Exhibit 10 (a), Form 10-K
                                                  Kansas City Life
                                                  Insurance Company




                        SEVENTH AMENDMENT

                        KANSAS CITY LIFE
                   DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN




                            ARTICLE I

                      Creation and Purpose

1.   It is the intention of the Company to establish this Plan of
     deferred compensation for the benefit of designated employees
     whose contributions have been restricted by law and regulation
     under the Kansas City Life Insurance Company Savings and
     Profit Sharing Plan.

2.   By enrolling in this Plan, an employee agrees to defer a
     portion of his or her current earnings.  It is the intent of
     this Plan that accumulated and vested benefits will be paid to
     such participants at the time of retirement, termination,
     death or total and permanent disability.



                           ARTICLE II

                           Definitions

     (a)  "Salary" shall mean only the fixed amounts, weekly, semi-
          monthly, or monthly, due and payable to the employee by
          the Company, and does not include any bonuses, overtime
          pay or other extraordinary payments by the Company.

     (b)  "Deferred compensation" shall mean the amount of salary
          not yet earned, which the participant and the Company
          mutually agree shall be deferred in accordance with the
          provisions of this Plan.

     (c)  "Normal retirement" shall mean termination from em-
          ployment with the Company becoming effective on or about
          the first day of the calendar month following the
          participant's attainment of age sixty-five (65).

     (d)  "Early retirement" shall mean retirement from employment
          with the Company on the first day of any month following
          a participant's fifty-fifth (55th) birthdate with the
          attainment of at least five years of employment.  For
          purposes of determining the attainment of at least five
          (5) years of employment, the years of employment of a
          participant with Old American Insurance Company prior to
          November 1, 1991 shall not be taken into account.
     (e)  "Termination of employment" shall mean the severance of
          the participant's employment with the Company prior to
          his or her eligibility for retirement.

     (f)  "Participant" shall mean any employee of Kansas City Life
          Insurance Company, or any subsidiary corporation, under
          the rules of common law, who shall be a member of a
          select group of management or highly compensated
          employees designated for participation by Kansas City
          Life Insurance Company from time to time.

     (g)  "Company" means Kansas City Life Insurance Company, a
          Missouri Corporation, Sunset Life Insurance Company of
          America, a Washington Corporation, Old American Insurance
          Company, a Missouri Corporation and any other subsidiary
          corporation of Kansas City Life Insurance Company, any or
          all of which may sometimes be referred to herein as
          affiliated corporations.

     (h)  "Company stock" shall mean shares of the common capital
          stock of Kansas City Life Insurance Company.



                           ARTICLE III

                         Administration

1.   The Administrative Committee, sometimes herein referred to as
     the "Committee", shall consist of a number of persons, not
     less than three (3) nor more than five (5), designated by the
     Executive Committee of Kansas City Life Insurance Company, who
     shall serve terms of one (1) year or until their successors
     are designated, and said Committee shall have the responsi-
     bility for the general administration of the Plan and for
     carrying out the provisions of the Plan in accordance with its
     terms.  The Committee shall have absolute discretion in
     carrying out its responsibilities.

2.   The Committee may appoint from its members such committees
     with such powers as it shall determine; may authorize one (1)
     or more of its number or any agent to execute or deliver any
     instrument or make any payment on its behalf; and may utilize
     counsel, employ agents and provide for such clerical and
     accounting services as it may require in carrying out the
     provisions of the Plan.

3.   The Committee shall hold meetings upon such notice, at such
     place or places, and at such time or times as it may from time
     to time determine.

4.   The action of a majority of the members expressed from time to
     time by a vote in a meeting or in writing without a meeting
     shall constitute the action of the Committee and shall have
     the same effect for all purposes as if assented to by all
     members of the Committee at the time in office.

5.   No member of the Committee shall receive any compensation for
     his services as such, and, except as required by law, no bond
     or other security shall be required of him in such capacity in
     any jurisdiction.

6.   Subject to the limitations of this Plan and Trust, the Commit-
     tee from time to time shall establish rules or regulations for
     the administration of the Plan and the transaction of its
     business.  The Committee shall have full and complete
     discretionary authority to construe and interpret the Plan and
     decide any and all matters arising hereunder, except such
     matters which the Executive Committee of the Company from time
     to time may reserve for itself, including the right to remedy
     possible ambiguities, inconsistencies or omissions.  All
     interpretations, determinations and decisions of the Committee
     or the Executive Committee of Kansas City Life Insurance
     Company in respect of any matter hereunder shall be final,
     conclusive and binding on all parties affected thereby.  The
     Committee shall, when requested, submit a report to the
     Executive Committee of Kansas City Life Insurance Company
     giving a brief account of the operation of the Plan and the
     performance of the various funds and accounts established
     pursuant to the Plan.

