Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

x Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012

or

 

¨ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File No. 001-34280

 

 

 

LOGO

American National Insurance Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Texas   74-0484030

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

One Moody Plaza

Galveston, Texas

  77550-7999
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(409) 763-4661

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $1.00 par value   NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

(Title of Class)

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  ¨    Yes  x    No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  ¨    Yes  x    No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  x    Yes  ¨    No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  x    Yes  ¨    No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  ¨    Yes  x    No

The aggregate market value on June 30, 2012 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $516.9 million. For purposes of the determination of the above-stated amount, only directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders are presumed to be affiliates, but neither the registrant nor any such person concedes that they are affiliates of registrant.

As of March 1, 2013, there were 26,898,717 shares of the registrant’s voting common stock, $1.00 par value per share, outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Information called for in Part III of this Form 10-K is incorporated by reference to the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed within 120 days of the close of the registrant’s fiscal year in conjunction with the registrant’s annual meeting of shareholders.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I

  

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

     3   

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

     11   

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

     20   

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

     20   

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     21   

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

     21   

PART II

  

ITEM  5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

     21   

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     23   

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     23   

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     59   

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

     62   

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

     104   

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

     104   

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

     105   

PART III

  

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

     105   

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     105   

ITEM  12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

     105   

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

     105   

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

     105   

PART IV

  

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

     106   

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

     106   

SIGNATURES

     108   

 

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Table of Contents

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Company Overview

American National Insurance Company has more than 100 years of experience. We have maintained our corporate headquarters in Galveston, Texas since our founding in 1905. Our core businesses are life insurance, annuities and property and casualty insurance. We also offer pension services and limited health insurance. We provide personalized service to approximately six million policyholders throughout the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa.

In this document, we refer to American National Insurance Company and its subsidiaries as the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us.”

Business Strategy

Our vision is to be a leading provider of financial products and services for current and future generations. For more than a century, we have maintained a conservative business approach and corporate culture. We have an unwavering commitment to serve our agents, policyholders, and shareholders by providing excellent customer service and competitively priced and diversified products. We are committed to profitable growth, which enables us to remain financially strong. Acquisitions that are strategic and offer synergies are considered, but they are not our primary source of growth. Rather, we invest in our distribution channels and markets to fuel internal growth.

We are committed to excellence and maintaining high ethical standards in all our business dealings. Disciplined adherence to our core values has allowed us to deliver consistently high levels of customer service through talented people, who are at the heart of our business.

Business Segments

Our family of companies includes six life insurance companies, eight property and casualty insurance companies, and numerous non-insurance subsidiaries. Our business segments are:

Life Segment—We provide the following products under our Life segment:

Whole Life. Whole life products provide a guaranteed benefit upon the death of the insured in return for the periodic payment of a fixed premium over a predetermined period. Premium payments may be required for the entire life of the contract period, to a specified age or period, and may be level or change in accordance with a predetermined schedule. Whole life insurance includes policies that provide a participation feature in the form of dividends. Policyholders may receive dividends in cash or apply them to increase death benefits, increase cash values available upon surrender, or reduce the premiums required to maintain the contract in-force.

Term Life. Term life products provide a guaranteed benefit upon the death of the insured for a specified time period in return for the periodic payment of premiums. Coverage periods typically range from one year to thirty years, but in no event are they longer than the period over which premiums are paid.

Universal Life. Universal life products provide insurance coverage through a contract that gives the policyholder flexibility in premium payments and coverage amounts. Universal life products may allow the insured, within certain limits, to increase or decrease the amount of death benefit coverage over the term of the contract and the owner to adjust the frequency and amount of premium payments. Universal life products are interest rate sensitive, and we determine the interest crediting rates, subject to specified minimums.

Equity-indexed universal life products have the same features as the universal life products, but also allow policyholders to earn additional return through interest credited tied to the performance of a particular stock index, such as the S&P 500.

 

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Variable Universal Life. Variable universal life products provide insurance coverage on the same basis as universal life, except that the policyholder bears the investment risk because the value of the policyholder’s account balance varies with the investment experience of the securities held in the separate accounts selected by the policyholder.

Credit Life Insurance. Credit life insurance products are sold in connection with a loan or other credit account. Credit life insurance products are designed to pay off the borrower’s remaining debt to the lender on a loan or credit account if the borrower dies during the coverage period.

Annuity Segment—We provide the following products under our Annuity segment:

Deferred Annuity. A deferred annuity is an asset accumulation product. Deposits are received as a single payment, in the case of a single premium deferred annuity, or as multiple payments, in the case of a flexible premium deferred annuity. Deposits are credited with interest at our determined rates subject to policy minimums. For certain limited periods of time, usually from one to ten years, interest rates are guaranteed not to change. Deferred annuities usually have surrender charges that begin at issue and grade off over time and may have market value adjustments that can have a positive or negative effect on any surrender value.

An equity-indexed deferred annuity is credited with interest at minimum rates established by state insurance law. Any additional interest credited is typically tied to the performance of a particular stock market index.

Single Premium Immediate Annuity (“SPIA”). A SPIA is purchased with one premium payment, providing guaranteed periodic (usually monthly or annual) income payments to the annuitant for a specified period, such as for the remainder of the annuitant’s life. Return of the original deposit may not be guaranteed, depending on the terms of the annuity contract.

Variable Annuity. In a variable annuity the policyholder bears the investment risk because the value of the policyholder’s account balance varies with the investment experience of the securities held in the separate accounts selected by the policyholder.

Health Segment—We provide the following types of products under our Health segment:

Medicare Supplement. Medicare Supplement insurance is a type of private health insurance designed to supplement or pay the costs of certain medical services not covered by Medicare.

Supplemental Insurance. Supplemental insurance is designed to provide supplemental coverage for specific events or illnesses, such as cancer, and accidental injury or death.

Medical Expense. Medical expense insurance covers most health expenses including hospitalization, surgery and outpatient services (excluding dental and vision costs). We discontinued new sales of this coverage in June 2010; however renewals continues to affect our operating results.

Stop-Loss. Stop-loss coverage is used by employers to limit their exposure under self-insurance medical plans. Two coverages, which are usually offered concurrently, are available:

Specific Stop-Loss. Specific stop loss coverage is initiated when claims for an individual reach a threshold. After the threshold is reached, the policy reimburses claims paid by the employer up to the lifetime limit per individual.

Aggregate Stop-Loss. Aggregate stop-loss coverage reimburses the employer once the group’s total paid claims reach a stipulated threshold.

Credit Disability. Credit disability (also called credit accident and health) insurance pays a limited number of monthly payments on a loan or credit account if the borrower becomes disabled during the coverage period.

 

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Property and Casualty Segment—We provide the following types of products under our Property and Casualty segment:

Personal Lines. Personal lines include insurance policies issued to individuals for personal auto, homeowners and other personal exposures. Personal auto insurance covers specific risks involved in owning and operating an automobile. Homeowner insurance provides coverage that protects the insured’s property against loss from perils. Other personal insurance provides coverage for property such as boats, motorcycles and recreational vehicles.

Commercial Lines. Agribusiness insurance comprises the majority of our commercial lines. This includes property and casualty coverage tailored for a farm, ranch, vineyard or other agricultural business, contractors, and business within the rural and suburban markets. Commercial auto insurance is typically issued in conjunction with the sale of our agribusiness insurance and covers specific risks involved in owning and operating vehicles. Other commercial insurance is also sold along with our agribusiness policy and encompasses property, liability and workers’ compensation coverages.

Credit-Related Property Insurance Products. We primarily offer the following credit insurance products:

Collateral or Creditor Protection Insurance (“CPI”). CPI provides insurance against loss, expense to recover, or damage to personal property (typically automobiles) pledged as collateral resulting from fire, burglary, collision, or other loss occurrence that would either impair a creditor’s interest or adversely affect the value of the collateral. The coverage is purchased according to the terms of the credit obligation when the borrower fails to provide the required insurance. The cost of the insurance is charged to the borrower.

Guaranteed Auto Protection or Guaranteed Asset Protection (“GAP”). GAP insures the excess of the outstanding indebtedness over the primary property insurance benefits that may occur when there is a total loss to or an unrecovered theft of the collateral. GAP can be written on a variety of assets that are used as collateral to secure credit; however, it is most commonly written on automobiles.

Corporate and Other Segment—Our Corporate and Other segment encompasses primarily our invested assets not used to support insurance activities. It also includes our non-insurance subsidiaries, such as investment advisory services.

Marketing Channels

Product distribution is managed to satisfy specific markets in such a way that channel conflict across our five marketing channels is minimized and key brand identities are maintained. Whenever possible, products are cross-sold to maximize product offerings and return on investment in products and distribution. Our marketing channels are:

Independent Marketing Group (“IMG”)—distributes life insurance and annuities through independent agents serving middle and affluent markets, as well as niche markets such as the small pension plan arena. IMG provides products, service, and concepts to clients in need of wealth protection, accumulation, distribution, and transfer. IMG markets products through financial institutions, large marketing organizations, employee benefit firms, broker-dealers, and independent insurance agents and brokers.

IMG also markets to individuals who favor purchasing insurance directly from insurance companies. Direct Marketing offers life insurance to middle-income customers through multiple channels including direct mail, internet and call centers.

Career Sales and Service Division (“CSSD”)—The Career Sales and Service Division offers life insurance, annuities, and limited benefit health insurance products through exclusive employee agents primarily to the middle-income market. The Division’s business model is structured to distribute new products as well as provide door-to-door collections and personalized service to the customer via agents located throughout the United States. CSSD has evolved its operations to more of a non-traditional home service model by offering a wider variety of products and alternative payment options to meet the changing needs of the customer. The Career Sales and Service Division’s roots can be traced back to The Company’s founding in 1905.

 

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Multiple-line—offers life insurance, annuities, and property and casualty insurance primarily through dedicated agents. Multiple-line is committed to remain a leader in tri-line sales (sales of homeowners, auto, and life insurance). Policyholders can do business with a single agent, a concept that has been identified as an important driver to client satisfaction. Multiple-line serves individuals, families, and small business owners at all income levels.

Health Division—through independent agents and managing general underwriters, primarily serves the needs of middle-income seniors and individuals preparing for retirement. The Health Division offers an array of life insurance, health insurance, and annuity products for this growing segment of the population, including group life products, limited benefit group health insurance products, and health reinsurance. It remains committed to traditional Medicare Supplement products. Health Division is responsible for the administration of health insurance products sold by other marketing channels.

Credit Insurance Division—offers products that provide protection against specific unpaid debt in the event of loss due to death or disability, or in the event of a loss of “ability to repay,” such as involuntary unemployment or untimely loss of collateral. Distribution includes general agents who market to financial institutions, automobile dealers, and furniture dealers. These general agents are given non-exclusive authority to solicit insurance within a specified geographic area and to appoint and supervise subagents.

Policyholder Liabilities

We establish and carry as liabilities actuarially-determined amounts calculated to meet our future obligations on our outstanding policies. We compute the amounts for policyholder liabilities in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and the standards of practice of the American Academy of Actuaries.

We establish liabilities for future policy benefits (associated with base policies and riders, unearned mortality charges and future disability benefits), for other policyholder liabilities (associated with unearned premiums and claims payable) and for unearned revenue (the unamortized portion of front-end loads charged). We also establish liabilities for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses, including those that have been incurred but not yet reported. In addition, we establish liabilities for minimum death benefit guarantees relating to certain annuity contracts, secondary guarantees relating to certain life policies and fair value reserves for living benefits embedded derivative guarantees.

Pursuant to state insurance laws, we establish statutory reserves, reported as liabilities, to meet our obligations on our respective policies. These statutory reserves are established in amounts sufficient to meet policy and contract obligations, when taken together with expected future premiums and interest at assumed rates. Statutory reserves generally differ from future policy benefits determined using GAAP.

Additional information regarding our policyholder liabilities may be found in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations– Critical Accounting Estimates – Reserves section.

Risk Management

A conservative operating philosophy was a founding principle for our Company which is supported by our focus on sustainable and profitable growth. We manage risks throughout the Company by employing controls in our insurance and investment functions. These controls are designed to both place limits on activities and provide reporting information that helps shape any needed adjustments in our ongoing review of existing controls. We have a formal risk management program on an enterprise-wide basis to coordinate risk management efforts and ensure alignment between our risk-taking activities and our strategic objectives. This risk management program includes a corporate risk officer who chairs a Management Risk Committee to ensure consistent application of the enterprise risk management process across all business segments. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors also reviews the Company’s risk assessment and risk management policies. Finally, we make use of several senior management committees to support the discussion and enforcement of risk controls in our management of the Company.

 

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Our insurance products are designed to offer a balance of features desired by the marketplace with provisions that mitigate our risk exposures to allow prudent management across our insurance portfolio. We employ underwriting standards to ensure proper rates are charged to various classes of insureds. In our life insurance and annuity products, we mitigate against the risk of disintermediation through the use of surrender charges and market value adjustment features.

One of our significant risks is the management of the linkage between the timing of settlement and the amount of obligations related to our insurance and annuity contracts and the cash flows and valuations of the invested assets backing those obligations, a process commonly referred to as asset-liability management (“ALM”). This risk is most present in our Life and Annuity segments. Our ALM Committee regularly monitors the level of risk in the interaction of our assets and liabilities and helps shape courses of action intended to attain our desired risk-return profile. Investment allocations and duration targets also limit the risk exposure in our annuity products by limiting the credited rate to a range supported by these investments. Some of the additional tools which help shape investment decisions include deterministic and stochastic interest rate scenario analyses using a licensed, third party economic scenario generator and detailed insurance ALM models. These models also use experience analyses related to surrenders and death claims.

We also manage risk by using reinsurance to limit our exposure on any one insurance contract or any single event or series of events. Our reinsurance program addresses some of our individual risks with exposures above certain amounts as well as our exposure to catastrophes including hurricanes, tornadoes, wind and hail events, earthquakes, fires following earthquakes, winter storms, and wildfires. We purchase reinsurance from many providers and we are not dependent on any single reinsurer. We believe that our reinsurers are reputable and financially secure, and we regularly review the financial strength ratings of our reinsurers to ensure they meet established thresholds. Reinsurance does not remove our liability to pay our policyholders, and we remain liable to our policyholders for the risks we insure. In our Property and Casualty operations, the purchase of catastrophic and other reinsurance is an important risk management tool. Further, the use of catastrophic event models is an important element of our reinsurance program. These models assist us in the management of our exposure concentrations. In addition to reinsurance protection, we have managed our exposure to catastrophic risk by limiting personal homeowners business in coastal areas, implementing hurricane, wind and hail deductible requirements where appropriate, and not renewing coverage in over exposed regions with respect to hurricane or wind and earthquake risk.

Pricing

We establish premium rates for our life and health insurance products using assumptions as to future mortality, morbidity, persistency, and expenses, all of which are generally based on our experience, industry data, and projected investment earnings. Premium rates for property and casualty insurance are influenced by many factors, including the frequency and severity of claims, state regulation and legislation, competition, and general business and economic conditions, including market rates of interest and inflation. Profitability is affected to the extent actual experience deviates from our pricing assumptions.

Collections for certain annuity and life products are not recognized as revenues, but are added to policyholder account balances. Revenues from these products are derived from charges to the account balances for insurance risk and administrative costs as well as charges imposed, in some cases, upon surrender. Profits are earned to the extent these revenues exceed actual costs. Profits are also earned from investment income on the deposits invested in excess of the amounts credited to policyholders.

Premiums for Medicare Supplement and other accident and health policies must take into account the rising costs of medical care. The annual rate of medical cost inflation has historically been higher than the general rate of inflation, requiring frequent rate increases, most of which are subject to approval by state regulatory agencies.

Competition

We compete principally on the scope of our distribution systems, the breadth of our product offerings, reputation, marketing expertise and support, our financial strength and ratings, our product features and prices, customer service, claims handling, and in the case of producers, compensation. The market for insurance, retirement and investment products continues to be highly fragmented and competitive. We compete with a large number of domestic and foreign insurance companies, many of which offer one or more similar products. In addition, for our products that include a savings or investment component, our competition includes domestic and foreign securities firms, investment advisors, mutual funds, banks and other financial institutions.

 

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Several competing insurance carriers are larger than us and have brands that are more commonly known and spend significantly more on advertising than we do. We remain competitive with these commonly known brands by relying on our abilities to manage costs, providing attractive coverage and service, maintaining positive relationships with our agents, and maintaining our financial strength ratings. Rather than focusing our advertising efforts nationally, we support advertising in the local markets where our agents live and work.

Ratings

Insurer financial strength ratings are current independent opinions of rating agencies regarding the capacity of an insurance company to meet the obligations of its insurance policies and contracts in accordance with their terms. The ratings are based on comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluations of a company and its management strategy. The rating agencies do not provide ratings as a recommendation to purchase insurance or annuities, nor as a guarantee of an insurer’s current or future ability to meet contractual obligations. Each agency’s rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. Ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn at any time.

Our insurer financial strength rating from two of the most widely referenced rating organizations as of the date of this filing are as follows:

 

 

A.M. Best Company: A (Excellent) (1)

 

 

Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”): A (Strong) (2)

 

(1) A.M. Best’s rating of A is the third highest of thirteen ratings and represents companies’ “excellent ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations.” A.M. Best’s active company rating scale consists of thirteen ratings ranging from A++ (Superior) to D (poor).
(2) S&P’s rating of A is in the “strong” category and represents companies’ “strong capacity to meet financial commitments, but somewhat susceptible to adverse economic conditions and changes in circumstances.” A is the sixth highest of twenty active company ratings. Ranging from AAA (Extremely Strong) to CC (Extremely Weak) and uses plus (+) or Minus (-) modifiers show the relative standing within the AA to CCC categories.

Regulation Applicable to Our Business

Our insurance operations are subject to extensive regulation, primarily at the state level. The methods, extent and substance of such regulations vary by state but generally have their source in statutes that establish standards and requirements for conducting the business of insurance and that delegate broad regulatory authority to a state regulatory agency. In many cases, the regulatory models for state laws and regulations emanate from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”). These rules have a substantial effect on our business and relate to a wide variety of matters including insurance company licensing and examination, agent and adjuster licensing, policy benefits, price setting, accounting practices, the payment of dividends, the nature and amount of investments, underwriting practices, reserve requirements, marketing and advertising practices, privacy, policy forms, reinsurance reserve requirements, mergers and acquisitions, capital adequacy, transactions with affiliates, participation in shared markets and guaranty associations, claims practices and the remittance of unclaimed property.

State insurance departments monitor compliance with regulations through periodic reporting procedures and examinations. At any given time, financial, market conduct or other examinations of our insurance companies may be occurring.

The U.S. federal government has not historically regulated the insurance industry. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”), enacted in July 2010, however, expands the federal presence in insurance oversight. Dodd-Frank’s requirements include streamlining the state-based regulation of reinsurance and non-admitted insurance. Dodd-Frank also establishes a new Federal Insurance Office within the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which is authorized to, among other things, gather data and information to monitor aspects of the insurance industry, identify issues in the regulation of insurers about insurance matters, and preempt state insurance measures under certain circumstances. It is possible that additional federal regulation of the insurance industry may occur in the future.

 

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The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (“the Health Act”) makes significant changes to the regulation of health insurance and may affect us in various ways. We have business that could be affected by the Health Act however, the impact should be minimal based on the changes thus far indicated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We have moved diligently to comply with the Health Act and minimize any exposure to fines and taxes. While final regulations have not been released, the company expects the impact to be minimal to earnings, if any. We cannot predict the effect that the Health Act, or any regulatory pronouncement made thereunder, will have on our results of operations or financial condition.

Regulatory matters having the most significant effects on our insurance operations and financial reporting are described further below:

Limitations on Dividends by Insurance Subsidiaries. Dividends received from our insurance subsidiaries represent one source of cash for us. Our insurance subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends is restricted by state law and impacted by federal income tax considerations.

Holding Company Regulation. Our family of companies constitutes an insurance holding company system subject to regulation in the jurisdictions where our insurance companies do business. Our insurance companies are organized under the insurance codes of Texas, Missouri, New York, Louisiana, and California. Generally, these insurance codes require advance notice to, or in some cases approval by, the state insurance regulators prior to certain transactions between insurance companies and other entities within the holding company system. Such requirements may deter or delay certain transactions considered desirable by management. The NAIC recently approved revisions to its Model Holding Company System Regulatory Act that, when enacted by the legislatures of the states in which our insurance companies are domiciled, may increase reporting requirements with respect to transactions within the holding company system.

Price Regulation. Nearly all states have insurance laws requiring property and casualty and health insurers to file price schedules, policy or coverage forms, and other information with the state’s regulatory authority. In many cases these must be approved prior to use. The objectives of these pricing laws vary but generally a price cannot be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. Prohibitions on discriminatory pricing apply in the context of life insurance as well. The speed with which an insurer can change prices in response to competition or in response to increasing costs depends, in part, on the nature of the applicable pricing law.

An insurer’s ability to adjust its prices in response to competition or increasing costs is often dependent on an insurer’s ability to demonstrate to the applicable regulator that its pricing or proposed pricing meets the requirements of the pricing laws. In those states that significantly restrict an insurer’s underwriting ability, an insurer can manage its risk of loss by charging a price that reflects the cost and expense of providing the insurance. In those states that significantly restrict an insurer’s price setting ability, an insurer can manage its risk of loss by being more selective in the type of business it offers. When a state has significant underwriting and pricing restrictions, it becomes more difficult for an insurer to maintain its profitability. These kinds of restrictions can impact our ability to market products to residents of such states.

Changes in our claim settlement process may require us to adjust loss information used in our pricing process. Some regulatory authorities may not approve price increases that give full effect to these adjustments.

Guaranty Associations and Involuntary Markets. Under state insurance guaranty fund laws, insurers doing business in a state can be assessed, up to prescribed limits, in order to cover certain obligations of insolvent insurance companies. As a condition of maintaining our licenses to write property and casualty insurance in various states, we are required to participate in assigned risk plans, reinsurance facilities, and joint underwriting associations that provide various types of insurance coverage to individuals or entities that otherwise are unable to purchase such coverage from private insurers. Underwriting results related to these arrangements, which tend to be adverse, have not been material to our results of operations.

 

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Investment Regulation. Our insurance companies are subject to regulations that require investment portfolio diversification and limit the amount of investment in certain asset categories. Failure to comply with these rules leads to the treatment of non-conforming investments as non-admitted assets for measuring statutory surplus. In some instances, these rules may require divestiture of non-conforming investments.

Exiting Geographic Markets, Canceling and Non-Renewing Policies. Most states regulate an insurer’s ability to exit a market by limiting the ability to cancel and non-renew policies. Some states prohibit an insurer from withdrawing one or more types of insurance business from the state, except pursuant to an approved plan. These regulations could restrict our ability to exit unprofitable markets.

Statutory Accounting. Our quarterly and annual financial reports to the state insurance regulators utilize statutory accounting principles as defined in the Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual of the NAIC, which are different from GAAP. While not a substitute for any GAAP measure of performance, statutory data frequently is used by industry analysts and other recognized reporting sources to facilitate comparisons of the performance of insurance companies. Statutory accounting principles, in keeping with the intent to assure the protection of policyholders, are generally based on a solvency concept, while GAAP used for public reporting to stockholders is based on a going-concern concept.

Insurance Reserves. State insurance laws require that property and casualty and life insurers annually analyze the adequacy of reserves. Our appointed actuaries must submit an opinion that reserves are adequate for policy claims-paying obligations and related expenses.

Risk-Based Capital Requirements. The NAIC has developed a formula for analyzing insurance companies called risk-based capital (“RBC”). The RBC formula is intended to establish minimum capital thresholds that vary with the size and mix of a company’s business and assets. It is designed to identify companies with capital levels that may require regulatory attention. At December 31, 2012, the Company and each insurance subsidiary was more than adequately capitalized and exceeded the RBC minimum requirements.

Securities Regulation. The sale and administration of variable life insurance and variable annuities are subject to extensive regulatory oversight at the federal and state level, including regulation and supervision by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). Our variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies are issued through separate accounts that are registered with the SEC as investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Each registered separate account is generally divided into sub-accounts, each of which invests in an underlying mutual fund that is in itself a registered investment company under such act. In addition, the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by the separate accounts are registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933. The U.S. federal and state regulatory authorities and FINRA from time to time make inquiries and conduct examinations regarding our compliance with securities and other laws and regulations. We cooperate with such inquiries and examinations and when warranted take corrective action.

In addition, our periodic reports and proxy statements to stockholders are subject to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and corresponding rules of the SEC, and our corporate governance processes are subject to regulation by the SEC and the NASDAQ stock market. Our registered wholesale broker-dealer and registered investment adviser subsidiaries are subject to regulation and supervision by the SEC, FINRA and, in some cases, state securities administrators.

Privacy Regulation. U.S. federal laws, such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and the laws of some states regulate disclosures of certain customer information and require us to protect the security and confidentiality of such information. Such laws also require us to notify customers about our policies and practices relating to the collection, protection and disclosure of confidential customer information. Furthermore, state and federal laws, such as the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulate our use, protection and disclosure of certain personal health information.

Environmental Considerations. As an owner and operator of real property, we are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Inherent in such ownership and operation is also the risk that there may be potential environmental liabilities and costs in connection with any required remediation of such properties. In addition, we hold equity interests in companies that could potentially be subject to environmental liabilities. We routinely have environmental assessments performed with respect to real estate being acquired for investment and real property to be acquired through foreclosure. We cannot provide assurance that unexpected environmental liabilities will not arise. However, based on information currently available to us, management believes that any costs associated with compliance with environmental laws and regulations or any remediation of such properties will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

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Other types of regulation that could affect us include insurable interest laws, employee benefit plan laws, antitrust laws, federal anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism laws, and employment and labor laws. In some cases, severe penalties may be imposed for breach of these laws.

Significant risks presented to our business by extensive regulation are discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors section.

Employees

As of December 31, 2012, we had approximately 3,075 employees, of which approximately 739 are employed in our Galveston, Texas corporate headquarters. We consider our employee relations to be good.

Available Information

The Company files periodic and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such reports, proxy statements and other information may be obtained by visiting the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549 or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an internet website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

Our press releases, financial information and reports filed with the SEC (for example, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those Forms) are available online at www.anico.com. The reference to our Internet website does not constitute the incorporation by reference of information contained at such website into this report. Copies of any documents on our website are available without charge, and reports filed with or furnished to the SEC will be available as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with or furnished to the SEC.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The most significant risks and uncertainties that we face are described below. Any of these risks and uncertainties, individually or in the aggregate, could materially and adversely impair our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Economic Risk Factors

We face difficult conditions in the economy, which may not improve in the near future. Our results of operations are materially affected by economic conditions in the U.S. and elsewhere. Factors such as consumer spending, business investment, energy costs, geopolitical issues, the volatility and strength of the capital markets, inflation, the continuing threat of terrorism, ongoing military actions, concerns over tax and fiscal policy and downgrades in the sovereign debt of the U.S. and other countries all affect the business and economic environment, financial markets and, ultimately, the profitability of our business. Similarly, uncertainty associated with the absence of long-term government policy related to these or similar factors may have an adverse effect on consumers’ and businesses’ confidence, which ultimately may negatively impact our business.

In an economic downturn with higher unemployment and lower family income, lower consumer confidence and spending, increased defaults on mortgages, student and other consumer loans, and lower corporate earnings and business investment, the demand for our products could be adversely affected. For example, difficult credit conditions may adversely affect purchases of credit-related insurance products. In addition, our policyholders may choose to defer or stop paying insurance premiums, resulting in higher lapses or surrenders of policies. In particular, our distribution channels that serve middle-income markets face competition from alternative uses of the customer’s disposable income.

 

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Interest rates could remain persistently low, or significant changes in interest rates could occur. Some of our products, principally interest-sensitive life insurance and fixed annuities, expose us to the risk that changes in interest rates may reduce our “spread,” or the difference between the amounts we earn on investment and what we must pay under our contracts. Persistently low (or lower) interest rates, such as we are currently experiencing, compound this spread compression. Our ability to manage our investment margin is dependent upon maintaining profitable spreads between investment yields and interest crediting rates.

When market interest rates decrease or remain at relatively low levels, proceeds from maturing or prepaid or sold bonds may be reinvested at lower yields, reducing investment margin. Lower product rates in such an environment can offset decreases in investment yield; however, these changes may be timed differently and could be limited by market conditions and regulatory or contractual minimum rate guarantees. Furthermore, decreases in the rates offered on products could make those products less attractive, leading to lower sales and increased surrenders and withdrawals for these products. Non-parallel shifts in interest rates, such as increases in short-term rates without accompanying increases in medium and long-term rates, can influence customer demand for fixed annuities, which could impact the level and profitability of new investments by customers.

Increases in market interest rates can also have negative effects. For example, increasing rates on other insurance or investment products offered to our customers by competitors can lead to higher surrenders at a time when fixed maturity investment asset values are lower. For certain products, principally fixed annuity and interest-sensitive life products, the earned rate on assets could lag behind rising market yields. We may react to market conditions by increasing rates, which could narrow spreads.

While we use ALM processes to mitigate the effect on our spread of rising or falling interest rates, no assurance can be given that changes in interest rates will not affect our spreads. Additionally, our ALM incorporates assumptions about the relationship between short-term and long-term interest rates (i.e., the slope of the yield curve) and relationships between risk-adjusted and risk-free interest rates, market liquidity, and other factors. The effectiveness of our ALM may be negatively affected whenever actual results differ from these assumptions.

Operational Risk Factors

Our actual experience could differ from our estimates and assumptions regarding risk, the fair value and future performance of our investments, and the realization of deferred tax assets. Our product pricing includes long-term assumptions regarding investment returns, mortality, morbidity (the rate of incidence of illness), persistency (the rate at which our policies remain in-force), and our operating expenses. Our profitability substantially depends on our actual experience being consistent with these assumptions. If we fail to appropriately price our insured risks, or if our claims experience is more severe than our underlying assumptions, our profit margins and financial condition could be negatively affected. Conversely, significantly overpriced risks could negatively impact new business growth and retention of existing business.

Similarly, our loss reserves are an estimate of amounts needed to pay and administer incurred claims and, as such, are inherently uncertain; they do not and cannot represent an exact measure of liability. Inflationary scenarios, especially scenarios outside of historical norms or regulatory changes that affect the assumptions underlying our estimates can cause variability in our loss estimates. For example, rising medical costs require us to make higher payouts in connection with health insurance claims and claims of bodily injury under our property and casualty and health policies. Likewise, increases in costs for auto parts and repair services, construction costs, and commodities result in higher loss costs for property damage claims. Accordingly, our loss reserves for past periods could prove to be inadequate to cover our actual losses and related expenses. Changes in these estimates, both increases and decreases, are included in our results of operations during the period in which the changes are made.

With respect to our investments, the determination of the amount of allowances and impairments varies by investment type and is based upon our periodic evaluation and assessment of known and inherent risks associated with the respective asset class. Management updates its evaluations regularly and reflects changes in allowances and impairments in operations as evaluations are revised. Historical trends may not be indicative of future impairments or allowances. See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further description of our evaluation of impairments.

 

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Deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets are future tax deductions. The realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of sufficient future taxable income, including capital gains. If future events differ from our current forecasts and it is determined that the deferred tax assets cannot be realized, a deferred tax valuation allowance must be established, with a corresponding charge to net income.

Our risk management policies and procedures may leave us exposed to unidentified or unanticipated risk. Our performance is highly dependent on our ability to manage operational, financial, legal, and regulatory risks that arise from our day-to-day business activities, many of which are very complex. We have devoted significant resources to develop risk management policies and procedures, and we expect to continue to do so. Nonetheless, these policies and procedures may not be fully effective. In addition, we could experience unforeseen risks, or risks of a magnitude greater than expected, including those arising from failures in processes, procedures or systems implemented by us or a failure on the part of employees or third parties upon whom we rely in this regard.

Many of our methods for managing risk and exposures are based upon the use of observed historical market behavior or statistics premised on historical models. These methods may not accurately predict future exposures, which could be significantly greater than historical measures indicate. Other risk management methods depend upon the evaluation of information that is publicly available or otherwise accessible regarding markets, clients, catastrophe occurrence, or other matters. This information may not always be accurate, complete, up-to-date or properly evaluated. See Part II, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, for additional details.

Interest rate fluctuations and other events may require us to accelerate the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”). When interest rates rise, life and annuity surrenders and withdrawals may increase as policyholders seek to buy products with higher or perceived higher returns, requiring us to accelerate the amortization of DAC. To the extent such amortization exceeds any surrender or other charges earned as income upon surrender and withdrawal, our results of operations could be negatively affected.

DAC for both insurance and investment products is reviewed for recoverability, which involves significant management judgment in estimating the future profitability of current business. Typically, estimated lower levels of profitability accelerate DAC amortization, and higher levels of profitability have the opposite effect. If the actual emergence of future profitability were to be substantially lower than estimated, we could be required to accelerate DAC amortization, and such acceleration could adversely affect our results of operations. See also Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Estimates, and Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Date – Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices, and Note 10, Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

If we are unable to maintain the availability of our systems and safeguard the security of our data, our ability to conduct our business may be compromised and our reputation may be harmed. We rely on the availability, reliability, and security of our information-processing infrastructure, system platforms, and business applications to store, process, retrieve, and evaluate customer and company information. In certain lines of our business, our information technology and telecommunication systems interface with and rely upon third-party services. These business lines are highly dependent on our ability to access these external services to perform necessary business functions, such as acquiring new business, managing existing business, paying claims, and ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting. Systems failures or extended outages and our not being able to react quickly to such events could compromise our ability to perform critical functions on a timely basis. Therefore, we have implemented various strategies and ongoing processes in an effort to ensure our ability to support, expand and continually update our infrastructure and systems to keep up with business requirements and changes whether regulatory, internal or market driven. If these systems were inaccessible for an extended period of time due to natural or man-made disasters, or if they fail to function as designed, the resulting disruptions may impede or interrupt our business operations. To mitigate these risks we have business continuity and recovery plans to help ensure continued operations should an event occur. We cannot be certain that such plans will address every event or could be implemented successfully under all circumstances.

 

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We receive and transmit confidential data with and among customers, agents, financial institutions and selected third party vendors and service providers in the normal course of business. Despite our implementation of secure transmission techniques, internal data security measures, monitoring tools and best practices, our systems are vulnerable to security threats and breach attempts from both external and internal sources. Any such breach could result in access, viewing, misappropriation, altering or deleting information in our systems, including personal customer information, customer financial information and our proprietary business information. We rely on several layers of data protection technologies and designs to provide security and authentication capabilities to protect this information. We have invested significant time and resources to prevent and mitigate data security risks; however, we cannot be certain that our efforts will be effective considering increasingly advanced persistent threat techniques and complexity, and the evolving sophistication of cyber-attacks. Any significant disruption or security breach resulting in misappropriation of our proprietary information or customers’ personal data could cause significant damage to our business operations and reputation. In addition, it could result in substantial costs and consequences, including repairing systems, increased security costs, customer notifications, lost revenues, litigation, regulatory action, and reputational damage.

Employee error and misconduct may be difficult to detect and prevent and may result in significant losses. Losses may result from, among other things, fraud, errors, failure to document transactions properly, failure to obtain proper internal authorization, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements. There have been a number of highly publicized cases involving fraud or other misconduct by employees in the financial services industry in recent years, and there is a risk that employee misconduct could occur. It is not always possible to deter or prevent employee misconduct, and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases.

Our business operations depend on our ability to appropriately execute and administer our policies and claims. Our primary business is writing and servicing life, annuity, property and casualty, and health insurance for individuals, families and commercial business. Because we deal with large numbers of similar policies, any problems or discrepancies that arise in our pricing, underwriting, billing, processing, claims handling or other practices, whether as a result of employee error, vendor error, or technological problems, could have a negative effect on our results of operations and our reputation, if such problems or discrepancies are replicated through multiple policies.

Investment and Financial Markets Risk Factors

Fluctuations in the markets for fixed maturity securities, equity securities, and commercial real estate could adversely affect the valuation of our investment portfolio and our net investment income. Investment returns are an important part of our overall profitability. Our investment portfolio is subject to market risks, such as interest rate risk, market volatility, and deterioration in the credit of companies or governmental entities in which we have invested. In the event of extreme market events we could incur significant losses. Significant volatility in the markets can cause changes in interest rates, declines in equity prices, and the strengthening or weakening of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar, which individually or in aggregate could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity or cash flows.

