CONSECO INC ET AL
424B4, 1996-01-19
LIFE INSURANCE
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<PAGE>
                                                FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(B)(4)
                                                    COMMISSION FILE NO. 33-53095
P R O S P E C T U S S U P P L E M E N T
- ------------------------------------

(TO PROSPECTUS DATED JANUARY 17, 1996)
                                3,800,000 SHARES

                                     [LOGO]
                                 7% PRIDES-SM-
                          CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
                                 --------------

    The  shares  offered hereby  are  3,800,000 shares  of  Preferred Redeemable
Increased Dividend Equity Securities-SM-,  7% PRIDES-SM-, Convertible  Preferred
Stock, no par value per share ("PRIDES"), of Conseco, Inc. (the "Company").

    The  annual dividend payable with respect to each share of PRIDES is $4.279.
Dividends will  be cumulative  from the  date of  issuance and  will be  payable
quarterly  in  arrears on  each  February 1,  May 1,  August  1 and  November 1,
commencing February 1, 1996. The liquidation preference applicable to each share
of PRIDES is equal  to the sum of  (i) the per share  price to the public  shown
below and (ii) the amount of accrued and unpaid dividends thereon.

    On  February  1,  2000  (the  "Mandatory  Conversion  Date"),  unless either
previously redeemed  or converted  at the  option  of the  holder, each  of  the
outstanding  shares of  PRIDES will  mandatorily convert  into (i)  one share of
common stock,  no par  value per  share, of  the Company  (the "Common  Stock"),
subject to adjustment in certain events, and (ii) the right to receive an amount
in cash equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon.

    Shares  of PRIDES are not redeemable prior  to February 1, 1999. At any time
and from time to time  on or after February 1,  1999 until immediately prior  to
the  Mandatory  Conversion  Date, the  Company  may  redeem any  or  all  of the
outstanding shares  of  PRIDES.  Upon  any such  redemption,  each  holder  will
receive,  in exchange for each  share of PRIDES, the  number of shares of Common
Stock equal to (A) the sum of  (i) $62.195, declining after February 1, 1999  as
set  forth herein to $61.125  until the Mandatory Conversion  Date, and (ii) all
accrued and  unpaid dividends  thereon (the  "Call Price")  divided by  (B)  the
Current   Market  Price   (as  defined  herein)   on  the   applicable  date  of
determination, but  in no  event less  than .855  of a  share of  Common  Stock,
subject to adjustment in certain events.

    At  any  time  prior to  the  Mandatory Conversion  Date,  unless previously
redeemed, each  share of  PRIDES is  convertible  at the  option of  the  holder
thereof  into .855 of a share of  Common Stock (equivalent to a conversion price
of $71.49  per share  of  Common Stock  (the  "Conversion Price")),  subject  to
adjustment in certain events. The number of shares of Common Stock a holder will
receive  upon redemption, and the value  of the shares received upon conversion,
will vary depending on the market price  of the Common Stock from time to  time,
all as set forth herein.

    Dividends on the shares of PRIDES will accrue at a higher rate than the rate
at  which dividends are currently paid on  the Common Stock. The opportunity for
equity appreciation afforded by  an investment in the  shares of PRIDES is  less
than  that afforded by an investment in  the Common Stock because the Conversion
Price is higher than the per share price  to the public of the shares of  PRIDES
and  the Company may, at its option, redeem  the shares of PRIDES at any time on
or after February 1, 1999 and prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date, and may be
expected to do so if, among other circumstances, the Current Market Price of the
Common Stock exceeds  the Call  Price. In  such event, a  holder of  a share  of
PRIDES  will receive less than one share of  Common Stock, but no less than .855
of a share of Common Stock. The per share value of the Common Stock received  by
holders  of shares of PRIDES may be more  or less than the per share amount paid
for the shares of PRIDES offered hereby, due to market fluctuations in the price
of the Common Stock. For  a detailed description of the  terms of the shares  of
PRIDES, see "Description of PRIDES."

    The  shares of PRIDES have  been approved for listing  on the New York Stock
Exchange ("NYSE"),  subject to  official notice  of issuance,  under the  symbol
"CNCPrE."  On January 17, 1996, the last reported sale price of the Common Stock
on the NYSE was $61 1/8 per share.
                             ---------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES  AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
 AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON  THE
   ACCURACY  OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS TO
    WHICH IT     RELATES. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A  CRIMINAL
                                      OFFENSE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PRICE TO        UNDERWRITING      PROCEEDS TO
                                                             PUBLIC(1)        DISCOUNT(2)      COMPANY(1)(3)
<S>                                                       <C>               <C>               <C>
Per Share of PRIDES.....................................      $61.125            $1.83            $59.295
Total (4)...............................................    $232,275,000       $6,954,000       $225,321,000
</TABLE>

(1) Plus accrued dividends, if any, from the date of issue.
(2)  The  Company  has  agreed to  indemnify  the  Underwriters  against certain
    liabilities  under   the   Securities  Act   of   1933,  as   amended.   See
    "Underwriting."
(3) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $700,000.
(4)  The Company has granted to the  Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up
    to an additional 570,000 shares of PRIDES to cover over-allotments, if  any.
    If such option is exercised in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting
    Discount  and  Proceeds to  Company  will be  $267,116,250,  $7,997,100, and
    $259,119,150, respectively. See "Underwriting."
                             ---------------------

    The PRIDES are offered by the  several Underwriters, subject to prior  sale,
when,  as and  if issued  to and accepted  by them,  and subject  to approval of
certain legal  matters  by  counsel  for  the  Underwriters  and  certain  other
conditions.  The Underwriters  reserve the right  to withdraw,  cancel or modify
such offer  and to  reject orders  in  whole or  in part.  It is  expected  that
delivery  of the PRIDES offered hereby will be made in New York, New York, on or
about January 23, 1996.

    -SM-Service mark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
                             ---------------------
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                           DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
                                                            SALOMON BROTHERS INC
                                  ------------

          THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS JANUARY 17, 1996.
<PAGE>
    IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR  EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS  WHICH  STABILIZE OR  MAINTAIN THE  MARKET PRICE  OF THE  SHARES OF
PRIDES AND THE COMMON  STOCK OF THE  COMPANY AT A LEVEL  ABOVE THAT WHICH  MIGHT
OTHERWISE  PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH  TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE
NYSE OR OTHERWISE. SUCH  STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY  BE DISCONTINUED AT  ANY
TIME.
                              -------------------

    FOR  NORTH CAROLINA  RESIDENTS: THESE SECURITIES  HAVE NOT  BEEN APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER  OF INSURANCE FOR THE  STATE OF NORTH  CAROLINA,
NOR  HAS THE COMMISSIONER  OF INSURANCE RULED  UPON THE ACCURACY  OR ADEQUACY OF
THIS DOCUMENT.
                              -------------------

    STATE INSURANCE  HOLDING  COMPANY LAWS  AND  REGULATIONS APPLICABLE  TO  THE
COMPANY GENERALLY PROVIDE THAT NO PERSON MAY ACQUIRE CONTROL OF THE COMPANY, AND
THUS  INDIRECT CONTROL  OF ITS  INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES,  UNLESS SUCH  PERSON HAS
PROVIDED CERTAIN REQUIRED INFORMATION TO,  AND SUCH ACQUISITION IS APPROVED  (OR
NOT   DISAPPROVED)  BY,   THE  APPROPRIATE   INSURANCE  REGULATORY  AUTHORITIES.
GENERALLY, ANY  PERSON ACQUIRING  BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP  OF 10%  OR MORE  OF  THE
COMMON  STOCK  WOULD  BE PRESUMED  TO  HAVE  ACQUIRED SUCH  CONTROL,  UNLESS THE
APPROPRIATE INSURANCE REGULATORY AUTHORITIES UPON ADVANCE APPLICATION  DETERMINE
OTHERWISE.

                                      S-2
<PAGE>
                         PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

    THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY, AND SHOULD BE READ IN
CONJUNCTION  WITH,  THE  MORE DETAILED  INFORMATION  AND  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS, INCLUDING THE NOTES THERETO, APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THE  PROSPECTUS,
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR IN THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.
EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT ASSUMES
THAT  THE  OVER-ALLOTMENT  OPTION  GRANTED  TO  THE  UNDERWRITERS  WILL  NOT  BE
EXERCISED.  ALL  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  IN  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT,   THE
PROSPECTUS  OR IN THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE IS PRESENTED IN
ACCORDANCE  WITH  GENERALLY  ACCEPTED  ACCOUNTING  PRINCIPLES  ("GAAP"),  UNLESS
OTHERWISE  SPECIFIED. UNLESS THE CONTEXT  OTHERWISE REQUIRES, REFERENCES IN THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO THE "COMPANY" INCLUDE THE COMPANY AND ITS  CONSOLIDATED
SUBSIDIARIES   AND  AFFILIATES.  CAPITALIZED  TERMS   USED  IN  THIS  PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT BUT  NOT DEFINED  HEREIN SHALL  HAVE THE  MEANINGS SET  FORTH IN  THE
PROSPECTUS UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN.

                                  THE COMPANY

    The Company is a financial services holding company engaged primarily in the
development,  marketing,  issuance and  administration of  annuity, supplemental
health and individual life insurance products. In addition, the Company provides
investment management, administrative and other fee-based services to affiliates
and non-affiliates and, through Conseco Capital Partners II, L.P.  ("Partnership
II"),  engages in the acquisition and  restructuring of life insurance companies
in partnership  with other  investors. The  Company's operating  strategy is  to
consolidate  and streamline management and  administrative functions, to realize
superior investment  returns  through  active  asset  management,  to  eliminate
unprofitable  products and distribution  channels and to  focus resources on the
development  and  expansion  of  profitable  products  and  strong  distribution
channels.

    The  following  chart  identifies the  three  major areas  of  the Company's
operations and its principal subsidiaries and affiliates.

<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>                             <C>
- -Bankers Life and Casualty      -Conseco Capital Management     -American Life and Casualty
Insurance Company               ("CCM")                         Insurance Company
("Bankers Life") (91%)          -Bankmark                       ("American Life") (36%)
- -Great American Reserve         -Conseco Risk Management
Insurance Company ("GARCO")     -Conseco Mortgage Capital
- -Beneficial Standard Life
Insurance Company ("BSLIC")
- -National Fidelity Life
Insurance
Company ("National Fidelity")
- -Bankers National Life
Insurance
Company ("Bankers National")
- -Lincoln American Life Insur-
ance
Company ("Lincoln American")
</TABLE>

                                          Companies are wholly-owned unless
                                          otherwise indicated.
                                          % = the Company's approximate total
                                          direct and indirect interest.

                                      S-3
<PAGE>
    The Company's  insurance  subsidiaries, which  are  listed under  the  "life
insurance  operations" heading  above, collected  an aggregate  of approximately
$1.8 billion of total premiums in the  first nine months of 1995 from a  diverse
portfolio    of   products.   During   such    period,   annuities   and   other
interest-sensitive products accounted for  40% of premiums. Medicare  supplement
policies,  long-term care insurance and  other individual health insurance, life
insurance and  other  insurance products  accounted  for the  remaining  60%  of
premiums.

    The  Company's total assets  and shareholders' equity  at September 30, 1995
were approximately $17.0 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively.

                                  THE OFFERING

<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
Securities...................  The PRIDES  are shares  of convertible  preferred stock  and
                               rank  prior to  the Common  Stock and  on a  parity with the
                               Company's Series  D Cumulative  Convertible Preferred  Stock
                               (the  "Series D Preferred Stock") as to payment of dividends
                               and distribution of assets  upon liquidation. The shares  of
                               PRIDES  mandatorily convert  into shares of  Common Stock on
                               February 1,  2000, the  Mandatory Conversion  Date, and  the
                               Company  has the option  to redeem the  shares of PRIDES, in
                               whole or in part, at  any time and from  time to time on  or
                               after February 1, 1999 and prior to the Mandatory Conversion
                               Date  at the Call Price, payable  in shares of Common Stock.
                               In addition,  the  shares  of PRIDES  are  convertible  into
                               shares  of Common Stock  at the option of  the holder at any
                               time prior to  the Mandatory  Conversion Date  as set  forth
                               below.
Dividends....................  Holders  of  shares of  PRIDES will  be entitled  to receive
                               annual cumulative dividends at a rate per annum of 7% of the
                               stated liquidation  preference  (equivalent  to  $4.279  per
                               annum  for each share  of PRIDES), from  the date of initial
                               issuance, payable quarterly in  arrears on each February  1,
                               May 1, August 1, and November 1, or, if any such date is not
                               a  business  day,  on  the  next  succeeding  business  day,
                               commencing February 1, 1996.  See "Description of PRIDES  --
                               Dividends."
Mandatory Conversion.........  On the Mandatory Conversion Date, unless previously redeemed
                               or   converted,  each  outstanding   share  of  PRIDES  will
                               mandatorily convert  into (i)  one  share of  Common  Stock,
                               subject  to adjustment in certain events, and (ii) the right
                               to receive cash in an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid
                               dividends thereon (other than previously declared  dividends
                               payable  to  a holder  of record  as of  a prior  date). See
                               "Description of PRIDES --  Mandatory Conversion of  PRIDES."
                               The  value  of  the Common  Stock  that may  be  received by
                               holders of shares of PRIDES upon their mandatory  conversion
                               may  be more or less than the  amount paid for the shares of
                               PRIDES offered  hereby due  to  market fluctuations  in  the
                               price of the Common Stock.
Optional Redemption..........  Shares  of PRIDES  are not  redeemable prior  to February 1,
                               1999. At any time and from time to time on or after February
                               1, 1999,  and  ending  immediately prior  to  the  Mandatory
                               Conversion  Date, the Company  may redeem any  or all of the
                               outstanding shares of PRIDES. Upon any such redemption, each
                               holder will receive, in exchange  for each share of  PRIDES,
                               the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Call Price
                               (the sum of (i) $62.195, declining after February 1, 1999 as
                               set forth herein to $61.125 until the Mandatory Conversation
                               Date  and  (ii)  all accrued  and  unpaid  dividends thereon
                               (other than previously
</TABLE>

                                      S-4
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               declared dividends payable  to a  holder of record  as of  a
                               prior date)) divided by the Current Market Price (as defined
                               herein)  on the applicable date  of determination, but in no
                               event less than .855 of a share of Common Stock, subject  to
                               adjustment  as described herein.  See "Description of PRIDES
                               -- Optional  Redemption." The  number  of shares  of  Common
                               Stock  to  be delivered  in payment  of the  applicable Call
                               Price will be determined on the basis of the Current  Market
                               Price  of the Common Stock prior  to the announcement of the
                               redemption, and the  market price  of the  Common Stock  may
                               vary   between  the  date  of  such  determination  and  the
                               subsequent delivery of such shares.
Conversion at the Option of
 the Holder..................  At any time prior to  the Mandatory Conversion Date,  unless
                               previously  redeemed, each share of PRIDES is convertible at
                               the option of  the holder thereof  into .855 of  a share  of
                               Common Stock (the "Optional Conversion Rate"), equivalent to
                               the  Conversion Price of  $71.49 per share  of Common Stock,
                               subject to  adjustment as  described herein.  The number  of
                               shares   of  Common   Stock  a  holder   will  receive  upon
                               redemption, and  the  value  of  the  shares  received  upon
                               conversion,  will vary depending on  the market price of the
                               Common Stock from time to time, all as set forth herein. The
                               right of  holders to  convert shares  of PRIDES  called  for
                               redemption  will terminate immediately prior to the close of
                               business on the redemption date. See "Description of  PRIDES
                               -- Conversion at the Option of the Holder."
Enhanced Dividend Yield; Less
 Equity Appreciation Than
 Common Stock................  Dividends  will accrue on  the shares of  PRIDES at a higher
                               rate than the rate at which dividends are currently paid  on
                               the  Common Stock.  The opportunity  for equity appreciation
                               afforded by an investment  in the shares  of PRIDES is  less
                               than  that  afforded by  an investment  in the  Common Stock
                               because the Conversion  Price is higher  than the per  share
                               price  to the public of the shares of PRIDES and the Company
                               may, at its option, redeem the shares of PRIDES at any  time
                               on  or after  February 1, 1999,  and prior  to the Mandatory
                               Conversion Date,  and may  be expected  to do  so if,  among
                               other  circumstances, the Current Market Price of the Common
                               Stock after February 1, 1999 exceeds the Call Price. In such
                               event, a holder of a share of PRIDES will receive less  than
                               one  share of Common Stock, but no less than .855 of a share
                               of Common Stock, subject to adjustment as described  herein.
                               A  holder may  also surrender  for conversion  any shares of
                               PRIDES called for redemption up to the close of business  on
                               the  redemption date, and a holder that so elects to convert
                               will receive .855 of  a share of Common  Stock per share  of
                               PRIDES,  subject to adjustment as  described herein. The per
                               share value of Common Stock received by holders of shares of
                               PRIDES may be more  or less than the  per share amount  paid
                               for  the  shares of  PRIDES  offered hereby,  due  to market
                               fluctuations  in  the  price   of  the  Common  Stock.   See
                               "Description  of  PRIDES  -- Enhanced  Dividend  Yield; Less
                               Equity Appreciation Than Common Stock."
Voting Rights................  The holders of shares of PRIDES will have the right with the
                               holders of Common Stock to vote in the election of Directors
                               and upon each other matter coming before any meeting of  the
                               holders  of Common Stock on  the basis of 4/5  of a vote for
                               each share of PRIDES. On such matters,
</TABLE>

                                      S-5
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               the holders of shares  of PRIDES and  the holders of  Common
                               Stock  will vote together  as one class  except as otherwise
                               provided by law or the Company's Articles of  Incorporation.
                               In  addition, (i) whenever dividends on the shares of PRIDES
                               or any other  series of the  Company's preferred stock  (all
                               series  of  which, including  the shares  of PRIDES  and the
                               Series  D  Preferred  Stock,  hereinafter  are  called   the
                               "Preferred  Stock") with  like voting rights  are in arrears
                               and unpaid  for  six  quarterly  dividend  periods,  and  in
                               certain  other circumstances,  the holders of  the shares of
                               PRIDES (voting separately  as a class)  will be entitled  to
                               vote, on the basis of one vote for each share of PRIDES, for
                               the election of two Directors of the Company, such Directors
                               to  be in addition  to the number  of Directors constituting
                               the Board of Directors immediately  prior to the accrual  of
                               such right, and (ii) the holders of the shares of PRIDES may
                               have  voting rights  with respect to  certain alterations of
                               the Company's Articles  of Incorporation  and certain  other
                               matters, voting on the same basis or separately as a series.
                               See  "Description  of PRIDES  --  Voting Rights"  herein and
                               "Description of Capital Stock" in the Prospectus.
Liquidation Preference and
 Ranking.....................  The shares of PRIDES will rank prior to the Common Stock and
                               on a parity with the Series D Preferred Stock as to  payment
                               of  dividends and  distribution of  assets upon liquidation.
                               The liquidation preference  of each  share of  PRIDES is  an
                               amount  equal to the sum  of (i) the per  share price to the
                               public shown on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement
                               and (ii)  all  accrued  and unpaid  dividends  thereon.  See
                               "Description  of  PRIDES --  Dividends" and  "-- Liquidation
                               Rights."
NYSE Symbol of Common
 Stock.......................  CNC
Listing......................  The shares of PRIDES have  been approved for listing on  the
                               NYSE,  subject  to official  notice  of issuance,  under the
                               symbol "CNCPrE."
Use of Proceeds..............  The Company  intends  to  use the  net  proceeds  to  reduce
                               outstanding indebtedness. See "Use of Proceeds."
</TABLE>

                                      S-6
<PAGE>
                   SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    The  summary financial data  set forth below are  derived from the Company's
consolidated financial statements. The Company's consolidated balance sheets  at
December  31,  1993 and  1994, and  the  consolidated statements  of operations,
shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1992,  1993
and 1994 and notes thereto were audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent
accountants,  and are included in  the Company's Annual Report  on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1994, which is incorporated by reference herein. The
Company's Annual  Report on  Form 10-K  for the  year ended  December 31,  1994,
should  be read in conjunction with  the consolidated financial information. The
consolidated financial information set forth for the nine months ended September
30, 1994  and 1995,  is unaudited;  however,  in the  opinion of  the  Company's
management,  the  accompanying financial  information contains  all adjustments,
consisting only  of normal  recurring  items, necessary  to present  fairly  the
financial  information for such periods. The  results of operations for the nine
months ended  September  30, 1995,  may  not be  indicative  of the  results  of
operations to be expected for a full year.

    The  unaudited pro  forma consolidated  income statement  data for  the year
ended December  31, 1994,  of the  Company  are presented  as if  the  following
transactions  had all occurred on January 1, 1994: (i) the acquisition of all of
the outstanding common stock  of CCP Insurance, Inc.  ("CCP"), not owned by  the
Company  and related transactions (including the  repayment of $250.0 million of
principal outstanding under  a revolving credit  agreement) (the "CCP  Merger");
(ii) the increase in the Company's ownership of Bankers Life Holding Corporation
("BLH") to 88 percent as a result of the Company's purchases of common shares of
BLH  in open  market and  negotiated transactions  and share  repurchases by BLH
during 1995  (the "BLH  Transaction"); (iii)  the acquisition  of American  Life
Group, Inc. ("AGP") (formerly The Statesman Group, Inc.) by Partnership II; (iv)
the initial public offering of Western National Corporation ("WNC"); and (v) the
sale of the Company's remaining 40 percent equity interest in WNC. The unaudited
pro forma consolidated income statement data for the nine months ended September
30,  1995,  are presented  as  if the  CCP Merger  and  the BLH  Transaction had
occurred on January 1,  1994. See "Acquisition of  Stock of Affiliates" and  the
Company's  Current Reports on  Form 8-K dated  December 23, 1994  and August 31,
1995, as amended, which are incorporated by reference herein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    ACTUAL
                                                              ---------------------------------------------------
                                                               1990      1991       1992       1993       1994
                                                              -------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                                                    PRO FORMA
                                                                                                                       1994
                                                                                                                   ------------
                                                                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                                       (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
Insurance policy income.....................................  $ 152.8  $   280.8  $   378.7  $ 1,293.8  $ 1,285.6  $ 1,439.8
Investment activity:
  Net investment income.....................................    581.7      921.4      888.6      896.2      385.7    1,009.2
  Net trading income (losses)...............................      6.0       50.7       35.9       93.1       (4.9)      (5.8)
  Net realized gains (losses)...............................      4.5      123.3      124.3      149.5      (25.6)     (44.5)
Total revenues..............................................    753.3    1,391.8    1,523.9    2,636.0    1,862.0    2,471.7(1)
Interest expense on notes payable...........................     51.5       69.9       46.2       58.0       59.3      142.1
Total benefits and expenses.................................    688.0    1,168.6    1,193.9    2,025.8    1,537.6    2,249.1
Income from continuing operations before extraordinary
 charge.....................................................     41.7      121.0      174.8      308.9      154.4      105.4(1)
Net income..................................................     41.7      116.0      169.5      297.0      150.4
Net income applicable to common shares......................     36.1      109.2      164.0      276.4      131.8
PER SHARE DATA
Income from continuing operations before extraordinary
 charge, fully diluted......................................  $  1.36  $    4.22  $    5.56  $    9.12  $    5.00  $    4.10(1)
Net income, fully diluted...................................     1.36       4.02       5.40       8.77       4.87
Book value per common share outstanding.....................     5.83      15.44      21.86      33.78      20.89

<CAPTION>

                                                                NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                              ------------------------------------

                                                                      ACTUAL
                                                              ----------------------   PRO FORMA
                                                                 1994        1995         1995
                                                              ----------   ---------  ------------

                                                                   (UNAUDITED)        (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>        <C>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
Insurance policy income.....................................  $    954.2   $ 1,103.3  $ 1,103.2
Investment activity:
  Net investment income.....................................       213.0       850.5      846.9
  Net trading income (losses)...............................        (3.6)        2.8        2.8
  Net realized gains (losses)...............................       (17.4)       77.8       77.1
Total revenues..............................................     1,328.0     2,066.1    2,061.4
Interest expense on notes payable...........................        37.4        83.9      104.9
Total benefits and expenses.................................     1,052.2     1,780.2    1,803.8
Income from continuing operations before extraordinary
 charge.....................................................       152.5       167.8      111.9(2)
Net income..................................................       150.1       167.8
Net income applicable to common shares......................       136.1       154.0
PER SHARE DATA
Income from continuing operations before extraordinary
 charge, fully diluted......................................  $     4.87   $    6.45  $    4.30(2)
Net income, fully diluted...................................        4.79        6.45
Book value per common share outstanding.....................       20.43       35.69
</TABLE>

                                      S-7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    ACTUAL
                                                              ---------------------------------------------------
                                                               1990      1991       1992       1993       1994
                                                              -------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                                                    PRO FORMA
                                                                                                                       1994
                                                                                                                   ------------
                                                                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                                       (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
BALANCE SHEET DATA -- PERIOD END
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Total assets................................................  $8,371.1 $11,832.4  $11,772.7  $13,749.3  $10,811.9
Notes payable of Conseco....................................    268.9      177.6      163.2      413.0      191.8
Notes payable of Partnership entities, not direct
 obligations of Conseco.....................................    258.1      319.3     --         --          331.1
Notes payable of Bankers Life Holding Corporation, not
 direct obligations of Conseco..............................    --        --          392.0      290.3      280.0
Total liabilities...........................................  8,173.8   11,321.3   11,154.4   12,382.9    9,743.2
Minority interest...........................................     17.1       79.5       24.0      223.8      321.7
Shareholders' equity........................................    180.2      431.6      594.3    1,142.6      747.0
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA (3)
Premiums collected (4)......................................  $1,361.4 $ 1,648.7  $ 1,464.9  $ 2,140.1  $ 1,879.1
Operating earnings (5)......................................     35.1       61.5      114.8      162.0      151.7      159.2
Operating earnings per fully diluted common share (5).......     1.10       2.09       3.60       4.77       4.93       6.21
Shareholders' equity excluding unrealized appreciation
 (depreciation) of fixed maturity securities (6)............      N/A        N/A      560.3    1,055.2      884.7
Book value per common share outstanding, excluding
 unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of fixed maturity
 securities (6).............................................      N/A        N/A      20.49      30.33      27.10

<CAPTION>

                                                                NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                              ------------------------------------

                                                                      ACTUAL
                                                              ----------------------   PRO FORMA
                                                                 1994        1995         1995
                                                              ----------   ---------  ------------

                                                                   (UNAUDITED)        (UNAUDITED)

BALANCE SHEET DATA -- PERIOD END
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>        <C>
Total assets................................................  $ 10,887.1   $17,009.1
Notes payable of Conseco....................................       258.6       920.8
Notes payable of Partnership entities, not direct
 obligations of Conseco.....................................       374.4       308.5
Notes payable of Bankers Life Holding Corporation, not
 direct obligations of Conseco..............................       279.8       272.6
Total liabilities...........................................     9,759.3    15,646.7
Minority interest...........................................       341.0       356.7
Shareholders' equity........................................       786.8     1,005.7
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA (3)
Premiums collected (4)......................................  $  1,195.7   $ 2,407.2
Operating earnings (5)......................................       118.2        89.3      105.2
Operating earnings per fully diluted common share (5).......        3.77        3.44       4.04
Shareholders' equity excluding unrealized appreciation
 (depreciation) of fixed maturity securities (6)............       870.7       945.4
Book value per common share outstanding, excluding
 unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of fixed maturity
 securities (6).............................................       28.82       32.71
</TABLE>

- ----------------------------------
(1) Excluded from pro  forma total revenues,  income from continuing  operations
    before  extraordinary charge  and income  from continuing  operations before
    extraordinary charge per fully diluted common share are $80.8 million, $46.5
    million and $1.83, respectively, which amounts relate to the initial  public
    offering  of WNC and the sale of  the Company's remaining equity interest in
    WNC.