7.   The Administrative Committee shall have full and complete
     discretionary authority to make all determinations as to the
     right of any person to a benefit.  Any denial by the Committee
     of a claim for benefits under this Plan by a participant or a
     beneficiary shall be stated in writing by the Committee and
     delivered or mailed to the participant or the beneficiary,
     whichever is appropriate; and such notice shall set forth the
     specific reason for the denial, written to the best of the
     Committee's ability in a manner that may be understood without
     legal or actuarial counsel.  In addition, the Committee shall
     provide a reasonable opportunity to any participant or
     beneficiary whose claim for benefits has been denied for a
     review of the decision denying the claim.

8.   Any member of the Committee may resign by giving notice to the
     Executive Committee at least fifteen (15) days before the
     effective date of his resignation.  Any Committee member shall
     resign upon request of the Executive Committee.  The Executive
     Committee shall fill all vacancies on the Committee as soon as
     is reasonably possible after a resignation takes place, and
     until a new appointment takes place, the remaining members of
     the Committee shall have authority to act, if approved by
     either a majority of the remaining members or by two (2)
     members, whichever number is lesser.



                           ARTICLE IV

                    Participation in the Plan

1.   A qualified employee may commence his participation in this
     Plan as of the first day of the month coinciding with or next
     following his designation, whichever first occurs.  He shall
     be notified of his eligibility from time to time by the
     Company.

2.   The eligible employee who desires to participate must execute
     a salary reduction agreement in form prescribed by the
     Company, and the employee shall thereby agree to the terms of
     this Plan and any amendments hereafter adopted.

3.   At such time as the participating employee is no longer
     qualified, because of the criteria established by this Plan,
     no further salary reductions shall be made until he shall
     again be qualified and have elected to participate.

4.   Commencing January 1, 1998, each participant may elect to have
     his or her salary reduced in an amount equivalent to one per-
     cent (1%) through fifteen percent (15%), and said amount shall
     be withheld by payroll deduction.  These amounts shall be the
     participants' deferred compensation.  Commencing January 1,
     1998, the amount subject to this reduction shall not exceed
     nine percent (9%) of annual salary.  However, if the partici-
     pant's elective deferrals to the Kansas City Life Insurance
     Company Savings and Profit Sharing Plan exceed ten thousand
     dollars ($10,000.00) during any year (subject to annual
     adjustments of this amount in the Kansas City Life Insurance
     Company Savings and Profit Sharing Plan under Internal Revenue
     Code Sections 415(d), 402(g) and regulations), an additional
     amount in excess of nine percent (9%) of annual salary may be
     contributed by the participant.  The additional amount con-
     tributed may not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of annual
     salary.  A participant may change the percentage contribution
     rate as of the first day of any month, but not more than once
     in any six (6) month period pursuant to the rules of the
     Kansas City Life Insurance Company Savings and Profit Sharing
     Plan.  However, this limitation shall not apply to a change in
     percentage contribution rate made effective January 1, 1998.
     The contributions herein may sometimes be referred to as the
     participant's "elective account".

5.   The Company shall maintain accounts reflecting the amount of
     salary withheld from an individual pursuant to this Plan, and
     the balance in each participant's elective account shall be
     fully vested at all times.  The assets reflected in such
     accounts shall be owned by the Company and shall be subject to
     the claims of the Company's creditors.

6.   At such time as Kansas City Life Insurance Company shall
     determine, it may provide a means whereby the respective
     participant may direct the investment of the value of his
     elective accounts during the period of his participation in
     the Plan.  The valuation of the participant's account shall be
     made by the Company not less often than quarterly, and the
     participant shall be entitled to receive an investment report
     from time to time.

7.   Amounts held in a participant's elective account shall be
     distributed to him or her within a period of ninety (90) days
     following his retirement, termination of employment, death, or
     total and permanent disability as determined under the law and
     regulations regarding Social Security.



                            ARTICLE V

                      Company Contributions

1.   The Company shall, with respect to each participant, maintain
     an account in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of
     such participant's contribution resulting from his salary
     reduction agreement prior to December 31, 1997.  The Company
     may, solely at its discretion, add additional amounts for the
     accounts of designated individuals as offsetting deferred
     compensation for amounts which would have otherwise been
     credited to them except for regulatory restrictions.  Com-
     mencing January 1, 1998, with respect to participants whose
     elective deferrals to the Kansas City Life Insurance Company
     Savings and Profit Sharing Plan exceed ten thousand dollars
     ($10,000.00) during any year (subject to annual adjustments of
     this amount under Internal Revenue Code Sections 415(d),
     402(g) and regulations), these additional amounts will include
     an amount equal to that which would otherwise have been con-
     tributed for these participants as a matching contribution
     under the Kansas City Life Insurance Company Savings and
     Profit Sharing Plan.    Such Company contributions account
     shall be separate from the participant's elective account.
     Gains and losses regarding the value of such accounts shall be
     determined by the changes in market value of the common
     capital stock of the Company and the accumulation of divi-
     dends.  In the event of any change in the outstanding stock of
     the Company by reason of a stock dividend, recapitalization,
     merger, consolidation, exchange of shares, or any similar
     device, the account balance shall be adjusted appropriately.

