<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.6

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                              --------------------

            THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is by and between Anthem
Insurance Companies, Inc., an Indiana mutual insurance company (the "Company"),
with offices located at 120 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Michael
L. Smith (the "Executive"), residing at 4975 Deer Ridge Drive South, Carmel,
Indiana, dated as of the 1st day of January, 2000.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              -------------------

            WHEREAS, the Company (which hereinafter also includes subsidiaries
of the Company) desires to assure itself of the services of the Executive for
the period provided in this Agreement, and the Executive is willing to serve in
the employ of the Company on a full-time basis for such period, all in
accordance with the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement;

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as follows:

            1. Title and Condition of Employment. The Company hereby employs the
Executive as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and the
Executive hereby accepts such employment for the period provided for in Section
2, all upon the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement. As a condition
to the Executive's employment, the Executive affirms and represents that the
Executive is under no obligation to any former employer or other person which is
in any way inconsistent with, or which imposes any restriction upon, the
employment of the Executive by the Company or the Executive's undertakings under
this Agreement.

            2. Term of Employment. Unless sooner terminated pursuant to Section
7, the term of the Executive's employment under this Agreement shall be for a
period commencing on the date hereof through the later of (i) December 31, 2003,
or (ii) December 31, 2004, if the Executive has not received by December 31,
2001 written notice from the Company of its intent to extend this Agreement for
a period of two (2) years beyond December 31, 2003 (the "Term").

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

            3. Duties. During the Term, the Executive shall serve as Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, reporting directly to the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, and shall provide executive, administrative
and managerial services consistent with such position and perform such other
reasonable employment duties as the Chief Executive Officer may from time to
time prescribe. The Executive shall also serve as a director of any of the
Company's subsidiaries to which he is elected.

            The Executive shall, except to the extent approved by the Chief
Executive Officer, (i) devote his full-time to the services required of the
Executive, (ii) render his services exclusively to the Company, and (iii) use
his best efforts, judgment, and energy to improve and advance the business and
interests of the Company in a manner consistent with the duties of the
Executive's position. The Executive may serve on boards of directors or advisory
boards of businesses that are not competitors of the Company or which do not
create a conflict of interest or on the boards of civic and not for profit
organizations. The Executive has disclosed in writing such memberships to the
Chief Executive Officer prior to the execution of this Agreement and shall
disclose such information, at least, annually thereafter.

            4. Compensation. As compensation for the services to be performed by
the Executive during the Term, the Company shall provide to the Executive:

                  (a) an annual base salary of not less than three hundred
      seventy-five thousand dollars ($375,000) ("Salary");

                  (b) a target annual incentive opportunity of not less than
      eighty percent (80%) of the Salary ("Target Annual Incentive"). The
      performance goals required to earn the Target Annual Incentive shall be
      approved by the Board of Directors and communicated to the Executive prior
      to the end of the first quarter of the year for which the opportunity
      pertains; and

                  (c) a target annualized long-term incentive opportunity of not
      less than one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the Salary ("Target
      Long-Term Incentive"). The performance goals required to earn the Target
      Long-Term Incentive shall be approved by the Board of Directors and

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

      communicated to the Executive prior to the end of the first quarter of the
      performance period for which the opportunity pertains. If such performance
      period is longer than one year, the Target Long-Term Incentive opportunity
      shall be adjusted accordingly based on the number of years in the
      performance period.

            Should the Company elect to increase any element of the Executive's
compensation during the Term, the Agreement shall be deemed amended to
incorporate the new increased Salary or Target Annual Incentive or Target
Long-Term Incentive effective as of the date specified for the increase. The
payment of any compensation hereunder shall be subject to applicable withholding
and payroll taxes, and such other deductions as may be required under the
Company's employee benefit plans, and shall be paid in accordance with the
Company's normal payroll and incentive administration practices as they may
exist from time to time.

            5. Benefits. In addition to the payments set forth in Section 4, the
Executive shall:

                  (a) be eligible to participate in all fringe benefits, paid
      time off program, incentive plans, and retirement programs, both
      tax-qualified and non-qualified, that may be provided by the Company for
      its key executives, in accordance with the provisions of any such programs
      or plans;

                  (b) be entitled to a benefit based on a percentage of the
      Executive's pay ("Replacement Ratio SERP Benefit" or "Benefit") which
      Benefit shall be fully paid by the Company and shall be equal to the
      amount, if any, by which:

                        (i) the amount (expressed as a single lump sum) which is
            the actuarial equivalent (as determined below) of a benefit
            (expressed as a straight life annuity with payments beginning at age
            sixty-two (62) or, if later, beginning at the Executive's age at the
            date of his termination of employment) equal to fifty percent (50%)
            of the Executive's average annual pay (as determined below) during
            the three (3) consecutive calendar years of his final five (5)
            calendar years of employment with the Company in which his pay was
            the

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

            highest; provided, however, if the Executive has less than three
            (3) calendar years of full year pay (Salary and Annual Incentive),
            the Executive's average annual pay shall be determined by
            annualizing the pay for any partial calendar year and calculating
            the average for the period;

            exceeds

                        (ii) the sum of the following:

                                (A) the total benefit (expressed as a single
            lump sum) payable under the Anthem Cash Balance Pension Plan ("Cash
            Balance Plan"); plus

                                (B) the amount (expressed as a single lump sum)
            payable to the Executive under the Anthem Supplemental Executive
            Retirement Plan ("SERP").