(2)  Excluded  from   pro  forma  income   from  continuing  operations   before
    extraordinary   charge   and  income   from  continuing   operations  before
    extraordinary charge per fully diluted  common share are amounts related  to
    the  release of  deferred income  taxes that  are no  longer required  to be
    accrued as a  result of  the CCP  Merger and  the BLH  Transaction of  $74.9
    million and $2.88, respectively.

(3)  Amounts under this heading  are included to assist  the reader in analyzing
    the Company's financial position and results of operations. Such amounts are
    not intended to, and do not, represent insurance policy income, net  income,
    net  income per  share or shareholders'  equity prepared  in accordance with
    generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").

(4) Includes premiums received from annuities and universal life policies, which
    are not reported as revenues under GAAP.

(5) Represents income  from continuing operations  before extraordinary  charge,
    excluding  net trading income  (losses) (net of  income taxes), net realized
    gains (losses) on investments (less that portion of amortization of the cost
    of policies purchased  and the cost  of policies produced  and income  taxes
    relating to such gains) and restructuring activities (net of income taxes).

(6)  Excludes  the  effects of  reporting  fixed  maturities at  fair  value and
    recording the unrealized gain or loss  on such securities as a component  of
    shareholders'  equity, net of  tax and other  adjustments, which the Company
    began to do in  1992. Such adjustments are  in accordance with Statement  of
    Financial  Accounting Standards No. 115  "Accounting for Certain Investments
    in Debt and Equity Securities" ("SFAS 115"),  as described in note 1 to  the
    Notes  to Consolidated Financial Statements of  the Company included in Form
    10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994, and in Form 10-Q for the  quarter
    ended  September  30,  1995, both  of  which are  incorporated  by reference
    herein.

                                      S-8
<PAGE>
                    SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY SEGMENT
                                  (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                    NINE
                                                                                                                   MONTHS
                                                                                                                    ENDED
                                                                                                                  SEPTEMBER
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                    30,
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------  ---------
                                                             1990       1991       1992       1993       1994       1994
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Life Insurance Operations
  Senior market operations (1):
    Operating earnings...................................  $  --      $  --      $     4.8  $    36.9  $    68.9  $    51.4
    Net trading income (losses)..........................     --         --             .7        6.9        (.6)       (.4)
    Net realized gains (losses)..........................     --         --            (.1)       2.9       (3.4)      (2.4)
    Extraordinary charge.................................     --         --         --           (3.1)    --         --
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Net income.........................................     --         --            5.4       43.6       64.9       48.6
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Annuity operations (2):
    Operating earnings...................................        1.7       10.9       19.0       24.9       23.7       20.1
    Net trading income (losses)..........................     --            5.3        3.9        5.5        (.2)    --
    Net realized gains (losses)..........................         .2        8.6        4.9        4.2        (.5)        .5
    Extraordinary charge.................................     --         --           (3.9)    --           (2.1)       (.5)
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Net income.........................................        1.9       24.8       23.9       34.6       20.9       20.1
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Other life insurance operations (3):
    Operating earnings...................................       12.6       14.0       18.6       27.5       23.5       15.8
    Net trading income (losses)..........................       (1.1)       1.5        1.6        8.6        (.7)       (.4)
    Net realized gains (losses)..........................     --            3.4        4.1       (1.3)      (9.1)      (7.0)
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Net income.........................................       11.5       18.9       24.3       34.8       13.7        8.4
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Fee-based operations.....................................        8.2       11.2       14.5       14.3       25.1       20.0
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Restructuring income (4).................................     --         --           23.3       83.3       23.2       42.4
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Partnership operations (5):
  Operating earnings.....................................     --         --         --         --            1.5     --
  Net trading income (losses)............................     --         --         --         --         --         --
  Net realized gains (losses)............................     --         --         --         --         --         --
  Extraordinary charge...................................     --         --         --         --         --         --
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Net income.........................................     --         --         --         --            1.5     --
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Western National Corporation (6):
  Operating earnings.....................................       48.0       56.8       80.6       93.4       43.1       35.0
  Net trading income (losses)............................        5.1       15.7       16.5       32.1        2.6        2.6
  Net realized gains (losses)............................        2.4       25.0        5.1        4.5       (7.1)       (.1)
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Net income.........................................       55.5       97.5      102.2      130.0       38.6       37.5
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Life Re net income (7)...................................        2.5        8.6       10.6     --         --         --
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Interest and other:
  Interest expense on notes payable......................      (31.2)     (32.7)     (22.2)     (19.9)     (18.0)     (13.4)
  Operating expenses, net of revenue.....................       (6.7)      (7.3)     (11.1)     (15.1)     (16.1)     (10.7)
  Net trading income (losses)............................     --         --         --            (.7)      (1.4)      (1.2)
  Net realized gains (losses)............................     --         --         --             .9        (.1)        .3
  Extraordinary charge...................................     --           (5.0)      (1.4)      (8.8)      (1.9)      (1.9)
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Net loss...........................................      (37.9)     (45.0)      34.7      (43.6)     (37.5)     (26.9)
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Consolidated earnings:
  Operating earnings.....................................       35.1       61.5      114.8      162.0      151.7      118.2
  Net trading income (losses)............................        4.0       22.5       22.7       52.4        (.3)        .6
  Net realized gains (losses)............................        2.6       37.0       14.0       11.2      (20.2)      (8.7)
  Restructuring income...................................     --         --           23.3       83.3       23.2       42.4
  Extraordinary charge...................................     --           (5.0)      (5.3)     (11.9)      (4.0)      (2.4)
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Net income.........................................  $    41.7  $   116.0  $   169.5  $   297.0  $   150.4  $   150.1
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------

<CAPTION>

                                                             1995
                                                           ---------

<S>                                                        <C>
Life Insurance Operations
  Senior market operations (1):
    Operating earnings...................................  $    54.4
    Net trading income (losses)..........................         .9
    Net realized gains (losses)..........................        2.1
    Extraordinary charge.................................     --
                                                           ---------
      Net income.........................................       57.4
                                                           ---------
  Annuity operations (2):
    Operating earnings...................................       23.7
    Net trading income (losses)..........................         .7
    Net realized gains (losses)..........................         .9
    Extraordinary charge.................................     --
                                                           ---------
      Net income.........................................       25.3
                                                           ---------
  Other life insurance operations (3):
    Operating earnings...................................       11.0
    Net trading income (losses)..........................       (1.2)
    Net realized gains (losses)..........................       (1.1)
                                                           ---------
      Net income.........................................        8.7
                                                           ---------
Fee-based operations.....................................       17.3
                                                           ---------
Restructuring income (4).................................       74.9
                                                           ---------
Partnership operations (5):
  Operating earnings.....................................        7.9
  Net trading income (losses)............................         .1
  Net realized gains (losses)............................        3.9
  Extraordinary charge...................................     --
                                                           ---------
      Net income.........................................       11.9
                                                           ---------
Western National Corporation (6):
  Operating earnings.....................................     --
  Net trading income (losses)............................     --
  Net realized gains (losses)............................     --
                                                           ---------
      Net income.........................................     --
                                                           ---------
Life Re net income (7)...................................     --
                                                           ---------
Interest and other:
  Interest expense on notes payable......................      (18.2)
  Operating expenses, net of revenue.....................       (6.8)
  Net trading income (losses)............................       (1.0)
  Net realized gains (losses)............................       (1.7)
  Extraordinary charge...................................     --
                                                           ---------
      Net loss...........................................      (27.7)
                                                           ---------
Consolidated earnings:
  Operating earnings.....................................       89.3
  Net trading income (losses)............................        (.4)
  Net realized gains (losses)............................        4.0
  Restructuring income...................................       74.9
  Extraordinary charge...................................     --
                                                           ---------
      Net income.........................................  $   167.8
                                                           ---------
                                                           ---------
</TABLE>

- ------------------------------
(1) The senior market operations segment  reflects the operations of BLH,  whose
    primary subsidiary is Bankers Life.

                                      S-9
<PAGE>
(2)  The annuity operations segment reflects  the operations of GARCO and BSLIC,
    which were previously subsidiaries of CCP.

(3) The other life insurance operations  segment reflects the operations of  the
    Company's wholly owned subsidiaries, Bankers National, National Fidelity and
    Lincoln  American. New sales  of insurance products  are not currently being
    pursued by these companies.

(4) Restructuring income was recorded: (a) in 1992, for: (i) incentive  earnings
    allocations  (which are  distributed to the  Company when  the total returns
    realized by other partners exceed  prescribed targets) from Conseco  Capital
    Partners,  L.P. ("Partnership  I") based on  the returns  resulting from the
    value of the  CCP shares distributed  to the partners;  (ii) the gain  which
    resulted  from  the sale  of  the Company's  ownership  interest in  Life Re
    Corporation; and (iii)  the Company's share  of the gain  realized from  the
    public  sale  of shares  of CCP;  (b)  in 1993  for: (i)  incentive earnings
    allocations from  Partnership I,  based on  the returns  resulting from  the
    value  of the  BLH shares  distributed to  the partners;  and (ii)  from the
    Company's share of the gain realized from the public sale of shares of  BLH;
    (c)  in 1994, from the  gain realized from the sale  of WNC, net of expenses
    incurred in conjunction with a terminated  acquisition; and (d) in 1995,  as
    the  result  of the  release of  deferred  income taxes  that are  no longer
    required to  be  accrued  as  a  result  of  the  CCP  Merger  and  the  BLH
    Transaction.

(5)  Partnership  operations  reflect  the  operations  of  AGP,  whose  primary
    subsidiary is American Life.

(6) On February 15, 1994, the Company sold 60 percent of its equity interest  in
    WNC in connection with an initial public offering. On December 23, 1994, the
    Company sold its remaining 40 percent equity interest in WNC.

(7)  In 1992,  the Company sold  its equity  interest in Life  Re Corporation in
    connection with an initial public offering.

                                      S-10
<PAGE>
                                  THE COMPANY

    The Company is a financial services holding company engaged primarily in the
development,  marketing,  issuance and  administration of  annuity, supplemental
health and individual life insurance products. In addition, the Company provides
investment management, administrative and other fee-based services to affiliates
and non-affiliates, and, through Partnership II, engages in the acquisition  and
restructuring  of life insurance companies  in partnership with other investors.
The Company's operating strategy is to consolidate and streamline management and
administrative functions, to realize superior investment returns through  active
asset  management, to eliminate unprofitable  products and distribution channels
and to focus resources on the  development and expansion of profitable  products
and strong distribution channels.

    The   Company's  insurance  subsidiaries  included  in  its  life  insurance
operations segment,  collected an  aggregate of  approximately $1.8  billion  of
total  premiums in  the first nine  months of  1995 from a  diverse portfolio of
products. During such  period, annuities and  other interest-sensitive  products
accounted  for  40% of  premiums. Medicare  supplement policies,  long-term care
insurance and  other  individual  health insurance,  life  insurance  and  other
policies accounted for the remaining 60% of premiums.

    The  Company's total assets  and shareholders' equity  at September 30, 1995
were approximately $17.0 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively.

    The Company was organized  in 1979 as an  Indiana corporation and  commenced
operations  in 1982. Its executive offices  are located at 11825 N. Pennsylvania
Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032, and its telephone number is (317) 817-6100.

LIFE INSURANCE OPERATIONS

    The  Company's  life  insurance  operations  are  conducted  through   three
segments:  (i) senior  market operations, consisting  of the  activities of BLH;
(ii) annuity operations, consisting of  the activities of the Company's  annuity
companies  (GARCO  and  BSLIC);  and  (iii)  other  life  insurance  operations,
consisting of the activities  of the Company's  other wholly owned  subsidiaries
(National   Fidelity,  Bankers  National  and   Lincoln  American),  which  have
profitable blocks of business but do not currently market their products to  new
customers. GARCO and BSLIC were subsidiaries of CCP prior to the CCP Merger. See
"Acquisition of Stock of Affiliates -- CCP Insurance, Inc."

    SENIOR MARKET OPERATIONS

    BLH,  with total assets of approximately $4.7 billion at September 30, 1995,
markets health  and life  insurance  and annuity  products primarily  to  senior
citizens through approximately 200 branch offices and approximately 3,300 career
agents. Most of BLH's agents sell only BLH policies. Approximately 55 percent of
the  $1,143.7 million  of direct  premiums collected by  BLH in  the nine months
ended September 30,  1995, were  from the  sale of  individual health  insurance
products,  principally  Medicare  supplement and  long-term  care  policies. BLH
believes  that  its  success  in  the  individual  health  insurance  market  is
attributable  in large part to its career agency force, which permits one-on-one
contacts with potential policyholders and  builds loyalty to BLH among  existing
policyholders.  Its efficient and  highly automated claims  processing system is
designed to complement its personalized  marketing strategy by stressing  prompt
payment of claims and rapid response to policyholder inquiries.

    ANNUITY OPERATIONS

    The  annuity companies, with  total assets of $5.4  billion at September 30,
1995, market, issue  and administer annuity,  life and employee  benefit-related
insurance   products  through  two  cost-effective  distribution  channels:  (i)
educator market  specialists,  who  sell  tax-qualified  annuities  and  certain
employee  benefit-related insurance  products primarily  to school  teachers and
administrators; and  (ii) professional  independent producers  who sell  various
annuity  and life insurance  products aimed primarily  at the retirement market.
Approximately 88 percent of  the $557.3 million of  total premiums collected  in
the nine months ended September 30, 1995, was from the sale of annuity products.

                                      S-11
<PAGE>
    OTHER LIFE INSURANCE OPERATIONS

    The  Company's  other  life  insurance  subsidiaries  had  total  assets  of
approximately $.9  billion  at  September  30,  1995.  These  subsidiaries  have
profitable  in-force  blocks  of many  annuity  and  life products,  but  do not
currently market their  products to  new customers.  Premiums collected  totaled
$59.2  million  in the  nine  months ended  September  30, 1995,  including $5.1
million of premiums from deposit funds  maintained by employee benefit plans  of
the Company.

FEE-BASED OPERATIONS

    The  Company provides  all affiliated  and other,  unaffiliated clients with
various services  including  investment  management,  mortgage  origination  and
servicing,   policy  administration,  data  processing,  product  marketing  and
executive management services.  In addition,  subsidiaries of  the Company  earn
fees  by: (i) providing marketing services  to financial institutions related to
the distribution of insurance and investment products; (ii) providing  financing
services  to  Partnership  II;  and  (iii)  distributing  property  and casualty
insurance products  as an  independent agency.  Total fees  from affiliates  and
nonaffiliates were $30.2 million, $49.0 million, $71.0 million and $49.4 million
for the years ended 1992, 1993 and 1994, and the nine months ended September 30,
1995,  respectively. To the extent that  these services are provided to entities
that are  included in  the financial  statements on  a consolidated  basis,  the
intercompany  fees  are eliminated  in consolidation.  Earnings in  this segment
increase when the Company adds  new clients (either affiliated or  unaffiliated)
and  when  the  Company  increases the  fee-producing  activities  conducted for
clients.

PARTNERSHIP OPERATIONS

    Since the  Company  commenced  operations  in  1982,  it  has  completed  12
acquisitions  of insurance companies and related  businesses, the first seven as
wholly  owned  subsidiaries   and  the   last  five   through  its   acquisition
partnerships.  Partnership I  was dissolved  in 1993  after distributing  to its
partners the securities  of the companies  it had acquired.  In early 1994,  the
Company  formed Partnership II, its second acquisition partnership, to invest in
acquisitions of life insurance companies and related businesses. A wholly  owned
subsidiary  of the Company is the sole general partner of Partnership II, as was
the case  with Partnership  I.  Partnership II  has equity  capital  commitments
(after deducting commitments used to invest in AGP) totaling $552.4 million from
limited   partner  investors,  primarily  large  institutional  investors.  Such
commitments  to   Partnership  II   include   $155.0  million   from   Conseco's
subsidiaries.  In  addition, certain  executive  officers and  directors  of the
Company have remaining commitments to Partnership II of $26.8 million.

    The Company believes the use of the partnership vehicle for acquisitions  of
life  insurance companies enables it  to: (i) broaden its  access to the capital
markets; (ii) increase  the size  and number  of potential  acquisitions it  can
effect;  and  (iii)  generate recurring  fee  income through  management  of the
acquired companies  and  their  investments. The  Company  participates  in  the
acquisitions  effected by  Partnership II through:  (i) its  direct and indirect
ownership interest  in  Partnership II;  and  (ii) incentive  compensation  fees
payable (if Partnership II generates returns in excess of prescribed targets) by
Partnership  II to  the Company's wholly  owned subsidiary that  acts as general
partner of  Partnership  II. Partnership  II  completed the  acquisition  of  80
percent  of  the common  stock  of AGP  in September  1994  and expects  to make
additional  acquisitions  using  partnership   equity  capital,  together   with
mezzanine and debt financing from various sources.

    AGP,  with total assets of approximately $6.0 billion at September 30, 1995,
is a financial services  holding company engaged  primarily in the  development,
marketing,  underwriting,  issuance  and  administration  of  annuity  and  life
insurance products.  AGP  collected $647.0  million  of insurance  premiums  and
annuity deposits in the nine months ended September 30, 1995.

    The  Company  believes that  the consolidation  of  the U.S.  life insurance
industry will continue, and the Company intends to participate in this  process.
The   Company  believes  that,  under  appropriate  circumstances,  it  is  more
advantageous to acquire companies with large  books of in-force life and  health
insurance   and  annuities  than   to  produce  new   business  because  initial
underwriting costs have already been  incurred and mature business is  generally
less likely to terminate, making more predictable profit analysis possible.

                                      S-12
<PAGE>
ADMINISTRATION

    The  Company minimizes operating expenses by centralizing, standardizing and
more efficiently  performing  many  functions  common  to  most  life  insurance
companies.  These  functions  include  underwriting  and  policy administration,
accounting and financial reporting, marketing, regulatory compliance,  actuarial
services and asset management.

    The  Company's  centralized  management techniques  resulted  in significant
employee reductions and expense savings in the nine insurance companies acquired
between 1985  and 1992.  The ratio  of aggregate  operating expenses  (excluding
commissions)  to premiums collected for these nine companies was reduced from 11
percent for the last  year prior to  acquisition to 7.9  percent for the  second
full  year following acquisition. The ratio of  such expenses to total assets of
these companies decreased from 3.4 percent to 1.6 percent in the same periods.

    The administration  of BLH's  individual health  insurance products,  unlike
that  of  life  insurance  or  annuities,  involves  a  high  volume  of  claims
processing,  multiple   contacts  with   policyholders  and   generally   higher
operational  costs. In 1994,  BLH processed more  than five million policyholder
claims. BLH  has  developed  an  efficient  and  highly  automated  policyholder
administration  operation to minimize the costs  of such large volume processing
and deliver a high level of service to its policyholders, with special  emphasis
on  the prompt payment of claims. In most cases, BLH mails a check within a week
of receiving a claim  from a policyholder. BLH  believes that its promptness  in
processing  policyholder claims is a major  reason for its strong reputation for
service and the above-average persistency of its Medicare supplement products.

INVESTMENTS

    Conseco Capital Management,  Inc. ("CCM"), a  registered investment  adviser
wholly  owned by the Company, manages the investment portfolios of the Company's
wholly owned subsidiaries, BLH, AGP  and several nonaffiliated clients. CCM  had
approximately  $27.5  billion  of assets  (at  fair value)  under  management at
September 30, 1995, of which $14.0  billion were assets of affiliated  companies
and  $13.5  billion were  assets  of nonaffiliated  companies.  CCM's investment
philosophy is to  maintain a  largely investment  grade fixed-income  portfolio,
provide   adequate  liquidity   for  expected  liability   durations  and  other
requirements and maximize total return through active investment management.

    Investment activities  are  an  integral part  of  the  Company's  business;
investment  income is a  significant component of  the Company's total revenues.
Profitability is significantly  affected by spreads  between interest yields  on
investments  and rates credited on insurance liabilities. Although substantially
all credited rates  on single  premium deferred annuities  and flexible  premium
deferred  annuities may be changed annually,  changes in crediting rates may not
be sufficient to maintain targeted investment spreads in all economic and market
environments. In addition, competition and  other factors, including the  impact
of  the level of surrenders and withdrawals,  may limit the Company's ability to
adjust or to maintain crediting rates at levels necessary to avoid narrowing  of
spreads  under certain market conditions. As  of September 30, 1995, the average
yield, computed on the cost basis of the Company's investment portfolio, was 8.3
percent and  the  average interest  rate  credited on  the  Company's  liability
portfolio was 5.8 percent.

    The  Company seeks to balance  the duration of its  invested assets with the
expected duration of  benefit payments  arising from  insurance liabilities.  At
September  30, 1995, the adjusted modified duration of fixed maturities, trading
securities and short-term investments was 6.2 years. At September 30, 1995,  the
duration of the Company's insurance liabilities was 6.3 years.

                                      S-13
<PAGE>
    The  carrying values of the Company's investments at September 30, 1995 were
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          PERCENT OF TOTAL
INVESTMENT CATEGORY                                                                        INVESTED ASSETS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------  CARRYING VALUE(1)  -----------------
                                                                       -----------------
                                                                         (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                    <C>                <C>
Fixed maturities at fair value:
  U.S. government securities.........................................     $     264.7                 2%
  Obligations of states and political subdivisions and foreign
   government obligations............................................            92.7                 1
  Public utility bonds...............................................         2,422.5                17
  Other corporate bonds..............................................         5,619.6                40
  Mortgage-backed securities.........................................         4,103.8                30
                                                                       -----------------            ---
    Total fixed maturities...........................................        12,503.3                90
Equity securities....................................................            38.8                 *
Mortgage loans on real estate........................................           351.9                 2
Credit-tenant loans..................................................           246.1                 2
Policy loans.........................................................           313.2                 2
Short-term investments...............................................           205.5                 1
Other invested assets................................................            74.2                 1
Assets held in separate accounts.....................................           216.8                 2
                                                                       -----------------            ---
    Total investments................................................     $  13,949.8               100%
                                                                       -----------------            ---
                                                                       -----------------            ---
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
*   Less than one percent

(1) Carrying value represents  the value  for each investment  category that  is
    reflected  in the Company's consolidated financial statements (see note 1 to
    the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's
    Annual Report on Form 10-K  for the year ended  December 31, 1994, which  is
    incorporated by reference herein).

    The  following table sets forth fixed  maturity investments at September 30,
1995, classified  by rating  categories. The  category assigned  is the  highest
rating  by  Standard  &  Poor's Corporation  ("Standard  &  Poor's")  or Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or as  to $182.9 million carrying value  of
fixed  maturities not rated by  such firms, the rating  assigned by the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC"). For purposes of the table, NAIC
Class 1 is  included in  the "A"  rating; Class 2,  "BBB-"; Class  3, "BB-"  and
Classes 4 to 6, "B+ and below."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               PERCENT OF CARRYING VALUE
                                                                       ------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT RATING                                                       FIXED MATURITIES      TOTAL INVESTMENTS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------  ---------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>                  <C>
AAA..................................................................              36%                   32%
AA...................................................................               9                     8
A....................................................................              25                    23
BBB+.................................................................               8                     7
BBB..................................................................              10                     9
BBB-.................................................................               7                     6
                                                                                                         --
                                                                                  ---
  Investment grade...................................................              95                    85
                                                                                                         --
                                                                                  ---
BB+..................................................................               2                     2
BB...................................................................               1                     1
BB-..................................................................               1                     1
B+ and below.........................................................               1                     1
                                                                                                         --
                                                                                  ---
  Below investment grade.............................................               5                     5
                                                                                                         --
                                                                                  ---
  Total fixed maturities.............................................             100%                   90%
                                                                                                         --
                                                                                                         --
                                                                                  ---
                                                                                  ---
</TABLE>

                                      S-14
<PAGE>
    Fixed  maturities which were below investment grade had an amortized cost of
$639.4 million and an  estimated fair value of  $648.1 million at September  30,
1995.  At such date, less than .5 percent of the aggregate carrying value of all
fixed maturities held by the Company had defaulted as to principal or interest.