2.   For purposes of fixing the amount of contributions made
     pursuant to this paragraph, the value of stock shall be at the
     average of its bid price on the over-the-counter market for
     all business days following the previous monthly valuation
     date.  The participant shall not have the right to direct the
     investment of the Company account established for his benefit.

3.   The balance in the Company account established for each
     participant shall be subject to the vesting provisions of
     Article VII.  The value of the Company account for such
     participant shall be distributed to him or her at the time of
     his retirement, termination of employment, death or total and
     permanent disability as defined under the law and regulations
     of the Social Security law.  The participant shall not be
     entitled to shares of the Company stock, and shall be entitled
     only to cash.



                           ARTICLE VI

    Allocation to and Evaluation of Participants' Accounts

1.   Investment funds.  The value of all accounts shall be
     determined on the basis of market values as of the last market
     business day of each month, except that when the value of any
     account is determined based upon the value of Kansas City Life
     stock the Kansas City Life stock shall be valued at the
     average of its bid price on the over-the-counter market for
     all business days following the previous monthly valuation
     date.  Accounting procedures shall reflect the establishment
     of at least four (4) separate accounts, sometimes herein
     referred to as Fund I, Fund II, Fund III and Fund IV, and
     commencing September 1, 1993, five (5) additional separate
     accounts shall be established, sometimes hereinafter referred
     to as Fund V, Fund VI, Fund VII, Fund VIII and Fund IX, with
     the intent that all participants' deferred compensation, and
     any earnings thereon, will be accounted for in Fund I, Fund
     II, Fund IV, Fund V, Fund VI, Fund VII, Fund VIII and Fund IX,
     and with the intent that all Company contributions, and any
     earnings thereon, will be accounted for in Fund III.  The
     value of deferred compensation referenced to Funds I, IV, V,
     VI, VII, VIII and IX shall be determined by the Company's
     general investments and the values of Funds II and III shall
     be determined by reference to the stock of Kansas City Life
     Insurance Company.  The Company shall have the right to
     segregate and maintain in trust specific assets for the
     purpose of valuing, managing and holding assets for the
     respective accounts.

2.   Participants' accounts.  An account shall be established for
     each participant with respect to Fund I, Fund II, Fund III and
     with respect to Fund IV, Fund V, Fund VI, Fund VII, Fund VIII
     and Fund IX or any other such fund that reasonable accounting
     practices shall require be established. All Funds shall be
     maintained in United States dollars.  A determination shall be
     made on each monthly valuation date of the value with respect
     to each fund, and shall reflect contributions made by both the
     participant and the Company and any gains or losses of the
     funds.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have
     the right to change the method of accounting from time to
     time.

3.   Selected investment.  Commencing September 1, 1993, a par-
     ticipant's deferred compensation may be invested one hundred
     percent (100%) in any one (1) of Funds I, II, IV, V, VI, VII,
     VIII or IX, or if he wishes to invest in more than one (1)
     fund, he shall specify the percentage to be invested in each
     fund.  However, such percentage must be a whole percentage,
     for example, one percent (1%), twenty-six percent (26%) or
     eighty percent (80%), and no fractional percentages will be
     permitted.  Each participant may make new investment choices
     for his deferred compensation to be effective September 1,
     1993 notwithstanding any changes made in the prior twelve (12)
     months.  Thereafter, a participant may request changes not
     more often than once a month.  However, if a participant is
     investing all or a portion of his deferred compensation in
     Fund II and transfers all or a part of his Fund II account to
     another fund (as described in the following paragraph 4),
     deferred compensation investment in Fund II must cease until
     at least six (6) months from the date of said transfer from
     Fund II.  The participant's deferred compensation shall also
     be invested in the same manner as the participant shall have
     designated pursuant to the rules of The Kansas City Life
     Insurance Company Savings and Profit Sharing Plan.

