HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORP /DE/
10-K, 2000-03-30
FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE
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<PAGE>

================================================================================

                                 UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-K

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

(MARK ONE)
[x]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
     For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999
                                     OR
[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
     For the transition period from         to

     Commission file number 1-10890

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                                    37-0911756
  (State or other jurisdiction of                   (I.R.S. Employer
  incorporation or organization)                  Identification No.)

  1 Horace Mann Plaza, Springfield, Illinois           62715-0001
  (Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip Code)

  Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 217-789-2500

  Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                                Name of each exchange on
          Title of each class                      which registered
          -------------------                   ------------------------

  Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share      New York Stock Exchange

  Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

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

    Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]

    The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant as of March 1, 2000, was approximately $596 million.

    As of March 1, 2000, 41,548,157 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per
share, were outstanding, net of  18,258,896 shares of treasury stock.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

    Proxy Statement for the 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, exclusive of
disclosures made pursuant to Regulation S-K, (S) 402 (i), (k) and (l),
incorporated by reference into Part III of Form 10-K.

================================================================================
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

                                   FORM 10-K

                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999

                                     INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item
Number                                                                      Page
- ------                                                                      ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
                                    PART I

1.   Business................................................................  1
2.   Properties.............................................................. 29
3.   Legal Proceedings....................................................... 29
4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders..................... 29


                                    PART II

5.   Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters... 30
6.   Selected Financial Data................................................. 31
7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
        Results of Operations................................................ 31
7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.............. 31
8.   Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data................ 31
9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
        Accounting and Financial Disclosure.................................. 31


                                   PART III

10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant...................... 31
11.  Executive Compensation.................................................. 31
12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.......... 31
13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.......................... 31


                                    PART IV

14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K........ 32
     SIGNATURES.............................................................. 37
     Index to Financial Information..........................................F-1
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                               PART I

ITEM 1. Business

Forward-looking Information

    It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ
materially from those projected in forward-looking statements.  Additional
information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."

Overview

    Horace Mann Educators Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, the
"Company", "Horace Mann" or "HMEC") is an insurance holding company incorporated
in Delaware.  Through its subsidiaries, HMEC markets and underwrites personal
lines of property and casualty and life insurance and retirement annuities.
HMEC's principal insurance subsidiaries are Horace Mann Insurance Company
("HMIC"), Teachers Insurance Company ("TIC") and Horace Mann Life Insurance
Company ("HMLIC"), each of which is an Illinois corporation, and Allegiance
Insurance Company ("Allegiance"), a California domiciled personal lines property
and casualty insurance company.

    The Company markets its products primarily to educators and other employees
of public schools and their families.  The Company's 1.1 million customers
typically have moderate annual incomes, with many belonging to two-income
households.  Their financial planning tends to focus on security, savings and
primary insurance needs.  Horace Mann is the only national multiline insurance
company focused on the niche educator market.

    The Company sells and services its products primarily through an exclusive
sales force of full-time agents employed by the Company and trained to sell
multiline products.  The Company's agents sell only the Company's products and
supplemental products authorized by the Company.  Many of the Company's agents
are former educators who utilize their contacts within, and knowledge of, the
target market.  Compensation for sales agents includes an incentive element
based upon the profitability of the business they write.

    The Company's insurance premiums written and contract deposits for the year
ended December 31, 1999 were $821.2 million and operating income (net income
before the after tax impact of realized investment gains and losses, litigation
settlement and the provision for prior years' taxes) was $70.7 million.  The
Company's total assets were $4.3 billion at December 31, 1999.  The property and
casualty segment accounted for 60% of the Company's insurance premiums written
and contract deposits for the year ended December 31, 1999, while accounting for
56% of operating income for the period.  The annuity and life insurance segments
together accounted for 40% of insurance premiums written and contract deposits
for the year ended December 31, 1999 (25% and 15%, respectively), and provided
59% (38% and 21%, respectively) of operating income for the period.

                                       1
<PAGE>

    The primary products of the Company's property and casualty segment are
private passenger automobile and homeowners insurance.  In each of the last 10
years, the Company's combined loss and expense ratio for its property and
casualty product lines outperformed the total property and casualty industry
combined loss and expense ratio, as reported by A.M. Best Company ("A.M. Best"),
an independent insurance rating agency.  During this period, the Company's
combined loss and expense ratio was better than the total property and casualty
insurance industry combined loss and expense ratio by an average of
approximately 12 percentage points per year.  During the same period of time,
the Company's combined loss and expense ratio was better than the personal lines
insurance industry segment combined loss and expense ratio by an average of
approximately 10 percentage points per year.

    One of the reasons why the Company's property and casualty lines have
performed better than the industry is the Company's property and casualty
expense ratio, which has been consistently better than the industry ratio since
1983.  During the last 10 years, the Company's property and casualty expense
ratio has been better than the property and casualty industry personal lines
average expense ratio as reported by A.M. Best by an average of 4.8 percentage
points per year.  The Company's property and casualty expense ratio for the year
ended December 31, 1999 was 19.8%.

    The Company is the 14th largest provider of 403(b) tax-qualified variable
annuities and one of the 20 largest participants in the fixed and variable
403(b) tax-qualified annuity market according to a 1999 A.M. Best report.
Approximately 70% of the Company's new annuity contract deposits in 1999 were
for 403(b) tax-qualified annuities; approximately 80% of accumulated annuity
value on deposit is 403(b) tax-qualified.  At December 31, 1999, the accumulated
value of all of the Company's annuity contracts (tax and non-tax qualified) was
$2.5 billion, representing 125,000 contracts in force.  For the 1999 year, 92%
of the accumulated cash value of the Company's fixed annuity business remained
on deposit.  All annuities issued since 1982 and approximately 75% of all
outstanding fixed annuity accumulated cash values are subject in most cases to
substantial early withdrawal penalties, typically ranging from 5% to 13% of the
amount withdrawn.  Withdrawals of outstanding variable annuities are limited to
amounts less than or equal to the then current market value of such annuities.
Generally, a penalty is imposed under the Internal Revenue Code on amounts
withdrawn from tax-qualified annuities prior to age 59 1/2.  Total accumulated
annuity funds on deposit at December 31, 1999 consisted of 45% variable
annuities and 55% fixed annuities.

    The investment portfolio of the Company, including variable annuity assets
under management of $1.1 billion, had an aggregate market value of $3.8 billion
at December 31, 1999.  Investments other than variable annuity assets consist
principally of investment grade publicly traded fixed income securities.  At
December 31, 1999, investments in non-investment grade securities represented
6.9% of total investments excluding variable annuity assets.  There are no
significant investments in mortgage loans, real estate, foreign securities or
privately placed securities.

                                       2
<PAGE>

History

    The Company's business was founded in Springfield, Illinois in 1945 by two
Illinois teachers to sell automobile insurance to other teachers within the
State of Illinois.  The Company expanded its business to other states and
broadened its product line to include group and individual life insurance in
1949, 403(b) tax-qualified retirement annuities in 1961 and homeowners insurance
in 1965.

    In 1968, INA Corporation ("INA") acquired a 25% interest in HMEC, and
completed its acquisition of HMEC in 1975.  In 1982, INA and Connecticut General
Corporation merged to form CIGNA.  In August 1989 an investor group directed by
Gibbons, Green, van Amerongen, L.P. (subsequently Gibbons, Goodwin, van
Amerongen) ("GGvA") and certain members of the Company's senior management
acquired HMEC from CIGNA.  In November 1991, HMEC completed an initial public
offering of its common stock (the "IPO").  The common stock is traded on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol "HMN."

    Following the 1991 initial public offering, GGvA owned approximately 44% of
the outstanding shares of the common stock.  Pursuant to an agreement with GGvA,
in May 1995 HMEC purchased approximately one-half of the shares of its common
stock owned by GGvA and in July 1995 completed a secondary public offering of
most of the remaining shares of its common stock owned by GGvA.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

    The following statement of operations and balance sheet data have been
derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Company.  The
consolidated financial statements of the Company for each of the periods in the
five year period ended December 31, 1999 have been audited by KPMG LLP.  The
following selected historical consolidated financial data should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of HMEC and its
subsidiaries and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Year Ended December 31,
                                                          ----------------------------------------------------
                                                            1999       1998      1997       1996       1995
                                                          ---------  --------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                              (Dollars in millions, except per share data)
<S>                                                       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>
Statement of Operations Data:
 Insurance premiums written and contract deposits.......  $  821.2   $  827.8  $  771.3   $  704.8   $  654.0
 Insurance premiums and contract charges earned.........     595.1      577.8     542.7      502.7      485.4
 Net investment income..................................     188.3      191.7     198.9      198.6      198.4
 Net investment income, after tax.......................     126.7      128.3     132.6      132.4      132.2
 Realized investment gains (losses).....................      (8.0)       9.9       5.3        2.5        8.6
 Total revenues.........................................     775.4      779.4     746.9      703.8      692.4
 Amortization of intangible assets(1)...................       0.2        6.9      10.7       11.2       11.7
 Interest expense.......................................       9.7        9.5       9.4       10.5       11.6
 Income from continuing operations before income taxes..      93.4      116.8     119.6      100.6      103.6
 Income from continuing operations(2)...................      44.5       85.3      87.1       73.8       75.2
 Discontinued operations(3).............................         -          -      (3.5)      (9.2)      (1.2)
 Net income(2)..........................................      44.5       85.3      83.6       64.6       74.0
 Operating income(4)....................................      70.7       78.9      83.6       73.1       70.9
 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(5)..................      10.6x      13.3x     13.7x      10.6x       9.9x

Per Share Data(6):
 Basic:
   Operating income(4)..................................  $   1.71   $   1.82  $   1.82   $   1.56   $   1.42
   Realized investment gains (losses), after tax........     (0.13)      0.15      0.08       0.03       0.11
   Litigation settlement, after tax.....................     (0.02)         -         -          -          -
   Provision for prior years' taxes.....................     (0.48)         -         -          -          -
   Income from continuing operations....................      1.08       1.97      1.90       1.57       1.50
   Discontinued operations(3)...........................         -          -     (0.08)     (0.19)     (0.02)
   Net income...........................................      1.08       1.97      1.82       1.38       1.48
 Diluted:
   Operating income(4)..................................  $   1.70   $   1.80  $   1.80   $   1.54   $   1.33
   Realized investment gains (losses), after tax........     (0.13)      0.15      0.07       0.03       0.10
   Litigation settlement, after tax.....................     (0.02)         -         -          -          -
   Provision for prior years' taxes.....................     (0.48)         -         -          -          -
   Income from continuing operations....................      1.07       1.95      1.87       1.55       1.41
   Discontinued operations(3)...........................         -          -     (0.07)     (0.19)     (0.02)
   Net income...........................................      1.07       1.95      1.80       1.36       1.39
 Shares of Common Stock-weighted average:
   Basic................................................      41.2       43.2      45.8       47.0       50.1
   Diluted..............................................      41.7       43.8      46.5       47.6       56.3
 Shares of Common Stock - ending outstanding............      41.0       42.1      44.3       47.3       46.8
 Cash dividends.........................................  $ 0.3825   $ 0.3325  $ 0.2825   $   0.22   $   0.18

Balance Sheet Data, at Year End:
 Total investments......................................  $2,630.2   $2,840.8  $2,769.0   $2,784.3   $2,798.5
 Total assets...........................................   4,253.8    4,395.5   4,131.9    3,861.0    3,662.3
 Total policy liabilities...............................   2,341.3    2,308.0   2,278.6    2,310.0    2,276.0
 Short-term debt........................................      49.0       50.0      42.0       34.0       75.0
 Long-term debt.........................................      99.7       99.6      99.6       99.6      100.0
 Total shareholders' equity.............................     400.1      496.6     506.0      484.4      470.2
 Book value per share(7)................................  $   9.75   $  11.80  $  11.43   $  10.25   $  10.05
</TABLE>

                                                        (continued on next page)

                                       4
<PAGE>

         SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA - (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Year Ended December 31,
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
                                                             1999       1998       1997       1996       1995
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                               (Dollars in millions, except per share data)
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Segment Information:
 Insurance premiums written and contract deposits
   Property and casualty.................................  $  495.1   $  487.8   $  458.0   $  427.1   $  405.8
   Annuity...............................................     205.7      223.3      199.2      166.9      142.9
   Life..................................................     120.4      116.7      114.1      110.8      105.3
     Total...............................................     821.2      827.8      771.3      704.8      654.0
 Operating income(4)
   Property and casualty.................................  $   39.5   $   53.2   $   61.4   $   54.0   $   56.4
   Annuity...............................................      27.3       23.1       19.3       16.3       14.8
   Life..................................................      14.6       12.4       12.9       12.1       10.4
   Corporate and other, including interest expense.......     (10.7)      (9.8)     (10.0)      (9.3)     (10.7)
     Total...............................................      70.7       78.9       83.6       73.1       70.9

Statutory Operating Data(8):
 Property and casualty:
   Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio................      76.3%      74.4%      71.7%      74.1%      73.5%
   Expense ratio.........................................      19.8%      19.3%      19.4%      19.4%      19.8%
   Combined loss and expense ratio(9)....................      96.1%      93.6%      91.1%      93.5%      93.3%
   Industry average combined loss
     and expense ratio(9)(10)............................     107.5%     105.6%     101.6%     105.8%     106.5%
   Personal lines industry segment average combined
     loss and expense ratio(9)(10).......................     106.0%     102.7%      99.8%     104.9%     103.5%
 Annuity accumulated value on deposit....................  $2,487.3   $2,475.5   $2,314.2   $2,075.5   $1,866.0
 Life insurance in force.................................  $ 12,300   $ 11,799   $ 11,188   $ 10,645   $ 10,235
 Adjusted capital and surplus of insurance subsidiaries
   (includes investment reserves)(11)....................  $  405.7   $  379.8   $  372.3   $  404.6   $  389.8
</TABLE>
___________________________
(1)  Amortization of intangible assets is comprised of amortization of goodwill
     and amortization of acquired value of insurance in force and is the result
     of purchase accounting adjustments related to the 1989 acquisition of the
     Company and the 1994 acquisition of Allegiance.
(2)  1999 includes a non-recurring charge of $20.0 million, or $0.48 per share,
     to record an additional federal income tax provision representing the
     Company's maximum exposure for disputed prior years' taxes.
(3)  In December 1996, the Company announced its strategic decision to withdraw
     from the group medical insurance business and during 1997 the Company
     accelerated the withdrawal. Group medical results net of taxes are reported
     separately as discontinued operations and 1997 and 1996 include additional
     after tax charges of $3.5 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, and $3.9
     million, or $0.08 per diluted share, respectively, for estimated losses
     during the phase-out period.
(4)  Income from continuing operations before the after tax impact of realized
     investment gains and losses, litigation settlement, provision for prior
     years' taxes, cost of the additional rights relating to the 1995 share
     repurchase and discontinued operations.
(5)  For the purpose of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
     "earnings" consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes
     and interest expense (including amortization of debt issuance cost), and
     "fixed charges" consist of interest expense (including amortization of debt
     issuance cost).
(6)  Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number
     of shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the
     weighted average number of shares and common stock equivalents outstanding.
     The Company's common stock equivalents relate to outstanding common stock
     options, Director Stock Plan units and Employee Stock Plan units, warrants
     prior to their repurchase in 1999 and, prior to their early retirement in
     February 1996, the convertible notes were considered potentially dilutive
     securities for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share.
(7)  Due to the adoption by the Company on January 1, 1994 of Financial
     Accounting Standard No. 115 ("FAS 115"), total shareholders' equity
     included a decrease, net of taxes, of $40.0 million at December 31, 1999
     and an increase, net of taxes, of $57.3 million, $62.2 million, $29.7
     million and $76.2 million at December 31, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
     respectively. Excluding the FAS 115 market value accounting for
     investments, book value per share was $10.73, $10.44, $10.03, $9.62 and
     $8.42 at December 31, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
(8)  Statutory data has been derived from the financial statements of the
     Company prepared in accordance with statutory accounting practices and
     filed with insurance regulatory authorities.
(9)  Property and casualty combined loss and expense ratio includes policyholder
     dividends.
(10) Source:  Best's Aggregates and Averages (1996 through 1999 Eds.).  The
     industry averages for the year ended December 31, 1999 are from Review
     Preview, A Special Supplement to Best's Review and BestWeek,
     Property/Casualty Edition, January 2000, published by A.M. Best.
(11) Investment reserves were the Asset Valuation Reserves.

                                       5
<PAGE>

General

    The Company markets and underwrites personal lines of property and casualty
and life insurance and retirement annuities.  The following table sets forth by
segment the amount of insurance premiums written and contract deposits for the
Company for the periods indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               Insurance Premiums Written and Contract Deposits
                             (Dollars in millions)


                                            Year Ended December 31,
                               ----------------------------------------------
                                   1999             1998            1997
                               --------------  --------------  --------------
<S>                            <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Property and casualty........  $495.1   60.3%  $487.8   58.9%  $458.0   59.4%
Annuity......................   205.7   25.0    223.3   27.0    199.2   25.8
Life.........................   120.4   14.7    116.7   14.1    114.1   14.8
                               ------  -----   ------  -----   ------  -----

 Total.......................  $821.2  100.0%  $827.8  100.0%  $771.3  100.0%
                               ======  =====   ======  =====   ======  =====
</TABLE>

Corporate Strategy and Marketing

    The Company's target market consists of educators and other employees of
public schools and their families.  Horace Mann is the only national multiline
insurance company focused on the niche educator market.  It is estimated that
there are approximately 3 million elementary and secondary public school
teachers and administrators in the United States.  The Company also sells its
products to other education-related customers, including private school
teachers, education support personnel, and their families, and customer
referrals.

    The U.S. Department of Education estimates that the number of public school
teachers is growing 1% annually.  Recent federal programs which reduce class
size and add additional teachers may increase this growth rate.  Annual turnover
of 8% in the educator market, combined with the 1% growth rate cited above,
results in a 9% annual increase in the Company's niche market.  In addition to
increases in the number of teachers that result from growth in the general
population and in the number of school age children, turnover among the teacher
population increases the size of the Company's target market.  New teachers and
educational support personnel are solicited by the Company's agents and the
Company attempts to retain customers who have retired or left the teaching
profession.  The Company's 1.1 million customers typically have moderate annual
incomes, with many belonging to two-income households.  Their financial planning
tends to focus on security, savings and primary insurance needs.

 Exclusive Agency Force

    A cornerstone of the Company's marketing strategy is its exclusive sales
force of full-time agents who are employees of the Company trained to sell
multiline products.  As of December 31, 1999, the Company employed 1,105 full-
time agents, including 708 agents having more than two years of experience with
the Company.  Many of the Company's agents were previously teachers or other
members of the education profession who both understand their customers' needs
and maintain relationships with current and former educators.  The Company's
agents market and write the full range of the Company's products with all agents
licensed in both property and casualty and life products and approximately 80%
of experienced agents licensed by the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") to sell variable annuities.  They are under contract to
market and write only those products authorized by the Company.  The agency
force is managed through 63 agency offices in 47 states.

                                       6
<PAGE>

    The Company's service commitment to its policyholders begins with personal
contact at the point of sale between the Company's agents and potential
policyholders.  In addition, the Company's agents often have direct access to
school premises, placing them in an advantageous position to write and service
individual insurance business for educators.  In surveys, the Company's
customers have stated that important reasons for choosing and staying with
Horace Mann are the personal service and broad array of products the Company's
agents deliver and education association sponsorships.  Management believes that
Horace Mann's name recognition and policyholder loyalties lead to new customers
and cross selling of additional insurance products.  At December 31, 1999, 32%
of the Company's 1.1 million customers had more than one Horace Mann product.

    The Company's agents pre-underwrite policy applicants.  The Company
structures its agent training and its agent compensation to provide incentives
for agents to adhere to the Company's underwriting standards and practices and
business growth plans.  Agents' compensation increases by writing more
profitable business, not just additional business.  Agents' compensation after
an initial two-year period is comprised entirely of commissions and incentive
bonuses based on profitability of insurance written, retention of customers and
sales.  In 1999, incentive bonuses represented 24% of compensation for agents
having more than two years of experience with more than 90% of the bonuses based
on profitability.  The profitability related portion of agent compensation is
based on individual and agency loss ratios in the case of property and casualty
policies, where permitted by law, and persistency in the case of life policies.
Management believes that this compensation structure, which rewards the
individual agent's selection of profitable business, helps to produce profitable
business.

    Alternate Distribution Program

    The Company has established an alternate distribution marketing program to
develop new sales channels that supplement and complement the exclusive agency
force.  As of December 31, 1999, the Company had established relationships with
over 100 educator credit unions serving nearly 700,000 members in 35 states.  At
some of those credit unions, a salaried representative of the Company is
available to meet with prospective customers, while other of those credit unions
refer their members to the Company and its agents for their insurance needs.

    Geographic Composition of Business

    The Company's business is geographically diversified.  Based on direct
insurance premiums earned and contract deposits for all product lines for the
year ended December 31, 1999, the top five states and their portion of total
premium were North Carolina, 7.9%; Texas, 6.4%; Illinois, 5.2%; Massachusetts,
5.2%; and Minnesota, 4.9%.

                                       7
<PAGE>

    HMEC's property and casualty subsidiaries write business in 48 states and
the District of Columbia. The following table sets forth the Company's top ten
property and casualty states based on total direct premiums in 1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 Property and Casualty Segment Top Ten States
                             (Dollars in millions)

                                                           Property and Casualty
                                                                  Segment
                                                        --------------------------
                                                           Direct         Percent
State                                                   Premiums(1)       of Total
- -----                                                   -----------       --------
<S>                                                     <C>              <C>
North Carolina....................................         $ 36.3             7.4%
Texas.............................................           34.8             7.1
Massachusetts.....................................           34.3             7.0
California........................................           33.3             6.7
Minnesota.........................................           30.8             6.2
Florida...........................................           28.1             5.7
Pennsylvania......................................           23.2             4.7
Michigan..........................................           21.3             4.3
South Carolina....................................           20.8             4.2
Georgia...........................................           16.4             3.3
                                                           ------           -----
 Total of top ten states..........................          279.3            56.6
All other areas...................................          214.5            43.4
                                                           ------           -----
 Total direct premiums............................         $493.8           100.0%
                                                           ======           =====
</TABLE>

____________________
(1)  Defined as earned premiums before reinsurance and is determined under
     statutory accounting practices.

   HMEC's principal life insurance subsidiary writes business in 48 states and
the District of Columbia.  The following table sets forth the Company's top ten
combined life and annuity states based on total direct premiums and contract
deposits in 1999:

               Combined Life and Annuity Segments Top Ten States
                             (Dollars in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Direct Premiums and     Percent
State                                              Contract Deposits(1)    of Total
- -----                                              --------------------    --------
<S>                                                <C>                     <C>
North Carolina....................................         $ 29.0             8.8%
Illinois..........................................           28.8             8.8
Virginia..........................................           19.7             6.0
Tennessee.........................................           18.3             5.6
Texas.............................................           17.6             5.3
Indiana...........................................           15.7             4.8
Pennsylvania......................................           10.9             3.3
Maine.............................................           10.5             3.2
Wisconsin.........................................           10.4             3.2
Louisiana.........................................           10.0             3.0
                                                           ------           -----
 Total of top ten states..........................          170.9            52.0
All other areas...................................          157.9            48.0
                                                           ------           -----
 Total direct premiums............................         $328.8           100.0%
                                                           ======           =====
</TABLE>

__________________
(1) Determined under statutory accounting practices.

                                       8
<PAGE>

    National, State and Local Education Associations

    The Company estimates that less than half of its policyholders are members
of the National Education Association ("NEA"), the nation's largest
confederation of state and local teachers' associations. NEA has approximately
2.4 million members.

    The Company has had a long relationship with NEA and many of the state and
local education associations affiliated with NEA.  The Company maintains a
special advisory board, primarily composed of leaders of state education
associations, that meets with Company management on a regular basis.  These
meetings provide management with the opportunity to better assess the present
and future needs of its target market and to cultivate better relations with
education association leaders.  In certain states, where approved by the
applicable state insurance departments, state or local association members are
entitled to a discount on premiums for certain property and casualty insurance
products sold by the Company and additional product features and coverages.

    From 1984 to September 1993 and beginning again in September 1996, on a
national level NEA purchased from the Company educator excess professional
liability insurance for all of its members.  NEA has committed to purchase this
insurance from the Company through August 2002.  Premium from this product
represents less than 1% of all insurance premiums written and contract deposits
of the Company.  Between September 1993 and September 1996, the Company did not
write this policy.

    It is the practice of NEA and affiliated state and local education
associations to "sponsor" various insurance products and services, including
those of the Company and its competitors.  "Sponsorship" is generally determined
independently by each of these organizations.  Being "sponsored" generally means
that NEA and such state and local associations evaluate a product, authorize the
use of their names in connection with the marketing of the product and, in some
instances, recommend that their membership consider buying the product.  From
time to time during the past 30 years, NEA has sponsored various Company
products and currently sponsors the Company's homeowners policy, which was co-
sponsored by 39 NEA-affiliated state associations as of December 31, 1999.
Since 1988, the Company's homeowners policy was the only product of the Company
that was sponsored by NEA (exclusive of the educator excess professional
liability insurance policy purchased by NEA as described above).  NEA-affiliated
education associations in 40 states sponsor products of the Company other than
homeowners.  NEA-affiliated education associations in 45 states sponsor one or
more of the Company's products.  In many cases, associations that sponsor one of
the Company's products also sponsor competing products.  The Company does not
pay NEA or any affiliated associations any consideration in exchange for
sponsorship of Company products.  The Company does pay for advertising that
appears in NEA and state education association publications.

    Some of the advantages of education association sponsorship include prestige
and enhanced brand awareness, increased opportunity for the Company's agents to
market products on school premises, and improved agent recruiting, especially
among former teachers.  The Company's customers decide whether to purchase the
Company's products for a number of reasons, including pricing and service of the
product and the customer's relationship with the selling agent.  Education
association sponsorship may be one factor in such a decision.

                                       9
<PAGE>

    In addition to its longstanding relationships with NEA and affiliated state
and local education associations, the Company has established its brand name
through its annual scholarship program for dependents of public school
employees, its annual educator surveys, sponsorship of the National Teacher Hall
of Fame, sponsorship of the educator and student resource website
www.reacheverychild.com and availability of educator information on the
Company's website www.horacemann.com as well as local agent contacts with school
districts.  The Company tailors its products to the educator market, including
certain educator specific features and hybrid products, which distinguishes the
Company's products from competitors.

Property and Casualty

    The property and casualty segment represented 60% of the Company's total
insurance premiums and contract deposits and 56% of the Company's operating
income in 1999.

    The primary property and casualty product offered by the Company is private
passenger automobile insurance, which in 1999 represented 46% of the Company's
total insurance premiums written and contract deposits and 76% of property and
casualty net written premiums.  As of December 31, 1999, the Company had
approximately 592,000 voluntary automobile policies in force with annual
premiums of approximately $408 million.  The Company's automobile business is
primarily preferred risk, defined as a household whose drivers have no accidents
and no more than one violation.  The Company has instituted a program in a
limited number of states to provide non-preferred risk coverage to the educator
market, with a third-party vendor underwriting such insurance and the Company
receiving a commission on its sale.

    In 1999, homeowners insurance represented 14% of the Company's total
insurance premiums written and contract deposits and 23% of property and
casualty premiums.  The Company writes primarily residential homes.  As of
December 31, 1999, the Company had approximately 280,000 homeowners policies in
force with annual premiums of approximately $113 million.

    The educator excess professional liability insurance represented the
remaining 1% of the Company's 1999 property and casualty premiums.  See
"Business - Corporate Strategy and Marketing - National, State and Local
Education Associations."

    The results of companies in the insurance industry have historically been
subject to significant fluctuations due to competition, economic conditions,
interest rates and other factors.  In particular, the property and casualty
insurance industry has historically experienced pricing and profitability
cycles.  With respect to these cycles, the factors most affecting current and
prospective results of operations are intense price competition and aggressive
marketing by property and casualty insurers, which have historically resulted in
higher combined loss and expense ratios.  Periods characterized by higher
combined loss and expense ratios have typically been followed by withdrawal of
capacity in the property and casualty industry and a firming of prices,
resulting in lower combined loss and expense ratios.  Because of the nature of
the property and casualty cycle, it is difficult to predict future trends in the
industry's overall combined loss and expense ratio.  Management of the Company
believes that these factors will continue to produce pricing and profitability
cycles for the industry in the future.  Generally, the personal lines segment of
the property and casualty insurance market has been less subject to the pricing
and profitability cycles that have affected the commercial lines segment and the
overall industry.  Because virtually all the Company's property and casualty
business is personal lines business, management believes the Company's
operations are less subject to pricing and profitability cycles than the
operations of many other insurers.

                                       10
<PAGE>

    Results of property insurers are also subject to weather and other
conditions prevailing in an accident year. While one year may be relatively free
of major weather or other disasters, another year may have numerous such events
causing results for such a year to be materially worse than for other years.

    Selected Historical Financial Information For Property and Casualty Segment

    The following table sets forth certain financial information with respect to
the property and casualty segment for the periods indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Property and Casualty Segment
                   Selected Historical Financial Information
                             (Dollars in millions)


                                                     Year Ended December 31,
                                                     ------------------------
                                                      1999     1998     1997
                                                     ------   ------   ------
<S>                                                  <C>      <C>      <C>
Statement of Operations Data:
 Insurance premiums written........................  $495.1   $487.8   $458.0
 Insurance premiums earned.........................   491.1    476.4    447.2
 Net investment income.............................    37.0     38.9     41.7
 Operating income before income taxes..............    54.6     66.5     78.7
 Operating income..................................    39.5     53.2     61.4
 Net investment income, after tax..................    28.3     29.0     30.4
 Catastrophe costs, after tax......................    12.7     18.5      4.0

Statutory Operating Statistics:
 Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio............    76.3%    74.4%    71.7%
 Expense ratio.....................................    19.8%    19.3%    19.4%
 Combined loss and expense ratio
  (including policyholder dividends)...............    96.1%    93.6%    91.1%
 Combined loss and expense ratio before
  catastrophes (including policyholder dividends)..    92.2%    87.7%    89.7%

GAAP Operating Statistics:
 Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio............    76.3%    74.4%    71.7%
 Expense ratio.....................................    19.7%    19.3%    19.6%
 Combined loss and expense ratio
  (including policyholder dividends)...............    96.0%    93.7%    91.3%
 Combined loss and expense ratio before
  catastrophes (including policyholder dividends)..    92.1%    87.8%    89.9%

Automobile and Homeowners (Voluntary):
 Insurance premiums written........................  $470.7   $459.0   $431.0
 Insurance premiums earned.........................   465.0    449.9    421.5
 Policies in force (in thousands)..................     872      859      837
</TABLE>

    Property and Casualty Ratios

    In each of the last 10 years, the Company's combined loss and expense ratio
for its property and casualty product lines outperformed the total property and
casualty industry combined loss and expense ratio, as reported by A.M. Best.
During this period, the Company's combined loss and expense ratio was better
than the total property and casualty insurance industry combined loss and
expense ratio by an average of approximately 12 percentage points per year.
During the same period of time, the Company's combined loss and expense ratio
was better than the personal lines insurance industry segment combined loss and
expense ratio by an average of approximately 10 percentage points per year.

                                       11
<PAGE>

    The table below compares the Company's combined loss and expense ratios with
published industry averages.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           Property and Casualty Combined Loss and Expense Ratio(1)


                                                                    Property and
                                      The        Personal Lines       Casualty
                                  Company(2)   Industry Segment(3)  Industry(3)
                                  ---------    -------------------  ------------
   <S>                          <C>            <C>                  <C>
   Year Ended December 31,
     1999.........................   96.1%             106.0%       107.5%
     1998.........................   93.6              102.7        105.6
     1997.........................   91.1               99.8        101.6
     1996.........................   93.5              104.9        105.8
     1995.........................   93.3              103.5        106.5
     1994.........................   93.7              104.5        108.5
     1993.........................   93.3              103.9        106.9
     1992.........................   97.1              112.5        115.8
     1991.........................   98.4              107.1        108.8
     1990.........................  101.8              109.8        109.6
</TABLE>

__________________
(1) Combined loss and expense ratio includes policyholder dividends and is
    determined according to statutory accounting practices.
(2) The Company did not have any California property and casualty business
    during each of the years from 1990 through 1993.
(3) Source: Best's Aggregates and Averages (1991 through 1999 Eds.).  1999 is an
    estimate from Review Preview, A Special Supplement to Best's Review and
    BestWeek, Property/Casualty Edition, January 2000, published by A.M. Best.

    Catastrophe costs before federal income tax benefits for the Company and the
property and casualty industry for the ten years ended December 31, 1999 were as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Catastrophe Costs
                             (Dollars in millions)


                                                             Property and
                                                     The       Casualty
                                                  Company(1)  Industry(2)
                                                  ----------  -----------
   <S>                                            <C>         <C>
   Year Ended December 31,
    1999......................................      $19.6     $ 8,200.0
    1998......................................       28.4       9,175.0
    1997......................................        6.2       2,560.0
    1996......................................       20.9       7,375.0
    1995......................................       13.9       7,425.0
    1994......................................       16.2      17,030.0
    1993......................................        8.3       5,705.0
    1992......................................       13.3      22,870.0
    1991......................................        9.9       4,698.0
    1990......................................        7.0       2,560.0
</TABLE>

__________________________
(1) Net of reinsurance and before federal income tax benefits.  Includes
    allocated loss adjustment expenses and reinsurance reinstatement premiums.
    The Company's individually significant catastrophe losses net of reinsurance
    were as follows:

       1999 -  $5.4 million, Hurricane Floyd; $3.1 million, May tornadoes
               primarily in Oklahoma.
       1998 -  $7.9 million, May Minnesota hailstorm; $2.9 million, May Upper
               Midwest hailstorm; $2.0 million, June Midwest wind/hail; $1.6
               million, Hurricane Georges.
       1997 -  $1.4 million, July wind/hail/tornadoes; $1.1 million, Denver,
               Colorado hailstorm.
       1996 -  $8.2 million, Hurricane Fran.
       1995 -  $2.9 million, Texas wind/hail/tornadoes; $2.2 million Hurricane
               Opal.
       1994 -  $6.0 million, Northridge, California earthquake.
       1993 -  $2.2 million, East Coast blizzard.
       1992 -  $1.9 million, Hurricane Andrew.
       1991 -  $1.0 million, Hurricane Bob.
       1990 -  $2.8 million, Denver, Colorado hailstorm.

(2) Source:  1999 from Insurance Services Office, Inc. news release dated
    January 18, 2000. 1990 through 1998 from Insurance Trends, Property -
    Casualty Edition, First Quarter 1999, published by Conning & Company.  These
    amounts are before reinsurance and federal income tax benefits and exclude
    all loss adjustment expenses.

    During the last 10 years, the Company's property and casualty expense ratio
has been better than the property and casualty industry personal lines average
expense ratio as reported by A.M. Best by an average of 4.8 percentage points
per year. The Company's property and casualty expense ratio for the year ended
December 31, 1999 was 19.8%.

                                       12
<PAGE>

    The table below compares the Company's expense ratios with published
industry averages.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    Property and Casualty Expense Ratio(1)

                                                                   Property and
                                      The        Personal Lines      Casualty
                                  Company(2)   Industry Segment(3)  Industry(3)
                                  ---------    -------------------  -----------
   <S>                          <C>            <C>                  <C>
   Year Ended December 31,
     1999.........................   19.8%              26.2%          28.1%
     1998.........................   19.3               25.0           27.7
     1997.........................   19.4               24.3           27.1
     1996.........................   19.4               23.4           26.4
     1995.........................   19.8               23.7           26.3
     1994.........................   19.8               23.5           26.0
     1993.........................   19.6               23.9           26.2
     1992.........................   19.6               24.4           26.6
     1991.........................   19.8               24.7           26.4
     1990.........................   19.1               24.3           26.0
</TABLE>

______________________
(1) Determined according to statutory accounting practices.
(2) The Company did not have any California property and casualty business
    during each of the years from 1990 through 1993.
(3) Source:  Best's Aggregates and Averages (1991 through 1999 Eds.).  The 1999
    personal lines result is an estimate from A.M. Best.  The 1999 total
    industry result is an estimate from Review Preview, A Special Supplement to
    Best's Review and BestWeek, Property/Casualty Edition, January 2000,
    published by A.M. Best.

    Property and Casualty Reserves

    In each of the last ten years the Company's property and casualty reserves
have developed cumulative redundancies.  Reserves for claims and claims expenses
are carried at the full value of estimated liabilities and are not discounted
for interest expected to be earned on reserves.  Due to the nature of the
Company's personal lines business, the Company has no exposure to claims for
toxic waste cleanup, other environmental remediation or asbestos-related
illnesses.

    The Company establishes property and casualty claim reserves to cover its
estimated ultimate liability for claims and claims adjustment expense with
respect to reported claims and claims incurred but not yet reported as of the
end of each accounting period.  In accordance with applicable insurance laws and
regulations and generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), no reserves
are established until a loss occurs, including a loss from a catastrophe.
Underwriting results of the property and casualty operations are significantly
influenced by estimates of property and casualty claims and claims expense
reserves.  These reserves are an accumulation of the estimated amounts necessary
to settle all outstanding claims, including claims which are incurred but not
reported, as of the date of the financial statements.

    The reserve estimates are based on known facts and on interpretations of
circumstances, including the Company's experience with similar cases and
historical trends involving claim payment patterns, claim payments, pending
levels of unpaid claims and product mix, as well as other factors including
court decisions, economic conditions and public attitudes.  The effects of
inflation are implicitly considered in the reserving process.  The establishment
of reserves, including reserves for catastrophes, is an inherently uncertain
process and the ultimate cost of losses may vary materially from the recorded
reserve amounts.  The Company regularly updates its reserve estimates as new
facts become known and further events occur which may impact the resolution of
unsettled claims.  Changes in prior year reserve estimates, which may be
material, are reflected in the results of operations in the period such changes
are determined to be appropriate.

                                       13
<PAGE>

    Due to the inherent uncertainty in estimating reserves for claims and claims
expenses, there can be no assurance that ultimate liabilities will not exceed
amounts reserved, with a resulting adverse effect on the Company.  Management
believes that the Company's overall reserve levels at December 31, 1999 are
adequate to meet its future obligations.

    The following table is a summary reconciliation of the beginning and ending
property and casualty insurance claims and claims expense reserves, displayed
individually for each of the last three years.  The table presents reserves on a
net (after reinsurance) basis.  The total net property and casualty insurance
claims and claims expense amounts are reflected in the Consolidated Statements
of Operations listed on page F-1 of this report.  The end of the year gross
reserve (before reinsurance) balances are reflected in the Consolidated Balance
Sheets also listed on page F-1 of this report.

  Reconciliation of Property and Casualty Claims and Claims Expenses Reserves
                             (Dollars In millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Year Ended December 31,
                                                                          -------------------------------------
                                                                           1999            1998           1997
                                                                          ------          ------         ------
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>            <C>
Gross reserves, beginning of year......................................   $298.9          $310.6         $340.4
 Less reinsurance recoverables.........................................     55.9            41.3           34.1
                                                                          ------          ------         ------
Net reserves, beginning of year........................................    243.0           269.3          306.3
                                                                          ------          ------         ------
Incurred claims and claims expense:
 Claims occurring in the current year..................................    379.5           379.6          365.9
 Increase (decrease) in estimated reserves for claims
  occurring in prior years(1):
   Policies written by the Company.....................................     (7.6)          (23.3)         (40.0)
   Business assumed from state reinsurance facilities..................      3.0            (1.6)          (5.1)
                                                                          ------          ------         ------
    Total decrease.....................................................     (4.6)          (24.9)         (45.1)
                                                                          ------          ------         ------
   Total claims and claims expense incurred............................    374.9           354.7          320.8
                                                                          ------          ------         ------
Claims and claims expense payments for claims occurring during:
 Current year..........................................................    240.0           239.0          209.2
 Prior years...........................................................    142.5           142.0          148.6
                                                                          ------          ------         ------
   Total claims and claims expense payments............................    382.5           381.0          357.8
                                                                          ------          ------         ------
Net reserves, end of period............................................    235.4           243.0          269.3
 Plus reinsurance recoverables.........................................     64.4            55.9           41.3
                                                                          ------          ------         ------
Gross reserves, end of period(2).......................................   $299.8          $298.9         $310.6
                                                                          ======          ======         ======
</TABLE>

____________________
(1) Shows the amounts by which the Company decreased or increased its reserves
    in each of the periods indicated for claims occurring in previous periods to
    reflect subsequent information on such claims and changes in their projected
    final settlement costs.  Favorable reserve development generally occurs as a
    result of subsequent adjustment of reserves to reflect additional
    information.
(2) Unpaid claims and claims expense as reported in the consolidated balance
    sheets also include life, annuity, and group accident and health reserves of
    $9.8 million, $8.5 million and $11.7 million at December 31, 1999, 1998 and
    1997, respectively, in addition to property and casualty reserves.

    The provision for claims and claims expenses for insured events in prior
years decreased by $4.6 million, $24.9 million and $45.1 million for the years
ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.  This favorable claim
development resulted primarily from improving trends in the frequency and
severity of voluntary automobile claims.  Future reserve releases, if any, will
depend on the continuation of favorable claim trends.

    The year-end 1999 gross reserves of $299.8 million for property and casualty
insurance claims and claims expense, as determined under GAAP, were $64.4
million more than the reserve balance of $235.4 million recorded on the basis of
statutory accounting practices for reports provided to state regulatory
authorities.  The difference is the reinsurance recoverable from third parties
totaling $64.4 million that reduces reserves for statutory reporting and is
recorded as an asset for GAAP reporting.

                                       14
<PAGE>

   Fluctuations from year to year in the level of catastrophe losses impact a
property and casualty insurance company's loss and loss adjustment expenses
incurred and paid.  For comparison purposes, the following table provides
amounts for the Company excluding catastrophe losses:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        Impact of Catastrophe Losses(1)
                             (Dollars in millions)

                                              Year Ended December 31,
                                          -----------------------------
                                           1999        1998       1997
                                          -------     ------     ------
   <S>                                    <C>         <C>        <C>
   Claims and claims expense incurred...   $374.9     $354.7     $320.8
   Amount attributable to catastrophes..     19.4       28.0        6.2
                                           ------     ------     ------
     Excluding catastrophes.............   $355.5     $326.7     $314.6
                                           ======     ======     ======

   Claims and claims expense payments...   $382.5     $381.0     $357.8
   Amount attributable to catastrophes..     17.4       25.2        5.7
                                           ------     ------     ------
     Excluding catastrophes.............   $365.1     $355.8     $352.1
                                           ======     ======     ======
</TABLE>

___________________________
(1)  Net of reinsurance and before federal income tax benefits.  Includes
     allocated loss adjustment expenses.

    Analysis of Claims and Claims Expense Reserves

    The claim reserve development table below illustrates the change over time
of the net reserves established for property and casualty insurance claims and
claims expense at the end of various calendar years. The first section shows the
reserves as originally reported at the end of the stated year. The second
section, reading down, shows the cumulative amounts paid as of the end of
successive years with respect to that reserve liability. The third section,
reading down, shows retroactive reestimates of the original recorded reserve as
of the end of each successive year which is the result of the Company's learning
additional facts that pertain to the unsettled claims. The last section compares
the latest reestimated reserve to the reserve originally established, and
indicates whether or not the original reserve was adequate or inadequate to
cover the estimated costs of unsettled claims. The table also presents the gross
reestimated liability as of the end of the latest reestimation period, with
separate disclosure of the related reestimated reinsurance recoverable. The
claim reserve development table is cumulative and, therefore, ending balances
should not be added since the amount at the end of each calendar year includes
activity for both the current and prior years.

                                       15
<PAGE>

    In evaluating the information in the table below, it should be noted that
each amount includes the effects of all changes in amounts of prior periods.
For example, if a claim determined in 1998 to be $150 thousand was first
reserved in 1989 at $100 thousand, the $50 thousand deficiency (actual claim
minus original estimate) would be included in the cumulative deficiency in each
of the years 1989 - 1997 shown below.  This table presents development data by
calendar year and does not relate the data to the year in which the accident
actually occurred.  Conditions and trends that have affected the development of
these reserves in the past will not necessarily recur in the future.  It may not
be appropriate to use this cumulative history in the projection of future
performance.