    At September 30, 1995, fixed  maturity investments included $4.1 billion  of
mortgage-backed  securities  (33  percent of  the  carrying value  of  the fixed
maturity investment  portfolio),  of  which  $2.6  billion  were  collateralized
mortgage  obligations ("CMOs")  and $1.5  billion were  pass-through securities.
CMOs are securities backed by pools of pass-through securities and/or  mortgages
that  are segregated into  sections or "tranches."  These securities provide for
sequential retirement of principal, rather than the pro rata share of  principal
return  which occurs through regular  monthly principal payments on pass-through
securities.

    The yield characteristics of mortgage-backed securities differ from those of
traditional fixed income securities. Interest and principal payments occur  more
frequently,  often monthly, and mortgage-backed  securities are subject to risks
associated with  variable  prepayments. Prepayment  rates  are influenced  by  a
number  of  factors  which cannot  be  predicted with  certainty,  including the
relative sensitivity of the underlying  mortgages backing the assets to  changes
in  interest rates, a variety of economic,  geographic and other factors and the
repayment priority of the securities in the overall securitization structures.

    In general, prepayments on the underlying mortgage loans, and the securities
backed by these  loans, increase  when the  level of  prevailing interest  rates
declines  significantly below the interest  rates on such loans. Mortgage-backed
securities purchased at a discount to  par will experience an increase in  yield
when  the  underlying mortgages  prepay faster  than expected.  Those securities
purchased at a premium that prepay  faster than expected will incur a  reduction
in  yield.  When  declines  in  interest  rates  occur,  the  proceeds  from the
prepayment of mortgage-backed securities  are likely to  be reinvested at  lower
rates  than the Company was  earning on the prepaid  securities. As the level of
prevailing interest rates increases,  prepayments on mortgage-backed  securities
decrease,  as fewer underlying  mortgages are refinanced.  When this occurs, the
average maturity and duration of the mortgage-backed securities increase,  which
decreases  the  yield  on  mortgage-backed securities  purchased  at  a discount
because the discount is realized  as income at a  slower rate and increases  the
yield  on those  purchased at  a premium  as a  result of  a decrease  in annual
amortization of the premium.

    At September 30,  1995, the Company  held mortgage loan  investments with  a
carrying  value of  $351.9 million  (or 2.5  percent of  total invested assets).
Approximately 97 percent of the carrying value of mortgage loan investments  was
attributable   to  commercial   loans.  Non-current  mortgage   loans  were  not
significant at September 30, 1995. The  Company realized losses of $1.4  million
on mortgage loans for the nine months ended September 30, 1995.

    Credit-tenant  loans are loans  on commercial properties  where the lease of
the principal tenant is assigned to the lender and the principal tenant, or  any
guarantor  of such  tenant's obligations,  has a  credit rating  at the  time of
origination of  the loan  of at  least  BBB- or  its equivalent.  The  Company's
underwriting  guidelines consider  such factors  as: (i)  the lease  term of the
property;  (ii)   the  mortgagee's   management  ability,   including   business
experience,  property management capabilities and financial soundness; and (iii)
such economic, demographic or other factors that may affect the income generated
by the  property,  or its  value.  The underwriting  guidelines  also  generally
require  a loan-to-value  ratio of 75  percent or less.  Credit-tenant loans are
carried at  amortized  cost  and had  a  carrying  value of  $246.1  million  at
September 30, 1995, or 1.8 percent of total invested assets.

    Short-term  investments totaled $205.5  million, or 1.5  percent of invested
assets at September 30,  1995, and consisted primarily  of commercial paper  and
repurchase agreements relating to government securities.

POTENTIAL TAX LEGISLATION

    Current   federal  income   tax  laws  generally   permit  the  tax-deferred
accumulation of earnings on  the premiums paid by  an annuitant. Taxes, if  any,
are  payable on  the accumulated tax-deferred  earnings when  those earnings are
paid to the annuitant. In the event that the federal income tax laws are changed
such that accumulated earnings on annuity products do not enjoy the tax deferral
described above, or such that additional savings and investment products were to
achieve   similar   tax    deferral   status,   or    such   that   tax    rates

                                      S-15
<PAGE>
were  significantly lower so that the annuitant's ability to defer income tax on
annuity earnings  was  no longer  a  significant factor  for  the  policyholder,
consumer  demand for the affected annuity  products could decline materially and
the profitability of such products could  decrease. From time to time  proposals
to  some of  these effects have  been made in  Congress and no  assurance can be
given that such a tax law change will not occur in the future. If the demand for
or profitability of its annuity products were to decrease significantly for  any
reason, the Company's operations and financial condition could be materially and
adversely affected.

DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING THE COMPANY

    On   October  31,  1995   A.M.  Best  Company   ("A.M.  Best")  reduced  its
claims-paying  ability  ratings  on  BSLIC,  GARCO  and  Bankers  Life  from  "A
(Excellent)"  to  "A- (Excellent)".  An  important competitive  factor  for life
insurance companies  is  the ratings  they  receive from  nationally  recognized
rating   organizations.  Agents,  insurance  brokers,  marketing  companies  and
financial  institutions  who  market  the  Company's  products  and  prospective
purchasers of the Company's products use the ratings of an insurer as one factor
in  determining  which insurer's  products to  market  or purchase.  A.M. Best's
ratings  are  based   upon  factors  relevant   to  policyholders,  agents   and
intermediaries  and are  not directed toward  the protection  of investors. Such
ratings are  not recommendations  to buy,  sell or  hold securities.  A.M.  Best
reviews  its ratings of insurance  companies from time to  time. There can be no
assurance that any particular rating will continue for any given period of  time
or  that it will not be changed or withdrawn entirely if, in the judgment of the
rating agency, circumstances  so warrant.  If the  A.M. Best  ratings of  BSLIC,
GARCO  or Bankers Life were downgraded from their current levels, sales of their
products and the persistency of their in force business could be materially  and
adversely affected.

                       ACQUISITION OF STOCK OF AFFILIATES

CCP INSURANCE, INC.

    On  August 31, 1995, the Company completed the purchase of all of the shares
of common stock of  CCP it did  not previously own  (representing 51 percent  of
CCP's  total outstanding  shares). As  a result,  CCP's subsidiaries  (GARCO and
BSLIC) became wholly owned subsidiaries of  the Company, and CCP's accounts  are
now consolidated with those of the Company. The Company's consolidated statement
of  operations for periods in 1995 prior to  the CCP Merger has been restated to
reflect the operations of CCP on  a consolidated basis. Such restatement had  no
effect on the net income or shareholders' equity reported by the Company.

    A  total of 11.8 million shares were purchased for $273.9 million in the CCP
Merger. Income tax expense was reduced by  $8.4 million in the third quarter  of
1995  as a result of the release  of deferred income taxes previously accrued on
income related to CCP. Such deferred tax  is no longer required because the  CCP
Merger was completed without incurring additional tax.

    The  CCP Merger (including the repayment of $251.0 million outstanding under
the Company's  revolving credit  facility) was  funded with  available cash  and
borrowings  from a new $600.0 million  credit facility (the "Credit Agreement").
The sources and uses of the financing to complete the CCP Merger are  summarized
below (dollars in millions):

<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Sources of funds:
  Credit Agreement..........................................  $   530.0
  Cash on hand..............................................        9.7
                                                              ---------
    Total sources...........................................  $   539.7
                                                              ---------
                                                              ---------
Uses of funds:
  Purchase of all common equity interest in CCP not owned by
   the Company..............................................  $   273.9
  Settlement of outstanding stock options of CCP............        5.4
  Repayment of revolving credit facility of the Company.....      251.0
  Debt issuance and other transaction costs.................        9.4
                                                              ---------
    Total uses..............................................  $   539.7
                                                              ---------
                                                              ---------
</TABLE>

                                      S-16
<PAGE>
    The Credit Agreement has two tranches. One tranche permits maximum principal
borrowings of $350.0 million ("Tranche A") and the other tranche permits maximum
principal  borrowings of $250.0  million ("Tranche B"). On  the CCP Merger date,
the Company borrowed  $280.0 million under  Tranche A and  $250.0 million  under
Tranche B. The principal amounts outstanding under Tranche A and Tranche B as of
January 17, 1996 were $245.0 million and $250.0 million, respectively.

    Tranche A and Tranche B borrowings bear interest at rates based on either an
offshore  rate or a base rate. Offshore  rates are equal to the reserve adjusted
Interbank Offered Rate  plus an applicable  margin based on:  (i) the  Company's
aggregate  outstanding bank  debt; and (ii)  the rating of  the Company's senior
notes by Moody's and Standard & Poor's.  Such margin varies from .75 percent  to
1.75  percent.  Base rates  are  equal to  the  bank's reference  rate  plus the
offshore rate margin less  1.25 percent (provided such  margin is not less  than
zero).  The interest  rate on both  Tranche A  and Tranche B  borrowings was 7.5
percent on September 30, 1995.

    The principal amounts  outstanding are  payable according  to the  following
schedule (dollars in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                TRANCHE A    TRANCHE B
                                                               -----------  -----------
<S>                                                            <C>          <C>
1999.........................................................   $    40.0    $   250.0(a)
2000.........................................................        65.0       --
2001.........................................................       140.0       --
                                                               -----------  -----------
  Total principal amounts....................................   $   245.0    $   250.0
                                                               -----------  -----------
                                                               -----------  -----------
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
(a) The  repayment date can be extended for an additional year on each extension
    date to the year 2001 subject to defined conditions.

    Mandatory prepayments are required as follows: (i) from 50 percent of excess
cash flow (the excess of amounts that may be payable to the parent company  from
subsidiaries  over dividends,  expenses and  other cash  payments of  the parent
company), commencing with the  year 1997; (ii) upon  the sale or disposition  of
any  significant assets other than in the ordinary course of business; and (iii)
upon the sale or issuance of debt or equity securities of Conseco or any of  its
subsidiaries. See "Use of Proceeds." The Credit Agreement also requires that any
mandatory  prepayments shall  reduce the maximum  principal borrowings permitted
under the Credit  Agreement by  the amount of  such prepayment.  The Company  is
seeking  a waiver from  the lenders under  the Credit Agreement  with respect to
such requirement  to limit  the amount  of such  reduction as  a result  of  the
issuance  of the PRIDES to  $100.0 million. No assurance  can be given, however,
that such a waiver will be granted.

    The Credit Agreement is secured by, among other things, pledges of: (i)  the
capital  stock of the Company's wholly  owned subsidiaries; and (ii) the capital
stock of BLH owned by the Company.

BANKERS LIFE HOLDING CORPORATION

    On June 28,  1995, the  Company completed  a program  to acquire  additional
shares  of BLH common  stock. A total  of 12.8 million  shares was purchased for
$262.4 million  in open  market  and negotiated  transactions during  1995.  The
shares  purchased represented 24  percent of the then  outstanding shares of BLH
common stock,  increasing the  Company's  ownership of  BLH  to 82  percent  (85
percent  including  shares  of  BLH owned  by  CCP)  as of  June  30,  1995. The
acquisition of such  shares was funded  with available cash,  proceeds from  the
Company's  revolving credit facility  and a $32.0 million  loan from CCP. Income
tax expense was  reduced by $66.5  million in the  second quarter of  1995 as  a
result  of the  release of  deferred income  taxes previously  accrued on income
related to BLH. Such  deferred tax is  no longer required  since the Company  is
permitted  to file a  consolidated tax return  with BLH and  the income this tax
relates to can be distributed to the Company without the payment of tax.

    In August 1995 BLH expanded its previously announced common share repurchase
program from two  million to five  million shares. During  the third and  fourth
quarters  of 1995, BLH repurchased 2.2 million  shares of its common stock under
this program at  a cost  of $42.1  million, increasing  the Company's  ownership
interest  in BLH  to 88 percent  as of  December 31, 1995.  During 1996 (through
January 17), BLH  repurchased an  additional 1.3  million shares  of its  common
stock at a cost of $27.5 million, increasing the Company's ownership interest in
BLH to 91 percent as of January 17, 1996.

                                      S-17
<PAGE>
    On  August 25, 1995  Standard & Poor's  reduced its rating  of the Company's
senior debt from  BBB- to  BB+, and  on September  1, 1995  Moody's reduced  its
rating  of the Company's senior debt from  Ba1 to Ba2. Such reductions reflected
primarily the increased financial leverage incurred by the Company in connection
with the CCP Merger  and the Company's acquisition  of additional shares of  BLH
common stock.

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

    The  net proceeds from the sale of the PRIDES will be used to reduce amounts
outstanding under the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement was entered into on
August 31,  1995 in  connection  with the  closing of  the  CCP Merger  and  the
refinancing of the Company's prior credit facility. The Company intends to apply
the net proceeds from the sale of the PRIDES to repay first the principal amount
outstanding  under  Tranche  A (and  accrued  interest thereon)  and  second the
principal amount  outstanding under  Tranche  B. As  of  January 17,  1996,  the
weighted average interest rate on Tranche A borrowings was 7.457 percent and the
interest  rate  on Tranche  B borrowings  was  7.315 percent.  Principal amounts
outstanding under Tranche  A and Tranche  B must be  repaid commencing in  1999,
subject  to  certain  prepayment  obligations.  See  "Acquisition  of  Stock  of
Affiliates -- CCP Insurance, Inc."

                                 CAPITALIZATION

    The following table sets forth the unaudited consolidated capitalization  of
the  Company as of September 30, 1995 and as adjusted to give effect to the sale
by the  Company  of  the 3,800,000  shares  of  PRIDES offered  hereby  and  the
application  of the net  proceeds therefrom, as described  in "Use of Proceeds."
This table  should  be  read  in conjunction  with  the  Company's  consolidated
financial   statements  and  the   notes  thereto  included   in  the  documents
incorporated by reference  herein. See  "Incorporation of  Certain Documents  by
Reference" in the accompanying Prospectus.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                                                                                           ----------------------
                                                                                                          AS
                                                                                            ACTUAL    ADJUSTED (1)
                                                                                           ---------  -----------
                                                                                           (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                                        <C>        <C>
LONG-TERM DEBT (2):
  Notes payable of Conseco...............................................................  $   920.8   $   697.7
  Notes payable of Partnership II entities, not direct obligations of Conseco............      308.5       308.5
  Notes payable of Bankers Life Holding Corporation, not direct obligations of Conseco...      272.5       272.5
                                                                                           ---------  -----------
    Total long-term debt.................................................................    1,501.8     1,278.7
                                                                                           ---------  -----------
Minority interest........................................................................      356.7       356.7
                                                                                           ---------  -----------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  7% PRIDES, convertible preferred stock, no par value; 4,370,000 shares authorized;
   3,800,000 shares outstanding..........................................................     --           232.3
  Series D Preferred Stock...............................................................      283.5       283.5
  Common stock and additional paid-in capital, no par value, 500,000,000 shares
   authorized, 20,233,840 shares outstanding.............................................      154.8       147.1
  Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of securities (net of $34.9 deferred income
   taxes)................................................................................       56.7        56.7
  Retained earnings......................................................................      510.7       509.2
                                                                                           ---------  -----------
    Total shareholders' equity...........................................................    1,005.7     1,228.8
                                                                                           ---------  -----------
        Total capitalization.............................................................  $ 2,864.2   $ 2,864.2
                                                                                           ---------  -----------
                                                                                           ---------  -----------
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
(1)  Adjusted to reflect the sale of  3,800,000 shares of PRIDES offered hereby,
    net  of  estimated   underwriting  discount  and   offering  expenses,   and
    application of the net proceeds from such sale.

(2)  For information concerning the terms  and maturities of the long-term debt,
    see the notes to the Company's consolidated financial statements included in
    the documents  incorporated  by  reference  herein.  See  "Incorporation  of
    Certain Documents by Reference" in the accompanying Prospectus.

                                      S-18
<PAGE>
                   PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS

    The  Company's Common Stock is listed on  the NYSE under the symbol CNC. The
closing price  for  the Common  Stock  on January  17,  1996 was  $61  1/8.  The
following table sets forth the quarterly dividends paid per share and the ranges
of  high and  low sales prices  per share  on the NYSE  for the  last two fiscal
years, based upon information supplied by the NYSE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  MARKET PRICE
                                                                              --------------------   DIVIDEND
PERIOD                                                                          HIGH        LOW        PAID
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  -----------
<S>                                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
1994:
  First Quarter.............................................................  $  66 1/4  $  53 1/8   $   0.125
  Second Quarter............................................................     58 1/8     46 3/8       0.125
  Third Quarter.............................................................     52 3/8     43 1/4       0.125
  Fourth Quarter............................................................     46 1/4     35 7/8       0.125
1995:
  First Quarter.............................................................  $  48 5/8  $  32 1/2   $   0.125
  Second Quarter............................................................     46 5/8     39 1/8       0.125
  Third Quarter.............................................................     53 1/4     45 1/2       0.020
  Fourth Quarter............................................................     63 1/8     50 7/8       0.020
1996:
  First Quarter (through January 17, 1996)..................................  $  63 1/4  $  59 3/4   $   0.020
</TABLE>

    As of December  15, 1995,  there were  approximately 13,000  holders of  the
outstanding  shares  of  Common  Stock,  including  individual  participants  in
securities position listings.

    The Company's Board  of Directors  has adopted  a policy  of paying  regular
quarterly cash dividends on its Common Stock. In March 1995, the Company reduced
its  quarterly cash dividend to $.02 per share, effective with the dividend paid
in July 1995. The Company's  general policy is to  retain most of its  earnings.
The  declaration and payment of future dividends  on the Common Stock will be at
the discretion of the Board of Directors  of the Company and will depend on  the
Company's  earnings and financial condition, capital requirements of the Company
and its subsidiaries, regulatory considerations  and other factors the Board  of
Directors deems relevant. Accordingly, there is no requirement or assurance that
dividends will be paid.

    In  February  1993,  the  Company issued  5,750,000  shares  ($287.5 million
liquidation value) of Series  D Preferred Stock, on  which dividends ($3.25  per
share) are cumulative from the date of original issue and are payable quarterly,
commencing  April 15, 1993. The  terms of the Series  D Preferred Stock prohibit
the payment of cash dividends  on capital stock ranking  junior to the Series  D
Preferred  Stock if the Company  is not current in  its dividend payments on the
Preferred Stock. The Company paid dividends  on the Series D Preferred Stock  of
$18.6  million during each of 1995 and  1994, and $13.5 million during 1993, and
is current on its payments.

    Under the Credit Agreement, the Company is prohibited from declaring, paying
or making any  dividend or  distribution in respect  of the  PRIDES, other  than
dividends  or distributions payable in Common Stock, Preferred Stock or warrants
to purchase Common Stock.  The Company has obtained  a waiver from the  required
lenders  under the Credit Agreement with respect to any default under the Credit
Agreement relating to the  payment by the Company  of the dividend payable  with
respect to the PRIDES.

    The  Company is a holding company. All  of its operating income is generated
by its subsidiaries. The Company must  rely on dividends or other payments  from
its  subsidiaries  to  generate  the  funds  necessary  to  meet  the  Company's
obligations. The ability  of such subsidiaries  to pay such  dividends or  other
amounts  will  be  subject  to,  among  other  things,  applicable  state  laws,
including, in the case  of insurance subsidiaries,  state insurance laws.  These
state insurance laws and regulations limit the ability of insurance subsidiaries
to  make cash  dividends, loans  or advances  to a  holding company  such as the
Company. However, these laws generally permit the payment, without prior  notice
or regulatory approval, of dividends by subsidiaries which, when aggregated with
other  dividends paid during  the 12 months preceding  the proposed dividend, do
not exceed

                                      S-19
<PAGE>
the greater of:  (i) the  subsidiary's net gain  from operations  for the  prior
calendar  year, or (ii) 10%  of the subsidiary's surplus  at the prior year-end,
both computed  on the  statutory basis  of accounting  prescribed for  insurance
companies.  Any proposed dividend in excess of the amount determined pursuant to
the foregoing  formula would  be characterized  as an  "extraordinary  dividend"
requiring  prior  regulatory  approval.  In  any  case,  the  maximum  amount of
dividends that  an insurance  company may  pay is,  in general,  limited to  its
earned  surplus, also known  as unassigned funds.  Finally, the maximum dividend
permitted by law is not necessarily indicative of an insurer's actual ability to
pay  dividends,   which  may   be  constrained   by  business   and   regulatory
considerations,  such as the impact of  dividends on surplus, which could affect
an insurer's ratings or competitive position, the amount of premiums that can be
written by such insurer and its ability to pay future dividends.

                             DESCRIPTION OF PRIDES

    THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION OF  THE TERMS OF SHARES  OF PRIDES OFFERED  HEREBY
SUPPLEMENTS  AND, TO THE EXTENT INCONSISTENT THEREWITH, REPLACES THE DESCRIPTION
OF THE GENERAL  TERMS AND PROVISIONS  OF THE  PREFERRED STOCK SET  FORTH IN  THE
ACCOMPANYING  PROSPECTUS. THE SUMMARY CONTAINED HEREIN OF THE TERMS OF SHARES OF
PRIDES DOES NOT PURPORT TO  BE COMPLETE AND IS SUBJECT  TO AND QUALIFIED IN  ITS
ENTIRETY  BY REFERENCE  TO ALL  OF THE PROVISIONS  OF THE  COMPANY'S ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION AND FORM  OF ARTICLES OF  AMENDMENT RELATING TO  SHARES OF  PRIDES
(THE  "ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT"), A COPY OF EACH  OF WHICH EITHER HAS BEEN OR WILL
BE FILED WITH THE  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  (THE "COMMISSION") AS  AN
EXHIBIT TO OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT OF WHICH
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS A PART. THE STATED ANNUAL DIVIDEND, CERTAIN OF THE
CALL  PRICES (AS  DEFINED HEREIN) AND  THE OPTIONAL CONVERSION  RATE (AS DEFINED
HEREIN) APPLICABLE TO THE SHARES OF PRIDES HAVE BEEN ROUNDED.

    The Company's Board  of Directors  has adopted  resolutions authorizing  the
issuance of up to 4,370,000 shares of 7% PRIDES, Convertible Preferred Stock, no
par value per share.

DIVIDENDS

    Holders  of shares of  PRIDES will be  entitled to receive,  when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor, cash
dividends from January 23, 1996, the date  of initial issuance of the shares  of
PRIDES,  at the rate  of 7% per  annum of the  stated liquidation preference per
share (equivalent to $4.279 per annum or $1.06975 per quarter for each share  of
PRIDES),  payable quarterly in arrears  on the 1st of  February, May, August and
November or, if  any such date  is not a  business day, on  the next  succeeding
business  day;  provided, however,  that, with  respect  to any  dividend period
during which  a redemption  occurs,  the Company  may,  at its  option,  declare
accrued  dividends to, and pay such dividends on, the date fixed for redemption,
in which case such dividends would be  payable in cash to the holders of  shares
of  PRIDES as  of the  record date for  such dividend  payment and  would not be
included in the calculation of  the related Call Price  as set forth below.  The
first  dividend  period will  be  from January  23,  1996, the  date  of initial
issuance of the shares  of PRIDES, to  but excluding February  1, 1996, and  the
first  dividend will be payable on February 1,  1996 to holders of record at the
close of business on January 23, 1996. Dividends will cease to accrue in respect
of the shares of PRIDES on the Mandatory Conversion Date or on the date of their
earlier conversion or redemption.

    Dividends will be payable to holders of  record as they appear on the  stock
register  of the Company on  such record date, not less  than 10 days (except as
provided above with respect to the first dividend payment) nor more than 60 days
preceding the payment date thereof, as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
Dividends payable on shares of PRIDES for any period less than a full  quarterly
dividend period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months and the actual number of days elapsed in any period less than one month.

    Dividends  on shares of  PRIDES will accrue  whether or not  there are funds
legally available for  the payment  of such dividends  and whether  or not  such
dividends  are declared. Accrued but unpaid  dividends on shares of PRIDES shall
cumulate as of the dividend payment date on which they first become payable, but
no interest  shall accrue  on  accumulated but  unpaid  dividends on  shares  of
PRIDES.

                                      S-20
<PAGE>
    The  shares of PRIDES will rank on a parity, both as to payment of dividends
and distribution  of assets  upon liquidation,  with the  outstanding shares  of
Series  D Preferred  Stock and  with any  future preferred  stock issued  by the
Company that by  its terms  ranks on  a parity with  the shares  of PRIDES.  See
"Description of Capital Stock -- Series D Preferred Stock" in the Prospectus.

    As  long  as any  shares of  PRIDES  are outstanding,  no dividends  for any
dividend period (other than dividends payable in shares of, or warrants,  rights
or  options exercisable for or  convertible into shares of,  Common Stock or any
other capital stock of the Company ranking junior to the shares of PRIDES as  to
the  payment  of  dividends  and the  distribution  of  assets  upon liquidation
("Junior Stock") and cash in lieu of  fractional shares of such Junior Stock  in
connection  with any such dividend) will be  paid in cash or otherwise, nor will
any other distribution  be made  (other than  a distribution  payable in  Junior
Stock  and cash in lieu of fractional  shares of such Junior Stock in connection
with any such distribution),  on any Junior Stock  unless (i) full dividends  on
Preferred Stock (including the shares of PRIDES) that does not constitute Junior
Stock  ("Parity Preferred Stock") have been paid,  or declared and set aside for
payment, for all dividend periods  terminating on or prior  to the date of  such
Junior  Stock dividend or distribution payment  to the extent such dividends are
cumulative; (ii)  dividends in  full, in  the case  of a  dividend payment  with
respect  to  Junior  Stock,  for  any  Parity  Preferred  Stock  dividend period
commencing on or prior to the date of such Junior Stock dividend payment or,  in
the case of any other distribution with respect to Junior Stock, for the current
quarterly  dividend  period,  have been  paid,  or  declared and  set  aside for
payment, on  all  Parity  Preferred  Stock to  the  extent  such  dividends  are
cumulative; (iii) the Company has paid or set aside all amounts, if any, then or
theretofore  required to be paid or set  aside for all purchase, retirement, and
sinking funds, if any, for any Parity  Preferred Stock; and (iv) the Company  is
not in default on any of its obligations to redeem any Parity Preferred Stock.

