Lincoln National Corp--Form 10-Q

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008.

 

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

For the transition period from              to             .

Commission File Number 1-6028

 

 

LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

    Indiana           35-1140070    

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

    150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Radnor, Pennsylvania           19087    
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

    (484) 583-1400    

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

    Not Applicable    

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report

 

 

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

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

(Check one): Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non- accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨

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

As of August 1, 2008, there were 256,827,934 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 

 

 


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except share data)

 

     As of
June 30,
2008
    As of
December 31,
2007
     (Unaudited)      

ASSETS

    

Investments:

    

Available-for-sale securities, at fair value:

    

Fixed maturity (amortized cost: 2008 - $56,553; 2007 - $56,069)

   $ 54,518     $ 56,276

Equity (cost: 2008 - $617; 2007 - $548)

     464       518

Trading securities

     2,550       2,730

Mortgage loans on real estate

     7,678       7,423

Real estate

     136       258

Policy loans

     2,802       2,835

Derivative investments

     890       807

Other investments

     1,163       1,075
              

Total investments

     70,201       71,922

Cash and invested cash

     1,921       1,665

Deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired

     10,608       9,580

Premiums and fees receivable

     399       401

Accrued investment income

     876       843

Reinsurance recoverables

     8,220       8,237

Goodwill

     4,045       4,144

Other assets

     2,716       3,530

Separate account assets

     85,295       91,113
              

Total assets

   $ 184,281     $ 191,435
              

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Liabilities

    

Future contract benefits

   $ 16,218     $ 16,007

Other contract holder funds

     60,363       59,640

Short-term debt

     900       550

Long-term debt

     4,102       4,618

Reinsurance related derivative liability

     112       220

Funds withheld reinsurance liabilities

     2,069       2,117

Deferred gain on indemnity reinsurance

     658       696

Payables for collateral under securities loaned and derivatives

     1,490       1,135

Other liabilities

     2,576       3,621

Separate account liabilities

     85,295       91,113
              

Total liabilities

     173,783       179,717
              

Contingencies and Commitments (See Note 9)

    

Stockholders’ Equity

    

Series A preferred stock - 10,000,000 shares authorized

     —         —  

Common stock - 800,000,000 shares authorized; 256,801,622 and 264,233,303 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively

     7,023       7,200

Retained earnings

     4,283       4,293

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (808 )     225
              

Total stockholders’ equity

     10,498       11,718
              

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 184,281     $ 191,435
              

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in millions, except per share data)

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
     2008     2007    2008     2007
     (Unaudited)

Revenues

         

Insurance premiums

   $ 530     $ 489    $ 1,039     $ 948

Insurance fees

     842       742      1,654       1,506

Investment advisory fees

     76       93      152       183

Net investment income

     1,077       1,133      2,142       2,223

Realized gain (loss)

     (108 )     7      (143 )     41

Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance

     19       26      38       45

Other revenues and fees

     146       181      292       346
                             

Total revenues

     2,582       2,671      5,174       5,292
                             

Benefits and Expenses

         

Interest credited

     613       606      1,225       1,206

Benefits

     684       651      1,362       1,244

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

     847       816      1,656       1,625

Interest and debt expense

     65       73      140       135

Impairment of intangibles

     173       —        173       —  
                             

Total benefits and expenses

     2,382       2,146      4,556       4,210
                             

Income from continuing operations before taxes

     200       525      618       1,082

Federal income taxes

     75       155      200       324
                             

Income from continuing operations

     125       370      418       758

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of federal incomes taxes

     —         6      (4 )     14
                             

Net income

   $ 125     $ 376    $ 414     $ 772
                             

Earnings Per Common Share – Basic

         

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.48     $ 1.37    $ 1.61     $ 2.78

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     —         0.02      (0.02 )     0.05
                             

Net income

   $ 0.48     $ 1.39    $ 1.59     $ 2.83
                             

Earnings Per Common Share – Diluted

         

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.48     $ 1.35    $ 1.60     $ 2.74

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     —         0.02      (0.02 )     0.05
                             

Net income

   $ 0.48     $ 1.37    $ 1.58     $ 2.79
                             

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in millions, except per share data)

 

     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007  
     (Unaudited)  

Series A Preferred Stock

    

Balance at beginning-of-year

   $ —       $ 1  
                

Balance at end-of-period

     —         1  
                

Common Stock

    

Balance at beginning-of-year

     7,200       7,449  

Issued for acquisition

     —         20  

Stock compensation

     41       85  

Deferred compensation payable in stock

     3       4  

Retirement of common stock/cancellation of shares

     (221 )     (195 )
                

Balance at end-of-period

     7,023       7,363  
                

Retained Earnings

    

Balance at beginning-of-year

     4,293       4,138  

Cumulative effect of adoption of SOP 05-1

     —         (41 )

Cumulative effect of adoption of FIN 48

     —         (15 )

Cumulative effect of adoption of EITF 06-10

     (4 )     —    

Comprehensive income (loss)

     (619 )     308  

Less other comprehensive loss, net of tax

     (1,033 )     (464 )
                

Net income

     414       772  

Retirement of common stock

     (205 )     (317 )

Dividends declared: Common (2008 - $.83; 2007 - $ .79)

     (215 )     (214 )
                

Balance at end-of-period

     4,283       4,323  
                

Net Unrealized Gain on Available-for-Sale Securities

    

Balance at beginning-of-year

     86       493  

Change during the period

     (1,025 )     (476 )
                

Balance at end-of-period

     (939 )     17  
                

Net Unrealized Gain on Derivative Instruments

    

Balance at beginning-of-year

     53       39  

Change during the period

     (12 )     (4 )
                

Balance at end-of-period

     41       35  
                

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment

    

Balance at beginning-of-year

     175       165  

Change during the period

     2       16  
                

Balance at end-of-period

     177       181  
                

Funded Status of Employee Benefit Plans

    

Balance at beginning-of-year

     (89 )     (84 )

Change during the period

     2       —    
                

Balance at end-of-period

     (87 )     (84 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity at end-of-period

   $ 10,498     $ 11,836  
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

 

     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007  
     (Unaudited)  
Cash Flows from Operating Activities     

Net income

   $ 414     $ 772  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired deferrals and interest, net of amortization

     (357 )     (484 )

Trading securities purchases, sales and maturities, net

     96       218  

Change in derivative investments

     (7 )     (8 )

Change in premiums and fees receivable

     2       (76 )

Change in accrued investment income

     (33 )     5  

Change in reinsurance recoverables

     17       (120 )

Change in future contract benefits

     223       196  

Change in other contract holder funds

     183       895  

Change in funds withheld reinsurance liability

     (48 )     61  

Change in federal income tax accruals

     (230 )     295  

Change in net periodic benefit accruals

     —         (4 )

Realized (gain) loss

     143       (41 )

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations

     12       —    

Impairment of intangibles

     173       —    

Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance

     (38 )     (45 )

Stock-based compensation expense

     19       29  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net

     24       15  

Other

     (142 )     (319 )
                

Net adjustments

     37       617  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     451       1,389  
                

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

    

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

     (3,615 )     (7,995 )

Sales of available-for-sale securities

     1,014       5,206  

Maturities of available-for-sale securities

     1,924       2,125  

Purchases of other investments

     (1,213 )     (1,251 )

Sales or maturities of other investments

     914       1,157  

Increase (decrease) in payables for collateral under securities loaned and derivatives

     355       (132 )

Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries/businesses and disposal of discontinued operations

     644       —    

Other

     (53 )     10  
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (30 )     (880 )
                

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

    

Payment of long-term debt, including current maturities

     (100 )     (553 )

Issuance of long-term debt

     —         750  

Issuance (decrease) in commercial paper

     (65 )     30  

Deposits of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable

     4,913       4,500  

Withdrawals of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable

     (2,787 )     (4,071 )

Transfers to and from separate accounts, net

     (1,233 )     (1,131 )

Maturities of funding agreements

     (300 )     —    

Common stock issued for benefit plans and excess tax benefits

     25       62  

Repurchase of common stock

     (401 )     (512 )

Dividends paid to stockholders

     (217 )     (216 )
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (165 )     (1,141 )
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and invested cash

     256       (632 )

Cash and invested cash at beginning-of-year

     1,665       1,621  
                

Cash and invested cash at end-of-period

   $ 1,921     $ 989  
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

4


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Nature of Operations

Lincoln National Corporation and its majority-owned subsidiaries (“LNC” or the “Company,” which also may be referred to as “we,” “our” or “us”) operate multiple insurance and investment management businesses through six business segments, see Note 16. The collective group of businesses uses “Lincoln Financial Group” as its marketing identity. Through our business segments, we sell a wide range of wealth protection, accumulation and retirement income products and solutions. These products include institutional and/or retail fixed and indexed annuities, variable annuities, universal life insurance, term life insurance, mutual funds and managed accounts.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions for the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Therefore, the information contained in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (“2007 Form 10-K”), should be read in connection with the reading of these interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.

In the opinion of management, these statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s results. Operating results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2008. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Certain amounts reported in prior periods’ consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted in the current year. These reclassifications have no effect on net income or stockholders’ equity of the prior periods.

We have reclassified the results of certain derivatives and embedded derivatives to realized gain (loss), which were previously reported within insurance fees, net investment income, interest credited or benefits. The associated amortization expense of deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) and value of business acquired (“VOBA”) (previously reported within underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses), deferred sales inducements (“DSI”) (previously reported within interest credited), deferred front-end loads (“DFEL”) (previously reported within insurance fees) and changes in contract holder funds (previously reported within benefits) have also been reclassified to realized gain (loss).

The detail of the reclassifications from what was previously reported in prior period financial statements (in millions) was as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
    For the
Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2007
 
   March 31,
2008
    June 30,
2007
   

Realized gain (loss), as previously reported

   $ (38 )   $ (5 )   $ 22  

Effect of reclassifications to:

      

Insurance fees

     32       16       31  

Net investment income

     (97 )     37       36  

Interest credited

     102       (25 )     (30 )

Benefits

     (13 )     (5 )     (1 )

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

     (21 )     (11 )     (17 )
                        

Realized gain (loss), as adjusted

   $ (35 )   $ 7     $ 41  
                        

 

5


2. New Accounting Standards

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 – Fair Value Measurements

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under current accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurement and enhances disclosures about fair value instruments. SFAS 157 retains the exchange price notion, but clarifies that exchange price is the price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell the asset or transfer the liability (exit price) in the principal market, or the most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market, for that asset or liability, as opposed to the price that would be paid to acquire the asset or receive a liability (entry price). Fair value measurement is based on assumptions used by market participants in pricing the asset or liability, which may include inherent risk, restrictions on the sale or use of an asset or non-performance risk, which would include the reporting entity’s own credit risk. SFAS 157 establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three-level hierarchy for fair value measurement is defined as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date. “Blockage discounts” for large holdings of unrestricted financial instruments where quoted prices are readily and regularly available for an identical asset or liability in an active market are prohibited;

 

 

Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date, and fair value can be determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies; and

 

 

Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable inputs in situations where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability and the reporting entity makes estimates and assumptions related to the pricing of the asset or liability, including assumptions regarding risk.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the investment.

We have certain guaranteed benefit features within our annuity products that, prior to January 1, 2008, were recorded using fair value pricing. These benefits will continue to be measured on a fair value basis with the adoption of SFAS 157, utilizing Level 3 inputs and some Level 2 inputs, which are reflective of the hypothetical market participant perspective for fair value measurement, including liquidity assumptions and assumptions regarding the Company’s own credit or non-performance risk. In addition, SFAS 157 expands the disclosure requirements for annual and interim reporting to focus on the inputs used to measure fair value, including those measurements using significant unobservable inputs and the effects of the measurements on earnings. See Note 15 for additional information.

 

6


We adopted SFAS 157 effective January 1, 2008, by recording increases (decreases) to the following categories (in millions) on our consolidated financial statements:

 

Assets

  

DAC

   $ 13  

VOBA

     (8 )

Other assets – DSI

     2  
        

Total assets

   $ 7  
        

Liabilities

  

Other contract holder funds:

  

Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts

   $ (20 )

Embedded derivative instruments – living benefits liabilities

     48  

DFEL

     3  

Other liabilities – income tax liabilities

     (8 )
        

Total liabilities

   $ 23  
        

Revenues

  

Realized loss

   $ (24 )

Federal income tax benefit

     (8 )
        

Loss from continuing operations

   $ (16 )
        

The impact for the first quarter adoption of SFAS 157 to basic and diluted per share amounts was a decrease of $0.06.

FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2 – Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP 157-2”). FSP 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). Accordingly, we did not apply the provisions of SFAS 157 to nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities within the scope of FSP 157-2. Examples of items to which the deferral is applicable include, but are not limited to:

 

 

Nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities initially measured at fair value in a business combination or other new basis event, but not measured at fair value in subsequent periods;

 

 

Reporting units measured at fair value in the goodwill impairment test under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”), and indefinite-lived intangible assets measured at fair value for impairment assessment under SFAS 142;

 

 

Nonfinancial long-lived assets measured at fair value for an impairment assessment under SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”;

 

 

Asset retirement obligations initially measured at fair value under SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”; and

 

 

Nonfinancial liabilities for exit or disposal activities initially measured at fair value under SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.”

SFAS No. 159 – The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”), which allows an entity to make an irrevocable election, on specific election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value. The election to measure an item at fair value may be determined on an instrument by instrument basis, with certain exceptions. If the fair value option is elected, unrealized gains and losses will be recognized in earnings at each subsequent reporting date, and any upfront costs and fees related to the item will be recognized in earnings as incurred. In addition, the presentation and disclosure requirements of SFAS 159 are designed to assist in the comparison between entities that select different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 applies to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with early adoption permitted for an entity that has also elected to apply the provisions of SFAS 157. At the effective date, the fair value option may be elected for eligible items that exist on that date. Effective January 1, 2008, we elected not to adopt the fair value option for any financial assets or liabilities that existed as of January 1, 2008.

 

7


Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 06-10 – Accounting for Collateral Assignment Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements

In March 2007, the FASB Board ratified the consensus reached by the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) in EITF Issue No. 06-10, “Accounting for Collateral Assignment Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements” (“EITF 06-10”). EITF 06-10 requires an employer to recognize a liability related to a collateral assignment split-dollar life insurance arrangement in accordance with SFAS No. 106, “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,” if the employer has agreed to maintain a life insurance policy during the employee’s retirement. In addition, based on the split-dollar arrangement, an asset should be recognized by the employer for the estimated future cash flows to which the employer is entitled. The adoption of EITF 06-10 can be recognized either as a change in accounting principle through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings or through retrospective application to all prior periods. The consensus is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007, including interim periods within those fiscal years.

We maintain collateral assignment split-dollar life insurance arrangements related to frozen policies that are within the scope of EITF 06-10. Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted EITF 06-10 by recording a $4 million cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings, offset by an increase to our liability for postretirement benefits. We also recorded notes receivable for the amounts due to us from participants under the split-dollar arrangements. The recording of the notes receivable did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Derivative Implementation Group Statement 133 Implementation Issue No. E23 – Issues Involving the Application of the Shortcut Method Under Paragraph 68

In December 2007, the FASB issued Derivative Implementation Group (“DIG”) Statement 133 Implementation Issue No. E23, “Issues Involving the Application of the Shortcut Method under Paragraph 68” (“DIG E23”), which gives clarification to the application of the shortcut method of accounting for qualifying fair value hedging relationships involving an interest-bearing financial instrument and/or an interest rate swap, originally outlined in paragraph 68 in SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”). We adopted DIG E23 effective January 1, 2008, for hedging relationships designated on or after that date. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards

SFAS No. 141(R) – Business Combinations

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141(R)”), which is a revision of SFAS No. 141 “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141”). SFAS 141(R) retains the fundamental requirements of SFAS 141, but establishes principles and requirements for the acquirer in a business combination to recognize and measure the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired or the gain from a bargain purchase. The revised statement requires, among other things, that assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree shall be measured at their acquisition-date fair values. For business combinations completed upon adoption of SFAS 141(R), goodwill will be measured as the excess of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, in excess of the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired. Any contingent consideration shall be recognized at the acquisition-date fair value, which improves the accuracy of the goodwill measurement. Under SFAS 141(R), contractual pre-acquisition contingencies will be recognized at their acquisition-date fair values and non-contractual pre-acquisition contingencies will be recognized at their acquisition date fair values if it is more likely than not that the contingency gives rise to an asset or liability. Deferred recognition of pre-acquisition contingencies will no longer be permitted. Acquisition costs will be expensed in the period the costs are incurred, rather than included in the cost of the acquiree, and disclosure requirements will be enhanced to provide users with information to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period on or after December 15, 2008, with earlier adoption prohibited. We will adopt SFAS 141(R) for acquisitions occurring after January 1, 2009.

SFAS No. 160 – Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an Amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51” (“SFAS 160”), which aims to improve the relevance, comparability and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements by establishing accounting and reporting standards surrounding noncontrolling interests, or minority interests, which are the portions of equity in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent. The ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent shall be clearly identified, labeled and presented in the consolidated statement of financial position within equity, but separate from the parent’s equity. The amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling

 

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interest must be clearly identified and presented on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Income. Changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling financial interest in its subsidiary must be accounted for consistently as equity transactions. A parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary changes if the parent purchases additional ownership interests in its subsidiary, sells some of its ownership interests in its subsidiary, the subsidiary reacquires some of its ownership interests or the subsidiary issues additional ownership interests. When a subsidiary is deconsolidated, any retained noncontrolling equity investment in the former subsidiary must be initially measured at fair value. The gain or loss on the deconsolidation of the subsidiary is measured using the fair value of any noncontrolling equity investment rather than the carrying amount of that retained investment. Entities must provide sufficient disclosures that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We will adopt SFAS 160 effective January 1, 2009, and do not expect the adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

FSP FAS No. 140-3 – Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and Repurchase Financing Transactions

In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS No. 140-3, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and Repurchase Financing Transactions” (“FSP 140-3”), regarding the criteria for a repurchase financing to be considered a linked transaction under SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities.” A repurchase financing is a transaction where the buyer (“transferee”) of a financial asset obtains financing from the seller (“transferor”) and transfers the financial asset back to the seller as collateral until the financing is repaid. Under FSP 140-3, the transferor and the transferee shall not separately account for the transfer of a financial asset and a related repurchase financing unless the two transactions have a valid and distinct business or economic purpose for being entered into separately and the repurchase financing does not result in the initial transferor regaining control over the financial asset. In addition, an initial transfer of a financial asset and a repurchase financing entered into contemporaneously with, or in contemplation of, one another, must meet the criteria identified in FSP 140-3 in order to receive separate accounting treatment. FSP 140-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. FSP 140-3 will be applied prospectively to initial transfers and repurchase financings executed on or after the beginning of the fiscal year in which FSP 140-3 is initially applied. Early application is not permitted. We will adopt FSP 140-3 effective January 1, 2009, and do not expect the adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

SFAS No. 161 – Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS 161”), which amends and expands current qualitative and quantitative disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. Enhanced disclosures will include: how and why we use derivative instruments; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS 133; and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect our financial position, financial performance and cash flows. Quantitative disclosures will be enhanced by requiring a tabular format by primary underlying risk and accounting designation for the fair value amount and location of derivative instruments in the financial statements and the amount and location of gains and losses in the financial statements for derivative instruments and related hedged items. The tabular disclosures should improve transparency of derivative positions existing at the end of the reporting period and the effect of using derivatives during the reporting period. SFAS 161 also requires the disclosure of credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments and cross-referencing within the notes to the consolidated financial statements to assist users in locating information about derivative instruments. The amended and expanded disclosure requirements apply to all derivative instruments within the scope of SFAS 133, non-derivative hedging instruments and all hedged items designated and qualifying as hedges under SFAS 133. SFAS 161 is effective prospectively for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We will adopt SFAS 161 effective January 1, 2009, at which time we will include these required enhanced disclosures related to derivative instruments and hedging activities in our financial statements.