When interest rates rise, the value of our investment portfolio may decline due to decreases in the fair value of our fixed maturity securities. Generally, we expect to hold our fixed maturity investments to maturity, including those that have declined in value. Our intent can change, however, due to financial market fluctuations, changes in our investment strategy, or changes in our evaluation of the investee’s financial condition and prospects. In a declining interest rate environment, prepayments and redemptions affecting our investment securities and mortgage loan investments may increase as issuers and borrowers seek to refinance at a lower rate. The decline in market rates could reduce our investment income as new funds are invested at lower yields.

The concentration of our investment portfolios in any particular industry, group of related industries, or geographic sector could adversely affect us. While we seek to mitigate this risk by having a broadly diversified portfolio, events or developments that have a negative impact on any particular industry, group of related industries, or geographic region may have a disproportionate adverse effect on our investment portfolios to the extent that the portfolios are concentrated rather than diversified. In addition, many companies have capitalized on the current low interest rates and issued bonds or incurred other debt above historic norms that may reduce below historic norms the amount of new debt coming to the market in 2013 and beyond. This imbalance may make it more difficult to maintain a well-diversified portfolio, which may increase our credit risk.

 

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Deterioration in the economy or deterioration in the commercial real estate market could adversely affect our investments in commercial real estate, including our mortgage loans. Our mortgage loan investments are principally collateralized by commercial properties. A significant increase in interest rates may also make it more difficult for commercial property owners to refinance existing mortgages as they are scheduled to mature, making repayment of balloon payments to us more difficult. A significant increase in the default rate of our mortgage loan investments could have a material adverse effect on us.

Some of our investments are relatively illiquid. Our investments in privately placed securities, mortgage loans, and real estate, including real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests, are relatively illiquid. If we require significant amounts of cash in excess of ordinary course cash requirements on a short notice it may be difficult or not possible to monetize these investments in an orderly manner, and we may be forced to sell them for less than we otherwise would have been able to realize.

A decline in equity markets or an increase in volatility in the equity markets may adversely affect sales and/or yields of our investment products, as well as the funding status of our sponsored pension plans. Significant downturns and volatility in the equity markets could adversely affect the profitability of our investment products, which may have a material adverse effect on us in multiple ways. First, market downturns and volatility may cause some of our existing customers to withdraw cash values or reduce investments in such products that have returns linked to the performance of the equity market, in turn reducing the fee revenues generated from these products.

Second, downturns and volatility in the equity markets may have a material adverse effect on the revenues and returns from our savings and investment products. In particular, the variable life and annuity business is highly sensitive to equity markets, and a sustained weakness in the markets could decrease revenues and earnings in these products.

Third, we provide certain guarantees within some of our products that protect policyholders against significant downturns in the equity markets. These guarantees may be more costly than expected in volatile or declining equity market conditions, which could cause us to increase our liabilities for future policy benefits, negatively affecting our net income.

Lastly, our estimates of liabilities and expenses for pension and other postretirement benefits incorporate assumptions regarding the rate used to discount our estimated future liability, the long-term rate of return on plan assets and the employee work force. Declines in the discount rate or the rate of return on plan assets both of which are influenced by potential investment returns could increase our required cash contributions or pension-related expenses in future periods.

Catastrophic Event Risk Factors

We may incur significant losses resulting from catastrophic events. Our property and casualty operations are exposed to catastrophes caused by natural events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, droughts, earthquakes, snow, hail and windstorms, and manmade events, such as terrorism, riots, hazardous material releases, or utility outages. Our life and health insurance operations are exposed to the risk of catastrophic mortality or illness, such as a pandemic, an outbreak of an easily communicable disease, or another event that causes a large number of deaths or high morbidity.

We cannot accurately predict the likelihood, timing or severity of catastrophe events, or the number and type of catastrophe events that will affect us. As a result, our operating results may vary significantly from one period to the next. While we anticipate and plan for catastrophe losses, there can be no assurance that our operating results will not be materially adversely affected by our exposure to catastrophe losses.

The extent of our losses in connection with catastrophic events is a function of the severity of the event and the amount of policyholder exposure in the affected area. Where we have geographic concentrations of policyholders, a single catastrophe (such as an earthquake) or a destructive weather event, may have a significant impact on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the effectiveness of external parties, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, in combating the severity of such a catastrophe could have a material impact on our loss experience. In addition, state regulators responsible for insurance regulation have the ability to impose claim settlement practices or suspend rules we may have expected to mitigate our losses. Actions such as these may negatively impact our ability to manage claims or cause us to incur additional costs.

 

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Some scientists believe that in recent years, climate change has added to the unpredictability, severity and frequency of natural disasters. To the extent climate change increases the frequency and severity of such weather events, we may face increased claims. In response to this belief, a number of legal and regulatory measures as well as social initiatives have been introduced in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas and other carbon emissions, which may be chief contributors to global climate change. We cannot predict how legal, regulatory and social responses to concerns about global climate change will impact our business.

The occurrence of events that are unanticipated in our business continuity and disaster recovery planning could impair our ability to conduct business effectively. Our corporate headquarters is located in Galveston, Texas, on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and in the past has been impacted by a hurricane. We have expanded our operations in League City, Texas and established a remote processing center in San Antonio, Texas. These locations are designed to support our operations and service our policyholders in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster affecting Galveston. The primary offices of our property and casualty insurance companies are located in Springfield, Missouri and Glenmont, New York. These offices help to insulate our property and casualty operations from coastal catastrophes. There is no assurance, however, our off-site disaster recovery systems and business continuity plans for these locations will prove successful. The severity, timing, duration or extent of an event may be unanticipated by our planning, and the event could have an adverse impact on our ability to conduct business, particularly if those events affect our computer-based data processing, transmission, storage and retrieval systems. In the event that a significant number of our managers, employees, or agents were unavailable following such a disaster, our ability to effectively conduct our business could be compromised.

Marketplace Risk Factors

Our future results are dependent in part on our ability to successfully operate in insurance and annuity industries that are highly competitive. Product development and life-cycles have shortened in many product segments, leading to more intense competition with respect to product features. In addition, many of our competitors have well-established national reputations and market similar products. Competition for customers and agents has led to increased marketing and advertising by our competitors, varied agent compensation structures, as well as the introduction of new insurance products and aggressive pricing.

In particular, our Medicare Supplement business is subject to intense price competition, which could negatively impact future sales and affect our ability to offer this product. In recent years, price competition in the traditional Medicare Supplement market has been significant, characterized by some insurers who have been willing to earn what we estimate to be very small profit margins or to underprice new sales in order to gain market share. We have elected not to underprice new sales, which we believe has negatively affected sales and could continue to do so if we do not match these industry practices.

We also compete for customers’ funds with a variety of investment products offered by financial services companies other than insurance companies, such as banks, investment advisors, mutual fund companies and other financial institutions. If we cannot effectively respond to increased competition for the business of our current and prospective customers, we may not be able to grow our business or we may lose market share. In addition, if we fail to maintain our discipline in pricing and underwriting in the face of this competition, our underwriting profits may be adversely affected.

We may be unable to attract and retain sales representatives and third-party independent agents for our products. Strong competition exists among insurers for producers with demonstrated ability. We compete with other insurers for producers primarily on the basis of our financial position, reputation, stable ownership, support services, compensation, product features and pricing. We may be unable to compete with insurers that adopt more aggressive pricing or compensation, that offer a broader array of products, that offer policies similar to ours at lower prices or as part of a package of products, or that have extensive promotional and advertising campaigns. If we are unsuccessful in attracting and retaining sales representatives and agents, sales of individual insurance and annuity products could be materially adversely affected.

 

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Our Medicare Supplement business could be negatively affected by alternative healthcare providers or changes to the Medicare program. The Medicare Supplement business is impacted by market trends in the senior-aged healthcare industry that provide alternatives to traditional Medicare, such as health maintenance organizations and other managed care or private plans. The success of these alternative healthcare solutions for senior-aged persons could negatively affect the sales and premium growth of traditional Medicare Supplement insurance and could impact our ability to offer such products.

In addition, because of increasing medical cost inflation and concerns about the U.S. fiscal policy and the solvency of the Medicare program, Congress could make changes or cuts to the Medicare program in the future. The nature and timing of these changes and cuts cannot be predicted and could adversely impact our Medicare Supplement business.

Litigation and Regulation Risk Factors

Litigation and regulatory investigations may result in significant financial losses and harm our reputation. In connection with our insurance operations, plaintiffs’ lawyers may bring lawsuits, including class actions, alleging, among other things, issues relating to sales or underwriting practices, agent misconduct, product design, product disclosure, product administration, fees charged, denial or delay of benefits, product suitability, claim and refund practices, and breaches of duties to customers. Plaintiffs in such lawsuits may seek very large or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages. The damages claimed and the amount of any probable and estimable liability, if any, may remain unknown for substantial periods of time and could have a material adverse effect on us. Even when we are successful in the defense of such actions, we could incur significant defense costs, including attorneys’ fees, other direct litigation costs and substantial amounts of management time that otherwise would be devoted to our business. Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contains a discussion of certain pending and ongoing litigation.

In addition, the insurance industry is the focus of increased regulatory scrutiny as various state and federal government agencies, including state attorneys general and comptrollers, conduct inquiries and investigations into the products and practices of the financial services industries. These lines of inquiry and investigation are broad and unpredictable and may raise issues not yet identified, as well as focusing on issues such as sales and marketing practices, suitability, pricing and fees, product disclosure, and unclaimed property policies and processes. Such investigations could result in new legal actions against us and industry-wide regulations that could adversely affect us.

We are subject to extensive regulation, and potential further restrictive regulation may increase our operating costs and limit our growth. Our insurance companies are subject to extensive insurance laws and regulations, most of which are designed to protect the interests of policyholders rather than the Company or its stockholders. Such regulation varies, but typically has its source in state statutes that delegate regulatory and supervisory powers to a state insurance official. This regulation and supervision affects nearly every aspect of our insurance business.

We are also subject to additional laws and regulations administered and enforced by a number of different governmental authorities, including state securities administrators, the SEC, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), FINRA, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Labor, and state attorneys general, each of which exercises a degree of interpretive latitude. Consequently, we are subject to the risk that compliance with any particular regulator or enforcement authority’s interpretation of a legal issue may not result in compliance with another regulator or enforcement authority’s interpretation of the same issue.

 

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In addition, there is risk that any particular regulator’s or enforcement authority’s interpretation of a legal issue may change over time to our detriment, or that changes in the overall legal environment may cause us to change our views regarding the actions we need to take from a legal risk management perspective, thus necessitating changes to our practices that may, in some cases, limit our ability to grow and improve our profitability.

The regulatory environment could have other significant effects on our business. Among other things, we could be fined, prohibited from engaging in some or all of our business activities, or made subject to limitations or conditions on our business activities. Significant regulatory developments or actions against us could have material adverse financial effects, cause significant harm to our reputation, or harm our business prospects.

The laws and regulations applicable to us are complex and subject to change. Compliance with these laws and regulations is time consuming and personnel-intensive. Changes in these laws and regulations may materially increase our direct and indirect compliance and other expenses of doing business. In addition, with respect to our property and casualty and health business, state departments of insurance regulate and approve underwriting practices and rate changes. Obtaining timely rate increases is of great importance when necessary to match rate to risk. Any delay in such regulatory approvals could adversely affect our profitability.

As insurance industry practices and legal, judicial, social, and other conditions outside of our control change, unexpected and unintended issues related to claims and coverage may emerge. These changes may include modifications to long established business practice or the interpretation of how policy contract provisions may be applied, which may adversely affect us by extending coverage beyond our underwriting intent or increasing the type, number, or size of claims. For example, the National Conference of Insurance Legislators has adopted the Model Unclaimed Life Insurance Benefits Act, which would impose new requirements on insurers to periodically compare their life insurance and annuity contracts and retained asset accounts against the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Death Master File, investigate any potential matches, determine whether benefits are payable, and attempt to locate beneficiaries. Some states have adopted legislation similar to such model act, and more states could do so. It is possible that this activity may result in additional payments to beneficiaries, additional escheatment of funds deemed abandoned under state laws, administrative penalties, interest, and changes to our procedures for the identification and escheatment of abandoned property. Given the legal and regulatory uncertainty in this area, it is also possible that we and other life insurers could be subject to claims, regulatory actions and litigation resulting in payments or costs that could have a material adverse effect on us. We have already modified our claims process in our life segment to comport with emerging trends. See the discussion of “Benefits losses and expenses” in the life segment discussion of the Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) below.

In addition to state regulatory changes, the enactment of Dodd-Frank provides for enhanced federal regulation of the financial services industry through multiple initiatives. Certain provisions of Dodd-Frank are or may become applicable to us, our competitors, or certain entities with which we do business. For example, Dodd-Frank includes a new framework for the regulation of over-the-counter derivatives markets, which will require the clearing of certain types of derivatives currently traded over-the-counter, which could potentially impose additional costs and regulation on us and expose us to the risk of a default by a clearinghouse with respect to our cleared derivative transactions. While some studies and rulemaking required under Dodd-Frank have been completed, there still remains significant uncertainty regarding the full impact of Dodd-Frank on us. We cannot predict with certainty the requirements or specific applicability of all regulations ultimately adopted under Dodd-Frank, nor can we predict with certainty how such regulations will affect our business or the financial markets generally.

For further discussions of the kinds of regulation applicable to us, see Item 1, Business, Regulation Applicable to Our Business section.

Changes in tax laws could decrease sales and profitability of certain products and increase our tax cost. Under current U.S. federal and state income tax laws, certain products we offer, primarily life insurance and annuities, receive favorable tax treatment designed to encourage consumers to purchase these products. This favorable treatment may give some of our products a competitive advantage over non-insurance products. The U.S. Congress from time to time may consider legislation that would reduce or eliminate this favorable policyholder tax treatment.

The U.S. Congress also may consider proposals to reduce the taxation of certain products or investments that may compete with life insurance and annuities. Legislation that increases the taxation on insurance products and/or reduces the taxation on competing products could lessen the advantage or create a disadvantage to some of our products, making them less competitive. Such proposals, if adopted, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to sell such products and could result in the surrender of some existing contracts and policies. In addition, changes in the U.S. federal and state estate tax laws could negatively affect the demand for the types of life insurance used in estate planning.

 

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Changes to the tax laws, administrative rulings or court decisions affecting U.S. corporations or the insurance industry could increase our effective tax rate and lower our net income. In addition, uncertainty regarding the tax structure in the future may also cause some current or future purchasers to delay or indefinitely postpone the purchase of products we offer. We cannot predict whether any tax legislation will be enacted or whether any legislation would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

New accounting rules or changes to existing accounting rules could negatively impact our business. We are required to comply with GAAP. A number of organizations are instrumental in the development and interpretation of GAAP, such as the SEC, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. GAAP is subject to constant review by these organizations and others in an effort to address emerging accounting rules and issue interpretative accounting guidance on a continual basis. We can give no assurance that future changes to GAAP will not have a negative impact on us.

We also must comply with statutory accounting principles (“SAP”) in our insurance operations. SAP and various components of SAP (such as actuarial reserving methodology) are subject to constant review by the NAIC and its taskforces and committees, as well as state insurance departments, in an effort to address emerging issues and otherwise improve or alter financial reporting. For example, the NAIC is currently considering various initiatives to modernize financial and solvency regulations. We cannot predict whether or in what form, potential changes will be enacted or what impact any such changes may have on our product mix, product profitability, reserve and capital requirements, financial condition or results of operations.

See Note 3, Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion regarding the impact of the recently issued accounting pronouncements and the future adoption of new accounting standards on the Company.

Reinsurance and Counterparty Risk Factors

Reinsurance may not be available, affordable or adequate to protect us against losses. As part of our risk management strategy, we purchase reinsurance for certain risks that we underwrite. Market conditions and geo-political events beyond our control, including the continued threat of terrorism, influence the availability and cost of reinsurance for new business. Moreover, in certain circumstances, the price of existing reinsurance contracts may also increase.

Recently, access to reinsurance has become more costly for us as well as the insurance industry in general. We may be forced to incur additional expenses for reinsurance, or we may not be able to obtain sufficient reinsurance on acceptable terms, which could adversely affect our ability to write future business or result in the assumption of more risk with respect to those policies we issue. A decrease in the amount of reinsurance, however, will increase our risk of loss.

The counterparties to our reinsurance arrangements or to the derivative instruments we use to hedge our business risks could default or fail to perform. We use reinsurance to mitigate our risks in various circumstances. Reinsurance does not relieve us of our direct liability to our policyholders, even when the reinsurer is liable to us. Our reinsurers may not pay the reinsurance recoverables owed to us or they may not pay these balances on a timely basis.

We enter into derivative contracts, including options, with a number of counterparties to hedge various business risks. If our counterparties fail or refuse to honor their obligations, our economic hedges of the related risk will be ineffective. Although our use of derivative instruments is not as significant as that of many of our competitors, such counterparty failures nevertheless could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, our estimates and assumptions regarding our use of any derivative instrument may fail to correspond to our actual long-term exposure with respect to identified risks. Moreover, we may fail to identify the nature or magnitude of risks to which we are exposed.

 

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Other Risk Factors

Our financial strength ratings could be downgraded. Financial strength ratings various Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (“NRSROs”) publish as their opinion regarding an insurance company’s creditworthiness and ability to meet policyholder and contractholder obligations are important to maintaining public confidence in our products, our ability to market our products, and our competitive position. We cannot predict what actions rating agencies may take, or what actions we may take in response to the actions of rating agencies. As with other companies in the financial services industry, our ratings could be downgraded at any time and without any notices by any NRSRO. For example, in 2010 and 2011, we experienced downgrades in our counterparty credit and financial strength ratings.

A downgrade or an announced potential downgrade of our financial strength ratings could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations in many ways, including:

 

  reducing new sales of insurance and annuity products;

 

  adversely affecting our relationships with our sales force and independent sales intermediaries;

 

  materially increasing the number or amount of policy surrenders and withdrawals;

 

  requiring us to reduce prices to remain competitive;

 

  increasing our possible borrowing cost;

 

  adversely affecting our ability to obtain reinsurance at reasonable prices; and

 

  adversely affecting our relationships with credit counterparties.

It is likely that the NRSROs will continue to apply a high level of scrutiny to financial institutions, including us and our competitors in the insurance industry, and may adjust upward the capital and other requirements employed in the NRSRO models for maintenance of certain ratings levels.

We are controlled by a small number of stockholders. As of December 31, 2012, the Moody Foundation, a charitable trust controlled by Robert L. Moody, Sr. and two of his children, beneficially owned 6,157,822 shares of our common stock. In addition to these shares and as of such date, Moody National Bank, of which Robert L. Moody, Sr. is chairman and chief executive officer, in its capacity as trustee or agent of various accounts had the power to vote an additional 12,097,507 shares of our common stock. These two stockholders have the power to vote approximately 68.0% of our common stock. As a result, these two stockholders, subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements, have the ability to exercise a controlling influence over all matters affecting us, including the composition of our Board of Directors, and through the Board of Directors any determination with respect to our business direction and policies, and any other matters submitted for stockholder approval.

This concentration of voting power could deter a change of control or other business combination that might otherwise be beneficial or preferable to other stockholders. It may also adversely affect the trading price of our common stock because investors may perceive disadvantages in owning stock in a company that is controlled by a small number of stockholders.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We own and occupy approximately 420,000 square feet at our corporate headquarters located in Galveston, Texas. We also own the following properties that are materially important to our operations:

 

  We own and occupy four buildings in League City, Texas, totaling approximately 346,000 square feet. Our Life, Health, and Corporate and Other business segments use approximately 60% of such space.

 

  Our Property and Casualty segment conducts substantial operations in Springfield, Missouri, and in Glenmont, New York. The Springfield facility is approximately 232,000 square feet, of which we occupy approximately 80%, and the Glenmont facility is approximately 140,000 square feet, all of which is occupied by us.

 

  We own a building in San Antonio, Texas, which is approximately 100,000 square feet. We use approximately 75% of this facility for customer service and business operations.

 

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We believe our properties are adequate and suitable for our business as currently conducted and are adequately maintained. The above properties do not include properties we own for investment purposes only.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Information required for Item 3 is incorporated by reference to the discussion under the heading “Litigation” in Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable

PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Stockholder Information

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ANAT.” The following table presents the high and low prices for our common stock and the quarterly dividends declared per share.

 

     Stock Price Per Share      Dividend  
     High      Low      Per Share  

2012

        

Fourth quarter

   $ 74.34       $ 63.68       $ 0.77   

Third quarter

     72.64         68.14         0.77   

Second quarter

     72.79         66.58         0.77   

First quarter

     78.08         70.28         0.77   
        

 

 

 
         $ 3.08   
        

 

 

 

2011

        

Fourth quarter

   $ 75.04       $ 66.11       $ 0.77   

Third quarter

     80.52         65.71         0.77   

Second quarter

     81.13         74.50         0.77   

First quarter

     89.25         75.17         0.77   
        

 

 

 
         $ 3.08   
        

 

 

 

We expect to continue to pay regular cash dividends, although there is no assurance as to future dividends because they depend on future earnings, capital requirements and financial conditions. The payment of dividends is subject to restrictions described in Note 16, Stockholders’ Equity and Noncontrolling Interest, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and as discussed in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Capital Resources.

On December 31, 2012, our closing stock price was $68.29 per share. As of December 31, 2012, there were approximately 865 holders of record of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock.

 

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Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table provides information regarding our common stock that is authorized for issuance under American National’s 1999 Stock and Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2012:

 

     Equity Compensation Plan Information  
     Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
     Weighted-average
exercise price
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
     Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
 
     (a)      (b)      (c)  

Plan category

        

Equity compensation plans

        

Approved by security holders

     —         $ 111.31         2,103,166   

Not approved by security holders

     —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     —         $ 111.31         2,103,166   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Performance Graph

The following graph compares the performance of the cumulative total stockholder return for the Company’s stockholders for the last five years with the performance of the NASDAQ Stock Market Index and the NASDAQ Insurance Stock Index. The graph plots the cumulative changes in value of an initial $100 investment as of December 31, 2007 over the periods shown.

 

LOGO

Value at each year-end of a $100 initial investment made on December 31, 2007:

 

     12/31/07      12/31/08      12/31/09      12/31/10      12/31/11      12/31/12  

American National

   $ 100.00       $ 63.61       $ 103.66       $ 78.20       $ 70.34       $ 69.06   

NASDAQ Total

     100.00         61.17         87.93         104.13         104.69         123.85   

NASDAQ Insurance

     100.00         92.63         96.74         108.93         113.45         133.04   

This performance graph shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into our SEC filings and should not constitute soliciting material or otherwise be considered filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

American National Insurance Company

(and its subsidiaries)

 

(dollar amounts in millions, except per    Years ended December 31,  

share amounts, or unless otherwise noted)

   2012      2011(1)      2010(1)     2009(1)     2008(1)  

Total premiums and other revenues

   $ 2,987       $ 3,023       $ 3,073      $ 2,941      $ 2,507   

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to American National Insurance Company and Subsidiaries

     192         192         144        12        (176

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —           —           (1     (1     20   

Net income (loss)

     192         192         143        11        (156

Net income (loss) attributable to American National Insurance Company and Subsidiaries

     191         191         144        16        (154

Per common share

            

Income (loss) from continuing operations:

            

– basic

     7.15         7.18         5.48        0.41        (5.88

– diluted

     7.11         7.14         5.46        0.41        (5.88

Income (loss) from discontinued operations:

            

– basic

     —            —            (0.05     (0.05     0.73   

– diluted

     —            —            (0.05     (0.05     0.73   

Net income (loss) attributable to American National Insurance Company and Subsidiaries:

            

– basic

     7.15         7.18         5.43        0.36        (5.15

– diluted

     7.11         7.14         5.41        0.36        (5.15

Cash dividends per share

     3.08         3.08         3.08        3.08        3.08   
     Years ended December 31,  
     2012      2011(1)      2010(1)     2009(1)     2008(1)  

Total assets

   $ 23,107       $ 22,490       $ 21,416      $ 20,118      $ 18,358   

Total American National Insurance Company and Subsidiaries stockholders’ equity

     3,828         3,637         3,614        3,441        3,116   

Total stockholder’s equity

     3,839         3,650         3,618        3,453        3,124   

 

(1) 

Amounts were adjusted to reflect the effect of the retrospective adoption of a new accounting standard on deferred policy acquisition costs.

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included herein.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this report include forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “expects,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “will” or words of similar meaning; and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook of our business and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to changes and uncertainties, which are, in many instances, beyond our control and have been made based upon our assumptions, expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect upon us. There can be no assurance that future developments will be in accordance with our expectations, or that the effect of future developments on us will be as anticipated. It is not a matter of corporate policy for us to make specific projections relating to future earnings, and we do not endorse any projections regarding future performance made by others. Additionally, we do not publicly update or revise forward-looking statements based on the outcome of various foreseeable or unforeseeable events.

These forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. There are certain important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from expectations or estimates reflected in such forward-looking statements, including without limitations risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors and elsewhere in this report.

 

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Overview

We are a diversified insurance and financial services company, offering a broad spectrum of insurance products. Chartered in 1905, we are headquartered in Galveston, Texas. We operate in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa and Puerto Rico.

Segments

The insurance segments do not directly own assets. Rather, assets are allocated to support the liabilities and surplus of each segment. The mix of assets allocated to each of the insurance segments is managed to support the characteristics of the insurance liabilities including cash flows and pricing assumptions, and is considered sufficient to support each segment’s business activities. We have utilized this methodology consistently over all periods presented.

The Corporate and Other business segment acts as the owner of all of the invested assets of the Company. The investment income from the invested assets is allocated to the insurance segments in accordance with the assets allocated to each insurance segment. Earnings of the Corporate and Other business segment are derived from our non-insurance businesses as well as earnings from those invested assets not allocated to the insurance segments. All realized investment gains and losses, which includes other than temporary impairments (“OTTI”), are recorded in this segment.

Outlook

This report contains many forward-looking statements, particularly relating to our future financial performance. Actual results are likely to differ materially from those forecasts, depending on the outcome of various factors.

Our business has been and will continue to be, influenced by a number of industry-wide and segment or product-specific trends and conditions. In our discussion below, we first outline the broad macro-economic or industry trends (General Trends) that we expect to impact our overall business. Second, we discuss certain segment-specific trends we believe may impact individual segments or specific products within these segments.

General Trends

Challenging Financial and Economic Environment: We believe that as expectations for global economic growth remain uncertain, factors such as consumer spending, business investment, the volatility and condition of the capital markets and inflation will affect the business and economic environment and, in turn, impact the demand for the type of financial and insurance products we offer. Adverse changes in the economy could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. However, we believe those risks are somewhat mitigated by our financial strength, active enterprise risk management and disciplined underwriting for our products. Our diverse product mix across insurance segments is a strength that we expect will help us adapt to current economic times and give us the ability to serve the changing needs of our customers. For example, fluctuations in the stock market during recent years have led investors to search for financial products that are insulated from the volatility of the markets. We are well positioned to serve the demand in this marketplace given our success with fixed annuity products. Additionally, through our conservative business approach, we believe we remain financially strong, and we are committed to providing a steady and reliable source of financial protection for policyholders.

Low Interest Rates: Low interest rate environments are typically challenging for life and annuity companies as the spreads on deposit-type funds and contracts narrow and policies approach their minimum crediting rates. Low market interest rates may reduce the spreads between the amounts we credit to fixed annuity and individual life policyholders and the amounts we earn on the investments that support these obligations. We have an ALM Committee that actively manages the profitability of our in-force insurance and annuity contracts. We believe we were an early adopter of lower guaranteed minimum crediting rates on new fixed annuity contracts, which has afforded us the flexibility to respond to the unusually low interest rates in recent years . Additionally, we have reduced crediting rates on in-force contracts, where permitted to do so. These actions have helped mitigate the adverse impact of low interest rates on our spreads and profitability of these products, although sales volume has and could further diminish as a result. Additionally, we maintain assets with various maturities to support product liabilities and ensure liquidity. A gradual increase in longer-term interest rates relative to short-term rates generally will have a favorable effect on the profitability of these products. Rapidly rising interest rates, however, could result in reduced persistency of our spread-based products, as contract holders shift assets into higher yielding investments. We believe our ability to react quickly to the changing marketplace will help us manage this risk.

 

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Low interest rates are also challenging for property and casualty companies. Investment income is generally a substantial element in earning an acceptable return on capital. Lower interest rates resulting in lower investment income require us to achieve better underwriting results. We have taken pricing actions to help mitigate the adverse impact of low interest rates on our property and casualty business.

Importance of Operating Efficiencies: The challenging economic environment creates a further need for operating cost reductions and efficiencies. We aggressively manage our cost base while maintaining our commitment to provide superior customer service to agents and policyholders. Investments in technology are aligned with activities and are coordinated through a disciplined project management process. We anticipate continually improving our use of technology to enhance our policyholders’ and agents’ experience and increase efficiency of our employees.

Changing Regulatory Environment: The insurance industry is regulated at the state level and some life and annuity products and services are subject to U.S. federal regulation. We are regularly subjected to additional or changing regulation that requires us to update systems, change product structure or increase the amount of reporting. These changes may increase the capital requirements for us and the industry, increase operating costs, change our operating practices and change our ability to provide products with pricing attractive to the marketplace.

Life and Annuity

Life insurance continues to be our mainstay segment, as it has been during our long history. We believe that the combination of predictable and decreasing mortality rates, positive cash flow generation for many years after policy issue and favorable persistency characteristics suggest a viable and profitable future for this line of business. We continue to use a wide variety of marketing channels and plan to expand our traditional distribution models with additional agents.

Effective management of invested assets and associated liabilities involving crediting rates and, where applicable, financial hedging instruments (which are utilized as economic hedges of equity-indexed life and annuity products), are important to the success of our life and annuity segments. Asset “disintermediation”, the risk of large outflows of cash at times when it is disadvantageous to us to dispose of invested assets, is a risk associated with this segment.

Demographics: We believe a key driver shaping the actions of the life insurance industry is the rising income protection, wealth accumulation, and insurance needs of retiring Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964). According to the US Census Bureau Brief entitled “Age and Sex Composition: 2010”, the median age of the population, increased from 35.3 years in 2000 to 37.2 years in 2010. The aging of the Baby Boom population is a major contributor to the increase, along with stable birth rates and improving mortality. While the total population grew at a rate of 9.7% over the 10-year period from 2000 to 2010, the increase in the number aged 45 to 64 years and those 65 years and over grew at rates of 31.5% and 15.1%, respectively. As a result of increasing longevity and uncertainty regarding the Social Security System, retirees will need to accumulate sufficient savings to support retirement income requirements.

We are well positioned to address the Baby Boomers’ increasing need for savings tools and income protection. We believe our overall financial strength and broad distribution channels position us to respond with a variety of products to individuals approaching retirement age who seek information to plan for and manage their retirement needs. We believe our products that offer guaranteed income flows for life, including single premium immediate annuities, are well positioned to serve this market.

Competitive Pressures: The life insurance industry remains highly competitive. Product development and life cycles have shortened in many products, leading to more intense competition with respect to product features. In addition, several of the industry’s products can be quite homogeneous and subject to intense price competition. We believe we possess sufficient scale, financial strength and flexibility to effectively compete in this market.

 

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The annuity market is also highly competitive. In addition to aggressive annuity rates and new product features such as guaranteed living benefit riders within the industry, there is also a growing competition from other financial service firms. Insurers continue to evaluate their distribution channels and the way they deliver products to consumers. We have never provided guaranteed living benefits as a part of our variable annuity products. We believe these products were not adequately priced relative to the risk profile of the product. While this may have impeded our ability to sell variable annuities in the short term, we believe this strategy has given us an advantage in terms of profitability over the long term.

We believe we will continue to be competitive in the life and annuity markets through our broad line of products, diverse distribution channels, and consistent high level of customer service. We modify our products to meet customer needs and to expand our reach where we believe we can obtain profitable growth. Some highlights of recent activities include:

 

   

Sales of traditional life insurance products increased in 2012 primarily resulting from a new portfolio of term products. This, coupled with our focus on policy persistency and expense management, allowed us to continue to maintain a stable and profitable block of in-force business.

 

   

Sales of equity-indexed universal life insurance products through each of our life distribution channels increased in 2012.

 

   

New accelerated underwriting processes were implemented to more efficiently serve middle income customers’ purchases of life insurance.

Health

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and a reconciliation measure, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, “the Healthcare Acts”), were signed into law in 2010. The Healthcare Acts mandate broad changes in the delivery of health care benefits that impact our current business model, including its relationship with current and future customers, producers and health care providers, products, services, processes and technology. As a result of the Healthcare Acts, management decided to discontinue the sale of individual medical expense insurance plans in 2010.

The Healthcare Acts have generated new opportunities in the limited benefit and supplemental product markets. During 2011, we began building a portfolio of products to be sold in the worksite market as well as to individuals. In 2012, we began establishing new distribution channels and sales strategies and are experiencing an increase in sales of our new worksite products.

We expect our Managing General Underwriter line (“MGU”), which provides a significant contribution to Health profits, to continue to grow during 2012. Most of the income associated with this line is fee income included in “Other income” of the Health segment’s operating results; we retain only 10% of the MGU premium.

Property and Casualty

Our operating results continue to be significantly impacted by a high level of catastrophe losses in the Midwest and Northeast. We are adjusting our pricing models to incorporate the increased probability of severe weather losses and monitoring our geographic exposures on an ongoing basis to address the volatility on our portfolio of risks.

“U.S. Property/Casualty – Review and Preview” published by A.M. Best on February 4, 2013 noted that the U.S. property and casualty insurance industry has continued to experience above average catastrophe losses. While Sandy was certainly the most significant U.S. catastrophe of 2012, it was not the only weather event to cause losses. Through the first six months of 2012, in fact, the industry’s weather-related losses were significantly above industry’s average. Tornadoes, wildfires, hailstorms, Tropical Storms Beryl and Debby, and an outbreak of severe storms that caused damage from the Midwest to the mid-Atlantic, brought total industry losses through June 30 to more than $13 billion, an unusually high mid-year industry total. Hurricane Isaac – the only storm to make U.S. landfall classified as a hurricane in 2012 – cause an estimated $2 billion in total economic damage. Without Sandy, expected to be the second costliest catastrophe on record, at $25 billion, the United States would have experienced an “average” catastrophe year, with approximately 4 points of industry losses attributable to catastrophe events.

 

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Also noted in the report, the personal lines segment has faced many challenges over the past few years and has been impacted by frequent and severe weather-related events. This property line volatility has been offset by general stable results on the automobile line. Although loss cost pressures, particularly regarding medical inflation, continue to influence results, overall automobile performance within the industry has been generally adequate. The industry’s commercial-lines segment is still grappling with competitive market conditions, less favorable reserve development, sluggish economic growth and depressed investment yields.

Demand for P&C credit-related insurance products continues to increase. Credit markets have improved from the previous recessionary years, which resulted in increasing sales in the auto dealer market and, in turn, demand for our GAP products. We continue to update credit-related insurance product offerings and pricing to meet changing market needs, as well as adding new agents to expand market share in the credit-related insurance market. We are reviewing and implementing procedures to enhance customer service and, at the same time, looking for efficiencies to reduce administrative costs.

Competition: Also noted in the A.M. Best publication referenced above is that the property and casualty insurers are facing a continued competitive pricing environment. Despite the challenging pricing environment, we expect to identify profitable opportunities through our strong distribution channels, expanding geographic coverage, marketing efforts, new product development and pricing sophistication.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that often involve a significant degree of judgment, in particular, expectations of current and future mortality, morbidity, persistency, claims and claim adjustment expenses, recoverability of receivables, investment returns and interest rates. In developing these estimates, we make subjective and complex judgments that are inherently uncertain and subject to material changes as facts and circumstances develop. Although variability is inherent in these estimates, we believe that the amounts as reported are appropriate, based upon the facts available upon compilation of the consolidated financial statements.

Management reviews the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our financial statements on an ongoing basis. If management determines that modifications in estimates and assumptions are appropriate given current facts and circumstances, our financial position and results of operations as reported in the consolidated financial statements could change significantly.

