We analyze the impact of a measurement, or of an improved bound, on
theta_{13} for the determination of the effective neutrino mass in
neutrino-less double beta decay and cosmology. In particular, we discuss how an
improved limit on (or a specific value of) theta_{13} can influence the
determination of the neutrino mass spectrum via neutrino-less double beta
decay. We also discuss the interplay with improved cosmological neutrino mass
searches.Comment: 22 pages, 5 figures. Minor corrections, matches version in PR