      For purposes of this Section 5(b), the Executive's pay in a calendar year
      shall include the Executive's Salary in each applicable calendar year
      (including amounts deferred under the Anthem Deferred Compensation Plan)
      and shall also include the amount of any award of the Annual Incentive
      paid in the calendar year or payments which would have been paid during
      the applicable calendar year but for a deferral election made by the
      Executive, but shall exclude deferred amounts actually paid in the
      calendar year pursuant to deferral elections made in earlier calendar
      years. Actuarial equivalent shall be determined using the same actuarial
      assumptions set forth in the Cash Balance Plan; provided, however, that
      before the lump sum conversion is effected under subparagraph (i) above,
      the benefit under such subparagraph shall be reduced by four-twelfths
      (4/12ths) of one (1) percent for each month that the Executive's age at
      the date of his employment termination precedes the Executive's attainment
      of age sixty-two (62) unless the Executive is entitled to receive payments
      pursuant to Section 8, 9, 11 or 12, then the Executive shall be assumed to
      have attained the age at the expiration date of the Term set forth in
      Section 2 (December 31, 2004).

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

      The Replacement Ratio SERP Benefit shall be fully vested if (i) the
      Executive continues his employment with the Company through December 31,
      2003, or (ii) the Executive is entitled to receive payments pursuant to
      Section 8, 9, 11, or 12. The payment of the Replacement Ratio SERP Benefit
      shall be made at the same time (and in the same form) as payment of the
      Executive's SERP benefit and by using the same actuarial factors
      applicable to the SERP in converting the Benefit to a form other than a
      single lump sum;

                  (c) be eligible to participate in any life, disability or
      other similar insurance plans, medical and dental plans or other employee
      welfare benefit plans that may be provided by the Company for its key
      executives, in accordance with the provisions of any such plans; and

                  (d) be eligible to participate in any postretirement medical
      coverage comparable to the plan that is provided by the Company for its
      key executives, in accordance with the provisions of such plan in effect
      on December 31, 1999, but with the payment of whatever contribution that
      the Company requires that other such retirees would pay for such coverage.

            6. Expenses. The Company shall, in accordance with and to the extent
of its policies, pay all ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by
the Executive in performing his duties as a key executive including, but not
limited to, first class air travel, airline travel clubs, and initiation and
other membership fees and business use charges at one luncheon club of the
Executive's choosing. The Executive shall account promptly for all such business
expenses in the manner prescribed by the Company and shall submit, on request,
all records necessary to confirm that the Executive's business use of any club
is more than fifty percent (50%) of the Executive's total use of such club.

            7. Termination. The Executive's employment shall be terminated upon
the occurrence of any of the following:

                  (a) the death of the Executive;

                  (b) the Executive's disability (as such term is defined in the
      Company's executive long-term disability plan) ("Disability");

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

                  (c) the termination of employment by the Executive for Good
      Reason (as defined below);

                  (d) the termination of the employment by the Executive for any
      reason other than Good Reason;

                  (e) the termination of employment by the Company For Cause (as
      defined below);

                  (f) the termination of employment by the Company other than
      For Cause; or

                  (g) the termination of employment by mutual agreement of the
      Executive and the Company through an Approved Retirement (as defined
      below).

            The term for "Good Reason" shall mean (i) a reduction in Salary or
Target Annual Incentive or Target Long-Term Incentive opportunity, (ii) a
reduction in benefits below the level of other key executives, (iii) a
diminution in status, office or title, (iv) a change in the reporting
relationship from the direct supervision by the Chief Executive Officer, (v) an
assignment of duties inconsistent with the Executive's position as a key
executive or materially less than exists as of the effective date of this
Agreement, which duties are those commonly associated with the position of chief
financial officer and include direct responsibility for all the finance staff
positions of the Company (including its successor) or its subsidiaries, whether
currently existing or hereinafter created, other than the staff positions which
report directly to the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Legal and
Administrative Officer, or (vi) an assignment outside of the greater
Indianapolis area or the imposition of business travel obligations substantially
greater than existing business travel obligations. In order to be effective, the
Executive must give the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Company at least sixty (60) calendar days advance written
notice of his intent to terminate his employment for "Good Reason" setting forth
the specific action(s) by the Company which triggered the notice and such
written notice must be received by the Company no more than one hundred eighty
(180) calendar days after the complained-of action(s) was implemented. Once
written notice is received by the Company, the Chairman of the Board and the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors shall promptly meet to

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

consider the notice and the complained-of actions. The Company shall have thirty
(30) calendar days within which to concur that "Good Reason" exists or to cure
or remedy the action(s) giving rise to the Executive's notice. If cured or
remedied, there shall be no "Good Reason" for the Executive terminating his
employment, and the Executive shall not be entitled to the payments set forth in
Section 12.

