Exhibit 12 Horace Mann Educators Corporation Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges For the Years Ended December 31, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995 (Dollars in millions) Year Ended December 31, ------------------------------------------------- 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 93.4 $116.8 $119.6 $100.6 $103.6 Interest expense 9.7 9.5 9.4 10.5 11.6 ------ ------- ------ ------ ------ Earnings $103.1 $126.3 $129.0 $111.1 $115.2 ====== ======= ====== ====== ====== Fixed charges - interest expense $ 9.7 $ 9.5 $ 9.4 $ 10.5 $ 11.6 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 10.6x 13.3x 13.7x 10.6x 9.9x