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                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.71


                               CHANGE OF CONTROL
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


                 AGREEMENT by and between John Alden Financial Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company") and Anne V.  Wardlow (the "Executive"),
dated as of the 5th day of November, 1997.

                 The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has
determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders
to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control
(as defined below) of the Company.  The Board believes it is imperative to
diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal
uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control
and to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company
currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and
to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a
Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations
of the Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of
other corporations.  Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the
Board has caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.

                 NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

                 1.       Certain Definitions.  (a)  The "Effective Date" shall
mean the first date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section
1(b)) on which a Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs.  Anything
in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control
occurs and  if the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior
to the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably
demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at
the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to
effect a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or
anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement
the "Effective Date" shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such
termination of employment.
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                 (b)      The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period
commencing on the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date
hereof; provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the date
hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual
anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"),
unless previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be
automatically extended so as to terminate 3 years from such Renewal Date,
unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice
to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.

                 2.       Change of Control.  For the purpose of this
Agreement, a "Change of Control" shall mean:

                 (a)  The acquisition by any individual, entity or group
         (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities
         Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of
         beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated
         under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (i) the then
         outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the "Outstanding
         Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of the then
         outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to  vote
         generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company
         Voting Securities"); provided, however, that for purposes of this
         subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a
         Change of Control:  (i) any acquisition directly from the Company,
         (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any
         employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by
         the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (iv) any
         acquisition pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i),
         (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2; or

                 (b)  Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the
         Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at
         least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual
         becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or
         nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by
         a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the
         Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a
         member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any
         such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result
         of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the
         election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
         solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other
         than the Board; or

                 (c)  Consummation by the Company of a reorganization, merger
         or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially
         all of the assets of the Company or the acquisition of assets of
         another entity (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless,





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         following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of
         the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners,
         respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding
         Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business
         Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60%
         of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the
         combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities
         entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case
         may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination
         (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of
         such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the
         Company's assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries)
         in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately
         prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common
         Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be,
         (ii) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
         of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business
         Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more
         of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the
         corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined
         voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such
         corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to
         the Business Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the members
         of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such
         Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time
         of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the
         Board, providing for such Business Combination; or

                 (d)  Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.


                 3.       Employment Period.  The Company hereby agrees to
continue the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain
in the employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the
third anniversary of such date (the "Employment Period").

                 4.       Terms of Employment.  (a)  Position and Duties.  (i)
During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position (including status,
offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and
responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with
the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned to the Executive at
any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and
(B) the Executive's services shall be performed at the location where the
Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office
or location less than 35 miles from such location.





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                          (ii)    During the Employment Period, and excluding
any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the
Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business
hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary
to discharge the  responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use
the Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently
such responsibilities.  During the Employment Period it shall not be a
violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic
or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking
engagements or teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal
investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the
performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company
in accordance with this Agreement.  It is expressly understood and agreed that
to the extent that any such activities have been conducted by the Executive
prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the
conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the
Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance
of the Executive's responsibilities to the Company.

                 (b)      Compensation.  (i)  Base Salary.  During the
Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual
Base Salary"), which shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to 12
times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base
salary which has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and
its affiliated companies in respect of the twelve-month period immediately
preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs.  During the Employment
Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed within 12 months after the
last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and
thereafter at least annually.  Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not
serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this
Agreement.  Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and
the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual
Base Salary as so increased.  As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliated
companies" shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under common
control with the Company.





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                          (ii)    Annual Bonus.  In addition to Annual Base
Salary, the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the
Employment Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal
to the Executive's target annual bonus under the Company's Short-Term Incentive
Compensation Plan for 1997 ("1997 Target Bonus") or, if higher, the Executive's
greatest target annual bonus in any subsequent year prior to the Effective
Date.  Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of the third
month of the fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual
Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such
Annual Bonus.

                          (iii)    Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans.
During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in
all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs
applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs
provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with  respect to
both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that
such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit
opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the
Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at
any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or
if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after
the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.

                          (iv)     Welfare Benefit Plans.  During the
Employment Period, the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may
be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under
welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company
and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical,
prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance, employee life, group
life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the
extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and
programs provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the
aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and
programs in effect for





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the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally
at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies.