            The term "For Cause" or "Cause" shall mean a reasonable
determination by the Company that the Executive (i) has been convicted of a
felony, (ii) has engaged in an activity which, if proven in a criminal
proceeding, could result in conviction of a felony involving dishonesty or
fraud, or (iii) has willfully engaged in gross misconduct likely to be
materially damaging or materially detrimental to the Company. In order to be
effective, the Company must give the Executive at least sixty (60) calendar days
advance written notice of its intent to terminate his employment "For Cause"
setting forth the specific action(s) by the Executive which triggered the notice
and such written notice must be received by the Executive no more than one
hundred eighty (180) calendar days after the Company learned of the action(s)
giving rise to the "or Cause" termination.

            The term "Approved Retirement" shall mean retirement as defined in
the Company's qualified retirement plans and with approval by the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. Once the Executive has been granted Approved
Retirement, the provisions of Section 11 govern instead of Section 8 or 9 in the
case of the Executive's death or disability prior to the date of retirement.

            8. Death of The Executive. In the event the Executive's employment
is terminated as a result of the Executive's death, the Company shall have no
further obligations or liabilities under this Agreement except that the Company
shall pay the following to the estate of the Executive:

                  (a) for the lesser of twelve (12) months or the unexpired
      portion of the Term, the Executive's Salary;

                  (b) all unvested, prior Long-Term Incentive awards;

                  (c) the Annual Incentive and Long-Term Incentive awards for
      the year of death, based upon the achievement of the performance goals

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

      for the plans for the entire year of death prorated to reflect the full
      number of months the Executive was employed during that year;

                  (d) for the remainder of the year of death, an amount equal to
      the Target Annual Incentive and Target Long-Term Incentive opportunity
      which the Executive would otherwise have been eligible to receive as of
      the effective date of the Executive's death;

                  (e) for the lesser of twelve (12) months or the unexpired
      portion of the Term, the DEC plan core and cash credits for which the
      Executive would otherwise have been eligible to receive as of the
      effective date of the Executive's death; and

                  (f) the Replacement Ratio SERP Benefit payable under Section
      5.

            9. Disability of the Executive. In the event the Executive's
employment is terminated as a result of the Executive's disability, the Company
shall have no further obligations or liabilities under this Agreement except
that the Company shall pay the following to the Executive if the Executive
satisfies the terms of Section 14:

                  (a) for the lesser of twelve (12) months or the unexpired
      portion of the Term, the Executive's Salary, reduced by any payments to be
      received by the Executive under the Company's Executive Long-Term
      Disability Plan for the same period;

                  (b) all unvested, prior Long-Term Incentive awards;

                  (c) the Annual Incentive and Long-Term Incentive awards for
      the year of disability, based upon the achievement of the performance
      goals for the plans for the entire year of disability prorated to reflect
      the full number of months the Executive was employed during that year;

                  (d) for the remainder of the year of disability, an amount
      equal to the Target Annual Incentive and Target Long-Term Incentive
      opportunity which the Executive would otherwise have been eligible to
      receive as of the effective date of the Executive's disability;

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

                  (e) for the lesser of twelve (12) months or the unexpired
      portion of the Term, the medical and dental plan benefits and DEC plan
      core and cash credits for which the Executive would otherwise have been
      eligible to receive as of the effective date of the Executive's
      disability; and

                  (f) the Replacement Ratio SERP Benefit payable under Section
      5.

            10. Executive-Initiated Termination Other Than For Good Reason or
Company-Initiated For Cause. If the Executive terminates this Agreement for
other than Good Reason or the Company terminates this Agreement For Cause, the
Company shall have no further obligations and liabilities under this Agreement
after the termination of employment except that the Company shall pay to the
Executive (i) any amount vested of the Replacement Ratio SERP Benefit payable
under Section 5 and (ii) amounts due to the Executive in accordance with the
provisions of programs or plans that may be provided by the Company for its key
executives, if the Executive satisfies the terms of Section 14.

            11. Termination Other Than For Cause or Approved Retirement. In the
event the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than For
Cause or for an Approved Retirement, the Company shall have no further
obligations or liabilities under this Agreement except that the Company shall
pay the following to the Executive if the Executive satisfies the terms of
Section 14:

                  (a) for the remainder of the Term, the Executive's Salary;

                  (b) all unvested, prior Long-Term Incentive awards;

                  (c) the Annual Incentive and Long-Term Incentive awards for
      the year of termination, based upon the achievement of the performance
      goals for the plans for the entire year of termination prorated to reflect
      the full number of months the Executive was employed during that year;

                  (d) for the remainder of the Term, an amount equal to eighty
      percent (80%) of any Target Annual Incentive and Target Long-Term
      Incentive opportunity which the Executive would otherwise have been

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

      eligible to receive as of the effective date of the Executive's
      termination of employment;

                  (e) for the remainder of the Term, an amount equal to twenty
      percent (20%) of any Target Annual Incentive and Target Long-Term
      Incentive opportunity which the Executive would otherwise have been
      eligible to receive as of the effective date of the Executive's
      termination of employment if the Executive offers to be available for
      consultation, at mutually agreed upon times, up to a maximum of eight (8)
      days each quarter of the year;

                  (f) for the remainder of the Term, the medical and dental plan
      benefits and DEC plan core and cash credits for which the Executive would
      otherwise have been eligible to receive as of the effective date of the
      Executive's termination of employment; and

                  (g) the Replacement Ratio SERP Benefit payable under Section
      5.