                             Property and Casualty
                 Claims and Claims Expense Reserve Development
                             (Dollars in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          December 31,
                             -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               1989      1990      1991     1992     1993     1994     1995      1996      1997       1998     1999
                              ------    ------    ------   ------   ------   ------   ------    ------    ------   --------   ------
<S>                           <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>
Gross reserves for
 property and casualty
 claims and claims
 expenses,
 beginning of year.........   $320.9    $319.4    $331.5   $358.2   $373.5   $389.1   $369.7    $340.4    $310.6     $298.9   $299.8
Deduct:  Reinsurance
 recoverables..............     46.9      20.9      14.8     17.7     21.6     19.5     23.8      34.1      41.3       55.9     64.4
                              ------    ------    ------   ------   ------   ------   ------    ------    ------   --------   ------
Net reserves for property
 and casualty
 claims and claims
 expenses,
 beginning of year.........    274.0     298.5     316.7    340.5    351.9    369.6    345.9     306.3     269.3      243.0    235.4
Increase in reserves due
 to purchase of
 Allegiance Insurance
 Company:
  Gross reserves for
   property
   and casualty claims and
   claims expenses.........        -         -         -        -     30.6        -        -         -         -          -        -
  Deduct:  Reinsurance
   recoverables............        -         -         -        -      0.6        -        -         -         -          -        -
                              ------    ------    ------   ------   ------   ------   ------    ------    ------   --------   ------
  Net reserves for
   property and
   casualty claims and
   claims
   expenses................        -         -         -        -     30.0        -        -         -         -          -        -
Paid cumulative as of:
 One year later............    115.0     111.3     116.1    117.6    133.4    140.8    139.3     148.6     142.0      142.5
 Two years later...........    163.9     167.4     170.0    169.6    190.5    194.5    195.3     202.1     191.4
 Three years later.........    192.6     197.1     197.2    197.8    218.4    224.2    223.0     225.1
 Four years later..........    208.2     212.9     212.1    213.6    234.1    237.9    233.8
 Five years later..........    216.4     220.7     220.5    222.6    241.0    243.1
 Six years later...........    219.3     225.3     224.8    226.0    243.7
 Seven years later.........    221.7     228.2     227.1    227.5
 Eight years later.........    223.2     229.5     227.9
 Nine years later..........    224.1     229.9
 Ten years later...........    224.3
Reserves reestimated as of:
 End of year...............    274.0     298.5     316.7    340.5    381.9    369.6    345.9     306.3     269.3      243.0    235.4
 One year later............    265.9     279.9     297.3    306.1    327.6    314.0    283.4     261.2     244.4      238.4
 Two years later...........    254.5     266.7     272.1    267.7    281.9    269.2    249.6     250.2     239.3
 Three years later.........    239.4     246.7     246.8    246.4    258.1    251.4    245.8     247.8
 Four years later..........    233.2     236.5     235.2    233.3    249.3    248.9    243.8
 Five years later..........    227.8     232.4     229.8    229.7    247.4    247.0
 Six years later...........    225.4     230.8     230.1    230.0    246.6
 Seven years later.........    224.9     231.1     230.1    229.8
 Eight years later.........    225.2     231.7     230.0
 Nine years later..........    225.7     231.8
 Ten years later...........    225.9
Reserve redundancy -
 Initial net reserves in
 excess of reestimated
 reserves:
  Amount...................   $ 48.1    $ 66.7    $ 86.7   $110.7   $135.3   $122.6   $102.1    $ 58.5    $ 30.0     $  4.6
  Percent..................     17.6%     22.3%     27.4%    32.5%    35.4%    33.2%    29.5%     19.1%     11.1%       1.9%

Gross reestimated
 liability - latest........                                                                     $285.3    $281.9     $292.8
Reestimated reinsurance
 recoverables -
 latest....................                                                                       37.5      42.6       54.4
                                                                                                ------    ------     ------
Net reestimated liability -
   latest..................                                                                      247.8     239.3      238.4
Gross cumulative excess....                                                                     $ 55.1    $ 28.7     $  6.1
                                                                                               =======    ======   ========
</TABLE>

    As the table above illustrates, the Company's net reserve for property and
casualty insurance claims and claims expense at the end of 1998 developed
favorably in 1999 by $4.6 million, comparable to favorable development of the
gross reserves of $6.1 million.

                                       16
<PAGE>

    Property and Casualty Reinsurance

    All reinsurance is obtained through contracts which generally are renewed
each calendar year; however, the catastrophe, liability and property reinsurance
program effective January 1, 1999, excluding reinsurance for the educator excess
professional liability policy, is a three year contract with rate guarantees.
Although reinsurance does not legally discharge the Company from primary
liability for the full amount of its policies, it does make the assuming
reinsurer liable to the extent of the reinsurance ceded.  Historically, the
Company's losses from uncollectible reinsurance recoverables have been
insignificant due to the Company's emphasis on the credit worthiness of its
reinsurers.  Past due reinsurance recoverables as of December 31, 1999 were also
insignificant.

    The Company is a national underwriter and therefore has exposure to
catastrophic losses in certain coastal states and other regions throughout the
United States.  Catastrophes can be caused by various events including
hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, hail, severe winter weather and fires, and
the frequency and severity of catastrophes are inherently unpredictable.  The
financial impact from catastrophic losses results from both the total amount of
insured exposure in the area affected by the catastrophe as well as the severity
of the event.  The Company seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophe losses
through the geographic diversification of its insurance coverage, deductibles,
maximum coverage limits, the purchase of catastrophe reinsurance, and the
purchase of a catastrophe-linked equity put option and reinsurance agreement.

    The Company maintains an excess and catastrophe treaty reinsurance program.
The Company reinsures 95% of catastrophe losses above a retention of $7.5
million per occurrence up to $80 million per occurrence in 1999 and 2000.  In
addition, the Company reinsures 75% of catastrophe losses in Florida above a
retention of $6.1 million.  These programs are augmented by a $100 million
equity put and reinsurance agreement.  This equity put provides an option to
sell shares of the Company's convertible preferred stock with a floating rate
dividend at a pre-negotiated price in the event losses from property
catastrophes exceed the catastrophe reinsurance program coverage limit.  Before
tax benefits, the equity put provides a source of capital for up to $154 million
of catastrophe losses above the reinsurance coverage limit.  For liability
coverages, in both 1999 and 2000, including the educator excess professional
liability policy, the Company reinsures each loss above a retention of $500,000
up to $20 million.  The Company also reinsures each property loss, including
catastrophe losses that in the aggregate are less than the retention levels
above, above a retention of $500,000 up to $2.5 million in 1999 and 2000.

                                       17
<PAGE>

    The following table identifies the Company's most significant reinsurers
under the traditional catastrophe reinsurance program, their percentage
participation in the Company's aggregate reinsured coverage and their rating by
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P" or "Standard & Poor's") and A.M. Best.  No
other single reinsurer's percentage participation in 2000 or 1999 exceeds 5%.

         Property Catastrophe Reinsurance Participants In Excess of 5%

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   Participation
     S&P          A.M. Best                                                                        -------------
    Rating         Rating          Reinsurer                      Parent                            2000   1999
  ---------        ------          ---------                      -------                           ----   ----
  <S>              <C>     <C>                             <C>                                     <C>
     AA            A+      AXA Reinsurance Company         AXA Group                                  11%    11%
     AA            A+      St. Paul Fire and Marine
                               Insurance Company           The St. Paul Companies, Inc.               11%    11%
     AA            A++     Erie Insurance Exchange                                                     9%     9%
     AAA           A++     American Re-insurance Company   Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-
                                                              Gesellschaft AG (Munich Re)
                                                              of Germany                               6%     6%
     AA            A+      NAC Reinsurance                 NAC Re Corporation                          6%     6%
                               Corporation
     A             A       Continental Casualty            Loews Corporation                           6%     6%
                               Company*
     A+            A       Lloyd's of London                                                           5%     5%
                               Syndicates**
     AA+           A+      Hannover Ruckversicherungs AG   HDI Haftpflicht-verband
                                                              der Deutschen Industrie VaG              5%     5%
</TABLE>

_________________________________
*  Includes 1 percentage point from CNA Reinsurance Company Ltd. of London,
   England.
** For 2000 and 1999, the 5% participation by Lloyd's of London in the
   Company's catastrophe reinsurance program is disbursed among 4 syndicates.

   For 2000, all of the Company's property catastrophe reinsurers were rated "A-
(Excellent)" or above by A.M. Best or "A" or above by S&P.

Annuities

    Educators in the Company's target market, as public school employees,
benefit from the provisions of Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. This
section of the Code allows public school employees to reduce their pretax income
by making periodic contributions to an individual qualified retirement plan. The
Company has offered tax-qualified annuities to its marketplace, designed to
allow contractholders to benefit from these tax provisions, since 1961, the year
Congress created this option for educators. The Company is the 14th largest
provider of 403(b) tax-qualified variable annuities and one of the 20 largest
participants in the fixed and variable 403(b) tax-qualified annuity market
according to a 1999 A.M. Best report. Approximately 70% of the Company's new
annuity contract deposits in 1999 were for 403(b) tax-qualified annuities;
approximately 80% of accumulated annuity value on deposit is 403(b) tax-
qualified. In 1999, annuities represented 25% of the Company's total insurance
premiums written and contract deposits and 38% of the Company's operating
income.

    The Company sells fixed and variable tax-qualified annuities primarily under
its combination contract which allows the contractholder to allocate funds to
both fixed and variable alternatives.  The features of the Company's combination
fixed/variable annuity contract contribute to business retention.
Contractholders can change at any time their allocation of deposits between a
guaranteed interest rate fixed account and seven mutual fund investment options.

                                       18
<PAGE>

    Under the fixed account option, both the principal and a rate of return are
guaranteed.  The seven mutual fund options are:  a common stock fund, a bond
fund, a combination bond and stock fund, and a short-term fund; and beginning in
1997 -- a small cap growth fund, an international equity fund, and a socially
responsible fund.  The common stock fund and the combination bond and stock fund
together represent 86% of the Company's variable annuity accumulations at
December 31, 1999.  Total accumulated fixed and variable annuity cash value on
deposit at December 31, 1999 was $2,487.3 million.

    For the year ended December 31, 1999, 91% of the accumulated cash value of
the Company's annuity business remained on deposit, compared to average
retention of 90% for stock life insurance companies for 1998, as reported by
A.M. Best.  All annuities issued since 1982 and approximately 75% of all
outstanding fixed annuity accumulated cash values are subject in most cases to
substantial early withdrawal penalties, typically ranging from 5% to 13% of the
amount withdrawn, compared to an average of 45% of accumulated values subject to
withdrawal penalties for stock life insurance companies for 1998, as reported by
A.M. Best.  For the Company, withdrawals of outstanding variable annuities are
limited to amounts less than or equal to the then current market value of such
annuities.  Generally, a penalty is imposed under the Internal Revenue Code on
amounts withdrawn from tax-qualified annuities prior to age 59 1/2.  Total
accumulated annuity funds on deposit at December 31, 1999 consisted of 45%
variable annuities and 55% fixed annuities.  The growth of the annuity segment
in the last five years has come from the variable annuity product.

                                       19
<PAGE>

Selected Historical Financial Information For Annuity Segment

    The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
Company's annuity products for the periods indicated.

                                Annuity Segment
                   Selected Historical Financial Information
               (Dollars in millions, unless otherwise indicated)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Year Ended December 31,
                                                               ----------------------------------
                                                                  1999        1998        1997
                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
   <S>                                                         <C>         <C>         <C>
   Statement of Operations Data:
     Contract deposits:
       Variable...............................................  $  129.2    $  138.6    $  112.2
       Fixed..................................................      76.5        84.7        87.0
         Total................................................     205.7       223.3       199.2
     Contract charges earned..................................      16.7        15.6        12.6
     Net investment income....................................     105.3       107.7       113.1
     Net interest margin (without realized gains).............      38.1        35.7        36.6
     Net margin (includes fees and contract charges earned)...      57.6        53.5        51.0
     Operating income before income taxes.....................      41.8        35.4        29.8
     Operating income.........................................      27.3        23.1        19.3

   Operating Statistics:
     Fixed annuity:
       Accumulated value......................................  $1,355.6    $1,352.7    $1,354.5
       Accumulated value persistency..........................      92.3%       92.8%       91.7%
     Variable annuity accumulated value.......................  $1,131.7    $1,122.8    $  959.7
     Number of contracts in force.............................   125,352     120,253     112,162
     Average accumulated cash value (in dollars)..............  $ 19,843    $ 20,586    $ 20,633
     Average annual deposit by contractholders (in dollars)...  $  2,327    $  2,416    $  2,485
     Maturity schedule for all annuity contracts:
       Matured................................................  $  211.9    $  205.6    $  195.7
       5 years or less........................................     339.4       436.0       424.4
       After 5 years through 10 years.........................     536.3       550.3       489.6
       After 10 years through 20 years........................     882.6       831.1       793.9
       After 20 years.........................................     517.1       452.5       410.6
         Total accumulated cash value.........................  $2,487.3    $2,475.5    $2,314.2
     Annuity contracts terminated due to surrender,
       death, maturity or other:
         Number of contracts..................................     8,353       6,987       6,945
         Amount...............................................  $  269.2    $  224.8    $  168.2
     Accumulated fixed annuity value grouped
       by applicable surrender charge:
         0%...................................................  $  315.9    $  319.8    $  326.3
         5% and greater but less than 10%.....................     841.4       825.3       808.9
         10% and greater......................................     108.4       120.6       137.5
         Supplementary contracts with life contingencies
           not subject to discretionary withdrawal............      89.9        87.0        81.8
             Total accumulated fixed annuity value............  $1,355.6    $1,352.7    $1,354.5
</TABLE>

Life

    The Company entered the individual life insurance business in 1949 with
traditional term and whole life insurance products.  In 1984, the Company
introduced "Experience Life," a flexible, adjustable premium life insurance
contract which allows the customer to combine elements of term life insurance,
interest-sensitive whole life insurance and an interest-bearing account.  At
December 31, 1999 the Company had in force approximately 98,000 Experience Life
policies representing approximately $6.7 billion of life insurance in force with
annual insurance premiums and contract deposits of approximately $73.5 million.
The Company's traditional term, whole life and group life business in force
consists of approximately 168,000 policies, representing approximately $5.6
billion of life insurance in force with annual insurance premiums and contract
deposits of approximately $34.8 million as of December 31, 1999.  In 1997, the
Company introduced a new series of five limited duration term life insurance
products.  In 1998, the Company introduced a new series of whole life products
designed to serve the needs of customers who also want limited life insurance
coverage (as low as $5,000 death benefits) but

                                       20
<PAGE>

who want the features of a whole life policy. The Company does not charge any
penalty for withdrawal of life insurance cash values. In 1999, the life segment
represented 15% of the Company's total insurance premiums written and contract
deposits, including approximately 1.4 percentage points attributable to the
Company's group life and group disability income business, and 21% of the
Company's operating income.

    During 1999, the average face amount of ordinary life insurance policies
issued by the Company was $101,773 and the average face amount of all ordinary
life insurance policies it had in force at December 31, 1999 was $54,520.

    The maximum individual life insurance risk retained by the Company is
$200,000 on any individual life and $100,000 is retained on each group life
policy.  The excess of the amounts retained are reinsured with life reinsurers
that are all rated "A (Excellent)" or above by A.M. Best.

    The life insurance and annuity industry, while it has not generally been
subject to the factors that produce cyclicality in the property and casualty
insurance industry, is nonetheless subject to competitive pressures and interest
rate fluctuations.  As a result, the life insurance and annuity industry has
developed new products designed to shift investment and credit risk to policy or
contractholders while still providing death benefits.  This trend has generally
caused profit margins to shrink on new products relative to older life insurance
and annuity products and has provided more competitive returns to the holders of
the new products than those available under other investment alternatives.
Management cannot predict whether these trends will continue in the future.

Selected Historical Financial Information For Life Segment

    The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
Company's life products for the periods indicated.

                                 Life Segment
                   Selected Historical Financial Information
               (Dollars in millions, unless otherwise indicated)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Year Ended December 31,
                                                            -------------------------------
                                                              1999       1998       1997
                                                            ---------  ---------  ---------
   <S>                                                      <C>        <C>        <C>
   Statement of Operations Data:
     Insurance premiums and contract deposits.............. $  120.4   $  116.7   $  114.1
     Insurance premiums and contract charges earned........     87.3       85.8       82.9
     Net investment income.................................     47.0       45.4       43.7
     Operating income before income taxes..................     22.3       19.0       19.9
     Operating income......................................     14.6       12.4       12.9

   Operating Statistics:
     Life insurance in force:
       Ordinary life....................................... $ 10,749   $ 10,573   $ 10,241
       Group life..........................................    1,551      1,226        947
         Total.............................................   12,300     11,799     11,188
     Number of policies in force:
       Ordinary life.......................................  198,898    201,689    200,811
       Group life..........................................   66,953     57,010     51,895
         Total.............................................  265,851    258,699    252,706
     Average face amount in force (in dollars):
       Ordinary life....................................... $ 54,520   $ 52,422   $ 50,998
       Group life..........................................   23,166     21,505     18,248
         Total.............................................   46,267     45,609     44,273
     Persistency rate (ordinary life insurance in force)...     91.7%      92.8%      93.0%
     Lapse ratio (ordinary life insurance in force)........      8.3%       7.2%       7.0%
     Ordinary life insurance terminated due to death,
       surrender, lapse or other:
         Face amount of insurance surrendered or lapsed.... $  998.9   $  888.2   $  771.4
           Number of policies..............................   13,092      9,396      9,571
         Amount of death claims............................ $   26.4   $   26.5   $   22.0
           Number of death claims..........................    1,326      1,300      1,274
</TABLE>

                                       21
<PAGE>

Investments

    The Company's investments are selected to balance the objectives of
minimizing interest rate exposure, providing a high current yield and protecting
principal.  These objectives are implemented through a portfolio that emphasizes
investment grade, publicly traded fixed income securities.  When impairment of
the value of an investment is considered other than temporary, the decrease in
value is recorded as an adjustment to the valuation reserve and a new cost basis
is established.  At December 31, 1999, investments in non-investment grade
securities represented 6.9% of total investments.  At December 31, 1999, fixed
income securities represented 95.3% of investments.  Of the fixed income
investment portfolio, 93.2% was investment grade and 99.8% was publicly traded.
The average quality of the total fixed income portfolio was AA-/A+ at December
31, 1999, and the average option adjusted duration of total investments was 4.1
years.  There are no significant investments in mortgage loans, real estate,
foreign securities or privately placed securities.

    The Company's investments are managed by outside managers and advisors which
follow investment guidelines established by the Company.  The Company has
separate investment strategies and guidelines for its property and casualty
assets and for its life and annuity assets, which recognize different
characteristics of the associated insurance liabilities, as well as different
tax and regulatory environments.  The Company manages interest rate exposure for
its portfolios through asset/liability management techniques which attempt to
coordinate the duration of the assets with the duration of the liabilities under
insurance policies.  Duration of assets and liabilities will generally differ
only because of opportunities to significantly increase yields or because policy
values are not interest-sensitive, as in the property and casualty segment.

    The investments of each insurance subsidiary must comply with the insurance
laws of such insurance subsidiary's domiciliary state.  These laws prescribe the
type and amount of investments that may be made by insurance companies.  In
general, these laws permit investments, within specified limits and subject to
certain qualifications, in federal, state and municipal obligations, corporate
bonds, preferred stocks, common stocks, real estate mortgages and real estate.

                                       22
<PAGE>

     The following table sets forth the carrying and market values of the
Company's investment portfolio as of December 31, 1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Investment Portfolio
                                              (Dollars in millions)


                                                    Percentage             Carrying Value
                                                     of Total    -----------------------------------
                                                     Carrying                Life and   Property and  Amortized
                                                       Value       Total      Annuity     Casualty       Cost
                                                    ----------   ---------   --------   ------------  ---------
   <S>                                              <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>           <C>
   Publicly Traded Fixed Maturity Securities
    and Cash Equivalents:
     U.S. government and agency obligations(1):
       Mortgage-backed securities................      18.9%      $  498.1   $  439.0        $ 59.1    $  506.1
       Other.....................................       5.0          131.4      120.9          10.5       136.4
     Investment grade corporate and public
       utility bonds.............................      36.5          958.9      871.2          87.7       990.0
     Municipal bonds.............................      11.5          302.0       36.5         265.5       307.0
     Other mortgage-backed securities............      15.5          408.0      378.2          29.8       418.6
     Non-investment grade corporate and public
       utility bonds(2)..........................       6.9          181.0      116.9          64.1       189.5
     Foreign government bonds....................       0.8           22.0       22.0             -        21.9
     Short-term investments(3)...................       1.7           45.1       26.4          18.7        45.1
                                                      -----       --------   --------        ------    --------
          Total publicly traded securities.......      96.8        2,546.5    2,011.1         535.4     2,614.6
                                                      -----       --------   --------        ------    --------
   Other Investments:
     Private placements, investment grade(4).....       0.2            5.8        5.7           0.1         5.8
     Private placements,
       non-investment grade (2)(4)...............         -            0.1        0.1             -         0.1
     Mortgage loans and real estate(5)...........       0.7           17.6       17.6             -        17.6
     Policy loans and other......................       2.3           60.2       58.7           1.5        59.4
                                                      -----       --------   --------        ------    --------
          Total other investments................       3.2           83.7       82.1           1.6        82.9
                                                      -----       --------   --------        ------    --------
          Total investments(6)...................     100.0%      $2,630.2   $2,093.2        $537.0    $2,697.5
                                                      =====       ========   ========        ======    ========
</TABLE>

_____________
(1) Includes $221.7 million market value of investments guaranteed by the full
    faith and credit of the United States government and $407.8 million market
    value of federally sponsored agency securities.
(2) A non-investment grade rating is assigned to a security when it is acquired,
    primarily on the basis of the Standard & Poor's Corporation ("Standard &
    Poor's" or "S&P") rating for such security, or if there is no S&P rating,
    the Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") rating for such security, or
    if there is no S&P or Moody's rating, the National Association of Insurance
    Commissioners (the "NAIC") rating for such security.
(3) Short-term investments mature within one year of being acquired and are
    carried at cost, which approximates market value. Short-term investments
    include $45.0 million in a money market fund rated "AAA" (S&P or its
    equivalent) and $0.1 million in certificates of deposit.
(4) Market values for private placements are estimated by the Company with the
    assistance of its investment advisors.
(5) Mortgage loans are carried at amortized cost or unpaid principal balance
    less valuation reserves and real estate acquired in the settlement of debt
    is carried at the lower of cost or market. Carrying value is net of a $1.8
    million valuation reserve for anticipated losses.
(6) Approximately 14% of the Company's investment portfolio, having a carrying
    value of $369.8 million as of December 31, 1999, consisted of securities
    with some form of credit support, such as insurance. All of these securities
    have the highest investment grade rating.

  Fixed Maturity Securities

     The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's fixed
maturity securities portfolio by rating as of December 31, 1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    Rating of Fixed Maturity Securities(1)
                             (Dollars in millions)
                                                     Percent
                                                    of Total
                                                    Carrying   Carrying    Amortized
                                                      Value      Value       Cost
                                                    --------   --------    ---------
   <S>                                              <C>        <C>         <C>
   AAA............................................    46.3%    $1,159.9     $1,185.5
   AA.............................................     7.7        192.1        193.4
   A..............................................    20.2        507.0        516.0
   BBB............................................    18.8        471.9        495.4
   BB.............................................     2.0         50.7         56.4
   B..............................................     4.7        117.4        119.7
   CCC or lower...................................       -          1.3          1.4
   Not rated(2)...................................     0.3          7.0          7.6
                                                     -----     --------     --------
          Total                                      100.0%    $2,507.3     $2,575.4
                                                     =====     ========     ========
</TABLE>

______________
(1) Ratings are as assigned primarily by S&P when available, with remaining
    ratings as assigned on an equivalent basis by Moody's. Ratings for publicly
    traded securities are determined when the securities are acquired and are
    updated monthly to reflect any changes in ratings.
(2) This category includes $1.1 million of publicly traded securities not
    currently rated by S&P, Moody's or the NAIC and $5.9 million of private
    placement securities not rated by either S&P or Moody's. The NAIC has rated
    98.1% of these private placement securities as investment grade.

                                       23
<PAGE>

     At December 31, 1999, 38.0% of the Company's fixed maturity securities
portfolio was scheduled to mature within the next 5 years. Mortgage-backed
securities, including mortgage-backed securities of United States governmental
agencies, represented 34.4% of the total investment portfolio at December 31,
1999. These securities typically have average lives shorter than their stated
maturities due to unscheduled prepayments on the underlying mortgages. Mortgages
are prepaid for a variety of reasons, including sales of existing homes,
interest rate changes over time that encourage homeowners to refinance their
mortgages and defaults by homeowners on mortgages that are then paid by
guarantors.

     For financial reporting purposes, the Company has classified the entire
fixed maturity portfolio as "available for sale". Fixed maturities to be held
for indefinite periods of time and not intended to be held to maturity are
classified as available for sale and carried at market value. Fixed maturities
held for indefinite periods of time include securities that management intends
to use as part of its asset/liability management strategy and that may be sold
in response to changes in interest rates, resultant prepayment risk and other
factors related to interest rate and resultant prepayment risk.

Cash Flow

     As a holding company, HMEC conducts its principal operations through its
subsidiaries. Payment by HMEC of principal and interest with respect to HMEC's
indebtedness, and payment by HMEC of dividends to its shareholders, are
dependent upon the ability of its insurance subsidiaries to pay cash dividends
or make other cash payments to HMEC, including tax payments pursuant to tax
sharing agreements. Restrictions on the subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends
or to make other cash payments to HMEC may materially affect HMEC's ability to
pay principal and interest on its indebtedness and dividends on its common
stock.

     The ability of the insurance subsidiaries to pay cash dividends to HMEC is
subject to state insurance department regulations which generally permit
dividends to be paid for any 12 month period in amounts equal to the greater of
(i) net gain from operations in the case of a life insurance company or net
income in the case of all other insurance companies for the preceding calendar
year or (ii) 10% of surplus as of the preceding December 31st. Any dividend in
excess of these levels requires the prior approval of the Director or
Commissioner of the state insurance department of the state in which the
dividend paying insurance subsidiary is domiciled. The aggregate amount of
dividends that may be paid in 2000 from all of HMEC's insurance subsidiaries
without prior regulatory approval is approximately $75 million.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, if insurance regulators otherwise determine
that payment of a dividend or any other payment to an affiliate would be
detrimental to an insurance subsidiary's policyholders or creditors, because of
the financial condition of the insurance subsidiary or otherwise, the regulators
may block dividends or other payments to affiliates that would otherwise be
permitted without prior approval.

     The insurance subsidiaries' sources of funds consist primarily of premiums
and contract fees, investment income and proceeds from sales and redemption of
investments. Such funds are applied primarily to payment of claims, insurance
operating expenses, income taxes and the purchase of investments, as well as
dividends and other payments to HMEC.

                                       24
<PAGE>

Competition

     The Company operates in a highly competitive environment. There are
numerous insurance companies that compete with the Company, although management
believes that the Company is the only national multiline insurance company to
target the nation's teachers as its primary market. In some specific instances
and geographic locations competitors have specifically targeted the teacher
marketplace with specialized products and programs. The Company competes in its
target market with a number of national providers of personal automobile and
homeowners insurance and life insurance.

     For annuity business, the marketplace has begun to see a competitive impact
from new entrants such as mutual funds and banks into the tax deferred annuity
products market. Among the major national providers of annuities to educators,
Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company, a subsidiary of American General
Corporation, and Nationwide have been among the Company's major tax-qualified
annuity competitors. In January 2000, Nationwide announced it will exit its
individual business, including the Kindergarten - 12 tax-qualified annuity
market.

     The Company competes with a number of national providers of automobile and
homeowners insurance, such as State Farm, Allstate and Nationwide, and several
regional companies. The Company also competes for automobile business with
certain direct marketing companies, such as 21st Century, American International
Group (AIG) and GEICO.

     The insurance industry consists of a large number of insurance companies,
some of which have substantially greater financial resources, more diversified
product lines, and lower cost marketing approaches, such as direct marketing,
mail and telemarketing, compared to the Company. The Company believes that the
principal competitive factors in the sale of property and casualty insurance
products are price, service, name recognition and education association
sponsorships. The Company believes that the principal competitive factors in the
sale of life insurance and annuity products are product features, perceived
stability of the insurer, service, name recognition, education association
sponsorships and price.

Insurance Financial Ratings

     The Company believes that the ratings assigned to its principal insurance
subsidiaries by Standard & Poor's, A.M. Best and Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co.
("Duff & Phelps") contribute to the Company's competitiveness.

     Each of HMEC's principal insurance subsidiaries is rated "AA- (Very
Strong)" for financial strength by Standard & Poor's. S&P publications define
financial strength ratings as follows. A Standard & Poor's Insurer Financial
Strength Rating is a current opinion of the financial security characteristics
of an insurance organization with respect to its ability to pay under its
insurance policies and contracts in accordance with their terms. This opinion is
not specific to any particular insurance policy or contract, nor does it address
the suitability of a particular insurance policy or contract for a specific
purpose or purchaser. Furthermore, the opinion does not take into account
deductibles, surrender or cancellation penalties, the timeliness of payment, or
the likelihood of the use of a defense such as fraud to deny claims. Financial
strength ratings do not refer to an insurer's ability to meet nonpolicy
obligations (i.e., debt contracts). The financial strength ratings are based on
current information furnished by the insurance company or obtained by S&P from
other sources it considers reliable. S&P does not perform an audit in connection
with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information.
The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in,
or unavailability of, such information or based

                                       25
<PAGE>

on other circumstances. Financial strength ratings are divided into two broad
classifications. An insurer rated "BBB" or higher is regarded as having
financial security characteristics that outweigh any vulnerabilities, and is
highly likely to have the ability to meet financial commitments. An insurer
rated "BB" or lower is regarded as having vulnerable characteristics that may
outweigh its strengths. "BB" indicates the least degree of vulnerability within
the range; "CC" the highest. Financial strength ratings are assigned at the
request of the insurers and based on extensive quantitative and qualitative
analysis including consideration of ownership and support factors, if
applicable. The rating process includes meetings with insurers' management. Plus
(+) and minus (-) signs show relative standing within a category; they do not
suggest likely upgrades or downgrades. Insurers rated "AAA" offer extremely
strong financial security characteristics. Insurers rated "AA" offer very strong
financial security. The financial securities characteristics of an insurer rated
"AA" differ only slightly from those of companies rated "AAA".

     HMIC, TIC and Allegiance are rated "A+ (Superior)" and HMLIC is rated "A
(Excellent)" by A.M. Best. Ratings for the industry range from "A++ (Superior)"
to "F (In Liquidation)", and some companies are not rated. Publications of A.M.
Best indicate that the "A++ and A+ (Superior)" ratings are assigned to those
companies that in A.M. Best's opinion have, on balance, superior financial
strengths, operating performance and market profile when compared to the
standards established by A.M. Best and have a very strong ability to meet their
ongoing obligations to policyholders.  The "A and A- (Excellent)" ratings are
assigned to those companies that in A.M. Best's opinion have, on balance,
excellent financial strengths, operating performance and market profile when
compared to the standards established by A.M. Best and have a strong ability to
meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders. In evaluating a company's
financial strength, operating performance and market profile, A.M. Best reviews
the company's leverage/capitalization, capital structure/holding company,
quality and appropriateness of reinsurance program, adequacy of loss/policy
reserves, quality and diversification of assets, liquidity, profitability,
revenue composition, management experience and objectives, market risk,
competitive market position, spread of risk and event risk. The objective of
A.M. Best's rating system is to provide an overall opinion of an insurance
company's ability to meet its obligations to policyholders.

     HMLIC is rated "AA" for claims paying ability by Duff & Phelps. Duff &
Phelps' analysis of life insurance company claims paying ability ("CPA")
involves judgment in the assessment of quantitative and qualitative factors. The
CPA rating process emphasizes analysis of the company's current and future
ability to pay, when due, its policy and contract obligations. Critical
considerations are confidence in an insurer's long-term solvency and its ability
to maintain adequate liquidity. In order to be prospective, Duff & Phelps'
appraisal is influenced not only by the current, absolute measures but also by
trends and volatility. The advent of interest rate sensitive products within the
life and annuity industry has heightened the importance of both the
asset/liability management and liquidity components of rating reviews. Duff &
Phelps considers such qualitative factors as product design and pricing and
crediting rate practices, investment policies and management techniques used to
control interest rate risk, as well as quantitative factors such as specific
asset and liability mismatches and sensitivity analysis. Together these give the
basis to determine the adequacy of a company's adjusted surplus relative to
these volatility considerations. A key part of the overall CPA rating process is
an annual meeting with the senior executives who set the future direction of the
company. Regular contact with company representatives throughout the year
supplements this process. The CPA ratings use a scale of "AAA (Highest claims
paying ability -- the risk factors are negligible)" through "DD (Company is
under an order of liquidation)." The CPA rating of "AA" is assigned for very
high claims paying ability. The protection factors are strong; risk is modest,
but may vary slightly over time due to economic and/or underwriting conditions.
A CPA rating only indicates an insurance company's

                                       26
<PAGE>

ability to make timely payment of policyholder obligations. It does not refer to
the ability of either the rated company or its affiliates to meet
nonpolicyholder obligations, such as debt repayment or payment of preferred
dividends.

Regulation

  General Regulation at State Level

     As an insurance holding company, HMEC is subject to regulation by the
states in which its insurance subsidiaries are domiciled or transact business.
Most states have enacted legislation that requires each insurance company in a
holding company system to register with the insurance regulatory authority of
its state of domicile and furnish to it financial and other information
concerning the operations of companies within the holding company system that
may materially affect the operations, management or financial condition of the
insurers within the system. All transactions within a holding company system
affecting insurers must be fair and equitable and the insurer's policyholder
surplus following any transaction must be both reasonable in relation to its
outstanding liabilities and adequate for its needs. Notice to applicable
regulators is required prior to the consummation of certain transactions
affecting insurance subsidiaries of the holding company system.

     In addition, the laws of the various states establish regulatory agencies
with broad administrative powers to grant and revoke licenses to transact
business, regulate trade practices, license agents, require statutory financial
statements, and prescribe the type and amount of investments permitted.  See
"Business - Investments" for discussion of investment restrictions or
limitations imposed upon the Company under applicable insurance laws and
regulations.

     The NAIC annually calculates financial ratios to assist state insurance
regulators in monitoring the financial condition of insurance companies. A
"usual range" of results for each ratio is used as a benchmark. Separate ratios
are established for property and casualty and life insurance companies.
Departure from the usual range in any of the ratios could lead to inquiries from
individual state regulators, and further investigation or other actions may
result. In 1998, no unusual ratios were reported by the principal insurance
subsidiaries of HMEC.

     As part of their regulatory oversight process, state insurance departments
routinely conduct detailed financial examinations (generally not more frequently
than once every three years) of the books, records and accounts of insurance
companies domiciled in their states. Typically, such examinations are conducted
concurrently by two or three states under guidelines promulgated by the NAIC. In
1999, routine financial examinations of HMLIC, HMIC, TIC and Allegiance were
completed for the period ended December 31, 1997. Management believes that HMEC
and its subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable regulatory requirements.

     The NAIC has adopted risk-based capital guidelines to evaluate the adequacy
of statutory capital and surplus in relation to an insurance company's risks.
State insurance regulations prohibit insurance companies from making any public
statements or representations with regard to their risk-based capital levels.
Based on current guidelines, the risk-based capital statutory requirements will
have no negative regulatory impact on the Company's insurance subsidiaries.

                                       27
<PAGE>

  Assessments Against Insurers

     Under insurance insolvency or guaranty laws in most states in which the
Company operates, insurers doing business therein can be assessed for
policyholder losses related to insolvencies of other insurance companies. The
amount and timing of any future assessments on the Company under these laws
cannot be reasonably estimated and are beyond the control of the Company. Most
of these laws do provide, however, that an assessment may be excused or deferred
if it would threaten an insurer's financial strength, and most assessments paid
by the Company pursuant to these laws may be used as credits for a portion of
the Company's premium taxes. The Company paid $0.1 million, $0.3 million and
$0.6 million in connection with insurer insolvency proceedings for the years
ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively, of which $0, $0.2 million
and $0.6 million for the same periods, respectively, is recoverable as premium
tax credits in future periods.

  Mandatory Insurance Facilities

     The Company is required to participate in various mandatory insurance
facilities in amounts related to the amount of the Company's direct writings in
the applicable state. In 1999, the Company reflected a net loss from
participation in such mandatory pools and underwriting associations of $2.2
million before federal income taxes.

  California Earthquake Authority

     The California Earthquake Authority ("CEA") was formed by the California
Legislature to encourage companies to write residential property insurance in
California and began operating in December 1996.  All companies which write
residential property insurance in California are also required to offer
earthquake coverage. The CEA operates as an insurance company providing
residential property earthquake coverage under policies sold by companies which
have chosen to participate in the CEA. The participating companies fund the CEA
and share in earthquake losses covered by the CEA in proportion to their market
share.

     The Company has not joined the CEA. The Company's exposure to losses from
earthquakes is managed through its underwriting standards, its earthquake policy
coverage limits and deductible levels, and the geographic distribution of its
business, as well as its reinsurance program.  After reviewing the exposure to
earthquake losses from its own policies and from participation in the CEA,
management believes it is in the Company's best economic interest to offer
earthquake coverage directly to its homeowners policyholders. See "Property and
Casualty--Property and Casualty Reinsurance."

  Regulation at Federal Level

     Although the federal government generally does not directly regulate the
insurance business, federal initiatives often impact the insurance business.
Current and proposed federal measures which may significantly affect the
insurance business include employee benefits regulation, controls on the costs
of medical care, medical entitlement programs such as Medicare, changes to the
insurance industry anti-trust exemption, minimum solvency requirements and
allowing national banks to engage in the insurance, annuity and mutual fund
businesses. With the passage of the Financial Services Modernization Act of
1999, it is possible there will be increased pressure for federal regulation of
the insurance industry.

                                       28
<PAGE>

     Federal income taxation of the build-up of cash value within a life
insurance policy or an annuity contract could have a material adverse impact on
the Company's ability to market and sell such products. Various legislation to
this effect has been proposed in the past, but has not been enacted. Although no
such legislative proposals are known to exist at this time, such proposals may
be made again in the future.

     The variable annuities underwritten by HMLIC and the mutual funds used as
investment vehicles for those products are regulated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Horace Mann Investors, Inc., the broker-dealer
subsidiary of HMEC, performs certain management functions for the mutual funds
and also is regulated by the SEC and the National Association of Securities
Dealers.

Employees

     At December 31, 1999, the Company had approximately 2,800 employees,
including 1,105 full-time agents. The Company has no collective bargaining
agreement with any employees.

ITEM 2. Properties

     HMEC's home office property at 1 Horace Mann Plaza in Springfield, Illinois
consists of an office building totaling approximately 230,000 square feet which
is owned by the Company. HMEC also owns buildings with an aggregate of
approximately 209,000 square feet at other locations in Springfield. These
properties are adequate and suitable for the Company's current and anticipated
future needs.

ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings

     The Company is not currently party to any material pending legal
proceedings other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business.

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

     None.

                                       29
<PAGE>

                                    PART II

ITEM 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

     HMEC's common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE")
in November 1991 under the symbol of HMN at a price of $9 per share. The
following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of the common stock on
the NYSE Composite Tape and the cash dividends paid per share of common stock
during the periods indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Market Price
                                           ------------------   Dividend
     Fiscal Period                          High        Low       Paid
     -------------                         ------     -------   --------
     <S>                                   <C>        <C>       <C>
        1999:
          Fourth Quarter...............     $31       $19 1/8    $0.105
          Third Quarter................      33        24 13/16   0.0925
          Second Quarter...............      27 3/16   20 1/4     0.0925
          First Quarter................      29 3/8    21 9/16    0.0925
        1998:
          Fourth Quarter...............     $32 3/8   $26 1/2    $0.0925
          Third Quarter................      35 3/4    26 1/16    0.08
          Second Quarter...............      37 3/8    28 1/8     0.08
          First Quarter................      37 5/8    28         0.08
</TABLE>

     As of March 1, 2000, the approximate number of holders of common stock was
9,000.

     In November 1999, the Board authorized the eighth consecutive increase in
the Company's dividend since the Company's initial public offering in 1991 and
increased the quarterly dividend by 13.5% to $0.105 per share. The payment of
dividends in the future is subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors
and will depend upon general business conditions, legal restrictions and other
factors the Board of Directors of HMEC may deem to be relevant.

     In May 1999, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of
shares of the Company's common stock up to $100 million. This was in addition to
the $100 million stock repurchase programs announced in January 1998 and
February 1997. Since early 1997, the Company repurchased 7,082,700 shares, 15%
of the Company's shares outstanding at December 31, 1996, at an aggregate cost
of $188.5 million. Under the share repurchase program, shares of common stock
may be purchased from time to time through open market and private purchases, as
available. The repurchase of shares is financed through use of cash and, when
necessary, the existing bank line of credit. The Company's share repurchase
program was suspended by the Board of Directors from August 2, 1999 through
February 23, 2000.

     During 1999, options were exercised for the issuance of 17,363 shares, less
than 0.1% of the Company's shares outstanding at December 31, 1998.

     As an insurance holding company, HMEC depends on dividends and other
permitted payments from its insurance subsidiaries to pay cash dividends to
shareholders of HMEC. The payment of dividends and such other payments to HMEC
by its insurance subsidiaries is restricted by the laws of each subsidiary's
state of domicile, and insurance regulators have authority in certain
circumstances to block payments of dividends and other amounts by the insurance
subsidiaries that would otherwise be permitted without regulatory approval. See
"Business - Cash Flow" and "Business - Regulation."

                                       30
<PAGE>

ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data

     The information required by Item 301 of Regulation S-K is contained in the
table in Item 1--"Business--Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data."

ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations

     The information required by Item 303 of Regulation S-K is contained in the
Index to Financial Information on page F-1 herein.

ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     The information required by Item 305 of Regulation S-K is contained in
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" contained in the Index to Financial Information on page F-1 herein.

ITEM 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     The Company's consolidated financial statements, the report of its
independent accountants and the selected quarterly financial data required by
Item 302 of Regulation S-K are contained in the Index to Financial Information
on page F-1 herein.

ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure

     None.

                                   PART III

ITEM 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

     The information required by Items 401 and 405 of Regulation S-K is
incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2000 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders.

ITEM 11. Executive Compensation

     The information required by Item 402 of Regulation S-K is incorporated by
reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2000 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.

ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

     The information required by Item 403 of Regulation S-K is incorporated by
reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2000 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.

ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

     The information required by Item 404 of Regulation S-K is incorporated by
reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2000 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.

                                       31
<PAGE>

                                    PART IV

ITEM 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

    (a)(1) The following consolidated financial statements of the Company
listed below are contained in the Index to Financial Information on Page F-1
herein:

       Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997.

       Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31,
1999, 1998 and 1997.

       Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the Years
Ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997.

       Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31,
1999, 1998 and 1997.

    (a)(2) The following consolidated financial statement schedules of the
Company listed below are contained in the Index to Financial Information on page
F-1 herein:

       Schedule I - Summary of Investments - Other than Investments in Related
Parties.

       Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant.

       Schedules III and VI Combined - Supplementary Insurance Information and
Supplemental Information Concerning Property and Casualty Insurance Operations.

       Schedule IV - Reinsurance.

    (a)(3) The following items are filed as Exhibits.  Management contracts and
compensatory plans are indicated by an asterisk (*).

Exhibit
No.       Description
- ----      -----------

(3) Articles of incorporation and bylaws:

    3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of HMEC, filed with the
           Delaware Secretary of State on October 6, 1989, incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 3.1 to HMEC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
           the quarter ended September 30, 1996, filed with the Securities and
           Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 14, 1996.

    3.1(a) Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
           HMEC, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on October 18, 1991,
           incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to HMEC's Quarterly Report
           on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996, filed with the
           SEC on November 14, 1996.

                                       32
<PAGE>

Exhibit
No.          Description
- ----         -----------

     3.1(b)  Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation
             of HMEC, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 23,
             1995, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to HMEC's Quarterly
             Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996, filed
             with the SEC on November 14, 1996.

     3.1(c)  Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation
             of HMEC, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on September
             23, 1996, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to HMEC's
             Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
             1996, filed with the SEC on November 14, 1996.

     3.1(d)  Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation
             of HMEC, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on June 5,
             1998, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to HMEC's Quarterly
             Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998, filed with
             the SEC on August 13, 1998.

     3.2     Form of Certificate for shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value
             per share, of HMEC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to
             HMEC's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-
             53118) filed with the SEC on October 9, 1992.

     3.3     Bylaws of HMEC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to HMEC's
             Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-80059)
             filed with the SEC on December 6, 1995.

(4)  Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures:

     4.1     Indenture dated as of January 17, 1996, between HMEC and U.S. Trust
             Company of California, N.A. as trustee, with regard to HMEC's
             6 5/8% Senior Notes Due 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             4.4 to HMEC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
             December 31, 1995, filed with the SEC on March 13, 1996.

     4.1(a)  Form of 6 5/8% Senior Notes Due 2006 (included in Exhibit 4.1).

     4.2     Certificate of Designations for HMEC Series A Cumulative Preferred
             Stock (included in Exhibit 10.15).

(10) Material contracts:

     10.1    Credit Agreement dated as of December 31, 1996 (the "Bank Credit
             Facility") among HMEC, certain banks named therein and Bank of
             America National Trust and Savings Association, as administrative
             agent (the "Agent"), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
             HMEC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
             1996, filed with the SEC on March 26, 1997.

