EXHIBIT 32.1

                    CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 1350 OF
                CHAPTER 63 OF TITLE 18 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE

For purposes of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned, Roger K. Brooks, the Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of AmerUs Group Co. (the Company),
hereby certifies that:

      (i)   the Quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter
            ended March 31, 2004, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
            Commission on the date hereof (the "Report") fully complies with the
            requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
            Commission Act of 1934; and

      (ii)  the information contained in the report fairly presents, in all
            material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
            of the Company.

/s/ Roger K. Brooks
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Roger K. Brooks
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
AmerUs Group Co.

Dated: May 7, 2004