            12. Termination For Good Reason. In the event the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, the Company shall
have no further obligations or liabilities under this Agreement except that the
Company shall pay the following to the Executive if the Executive satisfies the
terms of Section 14:

                  (a) for the remainder of the Term, the Executive's Salary;

                  (b) all unvested, prior Long-Term Incentive awards;

                  (c) the Annual Incentive and Long-Term Incentive awards for
      the year of termination, based upon the achievement of the performance
      goals for the plans for the entire year of termination prorated to reflect
      the full number of months the Executive was employed during that year;

                  (d) for the remainder of the Term, an amount equal to eighty
      percent (80%) of any Target Annual Incentive and Target Long-Term
      Incentive opportunity which the Executive would otherwise have been

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

      eligible to receive as of the effective date of the Executive's
      termination of employment;

                  (e) for the remainder of the Term, an amount equal to twenty
      percent (20%) of any Target Annual Incentive and Target Long-Term
      Incentive opportunity which the Executive would otherwise have been
      eligible to receive as of the effective date of the Executive's
      termination of employment if the Executive offers to be available for
      consultation, at mutually agreed upon times, up to a maximum of eight (8)
      days each quarter of the year;

                  (f) for the remainder of the Term, the medical and dental plan
      benefits and DEC plan core and cash credits for which the Executive would
      otherwise have been eligible to receive as of the effective date of the
      Executive's termination of employment; and

                  (g) the Replacement Ratio SERP Benefit payable under Section
      5.

            13. Payment of Compensation Described in Section 8, 9, 11 or 12. The
compensation items specified in Section 8, 9, 11 or 12 shall be paid as follows:

                  (a) the Salary shall be paid over the remaining Term or any
      shorter period as described in Section 8, 9, 11 or 12 in accordance with
      the Company's normal payroll practices;

                  (b) the prior unvested Long-Term Incentive awards shall be
      paid within ninety (90) days after the termination of employment;

                  (c) the current and future Annual Incentive and Long-Term
      Incentive awards and opportunities shall be paid within ninety (90) days
      after the end of the calendar year for which the incentive applied; and

                  (d) the Replacement Ratio SERP Benefit shall be paid at the
      same time and in the same form as the Executive's SERP benefit.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

            14. Execution of Release. As a condition of receiving the
compensation and benefits described in Sections 9, 11 and 12, the Executive
shall first execute a release of any and all claims arising out of the
Executive's employment with the Company or the Executive's separation from such
employment (including, without limitation, claims relating to age, disability,
sex or race discrimination to the extent permitted by law), excepting only
claims arising out of the alleged breach of this Agreement or of any other
written contract between the Executive and the Company. Such release shall be in
a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and shall comply with any
applicable legislative or judicial requirements, including, but not limited to,
the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act. An example of such release is attached
as Attachment A.

            15. Protection of the Company's Business. The Executive acknowledges
that in the course of his employment he will acquire knowledge of trade secrets
and confidential data of the Company. Such trade secrets and confidential data
may include, but are not limited to, confidential product information, provider
contracts, customer lists, technical information, methods by which the Company
proposes to compete with its business competitors, strategic and business plans,
confidential reports prepared by business consultants which may reveal strengths
and weaknesses of the Company and its competition and similar information
relating to the Company. The Executive, in order to perform his obligations
under this Agreement, must necessarily acquire knowledge of such trade secrets
and confidential data, all of which the Executive acknowledges are not known
outside the business of the Company, are known only to a limited group of its
top executives and directors, are protected by strict measure to preserve
secrecy, are of great value to the Company, are the result of the expenditure of
large sums of money, are difficult for an outsider to duplicate, and disclosure
of which would be extremely detrimental to the Company. The Executive covenants
to keep all such trade secrets or confidential data secret and not to release
such information to persons not authorized by the Company to receive such
secrets and data, both during the term of this Agreement and at all times
following its termination. The Executive acknowledges that trade secrets and
confidential data need not be expressly marked as such by the Company.

            16. Documents, Etc. All records, files, documents, equipment and the
like shall be, and remain, the sole property of the Company. The Executive, on

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

the termination of his employment, shall immediately return to the Company all
such items without retention of any copies.

            17. Limited Non-Competition. During the Executive's employment and
for a limited time thereafter, the Company must protect its legitimate business
interests by limiting the Executive's ability to compete with the Company. This
limited non-competition provision is drafted narrowly so as to be able to
safeguard the Company's legitimate business interests while not unreasonably
interfering with the Executive's ability to obtain other employment. The Company
does not intend, and the Executive acknowledges, that this limited
non-competition provision is not an attempt to prevent the Executive from
obtaining other employment. The Executive further acknowledges that the Company
may need to take action, including litigation, to enforce this limited
non-competition provision, which efforts the parties stipulate shall not be
deemed an attempt to prevent the Executive from obtaining other employment.

