Front Cover   Corporate Overview   TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS:   Consolidated Balance Sheets   Consolidated Statements of Income   Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows   AmerUs Group Ratings   Common Stock Prices and Dividends   AmerUs Group at a Glance   Executive Officers   Board of Directors   Shareholder Information   Non-GAAP Measures   Form 10-K   + TABLE OF CONTENTS   + SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT   + PART I     + ITEM 1. BUSINESS     + ITEM 2. PROPERTIES     + ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS     + ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS   + PART II     + ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS     + ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA     + ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION     + ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK     + ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA     + ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE     + ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES   + PART III     + ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT     + ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION     + ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS     + ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS     + ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES   + PART IV     + ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K   + INDEX TO EXHIBITS   + SIGNATURES   + POWER OF ATTORNEY   + INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     + REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS     + CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS     + CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME     + CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME     + CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY     + CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS     + NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS       + (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES       + (2) CLOSED BLOCK       + (3) INVESTMENTS       + (4) DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES       + (5) MORTGAGE LOANS       + (6) DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS       + (7) VALUE OF BUSINESS ACQUIRED       + (8) NOTES PAYABLE       + (9) INCOME TAXES       + (10) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS       + (11) REINSURANCE       + (12) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES       + (13) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY       + (14) STATUTORY ACCOUNTING PRACTICES       + (15) ACQUISITIONS       + (16) RESTRUCTURING CHARGES       + (17) ADOPTION OF SFAS 142       + (18) EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)       + (19) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS       + (20) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS       + (21) OPERATING SEGMENTS       + (22) QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)   + INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES     + REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, ON SCHEDULES     + SCHEDULE I SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES     + SCHEDULE II CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT       + CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS       + CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS       + CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME       + CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS       + NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS         + (1) Basis of Presentation         + (2) Notes Payable     + SCHEDULE III SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002, AND 2001     + SCHEDULE IV REINSURANCE FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002, AND 2001   Back Cover