1 EXHIBIT 23.3 [KPMG LOGO] The Board of Directors Citizens, Inc.: We consent to the use of our report on Citizens, Inc. incorporated herein by reference and to the reference to our Firm under the heading "Experts" in the Form S-4. /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP KPMG Peat Marwick LLP Dallas, Texas November 10, 1998