                  (a) During Employment By Company. During the Executive's
      employment, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, have any
      ownership interest in, work for, advise, manage, or act as an agent or
      consultant for, or have any business connection or business or employment
      relationship with any person or entity that competes with the Company or
      that contemplates competing with the Company without the prior written
      approval of the Chief Executive Officer.

                  (b) During Post-Employment Period. For a period of two (2)
      years after the Executive's termination of employment (regardless of the
      reason), or for the duration of the Executive's receipt of Salary under
      Section 11 or 12, whichever is longer, the Executive shall not:

                        (i)(A) directly or indirectly have any ownership
      interest in any entity or person engaged in development or sale of a
      product or service which competes with or is substantially similar to any
      product or service sold by the Company, in any jurisdiction in which the
      Company operates or in which the Company reasonably expects to operate
      pursuant to provisions of a strategic plan adopted by the Board of
      Directors;

                        (i)(B) directly or indirectly have any ownership
      interest in any entity or person engaged in development or sale of a
      product or

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

      service which competes with or is substantially similar to any product or
      service sold by the Company, within the geographical area in which the
      Executive has been performing services on behalf of the Company or for
      which he has been assigned responsibility at any time within the
      twenty-four (24) months preceding his termination;

                        (ii)(A) in a competitive capacity, directly or
      indirectly work for, advise, manage, or act as an agent or consultant for
      or have any business connection or business or employment relationship
      with any entity or person engaged in development or sale of a product or
      service which competes with or is substantially similar to any product or
      service sold by the Company, in any jurisdiction in which the Company
      operates or in which the Company reasonably expects to operate pursuant to
      provisions of a strategic plan adopted by the Board of Directors;

                        (ii)(B) in a competitive capacity, directly or
      indirectly work for, advise, manage, or act as an agent or consultant for
      or have any business connection or business or employment relationship
      with any entity or person engaged in development or sale of a product or
      service which competes with or is substantially similar to any product or
      service sold by the Company, within the geographical area in which the
      Executive has been performing services on behalf of the Company or for
      which the Executive has been assigned responsibility at any time within
      the twenty-four (24) months preceding his termination;

                        (iii)(A) directly or indirectly market, sell or
      otherwise provide any product or service which is competitive with or
      substantially similar to any product or service sold by the Company, to
      any customer of the Company with whom the Executive has had contact
      (either directly or indirectly) or over which he has had responsibility at
      any time within the twenty-four (24) months preceding his termination;

                        (iii)(B) directly or indirectly market, sell or
      otherwise provide any product or service which is competitive with or
      substantially similar to any product or service sold by the Company, to
      any customer of the Company; and

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

                        (iv) directly or indirectly, on behalf of the Executive
      or any third party, make any business contacts with, solicit or accept
      business from any customer of the Company for any product or service which
      is competitive with or substantially similar to any product or service
      sold by the Company;

                  (c) Separate and Several Covenants. The Executive acknowledges
      that after termination of his employment, he will inevitably possess trade
      secrets and confidential data of the Company which he would inevitably use
      if he were to engage in conduct prohibited as set forth above, and such
      use would be unfair to and extremely detrimental to the Company. The
      Executive further acknowledges that in view of the benefits provided him
      by this Agreement, such conduct on his part would be inequitable.
      Accordingly, the Executive separately and severally covenants for the
      benefit of the Company to keep each of the covenants described in this
      Section 17 for the period specified above.

                  (d) Acknowledgment of the Company's Superseding Interest in
      Protecting its Business. The Executive recognizes that personal
      relationships between the Company, its employees and customers are
      essential to the Company's business operations and that the Company
      furthers such relationships by investments of time and money. The
      Executive recognizes that this Agreement is reasonably necessary to
      protect the Company's legitimate interest in its customers, and to protect
      the Company's confidential information and goodwill, and acknowledges that
      nothing contained in this Agreement shall unreasonably alter the
      Executive's ability to obtain a livelihood or preclude the Executive from
      engaging in his profession. The Executive, therefore, acknowledges that
      the Company's interest in maintaining its relationships with its
      established customers for at least two (2) years after termination of the
      Executive's employment, or for the duration of the Executive's receipt of
      Salary under Section 11 or 12, whichever is longer, supersedes any
      interest of the Executive in soliciting, servicing, or accepting the
      Company's customers on behalf of any entity other than the Company during
      that period of time.

                  (e) Publicly Traded Stock. Nothing in the foregoing provisions
      of this section prohibits the Executive from purchasing for

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

      investment purposes only, any stock or corporate security traded or quoted
      on a national securities exchange or national market system.

                  (f) Maximum Application. The parties expressly agree that the
      terms of this limited non-competition provision under this section are
      reasonable, enforceable, and necessary to protect the Company's interests,
      and are valid and enforceable. In the unlikely event, however, that a
      court of competent jurisdiction were to determine that any portion of this
      limited non-competition provision is unenforceable, then the parties agree
      that the remainder of the limited non-competition provision shall remain
      valid and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.

