Blazzard, Grodd & Hasenauer, P.C.
943 Post Road East
Westport, CT 06880
(203) 226-7866


August 28, 1998

Board of Directors
Business Men's Assurance Company 
   of America
700 Karnes Boulevard
Kansas City, MO 64108

RE: Opinion of Counsel - BMA Variable Life Account A

Gentlemen:

You have requested our Opinion of Counsel in connection with the filing with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended,  of a  Registration  Statement  on Form  S-6 for the  Flexible  Premium
Adjustable  Variable  Life  Insurance  Policies to be issued by  Business  Men's
Assurance Company of America and its separate account, BMA Variable Life Account
A.

We have made such  examination  of the law and have  examined  such  records and
documents as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render
the opinions expressed below.

We are of the following opinions:

     1. BMA Variable Life Account A is a Unit  Investment  Trust as that term is
defined in Section 4(2) of the Investment  Company Act of 1940 (the "Act"),  and
is currently registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to
Section 8(a) of the Act.

     2. Upon the  acceptance of premiums  paid by an Owner  pursuant to a Policy
issued in accordance with the Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement
and  upon   compliance   with   applicable  law,  such  an  Owner  will  have  a
legally-issued,  fully  paid,  non-assessable  contractual  interest  under such
Policy.

You may use  this  opinion  letter,  or a copy  thereof,  as an  exhibit  to the
Registration Statement.

We  consent to the  reference  to our Firm under the  caption  "Legal  Opinions"
contained in the Prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement.

Sincerely,

BLAZZARD, GRODD & HASENAUER, P.C.

By: /S/ LYNN KORMAN STONE
    --------------------------
    Lynn Korman Stone