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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
         Los Angeles, California
         September 28, 2001