            18. Other Limited Prohibitions. During the Executive's employment
and for two (2) years after termination, or for the duration of the Executive's
receipt of Salary under Section 11 or 12, whichever is longer, the Executive
shall not:

                  (a) request or advise any customer of the Company, or any
      person or entity having business dealings with the Company, to withdraw,
      curtail or cease such business with the Company;

                  (b) disclose to any person or entity the identities of any
      customers of the Company, or the identity of any persons or entities
      having business dealings with the Company; or

                  (c) directly or indirectly influence or attempt to influence
      any other employee of the Company to separate from the Company.

            19. Specific Enforcement/Injunctive Relief. The Executive agrees
that it would be difficult to measure damages to the Company from any breach of
the covenants contained in Sections 15 through 18, but that such damages from
any breach would be great, incalculable and irremediable, and that damages would
be an inadequate remedy. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that the Company may
have specific performance of the terms of this Agreement in any court permitted
by this Agreement. In addition, if the Executive violates the non-competition
provisions of Section 17 or 18, the Executive agrees that any period of such
violation shall be added to the term of the non-competition. For example, if the
Executive violates the provision for three (3) months, the Company shall be

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

entitled to enforce the non-competition provision for two (2) years, or for the
duration of the Executive's receipt of Salary under Section 11 or 12, plus three
(3) months post-termination. In determining the period of any violation, the
parties stipulate that in any calendar month in which the Executive engages in
any activity violative of the non-competition provision, the Executive is deemed
to have violated the non-competition provision for the entire month, and that
month shall be added to the duration of the non-competition provision as set out
above. The parties agree however, that specific performance and the "add back"
remedies described above shall not be the exclusive remedies, and the Company
may enforce any other remedy or remedies available to it either in law or in
equity including, but not limited to, temporary, preliminary, and/or permanent
injunctive relief.

            20. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held
invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions of this Agreement
which shall be given effect independently of the invalid provisions and, in such
circumstances, the invalid provision is severable.

            21. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Indiana. The parties expressly agree that it is
appropriate for Indiana law to apply to: (i) the interpretation of the
Agreement; (ii) any disputes arising out of this Agreement; (iii) any disputes
arising out of the employment relationship of the parties; and (iv) any and all
other disputes between the parties.

            22. Choice of Forum. The Company is based in Indiana, and the
Executive understands and acknowledges the Company's desire and need to defend
any litigation against it in Indiana. Accordingly, the parties agree that any
claim of any type brought by the Executive against the Company or any of its
employees or agents must be maintained only in a court sitting in Marion County,
Indiana, or, if a federal court, the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis
Division.

            The Executive further understands and acknowledges that in the event
the Company initiates litigation against the Executive, the Company may need to
prosecute such litigation in the Executive's forum state, in the State of
Indiana, or in such other state where the Executive is subject to personal
jurisdiction. Accordingly, the parties agree that the Company can pursue any
claim against the

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

Executive in any forum in which the Executive is subject to personal
jurisdiction. The Executive specifically consents to personal jurisdiction in
the State of Indiana.

            23. Mandatory Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of,
or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, other than a claim arising
out of the Executive's breach of the confidentiality and non-competition
provisions of Sections 15 through 19, shall be settled by arbitration in
Indianapolis, Indiana, in accordance with the Rules of the American Arbitration
Association before arbitrators who are licensed to practice law. The arbitrator
or arbitrators shall apply the substantive law of Indiana or federal law, or
both, as applicable to the dispute. Any award entered shall be final, binding
and nonappealable, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator or
arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

            In the event that the Company refuses or otherwise fails to make a
payment when due and it is ultimately decided that the Executive is entitled to
such payment, such payment shall be increased to reflect an interest equivalent
for the period of delay, compounded annually, equal to the prime or base lending
rate used by Bank One Indiana, NA, and in effect as of the date the payment was
first due.

            24. Non-Jury Trials. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 19
and 23 above, and if the provisions of Section 19 or 23 above are not
enforceable, the Executive expressly waives any rights to a jury trial and
agrees that any claim of any type made against the Company or its agents or
executives (including, but not limited to, employment discrimination litigation,
wage litigation, defamation, or any other claim) lodged in any court will be
tried, if at all, without a jury.

            25. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.

                  (a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary or any
      termination of this Agreement notwithstanding, in the event it shall be
      determined that any payment or distribution or benefit ("Payment") made or
      provided by the Company or its affiliates to or for the benefit of the
      Executive whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, and determined
      without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 25

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

      would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal
      Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") or any interest or penalties are
      incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise
      tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter
      collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be
      entitled to receive an additional payment ("Gross-Up Payment") in an
      amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including
      any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including,
      without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties
      imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up
      Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to
      the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.

