UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 14, 2005

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio	1-13653	31-1544320
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
(State or other jurisdiction	(Commission	(IRS Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)

One East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, OH	45202
____________________________________________________________	______________________________
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code 513-579-2121

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

/   /	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
/   /	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
/   /	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
/   /	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 8 - Other Events

Item 8.01  Other Events

On November 14, 2005, American Financial Group, Inc. issued a press release regarding an increase in the Company's common stock dividend policy. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

1. Financial statements of business acquired.  Not applicable.
2. Pro forma financial information.  Not applicable.
3. Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press release, dated November 14, 2005, regarding the Company's annual dividend.

SIGNATURES

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.

	AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Date:   November 15, 2005
	By:     Karl J. Grafe
	Karl J. Grafe
	Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
TO INCREASE ITS DIVIDEND BY 10%

Cincinnati, Ohio - November 14, 2005 - American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE/NASDAQ: AFG) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved an increase in the company's annual dividend from $.50 to $.55 per share of common stock. The increased dividend, when declared, will be paid on a quarterly basis of $.1375 per share of common stock beginning in January of 2006. The new dividend rate represents a 10 percent increase over the dividend paid in 2005.

Craig Lindner and Carl Lindner III, AFG's Co-Chief Executive Officers, stated that, "this dividend increase reflects our continued strong financial performance, both in profitability and balance sheet strength. Most importantly, this increase reflects AFG's solid financial position, improved leverage profile and the confidence of the Board and management in the company's long-term business and financial outlook. The Board and management intend to review AFG's dividend policy on an annual basis."

Through the operations of the Great American Insurance Group, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses, and in the sale of retirement annuities, supplemental insurance and life products.

This press release contains certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements in this press release not dealing with historical results are forward-looking and are based on estimates, assumptions and projections. Examples of such forward-looking statements include statements relating to: the Company's expectations concerning market and other conditions and their effect on future premiums, revenues, earnings and investment activities; recoverability of asset values; expected losses and the adequacy of reserves for asbestos, environmental pollution and mass tort claims; rate increases and improved loss experience.

Actual results could differ materially from those expected by AFG depending on certain factors including but not limited to: the unpredictability of possible future litigation if certain settlements do not become effective, changes in economic conditions including interest rates, performance of securities markets, the availability of capital, regulatory actions and changes in the legal environment affecting AFG or its customers, tax law changes, levels of natural catastrophes, terrorist activities, including any nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological events, incidents of

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war and other major losses, development of insurance loss reserves and other reserves, particularly with respect to amounts associated with asbestos and environmental claims, availability of reinsurance and ability of reinsurers to pay their obligations, trends in mortality and morbidity, competitive pressures, including the ability to obtain rate increases, and changes in debt and claims paying ratings.

 

Contact:	Anne N. Watson	Web Sites:	www.afginc.com
	Vice President - Investor Relations		www.GreatAmericanInsurance.com
	(513) 579-6652