HMN: Other company developments

Item 8.01: Other Events Horace Mann Educators Corporation (the “Company”) issued a news release announcing on October 1, 2026, that it completed the acquisition of all of the equity interests in Employee Services LLC (“ESI”) in an all-cash transaction for $115 million, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. As a result of the acquisition, ESI became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. A copy of the news release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this report. Item 9.01: Financial Statements and Exhibits (d) Exhibits Exhibit 99. 1 Horace Mann Educators Corporation New Release dated October 1, 2026. Exhibit 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL) 1 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION By: /s/ Donald M. Carley Name: Donald M. Carley Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer Date: October 1, 2026 2