FSP FAS No. 142-3 – Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets

In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS No. 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (“FSP 142-3”), which applies to recognized intangible assets accounted for under the guidance in SFAS 142. When developing renewal or extension assumptions in determining the useful life of recognized intangible assets, FSP 142-3 requires an entity to consider its own historical experience in renewing or extending similar arrangements. Absent the historical experience, an entity should use the assumptions a market participant would make when renewing and extending the intangible asset consistent with the highest and best use of the asset by market participants. In addition, FSP 142-3 requires financial statement disclosure regarding the extent to which expected future cash flows associated with the asset are affected by an entity’s intent and/or ability to renew or extend an arrangement. FSP 142-3 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2008, with early adoption prohibited. FSP 142-3 should be applied prospectively to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset acquired after the effective date. In addition, FSP 142-3 requires prospective application of the disclosure

 

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requirements to all intangible assets recognized as of, and subsequent to, the effective date. We will adopt FSP 142-3 on January 1, 2009 and do not expect the adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

SFAS No. 163 – Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts – an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 60

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 163, “Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 60” (“SFAS 163”), which applies to financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance contracts not accounted for as derivative instruments, and issued by entities within the scope of SFAS No. 60, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises.” SFAS 163 changes current accounting practice related to the recognition and measurement of premium revenue and claim liabilities such that premium revenue recognition is linked to the amount of insurance protection and the period in which it is provided, and a claim liability is recognized when it is expected that a claim loss will exceed the unearned premium revenue. In addition, SFAS 163 expands disclosure requirements to include information related to the premium revenue and claim liabilities, as well as information related to the risk-management activities used to evaluate credit deterioration in insured financial obligations. SFAS 163 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and all interim periods within those fiscal years; early application is not permitted. However, the disclosure requirements related to risk-management activities are effective in the first period (including interim periods) beginning after May 2008. We will adopt SFAS 163 effective January 1, 2009, except for the disclosure requirements which, if applicable, will be provided in the third quarter of 2008. Since we do not hold a significant amount of financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance contracts, we expect the adoption of SFAS 163 will not be material to our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

EITF No. 07-5 – Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock

In June 2008, the FASB issued EITF No. 07-5, “Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock” (“EITF 07-5”). EITF 07-5 provides guidance to determine whether an instrument (or an embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock when evaluating the instrument as a derivative under SFAS 133. An instrument that is both indexed to an entity’s own stock and classified in stockholders’ equity in the entity’s statement of financial position is not considered a derivative for the purposes of applying the guidance in SFAS 133. EITF 07-5 provides a two-step process to determine whether an equity-linked instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to its own stock first by evaluating the instrument’s contingent exercise provisions, if any, and second, by evaluating the instrument’s settlement provisions. EITF 07-5 is applicable to outstanding instruments as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the issue is adopted and is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We will adopt EITF 07-5 on January 1, 2009, and do not expect the adoption will be material to our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

 

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3. Dispositions

Discontinued Media Operations

During the fourth quarter of 2007, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our television broadcasting, Charlotte radio and sports programming businesses. These businesses were acquired as part of the Jefferson-Pilot merger on April 3, 2006. The sports programming sale closed on November 30, 2007, the Charlotte radio broadcasting sale closed on January 31, 2008, and the television broadcasting sale closed on March 31, 2008. Accordingly, in the periods prior to the closings, the assets and liabilities of these businesses were reclassified as held-for-sale and were reported within other assets and other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The major classes of assets and liabilities held-for-sale (in millions) were as follows:

 

     As of
June 30,
2008
   As of
December 31,
2007

Goodwill

   $ —      $ 340

Specifically identifiable intangible assets

     —        266

Other

     —        146
             

Total assets held-for-sale

   $ —      $ 752
             

Liabilities held-for-sale

   $ —      $ 354
             

The results of operations of these businesses were reclassified into income (loss) from discontinued operations on our Consolidated Statements of Income, and the amounts (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
     2008    2007    2008     2007

Discontinued Operations Before Disposal

          

Media revenues, net of agency commissions

   $ —      $ 29    $ 22     $ 71
                            

Income from discontinued operations before disposal, before federal income taxes

   $ —      $ 10    $ 8     $ 22

Federal income taxes

     —        4      3       8
                            

Income from discontinued operations before disposal

     —        6      5       14
                            

Disposal

          

Loss on disposal, before federal income taxes

     —        —        (12 )     —  

Federal income tax benefit

     —        —        (3 )     —  
                            

Loss on disposal

     —        —        (9 )     —  
                            

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

   $ —      $ 6    $ (4 )   $ 14
                            

Fixed Income Investment Management Business

During the fourth quarter of 2007, we sold certain institutional taxable fixed income business to an unaffiliated investment management company. Investment Management transferred $12.3 billion of assets under management as part of this transaction. Based upon the assets transferred as of October 31, 2007, the purchase price is expected to be no more than $49 million. We expect this transaction to decrease income from operations, compared to the corresponding periods in 2007, by approximately $3 million, after-tax, per quarter in 2008.

During the fourth quarter of 2007, we received $25 million of the purchase price, with additional scheduled payments over the next three years. During 2007, we recorded an after-tax loss of $2 million on our Consolidated Statements of Income as a result of the goodwill we attributed to this business. Any adjustment to the purchase price, if necessary, will be determined at October 31, 2008. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, we recorded an after-tax gain of $1 million and $3 million, respectively, on our Consolidated Statements of Income related to this transaction.

 

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4. Investments

Available-for-Sale Securities

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of available-for-sale securities (in millions) were as follows:

 

     As of June 30, 2008
     Amortized
Cost
   Gross Unrealized    Fair
Value
      Gains    Losses   

Corporate bonds

   $ 44,160    $ 675    $ 2,216    $ 42,619

U.S. Government bonds

     191      13      1      203

Foreign government bonds

     887      43      23      907

Asset and mortgage-backed securities:

           

Mortgage pass-through securities

     1,712      17      24      1,705

Collateralized mortgage obligations

     6,730      64      418      6,376

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     2,628      21      182      2,467

State and municipal bonds

     142      1      2      141

Redeemable preferred stocks

     103      2      5      100
                           

Total fixed maturity securities

     56,553      836      2,871      54,518

Equity securities

     617      39      192      464
                           

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 57,170    $ 875    $ 3,063    $ 54,982
                           
     As of December 31, 2007
     Amortized
Cost
   Gross Unrealized    Fair
Value
      Gains    Losses   

Corporate bonds

   $ 43,973    $ 1,120    $ 945    $ 44,148

U.S. Government bonds

     205      17      —        222

Foreign government bonds

     979      67      9      1,037

Asset and mortgage-backed securities:

           

Mortgage pass-through securities

     1,226      24      4      1,246

Collateralized mortgage obligations

     6,721      78      130      6,669

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     2,711      49      70      2,690

State and municipal bonds

     151      2      —        153

Redeemable preferred stocks

     103      9      1      111
                           

Total fixed maturity securities

     56,069      1,366      1,159      56,276

Equity securities

     548      13      43      518
                           

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 56,617    $ 1,379    $ 1,202    $ 56,794
                           

 

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The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities by contractual maturities (in millions) were as follows:

 

     As of June 30, 2008
     Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value

Due in one year or less

   $ 1,893    $ 1,901

Due after one year through five years

     12,993      13,049

Due after five years through ten years

     15,715      14,916

Due after ten years

     14,882      14,104
             

Subtotal

     45,483      43,970

Asset and mortgage-backed securities

     11,070      10,548
             

Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities

   $ 56,553    $ 54,518
             

Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or pre-pay obligations.

The fair value and gross unrealized losses of available-for-sale securities (in millions), aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were as follows:

 

     As of June 30, 2008
     Less Than Or Equal
to Twelve Months
   Greater Than
Twelve Months
   Total
     Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Corporate bonds

   $ 17,482    $ 945    $ 6,742    $ 1,271    $ 24,224    $ 2,216

U.S. Government bonds

     37      1      —        —        37      1

Foreign government bonds

     274      8      98      15      372      23

Asset and mortgage-backed securities:

                 

Mortgage pass-through securities

     664      16      67      8      731      24

Collateralized mortgage obligations

     2,024      159      896      259      2,920      418

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     1,082      51      647      131      1,729      182

State and municipal bonds

     55      2      5      —        60      2

Redeemable preferred stocks

     60      5      1      —        61      5
                                         

Total fixed maturity securities

     21,678      1,187      8,456      1,684      30,134      2,871

Equity securities

     350      190      15      2      365      192
                                         

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 22,028    $ 1,377    $ 8,471    $ 1,686    $ 30,499    $ 3,063
                                         

Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position

                    3,320
                     

 

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     As of December 31, 2007
     Less Than Or Equal
to Twelve Months
   Greater Than
Twelve Months
   Total
     Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Corporate bonds

   $ 11,540    $ 679    $ 4,467    $ 266    $ 16,007    $ 945

U.S. Government bonds

     —        —        3      —        3      —  

Foreign government bonds

     95      4      51      4      146      8

Asset and mortgage-backed securities:

                 

Mortgage pass-through securities

     32      1      193      4      225      5

Collateralized mortgage obligations

     1,742      101      1,116      29      2,858      130

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     520      47      562      23      1,082      70

State and municipal bonds

     29      —        17      —        46      —  

Redeemable preferred stocks

     13      1      —        —        13      1
                                         

Total fixed maturity securities

     13,971      833      6,409      326      20,380      1,159

Equity securities

     402      42      8      1      410      43
                                         

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 14,373    $ 875    $ 6,417    $ 327    $ 20,790    $ 1,202
                                         

Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position

                    2,441
                     

The fair value, gross unrealized losses (in millions) and number of available-for-sale securities where the fair value had declined below amortized cost by greater than 20%, were as follows:

 

     As of June 30, 2008
     Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Number
of
Securities

Less than six months

   $ 198    $ 102    59

Six months or greater, but less than nine months

     354      255    27

Nine months or greater, but less than twelve months

     225      128    38

Twelve months or greater

     1,512      981    255
                  

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 2,289    $ 1,466    379
                  

 

     As of December 31, 2007
     Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Number
of
Securities

Less than six months

   $ 136    $ 49    22

Six months or greater, but less than nine months

     427      138    32

Nine months or greater, but less than twelve months

     364      110    17

Twelve months or greater

     183      81    60
                  

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 1,110    $ 378    131
                  

As described more fully in Note 1 of our 2007 Form 10-K, we regularly review our investment holdings for other-than-temporary impairments. Based upon this review, the cause of the $1.9 billion increase in our gross unrealized losses for the six months ended June 30, 2008, was attributable primarily to the combination of reduced liquidity in several market segments, deterioration in credit fundamentals and an increase in treasury rates. We believe that the securities in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2008 were not other-than-temporarily impaired due to our ability and intent to hold for a period of time sufficient for recovery.

 

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Trading Securities

Trading securities at fair value retained in connection with modified coinsurance and coinsurance with funds withheld reinsurance arrangements (in millions) consisted of the following:

 

     As of
June 30,
2008
   As of
December 31,
2007

Corporate bonds

   $ 1,850    $ 1,999

U.S. Government bonds

     376      367

Foreign government bonds

     39      46

Asset and mortgage-backed securities:

     

Mortgage pass-through securities

     21      22

Collateralized mortgage obligations

     137      160

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     99      107

State and municipal bonds

     17      19

Redeemable preferred stocks

     9      8
             

Total fixed maturity securities

     2,548      2,728

Equity securities

     2      2
             

Total trading securities

   $ 2,550    $ 2,730
             

The portion of trading losses that relate to trading securities still held as of June 30, 2008, was $91 million for the second quarter of 2008.

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate

Mortgage loans on real estate principally involve commercial real estate. The commercial loans are geographically diversified throughout the United States with the largest concentrations in California and Texas, which accounted for approximately 29% of mortgage loans as of June 30, 2008.

Net Investment Income

The major categories of net investment income (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities

   $ 855     $ 845     $ 1,713     $ 1,689  

Equity available-for-sale securities

     8       12       17       20  

Trading securities

     42       44       85       90  

Mortgage loans on real estate

     129       132       250       262  

Real estate

     6       13       14       28  

Policy loans

     43       44       88       87  

Invested cash

     15       17       34       36  

Alternative investments

     13       70       8       90  

Other investments

     (3 )     3       (2 )     12  
                                

Investment income

     1,108       1,180       2,207       2,314  

Investment expense

     (31 )     (47 )     (65 )     (91 )
                                

Net investment income

   $ 1,077     $ 1,133     $ 2,142     $ 2,223  
                                

 

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Realized Gain (Loss) Related to Investments

The detail of the realized gain (loss) related to investments (in millions) was as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities:

        

Gross gains

   $ 22     $ 26     $ 31     $ 82  

Gross losses

     (138 )     (46 )     (238 )     (53 )

Equity available-for-sale securities:

        

Gross gains

     —         4       3       6  

Gross losses

     (7 )     —         (7 )     —    

Gain on other investments

     3       5       28       1  

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds

     24       (2 )     49       (22 )
                                

Total realized gain (loss) on investments, excluding trading securities

     (96 )     (13 )     (134 )     14  

Gain (loss) on certain derivative instruments

     (29 )     4       (32 )     4  
                                

Total realized gain (loss) on investments and certain derivative instruments, excluding trading securities

   $ (125 )   $ (9 )   $ (166 )   $ 18  
                                

Write-downs for other-than-temporary impairments included in realized loss on available-for-sale securities above

   $ (120 )   $ (30 )   $ (211 )   $ (34 )
                                

See Note 11 for a comprehensive listing of realized gain (loss).

Securities Lending

The carrying values of securities pledged under securities lending agreements were $602 million and $655 million as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively. The fair values of these securities were $578 million and $634 million as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

The carrying values of securities pledged under reverse repurchase agreements were $480 million as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007. The fair values of these securities were $508 million and $502 million as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively.

Investment Commitments

As of June 30, 2008, our investment commitments for fixed maturity securities (primarily private placements), limited partnerships, real estate and mortgage loans on real estate were $1.2 billion, which includes $337 million of standby commitments to purchase real estate upon completion and leasing.

Concentrations of Financial Instruments

As of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, we did not have a significant concentration of financial instruments in a single investee, industry or geographic region of the U.S.

Credit-Linked Notes

As of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, other contract holder funds on our Consolidated Balance Sheets included $850 million and $1.2 billion outstanding in funding agreements of the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company (“LNL”), respectively. LNL invested the proceeds of $850 million received for issuing three funding agreements in 2006 and 2007 into three separate credit-linked notes originated by third party companies. These credit-linked notes are classified as asset-backed securities and are

 

16


included in our fixed maturity securities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. An additional $300 million funding agreement was assumed as a result of the merger of Jefferson-Pilot, but was not invested into credit-linked notes. This $300 million funding agreement matured on June 2, 2008.

We earn a spread between the coupon received on the credit-linked notes and the interest credited on the funding agreement. Our credit-linked notes were created using a trust that combines highly rated assets with credit default swaps to produce a multi-class structured security. Our affiliate, Delaware Investments, actively manages the credit default swaps in the underlying portfolios. The high quality asset in two of these transactions is a AAA-rated asset-backed security secured by a pool of credit card receivables. The high quality asset in the third transaction is a guaranteed investment contract issued by MBIA, which is further secured by a pool of high quality assets.

Consistent with other debt market instruments, we are exposed to credit losses within the structure of the credit-linked notes, which could result in principal losses to our investments. However, we have attempted to protect our investments from credit losses through the multi-tiered class structure of the credit-linked note, which requires the subordinated classes of the investment pool to absorb all of the initial credit losses. LNL owns the mezzanine tranche of these investments, which currently carries a mid- or low-AA rating. To date, there have been no defaults in any of the underlying collateral pools. Similar to other debt market instruments, our maximum principal loss is limited to our original investment of $850 million as of June 30, 2008.

As in the general markets, spreads on these transactions have widened, causing unrealized losses. We had unrealized losses of $390 million and $190 million on the $850 million in credit-linked notes as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively. As described more fully in Note 1 of our 2007 Form 10-K, we regularly review our investment holdings for other-than-temporary impairments. Based upon this review, we believe that these securities were not other-than-temporarily impaired as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007.

The following summarizes information regarding our investments in these securities (dollars in millions):

 

     Amount and Date of Issuance
     $400
December 2006
   $200
April 2007
   $250
April 2007

Amount of subordination (1)

   $ 2,184    $ 410    $ 1,167

Maturity

     12/20/16      3/20/17      6/20/17

Current rating of tranche (1)

     AA-      Aa2      A-

Number of entities (1)

     125      100      102

Number of countries (1)

     20      21      14

 

(1)

As of June 30, 2008.

 

17


5. DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL

Changes in DAC (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007  

Balance at beginning-of-year

   $ 6,510     $ 5,116  

Cumulative effect of adoption of Statement of Position (“SOP”) 05-1 (“SOP 05-1”)

     —         (31 )

Deferrals

     896       968  

Amortization, net of interest:

    

Unlocking

     (10 )     31  

Other amortization

     (403 )     (385 )

Adjustment related to realized gains on available-for-sale securities and derivatives

     (10 )     (27 )

Adjustment related to unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities and derivatives

     332       188  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     1       13  
                

Balance at end-of-period

   $ 7,316     $ 5,873  
                

Changes in VOBA (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007  

Balance at beginning-of-year

   $ 3,070     $ 3,304  

Cumulative effect of adoption of SOP 05-1

     —         (35 )

Business acquired

     —         14  

Deferrals

     26       24  

Amortization:

    

Unlocking

     (20 )     9  

Other amortization

     (199 )     (233 )

Accretion of interest

     67       70  

Adjustment related to realized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities and derivatives

     13       (11 )

Adjustment related to unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities and derivatives

     334       78  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     1       8  
                

Balance at end-of-period

   $ 3,292     $ 3,228  
                

 

18


Changes in DSI (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007  

Balance at beginning-of-year

   $ 279     $ 194  

Cumulative effect of adoption of SOP 05-1

     —         (3 )

Deferrals

     52       51  

Amortization, net of interest:

    

Unlocking

     1       2  

Other amortization

     (15 )     (16 )

Adjustment related to realized gains on available-for-sale securities and derivatives

     (3 )     (3 )
                

Balance at end-of-period

   $ 314     $ 225  
                

Changes in DFEL (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007  

Balance at beginning-of-year

   $ 1,183     $ 977  

Cumulative effect of adoption of SOP 05-1

     —         (2 )

Deferrals

     206       203  

Amortization, net of interest:

    

Unlocking

     (14 )     9  

Other amortization

     (95 )     (90 )

Adjustment related to realized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities and derivatives

     1       (1 )

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     1       10  
                

Balance at end-of-period

   $ 1,282     $ 1,106  
                

 

19


6. Goodwill and Specifically Identifiable Intangibles

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill (in millions) by reportable segment were as follows:

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
     Balance At
Beginning-
of-Year
   Purchase
Accounting
Adjustments
    Impairment     Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
   Balance
At End-
of-Period

Individual Markets:

            

Life Insurance

   $ 2,201    $ (9 )   $ —       $ —      $ 2,192

Annuities

     1,046      (6 )     —         —        1,040

Employer Markets:

            

Retirement Products

     20      —         —         —        20

Group Protection

     274      —         —         —        274

Investment Management

     247      1       —         —        248

Lincoln UK

     17      —         —         —        17

Other Operations

     339      (2 )     (83 )     —        254
                                    

Total goodwill

   $ 4,144    $ (16 )   $ (83 )   $ —      $ 4,045
                                    

The purchase accounting adjustments above relate to income tax deductions recognized when stock options attributable to mergers were exercised.

As a result of declines in current and forecasted advertising revenue for the entire radio market, we updated our intangible impairment review in the second quarter of 2008, which was outside of our annual process normally completed as of October 1 each year. This impairment test showed the implied fair value of our remaining radio properties were lower than their carrying amounts, therefore we recorded non-cash impairments of goodwill (set forth above) and specifically identifiable intangible (set forth below), based upon the guidance of SFAS 142. The impairment of goodwill did not have any offsetting tax benefit; therefore, our effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, was elevated over the corresponding periods in 2007.

