AMERICO LIFE INC
10-Q, 1998-05-15
LIFE INSURANCE
Previous: SUGEN INC, 10-Q, 1998-05-15
Next: SWEETHEART HOLDINGS INC DE, 10-Q, 1998-05-15



                                   
                                   FORM 10-Q

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

                                   (Mark One)

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

                For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 1998 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: 33-64820

                               AMERICO LIFE, INC.
             (exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                    MISSOURI
          (State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

                                  43-1627599
                     (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                                  1055 BROADWAY
                           KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 64105
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                 (816) 391-2000
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                 NOT APPLICABLE 
              Former name, former address and former fiscal year, 
                        if changed since last report)


   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 No

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
        Class and Title of                            Shares Outstanding
         Capital Stock                                as of May 12, 1998
        -------------                                 ------------------
   Common Stock $1.00 Par Value                             10,000


<PAGE>


                 See notes to consolidated financial statements

                                                         5
              AMERICO LIFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                      (In thousands - unaudited)
<TABLE>

                                                                            March 31,              December 31,
                                                                              1998                     1997
                                                                              ----                     ----
<S>                                                                         <C>                      <C>    
Investments:
   Fixed maturities:
     Held to maturity, at amortized cost (market: $866,030 and              $   843,000              $   851,823
       $873,935)
     Available for sale, at market (amortized cost: $731,032 and                753,418                  761,084
       $735,955)
   Equity securities, at market (cost: $77,926 and $50,837)                     110,722                   78,949
   Investment in equity subsidiaries                                             14,005                   21,670
   Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                           183,778                  165,630
   Investment real estate, net                                                   27,487                   27,630
   Policy loans                                                                 198,994                  200,137
   Other invested assets                                                         17,649                   18,890
                                                                            -----------              -----------
     Total investments                                                        2,149,053                2,125,813

Cash and cash equivalents                                                        30,021                   36,859
Accrued investment income                                                        27,575                   27,620
Amounts receivable from reinsurers                                            1,447,150                1,429,679
Other receivables                                                                22,244                   23,875
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                88,074                   87,840
Cost of business acquired                                                       289,045                  300,180
Other assets                                                                     32,809                   29,370
                                                                            -----------              -----------
     Total assets                                                           $ 4,085,971              $ 4,061,236
                                                                            ===========              ===========


Liabilities and stockholder's equity
Policyholder account balances                                               $ 2,500,256              $ 2,486,436
Reserves for future policy benefits                                             857,622                  881,583
Unearned policy revenues                                                         31,839                   36,063
Policy and contract claims                                                       36,577                   36,570
Other policyholder funds                                                         80,611                   75,960
Notes payable                                                                   132,929                  132,884
Amounts payable to reinsurers                                                    17,881                   12,200
Federal income taxes payable                                                        368                      164
Deferred income taxes                                                            59,754                   58,126
Due to broker                                                                    44,443                   31,836
Amounts due to affiliates                                                         3,130                    3,137
Other liabilities                                                                69,986                   59,415
                                                                            -----------              -----------
     Total liabilities                                                        3,835,396                3,814,374

Stockholder's equity:
   Common stock ($1 par value; 30,000 shares authorized,
     10,000 shares issued and outstanding)                                           10                       10
   Additional paid-in capital                                                     3,745                    3,745
   Net unrealized investment gains                                               57,117                   56,973
   Retained earnings                                                            189,703                  186,134
                                                                            -----------              -----------
     Total stockholder's equity                                                 250,575                  246,862
                                                                            -----------              -----------

Commitments and contingencies

     Total liabilities and stockholder's equity                             $ 4,085,971              $ 4,061,236
                                                                            ===========              ===========
</TABLE>
                       

                     AMERICO LIFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
              (In thousands, except per share amounts - unaudited)
<TABLE>

                                                                                       Three Months
                                                                                     Ended March 31,
                                                                              1998                     1997
<S>                                                                        <C>                      <C> 
Income
Premiums and policy revenues                                                $    53,972              $    41,323
Net investment income                                                            56,087                   49,608
Net realized investment gains                                                       461                      493
Other income                                                                      1,084                      110
                                                                            -----------              -----------
   Total income                                                                 111,604                   91,534

Benefits and Expenses
Policyholder benefits:
   Death benefits                                                                29,899                   26,111
   Interest credited on universal life and annuity products                      26,666                   23,120
   Other policyholder benefits                                                   12,679                   13,440
   Change in reserves for future policy benefits                                 (5,977)                  (4,435)
Commissions                                                                       3,139                    2,929
Amortization expense                                                             15,133                    6,660
Interest expense                                                                  2,985                    3,007
Other operating expenses                                                         21,112                   15,287
                                                                            -----------              -----------

   Total benefits and expenses                                                  105,636                   86,119
                                                                            -----------              -----------

   Income before provision for income taxes                                       5,968                    5,415

Provision for income taxes                                                        1,899                    1,651
                                                                            -----------              -----------

     Net income                                                             $     4,069              $     3,764
                                                                            ===========              ===========

Net income per common share                                                 $    406.90              $    376.40
                                                                            ===========              ===========
</TABLE>




<PAGE>


                       AMERICO LIFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                           (In thousands - unaudited)
<TABLE>

                                                                                         Three Months
                                                                                       Ended March 31,
                                                                                1998                     1997

<S>                                                                          <C>                      <C>  
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income                                                                    $     4,069              $     3,764

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization                                                   17,516                    6,973
   Deferred policy acquisition costs                                               (9,566)                  (4,346)
   Undistributed earnings of equity subsidiaries                                     (335)                    (893)
   Distribution of earnings from equity subsidiaries                                6,750                        -
   Amortization of unrealized gains                                                (2,163)                  (1,485)
   (Increase) decrease in assets:
     Accrued investment income                                                         45                      754
     Amounts receivable from reinsurers                                           (21,055)                 (13,965)
     Other receivables                                                              2,881                  (11,697)
     Amounts due from affiliates                                                        -                   (1,821)
     Other assets, net of amortization expense                                     (4,178)                  (2,211)
   Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
     Policyholder account balances                                                 (1,048)                  (3,397)
     Reserves for future policy benefits and unearned policy revenues             (19,774)                  (2,616)
     Policy and contract claims                                                         7                   (2,147)
     Other policyholder funds                                                       4,651                    2,846
     Amounts payable to reinsurers                                                  5,681                   (2,767)
     Provision for deferred income taxes                                            1,550                    3,067
     Federal income tax payable                                                       204                        -
     Amounts due to affiliates                                                         (7)                  (2,168)
     Other liabilities                                                             10,571                    9,930
   Net realized gains on investments sold                                            (461)                    (493)
   Amortization on bonds and mortgage loans                                          (144)                   1,279
   Other changes                                                                      445                   (1,639)
                                                                              -----------              -----------

     Total adjustments                                                             (8,430)                 (26,796)
                                                                              -----------              -----------

Net cash used by operating activities                                              (4,361)                 (23,032)
                                                                              -----------              -----------



                                                                                                        (continued)
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                       AMERICO LIFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
                           (In thousands - unaudited)
<TABLE>

                                                                                       Three Months
                                                                                     Ended March 31,
                                                                              1998                     1997
<S>                                                                        <C>                      <C> 
Cash flows from investing activities
   Purchases of fixed maturity investments                                  $   (39,988)             $   (31,826)
   Purchases of other investments                                               (58,490)                 (79,102)
   Mortgage loans originated                                                    (22,999)                       -
   Maturities or redemptions of fixed maturity investments                        2,673                    9,679
   Sales of fixed maturity available for sale investments                        51,863                  113,601
   Sales of other investments                                                    31,347                   69,082
   Repayments from mortgage loans                                                 5,026                   14,002
   Change in due to broker                                                       12,607                  (49,984)
   Change in policy loans                                                         1,143                    1,860
                                                                            -----------              -----------
     Net cash provided (used) by investing activities                           (16,818)                  47,312

Cash flows from financing activities
   Receipts credited to policyholder account balances                            67,049                   45,662
   Return of policyholder account balances                                      (52,181)                 (25,983)
   Dividends paid                                                                  (500)                    (500)
   Repayments of notes payable                                                      (27)                     (10)
                                                                            -----------              -----------
     Net cash provided by financing activities                                   14,341                   19,169
                                                                            -----------              -----------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                             (6,838)                  43,449
                                                                            -----------              -----------

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                 36,859                   96,069
                                                                            -----------              -----------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                  $    30,021              $   139,518
                                                                            ===========              ===========
</TABLE>



<PAGE>



                                                         8
                       AMERICO LIFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

               For The Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997
              (In thousands, except per share amounts - unaudited)

The  following  notes  should  be read in  conjunction  with  the  notes  to the
consolidated  financial  statements  contained in the Americo Life,  Inc.  ("the
Company")  December 31, 1997 Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

1.       ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The unaudited consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 1998 and for the
three months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 reflect all  adjustments,  consisting
of normal  recurring  adjustments,  which are necessary for a fair  statement of
financial  position  and  results  of  operations  on a  basis  consistent  with
accounting  principles  described fully in Note 1 of the Company's  December 31,
1997 consolidated financial statements.  The results of operations for the three
months  ended  March 31,  1998 and 1997 are not  necessarily  indicative  of the
expected  results for the full year 1998,  nor the results  experienced  for the
year 1997.

In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" and
SFAS  No.  131,  "Disclosures  about  Segments  of  an  Enterprise  and  Related
Information".  SFAS No. 130 establishes  standards for the reporting and display
of comprehensive income and its components in financial statements. SFAS No. 131
establishes new guidelines for public business  enterprises to report  financial
and descriptive information about their operating segments. These statements are
effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 1997, but
are not required  disclosures for interim period  financial  statements in 1998.
Comprehensive  income for the three  months  ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 is as
follows:
<TABLE>

                                                                   1998                      1997
                                                                   ----                      ----
<S>                                                            <C>                          <C>    
Net income                                                     $    4,069                   $ 3,764
Other comprehensive income                                            144                    (5,624)
                                                               ----------                  --------
Comprehensive income                                           $    4,213                  ($ 1,860)
                                                               ==========                  ========
</TABLE>

In December  1997,  the  American  Institute  of  Certified  Public  Accountants
("AICPA") approved Statement of Position ("SOP") 97-3,  "Accounting by Insurance
and Other  Enterprises  for  Insurance-Related  Assessments."  SOP 97-3 provides
guidance  for  determining  when an entity  should  recognize  a  liability  for
guaranty-fund  and other  insurance-related  assessments and a related asset for
assessments which may be recovered  through future premium tax offsets.  The SOP
is effective for financial  statements for fiscal years beginning after December
15, 1998,  with early  adoption  encouraged.  Management  has not determined the
effects,  if any, of adopting this SOP on the Company's  consolidated  financial
statements.

The preparation of financial  statements  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.  Previously
reported amounts for the prior year have in some instances been  reclassified to
conform to the current year presentation.





<PAGE>


                       AMERICO LIFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

2.       STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

Following are the components of net unrealized investment gains:
<TABLE>

                                                                                               
                                                      March 31,            December 31,          Three Months Ended
                                                        1998                  1997                 March 31, 1998
                                                       ------                ------               -----------------  
<S>                                                  <C>                   <C>                    <C> 
Investment securities:
    Fixed maturities available for sale               $    22,417           $    25,129            $    (2,712)
    Fixed maturities reclassified from
available for sale to held to maturity                     43,406                44,550                 (1,144)
Equity securities                                          32,796                28,112                  4,684
                                                      -----------           -----------            -----------
                                                           98,619                97,791                    828

Effect on other balance sheet accounts                    (11,996)              (11,321)                  (675)
Deferred income-taxes                                     (29,506)              (29,497)                    (9)
                                                      -----------           -----------            -----------
    Net unrealized investment gains                   $    57,117           $    56,973            $       144
                                                      ===========           ===========            ===========
</TABLE>

During the three  months ended March 31,  1998,  the Company  paid  dividends to
Financial Holding Corporation (FHC) totaling $500.

3.       COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The  Company's  subsidiary,   Great  Southern  Life  Insurance  Company  ("Great
Southern"),  is a  defendant  in  lawsuits  filed  as  purported  class  actions
asserting claims related to sales practices of certain life insurance  products.
Great  Southern  intends to defend  these  cases  vigorously.  The amount of any
liability  that  may  arise  as a  result  of these  cases,  if any,  cannot  be
reasonably estimated at this time and no provision for loss has been made in the
accompanying financial statements.

4.        SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On May 10, 1998,  Great  Southern  sold all of the  outstanding  common stock of
Investors Guaranty Life Insurance Company ("Investors Guaranty"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary,  resulting in a gain of approximately $5.0 million. The total assets
of  Investors  Guaranty  at March 31,  1998 were $31.5  million.  The  insurance
business of Investors Guaranty is reinsured to an unaffiliated insurance company
under a coinsurance agreement and subsequently reinsured to Great Southern under
a modified  coinsurance  agreement on a 70% quota share basis. These reinsurance
agreements are unaffected by the sale.


<PAGE>



ITEM  2.        MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
                RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company  entered into a transaction in 1997 which affects the  comparability
of the Company's  results of operations  for the three month periods ended March
31, 1998 and 1997.