                                       33
<PAGE>

Exhibit
No.         Description
- ----        -----------

   10.2*    Stock Subscription Agreement among HMEC (as successor to HME
            Holdings, Inc.), The Fulcrum III Limited Partnership, The Second
            Fulcrum III Limited Partnership and each of the Management
            Investors, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to HMEC's
            Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1989,
            filed with the SEC on April 2, 1990.

   10.3*    Horace Mann Educators Corporation Deferred Equity Compensation Plan
            for Directors, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to HMEC's
            Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
            1996, filed with the SEC on November 14, 1996.

   10.4*    Horace Mann Educators Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for
            Employees, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to HMEC's
            Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997,
            filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

   10.5*    Amended and restated Horace Mann Educators Corporation 1991 Stock
            Incentive Plan.

   10.5(a)* Specimen Employee Stock Option Agreement under the Horace Mann
            Educators Corporation 1991 Stock Incentive Plan.

   10.5(b)* Specimen Director Stock Option Agreement under the Horace Mann
            Educators Corporation 1991 Stock Incentive Plan.

   10.6*    Severance Agreements between HMEC and certain officers of HMEC,
            incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to HMEC's Annual Report on
            Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, filed with the SEC
            on March 31, 1994.

   10.6(a)* Revised Schedule to Severance Agreements between HMEC and certain
            officers of HMEC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(a) to
            HMEC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
            1999, filed with the SEC on August 13, 1999.

   10.7*    Specimen Continuation of Employment Agreement between HMEC and
            certain officers, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21(a) to
            HMEC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
            30, 1994, filed with the SEC on November 14, 1994.

   10.7(a)* Schedule of Continuation of Employment Agreements between HMEC and
            certain officers, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21(b) to
            HMEC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
            30, 1994, filed with the SEC on November 14, 1994.

   10.8*    Horace Mann Incentive Compensation Program, incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit 10.7 to HMEC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
            the year ended December 31, 1996, filed with the SEC on March 26,
            1997.

                                       34
<PAGE>

Exhibit
No.           Description
- ----          -----------

   10.9*      Horace Mann Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan, 1997
              Restatement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to HMEC's
              Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
              30,1997, filed with the SEC on November 14, 1997.

   10.10*     Horace Mann Executive Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan, 1997
              Restatement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to HMEC's
              Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997,
              filed with the SEC on August 14, 1997.

   10.11*     Amended and Restated Employment Agreement entered by and between
              HMEC and Paul J. Kardos as of October 6, 1998, incorporated by
              reference to Exhibit 10.2 to HMEC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
              for the quarter ended September 30, 1998, filed with the SEC on
              November 13, 1998.

   10.11(a)*  Amendment Agreement to the Amended and Restated Employment
              Agreement entered by and between HMEC and Paul J. Kardos as of
              October 6, 1998 dated as of February 1, 2000.

   10.12*     Employment Agreement entered by and between HMEC and Louis G.
              Lower II as of December 31, 1999.

   10.13*     Separation Agreement entered by and between HMEC and Larry K.
              Becker as of March 21, 2000.

   10.14*     Letter of Employment entered by and between HMEC and Peter H.
              Heckman effective April 10, 2000.

   10.15      Catastrophe Equity Securities Issuance Option Agreement
              (Catastrophe Equity Securities Issuance Option and Reinsurance
              Option Agreement) entered by and between HMEC and Centre
              Reinsurance, dated February 15, 1997 and related letter from
              Centre Reinsurance, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to
              HMEC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
              1996, filed with the SEC on March 26, 1997.

   10.15(a)   Amendment effective February 15, 1997 to Catastrophe Equity
              Securities Issuance Option Agreement (Catastrophe Equity
              Securities Issuance Option and Reinsurance Option Agreement),
              incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(a) to HMEC's Quarterly
              Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998, filed
              with the SEC on May 15, 1998.

   10.15(b)   Amendment effective February 15, 1997 to Catastrophe Equity
              Securities Issuance Option and Reinsurance Option Agreement,
              incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12(b) to HMEC's Annual
              Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, filed
              with the SEC on March 31, 1999.

                                       35
<PAGE>

10.15(c)   Amendment effective June 1, 1999 to Catastrophe Equity Securities
           Issuance Option and Reinsurance Option Agreement, incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 10.1(c) to HMEC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
           for the quarter ended September 30, 1999, filed with the SEC on
           November 12, 1999.

(11)       Statement regarding computation of per share earnings.

(12)       Statement regarding computation of ratios.

(21)       Subsidiaries of HMEC.

(23)       Consent of KPMG LLP.

(27)       Financial Data Schedule.

           (b) No reports on Form 8-K were filed by HMEC during the fourth
               quarter of 1999.

           (c) See list of exhibits in this Item 14.

           (d) See list of financial statement schedules in this Item 14.

Copies of Exhibits may be obtained by writing to Investor Relations, Horace Mann
Educators Corporation, 1 Horace Mann Plaza, Springfield, Illinois 62715-0001.
Persons requesting copies will be charged a reasonable fee to cover reproduction
and mailing expenses.

                                       36
<PAGE>

                                  SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, Horace Mann Educators Corporation has duly caused this
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION


         /s/ Louis G. Lower II
- ---------------------------------------
           Louis G. Lower II
 President and Chief Executive Officer


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of Horace Mann
Educators Corporation and in the capacities and on the date(s) indicated.



Principal Executive Officer:                 Directors:

                                                       /s/ Paul J. Kardos
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Paul J. Kardos, Chairman of the
         /s/ Louis G. Lower II                Board of Directors
- ---------------------------------------
           Louis G. Lower II
              President,
Chief Executive Officer and a Director
                                                    /s/ William W. Abbott
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             William W. Abbott, Director


                                                    /s/ Dr. Emita B. Hill
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Dr. Emita B. Hill, Director


Principal Financial Officer:

                                                     /s/ Donald E. Kiernan
        /s/ Larry K. Becker                  -----------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------      Donald E. Kiernan, Director
           Larry K. Becker
     Executive Vice President and
       Chief Financial Officer                    /s/ Jeffrey L. Morby
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Jeffrey L. Morby, Director


                                                    /s/ Shaun F. O'Malley
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Shaun F. O'Malley, Director

Principal Accounting Officer:
                                                    /s/ Charles A. Parker
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Charles A. Parker, Director

         /s/ Roger W. Fisher
- ---------------------------------------
            Roger W. Fisher
 Senior Vice President and Controller                /s/ Ralph S. Saul
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Ralph S. Saul, Director



                                                   /s/ William J. Schoen
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             William J. Schoen, Director

Dated: March 29, 2000.

                                       37
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

                        INDEX TO FINANCIAL INFORMATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of Operations...........................  F-2

Report of Management Responsibility for
  Financial Statements....................................................  F-22

Independent Auditors' Report..............................................  F-23

Consolidated Balance Sheets...............................................  F-24

Consolidated Statements of Operations.....................................  F-25

Consolidated Statements of Changes in
  Shareholders' Equity....................................................  F-26

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.....................................  F-27

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................  F-28

Financial Statement Schedules:
  Schedule I - Summary of Investments-Other than
    Investments in Related Parties........................................  F-61
  Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant.............  F-62
  Schedule III and VI Combined - Supplementary Insurance
    Information and Supplemental Information Concerning
    Property and Casualty Insurance Operations............................  F-66
  Schedule IV - Reinsurance...............................................  F-67
</TABLE>

                                      F-1
<PAGE>

                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                             (Dollars in millions)

Forward-looking Information

     Statements made in the following discussion that state the Company's or
management's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the
future are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that the
Company's actual results could differ materially from those projected in such
forward-looking statements due to, among other risks and uncertainties inherent
in the Company's business, the following important factors:

  .  Changes in the composition of the Company's assets and liabilities through
     acquisitions or divestitures.
  .  Prevailing interest rate levels, including the impact of interest rates on
     (i) unrealized gains and losses on the Company's investment portfolio and
     the related after-tax effect on the Company's shareholders' equity and
     total capital and (ii) the book yield of the Company's investment
     portfolio.
  .  The impact of fluctuations in the capital markets on the Company's ability
     to refinance outstanding indebtedness or repurchase shares of the Company's
     outstanding common stock.
  .  The frequency and severity of catastrophes such as hurricanes, earthquakes
     and storms, and the ability of the Company to maintain a favorable
     catastrophe reinsurance program.
  .  Future property and casualty loss experience and its impact on estimated
     claims and claim adjustment expenses for losses occurring in prior years.
  .  The Company's ability to develop and expand its agency force and its direct
     product distribution systems, as well as the Company's ability to maintain
     and secure product sponsorships by local, state and national education
     associations.
  .  The competitive impact of new entrants such as mutual funds and banks into
     the tax deferred annuity products markets, and the Company's ability to
     profitably expand its property and casualty business in highly competitive
     environments.
  .  Changes in insurance regulations, including (i) those effecting the ability
     of the Company's insurance subsidiaries to distribute cash to the holding
     company and (ii) those impacting the Company's ability to profitably write
     property and casualty insurance policies in one or more states.
  .  Changes in federal income tax laws and changes resulting from federal tax
     audits effecting corporate tax rates or taxable income, and regulations
     changing the relative tax advantages of the Company's life and annuity
     products to customers.
  .  The Company's ability to maintain favorable claims-paying ability ratings.
  .  Adverse changes in policyholder mortality and morbidity rates.
  .  The resolution of legal proceedings and related matters.

Strategic Review

     On August 2, 1999, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had
retained Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and Credit Suisse First Boston to explore
strategic alternatives available to the corporation.  On November 17, 1999, the
Board of Directors announced its determination that at that point in time the
Company's shareholder value would be best sustained and enhanced by Horace Mann
Educators Corporation remaining an independent company.  At

                                      F-2
<PAGE>

that time, the retention agreements between the Company and each of Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter and Credit Suisse First Boston were terminated.

Year Ended December 31, 1999 Compared With Year Ended December 31, 1998

Insurance Premiums and Contract Charges

               Insurance Premiums Written and Contract Deposits

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Year Ended       Growth Over
                                       December 31,       Prior Year
                                      --------------   ----------------
                                       1999    1998    Percent   Amount
                                       ----    ----    -------   ------
    <S>                               <C>     <C>      <C>       <C>
    Automobile and property
      (voluntary)..................   $470.7  $459.0      2.5%   $ 11.7
    Annuity deposits...............    205.7   223.3     -7.9%    (17.6)
    Life...........................    120.4   116.7      3.2%      3.7
                                      ------  ------             ------
        Subtotal - core lines......    796.8   799.0     -0.3%     (2.2)
    Involuntary and other
      property & casualty..........     24.4    28.8    -15.3%     (4.4)
                                      ------  ------             ------
        Total......................   $821.2  $827.8     -0.8%   $ (6.6)
                                      ======  ======             ======
</TABLE>

                Insurance Premiums and Contract Charges Earned
                 (Excludes annuity and life contract deposits)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Year Ended       Growth Over
                                       December 31,       Prior Year
                                      --------------   ----------------
                                       1999    1998    Percent   Amount
                                       ----    ----    -------   ------
    <S>                               <C>     <C>      <C>       <C>
    Automobile and property
      (voluntary)..................   $465.0  $449.9      3.4%    $15.1
    Annuity........................     16.7    15.6      7.1%      1.1
    Life...........................     87.3    85.8      1.7%      1.5
                                      ------  ------              -----
        Subtotal - core lines......    569.0   551.3      3.2%     17.7
    Involuntary and other
      property & casualty..........     26.1    26.5     -1.5%     (0.4)
                                      ------  ------              -----
        Total......................   $595.1  $577.8      3.0%    $17.3
                                      ======  ======              =====
</TABLE>

     The property and casualty and life segments both experienced modest premium
growth for the year. Nonetheless, total insurance premiums written and contract
deposits showed no growth for the year because of a decline in new annuity
deposits. Annuity growth of 12.1% for 1998 benefitted from new tax legislation
which contributed to a high volume of single premium and rollover deposits to
tax-qualified products. In 1999, single premium annuity deposits declined
significantly, (20.7%), compared to 1998.

     The Company ended the year with 708 experienced exclusive full-time agents,
growth of 2.3% compared to 12 months earlier. The total agency force of 1,105
agents decreased 2.0% compared to a year ago as a result of fewer hires and
increased terminations over the 12-month period. Modifications have been made to
agent recruiting and the new agents' finance programs that management believes
will have a positive impact on agent growth in future years.

                                      F-3
<PAGE>

     Total voluntary automobile and homeowners premium written growth was 2.5%
for 1999, resulting from growth in the average premium per policy for both
automobile and homeowners and an increase in the number of homeowners policies
in force. Automobile insurance premium increased 1.0%, or $3.7 million, compared
to 1998, and homeowners premium increased 7.8%, or $8.0 million. Nearly one-half
of the property and casualty increase in premiums resulted from unit growth of
1.5%, bringing year-end policies in force to 872,000. Compared to December 31,
1998, total property and casualty policies in force increased 13,000, the entire
increase attributable to homeowners insurance. The Company's average annual
premium per policy for automobile and homeowners increased approximately 1% and
3%, respectively, compared to a year earlier. While automobile policies in force
ended the year equal to 1998, the 1% increase in average premium per automobile
policy kept pace with loss cost developments.

     Based on policies in force, the property and casualty 12-month retention
rate for new and renewal policies was 88%, slightly less than for the 12 months
ended December 31, 1998.  The change in property and casualty retention was
primarily caused by greater price competition for automobile insurance.

     New annuity deposits decreased 7.9% compared to 1998, with a 5.4% decline
in the fourth quarter. The decline was primarily attributable to a 20.7%
decrease in 1999 in single premium deposits, which in 1998 benefitted from new
tax legislation which contributed to a high volume of single premium and
rollover deposits to tax-qualified products. The change in new annuity deposits
also included an 0.8% increase in scheduled deposits received. New deposits to
variable mutual fund annuities decreased 6.8% and new deposits to fixed
annuities were 9.7% lower than in 1998. Variable annuity accumulated funds on
deposit at December 31, 1999 were $1.1 billion, $8.9 million more than a year
ago, an 0.8% increase. However, variable annuity deposit retention decreased 4
percentage points over the 12 months to 89.4%. Deposits in the three additional
mutual funds introduced by the Company in March 1997 increased to $145 million
at December 31, 1999 from $70 million 12 months earlier. Fixed annuity cash
value retention for the 12 months ended December 31, 1999 was 92.3%, 0.5
percentage points lower than 1998. Over the last 12 months, the number of
annuity contracts outstanding increased 4.2%, or 5,000 contracts.

     Life premium growth was 3.2% for the year ended December 31, 1999. This
growth included new business from term life products introduced early in 1997
and a new series of whole life products introduced late in the third quarter of
1998 and reflects an insurance in force lapse ratio of 8.3%. Customer acceptance
of these new products continues to grow, as they accounted for approximately
half of the Company's new life sales in 1999.

  Net Investment Income

     Investment income of $188.3 million for 1999 decreased 1.8%, or $3.4
million, (1.2% after tax) compared to 1998 due to a decline in the average yield
on the investment portfolio that resulted from a steady decline in interest
rates from early-1997 until early-1999 and because the yield available in the
bond market in 1998 and 1999 was lower than the imbedded yield of the portfolio
during most of this period. There was also minimal growth in the investment
portfolio. The average pretax yield on the investment portfolio was 7.0% (4.7%
after tax) for 1999 compared to a pretax yield of 7.2% (4.8% after tax) for
1998, a decrease of 18 basis points, or 2.5%. Average investments (excluding the
securities lending collateral) increased only slightly over the past 12 months
reflecting modest growth in business, customers' preference for variable as
opposed to fixed annuity contracts and the utilization of capital for the share
repurchase program.

                                      F-4
<PAGE>

All of the investment income decrease in the annuity segment was offset by a
reduction in interest credited to fixed annuity deposits. Excluding the impact
of the use of cash in the share repurchase program from both periods, net
investment income would have increased 0.6%, or $1.3 million, compared to $202.2
million in 1998.

  Realized Investment Gains and Losses

     Net realized investment losses were $8.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 1999, compared to net realized investment gains of $9.9 million in
1998. Most of the net realized gains and losses occurred in the fixed income
portfolios. The net realized investment losses in 1999 were about two-thirds due
to credit decisions and rate of return considerations in the Company's fixed
income investment portfolio and about one-third due to the sale of U.S. Treasury
securities for duration management purposes in a rising interest rate
environment. Realized investment gains in 1998 included calls and tenders in the
Company's bond portfolio as well as credit and rate of return decisions.

  Benefits, Claims and Settlement Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Year Ended       Growth Over
                                            December 31,       Prior Year
                                           --------------   ----------------
                                            1999    1998    Percent   Amount
                                            ----    ----    -------   ------
      <S>                                  <C>     <C>      <C>       <C>
      Property and casualty.............   $374.9  $354.4      5.8%    $20.5
      Life..............................     41.3    41.9     -1.4%     (0.6)
                                           ------  ------              -----
        Total...........................   $416.2  $396.3      5.0%    $19.9
                                           ======  ======              =====

      Property and casualty
        statutory loss ratio:
          Before catastrophes...........     72.4%   68.5%               3.9%
          After catastrophes............     76.3%   74.4%               1.9%
</TABLE>

     Property and casualty claims and settlement costs reflect a high level of
catastrophe losses in both years and an increase in fire and non-catastrophe
weather claims in 1999. Although catastrophe losses in 1999 were lower than in
1998, the second quarter of 1999 was the Company's second-worst ever, trailing
only the record set in the second quarter of 1998, as policyholders in 25 states
incurred damages from 13 separate events. Also, Hurricane Floyd in the third
quarter of 1999, with claims of $5.4 million for the Company, was the worst
storm for the Company and the industry in 1999. The fourth quarter 1999
homeowners loss ratio was 55.9%, 40.5 percentage points lower than in the first
nine months of 1999, reflecting the impact of weather on this line of business,
and 1.8 percentage points greater than the fourth quarter of 1998. Catastrophe
losses were $0.7 million in the fourth quarter of 1999 and $2.7 million in the
fourth quarter of 1998.

     In 1999, the increase in the Company's average voluntary automobile
insurance premium per policy kept pace with loss cost developments. This
favorable result reflected a number of operational changes, principally savings
realized to date from new claims evaluation software that was fully installed by
June 1999.

                                      F-5
<PAGE>

     Property and casualty results included continuation of favorable
development of prior years reserves, although at a lower level than in 1998.
Favorable development of property and casualty claims occurring in prior years,
excluding involuntary business, was $7.6 million in 1999, compared to $23.3
million in 1998. Favorable development of total property and casualty claims
occurring in prior years was $4.6 million in 1999, compared to $24.9 million in
1998.

     Life mortality was slightly lower in 1999 than in 1998. The decrease in
life segment benefits primarily resulted from positive experience on a small
closed block of individual accident and health policies.

  Interest Credited to Policyholders

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Year Ended       Growth Over
                                            December 31,       Prior Year
                                           --------------   ----------------
                                            1999    1998    Percent   Amount
                                            ----    ----    -------   ------
    <S>                                    <C>     <C>      <C>       <C>
    Annuity............................    $67.2   $72.0      -6.7%    $(4.8)
    Life...............................     24.4    22.8       7.0%      1.6
                                           -----   -----               -----
      Total............................    $91.6   $94.8      -3.4%    $(3.2)
                                           =====   =====               =====
</TABLE>

     Interest credited to fixed annuity contracts decreased as the fixed annuity
average annual interest rate credited decreased 0.4 percentage points to 5.0% in
1999, compared to a rate of 5.4% in 1998. In addition, the average accumulated
deposits for the year ended December 31, 1999 increased only slightly compared
to the same period in 1998. Life insurance interest credited increased as a
result of continued growth in the interest-sensitive life insurance reserves.

  Operating Expenses

     For 1999, operating expenses were equal to 1998, including the deferral of
additional acquisition costs. The Company began deferring additional sales-
related costs in 1999 for all new life and annuity contracts, consistent with
common industry accounting practices. This change increased acquisition costs
deferred by $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1999. Excluding the
deferral of additional sales-related costs, operating expenses for 1999
increased $4.8 million, or 4.4%, compared to 1998. In 1999, the Company's
operating expenses included $2.3 million attributable to additional employee
health insurance costs, compared to 1998.

     The total corporate expense ratio on a statutory accounting basis was 22.1%
for the year ended December 31, 1999, 0.9 percentage points higher than in 1998.
The property and casualty expense ratio, the 12th lowest of the 100 largest
property and casualty insurance groups for 1998, was 19.8% for the year ended
December 31, 1999, compared to 19.3% in 1998. The increase in these expense
ratios primarily reflects the modest level of premium growth and additional
employee health insurance expense.

  Amortization of Policy Acquisition Expenses and Intangible Assets

     For 1999, the combined amortization of policy acquisition expenses and
intangible assets of $53.3 million increased by $0.9 million, or 1.7%, compared
to $52.4 million for 1998. Amortization of intangible assets decreased by $6.7
million to $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1999, compared to $6.9
million for 1998. Recent experience and trends in the Company's annuity business
produced a $6.2 million reduction in the amortization of the value

                                      F-6
<PAGE>

of annuity business acquired in the 1989 acquisition of the Company partially
offset by a $3.4 million increase in the amortization of annuity acquisition
costs deferred after the 1989 acquisition of the Company.

     Also in 1999, the amortization of life deferred acquisition costs decreased
$1.5 million to reflect current mortality estimates, resulting in higher
anticipated future gross profits. The amortization of the value of property and
casualty business acquired in the 1989 acquisition of the Company was completed
in 1999.

  Income Tax Expense

     Excluding the $20.0 million additional provision for prior years' taxes,
the effective income tax rate was 30.9% for the year ended December 31, 1999,
compared to 27.0% for 1998. Income from investments in tax-advantaged
securities reduced the effective income tax rate 4.6 and 3.2 percentage points
for the years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. In 1998, non-
recurring tax benefits reduced the effective rate 5.6 percentage points and
contributed $6.5 million, or $0.15 per share, to operating income for the year.

     As previously reported, the Company has been contesting proposed additional
federal income taxes relating to a settlement agreement with the Internal
Revenue Service ("IRS") for prior years' taxes. Based on developments in that
process during the last half of 1999, it appears that the Company may be forced
to litigate the issue with the IRS in order to reach a resolution of the issue
acceptable to the Company. Therefore, in the third quarter of 1999, the Company
recorded an additional federal income tax provision of $20 million representing
the maximum exposure of the Company to the IRS with regard to the issue for all
of the past tax years in question. While the ultimate resolution of the issue,
through settlement or litigation, may result in the Company paying less than the
maximum exposure, given the vagaries of litigation and the lack of progress in
reaching an acceptable agreement with the IRS, management believed it prudent to
book the maximum exposure in 1999. None of the $20 million reserve was paid as
of March 29, 2000. This reserve was a charge to net income in 1999 but was
excluded from the determination of reported operating income.

                                      F-7
<PAGE>

Operating Income

    For the year ended December 31, 1999, operating income (net income before
the after-tax impact of realized investment gains and losses and non-recurring
charges) decreased 10.4%, or $8.2 million, and operating income per share on a
diluted basis of $1.70 decreased 5.6%, or $0.10 per share.  Results for 1999
were lower than the prior year due principally to non-recurring tax benefits in
1998 of $6.5 million, or $0.15 per share.  Operating income by segment was as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                            Year Ended             Growth Over
                                                           December 31,            Prior Year
                                                       -------------------  ---------------------
                                                        1999         1998    Percent       Amount
                                                        ----         ----    -------       ------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>      <C>           <C>
    Property & casualty
      Before catastrophe losses and
        non-recurring tax benefits..........           $52.2        $65.2     -19.9%       $(13.0)
      Catastrophe losses, after tax.........            12.7         18.5     -31.4%         (5.8)
      Non-recurring tax benefits............               -          6.5    -100.0%         (6.5)
                                                       -----        -----                  ------
        Total including catastrophe losses
          and non-recurring tax benefits....            39.5         53.2     -25.8%        (13.7)
    Annuity.................................            27.3         23.1      18.2%          4.2
    Life....................................            14.6         12.4      17.7%          2.2
    Corporate and other expense.............             4.4          3.6                     0.8
    Interest expense........................             6.3          6.2                     0.1
                                                       -----        -----                  ------
        Total...............................           $70.7        $78.9     -10.4%       $ (8.2)
                                                       =====        =====                  ======
        Total before catastrophe losses
          and non-recurring tax benefits....           $83.4        $90.9      -8.3%       $ (7.5)
                                                       =====        =====                  ======

    Property and casualty
      statutory combined ratio:
        Before catastrophe losses...........            92.2%        87.7%                    4.5%
        After catastrophe losses............            96.1%        93.6%                    2.5%
</TABLE>

    Property and casualty segment operating income was lower than in 1998 due
primarily to a non-recurring tax benefit in 1998 and a lower level of favorable
development of prior years' reserves than in 1998.  Favorable development of
property and casualty claims occurring in prior years (excluding involuntary
business), was $4.9 million after tax in 1999, compared to $15.1 million after
tax in 1998.  Favorable development of total property and casualty claims
occurring in prior years was $3.0 million after tax in 1999, compared to $16.2
million after tax in 1998.  During 1999, the Company's increase in average
voluntary automobile insurance premium kept pace with loss cost developments.
The homeowners combined ratio of 105.8% was 5.0 percentage points better than in
1998, reflecting the decline in catastrophe losses.  However, catastrophe losses
in both years were significant as the second quarter of 1999 represented the
Company's second-worst ever for catastrophe losses, trailing only the record set
in last year's second quarter, with an unusually large number of catastrophes
that were widespread across the country.  Hurricane Floyd in the third quarter
of 1999 with claims of $3.5 million after tax for the Company was the worst
storm for the Company and the industry in 1999.

    The 18.2% increase in annuity segment operating income was driven by lower
expenses, an increase of 7.7% in the net interest margin and a 9.6% increase in
fees and contract charges earned.  The reduction in expenses resulted from the
deferral of additional sales-related costs and a net decrease in the
amortization of the value of acquired insurance in force and deferred

                                      F-8
<PAGE>

acquisition costs to reflect recent experience and trends.  The net deferral of
additional sales-related costs contributed $1.2 million to operating income for
the year ended December 31, 1999.  Variable annuity accumulated deposits were
$1.1 billion at December 31, 1999, $8.9 million, or 0.8%, more than 12 months
earlier.  Fixed annuity accumulated cash value of $1.4 billion was comparable to
December 31, 1998.

    The increase in life insurance earnings reflected slightly lower mortality
costs and lower expenses.  The expense reductions were due to the $1.9 million
after tax net deferral of additional sales-related costs and a decrease in the
amortization of deferred acquisition costs to reflect current mortality
estimates.

    The Company's share repurchase program reduced operating income by $9.1
million for the year ended December 31, 1999, reflecting utilization of capital
and the corresponding reduction of net investment income, but resulted in an
increase of $0.03 in earnings per share for the period due to the reduction in
the number of shares outstanding.

  Net Income

                         Net Income Per Share, Diluted
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                              Year Ended              Growth Over
                                             December 31,              Prior Year
                                          -------------------    ----------------------
                                           1999       1998       Percent      Amount
                                          -------  ----------    --------  ------------
<S>                                       <C>      <C>           <C>       <C>

    Operating income....................  $ 1.70        $1.80       -5.6%       $(0.10)
    Realized investment gains (losses)..   (0.13)        0.15                    (0.28)
    Litigation settlement...............   (0.02)           -                    (0.02)
    Provision for prior years' taxes....   (0.48)           -                    (0.48)
                                          ------        -----                   ------
    Net income..........................  $ 1.07        $1.95      -45.1%       $(0.88)
                                          ======        =====                   ======
</TABLE>

    Net income, which includes realized investment gains and losses and non-
recurring charges, for the year ended December 31, 1999 decreased by 47.8% and
net income per diluted share decreased by 45.1% compared to 1998.  Two non-
recurring charges were recorded in the third quarter of 1999 that reduced 1999
net income:  an additional federal income tax provision of $20.0 million, or
$0.48 per share, representing the Company's maximum exposure for disputed prior
years' taxes; and a net cost of $1.0 million (after insurance proceeds), or
$0.02 per share, to settle certain litigation in Alabama related to life
insurance policies.  The settlement of litigation in Alabama included the
lawsuit in which a verdict of $12.35 million was rendered against the Company on
June 25, 1999 as well as 39 other suits brought by the same law firm and 6 other
cases represented by another law firm but of a similar nature.  Net income also
reflected $5.2 million of after tax realized investment losses for the year,
compared to $6.4 million of after tax realized investment gains in 1998.

    Return on shareholders' equity based on operating income for the last 12
months was 16%.  Based on net income, return on equity was 10% for the last 12
months.

                                      F-9
<PAGE>

Year Ended December 31, 1998 Compared With Year Ended December 31, 1997

  Insurance Premiums and Contract Charges

                Insurance Premiums Written and Contract Deposits

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Year Ended           Growth Over
                                           December 31,          Prior Year
                                        -----------------     ---------------
                                        1998         1997     Percent  Amount
                                        ----         ----     -------  ------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>       <C>      <C>
    Automobile and property
      (voluntary)..............        $459.0       $431.0      6.5%   $28.0
    Annuity deposits...........         223.3        199.2     12.1%    24.1
    Life.......................         116.7        114.1      2.3%     2.6
                                       ------       ------             -----
        Subtotal - core lines..         799.0        744.3      7.3%    54.7
    Involuntary and other
      property & casualty......          28.8         27.0      6.7%     1.8
                                       ------       ------             -----
        Total..................        $827.8       $771.3      7.3%   $56.5
                                       ======       ======             =====
</TABLE>

                 Insurance Premiums and Contract Charges Earned
                 (Excludes annuity and life contract deposits)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Year Ended           Growth Over
                                           December 31,          Prior Year
                                        -----------------     ---------------
                                        1998         1997     Percent  Amount
                                        ----         ----     -------  ------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>       <C>      <C>
    Automobile and property
      (voluntary)..............        $449.9       $421.5      6.7%   $28.4
    Annuity....................          15.6         12.6     23.8%     3.0
    Life.......................          85.8         82.9      3.5%     2.9
                                       ------       ------             -----
        Subtotal - core lines..         551.3        517.0      6.6%    34.3
    Involuntary and other
      property & casualty......          26.5         25.7      3.1%     0.8
                                       ------       ------             -----
        Total..................        $577.8       $542.7      6.5%   $35.1
                                       ======       ======             =====
</TABLE>

    Insurance premiums written and contract deposit growth of 7.3% was
principally driven by growth in the agent force and higher agent productivity in
1998.  In total, the Company ended 1998 with a record 1,128 exclusive full-time
agents, an increase of 5.4% compared to 1,070 agents 12 months earlier.
Particularly significant was the 3.7% increase in the number of experienced
agents, reflecting the success of the Company's efforts to improve agent
recruitment, training and retention.

    The growth in new annuity deposits of 12.1% included a 23.5% increase in new
deposits to variable mutual fund annuities while new deposits to fixed annuities
decreased 2.6%.  1998 represented the third consecutive year of double-digit
growth in new annuity deposits.  Annuity contributions received through payroll
deduction increased approximately 10% for the full year.  Total new annuity
deposits including single premiums increased 1.3% in the fourth quarter as
single premium deposits declined reflecting the volatility in the stock market
in the third quarter of 1998, as well as the exceptionally strong 54.6% growth
in single premium deposits achieved in fourth quarter 1997.  Variable annuity
accumulated funds on deposit at December 31, 1998 were $1.1 billion, $163
million more than a year ago, a 17.0% increase.  The number of annuity contracts
in force increased 7.1%, or 8,000 contracts, compared to last December 31.

                                      F-10
<PAGE>

    During the first quarter of 1998, the Company introduced new IRA annuities
in response to new tax legislation.  While the 403(b) annuity remains a better
alternative for most educators, initial sales of these IRA products generated
3.0 percentage points of the 12.1% growth in new annuity deposits.  The new IRA
retirement options created heightened customer interest and an opportunity for
agents to meet with both potential and existing customers.  Beginning in March
1997, three additional mutual funds - a small cap fund, an international equity
fund, and a socially responsible fund - were made available to annuity
customers.  At December 31, 1998, there were $70 million of customer deposits in
these three new funds, compared to approximately $30 million at December 31,
1997.

    Voluntary automobile and homeowners premium written growth was 6.5% for
1998.  Automobile insurance premium increased 5.5%, or $18.7 million, compared
to 1997, and homeowners premium increased 10.0%, or $9.3 million.  Approximately
one-third of the property and casualty increase in premiums resulted from unit
growth of 2.6% bringing year-end policies in force to 859,000.  Compared to
September 30, 1998, total property and casualty policies in force showed no
growth as the 4,000 increase in homeowners policies was offset by the 4,000
decline in automobile policies resulting from greater price competition for
automobile insurance.  The Company's average annual premium per policy for both
automobile and homeowners increased approximately 4% compared to 1997.
Including the impact of increased deductibles and reduced coverage in coastal
areas, the Company's average effective premium per policy for homeowners
insurance increased 7% compared to 1997.  For the fourth quarter of 1998, the
Company's increase in average premium per automobile policy, while comparable to
the industry, was lower than in the first part of 1998.

    Life premium growth was 2.3% for the year ended December 31, 1998
notwithstanding a decline in new deposits to policy side funds which reduced the
growth rate by approximately 1 percentage point.  The 1998 growth included new
business from term life products introduced early in 1997 and a new series of
whole life products introduced late in the third quarter of 1998.

    Retention of business continues to be strong in each of the Company's
segments.  Over the last 12 months based on policies in force, the property and
casualty retention rate for new and renewal policies was 88%, ordinary life
insurance 95% and annuity 94%.  The annuity and life retention rates were equal
to 1997, while property and casualty was about 1 percentage point less than
1997.  The change in property and casualty retention was primarily caused by
greater price competition for automobile insurance.

  Net Investment Income

    Investment income of $191.7 million for 1998 decreased 3.6%, or $7.2
million, (3.2% after tax) compared to 1997 due to the decline in interest rates
and a decrease in the investment portfolio.  The average pretax yield on the
investment portfolio was 7.2% (4.8% after tax) for 1998 compared to a pretax
yield of 7.4% (4.9% after tax) for 1997, a decrease of 18 basis points, or 2.4%.
Average investments (excluding the securities lending collateral) decreased 1.5%
over the past 12 months reflecting the utilization of capital for the share
repurchase program and customers' preference for variable as opposed to fixed
annuity contracts.  Approximately $4 million, about half, of the investment
income decrease was offset by a decline in interest credited to fixed annuity
deposits, moderating the effect on operating earnings.  Excluding the effect of
the use of cash in the share repurchase program, net investment income would
have been $200.9 million, a small decrease compared to 1997.

                                      F-11
<PAGE>

  Realized Investment Gains and Losses

    The higher level of realized gains in 1998 resulted from an increase in
fixed maturity security calls and tenders in the current low interest rate
environment.

  Benefits, Claims and Settlement Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Year Ended            Growth Over
                                        December 31,           Prior Year
                               ---------------------------  ----------------
                                   1998           1997      Percent   Amount
                               -------------  ------------  --------  ------
<S>                            <C>            <C>           <C>       <C>
    Property and casualty.....       $354.4        $320.8      10.5%   $33.6
    Life......................         41.9          38.6       8.5%     3.3
                                     ------        ------              -----
      Total...................       $396.3        $359.4      10.3%   $36.9
                                     ======        ======              =====

    Property and casualty
      statutory loss ratio:
        Before catastrophes...         68.5%         70.3%              -1.8%
        After catastrophes....         74.4%         71.7%               2.7%
</TABLE>

    Improvements in non-weather related frequency and severity of claims were
reflected in a lower property and casualty loss ratio before catastrophes
despite a decrease in the favorable development of claims occurring in prior
years of $24.9 million in 1998 compared to $45.1 million in 1997.

    Weather-related catastrophe losses in 1998 more than offset these
underwriting improvements.  A series of severe storms struck the Northern
Plains, Upper Midwest, Southeast and Northeast during the second quarter of
1998, with Minnesota being the hardest hit state, resulting in a record level of
weather-related catastrophe claims for the property-casualty insurance industry
and for the Company.  Catastrophe losses in Minnesota during this period were
the worst in that state's history for the industry as well as the Company and
reduced the Company's 1998 after tax operating earnings by $5.2 million.

    The increase in life benefits reflected higher individual life mortality
experience compared to 1997.

  Interest Credited to Policyholders

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Year Ended            Growth Over
                                         December 31,           Prior Year
                                  -------------------------  -----------------
                                      1998         1997      Percent   Amount
                                  ------------  -----------  --------  -------
<S>                               <C>           <C>          <C>       <C>
    Annuity.....................      $72.0       $76.5       -5.9%     $(4.5)
    Life........................       22.8        20.7       10.1%       2.1
                                      -----       -----                 -----
      Total.....................      $94.8       $97.2       -2.5%     $(2.4)
                                      =====       =====                 =====
</TABLE>

    Interest credited to fixed annuity contracts decreased as average
accumulated deposits decreased 1.4% over the 12 months ended December 31, 1998.
In addition, the fixed annuity average annual interest rate credited decreased
0.2 percentage points to 5.4% in 1998, compared to a rate of 5.6% in 1997.  Life
insurance interest credited increased as a result of continued growth in the
interest-sensitive whole life insurance reserves.

                                      F-12
<PAGE>

  Policy Acquisition and Operating Expenses

    Policy acquisition and operating expenses represent the Company's insurance
underwriting expenses.  For 1998, policy acquisition and operating expenses
increased $4.5 million, or 3.0%, compared to 1997.  The corporate expense ratio
on a statutory accounting basis was 21.2% for 1998, 0.9 percentage points better
than 1997.  The property and casualty expense ratio improved to 19.3% for the
year ended December 31, 1998, compared to 19.4% for 1997.

    At the beginning of 1998, the Company adopted the accounting treatment
required by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Statement of
Position 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or
Obtained for Internal Use."  Adoption of this statement decreased the Company's
1998 operating expenses by $2.4 million before income taxes as costs incurred to
develop internal-use software were capitalized and depreciated over their
expected useful lives.

  Amortization of Intangible Assets

    Amortization of intangible assets decreased by $3.8 million to $6.9 million
for the year ended December 31, 1998, compared to $10.7 million for 1997. This
decrease resulted from lower amortization of the value of annuity business
acquired in the 1989 acquisition of the Company.  The value of annuity business
acquired is amortized in relation to the present value of the estimated future
gross profit amounts expected to be realized over the life of the book of
contracts.  The estimates of expected gross profit are evaluated annually, and
the amortization is adjusted when actual experience or other evidence suggests
that earlier estimates should be revised.  Significant appreciation and the
retention of the Company's annuity business in recent years have favorably
impacted projected future gross profits for this business.  Accordingly, the
amortization has been decreased as the estimated expected future gross profits
of the business have increased.

  Income Tax Expense

    The effective income tax rate was 27.0% for the year ended December 31, 1998
compared to 27.2% for 1997.  Income from investments in tax-advantaged
securities reduced the effective income tax rate approximately 3 percentage
points in both 1998 and 1997.  Certain tax benefits that did not recur in future
years, as explained in "Year Ended December 31, 1999 Compared With Year Ended
December 31, 1998  --  Income Tax Expense," reduced the effective rate
approximately 6 percentage points in both 1998 and 1997.

                                      F-13
<PAGE>

  Operating Income

    For the year ended December 31, 1998, excluding the impact of catastrophes,
operating income (income from continuing operations before the after tax impact
of realized investment gains and losses) increased 11.2%.  The Company's after-
tax catastrophe losses for the year ended December 31, 1998 set a new record
high -- and followed a year in which its catastrophe losses were at a near-
record low.  Current year earnings and investment income were also reduced
compared to 1997 due to the utilization of capital in the Company's share
repurchase programs.  Operating income by segment was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Year Ended            Growth Over
                                                 December 31,           Prior Year
                                              ----------------     --------------------
                                              1998        1997     Percent       Amount
                                              ----        ----     -------       ------
<S>                                           <C>         <C>      <C>           <C>
    Property & casualty:
      Before catastrophe losses and
        non-recurring tax benefits..........  $65.2      $58.8        10.9%        $ 6.4
      Catastrophe losses, after tax.........   18.5        4.0       362.5%         14.5
      Non-recurring tax benefits............    6.5        6.6        -1.5%         (0.1)
                                              -----      -----                     -----
        Total including catastrophe losses
          and non-recurring tax benefits....   53.2       61.4       -13.4%         (8.2)
    Annuity.................................   23.1       19.3        19.7%          3.8
    Life....................................   12.4       12.9        -3.9%         (0.5)
    Corporate and other expense.............    3.6        3.9                      (0.3)
    Interest expense........................    6.2        6.1                       0.1
                                              -----      -----                     -----
        Total...............................  $78.9      $83.6        -5.6%        $(4.7)
                                              =====      =====                     =====
        Total before catastrophe losses
          and non-recurring tax benefits....  $90.9      $81.0        12.2%        $ 9.9
                                              =====      =====                     =====

    Property and casualty
      statutory combined ratio:
        Before catastrophes.................   87.7%      89.7%                     -2.0%
        After catastrophes..................   93.6%      91.1%                      2.5%
</TABLE>

    Property and casualty segment operating income was primarily impacted by the
significant increase in weather-related catastrophe losses in 1998.  The
property and casualty combined loss and expense ratio for 1998 reflected an
improvement in underwriting results offset by the higher weather-related claims.
Property and casualty segment operating income was also adversely affected by a
reduction in investment income in the year ended December 31, 1998 as compared
to the same period in 1997 which resulted from an increase in the operating
leverage and corresponding reduction in capital allocated to the Company's
property and casualty operations as well as the lower interest rate environment.
Despite higher catastrophe losses, automobile results for the year produced a
combined ratio of 88.9%, 1.2 percentage points better than 1997.  1998
automobile claim severity was less than in 1997 and rate increases kept pace
with loss costs.  Due to unprecedented levels of weather-related losses, the
1998 homeowners combined ratio of 110.8% was 17.4 percentage points higher than
in 1997.  Favorable development of property and casualty claims occurring in
prior years (excluding involuntary business), was $15.1 million after tax in
1998, compared to $26.0 million after tax in 1997.  Favorable development of
total property and casualty claims occurring in prior years was $16.2 million
after tax in 1998, compared to $29.3 million after tax in 1997.

                                      F-14
<PAGE>

    Strong growth in variable annuity deposits produced an increase in annuity
earnings compared to 1997. The 1998 interest margin on fixed annuity deposits
was comparable to 1997, while fees collected on variable annuity business grew
by 23.8% compared to 1997 as a result of growth in the variable annuity
business. Variable annuity accumulated deposits were $1.1 billion at December
31, 1998, $163.1 million more than 12 months earlier, a 17.0% increase. Fixed
annuity accumulated cash value of $1.4 billion was equal to December 31, 1997.

  Net Income
                         Net Income Per Share, Diluted

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Year Ended           Growth Over
                                             December 31,         Prior Year
                                         ------------------    ----------------
                                         1998          1997    Percent   Amount
                                         ----          ----    -------   ------
<S>                                      <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>
    Operating income...................  $1.80       $ 1.80          -    $   -
    Realized investment gains..........   0.15         0.07      114.3%    0.08
                                         -----       ------               -----
    Income from continuing operations..   1.95         1.87        4.3%    0.08
    Discontinued operations:
      Loss on discontinuation..........      -        (0.07)               0.07
                                         -----       ------               -----
    Net income.........................  $1.95       $ 1.80        8.3%   $0.15
                                         =====       ======               =====
</TABLE>

    Net income, which includes realized investment gains and discontinued
operations, for the year ended December 31, 1998 increased by 2.0% and net
income per diluted share increased by 8.3% compared to 1997. The Company's share
repurchase program reduced net income by $6.0 million for 1998 but resulted in
an increase of $0.06 in earnings per share for the period due to the reduction
in the number of shares outstanding.

    Net income for 1997 included an after tax charge of $3.5 million, or $0.07
per share, for anticipated additional losses during the remainder of the phase-
out period as a result of accelerating the timetable for the Company's
withdrawal from the group medical insurance business and higher-than-expected
claims. By August 31, 1998, all of the group medical business had been
terminated.

Liquidity and Financial Resources

  Investments

    The Company's investment strategy emphasizes investment grade, publicly
traded fixed income securities.  At December 31, 1999, fixed income securities
represented 95.3% of investments.  Of the fixed income investment portfolio,
93.2% was investment grade and 99.8% was publicly traded.  The average quality
of the total fixed income portfolio was AA-/A+ at December 31, 1999.

    The duration of the investment portfolio is managed to provide cash flow to
satisfy policyholder liabilities as they become due.  The average option
adjusted duration of total investments was 4.1 years at December 31, 1999 and
4.4 years at December 31, 1998.  The Company has included in its annuity
products substantial surrender penalties to reduce the likelihood of unexpected
increases in policy or contract surrenders.  All annuities issued since 1982 and
approximately 75% of all outstanding fixed annuity accumulated cash values are
subject in most cases to substantial early withdrawal penalties.