The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization (in millions) for each major specifically identifiable intangible asset class by reportable segment were as follows:

 

     As of
June 30, 2008
   As of
December 31, 2007
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortiza-
tion
   Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortiza-
tion

Individual Markets – Life Insurance:

           

Sales force

   $ 100    $ 9    $ 100    $ 7

Employer Markets – Retirement Products:

           

Mutual fund contract rights (1)

     3      —        3      —  

Investment Management:

           

Client lists

     92      91      92      90

Other (1)

     4      —        3      —  

Other Operations:

           

FCC licenses (1) (2)

     294      —        384      —  

Other

     4      3      4      3
                           

Total

   $ 497    $ 103    $ 586    $ 100
                           

 

(1)

No amortization recorded as the intangible asset has indefinite life.

(2)

We recorded FCC licenses impairment of $90 million during the second quarter of 2008, as discussed above.

 

20


See Note 3 for goodwill and specifically identifiable intangibles included within discontinued operations.

7. Other Contract Holder Funds

Details of other contract holder funds (in millions) were as follows:

 

     As of
June 30,
2008
   As of
December 31,
2007

Account values and other contract holder funds

   $ 58,337    $ 57,698

Deferred front-end loads

     1,282      1,183

Contract holder dividends payable

     519      524

Premium deposit funds

     133      140

Undistributed earnings on participating business

     92      95
             

Total other contract holder funds

   $ 60,363    $ 59,640
             

8. Federal Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 38% and 30% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was 32% and 30%, respectively. Differences in the effective rates and the U.S. statutory rate of 35% in 2008 were the result of certain tax preferred investment income, separate account dividends-received deduction (“DRD”), foreign tax credits, other tax preference items and the impact of the goodwill impairment related to media operations, which did not have a corresponding tax effect. See Note 6 for additional information.

Changes to the Internal Revenue Code, administrative rulings or court decisions could increase our effective tax rate. In this regard, on August 16, 2007, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued a revenue ruling that purports, among other things, to modify the calculation of the separate account DRD received by life insurance companies. Subsequently, the IRS issued another revenue ruling that suspended the August 16, 2007, ruling and announced a new regulation project on the issue. The current separate account DRD lowered the effective tax rate by approximately 12% and 4% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and 7% and 4% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The separate account deduction for dividends was relatively flat compared to prior quarters; however, its impact to the effective tax rate was the result of lower pre-tax income for the three months ended June 30, 2008.

We are required to establish a valuation allowance for any gross deferred tax assets that are unlikely to reduce taxes payable in future years’ tax returns. As of June 30, 2008, we believed that it was more likely than not that all gross deferred tax assets will reduce taxes payable in future years.

As of June 30, 2008, there have been no material changes to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits reported at December 31, 2007. We anticipate a change to our unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months in the range of none to $12 million.

We recognize interest and penalties, if any, accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of tax expense.

In the normal course of business, we are subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the U.S. and the U.K. At any given time, we may be under examination by state, local or non-U.S. income tax authorities.

9. Contingencies and Commitments

See “Contingencies and Commitments” in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements in our 2007 Form 10-K for a discussion of commitments and contingencies, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

Regulatory and Litigation Matters

Federal and state regulators continue to focus on issues relating to fixed and variable insurance products, including, but not limited to, suitability, replacements and sales to seniors. Like others in the industry, we have received inquiries including requests for information regarding sales to seniors from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and we have responded to these inquiries. We continue to cooperate fully with such authority.

 

21


In the ordinary course of its business, LNC and its subsidiaries are involved in various pending or threatened legal proceedings, including purported class actions, arising from the conduct of business. In some instances, these proceedings include claims for unspecified or substantial punitive damages and similar types of relief in addition to amounts for alleged contractual liability or requests for equitable relief. After consultation with legal counsel and a review of available facts, it is management’s opinion that these proceedings, after consideration of any reserves and rights to indemnification, ultimately will be resolved without materially affecting the consolidated financial position of LNC. However, given the large and indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these proceedings and the inherent difficulty in predicting the outcome of such legal proceedings, including the proceeding described below, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could be material to our operating results for any particular reporting period.

Transamerica Investment Management, LLC and Transamerica Investments Services, Inc. v. Delaware Management Holdings, Inc. (dba Delaware Investments), Delaware Investment Advisers and certain individuals, was filed in the San Francisco County Superior Court on April 28, 2005. The plaintiffs are seeking substantial compensatory and punitive damages. The complaint alleges breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty of loyalty, breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unfair competition, interference with prospective economic advantage, conversion, unjust enrichment and conspiracy, in connection with Delaware Investment Advisers’ hiring of a portfolio management team from the plaintiffs. We and the individual defendants dispute the allegations and are vigorously defending these actions.

10. Stockholders’ Equity and Shares

Stockholders’ Equity

The changes in our preferred and common stock (number of shares) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Series A Preferred Stock

        

Balance at beginning-of-period

   11,662     12,526     11,960     12,706  

Conversion into common stock

   —       (165 )   (298 )   (345 )
                        

Balance at end-of-period

   11,662     12,361     11,662     12,361  
                        

Common Stock

        

Balance at beginning-of-period

   259,206,033     270,685,522     264,233,303     275,752,668  

Conversion of Series A preferred stock

   —       2,640     4,768     5,520  

Stock compensation (1)

   300,262     734,675     691,644     2,838,673  

Deferred compensation payable in stock

   17,725     25,929     67,079     69,161  

Retirement of common stock by repurchase/cancellation of shares

   (2,722,398 )   (7,153 )   (8,195,172 )   (7,224,409 )
                        

Balance at end-of-period

   256,801,622     271,441,613     256,801,622     271,441,613  
                        

Common stock at end-of-period:

        

Assuming conversion of preferred stock

   256,988,214     271,639,389     256,988,214     271,639,389  

Diluted basis

   257,825,399     274,489,187     257,825,399     274,489,187  

 

(1)

Amount includes non stock option awards issued, including issuances for benefit plans and stock options exercised.

 

22


Earnings Per Share

The income used in the calculation of our diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) is our income from continuing operations and net income, reduced by minority interest adjustments related to outstanding stock options under the Delaware Investments U.S., Inc. (“DIUS”) stock option incentive plan of less than $1 million for all periods presented, and preferred dividends declared and payable. A reconciliation of the denominator (number of shares) in the calculations of basic and diluted net income and income from discontinued operations per share was as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Weighted-average shares, as used in basic calculation

   257,785,473     270,566,521     259,368,519     272,716,140  

Shares to cover conversion of preferred stock

   186,592     199,012     187,824     199,980  

Shares to cover non-vested stock

   273,307     354,054     256,615     751,427  

Average stock options outstanding during the period

   9,199,383     13,307,765     9,596,842     13,815,359  

Assumed acquisition of shares with assumed proceeds and benefits from exercising stock options (at average market price for the year)

   (8,998,441 )   (11,111,321 )   (9,411,397 )   (11,613,259 )

Shares repurchasable from measured but unrecognized stock option expense

   (100,707 )   (257,704 )   (85,157 )   (256,675 )

Average deferred compensation shares

   1,271,413     1,345,246     1,277,542     1,326,853  
                        

Weighted-average shares, as used in diluted calculation

   259,617,020     274,403,573     261,190,788     276,939,825  
                        

In the event the average market price of LNC common stock exceeds the issue price of stock options, such options would be dilutive to our EPS and will be shown in the table above. Participants in our deferred compensation plans that select LNC stock for measuring the investment return attributable to their deferral amounts will be paid out in LNC stock. The obligation to satisfy these deferred compensation plan liabilities is dilutive and is shown in the table above.

 

23


11. Realized Gain (Loss)

Details underlying realized gain (loss) (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Total realized gain (loss) on investments and certain derivative instruments, excluding trading securities (1)

   $ (125 )   $ (9 )   $ (166 )   $ 18  

Gain (loss) on certain reinsurance derivative/trading securities (2)

     1       4       2       4  

Indexed annuity net derivative results (3):

        

Gross

     3       13       11       11  

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL

     (1 )     (6 )     (6 )     (6 )

Guaranteed living benefits (4):

        

Gross

     20       12       38       30  

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL

     (8 )     (6 )     (27 )     (15 )

Guaranteed death benefits (5):

        

Gross

     —         (2 )     2       (2 )

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL

     —         1       (1 )     1  

Gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses

     2       —         4       —    
                                

Total realized gain (loss)

   $ (108 )   $ 7     $ (143 )   $ 41  
                                

 

(1)

See Note 4 “Realized Gain (Loss) Related to Investments” for detail.

(2)

Represents changes in the fair value of total return swaps (embedded derivatives) related to various modified coinsurance and coinsurance with funds withheld reinsurance arrangements that have contractual returns related to various assets and liabilities associated with these arrangements. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are offset by the change in fair value of trading securities in the portfolios that support these arrangements.

(3)

Represents the net difference between the change in the fair value of the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index® call options that we hold and the change in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities of our indexed annuity products along with changes in the fair value of embedded derivative liabilities related to index call options we may purchase in the future to hedge contract holder index allocations applicable to future reset periods for our indexed annuity products as required under SFAS 133 and 157. The six months ended June 30, 2008, includes a $10 million gain from the initial impact of adopting SFAS 157.

(4)

Represents the net difference in the change in fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities of our guaranteed living benefit (“GLB”) products and the change in the fair value of the derivative instruments we own to hedge, including the cost of purchasing the hedging instruments. The six months ended June 30, 2008, includes a $34 million loss from the initial impact of adopting SFAS 157.

(5)

Represents the change in the fair value of the derivatives used to hedge our guaranteed death benefit (“GDB”) riders.

Guaranteed Benefit Features

We issue variable annuity contracts through our separate accounts for which investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to, and investment risk is borne by, the contract holder (traditional variable annuities). We also issue variable annuity and life contracts through separate accounts that include various types of GDB, guaranteed withdrawal benefit (“GWB”) and guaranteed income benefit (“GIB”) features. The GDB features include those where we contractually guarantee to the contract holder either: return of no less than total deposits made to the contract less any partial withdrawals (“return of net deposits”); total deposits made to the contract less any partial withdrawals plus a minimum return (“minimum return”); or the highest contract value on any contract anniversary date through age 80 minus any payments or withdrawals following the contract anniversary (“anniversary contract value”).

 

24


These guarantees are considered embedded derivatives and are recorded in future contract benefits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value under SFAS 133 and SFAS 157. Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS 157, which affected the valuation of our embedded derivatives. See Note 2 of this report for details on the adoption of SFAS 157. We use derivative instruments to hedge our exposure to the risks and earnings volatility that result from the embedded derivatives for living benefits in certain of our variable annuity products. The change in fair value of these instruments tends to move in the opposite direction of the change in fair value of the embedded derivatives. The net impact of these changes is reported as GLB, which is a component of realized gain (loss) discussed above.

Information in the event of death on the GDB features outstanding (dollars in millions) was as follows (our variable contracts with guarantees may offer more than one type of guarantee in each contract; therefore, the amounts listed are not mutually exclusive):

 

     As of
June 30,
2008
    As of
December 31,
2007
 

Return of Net Deposits

    

Variable annuity account value

   $ 43,337     $ 44,833  

Net amount at risk (1)

     701       93  

Average attained age of contract holders

     56 years       55 years  

Minimum Return

    

Variable annuity account value

   $ 297     $ 355  

Net amount at risk (1)

     46       25  

Average attained age of contract holders

     68 years       68 years  

Guaranteed minimum return

     5 %     5 %

Anniversary Contract Value

    

Variable annuity account value

   $ 23,625     $ 25,537  

Net amount at risk (1)

     2,104       359  

Average attained age of contract holders

     64 years       64 years  

 

(1)

Represents the amount of death benefit in excess of the current account balance at the end-of-period.

The determination of GDB liabilities is based on models that involve a range of scenarios and assumptions, including those regarding expected market rates of return and volatility, contract surrender rates and mortality experience. The following summarizes the balances of and changes in the liabilities for GDB (in millions), which were recorded in future contract benefits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 

     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007  

Balance at beginning-of-year

   $ 38     $ 23  

Cumulative effect of adoption of SOP 05-1

     —         (4 )

Changes in reserves

     25       10  

Benefits paid

     (11 )     (3 )
                

Balance at end-of-period

   $ 52     $ 26  
                

The changes to the benefit reserves amounts above are reflected in benefits on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

The results of the hedging program are included in realized gain (loss), which included gains of less than $1 million and $2 million for GDB for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, and losses of $1 million and $2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively.

 

25


Account balances of variable annuity contracts with guarantees (in millions) were invested in separate account investment options as follows:

 

     As of
June 30,
2008
    As of
December 31,
2007
 

Asset Type

    

Domestic equity

   $ 37,447     $ 44,982  

International equity

     11,899       8,076  

Bonds

     9,740       8,034  

Money market

     4,831       6,545  
                

Total

   $ 63,917     $ 67,637  
                

Percent of total variable annuity separate account values

     98 %     97 %

12. Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

Details underlying underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Commissions

   $ 499     $ 536     $ 992     $ 1,050  

General and administrative expenses

     422       452       844       863  

DAC and VOBA deferrals and interest, net of amortization

     (156 )     (272 )     (357 )     (484 )

Other intangibles amortization

     2       3       3       5  

Media expenses

     15       15       31       30  

Taxes, licenses and fees

     49       52       112       117  

Merger-related expenses

     16       30       31       44  
                                

Total

   $ 847     $ 816     $ 1,656     $ 1,625  
                                

 

26


13. Employee Benefit Plans

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

The components of net defined benefit pension plan and postretirement benefit plan expense (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three Months Ended June 30,  
     Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

U.S. Plans

        

Service cost

   $ —       $ 7     $ 1     $ 1  

Interest cost

     15       14       2       2  

Expected return on plan assets

     (20 )     (20 )     —         —    

Amortization of prior service cost

     —         (1 )     —         —    

Recognized net actuarial gain

     —         —         (1 )     (1 )
                                

Net periodic benefit expense (recovery)

   $ (5 )   $ —       $ 2     $ 2  
                                

Non-U.S. Plans

        

Service cost

   $ 1     $ —        

Interest cost

     5       5      

Expected return on plan assets

     (5 )     (5 )    

Recognized net actuarial loss

     1       1      
                    

Net periodic benefit expense

   $ 2     $ 1      
                    

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30,  
     Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

U.S. Plans

        

Service cost

   $ —       $ 16     $ 1     $ 2  

Interest cost

     30       30       4       4  

Expected return on plan assets

     (39 )     (40 )     (1 )     (1 )

Amortization of prior service cost

     —         (1 )     —         —    

Recognized net actuarial gain

     1       —         (1 )     (1 )
                                

Net periodic benefit expense (recovery)

   $ (8 )   $ 5     $ 3     $ 4  
                                

Non-U.S. Plans

        

Service cost

   $ 1     $ 1      

Interest cost

     10       9      

Expected return on plan assets

     (11 )     (10 )    

Recognized net actuarial loss

     2       2      
                    

Net periodic benefit expense

   $ 2     $ 2      
                    

On May 1, 2007, simultaneous with our announcement of the freeze of our primary defined benefit pension plans, we announced a number of enhancements to our employees’ 401(k) plan effective January 1, 2008. Consequently, we are no longer accruing service costs in our U.S. pension plans.

For any additional disclosures and other general information regarding our benefit plans, see Note 16 in our 2007 Form 10-K.

 

27


14. Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans

We sponsor various incentive plans for our employees, agents, directors and our subsidiaries that provide for the issuance of stock options, stock incentive awards, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units (“performance shares”) and deferred stock units. DIUS has a separate stock-based incentive compensation plan, which has DIUS stock underlying the awards.

In the first quarter of 2008, a performance period from 2008-2010 was approved for our executive officers by the Compensation Committee. Executive officers participating in this performance period received one-half of their award in 10-year LNC or DIUS restricted stock units, with the remainder of the award in a combination of either: 100% performance shares or 75% performance shares and 25% cash. LNC stock options granted for this performance period vest ratably over the three-year period, based solely on a service condition. DIUS restricted stock units granted for this performance period vest ratably over a four-year period, based solely on a service condition and were granted only to employees of DIUS. Depending on the performance, the actual amount of performance shares could range from zero to 200% of the granted amount. Under the 2008-2010 plan, a total of 1,564,800 LNC stock options were granted; 2,726 DIUS restricted stock units were granted; and 218,308 LNC performance shares were granted during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

In addition to the stock-based grants noted above, various other LNC stock-based awards were granted in the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, which are summarized in the table below:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30, 2008
   For the Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2008

Awards

     

10-year LNC stock options

   10,772    14,326

Non-employee director stock options

   —      60,489

Non-employee agent stock options

   20,982    197,113

Restricted stock

   18,776    163,397

Stock appreciation rights

   —      234,800

 

28


15. Financial Instruments Carried at Fair Value

See “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” in Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements in our 2007 Form 10-K and SFAS No. 157 – Fair Value Measurements in Note 2 above for discussions of the methodologies and assumptions used to determine the fair value of our financial instruments.

The following table summarizes our financial instruments carried at fair value (in millions) on a recurring basis by the SFAS 157 fair value hierarchy levels described in Note 2. We did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the second quarter of 2008 or as of June 30, 2008.

 

     As of June 30, 2008  
     Quoted
Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
    Total
Fair
Value
 

Assets

         

Investments:

         

Available-for-sale securities:

         

Fixed maturities

   $ 234    $ 50,053     $ 4,231     $ 54,518  

Equity

     66      252       146       464  

Trading securities

     5      2,444       101       2,550  

Derivative instruments

     —        24       866       890  

Cash and invested cash

     —        1,921       —         1,921  

Separate account assets

     —        85,295       —         85,295  
                               

Total assets

   $ 305    $ 139,989     $ 5,344     $ 145,638  
                               

Liabilities

         

Other contract holder funds:

         

Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts

   $ —      $ —       $ (298 )   $ (298 )

Embedded derivative instruments – living benefits liabilities

     —        —         (335 )     (335 )

Reinsurance related derivative liability

     —        (112 )     —         (112 )
                               

Total liabilities

   $ —      $ (112 )   $ (633 )   $ (745 )
                               

Our investment securities are valued using market inputs, including benchmark yields, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. In addition, market indicators, industry and economic events are monitored and further market data is acquired if certain triggers are met. For certain security types, additional inputs may be used, or some of the inputs described above may not be applicable. For broker-quoted only securities, quotes from market makers or broker-dealers are obtained from sources recognized to be market participants. In order to validate the pricing information and broker-dealer quotes, we employ, where possible, procedures that include comparisons with similar observable positions, comparisons with subsequent sales, discussions with senior business leaders and brokers as well as observations of general market movements for those asset classes.

The following tables summarize changes to our financial instruments carried at fair value (in millions) and classified within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. This summary excludes any impact of amortization on DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL. When a determination is made to classify an asset or liability within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the determination is based upon the significance of the unobservable inputs to the overall fair value measurement. Certain securities trade in less liquid or illiquid markets with limited or no pricing information, and the determination of fair value for these securities is inherently more difficult. However, level 3 fair value investments may include, in addition to the unobservable or level 3 inputs, observable components (that is, components that are actively quoted or can be validated to market-based sources). The gains and losses in the table below may include changes in fair value due in part to observable inputs that are a component of the valuation methodology.

 

29


     For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008  
     Beginning
Fair
Value
    Items
Included
in
Earnings,
Net
    Gains
(Losses)
in

OCI
    Sales,
Issuances,
Maturities,
Settlements,
Calls,

Net
    Transfers
In or

Out
of
Level 3,
Net (1)
    Ending
Fair
Value
 

Investments:

            

Available-for-sale securities:

            

Fixed maturities

   $ 4,223     $ (13 )   $ (22 )   $ 133     $ (90 )   $ 4,231  

Equity

     35       (6 )     50       67       —         146  

Trading securities

     108       (6 )     —         (1 )     —         101  

Derivative instruments

     969       (118 )     (5 )     20       —         866  

Other contract holder funds:

            

Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts

     (321 )     21       —         2       —         (298 )

Embedded derivative instruments – living benefits liabilities

     (535 )     2       234       (36 )     —         (335 )
                                                

Total, net

   $ 4,479     $ (120 )   $ 257     $ 185     $ (90 )   $ 4,711  
                                                

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008  
     Beginning
Fair
Value
    Items
Included
in
Earnings,
Net
    Gains
(Losses)
in

OCI
    Sales,
Issuances,
Maturities,
Settlements,
Calls,

Net
    Transfers
In or

Out
of
Level 3,
Net (1)
   Ending
Fair
Value
 

Investments:

             

Available-for-sale securities:

             

Fixed maturities

   $ 4,420     $ (15 )   $ (428 )   $ 62     $ 192    $ 4,231  

Equity

     54       (6 )     31       67       —        146  

Trading securities

     112       (8 )     —         (8 )     5      101  

Derivative instruments

     767       (8 )     5       102       —        866  

Other contract holder funds:

             

Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts

     (389 )     47       —         44       —        (298 )

Embedded derivative instruments – living benefits liabilities

     (279 )     4       9       (69 )     —        (335 )
                                               

Total, net

   $ 4,685     $ 14     $ (383 )   $ 198     $ 197    $ 4,711  
                                               

 

(1)

Transfers in or out of level 3 for available-for-sale and trading securities are displayed at amortized cost at the beginning of the period. For available-for-sale and trading securities, the difference between beginning of period amortized cost and beginning of period fair value was included in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and earnings, respectively, in prior periods.