In April 1997,  Great Southern  acquired all of the outstanding  common stock of
The Ohio State Life Insurance Company ("Ohio State") and Investors Guaranty from
Farmers Group, Inc. pursuant to a stock purchase agreement.  The acquisition was
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. In April 1997, Ohio State
and Investors Guaranty entered into separate coinsurance  agreements to reinsure
100% of their insurance  liabilities to an unaffiliated  insurance  company (the
"Reinsurer") in exchange for a ceding commission of $145.7 million.  On the same
day,  the  Reinsurer  and Great  Southern  entered  into a modified  coinsurance
agreement  under which the  Reinsurer  ceded  certain risks on a 70% quota share
basis on the same insurance  liabilities to Great  Southern.  At March 31, 1998,
the  insurance  business  of  Ohio  State  and  Investors  Guaranty,  consisting
primarily of annuities  and universal  life  policies,  had aggregate  insurance
liabilities  of $656.7  million.  The  results of  operations  of this  acquired
business from the date of the acquisition, less the net 30% coinsurance retained
by the  Reinsurer,  are included in the Company's  results of operations for the
three months ended March 31, 1998.

The Ohio State and Investors  Guaranty  transaction will hereinafter be referred
to as the  Acquisition.  The  following  table  summarizes  the  effects  on the
individual  income statement  components of the Acquisition for the three months
ended March 31, 1998 (in millions):

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>    
Premiums and policy revenues                                           $  14.0
Net investment income                                                      6.9
Other income                                                               0.9
Policyholder benefits                                                     11.8
Commissions                                                                0.6
Amortization expense                                                       4.2
Other operating expense                                                    4.8
</TABLE>

The other operating expenses in the above table include only the direct expenses
related  to  providing   administration  of  the  policies  and  assets  of  the
Acquisition. The other operating expenses shown do not include any allocation of
indirect or overhead expenses.

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997

Income  before  income  taxes for the three months ended March 31, 1998 was $6.0
million  compared to $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997. The
primary reasons for the increase, excluding the impact of the Acquisition,  were
(i) an increase in amortization expense,  partially offset by (ii) a decrease in
policyholder  benefits.  These items and other significant changes in individual
income statement components are discussed in more detail below.

Premiums and policy revenues. Premiums and policy revenues totaled $54.0 million
for the three  months  ended  March 31, 1998  compared to $41.3  million for the
three  months  ended March 31, 1997.  Excluding  the effect of the  Acquisition,
premiums and policy  revenues  decreased  $1.3  million from 1997 to 1998.  This
decrease is primarily due to the Company  currently writing small amounts of new
traditional  life  insurance  products;  therefore,  traditional  life insurance
premiums are decreasing as the amount of in-force business decreases.

Net  investment  income.  Net investment  income  increased $6.5 million for the
three  months  ended March 31, 1998 from the three  months ended March 31, 1997.
Excluding the effect of the Acquisition, net investment income was substantially
unchanged between 1998 and 1997.


<PAGE>



Other income. Other income totaled $1.0 million for the three months ended March
31, 1998  compared to $0.1  million for the three  months  ended March 31, 1997.
Other  income in 1998  includes a servicing  fee paid to the Company  associated
with the reinsurance of 30% of the Ohio State and Investors  Guaranty  policies.
Excluding  the  effect  of  the  Acquisition,  other  income  was  substantially
unchanged between 1998 and 1997.

Policyholder benefits. Policyholder benefits totaled $63.3 million for the three
months ended March 31, 1998 compared to $58.2 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1997. Excluding the effect of the Acquisition,  policyholder  benefits
decreased $6.7 million from 1997 to 1998. This decrease resulted  primarily from
(i) a $1.7 million  decrease in interest  credited on universal life and annuity
fund  balances and (ii) a $1.7 million  decrease in death  benefits from 1997 to
1998.

Amortization  expense.  Amortization expense totaled $15.1 million for the three
months ended March 31, 1998  compared to $6.7 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1997.  Excluding the effect of the Acquisition,  amortization  expense
increased  $4.2 million from 1997 to 1998.  The higher  amortization  expense in
1998  includes the effect of increased  surrenders  in a closed block of annuity
business acquired during 1996.

Other operating expenses. Other operating expenses totaled $21.1 million for the
three months ended March 31, 1998 compared to $15.3 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1997.  Excluding the effect of the Acquisition,  other operating
expenses  increased $1.0 million from 1997 to 1998. The primary  reasons for the
increase  in  operating  expenses  from 1997 to 1998 is  increased  depreciation
expense in 1998 resulting from purchases of computer  equipment during 1997, and
increased professional fees in 1998.

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

The changes occurring in the Company's  consolidated balance sheet from December
31,  1997 to March 31,  1998  primarily  reflect  the normal  operations  of the
Company's life insurance subsidiaries.

The quality of the Company's  investment in fixed maturity  investments at March
31, 1998  remained  consistent  with  December  31, 1997.  Non-investment  grade
securities  totaled  less  than  0.6%  of the  Company's  total  fixed  maturity
investments at March 31, 1998. The Company has not made any significant  changes
to its investment philosophy during 1998.

The Company's net unrealized  investment gains increased $0.1 million during the
first three  months of 1998.  Offsetting  the $4.7  million  increase in the net
unrealized  investment  gains on equity  securities,  the  market  values of the
Company's fixed maturity investment securities decreased.  The components of the
change during the three months ended March 31, 1998 were (in millions):

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>  
Gross unrealized investment gains                                         $ 0.8
Effect on insurance assets and liabilities                                 (0.7)
Deferred income tax effect                                                    -
                                                                          -----
                                                                          $ 0.1
</TABLE>



<PAGE>



PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 2.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time the Company is party to litigation and arbitration proceedings
in the  ordinary  course of its  business,  none of which is  expected to have a
material adverse effect on the Company.

As  previously  reported in the  Company's  December  31, 1997 Form 10-K,  Great
Southern  is a  defendant  in four  purported  class  action  lawsuits  alleging
deceptive  sales practices in the marketing of its whole life and universal life
insurance policies and seeking unspecified compensatory,  punitive and/or treble
damages.  On May 5, 1998, the U.S.  Judicial Panel on  Multidistrict  Litigation
ordered that these lawsuits be  transferred  to the U.S.  District Court for the
Northern  District  of Texas  for  consolidated  pretrial  proceedings.  A fifth
purported class action lawsuit making similar  allegations,  Ernest Marqoquin v.
Great Southern Life Insurance Company and Dale Darnell,  was filed against Great
Southern on February 11, 1998 in Cameron County District Court,  Texas. On March
19, 1998,  Great Southern  removed this case to the United States District Court
for the Southern District of Texas.  Great Southern is seeking to have this case
added to the consolidated  multidistrict litigation proceedings.  Great Southern
intends to defend all of these cases vigorously.  There can be no assurance that
the foregoing or any future  litigation  relating to pricing and sales practices
will not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

ITEM 6.           EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)      Exhibits:

<TABLE>
<S>                           <C>  
2.4                            Stock Purchase  Agreement dated February 27, 1998 between Great Southern Life Insurance
                               Company and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company.

4.2(c)(3)                      Amendment No. 2 to the amended and restated  credit  agreement dated as of February 27,
                               1997, between the Registrant and The Chase Manhattan Bank as administrative agent.

4.2(c)(4)                      Amendment No. 3 to the amended and restated  credit  agreement dated as of February 27,
                               1997, between the Registrant and The Chase Manhattan Bank as administrative agent.

27                             Financial Data Schedule.

- ------------ ----------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(b)      Reports on Form 8-K:

There  were no reports on Form 8-K filed for the three  months  ended  March 31,
1998.



<PAGE>










                                    SIGNATURE


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


                                   AMERICO LIFE, INC.


                               BY:       /s/ Gary E. Jenkins
                               Name:     Gary E. Jenkins
                               Title:    Senior Vice President,
                                         Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
                                        (Principal Financial Officer and
                                         Principal Accounting Officer)


Date:  May 15, 1998


                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         This Stock  Purchase  Agreement (the  "Agreement")  is made and entered
into as of this 27th day of February,  1998, by and between GREAT  SOUTHERN LIFE
INSURANCE  COMPANY,  a Texas stock life insurance company  ("Seller"),  and JOHN
HANCOCK MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE  COMPANY,  a  Massachusetts  mutual life insurance
company ("Buyer").

         WHEREAS,  Seller,  as the  immediate  parent  corporation  of Investors
Guaranty Life  Insurance  Company,  a California  stock life  insurance  company
("IGL"),  owns 833,334 shares of common stock of IGL, par value $3.00 per share,
representing  all of the issued and  outstanding  shares of capital stock of IGL
(the "Shares"); and

         WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase
from Seller, the Shares upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter
set forth;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements set
forth in this Agreement and other good and valuable  consideration,  the receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:


                                   I. ARTICLE
                                   DEFINITIONS

1.1                         Defined Terms

         "Acquisition  Date" shall mean April 15, 1997, the date on which Seller
acquired IGL from Farmers.

         "Affiliate"  shall mean,  with respect to any Person,  any other Person
that directly,  or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,  controls,  is
controlled by or is under common control with such Person.  For purposes of this
definition, "control" (including the terms "controls" and "controlled by") shall
mean the  possession  of the  power to  direct  or cause  the  direction  of the
management  and policies of a Person,  unless such power is solely the result of
an official position with or corporate office held by the Person.  Control shall
be presumed to exist if any Person,  directly  or  indirectly,  owns,  controls,
holds with the power to vote, or holds shareholders' proxies representing 10% or
more of the voting securities of any other Person.

         "Agent"  shall mean any  current  or former  insurance  agent,  general
agent,  managing general agent,  broker or other similarly  situated person with
respect  to IGL or of any  organization  with  which IGL has or had a  marketing
relationship.
         "Annual Statement" shall mean any annual statement of IGL filed with or
submitted to the insurance regulatory  authorities of the State of California on
a form or forms prescribed or permitted by such authorities.

         "Arbiter" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.4(b).

         "Audit" shall mean any audit,  assessment of Taxes or other examination
by any Tax Authority, or any judicial or administrative  proceeding or appeal of
such proceeding relating to Taxes.

         "Benefit  Plans" shall mean all Employee  Pension  Benefit  Plans,  all
Employee Welfare Benefit Plans, all stock bonus, stock ownership,  stock option,
stock purchase,  stock appreciation rights,  phantom stock and other stock plans
(whether qualified or non-qualified), and all other pension, welfare, severance,
retirement,  bonus, deferred  compensation,  incentive  compensation,  insurance
(whether life, accident and health or other and whether key man, group,  workers
compensation or other),  profit sharing,  disability,  thrift,  day care,  legal
services,  leave of absence,  vacation,  sick leave,  layoff and supplemental or
excess  benefit  plans,  and all other written or unwritten  benefit  contracts,
group or  individual  arrangements  or  procedures  having the effect of a plan,
whether or not more than one person is  covered,  in each case,  existing  on or
before the Closing Date, under which IGL is or may hereafter become obligated in
any  manner  as an  employer  or  obligated  to  any  current  or  former  Agent
(including,  without  limitation,  obligations  to make  contributions  or other
payments). For purposes of this definition,  (a) "Employee Pension Benefit Plan"
shall mean each  employee  pension  benefit plan  (whether or not  insured),  as
defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA,  which is or was in existence on or before the
Closing Date,  and to which IGL is or would  hereafter  become  obligated in any
manner as an employer, including any similar plan covering any current or former
Agent,  (b) "Employee  Welfare  Benefit  Plan" shall mean each employee  welfare
benefit  plan  (whether or not  insured),  as defined in Section  3(1) of ERISA,
which is or was in existence on or before the Closing Date,  and to which IGL is
or would hereafter become obligated in any manner as an employer,  including any
similar plan  covering any current or former  Agent,  and (c) "ERISA" shall mean
the  Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act of 1974,  as  amended,  and any
regulations or published rulings promulgated or issued thereunder, as amended.

         "Business Day" shall mean a day on which banks are open for business in
Kansas City, Missouri, other than a Saturday or Sunday.

         "Buyer" shall have the meaning provided in the preamble to this 
Agreement.

         "Claim Notice" shall mean written  notification  of a Third Party Claim
by an  Indemnified  Party to an  Indemnifying  Party  pursuant  to Section  11.3
hereof, enclosing a copy of all papers served, if any.
         "Closing"  shall mean the  satisfaction  or waiver of the conditions to
and the sale and purchase of the Shares, as set forth in Article VIII hereof.

         "Closing Date" shall mean the date mutually  agreed upon by the Parties
on which the Closing occurs, as set forth in Section 3.1.

         "Closing Date Balance Sheet" shall have the meaning provided in Section
2.4.

         "Closing Date Policyholders' Surplus" shall have the meaning provided 
in Section 2.2.

         "Code" shall mean the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended,  and
the regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended.

         "Commercially  Reasonable Efforts" of a party shall mean the reasonable
efforts  that a prudent  Person  desirous  of  achieving  a result  would use in
similar  circumstances,  without  the  requirement  that  such  party  incur any
unanticipated (as of the date hereof) out-of-pocket  expenses or incur any other
unanticipated burden or commence or pursue litigation in any Proceeding.

         "Contract"  shall mean any  material  contract,  agreement,  indenture,
instrument,  obligation,  promise,  undertaking,   relationship  or  commitment,
whether written or oral and whether express or implied.

         "Damages" shall mean any and all costs,  damages,  liabilities,  fines,
fees,  penalties,  interest  obligations,  deficiencies,  losses,  and  expenses
(including,   without  limitation,   punitive,  treble  or  other  exemplary  or
extra-contractual  damages,  amounts paid in settlement,  interest, court costs,
costs of investigation,  reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants,
actuaries and other experts,  and other reasonable  expenses of litigation or of
any  claim,  default  or  assessment,  but  specifically  excluding  any and all
consequential damages).

         "Dispute Notice" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.4(b).

         "Dispute Notice Date" shall have the meaning provided in Section
          2.4(b).