    In  addition, as long as any shares  of PRIDES are outstanding, no shares of
any Junior  Stock may  be  purchased, redeemed,  or  otherwise acquired  by  the
Company or any of its subsidiaries (except in connection with a reclassification
or  exchange of any Junior Stock through the issuance of other Junior Stock (and
cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Junior Stock in connection  therewith)
or  the purchase, redemption, or other acquisition  of any Junior Stock with any
Junior Stock (and  cash in lieu  of fractional  shares of such  Junior Stock  in
connection  therewith)) nor may any funds be set aside or made available for any
sinking fund for the purchase or redemption of any Junior Stock unless: (i) full
dividends on Parity Preferred  Stock have been paid,  or declared and set  aside
for  payment, for all  dividend periods terminating  on or prior  to the date of
such purchase,  redemption  or acquisition  to  the extent  such  dividends  are
cumulative;  (ii) the Company has paid or set aside all amounts, if any, then or
theretofore required to be paid or  set aside for all purchase, retirement,  and
sinking  funds, if any, for any Parity Preferred Stock; and (iii) the Company is
not in default on any of its obligations to redeem any Parity Preferred Stock.

    Subject  to  the  provisions  described  above,  such  dividends  or   other
distributions  (payable in cash, property, or Junior Stock) as may be determined
by the Board of Directors may be declared  and paid on the shares of any  Junior
Stock from time to time and Junior Stock may be purchased, redeemed or otherwise
acquired  by the Company  or any of its  subsidiaries from time  to time. In the
event  of  the  declaration  and  payment   of  any  such  dividends  or   other
distributions,  the  holders  of such  Junior  Stock  will be  entitled,  to the
exclusion of holders of any Parity  Preferred Stock, to share therein  according
to their respective interests.

    As  long as any shares of PRIDES are outstanding, dividends for any dividend
period or other  distributions may  not be paid  on any  Parity Preferred  Stock
(other than dividends or other distributions payable in Junior Stock and cash in
lieu  of fractional shares of such Junior Stock in connection therewith), unless
either: (a)(i)  full dividends  on Parity  Preferred Stock  have been  paid,  or
declared  and set aside for payment, for  all dividend periods terminating on or
prior to  the date  of  such Parity  Preferred  Stock dividend  or  distribution
payment  to the extent such dividends are cumulative; (ii) dividends in full, in
the case of a dividend payment,  for any Parity Preferred Stock dividend  period
commencing  on or  prior to  the date  of such  Parity Preferred  Stock dividend
payment or, in  the case of  any other distribution,  for the current  quarterly
dividend  period, have been paid, or declared  and set aside for payment, on all
Parity Preferred Stock to  the extent such dividends  are cumulative; (iii)  the
Company  has paid or set aside all amounts, if any, then or theretofore required
to be paid or set aside for all purchase, retirement, and sinking funds, if any,
for any Parity Preferred

                                      S-21
<PAGE>
Stock; and (iv)  the Company  is not  in default on  any of  its obligations  to
redeem  any Parity Preferred Stock;  or (b) any such  dividends are declared and
paid pro rata so that the amounts  of any dividends declared and paid per  share
of  PRIDES and each other share of such Parity Preferred Stock will in all cases
bear to each other the same  ratio that accrued and unpaid dividends  (including
any accumulation with respect to unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods, if
such  dividends are  cumulative) per  share of PRIDES  and such  other shares of
Parity Preferred Stock bear to each other.

    In addition, as long  as any shares of  PRIDES are outstanding, the  Company
may not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Parity Preferred Stock (except
with any Junior Stock and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Junior Stock
in  connection therewith) unless:  (i) full dividends  on Parity Preferred Stock
have been paid, or declared and set aside for payment, for all dividend  periods
terminating  on or prior  to the date  of such Parity  Preferred Stock purchase,
redemption or  other  acquisition  payment  to the  extent  such  dividends  are
cumulative;  (ii) the Company has paid or set aside all amounts, if any, then or
theretofore required to be paid or  set aside for all purchase, retirement,  and
sinking  funds, if any, for any Parity Preferred Stock; and (iii) the Company is
not in default on any of its obligations to redeem any Parity Preferred Stock.

MANDATORY CONVERSION OF PRIDES

    Unless previously either redeemed or converted  at the option of the  holder
into  Common Stock, as hereinafter described,  on the Mandatory Conversion Date,
each outstanding share  of PRIDES will  mandatorily convert into  (i) shares  of
Common Stock at the Common Equivalent Rate (as defined herein) in effect on such
date  and (ii) the right to  receive cash in an amount  equal to all accrued and
unpaid dividends  on  such  share  of PRIDES  (other  than  previously  declared
dividends  payable to a  holder of record as  of a prior  date) to the Mandatory
Conversion Date, whether or not declared, out of funds legally available for the
payment of dividends, subject to the right  of the Company to redeem the  shares
of  PRIDES on or after  February 1, 1999, and  prior to the Mandatory Conversion
Date, as described below, and subject to the conversion of the shares of  PRIDES
at  the option of the holder at any time prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date,
as described  below. The  "Common Equivalent  Rate" is  initially one  share  of
Common  Stock for each share of PRIDES and is subject to adjustment as described
below. Dividends  will cease  to  accrue on  the  Mandatory Conversion  Date  in
respect of the shares of PRIDES then outstanding.

    Because the price of the Common Stock is subject to market fluctuations, the
value  of the Common Stock  that may be received by  holders of shares of PRIDES
upon their mandatory conversion may be more or less than the amount paid for the
shares of PRIDES offered hereby.

OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

    Shares of PRIDES  are not  redeemable by the  Company prior  to February  1,
1999.  At any time and from time to time on or after that date until immediately
prior to  the Mandatory  Conversion Date,  the Company  will have  the right  to
redeem,  in whole or  in part, the  outstanding shares of  PRIDES. Upon any such
redemption, the Company will deliver to the holders thereof in exchange for each
share of PRIDES subject to redemption the  greater of: (i) the number of  shares
of  Common Stock equal to the applicable  Call Price in effect on the redemption
date divided by the Current Market Price  of the Common Stock, determined as  of
the  second  trading  day  immediately preceding  the  Notice  Date  (as defined
herein), or (ii) .855 of a share  of Common Stock (subject to adjustment in  the
same  manner as the  Optional Conversion Rate (as  defined herein) is adjusted).
Dividends will cease to  accrue on the  shares of PRIDES on  the date fixed  for
their redemption.

    The  "Call Price" of each share  of PRIDES is the sum  of (i) $62.195 on and
after February 1, 1999, to  and including April 30,  1999, $61.928 on and  after
May  1, 1999,  to and including  July 31, 1999,  $61.660 on and  after August 1,
1999, to and including October 31, 1999, $61.393 on and after November 1,  1999,
to  and including December 31, 1999, and  $61.125 (being the price to the public
of a share of PRIDES appearing on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement),
on and after January 1,  2000, to and including February  1, 2000, and (ii)  all
accrued  and unpaid dividends  thereon to but  not including the  date fixed for
redemption (other  than previously  declared dividends  payable to  a holder  of
record as of a prior date).

                                      S-22
<PAGE>
    The  "Current Market  Price" per share  of the  Common Stock on  any date of
determination means the  lesser of  (x) the average  of the  Closing Prices  (as
defined below) of the Common Stock for the 15 consecutive trading days ending on
and including such date of determination and (y) the Closing Price of the Common
Stock  for such date of determination;  provided, however, that, with respect to
any redemption of shares of PRIDES, if  any event resulting in an adjustment  of
the  Common Equivalent Rate occurs during the  period beginning on the first day
of such 15-day period and ending on the applicable redemption date, the  Current
Market  Price  as determined  pursuant to  the  foregoing will  be appropriately
adjusted to reflect the occurrence of such event. The "Notice Date" with respect
to any notice given by the Company in connection with a redemption of the shares
of PRIDES means  the earlier  of the  date of  the public  announcement of  such
redemption  or the  commencement of  mailing of  such notice  to the  holders of
shares of PRIDES. The term  "Closing Price" on any  day means the last  reported
sales price on the New York Stock Exchange or, if not listed thereon, the Nasdaq
National  Market or  the average  of the bid  and asked  prices on  the over the
counter market, as appropriate.

    If fewer than  all the outstanding  shares of  PRIDES are to  be called  for
redemption,  shares of PRIDES to be called  will be selected by the Company from
outstanding shares of PRIDES not previously called by lot or pro rata (as nearly
as may be) or by  any other method determined by  the Board of Directors in  its
sole discretion to be equitable.

    The  Company will  provide notice  of any call  for redemption  of shares of
PRIDES to holders of record of the shares of PRIDES to be called for  redemption
not  less  than 15  days nor  more  than 60  days prior  to  the date  fixed for
redemption. Accordingly, the earliest Notice Date for any call for redemption of
shares of PRIDES will be December 3,  1998. Any such notice will be provided  by
mail, sent to each holder of record of the shares of PRIDES to be called at such
holder's address as it appears on the stock register of the Company, first class
postage  prepaid; provided,  however, that  failure to  give such  notice or any
defect therein shall not affect the validity of the proceeding for redemption of
any shares of PRIDES to be redeemed except as to the holder to whom the  Company
has  failed to give said notice or whose  notice was defective. On and after the
redemption date, all rights of  the holders of the  shares of PRIDES called  for
redemption  shall terminate  except the  right to  receive the  redemption price
(unless the Company defaults on the  payment of the redemption price). A  public
announcement of any call for redemption will be made by the Company prior to, or
at the time of, the mailing of such notice for redemption.

    Each  holder of  shares of PRIDES  called for redemption  must surrender the
certificates evidencing  such shares  of  PRIDES to  the  Company at  the  place
designated in the notice of redemption and will thereupon be entitled to receive
certificates  for  shares of  Common  Stock and  cash  for any  fractional share
amount.

CONVERSION AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER

    The shares of PRIDES are convertible, in whole or in part, at the option  of
the  holders thereof, at any time prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date, unless
previously redeemed, into shares of Common Stock at a rate of .855 of a share of
Common Stock  for  each  share  of  PRIDES  (the  "Optional  Conversion  Rate"),
equivalent  to  a conversion  price of  $71.49  per share  of Common  Stock (the
"Conversion Price"),  subject to  adjustment as  described below.  The right  to
convert  shares of PRIDES called for redemption will terminate immediately prior
to the close of business on any redemption date with respect to such shares.

    Conversion of shares of PRIDES at the  option of the holder may be  effected
by  delivering  certificates evidencing  such  shares of  PRIDES,  together with
written notice of conversion and a proper assignment of such certificates to the
Company or in blank (and, if applicable, cash payment of an amount equal to  the
dividend attributable to the current quarterly dividend accrued on such shares),
to  the office of any transfer agent for shares of PRIDES or to any other office
or agency maintained by the Company for that purpose and otherwise in accordance
with conversion procedures established by the Company. Each optional  conversion
shall be deemed to have been effected immediately prior to the close of business
on  the date on which the foregoing  requirements shall have been satisfied. The
conversion shall be at the Optional Conversion  Rate in effect at such time  and
on such date.

                                      S-23
<PAGE>
    Holders  of shares of PRIDES  at the close of business  on a record date for
any payment  of declared  dividends will  be entitled  to receive  the  dividend
payable  on such  shares of  PRIDES on  the corresponding  dividend payment date
notwithstanding the optional conversion of such shares of PRIDES following  such
record  date  and prior  to the  corresponding  dividend payment  date. However,
shares of PRIDES  surrendered for conversion  after the close  of business on  a
record  date for  any payment  of declared dividends  and before  the opening of
business on the  next succeeding dividend  payment date must  be accompanied  by
payment  in cash of an amount equal  to the dividend attributable to the current
quarterly dividend period payable on such date (unless such shares of PRIDES are
subject to redemption  on a redemption  date between such  record date and  such
dividend  payment date). A holder  of shares of PRIDES  called for redemption on
February 1, 1999 or any other dividend payment date thereafter will receive  the
dividend  on such  shares of  PRIDES payable on  that date  and will  be able to
convert such shares of  PRIDES after the record  date for such dividend  without
paying  an amount equal to such dividend  to the Company upon conversion. Except
as provided above, upon any optional conversion of shares of PRIDES, the Company
will make no payment  of or allowance  for unpaid dividends,  whether or not  in
arrears,  on  such shares  of PRIDES,  or for  previously declared  dividends or
distributions on the shares of Common Stock issued upon such conversion.

ENHANCED DIVIDEND YIELD; LESS EQUITY APPRECIATION THAN COMMON STOCK

    Dividends will accrue on the shares of PRIDES at a higher rate than the rate
at which dividends are currently paid  on the Common Stock. The opportunity  for
equity  appreciation afforded by an investment in  shares of PRIDES is less than
that afforded by an investment in the Common Stock because the Conversion  Price
is higher than the per share price to the public of the shares of PRIDES and the
Company  may, at its option, redeem the shares of PRIDES at any time on or after
February 1,  1999,  and prior  to  the Mandatory  Conversion  Date, and  may  be
expected to do so if, among other circumstances, the Current Market Price of the
Common  Stock  after February  1, 1999  exceeds the  Call Price  for a  share of
PRIDES. In such event, a holder of a share of PRIDES will receive less than  one
share  of Common Stock per share of PRIDES, but not less than .855 of a share of
Common Stock,  subject to  adjustment as  described herein.  A holder  may  also
surrender  for conversion any shares  of PRIDES called for  redemption up to the
close of business  on the  redemption date,  and a  holder that  so elects  will
receive  .855 of  a share  of Common Stock,  subject to  adjustment as described
herein. The per share  value of Common  Stock received by  holders of shares  of
PRIDES  may be more  or less than  the per share  amount paid for  the shares of
PRIDES offered hereby,  due to market  fluctuations in the  price of the  Common
Stock.

    As  a  result of  these provisions,  holders  of shares  of PRIDES  would be
expected to realize no  equity appreciation if the  Current Market Price of  the
Common  Stock  is  below  the  Conversion  Price,  and  less  than  all  of such
appreciation if  the Current  Market Price  of  the Common  Stock is  above  the
Conversion Price. Holders of shares of PRIDES will realize the entire decline in
equity value if the market price of the Common Stock is less than the price paid
for a share of PRIDES.

CONVERSION ADJUSTMENTS

    The Common Equivalent Rate and the Optional Conversion Rate are each subject
to  adjustment as appropriate in certain circumstances, including if the Company
shall (a) pay a stock dividend or make a distribution with respect to its Common
Stock in shares of Common Stock,  (b) subdivide or split its outstanding  Common
Stock, (c) combine its outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares,
(d) issue by reclassification of its shares of Common Stock any shares of Common
Stock,  (e) issue certain rights or warrants  to all holders of its Common Stock
unless such rights or warrants are issued to each holder of shares of PRIDES  on
a  pro rata basis with the shares of Common Stock based on the Common Equivalent
Rate in effect on  the date immediately  preceding such issuance,  or (f) pay  a
dividend  or distribute  to all  holders of  its Common  Stock evidences  of its
indebtedness, cash or other assets (including  capital stock of the Company  but
excluding  any cash  dividends or  distributions, other  than Extraordinary Cash
Distributions (as defined below), and dividends referred to in clause (a) above)
unless such dividend or distribution is made to each holder of shares of  PRIDES
on  a  pro rata  basis  with the  shares  of Common  Stock  based on  the Common
Equivalent Rate in  effect on the  date immediately preceding  such dividend  or
distribution.  In  addition,  the Company  will  be  entitled (but  will  not be
required) to make upward adjustments in the

                                      S-24
<PAGE>
Common Equivalent Rate, the Optional Conversion  Rate and the Call Price as  the
Company,  in its sole discretion, shall determine to be advisable, in order that
any stock dividend, subdivision  or split of shares,  distribution of rights  to
purchase  stock or securities, or distribution of securities convertible into or
exchangeable for stock (or any transaction which could be treated as any of  the
foregoing  transactions pursuant to Section 305  of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code")) hereafter made by the Company to its shareholders
will not be taxable. "Extraordinary  Cash Distributions" means, with respect  to
any cash dividend or distribution paid on any date, the amount, if any, by which
all  cash dividends and cash  distributions on the Common  Stock paid during the
consecutive 12-month period ending on and  including such date (other than  cash
dividends  and  cash  distributions  for  which  an  adjustment  to  the  Common
Equivalent Rate or the Optional Conversion Rate was previously made) exceeds, on
a per share  of Common  Stock basis,  10% of the  average of  the daily  Closing
Prices   of  the  Common  Stock  over  such  consecutive  12-month  period.  All
adjustments to the Common Equivalent Rate and the Optional Conversion Rate  will
be  calculated to the nearest 1/100th of  a share of Common Stock. No adjustment
in the Common Equivalent Rate or  the Optional Conversion Rate will be  required
unless  such adjustment would  require an increase  or decrease of  at least one
percent in the Common Equivalent  Rate; provided, however, that any  adjustments
which,  by reason of the foregoing, are not required to be made shall be carried
forward and taken  into account  in any subsequent  adjustment. All  adjustments
will be made successively.

    Whenever  the Common  Equivalent Rate and  the Optional  Conversion Rate are
adjusted as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company will file with  the
transfer  agent for  the shares  of PRIDES  a certificate  with respect  to such
adjustment, make  a prompt  public announcement  thereof and  mail a  notice  to
holders  of the shares of PRIDES providing specified information with respect to
such adjustment.

ADJUSTMENT FOR CERTAIN CONSOLIDATIONS OR MERGERS
    In the case of  (i) any consolidation  or merger to which  the Company is  a
party  (other  than  a merger  or  consolidation  in which  the  Company  is the
surviving or continuing  corporation and  in which  the shares  of Common  Stock
outstanding  immediately prior to the merger or consolidation remain unchanged),
(ii) any sale or transfer to another corporation of the property of the  Company
as  an entirety or substantially as an entirety, or (iii) any statutory exchange
of securities with another corporation (other  than in connection with a  merger
or  acquisition),  each  share  of  PRIDES  shall,  after  consummation  of such
transaction, be subject to (A) conversion at  the option of the holder into  the
kind   and  amount  of  securities,  cash  or  other  property  receivable  upon
consummation of such transaction by a holder  of the number of shares of  Common
Stock  into which  such share  of PRIDES  might have  been converted immediately
prior to  consummation of  such  transaction, (B)  conversion on  the  Mandatory
Conversion  Date into the kind and amount of securities, cash, or other property
receivable upon consummation of  such transaction by a  holder of the number  of
shares of Common Stock into which such share of PRIDES would have been converted
if  the conversion  on the  Mandatory Conversion  Date had  occurred immediately
prior to the date of consummation of such transaction, plus the right to receive
cash in an amount  equal to all  accrued and unpaid dividends  on such share  of
PRIDES  (other than previously declared dividends  payable to a holder of record
as of a prior date), and (C)  redemption on any redemption date in exchange  for
the  kind  and amount  of securities,  cash, or  other property  receivable upon
consummation of such transaction by a holder  of the number of shares of  Common
Stock  that would  have been issuable,  using the  Call Price in  effect on such
redemption date, upon a redemption of such shares of PRIDES immediately prior to
consummation of such  transaction, assuming that,  if the Notice  Date for  such
redemption  is not prior to such transaction,  the Notice Date had been the date
of such transaction; and  assuming in each  case that such  holder of shares  of
Common  Stock failed to exercise  rights of election, if any,  as to the kind or
amount of securities, cash,  or other property  receivable upon consummation  of
such  transaction (provided that, if  the kind or amount  of securities, cash or
other property receivable upon consummation of such transaction is not the  same
for  each non-electing share, then  the kind and amount  of securities, cash, or
other property  receivable  upon  consummation  of  such  transaction  for  each
non-electing  share shall be deemed to be  the kind and amount so receivable per
share by  a  plurality of  the  non-electing shares).  The  kind and  amount  of
securities  into  or for  which the  shares  of PRIDES  shall be  convertible or
redeemable  after  consummation  of  such   transaction  shall  be  subject   to

                                      S-25
<PAGE>
adjustment  as  described  above  under  the  caption  "Conversion  Adjustments"
following the date  of consummation  of such  transaction. The  Company may  not
become  a party to any such transaction  unless the terms thereof are consistent
with the foregoing or the last sentence of the third paragraph under "--  Voting
Rights" below.

    For  purposes of  the preceding paragraph,  any sale or  transfer to another
corporation of property of the Company which did not account for at least 50% of
the consolidated  net income  of the  Company for  its most  recent fiscal  year
ending  prior to the consummation  of such transaction will  not in any event be
deemed to be a sale or transfer of the property of the Company as an entirety or
substantially as an entirety.

FRACTIONAL SHARES
    No fractional  shares of  Common Stock  will be  issued upon  redemption  or
conversion  of  shares of  PRIDES.  In lieu  of  any fractional  share otherwise
issuable in respect of the  aggregate number of shares  of PRIDES of any  holder
that  are  redeemed  or  converted  on any  redemption  date  or  upon mandatory
conversion or any optional conversion, such holder shall be entitled to  receive
an  amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the (i) Current Market Price of
the Common Stock, determined as of the second trading day immediately  preceding
the  Notice Date, in the case of redemption, or (ii) Closing Price of the Common
Stock determined  (A) as  of the  fifth trading  day immediately  preceding  the
Mandatory Conversion Date, in the case of mandatory conversion, or (B) as of the
second  trading day immediately  preceding the effective  date of conversion, in
the case of an optional conversion by a holder.

LIQUIDATION RIGHTS
    In the event of  any voluntary or  involuntary liquidation, dissolution,  or
winding  up of the  Company, and subject to  the rights of  holders of any other
series of  Preferred Stock,  the holders  of outstanding  shares of  PRIDES  are
entitled  to receive an amount equal to the per share price to the public of the
shares of PRIDES  shown on the  cover page of  this Prospectus Supplement,  plus
accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, out of the assets of the Company available
for  distribution to shareholders, before any  distribution of assets is made to
holders of Junior Stock upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

    If upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up
of the Company, the assets of the Company are insufficient to permit the payment
of the full preferential  amounts payable with respect  to shares of PRIDES  and
all  other series of Parity Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of PRIDES and
of all  other  series  of Parity  Preferred  Stock  will share  ratably  in  any
distribution  of  assets of  the Company  in proportion  to the  full respective
preferential amounts  to which  they are  entitled. After  payment of  the  full
amount  of the liquidating distribution to  which they are entitled, the holders
of shares of PRIDES  will not be  entitled to any  further participation in  any
distribution  of assets by the Company. A consolidation or merger of the Company
with one or  more corporations (whether  or not the  Company is the  corporation
surviving  such  consolidation  or merger),  or  a  sale, lease  or  transfer or
exchange of all or substantially all of  the assets of the Company shall not  be
deemed  to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up
of the Company.

VOTING RIGHTS
    The holders of shares  of PRIDES shall  have the right  with the holders  of
Common  Stock to vote  in the election  of Directors and  upon each other matter
coming before any meeting of the holders of Common Stock on the basis of 4/5  of
a  vote for each share of  PRIDES held. The holders of  shares of PRIDES and the
holders of Common Stock will vote together  as one class on such matters  except
as otherwise provided by law or the Articles of Incorporation of the Company.

    In  the event that dividends on the shares  of PRIDES or any other series of
Preferred Stock are in arrears and unpaid for six quarterly dividend periods, or
if any other  series of  Preferred Stock  is entitled  for any  other reason  to
exercise  voting rights, separate from the  Common Stock, to elect any Directors
of the  Company ("Preferred  Stock Directors"),  the holders  of the  shares  of
PRIDES  (voting  separately as  a  class with  holders  of all  other  series of
Preferred Stock  upon which  like  voting rights  have  been conferred  and  are
exercisable),  with each share of PRIDES entitled  to one vote on this and other
matters on which Preferred Stock votes as a group, will be entitled to vote  for
the  election of two Preferred Stock Directors, such Directors to be in addition
to the number of Directors constituting the Board of Directors immediately prior
to the accrual of such right. Such right, when vested, shall continue until  all
dividends in arrears on the shares

                                      S-26
<PAGE>
of  PRIDES and such other series of Preferred Stock shall have been paid in full
and the right of any other series of Preferred Stock to exercise voting  rights,
separate from the Common Stock, to elect Preferred Stock Directors terminates or
has  terminated,  and, when  so  paid and  any  such termination  occurs  or has
occurred, such right of the holders of the shares of PRIDES will cease. The term
of office of any Preferred Stock Director  elected by the holders of the  shares
of  PRIDES and such other  series will terminate on the  earlier of (i) the next
annual meeting of shareholders at which a successor shall have been elected  and
qualified  or (ii)  the termination  of the  right of  holders of  the shares of
PRIDES and such other series to vote for such Directors. Vacancies on the  Board
of  Directors  of  the Company  (including  with  respect to  a  Preferred Stock
Director) resulting  from death,  resignation  or other  cause shall  be  filled
exclusively  by no less than 66 2/3% of the remaining Directors and the Director
so elected shall hold office until a successor is elected and qualified.