                                      F-15
<PAGE>

  Cash Flow

    The short-term liquidity requirements of the Company, within a 12-month
operating cycle, are for the timely payment of claims and benefits to
policyholders, operating expenses, interest payments and federal income taxes.
Cash flow in excess of these amounts has been used to fund business growth,
retire short-term debt, pay dividends to shareholders and repurchase shares of
the Company's common stock.  Long-term liquidity requirements, beyond one year,
are principally for the payment of future insurance policy claims and benefits
and retirement of long-term notes.

  Operating Activities

    As a holding company, HMEC conducts its principal operations in the personal
lines segment of the property and casualty and life insurance industries through
its subsidiaries.  HMEC's insurance subsidiaries generate cash flow from premium
and investment income, generally well in excess of their immediate needs for
policy obligations, operating expenses and other cash requirements.  Net cash
provided by operating activities was greater than in 1998 primarily as a result
of lower federal income taxes paid in 1999, including a $7.0 million refund of
prior years' taxes.  Cash provided by operating activities primarily reflects
net cash generated by the insurance subsidiaries.

    Payment of principal and interest on debt, fees related to the catastrophe-
linked equity put option, dividends to shareholders and parent company operating
expenses, as well as the share repurchase program, are dependent upon the
ability of the insurance subsidiaries to pay cash dividends or make other cash
payments to HMEC, including tax payments pursuant to tax sharing agreements.
The insurance subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory restrictions which
limit the amount of annual dividends or other distributions, including loans or
cash advances, available to HMEC without prior approval of the insurance
regulatory authorities.  Dividends which may be paid by the insurance
subsidiaries to HMEC during 2000 without prior approval are approximately $75
million.  Although regulatory restrictions exist, dividend availability from
subsidiaries has been, and is expected to be, more than adequate for HMEC's
capital needs.

  Investing Activities

    HMEC's insurance subsidiaries maintain significant investments in fixed
maturity securities to meet future contractual obligations to policyholders.  In
conjunction with its management of liquidity and other asset/liability
management objectives, the Company, from time to time, will sell fixed maturity
securities prior to maturity and reinvest the proceeds in other investments with
different interest rates, maturities or credit characteristics.  Accordingly,
the Company has classified the entire fixed maturity securities portfolio as
available for sale.

  Financing Activities

    Financing activities include primarily repurchases of the Company's common
stock, payment of dividends, the receipt and withdrawal of funds by annuity
policyholders and borrowings and repayments under the Company's debt facilities.
Fees related to the catastrophe-linked equity put which augments its reinsurance
program have been charged directly to additional paid-in capital.

                                      F-16
<PAGE>

    For the year ended December 31, 1999, receipts from annuity contracts
decreased 7.9% primarily reflecting the reduced level of single premium deposits
received.  Annuity contract maturities and withdrawals increased $62.4 million,
or 33.8%, compared to the year ended December 31, 1998 due to higher withdrawals
from the variable annuity option.  Variable annuity deposit retention decreased
4 percentage points over the 12 months to 89.4%.  Net transfers to variable
annuity assets decreased $89.2 million, or 92.1%, compared to 1998 reflecting a
greater allocation of funds by customers to fixed annuities rather than variable
annuities and the decrease in total annuity contract receipts.  Retention of
fixed annuity accumulated cash value was 92.3% for the 12 months ended December
31, 1999.

    During the first six months of 1999, the Company repurchased 1,075,300
shares of its common stock, or 3% of the shares outstanding on December 31,
1998, at an aggregate cost of $25.1 million, or an average cost of $23.34 per
share, under its stock repurchase program.  No shares were repurchased during
the third and fourth quarters of 1999.  Repurchases in 1999 compare to 2,286,800
shares repurchased in 1998 at an aggregate cost of $71.6 million.  The
repurchase of shares was financed through cash generated from operations and,
when necessary, the Bank Credit Facility.  In May 1999, an additional $100
million share repurchase authorization was announced.  As of December 31, 1999,
$111.5 million remained authorized for future share repurchases.

    On August 2, 1999, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had
retained Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and Credit Suisse First Boston to explore
strategic alternatives available to the corporation.  At that time, the Board of
Directors suspended the Company's share repurchase program.  On February 23,
2000, the Board of Directors removed suspension of the Company's previously
authorized program to repurchase its common stock from time to time in the open
market, but also indicated that the levels of stock repurchase in 2000 will
likely be lower than what occurred in either 1997 or 1998.  During 2000 and
beyond, the Company intends to allocate excess capital for share repurchase to
the extent that it is not needed to realize anticipated business growth
opportunities.

  Capital Resources

    The Company has determined the amount of capital which is needed to
adequately fund and support business growth, primarily based on risk-based
capital formulas including those developed by the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners.  Historically, the Company's insurance subsidiaries
have generated capital in excess of such needed capital.  These excess amounts
have been paid to HMEC through dividends.  HMEC has then utilized these
dividends and its access to the capital markets to service and retire long-term
debt, increase and pay dividends to its shareholders, fund growth initiatives,
repurchase shares of its common stock and for other corporate purposes.
Management anticipates that the Company's sources of capital will continue to
generate capital in excess of the needs for business growth, debt interest
payments and shareholder dividends.

    The total capital of the Company was $548.8 million at December 31, 1999,
including $99.7 million of long-term debt and $49.0 million of short-term debt.
Total debt represented 25.3% of capital (excluding unrealized investment losses)
at the end of 1999, at the upper end of the Company's target operating range of
20% to 25%.

                                      F-17
<PAGE>

    Shareholders' equity was $400.1 million at December 31, 1999, including an
unrealized loss in the Company's investment portfolio of $40.1 million after
taxes and the related impact on deferred policy acquisition costs and the value
of acquired insurance in force associated with annuity and interest-sensitive
life policies.  The market value of the Company's common stock and the market
value per share were $805.3 million and $19 5/8, respectively, at December 31,
1999.  Book value per share was $9.75 at December 31, 1999, $10.73 excluding
investment market value adjustments.  At December 31, 1998, book value per share
was $11.80, $10.44 excluding investment market value adjustments.  The decrease
over the 12 months was entirely due to unrealized investment gains and losses,
the non-recurring charge for prior years' taxes and share repurchases.
Excluding these items, book value per share increased 10.8% over the 12-month
period.

    In January 1996, the Company issued $100.0 million face amount of 6 5/8%
Senior Notes ("Senior Notes") at a discount of 0.5% which will mature on January
15, 2006.  Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually.  The Senior
Notes are redeemable in whole or in part, at any time at the Company's option.
The Senior Notes have an investment grade rating from Standard & Poor's
Corporation ("S&P") (A-), Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. ("Duff & Phelps") (A),
and Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") (Baa2) and are traded on the New
York Stock Exchange (HMN 6 5/8).

    As of December 31, 1999 and 1998, the Company had short-term debt of $49.0
million and $50.0 million, respectively, outstanding under the Bank Credit
Facility.  The Bank Credit Facility allows unsecured borrowings of up to $65.0
million at Interbank Offering Rates plus 0.3% to 0.5% or Bank of America
National Trust and Savings Association reference rates.  The rate on the
borrowings under the Bank Credit Facility was Interbank Offering Rate plus 0.3%,
or 6.5%, as of December 31, 1999.  The commitment for the Bank Credit Facility
terminates on December 31, 2001.

    The Company's ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the year ended December
31, 1999 was 10.6x compared to 13.3x for the same period in 1998, with the
decline primarily attributable to realized investment losses recorded in the
current period compared to realized investment gains recorded in the year ended
December 31, 1998.

    Total shareholder dividends were $15.8 million for the year ended December
31, 1999.  The Company has targeted a dividend payout ratio of approximately 15%
to 20%.  In November 1999, the Board of Directors authorized the eighth increase
to the Company's quarterly dividend in the eight years since the Company's
initial public offering in November 1991.  The regular quarterly dividend
increased by 13.5% to $0.105 per share.

    The Company reinsures 95% of catastrophe losses above a retention of $7.5
million per occurrence up to $80 million per occurrence.  In addition, the
Company reinsures 75% of catastrophe losses in Florida above a retention of $6.1
million.  These catastrophe reinsurance programs are augmented by a $100 million
equity put and reinsurance agreement.  This equity put provides an option to
sell shares of the Company's convertible preferred stock with a floating rate
dividend at a pre-negotiated price in the event losses from catastrophes,
individually or in the aggregate during a calendar year, exceed the $80 million
coverage limit.  The equity put provides a source of capital for up to $154
million of catastrophe losses, before tax benefits, above the reinsurance
coverage limit.

                                      F-18
<PAGE>

Market Risk

    Market risk is the risk that the Company will incur losses due to adverse
changes in market rates.  The Company's primary market risk exposure is the risk
that the Company will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in interest
rates.  This risk arises as the Company's profitability is affected by the
spreads between interest yields on investments and rates credited on insurance
liabilities.

    The Company manages its market risk by coordinating the projected cash
outflows of assets with the projected cash outflows of liabilities.  For all its
assets and liabilities, the Company seeks to maintain reasonable durations,
consistent with the maximization of income without sacrificing investment
quality and providing for liquidity and diversification.  The risks associated
with mutual fund investments supporting variable annuity products are assumed by
those contractholders, and not by the Company.

    Through active investment management, the Company invests available funds
with the objective of funding future obligations to policyholders, subject to
appropriate risk considerations, and maximizing shareholder value.  This
objective is met through investments that 1) have similar characteristics to the
liabilities they support; 2) are diversified among industries, issuers and
geographic locations; and 3) are predominately investment-grade fixed maturity
securities.  No derivatives are used to manage the exposure to interest rate
risk in the investment portfolios.  At December 31, 1999, 20% of the fixed
investment portfolio represents investments supporting the property and casualty
operations and 80% support the life and annuity business.  For a discussion
regarding the Company's investments see "Business-Investments."

    The Company's life and annuity operating earnings are affected by the
spreads between interest yields on investments and rates credited or accruing on
life and fixed annuity insurance liabilities.  Although substantially all
credited rates on fixed annuities may be changed annually (subject to minimum
guaranteed rates), competitive pricing and other factors, including the impact
on the level of surrender 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.

    Using financial modeling and other techniques, the Company regularly
evaluates the appropriateness of investments relative to the characteristics of
the liabilities that they support.  Simulations of cash flows generated from
existing business under various interest rate scenarios measure the potential
gain or loss in fair value of interest-rate sensitive assets and liabilities.
Such estimates are used to closely match the duration of assets to the duration
of liabilities.  The overall duration of liabilities of the Company's multiline
insurance operations combines the characteristics of its long duration interest-
sensitive life and annuity liabilities with its short duration non interest-
sensitive property and casualty liabilities.  Overall, at December 31, 1999, the
duration of fixed maturity securities was approximately 4.1 years, and the
duration of insurance liabilities was approximately 4.5 years.

    The life and annuity operations participate in the cash flow testing
procedures imposed by statutory insurance regulations, the purpose of which is
to insure that such liabilities are adequate to meet the Company's obligations
under a variety of interest rate scenarios.  Based on these procedures, the
Company's assets and the investment income expected to be received on such
assets, are adequate to meet the insurance policy obligations and expenses of
the Company's insurance activities in all but the most extreme circumstances.

                                      F-19
<PAGE>

    The Company periodically evaluates its sensitivity to interest rate risk.
Based on commonly used models, the Company projects the impact of interest rate
changes, assuming a wide range of factors, including duration and prepayment, on
the fair value of assets and liabilities.  Fair value is estimated based on the
net present value of cash flows or duration estimates.  At December 31, 1999,
assuming an immediate decrease of 100 basis points in interest rates, the net
fair value of the Company's assets and liabilities would increase by
approximately $21 million after tax, 5% of shareholders' equity.  A 100 basis
point increase would decrease fair value of assets and liabilities by $2 million
after tax, less than 1% of shareholders' equity.  These changes in interest
rates assume a parallel shift in the yield curve.

    While the Company believes that these assumed market rate changes are
reasonably possible, actual results may differ, particularly as a result of any
management actions that would be taken to mitigate such hypothetical losses in
fair value of shareholders' equity.  Based on the Company's overall exposure to
interest rate risk, the Company believes that these changes in interest rates
would not materially affect the consolidated near-term financial position,
results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

Year 2000

    All of the Company's automated systems are year 2000 compliant and rollover
to year 2000 was successfully completed.  The Company continues to monitor and
retest computer system processing for upcoming quarter-end and year-end
processing accuracy.

    Costs for this compliance project represented the allocation of existing
internal information technology resources to address year 2000 compliance and
were not incremental costs to the Company.  The total cost of the compliance
project has been funded through operating cash flows.  The Company has expensed
all costs associated with these system changes and through December 31, 1999 has
expensed $6.5 million before tax benefits, including a cost of $1.0 million for
the year ended December 31, 1999.

Recent Accounting Changes

    In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133, "Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," as amended by SFAS No. 137,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the
Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133," which is required to be adopted in
2000.  This statement will not have a material impact on the Company because it
does not have significant holdings of derivatives or hedges, as defined within
the context of SFAS No. 133.

Effects of Inflation and Changes in Interest Rates

    The Company's operating results are affected significantly in at least three
ways by changes in interest rates and inflation.  First, inflation directly
affects property and casualty claims costs.  Second, the investment income
earned on the Company's investment portfolio and the market value of the
investment portfolio are related to the yields available in the fixed-income
markets.  An increase in interest rates will decrease the market value of the
investment portfolio, but will increase investment income as investments mature
and proceeds are reinvested at higher rates.  Third, as interest rates increase,
competitors will typically increase crediting rates on annuity and interest-
sensitive life products, and may lower premium rates on property and casualty
lines to

                                      F-20
<PAGE>

reflect the higher yields available in the market. The risk of interest rate
fluctuation is managed through asset/liability management techniques, including
cash flow analysis.

Effects of Recession

    The Company markets its products primarily to educators and other employees
of public schools and their families located throughout the United States.
Although this market is affected by school budgetary constraints, as well as
general economic downturns that result in decreased purchases of new automobiles
and homes and reductions in individual savings, management believes that this
market historically has continued to purchase insurance even in periods of
recession.  Historically, despite changing economic conditions, sales of
insurance products to the Company's market have remained stable or increased,
suggesting continuation of this historical trend.

                                      F-21
<PAGE>

         REPORT OF MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                       Horace Mann Educators Corporation


    The consolidated balance sheets of Horace Mann Educators Corporation and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and shareholders' equity for
the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 have been prepared by
management, which is responsible for their integrity and reliability.  The
statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and include some amounts that are based upon management's best
estimates and judgements.  The financial information contained elsewhere in this
annual report on Form 10-K is consistent with that contained in the financial
statements.

    Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of
internal control designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the integrity
and reliability of financial reporting.  The concept of reasonable assurance is
based on the recognition that there are inherent limitations in all systems of
internal control, and that the cost of such systems should not exceed the
benefits derived therefrom.  A professional staff of internal auditors reviews
on an ongoing basis the related internal control system design, the accounting
policies and procedures supporting this system and compliance therewith.
Management believes this system of internal control effectively meets its
objective of reliable financial reporting.

    In connection with their annual audits, independent certified public
accountants perform an examination, in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards, which includes the consideration of the system of internal
control to the extent necessary to form an independent opinion on the fairness
of presentation of the financial statements prepared by management.

    The Board of Directors, through its Audit Committee composed solely of
directors who are not employees of the Company, is responsible for overseeing
the integrity and reliability of the Company's accounting and financial
reporting practices and the effectiveness of its system of internal controls.
The independent certified public accountants and internal auditors meet
regularly with this committee, and have access to this committee with and
without management present, to discuss the results of their audit work.

                                                  /s/ Paul J. Kardos
                                                  Paul J. Kardos
                                                  Chairman of the Board,
                                                   President and Chief
                                                   Executive Officer

                                                  /s/ Larry K. Becker
                                                  Larry K. Becker
                                                   Executive Vice President and
                                                   Chief Financial Officer

Springfield, Illinois
January 25, 2000

                                      F-22
<PAGE>

                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT



The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Horace Mann Educators Corporation:


    We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Horace Mann
Educators Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 1999,
1998 and 1997 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in
shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1999.  In connection with our audits of the
consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement
schedules, as listed in the accompanying index.  These consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the
Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our
audits.

    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

    In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Horace Mann
Educators Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997,
and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years
in the three-year period ended December 31, 1999, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.  Also, in our opinion, the related financial
statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated
financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects,
the information set forth therein.


                                        /s/ KPMG LLP
                                        KPMG LLP


Chicago, Illinois
January 25, 2000

                                      F-23
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                    As of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                            (Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1999        1998        1997
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>         <C>
                                  ASSETS
Investments
 Fixed maturities, available for sale, at market
  (amortized cost 1999, $2,575,403; 1998,
  $2,552,537; 1997, $2,535,538)........................  $2,507,280  $2,651,379  $2,638,794
 Short-term and other investments......................     122,929     102,049     130,252
 Short-term investments, loaned securities collateral..           -      87,392           -
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------
      Total investments................................   2,630,209   2,840,820   2,769,046
Cash...................................................      22,848      12,044         353
Accrued investment income and premiums receivable......      92,755     102,661     103,951
Value of acquired insurance in force and goodwill......     102,068     101,055     107,976
Deferred policy acquisition costs......................     130,192     101,658      85,883
Other assets...........................................     144,061     114,503     104,943
Variable annuity assets................................   1,131,713   1,122,739     959,760
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------
      Total assets.....................................  $4,253,846  $4,395,480  $4,131,912
                                                         ==========  ==========  ==========

          LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE SECURITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Policy liabilities
  Fixed annuity contract liabilities...................  $1,238,379  $1,239,234  $1,245,459
  Interest-sensitive life contract liabilities.........     443,309     402,490     364,205
  Unpaid claims and claim expenses.....................     309,604     307,387     322,335
  Future policy benefits...............................     179,157     179,693     179,562
  Unearned premiums....................................     170,845     179,194     166,996
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------
      Total policy liabilities.........................   2,341,294   2,307,998   2,278,557
Other policyholder funds...............................     126,530     124,820     122,107
Other liabilities......................................     110,698     197,292     126,847
Short-term debt........................................      49,000      50,000      42,000
Long-term debt.........................................      99,677      99,637      99,599
Variable annuity liabilities...........................   1,126,505   1,118,890     956,253
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------
      Total liabilities................................   3,853,704   3,898,637   3,625,363
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------
Warrants, subject to redemption........................           -         220         577
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, authorized
  1,000,000 shares; none issued........................           -           -           -
Common stock, $0.001 par value, authorized
  75,000,000 shares; issued, 1999, 59,292,053;
  1998, 59,274,690; 1997, 59,161,008...................          59          59          59
Additional paid-in capital.............................     333,892     336,686     340,564
Retained earnings......................................     449,023     420,274     349,274
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
  (net unrealized gains (losses) on fixed
  maturities and equity securities)....................     (40,016)     57,327      62,167
Treasury stock, at cost, 1999, 18,258,896 shares;
  1998, 17,183,596 shares; 1997, 14,896,796 shares.....    (342,816)   (317,723)   (246,092)
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------
      Total shareholders' equity.......................     400,142     496,623     505,972
                                                         ----------  ----------  ----------
      Total liabilities, redeemable securities
        and shareholders' equity.......................  $4,253,846  $4,395,480  $4,131,912
                                                         ==========  ==========  ==========
</TABLE>

         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-24
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Year Ended December 31,
                                                      ---------------------------------------
                                                          1999         1998          1997
                                                      ------------  -----------  ------------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>          <C>

Insurance premiums written and contract deposits....  $   821,209   $   827,787  $   771,319
                                                      ===========   ===========  ===========

Revenues
  Insurance premiums and contract charges earned....  $   595,128   $   577,812  $   542,712
  Net investment income.............................      188,267       191,723      198,928
  Realized investment gains (losses)................       (7,969)        9,908        5,340
                                                      -----------   -----------  -----------
      Total revenues................................      775,426       779,443      746,980
                                                      -----------   -----------  -----------
Benefits, losses and expenses
  Benefits, claims and settlement expenses..........      416,186       396,328      359,441
  Interest credited.................................       91,629        94,776       97,231
  Policy acquisition expenses amortized.............       53,041        45,477       44,198
  Operating expenses................................      109,694       109,673      106,398
  Amortization of intangible assets.................          215         6,921       10,662
  Interest expense..................................        9,722         9,487        9,412
  Litigation settlement.............................        1,585             -            -
                                                      -----------   -----------  -----------
      Total benefits, losses and expenses...........      682,072       662,662      627,342
                                                      -----------   -----------  -----------
Income from continuing operations before
  income taxes and discontinued operations..........       93,354       116,781      119,638
Income tax expense..................................       28,849        31,469       32,581
Provision for prior years' taxes....................       20,000             -            -
                                                      -----------   -----------  -----------
Income from continuing operations...................       44,505        85,312       87,057
Discontinued operations (See note 2):
  Loss on discontinuation, representing additional
    provision of $5,355 for operating losses
    during phase-out period, net of applicable
    income tax benefits of $1,874...................            -             -       (3,481)
                                                      -----------   -----------  -----------
Net income..........................................  $    44,505   $    85,312  $    83,576
                                                      ===========   ===========  ===========

Earnings (loss) per share
  Basic
    Income from continuing operations...............  $      1.08   $      1.97  $      1.90
    Discontinued operations:
      Loss on discontinuation.......................            -             -        (0.08)
                                                      -----------   -----------  -----------
    Net income......................................  $      1.08   $      1.97  $      1.82
                                                      ===========   ===========  ===========
  Diluted
    Income from continuing operations...............  $      1.07   $      1.95  $      1.87
    Discontinued operations:
      Loss on discontinuation.......................            -             -        (0.07)
                                                      -----------   -----------  -----------
    Net income......................................  $      1.07   $      1.95  $      1.80
                                                      ===========   ===========  ===========
  Weighted average number of shares
    and equivalent shares
      Basic.........................................   41,245,633    43,238,656   45,825,410
      Diluted.......................................   41,708,439    43,838,434   46,524,532
</TABLE>

         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-25
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Year Ended December 31,
                                                                     ------------------------------------
                                                                        1999        1998         1997
                                                                     ----------  ----------  ------------
<S>                                                                  <C>         <C>         <C>
Common stock
 Beginning balance.................................................  $      59   $      59   $        58
 Options exercised, 1999, 17,363 shares; 1998,
  113,682 shares; 1997, 731,924 shares.............................          -           -             1
 Conversion of Director Stock Plan units,
  1997, 2,288 shares...............................................          -           -             -
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------
 Ending balance....................................................         59          59            59
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------

Additional paid-in capital
 Beginning balance.................................................    336,686     340,564       330,234
 Options exercised and conversion of
  Director Stock Plan units........................................        362       2,200        11,580
 Catastrophe-linked equity put option premium......................       (950)     (1,475)       (1,250)
 Purchase of 8,450 warrants in 1999 and
  13,650 warrants in 1998..........................................     (2,206)     (4,603)            -
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------
 Ending balance....................................................    333,892     336,686       340,564
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------

Retained earnings
 Beginning balance.................................................    420,274     349,274       278,669
 Net income........................................................     44,505      85,312        83,576
 Cash dividends, 1999, $0.3825 per share; 1998,
  $0.3325 per share; 1997, $0.2825 per share.......................    (15,756)    (14,312)      (12,971)
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------
 Ending balance....................................................    449,023     420,274       349,274
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 (net unrealized gains (losses) on fixed
 maturities and equity securities)
  Beginning balance................................................     57,327      62,167        29,736
  Increase (decrease) for the period...............................    (97,343)     (4,840)       32,431
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------
  Ending balance...................................................    (40,016)     57,327        62,167
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------

Treasury stock, at cost
 Beginning balance, 1999, 17,183,596 shares; 1998,
  14,896,796 shares; 1997, 11,176,196 shares.......................   (317,723)   (246,092)     (154,302)
 Purchase of 1,075,300 shares in 1999; 2,286,800
  shares in 1998 and 3,720,600 shares in 1997
  (See note 5).....................................................    (25,093)    (71,631)      (91,790)
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------
 Ending balance 1999, 18,258,896 shares; 1998,
  17,183,596 shares; 1997, 14,896,796 shares.......................   (342,816)   (317,723)     (246,092)
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------

Shareholders' equity at end of period..............................  $ 400,142   $ 496,623   $   505,972
                                                                     =========   =========   ===========

Comprehensive income (loss)
 Net income........................................................  $  44,505   $  85,312   $    83,576
 Other comprehensive income (loss) (change in net
  unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturities
  and equity securities)...........................................    (97,343)     (4,840)       32,431
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------
   Total...........................................................  $ (52,838)  $  80,472   $   116,007
                                                                     =========   =========   ===========
</TABLE>

         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-26
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                            (Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Year Ended December 31,
                                                                     -----------------------------------
                                                                        1999       1998          1997
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------
<S>                                                                  <C>         <C>         <C>
Cash flows from operating activities
   Premiums collected..............................................  $ 623,762   $ 618,419   $   608,650
   Policyholder benefits paid......................................   (453,353)   (459,595)     (466,150)
   Policy acquisition and other operating expenses paid............   (179,951)   (176,054)     (173,462)
   Federal income taxes paid.......................................    (16,600)    (36,441)      (51,889)
   Investment income collected.....................................    186,824     195,599       199,306
   Interest expense paid...........................................     (9,523)     (9,309)       (9,276)
   Other...........................................................     (3,013)     (3,853)       (2,743)
                                                                      --------   ---------   -----------
         Net cash provided by operating activities.................    148,146     128,766       104,436
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------

Cash flows from investing activities
   Fixed maturities
      Purchases....................................................   (698,847)   (842,375)   (1,044,199)
      Sales........................................................    388,644     487,945       874,243
      Maturities...................................................    286,758     351,112       241,958
   Net cash (used for) received from short-term and
    other investments..............................................    (18,524)     26,296        (5,882)
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------
         Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities.......    (41,969)     22,978        66,120
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------

Cash flows used in financing activities
   Purchase of treasury stock......................................    (25,093)    (71,631)      (91,790)
   Dividends paid to shareholders..................................    (15,756)    (14,312)      (12,971)
   Principal (payments) borrowings on Bank Credit Facility.........     (1,000)      8,000         8,000
   Repurchase of common stock warrants.............................     (2,426)     (4,959)            -
   Exercise of stock options.......................................        362       2,200        11,581
   Catastrophe-linked equity put option premium....................       (950)     (1,475)       (1,250)
   Annuity contracts, variable and fixed
      Deposits.....................................................    205,684     223,324       199,190
      Maturities and withdrawals...................................   (247,212)   (184,800)     (176,117)
      Net transfer to variable annuity assets......................     (7,676)    (96,905)     (121,782)
   Net (decrease) increase in interest-sensitive
    life account balances..........................................     (1,306)        505         1,232
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------
         Net cash used in financing activities.....................    (95,373)   (140,053)     (183,907)
                                                                     ---------   ---------   -----------

Net increase (decrease) in cash....................................     10,804      11,691       (13,351)

Cash at beginning of period........................................     12,044         353        13,704
                                                                     ---------   ---------    ----------

Cash at end of period..............................................  $  22,848   $  12,044    $      353
                                                                     =========   =========    ==========
</TABLE>

         See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      F-27
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


NOTE 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

  Basis of Presentation

    The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared on the basis
of generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").  The preparation of
financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Horace Mann
Educators Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries ("HMEC"; and together
with its subsidiaries, the "Company").  All significant intercompany balances
and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

    The subsidiaries of HMEC sell and underwrite tax-qualified retirement
annuities and private passenger automobile, homeowners, and life insurance
products, primarily to educators and other employees of public schools and their
families.  In 1996, the Company discontinued its group medical business.  The
Company's principal operating subsidiaries are Horace Mann Life Insurance
Company, Horace Mann Insurance Company, Teachers Insurance Company and
Allegiance Insurance Company.

  Investments

    The Company invests primarily in fixed maturity investments.  These
securities are classified as available for sale and carried at market value.
The net adjustment for unrealized gains and losses on securities available for
sale, carried at market, is recorded as a separate component of shareholders'
equity, net of applicable deferred tax asset or liability and the related impact
on deferred policy acquisition costs and value of acquired insurance in force
associated with interest-sensitive life and annuity contracts.

    Short-term and other investments are comprised of policy loans, carried at
unpaid principal balances; short-term fixed interest securities, carried at cost
which approximates market value; mortgage loans, carried at unpaid principal
less a valuation allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts; real estate
acquired in the settlement of debt, carried at the lower of cost or market; and
equity securities, carried at market.

    Interest income is recognized as earned.  Investment income reflects
amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts on an effective-yield basis.

                                      F-28
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-(Continued)

    Realized gains and losses arising from the sale of securities are determined
based upon specific identification of securities sold.

  Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

    Deferred policy acquisition costs net of accumulated amortization were
$130,192, $101,658 and $85,883 as of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.

    Acquisition costs, consisting of commissions, premium taxes and other costs,
which vary with and are primarily related to the production of insurance
business, are capitalized and amortized as follows.  Capitalized acquisition
costs for interest-sensitive life contracts are amortized over 20 years in
proportion to estimated gross profits.  For other individual life contracts,
acquisition costs are amortized in proportion to anticipated premiums over the
terms of the insurance policies (10, 15 and 20 years).  For investment (annuity)
contracts, acquisition costs are amortized over 20 years in proportion to
estimated gross profits.  For property and casualty policies, acquisition costs
are amortized over the terms of the insurance policies (six and twelve months).

    Deferred policy acquisition costs for interest-sensitive life and investment
contracts are adjusted for the impact on estimated future gross profits as if
net unrealized investment gains and losses had been realized at the balance
sheet date.  The impact of this adjustment is included in net unrealized gains
and losses within shareholders' equity.

    Deferred acquisition costs are reviewed for recoverability from future
income, including investment income, and costs which are deemed unrecoverable
are expensed in the period in which the determination is made.  No such costs
have been deemed unrecoverable during the periods reported.

    The Company periodically reviews the assumptions and estimates used in
capitalizing policy acquisition costs.  The Company began deferring additional
sales-related costs in 1999 for all new life and annuity contracts, consistent
with common industry accounting practices.  The impact of this change was an
increase to net income of $3,108 for 1999.

    When the Company was acquired in 1989, deferred acquisition costs were
reduced to zero in connection with establishing the value of acquired insurance
in force in the application of purchase accounting.

                                      F-29
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-(Continued)

  Property and Equipment

     Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation
and are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
Depreciation and amortization are calculated on the straight-line method based
on the estimated useful lives of the assets.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          December 31,
                                                 -----------------------------
                                                  1999       1998       1997
                                                 -------    -------    -------
     <S>                                         <C>        <C>        <C>
     Property and equipment....................  $60,907    $55,028    $48,548
     Less: accumulated depreciation............   30,543     26,541     23,395
                                                 -------    -------    -------
       Total...................................  $30,364    $28,487    $25,153
                                                 =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>

     At the beginning of 1998, the Company adopted the accounting treatment
required by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Statement of
Position 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or
Obtained for Internal Use."  Adoption of this statement decreased the Company's
1999 and 1998 operating expenses by $1,568 and $2,400, respectively, before
income taxes as costs incurred to develop internal-use software are capitalized
and depreciated over their expected useful lives.

  Value of Acquired Insurance In Force and Goodwill

     When the Company was acquired in 1989, intangible assets were recorded in
the application of purchase accounting to recognize the value of acquired
insurance in force and goodwill.  In addition, goodwill was recorded in 1994
related to the purchase of Allegiance Insurance Company.

     The value of acquired insurance in force by operating segment and goodwill,
net of amortization, were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           December 31,
                                                 ------------------------------
                                                   1999       1998       1997
                                                 --------   --------   --------
     <S>                                         <C>        <C>        <C>
     Value of acquired insurance in force
       Property and casualty..................   $      -   $    719   $  1,751
       Life...................................     14,409     16,529     18,804
       Annuity................................     37,027     31,557     33,553
                                                 --------   --------   --------
         Subtotal.............................     51,436     48,805     54,108
     Goodwill.................................     50,632     52,250     53,868
                                                 --------   --------   --------
         Total................................   $102,068   $101,055   $107,976
                                                 ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

     The value of acquired insurance in force is being amortized over the
following periods utilizing the indicated methods for life and annuity,
respectively, as follows:  20 years, in proportion to coverage provided; 20
years, in proportion to estimated gross profits.  Goodwill is amortized over 40
years on a straight-line basis.

                                      F-30
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-(Continued)

     The value of acquired insurance in force for investment contracts (those
issued prior to August 29, 1989) is adjusted for the impact on estimated future
gross profits as if net unrealized investment gains and losses had been realized
at the balance sheet date.  The impact of this adjustment is included in net
unrealized gains and losses within shareholders' equity.

     Significant appreciation and the resultant growth in annuity assets and the
retention of the Company's annuity business in recent years have favorably
impacted projected future gross profits for the business.  Therefore, previously
scheduled annual amortization of the December 31, 1999 balance was revised as
reflected in the table below.  Such amounts are evaluated annually and
amortization schedules updated as indicated.

     Scheduled amortization of the December 31, 1999 balances of value of
acquired insurance in force by segment and goodwill over the next five years is
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Year Ended December 31,
                                                 --------------------------------------
                                                   2000    2001    2002    2003    2004
                                                 ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
    <S>                                          <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
    Scheduled amortization of:
       Value of acquired insurance in force
         Life..................................  $1,975  $1,839  $1,726  $1,625  $1,537
         Annuity...............................   4,576   4,557   4,214   4,000   3,669
                                                 ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
           Subtotal............................   6,551   6,396   5,940   5,625   5,206
       Goodwill................................   1,618   1,618   1,618   1,618   1,618
                                                 ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
           Total...............................  $8,169  $8,014  $7,558  $7,243  $6,824
                                                 ======  ======  ======  ======  ======
</TABLE>

     The accumulated amortization of intangibles as of December 31, 1999, 1998
and 1997 was $131,832, $131,617 and $124,696, respectively.

  Variable Annuity Assets and Liabilities

     Variable annuity assets, carried at market value, and liabilities represent
tax-qualified variable annuity funds invested in the Horace Mann mutual funds.
Variable annuity assets were invested in the Horace Mann mutual funds as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              December 31,
                                                 -----------------------------------
                                                    1999         1998         1997
                                                 ----------   ----------    --------
     <S>                                         <C>          <C>           <C>
     Horace Mann Growth Fund...................  $  566,932   $  605,803    $532,086
     Horace Mann Balanced Fund.................     404,712      427,368     386,247
     Horace Mann Small Cap Growth Fund.........      60,042       28,629      16,321
     Horace Mann Socially Responsible Fund.....      59,129       35,368       9,117
     Horace Mann International Equity Fund.....      26,040       10,290       5,137
     Horace Mann Income Fund...................      13,237       13,952       9,651
     Horace Mann Short-Term Fund...............       1,621        1,329       1,201
                                                 ----------   ----------    --------
       Total variable annuity assets...........  $1,131,713   $1,122,739    $959,760
                                                 ==========   ==========    ========
</TABLE>

     The investment income, gains and losses of these accounts accrue directly
to the policyholders and are not included in the operations of the Company.

                                      F-31
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-(Continued)

  Future Policy Benefits, Interest-sensitive Life Contract Liabilities and
  Annuity Contract Liabilities

    Liabilities for future benefits on life and annuity policies are established
in amounts adequate to meet the estimated future obligations on policies in
force.  Liabilities for future policy benefits on certain life insurance
policies are computed using the net level premium method and are based upon
assumptions as to future investment yield, mortality and withdrawals.  As a
result of the application of purchase accounting, future policy benefits for
direct individual life insurance policies issued through August 29, 1989 were
revalued using interest rates of 9% graded to 8% over 10 years.  For policies
issued from August 30, 1989 through December 31, 1992, future policy benefits
are computed using an interest rate of 6.5%.  An interest rate of 5.5% is used
to compute future policy benefits for policies issued after December 31, 1992.
Mortality and withdrawal assumptions for all policies have been based on various
actuarial tables which are consistent with the Company's own experience.
Liabilities for future benefits on annuity contracts and certain long-duration
life insurance contracts are carried at accumulated policyholder values without
reduction for potential surrender or withdrawal charges.  The liability also
includes provisions for the unearned portion of certain policy charges.

  Unpaid Claims and Claim Expenses

    Liabilities for property and casualty unpaid claims and claim expenses
include provisions for payments to be made on reported claims, claims incurred
but not reported and associated settlement expenses; are carried at the full
value of estimated liabilities; and are not discounted for interest expected to
be earned on reserves.  Estimated amounts of salvage and subrogation on unpaid
property and casualty claims are deducted from the liability for unpaid claims.

    The process by which liabilities are established for insured events requires
reliance upon estimates based on experience and available data.  As information
develops which varies from experience, provides additional data or, in some
cases, augments data which previously were not considered sufficient for use in
determining liabilities, adjustments may be required.  The effects of these
adjustments are charged or credited to income for the period in which the
adjustments are made.  No unusual adjustments were made in the determination of
the liabilities during the periods covered by these financial statements.  Due
to the nature of the Company's personal lines business, the Company has no
exposure to claims for toxic waste cleanup, other environmental remediation or
asbestos-related illnesses.  Management believes that, based on data currently
available, it has reasonably estimated the Company's ultimate losses.

                                      F-32
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-(Continued)

     The following table sets forth an analysis of property and casualty unpaid
claims and claim expenses and provides a reconciliation of beginning and ending
reserves for the periods indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Year Ended December 31,
                                                           ------------------------------
                                                             1999       1998       1997
                                                           --------   --------   --------
     <S>                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>
     Gross reserves, beginning of year...................  $298,929   $310,632   $340,411
       Less reinsurance recoverables.....................    55,890     41,324     34,062
                                                           --------   --------   --------
     Net reserves, beginning of year.....................   243,039    269,308    306,349
                                                           --------   --------   --------

     Incurred claims and claims expense :
       Claims occurring in the current year..............   379,455    379,603    365,986
       Increase (decrease) in estimated reserves for
         claims occurring in prior years(1):
           Policies written by the Company...............    (7,583)   (23,317)   (40,052)
           Business assumed from state
             reinsurance facilities......................     3,000     (1,600)    (5,100)
                                                           --------   --------   --------
               Total decrease............................    (4,583)   (24,917)   (45,152)
                                                           --------   --------   --------
           Total claims and claims expense incurred......   374,872    354,686    320,834
                                                           --------   --------   --------
     Claims and claims expense payments
       for claims occurring during:
         Current year....................................   240,045    238,986    209,294
         Prior years.....................................   142,473    141,969    148,581
                                                           --------   --------   --------
           Total claims and claims expense payments......   382,518    380,955    357,875
                                                           --------   --------   --------
     Net reserves, end of period.........................   235,393    243,039    269,308
       Plus reinsurance recoverables.....................    64,410     55,890     41,324
                                                           --------   --------   --------
     Gross reserves, end of period(2)....................  $299,803   $298,929   $310,632
                                                           ========   ========   ========
 </TABLE>

_______________
(1) Shows the amounts by which the Company decreased or increased its reserves
    in each of the periods indicated for claims occurring in previous periods to
    reflect subsequent information on such claims and changes in their projected
    final settlement costs.  Favorable reserve development generally occurs as a
    result of subsequent adjustment of reserves to reflect additional
    information.
(2) Unpaid claims and claims expense as reported in the consolidated balance
    sheets also include life, annuity, and group accident and health reserves of
    $9,801, $8,458 and $11,703 at December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997,
    respectively, in addition to property and casualty reserves.

     Fluctuations from year to year in the level of catastrophe claims impact a
property and casualty insurance company's claims and claims adjustment expenses
incurred and paid.  For comparison purposes, the following table provides
amounts for the Company excluding catastrophe losses.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Year Ended December 31,
                                                           ------------------------------
                                                             1999       1998       1997
                                                           --------   --------   --------
     <S>                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>
     Claims and claims expense incurred..................  $374,872   $354,686   $320,834
     Amount attributable to catastrophes.................    19,371     28,019      6,164
                                                           --------   --------   --------
       Excluding catastrophes............................  $355,501   $326,667   $314,670
                                                           ========   ========   ========

     Claims and claims expense payments..................  $382,518   $380,955   $357,875
     Amount attributable to catastrophes.................    17,400     25,200      5,700
                                                           --------   --------   --------
       Excluding catastrophes............................  $365,118   $355,755   $352,175
                                                           ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

                                      F-33
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-(Continued)

  Insurance Premiums and Contract Charges Earned

     Property and casualty insurance premiums are recognized as revenue ratably
over the related contract periods in proportion to the risks insured.  The
unexpired portions of these property and casualty premiums are recorded as
unearned premiums, using the monthly pro rata method.

     Premiums and contract charges for interest-sensitive life and annuity
contracts consist of charges for the cost of insurance, policy administration
and withdrawals.  Premiums for long-term traditional life policies are
recognized as revenues when due over the premium-paying period.  Annuity and
interest-sensitive life contract deposits represent funds deposited by
policyholders and are not included in the Company's premiums or contract
charges.

  Stock Based Compensation

     The Company grants stock options to executive officers, other employees and
directors.  The exercise price of the option is equal to the fair market value
of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.  The Company accounts for
stock option grants in accordance with Accounting Principles Board ("APB")
Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and accordingly,
recognizes no compensation expense for the stock option grants.

     Alternatively, Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation," allows companies to recognize compensation cost for stock-based
compensation plans, determined based on the fair value at the grant dates.  If
the Company had applied this alternative accounting method, net income and net
income per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated
below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Year Ended December 31,
                                                            -----------------------------
                                                             1999       1998        1997
                                                            -------    -------    -------
     <S>                             <C>                    <C>        <C>        <C>
     Net income                      As reported..........  $44,505    $85,312    $83,576
                                     Pro forma(1).........  $42,907    $84,485    $83,283

     Basic net income per share      As reported..........  $  1.08    $  1.97    $  1.82
                                     Pro forma............  $  1.04    $  1.95    $  1.82

     Diluted net income per share    As reported..........  $  1.07    $  1.95    $  1.80
                                     Pro forma............  $  1.03    $  1.93    $  1.79
</TABLE>

______________
(1) The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant using
    the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average
    assumptions for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively:  risk-free interest rates
    of 5.9%, 5.6% and 5.5%; dividend yield of 1.9%, 1.3% and 1.0%; expected
    lives of 10 years; and volatility of 50.3%, 26.2% and 15.8%.

                                      F-34
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-(Continued)

  Income Taxes

    The Company uses the liability method for calculating deferred federal
income taxes.  Income tax provisions are generally based on income reported for
financial statement purposes.  The provisions for federal income taxes for the
years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 include amounts currently payable
and deferred income taxes resulting from the cumulative differences in the
Company's assets and liabilities, determined on a tax return and financial
statement basis.

    Deferred tax assets and liabilities include provisions for unrealized
investment gains and losses with the change for each period included in net
unrealized gains and losses in shareholders' equity.

  Earnings Per Share

    Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of
shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average
number of shares and common stock equivalents outstanding.  The common stock
equivalents relate to outstanding common stock options, Director Stock Plan
units and Employee Stock Plan units and in 1998 and 1997 also warrants.

                                      F-35
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-(Continued)

    The computations of income from continuing operations on both basic and
diluted bases, including reconciliations of the numerators and denominators,
were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Year Ended December 31,
                                                                ---------------------------------
                                                                 1999         1998         1997
                                                                -------      -------      -------
    <S>                                                         <C>          <C>          <C>
    Basic - assumes no dilution:
    Income from continuing operations for the period.........   $44,505      $85,312      $87,057
                                                                -------      -------      -------
    Weighted average number of common
      shares outstanding during the period...................    41,246       43,239       45,825
                                                                -------      -------      -------

    Income from continuing operations per share - basic......   $  1.08      $  1.97      $  1.90
                                                                =======      =======      =======

    Diluted - assumes full dilution:
    Income from continuing operations for the period.........   $44,505      $85,312      $87,057
                                                                -------      -------      -------
    Weighted average number of common shares
      outstanding during the period..........................    41,246       43,239       45,825
    Weighted average number of common equivalent
      shares to reflect the dilutive effect of common
      stock equivalent securities:
        Stock options........................................       387          451          416
        Common stock units related to Deferred
          Equity Compensation Plan for Directors.............        69           49           33
        Common stock units related to Deferred
          Compensation Plan for Employees....................         6            1            -
        Warrants.............................................         -           98          251
                                                                -------      -------      -------
    Total common and common equivalent shares adjusted
      to calculate diluted earnings per share................    41,708       43,838       46,525
                                                                -------      -------      -------

    Income from continuing operations per share - diluted....   $  1.07      $  1.95      $  1.87
                                                                =======      =======      =======
</TABLE>

    Options to purchase 262,950 shares of common stock at $25.63 to $34.53 per
share were granted during 1997, 1998 and 1999 but were not included in the
computation of 1999 diluted earnings per share because the options' exercise
price was greater than the average market price of the common shares during
1999.  The options, which expire in 2007, 2008 and 2009, were still outstanding
at December 31, 1999.