         "Encumbrances"  shall  mean  any and  all  liens,  security  interests,
pledges,  charges,  claims,  conditions,   equitable  interests,   restrictions,
limitations,  options,  rights of first refusal,  or other  encumbrances  of any
kind,  character  or  description,  whether  or not  of  record,  including  any
restriction on use, voting, transfer, receipt of income or exercise of any other
attribute of ownership, but specifically excluding any lawful restriction on the
payment of dividends or any other regulatory restriction.

         "ERC" shall mean Employers Reassurance Corporation, a Kansas 
corporation.

         "ERC  Coinsurance   Agreement"   shall  mean  that  certain   Automatic
Coinsurance  Reinsurance  Agreement  effective as of April 16, 1997, between IGL
and ERC, as amended by Amendment No. 1 effective as of April 16, 1997.

         "ERC Escrow  Agreement"  shall mean that certain Escrow Agreement (Ohio
State and Investors  Guaranty)  dated as of May 21, 1997,  among ERC, Seller and
Bankers Trust Company.

         "Farmers" shall mean Farmers Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation.

         "Farmers  Agreement"  shall mean that certain Stock Purchase  Agreement
dated as of January  21,  1997,  as amended by  amendment  dated as of April 14,
1997, between Farmers, as seller, and Seller, as purchaser.

         "Governmental  Body" shall mean any (a) nation,  state,  county,  city,
town, village, district or other jurisdiction of any nature, (b) federal, state,
local,   municipal,   foreign  or  other   government,   (c)   governmental   or
quasi-government  authority of any nature  (including any  governmental  agency,
branch, department,  official or entity and any court or other tribunal), or (d)
body  exercising  or  entitled  to  exercise,  any  administrative,   executive,
judicial,  legislative,  police,  regulatory or taxing authority or power of any
nature.

         "HSR Act" shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust  Improvements Act
of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations  promulgated  thereunder,  as
amended.

         "IGL" shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this
Agreement.

         "Indemnified Party" shall mean a Person claiming  indemnification under
Article XI hereof.

         "Indemnifying  Party"  shall  mean a  Person  against  whom  claims  of
indemnification are being asserted under Article XI hereof.

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

         "Knowledge,"  when used to refer to the  knowledge  of a Person  (other
than an  individual),  shall be deemed to mean the  knowledge of any director or
executive officer of such Person. An individual will be deemed to have knowledge
of a fact or other matter if such  individual is actually  aware of such fact or
other matter.

         "Licenses" shall mean all licenses, permits,  certificates of authority
and other  documents  authorizing  IGL to transact  insurance,  as  disclosed on
Schedule T of the SAP Statement.

         "Material  Adverse  Effect" of any Person shall mean an event affecting
such Person that is, or under the circumstances  would reasonably be expected to
be,  materially  adverse to (i) the  income,  operations,  financial  condition,
assets,  liabilities  or revenues of such Person,  after  giving  effect to this
Agreement  and  the  Prior  Business  Reinsurance  Agreements  and  the  actions
contemplated hereby and thereby or (ii) the ability of such Party to execute and
deliver  this  Agreement  and to  consummate  the  transactions  and perform the
obligations contemplated hereby and thereby.

         "Order" shall mean any award, decision,  injunction,  judgment,  order,
ruling, subpoena or verdict entered, issued, made or rendered by any arbitrator,
court, administrative agency or other Governmental Body.

         "Party" shall mean either of Seller or Buyer;  the term "Parties" shall
mean Seller and Buyer, collectively.

         "Person"  shall mean any  individual,  corporation,  general or limited
partnership,  association,  limited  liability  company,  joint venture,  trust,
unincorporated   association   or   organization   or  government  or  political
subdivision thereof.

         "Policyholders'  Surplus"  of a  Person  shall  mean  the  capital  and
surplus,  asset  valuation  reserve  and  interest  maintenance  reserve of such
Person, calculated in accordance with SAP.

         "Prior  Business"  shall  mean  all  insurance   policies  and  annuity
contracts  of any kind issued or assumed by IGL at any time prior to the Closing
Date.

         "Prior Business Liabilities" shall mean all liabilities and obligations
of IGL arising out of or related to the Prior  Business,  regardless  of whether
such  liabilities and obligations are primary or secondary,  direct or indirect,
absolute or contingent,  contractual or tortious or otherwise, and regardless of
whether such liabilities arise before or after the Closing Date.

         "Prior  Business  Reinsurance  Agreements"  shall mean the  reinsurance
agreements  between  IGL,  on the one  hand,  and ERC or any  insurance  company
subsidiary  of  Americo  Life,  Inc.,  on the  other  hand,  including,  without
limitation, the ERC Coinsurance Agreement and the ERC Escrow Agreement.

         "Proceeding" shall mean any action,  arbitration,  audit,  examination,
hearing,   investigation,   litigation   or  suit  (whether   civil,   criminal,
administrative,  investigative or informal) commenced,  brought,  conducted,  or
heard by or before, or otherwise involving, any court,  administrative agency or
arbitrator, whether at law, equity or otherwise.

         "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.2.

         "Purchase Price Adjustment Amount" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 2.4.

         "Quarterly  Statement" shall mean any quarterly  statement of IGL filed
with or  submitted  to the  insurance  regulatory  authorities  of the  State of
California on a form or forms prescribed or permitted by such authorities.

         "Reinsurance   Agreements"  shall  mean  all  reinsurance  treaties  or
agreements  under which IGL has ceded, on an indemnity basis, any Prior Business
Liabilities, other than the Prior Business Reinsurance Agreements.

         "SAP"  shall  mean,  with  respect to IGL (or its SAP  Statement),  the
accounting  practices  required or  permitted  by the  National  Association  of
Insurance Commissioners and the insurance regulatory authorities of the State of
California,  consistently  applied  throughout  the specified  period and in the
immediately prior comparable period.

         "SAP Statement" shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.6 hereof.

         "Seller" shall have the meaning provided in the preamble to this 
Agreement.

         "Services  Agreement" shall mean the administrative  services agreement
described in Section 8.3(d).

         "Shares" shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this 
Agreement.

         "Tax" or  "Taxes"  shall mean all  Federal,  state,  local and  foreign
taxes,  assessments,  and  governmental  charges  (whether  imposed  directly or
through  withholdings),  including any interest,  penalties and additions to Tax
applicable thereto.

         "Tax Authority"  shall mean the Internal  Revenue Service and any other
domestic or foreign governmental authority responsible for the administration of
any Taxes.

         "Tax Claim" shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.1(f).

         "Tax Returns"  shall mean any return,  declaration,  report,  claim for
refund,  or  information  return or statement  relating to Taxes,  including any
schedule or attachment to such documents and any amendment of such documents.

         "Third Party Claim" shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.3(a).

         "Threatened"  means  a  claim,  Proceeding,  dispute  or  other  matter
regarding  which a demand or statement has been made (orally or in writing) or a
notice has been received (orally or in writing).

1.2        Other Terms.  Where used herein, and unless the context otherwise 
requires:

         (a) words  importing the singular number or plural number shall include
the plural number and singular number, respectively;

         (b) words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine 
and neuter genders and vice versa;

         (c) reference to "include," "includes" and "including" shall be deemed
to be followed by the phrase "without limitation;" and

         (d) reference in this Agreement to "herein,"  "hereby" or  "hereunder,"
or any  similar  formulation,  shall be deemed to refer to this  Agreement  as a
whole, including the Schedules and Exhibits.


                                   I. ARTICLE
                           PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES

2.1 Transfer of Shares. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions  contained
herein on the  Closing  Date,  Seller  will  deliver  to Buyer,  and Buyer  will
purchase,  the Shares from Seller for the  Purchase  Price free and clear of all
Encumbrances.

2.2 Purchase  Price. The purchase price for the Shares (the "Purchase Price") 
shall be the sum of the following, adjusted as provided in Section 2.4:

<PAGE>


         (a) Five Million Four Hundred Ninety-Nine Thousand Three Hundred and 
Three Dollars ($5,499,303); plus

         (b) the  Policyholders'  Surplus of IGL as of the Closing  Date, as set
forth in the  Closing  Date  Balance  Sheet (the  "Closing  Date  Policyholders'
Surplus"), which shall not exceed Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000).


<PAGE>



2.3  Provisional  Purchase  Price.  At the Closing, as payment of a "Provisional
Purchase Price," Buyer shall deliver to Seller,  by wire transfer of immediately
available  funds to such bank account(s) as Seller shall designate in writing to
Buyer the sum of (a) that  portion  of the  Purchase  Price set forth in Section
2.2(a) hereof; plus (b) Seven Million Dollars ($7,000,000).

2.4.                         Adjustment to Purchase Price.

(a) As soon as  practicable, but in any event within 90 calendar days  following
the Closing Date, Seller shall, at its expense, prepare and deliver to Buyer the
statements  of assets,  liabilities,  surplus  and other  funds of IGL as of the
Closing Date,  which shall be prepared in conformity with SAP (the "Closing Date
Balance  Sheet").  The Closing Date Balance Sheet shall present  fairly,  in all
material respects (except for adjustment as provided in the following sentence),
in  accordance  with SAP the  financial  position  of IGL and the results of its
operations  and cash  flows as of the date  and for the  period  specified.  The
Closing  Date  Balance  Sheet shall mark IGL's  assets to market  value and will
account for the effect of all of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and the Farmers  Agreement.  For  purposes of this Section 2.4, the Closing Date
Balance Sheet shall assign to any guaranty fund assessment  carryovers  existing
at Closing a value of zero.

(b)  If  Buyer does not agree  to  the   determination  of  the  Closing  Date
Policyholders'  Surplus,  Buyer shall  provide  notice of such  disagreement  to
Seller (the "Dispute Notice," and the date of its delivery,  the "Dispute Notice
Date").  If  Seller  and Buyer are  unable  to agree on the  resolution  of such
disagreement  within ten Business Days following the Dispute Notice Date, Seller
and Buyer shall  resolve such  disagreement  in  accordance  with the  following
procedures.

         Buyer and Seller  shall each  select an  independent  certified  public
accountant  within ten  Business  Days  after the  Dispute  Notice  Date for the
purpose of selecting a third  independent  certified  public  accountant  with a
regional or national  accounting  practice in the life  insurance  industry (the
"Arbiter").  Such  accountants  shall  mutually  select the  Arbiter  and give a
written notice to Buyer and Seller identifying the Arbiter,  including a written
acceptance of such  appointment  from the Arbiter,  within twenty  Business Days
after the Dispute Notice Date. The Arbiter shall not have performed services for
either  Buyer or Seller  within  the  preceding  three  years and shall not have
testified  in any  dispute in which  either  Buyer or Seller was  involved  as a
party;  provided,  however,  that Buyer and Seller may waive such restriction in
writing if they mutually agree to such waiver.

         Each party  shall  submit to the  Arbiter  all  information  reasonably
requested  by the  Arbiter to enable the  Arbiter to  independently  resolve the
issue which is the subject of the Dispute Notice. The Arbiter shall make its own
determination  of the  Closing  Date  Policyholders'  Surplus,  which may not be
greater  than  Buyer's  calculation  thereof  and may not be less than  Seller's
calculation   thereof.   The  Arbiter  shall  issue  a  written  report  of  its
determination  in  reasonable  detail and shall deliver a copy of such report to
Seller and Buyer within twenty Business Days following the Arbiter's  receipt of
the Dispute  Notice.  The  determination  made by the Arbiter shall be final and
binding and may be enforced by any court having jurisdiction.  The Parties shall
cooperate  fully in  assisting  the  Arbiter in  calculating  the  Closing  Date
Policyholders'  Surplus and shall take such actions as are necessary to expedite
and to cause the Arbiter to expedite such calculation.

         Each of Seller  and  Buyer  shall pay  one-half  of the total  fees and
expenses of the Arbiter. Each party shall bear all costs associated with its own
appointed independent certified public accountant.

(c) The Closing Date Balance Sheet shall be deemed to be final upon the earliest
of (i) the date on which  Seller and Buyer  jointly  agree that the Closing Date
Balance  Sheet are  final,  (ii) the 31st  calendar  day  following  the date of
delivery of the Closing Date Balance Sheet pursuant to Section 7.9, if Buyer has
not  notified  Seller of a dispute in amounts  shown on the Closing Date Balance
Sheet,  and (iii) the date on which all  disputes  relating to the Closing  Date
Balance Sheet  between Buyer and Seller are resolved in accordance  with Section
2.5(b).

(d) The  difference between the Closing  Date Policyholders'  Surplus and Seven
Million Dollars  ($7,000,000 ) shall be the "Purchase Price Adjustment  Amount."
If the Closing Date Policyholders' Surplus is greater than Seven Million Dollars
($7,000,000),  Buyer shall pay to Seller an amount equal to the  Purchase  Price
Adjustment Amount. If the Closing Date Policyholders' Surplus is less than Seven
Million Dollars  ($7,000,000),  Seller shall pay to Buyer an amount equal to the
Purchase Price Adjustment  Amount.  On or before the 20th Business Day following
the date on which,  pursuant to Section 2.4(c) hereof,  the Closing Date Balance
Sheet are deemed to be final, Seller or Buyer, as the case may be, shall pay the
Purchase  Price  Adjustment  Amount  to the  other  Party  by wire  transfer  of
immediately  available  funds to such bank  account(s)  as the  recipient  shall
designate in writing, together with interest from the Closing Date at a rate per
annum equal to 6%.