 

30


The following tables provide the components of the items included in earnings, net, excluding any impact of amortization on DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds, (in millions) as reported in the table above:

 

     For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008  
     (Amortization)
Accretion,

Net
   Other-
Than-
Temporary
Impairment
    Gains
(Losses)
from

Sales,
Maturities,
Settlements,
Calls
   Unrealized
Holding
Gains
(Losses)
    Total  

Investments:

            

Available-for-sale securities:

            

Fixed maturities (1)

   $ 1    $ (14 )   $ —      $ —       $ (13 )

Equity

     —        (6 )     —        —         (6 )

Trading securities (1)

     1      (7 )     —        —         (6 )

Derivative instruments (2)

     —        —         4      (122 )     (118 )

Other contract holder funds:

            

Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts (2)

     —        —         6      15       21  

Embedded derivative instruments – living benefits liabilities (2)

     —        —         —        2       2  
                                      

Total, net

   $ 2    $ (27 )   $ 10    $ (105 )   $ (120 )
                                      

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008  
     (Amortization)
Accretion,

Net
   Other-
Than-
Temporary
Impairment
    Gains
(Losses)
from

Sales,
Maturities,
Settlements,
Calls
    Unrealized
Holding
Gains
(Losses)
    Total  

Investments:

           

Available-for-sale securities:

           

Fixed maturities (1)

   $ 1    $ (16 )   $ —       $ —       $ (15 )

Equity

     —        (6 )     —         —         (6 )

Trading securities (1)

     1      (7 )     —         (2 )     (8 )

Derivative instruments (2)

     —        —         (23 )     15       (8 )

Other contract holder funds:

           

Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts (2)

     —        —         10       37       47  

Embedded derivative instruments – living benefits liabilities (2)

     —        —         —         4       4  
                                       

Total, net

   $ 2    $ (29 )   $ (13 )   $ 54     $ 14  
                                       

 

(1)

Amortization and accretion, net and unrealized holding losses are included in net investment income on our Consolidated Statements of Income. All other amounts are included in realized gain (loss) on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

(2)

All amounts are included in realized gain (loss) on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

31


The fair value of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities (in millions) classified within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy was as follows:

 

     As of June 30, 2008  
     Fair
Value
   % of Total
Fair Value
 

Corporate bonds

   $ 2,327    55.0 %

Asset-backed securities

     807    19.1 %

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     360    8.5 %

Collateralized mortgage obligations

     223    5.3 %

Mortgage pass-through securities

     105    2.5 %

Municipals

     129    3.0 %

Government and government agencies

     249    5.9 %

Redeemable preferred stock

     31    0.7 %
             

Total available-for-sale fixed maturity securities

   $ 4,231    100.0 %
             
     As of December 31, 2007  
     Fair
Value
   % of Total
Fair Value
 

Corporate bonds

   $ 2,143    48.5 %

Asset-backed securities

     1,113    25.2 %

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     395    8.9 %

Collateralized mortgage obligations

     296    6.7 %

Mortgage pass-through securities

     31    0.7 %

Municipals

     139    3.1 %

Government and government agencies

     272    6.2 %

Redeemable preferred stock

     31    0.7 %
             

Total available-for-sale fixed maturity securities

   $ 4,420    100.0 %
             

 

32


16. Segment Information

As of June 30, 2008, we provided products and services in four operating businesses: Individual Markets, Employer Markets, Investment Management and Lincoln UK, and report results through six business segments. We also have Other Operations, which includes the financial data for operations that are not directly related to the business segments. Other Operations also includes the Institutional Pension business, which was previously reported in Employer Markets – Retirement Products.

On July 21, 2008, we announced the realignment of our segments under our former Employer Markets and Individual Markets operating businesses into two new operating businesses – Retirement Solutions and Insurance Solutions. We believe the new structure more closely aligns with consumer needs and should lead to more coordinated product development and greater effectiveness across the enterprise. The only change to our current segment reporting will be to report the results of the Executive Benefits business, which as of June 30, 2008, was part of the Retirement Products segment, in the Life Insurance segment. Accordingly, for the third quarter of 2008, we will provide products and services in four operating business and report results through six segments as follows:

 

Business

  

Corresponding Segments

Retirement Solutions

   Annuities
   Defined Contribution (formerly Retirement Products)

Insurance Solutions

   Life Insurance (including Executive Benefits business)
   Group Protection

Investment Management

   Investment Management

Lincoln UK

   Lincoln UK

These changes to the Retirement Products and the Life Insurance segments are in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” and reflect the manner in which we are organized for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing performance. Our segment results will be reported under this new structure beginning in the third quarter of 2008, and we will restate results from prior periods in a consistent manner. We view the changes to the existing segments as immaterial.

Beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2008, we changed our definitions of segment operating revenues and income from operations to better reflect: the underlying economics of our variable and indexed annuities that employ derivative instruments to hedge policy benefits and the manner in which management evaluates that business. Our change in the definition of income from operations is primarily the result of our adoption of SFAS 157 during the first quarter of 2008. See Note 2. Under SFAS 157’s fair value calculation, we are required to fair value these annuities from an “exit value” perspective, (i.e., what a market participant or willing buyer would charge to assume the liability). We, therefore, must include margins that a market participant buyer would require as well as a factor for non-performance risk related to our credit quality. We do not believe that these factors relate to the economics of the underlying business and do not reflect the manner in which management evaluates the business. The items that are now excluded from our operating results that were previously included are as follows: GLB net derivatives results; indexed annuity forward-starting option; and GDB derivatives results. See Note 11 for more information about these items.

We continue to exclude the effects of any realized gain (loss) on investments from segment operating revenues and income from operations as we believe that such items are not necessarily indicative of current operating fundamentals or future performance of the business segments, and, in many instances, decisions regarding these items do not necessarily relate to the operations of the individual segments.

We believe that our new definitions of operating revenues and income (loss) from operations will provide investors with a more valuable measure of our performance because it better reveals trends in our business.

 

33


Segment operating revenues and income (loss) from operations are internal measures used by our management and Board of Directors to evaluate and assess the results of our segments. Income (loss) from operations is GAAP net income excluding the after-tax effects of the following items, as applicable:

 

 

Realized gains and losses associated with the following (“excluded realized gain (loss)”):

 

   

Sale or disposal of securities;

 

   

Impairments of securities;

 

   

Change in the fair value of embedded derivatives within certain reinsurance arrangements and the change in the fair value of related trading securities;

 

   

Change in the fair value of the embedded derivatives of our GLBs within our variable annuities net of the change in the fair value of the derivatives we own to hedge the changes in the embedded derivative;

 

   

Net difference between the benefit ratio unlocking of SOP No. 03-1, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts” reserves on our GDB riders within our variable annuities and the change in the fair value of the derivatives excluding our expected cost of purchasing the hedging instruments; and

 

   

Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities related to index call options we may purchase in the future to hedge contract holder index allocations applicable to future reset periods for our indexed annuity products as required under SFAS 133 and 157.

 

 

Income (loss) from the initial adoption of changes in accounting principles;

 

 

Income (loss) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance;

 

 

Losses on early retirement of debt, including subordinated debt;

 

 

Losses from the impairment of intangible assets; and

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations.

Operating revenues represent GAAP revenues excluding the pre-tax effects of the following items, as applicable:

 

 

Excluded realized gain (loss);

 

 

Amortization of deferred gains arising from the reserve changes on business sold through reinsurance; and

 

 

Revenue adjustments from the initial impact of the adoption of changes in accounting principles.

Operating revenues and income (loss) from operations do not replace revenues and net income as the GAAP measures of our consolidated results of operations.

 

34


Segment information (in millions) was as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
     2008     2007    2008     2007

Revenues

         

Operating revenues:

         

Individual Markets:

         

Annuities

   $ 618     $ 624    $ 1,241     $ 1,214

Life Insurance

     1,021       957      2,008       1,929
                             

Total Individual Markets

     1,639       1,581      3,249       3,143
                             

Employer Markets:

         

Retirement Products

     304       318      608       634

Group Protection

     425       391      824       751
                             

Total Employer Markets

     729       709      1,432       1,385
                             

Investment Management (1)

     125       151      245       301

Lincoln UK (2)

     98       93      183       183

Other Operations

     110       123      229       233

Excluded realized gain (loss), pre-tax

     (120 )     6      (166 )     39

Amortization of deferred gain arising from reserve changes on business sold through reinsurance, pre-tax

     1       8      2       8
                             

Total revenues

   $ 2,582     $ 2,671    $ 5,174     $ 5,292
                             

 

(1)

Revenues for the Investment Management segment included inter-segment revenues for asset management services provided to our other segments. These inter-segment revenues totaled $21 million and $19 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $41 million and $44 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

(2)

Revenues from our Lincoln UK segment represent our revenues from a foreign country.

 

35


     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Net Income

        

Income (loss) from operations:

        

Individual Markets:

        

Annuities

   $ 116     $ 123     $ 234     $ 240  

Life Insurance

     153       176       298       343  
                                

Total Individual Markets

     269       299       532       583  
                                

Employer Markets:

        

Retirement Products

     52       58       104       120  

Group Protection

     32       29       58       52  
                                

Total Employer Markets

     84       87       162       172  
                                

Investment Management

     15       11       27       28  

Lincoln UK

     18       12       29       23  

Other Operations

     (44 )     (35 )     (86 )     (65 )

Excluded realized gain (loss), after-tax

     (78 )     4       (108 )     25  

Income (loss) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance, after-tax

     —         (8 )     1       (8 )

Impairment of intangibles, after-tax

     (139 )     —         (139 )     —    
                                

Income from continuing operations, after-tax

     125       370       418       758  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, after-tax

     —         6       (4 )     14  
                                

Net income

   $ 125     $ 376     $ 414     $ 772  
                                

17. Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Information

The following summarizes our supplemental cash flow data (in millions):

 

     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007  

Significant non-cash investing and financing transactions:

    

Business combinations:

    

Fair value of assets acquired (includes cash and invested cash)

   $ —       $ 86  

Fair value of common stock issued and stock options recognized

     —         (20 )

Cash paid for common shares

     —         (1 )
                

Liabilities assumed

     —         65  

Business dispositions:

    

Assets disposed (includes cash and invested cash)

     (732 )     —    

Liabilities disposed

     127       —    

Cash received

     647       —    
                

Realized gain on disposal

     42       —    

Estimated gain on net assets held-for-sale in prior periods

     (54 )  
                

Loss on discontinued operations in current period

   $ (12 )   $ —    
                

Sale of subsidiaries/businesses:

    

Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries/businesses, reported as gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses

   $ 5     $ —    
                

 

36


The carrying values and estimated fair values of our debt financial instruments (in millions) were as follows:

 

     As of
June 30, 2008
    As of
December 31, 2007
 
     Carrying
Value
    Fair
Value
    Carrying
Value
    Fair
Value
 

Short-term debt

   $ (900 )   $ (896 )   $ (550 )   $ (550 )

Long-term debt

     (4,102 )     (3,817 )     (4,618 )     (4,511 )

18. Subsequent Event

During July 2008, we borrowed $200 million under a new $200 million borrowing facility. The facility expires, and all outstanding loans under the facility mature, on July 18, 2013. Proceeds from this borrowing were used for general corporate purposes and to repay maturing debt.

On July 21, 2008, we announced the realignment of our Employer Markets and Individual Markets businesses into two new businesses – Retirement Solutions and Insurance Solutions. Our other businesses, including Investment Management, Lincoln UK and Other Operations, remain unchanged. The new structure is more closely aligned with consumer needs and will lead to more coordinated product development and greater effectiveness across the enterprise. Our segment results will be reported under this new structure beginning in the third quarter of 2008, and we will restate results from prior periods in a consistent manner. For more information regarding the realignment, see Note 16.

 

37


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand the financial condition of Lincoln National Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (“LNC,” “Lincoln” or the “Company,” which also may be referred to as “we,” “our” or “us”) as of June 30, 2008, compared with December 31, 2007, and the results of operations of LNC for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared with the corresponding periods in 2007. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements (“Notes”) presented in “Item 1. Financial Statements” and our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (“2007 Form 10-K”), including the sections entitled “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors,” “Part II – Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

In this report, in addition to providing consolidated revenues and net income (loss), we also provide segment operating revenues and income (loss) from operations because we believe they are meaningful measures of revenues and the profitability of our operating segments. Income (loss) from operations is net income recorded in accordance with United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) excluding the after-tax effects of the following items, as applicable:

 

 

Realized gains and losses associated with the following (“excluded realized gain (loss)”):

 

   

Sale or disposal of securities;

 

   

Impairments of securities;

 

   

Change in the fair value of embedded derivatives within certain reinsurance arrangements and the change in the fair value of related trading securities;

 

   

Change in the fair value of the embedded derivatives of our guaranteed living benefits (“GLB”) within our variable annuities net of the change in the fair value of the derivatives we own to hedge the changes in the embedded derivative;

 

   

Net difference between the benefit ratio unlocking of Statement of Position (“SOP”) No. 03-1, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts” (“SOP 03-1”) reserves on our guaranteed death benefit (“GDB”) riders within our variable annuities and the change in the fair value of the derivatives excluding our expected cost of purchasing the hedging instruments; and

 

   

Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities related to index call options we may purchase in the future to hedge contract holder index allocations applicable to future reset periods for our indexed annuity products as required under Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”) and SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”).

 

 

Income (loss) from the initial adoption of changes in accounting principles;

 

 

Income (loss) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance;

 

 

Losses on early retirement of debt, including subordinated debt;

 

 

Losses from the impairment of intangible assets; and

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations.

Operating revenues represent GAAP revenues excluding the pre-tax effects of the following items, as applicable:

 

 

Excluded realized gain (loss);

 

 

Amortization of deferred gains arising from the reserve changes on business sold through reinsurance; and

 

 

Revenue adjustments from the initial impact of the adoption of changes in accounting principles.

Operating revenues and income (loss) from operations are the financial performance measures we use to evaluate and assess the results of our segments. Accordingly, we report operating revenues and income (loss) from operations by segment in Note 16. Our management and Board of Directors believe that operating revenues and income (loss) from operations explain the results of our ongoing businesses in a manner that allows for a better understanding of the underlying trends in our current businesses because the excluded items are unpredictable and not necessarily indicative of current operating fundamentals or future performance of the business segments, and, in many instances, decisions regarding these items do not necessarily relate to the operations of the individual segments. Operating revenues and income (loss) from operations do not replace revenues and net income as the GAAP measures of our consolidated results of operations.

Beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2008, we changed our definitions of segment operating revenues and income from operations to better reflect: the underlying economics of our variable and indexed annuities that employ derivative instruments to hedge policy benefits; and the manner in which management evaluates that business. Our change in the definition of income from operations is primarily the result of our adoption of SFAS 157 during the first quarter of 2008. See Note 2. Under SFAS 157’s fair value calculation, we are required to fair value these annuities from an “exit value” perspective, (i.e., what a market participant or

 

38


willing buyer would charge to assume the liability). We, therefore, must include margins that a market participant buyer would require as well as a factor for non-performance risk related to our credit quality. We do not believe that these factors relate to the economics of the underlying business and do not reflect the manner in which management evaluates the business. The items that are now excluded from our operating results that were previously included are as follows: GLB net derivatives results; indexed annuity forward-starting option; and GDB derivatives results. For more information regarding this change, see our current report on Form 8-K dated July 16, 2008.

We continue to exclude the effects of any realized gain (loss) on investments from segment operating revenues and income from operations as we believe that such items are not necessarily indicative of current operating fundamentals or future performance of the business segments, and, in many instances, decisions regarding these items do not necessarily relate to the operations of the individual segments.

We believe that our new definitions of operating revenues and income (loss) from operations will provide investors with a more valuable measure of our performance because it better reveals trends in our business. See “Realized Gain (Loss)” below for more information about these items.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods’ financial information. Included in these reclassifications is the change in our definition of segment operating revenues and income (loss) from operations as discussed above. In addition, we have reclassified the results of certain derivatives and embedded derivatives to realized gain (loss), which were previously reported within insurance fees, net investment income, interest credited or benefits. The associated amortization expense of deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) and value of business acquired (“VOBA”) (previously reported within underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses), deferred sales inducements (“DSI”) (previously reported within interest credited), deferred front-end loads (“DFEL”) (previously reported within insurance fees) and changes in contract holder funds (previously reported within benefits) have also been reclassified to realized gain (loss). See Note 1 for additional information.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE

Certain statements made in this report and in other written or oral statements made by LNC or on LNC’s behalf are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”). A forward-looking statement is a statement that is not a historical fact and, without limitation, includes any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words like: “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “will,” “shall” and other words or phrases with similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, trends in our businesses, prospective services or products, future performance or financial results and the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings. LNC claims the protection afforded by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the PSLRA.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results contained in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary materially, some of which are described within the forward-looking statements, include, among others:

 

 

Legislative, regulatory or tax changes, both domestic and foreign, that affect the cost of, or demand for, LNC’s products, the required amount of reserves and/or surplus, or otherwise affect our ability to conduct business, including changes to statutory reserves and/or risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements related to secondary guarantees under universal life and variable annuity products such as Actuarial Guideline VACARVM (“VACARVM”); restrictions on revenue sharing and 12b-1 payments; and the potential for U.S. Federal tax reform;

 

 

The initiation of legal or regulatory proceedings against LNC or its subsidiaries, and the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceedings, such as: adverse actions related to present or past business practices common in businesses in which LNC and its subsidiaries compete; adverse decisions in significant actions including, but not limited to, actions brought by federal and state authorities and extra-contractual and class action damage cases; new decisions that result in changes in law; and unexpected trial court rulings;

 

 

Changes in interest rates causing a reduction of investment income, the margins of LNC’s fixed annuity and life insurance businesses and demand for LNC’s products;

 

 

A decline in the equity markets causing a reduction in the sales of LNC’s products, a reduction of asset-based fees that LNC charges on various investment and insurance products, an acceleration of amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and an increase in liabilities related to guaranteed benefit features of LNC’s variable annuity products;

 

 

Ineffectiveness of LNC’s various hedging strategies used to offset the impact of changes in the value of liabilities due to changes in the level and volatility of the equity markets and interest rates;

 

 

A deviation in actual experience regarding future persistency, mortality, morbidity, interest rates or equity market returns from LNC’s assumptions used in pricing its products, in establishing related insurance reserves and in the amortization of intangibles that may result in an increase in reserves and a decrease in net income, including as a result of stranger-originated life insurance business;

 

39


 

Changes in GAAP that may result in unanticipated changes to LNC’s net income, including the impact of SFAS 157 and SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”;

 

 

Lowering of one or more of LNC’s debt ratings issued by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations and the adverse impact such action may have on LNC’s ability to raise capital and on its liquidity and financial condition;

 

 

Lowering of one or more of the insurer financial strength ratings of LNC’s insurance subsidiaries and the adverse impact such action may have on the premium writings, policy retention and profitability of its insurance subsidiaries;

 

 

Significant credit, accounting, fraud or corporate governance issues that may adversely affect the value of certain investments in the portfolios of LNC’s companies requiring that LNC realize losses on such investments;

 

 

The impact of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, product withdrawals and other unusual items, including LNC’s ability to integrate acquisitions and to obtain the anticipated results and synergies from acquisitions, including LNC’s ability to successfully integrate Jefferson-Pilot Corporation (“Jefferson-Pilot”) businesses acquired on April 3, 2006, to achieve the expected synergies from the merger or to achieve such synergies within our expected timeframe;

 

 

The adequacy and collectibility of reinsurance that LNC has purchased;

 

 

Acts of terrorism, war or other man-made and natural catastrophes that may adversely affect LNC’s businesses and the cost and availability of reinsurance;

 

 

Competitive conditions, including pricing pressures, new product offerings and the emergence of new competitors, that may affect the level of premiums and fees that LNC can charge for its products;

 

 

The unknown impact on LNC’s business resulting from changes in the demographics of LNC’s client base, as aging baby-boomers move from the asset-accumulation stage to the asset-distribution stage of life;

 

 

Loss of key management, portfolio managers in the Investment Management segment, financial planners or wholesalers;

 

 

Changes in general economic or business conditions, both domestic and foreign, that may be less favorable than expected and may affect foreign exchange rates, premium levels, claims experience, the level of pension benefit costs and funding and investment results; and

 

 

Continued economic declines and credit market volatility that could cause us to realize additional impairments on investments and certain intangible assets and dampen future earnings.

