May 11, 2000 Torchmark Corporation 3700 S. Stonebridge Drive P.O. Box 8080 McKinney, TX 75070-8080 Attn: C.B. Hudson Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Dear Mr. Hudson: Pursuant to the Agreement, dated May 8, 2000 (the "Agreement"),...

                                                            EXHIBIT (99) - 4


                        Birmingham Investment Group, LLC
                              00 Xxxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
                              Xxxxxxxxxx, XX  00000


                                            May 11, 2000


Torchmark Corporation
0000 X. Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
P.O. Box 8080
McKinney, TX  75070-8080
Attn: X.X. Xxxxxx
      Chairman of the Board and
        Chief Executive Officer

Dear Xx. Xxxxxx:

            Pursuant to the Agreement, dated May 8, 2000 (the "Agreement"),
between Torchmark Corporation and Birmingham Investment Group, LLC, the
undersigned hereby gives notice of its intention to purchase as promptly as
practicable 3,750,000 Shares of the Company. The undersigned presently
anticipates that it will receive required Regulatory Approvals in June
2000. Please send the Sale Notice to the Company.

            Capitalized terms have the meanings set forth in the Agreement.


                                           Very truly yours,

                                           Birmingham Investment Group, LLC


                                           By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                              -----------------------------
                                              Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Manager

cc:   Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
      General Counsel
      Torchmark Corporation