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                                                                  EXHIBIT 23.(A)

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated
January 31, 2001 appearing on page F-2 of Anchor National Life Insurance
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000. We
also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Independent Accountants"
in such Prospectus.



PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Woodland Hills, California
April 13, 2001