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                                  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:   November 14, 2003

                        HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



       Delaware                         1-10890                   37-0911756
(State of incorporation)       (Commission File Number)       (I.R.S. Employer
                                                             Identification No.)


              1 Horace Mann Plaza, Springfield, Illinois 62715-0001
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 217-789-2500

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Item 5 Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure

     On November 14, 2003, A.M. Best Company issued a press release announcing
downgrades of Horace Mann Educators Corporation's financial strength ratings (to
"A-" from "A") and debt ratings (to "bbb-" from "bbb+"). All ratings have been
assigned stable outlooks. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit
99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 7: Financial Statements and Exhibits

        (c)  Exhibits.
             99.1 Press release issued by A.M. Best Company on November 14,
                  2003 regarding the financial strength and debt ratings of
                  Horace Mann Educators Corporation.



                                    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.

                                   HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION

                                   By:            /s/ Bret A. Conklin
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Name:  Bret A. Conklin
                                      Title: Senior Vice President & Controller
                                             (Principal Accounting Officer)

Date: November 17, 2003