A description of these critical accounting estimates is presented below. Also, see the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Reserves

Life and Annuity Reserves

Life Reserving Methodology— Establishing an adequate liability for amounts payable under life insurance policies requires the use of assumptions. (Principal assumptions used in the establishment of liabilities for future policy benefits are mortality, policy lapse rates, investment return, inflation, expenses and other contingent events as appropriate to the respective product type). Reserves for incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims on life policies are also established using historical claims information. Liabilities for interest-sensitive and variable universal life insurance policies are equal to the current account value established for the policyholder. Some of our universal life policies contain secondary guarantees, for which an additional liability is established.

Annuity Reserving Methodology—We establish liabilities for amounts payable under annuity contracts, including fixed payout and deferred annuities. Liabilities for payout annuities with more than insignificant amounts of mortality risk are calculated in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance for limited pay insurance contracts. Benefit and maintenance expense reserves are established by using assumptions reflecting our expectations, including an appropriate margin for adverse deviation. Payout annuity reserves are calculated using standard industry mortality tables specified for statutory reporting. If the resulting reserve would otherwise cause profits to be recognized at the issue date, additional reserves are established. The resulting recognition of profits would be gradual over the expected life of the contract.

 

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Liabilities for deferred annuities are established equivalent to the account value held on behalf of the policyholder. Additional reserves for guaranteed minimum death benefits are determined as needed in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance. The profit recognition on deferred annuity contracts is gradual over the expected life of the contract. No immediate profit is recognized on the sale of the contract.

Key Assumptions

Implicit in the actuarial methodologies are the following assumptions, which reflect our best estimates and may impact our life and annuity reserves:

 

   

Lapse rates will remain reasonably consistent with our expectations;

 

   

Mortality rates will remain reasonably consistent within standard industry mortality table ranges;

 

   

Interest spreads will remain reasonably consistent with our expectations.

Recoverability—At least annually, we test the adequacy of the net benefit reserves (policy benefit reserves less DAC) established for life insurance and annuity products. This testing is referred to as “Loss Recognition” for traditional products and “Unlocking” for interest-sensitive products. The assumptions used to perform the tests are our current best estimate assumptions as to policyholder mortality, persistency, maintenance expenses and invested asset returns.

For traditional business, a “lock-in” principle applies, whereby the assumptions used to calculate the benefit reserves and DAC are set when a policy is issued and do not change with changes in actual experience. These assumptions include margins for adverse deviation in the event that actual experience differs from the original assumptions.

For interest-sensitive business, best-estimate assumptions are updated to reflect observed changes based on experience studies and current economic conditions. We reflect the effect of such assumption changes in DAC and reserve balances accordingly. Due to the long-term nature of many of the liabilities, small changes in certain assumptions may cause large changes in profitability. In particular, changes in estimates of the future invested asset return assumption have a large effect on the degree of reserve adequacy and DAC recoverability.

Health Reserves

Overview—We establish future policy benefit reserves in order to match income and benefit expenses by accounting period. Policy and contract claim reserves are established in order to associate future benefit payments, both known and unknown, with the period in which they were incurred. As of year-end 2012, the total Health net reserves were $154.6 million versus $164.3 million at year-end 2011. The following methods are employed to establish the Health reserves:

Completion Factor Approach—This method assumes that the historical lag pattern will be an accurate representation of unpaid claim payments. An estimate of the unpaid claims is calculated by subtracting period-to-date paid claims from an estimate of the ultimate ‘complete’ payment for all incurred claims in the period. Completion factors are calculated which “complete” the current period-to-date payment totals for each incurred month to estimate the ultimate expected payout.

Tabular Claims Reserves—This method is used to calculate the reserves for disability income and long-term care blocks of business. These reserves rely on published valuation continuance tables created using industry experience regarding assumptions of continued morbidity and subsequent recovery. The tabular reserves are calculated by applying these continuance tables, along with appropriate company experience adjustments, to the stream of contractual benefit payments. These expected benefit payments are discounted at the required interest rate.

 

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Future Policy Benefits—Liabilities for future policy benefits are equal to the aggregate of the present value of expected future benefit payments, less the present value of expected future premiums. Morbidity and termination assumptions are based on our experience or published valuation tables when available and appropriate.

Premium Deficiency Reserves—Deficiency reserves are established when the expected future claim payments and expenses for a classification of policies having homogenous characteristics are in excess of the expected premiums for these policies. The determination of a deficiency reserve takes into consideration the likelihood of premium rate increases, the timing of these increases, and the expected benefit utilization patterns. We have established premium deficiency reserves for portions of the major medical business and the long-term care business that are in run-off. The assumptions and methods used to determine the deficiency reserves are reviewed periodically for reasonableness, and the reserve amount is monitored against emerging losses.

Property and Casualty Reserves

Reserves for Claims and Claim Adjustment Expense (“CAE”)—Property and Casualty reserves are established to provide for the estimated cost of paying claims under insurance policies written. These reserves include estimates for both case and IBNR reserves. Included in these reserves are estimates of the expenses associated with settling claims, also known as CAE. The two major categories of CAE are defense and cost containment expense, and adjusting and other expense. The details of property and casualty claims and CAE reserves are shown in the following table (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Gross      Ceded      Net      Gross      Ceded      Net  

Case

   $ 471,998       $ 43,676       $ 428,322       $ 470,519       $ 37,673       $ 432,846   

IBNR

     412,839         8,508         404,331         440,473         15,479         424,994   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 884,837       $ 52,184       $ 832,653       $ 910,992       $ 53,152       $ 857,840   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Case Reserves—Reserves for reported losses are established on either a judgment or a formula basis, depending on the timing and type of the loss. The formula reserve is a fixed amount for each claim of a given type based on historical paid loss data for similar claims with provisions for trend changes, such as those caused by inflation. Judgment reserve amounts generally replace initial formula reserves and are set on a per case basis based on facts and circumstances of each case and the expectation of damages. We regularly monitor the adequacy of reserves on a case-by-case basis and change the amount of such reserves as necessary.

IBNRIBNR reserves are estimated based on many variables, including historical statistical information, inflation, legal developments, economic conditions, and general trends in claim severity, frequency and other factors that could affect the adequacy of claims reserves. Loss and premium data is aggregated by exposure class and by accident year. IBNR reserves are calculated by projecting ultimate losses on each class of business and subtracting paid losses and case reserves. Our overall reserve practice provides for ongoing claims evaluation and adjustment based on the development of related data and other relevant information pertaining to claims. Adjustments in aggregate reserves, if any, are included in the results of operations of the period during which such adjustments are made.

We believe our actuaries conservatively reflect the potential uncertainty generated by volatility in our loss development profiles when selecting loss development factor patterns for each line of business. See Results of Operations and Related Information by Segment – Property and Casualty, Prior Period Reserve Development section of the MD&A for additional information.

The evaluation process to establish the claims and CAE reserves involves the collaboration of underwriting, claims and internal actuarial departments. The process also includes consultation with independent actuarial firms on a regular basis. Work performed by independent actuarial firms is an important part of our process of gaining reassurance that the claims and CAE reserves determined by our internal actuarial department sufficiently meet all obligations arising from all claims incurred as of year-end. Additionally, the independent actuarial firms complete the Statements of Actuarial Opinion at each year-end, certifying that the recorded claims and CAE reserves appear reasonable.

 

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Premium Deficiency Reserve—Deficiency reserves are established when the expected claims payments and a maintenance component for a product line is in excess of the expected premiums for that product line. The determination of a deficiency reserve takes into consideration the current profitability of a product line using anticipated claims, claims expense, and policy maintenance costs. The assumptions and methods used to determine the deficiency reserves are reviewed periodically for reasonableness and the reserve amount is monitored against emerging losses. There were no reserves of this type at December 31, 2012.

P & C Reserving Methodology—The following actuarial methods are utilized in our reserving process during both annual and interim reporting periods:

 

   

Initial Expected Loss Ratio—This method calculates an estimate of ultimate losses by applying an estimated loss ratio to an estimate of ultimate earned premium for each accident year. This method is appropriate for classes of business where the actual paid or reported loss experience is not yet mature enough to override initial expectations of the ultimate loss ratios.

 

   

Bornhuetter Ferguson—This method uses as a starting point an assumed initial expected loss ratio method and blends in the loss ratio implied by the claims experience to date by using loss development patterns based on our own historical experience. This method is generally appropriate where there are few reported claims and a relatively less stable pattern of reported losses.

 

   

Loss or Expense Development (Chain Ladder)—This method uses actual loss or defense and cost containment expense data and the historical development profiles on older accident periods to project more recent, less developed periods to their ultimate position. This method is appropriate when there is a relatively stable pattern of loss and expense emergence and a relatively large number of reported claims.

 

   

Ratio of Paid Defense and Cost Containment Expense to Paid Loss Development—This method uses the ratio of paid defense and cost containment expense to paid loss data and the historical development profiles on older accident periods to project more recent, less developed periods to their ultimate position. In this method, an ultimate ratio of paid defense and cost containment expense to paid loss is selected for each accident period. The selected paid defense and cost containment expense to paid loss ratio is then applied to the selected ultimate loss for each accident period to estimate the ultimate defense and cost containment expense. Paid defense and cost containment expense is then subtracted from the ultimate defense and cost containment expense to calculate the unpaid defense and cost containment expense for that accident period.

 

   

Calendar Year Paid Adjusting and Other Expense to Paid Loss—This method uses a selected ratio of prior calendar years’ paid expense to paid loss to project ultimate loss adjustment expenses for adjusting and other expense. A percentage of the selected ratio is applied to the case reserves (depending on the line of insurance) and 100% to the indicated IBNR reserves. These ratios assume that a percentage of the expense is incurred when a claim is opened and the remaining percentage is paid throughout the claim’s life.

The basis of our selected single point best estimate on a particular line of business is often a blended result from two or more methods (e.g. weighted averages). Our estimate is highly dependent on actuarial and management judgment as to which method(s) is most appropriate for a particular accident year and class of business. Our methodology changes over time, as new information emerges regarding underlying loss activity and other factors.

 

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Key Assumptions

Implicit in the actuarial methodologies are the following assumptions, which may impact our property and casualty reserves:

 

   

Stability of future inflation rates and consistency with historical inflation norms;

 

   

The selected loss ratio used in the initial expected loss ratio method and Bornhuetter Ferguson method for each accident year;

 

   

The expected loss development profiles;

 

   

A consistent claims handling process;

 

   

A consistent payout pattern;

 

   

No unusual growth patterns;

 

   

No major shift in liability limits distribution on liability policies; and

 

   

No significant prospective changes in laws that would significantly affect future payouts.

 

   

No significant change in the overall level of case reserve adequacy from period to period

The loss ratio selections and loss development profiles are developed primarily using our own historical claims and loss experience. These assumptions have not been modified from the preceding periods and are consistent with historical loss reserve development patterns.

Management believes our loss reserves at December 31, 2012 are adequate. New information, legislation, events or circumstances, unknown at the original valuation date, however, may result in future development to our ultimate losses significantly greater or less than the recorded reserves at December 31, 2012.

For non-credit lines of business, future inflation rates could vary from our assumption of relatively stable rates. Unexpected changes in future inflation rates could impact our financial position and liquidity, and thus we chose to measure the sensitivity of our reserve levels to unexpected changes in inflation.

The impacts of a future 1.6% decrease and 2.4% increase over the implied inflation rate in our year-end gross loss reserve balance are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2012  
     Future Inflation  

Cumulative Increase (Decrease) in Reserves

   1.6% Decrease     2.4% Increase  

Personal

    

Auto

   $ (7,503   $ 12,053   

Homeowner

     (1,263     2,613   

Commercial

    

Agribusiness

     (8,508     16,422   

Auto

     (2,075     4,830   

The analysis of our credit insurance line of business quantifies the estimated impact on gross loss reserves of a reasonably likely scenario of varying the ratio applied to the earned premium to determine the IBNR reserves at December 31, 2012. IBNR reserving methodology for this line of business focuses primarily on the use of a ratio applied to the unearned premium for each credit insurance product. The selected ratios are based on historical loss and claim data. In our analysis, we varied this ratio by +/- 5% across all credit insurance products combined. The results of our analysis show an increase or decrease in gross reserves across all accident years combined of approximately $6.9 million.

It is not appropriate to aggregate the impacts shown in our sensitivity analysis, as our lines of business are not directly correlated. The variations are not meant to be a “best-case” or “worst-case” scenario, and it is possible that future variations will be more or less than the amounts in our sensitivity analysis. While we believe these are possible scenarios based on the information available to us at this time, we do not believe the reader should consider our sensitivity analysis an actual reserve range.

 

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Reserving by Class of Business

The weight given to a particular actuarial method depends on the characteristics specific to each class of business, including the types of coverage and the expected claim-tail.

Short-tail business—The emergence of paid losses and case reserves for short-tail business is credible and likely indicator of ultimate losses; therefore, more reliance is placed on the Loss or Expense Development methods. Large catastrophe and weather-related events are analyzed separately using information available to our claims staff, loss development profiles from similar events and our own historical experience.

Long-tail business—The emergence of paid losses and case reserves for long-tail business is less credible in early periods and, accordingly, may not be indicative of ultimate losses. Therefore, more reliance is placed on the Bornhuetter Ferguson and Initial Expected Loss Ratio methods.

Credit business—For credit lines of business, the IBNR is estimated either by applying a selected ratio to the unearned premium reserve or by using the loss development methods previously discussed.

Claim adjustment expenses—We estimate adjusting and other expenses separately from loss reserves using the Calendar Year Paid-to-Paid method. Reserves for defense and cost containment expense are estimated separately from loss reserves, using either the Loss or Expense Development method or Ratio of Paid Defense and Cost Containment Expense to Paid Loss method.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

We had a total DAC asset of approximately $1.25 billion and $1.32 billion at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Effective January 1, 2012, we retrospectively adopted new accounting guidance and implemented a new DAC capitalization policy. See Note 3, Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion regarding the impact of this pronouncement on us.

We believe that the estimates used in our DAC calculations provide a representative example of how variations in assumptions and estimates would affect our business. The following table displays the sensitivity of reasonably likely changes in assumptions included in the amortization of the DAC balance of our long-tail business for the year ended December 31, 2012 (in thousands):

 

     Increase/(decrease)  
     in DAC  

Increase in future investment margins of 25 basis points

   $ 35,858   

Decrease in future investment margins of 25 basis points

     (40,486

Decrease in future life mortality by 1%

     3,299   

Increase in future life mortality by 1%

     (3,398

Reinsurance

We manage our underwriting risk exposures by reinsuring portions of our insurance risks. We manage counterparty risk by entering into agreements with reinsurers we generally consider to be highly rated. However, we do not require a specified minimum rating. We monitor the concentrations of the reinsurers and reduce the participation percentage of lower-rated companies when appropriate. We monitor the financial condition of those companies and believe we currently have no significant credit risk related to those counterparties.

Some of our reinsurance contracts contain clauses that allow us to terminate the participation with reinsurers whose ratings are downgraded. Information used in our risk assessment is comprised of industry ratings, recent news and reports, and a limited review of financial statements. We also may require letters of credit, trust agreements, or cash advances from reinsurers not licensed in our state of domicile to fund their share of outstanding claims and CAE. Final assessment is based on the judgment of senior management.

 

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Other-Than-Temporary Impairment

Our accounting policy requires that a decline in the fair value of investment securities below their cost basis be evaluated on an ongoing basis to determine if the decline is other-than-temporary. A number of assumptions and estimates inherent in evaluating impairments are used to determine if they are other-than-temporary, which include 1) our ability and intent to hold the investment securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in value; 2) the expected recoverability of principal and interest; 3) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost basis; 4) the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer, including relevant industry conditions and trends and implications of rating agency actions and offering prices; and 5) the specific reasons that a security is in a significant unrealized loss position, including market conditions, which could affect liquidity.

Valuation of Financial Instruments

The fair value of available-for-sale securities (equity and fixed maturity securities) is determined by management using one of the three primary sources of information: the quoted prices in active markets; third-party pricing services; or independent broker quotations. Estimated fair value of securities based on quoted prices in active markets are readily and regularly available; therefore, valuation of these securities generally does not involve management judgment.

For securities priced using third-party pricing services, fair value measurements are determined using the third-party pricing services’ proprietary pricing applications. The typical inputs used by the models are relevant market information, benchmark curves, benchmark pricing of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing. Any securities remaining unpriced after utilizing the first two pricing methods are submitted to the independent brokers for prices. We have analyzed the third-party pricing services and independent brokers’ valuation methodologies and related inputs, and have evaluated the various types of securities in our investment portfolio to determine an appropriate fair value hierarchy level based upon trading activity and the observability of market inputs. Management does complete certain tests throughout the year and at year-end to determine that prices provided by our pricing services are reasonable.

We utilize equity options to hedge equity-indexed universal life and deferred annuity benefits. Equity-indexed universal life and deferred annuity include a fixed host contracts and an embedded equity derivative. The embedded derivative portion of the contracts represent benefits in excess of fixed guarantees, and the host is associated with fixed guarantees. At issue, the value of the host contract equals the premium paid less the fair value of the embedded derivative. The initial host contract value is accreted to the fixed guaranteed value at end of the contract indexing term. The fair value of the embedded derivative is recalculated at each reporting period using the current contract values and option pricing assumptions. Interest credited is generally comprised of interest accruals to fixed deferred annuity account balances. In addition to the accrual of interest on the host contracts, the gain or loss on the embedded equity derivative is also recognized as interest credited for equity-indexed universal life and deferred annuities. Embedded derivative gains and losses can cause material fluctuations in interest credited from one period to the next.

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans

Our pension and postretirement benefit obligations and related costs covering our employees are calculated using actuarial concepts in accordance with the relevant accounting guidance. The discount rate and the expected return on plan assets are important elements of expense and/or liability measurements. Each year, these key assumptions are reevaluated to determine whether they reflect the best estimates for the current period. Changes in the methodology used to determine the best estimates are made when facts or circumstances change, for example, a general decline or rise in interest rates that have not yet been reflected in the rates implicit in the current prices of annuity contracts. Other assumptions involve demographic factors such as retirement age, mortality, turnover and rate of compensation increases. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is determined using the building-block method.

 

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Litigation Contingencies

Based on information currently available, we believe that amounts ultimately paid, if any, arising from existing and currently potential litigation would not have a material effect on our results of operations and financial condition. However, it should be noted that the frequency of large damage awards, which bear little or no relation to the economic damages incurred by plaintiffs, continue to create the potential for an unpredictable judgment in any given lawsuit. It is possible that, if the defenses in these lawsuits are not successful, and the judgments are greater than we anticipate, the resulting liability could have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Federal Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate is based on income, non-taxable and non-deductible items, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available. Inherent in determining our annual tax rate are judgments regarding business plans, planning opportunities and expectations about future outcomes. Our income tax liability includes the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties, that relate to tax years still subject to review by the IRS or other taxing authorities. Audit periods remain open for review until the statute of limitations has passed.

GAAP requires us to evaluate the recoverability of our deferred tax assets and establish a valuation allowance, if necessary, to reduce our deferred tax asset to an amount that is more-likely-than-not to be realized. Considerable judgment is required in determining whether a valuation allowance is necessary, and if so, the amount of such valuation allowance. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances, will be realized.

Management’s best estimate of future events and their impact is included in our accounting estimates. Certain changes or future events, such as changes in tax legislation, geographic mix of earnings and completion of tax audits could have an impact on our estimates and effective tax rate. For example, the dividends received deduction (“DRD”) reduces the amount of dividend income subject to tax and is a significant component of the difference between our actual tax expense and the expected amount determined using the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35%. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS have indicated that they intend to address through regulations the methodology to be followed in determining the DRD related to variable life insurance and annuity contracts. A change in the DRD, including the possible retroactive or prospective elimination of this deduction through regulations or legislation, could increase our actual tax expense and reduce our consolidated net income.

 

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Consolidated Results of Operations

The following sets forth the consolidated results of operations (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,     Change over prior year  
     2012      2011     2010     2012     2011  

Premiums and other revenues

           

Premiums

   $ 1,704,173       $ 1,748,612      $ 1,877,908      $ (44,439   $ (129,296

Other policy revenues

     198,401         189,494        185,805        8,907        3,689   

Net investment income

     985,398         968,165        911,915        17,233        56,250   

Realized investments gains (losses), net

     68,208         90,866        74,062        (22,658     16,804   

Other income

     30,880         25,890        23,491        4,990        2,399   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total premiums and other revenues

     2,987,060         3,023,027        3,073,181        (35,967     (50,154
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefits, losses and expenses

           

Policyholder benefits

     496,622         480,063        500,125        16,559        (20,062

Claims incurred

     949,106         1,032,497        1,108,290        (83,391     (75,793

Interest credited to policyholder’s account balances

     416,015         405,083        393,119        10,932        11,964   

Commissions for acquiring and servicing policies

     364,911         430,310        446,463        (65,399     (16,153

Other operating expenses

     455,746         461,906        462,212        (6,160     (306

Change in deferred policy acquisition costs (1)

     32,915         (38,262     (40,119     71,177        1,857   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total benefits and expenses

     2,715,315         2,771,597        2,870,090        (56,282     (98,493
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before other items and federal income taxes

   $ 271,745       $ 251,430      $ 203,091      $ 20,315      $ 48,339   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) A negative amount of net change indicates more expense was deferred than amortized and represents a decrease to expenses in the periods indicated.

Consolidated earnings increased during 2012 compared to 2011 primarily as a result of

 

   

improved earnings in our annuity segment, and

 

   

improved earnings in our property and casualty segment;

 

   

partially offset by decreases in realized investment gains.

Consolidated earnings increased during 2011 compared to 2010 primarily as a result of

 

   

improved Property and Casualty segment results, and

 

   

an increase in net investment income primarily due to an increase in invested assets,

 

   

partially offset by a decrease in Life segment results.

In the Consolidated Results of Operations above and in the segment discussions that follow, certain amounts in the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Additionally, certain prior year amounts were adjusted to reflect the effect of the retrospective adoption of a new accounting standard relating to DAC, which impacted reported income before other items and federal income taxes by a decrease of $2.3 million and an increase of $0.5 million during 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

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Results of Operations and Related Information by Segment

Life

Life segment financial results for the periods indicated were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,     Change over prior year  
     2012     2011     2010     2012     2011  

Premiums and other revenues

          

Premiums

   $ 281,621      $ 277,724      $ 282,160      $ 3,897      $ (4,436

Other policy revenues

     185,536        174,406        170,729        11,130        3,677   

Net investment income

     235,712        238,275        234,905        (2,563     3,370   

Other income

     2,871        3,301        3,547        (430     (246
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total premiums and other revenues

     705,740        693,706        691,341        12,034        2,365   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefits, losses and expenses

          

Policyholder benefits

     340,003        344,328        294,177        (4,325     50,151   

Interest credited to policyholder’s account balances

     58,158        60,494        59,149        (2,336     1,345   

Commissions for acquiring and servicing policies

     97,455        88,300        91,165        9,155        (2,865

Other operating expenses

     183,040        173,188        178,278        9,852        (5,090

Change in deferred policy acquisition costs (1)

     (7,167     (2,115     (1,460     (5,052     (655
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total benefits and expenses

     671,489        664,195        621,309        7,294        42,886   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before other items and federal income taxes

   $ 34,251      $ 29,511      $ 70,032      $ 4,740      $ (40,521
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) A negative amount of net change indicates more expense was deferred than amortized and represents a decrease to expenses in the periods indicated.

Earnings increased in 2012 compared to 2011 primarily due to an increase in other policy revenues, partially offset by an increase in other operating expenses.

In 2011, earnings decreased compared to 2010 as a result of an increase in policyholder benefits. This increase includes a $26.6 million increase in claims not yet reported and a $4.9 million increase in claims incurred or paid, both due to a modification of our claim settlement procedures.

Premiums and other revenues

Revenues from traditional life insurance products include scheduled premium payments from policyholders on whole life and term life products. The change in these premiums is impacted primarily by policy persistency and new sales during the period. Premiums increased during 2012 compared to 2011 primarily due to improved persistency and new sales. The decrease in 2011 compared to 2010 was primarily driven by higher reinsurance premiums due to increasing policy face values, and a decrease in the credit-related life products as a result of lower sales.

Other policy revenues include mortality charges, earned policy service fees and surrender charges on interest-sensitive life insurance policies. These charges increased during 2012 and 2011 compared to each preceding year primarily due to higher policy service fees on a growing block of life policies. This increase reflects the continued growth in interest-sensitive life business.

 

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Benefits, losses and expenses

Benefits decreased slightly during 2012 compared to 2011, and increased in 2011 compared to 2010, primarily as the result of an increase in the estimate of claims incurred but not reported. During 2011, there was an emerging shift of view regarding claim processes from the long-standing practice that a claim must be filed by a beneficiary to a view that an insurer should actively seek possible beneficiaries by monitoring information of a policyholder’s death. This type of information might be ascertainable using the U.S. Social Security Death Master File (“SSA Master File”). We modified our claims settlement procedures in the fourth quarter of 2011 to apply this perspective on a nationwide basis. This led to an increase in our policy benefits of $22.1 million and $31.5 million during 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Commissions increased during 2012 compared to 2011 primarily due to increased sales. The decrease during 2011 compared to 2010 primarily resulted from the decrease in premiums of traditional products.

Other operating costs and expenses increased during 2012 compared to 2011, and decreased for 2011 compared to 2010, as a result of 2011 benefitting from a reduction of an accrual for litigation contingencies in addition to an increase in allocated costs to this segment during 2012.

The following table presents the components of the change in DAC (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,     Change over prior year  
     2012     2011     2010     2012      2011  

Acquisition cost capitalized

   $ 80,877      $ 76,890      $ 81,069      $ 3,987       $ (4,179

Amortization of DAC

     (73,710     (74,775     (79,609     1,065         4,834   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Change in DAC (1)

   $ 7,167      $ 2,115      $ 1,460      $ 5,052       $ 655   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) A positive amount of net change indicates more expense was deferred than amortized and represents a decrease to expenses in the periods indicated.

Acquisition costs capitalized increased during 2012 compared to 2011 primarily as a result of an increase in commissions from higher premiums. Acquisition costs capitalized decreased during 2011 compared to 2010 primarily as a result of the decrease in premiums. The decrease in the amortization of DAC during 2011 compared to 2010 was the result of an improved persistency.

Policy in-force information

The following table summarizes changes in the Life segment’s in-force amounts (in thousands):

 

     December 31,      Change over prior year  
     2012      2011      2010      2012      2011  

Life insurance in-force

              

Traditional life

   $ 48,856,459       $ 46,484,826       $ 45,919,219       $ 2,371,633       $ 565,607   

Interest-sensitive life

     24,132,101         23,671,800         23,879,283         460,301         (207,483
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total life insurance in-force

   $ 72,988,560       $ 70,156,626       $ 69,798,502       $ 2,831,934       $ 358,124   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The following table summarizes changes in the Life segment’s number of policies in-force:

 

     December 31,      Change Over Prior Year  
     2012      2011      2010      2012     2011  

Number of policies in-force

             

Traditional life

     2,122,666         2,204,187         2,274,144         (81,521     (69,957

Interest-sensitive life

     185,729         178,595         176,160         7,134        2,435   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total number of policies

     2,308,395         2,382,782         2,450,304         (74,387     (67,522
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

There was an increase in total life insurance in-force in 2012 compared to 2011, and 2011 compared to 2010. The increases of in-force amounts in our traditional life products is believed to be the result of consumers seeking contract guarantees due to the uncertain economic environment in recent years. During 2011, this increase was partially offset by a decrease in our interest-sensitive life policies as the result of lower prevailing interest rates. The decrease in our policy count during 2012 and 2011 is attributable to surrenders and lapses, as well as new business activity generally being comprised of fewer but larger face-value policies.

Reinsurance

The table below summarizes reinsurance reserves and premium amounts assumed and ceded (in thousands):

 

     Reserves     Premiums  
     December 31,     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010     2012     2011     2010  

Reinsurance assumed

   $ 1,564      $ 4,318      $ 9,827      $ 2,189      $ 2,974      $ 5,716   

Reinsurance ceded

     (189,335     (188,812     (173,097     (93,066     (92,208     (90,459
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ (187,771   $ (184,494   $ (163,270   $ (90,877   $ (89,234   $ (84,743
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

We use reinsurance to mitigate excessive risk to the Life segment. During 2012 our retention limits were $2,350,000 for issue ages 65 and under, and $1,550,000 for issue ages 66 and older for traditional and universal life, unchanged from 2011, as compared to a single limit of $1,550,000 during 2010. Accidental death and premium waiver benefits are mostly retained on new business. Increases in reserves and premium amounts ceded primarily reflect increased use of reinsurance in conjunction with treaties related to universal life products. Decreases in assumed reserves and premium were primarily due to the cancellation of our reinsurance agreement with two credit life reinsurers. Those blocks of business are now in run-off, and the new business retained is currently written by us on a direct basis.

Consistent with our corporate risk management strategy we periodically adjust our reinsurance program and retention limits as market conditions warrant. While, in the past, we have reinsured up to 90% of new business, we are currently reinsuring newly developed permanent products on a modified excess retention basis, in which we reinsure mortality risk on a yearly renewable term basis, ceding a 75% quota share of policies with a face value of at least $500,000 up to our retention and then 100% in excess of retention. Current traditionally marketed term products are reinsured on a modified excess retention basis, in which we reinsure mortality risk on a yearly renewable term basis, ceding 50% quota share of face amounts in excess of $250,000 up to our retention and then 100% in excess of retention. Current direct marketed products are coinsured on a 60% basis, up to our retention, and then 100% in excess of retention.

Reinsurance is used in the credit life business primarily to provide producers of credit-related insurance products the opportunity to participate in the underwriting risk through offshore producer-owned captive reinsurance companies. A majority of the treaties entered into by our Credit Insurance Division are written on a 100% coinsurance basis with benefit limits of $100,000 on credit life. We have entered into funds withheld reinsurance treaties, which are ceded to the reinsurer on a written basis.

 

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For 2012, the companies to whom we have ceded reinsurance for the Life segment are shown below (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     A.M. Best    Ceded      Percentage of  

Reinsurer

   Rating(1)    Premium      Gross Premium  

Swiss Re Life and Health of America

   A+    $ 24,258         6.5

SCOR Global Life Americas Reinsurance Company

   A      17,964         4.8   

Munich American Reassurance Company

   A+      12,952         3.5   

Reinsurance Group of America

   A-      7,748         2.1   

Canada Life Assurance

   A+      6,759         1.8   

General Re Life Corporation

   A ++      4,729         1.3   

Other Reinsurers with no single company greater than 5% of the total ceded premium

        18,656         5.0   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total life reinsurance ceded

      $ 93,066         25.0
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) A.M. Best rating as of the most current information available February 14, 2013.

Annuity

Annuity segment financial results for the periods indicated were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,     Change over prior year  
     2012      2011     2010     2012     2011  

Premiums and other revenues

           

Premiums

   $ 116,393       $ 94,753      $ 174,193      $ 21,640      $ (79,440

Other policy revenues

     12,865         15,088        15,076        (2,223     12   

Net investment income

     603,349         577,707        535,581        25,642        42,126   

Other income

     196         250        607        (54     (357
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total premiums and other revenues

     732,803         687,798        725,457        45,005        (37,659
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefits, losses and expenses

           

Policyholder benefits

     156,619         135,735        205,948        20,884        (70,213

Interest credited to policyholder’s account balances

     357,857         344,589        333,970        13,268        10,619   

Commissions for acquiring and servicing policies

     54,785         94,851        95,701        (40,066     (850

Other operating expenses

     45,317         72,201        71,202        (26,884     999   

Change in deferred policy acquisition costs (1)

     21,724         (29,354     (44,127     51,078        14,773   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total benefits and expenses

     636,302         618,022        662,694        18,280        (44,672
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before other items and federal income taxes

   $ 96,501       $ 69,776      $ 62,763      $ 26,725      $ 7,013   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

A negative amount of net change indicates more expense was deferred than amortized and represents a decrease to expenses in the periods indicated.

Earnings increased in 2012 compared to 2011 primarily due to a decrease in other operating expenses. In addition, the increase in net investment income outpaced the related increase in interest credited to policyholders’ account balances. Other operating expenses were higher during 2011 primarily as a result of the settlement of litigation in 2011 for $12.0 million.

Earnings increased in 2011 compared to 2010 primarily as the result of the growth in net investment income outpacing the growth in interest credited. Additionally, the above-referenced litigation settlement impacted other operating expenses during 2011.

During 2012, we discontinued marketing annuities through one of our third-party marketing organizations. Termination of this relationship is not expected to have an significant impact on our annuity volume or our ability to generate annuity sales, and is not expected to materially impact earnings. The total business written by this organization represented 13.3% of total annuity premium and deposits during 2012 and 8.6% of account values at December 31, 2012, and was primarily comprised of fixed deferred annuities.

 

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Premiums and other revenues

Annuity premium and deposit amounts received are shown below (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,      Change over prior year  
     2012      2011      2010      2012     2011  

Fixed deferred annuity

   $ 568,716       $ 1,470,159       $ 1,045,429       $ (901,443   $ 424,730   

Single premium immediate annuity

     200,921         159,824         177,688         41,097        (17,864

Equity-indexed deferred annuity

     127,357         142,526         340,920         (15,169     (198,394

Variable deferred annuity

     104,432         99,224         90,188         5,208        9,036   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total premium and deposits

     1,001,426         1,871,733         1,654,225         (870,307     217,508   

Less: Policy deposits

     885,033         1,776,980         1,480,032         (891,947     296,948   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total earned premiums

   $ 116,393       $ 94,753       $ 174,193       $ 21,640      $ (79,440
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

We monitor account values and changes in those values as a key indicator of performance in our Annuity segment. Changes in account values are mainly the result of net inflows, surrenders, policy fees, interest credited and market value changes. Shown below are the changes in account values (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Fixed deferred and equity-indexed annuity

      

Account value, beginning of period

   $ 9,824,416      $ 9,006,692      $ 8,151,365   

Net inflows

     518,074        1,349,874        1,180,826   

Surrenders

     (879,886     (863,590     (652,519

Fees

     (8,219     (10,146     (10,080

Interest credited

     348,812        341,586        337,100   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Account value, end of period

   $ 9,803,197      $ 9,824,416      $ 9,006,692   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Single premium immediate annuity

      

Reserve, beginning of period

   $ 978,722      $ 903,126      $ 820,295   

Net inflows

     52,957        32,167        42,502   

Interest and mortality

     43,959        43,429        40,329   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reserve, end of period

   $ 1,075,638      $ 978,722      $ 903,126   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Variable deferred annuity

      

Account value, beginning of period

   $ 380,129      $ 415,757      $ 400,624   

Net inflows

     99,432        88,044        86,528   

Surrenders

     (102,058     (112,221     (114,320

Fees

     (4,742     (4,786     (4,795

Change in market value and other

     44,884        (6,665     47,720   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Account value, end of period

   $ 417,645      $ 380,129      $ 415,757   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed deferred annuity net inflows decreased significantly during 2012 compared to 2011. The volume of net inflows is highly sensitive to the interest rate credited on new annuity sales. We managed these products to lower sales during 2012, to mitigate risks associated with investing in the persistently low interest rate environment. Net inflows increased significantly during 2011 compared to 2010, primarily as a result of our marketing efforts to expand distribution through new accounts.

An equity-indexed annuity allows a policyholder to participate in equity returns while also having certain downside protection from the guaranteed minimum returns defined in the product. Net inflows for this product decreased during 2012 compared to 2011, and during 2011 compared to 2010. These decreases were primarily attributed to lower indexed crediting terms resulting from lower fixed investment yields.

 

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Single premium immediate annuity (“SPIA”) net inflows increased during 2012 compared to 2011, driven primarily by the changing investment priorities of potential customers entering the market for guaranteed monthly payouts on a portion of their retirement dollars. Net inflows decreased during 2011 compared to 2010 primarily as a result of lower investment yields, restraining demand for this product in anticipation of increased income payments in the future.

Variable deferred annuity products remain relatively unchanged for all years presented. These products have no living benefits. Our total direct exposure on the guaranteed minimum death benefits associated with these products were $2.4 million and $3.9 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. After reinsurance, the net exposure was $0.6 million and $1.3 million, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. All such guaranteed minimum death benefit reinsurance is with reinsurers rated “A” or higher by A.M. Best.

Net investment income increased during 2012 compared to 2011, and 2011 compared to 2010. The 2012 increase was primarily as a result of a $21.7 million increase in realized gains from marking our option portfolio to fair value, in addition to a 4.5% increase in the assets attributable to annuity account balances during 2012. The increase during 2011 was primarily the result of a 9.2% increase in the assets attributable to annuity account balances, partially offset by a $14.7 million decrease in realized gains from our option portfolio.