  Comprehensive Income (Loss)

    Comprehensive income (loss) represents the change in shareholders' equity
during a reporting period from transactions and other events and circumstances
from non-shareholder sources.  For the Company, comprehensive income (loss) is
equal to net income plus the change in net unrealized gains and losses on fixed
maturities and equity securities for the period as shown in the Statement of
Changes in Shareholders' Equity.

                                      F-36
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-(Continued)

    The components of comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    Year Ended December 31,
                                                               ---------------------------------
                                                                   1999        1998        1997
                                                                ---------    -------     --------
    <S>                                                         <C>          <C>         <C>
    Net income...............................................   $  44,505    $85,312     $ 83,576
                                                                ---------    -------     --------
    Other comprehensive income (loss):
      Unrealized holding gains (losses) on fixed maturities
        and equity securities arising during period..........    (158,423)     3,855       55,299
      Less: reclassification adjustment for gains (losses)
        included in net income...............................      (8,664)    11,301        5,405
                                                                ---------    -------     --------
      Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax..........    (149,759)    (7,446)      49,894
      Income tax expense (benefit)...........................     (52,416)    (2,606)      17,463
                                                                ---------    -------     --------
        Total................................................     (97,343)    (4,840)      32,431
                                                                ---------    -------     --------
          Total comprehensive income (loss)..................   $ (52,838)   $80,472     $116,007
                                                                =========    =======     ========
</TABLE>

  Statements of Cash Flows

    For purposes of the statements of cash flows, cash constitutes cash on
deposit at banks.

  Reclassification

    The Company has reclassified the presentation of certain prior period
information to conform with the 1999 presentation.

NOTE 2 - Discontinued Operations

    In December 1996, the Company announced its strategic decision to withdraw
from the group medical insurance business over the following two years.  During
the third quarter of 1997, the Company accelerated the timetable for its
withdrawal from the group medical insurance business and had terminated 95% of
that business by December 31, 1997.  The remaining business was terminated as of
August 31, 1998.  As a result of the acceleration and higher-than-expected
claims, net income for the year ended December 31, 1997 included a charge of
$3,481 for anticipated additional losses during the remainder of the phase-out
period, net of related income tax benefits of $1,874.  The Company's results of
operations for the year ended December 31, 1996 included an accrual of $3,883
for anticipated losses during the phase-out period net of related income tax
recoverable of $2,091.  At December 31, 1999, there were no assets or
liabilities attributable to the discontinued operations.

                                      F-37
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 3 - Investments

  Net Investment Income

    The components of net investment income for the following periods were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Year Ended December 31,
                                                                          ------------------------------
                                                                            1999       1998       1997
                                                                          --------   --------  ---------
    <S>                                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>
    Fixed maturities....................................................  $182,561   $185,271   $191,777
    Short-term and other investments....................................     9,212     10,700     10,967
                                                                          --------   --------   --------
       Total investment income..........................................   191,773    195,971    202,744
    Less investment expenses............................................     3,506      4,248      3,816
                                                                          --------   --------   --------
       Net investment income............................................  $188,267   $191,723   $198,928
                                                                          ========   ========   ========
 </TABLE>

  Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

    Realized investment gains (losses) for the following periods were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Year Ended December 31,
                                                                          ------------------------------
                                                                            1999       1998       1997
                                                                          --------   --------   --------
    <S>                                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>
    Fixed maturities....................................................  $ (9,777)  $ 10,537   $  5,411
    Short-term and other investments....................................     1,808       (629)       (71)
                                                                          --------   --------   --------
       Realized investment gains (losses)...............................  $ (7,969)  $  9,908   $  5,340
                                                                          ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

                                      F-38
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 3 - Investments-(Continued)

  Fixed Maturity Securities

    The amortized cost, unrealized investment gains and losses, and market
values of investments in debt securities as of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Amortized   Unrealized  Unrealized    Market
                                                   Cost       Gains       Losses      Value
                                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    <S>                                         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
    As of December 31, 1999
      U.S. government and agency obligations
        Mortgage-backed securities............  $  506,132    $  3,587     $11,604  $  498,115
        Other.................................     136,400         330       5,304     131,426
      Municipal bonds.........................     307,045       3,348       8,343     302,050
      Foreign government bonds................      21,875         439         327      21,987
      Corporate bonds.........................   1,184,792       9,362      49,046   1,145,108
      Other mortgage-backed securities........     419,159       1,302      11,867     408,594
                                                ----------    --------     -------  ----------
          Totals..............................  $2,575,403    $ 18,368     $86,491  $2,507,280
                                                ==========    ========     =======  ==========

    As of December 31, 1998
      U.S. government and agency obligations
        Mortgage-backed securities............  $  489,752    $ 17,741     $    24  $  507,469
        Other.................................     192,166       7,106         248     199,024
      Municipal bonds.........................     301,751      17,430          40     319,141
      Foreign government bonds................      21,829       2,827         706      23,950
      Corporate bonds.........................   1,180,452      59,118      12,047   1,227,523
      Other mortgage-backed securities........     366,587       9,042       1,357     374,272
                                                ----------    --------     -------  ----------
          Totals..............................  $2,552,537    $113,264     $14,422  $2,651,379
                                                ==========    ========     =======  ==========

    As of December 31, 1997
      U.S. government and agency obligations
        Mortgage-backed securities............  $  521,485    $ 18,061     $   343  $  539,203
        Other.................................     222,797       5,249          44     228,002
      Municipal bonds.........................     228,094      13,777         106     241,765
      Foreign government bonds................      26,397       1,714         442      27,669
      Corporate bonds.........................   1,243,948      62,333       3,376   1,302,905
      Other mortgage-backed securities........     292,817       6,624         191     299,250
                                                ----------    --------     -------  ----------
          Totals..............................  $2,535,538    $107,758     $ 4,502  $2,638,794
                                                ==========    ========     =======  ==========
</TABLE>

    The Company's investment portfolio includes no derivative financial
instruments (futures, forwards, swaps, option contracts or other financial
instruments with similar characteristics).

                                      F-39
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 3 - Investments-(Continued)

  Maturity/Sales Of Investments

    The market value and amortized cost of fixed maturity securities at December
31, 1999, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Expected maturities will
differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call
or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Percent of
                                                          Total Market    Market       Amortized
                                                             Value         Value          Cost
                                                            -------       -------       --------
    <S>                                                   <C>            <C>           <C>
    Due in 1 year or less................................      7.0%      $  175,546    $  175,500
    Due after 1 year through 5 years.....................     31.0          777,538       781,547
    Due after 5 years through 10 years...................     31.5          788,829       812,070
    Due after 10 years through 20 years..................     15.9          399,394       409,796
    Due after 20 years...................................     14.6          365,973       396,490
                                                             -----       ----------    ----------
     Total...............................................    100.0%      $2,507,280    $2,575,403
                                                             =====       ==========    ==========
</TABLE>

    Proceeds from sales/maturities of fixed maturities and gross gains and gross
losses realized for each year were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Year Ended December 31,
                                                             -------------------------------------
                                                               1999          1998          1997
                                                             --------       --------    ----------
    <S>                                                      <C>            <C>         <C>
    Proceeds.............................................    $675,402       $839,057    $1,116,201
    Gross gains realized.................................       3,941         18,081        13,444
    Gross losses realized................................     (13,718)        (7,544)       (8,033)
</TABLE>

  Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Fixed Maturities

    Net unrealized gains (losses) are computed as the difference between market
value and amortized cost for fixed maturities.  A summary of the net increase
(decrease) in unrealized investment gains (losses) on fixed maturities, less
applicable income taxes, is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Year Ended December 31,
                                                             -------------------------------------
                                                                1999          1998          1997
                                                             ---------      --------      --------
    <S>                                                      <C>            <C>           <C>
    Unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturities
      Beginning of period.................................   $  98,842      $103,256      $ 49,435
      End of period.......................................     (68,123)       98,842       103,256
                                                             ---------      --------      --------
        Increase (decrease) for the period................    (166,965)       (4,414)       53,821
    Income taxes (benefit)................................     (58,438)       (1,545)       18,837
                                                             ---------      --------      --------
    Increase (decrease) in net unrealized gains (losses)
      on fixed maturities before the valuation impact
      on deferred policy acquisition costs and value
      of acquired insurance in force......................   $(108,527)     $ (2,869)     $ 34,984
                                                             =========      ========      ========
</TABLE>

                                      F-40
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 3 - Investments-(Continued)

  Securities Lending

    The Company loans fixed income securities to third parties, primarily major
brokerage firms.  However, there were no securities on loan at December 31,
1999.  As of December 31, 1998 and 1997, fixed maturities with a fair value of
$87,392 and $60,388, respectively, were on loan.  The Company separately
maintains a minimum of 100% of the value of the loaned securities as collateral
for each loan.  Effective beginning in 1998, SFAS No. 125, "Accounting for
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities,"
required the securities lending collateral to be classified as investments with
a corresponding liability included in Other Liabilities in the Company's
consolidated balance sheet.  Restatement of prior period financial statements to
show consistent presentation in earlier years was not permitted.

  Investment in Entities Exceeding 10% of Shareholders' Equity

    At December 31, 1999, the Company's investment portfolio included $42,087 of
fixed maturity securities issued by Ford Motor Company and its affiliates
representing 10.5% of shareholders' equity at that date and other than
obligations of the United States Government and government agencies and
authorities there were no other investments which exceeded 10% of total
shareholders' equity.  At December 31, 1998 and 1997, there were no investments
which exceeded 10% of total shareholders' equity in entities other than
obligations of the United States Government and government agencies and
authorities.

  Deposits

    At December 31, 1999, securities with a carrying value of $13,512 were on
deposit with governmental agencies as required by law in various states in which
the insurance subsidiaries of HMEC conduct business.

                                      F-41
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 4 - Debt and Warrants

    Indebtedness and scheduled maturities at December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Effective                        December 31,
                                                     Interest     Final      -------------------------------
                                                       Rates     Maturity      1999        1998       1997
                                                      --------   --------    --------    --------   --------
    <S>                                              <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
    Short-term debt:
      Bank Credit Facility.........................   Variable       2001    $ 49,000    $ 50,000   $ 42,000
    Long-term debt:
      6 5/8% Senior Notes, Face amount
        less unaccrued discount of $323, $363 and
        $401, respectively.........................        6.7%      2006      99,677      99,637     99,599
                                                                             --------    --------   --------
          Total....................................                          $148,677    $149,637   $141,599
                                                                             ========    ========   ========
</TABLE>

  Issuance of 6 5/8% Senior Notes ("Senior Notes") and Redemption of Convertible
  Notes

    On January 17, 1996, the Company issued $100,000 face amount of Senior Notes
at an effective yield of 6.7%, which will mature on January 15, 2006.  The net
proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes were used to finance the redemption
of the Company's 4%/6 1/2% Convertible Notes.  Interest on the Senior Notes is
payable semi-annually at a rate of 6 5/8%.  The Senior Notes are redeemable in
whole or in part, at any time, at the Company's option, at a redemption price
equal to the greater of (i) 100% of their principal amount and (ii) the sum of
the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest
thereon discounted, on a semi-annual basis, at the Treasury yield (as defined in
the indenture) plus 15 basis points, together with accrued interest to the date
of redemption.

  Bank Credit Facility

    The Bank Credit Facility provides for unsecured borrowings of up to $65,000.
Interest accrues at varying spreads relative to corporate or eurodollar base
rates and is payable monthly or quarterly depending on the applicable base rate
(Interbank Offering Rate plus 0.325% at December 31, 1999).  The unused portion
of the Bank Credit Facility is subject to a variable commitment fee which was
0.125% on an annual basis at December 31, 1999.  The commitment for the Bank
Credit Facility terminates on December 31, 2001.  The Company's obligations
under the Bank Credit Facility are unsecured.

                                      F-42
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 4 - Debt and Warrants-(Continued)

  Warrants

    No warrants were outstanding at December 31, 1999.  During 1999, the Company
repurchased all remaining warrants, representing 107,537 shares of the Company's
common stock, for $2,427.  During 1998, the Company repurchased 61.8% of its
then outstanding warrants, representing 173,713 shares of the Company's common
stock, for $4,959.  At December 31, 1998 and 1997, warrants to purchase 107,537
shares and 281,250 shares, respectively, of the Company's common stock at $2.70
per share were outstanding.

  Covenants

    The Company is in compliance with all of the covenants contained in the
Senior Notes indenture and the Bank Credit Facility Agreement.

NOTE 5 - Shareholders' Equity and Stock Options

  Share Repurchase Program

    During the first six months of 1999, the Company repurchased 1,075,300
shares of its common stock, or 3% of the outstanding shares on December 31,
1998, at an aggregate cost of $25,092, or an average cost of $23.34 per share,
under its stock repurchase program.  No shares were repurchased during the third
and fourth quarters of 1999.  Since early 1997, 7,082,700 shares, or 15% of the
shares outstanding on December 31, 1996, have been repurchased at an aggregate
cost of $188,513, equal to an average cost of $26.62 per share.  Including
shares repurchased in 1995, the Company has repurchased 32% of the shares
outstanding on December 31, 1994.  Shares of common stock may be purchased from
time to time through open market and private purchases, as available.  The
repurchase of shares was financed through use of cash and, when necessary, the
Bank Credit Facility.  In May 1999, an additional $100,000 share repurchase
authorization was announced.  As of December 31, 1999, $111,487 remained
authorized for future share repurchases.

  Authorization of Preferred Stock

    In 1996, the shareholders of HMEC approved authorization of 1,000,000 shares
of $0.001 par value preferred stock.  The Board of Directors is authorized to
(i) direct the issuance of the preferred stock in one or more series, (ii) fix
the dividend rate, conversion or exchange rights, redemption price and
liquidation preference, of any series of the preferred stock, (iii) fix the
number of shares for any series and (iv) increase or decrease the number of
shares of any series.  No shares of preferred stock were outstanding at December
31, 1999, 1998 and 1997.

                                      F-43
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 5 - Shareholders' Equity and Stock Options-(Continued)

    Beginning in 1997, the Company's catastrophe reinsurance program is
augmented by a $100,000 equity and reinsurance agreement.  The equity put
provides an option to sell shares of the Company's convertible preferred stock
with a floating rate dividend at a pre-negotiated price in the event losses from
catastrophes exceed the catastrophe reinsurance program coverage limit.  Before
tax benefits, the equity put provides a source of capital for up to $154 million
of catastrophe losses above the reinsurance coverage limit.  Fees related to
this equity put option were charged directly to additional paid-in capital.

    In connection with the equity put described in the preceding paragraph, the
Board of Directors has designated a series of preferred stock to be available
for use in the put.  The Series so designated is Series A Cumulative Convertible
Preferred Stock (the "Series A Stock") and 100,000 shares have been assigned to
this series.  None are currently issued or outstanding.  The Series A Stock is
dividend paying, at a floating rate which varies with movements in the London
Interbank Offered Rate and with changes in the risk rating of the Series A Stock
as determined by Standard & Poor's Corporation.  The Series A Stock does not
require any sinking fund or similar mechanism regarding payment of such
dividends.  Beginning on the fourth anniversary of the issuance of Series A
Stock, the holders thereof have the right to demand conversion of the Series A
Stock into common stock of the Company at a conversion rate based on then
prevailing market prices for the common stock; however, upon receipt of a
conversion demand, the Company has the right to redeem the Series A Stock prior
to such conversion.  The Series A Stock has liquidation rights which place the
Series A Stock ahead of the common stock in priority.  The Series A Stock has no
voting rights other than the requirement that the Series A Stock approve any
changes in the Series A Stock, the creation of any other class of stock on a par
with or superior to the Series A Stock and certain extraordinary transactions
such as certain mergers involving the Company.

  Director Stock Plan

    In 1996, the shareholders of HMEC approved the Deferred Equity Compensation
Plan ("Director Stock Plan") for directors of the Company and reserved 600,000
shares for issuance pursuant to the Director Stock Plan.  Shares of the
Company's common stock issued under the Director Stock Plan may be either
authorized and unissued shares or shares that have been reacquired by the
Company.  As of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, 68,822 units, 48,689 units and
32,685 units, respectively, were outstanding under this plan representing an
equal number of common shares to be issued in the future.

                                      F-44
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 5 - Shareholders' Equity and Stock Options-(Continued)

  Employee Stock Plan

    In 1997, the Board of Directors of HMEC approved the Deferred Compensation
Plan for Employees ("Employee Stock Plan").  Shares of the Company's common
stock issued under the Employee Stock Plan may be either authorized and unissued
shares or shares that have been reacquired by the Company.  As of December 31,
1999 and 1998, 5,613 and 2,489 units, respectively, were outstanding under this
plan representing an equal number of common shares to be issued in the future,
and no units were outstanding as of December 31, 1997.

  Stock Options

    In 1991, the shareholders approved the 1991 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1991
Plan") and reserved 4 million shares of common stock for issuance under the 1991
Plan.  Under the 1991 Plan, options to purchase shares of HMEC common stock may
be granted to executive officers, other employees and directors.  The options
are exercisable in installments generally beginning in the first year from the
date of grant and expiring 10 years from the date of grant.

    Changes in outstanding options and shares available for grant were as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  Options
                                  Weighted Average    Range of     --------------------------------------
                                    Option Price    Option Prices                 Vested and   Available
                                     per Share        per Share    Outstanding   Exercisable   for Grant
                                  ----------------  -------------  -----------   ------------  ----------
    <S>                           <C>               <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>
    At December 31, 1996........       $11.29       $ 9.00-$15.15   1,806,106      1,781,106   1,658,000
                                                                    ---------      ---------   ---------
      Granted...................       $22.87       $22.42-$27.46     224,400         56,100    (224,400)
      Vested....................                    $11.12-$12.03           -         15,000           -
      Exercised.................       $12.28       $ 9.00-$22.42    (731,924)      (731,924)          -
                                                                    ---------      ---------   ---------

    At December 31, 1997........       $12.73       $ 9.00-$27.46   1,298,582      1,120,282   1,433,600
                                                                    ---------      ---------   ---------
      Granted...................       $33.70       $29.21-$34.53     233,950         65,462    (233,950)
      Vested....................                    $11.12-$27.46           -         65,350           -
      Exercised.................       $12.79       $ 9.00-$33.87    (113,682)      (113,682)          -
      Canceled..................       $15.15              $15.15     (30,000)       (30,000)     30,000
                                                                    ---------      ---------   ---------

    At December 31, 1998........       $16.21       $ 9.00-$34.53   1,388,850      1,107,412   1,229,650
                                                                    ---------      ---------   ---------
      Granted...................       $21.42       $19.53-$25.63     484,600         68,689    (484,600)
      Vested....................                    $22.42-$34.53           -        115,142           -
      Exercised.................       $18.50       $15.15-$23.31     (17,363)       (17,363)          -
      Canceled..................       $29.07       $22.42-$33.87      (4,012)        (4,012)      4,012
                                                                    ---------      ---------   ---------

    At December 31, 1999........       $17.52       $ 9.00-$34.53   1,852,075      1,269,868     749,062
                                                                    =========      =========   =========
</TABLE>

                                      F-45
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 5 - Shareholders' Equity and Stock Options-(Continued)

    As of December 31, 1999, the weighted average life of vested and exercisable
options was 3.8 years and the weighted average price of such options was $14.70
per option.  The weighted average prices of vested and exercisable options as of
December 31, 1998 and 1997 were $12.84 and $11.05, respectively.

NOTE 6 - Income Taxes

    The federal income tax liabilities and recoverables included in other
liabilities and other assets, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets
as of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             December 31,
                                                                    ------------------------------
                                                                      1999       1998       1997
                                                                    ---------  ---------  --------
    <S>                                                             <C>        <C>        <C>
    Current liability (asset).....................................  $ 19,006    $(2,971)  $(7,615)
    Deferred liability (asset)....................................   (20,435)    21,549    35,530
</TABLE>

    Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for all future tax
consequences attributable to "temporary differences" between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases.  The "temporary differences" that give rise to the
deferred tax balances at December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           December 31,
                                                                    ---------------------------
                                                                      1999      1998     1997
                                                                    --------   -------  -------
    <S>                                                             <C>        <C>      <C>
    Deferred tax assets
      Unrealized losses on securities.............................  $ 21,547   $     -  $     -
      Discounting of unpaid claims and
        claims expense tax reserves...............................     7,166     8,277    3,087
      Life insurance future policy benefit reserve revaluation....    17,195    21,346   19,282
      Unearned premium reserve reduction..........................    11,395    12,037   11,248
      Postretirement benefits other than pension..................     9,775     9,102    8,406
      Other, net..................................................     6,200     3,181      600
                                                                    --------   -------  -------
          Total gross deferred tax assets.........................    73,278    53,943   42,623
                                                                    --------   -------  -------
    Deferred tax liabilities
      Unrealized gains on securities..............................         -    30,867   33,473
      Amortization of intangible assets...........................    17,573    18,197   19,831
      Deferred policy acquisition costs...........................    35,270    26,428   24,849
                                                                    --------   -------  -------
          Total gross deferred tax liabilities....................    52,843    75,492   78,153
                                                                    --------   -------  -------
            Net deferred tax liability (asset)....................  $(20,435)  $21,549  $35,530
                                                                    ========   =======  =======
</TABLE>

    Based on the Company's historical earnings, future expectations of adjusted
taxable income, as well as reversing gross deferred tax liabilities, the Company
believes it is more likely than not that gross deferred tax assets will be fully
realized and that a valuation allowance with respect to the realization of the
total gross deferred tax assets is not necessary.

                                      F-46
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 6 - Income Taxes-(Continued)

    The components of federal income tax expense (benefit) were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Year Ended December 31,
                                                              ---------------------------
                                                               1999      1998      1997
                                                              -------  --------   -------
    <S>                                                       <C>      <C>        <C>
    Current.................................................  $35,237  $ 42,844   $21,707
    Deferred................................................   13,612   (11,375)   10,874
                                                              -------  --------   -------
      Total tax expense before discontinued operations......  $48,849  $ 31,469   $32,581
                                                              =======  ========   =======
</TABLE>

    Income tax expense for the following periods differed from the expected tax
computed by applying the federal corporate tax rate of 35% to income before
income taxes as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Year Ended December 31,
                                                              ---------------------------
                                                                1999      1998      1997
                                                              -------   -------   -------
    <S>                                                       <C>       <C>       <C>
    Expected federal tax on income
      from continuing operations............................  $32,674   $40,874   $41,873
    Add (deduct) tax effects of:
      Tax-exempt interest...................................   (4,293)   (3,706)   (3,310)
      Goodwill..............................................      566       566       566
      Acquisition related benefits and other, net...........      (98)   (6,265)   (6,548)
                                                              -------   -------   -------
    Income tax expense provided on income
      from continuing operations before provision
      for prior years' taxes................................   28,849    31,469    32,581
    Provision for prior years' taxes........................   20,000         -         -
                                                              -------   -------   -------
    Income tax expense provided on income
      from continuing operations............................  $48,849   $31,469   $32,581
                                                              =======   =======   =======
</TABLE>

    As previously reported, the Company has been contesting proposed additional
federal income taxes relating to a settlement agreement with the Internal
Revenue Service ("IRS") for prior years' taxes.  Based on developments in that
process during the last half of 1999, it appears that the Company may be forced
to litigate the issue with the IRS in order to reach a resolution of the issue
acceptable to the Company.  Therefore, in the third quarter of 1999, the Company
recorded an additional federal income tax provision of $20 million representing
the maximum exposure of the Company to the IRS with regard to the issue for all
of the past tax years in question.  While the ultimate resolution of the issue,
through settlement or litigation, may result in the Company paying less than the
maximum exposure, given the vagaries of litigation and the lack of progress in
reaching an acceptable agreement with the IRS, management believed it prudent to
book the maximum exposure in 1999.  None of the $20 million reserve was paid as
of December 31, 1999.  This reserve was a charge to net income in 1999.

                                      F-47
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 7 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments

    Generally accepted accounting principles require that the Company disclose
estimated fair values for certain financial instruments.  Fair values of the
Company's insurance contracts other than annuity contracts are not required to
be disclosed.  However, the fair values of liabilities under all insurance
contracts are taken into consideration in the Company's overall management of
interest rate risk through the matching of investment maturities with amounts
due under insurance contracts.  The following methods and assumptions were used
to estimate the fair value of financial instruments.

    Investments - For fixed maturities and short-term and other investments,
fair value equals quoted market price, if available.  If a quoted market price
is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar
securities, adjusted for differences between the quoted securities and the
securities being valued.  The fair value of policy loans is based on estimates
using discounted cash flow analysis and current interest rates being offered for
new loans.  The fair value of mortgage loans is estimated by discounting the
future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made
to borrowers with similar credit ratings and the same remaining maturities.  The
carrying value of real estate is an estimate of fair value based on discounted
cash flows from operations.

    Annuity Contract Liabilities and Policyholder Account Balances on Interest-
sensitive Life Contracts - The fair values of annuity contract liabilities and
policyholder account balances on interest-sensitive life contracts are equal to
the discounted estimated future cash flows (using the Company's current interest
rates earned on its investments) including an adjustment for risk that the
timing or amount of cash flows will vary from management's estimate.

    Other Policyholder Funds - Other policyholder funds are supplementary
contract reserves and dividend accumulations which represent deposits that do
not have defined maturities.  The carrying value of these funds is used as a
reasonable estimate of fair value.

    Long-term Debt - The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on
quoted market prices of publicly traded issues.

                                      F-48
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 7 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments-(Continued)

    The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments at December
31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          December 31,
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      1999                    1998                    1997
                                             ----------------------  ----------------------  ----------------------
                                              Carrying      Fair      Carrying      Fair      Carrying      Fair
                                               Amount      Value       Amount      Value       Amount      Value
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    <S>                                      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
    Financial Assets
      Investments
        Fixed maturities...................  $2,507,280  $2,507,280  $2,651,379  $2,651,379  $2,638,794  $2,638,794
        Short-term and other investments...     122,929     125,316     102,049     105,859     130,252     133,844
        Short-term investments,
          loaned securities collateral.....           -           -      87,392      87,392           -           -
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
            Total investments..............   2,630,209   2,632,596   2,840,820   2,844,630   2,769,046   2,772,638
      Cash.................................      22,848      22,848      12,044      12,044         353         353

    Financial Liabilities
      Policyholder account balances on
        interest-sensitive life contracts..      94,141      92,048      91,719      89,576      91,322      84,034
      Annuity contract liabilities.........   1,238,379   1,052,732   1,239,234   1,142,859   1,245,459   1,112,479
      Other policyholder funds.............     126,530     126,530     124,820     124,820     122,107     122,107
      Short-term debt......................      49,000      49,000      50,000      50,000      42,000      42,000
      Long-term debt.......................      99,677      89,613      99,637     101,525      99,599      99,580
</TABLE>

    Fair value estimates shown above are dependent upon subjective assumptions
and involve significant uncertainties resulting in variability in estimates with
changes in assumptions.  Fair value assumptions are based upon subjective
estimates of market conditions and perceived risks of financial instruments at a
certain point in time.  The disclosed fair values do not reflect any premium or
discount that could result from offering for sale at one time an entire holding
of a particular financial instrument.  In addition, potential taxes and other
expenses that would be incurred in an actual sale or settlement are not
reflected in amounts disclosed.

                                      F-49
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 8 - Statutory Surplus and Subsidiary Dividend Restrictions

    The insurance departments of various states in which the insurance
subsidiaries of HMEC are domiciled recognize as net income and surplus those
amounts determined in conformity with statutory accounting practices prescribed
or permitted by the insurance departments, which differ in certain respects from
generally accepted accounting principles.

    Reconciliations of statutory capital and surplus and net income, as
determined using statutory accounting practices, to the amounts included in the
accompanying financial statements are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              December 31,
                                                                   ----------------------------------
                                                                      1999        1998        1997
                                                                   ----------  ----------  ----------
    <S>                                                            <C>         <C>         <C>
    Statutory capital and surplus of insurance subsidiaries......  $ 387,081   $ 363,130   $ 355,357
    Increase (decrease) due to:
     Deferred policy acquisition costs...........................    130,192     101,658      85,883
     Difference in policyholder reserves.........................     (7,514)     (2,498)        334
     Goodwill....................................................     50,632      52,250      53,868
     Value of acquired insurance in force........................     51,436      48,805      54,108
     Liability for postretirement benefits, other than pensions..    (27,257)    (26,021)    (24,574)
     Investment market value
      adjustments on fixed maturities............................    (68,123)     98,842     103,256
     Difference in investment reserves...........................     27,726      33,733      27,994
     Federal income tax liability................................       (158)    (15,611)    (24,839)
     Liability for discontinued operations, net of tax benefits..          -           -      (2,031)
     Non-admitted assets and other, net..........................      6,552       5,054       3,301
     Shareholders' equity of parent company and
      non-insurance subsidiaries.................................     (1,748)    (13,082)     14,914
     Parent company short-term and long-term debt................   (148,677)   (149,637)   (141,599)
                                                                   ---------   ---------   ---------
      Shareholders' equity as reported herein....................  $ 400,142   $ 496,623   $ 505,972
                                                                   =========   =========   =========

<CAPTION>
                                                                         Year Ended December 31,
                                                                   ---------------------------------
                                                                      1999        1998        1997
                                                                   ---------   ---------   ---------
    <S>                                                            <C>         <C>         <C>
    Statutory net income of insurance subsidiaries...............  $  75,722   $  67,865   $  82,771
    Net loss of non-insurance companies..........................     (3,710)       (380)     (1,307)
    Interest expense.............................................     (9,722)     (9,487)     (9,412)
    Tax benefit of interest expense and other
     parent company current tax adjustments......................     (6,928)      2,893       7,565
                                                                   ---------   ---------   ---------
    Combined net income..........................................     55,362      60,891      79,617
    Increase (decrease) due to:
     Deferred policy acquisition costs...........................     14,612      18,408      15,952
     Policyholder benefits.......................................      7,681       1,852       2,527
     Federal income tax expense (benefit)........................     (3,090)      5,256      (6,888)
     Provision for prior years' taxes............................    (20,000)          -           -
     Amortization of intangible assets...........................       (215)     (6,921)    (10,662)
     Investment reserves.........................................     (7,931)      6,061       1,316
     Loss on group medical business, net of tax benefits.........       (376)      1,738       1,849
     Other adjustments, net......................................     (1,538)     (1,973)       (135)
                                                                   ---------   ---------   ---------
      Net income as reported herein..............................  $  44,505   $  85,312   $  83,576
                                                                   =========   =========   =========
</TABLE>

                                      F-50
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 8 - Statutory Surplus and Subsidiary Dividend Restrictions-(Continued)

    The Company has principal insurance subsidiaries domiciled in Illinois and
California.  The statutory financial statements of these subsidiaries are
prepared in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the
Illinois Department of Insurance and the California Department of Insurance as
applicable.  Prescribed statutory accounting practices include a variety of
publications of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC"), as
well as state laws, regulations and general administrative rules.  Permitted
statutory accounting practices encompass all accounting practices not so
prescribed.

    The insurance subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory restrictions
which limit the amount of annual dividends or other distributions, including
loans or cash advances, available to HMEC without prior approval of the
insurance regulatory authorities.  The aggregate amount of dividends that may be
paid by the insurance subsidiaries to HMEC during 2000 without prior approval is
approximately $75 million.

    The NAIC has adopted risk-based capital guidelines that establish minimum
levels of statutory capital and surplus based on risk assumed in investments,
reserving policies, and volume and types of insurance business written.  State
insurance regulations prohibit insurance companies from making any public
statements or representations with regard to their risk-based capital levels.
Based on current guidelines, the risk-based capital statutory requirements will
have no negative regulatory impact on the Company's insurance subsidiaries.

NOTE 9 - Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

    All employees of the Company are covered by a defined contribution plan and
are eligible to participate in the Supplemental Retirement Savings (401(k))
Plan.  Certain employees also participate in a supplemental defined contribution
plan.  Employees hired on or before December 31, 1998 are also covered under a
defined benefit plan, with certain employees covered under a supplemental
defined benefit plan.

    Benefits under the defined benefit and supplemental retirement plans are
based on employees' years of service and compensation for the highest 36
consecutive months of earnings under the plan.  Under the defined contribution
plan, contributions are made to employees' accounts based on a percentage of
compensation that is determined by the employees' years of service.  Retirement
benefits to employees are paid first from their accumulated accounts under the
defined contribution plan with the balance funded by the defined benefit and
supplemental retirement plans.

                                      F-51
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 9 - Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits-(Continued)

    The Company's policy with respect to funding the defined benefit plan is to
contribute amounts which are actuarially determined to provide the plan with
sufficient assets to meet future benefit payments consistent with the funding
requirements of federal laws and regulations.

    Employees of the Company are also eligible to participate in the
Supplemental Retirement and Savings Plan, a 401(k) plan, and may generally
contribute up to 10% of eligible compensation on a before tax basis.  The
Company contributes an amount equal to 50% of the first 6% of eligible
compensation contributed each month by participating employees.

    Total pension and supplemental savings expense was $9,593, $9,471 and $8,885
for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

  Defined Contribution Plan

    Pension benefits under the defined contribution plan were fully funded and
investments were set aside in a trust fund.  Contributions to employees'
accounts under the defined contribution plan, which were expensed in the
Company's statements of operations, and total plan assets were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Year Ended December 31,
                                           -------------------------
                                             1999     1998     1997
                                           -------  -------  -------
    <S>                                    <C>      <C>      <C>
    Contributions to employees accounts..  $ 5,814  $ 5,919  $ 5,645
    Total assets at the end of the year..   85,519   77,820   70,762
</TABLE>

                                      F-52
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 9 - Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits-(Continued)

  Defined Benefit Plan and Supplemental Retirement Plans

    The following table summarizes both the funding status of the defined
benefit and supplemental retirement pension plans at the end of each year and
identifies the assumptions used to determine the projected benefit obligation
and the components of net pension cost for the defined benefit plan and
supplemental retirement plans for the following periods:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 Supplemental
                                                              Defined Benefit Plan             Retirement Plans
                                                        -------------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                                   December 31,                   December 31,
                                                        -------------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                          1999        1998       1997      1999      1998      1997
                                                        ---------  ---------  ---------  --------  --------  --------
    <S>                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
    Change in benefit obligation:
      Benefit obligation at beginning of year.........   $49,446    $43,354    $39,365   $ 6,190   $ 5,606   $ 5,258
      Service cost....................................     1,816      1,563      1,724       353       341       263
      Interest cost...................................     3,351      3,081      2,938       616       382       363
      Actuarial (gain) loss...........................    (3,291)     5,058      1,925     1,913       (65)     (216)
      Benefits paid...................................    (4,040)    (3,610)    (2,598)     (297)      (74)      (62)
                                                         -------    -------    -------   -------   -------   -------
      Benefit obligation at end of year...............   $47,282    $49,446    $43,354   $ 8,775   $ 6,190   $ 5,606
                                                         =======    =======    =======   =======   =======   =======

    Change in plan assets:
      Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year..   $50,576    $46,097    $42,262   $     -   $     -   $     -
      Actual return on plan assets....................     6,430      8,089      6,433         -         -         -
      Employer contributions..........................         -          -          -       297        74        62
      Benefits paid...................................    (4,040)    (3,610)    (2,598)     (297)      (74)      (62)
                                                         -------    -------    -------   -------   -------   -------
      Fair value of plan assets at end of year........   $52,966    $50,576    $46,097   $     -   $     -   $     -
                                                         =======    =======    =======   =======   =======   =======

    Funded status.....................................   $ 5,684    $ 1,130    $ 2,743   $(8,775)  $(6,190)  $(5,606)
    Unrecognized net actuarial (gain) loss............    (3,941)     1,426        488       493    (1,255)   (1,418)
    Unrecognized prior service (asset) cost...........    (3,815)    (4,424)    (5,035)    2,268     2,582     2,895
                                                         -------    -------    -------   -------   -------   -------
    Accrued benefit cost included
      in the consolidated balance sheets..............    (2,072)    (1,868)    (1,804)   (6,014)   (4,863)   (4,129)
    Additional liability to recognize unfunded
      accumulated benefit obligation..................         -          -          -    (2,228)   (1,107)   (1,219)
                                                         -------    -------    -------   -------   -------   -------
    Accrued benefit cost..............................   $(2,072)   $(1,868)   $(1,804)  $(8,242)  $(5,970)  $(5,348)
                                                         =======    =======    =======   =======   =======   =======

    Amounts recognized in the statement of
      financial position consist of:
        Accrued benefit cost..........................   $(2,072)   $(1,868)   $(1,804)  $(6,014)  $(4,863)  $(4,129)
        Minimum liability.............................         -          -          -    (2,228)   (1,107)   (1,219)
        Intangible asset..............................         -          -          -     2,228     1,107     1,219
                                                         -------    -------    -------   -------   -------   -------
          Net amount recognized.......................   $(2,072)   $(1,868)   $(1,804)  $(6,014)  $(4,863)  $(4,129)
                                                         =======    =======    =======   =======   =======   =======
</TABLE>

                                      F-53
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 9 - Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits-(Continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     Supplemental
                                                    Defined Benefit Plan           Retirement Plans
                                                ----------------------------   -----------------------------
                                                  Year Ended December 31,       Year Ended December 31,
                                                ----------------------------   -----------------------------
                                                  1999      1998      1997        1999       1998      1997
                                                --------  --------  --------   ---------  ----------  ------
    <S>                                         <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
    Components of net periodic benefit cost:
      Service cost............................  $ 1,816   $ 1,563   $ 1,724      $  353     $ 341     $ 263
      Interest cost...........................    3,351     3,081     2,938         616       382       363
      Expected return on plan assets..........   (4,353)   (3,969)   (3,638)          -         -         -
      Amortization of prior service cost......     (610)     (611)     (610)        313       313       313
      Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)....        -         -         -         166      (228)     (139)
                                                -------   -------   -------      ------     -----     -----
    Net periodic benefit cost.................  $   204   $    64   $   414      $1,448     $ 808     $ 800
                                                =======   =======   =======      ======     =====     =====
    Weighted-average assumptions
      as of December 31:
        Discount rate.........................     8.00%     6.75%     7.25%       8.00%     6.75%     7.25%
        Expected return on plan assets........     8.75%     8.75%     8.75%          *         *         *
        Rate of salary increase...............     4.00%     4.00%     4.00%       4.00%     4.00%     4.00%
</TABLE>

____________
* Not applicable.

    The defined benefit plan is fully funded and investments have been set aside
in a trust fund.  The supplemental retirement plans are non-qualified, unfunded
plans.

  Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions

    In addition to providing pension benefits, the Company also provides certain
health care and life insurance benefits to retired employees and eligible
dependents. Employees with ten years of service are eligible to receive these
benefits upon retirement. Postretirement benefits other than pensions of active
and retired employees are accrued as expense over the employees' service years.

                                      F-54
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 9 - Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits-(Continued)

    The following table presents the funded status of postretirement benefits
other than pensions of active and retired employees (including employees on
disability more than 2 years) as of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 reconciled
with amounts recognized in the Company's statement of financial position:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         December 31,
                                                                -------------------------------
                                                                  1999       1998       1997
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
    <S>                                                         <C>        <C>        <C>
    Change in accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
     Accumulated postretirement benefit
      obligation at beginning of year.........................  $ 34,257   $ 29,584   $ 25,153
     Changes during fiscal year
      Service cost............................................       628        552        845
      Interest cost...........................................     2,158      2,043      1,995
      Benefits paid...........................................    (1,768)    (1,231)    (1,265)
      Actuarial (gain) loss
       Change due to a change in assumptions..................    (5,615)     3,144        446
       Change due to demographic changes......................         -        165        219
       Valuation model enhancements...........................         -          -      2,191
                                                                --------   --------   --------
        Total actuarial (gain) loss...........................    (5,615)     3,309      2,856
                                                                --------   --------   --------
     Accumulated postretirement benefit
      obligation at end of year...............................  $ 29,660   $ 34,257   $ 29,584
                                                                ========   ========   ========

    Unfunded status...........................................  $(29,660)  $(34,257)  $(29,584)
    Unrecognized net loss from past
     experience different from that assumed...................     2,403      8,236      5,010
                                                                --------   --------   --------
      Accrued postretirement benefit cost.....................  $(27,257)  $(26,021)  $(24,574)
                                                                ========   ========   ========

<CAPTION>
                                                                    Year Ended December 31,
                                                                ------------------------------
                                                                  1999       1998       1997
                                                                --------   --------   --------
    <S>                                                         <C>        <C>        <C>
    Components of net periodic benefit cost:
     Service cost.............................................  $    628   $    552   $    845
     Interest cost............................................     2,158      2,043      1,995
     Amortization of prior (gains) losses.....................       218         83        122
                                                                --------   --------   --------
      Net periodic benefit cost...............................  $  3,004   $  2,678   $  2,962
                                                                ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

  Sensitivity Analysis

    A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate for
each year would change the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         December 31,
                                                                ------------------------------
                                                                  1999       1998       1997
                                                                --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                             <C>        <C>        <C>
    Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
      Effect of a one percentage point increase...............  $    864   $  1,379   $  2,038
      Effect of a one percentage point decrease...............      (743)    (1,351)    (1,907)

    Service and interest cost components of the net
      periodic postretirement benefit expense
        Effect of a one percentage point increase.............  $     75   $    203   $    198
        Effect of a one percentage point decrease.............       (60)      (177)      (185)
</TABLE>

                                      F-55
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 9 - Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits-(Continued)

    The assumed net weighted annual average medical rates of increase in the per
capita cost of covered benefits for participants in the plan who retired prior
to January 1, 1994 were 6.1%, 6.3% and 6.8% as of December 31, 1999, 1998 and
1997, respectively.  The net medical trend rates are 7.0% in 2000 grading down
to 5.0% in 2004 and thereafter.  For those participants retiring after December
31, 1993, benefits are provided at a level amount of $10.00 per month per year
of employment.  The weighted average discount rate used in determining the
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 8.00%, 6.75% and 7.25% at
December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

NOTE 10 - Reinsurance

    In the normal course of business, the insurance subsidiaries assume and cede
reinsurance with other insurers.  Reinsurance is ceded primarily to limit losses
from large exposures and to permit recovery of a portion of direct losses;
however, such a transfer does not relieve the originating insurance company of
contingent liability.

    The Company is a national underwriter and therefore has exposure to
catastrophic losses in certain coastal states and other regions throughout the
United States.  Catastrophes can be caused by various events including
hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, hail, severe winter weather, and fires, and
the frequency and severity of catastrophes are inherently unpredictable.  The
financial impact from catastrophic losses results from both the total amount of
insured exposure in the area affected by the catastrophe as well as the severity
of the event.  The Company seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophe losses
through the geographic diversification of its insurance coverage, deductibles,
maximum coverage limits, the purchase of catastrophe reinsurance, and the
purchase of a catastrophe-linked equity put option and reinsurance agreement
(also see Note 5).

    The total amounts of reinsurance recoverable on unpaid claims classified as
assets and reported in other assets in the balance sheets were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       December 31,
                                                 -------------------------
                                                  1999     1998     1997
                                                 -------  -------  -------
    <S>                                          <C>      <C>      <C>
    Reinsurance Recoverables on Unpaid Claims
      Life and health..........................  $ 4,485  $ 3,890  $ 3,326
      Property and casualty
        State insurance facilities.............   45,222   35,988   25,968
        Other insurance companies..............   19,188   19,902   15,356
                                                 -------  -------  -------
          Total................................  $68,895  $59,780  $44,650
                                                 =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>

                                      F-56
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 10 - Reinsurance-(Continued)

    The Company recognizes the cost of reinsurance premiums over the contract
periods for such premiums in proportion to the insurance protection provided.
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers for unpaid claims and claim settlement
expenses, including estimated amounts for unsettled claims, claims incurred but
not reported and policy benefits are estimated in a manner consistent with the
insurance liability associated with the policy.  The effect of reinsurance on
premiums written, premiums earned, and benefits, claims and settlement expenses
were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Ceded to    Assumed
                                     Gross      Other    from State
                                     Amount   Companies  Facilities    Net
                                    --------  ---------  ----------  --------
    <S>                             <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>
    Year ended December 31, 1999
      Premiums written............  $825,328    $23,891     $19,772  $821,209
      Premiums earned.............   599,949     25,308      20,487   595,128
      Benefits, claims and
        settlement expenses.......   435,605     39,183      19,764   416,186

    Year ended December 31, 1998
      Premiums written............   832,231     27,174      22,730   827,787
      Premiums earned.............   583,637     26,024      20,199   577,812
      Benefits, claims and
        settlement expenses.......   420,788     41,284      16,824   396,328

    Year ended December 31, 1997
      Premiums written............   775,964     23,535      18,890   771,319
      Premiums earned.............   542,605     22,572      22,679   542,712
      Benefits, claims and
        settlement expenses.......   371,220     34,365      22,586   359,441
</TABLE>

    There were no losses from uncollectible reinsurance recoverables in the
three years ended December 31, 1999.  Past due reinsurance recoverables as of
December 31, 1999 were not material.