The risks included here are not exhaustive. Other sections of this report, our 2007 Form 10-K, current reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) include additional factors that could impact LNC’s business and financial performance, including “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and the risk discussions included in this section under “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates,” “Consolidated Investments” and “Reinsurance,” which are incorporated herein by reference. Moreover, LNC operates in a rapidly changing and competitive environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors.

Further, it is not possible to assess the impact of all risk factors on LNC’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. In addition, LNC disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this report.

INTRODUCTION

Executive Summary

We are a holding company that operates multiple insurance and investment management businesses through subsidiary companies. Through our business segments, we sell a wide range of wealth protection, accumulation and retirement income products and solutions. These products include institutional and/or retail fixed and indexed annuities, variable annuities, universal life insurance (“UL”), variable universal life insurance (“VUL”), linked-benefit UL, term life insurance, mutual funds and managed accounts.

As of June 30, 2008, we provided products and services in four operating businesses: Individual Markets, Employer Markets, Investment Management and Lincoln UK, and reported results through six business segments: Individual Markets – Annuities; Individual Markets – Life Insurance; Employer Markets – Retirement Products; Employer Markets – Group Protection; Investment Management; and Lincoln UK. These operating businesses and their segments are described in “Part I – Item 1. Business” of our 2007 Form 10-K. We also have Other Operations, which includes the financial data for operations that are not directly related to the business segments. Other Operations also includes the Institutional Pension business, which was previously reported in Employer Markets – Retirement Products.

 

40


On July 21, 2008, we announced the realignment of our segments under our former Employer Markets and Individual Markets operating businesses into two new operating businesses – Retirement Solutions and Insurance Solutions. We believe the new structure more closely aligns with consumer needs and should lead to more coordinated product development and greater effectiveness across the enterprise. The only change to our current segment reporting will be to report the results of the Executive Benefits business, which as of June 30, 2008, was part of the Retirement Products segment, in the Life Insurance segment. Accordingly, for the third quarter of 2008, we will provide products and services in four operating business and report results through six segments as follows:

 

Business

  

Corresponding Segments

Retirement Solutions

   Annuities
   Defined Contribution (formerly Retirement Products)

Insurance Solutions

   Life Insurance (including Executive Benefits business)
   Group Protection

Investment Management

   Investment Management

Lincoln UK

   Lincoln UK

These changes to the Retirement Products and the Life Insurance segments are in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” and reflect the manner in which we are organized for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing performance. Our segment results will be reported under this new structure beginning in the third quarter of 2008, and we will restate results from prior periods in a consistent manner. We view the changes to the existing segments as immaterial.

Current Market Conditions

During the first half of the year, the capital markets continued to experience high volatility that affected both equity market returns and interest rates. In addition, we also saw the widening of credit spreads across asset classes and reduced liquidity in the credit markets. Earnings in the second half of 2008 will be unfavorably impacted by the significant decline in the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index® during June. While the average S&P 500 Index® for second quarter was higher than first quarter, the S&P 500 Index® ended June at a lower level than the average because favorable equity market performance in April and May was largely offset by unfavorable performance in June. Due to these challenges, the capital markets had a significant effect on our segment operating income and consolidated net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. The markets impact primarily the following areas:

Earnings from Assets Under Management

Our asset-gathering segments: Individual Markets – Annuities; Employer Markets – Retirement Products; and Investment Management; are sensitive to the equity markets. We discuss the earnings impact of the equity markets on account values, assets under management and the related asset-based fees below in “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Equity Market Risk – Impact of Equity Market Sensitivity.” From the end of 2007 to June 30, 2008, the daily average value of the S&P 500 Index® decreased 7%. Solely as a result of the equity markets, our assets under management as of June 30, 2008, were down $14.1 billion from the end of the year. Strong deposits over the last year helped to more than offset this impact for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, compared to the same periods in 2007.

Investment Income on Alternative Investments

We believe that overall market conditions in both the equity and credit markets caused our alternative investments portfolio, which consists mostly of hedge funds and various limited partnership investments, to under-perform relative to our long-term expectations and the prior periods. This impact was primarily in our Individual Markets – Life Insurance, Employer Markets – Retirement Products and Individual Markets – Annuities segments. See “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” for additional information on our investment portfolio.

Variable Annuity Living Benefit Hedge Program Results

We offer variable annuity products with living benefit guarantees. These guarantees are considered embedded derivatives and are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value under SFAS 133 and SFAS 157. Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS 157, which affected the valuation of our embedded derivatives. See Note 2 of this report for details on the adoption of SFAS 157. As described below in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – Derivatives – Guaranteed Living Benefits,” we use

 

41


derivative instruments to hedge our exposure to the risks and earnings volatility that result from the embedded derivatives for living benefits in certain of our variable annuity products. The change in fair value of these instruments tends to move in the opposite direction of the change in fair value of the embedded derivatives. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, the market conditions noted above negatively affected the net result of the change in the fair value of the living benefit embedded derivative, excluding the effect of a change in our non-performance risk factor, and the change in fair value of the hedging derivatives. The change in our non-performance risk factor used in the calculation of the embedded derivative liability had a favorable effect resulting in an overall positive outcome. These results are excluded from operating revenues and income (loss) from operations.

Credit Losses, Impairments and Unrealized Losses

Related to the our investments in fixed income and equity securities, we experienced net realized losses of $125 million and $166 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, which included gross write-downs of securities for other-than-temporary impairments of $120 million and $211 million, respectively. Widening spreads was the primary cause of an increase in gross unrealized losses of $1.7 billion on investments in our general account for the six months ended June 30, 2008, for our available-for-sale fixed maturity securities. These unrealized losses were concentrated in the investment grade category of investments and demonstrate how reduced liquidity in the credit markets have resulted in a decline in asset values as investors shift their investments to safer government securities, such as U.S. Treasuries.

We recorded $139 million, after-tax, of impairment of goodwill and our Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) license intangible assets on our remaining radio clusters attributable primarily to declines in advertising revenues for the entire radio market.

The effect of the negative equity markets on our assets under management in the first six months of 2008 will continue to dampen our earnings throughout 2008 even if, for the remainder of the year, the equity market returns are consistent with our long-term assumptions. Accordingly, we may continue to report lower asset-based fees relative to expectations or prior periods. The volatility and uncertainty in the capital markets will also likely result in lower than expected returns on alternative investments. In addition, a continued weakness in the economic environment could lead to increased credit defaults.

In the face of these capital market challenges, we continue to focus on building our businesses through these difficult markets and beyond by developing and introducing high quality products, expanding distribution in new and existing key accounts and channels and targeting market segments that have high growth potential while maintaining a disciplined approach to managing our expenses.

Strategic and Operational Review

Continual product development and distribution expansion are important to our ability to meet the challenges of the competitive marketplace. In February 2008, our Individual Markets – Annuities segment launched a new guaranteed withdrawal benefit (“GWB”), Lincoln Lifetime IncomeSM Advantage, which includes features such as: a reduced minimum age for lifetime income eligibility; a 5% benefit enhancement in each year an owner does not take a withdrawal; a health care benefit; and a guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit. In our Individual Markets – Life Insurance segment, we intend to launch a variable life insurance product in the third quarter of 2008 after receiving appropriate regulatory approvals. Within the mid-sized market of our Employer Markets – Retirement Products segment, in the first quarter we launched our Lincoln SmartFutureSM retirement program to fill the gap between our Alliance program and our group variable annuities.

In terms of increasing our distribution breadth, we launched variable annuity products into three large banks during the first half of 2008. In support of these and other activities, Lincoln Financial Distributors (“LFD”) increased the number of wholesalers by 9% since the end of 2007 with additional increases expected in the remainder of the year.

Challenges and Outlook

For the remainder of 2008, we expect major challenges to include:

 

 

Continuation of volatility in the equity and credit markets;

 

 

Continuation of the low interest rate environment, which creates a challenge for our products that generate investment margin profits, such as fixed annuities and UL;

 

 

Continuation of challenges in the economy or a recession;

 

 

Achieving success in our portfolio of products and marketplace acceptance of new variable annuity features that will help maintain our competitive position;

 

 

Continuation of the successful expansion of our wholesale distribution businesses;

 

42


 

Ability to improve financial and sales results and increase scale in our Employer Markets – Defined Contribution and Investment Management businesses;

 

 

Continuation of focus by the government on tax reform including potential changes in company dividends-received deduction calculations, which may impact our products and overall earnings;

 

 

Continuation of competitive pressures in the life insurance and annuity marketplace; and

 

 

Regulatory scrutiny of the life and annuity industry, which may lead to higher product costs and negative perceptions about the industry.

In the face of these challenges, we expect to focus on the following throughout the remainder of 2008:

 

 

Continue to significantly invest in expanding our distribution in each of our core Retirement Solutions, Insurance Solutions and Investment Management businesses;

 

 

Continue near term product development in our manufacturing units and future product development initiatives in our Retirement Income Security Venture unit related to the evolving retirement income security marketplace;

 

 

Explore strategies to increase scale in our Employer Markets – Defined Contribution and Investment Management businesses;

 

 

Further embed financial and execution discipline throughout our operations by using technology and making other investments to improve operating effectiveness and lower unit costs; and

 

 

Substantially complete the remaining platform and system consolidations necessary to achieve the final portion of integration cost saves as well as prepare us for more effective customer interaction in the future.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The MD&A included in our 2007 Form 10-K contains a detailed discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates. The following information updates the critical accounting policies and estimates provided in our 2007 Form 10-K and, accordingly, should be read in conjunction with the critical accounting policies and estimates discussed in our 2007 Form 10-K.

Adoption of SFAS No. 157 – Fair Value Measurements

We adopted SFAS 157 for all our financial instruments effective January 1, 2008. For detailed discussions of the methodologies and assumptions used to determine the fair value of our financial instruments and a summary of our financial instruments carried at fair value as of June 30, 2008, see Notes 2 and 15 of this report and Notes 1 and 19 to the consolidated financial statements in our 2007 Form 10-K.

The adoption of SFAS 157 decreased income from continuing operations by $16 million. The impact to revenue is reported in realized gain (loss) and such amount along with the associated federal income taxes is excluded from income from operations of our segments. For a detailed description of the impact of adoption on our consolidated financial statements, see Note 2.

We did not make any material changes to valuation techniques or models used to determine the fair value of our assets and liabilities carried at fair value during the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, subsequent to the adoption of SFAS 157. As part of our on-going valuation process, we assess the reasonableness of all our valuation techniques or models and make adjustments as necessary.

Our investment securities are valued using market inputs, including benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. In addition, market indicators and industry and economic events are monitored, and further market data is acquired if certain triggers are met. For certain security types, additional inputs may be used, or some of the inputs described above may not be applicable. For broker-quoted only securities, quotes from market makers or broker-dealers are obtained from sources recognized to be market participants. In order to validate the pricing information and broker/dealer quotes, we employ, where possible, procedures that include comparisons with similar observable positions, comparisons with subsequent sales, discussions with senior business leaders and brokers as well as observations of general market movements for those asset classes. It is possible that different valuation techniques and models could produce materially different estimates of fair values.

Our insurance liabilities that contain embedded derivatives are valued based on a stochastic projection of scenarios of the embedded derivative fees, benefits and expenses. The scenario assumptions, at each valuation date, are those we view to be appropriate for a hypothetical market participant and include assumptions for capital markets, actuarial lapse, benefit utilization, mortality, risk margin, administrative expenses and a margin for profit. In addition, a non-performance risk component is determined each valuation date that reflects our risk of not fulfilling the obligations of the underlying liability. The spread for the non-performance risk is added to the discount rates used in determining the fair value from the net cash flows. We believe these assumptions are consistent with those that would be used by a market participant; however, as the related markets develop we will continue to reassess our assumptions. It is possible that different valuation techniques and assumptions could produce a materially different estimate of fair value.

 

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The adoption of SFAS 157 increased our exposure to earnings volatility from period to period due primarily to the inclusion of the non-performance risk into the calculation of the GLB embedded derivative liability. For additional information, see our discussion in “Realized Gain (Loss)” below.

The following summarizes the percentages of our financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis by the SFAS 157 hierarchy levels:

 

     As of June 30, 2008  
     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total
Fair
Value
 

Assets

   1 %   90 %   9 %   100 %

Liabilities

   0 %   15 %   85 %   100 %

Note: The percentages above are calculated excluding separate account assets.

Changes of our financial instruments carried at fair value and classified within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy result from changes in market conditions, as well as changes in our portfolio mix and increases and decreases in fair values as a result of those classifications. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, there were no material changes in financial instruments classified as level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. For further detail, see Note 15.

See “Consolidated Investments” below for a summary of our investments in available-for-sale securities backed by pools of residential mortgages.

Derivatives

To protect us from a variety of equity market and interest rate risks that are inherent in many of our life insurance and annuity products, we use various derivative instruments. Assessing the effectiveness of these hedging programs and evaluating the carrying values of the related derivatives often involve a variety of assumptions and estimates. We use derivatives to hedge equity market risks, interest rate risk and foreign currency exposures that are embedded in our annuity and life insurance product liabilities or investment portfolios. Derivatives held as of June 30, 2008, contain industry standard terms and are entered into with financial institutions with long-standing, superior performance records. Our accounting policies for derivatives and the potential impact on interest spreads in a falling rate environment are discussed in “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” of this report and “Part II – Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements in our 2007 Form 10-K.

Guaranteed Living Benefits

We have a hedging strategy designed to mitigate the risk and income statement volatility caused by changes in the equity markets, interest rates and market implied volatilities associated with the Lincoln SmartSecurity® Advantage GWB feature and our i4LIFE® Advantage guaranteed income benefit (“GIB”) feature that is available in our variable annuity products. In the second quarter of 2007, we also began hedging our 4LATER® Advantage GIB feature available in our variable annuity products. These living benefit features are collectively referred to as GLBs. During 2007, we made adjustments to our hedging program to purchase longer dated volatility protection and increased our hedges related to volatility to better match liability sensitivities under SFAS 157. In addition, in early January 2008, we added the variable annuity business in our New York insurance subsidiary, with total account values of approximately $1.2 billion as of June 30, 2008, to our hedge program. In February 2008, we also added our new GWB Lincoln Lifetime IncomeSM Advantage to our hedging program.

The hedging strategy is designed such that changes in the value of the hedge contracts move in the opposite direction of changes in the value of the embedded derivative of the GWB and GIB features. This dynamic hedging strategy utilizes options on U.S.-based equity indices, futures on U.S.-based and international equity indices and variance swaps on U.S.-based equity indices, as well as interest rate futures and swaps. The notional amounts of the underlying hedge instruments are such that the magnitude of the change in the value of the hedge instruments due to changes in equity markets, interest rates and implied volatilities is designed to offset the magnitude of the change in the fair value of the GWB and GIB guarantees caused by those same factors. As of June 30, 2008, the embedded derivatives for GWB, the i4LIFE® Advantage GIB and the 4LATER® Advantage GIB were liabilities valued at $220 million, $74 million and $41 million, respectively.

 

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For additional information on our hedging results, see our discussion in “Realized Gain (Loss)” below.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

Dispositions

Media Business

On June 7, 2007, we announced plans to explore strategic options for our former business segment, Lincoln Financial Media. During the fourth quarter of 2007, we decided to divest our television and Charlotte radio broadcasting and sports programming businesses, and, on November 12, 2007, we signed agreements to sell them. The divestiture of the sports programming business closed on November 30, 2007, the Charlotte radio broadcasting business closed on January 31, 2008, and the television broadcasting business closed on March 31, 2008. Accordingly, we have reported the results of these businesses as discontinued operations on our Consolidated Statements of Income and the assets and liabilities as held for sale on our Consolidated Balance Sheets for all periods presented. We continue to actively manage our investment in our remaining radio clusters, which are now being reported within Other Operations, to maximize station performance and future valuation. For additional information, see Note 3.

The proceeds from the sales of the above media properties were used for repurchase of shares, repayment of debt and other strategic initiatives.

The results of operations of these businesses have been reclassified into income from discontinued operations for all periods presented on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The amounts (in millions) related to operations of these businesses, included in income from discontinued operations, were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change  
     2008    2007      2008     2007   

Discontinued Operations Before Disposal

               

Media revenues, net of agency commissions

   $ —      $ 29    -100 %   $ 22     $ 71    -69 %
                                 

Income from discontinued operations before disposal, before federal income taxes

   $ —      $ 10    -100 %   $ 8     $ 22    -64 %

Federal income taxes

     —        4    -100 %     3       8    -63 %
                                 

Income from discontinued operations before disposal

     —        6    -100 %     5       14    -64 %
                                 

Disposal

               

Loss on disposal, before federal income taxes

     —        —      NM       (12 )     —      NM  

Federal income tax benefit

     —        —      NM       (3 )     —      NM  
                                 

Loss on disposal

     —        —      NM       (9 )     —      NM  
                                 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

   $ —      $ 6    -100 %   $ (4 )   $ 14    NM  
                                 

During the first quarter of 2008, we adjusted our loss on disposal of discontinued media properties due primarily to changes in the net assets disposed of for the television broadcasting business.

Fixed Income Investment Management Business

During the fourth quarter of 2007, we sold certain institutional taxable fixed income business to an unaffiliated investment management company. Investment Management transferred $12.3 billion of assets under management as part of this transaction. Based upon the assets transferred as of October 31, 2007, the purchase price is expected to be no more than $49 million. We expect this transaction to decrease income from operations, compared to the corresponding periods in 2007, by approximately $3 million, after-tax, per quarter in 2008.

During the fourth quarter of 2007, we received $25 million of the purchase price, with additional scheduled payments over the next three years. During 2007, we recorded an after-tax realized loss of $2 million on our Consolidated Statements of Income as a result

 

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of goodwill we attributed to this business. There were certain other pipeline accounts in process at the time of the transaction closing, and any adjustment to the purchase price, if necessary, will be determined at October 31, 2008. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, we recorded an after-tax gain of $1 million and $3 million, respectively, on our Consolidated Statements of Income related to this transaction.

For additional information about acquisitions and dispositions, See “Part II – Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Introduction – Acquisition and Dispositions” in our 2007 Form 10-K.

RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS

Net Income

Details underlying the consolidated results and assets under management (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
  

Change

 
     2008     2007      2008     2007   

Revenues

              

Insurance premiums

   $ 530     $ 489    8 %   $ 1,039     $ 948    10 %

Insurance fees

     842       742    13 %     1,654       1,506    10 %

Investment advisory fees

     76       93    -18 %     152       183    -17 %

Net investment income

     1,077       1,133    -5 %     2,142       2,223    -4 %

Realized gain (loss)

     (108 )     7    NM       (143 )     41    NM  

Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance

     19       26    -27 %     38       45    -16 %

Other revenues and fees

     146       181    -19 %     292       346    -16 %
                                  

Total revenues

     2,582       2,671    -3 %     5,174       5,292    -2 %
                                  

Benefits and Expenses

              

Interest credited

     613       606    1 %     1,225       1,206    2 %

Benefits

     684       651    5 %     1,362       1,244    9 %

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

     847       816    4 %     1,656       1,625    2 %

Interest and debt expense

     65       73    -11 %     140       135    4 %

Impairment of intangibles

     173       —      NM       173       —      NM  
                                  

Total benefits and expenses

     2,382       2,146    11 %     4,556       4,210    8 %
                                  

Income from continuing operations before taxes

     200       525    -62 %     618       1,082    -43 %

Federal income taxes

     75       155    -52 %     200       324    -38 %
                                  

Income from continuing operations

     125       370    -66 %     418       758    -45 %

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of federal incomes taxes

     —         6    -100 %     (4 )     14    NM  
                                  

Net income

   $ 125     $ 376    -67 %   $ 414     $ 772    -46 %
                                  

 

46


     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Revenues

            

Operating revenues:

            

Individual Markets:

            

Annuities

   $ 618     $ 624     -1 %   $ 1,241     $ 1,214     2 %

Life Insurance

     1,021       957     7 %     2,008       1,929     4 %
                                    

Total Individual Markets

     1,639       1,581     4 %     3,249       3,143     3 %
                                    

Employer Markets:

            

Retirement Products

     304       318     -4 %     608       634     -4 %

Group Protection

     425       391     9 %     824       751     10 %
                                    

Total Employer Markets

     729       709     3 %     1,432       1,385     3 %
                                    

Investment Management

     125       151     -17 %     245       301     -19 %

Lincoln UK

     98       93     5 %     183       183     0 %

Other Operations

     110       123     -11 %     229       233     -2 %

Excluded realized gain (loss), pre-tax

     (120 )     6     NM       (166 )     39     NM  

Amortization of deferred gain arising from reserve changes on business sold through reinsurance, pre-tax

     1       8     -88 %     2       8     -75 %
                                    

Total revenues

   $ 2,582     $ 2,671     -3 %   $ 5,174     $ 5,292     -2 %
                                    
     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Net Income

            

Income (loss) from operations:

            

Individual Markets:

            

Annuities

   $ 116     $ 123     -6 %   $ 234     $ 240     -3 %

Life Insurance

     153       176     -13 %     298       343     -13 %
                                    

Total Individual Markets

     269       299     -10 %     532       583     -9 %
                                    

Employer Markets:

            

Retirement Products

     52       58     -10 %     104       120     -13 %

Group Protection

     32       29     10 %     58       52     12 %
                                    

Total Employer Markets

     84       87     -3 %     162       172     -6 %
                                    

Investment Management

     15       11     36 %     27       28     -4 %

Lincoln UK

     18       12     50 %     29       23     26 %

Other Operations

     (44 )     (35 )   -26 %     (86 )     (65 )   -32 %

Excluded realized gain (loss), after-tax

     (78 )     4     NM       (108 )     25     NM  

Income (loss) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance, after-tax

     —         (8 )   100 %     1       (8 )   113 %

Impairment of intangibles, after-tax

     (139 )     —       NM       (139 )     —       NM  
                                    

Income from continuing operations

     125       370     -66 %     418       758     -45 %

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     —         6     -100 %     (4 )     14     NM  
                                    

Net income

   $ 125     $ 376     -67 %   $ 414     $ 772     -46 %
                                    

 

47


     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Deposits

            

Individual Markets:

            

Annuities

   $ 3,436     $ 3,277     5 %   $ 6,462     $ 6,098     6 %

Life Insurance

     952       1,005     -5 %     1,919       2,044     -6 %

Employer Markets:

            

Retirement Products – Defined Contribution

     1,421       1,273     12 %     2,972       2,760     8 %

Retirement Products – Executive Benefits

     110       79     39 %     275       144     91 %

Investment Management

     3,507       6,150     -43 %     8,229       12,185     -32 %

Consolidating adjustments (1)

     (811 )     (1,077 )   25 %     (2,394 )     (1,989 )   -20 %
                                    

Total deposits

   $ 8,615     $ 10,707     -20 %   $ 17,463     $ 21,242     -18 %
                                    

Net Flows

            

Individual Markets:

            

Annuities

   $ 1,589     $ 1,137     40 %   $ 2,770     $ 1,892     46 %

Life Insurance

     627       586     7 %     1,207       1,283     -6 %

Employer Markets:

            

Retirement Products – Defined Contribution

     237       73     225 %     517       294     76 %

Retirement Products – Executive Benefits

     50       26     92 %     121       (49 )   NM  

Investment Management

     (1,471 )     (424 )   NM       (2,638 )     (512 )   NM  

Consolidating adjustments (1)

     (24 )     304     NM       (90 )     348     NM  
                                    

Total net flows

   $ 1,008     $ 1,702     -41 %   $ 1,887     $ 3,256     -42 %
                                    

 

(1)

Consolidating adjustments represents the elimination of deposits and net flows on products affecting more than one segment.

 

     As of June 30,    Change  
     2008    2007   

Assets Under Management by Advisor

        

Investment Management:

        

External assets

   $ 75,691    $ 97,725    -23 %

Inter-segment assets

     65,997      66,423    -1 %

Lincoln UK

     7,833      9,168    -15 %

Policy loans

     2,802      2,787    1 %

Assets administered through unaffiliated third parties

     68,292      68,925    -1 %
                

Total assets under management

   $ 220,615    $ 245,028    -10 %
                

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Net income decreased due primarily to the following:

 

 

Impairment of goodwill and our FCC license intangible assets on our remaining radio clusters attributable primarily to declines in advertising revenues for the entire radio market; however, these non-cash impairments will not impact our future liquidity;

 

 

Higher write-downs for other-than-temporary impairments on our available-for-sale securities attributable primarily to unfavorable changes in credit quality and increases in credit spreads;

 

 

Lower net investment income driven by less favorable results from our alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums as well as certain capital transactions providing relief from Actuarial Guideline 38 (“AG38”) reserve requirements in the fourth quarter of 2007;

 

 

Higher benefits due to growth in business in force and higher death claims;

 

48


 

Net unfavorable retrospective unlocking of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL compared to net favorable retrospective unlocking for the same periods in 2007;

 

 

Lower earnings from our variable annuity and mutual fund products as a result of declines in assets under management caused by decreases in the level of the equity markets; and

 

 

The results for the second quarter of 2007 included a $6 million one-time curtailment gain related to a change in our employee pension plan.

The causes of decreases in net income were partially offset by:

 

 

Growth in insurance fees driven by increases in life insurance in force as a result of new sales since June 30, 2007, and favorable persistency along with increases in variable account values from positive net flows partially offset by adjustments during the second quarter of 2007 resulting from adjusting account values for certain of our life insurance policies and modifying the accounting for certain of our life insurance policies;

 

 

Lower litigation and merger-related expenses;

 

 

Lower incentive compensation accruals as a result of lower earnings and production performance relative to planned goals;

 

 

The results in the second quarter of 2007 included an $8 million expense for an increase in reserves (net of related deferred gain amortization) on the personal accident business that was sold to Swiss Re through an indemnity reinsurance transaction in 2001;

 

 

Lower broker-dealer expenses driven by lower sales; and

 

 

Favorable benefit reserve adjustments in the second quarter of 2008 for our Lincoln UK segment.

In addition to the items discussed above, net income for the six months ended June 30, 2008, compared to the same period in 2007 was affected by:

 

 

A $14 million reduction in benefits in the first quarter of 2007 related to a purchase accounting adjustment to the opening balance sheet of Jefferson-Pilot;

 

 

A $16 million effect of the initial adoption of SFAS 157 on January 1, 2008;

 

 

Higher interest and debt expenses from increased debt; and

 

 

The first quarter of 2008 adjustment to our loss on disposition of our discontinued operations.

The foregoing items are discussed in further detail in results of operations by segment discussions and “Realized Gain (Loss)” below. In addition, for a discussion of the earnings impact of the equity markets, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Equity Market Risk – Impact of Equity Market Sensitivity.”

 

49


RESULTS OF INDIVIDUAL MARKETS

The Individual Markets business provides its products through two segments: Annuities and Life Insurance. Through its Annuities segment, Individual Markets provides tax-deferred investment growth and lifetime income opportunities for its clients by offering individual fixed annuities, including indexed annuities, and variable annuities. The Life Insurance segment offers wealth protection and transfer opportunities through term insurance, a linked-benefit product (which is a UL policy linked with riders that provide for long-term care costs) and both single and survivorship versions of UL and VUL.

Individual Markets – Annuities

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Individual Markets – Annuities (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change  
     2008    2007      2008    2007   

Operating Revenues

                

Insurance premiums

   $ 19    $ 17    12 %   $ 51    $ 29    76 %

Insurance fees

     257      244    5 %     503      465    8 %

Net investment income

     245      265    -8 %     493      531    -7 %

Operating realized gain

     12      1    NM       23      2    NM  

Other revenues and fees

     85      97    -12 %     171      187    -9 %
                                

Total operating revenues

     618      624    -1 %     1,241      1,214    2 %
                                

Operating Expenses

                

Interest credited

     163      165    -1 %     325      326    0 %

Benefits

     35      27    30 %     87      52    67 %

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

     268      267    0 %     520      517    1 %
                                

Total operating expenses

     466      459    2 %     932      895    4 %
                                

Income from operations before taxes

     152      165    -8 %     309      319    -3 %

Federal income taxes

     36      42    -14 %     75      79    -5 %
                                

Income from operations

   $ 116    $ 123    -6 %   $ 234    $ 240    -3 %
                                

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this segment decreased due primarily to a decrease in net investment income from lower earnings on surplus investments and alternative investments due to unfavorable equity markets.

The decrease in income from operations was partially offset by growth in insurance fees attributable to increases in variable annuity account values from positive net flows partially offset by the increase in attributed fees. The positive net flows served to mitigate the negative effect on fees from the decline in account values driven by the unfavorable performance of the equity markets.

The decrease in income from operations is discussed further below. For detail on the operating realized gain, see “Realized Gain (Loss)” below.

 

50


Insurance Fees

Details underlying insurance fees, account values and net flows (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Insurance Fees

            

Mortality, expense and other assessments

   $ 257     $ 242     6 %   $ 503     $ 460     9 %

Surrender charges

     9       10     -10 %     19       20     -5 %

DFEL:

            

Deferrals

     (13 )     (12 )   -8 %     (25 )     (22 )   -14 %

Amortization, excluding unlocking

     4       4     0 %     7       7     0 %

Retrospective unlocking

     —         —       NM       (1 )     —       NM  
                                    

Total insurance fees

   $ 257     $ 244     5 %   $ 503     $ 465     8 %
                                    

 

     As of June 30,     Change  
     2008     2007    

Account Values

      

Variable portion of variable annuities

   $ 55,855     $ 55,171     1 %

Fixed portion of variable annuities

     3,478       3,458     1 %
                  

Total variable annuities

     59,333       58,629     1 %
                  

Fixed annuities, including indexed

     14,321       14,409     -1 %

Fixed annuities ceded to reinsurers

     (1,255 )     (1,598 )   21 %
                  

Total fixed annuities

     13,066       12,811     2 %
                  

Total account values

   $ 72,399     $ 71,440     1 %
                  

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change  
     2008    2007      2008    2007   

Averages

                

Daily variable account values

   $ 57,763    $ 53,465    8 %   $ 56,541    $ 51,327    10 %
                                

Daily S&P 500 Index®

     1,371.26      1,496.87    -8 %     1,360.21      1,461.02    -7 %
                                

 

51


     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Net Flows

            

Variable portion of variable annuity deposits

   $ 2,065     $ 2,295     -10 %   $ 3,931     $ 4,295     -8 %

Variable portion of variable annuity withdrawals

     (1,229 )     (1,247 )   1 %     (2,488 )     (2,426 )   -3 %
                                    

Variable portion of variable annuity net flows

     836       1,048     -20 %     1,443       1,869     -23 %
                                    

Fixed portion of variable annuity deposits

     878       662     33 %     1,734       1,197     45 %

Fixed portion of variable annuity withdrawals

     (110 )     (155 )   29 %     (234 )     (306 )   24 %
                                    

Fixed portion of variable annuity net flows

     768       507     51 %     1,500       891     68 %
                                    

Total variable annuity deposits

     2,943       2,957     0 %     5,665       5,492     3 %

Total variable annuity withdrawals

     (1,339 )     (1,402 )   4 %     (2,722 )     (2,732 )   0 %
                                    

Total variable annuity net flows

     1,604       1,555     3 %     2,943       2,760     7 %
                                    

Fixed indexed annuity deposits

     356       191     86 %     574       351     64 %

Fixed indexed annuity withdrawals

     (102 )     (61 )   -67 %     (186 )     (123 )   -51 %
                                    

Fixed indexed annuity net flows

     254       130     95 %     388       228     70 %
                                    

Other fixed annuity deposits

     137       129     6 %     223       255     -13 %

Other fixed annuity withdrawals

     (406 )     (677 )   40 %     (784 )     (1,351 )   42 %
                                    

Other fixed annuity net flows

     (269 )     (548 )   51 %     (561 )     (1,096 )   49 %
                                    

Total annuity deposits

     3,436       3,277     5 %     6,462       6,098     6 %

Total annuity withdrawals

     (1,847 )     (2,140 )   14 %     (3,692 )     (4,206 )   12 %
                                    

Total annuity net flows

   $ 1,589     $ 1,137     40 %   $ 2,770     $ 1,892     46 %
                                    

We charge contract holders mortality and expense assessments on variable annuity accounts to cover insurance and administrative expenses. These assessments are a function of the rates priced into the product and the average daily variable account values. Average daily account values are driven by net flows and equity markets. In addition, for our fixed annuity contracts and for some variable contracts, we collect surrender charges when contract holders surrender their contracts during their surrender charge periods to protect us from premature withdrawals. Insurance fees include charges on both our variable and fixed annuity products, but exclude the attributed fees on our GLB products. The attributed fees are the portion of rider charges used in the calculation of the embedded derivative and represent net valuation premium plus a margin that a theoretical market participant would include for risk/profit, including a non-performance risk factor required by SFAS 157. Net valuation premium represents a level portion of rider fees required to fund potential claims for the living benefit. Operating realized gain is the attributed fees less the net valuation premium, net of the associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL.

New deposits are an important component of our effort to grow the annuity business. Although deposits do not significantly impact current period income from operations, they are an important indicator of future profitability.

The other component of net flows relates to the retention of the business. One of the key assumptions in pricing a product is the account persistency, which we refer to as the lapse rate. The lapse rate compares the amount of withdrawals to the average account values.

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The growth in expense assessments was attributable to an increase in average daily variable annuity account values. The increase in account values reflects cumulative positive net flows, which offset the reduction in variable account values from unfavorable equity markets in the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.

In the past several years, we have concentrated our efforts on expanding both product and distribution breadth. Annuity deposits increased as a result of continued strong sales of products with GLB riders and the expansion of the wholesaling force in LFD.

Overall lapse rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, were 8% compared to 10% for the same periods in 2007.

 

52


Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

Details underlying net investment income, interest credited (in millions) and our interest rate spread were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Net Investment Income

            

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

   $ 224     $ 229     -2 %   $ 453     $ 467     -3 %

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1)

     —         3     -100 %     1       5     -80 %

Alternative investments (2)

     —         1     -100 %     (1 )     2     NM  

Surplus investments (3)

     20       31     -35 %     38       54     -30 %

Broker-dealer

     1       1     0 %     2       3     -33 %
                                    

Total net investment income

   $ 245     $ 265     -8 %   $ 493     $ 531     -7 %
                                    

Interest Credited

            

Amount provided to contract holders

   $ 180     $ 184     -2 %   $ 363     $ 367     -1 %

Opening balance sheet adjustment (4)

     —         —       NM       —         (4 )   100 %

DSI deferrals

     (26 )     (27 )   4 %     (52 )     (51 )   -2 %
                                    

Interest credited before DSI amortization

     154       157     -2 %     311       312     0 %

DSI amortization:

            

Excluding unlocking

     9       9     0 %     15       16     -6 %

Retrospective unlocking

     —         (1 )   100 %     (1 )     (2 )   50 %
                                    

Total interest credited

   $ 163     $ 165     -1 %   $ 325     $ 326     0 %
                                    

 

(1)

See “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.

(2)

See “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” below for additional information.

(3)

Represents net investment income on the required statutory surplus for this segment.

(4)

Net adjustment to the opening balance sheet of Jefferson-Pilot finalized in 2007.

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Basis
Point
Change
    For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Basis
Point
Change
 
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Interest Rate Spread

            

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

   5.88 %   5.82 %   6     5.86 %   5.84 %   2  

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond make whole premiums

   0.00 %   0.08 %   (8 )   0.02 %   0.06 %   (4 )

Alternative investments

   -0.01 %   0.02 %   (3 )   -0.01 %   0.02 %   (3 )
                            

Net investment income yield on reserves

   5.87 %   5.92 %   (5 )   5.87 %   5.92 %   (5 )

Interest rate credited to contract holders

   3.73 %   3.73 %   —       3.77 %   3.68 %   9  
                            

Interest rate spread

   2.14 %   2.19 %   (5 )   2.10 %   2.24 %   (14 )
                            

Note: The yields, rates and spreads above are calculated using whole dollars instead of dollars rounded to millions.

 

53


     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change  
     2008    2007      2008    2007   

Average invested assets on reserves

   $ 15,743    $ 16,077    -2 %   $ 15,729    $ 16,289    -3 %

Average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable

     17,373      17,548    -1 %     17,343      17,697    -2 %

Net flows for fixed annuities, including the fixed portion of variable

     753      89    NM       1,327      23    NM  

A portion of our investment income earned is credited to the contract holders of our fixed annuity products, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts. We expect to earn a spread between what we earn on the underlying general account investments supporting the fixed annuity product line, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts, and what we credit to our fixed annuity contract holders’ accounts, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts. The interest rate spread for this segment represents the excess of the yield on invested assets on reserves over the average crediting rate. The yield on invested assets on reserves is calculated as net investment income, excluding the amounts attributable to our surplus investments, reverse repurchase agreement interest expense, inter-segment cash management account interest expense and interest on collateral divided by average invested assets on reserves. The average invested assets on reserves is calculated based upon total invested assets, excluding hedge derivatives and collateral. The average crediting rate is calculated as interest credited before DSI amortization, plus the immediate annuity reserve change (included within benefits) divided by the average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, net of coinsured account values. Fixed account values reinsured under modified coinsurance agreements are included in account values for this calculation. Changes in commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums, investment income on alternative investments and surplus investment income can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors and, therefore, may contribute to investment income results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.

We expect to manage the effect of spreads for near-term income from operations through a combination of rate actions and portfolio management. Our expectation includes the assumption that there are no significant changes in net flows in or out of our fixed accounts or other changes that may cause interest rate spreads to differ from our expectation. For information on interest rate spreads and the interest rate risk due to falling interest rates, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decline in surplus investment income was attributable to less favorable investment income on alternative investments.

The decline in investment income from fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other net investment income was due primarily to a decrease in fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, which included a $300 million funding agreement that matured on June 2, 2008. Interest credited to contract holders remained relatively flat as a decline in our fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, was offset by an elevated rate.

Our fixed annuity business includes products with crediting rates that are reset on an annual basis and are not subject to surrender charges. Account values for these products were $5.1 billion as of June 30, 2008, with 42% already at their minimum guaranteed rates. The average crediting rates for these products were approximately 41 basis points in excess of average minimum guaranteed rates. Our ability to retain annual reset annuities will be subject to current competitive conditions at the time interest rates for these products reset. In addition to the separate items identified in the interest rate spread table above, the other component of the interest rate credited to contract holders decreased due primarily to a roll-off of multi-year guarantee and annual reset annuities with higher interest rates.

 

54


Benefits

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in benefits was attributable to an unfavorable variance in the SOP 03-1 benefit ratio unlocking, which was offset by changes in the value of the derivative included in operating realized gain, as well as an increase in reserves for single premium immediate annuities, which had a corresponding increase in insurance premiums.