Benefits, losses and expenses

Policyholder benefits consist of annuity payments and reserve increases for SPIA contracts. Benefits are highly correlated to the sales volume of SPIA contacts and increased for 2012 compared to 2011, and decreased for 2011 compared to 2010, due to the changes in SPIA premium during the period.

Commissions decreased for 2012 compared to 2011 primarily due to reduced fixed deferred annuity production as well as decreases in commission rates on certain annuities. Commissions were essentially flat in 2011 compared to 2010.

Other operating expenses decreased during 2012 compared to 2011 primarily as a result of an accrual during 2011 related to the settlement of certain litigation, as well as a decrease in allocated costs to this segment during 2012. Additionally, a decrease in producer compensation linked to annuity production further reduced other operating expenses. Other operating expenses were unchanged during 2011 compared to 2010.

The change in DAC represents acquisition costs capitalized less the amortization of existing DAC, which is calculated in proportion to gross profits. The following shows the components of the change in DAC (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,     Change over prior year  
     2012     2011     2010     2012     2011  

Acquisition cost capitalized

   $ 68,799      $ 116,206      $ 115,813      $ (47,407   $ 393   

Amortization of DAC

     (90,523     (86,852     (71,686     (3,671     (15,166
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in DAC (1)

   $ (21,724   $ 29,354      $ 44,127      $ (51,078   $ (14,773
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) A positive amount of net change indicates more expense was deferred than amortized and is a decrease to expense in the periods indicated.

The decrease in acquisition costs capitalized during 2012 compared to 2011 was the result of lower commissions incurred with the decrease in fixed deferred annuity production. The increase in the amortization of DAC during 2011 as compared to 2010 was primarily as a result of surrender activity.

An important measure of the Annuity segment is amortization of DAC as a percentage of gross profits. The amortization of DAC as a percentage of gross profits for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 was 41.5%, 41.9%, and 38.6%, respectively. The decrease in the ratio during 2012 was primarily driven by improvement in persistency which we attribute to fewer surrenders as contract holders believed the rates on existing contracts were at least as good or better than rates on new contracts being offered by our competition. The increase in the ratio during 2011 compared to 2010 was the result of a decline in persistency during the year.

 

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Options and Derivatives

Shown below is the analysis of the impact to net investment income of the option return, along with the impact to interest credited of the equity-indexed annuity embedded derivative (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,      Change over prior year  
     2012      2011     2010      2012     2011  

Net investment income

            

Without option return

   $ 584,418       $ 580,501      $ 523,670       $ 3,917      $ 56,831   

Option return

     18,931         (2,794     11,911         21,725        (14,705

Interest credited to policy account balances

            

Without embedded derivative

     344,526         352,410        327,366         (7,884     25,044   

Equity-indexed annuity embedded derivative

     13,331         (7,821     6,604         21,152        (14,425

Net investment income without option return increased during 2012 and 2011, primarily due to increases in aggregate annuity account values. Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances without equity-indexed return decreased during 2012 due to a decrease in crediting rates, and increased during 2011 due to increases in aggregate annuity account values.

The option return, as well as the related equity-indexed annuity embedded derivative return, increased during 2012 compared to 2011, and decreased during 2011 compared to 2010, as a result of the change in the S&P 500 Index during the respective periods. These option returns correlate to the 13.4%, 0.0%, and 12.8% return of the S&P 500 Index during 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

Health

Health segment results for the periods indicated were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,      Change over prior year  
     2012      2011      2010      2012     2011  

Premiums and other revenues

             

Premiums

   $ 223,773       $ 231,793       $ 263,294       $ (8,020   $ (31,501

Net investment income

     11,789         13,413         15,492         (1,624     (2,079

Other income

     15,548         13,356         10,384         2,192        2,972   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total premiums and other revenues

     251,110         258,562         289,170         (7,452     (30,608
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefits, losses and expenses

             

Claims incurred

     155,825         159,289         184,554         (3,464     (25,265

Commissions for acquiring and servicing policies

     26,383         25,808         35,263         575        (9,455

Other operating expenses

     44,966         47,160         49,627         (2,194     (2,467

Change in deferred policy acquisition costs (1)

     5,890         9,172         4,930         (3,282     4,242   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total benefits and expenses

     233,064         241,429         274,374         (8,365     (32,945
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before other items and federal income taxes

   $ 18,046       $ 17,133       $ 14,796       $ 913      $ 2,337   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

A negative amount of net change indicates more expense was deferred than amortized and represents a decrease to expenses in the periods indicated.

Earnings increased 5.3% for 2012 compared to 2011. Earnings increased for 2011 as compared to 2010 driven primarily by an increase in other income comprised of fee income associated with high sales by a new MGU, in addition to a decrease in the benefit ratio.

 

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Premiums and other revenues

Health earned premiums for the periods indicated are as follows (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  
     dollars      percentage     dollars      percentage     dollars      percentage  

Medicare Supplement

   $ 96,808         43.3   $ 100,924         43.6   $ 117,132         44.5

Medical expense

     37,414         16.7        47,323         20.4        67,050         25.5   

Group health

     40,130         17.9        33,906         14.6        29,343         11.1   

Credit accident and health

     16,686         7.5        19,897         8.6        21,553         8.2   

MGU

     17,103         7.6        13,681         5.9        11,173         4.2   

All other

     15,632         7.0        16,062         6.9        17,043         6.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 223,773         100.0   $ 231,793         100.0   $ 263,294         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earned premiums decreased during 2012 compared 2011, primarily resulting from the run-off of our closed medical expense block of insurance plans, which will continue decreasing. In addition, Medicare Supplement premiums declined due to policy lapses outpacing new sales along with a lower average premium per policy on those new sales. These decreases were partially offset by increases in revenues of our group and MGU lines.

The Health segment’s earned premiums decreased during the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 2010 primarily due to the discontinuation of sales of our medical expense insurance plans effective June 30, 2010. In-force policies continue to lapse and this produced the reduction in premiums. Due to the competitive nature of the market, sales of our Medicare Supplement product also decreased. Additionally, our credit accident and health premiums decreased primarily due to a decrease in new business related to short-term financing.

Our in-force certificates or policies as of the dates indicated are as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  
     number      percentage     number      percentage     number      percentage  

Medicare Supplement

     41,562         6.7     42,760         6.8     48,584         7.7

Medical expense

     5,745         0.9        7,962         1.3        11,057         1.8   

Group

     19,868         3.2        20,122         3.2        20,893         3.3   

Credit accident and health

     253,710         40.7        271,700         43.3        294,702         46.6   

MGU

     197,050         31.6        147,251         23.5        103,666         16.4   

All other

     105,499         16.9        137,596         21.9        152,917         24.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     623,434         100.0     627,391         100.0     631,819         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Our total in-force policies decreased during 2012 compared to 2011, and in 2011 compared to 2010. Increases in the MGU line were more than offset by decreases in the credit accident and health and other lines. The MGU line increased due to increased production by existing MGU’s, and the addition of new MGUs. The “all other” line is mostly composed of closed blocks of business, and has few new sales. The MGU and Group in-force policies include a block of 100% reinsured certificates, which is a rapidly growing block of business. The increases in these 100% reinsured certificates will not translate into corresponding increases in premiums.

Benefits, losses and expenses

Claims incurred were relatively unchanged during 2012, and decreased during 2011 compared to 2010 primarily as the result of a decline in sales of our medical expense insurance plans and Medicare Supplement products. The decline in claims incurred was consistent with lower premiums and lower commissions. Additionally, the medical expense benefit ratio, measured as the ratio of claims and other benefits to premiums, increased to 69.6% in 2012, from 68.7% in 2011, but decreased from 70.1% in 2010. The 2011 decrease in the benefit ratio compared to 2010 was driven primarily by a significant decrease in claims.

 

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Table of Contents

Commissions were relatively unchanged during 2012, and decreased during 2011 compared to 2010, as a result of lower sales.

Other operating expenses decreased slightly during 2012 compared to 2011, and 2011 compared to 2010 as a result of managing expenses down as the aggregate health block of business decreased.

Change in Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

The following table presents the components of the change in DAC (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,     Change over prior year  
     2012     2011     2010     2012     2011  

Acquisition cost capitalized

   $ 11,018      $ 11,815      $ 17,994      $ (797   $ (6,179

Amortization of DAC

     (16,908     (20,987     (22,924     4,079        1,937   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in DAC (1)

   $ (5,890   $ (9,172   $ (4,930   $ 3,282      $ (4,242
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) A negative amount of net change indicates less expense was deferred than amortized and represents an increase to expenses in the periods indicated.

Acquisition cost capitalized decreased during 2012 compared to 2011 primarily due to the decreases in amortization outpacing costs capitalized due to the aggregate decrease in the health block of business. Acquisition cost capitalized decreased during 2011 compared to 2010 primarily resulting from the decrease in sales and resulting decrease in commissions.

Reinsurance

For the medical expense business, we use reinsurance on an excess of loss basis. Our retention limit is $500,000 per claim on these types of policies. We cede or retrocede the majority of the risk associated with our stop loss and other catastrophic health reinsurance programs. We maintain reinsurance on a quota share basis for our long-term care and disability income business.

Reinsurance is also used in the credit accident and health business. In certain cases, particularly in the auto retail market, we may also reinsure the policy written through offshore producer-owned captive reinsurers to allow the dealer to participate in the performance of these credit accident and health contracts. A majority of the treaties entered into by our Credit Insurance Division are written on a 100% coinsurance basis with benefit limits of $1,000 per month.

For 2012, the companies to which we have ceded reinsurance for the Health segment are shown below (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     A.M. Best    Ceded      Percentage of  

Reinsurer

   Rating(1)    Premium      Gross Premium  

Harbour Life & Reinsurance Co Ltd.

   NR    $ 59,358         14.1

Maiden Re

   A-      30,997         7.4   

Munich Reinsurance America

   A+      27,764         6.6   

American First Insurance Company

   NR      20,582         4.9   

Other reinsurers with no single company greater than 5.0% of the total ceded premium

        59,058         14.0   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total health reinsurance ceded

      $ 197,759         47.0
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) A.M.Best rating as of the most current information available February 14, 2013.

 

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Property and Casualty

Property and Casualty results for the periods indicated were as follows (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Years ended December 31,     Change over prior year  
     2012     2011     2010     2012     2011  

Premiums and other revenues

          

Net premiums written

   $ 1,047,211      $ 1,137,445      $ 1,154,415      $ (90,234   $ (16,970
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

   $ 1,082,386      $ 1,144,342      $ 1,158,261      $ (61,956   $ (13,919

Net investment income

     69,604        72,071        72,620        (2,467     (549

Other income

     6,360        6,003        5,778        357        225   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total premiums and other revenues

     1,158,350        1,222,416        1,236,659        (64,066     (14,243
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefits, losses and expenses

          

Claims incurred

     793,281        873,208        923,736        (79,927     (50,528

Commissions for acquiring and servicing policies

     186,288        221,351        224,334        (35,063     (2,983

Other operating expenses

     120,888        124,336        124,410        (3,448     (74

Change in deferred policy acquisition costs (1)

     12,468        (15,965     538        28,433        (16,503
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total benefits and expenses

     1,112,925        1,202,930        1,273,018        (90,005     (70,088
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before other items and federal income taxes

   $ 45,425      $ 19,486      $ (36,359   $ 25,939      $ 55,845   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss ratio

     73.3     76.3     79.8     (3.0     (3.5

Underwriting expense ratio

     29.5        28.8        30.2        0.7        (1.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Combined ratio

     102.8     105.1     110.0     (2.3     (4.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Impact of catastrophe events on combined ratio

     9.3        11.4        10.8        (2.1     0.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Combined ratio without impact of catastrophe events

     93.5     93.7     99.2     (0.2     (5.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross catastrophe losses

   $ 135,625      $ 217,851      $ 141,685      $ (82,226   $ 76,166   

Net catastrophe losses

     94,025        120,628        123,239        (26,603     (2,611

 

(1) A negative amount of net change indicates more expense was deferred than amortized and represents a decrease to expenses in the periods indicated.

Property and Casualty results improved during 2012 compared to 2011 primarily due to continued actions to address price adequacy, underwriting and additional risk mitigation actions resulting in a significant decrease in claims incurred, partially offset by a decrease in premiums. Commissions also declined primarily due to a shift from commission to non-commission products in our credit insurance division. Earnings improved during 2011 compared to 2010 primarily due to improvements in pricing adequacy, changes to our reinsurance programs which provided for an increase in recoveries on catastrophe losses in excess of additional reinsurance premium paid, and to a lesser extent rigorous management of our expenses.

Premiums and other revenues

Net premiums written and earned decreased during 2012 compared to 2011 resulting from a decline of policies in-force due to attrition and risk mitigation actions in our Personal lines, in addition to product alterations in our Credit Insurance Division. Net premiums written and earned decreased during 2011 compared to 2010 primarily due to an increase in catastrophe reinsurance reinstatement premiums and decreased premiums across the personal lines of business due to a decline in policies in-force, partially offset by increased premium per exposure. Our catastrophe reinsurance reinstatement premium increased by $9.0 million over the same period in 2010 as the result of higher catastrophe reinsurance recoveries in 2011 compared to 2010.

Benefits, losses and expenses

Claims incurred decreased during 2012 compared to 2011 as a result of a decrease in catastrophe losses and a decline in non-catastrophe losses due primarily to reduced exposure in high catastrophe areas. The lower catastrophe losses, together with improved rate adequacy and improved claims frequency, caused the decrease in the loss ratio. Claims incurred decreased during 2011 compared to 2010 as a result of a decline in losses in all lines except agribusiness and other personal lines.

 

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Gross catastrophes for the year ended December 31, 2012 were $135.6 million, compared to $217.9 million for the same period in 2011. We experienced a significant decrease in catastrophe losses due primarily to a decrease in frequency of catastrophes in 2012 as compared to 2011, as well as the severity of the catastrophe events in 2011. In 2012 there were 26 catastrophe events compared to 31 in 2011 and 33 in 2010. Hurricane Sandy accounted for $46.6 million in gross catastrophe losses and $11.1 million in net catastrophe losses in 2012. 2011 catastrophe activity included a record number of tornados, including two events which impacted primarily Alabama in late April 2011 and Joplin, Missouri in May 2011.

The combined ratio, excluding net catastrophe impact, remained relatively flat during 2012 compared to 2011 and improved during 2011 compared to 2010. This was driven by an improvement in rate adequacy. Inherent to our fundamental risk management practices, we continue to evaluate and manage our aggregate catastrophe risk exposure with risk selection and reinsurance coverage.

Commissions decreased during 2012 compared to 2011 primarily due to a shift from commission to non-commission products in our Credit Insurance Division. Commissions remained flat during 2011 compared to 2010.

The change in DAC during 2012 increased total expenses compared to 2011. The higher amortization is attributable to Credit business written in prior years being earned while recently introduced products with lower revenue and without commissions are a larger portion of the current Credit business. The decrease during 2011 compared to 2010 is attributable to a shift in our credit-related property products from shorter duration products to longer duration products. We regularly review the recoverability of DAC, and if the actual emergence of future profitability were to be substantially lower than estimated, we would accelerate DAC amortization to account for any recoverability issues or premium deficiency. We have not historically experienced these issues with our DAC balances.

Products

Our Property and Casualty segment consists of: (i) Personal, which we market primarily to individuals, represent 63.1% of net premiums written, (ii) Commercial, which focus primarily on agricultural and other commercial markets, represent 29.3% of net premiums written, and (iii) Credit-related property insurance products, which are marketed to and through financial institutions and retailers represent 7.6% of net premiums written.

 

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Personal Products

Personal Products results for the periods indicated were as follows (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Years ended December 31,     Change over prior year  
     2012     2011     2010     2012     2011  

Net premiums written

          

Auto

   $ 416,611      $ 444,454      $ 468,100      $ (27,843   $ (23,646

Homeowner

     208,131        213,513        217,785        (5,382     (4,272

Other Personal

     36,212        35,691        38,875        521        (3,184
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net premiums written

     660,954        693,658        724,760        (32,704     (31,102
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

          

Auto

     423,265        463,171        470,535        (39,906     (7,364

Homeowner

     207,048        217,619        216,849        (10,571     770   

Other Personal

     35,738        36,173        39,298        (435     (3,125
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net premiums earned

   $ 666,051      $ 716,963      $ 726,682      $ (50,912   $ (9,719
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss ratio

          

Auto

     77.9     75.7     78.0     2.2        (2.3

Homeowner

     94.5        102.1        104.1        (7.6     (2.0

Other Personal

     56.2        67.8        61.6        (11.6     6.2   

Personal line loss ratio

     81.9     83.3     84.9     (1.4     (1.6

Combined Ratio

          

Auto

     99.4     96.6     102.3     2.8        (5.7

Homeowner

     119.0        125.7        129.6        (6.7     (3.9

Other Personal

     76.6        89.6        68.7        (13.0     20.9   

Personal line combined ratio

     104.3     105.0     108.6     (0.7     (3.6

Personal Automobile: Net premiums written and earned decreased in our personal automobile line during 2012 compared to 2011 primarily due to a decline in policies in-force resulting from a combination of the decreases in homeowner policies in-force, which decreased cross-sell opportunities. Net premiums written and earned decreased during 2011 compared to 2010, due to a decline in policies in-force resulting from a competitive marketplace and lower new business sales. The loss and combined ratios increased slightly during 2012 compared to 2011 consistent with our expectations. The loss and combined ratios decreased during 2011 compared to 2010 due to improved rate adequacy as well as an increase in commissions in 2010 that was not incurred in 2011.

The combined industry ratios per A.M. Best’s “U.S. Property/Casualty-Review and Preview” for 2012 (estimated), 2011 and 2010 are 99.6%, 101.9 and 101.0%, respectively.

Homeowners: Net premiums written and earned decreased during 2012 compared to 2011 primarily due to fewer policies in-force. The decrease in homeowner policies in-force was primarily driven by improved rate adequacy and our catastrophe risk mitigation actions, which are tailored to the local market conditions in the states where we write policies. Net premiums written decreased during 2011 compared to 2010 attributable to increased catastrophe reinsurance reinstatement premiums as a result of higher catastrophe reinsurance losses ceded and a decline in policies in-force. Net premiums earned remained relatively flat during 2011 compared to 2010.

The loss and combined ratios decreased during 2012 and 2011 compared to the prior years primarily due to improved catastrophe experience and improved rate adequacy. The loss and combined ratios improved slightly during the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010 primarily due to improved rate adequacy. The combined ratios for the industry per A.M. Best for 2012 (estimated), 2011 and 2010 were 118.0%, 122.2% and 106.7%, respectively.

Other Personal: These products include watercraft, rental-owner and umbrella coverages for individuals seeking to protect their personal property and liability not covered within their homeowner and auto policies. Net premiums written and earned remained substantially unchanged during 2012 compared to 2011, and decreased during 2011 compared to 2010 due to a decline in policies in-force. Premiums for these products generally trend with the homeowners and personal automobile lines as policies are typically sold in conjunction with one another.

 

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Commercial Products

Commercial Products results for the periods indicated were as follows (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Years ended December 31,     Change over prior year  
     2012     2011     2010     2012     2011  

Net premiums written

          

Other Commercial

   $ 130,103      $ 126,013      $ 123,605      $ 4,090      $ 2,408   

Agribusiness

     98,026        98,152        103,937        (126     (5,785

Auto

     78,450        82,266        80,109        (3,816     2,157   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net premiums written

     306,579        306,431        307,651        148        (1,220
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

          

Other Commercial

     122,174        121,420        120,365        754        1,055   

Agribusiness

     104,098        102,946        106,678        1,152        (3,732

Auto

     79,478        84,201        80,948        (4,723     3,253   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net premiums earned

   $ 305,750      $ 308,567      $ 307,991      $ (2,817   $ 576   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss ratio

          

Other Commercial

     66.4     66.2     82.9     0.2        (16.7

Agribusiness

     92.3        118.2        108.3        (25.9     9.9   

Auto

     64.6        60.8        72.9        3.8        (12.1

Commercial line loss ratio

     74.7     82.1     89.1     (7.4     (7.0

Combined ratio

          

Other Commercial

     93.9     94.4     112.1     (0.5     (17.7

Agribusiness

     127.8        155.0        145.2        (27.2     9.8   

Auto

     86.8        83.0        97.2        3.8        (14.2

Commercial line combined ratio

     103.6     111.5     119.6     (7.9     (8.1

Other Commercial: Net premiums written and earned increased during 2012 and 2011 compared to prior years primarily as a result of an increase in workers’ compensation premiums due to rate increases and premium assumed from involuntary pools. Net written and earned premiums increased through 2011 compared to 2010 primarily as a result of rate increases in the workers’ compensation product. The loss and combined ratios during 2012 remained substantially unchanged compared to 2011. The loss and combined ratios decreased during 2011 compared to 2010 as a result of lower claim severity in the workers’ compensation product.

Agribusiness Product: Our agribusiness product allows policyholders to customize and cover their agriculture exposure via a package policy which includes coverage for residences and household contents, farm buildings and building contents, personal and commercial liability and personal property. Net premiums written were substantially unchanged in 2012 as compared to 2011, and net premiums earned increased during 2012 as compared to 2011, primarily as a result of a decrease in reinsurance reinstatement premiums. Net premiums written and earned decreased during 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 primarily as a result of a decrease in policies in-force as the result of non-renewing certain policies in unprofitable segments and catastrophe reinsurance reinstatement premiums that were not incurred in 2010.

The loss and combined ratios decreased significantly during 2012, primarily as the result of a reduction in net catastrophe losses. These ratios increased during 2011 compared to 2010 primarily as the result of increases in catastrophe losses and the frequency and severity of non-catastrophe losses. The frequency and severity of storms and weather related events continue to cause variability in this line of business.

Commercial Automobile: Net premiums written and earned decreased during 2012 compared to 2011 primarily as a result of lower new business writings in our small commercial business as well as selective underwriting intended to improve risk selection. Net premiums written and earned increased during 2011 compared to 2010 primarily as the result of a vehicle reclassification adjustment that resulted in refunds to policyholders in 2010 that did not occur in 2011. The increase was offset by a reduction in polices in-force from our primary lines and improved selective underwriting.

This product line experienced relatively unchanged losses during 2012 compared to 2011, and a decrease in losses during 2011 compared to 2010 due to a decrease in the frequency and severity of claims, which resulted in an improvement in the loss and combined ratios during the period. The combined industry ratios per A.M. Best for 2012 (estimated), 2011, and 2010 were 107.1%, 104.6% and 98.0%, respectively.

 

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Credit Products

Credit-related property products for the periods indicated were as follows (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Years ended December 31,     Change over prior year  
     2012     2011     2010     2012     2011  

Net premiums written

   $ 79,678      $ 137,356      $ 122,004      $ (57,678   $ 15,352   

Net premiums earned

     110,585        118,812        123,588        (8,227     (4,776

Loss ratio

     17.6     19.1     26.2     (1.5     (7.1

Combined ratio

     88.0     88.5     96.1     (0.5     (7.6

Credit-related property insurance products are offered on automobiles, furniture and appliances in connection with the financing of those items. These policies pay an amount if the insured property is lost or damaged and is not directly related to an event affecting the consumer’s ability to pay the debt. The primary distribution channel for credit-related property insurance is general agents who market to sellers of covered products and financial institutions.

Net premiums written and earned decreased during 2012 compared to 2011. The primary driver for the decrease in premiums is a shift from Guaranteed Auto Protection (“GAP”) Insurance to GAP Waiver, a lower premium debt protection product. Net premiums written increased during 2011 compared to 2010. This increase was primarily driven by the reduction of reinsurance placed with producer-owned reinsurance companies. Net premiums earned decreased during 2011 due to our credit business continuing to shift from the shorter duration collateral protection products, to the longer duration GAP products.

The loss ratios remained substantially unchanged during 2012 compared to 2011. The decrease in the loss ratio during 2011 compared to 2010 was attributable to an overall decline in claims incurred as a result of lower frequency and severity of claims. Specifically, the GAP line of business experienced a positive trend in claims incurred as the result of used automobile market values rebounding from the recent financial crisis.

The combined ratios remained substantially unchanged during 2012 compared to 2011. The combined ratios decrease during 2011 compared to 2010 primarily as a result of the decrease in the loss ratio, which was partially offset by higher underwriting expenses from rising commission expenses as a result of the change in our product mix.

Reinsurance

We reinsure a portion of the risks that we underwrite to manage our loss exposure and protect capital resources. In return for a premium, reinsurers assume a portion of the claims incurred.

In addition to our reinsurance coverage, we are partially protected by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, which was modified and extended through December 31, 2014 by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007.

 

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We retain the first $1.0 million of loss per risk, which will remain the same for 2013. Our catastrophe reinsurance retention covering all our property and casualty companies in total has been $40.0 million in recent years and will remain the same in 2013. The following table summarizes the Company’s catastrophe reinsurance coverage effective January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.

 

Layer of Loss

  

Catastrophe Reinsurance Coverage in Force

Less than $10 million

   100% of loss retained except for certain losses covered by the Catastrophe Aggregate cover described below

$10 million—$40 million

  

•  95% of earthquake losses outside of California

 

•  95% of multiple peril losses in Northeast and mid Atlantic states

 

•  90% of multiple peril losses in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas

 

•  90% of multiple peril losses in coastal states from Louisiana to Virginia

 

•  95% of multiple peril losses in states outside the Northeast excluding hurricane losses in coastal states (covered by previous two covers)

$40 million—$500 million

   95% of multiple peril losses covered by Corporate Program (all perils). The Corporate Program covers all non-credit property and casualty business, subject to certain limits, and is not specific to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any state or region.

All per event covers above include one automatic reinstatement and were placed at 97.5% in 2012. The automatic reinstatement requires us to pay additional reinsurance premium for any losses into each reinsurance layer. The reinstatement premium is prorated by the percentage of actual loss to the coverage.

We also purchase a Catastrophe Aggregate reinsurance cover that provides for $30 million of limit excess of $90 million of aggregated catastrophe losses. Qualifying losses include amounts of retained losses below the $10 million retention of the catastrophe program. This cover has been fully placed (100% of limit) for 2013 compared to 50.6% in 2012. The Catastrophe Aggregate does not include a reinstatement. The protection provided by the full placement of this program in 2013 has made it possible to reduce placements on the other catastrophe layers while staying within overall risk appetite thresholds.

We use multiple reinsurers with each reinsurer absorbing part of the overall risk ceded. The primary reinsurers in the 2013 programs and the coverage each provides are shown in the following table:

 

     A.M. Best    Percent of Risk Covered  

Reinsurer

   Rating(1)    Non–Catastrophe     Catastrophe  

Lloyd’s Syndicates

   A+      39.1     52.7

Tokio Millennium Re Ltd.

   AA-      0.0     5.8

Swiss Re

   AA-      5.6     5.0

Catlin Insurance Company Limited, Bermuda

   A      5.2     3.9

Sompo Japan Insurance Inc., Japan

   A+      0.0     3.8

Other Reinsurers with no single company with greater than a 5% share

        50.1     28.8
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Reinsurance Coverage

        100.0        100.0
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) A.M.Best rating as of the most current information available February 14, 2013.

Our credit-related property insurance products do not employ reinsurance to manage catastrophe loss exposure, and their reinsurers for risks other than catastrophes are not deemed significant to our business.

Prior Period Reserve Development

The loss development table included herein shows the development of our claims and CAE reserves. The table does not present individual accident or policy year development data.

 

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The top line shows our original reserves, net of reinsurance recoverable, for each of the indicated years. The table then shows the cumulative net paid claims and CAE as of successive years. The table below also shows the re-estimated amount of previously recorded reserves based on experience as of the end of each succeeding year. The cumulative deficiency or redundancy represents the aggregate change in the estimates over all prior years. Conditions and trends that affected development of liabilities in the past may not occur in the future. Accordingly, it is inappropriate to anticipate future redundancies or deficiencies based on historical experience.

Loss Development Table

Property and Casualty Claims and Claim Adjustment Expense Liability Development-Net  of Reinsurance

Years Ended December 31,

 

    2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     2007     2008     2009     2010     2011     2012  

Liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance

                     

(includes loss reserves, IBNR, allocated and unalloc expense)

  $ 490,215      $ 590,365      $ 678,379      $ 796,267      $ 801,953      $ 809,500      $ 847,860      $ 856,658      $ 887,008      $ 857,840      $ 832,653   

Cumulative paid claims and claim expenses

                     

One year later

    233,074        256,386        274,810        366,007        296,620        318,944        345,346        308,113        331,196        329,102     

Two years later

    338,459        377,139        405,748        506,463        453,042        477,958        495,277        467,402        501,444       

Three years later

    399,651        445,702        479,410        590,643        544,100        569,031        593,384        565,819         

Four years later

    429,408        479,524        518,972        640,003        593,126        625,925        651,781           

Five years later

    443,161        498,349        541,627        664,588        623,884        655,613             

Six years later

    452,256        509,521        552,136        682,171        638,513               

Seven years later

    457,972        513,968        563,113        688,866                 

Eight years later

    460,785        518,251        567,260                   

Nine years later

    463,303        519,781                     

Ten years later

    464,068                       

Liabilites re-estimated

                     

One year later

    488,595        564,287        638,910        770,238        711,880        766,882        798,587        776,808        818,937        810,263     

Two years later

    488,455        564,485        617,374        737,341        713,339        733,361        770,900        753,152        809,757       

Three years later

    490,717        553,163        596,242        739,825        680,900        727,675        766,994        751,538         

Four years later

    482,799        538,459        596,754        714,995        682,460        727,733        770,441           

Five years later

    476,615        542,429        585,370        717,474        685,471        735,407             

Six years later

    478,201        534,287        585,914        720,931        694,268               

Seven years later

    472,502        534,477        589,384        726,479                 

Eight years later

    473,754        535,429        593,294                   

Nine years later

    474,451        537,875                     

Ten years later

    476,612                       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Deficiency(redundancy), net of reinsurance

    (13,603     (52,490     (85,085     (69,788     (107,685     (74,093     (77,419     (105,120     (77,251     (47,577  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
    2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     2007     2008     2009     2010     2011     2012  

Net reserve, as initially estimated

  $ 490,215      $ 590,365      $ 678,379      $ 796,267      $ 801,953      $ 809,500      $ 847,860      $ 856,658      $ 887,008      $ 857,840      $ 832,653   

Reinsurance and other recoverables as initially estimated

    59,806        52,908        67,698        65,186        62,115        55,951        89,410        46,778        40,552        53,152        52,184   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross reserve as initially estimated

    550,021        643,273        746,077        861,453        864,068        865,451        937,270        903,436        927,560        910,992        884,837   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net re-estimated reserve

    476,612        537,875        593,294        726,479        694,268        735,407        770,441        751,538        809,757        810,263     

Re-estimated and other reinsurance recoverables

    83,607        86,657        87,813        500,423        100,340        82,239        117,503        50,696        43,873        48,982     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gross re-estimated reserve

    560,219        624,532        681,107        1,226,902        794,608        817,646        887,944        802,234        853,630        859,245     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Deficiency(redundancy), gross of reinsurance

  $ 10,198      $ (18,741 )    $ (64,970 )    $ 365,449      $ (69,460 )    $ (47,805 )    $ (49,326 )    $ (101,202 )    $ (73,930 )    $ (51,747 )   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

While we believe that our claims reserves at December 31, 2012 are adequate, new information, events or circumstances, unknown at the original valuation date, may lead to future developments in our ultimate losses in amounts significantly greater or less than the reserves currently provided. The actual final cost of settling both claims outstanding at December 31, 2012 and claims expected to arise from unexpired periods of risk is uncertain. There are many other factors that would cause our losses to increase or decrease, which include but are not limited to: changes in claim severity; changes in the expected level of reported claims; judicial action changing the scope or liability of coverage; changes in the regulatory, social and economic environment; and unexpected changes in loss inflation. The deficiency or redundancy for different reporting dates is cumulative and should not be added together.

We participate in the National Flood Insurance Program as administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. For the year ended December 31, 2005, the $365.4 million deficiency gross of reinsurance was primarily the result of our participation in this program. As these losses are 100% reimbursed by the Federal government they do not impact our net reserve calculations or our net loss development patterns. The National Flood Insurance Program had paid losses of $390.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 because of the 2005 hurricanes, specifically Hurricane Katrina. Since reserves are not set up for the National Flood Insurance Program, any payments made subsequent to year-end will appear as adverse development on a gross basis. If the flood losses were removed from the gross data, the $365.4 million deficiency would have been a $24.6 million redundancy, gross of reinsurance.

 

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For 2012, the net favorable prior year claims and CAE development was $47.6 million, compared to approximately $68.1 million of net favorable prior year development in 2011, as a result of better than expected paid and incurred loss emergence across several lines of business.

The current year loss ratio is a blend of the current accident year loss ratio and the impact of favorable or adverse development on prior accident years during the current calendar year. Excluding the 4.4 point impact of favorable prior year loss development for accident years 2011 and prior, the 2012 loss ratio would have been 77.7%. Excluding the 6.8 point impact of favorable prior year loss development for accident years 2010 and prior, the 2011 loss ratio would have been 83.1%.

Net favorable reserve development during 2012 and 2011 was primarily driven by personal and commercial auto and commercial liability lines. Net and gross reserve calculations have shown favorable development as a result of loss emergence compared to what was implied by the loss development patterns used in the original estimation of losses. For additional information regarding claims and CAE, refer to Note 12, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other segment financial results for the periods indicated were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,      Change over prior year  
     2012      2011      2010      2012     2011  

Premiums and other revenues

             

Net investment income

   $ 64,944       $ 66,699       $ 53,317       $ (1,755   $ 13,382   

Realized investments gains, net

     68,208         90,866         74,062         (22,658     16,804   

Other Income

     5,905         2,980         3,175         2,925        (195
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total premiums and other revenues

     139,057         160,545         130,554         (21,488     29,991   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefits, losses and expenses

             

Other operating expenses

     61,535         45,021         38,695         16,514        6,326   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total benefits, losses and expenses

     61,535         45,021         38,695         16,514        6,326   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before other items and federal income taxes

   $ 77,522       $ 115,524       $ 91,859       $ (38,002   $ 23,665   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings during 2012 decreased substantially due to the lower realized gains, primarily as a result of other-than-temporary impairments related to bond and equity investments of $22.5 million during 2012. Other operating costs increased during 2012 as a result of an increase in expenses for share-based compensation under the stock and incentive plan as well as an increase in allocated costs to this segment during 2012.

Earnings during 2011 increased compared to 2010 primarily due to the increase in realized gains from investments as a result of improved financial markets. The 2011 increase was also driven by the increase in net investment income as a result of our growing portfolio of bonds and mortgage loans.

The Corporate and Other business segment recorded other-than-temporary impairments of $22.5 million, $9.5 million and $5.7 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, which are included in “Realized investments gains, net.”

 

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Discontinued Operations

On December 31, 2010, we sold our wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary, Securities Management & Research, Inc. (“SM&R”) and recorded a $1.0 million loss. The results of operations for this subsidiary are presented as income (loss) from discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented. SM&R had previously been a component of the Corporate and Other business segment. See Note 21, Discontinued Operations, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details.

Investments

We manage our investment portfolio to optimize the rate of return commensurate with sound and prudent asset selection and to maintain a well-diversified portfolio. Our investment operations are regulated by various regulatory authorities, primarily the state insurance departments where we or our insurance subsidiaries are domiciled. Investment activities, including the setting of investment policies and defining acceptable risk levels, are subject to review and approval by our Board of Directors, which is assisted by our Finance Committee and Management Risk Committee.

Our insurance and annuity products are primarily supported by investment-grade bonds, and to a lesser extent collateralized mortgage obligations and commercial mortgage loans. We purchase fixed maturity securities and designate them as either held-to-maturity or available-for-sale considering our estimated future cash flow needs. We also monitor the composition of our fixed maturity securities classified as held-to-maturity and available-for-sale and adjust the mix within the portfolio as investments mature or new investments are purchased.

We invest in commercial mortgage loans when the yield and credit risk compare favorably with fixed maturity securities. Individual residential mortgage loans have not been part of our investment portfolio, and we do not anticipate investing in them in the future. Therefore, we have no direct exposure to sub-prime or Alt A mortgage loans in the mortgage loan portfolio. We invest in real estate and equity securities based on a risk and reward analysis where we believe there are opportunities for enhanced returns.