    The Company will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders
of at least 66 2/3% of the  shares of PRIDES actually voting (voting  separately
as  a class): (i) amend, alter, or repeal  any of the provisions of the Articles
of  Incorporation  of  the  Company  so  as  to  affect  adversely  the  powers,
preferences,  or rights of the holders of  the shares of PRIDES then outstanding
or reduce the minimum time required for any notice to which only the holders  of
the  shares of  PRIDES then  outstanding may  be entitled  (an amendment  of the
Articles of Incorporation to authorize or create, or to increase the  authorized
amount,  of Junior Stock or any stock of  any class ranking on a parity with the
shares  of  PRIDES  shall  not  be  deemed  to  affect  adversely  the   powers,
preferences,  or rights of the holders of  the shares of PRIDES); (ii) authorize
or create,  or increase  the authorized  amount of,  any capital  stock, or  any
security  convertible into  capital stock,  of any  class ranking  senior to the
shares of PRIDES as to payment of  dividends or the distribution of assets  upon
liquidation,  dissolution  or  winding up  of  the  Company; or  (iii)  merge or
consolidate with or into any other corporation, unless each holder of the shares
of PRIDES  immediately preceding  such merger  or consolidation  shall have  the
right either to (A) receive or continue to hold in the resulting corporation the
same  number of shares,  with substantially the same  rights and preferences, as
corresponds to the shares of PRIDES so held or (B) convert into shares of Common
Stock at the Common Equivalent Rate in effect on the date immediately  preceding
the announcement of any such merger or consolidation.

    There  is no limitation on  the issuance by the  Company of Parity Preferred
Stock or of any class of stock ranking junior to the shares of PRIDES.

    Notwithstanding the provisions summarized  in the preceding two  paragraphs,
however,  no such  approval described  therein of the  holders of  the shares of
PRIDES shall be required  to authorize an increase  in the number of  authorized
shares  of Preferred  Stock if,  at or  prior to  the time  when such amendment,
alteration, or repeal is to take  effect or when the authorization, creation  or
increase  of any such senior stock or such  security is to be made, or when such
consolidation or  merger, liquidation,  dissolution  or winding  up is  to  take
effect,  as the case may be, provision is  made for the redemption of all shares
of PRIDES at the time outstanding.

LISTING
    The shares of PRIDES have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject  to
official notice of issuance, under the symbol "CNCPrE."

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
    First  Union National Bank of North Carolina  will act as transfer agent and
registrar for, and paying agent for the  payment of dividends on, the shares  of
PRIDES.

MISCELLANEOUS
    Upon  issuance, the shares  of PRIDES will be  fully paid and nonassessable.
Holders of shares of PRIDES have no preemptive rights. The Company shall at  all
times  reserve  and keep  available out  of its  authorized and  unissued Common
Stock, solely  for issuance  upon  the conversion  or  redemption of  shares  of
PRIDES,  such number  of shares of  Common Stock as  shall from time  to time be
issuable upon the  conversion or  redemption of all  the shares  of PRIDES  then
outstanding.  Shares of PRIDES redeemed for,  or converted into, Common Stock of
the Company or otherwise  reacquired by the Company  shall resume the status  of
authorized  and unissued shares  of Preferred Stock,  undesignated as to series,
and shall be available for subsequent issuance.

                                      S-27
<PAGE>
                   CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

    In  the opinion of Krieg, DeVault, Alexander & Capehart, special tax counsel
to the Company ("Special  Tax Counsel"), the following  sets forth the  material
United  States  Federal  income  tax  consequences  under  existing  law  of the
purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of PRIDES. A copy of that  opinion
will  be filed with the Commission as an exhibit to or incorporated by reference
into the Registration Statement of which  this Prospectus Supplement is a  part,
and  the following  summary is qualified  in its entirety  by reference thereto,
including the assumptions set forth therein. The Company does not intend to seek
a ruling from the Internal  Revenue Service (the "IRS")  with respect to any  of
these  tax consequences. This  summary is intended  for general information only
and deals only with holders who are initial holders of shares of PRIDES and  who
hold  shares of PRIDES as  capital assets within the  meaning of Section 1221 of
the Code. It  does not address  aspects of taxation,  other than Federal  income
taxation,  or  all  tax consequences  that  may  be relevant  in  the particular
circumstances of each  holder (some  of which,  such as  dealers in  securities,
banks,  insurance  companies and  tax-exempt  organizations, may  be  subject to
special rules). Stock having terms closely resembling those of shares of  PRIDES
has  not  been  the  subject  of any  regulation,  ruling  or  judicial decision
currently in effect, and there can be  no assurance that the IRS will adopt  the
positions  set forth  below. There  can be no  assurance that  future changes in
applicable law or  administrative and judicial  interpretations thereof, any  of
which  could  have  a retroactive  effect,  will  not adversely  affect  the tax
consequences discussed herein or that there  will not be differences of  opinion
as  to the interpretation of applicable law. For purposes of this section, "U.S.
Holder" means  a  citizen or  resident  of  the United  States,  a  corporation,
partnership  or other entity created  or organized under the  laws of the United
States or of any State, or an estate or trust the income of which is subject  to
United  States Federal  income taxation regardless  of its  source and "non-U.S.
Holder" means  a holder  other than  a U.S.  Holder. Certain  aspects of  United
States Federal income and estate tax relevant to a non-U.S. Holder are discussed
separately  below. Persons considering  the purchase of  shares of PRIDES should
consult their tax advisors with respect to the application of the United  States
Federal  income  tax laws  to their  particular  situations as  well as  any tax
consequences arising  under the  laws of  any state,  local, or  foreign  taxing
jurisdiction.

DIVIDENDS

    Dividends  paid  on  shares  of  PRIDES  out  of  the  Company's  current or
accumulated earnings and profits will  be taxable as ordinary income.  Corporate
U.S.    Holders   will   generally   qualify    for   the   70%   intercorporate
dividends-received deduction  subject to  satisfaction  of the  minimum  holding
period  (generally at  least 46 days)  and other  applicable requirements. Under
certain circumstances,  a corporate  holder may  be subject  to the  alternative
minimum tax with respect to the amount of its dividends-received deduction.

    Under  certain circumstances, a corporation  that receives an "extraordinary
dividend," as defined in Section 1059(c) of the Code, is required to reduce  its
stock  basis by  the non-taxed  portion of  such dividend.  Generally, quarterly
dividends not in arrears paid to an original holder of shares of PRIDES will not
constitute extraordinary dividends under Section 1059(c). Under Section 1059(f),
any dividend with  respect to "disqualified  preferred stock" is  treated as  an
"extraordinary dividend." While there is no authority directly on point, and the
issue  is  not  free  from  doubt, based  on  the  accuracy  of  certain factual
representations made by the Company, Special Tax Counsel believes that shares of
PRIDES should not be determined to constitute "disqualified preferred stock."

REDEMPTION PREMIUM

    Under certain circumstances, Section  305(c) of the  Code requires that  any
excess  of  the redemption  price of  preferred  stock over  its issue  price be
includible in income,  prior to  receipt, as a  constructive dividend.  However,
while  there is no authority  directly on point, and the  issue is not free from
doubt, based on  the accuracy  of certain  factual representations  made by  the
Company,  Special Tax Counsel believes that a  holder of shares of PRIDES should
not be  required to  include  any redemption  premium  in income  under  Section
305(c).

REDEMPTION OR MANDATORY OR OPTIONAL CONVERSION INTO COMMON STOCK

    As  a general rule, gain or loss will not be recognized by a holder upon the
redemption of shares of PRIDES for shares  of Common Stock or the conversion  of
shares of PRIDES into shares of Common Stock

                                      S-28
<PAGE>
if  no cash is received. Income may be recognized, however, to the extent Common
Stock or cash  is received in  payment of  accrued and unpaid  dividends upon  a
redemption  or conversion. Such income would likely be characterized as dividend
income although some uncertainty exists  as to the appropriate  characterization
of  payments in  satisfaction of  undeclared, accrued  and unpaid  dividends. In
addition, a holder  who receives  cash in  lieu of  a fractional  share will  be
treated  as having received such fractional share and as having exchanged it for
cash in a transaction subject to Section 302 of the Code and related provisions.
Such exchange should generally  result in capital gain  or loss measured by  the
difference  between the cash received for  the fractional share interest and the
holder's basis in the fractional share interest.

    Generally, a holder's basis in the Common Stock received upon the redemption
or conversion of shares of PRIDES, other than shares of Common Stock taxed  upon
receipt,  will equal the adjusted tax basis  of the redeemed or converted shares
of PRIDES (exclusive of any basis allocable to a fractional share interest) plus
the amount  of gain  (if any)  recognized, minus  the amount  of cash  (if  any)
received,  and the holding period of such  Common Stock will include the holding
period of the  redeemed or  converted shares  of PRIDES.  As a  general rule,  a
holder's  basis in shares of Common Stock taxed upon receipt will equal the fair
market value thereof and the holding period for such Common Stock will begin  on
the day following the redemption or conversion.

ADJUSTMENT OF CONVERSION RATE

    Certain   adjustments  to  the  Common  Equivalent  Rate  and  the  Optional
Conversion Rate  to  reflect  the  Company's  distribution  of  certain  rights,
warrants,  evidences of indebtedness,  securities or other  assets to holders of
Common Stock may result  in constructive distributions  taxable as dividends  to
the  holders of shares of PRIDES which may constitute (and cause other dividends
to constitute)  "extraordinary  dividends"  to corporate  holders  as  described
above.

CONVERSION OF PRIDES AFTER DIVIDEND RECORD DATE

    If  a holder, whose  shares of PRIDES  have not been  called for redemption,
surrenders such  shares for  conversion  into shares  of  Common Stock  after  a
dividend  record date but  before payment of  the dividend, such  holder will be
required to pay the  Company an amount equal  to such dividend upon  conversion.
The  holder would  likely recognize  the dividend  payment which  is received as
income, and would increase the basis of the Common Stock received by the  amount
paid to the Company in connection with the receipt of such dividend.

BACKUP WITHHOLDING

    Certain  U.S. Holders may be subject to  backup withholding at a rate of 31%
on dividends on certain consideration received upon the redemption or conversion
of shares of PRIDES unless such holders provide proof of an applicable exemption
or  a  correct  taxpayer  identification  number,  and  otherwise  comply   with
applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.

NON-U.S. HOLDERS

    DIVIDENDS

    In  general,  dividends  (including  constructive  distributions  taxable as
dividends)  paid  to  a  non-U.S.  Holder  will  be  subject  to  United  States
withholding  tax at a 30% rate (or a  lower rate prescribed by an applicable tax
treaty) unless the dividends are either  (i) effectively connected with a  trade
or  business carried on by the non-U.S. Holder within the United States, or (ii)
if a tax treaty applies, attributable to a United States permanent establishment
maintained by the  non-U.S. Holder.  Dividends effectively  connected with  such
trade or business or attributable to such permanent establishment will generally
be subject to United States Federal income tax at regular rates and, in the case
of  a  non-U.S. Holder  which is  a corporation,  may be  subject to  the branch
profits tax. To  determine the  applicability of a  tax treaty  providing for  a
lower rate of withholding, dividends paid to an address in a foreign country are
presumed  under current Treasury  regulations to be  paid to a  resident of that
country. Treasury  regulations proposed  in  1984 which  have not  been  finally
adopted, however, would require non-U.S. Holders to file certain forms to obtain
the  benefit  of  any  applicable  tax treaty  providing  for  a  lower  rate of
withholding tax on dividends.

                                      S-29
<PAGE>
    GAIN ON REDEMPTION OR CONVERSION INTO COMMON STOCK

    A non-U.S. Holder  generally will not  be subject to  United States  Federal
income  tax on any gain recognized on a disposition, redemption or conversion (a
"Disposition") of a share of PRIDES unless (i) such gain is treated as  dividend
income;  (ii)  the  Company  is  or  has  been  a  "U.S.  real  property holding
corporation" for United States  Federal income tax  purposes (which the  Company
does  not believe  that it is  or is likely  to become) and  the non-U.S. Holder
disposing of the share owned, directly or constructively, at any time during the
five-year period preceding the disposition, more than five percent of shares  of
PRIDES  or the shares of PRIDES are  not regularly traded (within the meaning of
applicable Treasury Regulations) on an established securities market; (iii)  the
gain  is  effectively connected  with  a trade  or  business carried  on  by the
non-U.S.  Holder  within  the  United  States  or,  if  a  tax  treaty  applies,
attributable  to  a  United  States permanent  establishment  maintained  by the
non-U.S. Holder; (iv) in the case of a non-U.S. Holder who is an individual, who
holds the share as a capital asset and  who is present in the United States  for
183  days  or more  in  the taxable  year of  the  disposition, either  (a) such
non-U.S. Holder  has  a "tax  home"  (as defined  for  U.S. Federal  income  tax
purposes)  in  the  United States  and  the  gain from  the  disposition  is not
attributable to an office  or other fixed place  of business maintained by  such
non-U.S.  Holder  outside  of  the  United  States  or  (b)  the  gain  from the
disposition is  attributable to  an  office or  other  fixed place  of  business
maintained  by such non-U.S.  Holder in the  United States; or  (v) the non-U.S.
Holder is  subject to  tax pursuant  to  provisions of  the Code  applicable  to
certain United States expatriates.

    FEDERAL ESTATE TAX

    Shares  of PRIDES owned  or treated as owned  by an individual  who is not a
citizen or resident (as defined for  United States Federal estate tax  purposes)
of the United States at the time of death will be includible in the individual's
gross  estate for United States Federal estate tax purposes unless an applicable
estate tax treaty provides otherwise.

    BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

    The Company must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. Holder  the
amount  of dividends paid to, and the tax withheld with respect to, such holder.
These information reporting requirements apply regardless of whether withholding
was reduced  or  eliminated  by  an  applicable  tax  treaty.  Copies  of  these
information  returns  may  also be  made  available  under the  provisions  of a
specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities in the country in which  the
non-U.S.  Holder resides. United States  backup withholding tax (which generally
is a withholding tax imposed at the  rate of 31% on certain payments to  persons
that   fail  to  furnish  the  information  required  under  the  United  States
information reporting requirements) will generally  not apply to dividends  paid
on  shares  of PRIDES  to a  non-U.S. Holder  at an  address outside  the United
States.

    The payment of the proceeds from the  disposition of shares of PRIDES to  or
through  the United  States office  of a broker  will be  subject to information
reporting and backup withholding  at a rate of  31% unless the owner  certifies,
among  other things, its status as a  non-U.S. Holder under penalties of perjury
or otherwise establishes  an exemption.  The payment  of the  proceeds from  the
disposition of shares of PRIDES to or through a non-U.S. office of a broker will
generally,  except  as noted  below, not  be subject  to backup  withholding and
information reporting. In the case of  proceeds from a disposition of shares  of
PRIDES  paid to  or through a  non-U.S. office  of a U.S.  broker or  paid to or
through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker that is (i) a "controlled foreign
corporation" for United States Federal income tax purposes or (ii) a person  50%
or  more of whose gross income from  all sources for a certain three-year period
was effectively connected  with a United  States trade or  business, (a)  backup
withholding will not apply unless the broker has actual knowledge that the owner
is  not a non-U.S. Holder,  and (b) information reporting  will not apply if the
broker has documentary evidence in its files that the owner is a non-U.S. Holder
(unless the broker has actual knowledge to the contrary).

    Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to  a
non-U.S.  Holder will  be refunded  (or credited  against the  non-U.S. Holder's
United States Federal income tax liability, if any), provided that the  required
information is furnished to the IRS.

                                      S-30
<PAGE>
    The  backup withholding and information  reporting rules are currently under
review by the Treasury Department, and their application to shares of PRIDES  is
subject to change.

    PROPOSED LEGISLATION

    On  May 3,  1995, legislation  was introduced  that would  amend portions of
Sections 302 and  1059 of  the Code  and characterize  non-pro rata  redemptions
otherwise  eligible for the dividends-received deduction  as a sale of the stock
redeemed. The  Congressional statement  introducing this  legislation  indicated
that  the  bill  retained  the existing  regulatory  authority  of  the Treasury
Department to issue regulations which, among other things, would subject certain
reorganizations, including recapitalizations,  and similar  transactions to  the
provisions  of the bill. This  legislation was passed by  Congress and vetoed by
the President. It is not  possible to predict whether and,  if so, in what  form
any  such legislation will be enacted into law and, if enacted, whether it would
affect the tax treatment of the PRIDES, as discussed above.

    TREASURY TAX PROPOSALS

    On December 7, 1995, the United States Treasury Department released a budget
plan which includes certain Federal income tax proposals (the "Proposals") which
could adversely  affect holders  of  the PRIDES.  The  Proposals have  not  been
introduced  as legislation,  and it is  therefore unclear that  they will become
law. Under the Proposals, the  dividends received deduction currently  available
to  corporate shareholders  for dividends  received from  another corporation in
which the shareholder owns less than 20 percent would be reduced from 70 percent
to 50  percent  with  respect to  dividends  paid  after January  31,  1996.  In
addition,  the  46-day holding  period  would be  extended  to cover  the period
immediately before  or  immediately  after  the  corporate  shareholder  becomes
entitled  to  receive  the  dividend.  This  provision  would  be  effective for
dividends paid after January 31, 1996. It should be noted that if the  dividends
received  deduction is reduced in accordance with the Proposals or for any other
reason, the amount of dividends payable with  respect to the PRIDES will not  be
adjusted.

                                      S-31
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING

    Subject  to the terms and conditions set  forth in a purchase agreement (the
"Purchase Agreement") between the  Company and Merrill  Lynch, Pierce, Fenner  &
Smith  Incorporated, Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. and Salomon Brothers Inc, who are
acting as  representatives (the  "Representatives") for  the underwriters  named
below  (the "Underwriters"), the Company has  agreed to sell to the Underwriters
and each of the Underwriters severally  has agreed to purchase from the  Company
the number of shares of PRIDES set forth opposite each Underwriter's name.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             NUMBER OF SHARES
             UNDERWRITER                                                         OF PRIDES
<S>                                                                          <C>
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
          Incorporated.....................................................       1,220,000
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc...................................................       1,220,000
Salomon Brothers Inc.......................................................       1,220,000
Fox-Pitt, Kelton Inc.......................................................          50,000
Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc..............................................          50,000
Forum Capital Markets L.P..................................................          20,000
Parallax Group, Inc........................................................          20,000
                                                                             -----------------
          Total............................................................       3,800,000
                                                                             -----------------
                                                                             -----------------
</TABLE>

    In  the Purchase Agreement, the  Underwriters severally have agreed, subject
to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all of the shares  of
PRIDES  being sold pursuant to the Purchase Agreement if any of the shares being
sold  pursuant  to   the  Purchase  Agreement   are  purchased.  Under   certain
circumstances, the commitments of a non-defaulting Underwriter may be increased.

    The  Representatives have advised the Company that they propose initially to
offer the shares of PRIDES to the public at the public offering price set  forth
on  the cover page of this Prospectus  Supplement and to certain dealers at such
price less a concession not in excess  of $1.10 per share. The Underwriters  may
allow,  and such dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of $.10 per share
on sales to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering, the public
offering price, concession and discount may be changed.

    The Company has granted  to the Underwriters an  option, exercisable for  30
days  after the date  of this Prospectus  Supplement, to purchase  up to 570,000
additional shares of PRIDES at  the price to the public  set forth on the  cover
page  of  this  Prospectus  Supplement,  less  the  underwriting  discount.  The
Underwriters may exercise  this option  only to cover  over-allotments, if  any,
made  on the  sale of shares  of PRIDES offered  hereby. To the  extent that the
Underwriters exercise this  option, each of  the Underwriters will  have a  firm
commitment,  subject to certain  conditions, to purchase  the same percentage of
such shares  as  the  number  of  shares of  PRIDES  to  be  purchased  by  such
Underwriter  shown in the  foregoing table bears  to the total  number of shares
initially offered hereby.

    The Company has  agreed, for  a period  of 90 days  after the  date of  this
Prospectus  Supplement,  to  not,  without  the  prior  written  consent  of the
Representatives, directly or indirectly, sell,  offer to sell, grant any  option
for  the sale of,  or otherwise dispose of,  any shares of  its capital stock or
securities convertible into  or exchangeable  for capital stock  of the  Company
other  than to the  Underwriters pursuant to the  Purchase Agreement, subject to
certain exceptions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, and other than currently
authorized shares of Common Stock or  options for shares of Common Stock  issued
pursuant  to or  sold in  connection with  qualified employee  benefit and stock
option plans and shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of  securities,
including shares of PRIDES, or exercise of stock options.

    Prior  to this offering, there  has been no public  market for the shares of
PRIDES. The  initial  public  offering  price  for  the  shares  of  PRIDES  was
determined  by negotiations between  the Company and  the Representatives. Among
the factors considered in  determining the price to  the public were the  market
price  of the  Common Stock,  an assessment of  the Company's  recent results of
operations, the future  prospects of the  Company and the  industry in  general,
market   prices  of  securities   of  other  companies   engaged  in  activities

                                      S-32
<PAGE>
similar to  the Company  and prevailing  conditions in  the securities  markets.
There  can be no  assurance that an  active trading market  will develop for the
shares of PRIDES or that  the shares of PRIDES will  trade in the public  market
subsequent to the offering at or above the initial public offering price.

    The  Underwriters receive customary fees for ordinary brokerage transactions
with the Company and its affiliates. The Underwriters and their affiliates  have
performed investment banking services in the ordinary course of their respective
businesses  for the Company and its affiliates  in the past, for which they have
received customary compensation, and may continue to do so in the future.

    The Company and the several Underwriters have agreed to indemnify each other
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act,  or
to  contribute to  payments that the  other may  be required to  make in respect
thereof.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

    Certain legal matters in connection with the Preferred Stock offered  hereby
and the Common Stock issuable upon the conversion or redemption thereof, will be
passed   upon  for  the  Company  by   Krieg,  DeVault,  Alexander  &  Capehart,
Indianapolis, Indiana  and  by  Lawrence W.  Inlow,  Executive  Vice  President,
Secretary  and  General Counsel  of  the Company,  and  for the  Underwriters by
LeBoeuf,  Lamb,  Greene  &  MacRae,  L.L.P.,  a  limited  liability  partnership
including professional corporations, New York, New York. With respect to certain
matters  governed by the laws  of the State of  Indiana, LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene &
MacRae, L.L.P. will rely on the opinion of Krieg, DeVault, Alexander & Capehart.
Krieg, DeVault,  Alexander  &  Capehart  will also  pass  upon  certain  matters
relating  to federal income tax  considerations for the Company.  Mr. Inlow is a
full-time employee and  an officer of  the Company and  owns 245,376 shares  and
holds options to purchase 762,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company.

                                      S-33
<PAGE>
                 (This page has been left blank intentionally.)
<PAGE>
P R O S P E C T U S
- -----------------

                                     [LOGO]

                                DEBT SECURITIES
                                PREFERRED STOCK
                               DEPOSITARY SHARES
                                  COMMON STOCK
                                    WARRANTS
                               ------------------

    Conseco,  Inc.,  an Indiana  corporation ("Conseco"  or the  "Company"), may
offer and  sell  from  time to  time,  in  one  or more  series,  (i)  its  debt
securities,   consisting  of   debentures,  notes  and/or   other  evidences  of
indebtedness  representing   unsecured  obligations   of  Conseco   (the   "Debt
Securities"),  (ii)  shares  of its  preferred  stock,  no par  value  per share
("Preferred  Stock"),  which  may  be  represented  by  depositary  shares  (the
"Depositary  Shares") as described herein, (iii)  shares of its common stock, no
par value  per  share ("Common  Stock"),  and  (iv) warrants  to  purchase  Debt
Securities,  Preferred  Stock,  Common  Stock  or  other  securities  or  rights
("Warrants"). The Debt  Securities, Preferred Stock,  Depositary Shares,  Common
Stock and Warrants are herein collectively referred to as the "Securities."

    Certain specific terms of the particular Securities in respect of which this
Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in an accompanying supplement to
this  Prospectus  (the "Prospectus  Supplement"),  which will  describe, without
limitation and  where  applicable,  the  following: (i)  in  the  case  of  Debt
Securities,  the specific  designation, aggregate  principal amount,  ranking as
senior or subordinated Debt Securities, denomination, maturity, premium, if any,
interest rate (which may be fixed  or variable), time and method of  calculating
interest,  if any,  place or  places where  principal of,  premium, if  any, and
interest, if any,  on such Debt  Securities will be  payable, the currencies  or
currency  units in which principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on
such Debt Securities will be payable, any terms of redemption or conversion, any
sinking fund  provisions,  the  purchase  price, any  listing  on  a  securities
exchange  and  other special  terms; (ii)  in  the case  of Preferred  Stock and
Depositary Shares,  the  specific  designation,  stated  value  and  liquidation
preference  per share and number of shares offered, the purchase price, dividend
rate (which  may  be  fixed  or variable),  method  of  calculating  payment  of
dividends,  place  or places  where dividends  on such  Preferred Stock  will be
payable, any terms of redemption, dates on which dividends shall be payable  and
dates  from which dividends shall accrue,  any listing on a securities exchange,
voting and other rights,  including conversion or exchange  rights, if any,  and
other  special terms, including whether interests in the Preferred Stock will be
represented by  Depositary  Shares  and, if  so,  the  fraction of  a  share  of
Preferred  Stock  represented by  each Depositary  Share; (iii)  in the  case of
Common Stock, the number of shares  offered, the initial offering price,  market
price  and dividend information; and (iv) in  the case of Warrants, the specific
designation, the number, purchase price, exercise price and other terms thereof,
any listing  of  the Warrants  or  the  underlying Securities  on  a  securities
exchange  or any other terms in connection  with the offering, sale and exercise
of the Warrants, as well as the terms on which and the Securities for which such
Warrants may be exercised.