                  (b) Subject to the provisions of Section 25(c) all
      determinations required to be made under this Section 25, including
      whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such
      Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such
      determination, shall be made by the Company's independent auditor (the
      "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations
      both to the Company and the Executive within a reasonable period of time
      of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Gross-Up
      Payment. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne
      solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to
      this Section 25, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within a
      reasonable period of time of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's
      determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding
      upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the
      application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial
      determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that
      Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have
      been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to
      be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies
      pursuant to Section 25(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make
      a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the
      amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment
      shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the
      Executive.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

                  (c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any
      claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require
      the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification
      shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten (10) business
      days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall
      apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such
      claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim
      prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which
      it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the
      date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the
      Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such
      period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:

                        (i) give the Company any information reasonably
            requested by the Company relating to such claim,

                        (ii) take such action in connection with contesting such
            claims as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time
            to time, including without limitation, accepting legal
            representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably
            selected by the Company,

                        (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
            effectively to contest such claim, and

                        (iv) permit the Company to participate in any
            proceedings relating to such claim;

      provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs
      and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in
      connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive
      harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax
      (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a
      result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without
      limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 25(c), the Company
      shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and,
      at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative
      appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority
      in respect of such claim

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

      and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax
      claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible
      manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a
      determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial
      jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
      determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to
      pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount
      of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall
      indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any
      Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect
      thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any
      imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any
      extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for
      the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested
      amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount.
      Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to
      issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder
      and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may
      be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other
      taxing authority.

                  (d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
      advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 25(c), the Executive becomes
      entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive
      shall (subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of Section
      25(c)) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together
      with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable
      thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by
      the Company pursuant to Section 25(c), a determination is made that the
      Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim
      and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to
      contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30) days
      after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall
      not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset,
      to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

            26. Rabbi Trust. The Company has established The Anthem Employee
Benefit Trust, a rabbi trust ("Trust") for key executives, and intends for such
Trust to remain in effect in accordance with its terms. This Agreement shall,

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

upon Triggering Events (as defined below), become covered under the Trust and
become subject to the Trust funding requirements. For purposes of this Section
26, the term "Triggering Event" shall mean the first to occur of:

                  (a) the termination of the employment of the Executive by the
      Company other than For Cause;

                  (b) the termination of the employment by the Executive for
      Good Reason;

                  (c) the termination of the employment by the Executive as a
      result of an Approved Retirement; or

                  (d) the occurrence of a change of control (as such term is
      defined in the Trust) of the Company.

            27. Nonalienation of Benefits. Except as may otherwise be required
by law, no right to receive payments under this Agreement shall be subject to
anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge,
pledge, bankruptcy or hypothecation or to exclusion, attachment, levy or similar
process or assignment by operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or
involuntary, to effect any such action shall be null, void and of no effect.

            28. Legal Fees and Cost. All legal and other fees and expenses,
including, without limitation, any arbitration expenses, incurred by the
Executive in connection with contesting or disputing any termination of
employment, in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided for in
this Agreement, or in otherwise pursuing any right or claim, shall be paid by
the Company, to the extent permitted by law, provided that the Executive makes a
formal written settlement demand prior to trial or arbitration and is ultimately
successful, in obtaining through trial or arbitration more than fifty percent
(50%) of the monetary relief sought, in his final written settlement demand
exclusive of attorney's fees.

            29. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and will be deemed to have been
given when delivered in person (to the Executive if such notice is for the
Executive) or five (5) days following sending by overnight courier or mailing by

                                      -22-
<PAGE>

first class, certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, to the Executive at
his home address, or such addresses as the Executive shall have designated in
writing, or if to the Company, to the attention of the Corporate Secretary, at
the Company's principal place of business, 120 Monument Circle, Indianapolis,
Indiana 46204.

            30. Headings. The various headings of this Agreement are inserted
for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement or any of its provisions.

            31. Successors and Assigns. The rights and obligations of the
Company under this Agreement shall inure to its benefit, its successors and
affiliated companies and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the
Company. This Agreement, being personal to the Executive, cannot be assigned by
the Executive, but his personal representative shall be bound by all its terms
and conditions.

            32. Waiver and Amendments, Etc. Failure of the Company to insist
upon strict compliance with any terms or provisions of this Agreement shall not
be deemed a waiver of any terms, provisions or rights of the Company. Moreover,
no modifications, amendments, extensions or waivers of this Agreement or any
provisions hereof shall be binding upon the Company or the Executive unless in
writing and signed by the Executive and the Company.

            33. Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
employment agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior employment
agreements addressing the terms, conditions, and issues contained herein.
Nothing in this Agreement, however, affects any separate written agreements
addressing other terms and conditions and issues agreed to by the parties.

            34. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Executive have duly executed
and delivered this Agreement effective as of the day and year first above
written.

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

                                         Michael L. Smith

                                         /s/ Michael L. Smith
                                         ____________________________________
                                         Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc.


                                         By: /s/ Larry C. Glasscock
                                             --------------------------------
                                                Larry C. Glasscock,
                                                President and CEO

                                      -24-
<PAGE>

                                  ATTACHMENT A
                          RELEASE AND WAIVER AGREEMENT

     This Release and Waiver Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into on this __
day of __________, ____, by and between Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc.,
including its subsidiaries and affiliates (the "Company") and Michael L. Smith
(the "Executive").

