Item 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant


On and effective April 20, 2001, the Board of Directors of National Western Life Insurance Company (National Western) notified KPMG LLP that their contractual appointment as independent auditors had not been renewed, as recommended by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. The reports of KPMG LLP on the consolidated financial statements of National Western for either of the two most recent fiscal years did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion. Such reports were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. During the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999 and during the interim period through April 20, 2001, there were no reportable events as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K or disagreements between KPMG LLP and National Western on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of KPMG LLP, would have caused that firm to make reference to the subject matter of such disagreement in connection with its report on National Western's financial statements.

Also, on and effective April 20, 2001, the Board of Directors of National Western approved the engagement of Deloitte & Touche LLP as its new principal accountants, as recommended by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. During the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999 and during the interim period through April 20, 2001, National Western did not consult with Deloitte & Touche LLP regarding the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, nor the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on National Western's financial statements.

National Western provided KPMG LLP with a copy of this disclosure and requested KPMG LLP to furnish us with a letter addressed to the Commission stating whether it agrees with the above statements. A copy of that letter, dated May 16, 2001 is filed as Exhibit 16.


Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit 16 - Letter Regarding Change in Certifying Accountant