    The offering price to the public of  the Securities will be limited to  U.S.
$400,000,000  in  the  aggregate (or  its  equivalent (based  on  the applicable
exchange rate at the time of issue), if Securities are offered for consideration
denominated in one  or more  foreign currencies or  currency units  as shall  be
designated  by Conseco). The Debt Securities may be denominated in United States
dollars or,  at  the  option  of  Conseco if  so  specified  in  the  applicable
Prospectus  Supplement, in one or more foreign currencies or currency units. The
Debt Securities may be issued in registered form or bearer form, or both. If  so
specified  in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,  Debt Securities of a series
may be issued  in whole  or in  part in the  form of  one or  more temporary  or
permanent global securities.

    The  Securities may be  sold to or through  underwriters, through dealers or
agents or directly to purchasers. See  "Plan of Distribution." The names of  any
underwriters,  dealers  or agents  involved  in the  sale  of the  Securities in
respect of which  this Prospectus  is being  delivered and  any applicable  fee,
commission  or discount arrangements with them will be set forth in a Prospectus
Supplement. See "Plan of Distribution" for possible indemnification arrangements
for dealers, underwriters and agents.

    This Prospectus may  not be used  to consummate sales  of Securities  unless
accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.
                           --------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
    EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE
       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES
            COMMISSION  PASSED UPON THE  ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF
                THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO  THE
                           CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                The date of this Prospectus is January 17, 1996.
<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

    Conseco  is  subject to  the  informational requirements  of  the Securities
Exchange Act  of 1934,  as  amended (the  "Exchange  Act"), and,  in  accordance
therewith,  files  reports,  proxy  statements and  other  information  with the
Securities and  Exchange  Commission  (the "Commission").  Such  reports,  proxy
statements  and other  information filed by  Conseco with the  Commission can be
inspected and  copied  at the  public  reference facilities  maintained  by  the
Commission  at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at
the following regional offices  of the Commission: New  York Regional Office,  7
World  Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York,  New York 10048; and Chicago Regional
Office, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies  of
such  material  can  be  obtained  from  the  Public  Reference  Section  of the
Commission at 450 Fifth  Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20549, upon payment  of
the  prescribed  rates.  Copies  of such  reports,  proxy  statements  and other
information can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange,
20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

    Conseco has filed  with the  Commission a Registration  Statement under  the
Securities  Act of 1933, as amended (the  "Securities Act"), with respect to the
Securities offered  hereby.  This  Prospectus, which  constitutes  part  of  the
Registration Statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration  Statement and  the exhibits  thereto, certain  parts of  which are
omitted in  accordance  with  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Commission.
Statements  contained herein  concerning the provisions  of any  document do not
purport to be complete and, in each  instance, are qualified in all respects  by
reference  to the copy of such document  filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement or otherwise filed with  the Commission. For further information  with
respect  to  Conseco  and  the  Securities, reference  is  hereby  made  to such
Registration  Statement,  including  the  exhibits  thereto  and  the  documents
incorporated  herein by  reference, which  can be  examined at  the Commission's
principal office, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,  Washington, D.C. 20549, or copies  of
which  can be obtained  from the Commission  at such office  upon payment of the
fees prescribed by the Commission.

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

    The following documents filed by Conseco with the Commission pursuant to the
Exchange Act are  incorporated herein by  reference: (i) Annual  Report on  Form
10-K  for the year ended December 31,  1994, (ii) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 1995, June 30, 1995 and September  30,
1995  and (iii) Current Reports  on Form 8-K dated  December 23, 1994 and August
31, 1995, as amended. All documents filed by Conseco pursuant to Section  13(a),
13(c),  14 or 15(d)  of the Exchange Act  after the date  of this Prospectus and
prior to the  termination of  the offering  made hereby  shall be  deemed to  be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be part hereof from the date
of filing of such documents.

    Any  statement contained herein, or in  a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated  by  reference  herein,  shall  be  deemed  to  be  modified  or
superseded  for  purposes of  this  Prospectus to  the  extent that  a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is
deemed to  be  incorporated by  reference  herein modifies  or  supersedes  such
statement.  Any such  statement so modified  or superseded shall  not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus. To
the extent that any  proxy statement is incorporated  by reference herein,  such
incorporation  shall  not  include  any  information  contained  in  such  proxy
statement that is not, pursuant to the Commission's rules, deemed to be  "filed"
with  the Commission or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange
Act.

    Conseco will provide without charge to  each person to whom this  Prospectus
is  delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or
all of the documents  incorporated herein by reference  (other than exhibits  to
such  documents unless such exhibits  are specifically incorporated by reference
into  such  documents).  Any  such  request  should  be  directed  to  James  W.
Rosensteele,  Vice  President,  Investor  Relations,  Conseco,  Inc.,  11825  N.
Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032 (telephone number: (317) 817-2893).

                                       2
<PAGE>
FOR NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS:

THESE  SECURITIES HAVE NOT  BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED  BY THE COMMISSIONER OF
INSURANCE FOR THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, NOR HAS THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE
RULED UPON THE ACCURACY OR THE ADEQUACY OF THIS DOCUMENT.

    State insurance  holding  company laws  and  regulations applicable  to  the
Company generally provide that no person may acquire control of the Company, and
thus  indirect control  of its  insurance subsidiaries,  unless such  person has
provided certain required information to,  and such acquisition is approved  (or
not   disapproved)  by,   the  appropriate   insurance  regulatory  authorities.
Generally, any  person acquiring  beneficial ownership  of 10%  or more  of  the
Common  Stock  would  be presumed  to  have  acquired such  control,  unless the
appropriate insurance regulatory authorities upon advance application  determine
otherwise.

    No  dealer, salesman  or other  individual has  been authorized  to give any
information or to make any representations  not contained in this Prospectus  in
connection  with the offering covered by this Prospectus. If given or made, such
information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized
by the Company  or any underwriter,  dealer or agent.  This Prospectus does  not
constitute  an  offer  to  sell, or  a  solicitation  of an  offer  to  buy, any
securities other than the registered securities to which it relates, or an offer
to sell  or a  solicitation of  an offer  to buy  those securities  to which  it
relates,  in any jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom, it is unlawful to
make such offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any
sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication  that
there  has not been any change  in the facts set forth  in this Prospectus or in
the affairs of the Company since the date hereof.

                                       3
<PAGE>
                                  THE COMPANY

    Conseco is  a financial  services  holding company.  Conseco: (i)  owns  and
operates   life  insurance  companies;   (ii)  provides  investment  management,
administrative and other services to affiliates and non-affiliates for fees; and
(iii) acquires and  restructures life  insurance companies  in partnership  with
other  investors.  Conseco's operating  strategy for  acquired businesses  is to
consolidate and streamline management  and administrative functions, to  realize
superior  investment  returns  through  active  asset  management,  to eliminate
unprofitable products and distribution  channels and to  focus resources on  the
development  and  expansion  of  profitable  products  and  strong  distribution
channels. The companies  Conseco targets for  acquisition have profitable  niche
products,  strong distribution systems and  progressive management teams who can
work with Conseco to  implement Conseco's operating  and growth strategies.  The
insurance companies in which Conseco has made investments develop, market, issue
and administer primarily annuity, individual health insurance and life insurance
products.

    The   Company's  principal  executive  offices   are  located  at  11825  N.
Pennsylvania Street,  Carmel,  Indiana  46032. Its  telephone  number  is  (317)
817-6100.

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

    Unless  otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the net
proceeds from the sale of any Securities are expected to be used by Conseco  for
general  corporate  purposes.  Any  specific allocation  of  the  proceeds  to a
particular purpose that has been made  at the date of any Prospectus  Supplement
will be described therein.

            RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS TO FIXED
                     CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

    The following table sets forth Conseco's ratios of earnings to fixed charges
and earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for each of the five
years  ended December 31,  1994, and for the  nine-month periods ended September
30, 1994 and 1995:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                    SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                        -----------------------------------------------------  --------------------
                                                          1990       1991       1992       1993       1994       1994       1995
                                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                     <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Ratio of Earnings to fixed charges (1)................      1.17x      1.32x      1.54x      2.19x      2.26x      3.18x      1.53x
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges, excluding interest
 on annuities and financial products (1)(2)...........      1.97x      3.41x      6.24x      8.85x      4.55x      5.54x      3.62x
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock
 dividends............................................      1.14x      1.30x      1.50x      2.04x      1.99x      2.64x      1.47x
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock
 dividends, excluding interest on annuities and
 financial products (2)...............................      1.74x      2.99x      5.09x      6.00x      3.30x      3.89x      3.01x
</TABLE>

- ------------------------

(1) Excludes preferred stock dividends.

(2) Excludes  interest credited  to  annuity and  financial products  of  $314.7
    million,  $576.7 million, $506.8 million,  $408.5 million and $134.7 million
    for  the  years  ended  December  31,  1990,  1991,  1992,  1993  and  1994,
    respectively, and $51.9 million and $432.8 million for the nine months ended
    September 30, 1994 and 1995, respectively.

                                       4
<PAGE>
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

    The  Debt  Securities offered  hereby, consisting  of notes,  debentures and
other evidences  of  indebtedness,  are to  be  issued  in one  or  more  series
constituting  either  senior  Debt  Securities  ("Senior  Debt  Securities")  or
subordinated  Debt  Securities  ("Subordinated   Debt  Securities").  The   Debt
Securities will be issued pursuant to indentures described below (as applicable,
the  "Senior Indenture"  or the  "Subordinated Indenture",  each, an "Indenture"
and, together, the "Indentures"), in each  case between Conseco and the  trustee
identified  therein  (the "Trustee"),  the  forms of  which  have been  filed as
exhibits to the Registration  Statement of which this  Prospectus forms a  part.
Except for the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture, for which
there  are  no  counterparts in  the  Senior  Indenture, the  provisions  of the
Subordinated  Indenture  are  substantially   identical  in  substance  to   the
provisions of the Senior Indenture that bear the same section numbers.

    The  statements herein  relating to  the Debt  Securities and  the following
summaries of certain general provisions of  the Indentures do not purport to  be
complete  and are subject to,  and are qualified in  their entirety by reference
to, all the provisions of the Indentures (as they may be amended or supplemented
from  time  to  time),  including  the  definitions  therein  of  certain  terms
capitalized  in this  Prospectus. All  article and  section references appearing
herein are to  articles and sections  of the applicable  Indenture and  whenever
particular  Sections or defined terms of the  Indentures (as they may be amended
or supplemented from time  to time) are  referred to herein  or in a  Prospectus
Supplement, such Sections or defined terms are incorporated herein or therein by
reference.

GENERAL

    The Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of Conseco. The Indentures
do  not  limit the  aggregate  amount of  Debt  Securities which  may  be issued
thereunder, nor do  they limit the  incurrence or issuance  of other secured  or
unsecured debt of Conseco. The Debt Securities issued under the Senior Indenture
will  be  unsecured  and will  rank  PARI  PASSU with  all  other  unsecured and
unsubordinated obligations  of Conseco.  The Debt  Securities issued  under  the
Subordinated  Indenture will be  subordinate and junior in  right of payment, to
the extent and in  the manner set  forth in the  Subordinated Indenture, to  all
Senior  Indebtedness of  Conseco. See  "-- Subordination  under the Subordinated
Indenture."

    Reference is  made  to  the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement  which  will
accompany  this  Prospectus for  a description  of the  specific series  of Debt
Securities being  offered thereby,  including: (1)  the title,  designation  and
purchase  price,  of such  Debt  Securities; (2)  any  limit upon  the aggregate
principal amount of such  Debt Securities; (3)  the date or  dates on which  the
principal  of and premium,  if any, on  such Debt Securities  will mature or the
method of determining such date  or dates; (4) the rate  or rates (which may  be
fixed  or variable) at which such Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, or
the method of calculating such rate or  rates; (5) the date or dates from  which
interest,  if any, will accrue or the method by which such date or dates will be
determined; (6) the date or dates on which interest, if any, will be payable and
the record date or dates therefor; (7)  the place or places where principal  of,
premium,  if any, and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable;
(8) the  period or  periods within  which, the  price or  prices at  which,  the
currency  or currencies  (including currency  unit or  units) in  which, and the
terms and conditions upon which, such Debt Securities may be redeemed, in  whole
or  in part, at the option of Conseco; (9) the obligation, if any, of Conseco to
redeem or  purchase  such  Debt  Securities pursuant  to  any  sinking  fund  or
analogous  provisions or upon the happening of  a specified event and the period
or periods within which, the  price or prices at which  and the other terms  and
conditions  upon which, such Debt Securities  shall be redeemed or purchased, in
whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations; (10) the denominations in  which
such  Debt Securities are authorized to be issued; (11) the currency or currency
unit for which Debt Securities may be purchased or in which Debt Securities  may
be  denominated and/or  the currency or  currencies (including  currency unit or
units) in which principal  of, premium, if  any, and interest,  if any, on  such
Debt  Securities will be payable and whether  Conseco or the holders of any such
Debt Securities may elect to receive payments in respect of such Debt Securities
in a currency or currency unit other than that in which such Debt Securities are
stated to  be payable;  (12) if  other than  the principal  amount thereof,  the
portion  of the principal amount  of such Debt Securities  which will be payable
upon declaration  of the  acceleration of  the maturity  thereof or  the  method

                                       5
<PAGE>
by  which such portion shall be determined; (13) the person to whom any interest
on any such Debt  Security shall be  payable if other than  the person in  whose
name  such Debt Security is  registered on the applicable  record date; (14) any
addition to,  or  modification or  deletion  of, any  Event  of Default  or  any
covenant  of  Conseco  specified in  the  Indenture  with respect  to  such Debt
Securities; (15)  the  application, if  any,  of  such means  of  defeasance  or
covenant  defeasance as may be specified  for such Debt Securities; (16) whether
such Debt Securities are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one  or
more  temporary or permanent global  securities and, if so,  the identity of the
depositary for  such  global security  or  securities; (17)  any  United  States
Federal  income tax considerations applicable to holders of the Debt Securities;
and (18) any  other special  terms pertaining  to such  Debt Securities.  Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities
will not be listed on any securities exchange. (Section 3.1.)

    Unless  otherwise specified  in the  applicable Prospectus  Supplement, Debt
Securities will be issued in  fully-registered form without coupons. Where  Debt
Securities of any series are issued in bearer form, the special restrictions and
considerations,  including  special  offering restrictions  and  special Federal
income tax considerations, applicable to any such Debt Securities and to payment
on and transfer and exchange  of such Debt Securities  will be described in  the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. Bearer Debt Securities will be transferable by
delivery. (Section 3.5.)

    Debt  Securities may  be sold at  a substantial discount  below their stated
principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of
issuance is  below market  rates. Certain  Federal income  tax consequences  and
special  considerations  applicable  to any  such  Debt Securities,  or  to Debt
Securities issued at par that are treated  as having been issued at a  discount,
will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

    If  the purchase price  of any of the  Debt Securities is  payable in one or
more foreign  currencies  or  currency  units or  if  any  Debt  Securities  are
denominated  in  one or  more foreign  currencies  or currency  units or  if the
principal of, premium, if any,  or interest, if any,  on any Debt Securities  is
payable  in one or more foreign currencies or currency units, or by reference to
commodity prices, equity indices or other factors, the restrictions,  elections,
certain  U.S.  Federal  income  tax  considerations,  specific  terms  and other
information with  respect to  such issue  of Debt  Securities and  such  foreign
currency  or currency units or commodity prices, equity indices or other factors
will be set forth in the  applicable Prospectus Supplement. In general,  holders
of  such  series  of Debt  Securities  may  receive a  principal  amount  on any
principal payment date, or a payment of premium, if any, on any premium interest
payment date or  a payment of  interest on  any interest payment  date, that  is
greater  than or less than the amount of principal, premium, if any, or interest
otherwise payable on such  dates, depending on  the value on  such dates of  the
applicable currency, commodity, equity index or other factor.

PAYMENT, REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE

    Unless  otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payments
in respect of the Debt Securities will be made in the designated currency at the
office or agency of Conseco maintained for that purpose as Conseco may designate
from time to time, except that, at the option of Conseco, interest payments,  if
any,  on Debt Securities in registered form may  be made (i) by checks mailed to
the holders of Debt Securities entitled thereto at their registered addresses or
(ii) by wire transfer to an account maintained by the person entitled thereto as
specified in the Register. (Sections 3.7(a) and 9.2.) Unless otherwise indicated
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of any installment of  interest
on  Debt Securities in registered form will be  made to the person in whose name
such Debt Security is registered at the close of business on the regular  record
date for such interest. (Section 3.7(a).)

    Payment  in respect of  Debt Securities in  bearer form will  be made in the
currency and in the manner designated  in the Prospectus Supplement, subject  to
any  applicable laws and regulations, at such paying agencies outside the United
States as Conseco may appoint from time  to time. The paying agents outside  the
United  States initially  appointed by Conseco  for a series  of Debt Securities
will be named in  the Prospectus Supplement. Conseco  may at any time  designate
additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agents, except
that,  if Debt  Securities of  a series  are issuable  as Registered Securities,
Conseco will be required to maintain at least one paying agent in each Place  of
Payment for such series and, if Debt

                                       6
<PAGE>
Securities  of  a series  are  issuable as  Bearer  Securities, Conseco  will be
required to maintain a  paying agent in  a Place of  Payment outside the  United
States where Debt Securities of such series and any coupons appertaining thereto
may be presented and surrendered for payment. (Section 9.2.)

    Unless  otherwise  provided in  the  applicable Prospectus  Supplement, Debt
Securities in registered form will be transferable or exchangeable at the agency
of Conseco maintained  for such purpose  as designated by  Conseco from time  to
time.  (Sections 3.5 and  9.2.) Debt Securities may  be transferred or exchanged
without service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge  imposed
in connection therewith. (Section 3.5.)

GLOBAL DEBT SECURITIES

    The  Debt Securities of  a series may be  issued in whole or  in part in the
form of one  or more fully  registered global securities  (a "Registered  Global
Security") that will be deposited with a depositary (the "Depositary") or with a
nominee  for the depositary identified  in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
In such a case,  one or more  Registered Global Securities will  be issued in  a
denomination  or aggregate denominations  equal to the  portion of the aggregate
principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities of the series to be  represented
by  such  Registered  Global  Security  or  Securities.  (Section  3.3  of  each
Indenture.) Unless  and until  it is  exchanged in  whole or  in part  for  Debt
Securities in definitive certificated form, a Registered Global Security may not
be  registered for transfer or exchange except  as a whole by the depositary for
such Registered Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary or by a  nominee
of  such Depositary to such Depositary or  another nominee of such Depositary or
by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series
or a  nominee of  such  successor Depositary  and  except in  the  circumstances
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Section 3.5.)

    The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to any portion
of a series of Debt Securities to be represented by a Registered Global Security
will  be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Conseco expects that
the following provisions will apply to such depository arrangements.

    Ownership of beneficial interests  in a Registered  Global Security will  be
limited  to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants
(as such term  is defined  below). Upon the  issuance of  any Registered  Global
Security,  and the deposit of such Registered  Global Security with or on behalf
of the  Depositary for  such  Registered Global  Security, the  Depositary  will
credit,  on  its book-entry  registration  and transfer  system,  the respective
principal amounts of the Debt  Securities represented by such Registered  Global
Security  to the  accounts of  institutions ("participants")  that have accounts
with the  Depositary  or  its nominee.  The  accounts  to be  credited  will  be
designated  by the underwriters  or agents engaging in  the distribution of such
Debt Securities or  by Conseco,  if such Debt  Securities are  offered and  sold
directly  by Conseco. Ownership of beneficial  interests by participants in such
Registered Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of such beneficial
interests will be effected  only through, records  maintained by the  Depositary
for  such Registered Global Security or  by its nominee. Ownership of beneficial
interests in  such  Registered Global  Security  by persons  that  hold  through
participants  will be  shown on, and  the transfer of  such beneficial interests
within such participants will  be effected only  through, records maintained  by
such   participants.  The  laws  of  some  jurisdictions  require  that  certain
purchasers  of  securities  take  physical   delivery  of  such  securities   in
certificated  form.  The  foregoing limitations  and  such laws  may  impair the
ability to transfer beneficial interests in such Registered Global Security.

    So long as the Depositary for a Registered Global Security, or its  nominee,
is  the registered owner of such  Registered Global Security, such Depositary or
such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of
the Debt  Securities represented  by  such Registered  Global Security  for  all
purposes  under  the applicable  Indenture.  Unless otherwise  specified  in the
applicable Prospectus  Supplement  and  except as  specified  below,  owners  of
beneficial  interests in such Registered Global Security will not be entitled to
have Debt  Securities  of  the  series represented  by  such  Registered  Global
Security  registered in their names, will not  receive or be entitled to receive
physical delivery of  Debt Securities of  such series in  certificated form  and
will  not be considered the holders thereof  for any purposes under the relevant
Indenture. (Section 3.8.) Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial  interest
in such Registered Global Security must rely on the procedures of the Depositary
and, if such person is not a participant, on the

                                       7
<PAGE>
procedures  of the participant  through which such person  owns its interest, to
exercise any rights of a holder under the relevant Indenture. The Depositary may
grant proxies and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any  request,
demand,  authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which
a holder  is entitled  to give  or take  under the  relevant Indenture.  Conseco
understands  that, under  existing industry  practices, if  Conseco requests any
action of holders or if  any owner of a  beneficial interest in such  Registered
Global  Security desires to give any notice or take any action which a holder is
entitled to give  or take  under the  relevant Indenture,  the Depositary  would
authorize  the participants to  give such notice  or take such  action, and such
participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such  participants
to  give  such  notice or  take  such action  or  would otherwise  act  upon the
instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

    Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payments
with respect  to principal,  premium, if  any,  and interest,  if any,  on  Debt
Securities represented by a Registered Global Security registered in the name of
a  Depositary or its nominee will be made  to such Depositary or its nominee, as
the case may be, as the registered owner of such Registered Global Security.

    Conseco expects that the Depositary for any Debt Securities represented by a
Registered Global Security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or
interest, will  immediately  credit  participants'  accounts  with  payments  in
amounts  proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal
amount of  such Registered  Global Security  as  shown on  the records  of  such
Depositary.  Conseco also  expects that  payments by  participants to  owners of
beneficial interests  in  such  Registered Global  Security  held  through  such
participants  will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices,
as is  now the  case with  the securities  held for  the accounts  of  customers
registered   in  "street  names,"  and  will   be  the  responsibility  of  such
participants. None of Conseco, the respective  Trustees or any agent of  Conseco
or  the respective Trustees  shall have any responsibility  or liability for any
aspect of the  records relating  to or payments  made on  account of  beneficial
interests  of a Registered  Global Security, or  for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests. (Section 3.8.)

    Unless otherwise specified in the  applicable Prospectus Supplement, if  the
Depositary  for any Debt Securities represented  by a Registered Global Security
is at any time unwilling or unable to  continue as Depositary or ceases to be  a
clearing  agency  registered  under  the  Exchange  Act  and  a  duly registered
successor Depositary is not  appointed by Conseco within  90 days, Conseco  will
issue  such Debt Securities in definitive certificated form in exchange for such
Registered Global Security. In addition, Conseco may at any time and in its sole
discretion determine  not  to  have any  of  the  Debt Securities  of  a  series
represented by one or more Registered Global Securities and, in such event, will
issue Debt Securities of such series in definitive certificated form in exchange
for  all of the Registered Global  Security or Securities representing such Debt
Securities. (Section 3.5.)

    The Debt Securities of a  series may also be issued  in whole or in part  in
the  form of one or  more bearer global securities  (a "Bearer Global Security")
that will be deposited with a depository, or with a nominee for such depository,
identified in  the  applicable Prospectus  Supplement.  Any such  Bearer  Global
Security  may  be issued  in  temporary or  permanent  form. (Section  3.4.) The
specific terms and procedures,  including the specific  terms of the  depository
arrangement,  with respect to any  portion of a series  of Debt Securities to be
represented by one  or more Bearer  Global Securities will  be described in  the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE BY CONSECO

    Conseco  shall not consolidate  with or merge into  any other corporation or
sell its assets substantially as an entirety, unless: (i) the corporation formed
by such consolidation or into which  Conseco is merged or the corporation  which
acquires  its assets  is organized  in the  United States;  (ii) the corporation
formed by such consolidation or into  which Conseco is merged expressly  assumes
all  of the obligations  of Conseco under each  Indenture; and (iii) immediately
after giving effect to  such transaction, no Default  or Event of Default  shall
have  happened and be  continuing. Upon any such  consolidation, merger or sale,
the successor corporation formed by such consolidation, or into which Conseco is
merged or to which such sale is  made, shall succeed to, and be substituted  for
Conseco under each Indenture. (Section 7.1.)

                                       8
<PAGE>
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND CERTAIN RIGHTS ON DEFAULT

    Each  Indenture  provides that,  if an  Event  of Default  specified therein
occurs with respect to the Debt Securities of any series and is continuing,  the
Trustee  for such series or the holders  of 25% in aggregate principal amount of
all of the  outstanding Debt  Securities of that  series, by  written notice  to
Conseco  (and to the Trustee for such series, if notice is given by such holders
of Debt Securities), may declare the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of
that series are Original Issue  Discount Securities or Indexed Securities,  such
portion  of the  principal amount  specified in  the Prospectus  Supplement) and
accrued interest on all the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable
(provided, with respect  to any  Debt Securities issued  under the  Subordinated
Indenture,  that the payment  of principal and interest  on such Debt Securities
shall  remain  subordinated  to  the  extent  provided  in  Article  12  of  the
Subordinated Indenture). (Section 5.2.)