     Commencing November 1, 1996, a participant may request changes
     in the investment choices not more often than once a month
     without regard to investment choices made in the Kansas City
     Life Insurance Company Savings and Profit Sharing Plan.
     However, if a participant is investing all or a portion of his
     deferred compensation in Fund II and transfers all or a part
     of his Fund II account to another fund (as described in the
     following Paragraph 4), deferred compensation investment in
     Fund II must cease until at least six (6) months from the date
     of said transfer from Fund II.

4.   Investment changes.  Commencing September 1, 1993, any par-
     ticipant shall have the right not more often than once a month
     and notwithstanding any transfers made in the twelve (12)
     months prior to September 1, 1993, to require the value of any
     one (1) or more of his accounts be transferred for his account
     in any of Funds I, II, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII or IX provided
     such transfer shall be in whole percentages.  This right shall
     not apply to Fund III, and a participant that transferred the
     value of his account from Fund II to another fund in the six
     (6) months prior to September 1, 1993 may not transfer any
     amount into Fund II until at least six (6) months after the
     date of said transfer from Fund II.  Thereafter, transfers to
     or from Fund II may occur only once in a six (6) month period.
     Such transfers shall also be governed by reasonable rules of
     the Committee regarding the timeliness of notice.  Such
     transfers shall only occur at such time, and in the same
     manner, as the participant shall have designated pursuant to
     the rules of the Kansas City Life Insurance Company Savings
     and Profit Sharing Plan.

     Commencing November 1, 1996, the participant may require the
     value of his accounts be transferred not more often than once
     a month to any one (1) or more of the other funds without
     regard to transfers made in the Kansas City Life Insurance
     Company Savings and Profit Sharing Plan except for Fund II.
     Transfers to or from Fund II may only occur once in a six (6)
     month period and must be transferred at such time and in the
     same manner as the participant shall have designated pursuant
     to the rules of the Kansas City Life Insurance Company Savings
     and Profit Sharing Plan.



                           ARTICLE VII

                             Vesting

1.   The value of a participant's account with respect to Company
     contributions made for his benefit shall be vested, to the
     extent of the percentage applicable, upon the valuation date
     of the month in which the participant completes the years of
     employment with the Company in accordance with the following
     schedule:


Years of Employment          Percentage Vested

                   1                             0
                   2                             0
                   3                            30
                   4                            40
                   5                            60
                   6                            80
                   7                           100

2.   A "year of employment" shall mean a twelve (12) consecutive
     monthly period of employment with the Company dating from
     commencement of employment, during which he or she shall
     complete at least one thousand (1,000) hours of employment.
     If an employee's employment with either Kansas City Life
     Insurance Company or one of its affiliated corporations shall
     be terminated, and he is immediately employed by any other of
     such affiliated corporations, his employment shall be regarded
     as continuous and treated as if under one employer for vesting
     purposes.  However, years of employment of an employee of Old
     American Insurance Company prior to November 1, 1991 shall not
     be taken into account for purposes of this Article VII.

3.   In the event a participant shall be terminated from employment
     with the Company or any of its affiliated corporations, by
     reason of death or retirement or early retirement as defined
     herein, the value of his account shall be one hundred percent
     (100%) vested upon the valuation date of the month in which
     such death or retirement occurs, and shall be distributed to
     him or her within a period of ninety (90) days thereafter.



                          ARTICLE VIII

                          Miscellaneous

1.   All distributions provided or pursuant to this Plan shall be
     in the form of a lump sum payment.  If a payment is made as a
     result of the death of the participant, the payment shall be
     made to the surviving spouse of the participant, if any,
     unless a beneficiary designation has been provided.

2.   Any participant or retired participant shall have the right to
     designate a new beneficiary at any time by filing with the
     Company a written request for such change, but any such change
     shall become effective only upon receipt of such request by
     the Company.  Upon receipt by the Company of such request, the
     change shall relate back to and take effect as of the date
     such participant signs such request whether or not such parti-
     cipant is living at the time the Company receives such request.
3.   If there be no designated beneficiary living or in effect at
     the death of such participant when any payment hereunder shall
     be payable to the beneficiary, then such payment shall be made
     as follows:  To such participant's spouse, if living; if not
     living, to such participant's then living lineal descendents,
     in equal shares, per stirpes; if none survives, to such par-
     ticipant's surviving parents, equally.  If neither survives,
     to such participant's executors or administrators.

4.   The interest hereunder of any participant, retired participant
     or beneficiary shall not be alienable, either by assignment or
     by any other method, and to the maximum extent permissible by
     law, shall not be subject to being taken, by any process
     whatever, by the creditors of such participant, retired
     participant or beneficiary.
5.   Nothing herein contained nor any action taken under the
     provisions hereof shall be construed as giving any employee
     the right to be retained in the employment of the Company.

6.   The Company shall have the right to amend or terminate this
     Plan at any time.