NOTE 11 - Contingencies

  Lawsuits and Legal Proceedings

    There are various lawsuits and other legal proceedings against the Company.
Management and legal counsel are of the opinion that the ultimate disposition of
such litigation will have no material adverse effect on the Company's financial
position or results of operations.

  Assessments for Insolvencies of Unaffiliated Insurance Companies

    The Company is also contingently liable for possible assessments under
regulatory requirements pertaining to potential insolvencies of unaffiliated
insurance companies.  Liabilities, which are established based upon regulatory
guidance, have been insignificant.

                                      F-57
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 12 - Supplementary Data on Cash Flows

    A reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities
as presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Year Ended December 31,
                                                           -------------------------------
                                                             1999       1998       1997
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
    <S>                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>
    Cash flows from operating activities
      Net income.........................................  $ 44,505   $ 85,312   $ 83,576
      Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
        cash provided by operating activities:
          Realized investment (gains) losses.............     7,969     (9,908)    (5,340)
          Depreciation and amortization..................    (1,013)     5,342     10,605
          Increase in insurance liabilities..............    76,401     74,900     61,837
          (Increase) decrease in premium receivables.....    11,357     (2,296)     4,083
          Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs..   (14,615)   (18,408)   (15,932)
          Increase in reinsurance recoverable............    (3,078)    (1,997)    (2,744)
          Increase (decrease) in federal
            income tax liabilities.......................    32,409     (6,731)   (24,735)
          Increase (decrease) in accrued loss
            on discontinued operations...................         -     (2,689)    (2,833)
          Other..........................................    (5,789)     5,241     (4,081)
                                                           --------   --------   --------
            Total adjustments............................   103,641     43,454     20,860
                                                           --------   --------   --------
              Net cash provided by operating activities..  $148,146   $128,766   $104,436
                                                           ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

NOTE 13 - Segment Information

    The Company's operations include the following operating segments which have
been determined on the basis of insurance products sold:  property and casualty,
annuity and life insurance.  The property and casualty insurance segment
includes primarily personal lines automobile and homeowners products.  The
annuity segment includes primarily fixed and variable tax-qualified annuity
products.  The life insurance segment includes primarily interest-sensitive life
and traditional life products.

    The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.  The Company accounts for
intersegment transactions, primarily the allocation of agent and overhead costs
from the Corporate and Other segment to the property and casualty, annuity and
life segments, on a cost basis.  Operating income is equal to income from
continuing operations before realized investment gains and losses, after tax,
the 1999 provision for prior years' taxes and the 1999 litigation settlement
cost, after tax.

                                      F-58
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 13 - Segment Information-(Continued)

    Summarized financial information for these segments is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Year Ended December 31,
                                                                        ---------------------------------------
                                                                           1999         1998          1997
                                                                        -----------  -----------  -------------
    <S>                                                                 <C>          <C>          <C>
    Insurance premiums and contract charges earned
      Property and casualty......................................       $  491,060   $  476,458     $  447,252
      Annuity....................................................           16,706       15,556         12,597
      Life.......................................................           87,618       85,798         82,863
      Intersegment eliminations..................................             (256)           -              -
                                                                        ----------   ----------     ----------
          Total..................................................       $  595,128   $  577,812     $  542,712
                                                                        ==========   ==========     ==========

    Net investment income
      Property and casualty......................................       $   37,012   $   38,900     $   41,702
      Annuity....................................................          105,224      107,698        113,135
      Life.......................................................           47,005       45,453         43,707
      Corporate and other........................................              319          761          1,487
      Intersegment eliminations..................................           (1,293)      (1,089)        (1,103)
                                                                        ----------   ----------     ----------
          Total..................................................       $  188,267   $  191,723     $  198,928
                                                                        ==========   ==========     ==========

    Net income
      Operating income
        Property and casualty....................................       $   39,537   $   53,282     $   61,319
        Annuity..................................................           27,320       23,048         19,301
        Life.....................................................           14,570       12,345         12,934
        Corporate and other, including interest expense..........          (10,712)      (9,803)        (9,968)
                                                                        ----------   ----------     ----------
          Total operating income.................................           70,715       78,872         83,586
      Realized investment gains (losses), after tax..............           (5,180)       6,440          3,471
      Litigation settlement, after tax...........................           (1,030)           -              -
      Provision for prior years' taxes...........................          (20,000)           -              -
                                                                        ----------   ----------     ----------
      Income from continuing operations..........................           44,505       85,312         87,057
      Discontinued operations:
        Loss on discontinuation..................................                -            -         (3,481)
                                                                        ----------   ----------     ----------
          Total..................................................       $   44,505   $   85,312     $   83,576
                                                                        ==========   ==========     ==========

    Amortization of intangible assets
      Value of acquired insurance in force
        Property and casualty....................................       $      719   $    1,032     $    1,032
        Annuity..................................................           (4,242)       1,996          5,563
        Life.....................................................            2,120        2,275          2,449
                                                                        ----------   ----------     ----------
          Subtotal...............................................           (1,403)       5,303          9,044
      Goodwill...................................................            1,618        1,618          1,618
                                                                        ----------   ----------     ----------
          Total..................................................       $      215   $    6,921     $   10,662
                                                                        ==========   ==========     ==========

<CAPTION>
                                                                                     December 31,
                                                                        --------------------------------------
                                                                           1999         1998           1997
                                                                        ----------   ----------     ----------
    <S>                                                                 <C>          <C>            <C>
    Assets
      Property and casualty......................................       $  681,432   $  737,260     $  742,487
      Annuity....................................................        2,611,766    2,730,092      2,531,309
      Life.......................................................          840,594      863,864        777,488
      Corporate and other........................................          153,493       95,579        125,624
      Intersegment eliminations..................................          (33,439)     (31,315)       (44,996)
                                                                        ----------   ----------     ----------
          Total..................................................       $4,253,846   $4,395,480     $4,131,912
                                                                        ==========   ==========     ==========
</TABLE>

                                      F-59
<PAGE>

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 14 - Unaudited Interim Information

     Summary quarterly financial data is presented below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                     ---------------------------------------------------
                                                     December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,
                                                     ------------   -------------   --------   ---------
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>             <C>        <C>
1999
- ----
Insurance premiums written and contract deposits...      $207,195        $208,305   $207,644    $198,065
Total revenues.....................................       199,780         195,433    190,182     190,031
Litigation settlement, after tax...................           (22)         (1,008)         -           -
Provision for prior years' taxes...................             -         (20,000)         -           -
Income (loss) from continuing operations...........        22,490          (5,458)    10,422      17,051
Net income (loss)..................................        22,490          (5,458)    10,422      17,051
Per share information
  Basic
    Realized investment gains (losses), after tax..      $   0.02        $  (0.01)  $  (0.09)   $  (0.05)
    Litigation settlement, after tax...............             -           (0.02)         -           -
    Provision for prior years' taxes...............             -           (0.48)         -           -
    Income (loss) from continuing operations.......          0.55           (0.13)      0.25        0.41
    Net income (loss)..............................          0.55           (0.13)      0.25        0.41
  Diluted
    Realized investment gains (losses), after tax..      $   0.01        $      -   $  (0.09)   $  (0.05)
    Litigation settlement, after tax...............             -           (0.02)         -           -
    Provision for prior years' taxes...............             -           (0.48)         -           -
    Income (loss) from continuing operations.......          0.54           (0.12)      0.25        0.40
    Net income (loss)..............................          0.54           (0.12)      0.25        0.40

1998
- ----
Insurance premiums written and contract deposits...      $211,082        $209,686   $210,065    $196,954
Total revenues.....................................       192,292         196,564    194,489     196,098
Income from continuing operations..................        22,271          24,934     15,648      22,459
Net income.........................................        22,271          24,934     15,648      22,459
Per share information
  Basic
    Realized investment gains (losses), after tax..      $  (0.05)       $   0.06   $   0.04    $   0.10
    Income from continuing operations..............          0.52            0.58       0.36        0.51
    Net income.....................................          0.52            0.58       0.36        0.51
  Diluted
    Realized investment gains (losses), after tax..      $  (0.05)       $   0.06   $   0.05    $   0.09
    Income from continuing operations..............          0.52            0.57       0.36        0.50
    Net income.....................................          0.52            0.57       0.36        0.50

1997
- ----
Insurance premiums written and contract deposits...      $207,485        $188,911   $195,053    $179,870
Total revenues.....................................       192,386         185,934    186,597     182,063
Income from continuing operations..................        25,284          21,477     20,896      19,400
Discontinued operations, after tax.................             -          (3,481)         -           -
Net income.........................................        25,284          17,996     20,896      19,400
Per share information
  Basic
    Realized investment gains, after tax...........      $   0.03        $   0.03   $   0.01    $   0.01
    Income from continuing operations..............          0.56            0.48       0.45        0.41
    Net income.....................................          0.56            0.40       0.45        0.41
  Diluted
    Realized investment gains, after tax...........          0.03            0.02       0.01        0.01
    Income from continuing operations..............          0.56            0.46       0.45        0.40
    Net income.....................................          0.56            0.39       0.45        0.40
</TABLE>

                                      F-60
<PAGE>

                                                                      SCHEDULE I

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

       SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS-OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES
                               December 31, 1999

                            (Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Amount
                                                                                  shown in
                                                                       Market     Balance
                   Type of Investments                 Cost(1)         Value       Sheet
                   -------------------                ----------     ----------  ----------
<S>                                                   <C>            <C>         <C>
Fixed maturities:
 U.S. Government and U.S. Government agencies
  and authorities...................................  $  642,532     $  629,541  $  629,541
 States, municipalities and political subdivisions..     307,045        302,050     302,050
 Foreign government bonds...........................      21,875         21,987      21,987
 Public utilities...................................      11,904         11,848      11,848
 Other corporate bonds..............................   1,592,047      1,541,854   1,541,854
                                                      ----------     ----------  ----------

   Total fixed maturity securities..................   2,575,403     $2,507,280   2,507,280
                                                      ----------     ==========  ----------

Mortgage loans and real estate......................      17,550            xxx      17,550
Short-term investments..............................      45,082            xxx      45,082
Policy loans and other..............................      59,471            xxx      60,297
                                                      ----------                 ----------

   Total investments................................  $2,697,506            xxx  $2,630,209
                                                      ==========                 ==========
</TABLE>

________________
(1)  Bonds at original cost reduced by repayments and adjusted for amortization
     of premiums or accrual of discounts and impairment in value of specifically
     identified investments.

                See accompanying Independent Auditors' Report.

                                      F-61
<PAGE>

                                                                     SCHEDULE II

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION
                             (Parent Company Only)

                        CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                                BALANCE SHEETS
                    As of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         1999           1998           1997
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------
<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>            <C>
                                               ASSETS

Investments and cash...........................................       $  21,734      $   5,580      $  19,271
Investment in subsidiaries.....................................         478,748        589,964        574,009
Other assets...................................................          51,417         53,989         57,911
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------

    Total assets...............................................       $ 551,899      $ 649,533      $ 651,191
                                                                      =========      =========      =========

                    LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE SECURITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Short-term debt................................................       $  49,000      $  50,000      $  42,000
Long-term debt.................................................          99,677         99,637         99,599
Other liabilities..............................................           3,080          3,053          3,043
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------

    Total liabilities..........................................         151,757        152,690        144,642
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------

Warrants, subject to redemption................................               -            220            577
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, authorized
  1,000,000 shares; none issued................................               -              -              -
Common stock, $0.001 par value, authorized 75,000,000
  shares; issued, 1999, 59,292,053; 1998, 59,274,690;
  1997, 59,161,008.............................................              59             59             59
Additional paid-in capital.....................................         333,892        336,686        340,564
Retained earnings..............................................         449,023        420,274        349,274
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (net unrealized
  gains (losses) on fixed maturities and equity securities)....         (40,016)        57,327         62,167
Treasury stock, at cost, 1999, 18,258,896 shares; 1998,
  17,183,596 shares; 1997, 14,896,796 shares...................        (342,816)      (317,723)      (246,092)
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------
    Total shareholders' equity.................................         400,142        496,623        505,972
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------

    Total liabilities, redeemable securities
      and shareholders' equity.................................       $ 551,899      $ 649,533      $ 651,191
                                                                      =========      =========      =========
</TABLE>

           See accompanying note to condensed financial statements.

                 See accompanying Independent Auditors' Report.

                                     F-62
<PAGE>

                                                                     SCHEDULE II

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION
                             (Parent Company Only)

                        CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                           STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                            (Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Year Ended December 31,
                                                                -----------------------------
                                                                  1999       1998      1997
                                                                ---------  --------  --------
<S>                                                             <C>        <C>       <C>
Revenues
  Net investment income.......................................  $    318   $   759   $ 1,487
  Realized investment gains...................................       481     1,123       154
                                                                --------   -------   -------

      Total revenues..........................................       799     1,882     1,641
                                                                --------   -------   -------

Expenses
  Interest....................................................     9,722     9,487     9,412
  Amortization of goodwill....................................     1,618     1,618     1,618
  Other.......................................................     1,479       713       541
                                                                --------   -------   -------

      Total expenses..........................................    12,819    11,818    11,571
                                                                --------   -------   -------

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
  and equity in net earnings of subsidiaries..................   (12,020)   (9,936)   (9,930)
Income tax expense (benefit)..................................    (3,686)   (2,766)   (2,845)
                                                                --------   -------   -------
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity
  in net earnings of subsidiaries.............................    (8,334)   (7,170)   (7,085)
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries........................    52,839    92,482    94,142
                                                                --------   -------   -------
Income from continuing operations.............................    44,505    85,312    87,057
Discontinued operations:
  Loss on discontinuation, representing additional provision
    of $5,355 for operating losses during phase-out period,
    net of applicable income tax benefits of $1,874...........         -         -    (3,481)
                                                                --------   -------   -------
Net income....................................................  $ 44,505   $85,312   $83,576
                                                                ========   =======   =======
</TABLE>



           See accompanying note to condensed financial statements.

                See accompanying Independent Auditors' Report.

                                      F-63
<PAGE>

                                                                     SCHEDULE II

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION
                             (Parent Company Only)

                        CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                           STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                            (Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Year Ended December 31,
                                                             -------------------------------
                                                               1999       1998       1997
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities
  Interest expense paid....................................  $ (9,523)  $ (9,309)  $ (9,276)
  Federal income taxes recovered...........................     6,901      5,672      1,391
  Cash dividends received from subsidiaries................    63,500     62,100    107,300
  Other, net...............................................       421      9,588     (7,208)
                                                             --------   --------   --------
      Net cash provided by operating activities............    61,299     68,051     92,207
                                                             --------   --------   --------

Cash flows from investing activities
  Net (increase) decrease in investments...................   (12,306)    18,039    (10,102)
                                                             --------   --------   --------
      Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities..   (12,306)    18,039    (10,102)
                                                             --------   --------   --------

Cash flows used in financing activities
  Purchase of treasury stock...............................   (25,093)   (71,631)   (91,790)
  Dividends paid to shareholders...........................   (15,756)   (14,312)   (12,971)
  Principal (payments) borrowings on Bank Credit Facility..    (1,000)     8,000      8,000
  Repurchase of common stock warrants......................    (2,426)    (4,959)         -
  Exercise of stock options................................       362      2,200     11,581
  Catastrophe-linked equity put option premium.............      (950)    (1,475)    (1,250)
                                                             --------   --------   --------
      Net cash used in financing activities................   (44,863)   (82,177)   (86,430)
                                                             --------   --------   --------

Net increase (decrease) in cash............................     4,130      3,913     (4,325)
Cash at beginning of period................................     3,913          0      4,325
                                                             --------   --------   --------

Cash at end of period......................................  $  8,043   $  3,913   $      0
                                                             ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>



           See accompanying note to condensed financial statements.

                See accompanying Independent Auditors' Report.

                                      F-64
<PAGE>

                                                                     SCHEDULE II

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION
                             (Parent Company Only)

                        CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                    NOTE TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                       December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997


    The accompanying condensed financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying
notes thereto.



                See accompanying Independent Auditors' Report.

                                      F-65
<PAGE>

                                                    SCHEDULE III & VI (COMBINED)

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

                      SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION

                            (Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Discount,               Other
                                            Deferred    Future policy     if any,               policy     Premium
                                             policy       benefits,     deducted in            claims and  revenue/      Net
                                          acquisition    claims and      previous    Unearned   benefits   premium    investment
       Segment                               costs     claims expenses    column     premiums   payable     earned      income
       -------                            -----------  ---------------  -----------  --------  ----------  --------   ----------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>              <C>          <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>
Year Ended December 31, 1999
  Property and casualty..............        $ 16,705       $  299,803      $   0    $162,793    $      -  $491,060     $ 37,012
  Annuity............................          41,558        1,240,757        xxx           -     114,611    16,706      105,224
  Life...............................          71,929          629,889        xxx       8,052      11,919    87,618       47,005
  Other, including
   consolidating eliminations........             N/A              N/A        xxx         N/A         N/A      (256)        (974)
                                            ---------       ----------               --------    --------  --------     --------

     Total...........................        $130,192       $2,170,449        xxx    $170,845    $126,530  $595,128     $188,267
                                            =========       ==========               ========    ========  ========     ========

Year Ended December 31, 1998
  Property and casualty..............        $ 16,048       $  298,929      $   0    $172,474    $      -  $476,458     $ 38,900
  Annuity............................          25,818        1,240,987        xxx           -     111,754    15,556      107,698
  Life...............................          59,792          588,888        xxx       6,720      13,066    85,798       45,453
  Other, including
   consolidating eliminations........             N/A              N/A        xxx         N/A         N/A       N/A         (328)
                                            ---------       ----------               --------    --------  --------     --------
     Total...........................        $101,658       $2,128,804        xxx    $179,194    $124,820  $577,812     $191,723
                                            =========       ==========               ========    ========  ========     ========

Year Ended December 31, 1997
  Property and casualty..............        $ 15,230       $  310,632      $   0    $161,205    $    305  $447,252     $ 41,702
  Annuity............................          19,699        1,246,948        xxx           -     107,538    12,597      113,135
  Life...............................          50,954          553,981        xxx       5,791      14,264    82,863       43,707
  Other, including
   consolidating eliminations........             N/A              N/A        xxx         N/A         N/A       N/A          384
                                            ---------       ----------               --------    --------  --------     --------
     Total...........................        $ 85,883       $2,111,561        xxx    $166,996    $122,107  $542,712     $198,928
                                            =========       ==========               ========    ========  ========     ========

<CAPTION>

                                                         Claims and claims
                                            Benefits,    adjustment expense     Amortization                Paid
                                             claims      incurred related to    of deferred                claims
                                               and       --------------------     policy        Other     and claims
                                           settlement    Current       Prior    acquisition   operating   adjustment  Premiums
       Segment                              expenses      year         years       costs      expenses     expense    written
       -------                             ----------    -------      -------   -----------   ---------   ----------  --------
<S>                                        <C>           <C>          <C>       <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>
Year Ended December 31, 1999
  Property and casualty...............       $374,872   $379,455     $ (4,583)      $44,227    $ 54,453     $382,518  $495,075
  Annuity.............................         67,078        xxx          xxx         5,820       7,208          xxx       xxx
  Life................................         65,865        xxx          xxx         3,286      43,178          xxx       xxx
  Other, including
   consolidating eliminations.........            N/A        xxx          xxx          (292)     16,377          xxx       xxx
                                             --------                               -------    --------

     Total............................       $507,815        xxx          xxx       $53,041    $121,216          xxx       xxx
                                             ========                               =======    ========

Year Ended December 31, 1998
  Property and casualty..............        $354,381   $379,603     $(24,917)      $42,779    $ 51,699     $380,955  $487,727
  Annuity............................          71,996        xxx          xxx          (700)     16,558          xxx       xxx
  Life...............................          64,727        xxx          xxx         3,398      44,167          xxx       xxx
  Other, including
   consolidating eliminations........             N/A        xxx          xxx           N/A      13,657          xxx       xxx
                                             --------                               -------    --------
     Total...........................        $491,104        xxx          xxx       $45,477    $126,081          xxx       xxx
                                             ========                               =======    ========

Year Ended December 31, 1997
  Property and casualty..............        $320,834   $365,986     $(45,152)      $40,515    $ 49,012     $357,875  $458,088
  Annuity............................          76,486        xxx          xxx           100      19,373          xxx       xxx
  Life...............................          59,352        xxx          xxx         3,583      43,685          xxx       xxx
  Other, including
   consolidating eliminations........             N/A        xxx          xxx           N/A      14,402          xxx       xxx
                                             --------                               -------    --------
     Total...........................        $456,672        xxx          xxx       $44,198    $126,472          xxx       xxx
                                             ========                               =======    ========
</TABLE>

- --------------
N/A Not applicable.

                See accompanying Independent Auditors' Report.

                                      F-66
<PAGE>

                                                                     SCHEDULE IV

                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

                                  REINSURANCE

                             (Dollars in thousands)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Column A                        Column B      Column C     Column D        Column E      Column F
                                                 Ceded to      Assumed                     Percentage
                                    Gross          Other      from State                   of Amount
                                    Amount       Companies    Facilities        Net      Assumed to Net
                                    ------       ---------    ----------     --------    --------------
<S>                               <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>         <C>
Year ended December 31, 1999
 Life insurance in force........  $12,300,704     $783,527             -     $11,517,177              -
 Premiums
  Property and casualty.........  $   493,804     $ 23,231       $20,487     $   491,060            4.2%
  Annuity.......................       16,706            -             -          16,706              -
  Life..........................       89,695        2,077             -          87,618              -
  Other, including
    consolidating eliminations..         (256)           -             -            (256)             -
                                  -----------     --------      --------     -----------
     Total premiums.............  $   599,949     $ 25,308       $20,487     $   595,128            3.4%
                                  ===========     ========      ========     ===========



Year ended December 31, 1998
 Life insurance in force........  $11,798,613     $643,910             -     $11,154,703              -
 Premiums
  Property and casualty.........  $   480,447     $ 24,188       $20,199     $   476,458            4.2%
  Annuity.......................       15,556            -             -          15,556              -
  Life..........................       87,634        1,836             -          85,798              -
                                  -----------     --------      --------     -----------
     Total premiums.............  $   583,637     $ 26,024       $20,199     $   577,812            3.5%
                                  ===========     ========      ========     ===========



Year ended December 31, 1997
 Life insurance in force........  $11,187,925     $310,833             -     $10,877,092              -
 Premiums
  Property and casualty.........  $   445,468     $ 20,895       $22,679     $   447,252            5.1%
  Annuity.......................       12,597            -             -          12,597              -
  Life..........................       84,540        1,677             -          82,863              -
                                  -----------     --------      --------     -----------
     Total premiums.............  $   542,605     $ 22,572       $22,679     $   542,712            4.2%
                                  ===========     ========      ========     ===========
</TABLE>


____________
NOTE:  Premiums above include insurance premiums earned and contract charges
       earned.

                 See accompanying Independent Auditors' Report

                                      F-67
<PAGE>

================================================================================


                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION





                                    EXHIBITS


                                       To


                                    FORM 10-K


                      For the Year Ended December 31, 1999




                                  VOLUME 1 OF 1



================================================================================
<PAGE>

     The following items are filed as Exhibits to Horace Mann Educators
Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.
Management contracts and compensatory plans are indicated by an asterisk(*).


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Sequential
Exhibit                                                                                  Page
  No.                                   Description                                     Number
- ------                                  -----------                                   ----------
<S>            <C>                                                                    <C>
(3)  Articles of incorporation and bylaws:

     3.1       Restated Certificate of Incorporation of HMEC, filed with the
               Delaware Secretary of State on October 6, 1989, incorporated by
               reference to Exhibit 3.1 to HMEC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
               for the quarter ended September 30, 1996, filed with the
               Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 14,
               1996.

     3.1(a)    Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of
               Incorporation of HMEC, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State
               on October 18, 1991, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to
               HMEC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
               September 30, 1996, filed with the SEC on November 14, 1996.

     3.1(b)    Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of
               Incorporation of HMEC, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State
               on August 23, 1995, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to
               HMEC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
               September 30, 1996, filed with the SEC on November 14, 1996.

     3.1(c)    Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of
               Incorporation of HMEC, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State
               on September 23, 1996, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4
               to HMEC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
               September 30, 1996, filed with the SEC on November 14, 1996.

     3.1(d)    Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of
               Incorporation of HMEC, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State
               on June 5, 1998, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
               HMEC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
               30, 1998, filed with the SEC on August 13, 1998.

     3.2       Form of Certificate for shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value
               per share, of HMEC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to
               HMEC's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
               33-53118) filed with the SEC on October 9, 1992.

     3.3       Bylaws of HMEC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to
               HMEC's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
               33-80059) filed with the SEC on December 6, 1995.
</TABLE>


                                       1
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Sequential
Exhibit                                                                                  Page
  No.                                   Description                                     Number
- ------                                  -----------                                   ----------
<S>            <C>                                                                    <C>

(4)  Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures:

     4.1       Indenture dated as of January 17, 1996, between HMEC and U.S.
               Trust Company of California, N.A. as trustee, with regard to
               HMEC's 6 5/8% Senior Notes Due 2006, incorporated by reference to
               Exhibit 4.4 to HMEC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
               ended December 31, 1995, filed with the SEC on March 13, 1996.

     4.1(a)    Form of 6 5/8% Senior Notes Due 2006 (included in Exhibit 4.1).

     4.2       Certificate of Designations for HMEC Series A Cumulative
               Preferred Stock (included in Exhibit 10.15).

(10) Material contracts:

     10.1      Credit Agreement dated as of December 31, 1996 (the "Bank Credit
               Facility") among HMEC, certain banks named therein and Bank of
               America National Trust and Savings Association, as administrative
               agent (the "Agent"), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
               HMEC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
               1996, filed with the SEC on March 26, 1997.

     10.2*     Stock Subscription Agreement among HMEC (as successor to HME
               Holdings, Inc.), The Fulcrum III Limited Partnership, The Second
               Fulcrum III Limited Partnership and each of the Management
               Investors, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to HMEC's
               Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1989,
               filed with the SEC on April 2, 1990.

     10.3*     Horace Mann Educators Corporation Deferred Equity Compensation
               Plan for Directors, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
               HMEC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
               September 30, 1996, filed with the SEC on November 14, 1996.

     10.4*     Horace Mann Educators Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for
               Employees, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to HMEC's
               Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997,
               filed with the SEC on March 30, 1998.

     10.5*     Amended and restated Horace Mann Educators Corporation 1991
               Stock Incentive Plan.

     10.5(a)*  Specimen Employee Stock Option Agreement under the Horace
               Mann Educators Corporation 1991 Stock Incentive Plan.

     10.5(b)*  Specimen Director Stock Option Agreement under the Horace
               Mann Educators Corporation 1991 Stock Incentive Plan.

     10.6*     Severance Agreements between HMEC and certain officers of HMEC,
               incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to HMEC's Annual Report
               on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, filed with the
               SEC on March 31, 1994.

</TABLE>


                                       2
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Sequential
Exhibit                                                                                  Page
  No.                                   Description                                     Number
- ------                                  -----------                                   ----------
<S>            <C>                                                                    <C>
     10.6(a)*  Revised Schedule to Severance Agreements between HMEC and
               certain officers of HMEC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
               10.1(a) to HMEC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
               ended June 30, 1999, filed with the SEC on August 13, 1999.

     10.7*     Specimen Continuation of Employment Agreement between HMEC and
               certain officers, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21(a)
               to HMEC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
               September 30, 1994, filed with the SEC on November 14, 1994.

     10.7(a)*  Schedule of Continuation of Employment Agreements between
               HMEC and certain officers, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
               10.21(b) to HMEC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
               ended September 30, 1994, filed with the SEC on November 14,
               1994.

     10.8*     Horace Mann Incentive Compensation Program, incorporated by
               reference to Exhibit 10.7 to HMEC's Annual Report on Form 10-K
               for the year ended December 31, 1996, filed with the SEC on March
               26, 1997.

     10.9*     Horace Mann Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan, 1997
               Restatement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to HMEC's
               Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
               30,1997, filed with the SEC on November 14, 1997.

     10.10*    Horace Mann Executive Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan,
               1997 Restatement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to
               HMEC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
               30, 1997, filed with the SEC on August 14, 1997.

     10.11*    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement entered by and
               between HMEC and Paul J. Kardos as of October 6, 1998,
               incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to HMEC's Quarterly
               Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998,
               filed with the SEC on November 13, 1998.

     10.11(a)* Amendment Agreement to the Amended and Restated Employment
               Agreement entered by and between HMEC and Paul J. Kardos as of
               October 6, 1998 dated as of February 1, 2000.

     10.12*    Employment Agreement entered by and between HMEC and Louis G.
               Lower II as of December 31, 1999.

     10.13*    Separation Agreement entered by and between HMEC and Larry K.
               Becker as of March 21, 2000.

     10.14*    Letter of Employment entered by and between HMEC and Peter H.
               Heckman effective April 10, 2000.
</TABLE>

                                       3
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Sequential
Exhibit                                                                                  Page
  No.                                   Description                                     Number
- ------                                  -----------                                   ----------
<S>            <C>                                                                    <C>

     10.15     Catastrophe Equity Securities Issuance Option Agreement
               (Catastrophe Equity Securities Issuance Option and Reinsurance
               Option Agreement) entered by and between HMEC and Centre
               Reinsurance, dated February 15, 1997 and related letter from
               Centre Reinsurance, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to
               HMEC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
               1996, filed with the SEC on March 26, 1997.

     10.15(a)  Amendment effective February 15, 1997 to Catastrophe Equity
               Securities Issuance Option Agreement (Catastrophe Equity
               Securities Issuance Option and Reinsurance Option Agreement),
               incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(a) to HMEC's Quarterly
               Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998, filed
               with the SEC on May 15, 1998.

     10.15(b)  Amendment effective February 15, 1997 to Catastrophe Equity
               Securities Issuance Option and Reinsurance Option Agreement,
               incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12(b) to HMEC's Annual
               Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, filed
               with the SEC on March 31, 1999.

     10.15(c)  Amendment effective June 1, 1999 to Catastrophe Equity
               Securities Issuance Option and Reinsurance Option Agreement,
               incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(c) to HMEC's Quarterly
               Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999,
               filed with the SEC on November 12, 1999.

(11) Statement regarding computation of per share earnings.

(12) Statement regarding computation of ratios.

(21) Subsidiaries of HMEC.

(23) Consent of KPMG LLP.

(27) Financial Data Schedule.

</TABLE>


                                       4

<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.5
                        HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION
                            1991 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31, 1999

SECTION 1. Purpose; Definitions.

     The purpose of the Plan is to enable existing and prospective officers,
     employees and directors of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates to
     participate in the Company's future and to enable the Company to attract
     and retain such persons by offering them proprietary interests in the
     Company.

     For purposes of the Plan, the following terms are defined as set forth
     below:

          a.   "Affiliate" means a corporation or other entity controlled by the
               Company and designated by the Committee as such.

          b.   "Award" means a Stock Appreciation Right, Stock Option, or Common
               Stock with or without restrictions.

          c.   "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

          d.   "Cause" has the meaning set forth in Section 5(i).

          e.   "Change in Control" has the meaning set forth in Section 8(b).

          f.   "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
               time to time, and any successor thereto.

          g.   "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
               successor agency.

          h.   "Committee" means the Committee referred to in Section 2.

          i.   "Common Stock" means common stock, $.001 per share par value, of
               the Company.

          j.   "Company" means Horace Mann Educators Corporation.

          k.   "Disability" means permanent and total disability as determined
               under procedures established by the Committee for purposes of the
               Plan.

          l.   "Early Retirement" means retirement from active employment with
               the Company, a subsidiary or Affiliate pursuant to the early
               retirement provisions of the applicable tax qualified pension
               plan of such employer.
<PAGE>

          m.   "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
               amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

          n.   "Fair Market Value" means, except as provided in Sections 5(j)
               and 6(b)(ii)(2), the mean, as of any given date, between the
               highest and lowest reported sales prices of the Common Stock on
               the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape or, if not listed on
               such exchange, on any other national exchange on which the Common
               Stock is listed or on NASDAQ. If there is no regular public
               trading market for such Common Stock, the Fair Market Value of
               the Common Stock shall be determined by the Committee in good
               faith.

          o.   "Incentive Stock Options" means any Stock Option intended to be
               and designated as an "incentive stock option" within the meaning
               of Section 422 of the Code.

          p.   "Non-Qualified Stock Option" means any Stock Option that is not
               an Incentive Stock Option.

          q.   "Normal Retirement" means retirement from active employment with
               the Company, a subsidiary or Affiliate, pursuant to the normal
               retirement provisions of the applicable tax qualified pension
               plan of such employer.

          r.   "Outside Director" shall mean a director who satisfies both (i)
               the requirements for an "outside director" as set forth in
               Section 162m of the Code and Treasury Reg. Section 1.162-
               27(e)(3)(i) promulgated thereunder and (ii) the requirements for
               a "non-employee director" set forth in Rule 16b-3 under the
               Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or successor
               requirements thereto.

          s.   "Plan" means the Horace Mann Educators Corporation 1991 Stock
               Incentive Plan, as set forth herein and as hereinafter amended
               from time to time.

          t.   "Retirement" means Normal or Early Retirement.

          u.   "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3, as promulgated by the Commission
               under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as amended from time to
               time.

          v.   "Stock Appreciation Right" means a right granted under Section 6.

          w.   "Stock Option" or "Option" means an option granted under Section
               5.

          x.   "Termination of Employment" means the termination of the
               participant's employment with the Company and any Affiliate. A
               participant employed by an Affiliate shall also be deemed to
               incur a Termination of Employment if the Affiliate ceases to be
               an Affiliate and the participant does not immediately thereafter
               become an employee of the Company or another Affiliate.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

          y.   "Vested" or "Vesting" means (i) with respect to an Option or
               Stock Appreciation Right, that it is exercisable subject to
               whatever or restrictions on exercise may exist by the terms of
               this Plan or the option agreement; and (ii) with respect to
               Common Stock, that no longer has any restrictions.

               In addition, certain other terms used herein have definitions
               given to them in the first place on which they are used.

SECTION 2. Administration.

     The Plan shall be administered by a Committee of the Board, composed of not
     less than two Outside Directors, appointed by and serving at the pleasure
     of the Board. If at any time no Committee shall be in office, the functions
     of the Committee specified in the Plan shall be exercised by the Board.

     The Committee shall have plenary authority to grant Awards to existing and
     prospective officers, employees and directors of the Company or an
     Affiliate.

     Among other things, the Committee shall have the authority, subject to the
     terms of the Plan:

          (a)  to select the existing and prospective officers, employees and
               directors to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;

          (b)  to determine whether and to what extend Incentive Stock Options,
               Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Common
               Stock or any combination thereof are to be granted hereunder;

          (c)  to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered
               by each Award granted hereunder;

          (d)  to determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted
               hereunder (including, but not limited to, the share price, any
               Vesting restriction or limitation and any Vesting acceleration or
               forfeiture waiver regarding any Award and the shares of Common
               Stock relating thereto, based on such factors as the Committee
               shall determine);

          (e)  to adjust the terms and conditions, at any time or from time to
               time, of any Award, including with respect to performance goals
               and measurements applicable to performance-based Awards pursuant
               to the terms of the Plan; and

          (f)  to determine to what extent and under what circumstances Common
               Stock and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be
               deferred.

     The Committee shall have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such
     administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it
     shall, from time to time, deem advisable, to


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

     interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under
     the Plan (and any agreement relating thereto) and to otherwise supervise
     the administration of the Plan.

     The Committee may act only by a majority of its members then in office,
     except that the members thereof may authorize any one or more of their
     number or any officer of the Company to execute and deliver documents on
     behalf of the Committee.

     Any determination made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the
     Plan with respect to any Award shall be made in its sole discretion at the
     time of the grant of the Award or, unless in contravention of any express
     term of the Plan, at any time thereafter. All decisions made by the
     Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final and binding
     on all persons, including the Company and Plan participants.

SECTION 3. Common Stock Subject to Plan.

     Initially, the total number of shares of Common Stock reserved and
     available for distribution pursuant to Awards under the Plan was 2,000,000
     shares. Pursuant to the 2-for-1 split of Common Stock effective December
     15, 1997, an additional 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock were reserved and
     available for distribution pursuant to Awards under the Plan. Such shares
     may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or
     treasury shares.

     The number of shares with respect to which Stock Options or Stock
     Appreciation Rights may be granted during any calendar year to any one
     person (awards of Stock Options and of Stock Appreciation Rights granted in
     tandem with each other being deemed to have been granted with respect to
     the same shares) shall not in the aggregate exceed 500,000.

     Subject to Section 6(b)(iv), if any shares of Common Stock that have been
     optioned cease to be subject to a Stock Option, if any shares of Common
     Stock that are subject to any Award are forfeited or if any Award otherwise
     terminates without a payment being made to the participant in the form of
     Common Stock, such shares shall again be available for distribution in
     connection with Awards under the Plan; provided, the person holding such
     Award received no benefits of ownership (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3
     while holding such Award).

     In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation,
     recapitalization, stock dividend, spin-off, stock split, extraordinary
     distribution with respect to the Common Stock or other similar change in
     corporate structure affecting the Common Stock, such substitution or
     adjustments shall be made in the aggregate number of shares reserved for
     issuance under the Plan, in the number and option price of shares subject
     to outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, and the number
     of shares subject to other outstanding Awards granted under the Plan as may
     be determined to be appropriate by the Committee, in its sole discretion;
     provided, however, that the number of shares subject to any Award shall
     always be a whole number. Such adjusted option price shall also be used to
     determine the amount payable by the Company upon the exercise of any Stock
     Appreciation Right associated with any Stock Option.


                                      -4-
<PAGE>

SECTION 4. Eligibility.

     Existing and prospective officers, employees and directors of the Company
     and its Affiliates who are or who are expected to be responsible for or
     contribute to the management, growth and profitability of the business of
     the Company and its Affiliates are eligible to be granted Awards under the
     Plan.

SECTION 5. Stock Options.

     Stock options may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted
     under the Plan and may be of two types: Incentive Stock Options and Non-
     Qualified Stock Options. Any Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be
     in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve.

     The committee shall have the authority to grant any optionee Incentive
     Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options or both types of Stock Options
     (in each case with or without Stock Appreciation Rights). Incentive Stock
     Options may be granted only to employees of the Company and its
     subsidiaries (within the meaning of Section 425(f) of the Code). To the
     extent that any Stock Option is not designated as an Incentive Stock Option
     or even if so designated does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it
     shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

     Stock Options shall be evidenced by option agreements, the terms and
     provisions of which may differ. An option agreement shall indicate on its
     face whether it is an agreement for an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-
     Qualified Stock Option. The grant of a Stock Option shall occur on the date
     the Committee by resolution selects an individual to be a participant in
     any grant of a Stock Option, determines the number of shares of Common
     Stock to be subject to such Stock Option to be granted to such individual
     and specifies the terms and provisions of the option agreement. The Company
     shall notify a participant of any grant of a Stock Option, and a written
     option agreement or agreements shall be duly executed and delivered by the
     Company to the participant. Such agreement or agreements shall become
     effective upon execution by the participant.

     Anything in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no term of the Plan
     relating to Incentive Stock Options shall be interpreted, amended or
     altered nor shall any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be
     exercised so as to disqualify the Plan under Section 422 of the Code or,
     without the consent of the optionee affected, to disqualify any Incentive
     Stock Option under such Section 422.

     Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and
     conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the
     Committee shall deem desirable:

          (a)  Option Price. The option price per share of Common Stock
               purchasable under an Incentive Stock Option shall not be less
               than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the
               Option at time of grant. The option price of a Non-Qualified
               Stock Option shall be the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock
               subject to the Option on the


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

               date of grant.

          (b)  Option Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the
               Committee, but no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than 10
               years after the date the Option is granted.

          (c)  Vesting. Subject to Section 5(a) and 8(a)(i), Stock Options shall
               be Vested at such time or times and subject to such terms and
               conditions as shall be determined by the Committee. If the
               Committee provides that any Stock Option is Vested only in
               installments, the Committee may at any time waive such
               installment Vesting provisions, in whole or in part, based on
               such factors as the Committee may determine. In addition, the
               Committee may at any time accelerate the Vesting of any Stock
               Option.

          (d)  Method of Exercise. Subject to the provisions of this Section 5,
               Stock Options may be exercised, in whole or in part, at any time
               during the option period by giving written notice of exercise to
               the Company specifying the number of shares of Common Stock
               subject to the Stock Option to be purchased.

               Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the
               purchase price by certified or bank check or such other
               instrument as the Company may accept. If approved by the
               Committee, payment in full or in part may also be made in the
               form of unrestricted Common Stock already owned by the optionee
               of the same class as the Common Stock subject to the Stock Option
               and, in the case of the exercise of a Non-qualified Stock Option,
               Common Stock with restrictions subject to an Award hereunder
               which is of the same class as the Common Stock subject to the
               Stock Option (based, in each case, on the Fair Market Value of
               the Common Stock on the date the Stock Option is exercised);
               provided, however, that, in the case of an Incentive Stock
               Option, the right to make a payment in the form of already owned
               shares of Common Stock of the same class as the Common Stock
               subject to the Stock Option may be authorized only at the time
               the Stock Option is granted.

               If payment of the option exercise price of a Non-Qualified Stock
               Option is made in whole or in part in the form of Common Stock
               with restrictions, the number of shares of Common Stock to be
               received upon such exercise equal to the number of shares of such
               Common Stock with restrictions used for payment of the option
               exercise price shall be subject to the same forfeiture
               restrictions or deferral limitations to which such Common Stock
               with restrictions was subject, unless otherwise determined by the
               Committee.

               No shares of Common Stock shall be issued until full payment
               therefor has been made. Subject to any forfeiture restrictions or
               deferral limitations that may apply if a Stock Option is
               exercised using Common Stock with restrictions, an optionee shall
               have all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company holding
               the class or series of Common Stock that is subject to such Stock
               Option (including, if applicable, the right to vote the shares
               and the right to receive dividends), when the optionee has given
               written notice of


                                      -6-
<PAGE>

               exercise, has paid in full for such shares and, if requested, has
               given the representation described in Section 11(a).

          (e)  Non-transferability of Options. No Stock Option shall be
               transferable by the optionee other than by will or by the laws of
               descent and distribution, and all Stock Options shall be
               exercisable, during the optionee's lifetime, only by the optionee
               or by the guardian or legal representative of the optionee, it
               being understood that the terms "holder" and "optionee" include
               the guardian and legal representative of the optionee named in
               the option agreement and any person to whom an option is
               transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
               Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Stock Option which is granted to
               a Director may be transferred to the spouse or lineal descendant
               of the Director optionee or to the trustee of a trust for the
               primary benefit of a spouse or lineal descendent. Such assignee
               shall be subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan.

          (f)  Termination by Death. If an optionee incurs a Termination of
               Employment by reason of death, any Stock Option held by such
               optionee may thereafter be exercised, to the extent that Vested
               or such other option outstanding and not Vested for which Vesting
               may be accelerated as the Committee may determine, for a period
               of one year (or such shorter period as the Committee may specify
               at grant) from the date of such death or until the expiration of
               the stated term of such Stock Option, whichever period is the
               shorter.

          (g)  Termination by Reason of Disability. If an optionee incurs a
               Termination of Employment by reason of Disability, any Stock
               Option held by such optionee may thereafter be exercised by the
               optionee, to the extent it was Vested at the time of termination
               or such other option outstanding and not Vested for which Vesting
               may be accelerated as the Committee may determine, for a period
               of one year (or such shorter period as the committee may specify
               as grant) from the date of such Termination of Employment or
               until the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Option,
               whichever period is the shorter; provided, however, that if the
               optionee dies within such one-year period (or such shorter
               period), any unexercised Stock Option held by such optionee
               shall, notwithstanding the expiration of such one-year (or such
               shorter) period, continue to be Vested to the extent to which it
               was Vested at the time of death for a period of 12 months from
               the date of such death or until the expiration of the stated term
               of such Stock Option, whichever period is the shorter. In the
               event of Termination of Employment by reason of Disability, if an
               Incentive Stock Option is exercised after the expiration of the
               exercise periods that apply for purposes of Section 422 of the
               Code, such Stock Option will thereafter be treated as a Non-
               Qualified Stock Option.