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

Details underlying underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

            

Commissions

   $ 186     $ 179     4 %   $ 352     $ 331     6 %

General and administrative expenses

     80       82     -2 %     160       152     5 %

Taxes, licenses and fees

     8       6     33 %     18       15     20 %
                                    

Total expenses incurred, excluding broker-dealer

     274       267     3 %     530       498     6 %

DAC and VOBA deferrals

     (192 )     (189 )   -2 %     (364 )     (347 )   -5 %
                                    

Total pre-broker-dealer expenses incurred, excluding amortization, net of interest

     82       78     5 %     166       151     10 %

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:

            

Retrospective unlocking

     —         (9 )   100 %     —         (15 )   100 %

Other amortization

     101       105     -4 %     180       201     -10 %

Broker-dealer expenses incurred:

            

Commissions

     64       72     -11 %     131       141     -7 %

General and administrative expenses

     21       20     5 %     43       39     10 %

Taxes, licenses and fees

     —         1     -100 %     —         —       NM  
                                    

Total underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   $ 268     $ 267     0 %   $ 520     $ 517     1 %
                                    

DAC and VOBA deferrals

            

As a percentage of sales/deposits

     5.6 %     5.8 %       5.6 %     5.7 %  

Commissions and other costs that vary with and are related primarily to the production of new business are deferred to the extent recoverable and are amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to estimated gross profits (“EGPs”). We have certain trail commissions that are based upon account values that are expensed as incurred rather than being deferred and amortized.

Broker-dealer expenses that vary with and are related to sales are expensed as incurred and not deferred and amortized. These expenses are more than offset by increases to other income.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in expenses incurred, excluding broker-dealer, was attributable primarily to growth in account values from sales, which increased commissions and general and administrative expenses.

The decrease in broker-dealer commissions was due to lower sales of non-proprietary products.

The second quarter of 2007 had favorable retrospective unlocking (decrease to DAC and VOBA amortization) due primarily to lower lapses and higher equity market returns than estimated in our model projections.

 

55


Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in expenses incurred, excluding broker-dealer, was attributable primarily to growth in account values from sales, which increased commissions and general and administrative expenses.

The decrease in broker-dealer commissions was due to lower sales of non-proprietary products. The increase in broker-dealer general and administrative expenses was attributable primarily to increases in personnel costs.

The first six months of 2007 had favorable retrospective unlocking (decrease to DAC and VOBA amortization) due primarily to lower lapses and higher equity market returns than estimated in our model projections.

Individual Markets – Life Insurance

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Individual Markets – Life Insurance (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
         For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
      
     2008    2007    Change     2008    2007    Change  

Operating Revenues

                

Insurance premiums

   $ 89    $ 88    1 %   $ 176    $ 176    0 %

Insurance fees

     460      368    25 %     905      787    15 %

Net investment income

     467      493    -5 %     914      947    -3 %

Other revenues and fees

     5      8    -38 %     13      19    -32 %
                                

Total operating revenues

     1,021      957    7 %     2,008      1,929    4 %
                                

Operating Expenses

                

Interest credited

     262      254    3 %     520      506    3 %

Benefits

     300      263    14 %     597      509    17 %

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

     228      171    33 %     440      392    12 %
                                

Total operating expenses

     790      688    15 %     1,557      1,407    11 %
                                

Income from operations before taxes

     231      269    -14 %     451      522    -14 %

Federal income taxes

     78      93    -16 %     153      179    -15 %
                                

Income from operations

   $ 153    $ 176    -13 %   $ 298    $ 343    -13 %
                                

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this segment decreased due primarily to the following:

 

 

Higher death claims resulting in increased benefits;

 

 

Lower net investment income from a reduction in statutory reserves as a result of the merger of several of our insurance subsidiaries and certain assumption changes in the fourth quarter of 2007, capital transactions providing relief from AG38 reserve requirements in the fourth quarter of 2007 and less favorable results from our investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums; and

 

 

A decrease attributable to unfavorable retrospective unlocking of DAC and VOBA for the second quarter of 2008 compared to favorable retrospective unlocking for the second quarter of 2007.

The decrease in income from operations was partially offset by the following:

 

 

Growth in insurance fees driven by an increase in business in force as a result of new sales since June 30, 2007, and favorable persistency partially offset by the impact on insurance fees from lower sales in the second quarter of 2008 compared to the second quarter of 2007 and adjustments during the second quarter of 2007 resulting from adjusting account values for certain of our life insurance policies and modifying the accounting for certain of our life insurance policies.

 

56


Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this segment decreased due primarily to the following:

 

 

Higher death claims in 2008 and lower benefits in the first quarter of 2007 partially related to a $14 million reduction in benefits related to a purchase accounting adjustment to the opening balance sheet of Jefferson-Pilot;

 

 

Lower net investment income from a reduction in statutory reserves as a result of the merger of several of our insurance subsidiaries and certain assumption changes in the fourth quarter of 2007, capital transactions providing relief from AG38 reserve requirements in the fourth quarter of 2007 and less favorable results from our investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums; and

 

 

A decrease attributable to unfavorable retrospective unlocking of DAC and VOBA for the first six months of 2008 compared to favorable retrospective unlocking for the first six months of 2007.

The decrease in income from operations was partially offset by the following:

 

 

Growth in insurance fees driven by an increase in business in force as a result of new sales since June 30, 2007, and favorable persistency partially offset by the impact on insurance fees from lower sales in the first six months of 2008 compared to the first six months of 2007 and adjustments during the second quarter of 2007 resulting from adjusting account values for certain of our life insurance policies and modifying the accounting for certain of our life insurance policies.

The foregoing items are discussed further below.

Insurance Premiums

Insurance premiums relate to traditional products and are a function of the rates priced into the product and the level of insurance in force. Insurance in force, in turn, is driven by sales, persistency and mortality experience.

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Traditional in-force face amount and thus premiums remained relatively flat.

Insurance Fees

Details underlying insurance fees, sales, net flows, account values and in-force face amount (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
          For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
       
     2008     2007     Change     2008     2007     Change  

Insurance Fees

            

Mortality assessments

   $ 321     $ 282     14 %   $ 633     $ 575     10 %

Expense assessments

     164       148     11 %     330       301     10 %

Surrender charges

     15       16     -6 %     31       31     0 %

DFEL:

            

Deferrals

     (89 )     (112 )   21 %     (177 )     (178 )   1 %

Amortization, excluding unlocking

     38       41     -7 %     73       68     7 %

Retrospective unlocking

     11       (7 )   257 %     15       (10 )   250 %
                                    

Total insurance fees

   $ 460     $ 368     25 %   $ 905     $ 787     15 %
                                    

 

57


     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
          For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
       
     2008     2007     Change     2008     2007     Change  

Sales by Product

            

UL:

            

Excluding MoneyGuard ®

   $ 124     $ 145     -14 %   $ 237     $ 311     -24 %

MoneyGuard ®

     12       10     20 %     23       17     35 %
                                    

Total UL

     136       155     -12 %     260       328     -21 %

VUL

     12       17     -29 %     27       38     -29 %

Term/whole life

     5       8     -38 %     11       17     -35 %
                                    

Total sales

   $ 153     $ 180     -15 %   $ 298     $ 383     -22 %
                                    

Net Flows

            

Deposits

   $ 952     $ 1,005     -5 %   $ 1,919     $ 2,044     -6 %

Withdrawals and deaths

     (325 )     (419 )   22 %     (712 )     (761 )   6 %
                                    

Net flows

   $ 627     $ 586     7 %   $ 1,207     $ 1,283     -6 %
                                    

Contract holder assessments

   $ 675     $ 586     15 %   $ 1,318     $ 1,188     11 %
                                    

 

     As of June 30,    Change  
     2008    2007   

Account Values

        

UL

   $ 21,321    $ 20,261    5 %

VUL

     4,473      4,948    -10 %

Interest-sensitive whole life

     2,283      2,256    1 %
                

Total account values

   $ 28,077    $ 27,465    2 %
                

In-Force Face Amount

        

UL and other

   $ 288,668    $ 276,040    5 %

Term insurance

     234,109      236,155    -1 %
                

Total in-force face amount

   $ 522,777    $ 512,195    2 %
                

Insurance fees relate only to interest-sensitive products and include mortality assessments, expense assessments (net of deferrals and amortization related to DFEL) and surrender charges. Mortality and expense assessments are deducted from our contract holders’ account values. These amounts are a function of the rates priced into the product and premiums received, face amount in force and account values. Insurance in force, in turn, is driven by sales, persistency and mortality experience. In-force growth should be considered independently with respect to term products versus UL and other products, as term products have a lower profitability relative to face amount compared to whole life and interest-sensitive products.

Sales in the table above and as discussed below were reported as follows:

 

 

UL, VUL, MoneyGuard® – 100% of annualized expected target premiums plus 5% of paid excess premiums, including an adjustment for internal replacements at approximately 50% of target; and

 

 

Whole life and term – 100% of first year paid premiums.

Sales are not recorded as a component of revenues (other than for traditional products) and do not have a significant impact on current quarter income from operations but are indicators of future profitability.

We have screening procedures to identify sales that we believe have characteristics associated with stranger-originated life insurance in order to prevent policies with these characteristics from being issued. However, accurate identification of these policies can be difficult, and we continue to modify our screening procedures. We believe that our sales of UL products include some sales with stranger-originated life insurance characteristics. We expect no significant impact to our profitability; however, returns on UL business sold as part of stranger-originated designs are believed to be lower than traditional estate planning UL sales due in part to no expected lapses.

 

58


UL and VUL products with secondary guarantees represented approximately 33% of interest-sensitive life insurance in force as of June 30, 2008, and approximately 77% and 76% of sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. AG38 imposes additional statutory reserve requirements for these products. See “Review of Consolidated Financial Condition – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Sources of Liquidity and Cash Flow” for further information on the manner in which we reinsure our AG38 reserves.

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The growth in mortality and expense assessments was attributable primarily to the impact of a $41 million reduction in insurance fees, net of DFEL amortization, related to the impact of the correction to account values and modification of accounting related to certain insurance contracts during the second quarter of 2007. In addition, mortality and expense assessments grew as a result of increased life insurance in force and account values from new sales since June 30, 2007, an increase in the average attained age of the in-force block (which also led to increases in benefits as discussed below) and favorable persistency.

The second quarter of 2008 had favorable retrospective unlocking (increase to DFEL amortization) due primarily to lower premiums received and higher death claims, partially offset by higher investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums and lower maintenance expenses than estimated in our model projections.

The second quarter of 2007 had unfavorable retrospective unlocking (decrease to DFEL amortization) due primarily to higher investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums, higher premiums received and lower maintenance expenses than estimated in our model projections, partially offset by the impact of the correction to account values in the second quarter of 2007 mentioned above.

The first six months of 2008 had favorable retrospective unlocking (increase to DFEL amortization) due primarily to lower premiums received and higher death claims than estimated in our model projections and model adjustments on certain life insurance policies, partially offset by lower maintenance expenses than estimated in our model projections.

The first six months of 2007 had unfavorable retrospective unlocking (decrease to DFEL amortization) due primarily to higher investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums, higher premiums received and lower maintenance expenses than estimated in our model projections, partially offset by the impact of the correction to account values in the second quarter of 2007 mentioned above.

Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

Details underlying net investment income, interest credited (in millions) and our interest rate spread were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
         For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
      
     2008    2007    Change     2008    2007    Change  

Net Investment Income

                

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

   $ 423    $ 413    2 %   $ 846    $ 825    3 %

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1)

     9      10    -10 %     12      21    -43 %

Alternative investments (2)

     14      43    -67 %     14      50    -72 %

Surplus investments (3)

     21      27    -22 %     42      51    -18 %
                                

Total net investment income

   $ 467    $ 493    -5 %   $ 914    $ 947    -3 %
                                

Interest Credited

   $ 262    $ 254    3 %   $ 520    $ 506    3 %
                                

 

(1)

See “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.

(2)

See “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” below for additional information.

(3)

Represents net investment income on the required statutory surplus for this segment.

 

59


     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Basis
Point
Change
    For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Basis
Point
Change
 
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Interest Rate Yields and Spread

            

Attributable to interest-sensitive products:

            

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

   5.88 %   6.10 %   (22 )   5.95 %   6.13 %   (18 )

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums

   0.15 %   0.14 %   1     0.09 %   0.17 %   (8 )

Alternative investments

   0.24 %   0.75 %   (51 )   0.12 %   0.44 %   (32 )
                            

Net investment income yield on reserves

   6.27 %   6.99 %   (72 )   6.16 %   6.74 %   (58 )

Interest rate credited to contract holders

   4.33 %   4.45 %   (12 )   4.33 %   4.46 %   (13 )
                            

Interest rate spread

   1.94 %   2.54 %   (60 )   1.83 %   2.28 %   (45 )
                            

Attributable to traditional products:

            

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

   6.23 %   6.29 %   (6 )   6.17 %   6.33 %   (16 )

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums

   0.00 %   0.14 %   (14 )   0.06 %   0.08 %   (2 )

Alternative investments

   -0.02 %   0.05 %   (7 )   -0.02 %   0.04 %   (6 )
                            

Net investment income yield on reserves

   6.21 %   6.48 %   (27 )   6.21 %   6.45 %   (24 )
                            

Note: The yields, rates and spreads above are calculated using whole dollars instead of dollars rounded to millions.

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
         For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
      
     2008    2007    Change     2008    2007    Change  

Averages

                

Attributable to interest-sensitive products:

                

Invested assets on reserves

   $ 23,245    $ 22,155    5 %   $ 23,081    $ 21,925    5 %

Account values – universal and whole life

     23,480      22,372    5 %     23,369      22,215    5 %

Attributable to traditional products:

                

Invested assets on reserves

     5,291      5,012    6 %     5,298      5,015    6 %

A portion of the investment income earned for this segment is credited to contract holder accounts. Invested assets will typically grow at a faster rate than account values because of the AG38 reserve requirements. Invested assets are also affected by various reserve adjustments, primarily the result of the merger of several of our insurance subsidiaries, the modification of accounting for certain of our life insurance policies, and by capital transactions providing relief from AG38 reserve requirements, which leads to a transfer of invested assets for other corporate purposes. We expect to earn a spread between what we earn on the underlying general account investments and what we credit to our contract holders’ accounts. The interest rate spread for this segment represents the excess of the yield on invested assets on reserves over the average crediting rate on interest sensitive products. The yield on invested assets on reserves is calculated as net investment income, excluding amounts attributable to our surplus investments and reverse repurchase agreement interest expense, divided by average invested assets on reserves. In addition, we exclude the impact of earnings from affordable housing tax credit securities, which is reflected as a reduction to federal income tax expense, from our spread calculations. Traditional products use interest income to build the policy reserves. Commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums and investment income on alternative investments can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors, and, therefore, may contribute to investment income results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.

 

60


Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other net investment income was due to continued growth of business in force partially offset by the impact of reductions in statutory reserves. The decrease in investment income on alternative investments was driven primarily by less favorable results from limited partnership investments. Higher AG38 statutory reserve liabilities on UL policies with secondary guarantees contributed to invested asset growth. At June 30, 2007, we reduced statutory reserves related to our secondary guarantee UL products by approximately $150 million, which has reduced the amount of net investment income allocated to this segment by $2 million per quarter. This statutory reserve reduction related to modifying the accounting for certain of our life insurance policies. In October 2007, we released approximately $300 million of capital that had previously supported our UL products with secondary guarantees as a result of executing on a capital transaction to provide AG38 relief. This release of capital lowered the level of assets supporting this business and has reduced net investment income by approximately $5 million per quarter. As of December 31, 2007, we reduced statutory reserves related primarily to legal entity consolidation by $344 million, which has reduced the amount of net investment income allocated to this segment by approximately $5 million in the first quarter of 2008. This reduction in statutory reserves was primarily a result of the merger of several of our insurance subsidiaries.

The increase in interest credited was attributable primarily to growth in UL account values. On June 1, 2007, we implemented a 10 basis point decrease in crediting rates on most interest-sensitive products not already at contractual guarantees, which has increased spreads approximately 5 basis points. On June 1, 2008, we implemented a 10 basis point decrease in crediting rates on most interest-sensitive products not already at contractual guarantees, which is expected to increase future spreads by approximately 5 basis points.

At the end of the second quarter of 2008, new money rates exceeded the portfolio rate by roughly 16 basis points. At the end of the second quarter of 2007, new money rates exceeded the portfolio rate by roughly 10 basis points. As of June 30, 2008, 54% of interest-sensitive account values have crediting rates at contract guaranteed levels, and 36% have crediting rates within 50 basis points of contractual guarantees. Going forward, we expect to be able to manage the effects of spreads on near-term income from operations through a combination of rate actions and portfolio management, which assumes no significant changes in net flows into or out of our fixed accounts or other changes that may cause interest rate spreads to differ from our expectations. For information on interest rate spreads and the interest rate risk due to falling interest rates, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other net investment income was due to continued growth of business in force partially offset by the impact of reductions in statutory reserves. The decrease in investment income on alternative investments was driven primarily by less favorable results from limited partnership investments.

Benefits

Details underlying benefits (dollars in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
          For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
       
     2008     2007     Change     2008     2007     Change  

Benefits

            

Death claims direct and assumed

   $ 509     $ 428     19 %   $ 1,054     $ 912     16 %

Death claims ceded

     (229 )     (166 )   -38 %     (466 )     (354 )   -32 %

Reserves released on death

     (81 )     (80 )   -1 %     (179 )     (172 )   -4 %
                                    

Net death benefits

     199       182     9 %     409       386     6 %

Change in reserves for products with secondary guarantees

     28       18     56 %     54       18     200 %

Other benefits (1)

     73       63     16 %     134       105     28 %
                                    

Total benefits

   $ 300     $ 263     14 %   $ 597     $ 509     17 %
                                    

Death claims per $1,000 of inforce

     1.48       1.34     10 %     1.48       1.40     6 %

 

(1)

Other benefits includes primarily traditional product changes in reserves and dividends.

 

61


Benefits for this segment include death claims incurred during the period in excess of the associated reserves for its interest-sensitive and traditional products. In addition, benefits include the change in reserves for our products with secondary guarantees. The reserve for secondary guarantees is impacted by changes in expected future trends of claims and assessments causing unlocking adjustments to this liability similar to DAC, VOBA and DFEL.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in benefits was due primarily to growth in business in force, higher mortality due to an increase in the average attained age of the in-force block (which also led to increases in insurance fees as discussed above) and an increase in reserves for products with secondary guarantees.

An adjustment to account values and modification of accounting related to certain life insurance policies in the second quarter of 2007 increased reserves for products with secondary guarantees. In the third quarter of 2007, we had an unfavorable prospective unlocking that also resulted in an increase in reserves for products with secondary guarantees. As a result of these changes, we have experienced an increase in reserves of approximately $4 million.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in benefits was due primarily to growth in business in force, higher mortality due to an increase in the average attained age of the in-force block (which also led to increases in insurance fees as discussed above) and an increase in reserves for products with secondary guarantees, partially offset by a $14 million increase to benefits in the first quarter of 2007 related to a purchase accounting adjustment to the opening balance sheet of Jefferson-Pilot.

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

Details underlying underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
          For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
       
     2008     2007     Change     2008     2007     Change  

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

            

Commissions

   $ 174     $ 212     -18 %   $ 357     $ 439     -19 %

General and administrative expenses

     98       114     -14 %     201       225     -11 %

Taxes, licenses and fees

     26       26     0 %     55       58     -5 %
                                    

Total expenses incurred

     298       352     -15 %     613       722     -15 %

DAC and VOBA deferrals

     (231 )     (272 )   15 %     (465 )     (561 )   17 %
                                    

Total expenses recognized before amortization

     67       80     -16 %     148       161     -8 %

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:

            

Retrospective unlocking

     18       (21 )   186 %     28       (33 )   185 %

Other amortization

     142       111     28 %     262       262     0 %

Other intangible amortization

     1       1     0 %     2       2     0 %
                                    

Total underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   $ 228     $ 171     33 %   $ 440     $ 392     12 %
                                    

DAC and VOBA deferrals

            

As a percentage of sales

     151.0 %     151.1 %       156.0 %     146.5 %  

Commissions and other general and administrative expenses that vary with and are related primarily to the production of new business are deferred to the extent recoverable and for our interest-sensitive products are generally amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to EGPs. For our traditional products, DAC and VOBA are amortized on either a straight-line basis or as a level percent of premium of the related contracts, depending on the block of business.

 

62


Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in expenses incurred was primarily a result of lower sales. The increase in DAC and VOBA amortization, excluding unlocking, was due partially to business growth and the impact from the rise in the ratio of deferrable expenses to EGPs from unfavorable unlocking.

