock") which may be issued to employees of
the Company and its subsidiaries pursuant to the AmerUs Group Co. 2000
Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan").
I have examined the originals, certified copies or copies otherwise
identified to my satisfaction as being true copies of the Plan and such other
documents as I have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this
opinion.
Based on the foregoing, I am of the opinion that (1) the Company is duly
incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the State of Iowa and (2)
the AGC Stock will, when sold, be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Joseph K. Haggerty