                                   I. ARTICLE
                                     CLOSING

3.1 Time and Place of  Closing. Upon the terms  and  subject  to the  conditions
contained in this  Agreement,  the Closing of the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement will take place at the offices of Lathrop & Gage L.C., 2345 Grand
Boulevard,  Suite 2800,  Kansas City,  Missouri,  as of the close of business on
such date (the  "Closing  Date") as the Parties may  mutually  agree,  but in no
event later than April 30, 1998; provided,  however,  that if the only condition
that has not been satisfied or waived pertains to obtaining regulatory approval,
then the Closing shall occur five Business Days after such  regulatory  approval
is obtained  (assuming  all other  conditions  are still  satisfied  or waived),
provided,  further,  that all  conditions  precedent set forth in this Agreement
shall have been  satisfied  or (to the extent  permitted  under this  Agreement)
waived,  or if the Parties  mutually  agree in writing to an  extension  of such
date, the date so agreed to.


                                   I. ARTICLE
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

         Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

4.1 Organization, Standing and Corporate Power of Seller. Seller is a 
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the 
laws of the State  of Texas  and has the  requisite  corporate  power  to 
enter  into  this Agreement and to perform its obligations  under this  
Agreement.  Seller is duly licensed,  qualified or admitted to do business  
and is in good  standing in all jurisdictions  in which it is required to be 
so licensed,  qualified or admitted to do  business  by the laws  thereof,
except such as would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller.

4.2  Authority of Seller. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Seller
and the performance by Seller of its obligations  under this Agreement have been
duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action in accordance with
applicable law and its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.  This Agreement has
been duly and validly  executed and delivered by Seller and  constitutes a valid
and binding obligation of Seller and is enforceable against Seller in accordance
with its terms,  except to the extent that enforcement  hereof may be limited by
or subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium or
other  similar  laws  affecting  creditors'  rights  generally  and  by  general
principles of equity  (regardless of whether  enforcement is sought in equity or
at law).

4.3 Organization of IGL. IGL is a corporation duly organized,  validly existing
and in good  standing  under  the laws of the  State of  California  and has all
corporate powers required to carry on its business as now conducted. IGL is duly
licensed,  qualified  or  admitted  to do  business as an insurer and is in good
standing  in all  jurisdictions  in  which  it is  required  to be so  licensed,
qualified or admitted to do business by the laws  thereof,  except such as would
not have a Material Adverse Effect on IGL.

4.4 Capital  Stock.  The authorized  capital  stock of IGL  consists  solely of
8,500,000  shares of common stock,  par value $3.00 per share,  of which 833,334
shares are issued and  outstanding.  The Shares  have been duly  authorized  and
validly issued,  are fully paid and  nonassessable and free of preemptive rights
and are  owned  beneficially  and of  record  by  Seller,  free and clear of all
Encumbrances.  Except as provided by this  Agreement,  there are no  outstanding
obligations, securities, options, contracts or other rights that give any Person
the right to  purchase  or acquire  any  shares of capital  stock of IGL (or any
other interest therein).

4.5  Conflicts or Violations.  Except as set forth in Schedule 4.5, neither the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Seller, nor the performance by 
Seller of its obligations hereunder, will:

<PAGE>


(a) subject  to  obtaining  the  approvals,   authorizations   and
clearances,  and making the  filings,  contemplated  hereby prior to the Closing
Date, violate any term or provision of any law or any Order applicable to Seller
or  IGL or  require  any  action  by or in  respect  of,  or  filing  with,  any
Governmental Body on the part of Seller;

(b) conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or constitute  (with or
without  notice or lapse of time or both) a  default  under,  any of the  terms,
conditions or provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Seller or
IGL; or

(c) result in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without notice or
lapse  of  time  or  both) a  default  under,  or  give  rise  to any  right  of
termination,  cancellation  or  acceleration,  or result in the  creation of any
Encumbrance  under,  any  Contract to which IGL or Seller is a party or by which
any of their assets or properties may be bound;


<PAGE>



except, in each case, such as would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller
or IGL.

4.6 SAP Statement. Seller has previously  delivered to Buyer a true and complete
copy of the Quarterly  Statement for the nine-month  period ended  September 30,
1997 (and the exhibits and schedules  relating  thereto) (the "SAP  Statement").
The SAP Statement  complied in all material respects with the applicable laws of
the State of  California  when so filed and was timely  filed with all  required
insurance regulatory  authorities.  No deficiencies,  other than as set forth in
Schedule 4.6,  have been asserted or are otherwise  known by Seller with respect
thereto.  The SAP  Statement  was prepared in  accordance  with SAP applied on a
consistent basis (except for changes, if any, disclosed therein) and is complete
in all material respects.  The SAP Statement fairly presents (in accordance with
SAP) the financial  condition of IGL as of the date  thereof,  or its results of
operations or cash flows,  as the case may be, for and during the period covered
thereby.

4.7  Absence of  Changes.  Except as  disclosed  in  Schedule  4.7 or in the SAP
Statement or as contemplated by this Agreement or the Prior Business Reinsurance
Agreements, since September 30, 1997:

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

(b)      without limiting the generality of the foregoing, IGL has not:

(i)     declared, set aside or paid any dividend or other distribution in 
        respect of its capital stock, or redeemed, purchased or otherwise 
        acquired any of its capital stock;

(ii)    created any Encumbrance on or in  any of its assets or properties or 
        assumed any Encumbrance with respect to any of its assets or properties;

(iii)   incurred any liability for borrowed money;

(iv)    suffered any damage, destruction or loss (whether or not covered by 
        insurance) affecting any of its assets or properties;

(v)     suffered  the  termination or lapse of, or otherwise failed to preserve,
        any of the Licenses;

(vi)    amended its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws;

(vii)   entered into, amended or terminated any Reinsurance Agreement; or

(viii)  entered into any contract or agreement to take any of the actions set 
        forth in  paragraphs (i) through (vii) of this Section 4.7.

4.8     Taxes.

(a).    Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.8:



<PAGE>


(i) all federal and state income Tax Returns and other material  income
Tax  Returns  required to have been filed  since the  Acquisition  Date by or on
behalf of IGL were filed,  and all such  returns  were true and  complete in all
material respects as of the filing date thereof;

ii) there are no Encumbrances in respect of Taxes arising after the Acquisition
Date upon the properties of IGL, except for Encumbrances in respect of property
Taxes not yet delinquent; and

iii) IGL is not a party  to,  is not  bound by and  does  not have any  
obligation arising after the Acquisition Date under any tax sharing Contract.

b. to Seller's Knowledge solely in reliance on the  representations and 
warranties of Farmers in the Farmers Agreement:

(i) all federal and state income Tax  Returns  and other  material  income Tax
Returns required to have been filed on or prior to the Acquisition Date by or on
behalf of IGL were filed,  and all such  returns  were true and  complete in all
material respects as of the filing date thereof;

(ii) there are no  Encumbrances in respect of Taxes arising  on or before  the
Acquisition Date upon the properties of IGL, except for Encumbrances in respect
of property Taxes not yet delinquent.

4.9  Litigation.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.9, there are no Proceedings
pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened,  against Seller or IGL that,
individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller
or IGL or that would  impair the  ability  of Seller to perform  its  obligation
hereunder.

4.10 Compliance  With Laws. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.10, IGL is not in
violation of any law or any Order applicable to it, except such as would not 
have a Material Adverse Effect on IGL.

4.11 Benefit Plans and Employee Matters. Since the Acquisition Date, IGL has had
no employees.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.11:



<PAGE>


         (a) IGL does not have (i) any liability  arising after the  Acquisition
Date under or in connection with any past or present Benefit Plan maintained by,
or  contributed  to by or on behalf of,  Seller or IGL that has not been paid or
assumed by  Farmers,  Seller or an  Affiliate  of Seller or Farmers  (other than
IGL), or (ii) any liability,  direct or indirect,  arising after the Acquisition
Date to any employees or Agents of Seller or any Affiliate of Seller (other than
IGL); and

         (b) to Seller's Knowledge solely in reliance on the representations and
warranties  of  Farmers  in the  Farmers  Agreement,  IGL  does not have (i) any
liability  arising on or prior to the  Acquisition  Date under or in  connection
with any past or present  Benefit Plan maintained by, or contributed to by or on
behalf of, Seller or IGL that has not been paid or assumed by Farmers, Seller or
an  Affiliate  of Seller or Farmers  (other  than IGL),  or (ii) any  liability,
direct or indirect, arising on or prior to the Acquisition Date to any employees
or Agents of Seller or any Affiliate of Seller (other than IGL).


<PAGE>



IGL is not a party to any collective bargaining or similar labor contract.

4.12  Contracts.  Schedule 4.8 and Schedule 4.12  together set forth a true and
complete  list of the  Contracts  that are currently in effect to which IGL is a
party or by which any of the  assets of IGL is bound.  Neither  IGL nor,  to the
knowledge of Seller,  any other party to any Contract set forth on Schedule 4.12
is currently in violation, breach or default under any such Contract or, with or
without  notice or lapse of time or both,  would be in violation or breach of or
default  under  any such  Contract,  except  such as would  not have a  Material
Adverse Effect on IGL.  Neither Seller nor, to the knowledge of Seller,  Farmers
is currently in  violation,  breach or default  under the Farmers  Agreement or,
with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would be in violation or breach
of or  default  under the  Farmers  Agreement,  except  such as would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on Seller.

4.13  Intercompany Liabilities. Except as reflected  in the SAP  Statement or as
disclosed in Schedule 4.13 or as otherwise provided in this Agreement, there are
no  liabilities,  contracts or  commitments  between  IGL, on the one hand,  and
Seller or any  Affiliate of Seller  (other than IGL),  on the other,  except for
liabilities  that have been  incurred on a basis  consistent  with past practice
since April 17, 1997.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.13, since September 30,
1997, no such intercompany liabilities have been paid and no settlements of such
intercompany  liabilities  have been made except  intercompany  liabilities that
have been paid or settled on a basis  consistent  with past practice since April
17, 1997.

4.14 Bank  Accounts. Schedule 4.14 sets forth (a) a true and complete list of 
the names and locations of all banks, trust companies,  securities brokers and 
other financial institutions at which IGL has an account or safe deposit  box or
maintains a banking, custodial, trading or other similar relationship, and (b) a
true  and  complete  list  and  description  of  each  such  account,   box  and
relationship,  indicating, in each case, the account number and the names of the
Persons authorized to transact business with respect thereto.

4.15 Prior Business. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.15 or as otherwise 
described in this
                                --------------
Agreement:


<PAGE>


(a)  since Seller  acquired  IGL, IGL has not been  involved in any
type of business activities other than the Prior Business; and

(b)  no  outstanding   insurance  or  annuity  contract issued,  reinsured  or
underwritten  by IGL that is part of the  Prior  Business  entitles  the  holder
thereof or any other  person or entity to receive  dividends,  distributions  or
other benefits based on the revenues or earnings of IGL or any other entity.

4.16  Conduct of  Business.  Since September 30, 1997, except as  disclosed in
Schedule  4.16,  IGL has  conducted  its  business  in the  ordinary  course and
consistent  with past practice  since April 17, 1997,  and without  limiting the
generality  of the  foregoing,  has not,  during  such  period,  engaged  in any
activity of the kind that is prohibited by Section 4.7.


                                   I. ARTICLE
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

         Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

5.1  Organization, Standing and Corporate  Power Buyer is a  corporation  duly
incorporated,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State
of  Massachusetts  and has the  requisite  corporate  power to enter  into  this
Agreement and to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

5.2  Authority. The execution and delivery of this  Agreement by Buyer and the
performance  by Buyer of its  obligations  under this  Agreement  have been duly
authorized by all necessary  corporate  action in accordance with applicable law
and its Articles of Incorporation  and Bylaws.  This Agreement has been duly and
validly  executed and delivered by Buyer and  constitutes  the valid and binding
obligation of Buyer,  enforceable  in accordance  with its terms,  except to the
extent  that such  enforceability  may be  limited  by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
reorganization,  moratorium or other similar laws  affecting  creditors'  rights
generally and by general principles of equity.

5.3  Investment Representation. Buyer  acknowledges  that  the  Shares  are not
registered  under  the  securities  laws  of any  jurisdiction  and  that  it is
acquiring  the  Shares  for  its  own  account,  and  not  with  a  view  to the
distribution thereof. Buyer is purchasing the Shares for investment purposes and
not with the intention of reselling or distributing the Shares.

5.4  Conflicts or Violations. Neither the execution and delivery of this 
Agreement by Buyer, nor the performance by Buyer of its obligations hereunder, 
will:



<PAGE>


1. subject  to  obtaining  the  approvals, authorizations and clearances, and 
making the  filings,  contemplated  hereby prior to the Closing Date, violate
any term or provision of any law or any Order applicable to Buyer or require any
action by or in respect of or filing with, any Governmental Body on the part of 
Buyer;

5.4 conflict  with or result in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with or
without  notice or lapse of time or both) a  default  under,  any of the  terms,
conditions,  or provisions of the Articles of  Incorporation or Bylaws of Buyer;
or

1. result in a violation or breach of, or constitute  (with or without notice or
lapse  of  time  or  both) a  default  under,  or  give  rise  to any  right  of
termination,  cancellation  or  acceleration,  or result in the  creation of any
Encumbrance under, any contract to which Buyer is a party or by which any of its
assets or properties may be bound; except, in each case, such as would not have
a Material Adverse Effect on Buyer.

5.5 Litigation.  There are no Proceedings pending or, to Buyer's Knowledge, 
Threatened against Buyer that would impair the ability of Buyer to perform its 
obligations hereunder.


