Exhibit 10.15

December 3, 2001



Bret Conklin
1020 White Pine Drive
Cary, IL 60013

Dear Bret:

We are pleased to offer you employment as Senior Vice President and Controller,
with an initial monthly salary of $15,000 ($180,000 annually). In addition, we
will pay to you by February 1, 2002 a sign-on bonus in the amount of $80,000. We
would like you to begin as soon as possible after the first of the year. You
will be eligible to participate in the officers bonus program which consists of
the three elements outlined below. Opportunity for award payment from this
program would be in 2003, based on 2002 results.

1.   An annual bonus based on meeting specific corporate and divisional
     ---------------
     measures. Your position provides for a target bonus opportunity of 30% of
     your annual salary but could increase or decrease based on corporate and
     divisional results (0 to 2 times target percentage).

2.   Long term incentive bonus opportunity based on specific corporate measures
     -------------------------
     over a rolling four (4) year period of time. Your position provides for a
     target bonus payment opportunity of 25% of your annual salary but could
     increase or decrease based on corporate results (0 to 2 times target
     percentage).

     As part of the long term incentive bonus program, there are stock ownership
     guideline requirements which must be met. The long term plan is a vehicle
     to help you achieve the targeted stock ownership percentage. I have
     attached a summary of the guidelines for your review.

3.   Annual stock option grants based on corporate results and individual
     -------------------
     performance equivalent to 30% of your base salary.

In addition, under the HMEC Incentive Stock Plan (The Plan), 50,000 options of
HMEC stock will be granted to you, based on board approval, at the Board Meeting
following your hire date. The options vest in four equal portions; the first
12,500 shares on the grant date and the remaining three (3) pieces vest on the
first, second and third year anniversaries of the grant date. The option price
for all shares will be equal to the fair market value as of the date of board
approval.

                                      -1-



Bret Conklin
Page 2
December 3, 2001

A change of control severance agreement is included with this offer. A copy is
attached for your review. In addition, the employee benefits program and full
relocation benefits, which includes temporary housing expenses up to six months
from the date of hire, will be provided. A copy of these programs was previously
sent to you.

In order to substantiate your identity and employment eligibility in accordance
with federal law, I would like you to bring documentation with you on your first
day. Samples of acceptable identification and authorization are enclosed. I've
also enclosed an employment application for your completion and return as soon
as possible.

Bret, we're pleased that you are considering joining the Horace Mann team. I
look forward to hearing from you. I will mail the original letter and
attachments to your home address and e-mail a copy of the letter to you. Once
you've received the e-mail, please return a signed copy, by way of fax, to my
attention at 217.535.7277.

Sincerely,

/s/ Val

Valerie A. Chrisman
Sr. Vice President
Customer and Employee
  Services Division

VC:jel

Enclosures

cc:  Louis G. Lower
     Pete Heckman

To confirm your acceptance of this offer, please sign this letter and return it
to me. The enclosed copy is for your records.

/s/ Bret A. Conklin                               12/03/2001
-------------------------------              -------------------
            (Signature)                             (Date)

                                      -2-






                           Stock Ownership Guidelines
                               Name: Bret Conklin
                                  Tier Level: 4
                              Salary Multiple: 50%


 .    33% of the LTIP bonus will be required to be deferred into the Deferred
     Compensation Plan, each year until Tier level of ownership (as shown below)
     is met or exceeded. After target ownership is met, further LTIP payments
     would be made in cash.

 .    Compliance with guidelines would be measured each year end; if not at
     designated level of ownership; then a % of LTIP bonus will be automatically
     deferred into the DCP.

 .    An additional percentage over and above the required 33% could also be
     deferred.

 .    Compliance with ownership guidelines would be waived only for the following
     reasons:
          written notice of retirement to occur within 12 months;
          written notice of resignation to occur within 12 months; or
          placement on permanent long term disability leave.

 .    Deferrals in to the DCP will not be distributed until the retirement,
     termination, death, or permanent disability of the participant.

 .    Ownership level will include any current stock already owned.

 .    Ownership level would be adjusted with increase in scheduled salary and/or
     tier adjustment.

 .    Ownership level would be adjusted with stock price fluctuations.

 .    Ownership level could be met by the exercise and holding of stock options
     and the use of personal resources to purchase shares.

 .    Current units in the Deferred Compensation Plan will be considered in
     meeting ownership levels.

 .    Ownership by immediate family members (spouse and children) will be
     considered in meeting ownership levels.

 .    Participation in the 401k HMEC Stock Fund and unexercised stock options
     will not be considered.

                                      -3-