Composition of Invested Assets

The following summarizes the carrying values of our invested assets (other than investments in unconsolidated affiliates) by asset class (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     December 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Amount      Percent      Amount      Percent  

Bonds held-to-maturity, at amortized cost

   $ 9,009,282         46.8       $ 9,251,972         49.0   

Bonds available-for-sale, at fair value

     4,665,576         24.3         4,381,607         23.2   

Equity securities, at fair value

     1,075,439         5.6         1,006,080         5.3   

Mortgage loans on real estate, net of allowance

     3,143,011         16.2         2,925,482         15.5   

Policy loans

     395,333         2.1         393,195         2.1   

Investment real estate, net of accumulated depreciation

     511,233         2.7         470,222         2.5   

Short-term investments

     313,086         1.6         345,330         1.8   

Other invested assets

     125,104         0.7         109,514         0.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $  19,238,064         100.0       $  18,883,402         100.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The increase in our total investments at December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011 was primarily a result of purchasing investments with the net proceeds of annuity and life premium and investment income.

Each component of our invested assets and its related revenues are described further in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements within Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Bonds—We allocate most of our fixed maturity securities to support our insurance business. At December 31, 2012, our fixed maturity securities had an estimated fair market value of $14.5 billion, which was $1.2 billion, or 8.9%, above amortized cost. At December 31, 2011, our fixed maturity securities had an estimated fair value of $14.2 billion, which was $851.7 million, or 6.4%, above amortized cost.

 

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Fixed maturity securities’ estimated fair value, due in one year or less, increased to $1.7 billion as of December 31, 2012 from $961.2 million as of December 31, 2011, primarily as a result of approaching maturity dates of long-term bonds.

The following table identifies the total bonds by credit quality rating, using both Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s ratings (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     December 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Amortized      Estimated      % of Fair      Amortized      Estimated      % of Fair  
     Cost      Fair Value      Value      Cost      Fair Value      Value  

AAA

   $ 731,004         796,658         5.5       $ 1,074,744       $ 1,153,696         8.1   

AA

     1,412,669         1,536,119         10.6         1,391,092         1,490,600         10.5   

A

     5,044,344         5,549,050         38.2         5,058,242         5,448,851         38.3   

BBB

     5,538,870         6,004,743         41.4         5,204,214         5,499,958         38.6   

BB and below

     598,862         619,757         4.3         659,290         646,193         4.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $  13,325,749       $ 14,506,327         100.0       $ 13,387,582       $ 14,239,298         100.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The slight shifts in our credit quality diversification, including below investment grade securities, at December 31, 2012 compared to December 31, 2011, was primarily the result of purchases of AAA through BBB bonds, and maturities of bonds rated AAA through BB and below. We expect the exposure to below investment grade securities to decrease as these bonds approach maturity. We do not own direct investments in sovereign debt issued by Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal or Spain.

Mortgage Loans—We invest in commercial mortgage loans that are diversified by property-type and geography to support our insurance business. Generally, mortgage loans are secured by first liens on income-producing real estate with a loan-to-value ratio of up to 75%. Mortgage loans held-for-investment are carried at outstanding principal balances, adjusted for any unamortized premium or discount, deferred fees or expenses, and net of allowances.

The weighted average coupon yield on the principal funded for mortgage loans was 5.5% and 6.0% at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. It is likely that the weighted average coupon yield on funded mortgage loans will decline as loans mature and new loans are originated with lower rates in the current interest rate environment.

Equity Securities—Our equity portfolio is in companies publicly traded on a national U.S. stock exchange; the cost and estimated value of the equity securities are as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2012  
            Unrealized      Unrealized            % of Fair  
     Cost      Gains      Losses     Fair Value      Value  

Common stock

   $ 660,889       $ 383,634       $ (6,739   $ 1,037,784         96.5   

Preferred stock

     27,690         9,995         (30     37,655         3.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 688,579       $ 393,629       $ (6,769   $ 1,075,439         100.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     December 31, 2011  
            Unrealized      Unrealized            % of Fair  
     Cost      Gains      Losses     Fair Value      Value  

Common stock

   $ 679,724       $ 305,269       $ (16,086   $ 968,907         96.3   

Preferred stock

     30,955         7,688         (1,470     37,173         3.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 710,679       $ 312,957       $ (17,556   $ 1,006,080         100.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investment Real Estate—We invest in commercial real estate with positive cash flows or where appreciation in value is expected. Real estate may be owned directly by our insurance companies, non-insurance affiliates or joint ventures. The carrying value of real estate is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and valuation allowances, if any. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the properties.

Short-Term Investments—Short-term investments are primarily commercial paper rated A2/P2 or better by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s, respectively. The amount fluctuates depending on the available long-term investment opportunities and our liquidity needs, including mortgage investment-funding commitments.

 

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Policy Loans—For certain life insurance products, policyholders may borrow funds using the policy’s cash value as collateral. The maximum amount of the policy loan depends upon the policy’s surrender value and the number of years since policy origination. As of December 31, 2012, we had $395.3 million in policy loans with a loan to surrender value of 59.5%, and at December 31, 2011, we had $393.2 million in policy loans with a loan to surrender value of 59.2%. Interest rates on policy loans primarily range from 3.0% to 12.0% per annum. Policy loans may be repaid at any time by the policyholder and have priority to any claims on the policy. If the policyholder fails to repay the policy loan, funds are withdrawn from the policy’s benefits.

Net Investment Income and Realized Gains (Losses)

Net investment income from bonds and mortgage loans decreased $1.4 million during 2012, compared to an increase of $64.5 million during 2011. The slight decrease during 2012 was the result of lower interest bonds making up a larger percentage of our bond portfolio as older bonds mature. The increase during 2011 resulted from the growth of our bond portfolio during the period. Net investment income in other asset classes (equities, real estate, options and other) increased $18.6 million during 2012, compared to a decrease of $7.2 million during 2011, primarily resulting from marking our option portfolio to fair value at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

Interest income on mortgage loans is accrued on the principal amount of the loan based on the contractual interest rate. Accretion of discounts is recorded using the effective yield method. Interest income, accretion of discounts and prepayment fees are reported in net investment income. Interest is not accrued on loans generally more than 90 days past due or when the collection of interest is not considered probable. Loans in foreclosure are placed on non-accrual status. Interest received on non-accrual status mortgage loans is included in net investment income in the period received.

Net Unrealized Gains and Losses

The net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities at December 31, 2012 and 2011 were $736.0 million and $541.4 million, respectively; a net gain of $194.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities have no impact on earnings rather, they are recognized as other comprehensive income or loss, which directly impact equity. The gross unrealized gains of available-for-sale securities increased $165.1 million to $757.3 million during 2012 primarily resulting from increases in corporate debt securities. The gross unrealized losses of available-for-sale securities decreased to $21.4 million from $50.8 million. The $29.4 million decrease in gross unrealized losses during 2012 primarily resulted from other-than-temporary impairments.

The gross unrealized gains of held-to-maturity securities increased $183.3 million to $839.5 million during 2012 primarily resulting from increases in corporate debt securities. The gross unrealized losses of held-to-maturity securities decreased $42.5 million to $8.0 million during 2012 primarily resulting from other-than-temporary impairments.

The fair value of our investment securities is affected by various factors, including volatility of financial markets, changes in interest rates and fluctuations in credit spread. We have the ability and intent to hold those securities in unrealized loss positions, until a market price recovery or maturity. Further, it is unlikely that we will be required to sell them prior to recovery, and recovery is expected in a reasonable period of time.

Liquidity

Our liquidity requirements have been and are expected to continue to be met by funds from operations, comprised of premiums received from our customers and investment income. The primary use of cash has been and is expected to continue to be payment of policy benefits and claims incurred. Current and expected patterns of claim frequency and severity may change from period to period but continue to be within historical norms. Management considers our current liquidity position to be sufficient to meet anticipated demands over the next twelve months. Our contractual obligations are not expected to have a significant negative impact to cash flow from operations.

Continued low-interest rate environments are expected to curtail our appetite to sell the volume of annuity contracts we sold in 2011 and 2010 and to require us to consider higher than historical contributions to our defined benefit plans covering our employees. There are no other known trends or uncertainties regarding product pricing, changes in product lines or rising costs, which would have a significant impact to cash flows from operations. Additionally, we have paid dividends to stockholders for over 100 consecutive years and expect to continue this trend. No unusually large capital expenditures are expected in the next 12-24 months.

 

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To ensure we will be able to continue to pay future commitments, the funds received as premium payments and deposits are invested in bonds and commercial mortgages. Funds are invested with the intent that income from the investments and proceeds from the maturities will meet our ongoing cash flow needs. We historically have not had to liquidate invested assets in order to cover cash flow needs; moreover, our portfolio of highly liquid available-for-sale investment securities are available to meet future liquidity needs as necessary.

Our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investment position was $600.8 million compared to $447.4 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The $153.4 million increase relates primarily to the refinancing of a joint venture note payable to a third-party that was previously financed internally.

A downgrade or a potential downgrade in our financial strength ratings could result in a loss of business and could adversely affect our cash flow from operations. See Item 1A, Risk Factors, for additional details.

Further information regarding additional sources or uses of cash is described in Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Capital Resources

Our capital resources are summarized below (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2012      2011      2010  

American National stockholders’ equity, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (“AOCI”)

   $ 3,585,826       $ 3,477,888       $ 3,388,244   

AOCI

     242,010         159,403         225,816   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total American National stockholders’ equity

   $ 3,827,836       $ 3,637,291       $ 3,614,060   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

We have notes payable that are not part of our capital resources relating to amounts borrowed by real estate joint ventures that we consolidate into our financial statements. During 2012, one real estate joint venture, which the company consolidates, borrowed $100.0 million from a third party using the real estate owned by the joint venture as collateral. The debt service on the ten year loan is intended to be met by the earnings and cash flow of the joint venture. The lenders for the notes payable have no recourse against us in the event of default by the joint ventures. Therefore, the only amount of liability we have for these notes payable is limited to our investment in the respective ventures, which totaled $9.7 million and $18.0 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The changes in our capital resources are summarized below (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011  

Net income

   $ 191,041      $ 190,765   

Increase (decrease) in unrealized gains

     96,005        (16,256

Minimum pension liability adjustment

     (13,518     (49,952

Dividends to shareholders

     (82,660     (82,609

Other

     (323     (18,717
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 190,545      $ 23,231   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Statutory Capital and Surplus and Risk-based Capital

Statutory capital and surplus is the capital of our insurance companies reported in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the applicable state insurance departments. Risk-based capital (“RBC”) is a measure of an insurer’s solvency calculated using formulas and instructions from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”). State laws specify regulatory actions if an insurer’s ratio of statutory capital and surplus to RBC, falls below certain levels. The RBC formula for life companies establishes capital requirements for asset, interest rate, market, insurance and business risks. The RBC formula for property and casualty companies establishes capital requirements for asset and underwriting risks including reserve risk.

The achievement of long-term growth will require growth in American National Insurance Company’s and our insurance subsidiaries’ statutory capital and surplus. Our subsidiaries may obtain additional statutory capital through various sources, such as retained statutory earnings or equity contributions from us. As of December 31, 2012, the levels of our and our insurance subsidiaries’ capital and surplus exceeded the minimum RBC requirements.

Contractual Obligations

The following summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):

 

     Payments Due by Period  
            Less than                    More than  
     Total      1 year      1-3 years      3-5 years      5 years  

Life insurance obligations(1)

   $ 3,711,969       $ 4,021       $ 102,921       $ 242,054       $ 3,362,973   

Annuity obligations(1)

     13,502,793         1,893,925         4,386,783         2,429,294         4,792,791   

Property and casualty insurance obligations(2)

     888,919         497,886         314,157         59,432         17,444   

Accident and health insurance obligations(3)

     111,911         63,578         15,151         8,724         24,458   

Purchase obligations

              

Commitments to purchase and fund investments

     65,213         63,855         1,146         106         106   

Mortgage loan commitments

     236,121         181,709         54,412         —           —     

Operating leases

     2,130         743         921         393         73   

Defined benefit pension plans(4)

     141,688         9,924         26,512         19,749         85,503   

Notes payable(5)

              

Short-term

     50,884         50,884         —           —           —     

Long-term

     112,500         —           —           12,500         100,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 18,824,128       $ 2,766,525       $ 4,902,003       $ 2,772,252       $ 8,383,348   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Life and annuity obligations include undiscounted estimated claim, benefit, surrender and commission obligations offset by expected future premiums and deposits on in-force insurance policies and annuity contracts. All amounts are gross of any reinsurance recoverable. Estimated claim, benefit and surrender obligations are based on mortality and lapse assumptions comparable with historical experience. Estimated payments on interest-sensitive life and annuity obligations include interest credited to those products. The interest crediting rates are derived by deducting current product spreads from a constant investment yield. As a result, the estimated obligations for insurance liabilities included in the table exceed the liabilities recorded in the liability for future policy benefits and policy and contract claims. Due to the significance of the assumptions used, the amounts presented could materially differ from actual payments. Separate account obligations have not been included in the table since those obligations are not part of the general account obligations and will be funded by cash flows from separate account assets. The general account obligations for insurance liabilities will be funded by cash flows from general account assets and future premiums and deposits. Participating policyholder dividends payable consists of liabilities related to dividends payable in the following calendar year and are presented in the less than one-year category. All estimated cash payments are net of estimated future premiums on policies currently in-force net of future policyholder dividends payable. The participating policyholder share obligation included in other policyholder funds and the timing and amount of the ultimate participating policyholder obligation is subject to significant uncertainty and the amount of the participating policyholder obligation is based upon a long-term projection of the performance of the participating policy block.

 

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(2) Includes case reserves for reported claims and reserves for IBNR with the timing of future payments based on our historical payment patterns. The timing of these payments may vary significantly from the pattern shown in the preceding table. The ultimate losses may vary materially from the recorded amounts, which are our best estimates.
(3) Reflects estimated future claim payments net of reinsurance for claims incurred prior to January 1, 2013 based on mortality and morbidity assumptions that are consistent with historical claims experience. These are not discounted with interest and will exceed the liabilities recorded in reserves for future claim payments. Due to the significance of the assumptions used the amounts presented could materially differ from actual payments.
(4) Estimated payments through continuing operations for pension benefit obligations for the non-qualified defined benefit pension plan. A liability has been established for the full amount of benefits accrued, including a provision for the effects on the accrued benefits of assumed future salary increases.
(5) The estimated payments due by period for notes payable reflect the contractual maturities of principal for amounts borrowed by real estate joint ventures and collateralized by real-estate owned by the respective entity. American National’s liability is limited to its investment in the respective joint venture. See Note 6, Investment Real Estate, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have off-balance sheet arrangements relating to third-party marketing operation bank loans discussed Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We could be exposed to a liability for these loans, which are supported by the cash value of the underlying insurance contracts. The cash value of the life insurance policies is designed to always equal or exceed the balance of the loans, accordingly management does not foresee any loss related to these arrangements.

Related-Party Transactions

We have various agency, consulting and service arrangements with individuals and corporations that are considered to be related parties. Each of these arrangements has been reviewed and approved by our Audit Committee, which retains final decision-making authority for these transactions. The total amount involved in these arrangements, both individually and in the aggregate, is not material to any segment or to our overall operations. For additional details see Note 20, Related Party Transactions, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our investments and some of our products are subject to market risks associated with changes in interest rates, credit spreads, issuer defaults and equity prices or market indices. Adverse changes due to these market risks may occur due to changes in market liquidity or to changes in market perceptions of credit worthiness or risk tolerance among other factors.

We have a generally conservative management profile and emphasize prudent risk management throughout all our operations. We have expanded enterprise risk management to help identify, prioritize and manage various risks including market risk. Under the leadership of our Corporate Risk Officer and with the support of our Board of Directors, we have instituted a framework based on the principles of enterprise risk management to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of our strategic objectives including:

 

   

identifying potential risks and events that may affect us;

 

   

managing risks within our risk profile;

 

   

escalation of problem risks;

 

   

monitoring of capital adequacy; and

We expect ongoing enterprise risk management efforts to expand the management tools used to ensure the efficient allocation of capital and will enhance the measurement of possible diversification benefits across business segments and risk classes.

A key component of our risk management program is our ALM Committee. The ALM committee monitors the level of our risk exposure in managing our assets and liabilities to attain the desired risk-return profile for our diverse mix of assets and liabilities and their resultant cash flows. This process includes maintaining adequate reserves, monitoring claims and surrender experience, managing interest rate spreads and protecting against disintermediation risk for life insurance and annuity products.

As a part of the ALM process, we establish target asset portfolios for each major line of business, which represent the investment strategies used to profitably fund our liabilities within acceptable levels of risk. We monitor these strategies through regular review of portfolio metrics, such as effective duration, yield curve sensitivity, convexity, liquidity, asset sector concentration and credit quality. In executing these ALM strategies, we regularly reevaluate the estimates used in determining the approximate amounts and timing of payments to or on behalf of policyholders for insurance liabilities. Many of these estimates are inherently subjective and could impact our ability to achieve our ALM goals and objectives. Our Finance Committee also reviews the risks associated with the specific investments made to support our lines of business and for consistency with our overall investment strategy.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of our interest-sensitive assets or liabilities will change with changes in market interest rates; risk is present if interest rates fall or rise. The fair market value of these fixed maturity securities is inversely related to changes in market interest rates. As interest rates fall, the cash flow from the interest coupon and dividend streams of existing fixed rate investments become more valuable as market values of the fixed maturity securities rise. As interest rates rise the inverse occurs and the market value of fixed maturity securities fall. The carrying value of our investment in fixed maturity securities, which comprise 71.1% of our portfolio, are summarized below (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Amount      Percentage      Amount      Percentage  

Bonds held-to-maturity

   $ 9,009,282         65.9       $ 9,251,972         67.9   

Bonds available-for-sale

     4,665,576         34.1         4,381,607         32.1   

Net unrealized gains for available-for-sale

     349,109         7.5         245,997         5.6   

 

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The increase in the unrealized gain on bonds available-for-sale was primarily the result of current interest rates being lower than the rates when the bonds were initially acquired and improvement in the credit markets during those years. Information regarding our unrealized gains or losses is disclosed in Note 4, Investments in Securities, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our exposure to cash flow changes is discussed further in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of the MD&A.

Our mortgage loans also have interest rate risk. As of December 31, 2012, these mortgage loans have fixed rates from 4.25% to 12.0%. Most of the mortgage loan contracts require periodic payments of both principal and interest, and have amortization periods of three to 30 years. Many of our mortgage loans contain prepayment restrictions or fees that reduce the risk of payment before maturity or compensate us for all or a portion of the investment income lost through early payment of the loan principal.

Rising interest rates can cause increases in policy loans and surrenders, also known as disintermediation risk. This risk manifests itself when, due to rapid changes in interest rates, policyholders move their assets into new products offering higher rates. We may then have to sell assets earlier than anticipated to pay for these withdrawals. Our life insurance and annuity product designs mitigate disintermediation risk through the use of surrender charges and market value adjustment features, which help reduce the financial impact of early surrenders. Investment guidelines, including duration targets and asset allocation tolerances, help to ensure that disintermediation risk is managed within the constraints of established profitability criteria.

Falling interest rates can have an adverse impact on our investment products, such as our fixed deferred annuity business. We aim to manage interest margins, the difference between yields on investments supporting reserves and amounts credited to policyholder account balances. As investment portfolio yields decline, we can reduce crediting rates on products, up to a limit defined by contractual minimum guarantees. Due to these contractual minimums, declines in interest rates can ultimately impact the profitability of this business. As of December 2012, of our $9.8 billion deferred annuities, $119.2 million have guaranteed minimum rates greater than or equal to 3.5% with no guarantees greater than 4.5%.

Interest Rate sensitivity analysis: The table below shows the estimated change in pre-tax market value of our investments in fixed maturity securities caused by instantaneous, one time parallel shifts in the corresponding year-end U.S. Treasury yield curves of +/- 100bps and +/- 50bps (in thousands):

 

     Increase/(Decrease) in Market Value Given an Interest rate  
     Increase/(Decrease) of X Basis Points  
     (100)      (50)      50     100  

Year ended December 31, 2012

          

Investment portfolio

   $ 620,682       $ 306,906       $ (301,394   $ (597,679

Year ended December 31, 2011

          

Investment portfolio

   $ 589,677       $ 292,195       $ (288,289   $ (572,697

All other variables were assumed to remain constant. Therefore, these calculations may not fully reflect any prepayment to the portfolio, changes in corporate spreads or non-parallel changes in interest rates for different maturities or credit quality. Actual results may differ materially from these amounts due to the assumptions and estimates used in calculating the scenarios.

We employ a combination of product design, pricing and ALM strategies to reduce the adverse effects of interest rate movements on these liabilities. Product design and pricing strategies include the use of surrender charges or restrictions on withdrawals in some products. Consistent monitoring of and periodic changes to our product pricing help us to better match the duration of the assets and liabilities.

The profitability of some of our products could be adversely affected by declining or persistently low interest rates. Assuming investment yields remain at 2012 levels, the impact of investing in that lower interest rate environment could reduce investment spreads by $9.0 million in 2013. In projecting this impact, we modeled projected crediting rates, considering interest spread targets and crediting rate floors.

 

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Credit Risk

We are exposed to credit risk, which is the uncertainty that an issuer or borrower will honor its obligation under the terms of a security or loan. Information regarding the credit quality of our fixed maturity securities can be found in the Investments section of the MD&A.

We are also exposed to the risk created by changes in market prices and cash flows associated with fluctuations in the credit spread or the market’s perception of the relative risk and required reward to hold fixed maturity securities of borrowers with different credit characteristics or credit ratings. Credit spread widening will reduce the fair value of our existing investment portfolio and will increase investment income on new purchases. Credit spread tightening would have the opposite effect.

To manage credit risk, we have an Investment Plan approved by our Board of Directors. This plan provides issuer and geographic concentration limits, investment size limits and other applicable parameters such as mortgage loan-to-value guidelines. Investment activity, including the setting of investment policies and defining acceptable risk levels, is subject to review by our Finance Committee and Management Risk Committee.

We are subject to credit risk of default of the reinsurers associated with our reinsurance agreements. While we believe these reinsurance providers are reputable and have the financial strength to meet their obligations, reinsurance does not eliminate our liability to pay our policyholders, and we remain primarily liable to our policyholders for the risks we insure. We regularly monitor the financial strength of our reinsurers and the levels of concentration to individual reinsurers to verify they meet established thresholds.

Equity Risk

Equity risk is the risk that we will incur realized and unrealized losses due to the overall equity investment markets or specific investments within our portfolio. At December 31, 2012, we held approximately $1.1 billion of equity investments, which had equity risk. Our exposure to the equity markets is managed by sector and is intended to track the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) with minor variations. We mitigate our equity risk by diversification of the investment portfolio.

We also have equity risk associated with the equity-indexed life and annuity products we market. We have entered into derivative transactions, primarily over-the-counter equity call options, to hedge our exposure to equity-index changes.

Changes in Accounting Principles

Refer to Note 3, Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted.

 

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Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Index to Annual Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     63   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control

     64   

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2012 and 2011

     65   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

     66   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December  31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

     67   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

     67   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

     68   

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     69   

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

American National Insurance Company:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of American National Insurance Company and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited financial statement schedules I to V. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of American National Insurance Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update 2010-26, Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts, effective January 1, 2012, and applied the retrospective method of adoption to all prior periods presented in the consolidated financial statements.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 8, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

March 8, 2013

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

American National Insurance Company:

We have audited American National Insurance Company’s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, American National Insurance Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statements of financial position of American National Insurance Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, and our report dated March 8, 2013, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

March 8, 2013

 

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AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(In thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011  
           (As Adjusted)  

ASSETS

    

Fixed maturity, bonds held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (Fair Value $9,840,751 and $9,857,691)

   $ 9,009,282      $ 9,251,972   

Fixed maturity, bonds available-for-sale, at fair value (Amortized cost $4,316,467 and $4,135,610)

     4,665,576        4,381,607   

Equity securities, at fair value (Cost $688,579 and $710,679)

     1,075,439        1,006,080   

Mortgage loans on real estate, net of allowance

     3,143,011        2,925,482   

Policy loans

     395,333        393,195   

Investment real estate, net of accumulated depreciation of $223,462 and $202,180

     511,233        470,222   

Short-term investments

     313,086        345,330   

Other invested assets

     125,104        109,514   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

     19,238,064        18,883,402   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

     303,008        102,114   

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

     248,425        241,625   

Accrued investment income

     207,314        213,984   

Reinsurance recoverables

     418,743        405,033   

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     56,826        68,785   

Premiums due and other receivables

     283,446        280,031   

Deferred policy acquisition costs

     1,247,675        1,320,693   

Property and equipment, net

     92,695        77,909   

Current tax receivable

     14,578        17,150   

Other assets

     154,911        131,403   

Separate account assets

     841,389        747,867   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 23,107,074      $ 22,489,996   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

    

Future policy benefits

    

Life

   $ 2,650,822      $ 2,599,224   

Annuity

     811,192        748,675   

Accident and health

     69,962        74,829   

Policyholders’ account balances

     11,555,201        11,506,504   

Policy and contract claims

     1,340,366        1,340,651   

Unearned premium reserve

     757,532        797,398   

Other policyholder funds

     288,391        288,910   

Liability for retirement benefits

     265,317        257,602   

Current portion of long-term notes payable

     50,884        46,387   

Long-term notes payable

     112,500        12,507   

Deferred tax liabilities, net

     92,150        21,851   

Other liabilities

     432,041        397,353   

Separate account liabilities

     841,389        747,867   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     19,267,747        18,839,758   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Common stock, $1.00 par value,—Authorized 50,000,000

    

Issued 30,832,449 and 30,832,449,

    

Outstanding 26,836,664 and 26,821,284 shares

     30,832        30,832   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     242,010        159,403   

Retained earnings

     3,653,280        3,545,546   

Treasury stock, at cost

     (98,286     (98,490
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total American National Insurance Company stockholders’ equity

     3,827,836        3,637,291   

Noncontrolling interest

     11,491        12,947   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     3,839,327        3,650,238   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 23,107,074      $ 22,489,996   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  
           (As Adjusted)     (As Adjusted)  

PREMIUMS AND OTHER REVENUE

      

Premiums

      

Life

   $ 281,621      $ 277,724      $ 282,160   

Annuity

     116,393        94,753        174,193   

Accident and health

     223,773        231,793        263,294   

Property and casualty

     1,082,386        1,144,342        1,158,261   

Other policy revenues

     198,401        189,494        185,805   

Net investment income

     985,398        968,165        911,915   

Realized investments gains (losses)

     90,725        100,369        79,728   

Other-than-temporary impairments

     (22,517     (9,503     (5,666

Other income

     30,880        25,890        23,491   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total premiums and other revenues

     2,987,060        3,023,027        3,073,181   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BENEFITS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES

      

Policyholder benefits

      

Life

     340,003        344,328        294,177   

Annuity

     156,619        135,735        205,948   

Claims incurred

      

Accident and health

     155,825        159,289        184,554   

Property and casualty

     793,281        873,208        923,736   

Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances

     416,015        405,083        393,119   

Commissions for acquiring and servicing policies

     364,911        430,310        446,463   

Other operating expenses

     455,746        461,906        462,212   

Change in deferred policy acquisition costs

     32,915        (38,262     (40,119
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total benefits, losses and expenses

     2,715,315        2,771,597        2,870,090   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before federal income tax and equity in earnings/losses of unconsolidated affiliates

     271,745        251,430        203,091   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less: Provision (benefit) for federal income taxes

      

Current

     52,135        46,712        58,946   

Deferred

     23,447        13,266        (3,574
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total provision (benefit) for federal income taxes

     75,582        59,978        55,372   

Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax

     (3,905     351        (3,169
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     192,258        191,803        144,550   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (see Note 21)

     —          —          (1,275
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     192,258        191,803        143,275   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax

     1,217        1,038        (1,055
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to American National Insurance Company

   $ 191,041      $ 190,765      $ 144,330   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts available to American National Insurance Company common stockholders

      

Earnings per share

      

Basic

   $ 7.15      $ 7.18      $ 5.43   

Diluted

     7.11        7.14        5.41   

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     26,714,865        26,559,886        26,559,035   

Weighted average common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares

     26,863,856        26,713,218        26,687,158   

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands)

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  
           (As Adjusted)     (As Adjusted)  

Net income (loss)

   $ 192,258      $ 191,803      $ 143,275   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

      

Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on securities

     96,005        (16,256     109,182   

Foreign currency transaction and translation adjustments

     120        (205     276   

Defined benefit plan adjustment

     (13,518     (49,952     (1,719
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     82,607        (66,413     107,739   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

     274,865        125,390        251,014   

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     1,217        1,038        (1,055
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to American National Insurance Company

   $ 273,648      $ 124,352      $ 252,069   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands, except for per share data)

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  
           (As Adjusted)     (As Adjusted)  

Common Stock

      

Balance at beginning and end of the period

   $ 30,832      $ 30,832      $ 30,832   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Additional Paid-In Capital

      

Balance as of January 1,

     —          15,190        11,986   

Issuance of treasury shares as restricted stock

     (204     (4     (11

Income tax effect from restricted stock arrangement

     (747     (14     —     

Modification of restricted stock

     (7,327     —          —     

Amortization of restricted stock

     10,170        4,561        3,215   

Purchase of ownership interest from noncontrolling interest

     (1,892     (19,733     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     —          —          15,190   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

      

Balance as of January 1,

     159,403        225,816        117,649   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     82,607        (66,413     107,739   

Cumulative effect of accounting change—deferred policy acquisition costs

     —          —          428   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of the period

     242,010        159,403        225,816   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Retained Earnings

      

Balance as of January 1,

     3,545,546        3,440,716        3,398,492   

Net income (loss) attributable to American National

      

Insurance Company and Subsidiaries

     191,041        190,765        144,330   

Cash dividends to common stockholders ($3.08 per share)

     (82,660     (82,609     (82,607

Cumulative effect of accounting change—deferred policy acquisition costs

     —          —          (19,499

Purchase of ownership interest from noncontrolling interest

     —          (3,326     —     

Modification of restricted stock

     (647     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of the period

     3,653,280        3,545,546        3,440,716   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Treasury Stock

      

Balance as of January 1,

     (98,490     (98,494     (98,505

Issuance of treasury shares as restricted stock

     204        4        11   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of the period

     (98,286     (98,490     (98,494
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncontrolling Interest

      

Balance as of January 1,

     12,947        4,042        12,202   

Contributions

     16        88        466   

Distributions

     (2,988     (3,280     (278

Gain (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

     1,217        1,038        (1,055

Effect of ASU 2009-17 implementation

     —          —          (7,293

Purchase of ownership interest from noncontrolling interest

     299        11,059        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of the period

     11,491        12,947        4,042   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 3,839,327      $ 3,650,238      $ 3,618,102   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  
           (As Adjusted)     (As Adjusted)  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Net income (loss)

   $ 192,258      $ 191,803      $ 143,275   

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Realized investments (gains) losses

     (90,725     (100,369     (79,575

Other-than-temporary impairments

     22,517        9,503        5,666   

Accretion (amortization) of discounts, premiums and loan origination fees

     (1,528     5,010        13,375   

Net capitalized interest on policy loans and mortgage loans

     (27,058     (30,517     (30,310

Depreciation

     36,573        40,407        40,017   

Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances

     416,015        405,083        393,119   

Charges to policyholders’ account balances

     (198,401     (189,494     (185,805

Deferred federal income tax (benefit) expense

     23,447        13,266        (3,574

Deferral of policy acquisition costs

     (375,975     (447,551     (449,326

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

     408,890        409,289        409,207   

Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates

     3,905        (351     3,169   

Distributions from equity method investments

     15,259        24,399        8,141   

Changes in:

      

Policyholder liabilities

     62,272        134,966        101,171   

Reinsurance recoverables

     (13,710     (49,845     16,466   

Premiums due and other receivables

     (5,008     7,153        (4,319

Accrued investment income

     6,670        (12,698     (9,549

Current tax receivable/payable

     2,572        (8,571     21,710   

Liability for retirement benefits

     (13,082     (6,700     3,899   

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     11,959        6,757        12,347   

Other, net

     (109     37,968        (11,176
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     476,741        439,508        397,928   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

      

Proceeds from sale/maturity/prepayment of:

      

Bonds—held-to-maturity

     1,361,673        811,674        559,064   

Bonds—available for sale

     555,159        375,339        775,257   

Equity securities

     92,230        182,220        168,479   

Investment real estate

     —          91,679        30,412   

Mortgage loans

     401,439        416,224        151,828   

Policy loans

     57,779        53,999        49,599   

Other invested assets

     43,874        39,539        22,550   

Disposals of property and equipment

     1,530        1,422        1,602   

Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates

     51,507        4,947        2,779   

Payment for the purchase/origination of:

      

Bonds—held-to-maturity

     (1,151,656     (1,547,318     (519,194

Bonds—available for sale

     (684,842     (591,824     (1,641,803

Equity securities

     (47,033     (114,166     (146,488

Investment real estate

     (30,450     (23,838     (26,842

Mortgage loans

     (655,341     (665,183     (536,830

Policy loans

     (38,067     (43,671     (41,749

Other invested assets

     (45,181     (40,216     (44,867

Additions to property and equipment

     (30,838     (17,588     (9,359

Contributions to unconsolidated affiliates

     (48,961     (78,251     (36,083

Change in short-term investments

     32,244        140,876        150,617   

Other, net

     10,156        22,393        12,883   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (124,778     (981,743     (1,078,145
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Policyholders’ account deposits

     1,127,962        2,020,422        1,722,505   

Policyholders’ account withdrawals

     (1,297,889     (1,375,283     (1,022,520

Change in notes payable

     104,490        (1,246     2,429   

Dividends to stockholders

     (82,660     (82,609     (82,607

Proceeds from (payments to) noncontrolling interest

     (2,972     (18,384     376   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (151,069     542,900        620,183   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     200,894        665        (60,034

Beginning of the year

     102,114        101,449        161,483   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 303,008      $ 102,114      $ 101,449   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS

American National Insurance Company and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively “American National”) offers a broad spectrum of insurance products, including individual and group life insurance, health insurance, annuities, and property and casualty insurance. Through non-insurance subsidiaries, American National invests in stocks and real estate. Business is conducted in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and American Samoa.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and are reported in U.S. currency. American National consolidates all entities that are wholly-owned and those in which American National owns less than 100% but controls, as well as any variable interest entities in which American National is the primary beneficiary. All material intercompany transactions with consolidated entities have been eliminated. Investments in unconsolidated affiliates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported consolidated financial statement balances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Investments

Investment securities – Bonds classified as held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost. Bonds classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value. Equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value. After-tax net unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities are reflected in stockholders’ equity as a component of “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss)” (“AOCI”).

Mortgage loans on real estate are stated at unpaid principal balance, adjusted for any unamortized discount, deferred expenses, and allowances. Accretion of discounts is recorded using the effective yield method. Interest income, prepayment fees and accretion of discounts and origination fees are reported in “Net investment income” in the consolidated statements of operations. Interest income earned on impaired and non-impaired loans is accrued on the principal amount of the loan based on contractual interest rate. However, interest ceases to accrue for loans on which interest is more than 90 days past due, when the collection of interest is not probable or when a loan is in foreclosure. Income on past due loans is reported on a cash basis. When a loan becomes current, it is placed back into accrual status. Cash receipts on impaired loans are recorded as a reduction of principal, interest income, expense reimbursement or other manner in accordance with the loan agreement. Gains and losses from the sale of loans and changes in allowances are reported in “Realized investment gains (losses)” in the consolidated statements of operations.

Each mortgage loan is evaluated quarterly and placed in a watchlist if events occur or circumstances exist that could indicate that American National will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms. Additionally, loans with estimated collateral value less than the loan balance and loans with characteristics indicative of higher than normal credit risks are reviewed quarterly. All loans in the watchlist are analyzed individually for impairment. If a loan is concluded to be fully collectible, no loss allowance is recorded. Loans are considered impaired when, based upon current information and events, it is probable that all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan are considered uncollectible. A specific allowance for loan losses is established for the excess carrying value of the loan over either: (i) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate, or (ii) the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral if the loan is in the process of foreclosure or otherwise collateral dependent. American National also establishes allowances on groups of loans with similar characteristics, such as property types, if based on experience, it is probable that a loss has occurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The allowance is reviewed quarterly to determine if additional allowance is required, or a recovery of the asset is assured and the allowance can be reduced.