                                   I. ARTICLE
                               COVENANTS OF SELLER

         Seller agrees as follows:

6.1 Maintenance of Business; Certain Transactions. Except as otherwise provided
in this Agreement and the Prior Business Reinsurance  Agreements,  from the date
hereof to the  Closing  Date,  Seller will cause IGL to not take any action that
may result in any of the changes or events listed in Section 4.7.

6.2    Corporate Existence; Licenses.  From the date hereof to the Closing Date:

(a)    Seller will cause IGL to:

(i)    maintain its corporate existence;

(ii)   pay all Taxes, charges and assessments on a timely basis unless the same
are being contested and adequate  reserves  therefor have been  established on 
IGL's books and records (including, if applicable, the Closing Date Balance 
Sheet);

(iii)  make all necessary filings with any insurance departments or other 
Governmental  Bodies; and

(iv)   pay all accounts payable and other liabilities on a timely basis; and

(b) Seller shall use its Commercially Reasonable  Efforts,  at its expense,  to
preserve and maintain the Licenses.  If, in connection with the  consummation of
this  Agreement,  any License is revoked or altered or a material  limitation or
restriction is placed  thereon,  Seller will provide such assistance to Buyer as
Buyer may reasonably  request,  at Buyer's expense,  in reinstating such License
and/or removing such limitation or restriction.

6.3 Further Assurances. From time to time after the Closing Date, without 
further consideration, Seller shall, at its own expense, execute and deliver 
such additional documents to Buyer as Buyer may reasonably request to vest more
effectively in Buyer good title to the Shares.

6.4 Access. From the date hereof to the Closing Date, Seller will afford Buyer's
employees, auditors,  legal counsel and other  authorized  representatives  all
reasonable opportunity  and  access  to  inspect,  investigate  and  audit  the
contracts, operations and business of IGL.

6.5 Consents. Seller will use its Commercially Reasonable Efforts (and will 
cause IGL to use its  Commercially  Reasonable  Efforts) to obtain all consents
or approvals of, and provide all notices to,  oher  Persons  required  for such
Persons to authorize,  approve or permit the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated  hereby and will cooperate  (and will cause IGL to cooperate)  with
Buyer in connection with Buyer's efforts to obtain all consents or approvals of,
and to provide  notices  to,  other  Persons  required  for Buyer to  authorize,
approve or permit the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement.  Seller shall  provide Buyer with a copy of, and the  opportunity  to
comment on, all filings and material correspondence with regulatory officials in
connection  with such consents and approvals and shall provide Buyer with a copy
of all  correspondence  or notices  from  regulatory  officials  concerning  the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

6.6 Negotiations. Until such time,  if any,  as this  Agreement  is  terminated
pursuant  to  Article  X,  Seller  will not,  either  directly  or  through  its
representatives,  directly or  indirectly  solicit,  initiate or  encourage  any
inquiries or proposals from,  discuss or negotiate with,  provide any non-public
information to, or consider the merits of any unsolicited inquiries or proposals
from, any Person (other than Buyer)  relating to any  transaction  involving the
sale of any of the capital stock of IGL or any merger,  consolidation,  business
combination or similar transaction involving IGL.

6.7 Closing Date Policyholders' Surplus. On or prior to the Closing Date, Seller
may cause IGL to declare and pay dividends,  or take any other  actions,  deemed
appropriate by Seller to minimize the Closing Date Policyholders' Surplus.

6.8 Contracts. Seller will take all necessary action to ensure that, on or 
before the Closing Date, IGL will not be a party to any Contracts and there will
be no Contracts by which it, or any asset owned or used by it, is or may become
bound, or by which it has or may acquire rights, other than (a) this Agreement,
(b) the Prior  Business, (c) the  Prior Business Reinsurance Agreements, (d) the
Reinsurance Agreements, and (e) any contracts related to the Scheduled Assets.

6.9 Financial Statements. Seller shall promptly deliver to Buyer such Annual or
Quarterly  Statements of IGL as may be required to be filed with the  California
Department  of Insurance or any other  Governmental  Body after the date of this
Agreement  but on or prior to the Closing  Date (and such  additional  Annual or
Quarterly  Statements  shall  thereafter  be  deemed  to be  part  of  the  "SAP
Statement" for purposes of this  Agreement).  Seller shall  promptly  deliver to
Buyer  copies of any Tax  Returns of IGL that are filed  between the date hereof
and the Closing Date.

6.10 Scheduled Assets. Attached hereto as Schedule 6.10 is a complete and 
accurate list of the assets  that will be owned or held by IGL on the Closing 
Date (the "Scheduled Assets"). The following rights and/or assets of IGL shall 
be assigned by IGL to Seller on or prior to the Closing:
<PAGE>

(a)  the right to receive any amounts due to IGL under any tax sharing agreement
covering periods prior to the Closing; and

(b)  any claim of IGL, for taxes or otherwise, against Farmers, whether or not 
such claim has been asserted prior to the Closing.

Buyer agrees to cooperate fully with Seller,  at Seller's  expense,  in Seller's
efforts to pursue any of the claims and rights described above.

6.11 Reinsurance  Agreements.  Seller  will  provide to Buyer true and  complete
copies of the Prior Business Reinsurance Agreements and all Reinsurance 
Agreements, including all amendments or modifications thereto.

6.12  Indemnity Rights Relating to Farmers. Seller  shall use its  Commercially
Reasonable  Efforts  to assign to Buyer at the  Closing  (with  the  consent  of
Farmers,  if necessary) all of Seller's rights under the Farmers Agreement,  but
only to the extent such rights  pertain to the  representations  and  warranties
made by, and  indemnification  agreements of,  Farmers  contained in the Farmers
Agreement  respecting  IGL;  such  assignment  shall be effective  only upon the
insolvency of Seller or any other event  resulting in the inability of Seller to
perform  its  obligations  under  Article  XI of this  Agreement.  Pending  such
effectiveness,  Seller reserves such rights under the Farmers Agreement.  Seller
makes no representation or warranty  regarding the validity or enforceability by
Buyer of such rights  against  Farmers.  Seller  shall  assist  Purchaser,  upon
request and at Purchaser's expense, in asserting and enforcing such rights.


                                  ARTICLE VII
                               COVENANTS OF BUYER

         Buyer agrees as follows:

7.1 Further  Assurances. Buyer shall use its Commercially  Reasonable Efforts to
take,  or cause to be taken,  all  action,  and to do, or cause to be done,  all
things  reasonably  necessary,  proper,  or advisable under  applicable laws and
regulations to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

7.2 Consents.  Buyer shall use its Commercially Reasonable Efforts to obtain all
consents or approvals of, and provide all notices to, other Persons required for
Buyer to  authorize,  approve or permit  the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement  and  will  cooperate  with  Seller  and IGL in
connection  with their  efforts to obtain all consents and  approvals of, and to
provide  notices to, other  Persons  required  for Seller and IGL to  authorize,
approve or permit the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement.  Buyer shall provide  Seller with a copy of, and the  opportunity  to
comment on, all filings and material correspondence with regulatory officials in
connection with such consents and approvals and shall provide Seller with a copy
of all  correspondence  or notices  from  regulatory  officials  concerning  the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

7.3  Access. During the period of time between the Closing Date and the delivery
of the  Closing  Date  Balance  Sheet to Buyer,  Buyer shall give Seller and its
accountants,  actuaries, counsel, and other representatives reasonable access to
the books and  records  of IGL in order to make  such  investigations  as Seller
shall  reasonably  desire in conjunction  with the preparation and evaluation by
Seller of the Closing Date Balance  Sheet.  Following  the Closing  Date,  Buyer
shall give  Seller and its  representatives  reasonable  access to the books and
records of IGL for the purpose of confirming  the extent to which IGL is able to
offset against premium tax  liabilities any guaranty fund assessment  either (i)
existing at the Closing Date or (ii) for which Seller has  reimbursed  IGL after
the Closing  Date,  for which offset Buyer is obligated  under  Section  11.2(d)
below to reimburse Seller.

         Buyer will conduct its inspection, investigation and audit of IGL under
Section 6.4 above in a reasonable  manner during regular  business hours.  Buyer
shall  treat (and cause its  representatives  to treat),  all  information  thus
obtained by Buyer and its representatives as confidential,  except to the extent
that any such  information  may be available to Buyer from sources  available to
the  general  public  and  except  as  required  by  law.  If  the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement  are not  consummated,  Buyer  will  return all
documents, instruments, work papers, all copies of any of the foregoing, and any
other materials submitted or provided by Seller or any of its representatives.
<PAGE>

                                 ARTICLE VIII
                              CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

8.1 Conditions to Each  Party's  Obligations.  The  respective  obligations  of 
each Party to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby shall be subject 
to the following conditions:

(a) At the Closing Date,  there shall be no Proceeding  pending or
Threatened to restrain, prohibit, challenge, invalidate or set aside in whole or
in  part  the  consummation  of  this  Agreement  or  any  of  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby,  or to  obtain  damages  or  other  relief  in  connection
therewith.  There  shall be in  effect  no Order  that  may have the  effect  of
preventing,   delaying,   making  illegal  or  otherwise  interfering  with  the
consummation of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(b) To the extent that any HSR Act filings  are  required  with  respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the applicable waiting period under
the HSR Act shall have  expired  without  any  objection  of the  Federal  Trade
Commission or any other governing  regulatory  body, or any such objection shall
have been waived by the objecting regulatory body.

(c) Buyer and Seller shall have obtained the unconditional approval or consent 
of all necessary insurance  departments or similar Governmental Bodies with 
respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

8.2 Conditions to Seller's Obligations. The obligations of Seller to consummate
the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction
on or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following  conditions (any or all
of which may be waived by Seller):

<PAGE>


(a)  Buyer shall have  performed or complied  with, in all material
respects,  all of its  obligations  under  this  Agreement  to be  performed  or
complied with on or prior to the Closing Date,  and Seller shall have received a
certificate of an authorized  officer of Buyer, dated as of the Closing Date, to
such effect.

(b) All of Buyer's representations and  warranties in this  Agreement  shall be
accurate  in all  material  respects  as of the  Closing  Date as if made on the
Closing Date and Seller shall have received a certificate  from Buyer,  dated as
of the Closing  Date and  executed by an  authorized  officer of Buyer,  to such
effect.

(c) Seller shall have received from Michael H. Studley, counsel to Buyer,  an
opinion dated as of the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit 8.2(c).

(d) At the Closing, Buyer shall have delivered to Seller:

(i) a certificate of its jurisdiction of incorporation dated not earlier than 
the 10th day  preceding  the earlier of (A) the Closing Date and (B) April 30, 
1998, to the effect that Buyer is a corporation  validly existing and in good 
standing and/or compliance (as applicable) under the laws of such jurisdiction 
as of such date;

(ii) a certificate of Buyer's Secretary or Assistant Secretary as of the Closing
Date (A) to the effect that all  necessary  corporate  action  required  for the
execution and delivery of this  Agreement by Buyer and the  performance by Buyer
of its obligations  under this Agreement has been taken, and (B) with respect to
the due  authorization  of the officers of Buyer  executing and delivering  this
Agreement;

(iii) the Provisional Purchase Price, as set forth in Section 2.3, in 
immediately available funds to such bank account(s) as Seller designates in 
writing to Buyer;

(iv) evidence of the regulatory approvals required by Section 8.1(c); and

(v) all other documents and instruments required to be delivered by Buyer 
pursuant to this Agreement.


<PAGE>

8.3 Conditions to Buyer's Obligations. The obligations of Buyer to consummate 
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction 
on or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions (any or all
of which may be waived by Buyer):

(a) Seller shall have  performed or complied with, in all material
respects,  all of its  obligations  under  this  Agreement  to be  performed  or
complied with on or prior to the Closing  Date,  and Buyer shall have received a
certificate of an authorized officer of Seller, dated as of the Closing Date, to
such effect.

(b) All of Seller's representations and warranties in this  Agreement  shall be
accurate  in all  material  respects  as of the  Closing  Date as if made on the
Closing Date, and Buyer shall have received a certificate from Seller,  dated as
of the Closing Date and  executed by an  authorized  officer of Seller,  to such
effect;

(c) IGL and Seller (or its  Affiliates) shall have entered  into Prior  Business
Reinsurance  Agreements  for the assumption  reinsurance of the Prior  Business,
each in the form of the Exhibit 8.3(c);

(d) IGL and Americo  Services, Inc., an Affiliate of Seller, shall have entered
into an administrative  services agreement in the form of Exhibit 8.3(d) for the
servicing of the Prior Business.

(e) Buyer shall have  received  from Lathrop & Gage L.C., counsel to Seller, an
opinion dated as of the Closing Date in the form of Exhibit 8.3(e);

(f) At the Closing, Seller shall have delivered to Buyer:

(i) stock certificates representing the Shares, accompanied by stock power(s) 
duly executed in blank;

(ii) a certificate of the California Department of Insurance  dated not earlier
than the date of the 10th day  preceding the earlier of (A) the Closing Date and
(B) April 30, 1998, to the effect that IGL is a corporation validly existing and
in good  standing  and/or  in  compliance  (as  applicable)  under  the  laws of
California as of such date;

(iii) a copy of the Articles of Incorporation of IGL, as amended, certified by 
the California  Department of Insurance as of a date not earlier than 30 days 
prior to the earlier of (A) the Closing Date and (B) April 30, 1998;

(iv) the stock books, stock ledgers, minute books, corporate seals and all
other books and records of IGL in the possession of Seller and IGL;

(v) resignations, effective as of the Closing Date, of all of the directors and 
officers of IGL;

(vi) all of IGL's Insurance Licenses;

(vii) evidence of the regulatory approvals required by Section 8.1(c);

(viii) a certificate of Seller's jurisdiction of incorporation dated not earlier
than the 10th day  preceding  the earlier of (A) the Closing  Date and (B) April
30, 1998,  to the effect that Seller is a  corporation  validly  existing and in
good  standing  and/or  compliance  (as  applicable)  under  the  laws  of  such
jurisdiction as of such date;

(ix) a certificate of Seller's Secretary or Assistant Secretary  attaching duly
enacted  resolutions  of Seller's  Board of  Directors  and, if required by law,
Seller's  shareholders  with respect to the approval of this  Agreement  and the
performance and consummation by Seller of the transactions  contemplated  hereby
and the  authorization  of the  officers  of  Seller  to sign and  deliver  this
Agreement,  which  resolutions  shall  continue to be in force as of the Closing
Date;

(x) certificates of Compliance with respect to IGL from the Insurance Department
of each state (other than California) in which IGL holds a License,  dated as of
a date no earlier  than 30 days prior to (A) the Closing  Date and (B) April 30,
1998; and

(xi) all other documents and instruments required to be delivered by Seller 
pursuant to this agreement.


