Exhibit 99.1

                [Horace Mann Educators Corporation logo omitted]

                                                         Dwayne D. Hallman
                                                         Senior Vice President -
                                                              Finance
                                                         Horace Mann Educators
                                                            Corporation
                                                         (217) 788-5708
                                                         www.horacemann.com

                       HORACE MANN ISSUES EARNINGS WARNING

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., July 28, 2003 -- Horace Mann Educators Corporation (NYSE:HMN)
announced today that its net income for the second quarter and six months ended
June 30, 2003 was negatively affected by approximately 15 cents per share due to
an increase in property and casualty claims reserves. Based on recently
completed reserve studies, total property and casualty reserves were increased
by approximately $10 million compared to March 31, 2003. The increase was
attributable to adverse development of prior years' reserves, primarily
voluntary automobile.

Net income was also adversely impacted by widespread severe weather experienced
in the current period. Second quarter 2003 catastrophe losses of $7.3 million
after tax were nearly three times greater than the same period last year and
approximately 6 cents per share above expected levels. In addition to these
factors, full year net income is expected to reflect lower than anticipated
investment income as a result of pressures on the portfolio yield from declining
interest rates.

As a result of the above factors, the company has concluded that the previously
announced 2003 full year earnings guidance is no longer appropriate. The company
will provide additional detail, as well as revised guidance, in its upcoming
quarterly earnings release and related earnings conference call.

The company's second quarter earnings release is scheduled for August 4, 2003.
Management of Horace Mann will host a conference call on August 5, 2003 at 10:00
a.m. EDT to discuss the information announced today and other matters relevant
to the company's second quarter financial results. The call will be simulcast
over the Internet and can be accessed by logging on to a link on the Horace Mann
website at www.horacemann.com. For



those unable to listen to the simulcast, on-demand replay will be available via
the Internet through September 5, 2003 or telephone through August 12, 2003. To
listen to a telephone replay of the call, dial 973-341-3080 (pin number
3989868).

Horace Mann -- the largest national multiline insurance company focusing on
educators' financial needs -- provides retirement annuities, life insurance,
property/casualty insurance, and other financial solutions. Founded by educators
for educators in 1945, the company is headquartered in Springfield, Ill. Horace
Mann is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange as HMN. For more
information, visit www.horacemann.com.

Statements included in this news release that are not historical in nature are
forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995 and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Horace Mann
undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as the result of new information, future events or
otherwise. Information concerning factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in forward-looking statements is contained from
time to time in the company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

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