                          (v)      Expenses.  During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable
expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most favorable
policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies
in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in
effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives
of the Company and its affiliated companies.

                          (vi)     Fringe Benefits.  During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without
limitation, tax and financial planning services, payment of club dues, and, if
applicable, use of an automobile (or an automobile allowance) and payment of
related expenses, in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices,
programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for
the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally
at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies.

                          (vii)    Office and Support Staff.  During the
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a
size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal
secretarial and other assistance, at  least equal to the most favorable of the
foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies
at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date
or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.

                          (viii)   Vacation.  During the Employment Period,
the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most
favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its
affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time



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during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

                 5.       Termination of Employment.  (a)  Death or Disability.
The Executive's employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's
death during the Employment Period.  If the Company determines in good faith
that the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period
(pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the
Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement of
its intention to terminate the Executive's employment.  In such event, the
Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th
day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective
Date"), provided that, within the 30  days after such receipt, the Executive
shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's duties.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of the
Executive from the Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis for
180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or
physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician
selected by the Company or its insurers  and acceptable to the Executive or the
Executive's legal representative.

                          (b)     Cause.  The Company may terminate the
Executive's employment during the Employment Period for Cause.  For purposes of
this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:

                                  (i)      the willful and continued failure of
               the Executive to perform substantially the Executive's duties
               with the Company or one of its affiliates (other than any such
               failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental
               illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is
               delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive
               Officer of the Company which specifically identifies the manner
               in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer believes that the
               Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's
               duties, or

                                  (ii)     the willful engaging by the
               Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is
               materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.


For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or





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without reasonable belief that the Executive's action or omission was in the
best interests of the Company.  Any act, or failure to act, based upon
authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or upon the
instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or a senior officer of the Company
or based  upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively
presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and
in the best interests of the Company.  The cessation of employment of the
Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have
been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the
affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the entire membership of
the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after
reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive is given an
opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding
that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the
conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the
particulars thereof in detail.

                 (c)      Good Reason.  The Executive's employment may be
terminated by the Executive for Good Reason.  For purposes of this Agreement,
"Good Reason" shall mean:

                                  (i)      the assignment to the Executive of
               any duties inconsistent in any respect with the Executive's
               position (including status, offices, titles and reporting
               requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as
               contemplated by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other
               action by the Company which results in a diminution in such
               position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for
               this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action
               not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company
               promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;

                                  (ii)     any failure by the Company to comply
               with any of the provisions of Section 4(b) of this Agreement,
               other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure
               not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company
               promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;

                                  (iii)    the Company's requiring the
               Executive to be based at any office or location other than as
               provided in Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof  or the Company's
               requiring the Executive to travel on Company business to a
               substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to
               the Effective Date;

                                  (iv)     any purported termination by the
               Company of the Executive's employment otherwise than as
               expressly  permitted by this Agreement; or





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                                  (v)      any failure by the Company to
               comply with and satisfy Section 11(c) of this Agreement.

For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good
Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive.  Anything in this Agreement
to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for any reason
during the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary of the
Effective Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for all
purposes of this Agreement.

                 (d)      Notice of Termination.  Any termination by the
Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated
by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with
Section 12(b) of this Agreement.  Such Notice of Termination for Cause shall be
given within 90 days following the Company's "actual" knowledge of any event
constituting Cause, and such Notice of Termination for Good Reason shall be
given within 180 days following the Executive's "actual" knowledge of an event
constituting Good Reason.  For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of
Termination" means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent
applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed
to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the
provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below)
is other than the  date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination
date (which date shall be not more than thirty days after the giving of such
notice).  The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the
Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing
of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the
Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company,
respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the
Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.

                 (e)      Date of Termination.  "Date of Termination" means (i)
if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or
any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the
date on which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination and (iii)
if





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the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the
date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case
may be.