<PAGE>




                                    ARTICLE IX
                                   TERMINATION

9.1 Termination. This Agreement (except for Sections 6.4 (regarding  
confidentiality), 12.3, 12.4 and 12.15, which will continue in effect) may be
terminated  and the  transactions  contemplated  hereunder abandoned:

(a) by  either  Buyer  or  Seller  if a  material  breach  of  any
provision  of this  Agreement  has been  committed  by the other  Party and such
breach has not been waived;

(b) (i) by Buyer if any of the conditions in  Sections  8.1 or 8.3 has not been
satisfied  as of the  Closing  Date,  or if Seller  has  failed to  satisfy  its
obligation under Section 6.12 to obtain the consent of Farmers to the assignment
described in Section 6.12, and Buyer has not waived such condition or obligation
on or before the Closing  Date; or (ii) by Seller,  if any of the  conditions in
Sections 8.1 or 8.2 has not been satisfied as of the Closing Date and Seller has
not w-aived such condition on or before the Closing Date;

(c) by mutual consent of the Parties; or

(i)by either Buyer or Seller if the Closing has not occurred (other than through
the failure of any Party  seeking to  terminate  this  Agreement to comply fully
with its obligations  under this Agreement or because of delays in obtaining the
necessary  regulatory  consents) on or before April 30, 1998, or, if the Parties
mutually agree in writing to an extension of such date, the date so agreed to.

9.2  Effect of  Termination. Each Party's  right of  termination  for breach of
contract  under  Section  9.1(a) is in addition to any other  rights it may have
under this  Agreement or otherwise,  and the exercise of a right of  termination
will not be an election of remedies.  The termination of this Agreement pursuant
to Section  9.1 does not affect  any  Party's  obligations  under  Sections  6.4
(regarding confidentiality), 12.3, 12.4 and 12.15.
<PAGE>

                                ARTICLE X
                        SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS; REMEDIES

10.1 Survival. The representations, warranties and agreements made by Seller
and Buyer in this Agreement, or in any certificate delivered by Seller or Buyer 
pursuant to the provisions of this  Agreement, shall survive the Closing:

(a) for two years in the case of all  representations and warranties of Seller 
not specified in Section 10.1(b) below; and

(b) until the expiration of all applicable statutes of limitations (including 
all periods of extension, whether automatic or permissive) in the case of (i) 
the representations and warranties of Seller set forth in Sections  4.4 and 4.8
hereof or in any  certificate  delivered  pursuant to Section 8.3 hereof (to the
extent such certificate refers to such sections),  and (ii) the  indemnification
provisions set forth in Article XI applicable to such Sections.

<PAGE>

If a Claim  Notice  is given in  accordance  with  Section  11.3  hereof  before
expiration of the applicable time period referenced above, then (notwithstanding
such time period) the representation,  warranty or agreement  applicable to such
claim shall  survive  until,  but only for purposes of resolution of such claim.
This Article X shall survive the Closing or the termination of this Agreement.

10.2 Available Remedies. The rights and remedies provided for in this Agreement
are  cumulative  and are not  exclusive of any rights or remedies that any party
may  otherwise  have at law or in equity.  The rights and  remedies of any party
based  upon,  arising  out of or  otherwise  in  respect  of any  breach  of any
representation,  warranty or agreement  contained in this Agreement  shall in no
way be limited by the fact that the act, omission,  occurrence or other state of
facts upon which any claim of any such  breach is based may also be the  subject
matter of any other  representation,  warranty or  agreement  contained  in this
Agreement (or in any other  agreement  between the parties) as to which there is
no breach.

                                    ARTICLE XI
                                 INDEMNIFICATION

11.1            Tax Indemnification and Other Tax Matters.

(a) Seller shall be liable for, shall pay to the appropriate Tax Authorities and
shall hold IGL and Buyer harmless against,  all Taxes that relate to any taxable
period ending on or before the Closing Date, including,  without limitation, any
deficiencies  in Tax, any Tax  attributable to the Section  338(h)(10)  election
that will be made  under (e) below and any Taxes of Seller or any  affiliate  of
Seller assessed against IGL under Treasury Regulations ss.1.1502-6.

(b)  Buyer and IGL shall be liable for,  shall  pay to the  appropriate  Tax
Authorities,  and shall hold Seller harmless  against,  all Taxes that relate to
any  taxable  period  that ends after the Closing  Date  (including  any taxable
period that begins prior to the Closing  Date and ends after the Closing  Date).
The Closing Date Balance Sheet shall reflect a proper  accrual basis reserve for
Taxes, if any, due and owing as of the Closing Date.  Seller hereby  indemnifies
Buyer against all liability for Taxes (including  interest and penalties) to the
extent  that actual  Taxes  relating  to  activity  prior to Closing  exceed the
reserve for Taxes on the Closing Date Balance  Sheet.  For taxing  jurisdictions
that do not recognize a "short"  period ending on the Closing Date,  the Closing
Date Balance Sheet reserve for Taxes,  and Seller's  indemnification  obligation
under this Section  11.1(b),  shall be computed based on a  hypothetical  "short
period."

(c) Seller and Buyer shall maintain all  records  necessary  to support the Tax
Returns as filed for all Tax years until closed.

(d) In the event that IGL is, becomes entitled  to, or  receives  any refund of
Taxes in respect of any taxable  period  ending on or prior to the Closing Date,
(i)  Buyer,  IGL and  Seller  shall  cooperate  with  each  other  and  take all
reasonable  actions necessary to obtain such refund and (ii) the amount thereof,
plus any interest  related  thereto  shall be the property of (and paid over to)
Seller.

(e) Within 30 days after the Closing Date Balance Sheet becomes final, Seller 
and Buyer shall execute a completed joint election under Section 338(h)(10) of 
the Code (and any corresponding elections under state, local, or foreign tax 
law) on Form 8023 and any comparable forms employed in those states where IGL 
is subject to tax (collectively a "Section 338(h)(10) Election") with respect 
to the purchase and sale of the Shares.  Seller and Buyer agree that the 
Purchase Price and the  liabilities  of IGL (plus other  relevant  items) will 
be  allocated in accordance with the instructions for IRS Form 8023 to the 
Scheduled Assets for Tax, financial  accounting, and all other purposes as 
shown on Schedule 11.1(e)attached hereto. Seller and Buyer will file all Tax 
Returns (including amended returns and claims for refund) and  information  
reports in a manner consistent with such allocation.

(f) Seller shall be responsible for, prepare and have ultimate  discretion with
respect to, all Tax Returns  required or permitted by applicable law to be filed
by IGL (or by Seller on its behalf) with respect to taxable periods ending on or
before the Closing Date.  Buyer and IGL shall (i) cooperate  with Seller for the
purpose of making any election under  applicable law to permit IGL to end at the
end of the Closing Date all taxable periods that have begun prior to the Closing
Date that have not otherwise ended and (ii) provide access to all relevant books
and records for purposes of preparing any Tax Returns in respect thereof.

(g) Buyer or IGL shall promptly (i) notify  Seller of the  commencement  of any
Audit  by  any  Tax  Authority  concerning  any  Tax  for  which  Seller  may be
responsible  under  Section  11.1(a) of this  Agreement (a "Tax Claim") and (ii)
furnish Seller with copies of any correspondence received from any Tax Authority
related  thereto.  Seller  shall  promptly  (i)  notify  Buyer  or  IGL  of  the
commencement  of any  Audit by any Tax  Authority  concerning  any Tax for which
Buyer or IGL may be responsible under Section 11.1(b) of this Agreement and (ii)
furnish  Buyer or IGL with copies of any  correspondence  received  from any Tax
Authority  related thereto;  provided,  however,  that the failure of a party to
give prompt notice  pursuant to this Section 11.1(f) shall not relieve the other
party from any indemnification  obligations hereunder unless the failure to give
such notice  jeopardizes  the other party's  ability to defend any claim arising
from or related to such Audit.

(h) Seller may control the conduct of any Audit covered by Section  11.1(f) for
which it is responsible  by having its personnel  rather than personnel of Buyer
or IGL deal directly with the applicable Tax Authority. At its election,  Seller
may  contest or settle any Tax Claim in any  legally  permissible  manner at its
sole cost and expense and, upon  Seller's  payment of such Taxes to the relevant
Tax  Authority,  may  sue  for  a  refund  thereof.  Seller  shall  control  all
correspondence,  responses and proceedings related to any such contest or refund
suit,  and may  pursue or forego  any  administrative  proceedings,  appeals  or
litigation  in respect of such Tax Claim.  Buyer and IGL, as  appropriate,  will
cooperate  fully,  provide  access to all books and  records,  and will take all
lawful  action in  connection  with such  contest  or refund  suit as Seller may
reasonably request.  Seller shall keep Buyer and IGL, as appropriate,  regularly
apprised of the progress of any such  contest or refund suit.  In the event that
such contest or refund suit may  reasonably  be expected to increase  materially
the liability of IGL for Taxes described in Section 11.1(b) hereof, Seller shall
consult  with Buyer in good faith as to any  considerations  that Buyer may have
regarding  such contest or refund suit and shall not settle such matter  without
Buyer's consent. Should Buyer and Seller be unable to agree on the resolution of
the matter,  an independent  public  accounting firm shall be appointed,  in the
manner set forth in Section  2.4(b) above,  as arbitrator to resolve the matter.
Buyer and Seller agree to share equally the fees of such arbitrator.

(i) In the event that Seller does not elect to contest a Tax Claim  pursuant to
Section 11.1(g) of this  Agreement,  Buyer or IGL may (but shall not be required
to) contest such claim for the account of Seller, in which case (i) Seller shall
have the right to review and approve in advance any  correspondence or responses
sent to any Tax  Authority  by or on behalf of IGL with respect to any Tax Claim
and to participate in any subsequent  administrative  proceedings,  appeals, and
litigation, if any, and (ii) Buyer and IGL, as appropriate, shall provide access
to all relevant  books and records.  Buyer and IGL, as  appropriate,  shall keep
Seller  regularly  apprised of the of progress any such Audit. In the event that
Buyer or IGL elects to contest a Tax claim,  Buyer and IGL shall  indemnify  and
hold  harmless  Seller for any Tax  liability in excess of the amount of the Tax
liability that would have arisen under the settlement that Seller was willing to
accept.

11.2                         Other Indemnification.

(a) Subject to the provisions of Article X and  Sections  11.4 and 11.5 hereof,
Seller  agrees to  indemnify  IGL and Buyer in respect of, and hold each of them
harmless against:

(i) any and all Damages (other than  indemnification  for Taxes,  which shall be
governed  solely by Section 11.1 hereof)  resulting  from or relating to (A) any
breach of any  representation  or warranty  in Article IV or in any  certificate
delivered by Seller pursuant to Section 8.3 hereof, or (B) any failure of Seller
to perform any agreement included in this Agreement and required to be performed
by Seller; and

(ii) any and all Damages resulting from a failure on the part of Seller to 
comply with the provisions of Section 11.1 of this Agreement; provided, however,
that such failure does not result from any act or omission on the part of Buyer 
or, after the Closing Date, by IGL.

(b) In the event the Prior  Business Reinsurance Agreements  do not provide IGL
with full indemnification against the Prior Business Liabilities,  Seller agrees
to  indemnify  IGL and  Buyer in  respect  of,  and hold  each of them  harmless
against, the Prior Business Liabilities.

(c) Subject to the provisions of Article X and Sections 11.4 and 11.5 hereof,  
Buyer agrees to indemnify Seller in respect of, and hold Seller harmless against

(i) any and all Damages (other than indemnification  for Taxes,  which shall be
governed  solely by Section 11.1 hereof)  resulting  from or relating to (A) any
breach of any  representation  or  warranty  in Article V or in any  certificate
delivered by Buyer  pursuant to Section 8.2 hereof,  or (B) any failure of Buyer
to perform any agreement included in this Agreement and required to be performed
by Buyer or, after the Closing Date, by IGL; and

(ii) any and all Damages resulting from or relating to liabilities or 
obligations of IGL arising out of events or circumstances occurring in their 
entirety after the Closing Date, other than liabilities and obligations of IGL 
to Seller or any Affiliate of Seller (other than IGL).

(d) Seller shall reimburse IGL for any guaranty fund  assessments  incurred and
paid by IGL after the Closing Date that are based on earned premium levels prior
to such date,  regardless  of when the  insolvency  giving rise to such guaranty
fund assessment occurs. To the extent that IGL is able to offset against premium
tax obligations any guaranty fund assessment  either (i) existing at the Closing
Date or (ii) for which Seller has reimbursed  IGL after the Closing Date,  Buyer
shall  reimburse  Seller  for such  premium  tax  offsets  at the time that such
premium tax offset occurs.