 

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Management believes the recorded allowance is adequate and is the best estimate of probable loan losses, including losses incurred at the reporting date but not identified by specific loan. Management’s periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based on historical loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations affecting the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of the underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and other relevant factors. Loans are charged off as uncollectible only when the loan is forgiven by a legal agreement. Prior to charging off a loan, an allowance is recorded based on the estimated recoverable amount. Upon forgiveness, both the allowance and the loan balance are reduced which results in no further gain or loss.

Policy loans are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

Investment real estate including related improvements, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset (typically 15 to 50 years). Rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective lease. American National classifies a property as held-for-sale if it commits to a plan to sell a property within one year and actively markets the property in its current condition for a price that is reasonable in comparison to its estimated fair value. Real estate held-for-sale is stated at the lower of depreciated cost or estimated fair value less expected disposition costs, and is not depreciated while it is classified as held-for-sale. American National periodically reviews its investment real estate for impairment and tests properties for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable and the carrying value of the property exceeds its estimated fair value. Properties whose carrying values are greater than their undiscounted cash flows are written down to their estimated fair value, with the impairment loss included in “Realized investment gains (losses)” in the consolidated statements of operations. Impairment losses are based upon the estimated fair value of real estate, which is generally computed using the present value of expected future cash flows from the real estate discounted at a rate commensurate with the underlying risks as well as other appraisal methods. Real estate acquired upon foreclosure is recorded at the lower of estimated fair value or the carrying value of the mortgage loan at the date of foreclosure.

Real Estate Joint Ventures and Other Limited Partnership Interests—American National uses the equity method of accounting for its investments in real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests in which it has more than a minor interest or influence over the investee’s operations, but it does not have a controlling interest and is not the primary beneficiary. These investments are reported as “Investments in unconsolidated affiliates” in the consolidated statements of financial position. For certain joint ventures, American National records its share of earnings using a three-month lag methodology for all instances where the timely financial information is not available and the contractual right does not exist to receive such financial information. In addition to the investees regular impairment analysis of its underlying investments, American National routinely evaluates its investments in those investees for impairments. American National considers financial and other information provided by the investee, other known information and inherent risks in the underlying investments, as well as future capital commitments, in determining whether impairment has occurred. When an impairment is deemed to have occurred at the joint venture level, American National recognizes its share on impairment losses within “Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates” to record the investment at its estimated fair value. When an impairment resulted from American National’s separate account analysis, an adjustment is made through “Realized investment gains (losses)” to record the investment at its fair value.

Short-term investments comprised of commercial paper, are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Other invested assets comprised primarily of tax credit partnerships, CAPCO investments and mineral rights are carried at cost, less allowance for depletion, where applicable. Other invested assets also include equity-indexed options which are carried at fair value. Impairments for other invested assets are considered on an individual basis.

Impairments—American National evaluates all fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses on a quarterly basis to determine if the creditworthiness of any of those securities have deteriorated to a point where its carrying value at maturity will not be realized. For those fixed maturity securities where management believes that the carrying value will not be realized, an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) loss is recorded. At December 31, 2012, the unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities that were not other-than-temporarily impaired were the result of credit spread widening. There were no delinquent coupon payments attributed to these securities at December 31, 2012.

 

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For all fixed maturity securities in unrealized loss positions which American National does not intend to sell and for which it is not more-likely-than-not that it will be required to sell before its anticipated recovery, American National assesses whether the amortized cost basis of securities will be recovered by comparing the net present value of the expected cash flows from those securities with its amortized cost basis. Management estimates the expected cash flows using information based on its historical experience as well as using market observable data, such as industry analyst reports and forecasts, sector credit ratings and other data relevant to the collectability of a security. The net present value of the expected cash flows from fixed maturity securities is calculated by discounting management’s best estimate of expected cash flows from those securities at the effective interest rate implicit in the fixed maturity security when acquired. If the net present value of the expected cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the fixed maturity securities, an OTTI has occurred in the form of a credit loss. The credit loss is recognized in earnings in the amount of excess amortized cost over the net present value of the expected cash flows from the fixed maturity securities. If the fair value of the fixed maturity securities is less than the net present value of its expected cash flows at the impairment measurement date, a non-credit loss exists which is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) for the difference between the fair value and the net present value of the expected cash flows.

After the recognition of an OTTI, fixed maturity securities are accounted for as if it had been purchased on the OTTI measurement date, with a cost basis equal to its previous amortized cost basis less the related OTTI losses recognized in earnings. The new cost basis of an other-than-temporarily impaired security is not adjusted for subsequent increases in estimated fair value. Should there be a significant increase in the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected from previously impaired fixed maturity securities, the increase would be accounted for prospectively by accreting it as interest income over its remaining life.

American National evaluates all equity securities in unrealized loss positions on a quarterly basis and recognizes an OTTI loss on those where a market price recovery is not expected in a reasonable period of time. All equity securities with unrealized losses, are also evaluated for credit quality. OTTI are recognized if management believes the carrying value of those securities will not be realized regardless of the length of time that they have had an unrealized loss.

Derivative instruments are purchased as hedges of a recognized asset or liability, which are recorded on the consolidated statements of financial position at fair value. The change in fair value of derivative assets and liabilities is reported in the consolidated statements of operations as “Net investment income” and “Interest credited to policyholder account balances,” respectively. Derivative instruments held at December 31, 2012 and 2011 had an immaterial impact on the consolidated financial statements. American National does not apply hedge accounting treatment to its derivative instruments.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash on-hand and in banks plus amounts invested in money market funds are reported as “Cash and cash equivalents” in the consolidated statements of financial position.

Property and equipment

These assets consist of buildings occupied by American National, data processing equipment, and furniture and equipment, which are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using straight-line and accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets (3 to 50 years).

Insurance specific assets and liabilities

Deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) represent the capitalized costs that are related directly to the successful acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts. Significant costs are incurred in connection with acquiring insurance and annuity contracts, including commissions and certain underwriting and policy issuance and processing expenses.

 

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DAC on traditional life and health products are amortized with interest over the anticipated premium-paying period of the related policies, in proportion to the ratio of annual premium revenue to be received over the life of the policies. Expected premium revenue is estimated by using the same mortality, morbidity and withdrawal assumptions used in computing liabilities for future policy benefits. DAC is reduced by a provision for possible inflation of maintenance and settlement expenses in the determination of such amounts by means of grading interest rates.

DAC on universal life, limited-pay and investment-type contracts is amortized as a level percentage of the present value of anticipated gross profits from investment yields, mortality, and surrender charges. The effect on DAC that would result from realization of unrealized gains (losses) is recognized with an offset to “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” in the consolidated statements of financial position as of the reporting date. It is possible a change in interest rates could have a significant impact on DAC calculated for these contracts.

DAC associated with property and casualty business is amortized over the coverage period of the related policies, in relation to premium revenue recognized.

For short-duration and long-duration contracts, DAC is grouped consistent with the manner in which insurance contracts are acquired, serviced and measured for profitability and is reviewed for recoverability based on the profitability of the underlying insurance contracts. Investment income is not anticipated in assessing the recoverability of DAC for short-duration contracts.

Liabilities for future policy benefits for traditional products have been provided on a net level premium method based on estimated investment yields, withdrawals, mortality, and other assumptions that were appropriate at the time that the policies were issued. Estimates used are based on historical experience, as adjusted to provide for possible adverse deviation. These estimates are periodically reviewed and compared with actual experience. When it is determined that future expected experience differs significantly from existing assumptions the estimates are revised for current and future issues.

Future policy benefits for universal life, limited-pay and investment-type contracts reflect the current account value before applicable surrender charges.

Reserves for claims and claim adjustment expenses—American National establishes reserves for claims and claim adjustment expense (“CAE”) to provide for the estimated costs of paying claims. These reserves include estimates for both case reserves and reserves for incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims. Case reserves include the liability for reported but unpaid claims. IBNR reserves include a provision for potential development on case reserves, losses on claims currently closed which may reopen in the future as well as incurred but not reported claims. These reserves also include an estimate of the expense associated with settling claims, including legal and other fees and the general expenses of administering the claims adjustment process.

Reinsurance—Reinsurance ceded recoverable includes amounts owed to American National in respect of paid and unpaid ceded claims and CAE and is presented net of a reserve for non-recoverability. Recoveries on our gross ultimate losses are generally determined by a review of individual large claims as well as by estimating the ceded portion of IBNR using assumed distribution of loss by percentage retained. The most significant assumption used is the average size of the individual losses for those claims that have occurred but have not yet been recorded. The reinsurance ceded recoverable is based on what American National believes are reasonable estimates. However, the ultimate amount of the reinsurance ceded recoverable is unknown until all losses are settled. Refer to Note 13 further information.

Premiums, benefits, claims incurred and expenses

Traditional ordinary life and health—Life and accident and health premiums are recognized as revenue when due. Benefits and expenses are associated with earned premiums to result in recognition of profits over the term of the insurance contracts.

 

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Annuities—Premiums received on limited-pay and supplemental annuity contracts involving a significant life contingency are recognized as revenue when due. Deferred annuity premiums are not recognized as revenue but instead are recorded as deposits. Instead, revenues from deferred annuity contracts represent amounts assessed against contract holders. Such assessments are principally surrender charges and, in the case of variable annuities, administrative fees. Policyholder account balances for deferred annuities represent the deposits received plus accumulated interest less withdrawals and applicable accumulated administrative fees.

Universal life and single premium whole life revenues represent amounts assessed against policyholders. Included in such assessments are mortality charges, surrender charges actually paid and earned policy service fees. Policyholder account balances consist of the premiums received and credited interest, less accumulated policyholder assessments. Amounts included in expenses represent benefits in excess of account balances returned to policyholders.

Property and casualty premiums are recognized as revenue proportionately over the contract period, net of reinsurance ceded. Claims incurred consist of actual claims and CAE paid and the change in reserves, net of reinsurance received and recoverable.

Participating insurance policies

Participating business comprised approximately 9.2% of the life insurance in-force at December 31, 2012 and 12.5% of life premiums in 2012. Of the total participating business, 78.2% was written by Farm Family Life Insurance Company (“Farm Family Life”). For the participating business excluding Farm Family Life, the allocation of dividends to participating policyowners is based upon a comparison of experienced rates of mortality, interest and expenses, as determined periodically for representative plans of insurance, issue ages and policy durations, with the corresponding rates assumed in the calculation of premiums.

For the Farm Family Life participating business, profits earned on participating business are reserved for the payment of dividends to policyholders, except for the stockholders’ share of profits on participating policies, which is limited to the greater of 10% of the profit on participating business, or 50 cents per thousand dollars of the face amount of participating life insurance in-force. Participating policyholders’ interest includes the accumulated net income from participating policies reserved for payment to such policyholders in the form of dividends (less net income allocated to stockholders as indicated above) as well as a pro rata portion of unrealized investment gains (losses), net of tax.

Federal income taxes

American National Insurance Company and its eligible subsidiaries file a consolidated life and non-life federal income tax return. Certain subsidiaries that are consolidated for financial reporting are not eligible to be included in the consolidated federal income tax return, accordingly they file separate returns.

Deferred federal income tax assets and liabilities have been recognized to reflect the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred taxes are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

American National recognizes tax benefits on uncertain tax positions if it is “more-likely-than-not” the position based on its technical merits will be sustained by taxing authorities. American National recognizes the largest benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being ultimately realized upon settlement. Tax benefits not meeting the “more-likely-than-not” threshold, if applicable, are included with “Other liabilities” in the consolidated statements of financial position.

Interest and penalties assessed, if applicable, are classified as “Other operating expenses” in the consolidated statements of operations.

Pension and postretirement benefit plans

The pension and postretirement benefit obligations and costs are calculated using actuarial concepts in accordance with GAAP. The discount rate and the expected return on plan assets, are important elements of expense and/or liability measurement and these key assumptions are evaluated annually. Other assumptions involve demographic factors such as retirement age, mortality, turnover and rate of compensation increases.

 

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American National uses a discount rate to determine the present value of future benefits on the measurement date. The guideline for setting this rate is a high-quality long-term corporate bond rate. To determine the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, a building-block method is used. The expected rate of return on each asset is broken down into three components: (1) inflation, (2) the real risk-free rate of return (i.e., the long-term estimate of future returns on default-free U.S. government securities), and (3) the risk premium for each asset class (i.e., the expected return in excess of the risk-free rate). Using this approach, the calculated return will fluctuate from year to year; however, it is American National’s policy to hold this long-term assumption relatively constant. For further information, refer to Note 18.

Stock-based compensation

Stock Appreciation Rights—The measurement of the stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) liability and compensation cost is based on the fair value of the grants and is remeasured each reporting period through the settlement date. The fair value of the SAR’s is calculated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The key assumptions used in the model include: the stock price on the date of grant, the stock price on the date of remeasurement, expected life of the SARs and the risk-free rate of return. The compensation liability related to the SAR award is included in “Other liabilities” in the consolidated statements of financial position.

Restricted Stock—The measurement of the equity and compensation cost of restricted stock (“RS”) is based on the fair value of the grant using the value of the underlying stock at grant date. The compensation cost accrued is included in “Additional paid-in capital” in the consolidated statements of financial position.

Restricted Stock Units—Effective December 31, 2012, American National’s Board Compensation Committee modified the settlement provision within the outstanding restricted stock units (“RSU”) providing the recipients of the awards option to settle vested RSUs in either cash or American National common stock. This modification in the settlement provision changed the RSU classification from an equity to a liability award. After the modification, the liability will be remeasured each reporting period through the vesting date and will be adjusted for the changes in fair value. The compensation liability related to the RSUs is included in “Other Liabilities” in the consolidated statement of financial position.

Separate account assets and liabilities

Separate account assets and liabilities are funds intended to meet the investment objectives of contract holders who bear the investment risk. Investment income and investment gains and losses from these separate funds accrue to the benefit of the contract holders. Separate accounts are established in conformity with insurance laws and are not chargeable with liabilities that arise from any other business of American National. American National reports separately, as assets and liabilities, investments held in separate accounts and liabilities of the separate accounts if (i) such separate accounts are legally recognized; (ii) assets supporting the contract liabilities are legally insulated from American National’s general account liabilities; (iii) investments are directed by the contract holder; and (iv) all investment performance, net of contract fees and assessments, is passed through to the contract holder. The assets of these accounts are carried at fair value. Deposits, net investment income and realized investment gains and losses for these accounts are excluded from revenues, and related liability increases are excluded from benefits and expenses in the consolidated financial statements.

Litigation contingencies

American National reviews existing litigation matters and potential litigation items with counsel quarterly to determine if any adjustments to liabilities for possible losses are necessary. Reserves for losses are established whenever they are probable and estimable based on the best estimate of the probable loss. If no one estimate within the range of possible losses is more probable than any other, a reserve is recorded based on the lowest amount of the range.

 

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3. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Adoption of New Accounting Standards—During 2010 and 2011 the FASB issued the following accounting guidance relevant to American National. Each became effective to American National on January 1, 2012, and unless stated otherwise did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

In October 2010, the FASB issued amended accounting guidance for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts. The amendment limits the deferrable cost to those incremental direct costs associated with the successful acquisition or renewal of insurance contracts. It also specifies that advertising costs should be deferred only if the capitalization criteria for direct-response advertising are met. American National applied the retrospective method of adoption to all prior periods presented in the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, upon adoption, the DAC asset was reduced by $34,260,000 as a result of acquisition costs previously deferred that are no longer eligible for deferral under the new guidance. The after-tax cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of stockholders’ equity at January 1, 2012 was approximately $19,745,000.

In May 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance on fair value measurement and disclosures. The amendment clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements. Other amendments change a particular element for measuring or disclosing information about fair value measurements. In addition, the amendment expands the qualitative and quantitative disclosures on Level 3 measurements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance on presentation of other comprehensive income (“OCI”). The amendment requires that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either as a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or as two separate but consecutive statements. The amendment also requires reporting entities to present reclassification adjustments from OCI to net income on the face of the financial statements. However, in December 2011, the FASB deferred the application of the reclassification adjustment provisions of the amended OCI presentation guidance.

In September 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance for testing goodwill impairment. The amendment allows an assessment of qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value as a basis to determining whether the two-step goodwill impairment test is necessary.

Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards— During 2011 and 2012 the FASB issued the following significant accounting guidance relevant to American National including technical amendments and corrections to make the codification easier to understand and fair value measurement guidance easier to apply. Each became effective for American National on January 1, 2013 unless stated otherwise, and did not have, or is not expected to have, a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

In July 2011, the FASB issued guidance to address questions about how health insurers should recognize and classify fees mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in their income statements. The new guidance is effective for calendar years beginning after December 31, 2013. The guidance specifies that the liability for the fee should be recorded in full once the entity provides qualifying health insurance in the applicable calendar year. The corresponding deferred cost is then amortized to expense using a straight-line method of allocation unless another method better allocates the fee over the calendar year that it is payable.

In December 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance for derecognition of an in substance real estate subsidiary. The amendment clarifies that when a reporting entity ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary that is in substance real estate because of a default on the subsidiary’s nonrecourse debt secured by the real estate, the reporting entity should apply the guidance for real estate sales when evaluating the subsidiary for deconsolidation.

In December 2011, the FASB issued a guidance that amends the disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities. The new guidance requires an entity to disclose both gross and net information about offsetting and related arrangements. Subsequently, in January 2013, the FASB issued amendments to clarify the scope of this guidance covering only those derivatives accounted for in accordance with the derivatives and hedging guidance of the Codification that are either offsets in accordance with the right of setoff conditions, the balance sheet netting criteria or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement.

 

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In February 2013, the FASB issued amended guidance on presentation of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). The amendments require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of AOCI by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement of operations or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of AOCI by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts.

4. INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES

The cost or amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments are shown below (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2012  
     Cost or
Amortized Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
    Estimated Fair
Value
 

Fixed maturity securities, bonds held-to-maturity

          

U.S. treasury and government

   $ 3,593       $ 69       $ —        $ 3,662   

U.S. states and political subdivisions

     393,541         40,161         (7     433,695   

Foreign governments

     29,071         4,367         —          33,438   

Corporate debt securities

     7,993,167         748,773         (6,782     8,735,158   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     549,384         42,313         (1,195     590,502   

Collateralized debt securities

     2,500         321         —          2,821   

Other debt securities

     38,026         3,449         —          41,475   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total bonds held-to-maturity

     9,009,282         839,453         (7,984     9,840,751   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities, bonds available-for-sale

          

U.S. treasury and government

     19,649         1,156         —          20,805   

U.S. states and political subdivisions

     570,751         44,792         (105     615,438   

Foreign governments

     5,000         2,344         —          7,344   

Corporate debt securities

     3,582,913         303,908         (14,188     3,872,633   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     89,486         5,165         (266     94,385   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     20,933         3,509         —          24,442   

Collateralized debt securities

     17,676         1,448         (33     19,091   

Other debt securities

     10,059         1,379         —          11,438   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total bonds available-for-sale

     4,316,467         363,701         (14,592     4,665,576   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity securities

          

Common stock

     660,889         383,634         (6,739     1,037,784   

Preferred stock

     27,690         9,995         (30     37,655   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity securities

     688,579         393,629         (6,769     1,075,439   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments in securities

   $ 14,014,328       $ 1,596,783       $ (29,345   $ 15,581,766   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
     December 31, 2011  
     Cost or
Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
    Estimated
Fair Value
 

Fixed maturity securities, bonds held-to-maturity

          

U.S. treasury and government

   $ 13,704       $ 193       $ —        $ 13,897   

U.S. states and political subdivisions

     405,526         32,272         (6     437,792   

Foreign governments

     29,044         4,978         —          34,022   

Corporate debt securities

     8,011,901         564,159         (25,316     8,550,744   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     714,659         50,774         (3,986     761,447   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     31,341         —           (20,158     11,183   

Collateralized debt securities

     7,134         —           (1,018     6,116   

Other debt securities

     38,663         3,827         —          42,490   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total bonds held-to-maturity

     9,251,972         656,203         (50,484     9,857,691   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities, bonds available-for-sale

          

U.S. treasury and government

     11,930         1,156         —          13,086   

U.S. states and political subdivisions

     579,008         39,930         (90     618,848   

Foreign governments

     5,000         2,435         —          7,435   

Corporate debt securities

     3,316,083         221,079         (32,016     3,505,146   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     191,832         11,898         (1,009     202,721   

Collateralized debt securities

     17,636         1,611         (170     19,077   

Other debt securities

     14,121         1,173         —          15,294   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total bonds available-for-sale

     4,135,610         279,282         (33,285     4,381,607   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity securities

          

Common stock

     679,724         305,269         (16,086     968,907   

Preferred stock

     30,955         7,688         (1,470     37,173   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity securities

     710,679         312,957         (17,556     1,006,080   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments in securities

   $ 14,098,261       $ 1,248,442       $ (101,325   $ 15,245,378   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Actual maturities differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, which are not due at a single maturity, have been allocated to their respective categories based on the year of final contractual maturity. The amortized cost and estimated fair value, by contractual maturity of fixed maturity securities are shown below (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2012  
     Bonds Held-to-Maturity      Bonds Available-for-Sale  
     Amortized
Cost
     Estimated
Fair Value
     Amortized
Cost
     Estimated
Fair Value
 

Due in one year or less

   $ 1,235,099       $ 1,260,428       $ 447,229       $ 456,464   

Due after one year through five years

     2,531,423         2,787,916         1,591,615         1,723,514   

Due after five years through ten years

     4,507,884         5,001,830         1,849,731         2,025,329   

Due after ten years

     729,025         785,577         422,892         455,523   

Without single maturity date

     5,851         5,000         5,000         4,746   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 9,009,282       $ 9,840,751       $ 4,316,467       $ 4,665,576   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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All gains and losses for securities sold throughout the year were determined using specific identification of the securities sold. Proceeds from the sales of these securities, with the realized gains and losses, are shown below (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities

   $ 221,686      $ 228,712      $ 435,293   

Gross realized gains

     52,998        70,339        51,248   

Gross realized losses

     (2,009     (1,600     (3,590

During 2012 bonds with a carrying value of $62,500,000 were transferred from held-to-maturity to available-for-sale after a significant deterioration in the issuers’ creditworthiness became evident. An OTTI loss of $11,358,000 was recorded at the time of transfer.

In accordance with various regulations, American National Insurance Company and its wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries had bonds with a carrying value of $50,027,000 at December 31, 2012, on deposit with regulatory authorities.

In addition, American National has pledged bonds in connection with various agreements and transactions, such as financing and reinsurance agreements. The carrying value of bonds pledged was $73,176,000 at December 31, 2012.

Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities

The components of the change in net unrealized gains (losses) on securities are shown below (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Bonds available-for-sale

   $ 103,112      $ 47,701      $ 120,790   

Equity securities

     91,459        (66,689     110,772   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities during the year

     194,571        (18,988     231,562   

Adjustments for:

      

Deferred policy acquisition costs

     (40,103     (4,075     (52,378

Participating policyholders’ interest

     (6,772     (1,772     (11,315

Deferred federal income tax benefit (expense)

     (51,691     8,579        (58,687
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax

   $ 96,005      $ (16,256   $ 109,182   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross unrealized losses on investment securities and the fair value of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, are shown below (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2012  
     Less than 12 months      12 Months or more      Total  
     Unrealized
(Losses)
    Fair
Value
     Unrealized
(Losses)
    Fair
Value
     Unrealized
(Losses)
    Fair
Value
 

Fixed maturity securities, bonds held-to-maturity

  

U.S. states and political subdivisions

   $ (6   $ 914       $ (1   $ 80       $ (7   $ 994   

Corporate debt securities

     (4,394     319,434         (2,388     39,632         (6,782     359,066   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     (147     13,824         (1,048     24,666         (1,195     38,490   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total bonds held-to-maturity

     (4,547     334,172         (3,437     64,378         (7,984     398,550   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities, bonds available-for-sale

              

U.S. treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies

     —          3,376         —          —           —          3,376   

U.S. states and political subdivisions

     (105     6,523         —          —           (105     6,523   

Corporate debt securities

     (2,077     242,261         (12,111     70,187         (14,188     312,448   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     (34     1,527         (232     8,029         (266     9,556   

Commercial mortgage- backed securities

     —          —           —          —           —          —     

Collateralized debt securities

     (8     527         (25     911         (33     1,438   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total bonds available-for-sale

     (2,224     254,214         (12,368     79,127         (14,592     333,341   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity securities

              

Common stock

     (6,739     64,003         —          —           (6,739     64,003   

Preferred stock

     (30     30         —          —           (30     30   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity securities

     (6,769     64,033         —          —           (6,769     64,033   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments in securities

   $ (13,540   $ 652,419       $ (15,805   $ 143,505       $ (29,345   $ 795,924   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
     December 31, 2011  
     Less than 12 months      12 Months or more      Total  
     Unrealized
(Losses)
    Fair
Value
     Unrealized
(Losses)
    Fair
Value
     Unrealized
(Losses)
    Fair
Value
 

Fixed maturity securities, bonds held-to-maturity

  

U.S. states and political subdivisions

   $ —        $ —         $ (6   $ 264       $ (6   $ 264   

Corporate debt securities

     (20,204     680,202         (5,112     39,280         (25,316     719,482   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     (227     19,398         (3,759     32,653         (3,986     52,051   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     —          —           (20,158     11,183         (20,158     11,183   

Collateralized debt securities

     (8     1,605         (1,010     4,511         (1,018     6,116   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total bonds held-to-maturity

     (20,439     701,205         (30,045     87,891         (50,484     789,096   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities, bonds available-for-sale

              

U.S. states and political subdivisions

     (10     762         (80     1,971         (90     2,733   

Corporate debt securities

     (12,142     396,761         (19,874     85,623         (32,016     482,384   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     (202     25,943         (807     9,047         (1,009     34,990   

Collateralized debt securities

     (6     704         (164     2,770         (170     3,474   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total bonds available-for-sale

     (12,360     424,170         (20,925     99,411         (33,285     523,581   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity securities

              

Common stock

     (16,086     98,731         —          —           (16,086     98,731   

Preferred stock

     (1,470     6,481         —          —           (1,470     6,481   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity securities

     (17,556     105,212         —          —           (17,556     105,212   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments in securities

   $ (50,355   $ 1,230,587       $ (50,970   $ 187,302       $ (101,325   $ 1,417,889   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2012, the securities with unrealized losses were not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, including those with the duration of the unrealized losses exceeding one year. American National has the ability and intent to hold those securities until a market price recovery or maturity. Further, it is not more-likely-than-not that American National will be required to sell them prior to recovery, and recovery is expected in a reasonable period of time. It is possible the investee’s financial circumstances may be different in the future, which may lead to a different impairment conclusion in future periods.

Credit Risk Management

The bond portfolio distributed by credit quality rating, using both S&P and Moody’s ratings, is shown below:

 

     December 31, 2012     December 31, 2011  

AAA

     5.5     8.1

AA

     10.6        10.5   

A

     38.2        38.3   

BBB

     41.4        38.6   

BB and below

     4.3        4.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

American National’s equity securities by market sector distribution are shown below:

 

     December 31, 2012     December 31, 2011  

Consumer goods

     20.3     21.5

Financials

     18.9        17.2   

Information technology

     16.9        16.9   

Energy and utilities

     15.8        17.3   

Healthcare

     12.7        11.7   

Industrials

     9.1        9.0   

Other

     6.3        6.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

5. MORTGAGE LOANS

Generally, commercial mortgage loans are secured by first liens on income-producing real estate. American National attempts to maintain a diversified portfolio by considering the property-type and property location of the underlying mortgage collateral. Mortgage loans by property-type and geographic distribution are as follows:

 

     December 31, 2012     December 31, 2011  

Office

     34.9     30.2

Industrial

     24.0        24.6   

Retail

     17.7        19.1   

Hotel and motel

     13.9        13.4   

Other

     9.5        12.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2012     December 31, 2011  

West South Central

     23.2     23.1

South Atlantic

     23.0        22.9   

East North Central

     18.2        18.8   

Pacific

     13.3        11.4   

East South Central

     7.1        5.7   

Mountain

     7.0        6.7   

Other

     8.2        11.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

During 2012, American National sold one office loan with a recorded investment of $19,665,000 and a realized gain of $2,607,000. During 2011, American National sold one industrial loan with a recorded investment of $27,532,000 and a realized gain of $4,968,000. During 2012, American National foreclosed on four loans with a recorded investment of $34,562,000. There were no foreclosures during 2011.

Non-cash transactions during 2012 were a $15,865,000 transfer from mortgage loans to investment in unconsolidated affiliates. During 2011, American National exchanged $25,500,000 in mortgage loans for an additional ownership interest in a real estate joint venture. After the exchange transaction, the joint venture was included in American National’s consolidated financial statement. Upon consolidation, American National’s investment real estate had a noncash-related increase of $28,500,000.

Credit Quality

Commercial mortgage loan balance placed on nonaccrual status are shown below (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  

Commercial mortgages

     

Office

   $ —         $ 8,436   

Retail

     13,354         23,997   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 13,354       $ 32,433   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The credit quality of the mortgage loan portfolio is assessed by evaluating the credit risk of each borrower. A loan is classified as performing or non-performing based on whether all of the contractual terms of the loan have been met.

 

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Table of Contents

The age analysis of past due commercial mortgage loans is shown below (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2012  
     30-59 Days      60-89 Days      Greater Than      Total Past             Total  
     Past Due      Past Due      90 Days      Due      Current      Mortgage Loans  

Commerical mortgages

                 

Office

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 1,100,407       $ 1,100,407   

Industrial

     —           —           —           —           755,198         755,198   

Retail

     —           —           13,354         13,354         547,472         560,826   

Other

     —           —           —           —           738,592         738,592   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ —         $ —         $  13,354       $ 13,354       $ 3,141,669         3,155,023   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Allowance for loan losses

                    12,012   
                 

 

 

 

Mortgage loans on real estate, net of allowance

                  $ 3,143,011   
                 

 

 

 
     December 31, 2011  
     30-59 Days      60-89 Days      Greater Than      Total Past             Total  
     Past Due      Past Due      90 Days      Due      Current      Mortgage Loans  

Commerical mortgages

                 

Office

   $ —         $ —         $ 8,436       $ 8,436       $ 879,923       $ 888,359   

Industrial

     —           —           —           —           721,704         721,704   

Retail

     13,140         —           10,857         23,997         537,665         561,662   

Other

     —           —           —           —           765,078         765,078   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 13,140       $ —         $ 19,293       $ 32,433       $ 2,904,370         2,936,803   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Allowance for loan losses

                    11,321   
                 

 

 

 

Mortgage loans on real estate, net of allowance

                  $ 2,925,482   
                 

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans are net of unamortized discounts of $4,346,000 and $10,189,000 and unamortized origination fees of $14,076,000 and $12,683,000 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. No unearned income is included in these amounts.

Allowance for Credit Losses

Loans not evaluated individually for collectibility are segregated by collateral property-type and location and allowance factors are applied. These factors are developed annually, and reviewed quarterly based on our historical loss experience adjusted for the expected trend in the rate of foreclosure losses. Allowance factors are higher for loans of certain property types and in certain regions based on loss experience or a blended historical loss factor.

The allowance for credit losses and unpaid principal balance in commercial mortgage loans are shown below (in thousands):

 

     Collectively     Individually        
     Evaluated     Evaluated        
     for Impairment     for Impairment     Total  

Allowance for credit losses

      

December 31, 2010

   $ 11,395      $ 2,393      $ 13,788   

Write down

     —          (1,900     (1,900

Change in allowance

     (567     —          (567
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

     10,828        493        11,321   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Write down

     —          (2,277     (2,277

Change in allowance

     691        2,277        2,968   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2012

   $ 11,519      $ 493      $ 12,012   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Recorded Investment

      

December 31, 2012

   $ 3,063,908      $ 109,537      $ 3,173,445   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

   $ 2,725,930      $ 233,745      $ 2,959,675   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Loans individually evaluated for impairment with and without an allowance are shown below (in thousands):

 

     Year ended December 31, 2012  
            Unpaid      Average      Interest  
     Recorded      Principal      Recorded      Income  
     Investment      Balance      Investment      Recognized  

With an allowance recorded

           

Retail (related allowance of $493)

   $ 493       $ 493       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Without an allowance recorded

           

Office

   $ 36,544       $ 36,544       $ 36,710       $ 2,452   

Retail

     17,180         17,180         17,329         1,129   

Other

     55,320         55,320         55,551         3,758   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total without an allowance recorded

   $ 109,044       $ 109,044       $ 109,590       $ 7,339   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Year ended December 31, 2011  
            Unpaid      Average      Interest  
     Recorded      Principal      Recorded      Income  
     Investment      Balance      Investment      Recognized  

With an allowance recorded

           

Retail (related allowance of $493)

   $ 493       $ 493       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Without an allowance recorded

           

Office

   $ 48,833       $ 48,833       $ 49,088       $ 3,506   

Industrial

     57,261         57,261         57,514         3,628   

Retail

     15,477         17,377         15,535         1,514   

Other

     111,681         111,681         111,407         7,546   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total without an allowance recorded

   $ 233,252       $ 235,152       $ 233,544       $ 16,194   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Troubled Debt Restructurings

A small portion of the mortgage loan portfolio for which American National has granted concessions related to the borrowers’ ability to pay the loans is classified as troubled debt restructurings. Concessions are generally one of, or a combination of, a delay in payment of principal or interest, a reduction of the contractual interest rate or an extension of the maturity date. American National considers the amount, timing and extent of concessions in determining any impairment or changes in the specific allowance for loan losses recorded in connection with a troubled debt restructuring. The carrying value after specific allowance, before and after modification in a troubled debt restructuring, may not change significantly, or may increase if the expected recovery is higher than the pre-modification recovery assessment.

Three mortgage loans as of December 31, 2012 and three loans as of December 31, 2011, have been modified in troubled debt restructurings. The outstanding recorded investment was $17,342,000 and $45,366,000 for 2012 and 2011, respectively, both before and after the modifications. There are no commitments to lend additional funds to debtors whose loans have been modified in troubled debt restructurings and there have been no defaults on modified loans during the periods.

6. INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE

Investment real estate by property-type distribution is as follows:

 

     December 31, 2012     December 31, 2011  

Shopping centers

     41.0     41.1

Office buildings

     21.9        22.0   

Industrial

     18.1        16.3   

Other

     19.0        20.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0 %      100.0 % 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Investment real estate by geographic distribution is as follows:

 

     December 31, 2012     December 31, 2011  

West South Central

     60.8     66.1

South Atlantic

     11.2        11.6   

East North Central

     10.3        5.2   

Mountain

     6.2        6.9   

East South Central

     5.3        5.2   

Other

     6.2        5.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0 %      100.0 % 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

American National and its wholly-owned subsidiaries regularly invest in real estate partnerships and joint ventures. American National participates in the design of these entities with the sponsor, but in most cases, its involvement is limited to financing. Through analysis performed by American National, some of these partnerships and joint ventures have been determined to be variable interest entities (“VIEs”). In certain instances, in addition to an economic interest in the entity, American National holds the power to direct the most significant activities of the entity and is deemed the primary beneficiary or consolidator of the entity. The assets of the consolidated VIEs are restricted and must be used first to settle the liabilities of the VIE. Creditors or beneficial interest holders of these VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of American National, as American National’s obligation is limited to the amount of its committed investment. American National has not provided financial or other support to the VIEs in the form of liquidity arrangements, guarantees, or other commitments to third parties that may affect the fair value or risk of its variable interest in the VIEs in 2012 or 2011.

The assets and liabilities relating to VIEs which are consolidated in American National’s financial statements are as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  

Investment real estate

   $ 162,502       $ 154,878   

Short-term investments

     969         3,364   

Cash and cash equivalents

     3,671         5,777   

Accrued investment income

     2,641         2,299   

Other receivables

     11,709         11,816   

Other assets

     6,487         3,870   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets of consolidated VIEs

   $ 187,979       $ 182,004   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Notes payable

   $ 163,384       $ 58,894   

Other liabilities

     6,647         5,354   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs

   $ 170,031       $ 64,248   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The liability of American National Insurance Company on notes payable is limited to the amount of its direct or indirect investment in the respective ventures, which totaled $9,664,000 and $17,959,000 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The average interest rate on the current portion of the notes payable was 4.0% during 2012. The total long-term portion of notes payable consists of three notes with the following interest rates: 4.0%, adjusted LIBOR plus 1.0% and adjusted LIBOR plus 2.5%. Of the long-term notes payable, $12,500,000 will mature in 2016, with the remainder maturing beyond 5 years.