                 6.       Obligations of the Company upon Termination.  (a)
Good Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability.  If, during the
Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment other
than for Cause or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for
Good Reason:

                          (i)     the Company shall pay to the Executive in a
         lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the
         aggregate of the following amounts:

                                  A.     the sum of (1) the
                 Executive's  Annual Base Salary through the Date of
                 Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the
                 product of (x) the greater of (a) the 1997 Target Bonus and
                 (b) the Executive's highest target annual bonus for any fiscal
                 year that begins both subsequent to 1997 and within 3 years
                 prior to the Date of Termination (such greater amount, the
                 "Highest Target Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the numerator of
                 which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through
                 the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365
                 and (3) any compensation previously deferred by the Executive
                 (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and
                 any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not
                 theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses
                 (1), (2), and (3) shall be hereinafter referred to as the
                 "Accrued Obligations"); and

                                  B.     the amount equal to the
                 product of (1) 3 and (2) the sum of (x) the Executive's Annual
                 Base Salary and (y) the Highest Target Bonus; and

                                  C.     an amount equal to the
                 difference between (a) the aggregate benefit under the
                 Company's qualified defined benefit retirement plans
                 (collectively, the "Retirement Plan") and any excess or
                 supplemental defined benefit retirement plans in which the
                 Executive participates (collectively, the "SERP") which the
                 Executive would have accrued (whether or not vested) if the
                 Executive's employment had continued for 3 years after the
                 Date of Termination (based on the assumption that the
                 Executive's compensation in each of the 3 years following such
                 termination would have been that required by Section 4(b)(i)
                 and Section 4(b)(ii)) and (b) the actual vested benefit, if
                 any, of the Executive under the Retirement Plan and the SERP,
                 determined as of the Date of Termination (with the foregoing
                 amounts to be computed on an actuarial present value basis
                 using actuarial assumptions no less favorable to the Executive
                 than the most favorable of those in effect for purposes of
                 computing benefit entitlements under the Retirement Plan and
                 the SERP at any time from the day before the Effective Date)
                 through the Date of Termination;





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                          (ii)    for 3 years after the Executive's Date of
         Termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of
         the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall
         continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive's family at
         least equal to those which would have been provided to them in
         accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies described
         in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the Executive's employment
         had not been terminated or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in
         effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer
         executives of  the Company and its affiliated companies and their
         families, provided, however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed
         with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other
         welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan, the medical and
         other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those
         provided under such other plan during such applicable period of
         eligibility, and for purposes of determining eligibility (but not the
         time of commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree
         benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and policies, the
         Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until 3 years
         after the Date of Termination and to have retired on the last day of
         such period;

                          (iii)   the Company shall, at its sole expense as
         incurred, provide the Executive with outplacement services the scope
         and provider of which shall be selected by the Executive in the
         Executive's sole discretion; provided, however, that the Company shall
         not be obligated to provide such services for a period of more than
         one year after the Date of Termination or at an aggregate cost in
         excess of $20,000; and

                          (iv)    to the extent not theretofore paid or
         provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any
         other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the
         Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or
         practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated
         companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter
         referred to as the "Other Benefits").

                 (b)      Death.  If the Executive's employment is terminated
by reason of the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal
representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits.  Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as
applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination.
With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as
utilized in this Section 6(b) shall include, without limitation, and the
Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits
at least equal to the most favorable benefits  provided by the Company and
affiliated companies to the estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of the
Company and such affiliated companies under such plans, programs, practices and
policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect





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to other peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive's estate and/or the Executive's beneficiaries, as in effect on the
date of the Executive's death with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies and their beneficiaries.

                 (c)      Disability.  If the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of the Executive's Disability during the Employment
Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment
or provision of Other Benefits.  Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the
Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination.
With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as
utilized in this Section 6(c) shall include, and the Executive shall be
entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other
benefits at least equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by
the Company and its affiliated companies to disabled executives and/or their
families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and policies
relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to other
peer executives and their families at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date  or, if more favorable to the
Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in effect at any time thereafter
generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies and their families.

                 (d)      Cause; Other than for Good Reason.  If the
Executive's employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment
Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive (x) the Annual Base
Salary through the Date of Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation
previously deferred by the Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to
the extent theretofore unpaid.  If the Executive voluntarily terminates
employment during the Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good
Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive, other than for Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or
provision of Other Benefits.  In such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be
paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination.