11.3 Method of Asserting Claims.  All claims for  indemnification by an 
Indemnified Party under Section 11.2 hereof shall be asserted and resolved as 
follows:

(a) Third Party Claims. If any claim or demand,  or any Proceeding is commenced,
for which an  Indemnifying  Party would be liable for Damages to an  Indemnified
Party, is asserted against or sought to be collected from such Indemnified Party
by a Person other than a party hereto or any  Affiliate  thereof (a "Third Party
Claim"),  the  Indemnified  Party shall deliver a Claim Notice within 30 days of
receipt by the  Indemnified  Party of a written  notice of claim or demand  that
constitutes a Third Party Claim and with  reasonable  promptness with respect to
any other Third Party Claim;  provided,  however,  no failure or delay in giving
any such Claim Notice shall relieve the  Indemnifying  Party of its  obligations
except, and only to the extent, that it is prejudiced thereby.

         The  Indemnifying  Party  shall give  notice to the  Indemnified  Party
within  30  days  of  receipt  of a  Claim  Notice  setting  forth  whether  the
Indemnifying  Party  disputes its liability  with respect to matters  covered by
such Claim  Notice and  whether  the  Indemnifying  Party,  at the sole cost and
expense of the Indemnifying Party,  desires to assume the defense of the matters
set forth in such Claim  Notice.  The  Indemnified  Party may take any action it
deems to be necessary  to preserve its rights prior to receipt of such  response
from the  Indemnifying  Party but shall not settle or proceed to final  judgment
with  respect to such Third Party Claim prior to the  expiration  of such 30 day
period.

(b) Defense.  The  Indemnifying  Party  shall have the right to direct,  through
counsel  of its own  choosing,  the  defense  or  settlement  of any  action  or
proceeding  brought  against  the  Indemnified  Party in respect of Third  Party
Claims;  provided,  however,  that the  Indemnifying  Party shall not settle any
matter without  obtaining the Indemnified  Party's prior consent thereto if such
settlement  provides for any remedy  other than the payment of money  damages or
does not provide for a full release of the Indemnified  Party or,  regardless of
the terms of such settlement,  if the Indemnifying  Party disputes its liability
with  respect to the Third Party  Claim.  If the  Indemnifying  Party  elects to
assume the defense of any such claim or proceeding,  the  Indemnified  Party may
participate in such defense at its own expense.  If the Indemnifying Party fails
to defend  or,  after  commencing  or  undertaking  any such  defense,  fails to
prosecute or withdraws from such defense other than as a result of a settlement,
the Indemnified Party shall have the right to direct, through counsel of its own
choosing, the defense or settlement of any such action or proceeding;  provided,
however,  that if the Indemnified Party assumes the defense of any such claim or
proceeding  pursuant to this  Section  11.3 and proposes to settle such claim or
proceeding  prior to a final  judgment  thereon or to forego appeal with respect
thereto,  then the Indemnified  Party shall give the  Indemnifying  Party prompt
written  notice  thereof  and the  Indemnifying  Party  shall  have the right to
participate in and consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) to
the settlement or assume or reassume the defense of such claim or proceeding.

         Notwithstanding  the foregoing  provisions of this Section 11.3(b),  if
the  Indemnifying  Party disputes its liability to the Indemnified  Party and if
such  dispute  is  resolved  in  favor  of  the  Indemnifying  Party  by  final,
nonappealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction, the Indemnifying Party
shall not be required to bear the costs and expenses of the Indemnified  Party's
defense  pursuant  to this  Section  11.3(b),  and the  Indemnified  Party shall
reimburse the Indemnifying  Party in full for all costs and expenses incurred by
the  Indemnifying  Party in  connection  with such Third Party Claim.  The party
directing the defense  shall pursue such defense  diligently  and promptly.  The
parties shall cooperate in the defense of all Third Party Claims.  In connection
with the defense of any Third Party  Claim,  each party shall make  available to
the party controlling such defense any books,  records or other documents within
its control  that are  reasonably  requested  in the course of or  necessary  or
appropriate for such defense;  provided,  however, that appropriate arrangements
are made to safeguard the confidentiality of such materials.

(c) Claims Between the Parties and their Affiliates. If the Indemnified Party 
has a claim  against the Indemnifying Party that does not involve a Third  Party
Claim, the Indemnified Party shall give written notice to the Indemnifying Party
with  reasonable  promptness  of such claim,  specifying  the nature,  estimated
amount and the  specific  basis for such  claim.  The  Indemnifying  Party shall
respond  within 30 days of receipt of such  notice.  If the  Indemnifying  Party
timely disputes such claim,  the Indemnified  Party and the  Indemnifying  Party
shall negotiate in good faith to resolve such dispute.  If not so resolved or if
no timely  response is made,  either party may pursue  whatever  remedies it may
have.

11.4 After-Tax Damages; Refunds. With respect to the indemnification  agreements
set forth in this  Article  XI,  Seller  and Buyer  agree that the amount of any
payment shall be (i) promptly paid to the  Indemnifying  Party or offset against
indemnification payments then owed to the Indemnifying Party or (ii) in the case
of any payment due under Section 11.1, payable by either party 30 days after the
"final  determination"  within  the  meaning of  Section  1313 of the Code.  Any
payment (other than interest thereon) made under this Agreement by Seller to (or
at the direction of) Buyer or IGL or by Buyer or IGL to (or at the direction of)
Seller shall be treated by all parties  hereto for all purposes as an adjustment
to the Purchase Price.

11.5     Claims Limitation.

(a) Seller shall not have any liability or obligation for any Damages under this
Agreement  unless (i) the aggregate amount of all such Damages equals or exceeds
$500,000,  and then for the full amount of such Damages;  and (ii) notice of the
claim for such  Damages  shall have been given to Seller prior to the end of the
survival period for such claim.

(b) The limitation contained in subsection (i) of Section 11.5(a) shall not 
apply to Damages arising under Sections 4.2, 4.4, 4.8, 4.11 or 11.1 of this 
Agreement.

(c) Seller shall not be liable or obligated for any Damages under this Agreement
(other than in respect of Damages arising under Sections 4.4, 4.8, 4.11 or 11.1)
that,  together  with all other  Damages for which Seller is liable or obligated
under  this  Agreement,  exceed  $60,000,000.  Seller  shall  not be  liable  or
obligated  for any  Damages  under  this  Agreement  as a result  of a breach of
Section 4.4 or 4.11 that,  together  with all other  Damages for which Seller is
liable or obligated under this Agreement, exceed the amount of the Consideration
(as defined in the Farmers Agreement).





                                  ARTICLE XII
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

12.1 Entire Agreement; Waiver. This Agreement, the Schedules and Exhibits 
attached hereto and the other  writings  specifically  identified  herein or 
executed and delivered by the Parties to be bound thereby in conjunction  with 
this Agreement or the transactions  contemplated  hereby contain the entire a
greement among the Parties with  respect to the  transactions  contemplated  
hereby and thereby and supersede all previous  written or oral  negotiations,  
commitments,  letters of intent and writings.  No supplement or waiver of this 
Agreement shall be binding unless  executed  in  writing  and signed by the 
Party to be bound  thereby.  No waiver  of any of the  provisions  of this  
Agreement  shall be deemed to be, or shall  constitute,  a waiver  of any  
other  provision  hereof  (whether  or not similar),  nor shall such waiver 
constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.

12.2 Amendment and Modification. Subject to applicable law, this Agreement may 
be amended, modified or supplemented only by written  agreement  of the Parties,
which written agreement shall specifically refer to this Agreement.

12.3               Confidentiality.

(a) None of the Parties to this Agreement nor any of their Affiliates shall 
issue any press release or public announcement  concerning   the   contemplated
transaction,  the existence of this Agreement,  or of the terms,  conditions and
provisions of this Agreement (i) unless  mutually  agreed by Seller and Buyer or
(ii)  except as  required  by law,  in which  event the  disclosing  Party shall
consult  with the other  Party to the  extent  practicable  before  making  such
disclosure.

(b) Between the date of this  Agreement  and the Closing  Date,  each Party will
maintain  in  confidence,  and will cause the  directors,  officers,  employees,
agents,  Affiliates  and advisors of such Party to maintain in  confidence,  any
written,  oral or  other  information  obtained  from  another  Party  or IGL in
connection  with this  Agreement or the Prior Business  Reinsurance  Agreements,
unless  (a) such  information  is  already  known to such Party or to others not
bound  by a  duty  of  confidentiality  or  such  information  becomes  publicly
available  through no fault of such Party,  (b) the use of such  information  is
necessary  or  appropriate  in making any  filing or  obtaining  any  consent or
approval required for the consummation of the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement,  or (c) the furnishing or use of such  information is required by, or
necessary or appropriate in connection with any legal proceedings.

         If this  Agreement is terminated  pursuant to Section 10.1,  each Party
will   return  or  destroy  as  much  of  such   written   information   as  the
furnishing/disclosing Party may reasonably request.

12.4 Expenses.  Each Party hereto shall bear its own expenses, including the 
fees of any attorneys, accountants or others engaged by such Party, in 
connection with  this  Agreement  and  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,
except  as otherwise expressly provided herein.

12.5 Notices. All notices, requests, demands, consents, approvals, agreements or
other communications to or by a Party to this Agreement shall:

(a) be in writing addressed to the authorized address of the recipient set out 
in this Section 12.5 or to such other address as the recipient has designated 
by the notice procedure of this Section 12.5;

(b) be delivered in person or sent by registered or certified mail return 
receipt requested, courier, or facsimile transmission and be deemed to be duly 
given or made:

(i) in the case of delivery in person or by courier, when delivered to the 
recipient at such address; or

(ii) in the case of facsimile transmission, when received in legible form by the
recipient  at such  address  and  when  the  recipient  has  been  requested  to
acknowledge  receipt of the entire  facsimile  transmission  upon the sending or
receiving the  acknowledgment of receipt (which  acknowledgment of the recipient
will be promptly given);

but if such  delivery or dispatch is later than 5:00 pm local time (at the place
to which such  communication  is sent) on a day on which  business is  generally
carried on in the place to which such  communication  is sent or occurs on a day
on which  business  is not  generally  carried  on in the  place  to which  such
communication  is sent, it will be deemed to have been duly given or made at the
commencement of business on the next day on which business is generally  carried
on in that place.

         Notices to Buyer shall be sent to:

                  John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company
                  John Hancock Place
                  200 Clarendon Street
                  Boston, Massachusetts  02117
                  Attn:  Thomas E. Maloney
                  FAX:  (617) 572-5170

         with a copy to:

                  Michael H. Studley, Vice President
                      and Counsel
                  John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company
                  John Hancock Place
                  200 Clarendon Street
                  Boston, MA 02117
                  FAX:  (617) 572-1565

         Notices to Seller shall be sent to:

                  Great Southern Life Insurance Company
                  300 W. 11th Street
                  Kansas City, Missouri  64105
                  Attn:  Gary L. Muller, President and Chief Executive Officer
                  FAX:  (816) 391-2018

         with a copy to:

                  Lathrop & Gage L.C.
                  2345 Grand Boulevard
                  Kansas City, Missouri 64108-2684
                  Attn:  Thomas M. Higgins, III
                  FAX:  (816) 292-2001

12.6 Severability.  If any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall
be held to be invalid,  illegal or unenforceable,  the validity,  legality and  
enforceability of the remaining  provisions of this Agreement shall not be 
affected thereby.

12.7 Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be 
binding upon and  inure to the  benefit  of the  Parties  hereto  and  their  
respective successors  and  permitted  assigns,  but neither this  Agreement
nor any of the rights,  interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by
Seller or Buyer hereto without the prior written consent of the other Party.

12.8 Third Parties. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer any right on
any Person,  other than the Parties hereto and their  respective  successors and
assigns and the Indemnified  Persons; nor is anything in this Agreement intended
to modify or discharge  the  obligation  or liability of any third Person to any
Party to this Agreement, nor shall any provision give any third Person any right
of subrogation or action over against any Party to this Agreement.

12.9 Captions. The captions in this  Agreement are for convenience only, do not 
form a part hereof, and do not in any way modify, interpret or indicate the 
intentions of the Parties hereto.

12.10 Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  shall be  governed  by the laws of the 
State of Missouri (regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under 
applicable principles of conflicts of law).

12.11  Waiver of Jury  Trial.  EACH PARTY HERETO WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST  EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL  PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS  AGREEMENT OR THE  TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED
HEREBY.

12.12 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, 
each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one 
and the same instrument.

12.13  Books and Records. Seller and Buyer agree that, so long as any books, 
records and files related to the business,  properties,  assets or operations
of IGL, to the extent that they pertain to the operations of IGL prior to the 
Closing Date, remain in existence and are available,  on and after the Closing 
Date each Party (at its expense)  shall have the right to inspect and to make 
copies of the same at any time during  business hours for the purpose of 
complying with  regulatory requirements,  meeting  auditing  needs,  or similar
obligations for which such books, records or files are reasonably necessary.

12.14 Governmental  Notices.   After  Closing,  Buyer  shall  provide to any  
governmental  or regulatory  authority  with  jurisdiction  over such  matters,
all  required  notices  of the  consummation  of this transaction.

12.15 Broker's Fees. Buyer and Selling Parties represent and warrant that they 
have not incurred or agreed to pay any obligation or liability,  contingent  or
otherwise,  for brokerage or finders' fees or agents'  commissions or other like
payment in  connection  with this  Agreement  or the  transactions  contemplated
hereby, other than the fees and commissions of Protectogon, Inc., which shall be
Buyer's responsibility.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first above written.