          (h)  Termination by Reason of Retirement. If an optionee incurs a
               Termination of Employment by reason of Retirement, any Stock
               Option held by such optionee which was unvested at the time of
               such Retirement, will become Vested one year after the optionee's
               date of Termination by reason of Retirement. Further, such
               optionee may exercise such Stock Options for a period of one year
               thereafter or until the expiration of the stated term of such
               Stock Option, whichever period is the shorter; provided, however,
               that if the optionee dies within such one-year (or such shorter)
               period any unexercised Stock Option held by such optionee shall,
               notwithstanding the expiration of such one-


                                      -7-
<PAGE>

               year (or such shorter) period, continue to be Vested to the
               extent to which it was Vested at the time of death for a period
               of 12 months from the date of such death or until the expiration
               of the stated term of such Stock Option, whichever period is the
               shorter. In the event of Termination of Employment by reason of
               Retirement, if an Incentive Stock Option is exercised after the
               expiration of the exercise periods that apply for purposes of
               Section 422 of the Code, such Stock Option will thereafter be
               treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

          (i)  Other Termination. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee,
               if an optionee incurs a Termination of Employment for any reason
               other than death, Disability or Retirement, any Stock Option held
               by such optionee shall thereupon terminate, except that if such
               Termination of Employment of the optionee is involuntary and
               without Cause, such Stock Option shall be fully Vested and may be
               exercised within the lesser of six months from the date of such
               Termination of Employment or the balance of such Stock Option's
               term. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an optionee incurs a
               Termination of Employment at or after a Change in Control (as
               defined in Section 8(b)), other than by reason of death,
               Disability or Retirement, any Stock Option held by such optionee
               shall be Vested and may be exercised within the lesser of (1) six
               months and one day from the date of such Termination of
               Employment, and (2) the balance of such Stock Option's term.
               Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, for the purposes of
               the Plan "Cause" shall mean (1) the conviction of the optionee
               for committing a felony under Federal law or the law of the state
               in which such action occurred, (2) dishonesty in the course of
               fulfilling the optionee's employment duties or (3) willful and
               deliberate failure on the part of the optionee to perform his
               employment duties in any material respect.

SECTION 6. Stock Appreciation Rights

     (a)  Grant and Exercise. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in
          conjunction with all or part of any Stock Option granted under the
          Plan. In the case of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, such rights may be
          granted either at or after the time of grant of such Stock Option. In
          the case of an Incentive Stock Option, such rights may be granted only
          at the time of grant of such Stock Option. A Stock Appreciation Right
          shall terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the termination or
          exercise of the related Stock Option.

          A Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised by an optionee in
          accordance with Section 6(b) by surrendering the applicable portion of
          the related Stock Option in accordance with procedures established by
          the Committee. Upon such exercise and surrender, the optionee shall be
          entitled to receive an amount determined in the manner prescribed in
          Section 6(b). Stock Options which have been so surrendered shall no
          longer be exercisable to the extent the related Stock Appreciation
          Rights have been exercised.

     (b)  Terms and Conditions. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to
          such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee,
          including the following:

          (i)  Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable only at such time
               or times and to the


                                      -8-
<PAGE>

               extent that the Stock Options to which they relate are Vested in
               accordance with the provisions of Section 5 and this Section 6;
               provided, however, that a Stock Appreciation Right shall not be
               Vested during the first six months of its term by an optionee who
               is actually or potentially subject to Section 16(b) of the
               Exchange Act.

          (ii) Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, an optionee
               shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash, shares of Common
               Stock or both equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market
               Value of one share of Common Stock over the option price per
               share specified in the related Stock Option multiplied by the
               number of shares in respect of which the Stock Appreciation Right
               shall have been exercised, with the Committee having the right to
               determine the form of payment.

               In the case of Stock Appreciation Rights relating to Stock
               Options held by optionees who are actually or potentially subject
               to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Committee:

               (1)  may require that such Stock Appreciation Rights be exercised
                    only in accordance with the applicable "window period"
                    provisions of Rule 16b-3; and

               (2)  in the case of Stock Appreciation Rights relating to Non-
                    Qualified Stock Options, may provide that the amount to be
                    paid upon exercise of such Stock Appreciation Rights during
                    a Rule 16b-3 "window period" shall be based on the highest
                    mean sales price of the Common Stock on the New York Stock
                    Exchange on any day during such "window period".

         (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights shall be transferable only when and to
               the extent that the underlying Stock Option would be transferable
               under Section 5(e).

          (iv) Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Stock Option
               or part thereof to which such Stock Appreciation Right is related
               shall be deemed to have been exercised for the purpose of the
               limitation set forth in Section 3 on the number of shares of
               Common Stock to be issued under the Plan, but only to the extent
               of the number of shares covered by the Stock Appreciation Right
               at the time of exercise based on the value of the Stock
               Appreciation Right at such time.

SECTION 7. Common Stock Awards

     (a)  Administration. Shares of Common Stock with or without specified
          restrictions may be awarded either alone or in addition to other
          Awards granted under the Plan. The Committee shall determine the
          existing and prospective officers, employees and directors to whom and
          the time or times at which grants of Common Stock will be awarded, the
          number of shares to be awarded to any participant, the time or times
          within which such Awards may be subject to forfeiture and any other
          terms and conditions of the Awards, in addition to those continued in
          Section 7(c).


                                      -9-
<PAGE>

          The Committee may condition the grant of Common Stock upon the
          attainment of specified performance goals of the participant or of the
          Company or subsidiary, division or department of the Company for or
          within which the participant is primarily employed or upon such other
          factors or criteria as the Committee shall determine. The provisions
          of Common Stock Awards need not be the same with respect to each
          recipient.

     (b)  Awards and Certificates. Each participant receiving an Award of Common
          Stock shall be issued a certificate in respect of such shares of
          Common Stock. Such certificate shall be registered in the name of such
          participant.

          Each participant receiving an Award of Common Stock with restrictions
          shall be issued a certificate in respect of such shares of Common
          Stock. Such certificate shall be registered in the name of such
          participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the
          terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Award,
          substantially in the following form:

               "The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock
               represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions
               (including forfeiture) of the Horace Mann Educators Corporation
               1991 Stock Incentive Plan and a Restricted Stock Agreement.
               Copies of such Plan and Agreement are on file at the offices of
               Horace Mann Educators Corporation, 1 Horace Mann Plaza,
               Springfield, IL 62715."

          The Committee may be required that the certificates evidencing such
          shares of Common Stock with restrictions be held in custody by the
          Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed and that, as
          a condition of any such Award, the participant shall have delivered a
          stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Common Stock covered
          by such Award.

     (c)  Terms and Conditions. Shares of Common Stock with restrictions shall
          be subject to the following terms and conditions:

          (i)  Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the Restricted Stock
               Agreement referred to in Section 7(c)(vi), during a period set by
               the Committee, commencing with the date of such Award (the
               "Restriction Period"), the participant shall not be permitted to
               sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber shares of
               such Stock. Within these limits, the Committee may provide for
               the Vesting of such shares in installments and may accelerate
               Vesting, in whole or in part, based on service, performance of
               the participant or of the Company or the subsidiary, division or
               department for which the participant is employed or such other
               factors or criteria as the Committee may determine.

          (ii) Except as provided in this paragraph (ii) and Section 7(c)(i),
               the participant shall have, with respect to the shares of such
               Stock, all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company holding
               the class or series of Common Stock that is the subject of the
               restrictions, including, if applicable, the right to vote the
               shares and the right to receive any cash dividends. Unless
               otherwise determined by the Committee and subject to Section
               11(f) of the Plan, (1) cash dividends on the class or series of

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

                Common Stock that is the subject of the restrictions shall be
                automatically deferred and reinvested in additional Common Stock
                with the same or similar restrictions, and (2) dividends on the
                class or series of Common Stock that is the subject of the
                restrictions payable in Common Stock shall be paid in the form
                of Common Stock of the same class with the same restrictions on
                which such dividend was paid.

          (iii) Except for the extend otherwise provided in the applicable
                Restricted Stock Agreement for Sections 7(c)(i), 7(c)(iv) and
                8(a)(ii), upon a participant's Termination of Employment for any
                reason during the Restriction Period, all shares still subject
                to restriction shall be forfeited by the participant.

          (iv)  Except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 8(a)(ii), in
                the event that a participant involuntarily incurs a Termination
                of Employment (other than for Cause), the Committee shall have
                the discretion to waive in whole or in part any or all remaining
                restrictions with respect to any or all of such participant's
                shares of Common Stock.

          (v)   If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior
                forfeiture of the Common Stock subject to such Restriction
                Period, unlegended certificates for such Vested shares shall be
                delivered to the participant.

          (vi)  Each Award shall be confirmed by, and be subject to the terms
                of, a Restricted Stock Agreement.

SECTION 8. Change In Control Provisions.

     (a)  Impact of Event. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to
          the contrary, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in
          Section 8(b)), with regard to existing (not prospective) officers,
          employees and directors of the Company or an Affiliate:

          (i)   Any Stock Appreciation Rights and Stock Options outstanding as
                of the date such Change in Control is determined to have
                occurred and not then Vested shall become fully Vested;
                provided, however, that, in the case of the holder of Stock
                Appreciation Rights who is actually subject to Section 16(b) of
                the Exchange Act, such Stock Appreciation Rights shall have been
                outstanding for at least six months prior to exercise.

          (ii)  The restrictions and deferral limitations applicable to any
                Common Stock with restrictions shall lapse, and such Common
                Stock shall become free of all restrictions and become fully
                Vested and transferable to the full extent of the original
                grant.

     (b)  Definition of Change in Control. For purposes of the Plan, a "Change
          in Control" shall mean the happening of any of the following events:

          (i)   there shall be consummated (1) any consolidation or merger of
                the Company in which the Company is not the continuing or
                surviving corporation, or pursuant to which shares of the
                Company's Common Stock would be converted into cash, securities
                or other property, other than a merger of the company in which
                no

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

                Company shareholder's ownership percentage in the surviving
                corporation immediately after the merger is less than such
                shareholder's ownership percentage in the Company immediately
                prior to such merger by ten percent (10%) or more; or (2) any
                sale, lease exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or in
                a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all,
                of the assets of the Company;

          (ii)  the shareholders of the Company approve any plan or proposal for
                the liquidation or dissolution of the Company which is a part of
                a sale of assets, merger, or reorganization of the Company or
                other similar transaction;

          (iii) any "person" as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
                the Exchange Act, other than The Fulcrum III Limited
                Partnership, The Second Fulcrum III Limited Partnership and
                Gibbons, Goodwin, van Amerongen L.P., is or becomes, directly or
                indirectly, the "beneficial owner," as defined in Rule 13d-3
                under the Exchange Act, of securities of the Company that
                represent 51% or more of the combined voting power of the
                Company's then outstanding securities; or

          (iv)  a majority of the members of the Company's Board of Directors
                are persons who are then serving on the Board of Directors
                without being elected by the Board of Directors or having been
                nominated by the Company for election by its shareholders.

SECTION 9. Amendments and Termination.

     The Board may amend, alter, or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment,
     alteration or discontinuation shall be made which would (i) impair the
     rights of an optionee under a Stock Option or a recipient of a Stock
     Appreciation Right and Common Stock Award theretofore granted without the
     optionee's or recipient's consent, except such an amendment made to cause
     the Plan to qualify for the exemption provided by Rule16b-3 or (ii)
     disqualify the Plan from the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3. In addition,
     no such amendment shall be made without the approval of the Company's
     stockholders to the extent such approval is required by law or agreement.

     The Committee may amend the terms of any Stock Option or other Award
     theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but no such amendment
     shall impair the rights of any holder without the holder's consent, except
     such an amendment made to cause the Plan or Award to qualify for the
     exemption provided by Rule 16b-3. The Committee may also substitute new
     Stock Options for previously granted Stock Options, including previously
     granted Stock Options having higher option prices.

     Subject to the above provisions, the Board shall have authority to amend
     the Plan to take into account changes in law and tax and accounting rules,
     as well as other developments and to grant Awards which qualify for
     beneficial treatment under such rules without shareholder approval.

SECTION 10. Unfunded Status of Plan.

     It is presently intended that the Plan constitute an "unfunded" plan for
     incentive and deferred

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

     compensation. The Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or other
     arrangements to meet the obligations created under the Plan to deliver
     Common Stock or make payments; provided, however, that, unless the
     Committee otherwise determines, the existence of such trusts or other
     arrangements is consistent with the "unfunded" status of the Plan.


SECTION 11. General Provisions.

     (a)  The Committee may require each person purchasing or receiving shares
          pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in
          writing that such person is acquiring the shares without a view to the
          distribution thereof. The certificates for such shares may include any
          legend which the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any
          restrictions on transfer.

          All certificates for shares of Common Stock or other securities
          delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stock transfer
          orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable
          under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Commission,
          any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed and any
          applicable Federal or state securities law, and the Committee may
          cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make
          appropriate reference to such restrictions.

     (b)  Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or an
          Affiliate from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements
          for its employees.

     (c)  The adoption of the Plan shall not confer upon any employee any right
          to continue employment nor shall it interfere in any way with the
          right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate the employment of
          any employee at any time.

     (d)  No later than the date as of which an amount first becomes includible
          in the gross income of the participant for Federal income tax purposes
          with respect to any Award under the Plan, the participant shall pay
          the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company
          regarding the payment of, any Federal, state, local or foreign taxes
          of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such
          amount. Unless otherwise determined by the Company, withholding
          obligations may be settled with Common Stock, including Common Stock
          that is part of the Award that gives rise to the withholding
          requirement. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be
          conditional on such payment or arrangements, and the Company and its
          Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to
          deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise due to the
          participant.

     (e)  At the time of grant, the Committee may provide in connection with any
          grant made under the Plan that the shares of Common Stock received as
          a result of such grant shall be subject to a right of first refusal
          pursuant to which the participant shall be required to offer to the
          Company any shares that the participant wishes to sell at the then
          Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, subject to such other terms and
          conditions as the Committee may specify at the time of grant.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

     (f)  The reinvestment of dividends in additional Common Stock with
          restrictions at the time of any dividend payment shall only be
          permissible if sufficient shares of Common Stock are available under
          Section 3 for such reinvestment (taking into account then outstanding
          Stock Options and other Awards).

     (g)  The Committee shall establish such procedures as it deems appropriate
          for a participant to designate a beneficiary to whom any amounts
          payable in the event of the participant's death are to be paid.

     (h)  Pursuant to this Plan, the Company is vested with authority to assist
          an optionee to whom an Award is granted hereunder (including any
          director or officer of the Company or any of its Affiliates who is
          also an optionee) in the payment of the purchase price or other
          amounts payable in connection with the receipt or exercise of that
          Award, by leading such amounts to such optionee on such terms and at
          such rates of interest and upon such security (or unsecured) as shall
          have been authorized by the Board or the Committee.

     (i)  The Plan and all Awards made and actions taken thereunder shall be
          governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
          Delaware.

SECTION 12. Effective Date of Plan.

     The Plan shall be effective on October 15, 1991. This Plan document amends
     and restates the 1991 Stock Incentive Plan and is effective December 31,
     1999.


                                      -14-

<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 10.5(a)
                        HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                           (1991 Stock Incentive Plan)
                               (EMPLOYEE VERSION)

     This Stock Option Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of
the Date of Grant indicated below by and between Horace Mann Educators
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the person named below
as Employee.

     WHEREAS, the Company has offered shares of common stock, par value $.001
per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock") to the public; and

     WHEREAS, Employee is an employee of the Company and/or one or more of its
Affiliates; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Incentive Plan (the
"Plan"), the committee of the Board of Directors of the Company administering
the Plan (the "Committee") has approved the grant to Employee of an option to
purchase shares of Common Stock, on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the
covenants set forth herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

     1. Grant of Option; Certain Terms and Conditions. The Company hereby grants
to Employee, and Employee hereby accepts, as of the Date of Grant, an option to
purchase the number of shares of Common Stock indicated below (the "Option
Shares") at the Exercise Price per share indicated below, which option shall
expire at 5:00 o'clock p.m. (local time at the Company's principal executive
office) on the Expiration Date indicated below and shall be subject to all of
the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (the "Option"). On the Date
of Grant and on each of the first, second, and third anniversaries of the Date
of Grant, the Option shall be Vested as to that number of Option Shares (rounded
to the nearest whole share) equal to the total number of Option Shares
multiplied by the Annual Vesting Rate indicated below.

Employee:
- --------

Date of Grant:
- -------------

Number of
- ---------
Option Shares:
- -------------

Exercise Price
- --------------
per Option Share:
- ----------------

Expiration Date:
- ---------------

Annual Vesting
Rate:
- --------------
<PAGE>

     The Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option to the extent
permitted by Section 422(d) of the Code. That part of the Option which cannot
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option shall be a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

     2. Acceleration and Termination of Option.

          (a) Termination by Death. If an Employee incurs a Termination of
     Employment by reason of death, any Stock Option held by such Employee will
     become fully Vested on the date of Death and may thereafter be exercised,
     for a period of one year (or such other period as the Committee may
     specify) from the date of such death or until the expiration of the stated
     term of such Stock Option, whichever period is the shorter.


          (b) Termination by Reason of Disability. If an employee incurs a
     Termination of Employment by reason of Disability, any Stock Option held by
     such Employee may thereafter be exercised by the Employee, to the extent it
     was Vested at the time of termination, for a period of one year from the
     date of such Termination of Employment or until the expiration of the
     stated term of such Stock Option, whichever period is the shorter;
     provided, however, that if the Employee dies within such one-year period,
     any unexercised Stock Option held by such Employee shall, notwithstanding
     the expiration of such one-year period, continue to be exercisable for a
     period of 12 months from the date of such death or until the expiration of
     the stated term of such Stock Option, whichever period is the shorter.


          (c) Termination by Reason of Retirement. If an Employee incurs a
     Termination of Employment by reason of Retirement, any Stock Option held by
     such Employee will become fully Vested one year after the date of
     Retirement (First Year Retirement Anniversary Date) and may thereafter be
     exercised by the Employee, for a period of one year from the date of the
     First Year Retirement Anniversary Date or until the expiration of the
     stated term of such Stock Option, whichever period is the shorter. If the
     Employee dies prior to the First Year Retirement Anniversary Date, any
     Stock Option held by the Employee shall be fully Vested on the date of
     death and any unexercised Stock Option shall continue to be exercisable for
     a period of 12 months from the date of such death or until the expiration
     of the stated term of such Stock Option, whichever period is the shorter.


          (d) Other Termination. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee,
     if an Employee incurs a Termination of Employment for any reason other than
     death, Disability or Retirement, any Stock Option held by such Employee
     shall thereupon terminate, except that if such Termination of Employment of
     the Employee is involuntary and without Cause, such Stock Option shall be
     fully Vested and may be exercised within the lesser of six months from the
     date of such Termination of Employment or the balance of such Stock
     Option's term. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Employee incurs a
     Termination of Employment at or after a Change in Control, other than by
     reason of death, Disability or Retirement, any Stock Option held by such
     Employee shall be Vested and may be exercised within the lesser of (1) six
     months and one day from the date of such Termination of Employment, and (2)
     the balance of such Stock Option's term.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

     3. Adjustments. In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation,
recapitalization, stock dividend, spin-off, stock split, extraordinary
distribution with respect to the Common Stock or other similar change in
corporate structure affecting the Common Stock, such substitution or adjustments
shall be made in the aggregate number of shares reserved for issuance under the
Plan, in the number and option price of shares subject to outstanding Stock
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, and the number of shares subject to other
outstanding Awards granted under the Plan as may be determined to be appropriate
by the Committee, in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the number of
shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number.


     4. Exercise. The Option shall be exercisable during Employee's lifetime
only by Employee or by his or her guardian or legal representative, and after
Employee's death only by the person or entity entitled to do so under Employee's
last will and testament or applicable intestate law. The Option may only be
exercised by the delivery to the Company of a written notice of such exercise,
which notice shall specify the number of Option Shares to be purchased (the
"Purchased Shares") and the aggregate Exercise Price for such shares (the
"Exercise Notice"), together with payment in full of such aggregate Exercise
Price in cash or by bank check payable to the Company; provided, however, that
payment of such aggregate Exercise Price may instead be made, in whole or in
part, by the delivery to the Company of a certificate or certificates
representing shares of Common Stock, duly endorsed or accompanied by a duly
executed stock powers, which delivery effectively transfers to the Company good
and valid title to such shares, free and clear of any pledge, commitment, lien,
claim or other encumbrance (such shares to be valued on the basis of the
aggregate Fair Market Value thereof on the date of such exercise), provided that
the Company is not then prohibited from purchasing or acquiring such shares of
Common Stock. Such notice shall also specify the number of Purchased Shares
which are acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option and
pursuant to the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option. In the absence of such
designation, Purchased Shares shall be deemed to be acquired first from the
exercise of an Incentive Stock Option.


     5. Payment of Withholding Taxes. If the Company is obligated to withhold an
amount on account of any federal, state or local tax imposed as a result of the
exercise of the Option, including, without limitation, any federal, state or
other income tax, or any F.I.C.A., state disability insurance tax or other
employment tax, then Employee shall, concurrently with such exercise, pay such
amount to the Company in cash or by check payable to the Company or by reducing
the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued and delivered to Employee upon
such exercise (such reduction to be valued on the basis of the aggregate Fair
Market Value (determined on the date of such exercise) of the additional shares
of Common Stock that would otherwise have been issued and delivered upon such
exercise), provided that the Company is not then prohibited from purchasing or
acquiring such additional shares of Common Stock.


     6. Stock Exchange Requirements; Applicable Laws. All certificates for
shares of Common Stock or other securities delivered under this Agreement shall
be subject to such stock transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee
may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the
Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed and
any applicable Federal or state securities law, and the Committee may cause a
legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate
reference to such restrictions.


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

     7. Nontransferability. Neither the Option nor any interest therein may be
sold, assigned, conveyed, gifted, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred
in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.


     8. Plan. The Option is granted pursuant to the Plan, as in effect on the
Date of Grant, and is subject to all the terms and conditions of the Plan, as
the same may be amended from time to time, and the Plan's definitions are hereby
incorporated by reference herein; provided, however, that no such amendment
shall deprive Employee, without his or her consent, of the Option or of any
Employee's rights under this Agreement. The interpretation and construction by
the Committee of the Plan, this Agreement, the Option and such rules and
regulations as may be adopted by the Committee for the purpose of administering
the Plan shall be final and binding upon Employee. Until the Option shall
expire, terminate or be exercised in full, the Company shall, upon written
request therefor, send a copy of the Plan, in its then-current form, to Employee
or any other person or entity then entitled to exercise the Option.


     9. Stockholder Rights. No person or entity shall be entitled to vote,
receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of any Option Shares
until the Option shall have been duly exercised to purchase such Option Shares
in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.


     10. Employment Rights. No provision of this Agreement or of the Option
granted hereunder shall (a) confer upon Employee any right to continue in the
employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (b) affect the right of the
Company and each of its subsidiaries to terminate the employment of Employee,
with or without cause, or (c) confer upon Employee any right to participate in
any employee welfare or benefit plan or other program of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries other than the Plan.


     11. Governing Law. This Agreement and the Option granted hereunder shall be
governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State
of Delaware.


     12. Investment Representation and Agreement. The Committee may require
Employee to furnish to the Company, prior to the issuance of any shares upon the
exercise of all or any part of this option, an agreement (in such form as such
Committee may specify) in which Employee represents that the shares acquired by
him upon exercise are being acquired for investment and not with a view to the
sale or distribution thereof.


     13. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Plan, constitutes
the entire obligation of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof and shall supersede any prior expressions of intent or understanding with
respect to this transaction. Employee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of
the Plan.


     14. Amendment. Any amendment hereto shall be in writing and signed by the
parties hereto.


                                      -4-
<PAGE>

     15. Waiver; Cumulative Rights. The failure or delay of either party to
require performance by the other party of any provision hereof shall not affect
its right to require performance of such provision unless and until such
performance has been waived in writing. Each and every right hereunder is
cumulative and may be exercised in part or in whole from time to time.


     16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in two counterparts.


     17. Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Employee have duly executed this
Agreement as of the Date of Grant.

                                        HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION


                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Louis Lower II
                                            Title: President and Chief Executive
                                                   Officer



                                        ----------------------------------------
                                                Employee


                                      -5-

<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 10.5(b)

                        HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                           (1991 Stock Incentive Plan)
                               (DIRECTOR VERSION)

     This Stock Option Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of
the Date of Grant indicated below by and between Horace Mann Educators
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the person named below
as Director.

     WHEREAS, the Company has offered shares of common stock, par value $.001
per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock") to the public;

     WHEREAS, the Company wishes to give its Directors an opportunity to acquire
shares of the Common Stock and to provide an incentive for its Directors to join
or remain with the Company; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Incentive Plan (the
"Plan"), the committee of the Board of Directors of the Company administering
the Plan (the "Committee") has approved the grant to Director of an option to
purchase shares of Common Stock, on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the
covenants set forth herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:

     1. Grant of Option; Certain Terms and Conditions. The Company hereby grants
to Director, and Director hereby accepts, as of the Date of Grant, an option to
purchase the number of shares of Common Stock indicated below (the "Option
Shares") at the Exercise Price per share indicated below, which option shall
expire at 5:00 o'clock p.m. (local time at the Company's principal executive
office) on the Expiration Date indicated below and shall be subject to all of
the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (the "Option"). The Option
shall be Vested as to all of the Option Shares immediately upon the Date of
Grant.

Director:
- --------

Date of Grant:
- -------------

Number of
- ---------
Option Shares:
- -------------

Exercise Price
- --------------
per Option Share:
- ----------------

Expiration Date:
- ---------------

     The Option is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.
<PAGE>

     2. Adjustments. In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation,
recapitalization, stock dividend, spin-off, extraordinary distribution, with
respect to the Common Stock, such substitution or adjustments shall be made in
the aggregate number of shares subject to other outstanding Stock Options and
Stock Appreciation Rights, and the number of shares subject to other outstanding
Awards granted under the Plan as may be determined to be appropriate by the
Committee, in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the number of shares
subject to any Award shall always be a whole number.

     3. Exercise. The Option shall be exercisable during Director's lifetime
only by Director or by his or her guardian or legal representative, and after
Director's death only by the person or entity entitled to do so under Director's
last will and testament or applicable intestate law, except as otherwise
provided for in this Agreement (see Section 6 Nontransferability.) The Option
may only be exercised by the delivery to the Company of a written notice of such
exercise, which notice shall specify the number of Option Shares to be purchased
(the "Purchased Shares") and the aggregate exercise Price for such shares (the
"Exercise Notice"), together with payment in full of such aggregate Exercise
Price in cash or by bank check payable to the Company; provided, however, that
payment of such aggregate Exercise Price may instead be made, in whole or in
part, by the delivery to the Company of a certificate or certificates
representing shares of Common Stock, duly endorsed and accompanied by a duly
executed stock power, which delivery effectively transfers to the Company good
and valid title to such shares, free and clear of any pledge, commitment, lien,
claim or other encumbrance (such shares to be valued on the basis of the
aggregate Fair Market Value thereof on the date of such exercise), provided that
the Company is not then prohibited from purchasing or acquiring such shares of
Common Stock.

     4. Payment of Withholding Taxes. If the Company is obligated to withhold an
amount on account of any federal, state, or local tax imposed as a result of the
exercise of the option, including, without limitation, any federal, state or
other income tax, or any F.I.C.A., state disability insurance tax or other
employment tax, then Director shall, concurrently with such exercise, pay such
amount to the Company in cash or by check payable to the Company, or by reducing
the number of shares of Common stock to be issued and delivered to Director upon
such exercise (such reduction to be valued on the basis of the aggregate Fair
Market Value (determined on the date of such exercise) of the additional shares
of Common Stock that would otherwise have been issued and delivered upon such
exercise), provided that the Company is not then prohibited from purchasing or
acquiring such additional shares of Common Stock.

     5. Stock Exchange Requirements; Applicable Laws. All certificates for
shares of Common Stock or other securities delivered under this Agreement shall
be subject to such stock transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee
may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the
Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed and
any applicable Federal or state securities law, and the Committee may cause a
legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate
reference to such restrictions.

     6. Nontransferability. Neither the Option nor any interest therein may be
sold, assigned, conveyed, gifted, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred
in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any
attempted sale, assignment, conveyance, gift, pledge, or hypothecation or other
disposition of the Option, other than in accordance with the terms set forth
herein, shall be void and of no effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Option may be transferred to the spouse or lineal descendant of Director or to
the trustee of a trust for the primary benefit of a spouse or lineal descendent.
Such assignee shall be subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan
and of this Agreement.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

     7. Plan. The Option is granted pursuant to the Plan, as in effect on the
Date of Grant, and is subject to all the terms and conditions of the Plan, as
the same may be amended from time to time, and the Plan's definitions are hereby
incorporated by reference herein; provided, however, that no such amendment
shall deprive Director, without his or her consent, of the Option or of any of
Director's rights under this Agreement. The interpretation and construction by
the Committee of the Plan, this Agreement, the Option and such rules and
regulations as may be adopted by the Committee for the purpose of administering
the Plan shall be final and binding upon Director. Until the Option shall
expire, terminate or be exercised in full, the Company shall, upon written
request therefor, send a copy of the Plan, in its then-current form, to Director
or any other person or entity then entitled to exercise the Option.

     8. Stockholder Rights. No person or entity shall be entitled to vote,
receive dividends, or be deemed for any purpose the holder of any Options Shares
until the Option shall have been duly exercised to purchase such Option Shares
in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

     9. Service. No provision of this Agreement or of the Option granted
hereunder shall (a) confer upon Director any right to continue in the service of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (b) confer upon Director any right to
participate in any employee welfare or benefit plan or other program of the
Company of any of its subsidiaries other than the Plan.

     10. Governing Law. This Agreement and the Option granted hereunder shall be
governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State
of Delaware.

     11. Investment Representation and Agreement. The Committee may require
Director to furnish to the Company, prior to the issuance of any shares upon the
exercise of all or any part of this option, an agreement (in such form as such
committee may specify) in which Director represents that the shares acquired by
him upon exercise are being acquired for investment and not with a view to the
sale or distribution thereof.

     12. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Plan, constitutes
the entire obligation of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof and shall supersede any prior expressions of intent or understanding with
respect to this transaction.

     13. Amendment. Any amendment hereto shall be in writing and signed by the
parties hereto.

     14. Waiver; Cumulative Rights. The failure or delay of either party to
require performance by the other party of any provision unless and until such
performance has been waived in writing. Each and every right hereunder is
cumulative and may be exercised in part or in whole from time to time.

     15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in two counterparts.

     16. Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Director have duly executed this
Agreement as of the Date of Grant.

                                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION


                                       By
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Paul J. Kardos
                                          Title: Chairman of the Board



                                       -----------------------------------------
                                             Director

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

                                                                Exhibit 10.11(a)

                                 Execution Copy
                                 --------------


                               AMENDMENT AGREEMENT
                               -------------------

     THIS AMENDMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of February 1, 2000, by and between
HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
PAUL J. KARDOS, an individual residing at 709 Clipper Road, Springfield, IL
62707 (the "Executive").

     WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive are parties to an Amended and
Restated Employment Agreement dated October 6, 1998 (the "Employment
Agreement"), which they hereby wish to amend.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in the
Employment Agreement and this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings
assigned thereto in the Employment Agreement.

     2. The first sentence of Section 1 of the Employment Agreement is amended
to read as follows: "The Company hereby employs the Executive for a term (the
"Term") expiring on May 31, 2000, at which point the Executive will retire from
employment with the Company."

     3. Section 2 of the Employment Agreement is amended to read as follows:
"From February 1, 2000 through May 25, 2000, the Executive shall perform the
duties of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. From May 26, 2000
through the end of the Term, the Executive shall perform such duties for the
Company as are reasonably requested by the Company. During the Term, the
Executive shall also serve as an officer and/or director of such one or more
affiliates and subsidiaries of the Company as the Company's Board of Directors
shall request, and shall be entitled to no additional remuneration for such
services. During the Term, the Executive will also diligently assist in managing
an orderly transition of leadership of the Company from the Executive to his
successor as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. During the Term the
Executive shall devote substantially all of his business time and efforts to the
business and affairs of the Company and will not engage in any activity which
interferes with the performance of his duties hereunder."

     4. Section 3.2 of the Employment Agreement is amended to read as follows:
"In addition to the Base Salary, the Executive shall be entitled to a cash bonus
on or before March 31, 2000, with the amount thereof at the discretion of the
Board of Directors and payable in accordance with the standard policies of the
Company in existence from time to time, subject to any deductions required by
law, provided, however, that such cash bonus shall not be less than Four Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($400,000). In addition, to the extent that the bonus that
would have been payable to the Executive under the Company's Short Term
Incentive Compensation Program in March 2001, if he was employed by the Company
on that date, exceeds Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000), the Executive
shall be entitled to a cash bonus on or before March 31, 2001 equal to
five-twelfths (5/12) of the excess of such hypothetical bonus over Four Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($400,000). In addition, to the extent that a bonus would have
been payable to the Executive under the Company's Long Term Incentive
Compensation Program in March 2001, if he was employed by the Company on that
date, the Executive shall be entitled to a cash bonus on or before March 31,
2001 equal to five-twelfths (5/12) of such hypothetical bonus."
<PAGE>

     5. On May 31, 2000, the Company shall pay to the Executive a
non-refundable, lump sum payment of One Million One Hundred Eleven Thousand Six
Hundred Sixty-Six Dollars ($1,111,666) (the "Advance Payment"), subject to any
deductions required by law.

     6. Notwithstanding Section 4.1(a) of the Employment Agreement, the Company
may terminate the Employment Agreement, without Cause, only upon the death of
the Executive.

     7. The reference in Section 4.2(a) to the "Bonus" shall be construed as a
reference to the bonuses payable to the Executive pursuant to Section 3.2.

     8. Section 4.2(b) of the Employment Agreement is amended to read as
follows: "In the event of termination pursuant to Section 4.1(b), the Executive
shall promptly receive, in cash and without discount, the Advance Payment and
the aggregate amount of the Base Salary that he would have been entitled to
receive through the date which would have been the last day of the Term. In
addition, the Executive shall receive, on the dates specified in Section 3.2,
the bonuses specified therein."

     9. Section 5.1 of the Employment Agreement is amended to read as follows:
"At all times during the Term, the Executive shall not commit any of the
Prohibited Acts."

     10. Notwithstanding the terms of the Change of Control Agreement and the
Change of Control Continuation of Employment Agreement (together, the "Ancillary
Agreements") currently in effect between the Executive and the Company, none of
the provisions of either such agreement shall be applicable to a change of
control (as defined in each such agreement) which occurs after May 31, 2000.

     11. Except as specifically amended hereby, the terms of the Employment
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements shall remain in full force and effect.
After the date hereof, all references to the Employment Agreement shall mean
references to the Employment Agreement as amended hereby.

     12. This Amendment Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the domestic substantive laws of the State of Illinois without
giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision or rule that would
cause the application of the domestic substantive laws of any other
jurisdiction.

     13. This Amendment Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has duly executed this
Amendment Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                       /s/ Paul J. Kardos
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       PAUL J. KARDOS
                                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS
                                          CORPORATION

                                       By:/s/ Louis G. Lower II
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name: Louis G. Lower II
                                          Title: President

30109298_2.Doc

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.12

                                 Execution Copy

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                              --------------------


     As of December 31, 1999, Horace Mann Educators Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("Employer"), and Louis G. Lower II, an individual residing at 76
Woodley Road, Winnetka, IL 60093 ("Employee"), agree as follows:

     1. Term. Employer hereby employs Employee, and Employee hereby accepts
employment, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. The term of this
Agreement (the "Term") shall commence on February 1, 2000 and shall terminate on
December 31, 2000; provided, however; that unless Employer gives notice to
Employee of its intention to have this agreement expire ("Employer Notice of
Non-Renewal") prior to September 1 of any year during the Term, or Employee
gives notice to Employer of his intention to have this agreement expire
("Employee Notice of Non-Renewal") prior to September 1 of any year during the
Term, then, on such September 1, the Term shall be extended to the December 31
of the year succeeding the year in which such September 1 occurs. Said Term may
be sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, and if the Term is so terminated,
all references herein to the "Term" of this Agreement shall mean the original
Term as so shortened, except where the context otherwise requires.

     2. Duties. Employee agrees to serve Employer as its President and Chief
Executive Officer and, subject to election by the shareholders of Employer, as a
member of its Board of Directors. Employee also agrees to serve as a director
and/or executive officer of corporations which are subsidiaries of Employer as
requested by the Board of Directors of Employer. During the term of this
Agreement, Employee will devote his full working time and exclusive attention
to, and use his best efforts to advance, the business and welfare of Employer.
During the term of this Agreement, Employee will not engage in any other
employment activities for any direct or indirect remuneration without the prior
written consent of Employer and will not engage in any activities which
interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder.

     3. Confidential Information.

          (a) Employee hereby agrees that, during the Term and thereafter, he
proprietary or confidential information or knowledge, including without
limitation, trade secrets, processes, records of research, proposals, reports,
methods, techniques, computer software or programming or budgets or other

                                       1
<PAGE>

financial information, regarding Employer, its business, properties or affairs
obtained by him at any time prior to or subsequent to the execution of this
Agreement, except to the extent required by his performance of assigned duties
for Employer or as required by law or legal process.

          (b) Upon termination of employment Employee will deliver to Employer
all tangible displays and repositories of processes, records of research,
proposals, reports, memoranda, computer software and programming, budgets and
other financial information, and other materials or records or writings of any
other type (including any copies thereof) made, used or obtained by Employee in
connection with his employment by Employer.

          (c) Employee agrees that the remedy at law for any breach by him of
any of the covenants and agreements set forth in this Section 3 will be
inadequate and that, in the event of any such breach, Employer may, in addition
to the other remedies which may be available to it at law, obtain injunctive
relief prohibiting him (together with all those persons associated with him)
from the breach of such covenants and agreements.

     4. Base Salary and Benefits.

          4.1 Base Salary. During the Term, Employer shall pay Employee a salary
at the rate of Five Hundred Thousand Four Dollars ($500,004) per annum, payable
in accordance with the standard policies of the Company in existence from time
to time, subject to any payroll deductions as may be necessary or customary in
respect of Employer's salaried employees.

          4.2 Vacation. Employee shall be entitled to such amount of paid
vacation during each year during the Term as shall be afforded to the other
senior executives of the Company.

          4.3 Non-Pension Benefits. During the Term, Employer shall furnish
Employee with the same fringe benefit programs other than stock option and
supplemental pension plans as are made available generally to Employer's senior
employees, including participating in such group life, disability, health and
other similar benefit or insurance programs as are now or hereafter made
available generally to such employees and participating in Employer's 401(k)
plan, subject to the terms of such programs.

          4.4 Pension Benefits. Employer shall provide for Employee's
participation in Employer's pension plan and an additional non-qualified pension
plan at no cost to Employee so that the following retirement benefits will be
payable to Employee during his lifetime by Employer, in aggregate, pursuant to
such plans:

                                       2
<PAGE>

Last Date of Employment                            Annual Benefit
- -----------------------                            --------------
On or prior to December 31, 2000                            $0
January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2001                   $45,000
January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002                   $90,000
January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003                  $135,000
January 1, 2004 or later                              $180,000.

     5. Expenses.

          (a) Employer will pay or reimburse Employee for such reasonable
travel, entertainment and other expenses as he may incur at the request of
Employer during the term of this Agreement in connection with the performance of
his duties hereunder. Employee shall furnish Employer with such evidence that
such expenses were incurred as Employer reasonably requires or requests.

          (b) Employer will pay or reimburse Employee for reasonable costs
associated with his purchase of a second home in the Springfield, IL area (the
"Second Home"), including without limitation fees and commissions of real estate
brokers and agents and points incurred in financing the Second Home, but not
including the actual cost of the Second Home and its contents and costs of
financing the purchase of the Second Home, other than points. Employer will also
pay or reimburse Employee for reasonable temporary living expenses in the
Springfield, IL area until such time as he occupies the Second Home.

          (c) If, prior to January 17, 2003, the Term ends as a result of a
Termination Without Cause (as defined herein), an Employer Notice of Non-Renewal
or a Change of Control Termination (as defined herein) and Employee sells the
Second Home within six (6) months of such end of the Term (the "Resale"),
Employer will pay to Employee in cash an amount equal to Employee's purchase
price of the Second Home, less the gross sales price of the Second Home in the
Resale, if such amount is greater than zero (0); provided that Employee shall
make reasonable good faith efforts to obtain the best sales price in the Resale
available within such six (6) month period.

     6. Incentive Compensation. In addition to the base salary to which Employee
is entitled pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof, Employer will pay to Employee
additional compensation in accordance with the following terms and conditions:

          6.1 Stock Grant. On the first day of employment hereunder, Employer
shall cause to be issued to Employee a certificate for 10,000 shares of common
stock of Employer. Such certificate shall be in the name of Employee and shall
represent

                                       3
<PAGE>

full ownership of such shares. Such shares shall have been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be freely tradable in the public markets,
subject to applicable legal restrictions. Employee represents to Employer that
he is acquiring such securities for investment purposes and not with an intent
to distribute such securities.


          6.2 Stock Options. Employer shall enter into stock option agreements
with Employee, (a) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, concurrent with the
complete execution of this Agreement, and (b) in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit B, on the first day of Employee's employment hereunder (together, the
"Stock Option Agreements").

          6.3 STIP. Employee shall participate in Employer's Short-Term
Incentive Plan (the "STIP") and successor plans thereto.

          6.4 LTIP. Employee shall participate in Employer's Long-Term Incentive
Plan (the "LTIP") and successor plans thereto

          6.5 One-Time Bonus. Simultaneous with the payment by Employer of
bonuses payable under the STIP with regard to performance in calendar year 2000
("2000 STIP Bonuses") and payable under the LTIP with regard to performance in
and prior to calendar year 2000 ("2000 LTIP Bonuses"), Employer shall pay to
Employee a one-time bonus equal to the sum of (a) the greater of Employee's 2000
STIP Bonus or Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000), less Employee's 2000
STIP Bonus and (b) the greater of Employee's 2000 LTIP Bonus or Three Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($300,000), less Employee's 2000 LTIP Bonus.

     7. Disability of Employee. If Employee becomes disabled by reason of
illness or other incapacity so that Employee is unable to perform his duties
hereunder for ninety (90) out of one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days, as
determined by a doctor selected by Employer's Board of Directors and reasonably
acceptable to Employee, Employer shall thereupon have the right to terminate
this Agreement. Upon such a termination, Employer's obligations hereunder shall
be limited to payment to Employee of salary due to Employee to such date of
termination and subsequent payment to Employee of a pro-rata share of any
incentive compensation bonuses pursuant to Section 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5, based on
the portion of the performance year in question during which Employee was
employed, with such pro-rata portions payable when such bonuses are regularly
paid to the Employer's employees.


                                       4
<PAGE>

     8.  Death of Employee. If Employee dies during the term of this Agreement,
Employee's employment under this Agreement shall automatically terminate. Upon
such a termination, Employer's obligations hereunder shall be limited to payment
to Employee's estate of salary due to Employee through the date which is one
year after such termination and subsequent payment to Employee's estate of a
pro-rata share of any incentive compensation bonuses pursuant to Section 6.3,
6.4 and 6.5, based on the portion of the performance year in question during
which Employee was employed, with such pro-rata portions payable when such
bonuses are regularly paid to the Employer's employees.

     9.  Termination for Cause. Employee's employment under this Agreement may
be terminated by Employer for "good cause" (a "Termination for Cause"). The term
"good cause" is defined as any one or more of the following occurrences:

     (a) Employee's breach of any of the covenants contained in Section 3 of
this Agreement;

     (b) Employee's conviction by, or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo
contendere in, a court of competent and final jurisdiction for any felony crime;

     (c) Employee's commission of an act of fraud, whether prior to or
subsequent to the date hereof, upon Employer; or

     (d) Employee's continuing failure or refusal to perform his duties as
required by this Agreement to the reasonable satisfaction of Employer's Board of
Directors, provided, however, that termination of Employee's employment pursuant
to this subparagraph (d) shall not constitute valid termination "for cause"
unless Employee shall have first received written notice from the Board of
Directors of Employer stating with specificity the nature of such failure or
refusal and stating the required cure action and affording Employee at least
forty-five (45) days to correct the act or omission complained of.

     Upon a Termination for Cause, Employer's obligations hereunder shall
be limited to payment to Employee of salary due to Employee through the date of
termination and subsequent payment to Employee of a pro-rata share of any
incentive compensation bonuses pursuant to Section 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5, based on
the portion of the performance year in question during which Employee was
employed, with such pro-rata portions payable when such bonuses are regularly
paid to the Employer's employees.

                                       5
<PAGE>

     10. Other Terminations.

     (a) Employer may, at any time during the Term, upon sixty (60) days prior
written notice to Employee, terminate this Agreement without cause (a
"Termination Without Cause").

     (b) Employee may, at any time during the Term, upon sixty (60) days prior
written notice to Employer, terminate this Agreement without cause (a
"Resignation").

     (c) A Resignation shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be treated as a
Termination for Cause on the date which is sixty (60) days after the notice of
Resignation.

     (d) An Employer Notice of Non-Renewal shall, for purposes of this
Agreement, be treated as a Termination Without Cause on December 31 of the year
in which such notice is given.

     (e) An Employee Notice of Non-Renewal shall, for purposes of this
Agreement, be treated as a Termination for Cause on December 31 of the year in
which such notice is given

     (f) Upon a Termination Without Cause, Employer's obligations hereunder
shall be limited to (i) payment to Employee of salary due to Employee through
the date which is two (2) years after the date of termination, (ii) continuation
of benefits pursuant to Section 4.3 through the date which is two years after
the date of termination and (iii) payment to Employee, on or before the date
which is thirty (30) days after the date of termination, of a lump-sum cash
amount equal to two (2) times the aggregate target incentive compensation
bonuses pursuant to Section 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 for the Employee with regard to the
performance year in which the date of termination occurred.

