Exhibit 32.1

                        Horace Mann Educators Corporation

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Horace Mann Educators Corporation
(the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2004 as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I,
Louis G. Lower II, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, that:

     (1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
          15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     (2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
          material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
          of the Company.


     /s/ Louis G. Lower II
- ---------------------------------
Louis G. Lower II
Chief Executive Officer

Date: May 10, 2004

  A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
  provided to Horace Mann Educators Corporation and will be retained by Horace
    Mann Educators Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange
                     Commission or its staff upon request.