     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree to the following:

     1.  The Executive and the Company acknowledge and agree that the Employee's
last day of employment with the Company or one of its affiliates shall be
___________________.  Service credit for purposes of all Company benefits,
including but not limited to the Anthem Cash Balance Pension Plan, shall
terminate as of that date.

     2.  The Company agrees that it shall pay to the Executive the amounts
described in Section [9, 11 or 12] of the Employment Agreement between the
Company and the Executive effective ______________ ("Employment Agreement"). All
payments made pursuant to Section [9, 11 or 12] of the Employment Agreement
shall be made pursuant to Sections 13 and 14 of the Employment Agreement.  The
Executive shall also be entitled to any benefits described in Section [9, 11 or
12] of the Employment Agreement for the duration noted therein.

     3.  Any and all benefits not specifically discussed in this Agreement or
provided by law will cease on [termination date from paragraph 1].
                              -----------------------------------

     4.  The provisions of the Employment Agreement relating to Protection of
the Company's Business, Documents, Limited Non-Competition, Other Limited
Prohibitions, and Specific Enforcement (Sections 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19) shall
remain in full force and effect upon termination of employment.  The Executive
acknowledges that he possesses trade secrets and confidential data of the
Company and further acknowledges that the provisions of Sections 15 through 19
of the Employment Agreement are reasonably necessary to protect the Company's
legitimate business interests, confidential data, and goodwill.

     5.  The Executive hereby forever releases and waives as against the
Company, and each of their directors, officers, employees and agents, any and
all legal and equitable causes of action and claims which the Executive
possesses, whether known or unknown, including, but not limited to, any such
causes of action and claims relating to the Employee's employment with, or
termination of employment from, the Company or any of its affiliates, including
any and all rights, entitlements or claims under any and all federal, state and
local laws and regulations, all as amended, including, but not limited to, Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991 and the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The Executive further expressly and
specifically waives any and all rights and claims under the Age Discrimination
in Employment Act of 1967 and the Older Workers' Benefit Protection Act
(collectively referred to as the "Act"). The Executive acknowledges and agrees
that this
<PAGE>

Page 2

waiver of any right or claim under the Act (hereinafter "Waiver") is knowing and
voluntary, and specifically agrees as follows: that this Waiver is written in a
manner which he understands; that this Waiver specifically relates to rights or
claims under the Act; that he does not waive any rights or claims under the Act
that may arise after the date of execution of this Agreement; that he waives
rights or claims under the Act in exchange for consideration in addition to
anything of value to which he already is entitled; and that he has been advised
in writing to consult with an attorney prior to executing it. The Executive
acknowledges that he understands that he has twenty-one (21) days after receipt
of this Agreement to decide whether to accept it and that he may revoke any
acceptance of this Agreement within seven (7) days of such acceptance. This
Agreement shall not become effective until the seven (7) day revocation period
has expired and no amounts will be paid to the Executive until the seven (7) day
revocation period has expired.

     6.  It is understood and agreed between the Executive and the Company that
this Agreement shall in no way affect any claims of the Executive arising out of
Social Security, Worker's Compensation, or Unemployment Laws.

     7.  The Company and the Executive agree that any breach of the terms of
this Agreement may, at the Company's discretion, result in the immediate
termination of any subsequent payments to be made under this Agreement.  In the
event of a breach of this Agreement or any dispute regarding this Agreement, the
provisions of the Employment Agreement relating to Specific Enforcement,
Governing Law, Choice of Forum, Mandatory Arbitration, Non-Jury Trials, and
Legal Fees and Costs (Sections 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 28) shall remain in full
force and effect.

     8.  The Executive expressly agrees that the consideration designated in
this Agreement is sufficient for the terms of this Agreement.  The Executive
further agrees that upon the execution of this Agreement he shall keep
confidential and not disclose the existence or terms of this Agreement unless
compelled to do so by a court or administrative body.

     9.  The rights and obligations hereunder shall not be assigned or
transferred by the Executive and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the Executive, his heirs, legatees and legal representatives, and the
Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, successors and assigns.  No waiver of
any breach of this Agreement shall be deemed or construed as a waiver of any
other or subsequent breach.  Any amendment of this Agreement shall be effective
only if in writing and signed by both parties.  If any provision of this
Agreement shall be held invalid under applicable laws, such provision shall be
ineffective only to the extent of any invalidity without invalidating the
remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.  This
Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all
prior agreements, whether oral or written, between the parties.  The terms of
this Agreement shall be governed by Indiana law.  The parties represent that
they have read and understood this Agreement, and the officer executing this
document on behalf of the Company represents that he has the authority to do so.
<PAGE>

Page 3



     10.  This Agreement shall not be effective or enforceable against the
Company until the seven (7) day revocation period has expired or if the
Executive revokes it not later than seven (7) days after he signs it. This
revocation must be in writing and must be personally delivered, or sent by
certified mail to:

                              Corporate Secretary
                                 Anthem, Inc.
                              120 Monument Circle
                          Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

     11.  The Executive expressly acknowledges that he understands all of the
provisions of this Agreement and is voluntarily entering into this Agreement.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement.


Michael L. Smith                        Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc.

__________________________              By:___________________________________

                                        Printed: _____________________________

                                        Title: _______________________________