     (g) If, during the Term, (i) there is a significant adverse change or
diminution in Employee's duties, working conditions or status as an employee,
(ii) Employer breaches its obligations hereunder or (iii) Employee is required
to perform his duties hereunder in a location other than Springfield, Illinois
which is more than one hundred fifty (150) miles away from Winnetka, Illinois
(any of such events, a "Material Change"), Employee may elect, by written notice
to Employer, to treat such Material Change as a Termination Without Cause on the
date of such notice. Thereupon, the Employee's rights shall be as described in
subsection (f) above and in subsection 5(c) above.

     11. Change of Control. If, during the Term, any individual, entity or group
of persons acting in concert own voting securities of Employer which, in the
aggregate, have more than 50%

                                       6
<PAGE>

of the voting power of outstanding voting securities of Employer entitled to
vote for the election of directors of Employer, such shall constitute a "Change
of Control." If, within three (3) years of a Change of Control, (a) there is a
Termination Without Cause, (b) there is a Material Change or (c) there is an
Employer Notice of Non-Renewal, then this Agreement shall terminate (a "Change
of Control Termination") and Employer shall immediately pay to Employee a
lump-sum cash amount equal to the sum of (x) three (3) times the greater of (i)
Employee's highest annual cash compensation from Employer in any calendar year,
as reported on Form W-2 for such year, or (ii) One Million Two Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($1,200,000) and (y) the actuarially determined present value of the
benefits payable to Employee pursuant to Section 4.4 for his expected remaining
life, calculated on the basis of Employee having been employed by Employer until
the date which is three (3) years after the Change of Control Termination. In
addition, Employer shall continue his benefits pursuant to Section 4.3 for three
(3) years after the Change of Control Termination. In addition, in the event it
shall be determined that any payment or distribution by Employer to or for the
benefit of Employee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including without
limitation an Excise Tax Payment (as defined below) (a "Payment") would be
subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended, or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise
tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties,
collectively the "Excise Tax"), then Employee shall be entitled to receive from
Employer an additional payment (the "Excise Tax Payment") in an amount equal to
the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.

     12. Miscellaneous.

          12.1 Modification and Waiver of Breach. No waiver or modification of
this Agreement shall be binding unless it is in writing signed by the parties
hereto. No waiver of a breach hereof shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of a
future breach, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature.

          12.2 Assignment. The rights of Employer under this Agreement may,
without the consent of Employee, be assigned by Employer, in its sole and
unfettered discretion, to any person, firm, corporation, or other business
entity which at any time, whether by purchase, merger, or otherwise, directly or
indirectly, acquires all or substantially all of the assets or business of
Employer; provided that such assignment shall not alter or limit Employee's
rights hereunder, including without limitation all rights pursuant to Sections
10(g) and 11 which arise as a result of such assignment.

                                       7
<PAGE>

          12.3 Notices. All notices and other communications required or
permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing, served personally on, sent
by telecopy or overnight courier to, or mailed by certified or registered United
States mail to, the party to be charged with receipt thereof. Notices and other
communications served by mail shall be deemed given hereunder seventy-two (72)
hours after deposit of such notice or communication in the United States Post
Office as certified or registered mail with postage prepaid and duly addressed
to whom such notice or communication is to be given, in the case of (a)
Employer, Horace Mann Educators Corporation, 1 Horace Mann Plaza, Springfield,
IL 62715 Attention: General Counsel, with a copy to Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP,
200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166-0193, Attention: Conor D. Reilly, or (b)
Employee, to the home address indicated above, with a copy to Dowd, Bloch &
Bennett, Suite 3100, 8 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603-3320, Attention: Barry
M. Bennett. Either party may change said party's address for purposes of this
Section by giving to the party intended to be bound thereby, in the manner
provided herein, a written notice of such change.

          12.4 Counterparts. This instrument may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

          12.5 Construction of Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed in
accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Illinois applicable
to agreements executed and to be performed in Illinois.

          12.6 Complete Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Stock
Option Agreements, contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with
respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and supersedes all
previous oral and written and all contemporaneous oral negotiations,
commitments, writings and understandings.

          12.7 Non-Transferability of Interest. None of the rights of Employee
to receive any form of compensation payable pursuant to this Agreement shall be
assignable or transferable except through a testamentary disposition or by the
laws of descent and distribution upon the death of Employee. Any attempted
assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than as aforesaid)
of any interest in the rights of Employee to receive any form of compensation to
be made by Employer pursuant to this Agreement shall be void.

                                       8
<PAGE>

          12.8 Arbitration. In the event that there shall be a dispute between
the parties hereto arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach
thereof, the parties agree that such dispute shall be resolved by final and
binding arbitration in Chicago, Illinois administered by the American
Arbitration Association (the "AAA") in accordance with the AAA's commercial
arbitration rules for individual employment disputes then in effect. Any award
issued as a result of such arbitration shall be final and binding between the
parties thereto and shall be enforceable by any court having jurisdiction over
the party against whom enforcement is sought. The arbitrator(s) shall allocate
the cost of the legal fees and related costs of the prevailing party in such
arbitration to the other party if and only if a determination is made that such
other party's position asserted in the arbitration was unreasonable.

          12.9 Survival of Certain Obligations. Except as may otherwise be
specifically provided for herein, the obligations of the parties pursuant to
Sections 3 and 11 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

          12.10 Captions. The captions appearing in this Agreement are inserted
only as a matter of convenience and as a reference and in no way define, limit
or describe the scope or intent of this Agreement or any of the provisions
hereof.

                                       9
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.

EMPLOYEE:                               EMPLOYER:

                                        HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION


/s/ Louis G. Lower II                   By: /s/ Paul J. Kardos
- ----------------------                      ----------------------
                                            Name: Paul J. Kardos
                                            Title:  Chairman, President & CEO


                                       10
<PAGE>

                                 Execution Copy

                                    Exhibit A
                                    ---------



                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                                 PURSUANT TO THE
                        HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION
                            1991 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

     THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of December 31,
1999 (the "Effective Date"), between Horace Mann Educators Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Louis G. Lower II (the "Optionee").

                                 R E C I T A L S


     A. The Optionee is expected to serve the Company as its President and Chief
Executive Officer pursuant to an Employment Agreement dated as of December 31,
1999 (the "Employment Agreement");

     B. The Employment Agreement calls for the Company to enter into this
Agreement on the date of complete execution of the Employment Agreement.

     C. This Agreement relates to the granting of stock options to the Optionee
under the Company's 1991 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), a copy of which is
attached hereto as Exhibit A.

     D. In accordance with the Plan, the Committee (as defined in the Plan) has,
as of the Effective Date, granted to the Optionee an option to purchase shares
of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, of the Company (the "Common Stock"), subject
to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement.

                                   AGREEMENTS

     1. Definitions. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the
meanings ascribed thereto in the Employment Agreement. Other capitalized terms
used herein shall have the following meanings:

     "Act" is defined in Section 8.

     "Agreement" means this Stock Option Agreement.

     "Change of Control" is defined in the Plan.

     "Committee" is defined in the Plan.

     "Common Stock" is defined in recital D.

     "Company" is defined in the preamble.

     "Effective Date" is defined in the preamble.


                                       1
<PAGE>

     "Employment Agreement" is defined in recital A.

     "Exercise Price" is defined in Section 2.

     "Option" is defined in Section 2.

     "Optionee" is defined in the preamble.

     "Option Shares" is defined in Section 2.

     "Plan" is defined in recital C.

     "Termination Date" means the date on which the Optionee ceases to be
employed by the Company for any reason.

     2. Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to the Optionee the right and
option (the "Option") to purchase up to 250,000 shares of Common Stock (the
"Option Shares"), at a per share purchase price equal to the mean between the
highest and lowest reported sales prices of a share of Common Stock on the New
York Stock Exchange Composite Tape on the Effective Date (as such amount may be
adjusted, the "Exercise Price"), on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

     3. Exercisability. The Optionee's right to exercise the Option shall vest
as follows if the Optionee is employed by the Company on the relevant dates of
vesting:

 Number of Option Shares                 Date of Vesting
 -----------------------                 ---------------
          50,000                         January 1, 2001
          50,000                         January 1, 2002
          50,000                         January 1, 2003
          50,000                         January 1, 2004
          50,000                         January 1, 2005.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Termination Without Cause,
an Employer Notice of Non-Renewal or a Material Change, the Optionee shall, for
purposes of this Section 3, be treated as having been employed by the Company
until the date which is one (1) year after the Termination Date. Further,
notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Change of Control which occurs
after the Optionee's employment with the Company has begun, all unvested Option
Shares shall thereupon immediately vest.

     4. Expiration. The vested portion of the Option shall expire upon the
earlier of (1) the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date, or (2) (i) in
the event of a Termination for Cause, a Resignation which is not a Retirement
(as defined in the Plan) or an Employee Notice of Non-Renewal, the day which is
ninety (90) days after the Termination Date unless, on the seventy-fifth (75th)
day after the Termination Date, the Optionee is, in the reasonable judgment of
outside counsel to the Company, in possession of non-public material information
regarding the Company, in which case the expiry date shall be the day which is
thirty (30) days after notice is given to the Optionee by the Company that, in
the reasonable judgment of outside counsel to the Company, the Optionee is no
longer in possession of such information or (ii) if the Optionee ceases to be an
officer or employee of the Company due to death, a Retirement (as defined in the
Plan), a Termination Without Cause, an Employer Notice of Non-Renewal or a
Material Change or pursuant to Section 7 of the Employment Agreement, the
two-year anniversary of the Termination Date. All provisions of this Section 4
shall apply regardless of whether or not a Change of Control has occurred.

     5. Nontransferability. The Option shall not be transferable by the Optionee


                                       2
<PAGE>

other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and
the Option shall be exercisable, during Optionee's lifetime, only by Optionee or
by his guardian or legal representative, it being understood that the term
"Optionee" herein shall include the guardian and legal representative of
Optionee and any person to whom an option is transferred by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option may be
transferred to the spouse or lineal descendant of Optionee or to the trustee of
a trust for the primary benefit of a spouse or lineal descendent of Optionee.
Such assignee shall be subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan.

     6. Adjustments. If the shares of the Common Stock are changed into or
exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities, as the result
of any one or more reorganizations, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions,
stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends or similar events, or in the
event of a rights offering to purchase Common Stock at a price substantially
below its fair market value, an appropriate adjustment shall be made in the
number and kind of shares or other securities subject to the Option, and the
price for each share or other unit of any securities subject to this Agreement,
in accordance with the Plan. No fractional interests shall be issued on account
of any such adjustment unless the Committee specifically determines to the
contrary; provided, however, that in lieu of fractional interests, the Optionee,
upon the exercise of the Option in whole or part, shall receive cash in an
amount equal to the amount by which the fair market value of such fractional
interests exceeds the Exercise Price attributable to such fractional interests.

     7. Exercise of the Option. Prior to the expiration thereof, the Optionee
may exercise the vested portion of the Option from time to time in whole or in
part, provided that unless the Committee in its sole discretion shall determine
otherwise, each such exercise, other than an exercise for all remaining shares
pursuant to this Agreement, shall be for no fewer than one hundred (100) shares.
Upon electing to exercise the Option, the Optionee shall deliver to the
Secretary of the Company a written and signed notice of such election setting
forth the number of Option Shares the Optionee has elected to purchase and shall
at the time of delivery of such notice tender cash or a cashier's or certified
bank check to the order of the Company for the full Exercise Price of such
Option Shares and any amount required pursuant to Section 13 hereof.

     8. Compliance with Legal Requirements. No Option Shares shall be issued or
transferred pursuant to this Agreement unless and until all legal requirements
applicable to such issuance or transfer have, in the reasonable opinion of
counsel to the Company, been satisfied. Such requirements may include, but are
not limited to, registering or qualifying such Shares under any state or federal
law, satisfying any applicable law relating to the transfer of unregistered
securities or demonstrating the availability of an exemption from applicable
laws, placing a legend on the Shares to the effect that they were issued in
reliance upon an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act"), and may not be transferred other than in reliance upon
Rule 144 or Rule 701 promulgated under the Act, if available, or upon another
exemption from the Act, or obtaining the consent or approval of any governmental
regulatory body.

     9. No Interest in Shares Subject to Option. Neither the Optionee
(individually or as a member of a group) nor any beneficiary or other person
claiming under or through the Optionee shall have any right, title, interest, or
privilege in or to any shares of stock allocated or reserved for the purpose of
the Plan or subject to this Agreement except as to such Option Shares, if any,
as shall have been issued to such person upon exercise of this Option or any
part of it.

     10. Plan Controls. The Option hereby granted is subject to, and the Company
and the Optionee agree to be bound by, all of the terms and conditions of the
Plan as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms
thereof, but no such amendment shall be effective as to the Option without the
Optionee's consent insofar as it may adversely affect the Optionee's rights
under this Agreement.


                                       3
<PAGE>

     11. Not an Employment Contract. Nothing in the Plan, in this Agreement or
any other instrument executed pursuant thereto shall confer upon the Optionee
any right to employment by the Company or any Subsidiary or shall affect the
rights of the parties to the Employment Agreement with regard to the terms
thereof.

     12. Governing Law. All terms of and rights under this Agreement shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of
Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.

     13. Taxes. The Committee may, in its discretion, make such provisions and
take such steps as it may deem necessary or appropriate for the withholding of
all federal, state, local and other taxes required by law to be withheld with
respect to the issuance or exercise of the Option including, but not limited to,
deducting the amount of any such withholding taxes from any other amount then or
thereafter payable to the Optionee, requiring the Optionee to pay to the Company
the amount required to be withheld or to execute such documents as the Committee
deems necessary or desirable to enable it to satisfy its withholding
obligations, or any other means provided in the Plan.

     14. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given in accordance
with the procedures set forth in Section 12.3 of the Employment Agreement.

     15. Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement may be amended, and any
provision hereof may be waived, only by a writing signed by both parties hereto.

     16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Plan, sets forth
the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral and written and all contemporaneous
oral discussions, agreements and understandings of any kind or nature.

     17. Separability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is
declared to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of
competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be reformed, if possible, to the
extent necessary to render it legal, valid and enforceable, or otherwise
deleted, and the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected except to the
extent necessary to reform or delete such illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision.

     18. Headings. The headings preceding the text of the sections hereof are
inserted solely for convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a part of
this Agreement, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.

     19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original, but which together shall constitute one
and the same instrument.

     20. Further Assurances. Each party shall cooperate and take such action as
may be reasonably requested by another party in order to carry out the
provisions and purposes of this Agreement.

     21. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and
assigns.


                                       4
<PAGE>

     22. Arbitration. In the event that there shall be a dispute between the
parties hereto arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach
thereof, the parties agree that such dispute shall be resolved in accordance
with Section 12.8 of the Employment Agreement.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
Effective Date.

                                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

                                       By: /s/ Paul J. Kardos
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: Paul J. Kardos
                                           Title: Chairman

                                        OPTIONEE

                                        /s/ Louis G. Lower II
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Louis G. Lower II

80101362_10.Doc

<PAGE>

                                    Exhibit B
                                    ---------



                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                                 PURSUANT TO THE
                        HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION
                            1991 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

     THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of February 1,
2000 (the "Effective Date"), between Horace Mann Educators Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Louis G. Lower II (the "Optionee").

                                R E C I T A L S
                                - - - - - - - -

     A. The Optionee presently serves the Company as its President and Chief
Executive Officer pursuant to an Employment Agreement dated as of December 31,
1999 (the "Employment Agreement");

     B. The Employment Agreement calls for the Company to enter into this
Agreement on the first day of the Optionee's employment with the Company.

     C. This Agreement relates to the granting of stock options to the Optionee
under the Company's 1991 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), a copy of which is
attached hereto as Exhibit A.

     D. In accordance with the Plan, the Committee (as defined in the Plan) has,
as of the Effective Date, granted to the Optionee an option to purchase shares
of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, of the Company (the "Common Stock"), subject
to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement. Such option is
intended to qualify to the maximum extent permitted by law as an incentive stock
option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                                   AGREEMENTS
                                   ----------

     1. Definitions. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the
meanings ascribed thereto in the Employment Agreement. Other capitalized terms
used herein shall have the following meanings:

     "Act" is defined in Section 8.

     "Agreement" means this Stock Option Agreement.

     "Change of Control" is defined in the Plan.

     "Committee" is defined in the Plan.

     "Common Stock" is defined in recital D.

     "Company" is defined in the preamble.

     "Effective Date" is defined in the preamble.

     "Employment Agreement" is defined in recital A.
<PAGE>

     "Exercise Price" is defined in Section 2.

     "Option" is defined in Section 2.

     "Optionee" is defined in the preamble.

     "Option Shares" is defined in Section 2.

     "Plan" is defined in recital C.

     "Termination Date" means the date on which the Optionee ceases to be
employed by the Company for any reason.

     2. Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to the Optionee the right and
option (the "Option") to purchase up to 500,000 shares of Common Stock (the
"Option Shares"), at a per share purchase price equal to the mean between the
highest and lowest reported sales prices of a share of Common Stock on the New
York Stock Exchange Composite Tape on the Effective Date (as such amount may be
adjusted, the "Exercise Price"), on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

     3. Exercisability. The Optionee's right to exercise the Option shall vest
as follows if the Optionee is employed by the Company on the relevant dates of
vesting:

         Number of Option Shares     Date of Vesting
         -----------------------     ---------------

                 100,000              January 1, 2001
                 100,000              January 1, 2002
                 100,000              January 1, 2003
                 100,000              January 1, 2004
                 100,000              January 1, 2005.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Termination Without Cause,
an Employer Notice of Non-Renewal or a Material Change, the Optionee shall, for
purposes of this Section 3, be treated as having been employed by the Company
until the date which is one (1) year after the Termination Date. Further,
notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Change of Control, all unvested
Option Shares shall thereupon immediately vest.

     4. Expiration. The vested portion of the Option shall expire upon the
earlier of (1) the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date, or (2) (i) in
the event of a Termination for Cause, a Resignation which is not a Retirement
(as defined in the Plan) or an Employee Notice of Non-Renewal, the day which is
ninety (90) days after the Termination Date unless, on the seventy-fifth (75th)
day after the Termination Date, the Optionee is, in the reasonable judgment of
outside counsel to the Company, in possession of non-public material information
regarding the Company, in which case the expiry date shall be the day which is
thirty (30) days after notice is given to the Optionee by the Company that, in
the reasonable judgment of outside counsel to the Company, the Optionee is no
longer in possession of such information or (ii) if the Optionee ceases to be an
officer or employee of the Company due to death, a Retirement (as defined in the
Plan), a Termination Without Cause, an Employer Notice of Non-Renewal or a
Material Change or pursuant to Section 7 of the Employment Agreement, the
two-year anniversary of the Termination Date.

     All provisions of this Section 4 shall apply regardless of whether or not a
Change of Control has occurred.


                                       2
<PAGE>

     5. Nontransferability. The Option shall not be transferable by the Optionee
other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and the Option
shall be exercisable, during Optionee's lifetime, only by Optionee or by his
guardian or legal representative, it being understood that the term "Optionee"
herein shall include the guardian and legal representative of Optionee and any
person to whom an option is transferred by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option may be transferred to
the spouse or lineal descendant of Optionee or to the trustee of a trust for the
primary benefit of a spouse or lineal descendent of Optionee. Such assignee
shall be subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan.

     6. Adjustments. If the shares of the Common Stock are changed into or
exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities, as the result
of any one or more reorganizations, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions,
stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends or similar events, or in the
event of a rights offering to purchase Common Stock at a price substantially
below its fair market value, an appropriate adjustment shall be made in the
number and kind of shares or other securities subject to the Option, and the
price for each share or other unit of any securities subject to this Agreement,
in accordance with the Plan. No fractional interests shall be issued on account
of any such adjustment unless the Committee specifically determines to the
contrary; provided, however, that in lieu of fractional interests, the Optionee,
upon the exercise of the Option in whole or part, shall receive cash in an
amount equal to the amount by which the fair market value of such fractional
interests exceeds the Exercise Price attributable to such fractional interests.

     7. Exercise of the Option. Prior to the expiration thereof, the Optionee
may exercise the vested portion of the Option from time to time in whole or in
part, provided that unless the Committee in its sole discretion shall determine
otherwise, each such exercise, other than an exercise for all remaining shares
pursuant to this Agreement, shall be for no fewer than one hundred (100) shares.
Upon electing to exercise the Option, the Optionee shall deliver to the
Secretary of the Company a written and signed notice of such election setting
forth the number of Option Shares the Optionee has elected to purchase and shall
at the time of delivery of such notice tender cash or a cashier's or certified
bank check to the order of the Company for the full Exercise Price of such
Option Shares and any amount required pursuant to Section 13 hereof.

     8. Compliance with Legal Requirements. No Option Shares shall be issued or
transferred pursuant to this Agreement unless and until all legal requirements
applicable to such issuance or transfer have, in the reasonable opinion of
counsel to the Company, been satisfied. Such requirements may include, but are
not limited to, registering or qualifying such Shares under any state or federal
law, satisfying any applicable law relating to the transfer of unregistered
securities or demonstrating the availability of an exemption from applicable
laws, placing a legend on the Shares to the effect that they were issued in
reliance upon an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act"), and may not be transferred other than in reliance upon
Rule 144 or Rule 701 promulgated under the Act, if available, or upon another
exemption from the Act, or obtaining the consent or approval of any governmental
regulatory body.

     9. No Interest in Shares Subject to Option. Neither the Optionee
(individually or as a member of a group) nor any beneficiary or other person
claiming under or through the Optionee shall have any right, title, interest, or
privilege in or to any shares of stock allocated or reserved for the purpose of
the Plan or subject to this Agreement except as to such Option Shares, if any,
as shall have been issued to such person upon exercise of this Option or any
part of it.

     10. Plan Controls. The Option hereby granted is subject to, and the Company
and the Optionee agree to be bound by, all of the terms and conditions of the
Plan as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms
thereof, but no such amendment shall be effective as to the Option without the
Optionee's consent insofar as it may adversely affect the Optionee's rights
under this Agreement.


                                       3
<PAGE>

     11. Not an Employment Contract. Nothing in the Plan, in this Agreement or
any other instrument executed pursuant thereto shall confer upon the Optionee
any right to employment by the Company or any Subsidiary or shall affect the
rights of the parties to the Employment Agreement with regard to the terms
thereof.

     12. Governing Law. All terms of and rights under this Agreement shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of
Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.

     13. Taxes. The Committee may, in its discretion, make such provisions and
take such steps as it may deem necessary or appropriate for the withholding of
all federal, state, local and other taxes required by law to be withheld with
respect to the issuance or exercise of the Option including, but not limited to,
deducting the amount of any such withholding taxes from any other amount then or
thereafter payable to the Optionee, requiring the Optionee to pay to the Company
the amount required to be withheld or to execute such documents as the Committee
deems necessary or desirable to enable it to satisfy its withholding
obligations, or any other means provided in the Plan.

     14. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given in accordance
with the procedures set forth in Section 12.3 of the Employment Agreement.

     15. Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement may be amended, and any
provision hereof may be waived, only by a writing signed by both parties hereto.

     16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Plan, sets forth
the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral and written and all contemporaneous
oral discussions, agreements and understandings of any kind or nature.

     17. Separability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is
declared to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of
competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be reformed, if possible, to the
extent necessary to render it legal, valid and enforceable, or otherwise
deleted, and the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected except to the
extent necessary to reform or delete such illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision.

     18. Headings. The headings preceding the text of the sections hereof are
inserted solely for convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a part of
this Agreement, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.

     19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original, but which together shall constitute one
and the same instrument.

     20. Further Assurances. Each party shall cooperate and take such action as
may be reasonably requested by another party in order to carry out the
provisions and purposes of this Agreement.

     21. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and
assigns.

                  22. SAR Contingency. With regard to 200,000 of the Option
Shares (the "Authorized Option Shares"), those shares are within the current
authorized shares under the Plan and are therefore granted under the Plan
without contingency. The Authorized Option Shares shall constitute the Option
Shares which first vest pursuant to Section 3 hereof. With regard to the Option


                                       4
<PAGE>

Shares over and above the Authorized Option Shares (the "Contingent Option
Shares"), the Option as it relates to such Option Shares is granted hereby
subject to the condition that, at the 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the
Company, the shareholders approve an amendment to the Plan authorizing
sufficient additional shares of Common Stock under the Plan to permit the
Contingent Option Shares to be granted thereunder or, prior to that Annual
Meeting, sufficient shares of Common Stock otherwise become available under the
Plan to permit the Contingent Option Shares to be granted thereunder. If such
condition is not met, the Contingent Option Shares shall thereupon immediately
be converted to stock appreciation rights granted under the Plan, with the terms
and conditions thereof such as to approximate as closely as possible the
economic value of the Contingent Option Shares to the Optionee. The Company
shall then issue to the Optionee a new stock option agreement relating to the
Authorized Option Shares to replace this Agreement and a stock appreciation
rights agreement relating to the stock appreciation rights so granted.

     23. Arbitration. In the event that there shall be a dispute between the
parties hereto arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach
thereof, the parties agree that such dispute shall be resolved in accordance
with Section 12.8 of the Employment Agreement.


                                       5
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
Effective Date.

                                       HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

                                       By:/s/ Paul J. Kardos
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name: Paul J. Kardos
                                       Title:  Chairman

                                       OPTIONEE

                                       /s/ Louis G. Lower II
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Louis G. Lower II

80102595_4.Doc

                                       6

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.13

                                 Execution Copy

                              SEPARATION AGREEMENT
                              --------------------

     This Separation Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into this
21 day of March, 2000, by and among Horace Mann Educators Corporation, a
Delaware corporation ("HMEC"), Horace Mann Service Corporation, an Illinois
corporation ("HMSC"), and Larry K. Becker, an Illinois resident ("Employee").
HMEC and HMSC are collectively referred to herein as the "Company."

     1. Resignation. Employee hereby resigns as an employee of the Company and
as an officer and director of the Company and all affiliated companies effective
June 22, 2000 and the Company hereby accepts such resignation. Notwithstanding
any public statements by the Employee or the Company regarding the termination
of the Employee's employment with the Company, the Employee understands and
acknowledges that he is not "retiring" from employment with the Company as that
term is used in any of the Company's benefit, pension or compensation plans.
Employee shall be paid his salary through June 22, 2000 and shall be treated
under all employee plans of the Company as an employee who has resigned from the
Company on such date, provided, however, that (i) all options to purchase Common
Stock of HMEC granted to Employee prior to June 22, 2000 ("Stock Options") which
have not vested prior to June 22, 2000 will vest on the first to occur of (v)
June 22, 2001 or (w) the date of Employee's death and (ii) Employee (or his
estate) shall be entitled to exercise all vested Stock Options until the earlier
of (x) June 22, 2002, (y) the one-year anniversary of the date of Employee's
death or (z) the date of expiry of such options. Employee's agreement to the
provisions of this Agreement provided for below is made in consideration of the
Company's agreement to the extended period of option exercise provided for
above. Employee's resignation shall not affect his rights to indemnification by
the Company by reason of his being an officer, director or employee of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, pursuant to the Company's
corporate documents and otherwise.

     2. Releases and Covenant Not to Sue.

     (a) Employee, for himself, his agents, legal representatives, assigns,
heirs, distributees, devisees, legatees, administrators, personal
representatives and executors (the "Releasing Parties"), hereby releases and
forever discharges the Company, its present and past subsidiaries and
affiliates, successors and assigns, and their respective present and past
officers, directors, employees and agents (the "Released Parties"), from any and
all claims, demands, actions, liabilities and other claims for relief and
remuneration whatsoever, whether known or unknown, arising or which could have
arisen up to and including June 22, 2000, including without limitation those
arising out of or relating to Employee's employment and cessation of employment
and any claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as
amended by the Civil Rights Act of 1991), the Equal Pay Act, the Fair Labor
Standards Act, the Older Workers Benefits Protection Act, the Age Discrimination
in Employment Act, the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Wage Payment and
Collection Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA") or any
other federal, state or local statute, law, ordinance, regulation, code or
executive order, any tort or contract claims, and any of the claims, matters and
issues which could have been asserted by Employee against the Company in any
legal, administrative or other proceeding, provided that the Releasing Parties
do not release potential claims (i) for failure of the Company to comply with
Section 1 of this Agreement, (ii) arising under ERISA or otherwise with regard
to any benefits to which Employee is entitled in
<PAGE>

accordance with the Company's benefit programs by virtue of his employment with
the Company or (iii) arising from any fraud or criminal activity committed by
the Company.

     (b) Employee further agrees not to assert any claim, charge or other legal
proceeding against the Released Parties, in any forum, based on any events,
whether known or unknown, which are the subject of the release contained in
section (a) above. If Employee brings any such proceeding, Employee shall
immediately forfeit any right to continued compensation or other consideration
from the Company pursuant to section 1 of this Agreement.

     (c) The Released Parties hereby release and forever discharge Employee and
the other Releasing Parties from any and all claims, demands, actions,
liabilities and other claims for relief and remuneration whatsoever, whether
known or unknown, arising out of or relating to Employee's employment, cessation
of employment or the performance of his duties on behalf of the Company. The
Released Parties hereby covenant not to file any charge, action, complaint or
claim whatsoever against Employee which are based upon the claims released by
them hereunder. However, notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement,
including this section, the Released Parties reserve the right to file a claim
or lawsuit to enforce this Agreement and the right to bring any action against
Employee arising from any fraud or criminal activity committed by him while
employed by the Company.

     3. Restrictive Covenants.

     (a) Employee agrees that, through June 22, 2001, Employee will not
knowingly, directly or indirectly, solicit any person who, at any time during
the one year period ending on June 22, 2000 was employed or retained by the
Company, to terminate such person's employment or retention by the Company for
the purpose of becoming employed or retained by Employee or any other person to
perform the same or similar services that such person performed for the Company
or the Company's successors or assigns.

     (b) Employee agrees that he will not, at any time, disclose to any person,
or otherwise use or exploit, any of the proprietary or confidential information
or knowledge, including without limitation trade secrets, research proposals,
reports, methods, techniques, computer programming or budgets or other financial
information, regarding the Company, its business, properties or affairs obtained
by him at any time except as required by law or legal process. On June 22, 2000,
Employee will promptly deliver to the Company all documents and materials of any
nature pertaining to the Company which contain any such information and will not
take with him any documents or materials or copies thereof containing any such
information.

     (c) Employee covenants, agrees and recognizes that because the breach or
threatened breach of the covenants and agreements set forth in this Section 3,
or any of them, will result in immediate and irreparable injury to the Company,
the Company shall be entitled to an injunction restraining Employee from any
violation of this Section 3 to the fullest extent allowed by law. Employee
further covenants, agrees and recognizes that in the event of a violation of any
of the covenants and agreements set forth in this Section 3, the Company shall
be entitled to receive all such amounts to which the Company would be entitled
as damages under law or at equity. Nothing herein shall be construed as
prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other legal or equitable remedies that
may be available to it for such breach, including the recovery of damages from
Employee.

     (d) Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that (i) the covenants and
agreements set forth in this Section 3 are reasonable and are necessary to
protect the legitimate business and competitive interests of the Company and
(ii) each of the covenants and agreements set forth in

                                       2
<PAGE>

this Section 4 is separately and independently given, and each such covenant and
agreement is intended to be enforceable separately and independently of the
other such covenants and agreements, including without limitation enforcement by
injunction; in the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held
invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity
or unenforceability shall attach only to the particular aspect of such provision
found invalid or unenforceable as applied and shall not render invalid or
unenforceable any other provisions of this Agreement which shall be construed as
if the provision or other basis on which this Agreement has been challenged had
been more narrowly drafted so as not to be invalid or unenforceable.

     4. Voluntary Agreement. Employee acknowledges and states that he has read
this Agreement, that he has had opportunity to, and has been advised, orally and
in writing hereby, to consult with legal counsel prior to executing this
Agreement, that he understands the legal effect and binding nature of this
Agreement and that he is acting voluntarily and with full knowledge of his
actions in executing this Agreement. Further, Employee acknowledges and states
that he has been given at least twenty-one days to consider entering into this
Agreement before its execution.

     5. Revocation. This Agreement may be revoked by Employee within seven days
following his execution of this Agreement, in which case this Agreement shall
not become effective or enforceable and all terms within this Agreement shall
become null and void, provided that such shall not revoke the first two
sentences of Section 1 of this Agreement. If not revoked during this seven day
revocation period, this Agreement shall be and remain in full force and effect.

     6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, without giving
effect to its conflict or choice of law provisions.


                                       3
<PAGE>

     7. Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or
discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing
signed by the parties hereto. No waiver by any party hereto at any time of any
breach by any other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or
provisions of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed
a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any
prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise,
express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by
any party which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement. Headings in this
Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used to interpret or
construe its provisions. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will
constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement among the parties hereto regarding the subject matter hereof.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.


        HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION


        By /s/ Louis G. Lower II
           -----------------------
           Name:  Louis G. Lower II
           Title: President


        HORACE MANN SERVICE CORPORATION


        By /s/ Paul J. Kardos
           -----------------------
            Name:  Paul J. Kardos
            Title: President


        EMPLOYEE

         /s/ Larry K. Becker
        --------------------------
             LARRY K. BECKER

                                       4

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.14

March 20, 2000

Peter H.  Heckman
125 Surrey Lane
Lake Forest, IL 60045

Dear Peter:

We are pleased to offer you employment as Executive Vice President, Finance &
Planning effective no later than April 10, 2000 with an initial monthly base
salary of $25,000. Your initial responsibilities will include managing all
financial functions (including Investments, Accounting, Investor Relations,
Treasury, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Planning, and Financial &
Operational Analysis); Corporate Marketing/Market Strategy and Corporate
Strategy and Strategic Planning.

You will also be eligible to participate in the officer bonus program which
consists of three elements:

1.   An annual bonus opportunity based on meeting specific corporate and
     divisional measures. Your position provides for a target bonus opportunity
     of 50% of your annual salary but could increase or decrease based on the
     corporate and divisional results (0 to 2 times target percentage). As
     agreed, you will receive a first year employment minimum guarantee of
     target ($150,000) payable on or around March 1, 2001. The payment will not
     be pro-rated based on effective date of hire after January 1, 2000.

2.   Long term incentive bonus opportunity based on specific corporate measures
     over a rolling four (4) year period of time. Your position provides for a
     target bonus payment opportunity of 50% of your annual salary but could
     also increase or decrease based on corporate results (0 to 2 times target
     percentage). As agreed, you will receive a first year employment minimum
     guarantee of target ($150,000) payable on or around March 1, 2001. The
     payment will not be pro-rated based on effective date of hire after January
     1, 2001.

3.   Annual Stock Option grants based on corporate, divisional and individual
     performance results.

You will receive 250,000 option shares, under the HMEC Incentive Stock Plan (the
Plan), with vesting over a five (5) year period (at year end) and an option
price equal to the volume weighted average on your effective date of employment.
With regard to 190,000 of these options shares, those shares are within the
current authorized shares under the Plan and will be granted under the Plan
without contingency. With regard to the remaining 60,000 option shares (the
"Contingent Option Shares), such Option Shares will be granted subject to the
condition that, at the 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the shareholders
approve an amendment to the Plan authorizing

<PAGE>

Peter H.  Heckman
Page 2
March 6, 2000


sufficient additional shares of Common Stock under the Plan to permit the
Contingent Option Shares to be granted. If such condition is not met, the
Contingent Option Shares shall be converted to stock appreciation rights under
the Plan, with terms and conditions such as to approximate as closely as
possible the economic value of the Contingent Option Shares.

In addition to the change of control agreement, of which you already have a
sample copy, if your employment is terminated within the first five (5) years by
(I) the company without Cause or (ii) by you due to Constructive Termination, we
will provide you with your then current base salary for the next twelve (12)
months plus your target short term and long term payouts. If your employment
terminates without Cause or due to Constructive Termination during the five (5)
year period, you agree to release and forever discharge the Horace Mann
Companies and affiliates from any and all claims, demands, actions and
liabilities. The terms "Cause" and "Constructive Termination" referenced in this
paragraph are as defined in the change of control agreement.

Full relocation benefits and additional agreed upon relocation items will be
provided (see attached) as well as the complete Employee Benefit Program which
includes the eligibility for 1 month (22 work days) vacation.

In order to substantiate your identity and employment eligibility in accordance
with federal law, I would like for you to bring documentation with you on your
first day. Samples of acceptable identification and authorization are enclosed.
As this is a federal law, failure to comply with this regulation would be cause
for us to reconsider our offer of employment.

On your first day, please stop by my office and we will coordinate your
employment orientation. We are truly excited about your joining Horace Mann and
I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,


/s/ Valerie Chrisman
Valerie A.  Chrisman
Senior Vice President
Customer & Employee
   Services Division


Enclosures
cc: Paul Kardos
    Lou Lower

To confirm your acceptance of this offer, please sign this letter and return it
to me by Thursday, March 9, 2000. The enclosed copy is for your records.



- ------------------------------------------------------     --------------------
                   (Signature)                                    (Date)
<PAGE>

                                MOVING ASSISTANCE
                                -----------------

                                   (Section 1)


Payment of full benefits of the Moving Assistance policy will include
reimbursement of the following:

     A.   Cost of moving household goods, including replacement value coverage.

     B.   Cost of packing; also unpacking if desired.

     C.   Normal costs of servicing appliances, including telephone installation
          charge. Deposits which will eventually be refunded are not
          reimbursable.

     D.   Expense of no more than two exploratory trips for both employee and
          spouse from former to new location to locate new housing.

     E.   When an employee is required to report to the new location prior to
          the arrival of his/her dependents, normal living expenses will be
          paid. This period is approved from April through August.

     F.   When an employee has reported to a new location and has not sold
          his/her home in the old location, the company will reimburse the
          expenses of a monthly trip home.

     G.   Expense of transportation of the family to the new location via
          personal car or public transportation including living expenses en
          route. If personal car is used, 27 cents per mile will be paid. All
          toll and parking charges are also reimbursable.

     H.   Temporary living expenses while awaiting occupancy of permanent living
          accommodations at the new location or awaiting for the household goods
          to arrive not to exceed 30 days.

     I.   Miscellaneous Moving Expense Allowance (two month's salary (taxable)
          upon closing on home in Springfield.

     J.   Cost of storing furniture and possessions up to 30 days pending access
          to new home.


Tax Requirements
- ----------------

The company will reimburse the employee for taxes on the portion of total moving
expense reimbursements which exceed the amount allowed as a deduction under
Section 217 of the Internal Revenue Code. This reimbursement will be determined
by the Corporate Tax Section of the Controllers Department and processed through
the December 15th and 31st pay cycles. The employee will not receive this amount
in cash. It will be credited to withholding tax for the year.

The tax reimbursement will be based on a rate which will reimburse the employee
for federal and state income taxes, and FICA tax on both the moving expense
reimbursement and the tax reimbursement, which is also taxable.
<PAGE>

                               MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE
                               -------------------
                                   (Section 2)


Payment of full benefits of the Mortgage Assistance Policy on the purchase of a
new home will include reimbursement the following:

     A.   Loan Origination and/or Commitment Fees

     B.   Attorney Fees or Escrow Department Closing Fees

     C.   Title Policy (Mortgagee ALTA Form is included)

     D.   Appraisal

     E.   Survey

     F.   Credit Reports

     G.   Revenue Stamps

Tax Requirements
- ----------------

Refer to Section I
<PAGE>

                                REAL ESTATE PLAN
                                ----------------
                                   (Section 3)


Payment of full benefits of the Real Estate Policy will include reimbursement of
the following:

     A.   Commission at established rate (Listing Contact) - maximum of 7%

     B.   Preparation of Deed

     C.   Penalty Charges for prepayment of present mortgage to a maximum of 3%
          of the existing balance

     D.   Mortgage points or discount charge that is the responsibility of the
          Seller to a maximum of 3 points

     E.   Attorney, recording, filing and Escrow closing fees

     F.   Title Policy (ALTA Form)

     G.   Termite Inspection

     H.   Survey of Property

     I.   Revenue Stamps


Tax Requirements
- ----------------

Refer to Section I

<PAGE>

                                                                  Exhibit 11

                    Horace Mann Educators Corporation
                   Computation of Net Income per Share
          For the Years Ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
              (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)


                                                      Year Ended December 31,
                                                -------------------------------
                                                  1999       1998        1997
                                                  ----       ----        ----

Basic - assumes no dilution:

Net income for the period                         $44,505    $85,312    $83,576
                                                  -------    -------    -------
Weighted average number of common
   shares outstanding during the period            41,246     43,239     45,825
                                                  -------    -------    -------

Net income per share - basic                      $  1.08    $  1.97    $  1.82
                                                  =======    =======    =======



Diluted - assumes full dilution:

Net income for the period                         $44,505    $85,312    $83,576
                                                  -------    -------    -------

Weighted average number of common
   shares outstanding during the period            41,246     43,239     45,825
Weighted average number of common
   equivalent shares to reflect the dilutive
   effect of common stock equivalent
   securities:
      Stock options                                   387        451        416
      Common stock units related to Deferred
          Equity Compensation Plan for
          Directors                                    69         49         33
      Common stock units related to Deferred
          Compensation Plan for Employees               6          1          -
      Warrants                                          -         98        251
                                                  -------    -------    -------
Total common and common equivalent
   shares adjusted to calculate diluted
   earnings per share                              41,708     43,838     46,525
                                                  -------    -------    -------

Net income per share - diluted                    $  1.07    $  1.95    $  1.80
                                                  =======    =======    =======



Percentage of dilution compared to
   basic net income per share                         0.9%       1.0%       1.1%

<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 12

                        Horace Mann Educators Corporation
                Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
        For the Years Ended December 31, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995
                              (Dollars in millions)



                                        Year Ended December 31,
                           -------------------------------------------------
                           1999        1998       1997       1996       1995
                           ------     ------     ------     ------     ------

Income from continuing
 operations before
 income taxes              $ 93.4     $116.8     $119.6     $100.6     $103.6
Interest expense              9.7        9.5        9.4       10.5       11.6
                           ------    -------     ------     ------     ------
  Earnings                 $103.1     $126.3     $129.0     $111.1     $115.2
                           ======    =======     ======     ======     ======

Fixed charges -
 interest expense          $  9.7     $  9.5     $  9.4     $ 10.5     $ 11.6

Ratio of earnings to
 fixed charges               10.6x      13.3x      13.7x      10.6x       9.9x

<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 21

                        Horace Mann Educators Corporation
           Insurance Subsidiaries, Other Significant Subsidiaries and
            Their Respective States of Incorporation or Organization
                                December 31, 1999


Insurance Subsidiaries:

       Allegiance Insurance Company - California

       Allegiance Life Insurance Company - Illinois

       Educators Life Insurance Company of America - Arizona

       Horace Mann Insurance Company - Illinois

       Horace Mann Life Insurance Company - Illinois

       Horace Mann Lloyds - Texas

       Teachers Insurance Company - Illinois

Other Significant Subsidiaries:

       Horace Mann General Agency - Texas

       Horace Mann Investors, Inc. - Maryland

       Horace Mann Service Corporation - Illinois

<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 23

The Board of Directors
Horace Mann Educators Corporation:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statements (No.
33-47066 and No. 33-45152) on Form S-8 of Horace Mann Educators Corporation and
subsidiaries (the Company) of our report dated January 25, 2000, relating to the
consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 1999, 1998 and
1997, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in
shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1999, and all related schedules, which report appears
in the December 31, 1999 annual report on Form 10-K of the Company.





                                       /s/ KPMG LLP
                                       KPMG LLP



Chicago, Illinois
March 29, 2000

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,507,280<F1>
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                      17,396
<REAL-ESTATE>                                      154
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               2,630,209
<CASH>                                          22,848
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         130,192
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,253,846
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,170,449<F1>
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            170,845
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                          126,530
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                148,677
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            59
<OTHER-SE>                                     400,083
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,253,846
                                     595,128
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            188,267
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (7,969)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<BENEFITS>                                     416,186
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     53,041
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           109,694
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 93,354
<INCOME-TAX>                                    48,849<F2>
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             44,505
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,505
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.07
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 243,039<F3>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                            379,455
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (4,583)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             240,045
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                               142,473
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                235,393<F3>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                          4,583
<FN>
<F1>REFER TO THE COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999.
<F2>INCLUDES $20,000 PROVISION FOR PRIOR YEARS' TAXES. REFER TO THE COMPANY'S
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999.
<F3>THESE BALANCES ARE NET OF REINSURANCE RECOVERABLES. SEE ALSO NOTE 1 -
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES OF THE COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR DECEMBER 31, 1999.
</FN>


</TABLE>


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