8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

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

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported: July 7, 2006)

AMERUS GROUP CO.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

IOWA	001-15166	42-1458424
(State or Other Jurisdiction	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer
of Incorporation)		Identification No.)
699 WALNUT STREET DES MOINES, IOWA		50309-3948
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (515) 362-3600

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 7.01. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

On July 7, 2006, AmerUs Group Co. (the “Company”) issued the press release attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which the Company is furnishing under this Item 7.01 as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 9.01 (c). EXHIBITS

99.1 Press Release dated July 7, 2006 (furnished pursuant to Item 7.01).

SIGNATURE

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

AMERUS GROUP CO.
By:	/s/ Christopher J. Littlefield
	Christopher J. Littlefield
	Executive Vice President & General Counsel

Dated: July 7, 2006

EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release dated July 7, 2006 (furnished pursuant to Item 7.01).

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	For more information, contact:
	Christopher J. Littlefield, EVP & General
	Counsel
	515 / 362-3658

AmerUs Group Confirms Discussions with Aviva plc on Potential Transaction

DES MOINES, Iowa, July 7, 2006 – AmerUs Group Co. (NYSE: AMH), a leading producer of life insurance and annuity products, confirmed today that it is engaged in discussions with Aviva plc regarding a potential acquisition of the company by Aviva.

     The Company said that there can be no assurance that these discussions will result in any transaction. The Company said that it does not intend to comment or provide updates on the discussions until they are concluded.

     AmerUs Group Co. is an Iowa corporation located in Des Moines, Iowa, engaged through its subsidiaries in the business of marketing and distributing individual life insurance and annuity products in 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Its major operating subsidiaries include AmerUs Life Insurance Company, American Investors Life Insurance Company, Inc., Indianapolis Life Insurance Company and Bankers Life Insurance Company of New York.

     As of March 31, 2006, AmerUs Group’s total assets were $24.7 billion and shareholders’ equity totaled $1.7 billion, including accumulated other comprehensive income.

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