EXHIBIT 23(a)

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors
Citizens, Inc.:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (Nos. 333-77698, 333-58698, 333-118134, 333-139473, and 333-143518) on Form S-3 of Citizens, Inc. of our report dated March 16, 2006, with respect to the consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows of Citizens, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2005, and all related financial statement schedules, which report appears in the December 31, 2007 annual report on Form 10-K of Citizens, Inc.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Dallas, Texas
March 14, 2008