For other VIEs in which American National is a partner, it is not the primary beneficiary and these entities were not consolidated, as the major decisions that most significantly impact the economic activities of the VIE require unanimous consent of all partners. The following table presents the carrying amount and maximum exposure to loss relating to unconsolidated VIEs (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Carrying
Amount
     Maximum
Exposure
to Loss
     Carrying
Amount
     Maximum
Exposure
to Loss
 

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates

   $ 81,548       $ 81,548       $ 85,509       $ 85,509   

 

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7. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

American National purchases over-the-counter equity-indexed options as economic hedges against fluctuations in the equity markets to which equity-indexed annuity products are exposed. Equity-indexed annuities include a fixed host annuity contract and an equity-indexed embedded derivative. The detail of derivative instruments is shown below (in thousands):

 

Derivatives Not Designated
as Hedging Instruments

 

Location in the Consolidated

Statements of Financial Position

  December 31, 2012     December 31, 2011  
    Number of
Instruments
    Notional
Amounts
    Estimated
Fair Value
    Number of
Instruments
    Notional
Amounts
    Estimated
Fair Value
 

Equity-indexed options

  Other invested assets     356      $ 846,900      $ 82,625        332      $ 791,900      $ 65,188   

Equity-indexed annuity embedded derivative

  Future policy benefits—Annuity     22,941        722,500        (75,032     16,727        661,300        (63,275

 

          Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivatives  
Derivatives Not Designated    Location in the Consolidated    Years ended December 31,  

as Hedging Instruments

  

Statements of Operations

   2012      2011      2010  

Equity-indexed options

   Net investment income    $ 18,931       $ (2,794    $ 11,911   

Equity-indexed annuity embedded derivative

   Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances      (13,331      7,821         (6,604

8. NET INVESTMENT INCOME AND REALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES)

Net investment income, before federal income taxes, is shown below (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012      2011     2010  

Bonds

   $ 680,552       $ 688,953      $ 647,523   

Equity securities

     29,085         27,494        24,549   

Mortgage loans

     205,067         198,056        176,026   

Real estate

     14,041         18,846        15,487   

Options

     18,931         (2,794     11,911   

Other invested assets

     37,722         37,610        36,419   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 985,398       $ 968,165      $ 911,915   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Realized investments gains (losses), before federal income taxes, are shown below (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Bonds

   $ 41,817      $ 14,495      $ 34,330   

Equity securities

     35,047        67,671        27,603   

Mortgage loans

     (361     6,275        7,793   

Real estate

     13,049        12,033        10,101   

Other invested assets

     1,173        (105     (99
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 90,725      $ 100,369      $ 79,728   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The OTTI losses are shown below (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Bonds

   $ (12,658   $ —        $ —     

Equity securities

     (9,859     (9,503     (5,666
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ (22,517 )    $ (9,503 )    $ (5,666 ) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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9. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instruments are shown below (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Carrying      Estimated      Carrying      Estimated  
     Amount      Fair Value      Amount      Fair Value  

Financial assets

  

Fixed maturity securities, bonds held-to-maturity

   $ 9,009,282       $ 9,840,751       $ 9,251,972       $ 9,857,691   

Fixed maturity securities, bonds available-for-sale

     4,665,576         4,665,576         4,381,607         4,381,607   

Equity securities

     1,075,439         1,075,439         1,006,080         1,006,080   

Equity-indexed options

     82,625         82,625         65,188         65,188   

Mortgage loans on real estate, net of allowance

     3,143,011         3,441,645         2,925,482         3,178,205   

Policy loans

     395,333         395,333         393,195         393,195   

Short-term investments

     313,086         313,086         345,330         345,330   

Separate account assets

     841,389         841,389         747,867         747,867   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial assets

   $ 19,525,741       $ 20,655,844       $ 19,116,721       $ 19,975,163   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

           

Investment contracts

   $ 9,987,431       $ 9,987,431       $ 9,993,804       $ 9,993,804   

Embedded derivative liability for equity-indexed annuities

     75,032         75,032         63,275         63,275   

Notes payable

     163,384         163,384         58,894         58,894   

Separate account liabilities

     841,389         841,389         747,867         747,867   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial liabilities

   $ 11,067,236       $ 11,067,236       $ 10,863,840       $ 10,863,840   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Summary

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability. A fair value hierarchy is used to determine fair value based on a hypothetical transaction at the measurement date from the perspective of a market participant. American National has evaluated the types of securities in its investment portfolio to determine an appropriate hierarchy level based upon trading activity and the observability of market inputs. The classification of assets or liabilities within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of significant input to its valuation. The input levels are defined as follows:

 

  Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

  Level 2 Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities other than quoted prices in Level 1; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

  Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Unobservable inputs reflect American National’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose values are determined using pricing models and third-party evaluation, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

Fixed Maturity Securities and Equity Options—American National utilizes a pricing service to estimate fair value measurements. The estimates of fair value for most fixed maturity securities, including municipal bonds, provided by the pricing service are disclosed as Level 2 measurements as the estimates are based on observable market information rather than market quotes.

The pricing service utilizes market quotations for fixed maturity securities that have quoted prices in active markets. Since fixed maturity securities generally do not trade on a daily basis, the pricing service prepares estimates of fair value measurements for these securities using its proprietary pricing applications, which include available relevant market information, benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing. Additionally, an option adjusted spread model is used to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios.

 

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The pricing service evaluates each asset class based on relevant market information, relevant credit information, perceived market movements and sector news. The market inputs utilized in the pricing evaluation, listed in the approximate order of priority, include: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, reference data, and economic events. The extent of the use of each market input depends on the asset class and the market conditions. Depending on the security, the priority of the use of inputs may change or some market inputs may not be relevant. For some securities, additional inputs may be necessary.

American National has reviewed the inputs and methodology used and the techniques applied by the pricing service to produce quotes that represent the fair value of a specific security. The review confirms the service is utilizing information from observable transactions or a technique that represents a market participant’s assumptions. American National does not adjust quotes received from the pricing service. The pricing service utilized by American National has indicated that they will only produce an estimate of fair value if there is objectively verifiable information available.

American National holds a small amount of fixed maturity securities that have characteristics that make them unsuitable for matrix pricing. For these fixed maturity securities, a quote from an independent broker (typically a market maker) is obtained. Due to the disclaimers on the quotes that indicate that the price is indicative only, American National includes these fair value estimates in Level 3. The pricing of certain private placement debt also includes significant non-observable inputs, the internally determined credit rating of the security, and an externally provided credit spread, and these securities are classified as Level 3 measurements.

For securities priced using a quote from an independent broker, such as the equity options and certain fixed maturity securities, American National uses a market-based fair value analysis to validate the reasonableness of prices received from an independent broker. Price variances above a certain threshold are analyzed further to determine if any pricing issue exists. This analysis is generally performed on a weekly basis, but no less frequently than on a monthly basis.

Equity Securities—For publicly-traded equity securities, prices are received from a nationally recognized pricing service that are based on observable market transactions and these securities are classified as Level 1 measurements. For certain preferred stock, current market quotes in active markets are unavailable. In these instances, an estimate of fair value is received from the pricing service. The service utilizes similar methodologies to price preferred stocks as it does for fixed maturity securities. These estimates for equity securities are disclosed as Level 2 measurements. American National tests the accuracy of the information provided by reference to other services regularly.

Mortgage Loans—The fair value of mortgage loans is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses on a loan by loan basis by applying a discount rate to expected cash flows from future installment and balloon payments. The discount rate takes into account general market trends and specific credit risk trends for the individual loan. Factors used to arrive at the discount rate include inputs from spreads based on U.S. Treasury notes and the loan’s credit rating, region, property type, lien number, payment type and current status.

Embedded Derivative—The embedded derivative liability for equity-indexed annuities is measured at fair value and is recalculated each reporting period using equity option pricing models. To validate the assumptions used to price the embedded derivative liability, American National measures and compares embedded derivative returns against the returns of equity options held to hedge the liability cash flows.

The significant unobservable input used to calculate the fair value of the embedded derivatives is equity option implied volatility. This volatility assumption is the range of implied volatilities that American National has determined market participants would use to price equity options that match the current derivative characteristics of our in-force equity-indexed annuities. Implied volatility can vary by term and strike price. An increase in implied volatility will result in an increase in the value of the equity-indexed annuity embedded derivatives, all other things being equal. At December 31, 2012, the implied volatility used to estimate embedded derivative value ranges from 15.9% to 30.1%.

 

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Table of Contents

Other Financial Instruments—Other financial instruments classified as level 3 measurements, as there is little or no market activity, are as follows:

Policy loans—The carrying value of policy loans is the outstanding balance plus any accrued interest. Due to the collateralized nature of policy loans, unpredictable timing of repayments and the fact that it cannot be separated from the policy contract and it is settled at outstanding value, American National believes that the carrying value of policy loans approximates fair value.

Investment contracts liability—The carrying value of investment contracts liability is equivalent to the accrued account balance. The accrued account balance consists of deposits, net of withdrawals, plus or minus interest credited, fees and charges assessed and other adjustments. American National believes that the carrying value of investment contracts liability approximates fair value because the majority of these contracts’ interest rates reset to current rates offered at anniversary.

Notes payable—Notes payable are carried at outstanding principal balance. The carrying value of the notes payable approximates fair value because the underlying interest rates approximate market rates at the balance sheet date.

Quantitative Disclosures

The quantitative disclosures regarding fair value hierarchy measurements of the financial instruments are shown below (in thousands):

 

     Fair Value Measurement as of December 31, 2012  
     Total Estimated
Fair Value
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Financial assets

           

Fixed maturity securities, bonds held-to-maturity

           

U.S. treasury and government

   $ 3,662       $ —         $ 3,662       $ —     

U.S. states and political subdivisions

     433,695         —           433,695         —     

Foreign governments

     33,438         —           33,438         —     

Corporate debt securities

     8,735,158         —           8,662,164         72,994   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     590,502         —           589,441         1,061   

Collateralized debt securities

     2,821         —           —           2,821   

Other debt securities

     41,475         —           41,475         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total bonds held-to-maturity

     9,840,751         —           9,763,875         76,876   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities, bonds available-for-sale

           

U.S. treasury and government

     20,805         —           20,805         —     

U.S. states and political subdivisions

     615,438         —           612,913         2,525   

Foreign governments

     7,344         —           7,344         —     

Corporate debt securities

     3,872,633         —           3,796,949         75,684   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     94,385         —           91,938         2,447   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     24,442         —           —           24,442   

Collateralized debt securities

     19,091         —           17,156         1,935   

Other debt securities

     11,438         —           11,438         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total bonds available-for-sale

     4,665,576         —           4,558,543         107,033   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity securities

           

Common stock

     1,037,784         1,037,784         —           —     

Preferred stock

     37,655         37,652         —           3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity securities

     1,075,439         1,075,436         —           3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options

     82,625         —           —           82,625   

Mortgage loans on real estate

     3,441,645         —           3,441,645         —     

Policy loans

     395,333         —           —           395,333   

Short-term investments

     313,086         —           313,086         —     

Separate account assets

     841,389         —           841,389         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial assets

   $ 20,655,844       $ 1,075,436       $ 18,918,538       $ 661,870   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

           

Investment contracts

   $ 9,987,431       $ —         $ —         $ 9,987,431   

Embedded derivative liability for equity-indexed annuities

     75,032         —           —           75,032   

Notes payable

     163,384         —           —           163,384   

Separate account liabilities

     841,389         —           841,389         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial liabilities

   $ 11,067,236       $ —         $ 841,389       $ 10,225,847   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
     Fair Value Measurement as of December 31, 2011  
     Total Estimated
Fair Value
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Financial assets

  

Fixed maturity securities, bonds held-to-maturity

           

U.S. treasury and government

   $ 13,897       $ —         $ 13,897       $ —     

U.S. states and political subdivisions

     437,792         —           437,792         —     

Foreign governments

     34,022         —           34,022         —     

Corporate debt securities

     8,550,744         —           8,492,957         57,787   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     761,447         —           759,773         1,674   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     11,183         —           —           11,183   

Collateralized debt securities

     6,116         —           —           6,116   

Other debt securities

     42,490         —           35,147         7,343   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total bonds held-to-maturity

     9,857,691         —           9,773,588         84,103   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities, bonds available-for-sale

           

U.S. treasury and government

     13,086         —           13,086         —     

U.S. states and political subdivisions

     618,848         —           616,323         2,525   

Foreign governments

     7,435         —           7,435         —     

Corporate debt securities

     3,505,146         —           3,492,113         13,033   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     202,721         —           202,715         6   

Collateralized debt securities

     19,077         —           18,826         251   

Other debt securities

     15,294         —           15,294         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total bonds available-for-sale

     4,381,607         —           4,365,792         15,815   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity securities

           

Common stock

     968,907         968,907         —           —     

Preferred stock

     37,173         37,173         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity securities

     1,006,080         1,006,080         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options

     65,188         —           —           65,188   

Mortgage loans on real estate

     3,178,205         —           3,178,205         —     

Policy loans

     393,195         —           —           393,195   

Short-term investments

     345,330         —           345,330         —     

Separate account assets

     747,867         —           747,867         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial assets

   $ 19,975,163       $ 1,006,080       $ 18,410,782       $ 558,301   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

           

Investment contracts

   $ 9,993,804       $ —         $ —         $ 9,993,804   

Embedded derivative liability for equity-indexed annuities

     63,275         —           —           63,275   

Notes payable

     58,894         —           —           58,894   

Separate account liabilities

     747,867         —           747,867         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial liabilities

   $ 10,863,840       $ —         $ 747,867       $ 10,115,973   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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For financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the period, a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances is shown below at estimated fair value (in thousands):

 

           Equity-     Embedded  
     Investment     Indexed     Derivative  
     Securities     Options     Liability  

Beginning balance, 2010

   $ 36,966      $ 32,801        $ (22,487)   

Total realized and unrealized investment gains/losses

      

Included in other comprehensive income

     1,461        —          —     

Net fair value change included in realized gains/losses

     (289     —          —     

Net gain (loss) for derivatives included in net investment income

     —          9,942        —     

Net change included in interest credited

     —          —          (6,604

Purchases, sales and settlements or maturities

      

Purchases

     65,033        34,709        —     

Sales

     (10,000     —          —     

Settlements or maturities

     (2,362     (10,736     —     

Premiums less benefits

     —          —          (30,553

Gross transfers into Level 3

     5,913        —          —     

Gross transfers out of Level 3

     (6,245     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance, 2010

   $ 90,477      $ 66,716      $ (59,644
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total realized and unrealized investment gains/losses

      

Included in other comprehensive income

     1,798        —          —     

Net fair value change included in realized gains/losses

     (2,694     —          —     

Net gain (loss) for derivatives included in net investment income

     —          (9,199     —     

Net change included in interest credited

     —          —          7,821   

Purchases, sales and settlements or maturities

      

Purchases

     22        17,122        —     

Sales

     (1,821     —          —     

Settlements or maturities

     (13,260     (9,451     —     

Premiums less benefits

     —          —          (11,452

Gross transfers into Level 3

     27,052        —          —     

Gross transfers out of Level 3

     (1,656     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance, 2011

   $ 99,918      $ 65,188      $ (63,275
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total realized and unrealized investment gains/losses

      

Included in other comprehensive income

     28,737        —          —     

Net fair value change included in realized gains/losses

     (11,493     —          —     

Net gain (loss) for derivatives included in net investment income

     —          12,372        —     

Net change included in interest credited

     —          —          (13,331

Purchases, sales and settlements or maturities

      

Purchases

     33,070        14,684        —     

Sales

     (3,542     (9,619     —     

Settlements or maturities

     (749     —          —     

Premiums less benefits

     —          —          1,574   

Gross transfers into Level 3

     37,971        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance, 2012

   $ 183,912      $ 82,625      $ (75,032
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Within the net gain (loss) for derivatives included in net investment income were an unrealized gain of $8,710,000, an unrealized loss of $12,613,000, and an unrealized gain of $5,125,000 relating to assets still held at December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value hierarchies. The transfers into Level 3 were the result of existing securities no longer being priced by the third-party pricing service at the end of the period. American National’s valuation of these securities involves judgment regarding assumptions market participants would use including quotes from independent brokers. The transfers out of Level 3 were securities being priced by a third-party service at the end of the period, using inputs that are observable or derived from market data, which resulted in classification of these assets as Level 2.

 

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10. DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS

Deferred policy acquisition costs and premiums are shown below (in thousands):

 

                 Accident     Property &        
     Life     Annuity     & Health     Casualty     Total  

Balance at December 31, 2009 (As adjusted)

   $ 658,038      $ 435,975      $ 69,198      $ 135,554      $ 1,298,765   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Additions

     81,069        115,813        17,994        234,450        449,326   

Amortization

     (79,609     (71,686     (22,924     (234,988     (409,207

Effect of change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities

     (12,604     (39,774     —          —          (52,378
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change

     (11,144     4,353        (4,930     (538     (12,259
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2010 (As Adjusted)

     646,894        440,328        64,268        135,016        1,286,506   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Additions

     76,890        116,206        11,815        242,640        447,551   

Amortization

     (74,775     (86,852     (20,987     (226,675     (409,289

Effect of change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities

     2,571        (6,646     —          —          (4,075
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change

     4,686        22,708        (9,172     15,965        34,187   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2011 (As Adjusted)

     651,580        463,036        55,096        150,981        1,320,693   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Additions

     80,877        68,799        11,018        215,281        375,975   

Amortization

     (73,710     (90,523     (16,908     (227,749     (408,890

Effect of change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities

     (5,331     (34,772     —          —          (40,103
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change

     1,836        (56,496     (5,890     (12,468     (73,018
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

   $ 653,416      $ 406,540      $ 49,206      $ 138,513      $ 1,247,675   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commissions comprise the majority of the additions to deferred policy acquisition costs for each year. Effective January 1, 2012, American National retrospectively adopted a new guidance that modified the accounting for DAC. Refer to Note 3 for additional discussion.

11. LIABILITY FOR FUTURE POLICY BENEFITS AND POLICYHOLDER ACCOUNT BALANCES

American National establishes liabilities for amounts payable under insurance and annuity policies. Generally, amounts are payable over an extended period of time and related liabilities are calculated as the present value of expected benefit payments reduced by the present value of expected premiums. Such liabilities are established on a block of business basis based on methods and underlying assumptions in accordance with GAAP and applicable actuarial standards. Principal assumptions used in the establishment of liabilities for future policy benefits are mortality, morbidity, policy lapse, renewal, retirement, disability incidence, disability termination, investment return, inflation, expenses and other contingent events as appropriate to the respective product type.

Future policy benefits for non-participating traditional life insurance are equal to the aggregate of the present value of expected benefit payments and related expenses less the present value of expected net premiums. Assumptions as to mortality and persistency are based upon American National’s experience when the basis of the liability is established. Interest rates for the aggregate future policy benefit liabilities range from 3.0% to 8.0%.

Future policy benefit liabilities for participating traditional life insurance are equal to the aggregate of (i) net level premium reserves for death and endowment policy benefits (calculated based upon the non-forfeiture interest rate, ranging from 2.5% to 5.5%) and mortality rates guaranteed in calculating the cash surrender values described in such contracts; and (ii) the liability for terminal dividends.

Future policy benefit liabilities for individual fixed deferred annuities after annuitization and single premium immediate annuities are equal to the present value of expected future payments. The interest rate used in establishing such liabilities range from 3.0% to 5.6% for all policies in-force.

 

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Future policy benefit liabilities for non-medical health insurance are calculated using the net level premium method and assumptions as to future morbidity, withdrawals and interest, which provide a margin for adverse deviation. Interest rates used in establishing such liabilities range from 3.5% to 8.0%.

Future policy benefit liabilities for disabled lives are estimated using the present value of benefits method and experience assumptions as to claim terminations, expenses and interest. Interest rates used in establishing such liabilities range from 3.0% to 4.5%.

Liabilities for universal life secondary guarantees and paid-up guarantees are determined by estimating the expected value of death benefits payable when the account balance is projected to be zero and recognizing those benefits ratably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. American National regularly evaluates estimates used and adjusts the additional liability balances, with a related charge or credit to benefit expense, if actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier assumptions should be revised. The assumptions used in estimating the secondary and paid-up guarantee liabilities are consistent with those used for amortizing DAC, and are thus subject to the same variability and risk. The assumptions of investment performance and volatility for variable products are consistent with historical Standard & Poor’s experience. The benefits used in calculating the liabilities are based on the average benefits payable over a range of scenarios.

American National periodically reviews its estimates of actuarial liabilities for future policy benefits and compares them with its actual experience. Differences between actual experience and the assumptions used in pricing these policies, guarantees and riders and in the establishment of the related liabilities result in variances in profit and could result in losses. The effects of changes in such estimated liabilities are included in the results of operations in the period in which the changes occur.

Policyholder account balances relate to investment-type contracts and universal life-type policies. Investment-type contracts principally include traditional individual fixed annuities in the accumulation phase and non-variable group annuity contracts. Policyholder account balances are equal to (i) policy account values, which consist of an accumulation of gross premium payments; (ii) credited interest, ranging from 1.0% to 8.0% (some annuities also offer a first year bonus ranging from 1.0% to 7.0%), less expenses, mortality charges, and withdrawals; and (iii) fair value adjustments relating to business combinations.

12. LIABILITY FOR UNPAID CLAIMS AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES

The liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses (“CAE”) for accident and health, and property and casualty insurance is included in the “Liability for policy and contract claims” in the consolidated statements of financial position and represents the amount estimated for claims that have been reported but not settled and claims incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). Liability for unpaid claims and CAE are estimated based upon American National’s historical experience and actuarial assumptions that consider the effects of current developments, anticipated trends and risk management programs, reduced for anticipated salvage and subrogation. The effects of the changes are included in the consolidated results of operations in the period in which the changes occur.

Activities in the liability for unpaid claims and CAE (“claims”) are shown below (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Unpaid claims balance, beginning

   $ 1,180,259      $ 1,210,126      $ 1,214,996   

Less reinsurance recoverables

     235,174        222,635        252,502   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net beginning balance

     945,085        987,491        962,494   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Incurred related to

      

Current

     1,001,915        1,119,839        1,205,391   

Prior years

     (48,688     (82,523     (92,366
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total incurred claims

     953,227        1,037,316        1,113,025   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Paid claims related to

      

Current

     620,739        712,179        741,988   

Prior years

     366,411        367,543        346,040   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total paid claims

     987,150        1,079,722        1,088,028   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net balance

     911,162        945,085        987,491   

Plus reinsurance recoverables

     256,885        235,174        222,635   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unpaid claims balance, ending

   $ 1,168,047      $ 1,180,259      $ 1,210,126   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The net and gross reserve calculations have shown favorable development for the last several years as a result of favorable loss emergence compared to what was implied by the loss development patterns used in the original estimation of losses in prior years. Estimates for ultimate incurred claims and CAE attributable to insured events of prior years decreased by approximately $48,688,000 in 2012, 82,523,000 in 2011, and 92,366,000 in 2010.

 

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Life policy claims IBNR is estimated using historical claims information. We analyze our claims data annually and develop an average IBNR factor, which is applied to paid claims in the current period to reflect estimated claims for which the deaths are not reported until a subsequent period. In addition, we make an estimate for additional reserves whenever new information becomes available. Adjustments in IBNR reserves, if any, are reflected in the results of operations during the period when such adjustments are made. In the fourth quarter of 2011, American National modified its claims processing procedures to utilize data available in the U.S. Social Security Death Master File. This change was applied on a nationwide basis and resulted in an increase in the IBNR life claims of $22,158,000 and $26,596,000 during 2012 and 2011, respectively.

13. REINSURANCE

American National reinsures portions of certain life insurance policies to provide a greater diversification of risk and manage exposure on larger risks. For the issue ages zero to 65, the maximum amount that would be retained by one life insurance company (American National) would be $1,500,000 individual life, $250,000 individual accidental death, $100,000 group life, and $125,000 credit life (total $1,975,000). If individual, group and credit insurance were all in force at the same time, the maximum risk on any one life could be $3,225,000. For the issue ages 66 and over, the maximum amount that would be retained by one life insurance company (American National) would be $700,000 individual life, $250,000 individual accidental death, $100,000 group life, and $125,000 credit life (total $1,175,000). If individual, group and credit insurance were all in force at the same time, the maximum risk on any one life could be $2,425,000.

For the Property and Casualty segment, American National retains the first $1,000,000 of loss per risk. Reinsurance then covers the next $5,000,000 of property and liability losses per risk. Additional excess property per risk coverage is purchased to cover risks up to $15,000,000, and excess casualty clash coverage is maintained to cover losses up to $50,000,000. Excess casualty clash covers losses incurred as a result of one casualty event involving multiple policies, excess policy limits, and excess contractual obligations. Facultative reinsurance cover is purchased for individual risks attaching at $15,000,000, as needed. Corporate catastrophe coverage is also in place for losses up to a $500,000,000 event. Catastrophe aggregate reinsurance coverage is also purchased. This cover provides for $30,000,000 of coverage after $90,000,000 of aggregated catastrophe losses has been reached. The first $10,000,000 of each catastrophe loss contributes to the $90,000,000 aggregation of losses. The catastrophe aggregate reinsurance coverage for 2012 was placed at 100%.

American National remains primarily liable with respect to any reinsurance ceded, and would bear the entire loss if the reinsurer were to be unable to meet their obligations under any reinsurance treaties. American National had amounts recoverable from reinsurers of $418,743,000 and $405,033,000 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Of this amount, $3,107,000 is the subject of litigation or is in dispute with the reinsurers involved. Management believes that any dispute that may arise would not have a material impact on American National’s consolidated financial statements.

The amounts in the consolidated financial statements include the impact of reinsurance. Information regarding the effect of reinsurance is shown below (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Direct premiums

   $ 1,971,078      $ 1,978,910      $ 2,095,911   

Reinsurance premiums assumed from other companies

     159,518        150,130        114,855   

Reinsurance premiums ceded to other companies

     (426,423     (380,428     (332,858
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums

   $ 1,704,173      $ 1,748,612      $ 1,877,908   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Life insurance in-force and related reinsurance amounts are shown below (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Direct life insurance in-force

   $ 72,884,984      $ 69,912,598      $ 69,318,974   

Reinsurance risks assumed from other companies

     103,576        244,028        479,528   

Reinsurance risks ceded to other companies

     (30,477,364     (31,659,740     (31,616,049
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net life insurance in-force

   $ 42,511,196      $ 38,496,886      $ 38,182,453   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

14. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

A reconciliation of the effective tax rate to the statutory federal tax rate is shown below (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  
     Amount     Rate     Amount     Rate     Amount     Rate  
                 (As Adjusted)     (As Adjusted)  

Income tax expense on pre-tax income

   $ 95,111        35.0   $ 88,001        35.0   $ 71,082        35.0

Tax-exempt investment income

     (7,364     (2.7     (8,071     (3.2     (8,852     (4.3

Dividend exclusion

     (6,323     (2.3     (5,891     (2.3     (5,173     (2.6

Miscellaneous tax credits, net

     (8,106     (3.0     (7,997     (3.2     (7,715     (3.8

Other items, net

     2,264        0.8        (6,064     (2.4     6,030        3.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 75,582        27.8   $ 59,978        23.9   $ 55,372        27.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

A total of $46,939,000, $54,620,000 and $33,894,000 were paid to the IRS during 2012, 2011 and 2010 respectively.

The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to the deferred tax assets and liabilities are shown below (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011  
           (As Adjusted)  

DEFERRED TAX ASSETS

    

Investments, principally due to impairment losses

   $ 70,103      $ 87,518   

Investment in real estate and other invested assets principally due to investment valuation allowances

     7,259        8,620   

Policyholder funds, principally due to policy reserve discount

     229,429        235,827   

Policyholder funds, principally due to unearned premium reserve

     30,337        31,230   

Participating policyholders’ surplus

     37,014        33,677   

Pension

     94,847        92,100   

Commissions and other expenses

     7,889        8,165   

Tax carryforwards

     23,041        32,220   

Other assets

     3,343        7,089   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross deferred tax assets

     503,262        536,446   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES

    

Available-for-sale securities, principally due to net unrealized gains

     (257,290     (189,194

Investment in bonds, principally due to accrual of discount on bonds

     (9,415     (11,774

Deferred policy acquisition costs, due to difference between GAAP and tax amortization methods

     (327,245     (350,319

Property, plant and equipment, principally due to difference between GAAP and tax depreciation methods

     (1,462     (7,010
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross deferred tax liabilities

     (595,412     (558,297
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net deferred tax liability

   $ (92,150 )    $ (21,851 ) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Management believes that a sufficient level of taxable income will be achieved over time to utilize the deferred tax assets in the consolidated federal tax return; therefore, no valuation allowance was recorded as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. If not utilized beforehand, approximately $23,041,000 in ordinary loss tax carryforwards will expire at the end of tax year 2032.

 

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The statute of limitations for the examination of federal income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for years 2006 to 2011 either has been extended or has not expired. In the opinion of management, all prior year deficiencies have been paid or adequate provisions have been made for any tax deficiencies that may be upheld. No provision for penalties was established, and no interest expense was incurred for 2012, 2011 or 2010, relating to uncertain tax positions. Management does not believe that there are any uncertain tax benefits that could be recognized within the next twelve months that would decrease American National’s effective tax rate.

15. COMPONENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The components of and changes in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”), and the related tax effects, are shown below (in thousands):

 

     Net Unrealized
Gains/(Losses)
on Securities
    Defined
Benefit
Pension Plan
Adjustments
    Foreign
Currency
Adjustments
    AOCI  

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 181,483      $ (63,814   $ (20   $ 117,649   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period (net of tax $97,848)

     181,718            181,718   

Reclassification of (gains) losses realized in net income/loss (net of tax $16,964)

     (31,040         (31,040

Unrealized adjustment to DAC (net of tax $18,237)

     (34,141         (34,141

Unrealized (gains) losses on investments attributable to participating policyholders’ interest (net of tax $3,960)

     (7,355         (7,355

Cumulative effect of accounting change—DAC (net of tax $230)

     428            428   

Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial (gain) loss included in net periodic pension cost (net of tax $926)

       (1,719       (1,719

Foreign currency adjustment (net of tax $149)

         276        276   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2010

   $ 291,093      $ (65,533   $ 256      $ 225,816   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period (net of tax $14,225)

     26,419            26,419   

Reclassification of (gains) losses realized in net income/loss (net of tax $20,694)

     (38,938         (38,938

Unrealized adjustment to DAC (net of tax $1,490)

     (2,585         (2,585

Unrealized (gains) losses on investments attributable to participating policyholders’ interest (net of tax $620)

     (1,152         (1,152

Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial (gain) loss included in net periodic pension cost (net of tax $26,897)

       (49,952       (49,952

Foreign currency adjustment (net of tax $110)

         (205     (205
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2011

   $ 274,837      $ (115,485   $ 51      $ 159,403   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period (net of tax $79,796)

     148,193            148,193   

Reclassification of (gains) losses realized in net income/loss (net of tax $11,700)

     (21,718         (21,718

Unrealized adjustment to DAC (net of tax $14,035)

     (26,068         (26,068

Unrealized (gains) losses on investments attributable to participating policyholders’ interest (net of tax $2,370)

     (4,402         (4,402

Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial (gain) loss included in net periodic pension cost (net of tax $7,279)

       (13,518       (13,518

Foreign currency adjustment (net of tax $65)

         120        120   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

   $ 370,842      $ (129,003   $ 171      $ 242,010   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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16. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

American National has one class of common stock with a par value of $1.00 per share and 50,000,000 authorized shares. The amounts outstanding at the dates indicated are shown below:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Common stock

      

Shares issued

     30,832,449        30,832,449        30,832,449   

Treasury shares

     (3,995,785     (4,011,165     (4,011,472
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Outstanding shares

     26,836,664        26,821,284        26,820,977   

Restricted shares

     (185,334     (261,334     (261,334
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrestricted outstanding shares

     26,651,330        26,559,950        26,559,643   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

American National has one stock-based compensation plan, which allows for grants of Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights (“SAR”), Restricted Stock (“RS”) Awards, Restricted Stock Units (“RSU”), Performance Awards, Incentive Awards or any combination thereof. This plan is administered by the American National Board Compensation Committee. The Board Compensation Committee makes incentive awards under this plan to our executives after meeting established performance objectives. All awards are subject to review and approval by the committee and the Board of Directors, both at the time of setting applicable performance objectives and at the same time of payment of the awards. The number of shares available for grants under the plan cannot exceed 2,900,000 shares, and no more than 200,000 shares may be granted to any one individual in any calendar year. Grants are made to certain officers and directors as compensation and to align their interests with those of other shareholders.

SAR, RS and RSU information for the periods indicated is shown below:

 

     SAR Shares     SAR Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
     RS Shares     RS Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
     RS Units     RSU Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

     161,449      $  108.53         261,334      $  102.98         —        $ —     
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Granted

     2,411        109.62         —          —           10,230        109.29   

Exercised

     (9,533     95.08         —          —           (811     109.29   

Forfeited

     (7,100     113.55         —          —           —          —     

Expired

     (2,500     90.86         —          —           —          —     
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

     144,727      $ 109.40         261,334      $ 102.98         9,419      $ 102.29   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Granted

     —          —           —          —           61,481        79.63   

Exercised

     (133     66.76         —          —           (480     79.63   

Forfeited

     (4,358     115.63         —          —           (854     86.47   

Expired

     (13,467     101.39         —          —           —          —     
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

     126,769      $ 110.08         261,334      $ 102.98         69,566      $ 83.56   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Granted

     —          —            —          —           75,355        71.69   

Exercised

     (200     —            (76,000     88.00         (17,380     94.47   

Forfeited

     (3,510     114.02         —          —           (482     74.85   

Expired

     (14,108     100.14         —          —           —          —     
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Outstanding at December 31, 2012

     108,951      $ 111.31         185,334      $ 109.13         127,059      $ 75.06   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

     SAR      RS Shares      RS Units  

Weighted-average contractual remaining life

     2.8 years         4.5 years         1.9 years   

Weighted-average exercise price

   $ 111.31       $ 109.13       $ 79.06   

Exercisable shares

     93,091         N/A         —      

Weighted-average exercise price Exercisable shares

     111.21         N/A         N/A   

 

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The SARs give the holder the right to cash compensation based on the difference between the price of a share of stock on the grant date and the price on the exercise date. The SARs vest at a rate of 20% per year for five years and expire five years after vesting. The fair value of the SARs was $3,000 and $10,000 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. A credit to compensation expense was recorded totaling $6,000 in 2012, $7,000 in 2011, and $1,388,000 in 2010.

Effective December 31, 2012, the settlement provision within outstanding RSU awards was modified to allow the recipient of the awards to settle the vested RSUs in either cash or American National’s common stock. Prior to the modification, vested RSUs were converted to American National’s common stock on a one-for-one basis. This modification changes the award classification from equity to liability award. At the date of modification, American National recorded a liability of $7,974,000 with a corresponding reduction in additional paid-in capital. The liability will be remeasured and adjusted for changes in the fair value each reporting period through the vesting date. RSUs generally vest after a three-year graded vesting requirement. Certain awards vest over a shorter period as a result of retirement provisions. Compensation expense of $7,752,000, $1,873,000 and $520,000 was recorded in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The modification, which was applied consistently to all participants added an incremental cost of $0.

RS Awards entitle the participant to full dividend and voting rights. Each award has the value of one share of restricted stock and vests 10 years from the grant date. Unvested shares are restricted as to disposition, and are subject to forfeiture under certain circumstances. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period. The restrictions on these awards lapse after 10 years, and these awards feature a graded vesting schedule in the case of the retirement of an award holder. Restricted stock for 340,334 shares has been granted at an exercise price of zero, of which 185,334 shares are unvested. The compensation expense recorded was $2,418,000 in 2012, $2,688,000 in 2011, and $2,695,000 in 2010.

Earnings (loss) per share

Basic earnings (losses) per share were calculated using a weighted-average number of shares outstanding. The Restricted Stock resulted in diluted earnings per share as follows (in thousands, except share related data):

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012      2011      2010  

Weighted average shares outstanding

     26,714,865         26,559,886         26,559,035   

Incremental shares from restricted stock

     148,809         153,332         128,123   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total shares for diluted calculations

     26,863,674         26,713,218         26,687,158   

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 191,041       $ 190,765       $ 145,605   

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations

     —           —           (1,275
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to American National Insurance Company and Subsidiaries

   $ 191,041       $ 190,765       $ 144,330   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share from continued operations

   $ 7.15       $ 7.18       $ 5.48   

Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations

     —            —            (0.05
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   $ 7.15       $ 7.18       $ 5.43   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continued operations

   $ 7.11       $ 7.14       $ 5.46   

Diluted earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations

     —            —            (0.05
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $ 7.11       $ 7.14       $ 5.41   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends

American National Insurance Company’s payment of dividends to stockholders is restricted by statutory regulations. The restrictions require life insurance companies to maintain minimum amounts of capital and surplus, and in the absence of special approval, limit the payment of dividends to the greater of statutory net gain from operations on an annual, non-cumulative basis, or 10% of statutory surplus. Additionally, insurance companies are not permitted to distribute the excess of stockholders’ equity, as determined on a GAAP basis over that determined on a statutory basis. At December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, American National Insurance Company’s statutory capital and surplus was $2,260,268,000 and $2,000,551,000, respectively.

 

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The same restrictions on amounts that can transfer in the form of dividends, loans, or advances to the parent company apply to American National’s insurance subsidiaries. No dividends were received from insurance subsidiaries in 2012 or 2011. Net assets of insurance subsidiaries were approximately $1,535,082,000 and $1,436,489,000 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Any transfer of these net assets to American National Insurance Company would be subject to statutory restrictions and approval.

Noncontrolling interests

American National County Mutual Insurance Company (“County Mutual”) is a mutual insurance company that is owned by its policyholders. American National has a management agreement that effectively gives it complete control of County Mutual. As a result, County Mutual is included in the consolidated financial statements of American National. Policyholder interests in the financial position of County Mutual are reflected as noncontrolling interest of $6,750,000 at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

American National Insurance Company and its subsidiaries exercise significant control or ownership of various joint ventures, resulting in their consolidation into American National’s consolidated financial statements. The interests of the joint ventures other partners are shown as Noncontrolling Interests, which were a net liability of $4,741,000 and $6,197,000 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

During 2012 and 2011, American National increased its ownership interest with a consolidated joint venture. The effect of the change in ownership interest on American National is as shown below (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Net Income attributable to American National

   $ 191,041      $ 190,765      $  144,330   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transfers to the noncontrolling interest

      

Decrease in American National’s paid-in capital for purchase of additional interest

     (1,892     (19,733     —     

Decrease in American National’s retained earnings for purchase of additional interest

     —          (3,326     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net transfers to noncontrolling interest

     (1,892     (23,059     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change from net income attributable to American National and transfers to noncontrolling interest

   $ 189,149      $ 167,706      $ 144,330   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

17. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Management organizes the business into five operating segments:

 

   

Life—markets whole, term, universal, indexed and variable life insurance on a national basis primarily through career and multiple-line agents, as well as through independent agents and direct marketing channels.

 

   

Annuity—offers fixed, indexed, and variable annuity products. These products are primarily sold through independent agents, brokers, and financial institutions, along with multiple-line and career agents.

 

   

Health—primary lines of business are Medicare Supplement, stop loss, other supplemental health products and credit disability insurance. Health products are typically distributed through independent agents and managing general underwriters.

 

   

Property and Casualty—writes personal, commercial and credit-related property insurance. These products are primarily sold through multiple-line agents and independent agents.

 

   

Corporate and Other—consists of net investment income on the investments not allocated to the insurance segments and the operations of non-insurance lines of business.

 

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The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 2. Many of the principal factors that drive the profitability of each operating segment are separate and distinct. All income and expense amounts specifically attributable to policy transactions are recorded directly to the appropriate operating segment. Income and expenses not specifically attributable to policy transactions are allocated to each segment as follows:

 

   

Recurring income from bonds and mortgage loans is allocated based on the funds allocated to each line of business at the average yield available from these assets.

 

   

Net investment income from all other assets is allocated to the insurance segments in accordance with the amount of equity allocated to each segment, with the remainder recorded in the Corporate and Other business segment.

 

   

Expenses are allocated based upon various factors, including premium and commission ratios within the respective operating segments.

The following summarizes results of operations and total assets by operating segments (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012      2011      2010  
            (As Adjusted)      (As Adjusted)  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before federal income taxes, and equity in earnings/losses of unconsolidated affiliates

        

Life

   $ 34,251       $ 29,511       $ 70,032   

Annuity

     96,501         69,776         62,763   

Health

     18,046         17,133         14,796   

Property and casualty

     45,425         19,486         (36,359

Corporate and other

     77,522         115,524         91,859   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 271,745       $ 251,430       $ 203,091   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

        

Life

   $ 5,130,612       $ 5,096,672       $ 4,953,904   

Annuity

     11,802,579         11,585,935         10,665,854   

Health

     498,510         519,855         558,270   

Property and casualty

     2,220,898         2,284,470         2,429,280   

Corporate and other

     3,454,475         3,003,064         2,808,969   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 23,107,074       $ 22,489,996       $ 21,416,277   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

18. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

Pension benefits

American National has one active, tax-qualified, defined-benefit pension plan, one inactive plan and three nonqualified defined benefit pension plans. The active plan has three separate noncontributory programs. One of the programs covers Career Sales and Service Division agents and managers. The other two programs cover salaried and management employees and corporate clerical employees subject to a collective bargaining agreement. The program covering salaried and management employees provides pension benefits that are based on years of service and the employee’s compensation during the five years before retirement. The programs covering hourly employees and agents generally provide benefits that are based on the employee’s career average earnings and years of service.

The inactive, tax-qualified, defined-benefit pension plan covers employees of the Farm Family companies hired prior to January 1, 1997. Effective January 1, 1997, benefits through this plan were frozen, and no new participants have been added. American National also sponsors for key executives three non-tax-qualified pension plans that restore benefits that would otherwise be curtailed by statutory limits on qualified plan benefits.

 

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Amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position consist of (in thousands):

 

     2012     2011  

Reconciliation of benefit obligation

    

Obligation at January 1,

   $ 481,434      $ 395,173   

Service cost benefits earned during period

     17,596        14,082   

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

     20,579        21,260   

Actuarial gain

     40,305        73,671   

Benefits paid

     (24,601     (22,752
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Obligation at December 31,

     535,313        481,434   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets

    

Fair value of plan assets at January 1,

     229,967        212,807   

Actual return on plan assets

     22,117        5,365   

Employer contributions

     48,531        34,547   

Benefits paid

     (24,601     (22,752
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at December 31,

     276,014        229,967   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Funded status at December 31,

   $ (259,299   $ (251,467
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The components of the combined net periodic benefit cost for the defined benefit pension plans are shown below (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Service cost

   $ 17,596      $ 14,082      $ 12,937   

Interest cost

     20,579        21,260        20,884   

Expected return on plan assets

     (18,499     (17,152     (15,637

Amortization of prior service cost

     —          —          2,324   

Amortization of net gain

     15,921        8,609        7,713   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 35,597      $ 26,799      $ 28,221   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts related to the defined benefit pension plans recognized as a component of OCI are shown below (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Prior service cost

   $ —        $ —        $ 2,324   

Net actuarial gain (loss)

     (20,797     (76,849     (4,969

Deferred tax benefit (expense)

     7,279        26,897        926   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

   $ (13,518   $ (49,952   $ (1,719
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The estimated net loss and prior service cost for the plan that will be amortized out of AOCI into the net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year are $18,300,000 and $0, respectively. Amounts recognized as a component of AOCI that have not been recognized as a component of the combined net periodic benefit cost of the defined benefit pension plans, are shown below (in thousands):

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011  

Net actuarial loss

   $ (198,466   $ (177,669

Deferred tax benefit

     69,463        62,184   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (129,003   $ (115,485
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The weighted average assumptions used are shown below:

 

     Used for Net     Used for Benefit  
     Benefit Cost in Fiscal Year     Obligations  
     1/1/2012 to 12/31/2012     as of 12/31/2012  

Discount rate

     4.19     3.72

Rate of compensation increase

     3.74        3.72   

Long-term rate of return

     7.67        7.68   

American National’s funding policy for the qualified pension plans is to make annual contributions to meet the minimum funding standards of ERISA. The unfunded plans will be funded out of general corporate assets when necessary. American National contributed $48,531,000, $34,547,000 and $24,422,000 to the qualified pension plan in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. American National and its affiliates expect to contribute $28,400,000 to its qualified pension plan in fiscal year 2013.

The following table shows pension benefit payments, which reflect expected future service as appropriate, that are expected to be paid (in thousands):

 

     Pension Benefit Payments  

2013

   $ 29,089   

2014

     24,145   

2015

     32,491   

2016

     27,051   

2017

     26,804   

2018-2021

     170,648   

American National utilizes third-party pricing services to estimate fair value measurements of its pension plan assets. Refer to Note 9 for further information concerning the valuation methodologies and related inputs utilized by the third-party pricing services. The pension plans have no level 3 assets. The fair values of the pension plan assets by asset category are shown below (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2012  
     Total      Level 1      Level 2  

Asset Category

        

Corporate debt securities

   $ 61,735       $ —         $ 61,735   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     43         —           43   

Equity securities by sector:

        

Consumer goods

     23,414         23,414         —     

Financials

     21,722         21,722         —     

Information technology

     14,995         14,995         —     

Energy and utilities

     18,211         18,211         —     

Healthcare

     14,314         14,314         —     

Industrials

     10,476         10,476         —     

Other

     9,309         9,309         —     

Commercial paper

     59,700         —           59,700   

Money market

     1         1         —     

Unallocated group annuity contract

     3,720         —           3,720   

Contribution receivable

     375         375         —     

Other

     37,999         37,999         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 276,014       $ 150,816       $  125,198   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The investment policy for the qualified retirement plan assets is designed to provide the highest return possible commensurate with sound and prudent underwriting practices. The investment diversification goals are to have investments in cash and cash equivalents as necessary for liquidity, debt securities up to 100% and equity securities up to 60% of the total invested plan assets. The amount invested in any particular investment is limited based on credit quality, and no single investment may at the time of purchase be more than 5% of the total invested assets.

 

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The Corporate debt securities category are investment grade bonds of U.S and foreign issuers denominated and payable in U.S. dollars from diverse industries, with a maturity of 1 to 30 years. Foreign bonds in the aggregate shall not exceed 20% of the bond portfolio. Residential mortgage-backed securities represents asset-backed securities with a maturity date 1 to 30 years with a rating of NAIC 1 or 2.

Equity portfolio managers are allowed to choose the degree of concentration in various issues and industry sectors for the equity securities. Permitted securities are those for which there is an active market providing ready marketability of the specific security.

Commercial paper investments generally have a credit rating of A-2 Moody’s or P-2 by Standard & Poor’s with at least BBB rating on the issuer’s outstanding debt, or selected issuers with no outstanding debt.

Postretirement life and health benefits

American National provides certain health and dental benefits to retirees and their dependents who met certain age and length of service requirements as of December 31, 1993. No new participants will be added to these plans in the future. The primary retiree health benefit plan provides major medical benefits for participants under the age of 65 and Medicare Supplemental benefits for those over 65. Prescription drug benefits are provided to both age groups. The plan is contributory, with American National’s contribution limited to $80 per month for retirees and spouses under the age of 65 and $40 per month for retirees and spouses over the age of 65. All additional contributions necessary, over the amount to be contributed by American National, are to be contributed by the retirees.

The accrued postretirement benefit obligation, included in the liability for retirement benefits, was $6,018,000 and $6,135,000 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These amounts were approximately equal to the unfunded accumulated postretirement benefit obligation. Since American National’s contributions to the cost of the retiree benefit plans are fixed, the health care cost trend rate will have no effect on the future expense or the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation. Under American National’s various group benefit plans for active employees, life insurance benefits are provided upon retirement for eligible participants who meet certain age and length of service requirements.

Savings plans

In addition to the defined benefit pension plans, American National sponsors one defined contribution plan for all employees excluding those of the Farm Family companies, and an incentive savings plan for employees of the Farm Family companies. The defined contribution plan (401(k) plan) allows employees to contribute up to the maximum allowable amount as determined by the IRS. American National does not contribute to the defined contribution plan. Company contributions are made under the incentive savings plan for the Farm Family companies, with a discretionary portion based on the profits earned by the Farm Family companies. The expense associated with this plan was $1,700,000 for 2012, $1,800,000 for 2011, and $1,588,000 for 2010.

19. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments

American National and its subsidiaries lease insurance sales office space in various cities. The remaining long-term lease commitments at December 31, 2012, were approximately $2,130,000.

American National had aggregate commitments at December 31, 2012, to purchase, expand or improve real estate, to fund fixed interest into mortgage loans, and to purchase other invested assets of $301,334,000, of which $245,564,000 is expected to be funded in 2013. The remaining $55,770,000 will be funded in 2014 and beyond.

 

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In September 2012, American National renewed an existing $100,000,000 short-term variable rate borrowing facility containing a $55,000,000 sub-feature for the issuance of letters of credit. Borrowings under the facility are at the discretion of the lender and would be used only for funding working capital requirements. The combination of borrowings and outstanding letters of credit cannot exceed $100,000,000 at any time. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the outstanding letters of credit were $33,696,000 and $31,716,000, respectively, and there were no borrowings on this facility to meet liquidity requirements. This facility expires on September 30, 2013. American National expects it will be renewed on substantially equivalent terms upon expiration.

Guarantees

American National has guaranteed bank loans for customers of a third-party marketing operation. The bank loans are used to fund premium payments on life insurance policies issued by American National. The loans are secured by the cash values of the life insurance policies. If the customer were to default on the bank loan, American National would be obligated to pay off the loans. As the cash values of the life insurance policies always equal or exceed the balance of the loans, management does not foresee any loss on these guarantees. The total amount of the guarantees outstanding as of December 31, 2012, was approximately $206,513,000, while the total cash values of the related life insurance policies was approximately $210,327,000.

Litigation

American National and certain subsidiaries, in common with the insurance industry in general, are defendants in various lawsuits concerning alleged breaches of contracts, various employment matters, allegedly deceptive insurance sales and marketing practices, and miscellaneous other causes of action arising in the ordinary course of operations. Certain of these lawsuits include claims for compensatory and punitive damages. We provide accruals for these items to the extent we deem the losses probable and reasonably estimable. After reviewing these matters with legal counsel, based upon information presently available, management is of the opinion that the ultimate resultant liability, if any, would not have a material adverse effect on American National’s consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations; however, assessing the eventual outcome of litigation necessarily involves forward-looking speculation as to judgments to be made by judges, juries and appellate courts in the future. Such speculation warrants caution, as the frequency of large damage awards, which bear little or no relation to the economic damages incurred by plaintiffs in some jurisdictions, continues to create the potential for an unpredictable judgment in any given lawsuit. These lawsuits are in various stages of development, and future facts and circumstances could result in management’s changing its conclusions. It is possible that, if the defenses in these lawsuits are not successful, and the judgments are greater than management can anticipate, the resulting liability could have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations. With respect to the existing litigations, management currently believes that the possibility of a material judgment adverse to American National is remote and no estimate of range can be made for loss contingencies that are at least reasonably possible but not accrued.

20. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

American National has entered into recurring transactions and agreements with certain related parties. These include mortgage loans, management contracts, agency commission contracts, marketing agreements, accident and health insurance contracts and legal services. The impact on the consolidated financial statements of the significant related party transactions for the periods indicated is shown below (in thousands):

 

        Dollar Amount of Transactions     Amount due to/(from) American National  
        Years ended December 31,     December 31,  

Related Party

  Financial Statement Line Impacted   2012     2011     2012     2011  

Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation

  Mortgage loan on real estate   $ 1,067      $ 993      $ 8,890      $ 9,957   

Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation

  Net investment income     687        761        54        60   

Greer, Herz and Adams, LLP

  Other operating costs and expenses     7,610        7,377        (268     (198

Mortgage Loans to Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation (“Gal-Tex”): American National held a first mortgage loan issued to Gal-Tex collateralized by hotel property in San Antonio, Texas. This loan was originated in 1999, had a balance of $8,890,000 as of December 31, 2012, has a current interest rate of 7.30%, and has a final maturity date of April 1, 2019. This loan is current as to principal and interest payments.

 

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Transactions with Greer, Herz & Adams, L.L.P.: Irwin M. Herz, Jr. is an American National advisory director and a Partner with Greer, Herz Adams, L.L.P., which serves as American National’s General Counsel.

21. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On December 31, 2010, American National sold its wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary, Securities, Management & Research, Inc. (“SM&R”). The results of operations for this subsidiary are presented as discontinued operations in American National’s consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented. The sale resulted in a $1 million loss before taxes in 2010, which is presented as “Loss on sale” below. SM&R had previously been a component of the Corporate and Other segment. The following summarizes loss from discontinued operations for 2010:

 

Total revenues

   $  10,911   

Total expenses

     11,911   

Loss on sale

     (1,000
  

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations before income tax

     (2,000

Income tax benefit

     (725
  

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

   $ (1,275
  

 

 

 

Cash flows from discontinued operations in 2010 are immaterial and have been combined with cash flows from continuing operations within each category of the consolidated statements of cash flows.

22. SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

The unaudited selected quarterly financial data is shown below (in thousands, except per share data):

 

    Three months ended  
    March 31,     June 30,     September 30,     December 31,  
    2012     2011     2012     2011     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Total premiums and other revenues

  $ 742,675      $ 751,873      $ 730,962      $ 761,780      $ 760,068      $ 732,710      $ 753,355      $ 776,664   

Total benefits, losses and expenses

    679,304        690,608        712,322        724,903        670,683        657,493        653,006        698,593   

Income (loss) from continuing operations before federal income tax and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

    63,371        61,265        18,640        36,877        89,385        75,217        100,349        78,071   

Provision (benefit) for federal income taxes

    16,983        16,385        (2,384     4,392        27,654        19,097        33,329        20,104   

Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax

    (1,881     1,861        314        (2,099     (895     3,077        (1,443     (2,488

Net income (loss)

    44,507        46,741        21,338        30,386        60,836        59,197        65,577        55,479   

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

    (709     (787     832        1,146        1,650        1,547        (556     (868

Net income (loss) attributable to American National Insurance Company and subsidiaries

    45,216        47,528        20,506        29,240        59,186        57,650        66,133        56,347   

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to American National Insurance Company and subsidiaries:

               

Basic

    1.70        1.79        0.77        1.10        2.21        2.17        2.47        2.12   

Diluted

    1.69        1.78        0.76        1.09        2.20        2.16        2.46        2.11   

 

 

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure controls and procedures

In order to ensure that the information the Company must disclose in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis, the Company’s management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective. It should be noted that any system of controls, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain judgments, including the costs and benefits of controls and the likelihood of future events. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, if any, within the Company have been detected.

Management’s report on internal controls over financial reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

 

  pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

 

  provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

 

  provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework.

Based on the Company’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2012, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

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The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period ended December 31, 2012, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, such internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal controls exist within a dynamic environment and the Company continually strives to improve its internal controls and procedures to enhance the quality of its financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2012.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2012.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2012.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2012.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2012.

 

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PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)(1) Financial Statements—(See Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data)

(a)(2) Supplementary Data and Financial Statement Schedules—are attached hereto at the following pages

 

      Page  

I – Summary of Investments – Other than Investments in Related Parties

     109   

II – Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

     110   

III – Supplementary Insurance Information

     113   

IV – Reinsurance Information

     114   

V – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

     114   

All other schedules are omitted as the required information is inapplicable or the information is presented in the financial statements or related notes.

 

(b) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Basic Documents

3.1    Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.1 to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12B filed April 10, 2009).
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.2 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 2, 2012).
4.1    Specimen copy of Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.1 to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12B filed April 10, 2009).
10.1*    American National Insurance Company Amended and Restated 1999 Stock and Incentive Plan (the “Stock and Incentive Plan”)(incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12B filed April 10, 2009).
10.2*    Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Directors under the Stock and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.3 to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12B filed April 10, 2009).
10.3*    Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.4 to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12B filed April 10, 2009).
10.4*    Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement under the Stock and Incentive Plan (grants on or after May 3, 2010)(incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.5 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 2, 2011).
10.5*    Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement under the Stock and Incentive Plan (grants prior to May 3, 2010)(incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.5 to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12B filed April 10, 2009).
10.6*    American National Insurance Company Nonqualified Retirement Plan for Certain Salaried Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.6 to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12B filed April 10, 2009).
10.7*    American National Insurance Company Nonqualified Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.7 to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12B filed April 10, 2009).
10.8*    Amendment No. 4 to the American National Insurance Company Nonqualified Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.8 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 2, 2011).

 

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10.9*    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Officers under the Stock and Incentive Plan (grants on or after March 4, 2011)(incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 6, 2011).
10.10*    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Directors under the Stock and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 6, 2011).
10.11*    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Officers under the Stock and Incentive Plan (grants prior to March 4, 2011)(incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.9 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 2, 2011).
21    Subsidiaries (filed herewith).
23    Consent of KPMG LLP (filed herewith).
31.1    Certification of the principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
31.2    Certification of the principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
32.1    Certification of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
101    The following financial information from American National Insurance Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”): (i) Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Moody

Name:   Robert L. Moody
Title:   Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer

Date: March 8, 2013

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

   Date  

/s/ Robert L. Moody

   Chairman of the Board &      March 8, 2013   

Robert L. Moody

   Chief Executive Officer   
   (principal executive officer)   

/s/ John J. Dunn, Jr.

   Executive Vice President,      March 8, 2013   

John J. Dunn, Jr.

   Corporate Chief Financial Officer   
   (principal financial officer)   

/s/ Arthur O. Dummer

   Director      March 8, 2013   

Arthur O. Dummer

     

/s/ Dr. Shelby M. Elliott

   Director      March 8, 2013   

Dr. Shelby M. Elliott

     

/s/ James E. Pozzi

   Director      March 8, 2013   

James E. Pozzi

     

/s/ Frances Anne Moody-Dahlberg

   Director      March 8, 2013   

Frances Anne Moody-Dahlberg

     

/s/ Russell S. Moody

   Director      March 8, 2013   

Russell S. Moody

     

/s/ Frank P. Williamson

   Director      March 8, 2013   

Frank P. Williamson

     

/s/ James D. Yarbrough

   Director      March 8, 2013   

James D. Yarbrough

     

/s/ William L. Moody IV

   Director      March 8, 2013   

William L. Moody IV

     

 

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SCHEDULE I—SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS—OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES

(in thousands)

 

    December 31, 2012  
                Amount at Which  
                Shown in the  
                Consolidated  
    Cost or     Estimated     Statement of  

Type of Investment

  Amortized Cost  (1)     Fair Value     Financial Position  

Fixed maturities

     

Bonds held-to-maturity

     

U.S.treasury government

  $ 3,593      $ 3,662      $ 3,593   

U.S. states and political subdivisions

    393,541        433,695        393,541   

Foreign governments

    29,071        33,438        29,071   

Corporate debt securities

    7,993,167        8,735,158        7,993,167   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    549,384        590,502        549,384   

Collateralized debt securities

    2,500        2,821        2,500   

Other debt securities

    38,026        41,475        38,026   

Bonds available-for-sale

     

U.S.treasury government

    19,649        20,805        20,805   

U.S. states and political subdivisions

    570,751        615,438        615,438   

Foreign governments

    5,000        7,344        7,344   

Corporate debt securities

    3,582,913        3,872,633        3,872,633   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    89,486        94,385        94,385   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    20,933        24,442        24,442   

Collateralized debt securities

    17,676        19,091        19,091   

Other debt securities

    10,059        11,438        11,438   

Equity securities

     

Common stocks

     

Consumer goods

    140,337        218,215        218,215   

Energy and utilities

    114,274        167,287        167,287   

Finance

    109,839        170,172        170,172   

Healthcare

    80,491        136,744        136,744   

Industrials

    55,621        97,829        97,829   

Information technology

    114,314        182,153        182,153   

Other

    46,013        65,384        65,384   

Preferred stock

    27,690        37,655        37,655   

Other Investments

     

Mortgage loans on real estate, net of allowance

    3,143,011        3,441,645        3,143,011   

Investment real estate, net of accumulated depreciation

    463,384        —          463,384   

Real estate acquired in satisfaction of debt

    47,849        —          47,849   

Policy loans

    395,333        395,333        395,333   

Options

    90,419        82,625        82,625   

Other long-term investments

    42,479        —          42,479   

Short-term investments

    313,086        313,086        313,086   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

  $ 18,509,889      $ 19,814,455      $ 19,238,064   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Original cost of equity securities and, as to fixed maturity securities, original cost reduced by repayments and valuation write-downs and adjusted for amortization of premiums or accrual of discounts.

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

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AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY (Parent Company Only)

SCHEDULE II—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

(In thousands)

 

     December 31,  

Condensed Statements of Financial Position

   2012     2011  
           (As Adjusted)  

Assets

  

 

Fixed maturity securities

   $ 10,368,444      $ 10,384,179   

Equity securities

     —          32,675   

Mortgage loans on real estate, net of allowance

     3,055,087        2,910,753   

Other invested assets

     1,499,792        1,629,283   

Investment in subsidiaries

     1,874,368        1,732,233   

Deferred policy acquisition costs

     1,009,731        1,070,884   

Separate account assets

     841,389        747,867   

Other assets

     811,369        663,678   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 19,460,180      $ 19,171,552   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Policy liabilities

     3,456,800        3,401,206   

Policyholder account balances

     10,787,414        10,777,128   

Separate account liabilities

     841,389        747,867   

Other liabilities

     546,741        608,060   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     15,632,344        15,534,261   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

    

Common stock

     30,832        30,832   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     242,010        159,403   

Retained earnings

     3,653,280        3,545,546   

Treasury stock, at cost

     (98,286     (98,490
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     3,827,836        3,637,291   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 19,460,180      $ 19,171,552   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes therein.

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

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AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY (Parent Company Only)

SCHEDULE II—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

(In thousands)

 

     Years ended December 31,  

Condensed Statements of Operations

   2012     2011     2010  
           (As Adjusted)     (As Adjusted)  

Revenues

  

   

Premiums and policy revenues

   $ 685,529      $ 654,854      $ 735,727   

Net investment income

     837,503        816,205        760,630   

Realized investment gain (losses)

     46,936        24,029        46,561   

Other-than-temporary impairments

     (12,825     (559     (43

Other income

     10,016        9,896        8,207   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     1,567,159        1,504,425        1,551,082   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses

      

Policyholder benefits

     487,387        472,107        505,916   

Other operating costs and expenses

     873,119        848,938        826,879   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     1,360,506        1,321,045        1,332,795   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before federal income tax, and equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries

     206,653        183,380        218,287   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision (benefit) for federal income taxes

     72,144        63,578        78,631   

Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax

     56,532        70,963        4,674   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 191,041      $ 190,765      $ 144,330   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes therein.

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

 

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AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY (Parent Company Only)

SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

(in thousands)

 

     Years Ended December 31,   

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

   2012     2011     2010  
           (As Adjusted)     (As Adjusted)  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Net income (loss)

   $ 191,041      $ 190,765      $ 144,330   

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Realized investments (gains) losses

     (46,936     (24,029     (46,561

Other-than-temporary impairments

     12,825        559        43   

Accretion (amortization) of discounts, premiums and loan origination fees

     (7,433     (2,088     5,159   

Net capitalized interest on policy loans and mortgage loans

     (22,049     (25,054     (26,533

Depreciation

     21,209        22,280        21,511   

Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances

     385,603        375,411        364,107   

Charges to policyholders’ account balances

     (188,009     (179,196     (175,846

Deferred federal income tax (benefit) expense

     14,336        19,166        14,815   

Deferral of policy acquisition costs

     (195,232     (270,091     (262,138

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

     219,828        220,052        209,816   

Equity in (earnings) losses of affiliates

     (4,816     (8,787     (6,027

Net (income) loss of subsidiaries

     (51,716     (62,176     1,353   

Distributions from equity method investments

     1,686        470        353   

Changes in:

      

Policyholder liabilities

     55,594        140,371        74,647   

Reinsurance recoverables

     3,579        (5,415     20,260   

Premiums due and other receivables

     4,762        (4,166     (1,725

Accrued investment income

     5,916        (13,469     (8,040

Current tax receivable/payable

     (109,736     8,407        2,077   

Liability for retirement benefits

     (1,567     (15,343     1,577   

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     15,139        5,120        8,086   

Other, net

     3,725        (14,941     15,384   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     307,749        357,846        356,648   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

      

Proceeds from sale/maturity/prepayment of:

      

Bonds - held-to-maturity

     980,794        601,713        415,835   

Bonds - available for sale

     409,395        287,774        624,231   

Equity securities

     37,311        —          32,390   

Investment real estate

     —          10,125        29,732   

Mortgage loans

     475,885        489,826        154,514   

Policy loans

     47,068        44,180        39,774   

Other invested assets

     43,410        39,019        19,407   

Disposals of property and equipment

     —          1,406        454   

Distributions from affiliates and subsidiaries

     15,469        12,051        21,624   

Changes in intercompany loans

     —          —          (5,212

Payment for the purchase/origination of:

      

Bonds - held-to-maturity

     (891,257     (1,283,195     (1,452,949

Bonds - available for sale

     (382,652     (408,027     (429,143

Equity securities

     —          —          (963

Investment real estate

     (18,281     (18,097     (13,628

Mortgage loans

     (642,227     (674,752     (526,672

Policy loans

     (29,676     (36,255     (33,466

Other invested assets

     (45,206     (39,971     (42,254

Additions to property and equipment

     (16,714     (15,834     (5,374

Contributions to unconsolidated affiliates

     (5,207     (3,928     (6,254

Change in short-term investments

     156,087        116,343        192,084   

Change in investment in subsidiaries

     (33,338     (3,042     (10,010

Other, net

     (388     9,815        29,901   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     100,473        (870,849     (965,979 ) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Policyholders’ account deposits

     1,056,526        1,902,874        1,641,541   

Policyholders’ account withdrawals

     (1,244,382     (1,303,244     (957,096

Dividends to stockholders

     (82,657     (82,609     (82,607
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (270,513     517,021        601,838   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     137,710        4,018        (7,493

Beginning of the year

     35,119        31,101        38,594   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 172,829      $ 35,119      $ 31,101   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes therein.

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

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AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE III—SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION

(in thousands)

 

            Future Policy                           Benefits,      Amortization                
     Deferred      Benefits, Policy and                           Claims, Losses      of Deferred                
     Policy      Contract Claims                    Net      and      Policy      Other         
     Acquisition      and Participating      Unearned      Premium      Investment      Settlement      Acquisition      Operating      Premiums  

Segment

   Cost      Policyholder Share      Premiums      Revenue      Income (1)      Expenses      Costs      Expenses (2)      Written  

2012

                          

Corportate & Other

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 64,944       $ —         $ —         $ 61,535       $ —     

Life

     653,416         4,407,753         36,056         281,621         235,712         340,003         73,710         183,040         —     

Annuities

     406,540         11,035,348         —           116,393         603,349         156,619         90,523         45,317         —     

Health

     49,206         376,173         50,366         223,773         11,789         155,825         16,908         44,966         —     

Property & Casualty

     138,513         896,660         671,110         1,082,386         69,604         793,281         227,749         120,888         1,047,211   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,247,675       $ 16,715,934       $ 757,532       $ 1,704,173       $ 985,398       $ 1,445,728       $ 408,890       $ 455,746       $ 1,047,211   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

2011 (As adjusted)

                          

Corportate & Other

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 66,699       $ —         $ —         $ 45,021       $ —     

Life

     651,580         4,402,115         38,852         277,724         238,275         344,328         74,775         173,188         —     

Annuities

     463,036         10,878,074         4         94,753         577,707         135,735         86,852         72,201         —     

Health

     55,096         367,531         55,811         231,793         13,413         159,289         20,987         47,160         —     

Property & Casualty

     150,981         911,073         702,731         1,144,342         72,071         873,208         226,675         124,336         1,137,445   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,320,693       $ 16,558,793       $ 797,398       $ 1,748,612       $ 968,165       $ 1,512,560       $ 409,289       $ 461,906       $ 1,137,445   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

2010 (As adjusted)

                          

Corportate & Other

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 53,317       $ —         $ —         $ 38,695       $ —     

Life

     646,894         4,227,513         45,875         282,160         234,905         294,177         79,609         178,278         —     

Annuities

     440,328         10,130,588         —           174,193         535,581         205,948         71,686         71,202         —     

Health

     64,268         248,867         65,631         263,294         15,492         184,554         22,924         49,627         —     

Property & Casualty

     135,016         927,026         712,793         1,158,261         72,620         923,736         234,988         124,410         1,154,415   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,286,506       $ 15,533,994       $ 824,299       $ 1,877,908       $ 911,915       $ 1,608,415       $ 409,207       $ 462,212       $ 1,154,415   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Net investment income from fixed income assets (bonds and mortgage loans on real estate) is allocated to insurance lines based on the funds generated by each line at the average yield available from these fixed income assets at the time such funds become available. Net investment income from policy loans is allocated to the insurance lines according to the amount of loans made by each line. Net investment income from all other assets is allocated to the insurance lines as necessary to support the equity assigned to that line with the remainder allocated to capital & surplus.
(2) Identifiable expenses are charged directly to the appropriate line of business. The remaining expenses are allocated to the lines based upon various factors including premium ratio within the respective lines.

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

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AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE IV—REINSURANCE

(in thousands)

 

            Ceded to      Assumed             Percentage of  
     Direct      Other      from Other      Net      Amount  
     Amount      Companies      Companies      Amount      Assumed to Net  

Year Ended December 31, 2012

              

Life insurance in-force

   $ 72,884,984       $ 30,477,364       $ 103,576       $ 42,511,196         0.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Premiums earned

              

Life and Annuity

   $ 488,891       $ 93,066       $ 2,189       $ 398,014         0.5   

Accident and health

     269,373         197,759         152,159         223,773         68.0   

Property and casualty

     1,212,814         135,598         5,170         1,082,386         0.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total premiums

   $ 1,971,078       $ 426,423       $ 159,518       $ 1,704,173         9.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Year Ended December 31, 2011

              

Life insurance in-force

   $ 69,912,598       $ 31,659,740       $ 244,028       $ 38,496,886         0.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Premiums earned

              

Life and Annuity

   $ 461,711       $ 92,208       $ 2,974       $ 372,477         0.8   

Accident and health

     250,788         161,983         142,988         231,793         61.7   

Property and casualty

     1,266,411         126,237         4,168         1,144,342         0.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total premiums

   $ 1,978,910       $ 380,428       $ 150,130       $ 1,748,612         8.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Year Ended December 31, 2010

              

Life insurance in-force

   $ 69,318,974       $ 31,616,049       $ 479,528       $ 38,182,453         1.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Premiums earned

              

Life and Annuity

   $ 541,096       $ 90,459       $ 5,716       $ 456,353         1.3   

Accident and health

     279,093         120,563         104,764         263,294         39.8   

Property and casualty

     1,275,722         121,836         4,375         1,158,261         0.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total premiums

   $ 2,095,911       $ 332,858       $ 114,855       $ 1,877,908         6.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE V—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

            Additions     Deductions        
     Balance at                        Balance at  
     Beginning of      Charged to           Change in     End of  
     Period      Expense     Written off     Estimate (1)     Period  

2012

           

Investment valuation allowances:

           

Mortgage loans on real estate

   $ 11,321       $ 2,973      $ (2,277   $ (5   $ 12,012   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

2011

           

Investment valuation allowances:

           

Mortgage loans on real estate

   $ 13,788       $ —        $ (1,900   $ (567   $ 11,321   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

2010

           

Investment valuation allowances:

           

Mortgage loans on real estate

   $ 23,290       $ (394   $ (1,676   $ (7,432   $ 13,788   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Decrease in the required valuation allowance for mortgage loans as a result of changes to the estimate in calculating the mortgage loan allowance based on enhanced methodology.

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

114