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                 7.       Non-exclusivity of Rights.  Nothing in this Agreement
shall prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in
any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to
Section 12(f), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as
the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any
of its affiliated companies.  Amounts  which are vested benefits or which the
Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or
program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its
affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be
payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract
or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

                 8.       Full Settlement; Legal Fees.  The Company's
obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to
perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off,
counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the
Company may have against the Executive or others.  In no event shall the
Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way
of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the
provisions of this Agreement and except as specifically provided in Section
6(a)(ii), such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive
obtains other employment.  The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full
extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may
reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof)
by the Company, the Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of,
or liability or entitlement under, any provision of this Agreement or any
guarantee of performance thereof (whether such contest is between the Company
and the Executive or between either of them and any third party, and including
as a result of any contest by the Executive about  the amount of any payment
pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment
at 120% of the applicable Federal rate (that applies to the time period of the
delay) provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), compounded annually.





                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14


                 9.       Certain Additional Payments by the Company.

                 (a)      Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any payment, award,
benefit or distribution by the Company (or any of its affiliated entities) or
by any entity which effectuates a Change of Control (or any of its affiliated
entities) to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional
payments required under this Section 9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any corresponding provisions
of state or local tax laws, 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 (a "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.  The payment of a
Gross-Up Payment under this Section 9(a) shall not be conditioned upon the
Executive's termination of employment.

                 (b)      Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all
determinations required to be made under this Section 9, 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 Price Waterhouse LLP or such other certified public accounting firm as may
be designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm"), which shall provide
detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within
15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has
been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company.  In the
event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the
individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive
shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the
determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred
to as the Accounting Firm hereunder).  All fees and expenses of the Accounting
Firm shall be borne solely by the Company.  Any





                                      -14-
<PAGE>   15


Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by
the Company to the Executive within 5 days after 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 9(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.

                 (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 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 the Executive 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 claim 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





                                      -15-
<PAGE>   16



                          (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 9(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 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 9(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 9(c))
promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any
interest





                                      -16-
<PAGE>   17


paid or credited thereon after deducting an amount sufficient to pay applicable
federal, state and local taxes on such interest at the highest marginal rates
applicable thereto).  If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(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 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.

                 10.      Confidential Information.  The Executive shall hold
in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or
confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of
its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have
been obtained by the Executive during the Executive's employment by the Company
or any of its affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public
knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the
Executive in violation of this Agreement).  After termination of the
Executive's employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the
prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or
legal process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data
to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it.  In no event shall
an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis
for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive
under this Agreement.

                 11.      Successors.  (a)  This Agreement is personal to the
Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be
assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by the  Executive's legal representatives.

                 (b)      This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

                 (c)      The Company will require any successor (whether
direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or





                                      -17-
<PAGE>   18


assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement
in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to
perform it if no such succession had taken place.  As used in this Agreement,
"Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to
its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform
this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.

                 12.      Miscellaneous.  (a)  This Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without
reference to principles of conflict of laws.  The captions of this Agreement
are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.  This
Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement
executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal
representatives.

                 (b)      All notices and other communications hereunder shall
be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:

                 If to the Executive:

                 Anne V. Wardlow

                 If to the Company:
                 John Alden Financial Corporation
                 7300 Corporate Center Drive
                 Miami, FL  33126-1223

                                  Attention:  General Counsel

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith.  Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.





                                      -18-
<PAGE>   19


                 (c)      The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision
of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.

                 (d)      The Company may withhold from any amounts payable
under this Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be
required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

                 (e)      The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist
upon strict compliance with any provision hereof or any other provision of this
Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may
have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to
terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this
Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any
other provision or right of this Agreement.

                 (f)      The Executive and the Company acknowledge that,
except as may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between
the Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company
is "at will" and, prior to the Effective Date, the Executive's employment may
be terminated by either the Executive or the Company at any time prior to the
Effective Date, in which case the Executive shall have no further rights under
this Agreement.  From and after the Effective Date this Agreement shall
supersede any other agreement between the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to
participate in any severance plan of the Company or otherwise receive severance
benefits from the Company.





                                      -19-
<PAGE>   20



                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the
Executive's hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of
Directors, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name on
its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.



                                        JOHN ALDEN FINANCIAL CORPORATION    
                                                                            
                                        By: /s/ SCOTT L. STANTON            
                                           ------------------------------- 
                                                                            
                                        Title: Senior Vice President and    
                                              ---------------------------- 
                                               Chief Financial Officer      
                                              ---------------------------- 

                                         /s/ ANNE V. WARDLOW
                                        ----------------------------------
                                                     Anne V. Wardlow


                                      -20-