    Events  of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any series are defined
in each Indenture as being: (a) default  for 30 days in payment of any  interest
on  any Debt Security of  that series or any  coupon appertaining thereto or any
additional amount payable  with respect  to Debt  Securities of  such series  as
specified  in  the applicable  Prospectus Supplement  when  due; (b)  default in
payment of  principal, or  premium, if  any,  at maturity  or on  redemption  or
otherwise,  or in  the making of  a mandatory  sinking fund payment  of any Debt
Securities of that  series when due;  (c) default  for 60 days  after notice  to
Conseco  by the Trustee for  such series, or by the  holders of 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding, in  the
performance of any other agreement in the Debt Securities of that series, in the
Indenture  or  in any  supplemental indenture  or  board resolution  referred to
therein under which the Debt Securities of that series may have been issued; (d)
default resulting in acceleration of other indebtedness of Conseco for  borrowed
money  where the aggregate  principal amount so  accelerated exceeds $25 million
and such acceleration  is not  rescinded or annulled  within 30  days after  the
written  notice thereof to Conseco by the  Trustee or to Conseco and the Trustee
by the holders of 25%  in aggregate principal amount  of the Debt Securities  of
such  series  then outstanding,  provided  that such  Event  of Default  will be
remedied, cured or waived  if the default that  resulted in the acceleration  of
such  other indebtedness is remedied, cured or waived; and (e) certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or  reorganization of Conseco.  (Section 5.1.) Events  of
Default  with respect to a  specified series of Debt  Securities may be added to
the Indenture and, if so added,  will be described in the applicable  Prospectus
Supplement. (Sections 3.1 and 5.1(7).)

    Each  Indenture provides  that the  Trustee will,  within 90  days after the
occurrence of a Default with respect to the Debt Securities of any series,  give
to  the holders  of the Debt  Securities of  that series notice  of all Defaults
known to it unless such Default shall  have been cured or waived; PROVIDED  that
except  in the  case of  a Default  in payment  on the  Debt Securities  of that
series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its
Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding such notice is in
the interests of  the holders of  the Debt Securities  of that series.  (Section
6.6.)  "Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or
both, would be, an Event of Default. (Section 1.1.)

    Each Indenture  provides  that  the  holders  of  a  majority  in  aggregate
principal  amount of the Debt Securities of each series affected (with each such
series voting as a class) may, subject to certain limited conditions, direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available  to
the  Trustee for such series, or exercising any trust or power conferred on such
Trustee. (Section 5.8.)

    Each Indenture includes a covenant that Conseco will file annually with  the
Trustee  a  certificate  as  to Conseco's  compliance  with  all  conditions and
covenants of such Indenture. (Section 9.5.)

    The holders of  a majority in  aggregate principal amount  of any series  of
Debt Securities by notice to the Trustee for such series may waive, on behalf of
the  holders of all Debt Securities of such series, any past Default or Event of
Default with respect  to that series  and its consequences  except a Default  or
Event  of  Default in  the  payment of  the principal  of,  premium, if  any, or
interest, if any, on  any Debt Security,  and except in respect  of an Event  of
Default resulting from the breach of a covenant or provision of either Indenture
which,  pursuant  to the  applicable Indenture,  cannot  be amended  or modified
without the consent  of the holders  of each outstanding  Debt Security of  such
series affected. (Section 5.7.)

                                       9
<PAGE>
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES

    Each  Indenture contains  provisions permitting  Conseco and  the Trustee to
enter into  one or  more  supplemental indentures  without  the consent  of  the
holders of any of the Debt Securities in order (i) to evidence the succession of
another corporation to Conseco and the assumption of the covenants of Conseco by
a successor to Conseco; (ii) to add to the covenants of Conseco or surrender any
right  or  power of  Conseco; (iii)  to  add additional  Events of  Default with
respect to any series of Debt Securities;  (iv) to add or change any  provisions
to  such  extent as  necessary  to permit  or  facilitate the  issuance  of Debt
Securities in bearer form;  (v) to change or  eliminate any provision  affecting
only  Debt Securities not yet issued; (vi)  to secure the Debt Securities; (vii)
to establish  the form  or terms  of  Debt Securities;  (viii) to  evidence  and
provide for successor Trustees; (ix) if allowed without penalty under applicable
laws  and regulations, to permit payment in respect of Debt Securities in bearer
form in  the  United  States;  (x)  to correct  any  defect  or  supplement  any
inconsistent  provisions or to make any other provisions with respect to matters
or questions arising under  such Indenture, provided that  such action does  not
adversely  affect the interests of any holder  of Debt Securities of any series;
or (xi) to cure any ambiguity or correct any mistake. (Section 8.1.)

    Each Indenture also contains provisions permitting Conseco and the  Trustee,
with  the consent of the holders of  a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the outstanding Debt  Securities affected by  such supplemental indenture  (with
the  Debt Securities of each series voting  as a class), to execute supplemental
indentures adding  any provisions  to  or changing  or  eliminating any  of  the
provisions  of such  Indenture or  any supplemental  indenture or  modifying the
rights of the holders  of Debt Securities of  such series, except that,  without
the  consent  of  the  holder  of  each  Debt  Security  so  affected,  no  such
supplemental indenture may:  (i) change  the time  for payment  of principal  or
premium, if any, or interest on any Debt Security; (ii) reduce the principal of,
or  any installment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Debt
Security, or change the manner  in which the amount of  any of the foregoing  is
determined;  (iii)  reduce  the amount  of  premium,  if any,  payable  upon the
redemption of any  Debt Security; (iv)  reduce the amount  of principal  payable
upon  acceleration  of the  maturity  of any  Original  Issue Discount  or Index
Security; (v) change the currency or currency unit in which any Debt Security or
any premium or interest thereon is  payable; (vi) impair the right to  institute
suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Debt Security;
(vii)  reduce  the  percentage  in  principal  amount  of  the  outstanding Debt
Securities affected  thereby  the  consent  of whose  holders  is  required  for
modification  or amendment  of such Indenture  or for waiver  of compliance with
certain provisions of the  Indenture or for waiver  of certain defaults;  (viii)
change  the obligation of Conseco to maintain  an office or agency in the places
and for the  purposes specified in  such Indenture; (ix)  modify the  provisions
relating  to the subordination of outstanding Debt Securities of any series in a
manner adverse to the holders thereof; or (x) modify the provisions relating  to
waiver of certain defaults or any of the foregoing provisions. (Section 8.2.)

SUBORDINATION UNDER THE SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

    In  the Subordinated  Indenture, Conseco  will covenant  and agree  that any
Subordinated Debt Securities  issued thereunder  are subordinate  and junior  in
right  of  payment to  all Senior  Indebtedness  to the  extent provided  in the
Subordinated Indenture.  (Section  12.1  of  the  Subordinated  Indenture.)  The
Subordinated  Indenture defines the term "Senior Indebtedness" as the principal,
premium, if  any, and  interest on:  (i) all  indebtedness of  Conseco,  whether
outstanding  on  the date  of the  issuance of  Subordinated Debt  Securities or
thereafter created,  incurred  or  assumed,  which is  for  money  borrowed,  or
evidenced  by  a  note  or  similar  instrument  given  in  connection  with the
acquisition of any  business, properties or  assets, including securities;  (ii)
any  indebtedness of others of  the kinds described in  the preceding clause (i)
for the  payment of  which Conseco  is  responsible or  liable as  guarantor  or
otherwise; and (iii) amendments, renewals, extensions and refundings of any such
indebtedness,  unless in  any instrument  or instruments  evidencing or securing
such indebtedness or pursuant to which the  same is outstanding, or in any  such
amendment,  renewal, extension or refunding, it  is expressly provided that such
indebtedness  is  not  superior  in  right  of  payment  to  Subordinated   Debt
Securities. The Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and
entitled  to the  benefits of the  subordination provisions  irrespective of any
amendment, modification or  waiver of  any term  of the  Senior Indebtedness  or
extension   or  renewal  of  the  Senior  Indebtedness.  (Section  12.2  of  the
Subordinated Indenture.)

                                       10
<PAGE>
    If (i) Conseco defaults in the payment of any principal, or premium, if any,
or interest on any  Senior Indebtedness when the  same becomes due and  payable,
whether  at  maturity  or at  a  date  fixed for  prepayment  or  declaration or
otherwise or  (ii)  an  event of  default  occurs  with respect  to  any  Senior
Indebtedness  permitting the holders thereof  to accelerate the maturity thereof
and written  notice  of such  event  of  default (requesting  that  payments  on
Subordinated Debt Securities cease) is given to Conseco by the holders of Senior
Indebtedness,  then unless and until such default in payment or event of default
shall have been  cured or waived  or shall have  ceased to exist,  no direct  or
indirect  payment (in  cash, property  or securities,  by set-off  or otherwise)
shall be  made  or  agreed to  be  made  on account  of  the  Subordinated  Debt
Securities  or  interest thereon  or in  respect  of any  repayment, redemption,
retirement, purchase  or  other  acquisition of  Subordinated  Debt  Securities.
(Section 12.4 of the Subordinated Indenture.)

    In  the event of (i)  any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation,
reorganization, readjustment, composition or  other similar proceeding  relating
to  Conseco,  its  creditors  or  its  property,  (ii)  any  proceeding  for the
liquidation,  dissolution  or   other  winding-up  of   Conseco,  voluntary   or
involuntary,  whether  or not  involving  insolvency or  bankruptcy proceedings,
(iii) any assignment by Conseco for the  benefit of creditors or (iv) any  other
marshalling  of  the  assets  of Conseco,  all  Senior  Indebtedness (including,
without limitation,  interest  accruing  after  the  commencement  of  any  such
proceeding,  assignment or  marshalling of assets)  shall first be  paid in full
before any  payment  or  distribution,  whether in  cash,  securities  or  other
property,  shall be made by Conseco  on account of Subordinated Debt Securities.
In any such event, any payment  or distribution, whether in cash, securities  or
other  property  (other  than securities  of  Conseco or  any  other corporation
provided for by a plan of  reorganization or readjustment, the payment of  which
is  subordinate, at least to the extent provided in the subordination provisions
of the  Subordinated Indenture  with respect  to the  indebtedness evidenced  by
Subordinated  Debt Securities, to the payment  of all Senior Indebtedness at the
time outstanding and to any securities issued in respect thereof under any  such
plan  of reorganization  or readjustment),  which would  otherwise (but  for the
subordination provisions) be payable or  deliverable in respect of  Subordinated
Debt Securities (including any such payment or distribution which may be payable
or  deliverable by reason  of the payment  of any other  indebtedness of Conseco
being subordinated to the payment of Subordinated Debt Securities) shall be paid
or delivered  directly  to the  holders  of  Senior Indebtedness,  or  to  their
representative or trustee, in accordance with the priorities then existing among
such  holders  until  all Senior  Indebtedness  shall  have been  paid  in full.
(Section 12.3 of the Subordinated Indenture.) No present or future holder of any
Senior Indebtedness shall be prejudiced in the right to enforce subordination of
the indebtedness evidenced by Subordinated Debt Securities by any act or failure
to act on the part of Conseco. (Section 12.9 of the Subordinated Indenture.)

    Senior Indebtedness shall not be deemed to have been paid in full unless the
holders thereof shall have received cash, securities or other property equal  to
the  amount of  such Senior Indebtedness  then outstanding. Upon  the payment in
full of all  Senior Indebtedness,  the holders of  Subordinated Debt  Securities
shall  be subrogated to all the rights  of any holders of Senior Indebtedness to
receive  any  further  payments  or  distributions  applicable  to  the   Senior
Indebtedness  until all  Subordinated Debt  Securities shall  have been  paid in
full, and such payments or distributions received by any holder of  Subordinated
Debt  Securities, by  reason of such  subrogation, of cash,  securities or other
property which otherwise would be paid  or distributed to the holders of  Senior
Indebtedness, shall, as between Conseco and its creditors other than the holders
of  Senior Indebtedness, on the  one hand, and the  holders of Subordinated Debt
Securities, on the other,  be deemed to  be a payment by  Conseco on account  of
Senior  Indebtedness,  and  not  on  account  of  Subordinated  Debt Securities.
(Section 12.7 of the Subordinated Indenture.)

    The  Subordinated  Indenture  provides  that  the  foregoing   subordination
provisions,  insofar as they relate to any particular issue of Subordinated Debt
Securities, may be  changed prior  to such issuance.  Any such  change would  be
described  in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to such Subordinated
Debt Securities.

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

    If indicated  in the  applicable Prospectus  Supplement, Conseco  may  elect
either  (i)  to defease  and be  discharged  from any  and all  obligations with
respect  to  the   Debt  Securities  of   or  within  any   series  (except   as

                                       11
<PAGE>
otherwise  provided  in the  relevant Indenture)  ("defeasance")  or (ii)  to be
released from its obligations  with respect to  certain covenants applicable  to
the  Debt Securities of  or within any series  ("covenant defeasance"), upon the
deposit with the relevant  Trustee (or other qualifying  trustee), in trust  for
such  purpose, of money and/or Government  Obligations which through the payment
of principal and interest in accordance  with their terms will provide money  in
an  amount sufficient,  without reinvestment,  to pay  the principal  of and any
premium or interest on  such Debt Securities to  Maturity or redemption, as  the
case  may be, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon. As a
condition to  defeasance or  covenant defeasance,  Conseco must  deliver to  the
Trustee  an  Opinion of  Counsel to  the effect  that the  Holders of  such Debt
Securities will  not recognize  income,  gain or  loss  for Federal  income  tax
purposes  as a  result of  such defeasance  or covenant  defeasance and  will be
subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and  at
the  same  times as  would have  been the  case if  such defeasance  or covenant
defeasance had not occurred. Such Opinion of Counsel, in the case of  defeasance
under clause (i) above, must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal
Revenue Service or a change in applicable Federal income tax law occurring after
the  date of the relevant Indenture. (Article 4.) If indicated in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, in  addition to obligations  of the United  States or  an
agency   or   instrumentality  thereof,   Government  Obligations   may  include
obligations of the government or an agency or instrumentality of the  government
issuing  the currency or currency  unit in which Debt  Securities of such series
are payable. (Section 3.1.)

    In addition, with  respect to  the Subordinated  Indenture, in  order to  be
discharged  no  event  or  condition  shall  exist  that,  pursuant  to  certain
provisions described under "--  Subordination under the Subordinated  Indenture"
above,  would prevent Conseco from making payments of principal of (and premium,
if any)  and  interest  on Subordinated  Debt  Securities  at the  date  of  the
irrevocable  deposit  referred to  above.  (Section 4.6(j)  of  the Subordinated
Indenture.)

    Conseco may  exercise  its  defeasance  option with  respect  to  such  Debt
Securities notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.
If  Conseco exercises its defeasance option, payment of such Debt Securities may
not be accelerated because of a Default  or an Event of Default. (Section  4.4.)
If  Conseco  exercises  its covenant  defeasance  option, payment  of  such Debt
Securities may not be accelerated by reason of a Default or an Event of  Default
with  respect to the covenants to  which such covenant defeasance is applicable.
However, if  such acceleration  were to  occur  by reason  of another  Event  of
Default,  the  realizable  value  at  the acceleration  date  of  the  money and
Government Obligations in the defeasance trust could be less than the  principal
and  interest then due on such Debt  Securities, in that the required deposit in
the defeasance trust is based upon scheduled cash flow rather than market value,
which will vary depending upon interest rates and other factors.

THE TRUSTEES

    LTCB Trust Company  will be  the Trustee  under the  Senior Indenture.  Star
Bank, National Association will be the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture.
Conseco  may also maintain banking and  other commercial relationships with each
of the Trustees and their affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

    At November 1, 1995, the authorized capital stock of Conseco was 520,000,000
shares, consisting of:

        (a) 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, of which 5,750,000 shares were
    designated as Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series D
    Preferred Stock"), of which 5,669,725 shares were outstanding; and

        (b) 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 20,237,224 shares  were
    outstanding.

    In general, the classes of authorized capital stock are afforded preferences
with  respect to dividends and liquidation rights in the order listed above. The
Board  of  Directors  of   Conseco  is  empowered,   without  approval  of   the
shareholders,  to cause the Preferred Stock to  be issued in one or more series,
with the  numbers of  shares of  each  series and  the rights,  preferences  and
limitations of each series to be determined

                                       12
<PAGE>
by  it including,  without limitation,  the dividend  rights, conversion rights,
redemption rights and liquidation  preferences, if any,  of any wholly  unissued
series  of Preferred Stock (or of the entire class of Preferred Stock if none of
such shares  have been  issued), the  number of  shares constituting  each  such
series  and the terms and conditions of  the issue thereof. The descriptions set
forth below do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by
reference to the Amended and Restated  Articles of Incorporation of Conseco,  as
amended (the "Articles of Incorporation").

    The  Prospectus  Supplement relating  to an  offering  of Common  Stock will
describe terms relevant  thereto, including  the number of  shares offered,  the
initial offering price, market price and dividend information.

    The  applicable Prospectus Supplement  will describe the  following terms of
any Preferred Stock in respect of  which this Prospectus is being delivered  (to
the  extent applicable to  such Preferred Stock):  (i) the specific designation,
number of shares, seniority and purchase price; (ii) any liquidation  preference
per share; (iii) any date of maturity; (iv) any redemption, repayment or sinking
fund  provisions; (v) any dividend rate or rates and the dates on which any such
dividends will be payable (or  the method by which such  rates or dates will  be
determined);  (vi) any voting  rights; (vii) if  other than the  currency of the
United States  of  America,  the currency  or  currencies,  including  composite
currencies,  in  which  such  Preferred Stock  is  denominated  and/or  in which
payments will or may be payable; (viii)  the method by which amounts in  respect
of  such Preferred  Stock may be  calculated and any  commodities, currencies or
indices, or value, rate or price, relevant to such calculation; (ix) whether the
Preferred Stock is  convertible or exchangeable  and, if so,  the securities  or
rights into which such Preferred Stock is convertible or exchangeable (which may
include other Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Common Stock or other securities
or  rights  of the  Company  (including rights  to  receive payment  in  cash or
securities based  on  the  value,  rate  or  price  of  one  or  more  specified
commodities,  currencies or indices) or a combination of the foregoing), and the
terms and conditions upon which such conversions or exchanges will be  effected,
including  the initial conversion or exchange prices or rates, the conversion or
exchange period and any other related provisions; (x) the place or places  where
dividends  and other payments on  the Preferred Stock will  be payable; and (xi)
any additional  voting,  dividend,  liquidation, redemption  and  other  rights,
preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions.

    As  described under "Description of Depositary  Shares", the Company may, at
its option, elect to offer depositary shares ("Depositary Shares") evidenced  by
depositary  receipts ("Depositary Receipts"), each  representing an interest (to
be specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to the  particular
series  of  the Preferred  Stock) in  a share  of the  particular series  of the
Preferred Stock  issued and  deposited  with a  Preferred Stock  Depositary  (as
defined herein).

    All  shares of Preferred Stock offered  hereby, or issuable upon conversion,
exchange or  exercise  of Securities,  will,  when  issued, be  fully  paid  and
non-assessable.

COMMON STOCK

    DIVIDENDS.   Except as provided below,  holders of Common Stock are entitled
to receive dividends and other distributions  in cash, stock or property of  the
Company,  when, as and  if declared by the  Board of Directors  out of assets or
funds of the Company legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per
share basis in all such dividends and other distributions (subject to the rights
of holders of Preferred Stock).

    VOTING RIGHTS.   At every meeting  of shareholders, every  holder of  Common
Stock  is entitled to one vote per share. Subject to any voting rights which may
be granted to holders of Preferred Stock any action submitted to shareholders is
approved if the number of votes cast in favor of such action exceeds the  number
of  votes against, except  where other provision  is made by  law and subject to
applicable quorum requirements.

    LIQUIDATION RIGHTS.    In  the  event of  any  liquidation,  dissolution  or
winding-up of the business of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary (any
such  event, a "Liquidation"), the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share
equally  in  the  assets  available  for  distribution  after  payment  of   all
liabilities  and  provision  for the  liquidation  preference of  any  shares of
Preferred Stock then outstanding.

                                       13
<PAGE>
    MISCELLANEOUS.   The holders  of  Common Stock  have no  preemptive  rights,
cumulative  voting  rights, subscription  rights, or  conversion rights  and the
Common Stock is not subject to redemption.

    The transfer agent and registrar with  respect to the Common Stock is  First
Union National Bank of North Carolina.

    All  shares of  Common Stock  offered hereby,  or issuable  upon conversion,
exchange or  exercise  of Securities,  will,  when  issued, be  fully  paid  and
non-assessable.

SERIES D PREFERRED STOCK

    DIVIDENDS.   Subject  to the  rights of  holders of  other classes  of stock
ranking on a parity  with or senior  to the Series D  Preferred Stock which  may
from  time to time be  issued by the Company, the  holders of Series D Preferred
Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if the Board of Directors declares a
dividend on the Series  D Preferred Stock, out  of assets legally available  for
dividends,  cumulative preferential  cash dividends from  the issue  date of the
Series D Preferred Stock (January 26, 1993),  accruing at the rate per share  of
$3.25  per annum or $.8125 per quarter, payable quarterly in arrears on the 15th
day of each  January, April,  July and October  or, if  any such date  is not  a
business day, on the next succeeding business day.

    Dividends  on the Series D Preferred Stock accrue whether or not the Company
has earnings, whether or not there  are funds legally available for the  payment
of  such dividends  and whether  or not  such dividends  are declared,  and will
accumulate to the extent they are not paid on the dividend payment date for  the
quarter  for  which  they  accrue.  Accumulated  unpaid  dividends  do  not bear
interest.

    VOTING RIGHTS.  Except as indicated  below, or except as expressly  required
by  applicable law, the holders  of the Series D  Preferred Stock have no voting
rights.

    If the  equivalent  of six  quarterly  dividends  payable on  the  Series  D
Preferred  Stock is in arrears,  the number of directors  of the Company will be
increased by two and the holders of Series D Preferred Stock, voting  separately
as  a  class with  the holders  of shares  of any  one or  more other  series of
preferred stock ranking on a parity  with the Series D Preferred Stock,  whether
as  to payment of  dividends or the  distribution of assets  and upon which like
voting rights  have been  conferred and  are exercisable,  will be  entitled  to
elect, within 120 days, two directors for one-year terms to fill such vacancies,
either  at the  Company's next  annual meeting of  shareholders or  at a special
meeting. Such right  to elect two  additional directors shall  continue at  each
subsequent  annual  meeting until  all dividends  in arrears  have been  paid or
declared and set apart for payment. Upon payment or declaration and  reservation
of funds for payment of all such dividends in arrear, the term of office of each
such director so elected shall immediately terminate and the number of directors
constituting  the entire Board of  Directors of the Company  shall be reduced by
the number of directors elected by the  holders of the Series D Preferred  Stock
and  any other series of  preferred stock ranking on a  parity with the Series D
Preferred Stock as discussed above.

    Unless the vote  or consent of  the holders  of a greater  number of  shares
shall then be required by law, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of
at  least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares  of Series D Preferred Stock and any
one or more other series of  preferred stock of the Company similarly  affected,
voting  separately as a single class, without regard to series, will be required
for any amendment, alteration or repeal  of the Articles of Incorporation  which
would  adversely affect  the preferences,  rights, powers  or privileges  of the
Series D Preferred Stock  and any such other  series of the Company's  preferred
stock.  Unless the vote or consent of the  holders of a greater number of shares
shall then be required by law, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of
at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding  shares of the Series D Preferred Stock  and
any  other series of preferred stock of the Company ranking on a parity with the
Series D Preferred Stock either as to dividends or upon distribution of  assets,
voting  as a single class, without regard to series, will be required to create,
authorize or issue, or reclassify any  authorized stock of the Company into,  or
create,  authorize  or  issue any  obligation  or security  convertible  into or
evidencing a right to purchase, any shares of any class of stock of the  Company
ranking  prior to  the Series D  Preferred Stock  or ranking prior  to any other
series of Preferred Stock of the Company which ranks on a parity with the Series
D

                                       14
<PAGE>
Preferred Stock as to dividends or  upon a distribution of assets. The  Articles
of  Incorporation may be amended to increase  the number of authorized shares of
preferred stock  of  the  Company  without  the  vote  of  the  holders  of  the
outstanding preferred stock, including the Series D Preferred Stock.

    LIQUIDATION  RIGHTS.  Subject to  the rights of holders  of other classes of
stock ranking on a parity with or senior to the Series D Preferred Stock, in the
event of any  Liquidation, the holders  of the Series  D Preferred Stock,  after
payment  or provision  for payment  of the  debts and  other liabilities  of the
Company, will be entitled to receive for each share of Series D Preferred Stock,
an amount  equal to  the sum  of $50.00  and all  accrued and  unpaid  dividends
thereon, and no more. If, upon any Liquidation, there are insufficient assets to
permit  full payment of  holders of Series  D Preferred Stock  and shares of any
other class of outstanding  Preferred Stock, the holders  of Series D  Preferred
Stock  and such  other shares shall  be paid  ratably in proportion  to the full
distributable amounts to  which holders  of Series  D Preferred  Stock and  such
other shares are respectively entitled upon Liquidation.

    REDEMPTION.  The Series D Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to January
22,  1996. On and after such date, the Series D Preferred Stock is redeemable in
cash at the option of the  Company, in whole or in  part, from time to time,  at
redemption  prices declining to $50.00 per share  on and after January 15, 2003,
plus accrued and unpaid dividends to the date fixed for redemption.

    The Series D Preferred Stock is not entitled to the benefits of any  sinking
fund.

CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS OF CONSECO

    Certain  provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and the Code of By-laws
of Conseco (the  "By-laws") may make  it more  difficult to effect  a change  in
control  of Conseco if the Board of  Directors determines that such action would
not be in the best interests of  the shareholders. It could be argued,  contrary
to  the belief of  the Board of Directors,  that such provisions  are not in the
best interests of the shareholders to the extent that they will have the  effect
of  tending  to discourage  possible  takeover bids,  which  might be  at prices
involving a premium over then recent market quotations for the Common Stock. The
most important of those provisions are described below.

    The Articles of  Incorporation authorize the  establishment of a  classified
Board  of Directors pursuant to the By-laws.  The By-laws, in turn, provide that
the Directors serve  staggered three-year terms,  with the members  of only  one
class being elected in any year.