                           GREAT SOUTHERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                           By
                           Name
                           Title
                           JOHN HANCOCK MUTUAL LIFE
                           INSURANCE COMPANY

                           By
                           Name
                           Title

<PAGE>


                         LIST OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS


Exhibit 8.2(c)             Matters to be covered in opinion of counsel to Buyer

Exhibit 8.3(c)             Form of Prior Business Reinsurance Agreement for the
                           Assumption Reinsurance of the Prior Busienss by 
                           Seller and/or Seller's Affiliates

Exhibit 8.3(d)             Form of Services Agreement

Exhibit 8.3(e)             Matters to be covered in opinion of counsel to Seller


Schedule 4.5               Conflicts regarding Articles, Bylaws, Agreements, 
                           Orders
Schedule 4.6               Deficiencies regarding SAP Statement
Schedule 4.7               Changes
Schedule 4.8               Taxes
Schedule 4.9               Litigation
Schedule 4.10              Violations of Law
Schedule 4.11              Liabilities under Benefit Plans
Schedule 4.12              Contracts
Schedule 4.13              Intercompany Liabilities not reflected on SAP 
                           Statement
Schedule 4.14              Bank Accounts
Schedule 4.15              Prior Business
Schedule 4.16              Conduct of Business since 9/30/97
Schedule 6.10              Scheduled Assets
Schedule 11.1(e)           338(h)(10) Allocation


<PAGE>



                                 AMENDMENT NO. 2



                  AMENDMENT  NO. 2 dated as of April  6,  1998  between  AMERICO
LIFE,  INC., a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of
the State of Missouri (together with its successors and assigns, the "Company");
each of the  banks  that is a  signatory  hereto  (individually,  a "Bank"  and,
collectively,  the "Banks");  and THE CHASE  MANHATTAN  BANK, as  administrative
agent for the Banks (in such  capacity,  together  with its  successors  in such
capacity, the "Administrative Agent".

                  The Company,  the Banks and the Administrative Agent are party
to an Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement  dated as of July 6, 1995,  amended
and restated as of December 17, 1996, as amended  February 26, 1997 (the "Credit
Agreement").  The parties hereto desire to amend the Credit Agreement in certain
respects, and accordingly the parties hereto agree as follows:

                  Section 1. Definitions. Capitalized  terms used but not 
otherwise  defined  herein have the meanings given them in the Credit Agreement.

                  Section 2. Amendments.  Subject to Section 4 hereof,  but  
effective  as of the date hereof, the Credit Agreement shall be amended as 
follows:

         2.01. The definition of "Investments" in Section 1.01 is amended by 
amending clause (b) thereof to provide as follows:

                  "(b) any deposit with, or advance,  loan or other extension of
credit to, such Person or  Guarantee  of, or other  contingent  obligation  with
respect to, Indebtedness or other liability (other than a contingent  obligation
or liability of the type permitted in clause (iv) of the proviso to Section 8.18
of this  Agreement,  except to the  extent  payments  thereon  are made) of such
Person and (without  duplication)  any amount  committed to be advance,  lent or
extended to such Person;"


         2.02. Section 8.18 of the Credit Agreement shall be amended by:

          (i) amending clause (a) thereof to provide as follows:

                  "(a) make any  Investment  in any  Affiliate of the Company or
any of its  Subsidiaries,  other than an Investment in any Person that became an
Affiliate  as a result  of an  Investment  permitted  by  clauses  (c) or (k) of
Section  8.08,   provided  such  Investment  is  otherwise   permitted  by  this
Agreement;"

and (ii) deleting the word "and" appearing before clause (iii) and the period at
the end of clause  (iii) in the proviso to such  section,  and (iii)  adding the
following after clause (iii) of such section:

                  "and (iv) the  Company and any of its  Subsidiaries  may enter
into agreements to indemnify lenders and other creditors of an Affiliate against
any liability,  loss or cost suffered by such lender or other creditor by reason
of the failure of the Affiliate to comply with its  representations,  warranties
and  covenants  under any  agreement,  other  than any  liability,  loss or cost
resulting from the failure of such Affiliate to repay Indebtedness."

         2.03.  Schedule 3 and  Schedule 7 to the  Credit  Agreement  are hereby
deleted in their entirety and replaced by Exhibit A and Exhibit B,  respectively
attached hereto.

                  Section 3. Representations and Warranties.  The Company hereby
represents  and  warrants  to the Banks and the  Administrative  Agent  that the
representations  and warranties  set forth in Section 7 of the Credit  Agreement
are true and complete on the date hereof as if made on and as of the date hereof
and as if each  reference in such  representations  and warranties to the Credit
Agreement included reference to this Amendment No. 2.

                  Section 4.  Conditions  Precedent.  As  provided  in Section 2
above,  the amendments to the Credit Agreement set forth in said Section 2 shall
become effective as of the date hereof, subject to the conditions precedent that
counterparts of this Amendment No.2, shall have been duly executed and delivered
by the Company,  the Majority Banks and the  Administrative  Agent and FHC shall
have  executed and  delivered  its consent  hereto as provided on the  signature
pages hereof.

                  Section 5.  Miscellaneous.  Except as herein  provided,  the 
Credit  Agreement  shall  remain unchanged and in full force and effect.  This 
Amendment No. 2 may be executed in any number of  counterparts,  all of which 
taken  together  shall  constitute  one and the same  amendatory  instrument  
and any of the parties hereto may execute this Amendment No. 2 by signing any 
such  counterpart  and sending the same by telecopier,  mail messenger or 
courier to the Administrative  Agent or counsel to the  Administrative  Agent. 
This Amendment No. 2 shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, 
the law of the State of New York.



<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this Amendment 
No. 2 to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                                  AMERICO LIFE, INC.


                                                  By:
                                     Title:


                                    THE BANKS

                                                     THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                                                   By:
                                     Title:


                                                     BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.


                                                     By:
                                     Title:


                                                     THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK


                                                     By:
                                     Title:


                                                     COMMERCE BANK, N.A.


                                                     By:
                                     Title:


                                                 FIRST BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                                     By:
                                     Title:


                                                     FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
                                                              OF NORTH CAROLINA


                                                     By:
                                     Title:


                                                     FLEET NATIONAL BANK


                                                     By:
                                     Title:


                                                     THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

                                                     THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                                       as Administrative Agent


                                                     By:
                                     Title:




                                           CONSENT


         By its signature below, FHC consents to the foregoing Amendment No. 2


                                             FINANCIAL HOLDING CORPORATION

                                         By__________________________________
                                                              Title:




                                 AMENDMENT NO. 3


                  AMENDMENT  NO. 3 dated as of April 30, 1998,  between  AMERICO
LIFE,  INC., a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of
the State of Missouri (together with its successors and assigns, the "Company");
each of the  banks  that is a  signatory  hereto  (individually,  a "Bank"  and,
collectively,  the "Banks");  and THE CHASE  MANHATTAN  BANK, as  administrative
agent for the Banks (in such  capacity,  together  with its  successors  in such
capacity, the "Administrative Agent").

                  The Company,  the Banks and the Administrative Agent are party
to an Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement  dated as of July 6, 1995,  amended
and restated as of December  27, 1996 (the  "Restatement  Date"),  as amended by
Amendment  No.  1 dated  as of  February  26,  1997 and as  further  amended  by
Amendment No. 2 dated as of April 6, 1998 (the "Credit Agreement").  The parties
hereto desire to amend the Credit Agreement in certain respects, and accordingly
the parties hereto agree as follows:

                  Section 1.  Definitions.  Capitalized terms used but not 
otherwise defined herein have the meanings given them in the Credit Agreement.

                  Section 2. Amendments.  Subject to Section 4 hereof, but 
effective as of the date hereof, the Credit Agreement shall be amended as 
follows:

                  2.01.  Section 3.03(b)(i) of the Credit Agreement is hereby 
amended to read in its entirety as follows:

              "(i) Dispositions. Without limiting the obligations of the Company
         to obtain the consent of the  Majority  Banks for any  Disposition  not
         otherwise  permitted under this  Agreement,  as promptly as practicable
         after the end of each  fiscal  year but in no event later than March 15
         of the subsequent  fiscal year, the amount of the Commitments  shall be
         reduced  by,  and/or the Company  shall  prepay the Loans in, an amount
         equal to the aggregate  amount of any Disposition  Proceeds (other than
         Disposition  Proceeds  arising  from (u)  Dispositions  by GSSW Limited
         Partnership,  (v)  Dispositions of ownership  interests in GSSW Limited
         Partnership,   (w)  Dispositions  of  capital  stock  of  Loyalty  Life
         Insurance  Company,  (x)  Dispositions of partnership  interests (or of
         their   underlying   properties)   previously   held  by  GSSW  Limited
         Partnership  and  transferred  to the  Company in  connection  with the
         redemption of its ownership interests in GSSW Limited Partnership,  (y)
         Dispositions  related to the OSL/IGL  Transactions and (z) Dispositions
         of  capital  stock  of  IGL)  received  by  the  Company  or any of its
         Subsidiaries  during such fiscal year in excess of $3,000,000  (rounded
         upward to the nearest $1000)."

                  2.02.  Section  8.05 of the  Credit  Agreement  is  amended by
deleting  "and" at the end of clause (f) thereof,  substituting  "; and" for the
period at the end of clause (g) thereof and inserting new clause (h) immediately
after clause (g) thereof, to read as follows:

                  "(h)  the Company and its Subsidiaries may Dispose of the 
                        capital stock of IGL."

                  2.03. The last sentence of Section 8.19 of the Credit 
                        Agreement is amended to read in its entirety as follows:

         "Notwithstanding  the foregoing  provisions  of this Section 8.19,  the
         Company and its Subsidiaries may Dispose of (w) ownership  interests in
         GSSW Limited  Partnership,  (x) capital stock of Loyalty Life Insurance
         Company, (y) capital stock of VLIC and (z) capital stock of IGL."

                  Section 3. Representations and Warranties.  The Company hereby
represents  and  warrants  to the Banks and the  Administrative  Agent  that the
representations  and warranties  set forth in Section 7 of the Credit  Agreement
are true and complete on the date hereof as if made on and as of the date hereof
and as if each  reference in such  representations  and warranties to the Credit
Agreement included reference to this Amendment No. 3.

                  Section 4.  Conditions  Precedent.  As  provided  in Section 2
above,  the amendments to the Credit Agreement set forth in said Section 2 shall
become effective as of the date hereof, subject to the conditions precedent that
(i)  counterparts  of this  Amendment  No. 3, shall have been duly  executed and
delivered by the Company,  the Majority Banks and the Administrative  Agent, and
(ii) FHC shall have executed and delivered its consent hereto as provided on the
signature pages hereof.

                  Section 5.  Miscellaneous. Except as herein provided, the 
Credit Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect. This 
Amendment No. 3 may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same amendatory instrument and any 
of the parties hereto may execute this Amendment No. 3 by signing any such 
counterpart and sending the same by telecopier, mail, messenger or courier
to the Administrative Agent or counsel to the Administrative Agent.  This 
Amendment No. 3 shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law
of the State of New York.


<PAGE>


                 IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Amendment No. 3 to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.


                                          AMERICO LIFE, INC.


                                    By_______________________________________
                                      Title:
        

                                    THE BANKS

                                            THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                                   By_______________________________________
                                     Title:



                                                     BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.


                                    By_______________________________________
                                     Title:


                                                     THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK


                                      By_______________________________________
                                      Title:


                                                     COMMERCE BANK, N.A.


                                     By_______________________________________
                                     Title:


<PAGE>



                                                 U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                      By_______________________________________
                                      Title:


                                                     FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK


                                     By_______________________________________
                                     Title:


                                                     FLEET NATIONAL BANK


                                      By_______________________________________
                                     Title:


                                                     THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

                                                     THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                                       as Administrative Agent

 
                                      By_______________________________________
                                      Title:


                                     CONSENT
 
  By its signature below, FHC consents to the forgoing Amendment No. 3.


                                                 FINANCIAL HOLDING CORPORATION


                                      By_______________________________________
                                     Title:

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                           7
<CIK>                         0000908139
<NAME>                        Americo Life, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER>                  1000
<CURRENCY>                    U.S. Dollars
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                  JAN-01-1998        
<PERIOD-END>                    MAR-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                 1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>            753,418
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>           843,000
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>             866,030
<EQUITIES>                      110,722
<MORTGAGE>                      183,778
<REAL-ESTATE>                   27,487
<TOTAL-INVEST>                  2,149,053
<CASH>                          30,021
<RECOVER-REINSURE>              1,447,150
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>          88,074
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  4,085,971
<POLICY-LOSSES>                 3,357,878
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>             31,839
<POLICY-OTHER>                  36,577
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>           80,611
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                 132,929
           0
                     0
<COMMON>                        10
<OTHER-SE>                      250,565
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    4,085,971
                      53,972
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>             56,087
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>              461
<OTHER-INCOME>                  1,084
<BENEFITS>                      63,267
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>     15,133
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>            21,112
<INCOME-PRETAX>                 5,968
<INCOME-TAX>                    1,899
<INCOME-CONTINUING>             4,069
<DISCONTINUED>                  0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                 0
<CHANGES>                       0
<NET-INCOME>                    4,069
<EPS-PRIMARY>                   406.9
<EPS-DILUTED>                   406.9
<RESERVE-OPEN>                  0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>             0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>               0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>              0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                 0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>         0
        

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission