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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-194032

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has become effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities, and are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 20, 2014

Prospectus Supplement

(To Prospectus dated February 19, 2014)

 

$            

Kemper Corporation

    % Subordinated Debentures due 2054

 

 

We are offering $             of our     % subordinated debentures due 2054. We will pay interest on the debentures quarterly on                     ,                     ,                      and                      of each year, commencing                     , 2014. We may defer interest payments during one or more deferral periods for up to five consecutive years each as described in this prospectus supplement.

On or after                     , 2019, we may redeem the debentures, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount of the debentures being redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption; provided that if the debentures are not redeemed in whole, at least $25 million aggregate principal amount of the debentures must remain outstanding after giving effect to such redemption.

We may redeem the debentures, in whole but not in part, at any time prior to                     , 2019, within 90 days of the occurrence of a Tax Event (as defined in “Description of Debentures—Optional Redemption of the Debentures”), at a redemption price equal to the principal amount of the debentures being redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

We may redeem the debentures, in whole but not in part, at any time prior to                     , 2019, within 90 days of the occurrence of a Rating Agency Event (as defined in “Description of Debentures—Optional Redemption of the Debentures”), at a redemption price equal to the greater of (a) the principal amount of the debentures being redeemed or (b) a make-whole amount, in each case, plus any accrued and unpaid interest on the debentures being redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

The debentures will be unsecured and will rank in right of payment and upon our liquidation junior to all of our current and future senior indebtedness on the terms set forth in the indenture pursuant to which the debentures will be issued. The debentures will not be obligations of or guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries. As a result, the debentures will also be effectively subordinated to all debt and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.

Beneficial interests in the debentures will be issued in book-entry form in denominations of $25 and multiples of $25 in excess thereof. The debentures will mature on                     , 2054.

We will apply for the listing of the debentures on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “            .” If approved for listing, trading of the debentures on the NYSE is expected to commence within 30 days after they are first issued.

Investing in the debentures involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-7 of this prospectus supplement and the “Risk Factors” sections in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein, for a discussion of certain risks that you should consider in connection with an investment in the debentures.

None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

Public Offering Price(1)

Underwriting Discount

Proceeds, Before Expenses, to Kemper Corporation(2)

Per Debenture(3)

$

$

$

Total

$

$

$

 

(1)	Plus accrued interest from                     , 2014, if settlement occurs after that date.

(2)	Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option described below.

(3)	Amounts shown are per $25 principal amount of debentures.

We have granted the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to an additional $             aggregate principal amount of debentures solely to cover over-allotments at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement less the applicable underwriting discount. If the underwriters exercise this option in full, upon the exercise of the option, the total public offering price will be $            , the total underwriting discount will be $             and the total proceeds, before expenses, to Kemper Corporation, will be $            .

The underwriters expect to deliver the debentures through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company for the accounts of its participants, which may include Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, and Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., against payment in New York, New York on or about                     , 2014.

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

J.P. Morgan		Wells Fargo Securities

The date of this prospectus supplement is February     , 2014.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Prospectus Supplement
		Page
About This Prospectus Supplement			S-ii
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			S-ii
Prospectus Supplement Summary			S-1
Risk Factors			S-7
Use of Proceeds			S-11
Capitalization			S-11
Description of Debentures			S-12
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations			S-26
Underwriting			S-32
Legal Matters			S-36
Experts			S-36
Where You Can Find More Information			S-36
Prospectus
		Page
About This Prospectus			ii
Kemper Corporation			1
Risk Factors			2
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			3
Use of Proceeds			6
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and to Combined Fixed Charges and Preference Security Dividends..			6
Description of Securities			7
Description of Capital Stock			7
Description of Debt Securities			11
Description of Warrants			14
Plan of Distribution			16
Legal Matters			16
Experts			16
Where You Can Find More Information			16

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus supplement to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” or “Kemper” refer to Kemper Corporation. In “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” such terms refer to Kemper Corporation and its subsidiaries.

This prospectus supplement describes the terms of the debentures we are offering and certain other matters relating to us and our financial condition. The accompanying prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer from time to time, some of which may not apply to the debentures offered hereby. This prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in the accompanying prospectus. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.” If the description of this offering varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. Neither we nor the underwriters take any responsibility for, nor can we provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any different or additional information that others may give you. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell the debentures in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus is accurate on any date other than the date on the front cover of such document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is delivered or securities are sold on a later date. Neither the delivery of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus nor any distribution of securities pursuant to such documents shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the information set forth in such documents or in our affairs since the date of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

References in this prospectus supplement to “$,” “dollars” and “U.S. dollars” are to the currency of the United States of America.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may contain information that includes or is based on forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events. The reader can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “believe(s),” “goal(s),” “target(s),” “estimate(s),” “anticipate(s),” “forecast(s),” “project(s),” “plan(s),” “intend(s),” “expect(s),” “might,” “may” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating, financial performance or financial condition. Forward-looking statements, in particular, include statements relating to future actions, prospective services or products, future performance or results of current and anticipated services or products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, trends in operations and financial results.

 

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Any or all forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong, and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date such statements were first made. These statements are based on current expectations and the current economic environment. They involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These statements are not guarantees of future performance; actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many such factors will be important in determining our actual future results and financial condition. The reader should consider the following list of general factors that could affect our future results and financial condition, as well as those discussed under Item 1A., Risk Factors, in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Among the general factors that could cause actual results and financial condition to differ materially from estimated results and financial condition are:

Factors related to the legal and regulatory environment in which Kemper and its subsidiaries operate

 

•

developments in, and outcomes of, initiatives by state officials that could result in significant changes to unclaimed property laws and claims handling practices with respect to life insurance policies, especially to the extent that such initiatives result in retroactive application of new requirements to existing life insurance policy contracts;

 

•

adverse outcomes in litigation or other legal or regulatory proceedings involving Kemper or its subsidiaries or affiliates;

 

•

governmental actions, including, but not limited to, implementation of the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Risk Management and Own Risk and Solvency Assessment Model Act and other new laws, regulations or court decisions interpreting existing laws and regulations or policy provisions;

 

•

uncertainties related to regulatory approval of insurance rates, policy forms, license applications and similar matters;

Factors relating to insurance claims and related reserves in the Company’s insurance businesses

 

•

the incidence, frequency, and severity of catastrophes occurring in any particular reporting period or geographic area, including natural disasters, pandemics and terrorist attacks or other man-made events;

 

•

the number and severity of insurance claims (including those associated with catastrophe losses) and their impact on the adequacy of loss reserves;

 

•

changes in facts and circumstances affecting assumptions used in determining loss and loss adjustment expenses reserves;

 

•

the impact of inflation on insurance claims, including, but not limited to, the effects attributed to scarcity of resources available to rebuild damaged structures, including labor and materials and the amount of salvage value recovered for damaged property;

 

•

developments related to insurance policy claims and coverage issues, including, but not limited to, interpretations or decisions by courts or regulators that may govern or influence losses incurred in connection with hurricanes and other catastrophes;

 

•

orders, interpretations or other actions by regulators that impact the reporting, adjustment and payment of claims;

 

•

changes in the pricing or availability of reinsurance, or in the financial condition of reinsurers and amounts recoverable therefrom;

 

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Factors related to the Company’s ability to compete

 

•

changes in the ratings by rating agencies of Kemper and/or its insurance company subsidiaries with regard to credit, financial strength, claims paying ability and other areas on which the Company is rated;

 

•

the level of success and costs incurred in realizing economies of scale and implementing significant business consolidations, reorganizations and technology initiatives;

 

•

absolute and relative performance of the Company’s products or services;

Factors relating to the business environment in which Kemper and its subsidiaries operate

 

•

changes in general economic conditions, including performance of financial markets, interest rates, unemployment rates and fluctuating values of particular investments held by the Company;

 

•

absolute and relative performance of investments held by the Company;

 

•

heightened competition, including, with respect to pricing, entry of new competitors, introduction of new technologies, refinements of existing products and the development of new products by new and existing competitors;

 

•

changes in industry trends and significant industry developments;

 

•

changes in capital requirements, including the calculations thereof, used by regulators and rating agencies;

 

•

regulatory, accounting or tax changes that may affect the cost of, or demand for, the Company’s products or services or after-tax returns from the Company’s investments;

 

•

the impact of required participation in windpools and joint underwriting associations, residual market assessments and assessments for insurance industry insolvencies;

 

•

changes in distribution channels, methods or costs resulting from changes in laws or regulations, lawsuits or market forces; and

 

•

increased costs and risks related to data security.

Other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in Kemper’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC

While we believe that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the results contemplated in any forward-looking statements will be achieved or will be achieved in any particular timetable or that future events or developments will not cause such statements to be inaccurate. All forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any changes in events or circumstances or in our expectations or results.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in the debentures involves risks. Before deciding to invest in the debentures, you should carefully consider the information under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the disclosure under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this prospectus supplement and the following discussion of risks. The risks and uncertainties described in the reports we file with the SEC and below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we presently deem less significant may also adversely affect our business, operating results, cash flows and financial condition.

Risks Related to the Debentures

The indenture will not restrict the amount of additional debt that we may incur.

The debentures and indenture under which the debentures will be issued will not place any limitation on the amount of secured or unsecured debt, including senior indebtedness, that we may incur. Our incurrence of additional debt may have important consequences for you as a holder of the debentures, including making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the debentures, a loss in the trading value, if any, of your debentures, and a risk that the credit rating of the debentures is lowered or withdrawn.

Kemper relies on receiving dividends from its subsidiaries to service its debt.

As a holding company with no business operations of its own, Kemper depends on the dividend income that it receives from its subsidiaries as the primary source of funds to pay interest and principal on its outstanding debt obligations. Kemper’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to significant regulatory restrictions under state insurance laws and regulations that limit their ability to declare and pay dividends. These laws and regulations impose minimum solvency and liquidity requirements on dividends between affiliated companies and require prior notice to, and may require approval from, state insurance regulators before dividends can be paid. In addition, third-party rating agencies monitor statutory capital and surplus levels for capital adequacy. Even though a dividend may be payable without regulatory approval, an insurance subsidiary may forgo paying a dividend to Kemper and retain the capital in its insurance subsidiaries to maintain or improve the ratings of Kemper’s insurance subsidiaries. The inability of one or more of Kemper’s insurance subsidiaries to pay sufficient dividends to Kemper may materially affect Kemper’s ability to timely pay its debt obligations.

The debentures will be effectively subordinated to the obligations of our subsidiaries.

Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities from us. None of our subsidiaries will guarantee the debentures, and our subsidiaries will have no obligation to pay any amounts due under our indebtedness, including the debentures, or to make any funds available to us so that we can do so. As a result, the debentures will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries, including capital lease obligations and any Federal Home Loan Bank advances that may be obtained by our subsidiaries that are members of a Federal Home Loan Bank. Except for capital lease obligations of $10.6 million, as of December 31, 2013, our subsidiaries had no third party indebtedness outstanding which would be effectively senior to the debentures.

Our obligations under the debentures will be subordinated.

Our payment obligation under the debentures will be unsecured and rank junior in right of payment and upon our liquidation to all of our senior indebtedness on the terms set forth in the indenture pursuant to which the debentures will be issued. We, therefore, cannot make any payments on the debentures if (i) we have defaulted on the payment of any of our senior indebtedness and the default is continuing, (ii) the maturity of any senior

 

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indebtedness has been or would be permitted upon notice or the passage of time to be accelerated as a result of a default and the default is continuing and such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled or (iii) we have filed for bankruptcy or are liquidating, dissolving or winding-up or in receivership, and our senior indebtedness has not been repaid in full.

As of December 31, 2013, we had senior indebtedness with an outstanding principal balance of approximately $610 million. The indenture pursuant to which the debentures will be issued does not place any limit on the amount of liabilities that we may issue, guarantee or otherwise incur or the amount of liabilities, including debt or preferred stock, that our subsidiaries may issue, guarantee or otherwise incur. We expect from time to time to incur additional indebtedness and other liabilities, and we may guarantee indebtedness that will be senior to the debentures.

We can defer interest payments on the debentures for one or more periods of up to five years each. This may affect the market price of the debentures.

So long as there is no event of default with respect to the debentures, we may defer interest payments on the debentures, from time to time, for one or more Optional Deferral Periods of up to five consecutive years. At the end of an Optional Deferral Period, if all amounts due are paid, we could start a new Optional Deferral Period of up to five consecutive years. During any Optional Deferral Period, interest on the debentures would be deferred but would accrue additional interest at a rate equal to the interest rate on the debentures, to the extent permitted by applicable law. No Optional Deferral Period may extend beyond the maturity date of the debentures. See “Description of Debentures—Option to Defer Interest Payments.”

If we exercise our right to defer interest payments, the debentures may trade at a price that does not fully reflect the value of accrued and unpaid interest on the debentures or that is otherwise less than the price at which the debentures may have been traded if we had not exercised such right. In addition, as a result of our right to defer interest payments, the market price of the debentures is likely to be affected and may be more volatile than other securities that do not have these rights.

We are not permitted to pay current interest on the debentures until we have paid all outstanding deferred interest, and this could have the effect of extending interest deferral periods.

During an Optional Deferral Period, we will be prohibited from paying current interest on the debentures until we have paid all accrued and unpaid deferred interest plus any accrued interest thereon. As a result, we may not be able to pay current interest on the debentures if we do not have available funds to pay all accrued and unpaid deferred interest plus any accrued interest thereon.

If we defer interest payments on the debentures, there will be United States federal income tax consequences to holders of the debentures.

If we defer interest payments on the debentures for one or more Optional Deferral Periods, holders of the debentures likely will be required to include amounts in income for United States federal income tax purposes during such period, regardless of their method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes and even though they may not receive the cash attributable to that income during the deferral period.

If holders of the debentures sell their debentures before the record date for the payment of interest at the end of an Optional Deferral Period, they will not receive such interest. Instead, the accrued interest will be paid to the holder of record on the record date regardless of who the holder of record may have been on any other date during the Optional Deferral Period. Moreover, amounts that holders were required to include in income in respect of the debentures during the Optional Deferral Period will be added to such holders’ adjusted tax basis in the debentures, but may not be reflected in the amount that such holder realizes on the sale. To the extent the amount realized on a sale is less than the holder’s adjusted tax basis, the holder will generally recognize a capital

 

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loss for United States federal income tax purposes. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. See “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—U.S. Holders—Sales or Redemption of Debentures.”

Rating agencies may change their practices for rating the debentures, which change may affect the market price of the debentures. In addition, we may redeem the debentures if a rating agency amends, clarifies or changes the criteria used to assign equity credit for securities similar to the debentures.

Various nationally recognized statistical rating organizations publish credit ratings for Kemper and its debt instruments and are expected to initially publish a rating of the debentures. These rating agencies or others that may publish a rating of the debentures may, from time to time in the future, change the way they analyze securities with features similar to the debentures. This may include, for example, changes to the relationship between ratings assigned to an issuer’s senior securities and ratings assigned to securities with features similar to the debentures. If the rating agencies change their practices for rating these types of securities in the future, and the ratings of the debentures are subsequently lowered, that could have a negative impact on the trading price of the debentures. In addition, we may redeem the debentures before                     , 2019 at our option, in whole but not in part, within 90 days of a rating agency amending, clarifying or changing the criteria used to assign equity credit for securities such as the debentures, which amendment, clarification or change results in (a) the shortening of the length of time the debentures are assigned a particular level of equity credit by that rating agency as compared to the length of time they would have been assigned that level of equity credit by that rating agency or its predecessor on the initial issuance of the debentures; or (b) the lowering of the equity credit (including up to a lesser amount) assigned to the debentures by that rating agency compared to the equity credit assigned by that rating agency or its predecessor on the initial issuance of the debentures. See “Description of Debentures—Optional Redemption of the Debentures.”

There may not be a public market for the debentures.

We will apply to list the debentures on the NYSE under the symbol “            .” If approved for listing, trading of the debentures on the NYSE is expected to commence within 30 days after they are first issued. The listing of the debentures will not necessarily ensure that an active trading market will be available for the debentures or that you will be able to sell your debentures at the price you originally paid for them or at the time you wish to sell them. Future trading prices of the debentures will depend on many factors including, among other things, prevailing interest rates, our operating results and the market for similar securities. Generally, the liquidity of, and trading market for, the debentures may also be materially and adversely affected by declines in the market for similar debt securities. Such a decline may materially and adversely affect such liquidity and trading independent of our financial performance and prospects.

The debentures will not have the benefit of certain contractual protections found in other debt securities.

The debentures and the indenture will not protect you in the event of a highly leveraged transaction. The indenture will not contain any financial covenants and will not restrict us from paying dividends to the holders of our common stock, unless we have deferred payment of interest on the debentures. In addition, we will not be restricted under the indenture from granting security interests over our assets.

We may pursue acquisitions, dispositions, investments, dividends, share repurchases and/or other corporate transactions that we believe will maximize equity returns of our shareholders but may involve risks to holders of the debentures.

From time to time, we consider opportunities for acquisitions of businesses or other assets and other strategic transactions. These transactions may involve risks, such as risks of integration of acquired businesses and loss of cash flows and market positions of disposed businesses. In addition, if our business performs according to our financial plan, the indenture governing the debentures will allow us substantial flexibility to pay dividends on, or make significant repurchases of, our common stock, unless we have deferred payment of interest

 

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on the debentures. These transactions will be subject to the discretion of our board of directors. There can be no assurance that we will effect any of these transactions, but, if we do, risks to the holders of the debentures may be increased, possibly materially.

The debentures may be redeemed prior to maturity, and you may not be able to reinvest the proceeds at the same or a higher rate.

We may redeem the debentures in whole at any time or in part from time to time on or after                     , 2019. In addition, we may redeem the debentures in whole, but not in part, at any time prior to                     , 2019, within 90 days of the occurrence of a Tax Event (as defined in “Description of Debentures—Optional Redemption of the Debentures”). In each of these two cases, the redemption price will be the principal amount of the debentures being redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including compounded interest, if any) to, but excluding, the date of redemption. We may also redeem the debentures in whole, but not in part, at any time prior to                     , 2019, within 90 days of the occurrence of a Rating Agency Event (as defined in “Description of Debentures—Optional Redemption of the Debentures”). In this event, the redemption price will be equal to the greater of (a) the principal amount of the debentures being redeemed or (b) a make-whole amount, in each case, plus any accrued and unpaid interest on the debentures being redeemed (including compounded interest, if any) to, but excluding, the date of redemption. See “Description of Debentures—Optional Redemption of the Debentures.” If we exercise any of these rights, you may not be able to reinvest the money you receive upon a redemption at a rate that is equal to or higher than the rate of return on the debentures.

Changes in our credit ratings or the debt markets could adversely affect the market price of the debentures.

The market price for the debentures depends on many factors, including, among other things:

 

•

our credit ratings with major credit rating agencies, including with respect to the debentures;

 

•

the prevailing interest rates being paid by other companies similar to us;

 

•

our operating results, financial condition, financial performance and future prospects;

 

•

an election to defer interest payments on the debentures (see “—We can defer interest payments on the debentures for one or more periods of up to five years each. This may affect the market price of the debentures.” above); and

 

•

economic, financial, geopolitical, regulatory and judicial events that affect us, the industries and markets in which we are doing business and the financial markets generally.

The price of the debentures may be adversely affected by unfavorable changes in these factors. The condition of the financial markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future. Such fluctuations could have an adverse effect on the price of the debentures.

In addition, credit rating agencies continually review their ratings for the companies that they follow, including us. The credit rating agencies also evaluate the insurance industry as a whole and may change our credit ratings based on their overall views of our industry. A negative change in our ratings could have an adverse effect on the price of the debentures.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of debentures will be approximately $              million (or approximately $              million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full) after deducting underwriting discounts and our estimated expenses related to this offering. We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the debentures for working capital and other general corporate purposes, which may include retirement of a portion of our existing debt on or before its scheduled maturity date.

CAPITALIZATION

The table below shows our consolidated capitalization on an actual basis as of December 31, 2013. The table also shows our consolidated capitalization on an as adjusted basis to reflect the issuance and sale of the debentures, but not the application of the net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the debentures, and assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. You should refer to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

		As of December 31, 2013
		Actual				As Adjusted
		(in millions)
Debt:
6.00% senior notes due May 15, 2017(1)		$	357.9			$	357.9
6.00% senior notes due November 30, 2015(1)			249.0				249.0
Borrowings under credit facility			—				—
Federal Home Loan Bank advances			—				—
Capital lease obligations(2)			9.5				9.5
Debentures offered hereby(1)			—
Total debt			616.4
Shareholders’ Equity:
Common Stock, $0.10 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 55,653,437 shares issued and outstanding			5.6				5.6
Preferred Stock, $0.10 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding(3) .			—				—
Paid-in Capital			694.8				694.8
Retained Earnings			1,215.8				1,215.8
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			135.3				135.3
Total Shareholders’ Equity			2,051.5				2,051.5
Total Debt and Shareholders’ Equity		$	2,667.9			$

 

(1)	Aggregate principal amount, net of unamortized issuance expenses.

(2)	Aggregate minimum capital lease payments, net of imputed interest.

(3)	100,000 shares of Preferred Stock have been designated Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBENTURES

Set forth below is a description of the terms of the debentures. This description supplements, and should be read together with, the disclosure in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities.” Any information regarding the debentures contained in this prospectus supplement that is inconsistent with information in the accompanying prospectus will supersede any inconsistent information in the accompanying prospectus. The following description does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the indenture, as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture, to provide for the issuance of the debentures which we collectively refer to as the “Indenture,” between Kemper Corporation, as issuer, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, which we refer to as the “Trustee,” pursuant to which the debentures will be issued. As used in this “Description of Debentures” section, unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” “our” or “the Company” refer to Kemper Corporation.

General

The debentures will be issued as subordinated debt securities under the Indenture and will initially be limited in aggregate principal amount to $             (or $             if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). The debentures will be issued only in denominations of $25 and multiples of $25 in excess thereof. Payments of principal of, and interest on, the debentures will be made in U.S. dollars. The provisions of the Indenture pertaining to unclaimed moneys will apply to the debentures.

We may, without notice to or consent of the holders of the debentures, re-open and issue additional     % Subordinated Debentures due 2054 having the same ranking, interest rate, maturity date and other terms as the debentures of such series being offered by this prospectus supplement, provided that if the additional debentures are not fungible for United States federal income tax purposes with the debentures being offered by this prospectus supplement, the additional debentures will have a separate CUSIP number. Any additional debentures, together with the debentures offered by this prospectus supplement, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the Indenture. The debentures and the Indenture under which the debentures will be issued do not place any limitation on the amount of unsecured debt that may be incurred by us.

Subordination

The debentures will be unsecured, and will rank in right of payment and upon our liquidation junior to all of our current and future Senior Indebtedness and equal with any other future Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Debentures, and, in each case in the manner set forth below. The debentures will also be effectively subordinated to all debt and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets to creditors upon any receivership, liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar proceedings, the holders of Senior Indebtedness will first be entitled to receive payment in full in cash or other satisfactory consideration of all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of such Senior Indebtedness before the holders of the debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect thereof.

In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of the debentures, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness outstanding at the time of such acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full in cash or other satisfactory consideration of all such Senior Indebtedness before the holders of the debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the debentures.

In the event and during the continuation of any default in any payment with respect to any Senior Indebtedness, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness has been or would be permitted upon notice or the passage of time to be accelerated because of a default, then, unless and until such default shall have

 

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been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist and such acceleration shall have been rescinded or annulled, no payments on account of principal or premium, if any, or interest, if any, in respect of the debentures may be made, in each case unless and until all amounts due or to become due on such Senior Indebtedness are paid in full in cash or other satisfactory consideration.

As of December 31, 2013, we had Senior Indebtedness with an outstanding principal balance of approximately $610 million. Senior Indebtedness does not include obligations to trade creditors created or assumed by us in the ordinary course of business, which will rank pari passu with the debentures in right of payment upon liquidation. In addition, the debentures will be effectively subordinated to the indebtedness of our subsidiaries. Except for capital lease obligations of $10.6 million, as of December 31, 2013, our subsidiaries had no third party indebtedness outstanding. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Debentures—The debentures will be effectively subordinated to the obligations of our subsidiaries.”

“Senior Indebtedness” shall mean all Indebtedness for Money Borrowed, whether outstanding on the date of the first issuance of the debentures or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, except Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Debentures or Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the Debentures, and any deferrals, renewals or extension of such Senior Indebtedness. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Senior Indebtedness shall not include obligations to trade creditors created or assumed by us in the ordinary course of business.

“Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Debentures” shall mean Indebtedness for Money Borrowed, whether outstanding on the date of the first issuance of the debentures or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, which specifically by its terms ranks equally with and not prior to the debentures in right of payment upon our dissolution, winding-up, liquidation, reorganization or similar events. The securing of any Indebtedness for Money Borrowed, otherwise constituting Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Debentures, shall not be deemed to prevent such Indebtedness for Money Borrowed from constituting Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Debentures.

“Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the Debentures” shall mean any Indebtedness for Money Borrowed, whether outstanding on the date of the first issuance of the debentures or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, which specifically by its terms ranks junior to and not equally with or prior to the debentures (and any other Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Debentures) in right of payment upon our dissolution, winding-up, liquidation, reorganization, or similar events. The securing of any Indebtedness for Money Borrowed, otherwise constituting Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the Debentures, shall not be deemed to prevent such Indebtedness for Money Borrowed from constituting Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the Debentures.

“Indebtedness for Money Borrowed” shall mean (i) any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, us for which we are responsible or liable as obligor or otherwise including principal, premium and interest (whether accruing before or after filing of any petition in bankruptcy or any similar proceedings by or against us and whether or not allowed as a claim in bankruptcy or similar proceedings) for (A) indebtedness for money borrowed, (B) indebtedness evidenced by securities, bonds, debentures, notes or other similar written instruments, (C) any deferred obligation for the payment of the purchase price or conditional sale obligation of property or assets acquired other than in the ordinary course of business, (D) all obligations for the reimbursement of any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction, (E) all obligations under “keep-well” agreements required by insurance regulators or (F) any obligation referred to in (A) through (E) above of other persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company and (ii) all indebtedness for obligations to make payment in respect of derivative products such as interest and foreign exchange rate contracts, commodity contracts (including future or options contracts) swap agreements, cap agreements, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements and similar arrangements, whether outstanding on the first issuance of the debentures or thereafter created, assumed or incurred.

Maturity

The debentures will mature on                     , 2054.

 

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Interest

Subject to applicable law and subject to any Optional Deferral Period, as described below, interest on the debentures will accrue at an annual rate equal to the rate indicated on the cover of this prospectus supplement, and will be payable quarterly in arrears on             ,             ,              and              of each year, beginning on                     , 2014, each of which we refer to as an interest payment date, to the record holders at the close of business on the preceding             ,             ,              or             , as applicable, whether or not a business day. However, interest that we pay on the maturity date or a redemption date will be payable to the person to whom the principal will be payable.

Interest payments will include accrued interest from, and including, the original issue date, or, if interest has already been paid, from the last date in respect of which interest has been paid or duly provided for to, but excluding, the next succeeding interest payment date, the maturity date or the redemption date, as the case may be. The amount of interest payable for any interest payment period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. If any date on which interest is payable on the debentures is not a business day, then payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay).

Interest not paid on any payment date will accrue and compound quarterly at a rate per year equal to the rate of interest on the debentures until paid. References to “interest” include interest accruing on the debentures, interest on deferred interest payments and other unpaid amounts and compounded interest, as applicable.

Option to Defer Interest Payments

So long as no event of default with respect to the debentures has occurred and is continuing, we may, on one or more occasions, defer interest payments on the debentures for one or more optional deferral periods of up to five consecutive years without giving rise to an event of default under the terms of the debentures (each such period, an “Optional Deferral Period”). A deferral of interest payments cannot extend, however, beyond the maturity date or the earlier acceleration or redemption of the debentures. During an Optional Deferral Period, interest will continue to accrue on the debentures, and deferred interest payments will accrue additional interest at the then applicable interest rate on the debentures, compounded quarterly as of each interest payment date to the extent permitted by applicable law. No interest otherwise due during an Optional Deferral Period will be due and payable on the debentures until the end of such Optional Deferral Period except upon an acceleration or redemption of the debentures during such deferral period.

At the end of five years following the commencement of an Optional Deferral Period, we must pay all accrued and unpaid deferred interest, including compounded interest, and our failure to pay all accrued and unpaid deferred interest, including compounded interest, for a period of 30 days after the conclusion of such five-year period will result in an event of default giving rise to a right of acceleration. If, at the end of any Optional Deferral Period, we have paid all deferred interest due on the debentures, including compounded interest, we can again defer interest payments on the debentures as described above.

We will provide to the Trustee and the holders of debentures written notice of any deferral of interest at least one and not more than 60 business days prior to the applicable interest payment date. In addition, our failure to pay interest on the debentures on any interest payment date will itself constitute the commencement of an Optional Deferral Period unless we pay such interest within five business days after any such interest payment date, whether or not we provide a notice of deferral. We have no present intention of exercising our right to defer payments of interest.

 

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Payment Restrictions During a Deferral Period

After the commencement of an Optional Deferral Period until we have paid all accrued and unpaid interest on the debentures, we will not, and will not permit any of our subsidiaries to:

(1) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of our capital stock (which includes common and preferred stock),

(2) make any payment of principal, interest or premium on or repay, repurchase or redeem any Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Debentures or Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the Debentures, or

(3) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by us of any securities of any of our subsidiaries if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the debentures;

other than:

(a) dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, our capital stock where the dividend stock or stock issuable upon exercise of such options, warrants or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks equally with or junior to such stock,

(b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a stockholder’s rights plan, or the issuance of capital stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto,

(c) as a result of a reclassification of any series or class of our capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of our capital stock for or into another class or series of our capital stock,

(d) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of our capital stock pursuant to an acquisition or the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged,

(e) purchases or acquisitions of shares of our capital stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of directors, officers, agents, consultants or employees or our satisfaction of our obligations under any dividend reinvestment plan or our director, officer, agent, consultant or employee stock purchase plans,

(f) any exchange, redemption or conversion of any class or series of our capital stock, or the capital stock of one of our subsidiaries, for any other class or series of our capital stock, or of any class or series of our Indebtedness for Money Borrowed for any class or series of our capital stock,

(g) purchases or acquisitions of shares of our capital stock in connection with our satisfaction of our obligations under any contract or security entered into before commencement of the Optional Deferral Period, and

(h) (i) payment of current or deferred interest on our Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Debentures made pro rata to the amounts due on our Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Debentures and the debentures and (ii) payment of principal or current or deferred interest on our Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Debentures that, if not made, would cause us to breach the terms of the instrument governing such Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the Debentures.

Optional Redemption of the Debentures

We may redeem the debentures in increments of $25 principal amount:

 

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in whole at any time or in part from time to time on or after                     , 2019, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount of the debentures being redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including compounded interest, if any) to, but excluding, the date of redemption; provided that if the debentures are not redeemed in whole, at least $25 million aggregate principal amount of the debentures must remain outstanding after giving effect to such redemption;

 

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in whole, but not in part, at any time prior to                     , 2019, within 90 days of the occurrence of a “Tax Event”, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount of the debentures being redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including compounded interest, if any) to, but excluding, the date of redemption; or

 

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in whole, but not in part, at any time prior to                     , 2019, within 90 days of the occurrence of a “Rating Agency Event”, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (a) the principal amount of the debentures being redeemed or (b) the present value of a payment on                     , 2019 in an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of the debentures being redeemed and scheduled payments of interest that would have accrued from the date of redemption to                     , 2019 on the debentures being redeemed, discounted to the date of redemption on a quarterly basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus              basis points, in each case, plus any accrued and unpaid interest on the debentures being redeemed (including compounded interest, if any) to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

“Tax Event” means that we will have received an opinion of counsel, rendered by a law firm of nationally recognized standing that is experienced in such matters, stating that, as a result of any:

 

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amendment to, or change in (including any promulgation, enactment, execution or modification of) the laws (or any regulations under those laws) of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein affecting taxation;

 

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official administrative pronouncement (including a private letter ruling, technical advice memorandum or similar pronouncement) or judicial decision or administrative action or other official pronouncement interpreting or applying the laws or regulations enumerated in the preceding bullet point, by any court, governmental agency or regulatory authority; or

 

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threatened challenge asserted in connection with an audit of us or any of our subsidiaries, or a threatened challenge asserted in writing against any taxpayer that has raised capital through the issuance of securities that are substantially similar to the debentures,

which amendment or change is enacted or effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced or which challenge is asserted against us or becomes publicly known on or after the original issue date of the debentures, there is more than an insubstantial increase in the risk that interest accruable or payable by us on the debentures is not, or will not be, deductible by us in whole or in part, for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

“Rating Agency Event” means that any nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act) that then publishes a rating for us (a “rating agency”) amends, clarifies or changes the criteria it uses to assign equity credit to securities such as the debentures, which amendment, clarification or change results in (a) the shortening of the length of time the debentures are assigned a particular level of equity credit by that rating agency as compared to the length of time they would have been assigned that level of equity credit by that rating agency or its predecessor on the initial issuance of the debentures; or (b) the lowering of the equity credit (including up to a lesser amount) assigned to the debentures by that rating agency compared to the equity credit assigned by that rating agency or its predecessor on the initial issuance of the debentures.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any date of redemption, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity or interpolated maturity (on a day count basis) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such date of redemption.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security or securities selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing a new issue of corporate debt securities maturing on                     , 2019.

 

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“Independent Investment Banker” means one of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, and their successors, appointed by us or, if such firm is unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by us.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means with respect to any date of redemption for the debentures (1) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such date of redemption, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means (i) J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, and its successors, (ii) a Primary Treasury Dealer (as defined herein) selected by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, and its successors, (iii) two other primary U.S. government securities dealers (each a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), specified by us; provided that if any of the foregoing or any Primary Treasury Dealer specified by us shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, we will substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to the Reference Treasury Dealer and any date of redemption, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed, in each case, as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such date of redemption.

Notice of any optional redemption of any debentures will be given to registered holders of the debentures to be redeemed or, if the debentures are represented by one or more global security certificates, sent in accordance with the procedures of the depositary not more than 90 nor less than 30 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. If less than all of the debentures are to be redeemed, and such debentures are at the time represented by one or more global security certificates, then the debentures to be redeemed will be selected in accordance with the procedures of the depositary. If less than all of the debentures are to be redeemed, and such debentures are not represented by one or more global security certificates, then the Trustee will select the particular debentures to be redeemed by lot or in such manner it deems appropriate. The Trustee may select debentures and portions of debentures in amounts of $25 and multiples of $25 in excess of $25.

On and after the date of redemption, interest will cease to accrue on the debentures or any portion of the debentures called for redemption, unless we default in the payment of the redemption amount.

Restrictions on Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Substantially all Assets

The Indenture provides that we may not merge with or into or consolidate with any other Person, or sell, assign, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any other Person other than a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of ours, unless:

 

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we are the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving such merger or consolidation or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance has been made (the “successor Person”), if other than us, assumes our obligations in the debentures and under the Indenture; and

 

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after giving effect to such transaction, no default under the Indenture has occurred or is continuing.

The successor Person will be the successor to us, and will be substituted for and may exercise every right and power and become the obligor on the debentures, but, in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of our properties and assets, we will not be released from our obligations under the Indenture and the debentures.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, we need not comply with the provision described in the second bullet point of the immediately preceding paragraph in connection with (i) any merger of us with or into, or any consolidation of us with, any of our Wholly Owned Subsidiary or (ii) any merger of us with or into, or any consolidation of us with, an affiliate of ours solely for the purpose of our reincorporating or reorganizing in another jurisdiction.

 

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“Person” means an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person: (a) any corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which 100% of the total voting power of shares (other than directors’ qualifying shares or an immaterial amount of shares required to be owned by other Persons pursuant to applicable law) of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and (b) any partnership (i) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such Person or (ii) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

“Capital Stock” means: (a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock; (b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock; (c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and (d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person: (a) any corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and (b) any partnership (i) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (ii) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

Events of Default

The following events will constitute an event of default with respect to the debentures under the Indenture:

 

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a default in payment of principal or any premium when due;

 

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a default for 30 days in payment of any interest when due; provided that the date on which such interest payment is due and payable shall be the date on which we must make payment following any Optional Deferral Period; or

 

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specified events of our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.

If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debentures may declare the principal amount of all the debentures to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to us, and to the Trustee if given by holders. If an event of default occurs because of specified events of our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of all the debentures will be automatically accelerated, without any action by the Trustee or any holder thereof.

 

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A holder of the debentures will only have the right to institute a proceeding under the Indenture or to seek other remedies with respect to an event of default if:

 

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the holder has given written notice to the Trustee of an event of default;

 

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the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debentures have requested the Trustee in writing to take action in respect of the matter complained of;

 

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these holders have offered security and indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby;

 

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the Trustee does not institute a proceeding within 60 days; and

 

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no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debentures.

We will annually file statements with the Trustee regarding our compliance with the covenants in the Indenture. The Trustee will generally give the holders of the debentures notice within 90 days of the occurrence of a default known to the Trustee.

Modification of Indenture and Debentures

With certain exceptions, the Indenture and the debentures may be modified or amended with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the debentures affected by the modification or amendment. However, no such modification or amendment may be made, without the consent of the holder of each debenture affected, which would:

 

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change the stated maturity of the principal of the debentures;

 

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reduce the principal amount on the debentures or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption of the debentures;

 

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change any place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any debenture or the interest or any premium thereon is payable;

 

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impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the stated maturity thereof (or, in the case of a redemption, on or after the redemption date);

 

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reduce the percentage in principal amount of the debentures, the consent of holders of which is required to modify or amend the Indenture or the debentures, or the consent of the holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults therein and their consequences provided in the Indenture;

 

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modify any of the provisions described under “—Modification of Indenture and Debentures” or provisions under the Indenture relating to waivers of defaults and waivers of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture, except to increase the percentage in principal amount of holders required under any such provision or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debenture affected thereby; or

 

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modify, without the written consent of the Trustee, the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee.

Furthermore, no modification may be made to any of the provisions described under “—Subordination,” or the rights of Senior Indebtedness, in any manner that would alter or impair the subordination of the debentures with respect to Senior Indebtedness then outstanding, without the consent of each holder of such Senior Indebtedness.

 

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Without the consent of any holders of the debentures, we and the Trustee may modify or amend the Indenture or the debentures for, among other things, any of the following purposes:

 

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to add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of the debentures or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the Indenture;

 

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to add events of default;

 

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to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Indenture to provide, change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal on the debentures; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debentures in any material respect;

 

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to evidence the succession of another person to us in compliance with the Indenture and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants in the Indenture and in the debentures;

 

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to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the Indenture by a successor trustee with respect to the debentures in compliance with the Indenture and to add to or change any of the provisions of the Indenture as may be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the Indenture by more than one trustee;

 

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to secure the debentures;

 

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to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision of the Indenture or the debentures which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision of the Indenture or the debentures or to conform the terms of the Indenture that are applicable to the debentures to the description of the terms of the debentures in this prospectus supplement;

 

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to add to or change or eliminate any provision of the Indenture or the debentures as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended;

 

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to add guarantors or co-obligors with respect to the debentures;

 

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to make any change that does not adversely affect in any material respect the rights of the holders of the debentures;

 

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to provide for the issuance of the debentures in uncertificated form or to add to or change any of the provisions of the Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of the debentures in uncertificated form;

 

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to comply with the requirements of any applicable securities depositary;

 

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to supplement any of the provisions of the Indenture or the debentures to such extent as necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of the debentures, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the holders of the debentures; or

 

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to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the Indenture or the debentures or to add to the rights of holders of the debentures.

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

We may elect either to:

 

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be discharged from our obligations with respect to the debentures (except as otherwise provided in the Indenture) (“discharge”) or

 

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be released from our obligations with respect to certain covenants that are described in the Indenture (“covenant defeasance”),

upon the deposit with the Trustee, in trust for such purpose, of money and/or government obligations that through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money (or a combination of money and United States government obligations) in an amount sufficient, without reinvestment, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debentures to maturity or redemption, as the case may be. As a

 

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condition to discharge or covenant defeasance, among others, we must deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the beneficial owners of such series of debentures will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such discharge or covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such discharge or covenant defeasance had not occurred. In the case of a discharge, such opinion of counsel must refer to or be based on a ruling of the IRS or applicable court to that effect or a change in applicable United States federal income tax law occurring after the original issue date of the debentures. We may exercise our discharge option with respect to the debentures notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option.

If we exercise our covenant defeasance option, payment of the debentures may not thereafter be accelerated by reference to any covenant from which we are released as described in the second bullet point in the immediately preceding paragraph. However, if acceleration were to occur for other reasons, the realizable value at the acceleration date of the money and government obligations in the defeasance trust could be less than the principal and interest then due on the debentures, in that the required deposit in the defeasance trust is based upon scheduled cash flows rather than market value, which will vary depending upon interest rates and other factors.

Satisfaction and Discharge

Upon our written order to the Trustee, the Indenture will cease to be of further effect with respect to the debentures (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the debentures expressly provided for in the Indenture and rights to receive payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debentures), and the Trustee will execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture with respect to the debentures, when:

 

•

Either

 

•

all of the debentures theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) debentures that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid as provided in the Indenture and (B) debentures for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by us and thereafter repaid to us or discharged from such trust, as provided in the Indenture) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

•

all of the debentures not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,

(A) have become due and payable, or

(B) will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or

(C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee,

and we, in the case of (A), (B) or (C) above, have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee or paying agent an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the debentures for principal and premium, if any, and interest to the date of such deposit (if the debentures have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;

 

•

we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by us under the Indenture with respect to the debentures; and

 

•

we have delivered to the Trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture with respect to the debentures have been complied with.

Transfer

No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of debentures, but payment will be required of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.

 

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Listing

We intend to apply to list the debentures on the NYSE under the symbol “            .” If the application is approved, we expect trading of the debentures on the NYSE to begin within 30 days after they are first issued.

Agreement by Holders to Treat Debentures as Indebtedness for Tax Purposes

Each holder of the debentures will, by accepting the debentures or a beneficial interest therein, be deemed to have agreed that the holder intends that the debentures constitute indebtedness and will treat the debentures as indebtedness for all U.S. federal, state and local tax purposes.

Book-Entry System

The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, which we refer to along with its successors in this capacity as the depositary, will act as securities depositary for the debentures. The debentures will be issued only as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., the depositary’s nominee. One or more fully registered global security certificates, representing the total aggregate principal amount of the debentures, will be issued and will be deposited with the depositary or its custodian and will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer referred to below.

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the debentures so long as the debentures are represented by global security certificates.

Investors may elect to hold interests in the debentures in global form through either DTC in the United States or Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream, Luxembourg”) or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (“Euroclear”), if they are participants in those systems, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in those systems. Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream, Luxembourg’s and Euroclear’ s names on the books of their respective depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on the books of DTC. Citibank, N.A. will act as depositary for Clearstream, Luxembourg and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. will act as depositary for Euroclear (in such capacities, the “U.S. Depositaries”).

DTC advises that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. The depositary holds securities that its participants (the “DTC Participants”) deposit with the depositary. The depositary also facilitates the settlement among DTC Participants of securities transactions, including transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in DTC Participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. The depositary is owned by a number of its direct participants and by the NYSE, the NYSE MKT LLC, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. Access to the depositary’s system is also available to others, including securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear transactions through or maintain a direct or indirect custodial relationship with a direct participant either directly, or indirectly. The rules applicable to the depositary and DTC Participants are on file with the SEC.

Clearstream, Luxembourg advises that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream, Luxembourg holds securities for its participating organizations (“Clearstream Participants”) and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream, Luxembourg provides to Clearstream Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded

 

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securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream, Luxembourg interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depositary, Clearstream, Luxembourg is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier). Clearstream Participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Clearstream, Luxembourg is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant, either directly or indirectly.

Distributions with respect to interests in the debentures held beneficially through Clearstream, Luxembourg will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for Clearstream, Luxembourg.

Euroclear advises that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear (“Euroclear Participants”) and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash.

Euroclear includes various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. The Euroclear system is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (the “Euroclear Operator”). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator. Euroclear Participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.

Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law (collectively, the “Terms and Conditions”). The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear Participants, and has no records of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear Participants.

Distributions with respect to the debentures held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear Participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for Euroclear.

We will issue certificated debentures to each person that the depositary identifies as the beneficial owner of the debentures represented by a global security certificate upon surrender by the depositary of the global security certificate if:

 

•

the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for such global security certificate or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act;

 

•

an event of default under the debentures has occurred and is continuing; or

 

•

we determine not to have the debentures represented by a global security certificate.

Neither we nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by the depositary or its nominee or any direct or indirect participant in identifying the beneficial owners of the debentures. We and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the depositary or its nominee for all purposes, including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the certificated debentures to be issued.

 

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As long as the depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of the global security certificates, the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner and holder of the global security certificates and all debentures represented by these global security certificates for all purposes under the Indenture. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of beneficial interests in global security certificates:

 

•

will not be entitled to have the debentures represented by these global security certificates registered in their names, and

 

•

will not be considered to be owners or holders of the global security certificates or any debentures represented by these certificates for any purpose under the debentures or the Indenture.

All payments on the debentures represented by the global security certificates and all transfers and deliveries of related debentures will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the holder of such securities.

Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security certificates will be limited to participants or persons that may hold beneficial interests through institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee. Ownership of beneficial interests in global security certificates will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or its nominee, with respect to participants’ interests, or any participant, with respect to interests of persons held by the participant on their behalf. Payments, transfers, deliveries, exchanges and other matters relating to beneficial interests in global security certificates may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the depositary from time to time. Neither we nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the depositary’s or any participant’s records relating to, or for payments made on account of, beneficial interests in global security certificates, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of the depositary’s records or any participant’s records relating to these beneficial ownership interests.

Although the depositary has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in the global security certificates among participants, the depositary is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform these procedures, and these procedures may be discontinued at any time. We will not have any responsibility for the performance by the depositary or its direct participants or indirect participants under the rules and procedures governing the depositary.

The information in this section concerning the depositary, its book-entry system, Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we have not attempted to verify the accuracy of this information.

Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures

Initial settlement for the debentures will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System. Secondary market trading between Clearstream Participants and/or Euroclear Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear, as applicable.

Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream Participants or Euroclear Participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. Depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. Depositary to take

 

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action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving securities in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream Participants and Euroclear Participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. Depositaries.

Because of time-zone differences, credits of debentures received in Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC Participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in such debentures settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear Participant or Clearstream Participant on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear as a result of sales of the debentures by or through a Clearstream Participant or a Euroclear Participant to a DTC Participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.

Although DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of debentures among participants of DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be discontinued or changed at any time.

About the Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is the Trustee. Subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its powers vested in it by the Indenture at the request of any holder of the debentures unless the holder offers the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might result. The Trustee is not required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in performing its duties if the Trustee believes that it is not reasonably assured of repayment or adequate indemnity. We have entered, and from time to time may continue to enter, into banking or other relationships with The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. or its affiliates. The Trustee serves as trustee with respect to outstanding debt securities of the Company other than the debentures. The Bank of New York Mellon, an affiliate of the Trustee, is a lender under our credit facility.

The Trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities under the Indenture, and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such series.

Applicable Law

The debentures and the Indenture will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Payment and Paying Agent

We will pay principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the debentures at the office of the paying agent designated by us, except that we may pay interest by check mailed to the registered holder or, in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, by wire transfer to an account designated by the registered holder.

Subject to applicable abandoned property law, any money deposited with the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on a debenture which remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debenture may then look only to us for payment.

The Trustee will act as paying agent for the debentures.

 

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UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following discussion is a summary of the United States federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the purchase, ownership, and disposition of the debentures by an initial purchaser of the debentures upon their original issuance for their “issue price,” which will equal the first price at which a substantial amount of the debentures are sold to the public. This summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as of the date hereof, and subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis, so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. This summary does not discuss all aspects of United States federal income taxation which may be important to particular investors in light of their individual circumstances, such as debentures held by investors subject to special tax rules (e.g., banks, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, regulated investment companies, common trust funds, entities that are treated for United States federal income tax purposes as partnerships or other pass-through entities, broker-dealers, expatriates, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid United States federal income tax) or to persons that will hold the debentures as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion, constructive sale, or other integrated security transaction for United States federal income tax purposes or U.S. Holders (as defined below) that have a functional currency other than the United States dollar, all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized below. In addition, this summary does not discuss alternative minimum tax or Medicare contribution tax considerations, or any foreign, state, or local tax considerations. This summary assumes that investors will hold their debentures as “capital assets” under the Code. Each prospective investor is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the United States federal, state, local, and foreign income and other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of the debentures.

For purposes of this summary, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of debentures that is, for United States federal income tax purposes: (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation (or other entity subject to tax as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust (A) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (B) that has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person. A beneficial owner of debentures (other than a partnership or other pass-through entity) that is not a U.S. Holder is referred to herein as a “Non-U.S. Holder.”

If a partnership (including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of debentures, the treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A holder of debentures that is a partnership and partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors about the United States federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of debentures.

Classification of the Debentures

The determination of whether a security should be classified as indebtedness or equity for United States federal income tax purposes requires a judgment based on all relevant facts and circumstances. There is no statutory, judicial or administrative authority that directly addresses the United States federal income tax treatment of securities substantially similar to the debentures. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, tax counsel to the Company, is of the opinion that under current law and assuming full compliance with the terms of the Indenture and other relevant documents, and based on certain other assumptions, representations, qualifications, and limitations, the debentures will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as indebtedness of the Company upon their issuance. This opinion is not binding on the IRS or any court and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will agree with this opinion.

 

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Each holder of the debentures will, by accepting the debentures or a beneficial interest therein, be deemed to have agreed that the holder intends that the debentures constitute indebtedness and will treat the debentures as indebtedness for all United States federal, state and local tax purposes. In addition, we intend to treat the debentures as indebtedness for United States federal income tax purposes. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the classification of the debentures as indebtedness will be respected for United States federal income tax purposes.

U.S. Holders

Interest Income and Original Issue Discount

Under applicable Treasury regulations, a “remote” contingency that stated interest will not be timely paid will be ignored in determining whether a debt instrument is issued with original issue discount (“OID”). We believe that the likelihood of our exercising our option to defer payments is remote within the meaning of the Treasury regulations. Based on the foregoing, although the matter is not free from doubt, the debentures will not be considered to be issued with OID at the time of their original issuance. Accordingly, each U.S. Holder of debentures should include in gross income such U.S. Holder’s allocable share of stated interest on the debentures in accordance with such U.S. Holder’s method of tax accounting.

Under the applicable Treasury regulations, if the option to defer any payment of interest was determined not to be “remote,” or if we exercised such option, the debentures would be treated as issued with OID at the time of issuance or at the time of such exercise, as the case may be. Then, all stated interest on the debentures would thereafter be treated as OID as long as the debentures remained outstanding. In such event, all of a U.S. Holder’s taxable interest income relating to the debentures would constitute OID that would have to be included in income on an economic accrual basis before the receipt of the cash attributable to the interest, regardless of such U.S. Holder’s method of tax accounting, and actual distributions of stated interest would not be reported as taxable income. Consequently, a U.S. Holder of debentures would be required to include in gross income OID even though we would not make any actual cash payments during a deferral period.

No rulings or other interpretations have been issued by the IRS which have addressed the meaning of the term “remote” as used in the applicable Treasury regulations, and it is possible that the IRS could take a position contrary to the interpretation in this prospectus supplement.

Sales or Redemptions of Debentures

Upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition (collectively, a “disposition”) of debentures, a U.S. Holder will be considered to have disposed of the relevant debentures. Such U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between its adjusted tax basis in the debentures and the amount realized on the disposition of such debentures. For these purposes, the amount realized does not include any amount attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which will be taxed as described above under “Interest Income and Original Issue Discount.” Assuming that we do not exercise our option to defer payment of interest on the debentures and that the debentures are not deemed to be issued with OID, a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the debentures will generally be its initial purchase price. If the debentures are deemed to be issued with OID, a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the debentures will generally be its initial purchase price, increased by OID previously includible in such U.S. Holder’s gross income to the date of disposition and decreased by distributions or other payments received on the debentures since and including the date that the debentures were deemed to be issued with OID. Any gain or loss on a disposition of the debentures will generally be a capital gain or loss and will generally be a long-term capital gain or loss if the debentures have been held for more than one year.

Should we exercise our option to defer payment of interest on the debentures, the debentures may trade at a price that does not fully reflect the accrued but unpaid interest relating to the debentures. In the event of such a deferral, a U.S. Holder who disposes of its debentures between the record date of the last accrual and the record

 

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date for the next accrual will be required to include in income as ordinary income accrued but unpaid interest on the debentures up to the date of disposition and to add such amount to its adjusted tax basis of the debentures. To the extent the selling price is less than the holder’s adjusted tax basis, such holder will recognize a capital loss. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations under the Code.

Under the circumstances described in this prospectus supplement, the debentures may be redeemed by us for cash. Under current law, such a redemption would, for United States federal income tax purposes, constitute a taxable disposition of the redeemed debentures. Accordingly, a U.S. Holder would recognize gain or loss as if it had sold such redeemed debentures for cash.

Non-U.S. Holders

Interest Income

Under current United States federal income tax law, withholding of United States federal income tax will generally not apply to a payment of interest or OID on debentures to a Non-U.S. Holder if the interest or OID is not effectively connected with a Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business (or, in the case of certain tax treaties, is not attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base within the United States maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder), provided that:

 

•

the Non-U.S. Holder does not actually or constructively own 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote;

 

•

the Non-U.S. Holder is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us through stock ownership and

 

•

the beneficial owner certifies to its non-U.S. status on IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form).

If a Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a trade or business in the United States (and, if certain tax treaties apply, if the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment within the United States) and the interest or OID on the debentures is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business (and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to that permanent establishment), such Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to United States federal income tax on the interest on a net income basis in the same manner as if such Non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. Holder. In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation may be subject to a 30 percent (or lower applicable treaty rate) branch profits tax. In addition, under certain income tax treaties, the U.S. withholding rate on interest or OID payments may be reduced or eliminated, provided the Non-U.S. Holder complies with the applicable certification requirements (generally, by providing an IRS Form W-8BEN). If a Non-U.S. Holder does not satisfy the requirements described above, and does not establish that the interest is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States, the Non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on interest and OID payments, currently imposed at 30%.

Sales or Redemptions of Debentures

Any gain realized on the disposition or redemption of debentures (other than amounts attributable to accrued interest and OID, which will generally be treated as described above under “—Interest Income”) will generally not be subject to United States federal income tax unless:

 

•

that gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (or, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States); or

 

•

the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met.

 

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If the non-U.S. holder holds the debenture in connection with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, in the case of certain tax treaties, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base within the United States maintained by the non-U.S. holder), the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on a net basis and, if it is a foreign corporation, may be subject to an additional 30% U.S. branch profits tax (or lower applicable treaty rate). If the non-U.S. holder is an individual that is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year in which gain is realized (and certain other conditions are met), the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to United States federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or at a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount by which capital gains allocable to United States sources (including gains from the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of the debentures) exceed capital losses allocable to U.S. sources.

 

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CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of certain considerations associated with the acquisition and holding of the debentures by employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the Code or provisions under any other federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of ERISA or the Code (collectively, “Similar Laws”), and entities whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of any such plan, account or arrangement (each, a “Plan”).

General Fiduciary Matters

ERISA and the Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (an “ERISA Plan”) and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of an ERISA Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises authority or control over the management or disposition of the assets of an ERISA Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation, direct or indirect, with respect to the assets of an ERISA Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the ERISA Plan.

In considering an investment in the debentures of a portion of the assets of any Plan, a Plan fiduciary should determine whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code or any Similar Laws relating to a fiduciary’s duties to the Plan including, without limitation, the prudence, diversification, delegation of control and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA, the Code and any other applicable Similar Laws.

Prohibited Transaction Issues

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit ERISA Plans from engaging in specified transactions involving plan assets with persons or entities who are “parties in interest,” within the meaning of ERISA, or “disqualified persons,” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code, unless an exemption is available. A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a non-exempt prohibited transaction with an ERISA Plan may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. In addition, the fiduciary of the ERISA Plan that engages in such a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. The acquisition and/or holding of debentures by an ERISA Plan with respect to which the Company or an underwriter is considered a party in interest or a disqualified person may constitute or result in a direct or indirect prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the investment is acquired and is held in accordance with an applicable statutory, class or individual prohibited transaction exemption.

In this regard, the U.S. Department of Labor has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions, or “PTCEs,” that may provide exemptive relief for direct or indirect prohibited transactions resulting from the acquisition or holding of the debentures. These class exemptions include, without limitation, PTCE 84-14 respecting transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers, PTCE 90-1 respecting insurance company pooled separate accounts, PTCE 91-38 respecting bank collective investment funds, PTCE 95-60 respecting life insurance company general accounts, and PTCE 96-23 respecting transactions determined by in-house asset managers. In addition, Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code provide relief from the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code, respectively, for certain transactions between an ERISA Plan and a person that is a party in interest or disqualified person solely by reason of providing services to the ERISA Plan or a relationship with such a service provider, provided that, among other things, neither the person transacting with the ERISA Plan nor any of its affiliates has or exercises any discretionary authority or control or renders any investment advice with respect to the assets of the ERISA Plan involved in the transaction and provided further that the ERISA Plan pays no more and receives no

 

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less than adequate consideration in connection with the transaction. There can be no assurance that any of the foregoing exemptions or any other exemption will be available with respect to the acquisition and holding of the debentures or that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied.

Because of the foregoing, the debentures should not be acquired or held by any person investing “plan assets” of any Plan, unless such acquisition and holding will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Code or a similar violation of any applicable Similar Laws.

Investor Representation

By acceptance of the debentures, each purchaser and subsequent transferee of the debentures will be deemed to have represented and warranted that either (i) no portion of the assets used by such purchaser or transferee to acquire or hold the debentures constitutes assets of any Plan or (ii) the acquisition, holding and disposition of the debentures by such purchaser or transferee will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or a similar violation under any applicable Similar Laws.

The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all-inclusive. Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries, or other persons considering purchasing and holding the debentures on behalf of, or with the assets of, any Plan, consult with their counsel regarding the potential applicability of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and any Similar Laws to such investment and whether an exemption would be applicable to the acquisition and holding of the debentures.

The sale of debentures to a Plan is in no respect a representation by the Company, the underwriters or any other person that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by Plans generally or any particular Plan or that such an investment is appropriate for Plans generally or any particular Plan.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement dated as of the date of this prospectus supplement between us and the underwriters named below, for whom J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as representatives, we have agreed to sell to each underwriter, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase from us, the principal amount of the debentures that appears opposite its name in the table below:

 

Underwriter		Principal amount of debentures
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC.		$
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.
Total		$

The underwriters are offering the debentures subject to their acceptance of the debentures and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the debentures offered by this prospectus supplement are subject to certain conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the debentures offered by this prospectus supplement if any such debentures are taken. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

We have granted the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to an additional $             aggregate principal amount of debentures solely to cover over-allotments at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement less the applicable underwriting discount and commissions. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of the principal amount of debentures as the number listed next to the underwriter’s name in the preceding table bears to the total principal amount of the debentures listed next to the names of all underwriters in the preceding table.

The underwriters are offering the debentures, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

We have also agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments which the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any such liabilities.

The underwriting agreement provides for the underwriters to purchase the debentures from us at a price of $             per $25 principal amount of debentures, plus accrued interest, if any, from                     , 2014, if settlement occurs after that date. The underwriters initially propose to offer the debentures to the public at the public offering price that appears on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. In addition, the underwriters initially propose to offer the debentures to certain dealers at prices that represent a concession not in excess of     % of the principal amount of the debentures. Any underwriter may allow, and any such dealer may reallow, a concession not in excess of     % of the principal amount of the debentures to certain other dealers. After the initial offering of the debentures, the underwriters may from time to time vary the offering prices and other selling terms. The underwriters may offer and sell debentures through certain of their affiliates.

 

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The following table shows the underwriting discount that we will pay to the underwriters in connection with the offering of the debentures, assuming either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their option, described herein, to purchase additional debentures:

 

		No Exercise of Option				Full Exercise of Option
Per $25 principal amount of debentures		$				$
Total		$				$

Expenses associated with this offering which we will pay, other than underwriting discounts, are estimated to be approximately $1.1 million.

The debentures are a new issue of securities, and there is currently no established trading market for the debentures. We will apply for the listing of the debentures on the NYSE under the symbol “                    .” If approved for listing, trading of the debentures on the NYSE is expected to commence within 30 days after they are first issued. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the debentures, but they are not obligated to do so. The underwriters may discontinue any market making in the debentures at any time at their sole discretion. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market will develop for the debentures, that you will be able to sell your debentures at a particular time or that the prices you receive when you sell will be favorable.

We expect that delivery of the debentures will be made against payment therefor on or about the closing date of this offering specified on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, which is                      business days following the date of pricing of the debentures (this settlement cycle being referred to as “T+     ”). Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade their debentures on the date of pricing or the next                      succeeding business days will be required, by virtue of the fact that the debentures initially will settle in T+     , to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of debentures who wish to trade their debentures on the date of pricing or the next                      succeeding business days should consult their own advisor.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell debentures in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of debentures than they are required to purchase in the offering. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the debentures available for purchase by the underwriters under their option for additional debentures. The underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising the option or purchasing debentures in the open market. In determining the source of debentures to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market price of debentures compared to the price available under the option. The underwriters may also sell debentures in excess of amount available under the option, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing debentures in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the debentures in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the debentures while the offering is in progress.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased debentures sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

 

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These activities by the underwriters, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the debentures. As a result, the price of the debentures may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses. Affiliates of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are agents and lenders under our revolving credit agreement, while J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC acted as joint bookrunners and joint lead arrangers thereunder.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates have a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, the underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the debentures offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the debentures offered hereby. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Offering Restrictions

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a Relevant Member State), each underwriter has represented and agreed that, with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State, it has not made and will not make an offer of debentures which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:

 

(a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

 

(b)

to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or

 

(c)

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that

no such offer of debentures shall require the issuer or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

 

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For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of debentures to the public” in relation to any debentures in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the debentures to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the debentures, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State, the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

United Kingdom

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that (a) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “Act”)) in connection with the issue or sale of the debentures in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of such Act does not apply to us and (b) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of such Act with respect to anything done by it in relation to any debentures in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters relating to the issuance of the debentures will be passed upon for us by Scott Renwick, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Kemper, and by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Renwick owns less than one percent of our common stock. Certain legal matters relating to the issuance of the debentures will be passed upon for the underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedules, incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference from Kemper’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and the effectiveness of Kemper’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements and financial statement schedules have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act relating to the debentures. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits filed or incorporated by reference as part of the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the debentures, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits filed or incorporated by reference as part of the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or any other document are not necessarily complete. If a contract or document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC, we refer you to the copy of the contract or document that has been filed. Each statement in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus relating to a contract or document is qualified in all respects by reference to the contract or document to which it refers. In addition, we file annual, quarterly and periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Our SEC filings are accessible through the Internet at that website. Our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, and amendments to those reports, are also available for download, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after these reports are filed with the SEC, at our website at kemper.com. The content of our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that (i) we can disclose important information to you by referring you to such information in documents we have filed with the SEC and (ii) such information is considered part of this prospectus supplement. The following documents (File No. 001-18298, except as indicated otherwise) are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed furnished and not filed in accordance with the SEC rules, including pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 on Form 8-K, and no such information shall be deemed specifically incorporated by reference herein or in the accompanying prospectus):

 

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013;

 

•

the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 from our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; and

 

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•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 7, 2014 and February 7, 2014.

In addition, all documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this offering (other than documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules) shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. The most recent information that we file with the SEC automatically updates and supersedes older information. The information contained in any such filing will be deemed to be a part of this prospectus supplement, commencing on the date on which the document is filed. Nothing in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate by reference information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC.

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus is delivered a copy of any or all of the information that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, at no cost to the requestor. To receive a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, other than exhibits, unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents, call or write:

Kemper Corporation

One East Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60601

Attention: Investor Relations

Tel: (312) 661-4930

 

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PROSPECTUS

KEMPER CORPORATION

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

 

 

We may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more offerings, in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of any such offering:

 

•

common stock;

 

•

preferred stock;

 

•

debt securities; and

 

•

warrants.

We will provide the specific terms of any offering and the offered securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus at the time of offering. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement as well as the documents incorporated by reference in such documents carefully before you make your investment decision.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “KMPR.” Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange.

We may offer securities through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters, or directly to purchasers. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, please see “Plan of Distribution” on page 16 of this prospectus.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks, including those described under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus. You should carefully read and consider these risk factors and the risk factors included in our periodic reports, in any prospectus supplement relating to specific offerings of securities and in other documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is February 19, 2014.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
About This Prospectus			ii
Kemper Corporation			1
Risk Factors			2
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			3
Use of Proceeds			6
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and to Combined Fixed Charges and Preference Security Dividends			6
Description of Securities			7
Description of Capital Stock			7
Description of Debt Securities			11
Description of Warrants			14
Plan of Distribution			16
Legal Matters			16
Experts			16
Where You Can Find More Information			16

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of an “automatic shelf” registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell, from time to time, an indeterminate amount of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer, which is not meant to be a complete description of each security. Each time that we sell securities, a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of that offering will be provided, including the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities offered and the manner in which they will be offered. The prospectus supplement and any other offering material may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We urge you to read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and any other offering material (including any free writing prospectus) prepared by or on behalf of us for a specific offering of securities, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 16 of this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer to sell or soliciting an offer to purchase these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, as used in this prospectus, the words “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” or “Kemper” refer to Kemper Corporation. In “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” such terms refer to Kemper Corporation and its subsidiaries.

You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus is accurate on any date other than the date on the front cover of such documents or that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is delivered or securities are sold on a later date. Neither the delivery of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement nor any distribution of securities pursuant to such documents shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the information set forth in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or in our affairs since the date of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

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KEMPER CORPORATION

We are a diversified insurance holding company whose primary source of funds for the payment of interest and principal on our obligations or dividends to our shareholders is dividends from our subsidiaries. The amount of dividend distributions to us from our insurance subsidiaries may be restricted by state insurance laws and regulations as administered by state insurance departments. We were incorporated in Delaware in 1990.

Through our subsidiaries, we are engaged in the property, casualty, life and health insurance businesses. We conduct our operations through four operating segments: Kemper Preferred, Kemper Specialty, Kemper Direct and Life and Health Insurance.

Our property and casualty insurance business operations are primarily conducted through the Kemper Preferred, Kemper Specialty and Kemper Direct segments. The Kemper Preferred segment primarily provides preferred and standard risk personal automobile insurance and homeowners insurance through independent agents. The Kemper Specialty segment provides personal and commercial automobile insurance to individuals and businesses in the non-standard market through independent agents. The non-standard automobile insurance market consists of individuals and companies that have difficulty obtaining standard or preferred risk insurance, usually because of their adverse driving records or claim or credit histories. Kemper Direct underwrites a broad spectrum of personal automobile insurance risks, ranging from preferred to non-standard. Kemper Direct also offers homeowners and renters insurance complementing its automobile insurance business. It currently distributes its products through employer-sponsored voluntary benefit programs and other affinity relationships. The Life and Health Insurance segment provides individual life, accident, health and property insurance.

On February 11, 2014, Kemper announced that it is realigning its property and casualty insurance business. This realignment will result in one Property and Casualty Insurance segment for financial reporting purposes beginning with the first quarter of 2014. Accordingly, Kemper Preferred, Kemper Specialty and Kemper Direct will no longer be reported as business segments beginning with the first quarter of 2014.

Our principal executive offices are located at One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601, and our telephone number is (312) 661-4600. Our website is kemper.com. The content of our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risk. Before you decide whether to purchase any of our securities, in addition to the other information, documents or reports included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or other offering materials, you should carefully consider the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in (i) any prospectus supplement; (ii) our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K; and (iii) any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed subsequently to such Annual Report on Form 10-K, each of which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement in its entirety, and as the same may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by our filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. For more information, see the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 16 of this prospectus. These risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment. Furthermore, additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also affect our operations.

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein may contain information that includes or is based on forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events. The reader can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “believe(s),” “goal(s),” “target(s),” “estimate(s),” “anticipate(s),” “forecast(s),” “project(s),” “plan(s),” “intend(s),” “expect(s),” “might,” “may” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating, financial performance or financial condition. Forward-looking statements, in particular, include statements relating to future actions, prospective services or products, future performance or results of current and anticipated services or products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, trends in operations and financial results.

Any or all forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong, and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date such statements were first made. These statements are based on current expectations and the current economic environment. They involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These statements are not guarantees of future performance; actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many such factors will be important in determining our actual future results and financial condition. The reader should consider the following list of general factors that could affect our future results and financial condition, as well as those discussed under Item 1A., Risk Factors, in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by Item 1A., Risk Factors, in Part II – Other Information of any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Among the general factors that could cause actual results and financial condition to differ materially from estimated results and financial condition are:

Factors related to the legal and regulatory environment in which Kemper and its subsidiaries operate

 

•

developments in, and outcomes of, initiatives by state officials that could result in significant changes to unclaimed property laws and claims handling practices with respect to life insurance policies, especially to the extent that such initiatives result in retroactive application of new requirements to existing life insurance policy contracts;

 

•

adverse outcomes in litigation or other legal or regulatory proceedings involving Kemper or its subsidiaries or affiliates;

 

•

governmental actions, including, but not limited to, implementation of the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection, the Risk Management and Own Risk and Solvency Assessment Model Act and other new laws, regulations or court decisions interpreting existing laws and regulations or policy provisions;

 

•

uncertainties related to regulatory approval of insurance rates, policy forms, license applications and similar matters;

Factors relating to insurance claims and related reserves in the Company’s insurance businesses

 

•

the incidence, frequency, and severity of catastrophes occurring in any particular reporting period or geographic area, including natural disasters, pandemics and terrorist attacks or other man-made events;

 

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•

the number and severity of insurance claims (including those associated with catastrophe losses) and their impact on the adequacy of loss reserves;

 

•

changes in facts and circumstances affecting assumptions used in determining loss and loss adjustment expenses reserves;

 

•

the impact of inflation on insurance claims, including, but not limited to, the effects attributed to scarcity of resources available to rebuild damaged structures, including labor and materials and the amount of salvage value recovered for damaged property;

 

•

developments related to insurance policy claims and coverage issues, including, but not limited to, interpretations or decisions by courts or regulators that may govern or influence losses incurred in connection with hurricanes and other catastrophes;

 

•

orders, interpretations or other actions by regulators that impact the reporting, adjustment and payment of claims;

 

•

changes in the pricing or availability of reinsurance, or in the financial condition of reinsurers and amounts recoverable therefrom;

Factors related to the Company’s ability to compete

 

•

changes in the ratings by rating agencies of Kemper and/or its insurance company subsidiaries with regard to credit, financial strength, claims paying ability and other areas on which the Company is rated;

 

•

the level of success and costs incurred in realizing economies of scale and implementing significant business consolidations, reorganizations and technology initiatives;

 

•

absolute and relative performance of the Company’s products or services;

Factors relating to the business environment in which Kemper and its subsidiaries operate

 

•

changes in general economic conditions, including performance of financial markets, interest rates, unemployment rates and fluctuating values of particular investments held by the Company;

 

•

absolute and relative performance of investments held by the Company;

 

•

heightened competition, including, with respect to pricing, entry of new competitors, introduction of new technologies, refinements of existing products and the development of new products by new and existing competitors;

 

•

changes in industry trends and significant industry developments;

 

•

changes in capital requirements, including the calculations thereof, used by regulators and rating agencies;

 

•

regulatory, accounting or tax changes that may affect the cost of, or demand for, the Company’s products or services or after-tax returns from the Company’s investments;

 

•

the impact of required participation in windpools and joint underwriting associations, residual market assessments and assessments for insurance industry insolvencies;

 

•

changes in distribution channels, methods or costs resulting from changes in laws or regulations, lawsuits or market forces;

 

•

increased costs and risks related to data security; and

 

•

other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in Kemper’s filings with the SEC.

 

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While we believe that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the results contemplated in any forward-looking statements will be achieved or will be achieved in any particular timetable or that future events or developments will not cause such statements to be inaccurate. All forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any changes in events or circumstances or in our expectations or results.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds of any offering of our securities for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including acquisitions, repayment or refinancing of debt, stock repurchases, investments in our subsidiaries and other business opportunities. We will have significant discretion in the use of any net proceeds. We may provide additional information on the use of the net proceeds from the sale of our securities in an applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials relating to the offered securities.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE SECURITY DIVIDENDS

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. No shares of our preferred stock were outstanding during such periods. Accordingly, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preference security dividends is not separately stated from the ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011				2010				2009
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(1)			7.8x				3.8x				2.2x				5.4x				5.4x

 

(1)

The ratios of earnings to fixed charges have been computed on a consolidated basis by dividing (a) Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes less Equity in Earnings of Equity Method Limited Liability Investments, plus Distribution of Accumulated Earnings of Equity Method Limited Liability Investments, plus fixed charges, and less capitalized interest, by (b) fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest on debt and a factor for interest included in rent expense. Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes has the meaning as set forth in the Consolidated Statements of Income included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Equity in Earnings of Equity Method Limited Liability Investments and Distribution of Accumulated Earnings of Equity Method Limited Liability Investments have the meanings as set forth in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants that we may offer and sell from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. At the time of an offering and sale, this prospectus, together with the accompanying prospectus supplement, will contain the material terms of the securities being offered.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.10 per share, and 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.10 per share, of which 100,000 shares have been designated Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. No preferred stock is outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. As of December 31, 2013, there were 55,653,437 shares of our common stock outstanding, and 11,298,441 shares reserved for issuance pursuant to our 2011 Omnibus Equity Plan and predecessor plans. The following is a summary description of the material terms and provisions relating to our capital stock, certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), but is qualified by reference to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, copies of which are filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Common Stock

Voting Rights. Each holder of shares of our common stock is entitled to attend all special and annual meetings of our shareholders. The holders of our common stock have one vote for each share held on all matters voted upon by our shareholders, including the election of directors to our Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”). Other than the election of directors, if an action is to be taken by vote of our shareholders at a meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is present, it will be decided by a majority of the votes cast with respect to such matter, unless a different vote is required under our Certificate of Incorporation or the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). In an election of directors at a meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is present, a nominee for director shall be elected to the Board of Directors if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election, provided, however, in the event the number of nominees for director is greater than the number of directors to be elected, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast.

Dividends. Except for any preferential rights of holders of any preferred stock that may then be issued and outstanding and any other class or series of stock having a preference over the common stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends as and when declared by our Board of Directors, from legally available funds.

Liquidation and Dissolution. In the event of our liquidation or dissolution, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably all assets available for distribution to shareholders after the payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any outstanding preferred stock.

Other Rights. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future. Each outstanding share of common stock includes an attached right under Kemper’s shareholder rights plan, as described in more detail under the heading “Shareholder Rights Plan” on page 10 of this prospectus.

Listing. The common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol “KMPR.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

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Preferred Stock

Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our Board of Directors to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, with such distinctive designation or title and in such number of shares as may be authorized by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors is authorized to prescribe the relative rights and preferences of each series, and the limitations applicable thereto, including but not limited to the following: (i) the voting powers, full, special, or limited, or no voting powers, of each such series; (ii) the rate, terms and conditions on which dividends will be paid, whether such dividends will be cumulative, and what preference such dividends shall have in relation to the dividends on other series or classes of stock; (iii) the rights, terms and conditions, if any, for conversion of such series of preferred stock into shares of other series or classes of stock; (iv) any right of the Company to redeem the shares of such series of preferred stock, and the price, time, and conditions of such redemption, including the provisions for any sinking fund; and (v) the rights of holders of such series of preferred stock in relation to the rights of other series and classes of stock upon the liquidation, dissolution or distribution of our assets. Unless otherwise provided by our Board of Directors, upon redemption or conversion, shares of preferred stock will revert to authorized but unissued shares and may be reissued as shares of any series of preferred stock. As of the date of this prospectus, 100,000 shares of preferred stock have been designated Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and no shares of preferred stock are outstanding.

Certain Statutory, Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaw Provisions Affecting Shareholders

Various provisions of the DGCL and our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, as well as the shareholder rights plan adopted by Kemper and described below, could have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of Kemper. These provisions, which are summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of Kemper to first negotiate with our Board of Directors.

The summary set forth below describes certain provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, copies of which are filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaw Provisions

Special Meetings of Shareholders. Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws do not grant the shareholders the right to call a special meeting of shareholders. Under our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, special meetings of shareholders may be called only by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office.

No Shareholder Action by Written Consent. Our Certificate of Incorporation also provides that shareholders may not take any action by written consent.

Advance Notice Requirements. Our Bylaws set forth advance notice procedures with regard to shareholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or other business to be presented at meetings of shareholders. These procedures provide that notice of such shareholder proposals must be timely given in writing to the Secretary of Kemper prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. Generally, to be timely, notice must be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of Kemper not less than 60 nor more than 90 days prior to the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. The notice must contain specified information concerning the person to be nominated or the business to be brought before the meeting and concerning the shareholder submitting the proposal. The advance notice requirement does not give the Board of Directors any power to approve or disapprove shareholder director nominations or proposals but may have the effect of precluding the consideration of such nominations or proposals at a meeting if the proper notice procedures are not followed.

 

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Blank Check Preferred Stock. Our preferred stock could be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect in that, if a hostile takeover situation should arise, shares of preferred stock could be issued to purchasers sympathetic with our management or others in such a way as to render more difficult or to discourage a merger, tender offer, proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of our securities or the removal of incumbent management.

The effects of the issuance of one or more series of the preferred stock on the holders of our common stock could include:

 

•

reduction of the amount otherwise available for payments of dividends on common stock if dividends are payable on the series of preferred stock;

 

•

restrictions on dividends on our common stock if dividends on the series of preferred stock are in arrears;

 

•

dilution of the voting power of our common stock if the series of preferred stock has voting rights, including a possible “veto” power if the series of preferred stock has class voting rights;

 

•

dilution of the equity interest of holders of our common stock if the series of preferred stock is convertible, and is converted, into our common stock; and

 

•

restrictions on the rights of holders of our common stock to share in our assets upon liquidation until satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of the series of preferred stock.

Business Combinations

Article Seven of the Certificate of Incorporation places certain restrictions on the following transactions with a direct or indirect beneficial owner (including certain former beneficial owners and successors to such beneficial owners) of more than 15% of the voting power of Kemper’s outstanding voting stock (an “Interested Shareholder”):

 

•

any merger or consolidation of Kemper or any subsidiary with any Interested Shareholder or any other person (whether or not itself an Interested Shareholder) which is, or after such merger or consolidation would be, an affiliate of an Interested Shareholder; or

 

•

any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) to or with any Interested Shareholder or any affiliate of any Interested Shareholder of any assets of Kemper or any subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value of $10,000,000 or more; or

 

•

the issuance or transfer by Kemper or any subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of any securities of Kemper or any subsidiary to any Interested Shareholder or any affiliate of any Interested Shareholder in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $10,000,000 or more; or

 

•

the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of Kemper proposed by or on behalf of any Interested Shareholder or any affiliate of any Interested Shareholder; or

 

•

any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split or recapitalization of Kemper) or any merger or consolidation of Kemper with any of its subsidiaries or any other transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving any Interested Shareholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or convertible securities of Kemper or any subsidiary beneficially owned by any Interested Shareholder or any affiliate of any Interested Shareholder.

We may only enter into one of the transactions described above if:

 

•

the transaction has been approved by a majority of our “continuing directors,” being (A) members of our original Board of Directors, (B) persons unaffiliated with an Interested Shareholder who were

 

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members of the Board of Directors prior to such person or entity becoming an Interested Shareholder, or (C) successors of continuing directors who were recommended to succeed continuing directors by a majority of continuing directors then on the Board of Directors; or

 

•

(A) the transaction has been approved by the affirmative vote of 75% of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock, voting together as a single class, (B) the consideration to be received by the holders of each class or series of our capital stock is not less than the highest price paid by the Interested Shareholder for any shares of such class or series during the preceding 24 months, and (C) is either in cash or in the form of consideration previously used by the Interested Shareholder to acquire the largest number of shares of such class or series previously acquired by such Interested Shareholder, and certain other conditions have been met.

Business Combination Statute

We are a Delaware corporation and consequently are also subject to certain anti-takeover provisions of the DGCL. Subject to certain exceptions, Section 203 of the DGCL prevents a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with any “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that the person became an interested shareholder, unless the interested shareholder attained such status with the approval of our Board of Directors or unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes, among other things, a merger or consolidation involving the Company or one of its subsidiaries and the “interested shareholder” or the sale of more than 10% of Kemper’s assets. In general, an “interested shareholder” is any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of Kemper’s outstanding voting stock and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person. Section 203 makes it more difficult for an interested shareholder to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period. This statute could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts not approved in advance by our Board of Directors, and as a result could discourage attempts to acquire the Company, which could depress the market price of its common stock.

Shareholder Rights Plan

On August 4, 2004, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of one right for each outstanding share of our common stock to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 16, 2004 and the attachment of one right for each subsequently issued share of common stock. Subject to adjustment, each right entitles the holder to purchase one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $150 per right. The description and terms of the rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement dated August 4, 2004 (as amended May 4, 2006 and October 9, 2006, the “Rights Agreement”) between Kemper and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as successor Rights Agent.

Generally, if a person or group acquires 15% or more (22% or more in the case of our existing shareholder, Singleton Group LLC, and certain related persons) of our outstanding shares of common stock (or upon occurrence of certain other events), the rights (other than those held by the acquiring person) become exercisable and generally entitle the holder to purchase shares of our common stock at a 50% discount. The rights, which expire on August 4, 2014, are redeemable by us at a redemption price of $0.01 per right.

The rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The rights will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire our company in certain circumstances. Accordingly, the existence of the rights may deter certain acquirors from making takeover proposals or tender offers. However, the rights are not intended to prevent a takeover, but rather are designed to enhance the ability of our Board of Directors to negotiate with a potential acquiror on behalf of all of the shareholders.

The foregoing description of the rights is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may offer debt securities in one or more series which may be senior or subordinated and which may be convertible into another security. The following description briefly sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to the debt securities, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, our debt securities will be issued in one or more series under an indenture anticipated to be entered into between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. A form of the indenture is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The terms of the debt securities will include those set forth in the indenture and the applicable supplemental indenture, if any, and those made a part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”). You should read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplement and the provisions of the indenture and the applicable supplemental indenture, if any, in their entirety before investing in our debt securities.

The aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under the indenture is unlimited. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the debt securities. These terms may include the following:

 

•

the title and aggregate principal amount of the debt securities and any limit on the aggregate principal amount;

 

•

whether the debt securities will be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated;

 

•

any applicable subordination provisions for any subordinated debt securities;

 

•

the maturity date(s) or method for determining same;

 

•

the interest rate(s) or the method for determining same;

 

•

the dates on which interest will accrue or the method for determining dates on which interest will accrue and dates on which interest will be payable and whether interest shall be payable in cash or additional securities;

 

•

whether the debt securities are convertible or exchangeable into other securities and any related terms and conditions;

 

•

redemption or early repayment provisions;

 

•

authorized denominations, if other than denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

•

if other than the principal amount, the principal amount of debt securities payable upon acceleration;

 

•

place(s) where payment of principal and interest may be made, where debt securities may be presented and where notices or demands upon us may be made;

 

•

whether such debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and the date as of which the securities are dated if other than the date of original issuance;

 

•

amount of discount or premium, if any, with which such debt securities will be issued;

 

•

any covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;

 

•

any additions or changes in the defaults and events of default applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;

 

•

the guarantors, if any, of the debt securities and the terms of the guarantors’ guarantees of the debt securities (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination and release of the guarantees), if any;

 

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•

the currency, currencies or currency units in which the purchase price for, the principal of and any premium and any interest on, such debt securities will be payable;

 

•

the time period within which, the manner in which and the terms and conditions upon which the holders of the debt securities or we can select the payment currency;

 

•

our obligation or right to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities under a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision;

 

•

any restriction or conditions on the transferability of the debt securities;

 

•

whether the debt securities will be secured or unsecured and, if the debt securities are to be secured, the terms on which the debt securities will be so secured;

 

•

provisions granting special rights to holders of the debt securities upon occurrence of specified events;

 

•

additions or changes relating to compensation or reimbursement of the trustee of the series of debt securities;

 

•

additions or changes to the provisions for the defeasance of the debt securities or to provisions related to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;

 

•

provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture and the execution of supplemental indentures for such series; and

 

•

any other terms of the debt securities (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the TIA, but may modify, amend, supplement or delete any of the terms of the indenture with respect to such series debt securities).

General

We may sell the debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at par or at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series or any other series outstanding at the time of issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of securities under the indenture.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any other special considerations for any debt securities we sell which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars. In addition, debt securities may be issued where the amount of principal and/or interest payable is determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or other factors. Holders of such securities may receive a principal amount or a payment of interest that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending upon the value of the applicable currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest, if any, payable on any date, the currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors to which the amount payable on such date is linked.

United States federal income tax consequences and special considerations, if any, applicable to any such series will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

We expect most debt securities to be issued in fully registered form without coupons. Subject to the limitations provided in the indenture and in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities that are issued in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the designated corporate trust office of the trustee, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

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Global Securities

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities will be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any debt securities of a series and the rights of and limitations upon owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York.

Concerning the Trustee

We anticipate appointing the trustee under the indenture as the paying agent, conversion agent, registrar and custodian with regard to the debt securities. The trustee and/or its affiliates may provide banking, trust and other services to us in the ordinary course of their respective businesses.

There may be more than one trustee under the indenture, each with respect to one or more series of debt securities. If there are different trustees for different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee under the indenture. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, any action permitted to be taken by a trustee may be taken by such trustee only with respect to the one or more series of debt securities for which it is the trustee under the indenture.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

This section describes the general terms and provisions of warrants to acquire our securities that we may issue from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any warrant agreement and the warrants issuable thereunder. If any particular terms of the warrants described in the prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed superseded by that prospectus supplement.

We may issue warrants for the purchase of our debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and they may be attached to or separate from the other securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement that we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, as detailed in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation, or agency or trust relationship, with you. We will file a copy of the warrant and warrant agreement with the SEC each time we issue a series of warrants, and these warrants and warrant agreements will be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. A holder of our warrants should refer to the provisions of the applicable warrant agreement and prospectus supplement for more specific information.

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants will describe the terms of those warrants, including, when applicable:

 

•

the offering price;

 

•

the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of the warrants may be payable;

 

•

the number of warrants offered;

 

•

the securities underlying the warrants, including the securities of third parties or other rights, if any, to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing, purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

•

the exercise price and the amount of securities you will receive upon exercise;

 

•

the procedure for exercise of the warrants and the circumstances, if any, that will cause the warrants to be automatically exercised;

 

•

the rights, if any, we have to redeem the warrants;

 

•

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the warrants will expire;

 

•

the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security;

 

•

the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

•

U.S. federal income tax consequences;

 

•

the name of the warrant agent; and

 

•

any other material terms of the warrants.

After your warrants expire they will become void. All warrants will be issued in registered form. The prospectus supplement may provide for the adjustment of the exercise price of the warrants.

 

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Warrants may be exercised at the appropriate office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of warrants, holders will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon exercise and will not be entitled to payments made to holders of those securities.

The applicable warrant agreement may be amended or supplemented without the consent of the holders of the warrants to which it applies to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of warrants will not be effective unless the holders of at least a majority of the applicable warrants then outstanding approve the amendment. Every holder of an outstanding warrant at the time any amendment becomes effective, by continuing to hold the warrant, will be bound by the applicable warrant agreement as amended. The prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of warrants may provide that certain provisions of the warrants, including the securities for which they may be exercisable, the exercise price and the expiration date, may not be altered without the consent of the holder of each warrant.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

•

to underwriters for resale to purchasers;

 

•

directly to purchasers; or

 

•

through agents or dealers to purchasers.

In addition, Kemper may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. If so, the third parties may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.

We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation, in a prospectus supplement.

LEGAL MATTERS

In connection with particular offerings of securities, unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of those securities will be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Chicago, Illinois. Any underwriters will also be advised about legal matters by their own counsel, which will be named in the prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedules, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Kemper’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and the effectiveness of Kemper’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements and financial statement schedules have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits filed as part of the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the securities being offered, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits filed as a part of the registration statement. Statements contained in the prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or any other document are not necessarily complete. If a contract or document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC, we refer you to the copy of the contract or document that has been filed. Each statement in this prospectus relating to a contract or document is qualified in all respects by reference to the contract or document to which it refers. In addition, we file annual, quarterly and periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The public may read and copy any materials we file with

 

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the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Our SEC filings are accessible through the Internet at that website. Our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, and amendments to those reports, are also available for download, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after these reports are filed with the SEC, at our website at kemper.com. The content of our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that (i) we can disclose important information to you by referring you to such information in documents we have filed with the SEC and (ii) such information is considered part of this prospectus. The following documents (File No. 1-18298, except as indicated otherwise) are incorporated by reference into this prospectus (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed furnished and not filed in accordance with the SEC rules, including pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 on Form 8-K, and no such information shall be deemed specifically incorporated by reference herein or in any accompanying prospectus supplement):

 

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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013;

 

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the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 from our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders;

 

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our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 7, 2014 and February 7, 2014;

 

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the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC on February 16, 1990 (File. No. 0-18298), including all amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description; and

 

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the description of our Preferred Share Purchase Rights pursuant to Rights Agreement contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on August 6, 2004, including all amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

In addition, all documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering (other than documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules) shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The most recent information that we file with the SEC automatically updates and supersedes older information. The information contained in any such filing will be deemed to be a part of this prospectus, commencing on the date on which the document is filed. Nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate by reference information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC.

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered a copy of any or all of the information that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus, at no cost to the requestor. To receive a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, other than exhibits, unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents, call or write:

Kemper Corporation

One East Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60601

Attention: Investor Relations

Tel: (312) 661-4930

 

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$            

Kemper Corporation

    % Subordinated Debentures due 2054

 

 

Prospectus Supplement

                    , 2014

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

J.P. Morgan

Wells Fargo Securities