    A  classified Board  of Directors  may increase  the difficulty  of removing
incumbent directors, providing  such directors with  enhanced ability to  retain
their  positions. A classified Board of  Directors may also make the acquisition
of control  of Conseco  by  a third  party  by means  of  a proxy  contest  more
difficult. In addition, the classification may make it more difficult to replace
a majority of directors for business reasons unrelated to a change in control.

    The Articles of Incorporation provide that holders of Conseco's voting stock
shall  not  be entitled  to vote  on certain  business transactions  (defined to
include, among  other things,  certain mergers,  consolidations, sales,  leases,
transfers  or other dispositions of a substantial part of Conseco's assets) with
certain related persons  (which includes persons  beneficially owning more  than
10%  of Conseco's outstanding  voting stock), nor  may such business combination
transactions be effected,  unless (i)  the relevant  business combination  shall
have  been  approved  by two-thirds  of  the  continuing directors  or  (ii) the
aggregate amount of the cash and the fair value of any consideration other  than
cash  to be received by any holder  of Conseco's Common Stock or Preferred Stock
in the business  combination for each  such share of  Common Stock or  Preferred
Stock shall be at least equal to the highest per share price paid by the related
person in order to acquire any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as the
case may be, beneficially owned by such related person.

    As  discussed above, Preferred Stock may be  issued from time to time in one
or more series with  such rights, preferences,  limitations and restrictions  as
may  be determined by  the Board of  Directors. The issuance  of Preferred Stock
could be  used,  under  certain  circumstances,  as  a  method  of  delaying  or
preventing a change of control of Conseco and could have a detrimental effect on
the rights of holders of Common Stock, including loss of voting control.

                                       15
<PAGE>
    The  provisions of  the Articles  of Incorporation  regarding the classified
Board of  Directors and  certain business  combination transactions  may not  be
amended  without the affirmative approval of holders of not less than 80% of the
outstanding voting stock of Conseco.

    The By-laws may be amended by majority vote of the Board of Directors.

CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF CORPORATE AND INSURANCE LAWS

    In addition  to Conseco's  Articles of  Incorporation and  By-laws,  certain
provisions  of Indiana law may delay, deter or prevent a merger, tender offer or
other takeover attempt of Conseco.

    Under the Indiana Business Corporation Law (the "IBCL"), a director may,  in
considering  the best  interests of a  corporation, consider the  effects of any
action on shareholders, employees, suppliers  and customers of the  corporation,
on  communities  in which  offices or  other facilities  of the  corporation are
located, and any other factors the director considers pertinent.

    The IBCL provides that no  business combination (defined to include  certain
mergers,  sales of  assets, sales  of 5%  or more  of outstanding  stock, loans,
recapitalizations or liquidations or  dissolutions) involving a corporation  and
an  interested shareholder (defined to include any holder of 10% or more of such
corporation's voting stock) may be entered into unless (1) it has been  approved
by  the board of directors of the corporation or (2) (a) five years have expired
since  the  acquisition  of  shares   of  the  corporation  by  the   interested
shareholder,  (b) all requirements of the  Articles of Incorporation relating to
business combinations  have been  satisfied and  (c) either  (i) a  majority  of
shareholders  of the corporation (excluding  the interested shareholder) approve
the business  combination or  (ii)  all shareholders  are  paid fair  value  (as
defined in the statute) for their stock. However, such law does not restrict any
offer to purchase all of a corporation's shares.

    The  IBCL also  provides that when  a target corporation  (such as Conseco),
incorporated in Indiana and  having its principal  place of business,  principal
office or substantial assets in Indiana, has a certain threshold of ownership by
Indiana  residents, any acquisition which,  together with its previous holdings,
gives the  acquiror  at  least 20%  of  the  target's voting  stock  triggers  a
shareholder  approval mechanism.  If the  acquiror files  a statutorily required
disclosure statement, the target's management has 50 days within which to hold a
special meeting of shareholders at  which all disinterested shareholders of  the
target (those not affiliated with the acquiror or any officer or inside director
of  the target) consider  and vote upon  whether the acquiror  shall have voting
rights with respect to the shares of the target held by it. Without  shareholder
approval,  the shares  acquired by  the acquiror have  no voting  rights. If the
acquiror fails to file the statutorily required disclosure statement, the target
can redeem  the acquiror's  shares at  a  price to  be determined  according  to
procedures  devised by the target. In order for these provisions of the IBCL NOT
to apply to  a particular  Indiana company,  the company  must affirmatively  so
provide in its articles of incorporation or bylaws.

    In  addition, the  insurance laws  and regulations  of the  jurisdictions in
which Conseco's  insurance  subsidiaries  do  business may  impede  or  delay  a
business combination involving Conseco.

                        DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

    The  description  set  forth  below of  certain  provisions  of  the Deposit
Agreement (as  defined  below)  and  of the  Depositary  Shares  and  Depositary
Receipts  summarizes  the material  terms of  the Deposit  Agreement and  of the
Depositary Shares and Depositary  Receipts and is qualified  in its entirety  by
reference  to  the form  of Deposit  Agreement and  form of  Depositary Receipts
relating to  each  series of  the  Preferred Stock,  as  well as  the  Company's
Articles  of  Incorporation or  any  required amendment  thereto  describing the
applicable series of Preferred Stock.

GENERAL

    The Company may, as its option, elect  to have shares of Preferred Stock  be
represented  by Depositary  Shares. The  shares of  any series  of the Preferred
Stock underlying  the  Depositary Shares  will  be deposited  under  a  separate
deposit  agreement (the "Deposit  Agreement") to be entered  into by the Company
and a  bank or  trust company  selected  by the  Company (the  "Preferred  Stock
Depositary") a form of which will be

                                       16
<PAGE>
filed  as an exhibit to a Current  Report on Form 8-K. The Prospectus Supplement
relating to a series of Depositary Shares will set forth the name and address of
the Preferred Stock Depositary. Subject to  the terms of the Deposit  Agreement,
each  owner of a Depositary Share will  be entitled, proportionately, to all the
rights, preferences and  privileges of the  Preferred Stock represented  thereby
(including  dividend, voting,  redemption, conversion,  exchange and liquidation
rights).

    The Depositary  Shares  will  be evidenced  by  Depositary  Receipts  issued
pursuant  to the Deposit Agreement, each  of which will represent the fractional
interest in the number of shares of  a particular series of the Preferred  Stock
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS

    The  Preferred Stock Depositary will distribute  all cash dividends or other
cash distributions in respect  of the series of  Preferred Stock represented  by
the   Depositary  Shares  to  the  record  holders  of  Depositary  Receipts  in
proportion, insofar as  possible, to the  number of Depositary  Shares owned  by
such  holders. The Depositary, however, will  distribute only such amount as can
be distributed without  attributing to any  Depositary Share a  fraction of  one
cent, and any balance not so distributed will be added to and treated as part of
the  next sum received by  the Depositary for distribution  to record holders of
Depositary Receipts then outstanding.

    In the  event  of a  distribution  other than  in  cash in  respect  of  the
Preferred  Stock,  the  Preferred  Stock  Depositary  will  distribute  property
received by  it to  the record  holders of  Depositary Receipts  in  proportion,
insofar  as possible, to the number of  Depositary Shares owned by such holders,
unless the Preferred  Stock Depositary determines  (after consultation with  the
Company)  that it is not  feasible to make such  distribution, in which case the
Preferred Stock Depositary  may, with the  approval of the  Company, adopt  such
method  as it deems equitable and practicable  for the purpose of effecting such
distribution, including  a  public  or  private  sale,  of  such  property,  and
distribution of the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.

    The amount so distributed to record holders of Depositary Receipts in any of
the foregoing cases will be reduced by any amount required to be withheld by the
Company or the Preferred Stock Depositary on account of taxes.

CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE

    If any series of Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares is subject
to  provisions  relating to  its conversion  or  exchange, as  set forth  in the
applicable  Prospectus  Supplement  relating  thereto,  each  record  holder  of
Depositary Receipts will have the right or obligation to convert or exchange the
Depositary  Shares represented by such Depositary Receipts pursuant to the terms
thereof.

REDEMPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

    If any series of Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares is subject
to redemption, the Depositary Shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received
by the Preferred Stock Depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or  in
part,  of the Preferred  Stock held by the  Preferred Stock Depositary. Whenever
the Company redeems  Preferred Stock  from the Preferred  Stock Depositary,  the
Preferred  Stock  Depositary  will  redeem  as of  the  same  redemption  date a
proportionate number of Depositary Shares  representing the shares of  Preferred
Stock  that were  redeemed. If  less than  all the  Depositary Shares  are to be
redeemed, the Depositary Shares to  be redeemed will be  selected by lot or  pro
rata as may be determined by the Company.

    After  the date  fixed for redemption,  the Depositary Shares  so called for
redemption will no  longer be deemed  to be  outstanding and all  rights of  the
holders  of the Depositary  Shares will cease,  except the right  to receive the
redemption price upon such redemption. Any  funds deposited by the Company  with
the  Preferred  Stock Depositary  for any  Depositary  Shares which  the holders
thereof fail to redeem shall  be returned to the Company  after a period of  two
years from the date such funds are so deposited.

VOTING

    Upon  receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any shares of
Preferred Stock  underlying the  Depositary  Shares are  entitled to  vote,  the
Preferred Stock Depositary will mail the information

                                       17
<PAGE>
contained  in such notice to the record holders of the Depositary Receipts. Each
record holder of such Depositary Receipts on the record date (which will be  the
same  date  as the  record date  for the  Preferred Stock)  will be  entitled to
instruct the Preferred Stock Depositary as to the exercise of the voting  rights
pertaining  to the number of shares  of Preferred Stock underlying such holder's
Depositary Shares.  The Preferred  Stock Depositary  will endeavor,  insofar  as
practicable,  to vote  the number of  shares of Preferred  Stock underlying such
Depositary Shares in  accordance with  such instructions, and  the Company  will
agree  to  take all  reasonable  action which  may  be deemed  necessary  by the
Preferred Stock Depositary in order to enable the Preferred Stock Depositary  to
do  so.  The Preferred  Stock Depositary  will  abstain from  voting any  of the
Preferred Stock to the extent it does not receive specific written  instructions
from holders of Depositary Receipts representing such Preferred Stock.

RECORD DATE

    Whenever  (i)  any cash  dividend or  other  cash distribution  shall become
payable, any  distribution  other  than  cash shall  be  made,  or  any  rights,
preferences  or privileges shall be offered with respect to the Preferred Stock,
or (ii) the Preferred  Stock Depositary shall receive  notice of any meeting  at
which  holders of Preferred  Stock are entitled  to vote or  of which holders of
Preferred Stock are entitled  to notice, or of  the mandatory conversion of,  or
any  election on  the part  of the Company  to call  for the  redemption of, any
Preferred Stock, the Preferred Stock Depositary shall in each such instance  fix
a  record date  (which shall be  the same as  the record date  for the Preferred
Stock) for the  determination of  the holders  of Depositary  Receipts (x)  that
shall be entitled to receive such dividend, distribution, rights, preferences or
privileges or the net proceeds of the sale thereof or (y) that shall be entitled
to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting or to
receive  notice of such meeting or of  such redemption or conversion, subject to
the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.

WITHDRAWAL OF PREFERRED STOCK

    Upon surrender  of  Depositary  Receipts  at the  principal  office  of  the
Preferred  Stock Depositary, upon payment of any unpaid amount due the Preferred
Stock Depositary, and subject to the  terms of the Deposit Agreement, the  owner
of the Depositary Shares evidenced thereby is entitled to delivery of the number
of  whole shares of  Preferred Stock and  all money and  other property, if any,
represented by such Depositary  Shares. Partial shares  of Preferred Stock  will
not  be issued. If  the Depositary Receipts  delivered by the  holder evidence a
number of  Depositary  Shares in  excess  of  the number  of  Depositary  Shares
representing  the number of whole shares of Preferred Stock to be withdrawn, the
Preferred Stock Depositary will deliver  to such holder at  the same time a  new
Depositary  Receipt evidencing such excess  number of Depositary Shares. Holders
of Preferred Stock  thus withdrawn will  not thereafter be  entitled to  deposit
such  shares  under  the Deposit  Agreement  or to  receive  Depositary Receipts
evidencing Depositary Shares therefor.

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

    The Deposit Agreement will provide that  the form of Depositary Receipt  and
any  provision of the Deposit Agreement may  at any time be amended by agreement
between the Company and the  Preferred Stock Depositary. However, any  amendment
which  imposes or  increases any  fees, taxes  or other  charges payable  by the
holders of Depositary Receipts (other than taxes and other governmental charges,
fees and other  expenses payable  by such holders  as stated  under "Charges  of
Preferred  Stock  Depositary"), or  which  otherwise prejudices  any substantial
existing right of  holders of Depositary  Receipts, will not  take effect as  to
outstanding  Depositary Receipts until the expiration of 90 days after notice of
such amendment has been mailed to  the record holders of outstanding  Depositary
Receipts.

    Whenever  so directed  by the Company,  the Preferred  Stock Depositary will
terminate the Deposit  Agreement by mailing  notice of such  termination to  the
record  holders of  all Depositary  Receipts then  outstanding at  least 30 days
prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. The Preferred Stock
Depositary may likewise terminate the Deposit  Agreement if at any time 45  days
shall  have expired after the Preferred Stock Depositary shall have delivered to
the Company  a  written  notice  of  its election  to  resign  and  a  successor
depositary  shall not have  been appointed and accepted  its appointment. If any
Depositary Receipts  remain  outstanding  after the  date  of  termination,  the
Preferred   Stock  Depositary  thereafter  will   discontinue  the  transfer  of
Depositary Receipts, will suspend the  distribution of dividends to the  holders

                                       18
<PAGE>
thereof,  and  will not  give any  further  notices (other  than notice  of such
termination) or perform any further acts  under the Deposit Agreement except  as
provided  below and except that the Preferred Stock Depositary will continue (i)
to collect dividends  on the Preferred  Stock and any  other distributions  with
respect  thereto  and (ii)  to deliver  the Preferred  Stock together  with such
dividends and  distributions  and the  net  proceeds  of any  sales  of  rights,
preferences,  privileges  or  other  property,  without  liability  for interest
thereon, in exchange for Depositary Receipts surrendered. At any time after  the
expiration  of  two years  from  the date  of  termination, the  Preferred Stock
Depositary may sell the  Preferred Stock then  held by it  at public or  private
sales,  at such place or places and upon  such terms as it deems proper, and may
thereafter hold the net proceeds of any  such sale, together with any money  and
other  property then held by it, without liability for interest thereon, for the
pro rata  benefit of  the holders  of Depositary  Receipts which  have not  been
surrendered.

CHARGES OF PREFERRED STOCK DEPOSITARY

    The Company will pay all charges of the Preferred Stock Depositary including
charges  in  connection with  the initial  deposit of  the Preferred  Stock, the
initial issuance of the Depositary Receipts, the distribution of information  to
the  holders of Depositary  Receipts with respect to  matters on which Preferred
Stock is entitled to vote, withdrawals of the Preferred Stock by the holders  of
Depositary  Receipts or redemption or conversion  of the Preferred Stock, except
for taxes (including transfer taxes, if any) and other governmental charges  and
such  other charges as are expressly provided  in the Deposit Agreement to be at
the expense of holders  of Depositary Receipts  or persons depositing  Preferred
Stock.

MISCELLANEOUS

    The Preferred Stock Depositary will make available for inspection by holders
of  Depositary Receipts, at  its Corporate Office  and its New  York Office, all
reports and communications from the Company which are delivered to the Preferred
Stock Depositary as the holder of Preferred Stock.

    Neither the Preferred Stock Depositary nor the Company will be liable if  it
is  prevented  or delayed  by  law or  any  circumstance beyond  its  control in
performing its obligations under the  Deposit Agreement. The obligations of  the
Preferred Stock Depositary under the Deposit Agreement are limited to performing
its  duties thereunder without  negligence or bad faith.  The obligations of the
Company under  the  Deposit  Agreement  are limited  to  performing  its  duties
thereunder in good faith. Neither the Company nor the Preferred Stock Depositary
is  obligated to  prosecute or  defend any  legal proceeding  in respect  of any
Depositary Shares or Preferred Stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished.
The Company and the Preferred Stock Depositary are entitled to rely upon  advice
of  or information  from counsel,  accountants or  other persons  believed to be
competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

    The Preferred Stock Depositary may resign at  any time or be removed by  the
Company,  effective upon  the acceptance  by its  successor of  its appointment;
provided, that if a successor Preferred Stock Depositary has not been  appointed
or accepted such appointment within 45 days after the Preferred Stock Depositary
has delivered a notice of election to resign to the Company, the Preferred Stock
Depositary  may terminate the Deposit  Agreement. See "Amendment and Termination
of the Deposit Agreement" above.

                            DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

GENERAL

    The Company may issue Warrants to purchase Securities, and such Warrants may
be issued independently or together with  any Securities and may be attached  to
or separate from such Securities. Each series of Warrants will be issued under a
separate  warrant  agreement (each  a "Warrant  Agreement")  to be  entered into
between the Company and a warrant agent  ("Warrant Agent") a form of which  will
be  filed as an exhibit to a Current  Report on Form 8-K. The Warrant Agent will
act solely as an agent  of the Company in connection  with the Warrants of  each
such  series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or
with holders or beneficial owners of Warrants. The following sets forth  certain
general  terms and provisions  of the Warrants offered  hereby. Further terms of
the Warrants  and the  applicable Warrant  Agreement will  be set  forth in  the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.

                                       19
<PAGE>
    The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of any Warrants
in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, including the following:
(i)  the title  of such  Warrants; (ii) the  aggregate number  of such Warrants;
(iii) the  price or  prices at  which such  Warrants will  be issued;  (iv)  the
currency  or currencies, including  composite currencies, in  which the price of
such Warrants may be  payable; (v) the designation  and terms of the  Securities
purchasable  upon exercise  of such  Warrants; (vi) the  price at  which and the
currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the  Securities
purchasable  upon exercise of such Warrants may  be purchased; (vii) the date on
which the right to exercise such Warrants  shall commence and the date on  which
such  right  shall  expire;  (viii)  whether such  Warrants  will  be  issued in
registered form  or bearer  form; (ix)  if applicable,  the minimum  or  maximum
amount  of  such  Warrants  which may  be  exercised  at any  one  time;  (x) if
applicable, the designation and terms of the Securities with which such Warrants
are issued and the number of such Warrants issued with each such Security;  (xi)
if  applicable,  the date  on  and after  which  such Warrants  and  the related
Securities will be  separately transferable; (xii)  information with respect  to
book-entry  procedures, if  any; (xiii) if  applicable, a  discussion of certain
United States federal income  tax considerations; and (xiv)  any other terms  of
such  Warrants,  including terms,  procedures  and limitations  relating  to the
exchange and exercise of such Warrants.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    Conseco may sell any of  the Securities being offered  hereby in any one  or
more  of the following  ways from time to  time: (i) through  agents; (ii) to or
through underwriters; (iii) through dealers; or (iv) directly to purchasers.

    The distribution of the Securities may be effected from time to time in  one
or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market
prices  prevailing at  the time  of sale, at  prices related  to such prevailing
market prices or at negotiated prices.

    Offers to  purchase Securities  may  be solicited  by agents  designated  by
Conseco  from time to time. Any such agent  involved in the offer or sale of the
Securities in respect of which this  Prospectus is delivered will be named,  and
any  commissions payable  by Conseco  to such  agent will  be set  forth, in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in such  Prospectus
Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a reasonable best efforts basis for
the  period  of  its  appointment.  Any  such  agent  may  be  deemed  to  be an
underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the Securities so
offered and sold.

    If Securities are sold  by means of an  underwritten offering, Conseco  will
execute  an underwriting  agreement with an  underwriter or  underwriters at the
time an  agreement for  such sale  is reached,  and the  names of  the  specific
managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the
terms  of  the  transaction,  including  commissions,  discounts  and  any other
compensation of the underwriters and dealers, if  any, will be set forth in  the
Prospectus  Supplement which will be used by the underwriters to make resales of
the Securities in respect of which  this Prospectus is delivered to the  public.
If  underwriters are utilized in the sale  of the Securities in respect of which
this  Prospectus  is  delivered,  the   Securities  will  be  acquired  by   the
underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or
more  transactions, including negotiated transactions,  at fixed public offering
prices or at varying prices determined by  the underwriter at the time of  sale.
Securities  may be offered to the  public either through underwriting syndicates
represented by managing underwriters or  directly by the managing  underwriters.
If  any underwriter or underwriters are utilized  in the sale of the Securities,
unless otherwise  indicated  in  the  Prospectus  Supplement,  the  underwriting
agreement  will provide that the obligations  of the underwriters are subject to
certain conditions precedent and that the underwriters with respect to a sale of
Securities will be obligated to purchase all such Securities of a series if  any
are purchased.

    If  a dealer is utilized in the sales  of the Securities in respect of which
this Prospectus is delivered, Conseco will sell such Securities to the dealer as
principal. The dealer may then resell  such Securities to the public at  varying
prices  to be determined by  such dealer at the time  of resale. Any such dealer
may be deemed to be  an underwriter, as such term  is defined in the  Securities
Act, of the Securities so offered and sold. The name of the dealer and the terms
of  the  transaction will  be set  forth in  the Prospectus  Supplement relating
thereto.

                                       20
<PAGE>
    Offers to purchase Securities may be  solicited directly by Conseco and  the
sale  thereof  may be  made by  Conseco directly  to institutional  investors or
others, who  may  be  deemed  to  be underwriters  within  the  meaning  of  the
Securities  Act with respect to any resale  thereof. The terms of any such sales
will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.

    Agents, underwriters and dealers may  be entitled under relevant  agreements
to  indemnification  or  contribution by  Conseco  against  certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.

    Agents, underwriters and dealers may be customers of, engage in transactions
with, or perform  services for,  Conseco and  its subsidiaries  in the  ordinary
course of business.

    Securities  may also be offered and sold,  if so indicated in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase,  in
accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise,
by  one or more firms ("remarketing firms"),  acting as principals for their own
accounts or as agents for Conseco.  Any remarketing firm will be identified  and
the  terms of its agreement, if any,  with its compensation will be described in
the applicable  Prospectus Supplement.  Remarketing firms  may be  deemed to  be
underwriters,  as such term is defined in the Securities Act, in connection with
the Securities  remarketed  thereby. Remarketing  firms  may be  entitled  under
agreements  which  may  be  entered  into  with  Conseco  to  indemnification or
contribution by Conseco against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act, and may  be customers of, engage in transactions  with
or  perform services for Conseco and its  subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business.

    If so  indicated  in  the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,  Conseco  may
authorize  agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain types of
institutions to purchase Securities from  Conseco at the public offering  prices
set  forth in the applicable Prospectus  Supplement pursuant to delayed delivery
contracts ("Contracts") providing for payment  and delivery on a specified  date
or  dates in  the future.  A commission  indicated in  the applicable Prospectus
Supplement will be paid to underwriters, dealers and agents soliciting purchases
of Securities pursuant to Contracts accepted by Conseco.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

    Unless otherwise  indicated in  the  applicable Prospectus  Supplement,  the
legal  validity of  Securities will  be passed upon  for Conseco  by Lawrence W.
Inlow, Executive Vice President, Secretary  and General Counsel of Conseco.  Mr.
Inlow  is a full-time employee and an officer of Conseco and owns 245,376 shares
and holds options to purchase 762,000 shares of Conseco common stock.

                                    EXPERTS

    The consolidated  financial  statements  and  schedules  of  Conseco  as  of
December  31, 1994 and 1993, and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31,  1994  incorporated by  reference  in this  Prospectus,  have  been
audited  by Coopers &  Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants,  as set forth in
their reports thereon included therein and are incorporated herein by  reference
in  reliance upon such reports given upon  the authority of such firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.

                                       21
<PAGE>
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    NO  DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON  HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR  TO  MAKE  ANY  REPRESENTATIONS OTHER  THAN  THOSE  CONTAINED  OR
INCORPORATED  BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS  IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE
BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND,  IF GIVEN OR MADE,  SUCH INFORMATION OR  REPRESENTATIONS
MUST  NOT  BE  RELIED UPON  AS  HAVING BEEN  AUTHORIZED  BY THE  COMPANY  OR ANY
UNDERWRITER. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER
SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,  CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT  THERE HAS BEEN  NO
CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES
NOT  CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY  ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING  SUCH
OFFER  OR SOLICITATION  IS NOT QUALIFIED  TO DO  SO OR TO  ANYONE TO  WHOM IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.

                            ------------------------

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  PAGE
                                                ---------
<S>                                             <C>
Prospectus Supplement Summary.................        S-3
Summary Consolidated Financial Information....        S-7
The Company...................................       S-11
Acquisition of Stock of Affiliates............       S-16
Use of Proceeds...............................       S-18
Capitalization................................       S-18
Price Range of Common Stock and Dividends.....       S-19
Description of PRIDES.........................       S-20
Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations.....       S-28
Underwriting..................................       S-32
Legal Matters.................................       S-33

                       PROSPECTUS
Available Information.........................          2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
 Reference....................................          2
The Company...................................          4
Use of Proceeds...............................          4
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and
 Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock
 Dividends....................................          4
Description of Debt Securities................          5
Description of Capital Stock..................         12
Description of Depositary Shares..............         16
Description of Warrants.......................         19
Plan of Distribution..........................         20
Legal Matters.................................         21
Experts.......................................         21
</TABLE>

                                3,800,000 SHARES

                                     [LOGO]

                                 7% PRIDES-SM-

                          CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
                            ------------------------

                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

                            ------------------------

                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.

                           DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.

                              SALOMON BROTHERS INC

                                JANUARY 17, 1996

                  -SM-SERVICE MARK OF MERRILL LYNCH & CO. INC.

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