The second quarter of 2008 had unfavorable retrospective unlocking (increase to DAC and VOBA amortization) due primarily to lower premiums received and higher death claims, partially offset by higher investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums and lower maintenance expenses than estimated in our model projections.

The second quarter of 2007 had favorable retrospective unlocking (decrease to DAC and VOBA amortization) due primarily to higher investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums, higher premiums received and lower maintenance expenses than estimated in our model projections, partially offset by the impact of the correction to account values in the second quarter of 2007 mentioned above.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in expenses incurred was primarily a result of lower sales. The increase in DAC and VOBA amortization, excluding unlocking, for the three months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding period in 2007 as discussed above was offset by lower DAC and VOBA amortization due to less favorable investment income during the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding period in 2007 and the impact of an adjustment to the opening balance sheet of Jefferson-Pilot, which increased DAC and VOBA amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2007, by $10 million.

The first six months of 2008 had unfavorable retrospective unlocking (increase to DAC and VOBA amortization) due primarily to lower premiums received and higher death claims than estimated in our model projections and model adjustments on certain life insurance policies, partially offset by lower maintenance expenses than estimated in our model projections.

The first six months of 2007 had favorable retrospective unlocking (decrease to DAC and VOBA amortization) due primarily to higher investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums, higher premiums received and lower maintenance expenses than estimated in our model projections, partially offset by the impact of the correction to account values in the second quarter of 2007 mentioned above.

 

63


RESULTS OF EMPLOYER MARKETS

The Employer Markets business provides its products through two segments: Retirement Products and Group Protection. The Retirement Products segment operates through two lines of business – Defined Contribution, which provides employer-sponsored variable and fixed annuities, and mutual-fund based programs in the 401(k), 403(b) and 457 marketplaces, and Executive Benefits, which provides corporate-owned life insurance (“COLI”) and bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”). Our Institutional Pension business, which was previously reported as part of the Retirement Products segment, is now being reported in Other Operations. The Group Protection segment of Employer Markets offers group life, disability and dental insurance to employers.

Employer Markets – Retirement Products

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Employer Markets Retirement Products (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
         For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
      
     2008    2007    Change     2008    2007    Change  

Operating Revenues

                

Insurance fees

   $ 74    $ 78    -5 %   $ 148    $ 153    -3 %

Net investment income

     227      235    -3 %     451      472    -4 %

Other revenues and fees

     3      5    -40 %     9      9    0 %
                                

Total operating revenues

     304      318    -4 %     608      634    -4 %
                                

Operating Expenses

                

Interest credited

     145      141    3 %     290      285    2 %

Benefits

     4      3    33 %     6      5    20 %

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

     81      90    -10 %     165      171    -4 %
                                

Total operating expenses

     230      234    -2 %     461      461    0 %
                                

Income from operations before taxes

     74      84    -12 %     147      173    -15 %

Federal income taxes

     22      26    -15 %     43      53    -19 %
                                

Income from operations

   $ 52    $ 58    -10 %   $ 104    $ 120    -13 %
                                

The discussion of Employer Markets – Retirement Products is provided in “Retirement Products – Defined Contribution” and “Retirement Products – Executive Benefits” below.

 

64


Retirement Products – Defined Contribution

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Employer Markets – Retirement Products – Defined Contribution (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
         For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
      
     2008    2007    Change     2008    2007    Change  

Operating Revenues

                

Insurance fees

   $ 61    $ 65    -6 %   $ 122    $ 127    -4 %

Net investment income

     175      182    -4 %     346      363    -5 %

Other revenues and fees

     3      5    -40 %     9      9    —    
                                

Total operating revenues

     239      252    -5 %     477      499    -4 %
                                

Operating Expenses

                

Interest credited

     107      104    3 %     213      209    2 %

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

     75      81    -7 %     152      152    —    
                                

Total operating expenses

     182      185    -2 %     365      361    1 %
                                

Income from operations before taxes

     57      67    -15 %     112      138    -19 %

Federal income taxes

     16      20    -20 %     31      41    -24 %
                                

Income from operations

   $ 41    $ 47    -13 %   $ 81    $ 97    -16 %
                                

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this line of business decreased due primarily to the following:

 

 

Lower net investment income driven by less favorable results from our investment income on alternative investments and prepayment and bond makewhole premiums; and

 

 

Unfavorable impact of lower average daily account values due to unfavorable equity markets.

A substantial increase in new deposit production in other products is necessary to maintain earnings at current levels, and increased uncertainty in the market has weakened the overall outlook.

The foregoing items are discussed further below.

 

65


Insurance Fees

Details underlying insurance fees, account values and net flows (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
         For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
      
     2008    2007    Change     2008    2007    Change  

Insurance Fees

                

Annuity expense assessments

   $ 55    $ 59    -7 %   $ 110    $ 115    -4 %

Mutual fund fees

     5      4    25 %     9      8    13 %
                                

Total expense assessments

     60      63    -5 %     119      123    -3 %

Surrender charges

     1      2    -50 %     3      4    -25 %
                                

Total insurance fees

   $ 61    $ 65    -6 %   $ 122    $ 127    -4 %
                                

Average Daily Variable Account Values

   $ 16,892    $ 18,377    -8 %   $ 16,766    $ 17,982    -7 %
                                

Average Daily S&P 500 Index®

     1,371.26      1,496.87    -8 %     1,360.21      1,461.02    -7 %
                                

 

     As of June 30,       
     2008    2007    Change  

Account Values

        

Variable portion of variable annuities

   $ 16,195    $ 18,480    -12 %

Fixed portion of variable annuities

     6,073      6,023    1 %
                

Total variable annuities

     22,268      24,503    -9 %
                

Fixed annuities

     5,221      4,917    6 %
                

Total annuities

     27,489      29,420    -7 %

Mutual funds

     7,553      6,543    15 %
                

Total annuities and mutual funds

   $ 35,042    $ 35,963    -3 %
                

 

66


     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
          For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
       
     2008     2007     Change     2008     2007     Change  

Account Value Roll Forward – By Product

            

Total Micro – Small Segment:

            

Balance at beginning-of-period

   $ 7,218     $ 7,689     -6 %   $ 7,798     $ 7,535     3 %

Gross deposits

     389       378     3 %     887       838     6 %

Withdrawals and deaths

     (395 )     (434 )   9 %     (964 )     (885 )   -9 %
                                    

Net flows

     (6 )     (56 )   89 %     (77 )     (47 )   -64 %

Transfers between fixed and variable accounts

     —         —       NM       (12 )     (5 )   NM  

Investment increase and change in market value

     74       379     -80 %     (423 )     529     NM  
                                    

Balance at end-of-period

   $ 7,286     $ 8,012     -9 %   $ 7,286     $ 8,012     -9 %
                                    
            

Total Mid – Large Segment:

            

Balance at beginning-of-period

   $ 9,621     $ 7,734     24 %   $ 9,463     $ 6,975     36 %

Gross deposits

     748       589     27 %     1,517       1,302     17 %

Withdrawals and deaths

     (299 )     (132 )   NM       (458 )     (250 )   -83 %
                                    

Net flows

     449       457     -2 %     1,059       1,052     1 %

Transfers between fixed and variable accounts

     (11 )     36     NM       (40 )     37     NM  

Investment increase and change in market value

     (74 )     328     NM       (497 )     491     NM  
                                    

Balance at end-of-period

   $ 9,985     $ 8,555     17 %   $ 9,985     $ 8,555     17 %
                                    
            

Total Multi-Fund® and Other Variable Annuities:

            

Balance at beginning-of-period

   $ 17,925     $ 19,053     -6 %   $ 18,797     $ 19,146     -2 %

Gross deposits

     284       306     -7 %     568       620     -8 %

Withdrawals and deaths

     (490 )     (634 )   23 %     (1,033 )     (1,331 )   22 %
                                    

Net flows

     (206 )     (328 )   37 %     (465 )     (711 )   35 %

Transfers between fixed and variable accounts

     —         (1 )   100 %     —         (4 )   100 %

Inter-segment transfer

     —         —       NM       295       —       NM  

Investment increase and change in market value

     52       672     -92 %     (856 )     965     NM  
                                    

Balance at end-of-period

   $ 17,771     $ 19,396     -8 %   $ 17,771     $ 19,396     -8 %
                                    
            

Total Annuities and Mutual Funds:

            

Balance at beginning-of-period

   $ 34,764     $ 34,476     1 %   $ 36,058     $ 33,656     7 %

Gross deposits

     1,421       1,273     12 %     2,972       2,760     8 %

Withdrawals and deaths

     (1,184 )     (1,200 )   1 %     (2,455 )     (2,466 )   0 %
                                    

Net flows

     237       73     225 %     517       294     76 %

Transfers between fixed and variable accounts

     (11 )     35     NM       (52 )     28     NM  

Inter-segment transfer

     —         —       NM       295       —       NM  

Investment increase and change in market value

     52       1,379     -96 %     (1,776 )     1,985     NM  
                                    

Balance at end-of-period (1)

   $ 35,042     $ 35,963     -3 %   $ 35,042     $ 35,963     -3 %
                                    

 

(1)

Includes mutual fund account values. Mutual funds are not included in the separate accounts.

 

67


     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
          For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
       
     2008     2007     Change     2008     2007     Change  

Net Flows

            

Variable portion of variable annuity deposits

   $ 561     $ 577     -3 %   $ 1,235     $ 1,232     0 %

Variable portion of variable annuity withdrawals

     (646 )     (747 )   14 %     (1,479 )     (1,560 )   5 %
                                    

Variable portion of variable annuity net flows

     (85 )     (170 )   50 %     (244 )     (328 )   26 %
                                    

Fixed portion of variable annuity deposits

     93       87     7 %     185       187     -1 %

Fixed portion of variable annuity withdrawals

     (182 )     (236 )   23 %     (392 )     (470 )   17 %
                                    

Fixed portion of variable annuity net flows

     (89 )     (149 )   40 %     (207 )     (283 )   27 %
                                    

Total variable annuity deposits

     654       664     -2 %     1,420       1,419     0 %

Total variable annuity withdrawals

     (828 )     (983 )   16 %     (1,871 )     (2,030 )   8 %
                                    

Total variable annuity net flows

     (174 )     (319 )   45 %     (451 )     (611 )   26 %
                                    

Fixed annuity deposits

     187       146     28 %     427       344     24 %

Fixed annuity withdrawals

     (198 )     (140 )   -41 %     (358 )     (305 )   -17 %
                                    

Fixed annuity net flows

     (11 )     6     NM       69       39     77 %
                                    

Total annuity deposits

     841       810     4 %     1,847       1,763     5 %

Total annuity withdrawals

     (1,026 )     (1,123 )   9 %     (2,229 )     (2,335 )   5 %
                                    

Total annuity net flows

     (185 )     (313 )   41 %     (382 )     (572 )   33 %
                                    

Mutual fund deposits

     580       463     25 %     1,125       997     13 %

Mutual fund withdrawals

     (158 )     (77 )   NM       (226 )     (131 )   -73 %
                                    

Mutual fund net flows

     422       386     9 %     899       866     4 %
                                    

Total annuity and mutual fund deposits

     1,421       1,273     12 %     2,972       2,760     8 %

Total annuity and mutual fund withdrawals

     (1,184 )     (1,200 )   1 %     (2,455 )     (2,466 )   0 %
                                    

Total annuity and mutual fund net flows

   $ 237     $ 73     225 %   $ 517     $ 294     76 %
                                    

We charge expense assessments to cover insurance and administrative expenses. Expense assessments are generally equal to a percentage of the daily variable account values. Our expense assessments include fees we earn for the services that we provide to our mutual fund programs. In addition, we collect surrender charges when contract holders surrender their contracts during the surrender charge periods to protect us from premature withdrawals.

New deposits are an important component of our effort to grow our business. Although deposits do not significantly impact current period income from operations, they are an important indicator of future profitability. The other component of net flows relates to the retention of our business as demonstrated by our lapse rates.

We serve the mid-large case 401(k) and 403(b) markets with our mutual fund programs. Our programs bundle our fixed annuity products with mutual funds, along with record keeping and employee education components. The amounts associated with the mutual fund programs are not included in the assets or liabilities reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The distribution model for the micro-small case 401(k) market is focused on driving growth through financial intermediaries. As of June 30, 2008, we had 68 wholesalers in place to support this business and plan for additional growth in the second half of 2008. We are beginning to experience an increase in new business activity as a result of building our own wholesaling force for this market.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in expense assessments was driven by lower average daily variable annuity account values due to unfavorable equity markets.

Deposits in our mid-large segment (including mutual fund program fixed annuity deposits) increased due to an increase in the number of mutual fund program accounts, which resulted in both an increase in initial deposits and an increase in ongoing periodic deposits.

 

68


The overall lapse rate for our annuity products was 13% for the second quarter of 2008 compared to 15% for the same period in 2007. The return on assets, calculated as income divided by average assets under management, for Multi-Fund® and Other Variable Annuities, our oldest block of annuity business, is more than two times that of new deposits. Therefore, a substantial increase in new deposit production in other products is necessary to maintain earnings at current levels.

As of June 30, 2008, approximately $13.2 billion, or 59%, of variable annuity contract account values contained a return of premium death benefit feature, and the net amount at risk related to these contracts was $27 million. The remaining variable annuity contract account values contain no GDB feature.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in expense assessments was driven by lower average daily variable annuity account values due to unfavorable equity markets.

Deposits in our mid-large segment (including mutual fund program fixed annuity deposits) increased due to an increase in the number of mutual fund program accounts, which resulted in both an increase in initial deposits and an increase in ongoing periodic deposits.

The overall lapse rate for our annuity products remained flat at 15%.

Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

Details underlying net investment income, interest credited (in millions) and our interest rate spread were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
         For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
      
     2008     2007    Change     2008     2007    Change  

Net Investment Income

              

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

   $ 164     $ 159    3 %   $ 324     $ 325    0 %

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1)

     1       2    -50 %     2       3    -33 %

Alternative investments (2)

     (1 )     3    NM       (2 )     5    NM  

Surplus investments (3)

     11       18    -39 %     22       30    -27 %
                                  

Total net investment income

   $ 175     $ 182    -4 %   $ 346     $ 363    -5 %
                                  

Interest Credited

   $ 107     $ 104    3 %   $ 213     $ 209    2 %
                                  

 

(1)

See “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.

(2)

See “Consolidated Investments – Alternative Investments” below for additional information.

(3)

Represents net investment income on the required statutory surplus for this segment.

 

69


     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Basis
Point
Change
    For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Basis
Point
Change
 
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Interest Rate Spread

            

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

   5.89 %   5.95 %   (6 )   5.90 %   6.03 %   (13 )

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums

   0.05 %   0.09 %   (4 )   0.04 %   0.06 %   (2 )

Alternative investments

   -0.03 %   0.10 %   (13 )   -0.03 %   0.09 %   (12 )
                            

Net investment income yield on reserves

   5.91 %   6.14 %   (23 )   5.91 %   6.18 %   (27 )

Interest rate credited to contract holders

   3.80 %   3.82 %   (2 )   3.80 %   3.81 %   (1 )
                            

Interest rate spread

   2.11 %   2.32 %   (21 )   2.11 %   2.37 %   (26 )
                            

Note: The yields, rates and spreads above are calculated using whole dollars instead of dollars rounded to millions.

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
          For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
       
     2008     2007     Change     2008     2007     Change  

Average invested assets on reserves

   $ 11,067     $ 10,719     3 %   $ 10,978     $ 10,748     2 %

Average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable

     11,266       10,957     3 %     11,191       10,966     2 %

Net flows for fixed annuities, including the fixed portion of variable

     (100 )     (143 )   30 %     (138 )     (244 )   43 %

A portion of our investment income earned is credited to the contract holders of our fixed annuity products, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts. We expect to earn a spread between what we earn on the underlying general account investments supporting the fixed annuity product line, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts, and what we credit to our fixed annuity contract holders’ accounts, including the fixed portion of variable annuity contracts. The interest rate spread for this segment represents the excess of the yield on invested assets on reserves over the average crediting rate. The yield on invested assets on reserves is calculated as net investment income, excluding the amounts attributable to our surplus investments, reverse repurchase agreement interest expense, inter-segment cash management account interest expense and interest on collateral, divided by average invested assets on reserves. The average invested assets on reserves are calculated based upon total invested assets, excluding hedge derivatives. The average crediting rate is calculated as interest credited before DSI amortization, plus the immediate annuity reserve change (included within benefits), divided by the average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable annuities. Commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums, investment income on alternative investments and surplus investment income can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors and, therefore, may contribute to investment income results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decline in surplus investment income was attributable to less favorable investment income on alternative investments.

The modest increase in fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other net investment income was attributable to the growth in the average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, driven by transfers from variable annuities partially offset by the yield decline due to lower reinvestment rates. During the second quarter of 2008, in response to the competitive environment, we held credit rates constant and reduced new money rates by 25 basis points for Multi-Fund® and mutual fund products. We have taken further crediting rate actions in the third quarter of 2008, with the expectation of maintaining stable spreads over the near term, excluding the effects of prepayment and makewhole premiums. For information on interest rate spreads and the interest rate risk due to falling interest rates, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

 

70


Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decline in surplus investment income was attributable to less favorable investment income on alternative investments.

While fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other net investment income remained flat, the yield declined due to lower reinvestment rates, which was offset by the increase in average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable, driven by transfers from variable annuities.

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

Details underlying underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
          For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
       
     2008     2007     Change     2008     2007     Change  

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

            

Commissions

   $ 19     $ 21     -10 %   $ 39     $ 41     -5 %

General and administrative expenses

     52       55     -5 %     104       105     -1 %

Taxes, licenses and fees

     3       4     -25 %     7       9     -22 %
                                    

Total expenses incurred

     74       80     -8 %     150       155     -3 %

DAC deferrals

     (22 )     (21 )   -5 %     (45 )     (45 )   0 %
                                    

Total expenses recognized before amortization

     52       59     -12 %     105       110     -5 %

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:

            

Retrospective unlocking

     —         2     -100 %     3       2     50 %

Other amortization

     23       20     15 %     44       40     10 %
                                    

Total underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   $ 75     $ 81     -7 %   $ 152     $ 152     0 %
                                    

DAC deferrals

            

As a percentage of sales/deposits

     1.5 %     1.6 %       1.5 %     1.6 %  

Commissions and other costs, that vary with and are related primarily to the production of new business, excluding those associated with our mutual fund products, are deferred to the extent recoverable and are amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to EGPs. We do not pay commissions on sales of our mutual fund products, and distribution expenses associated with the sale of these mutual fund products are not deferred and amortized, as is the case for our insurance products.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses was due in part to the implementation of several expense management controls and practices that are focused on aggressively managing expenses and lower incentive compensation accruals as a result of lower earnings and production performance relative to planned goals.

The second quarter of 2007 had unfavorable retrospective unlocking (increase to DAC and VOBA amortization) due primarily to higher lapses than estimated in our model projections.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The first six months of 2008 and 2007 had unfavorable retrospective unlocking (increase to DAC and VOBA amortization) due primarily to higher lapses than estimated in our model projections.

 

71


Retirement Products – Executive Benefits

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Retirement Products – Executive Benefits (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
         For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
      
     2008    2007    Change     2008    2007    Change  

Operating Revenues

                

Insurance fees

   $ 13    $ 13    0 %   $ 26    $ 26    0 %

Net investment income

     52      53    -2 %     105      109    -4 %
                                

Total operating revenues

     65      66    -2 %     131      135    -3 %
                                

Operating Expenses

                

Interest credited

     38      37    3 %     77      76    1 %

Benefits

     4      3    33 %     6      5    20 %

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

     6      9    -33 %     13      19    -32 %
                                

Total operating expenses

     48      49    -2 %     96      100    -4 %
                                

Income from operations before taxes

     17      17    0 %     35      35    0 %

Federal income taxes

     6      6    0 %     12      12    0 %
                                

Income from operations

   $ 11    $ 11    0 %   $ 23    $ 23    0 %
                                

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations remained flat as lower earnings on surplus investments due to unfavorable equity markets and increased interest credited driven by modest fixed account fund value growth were offset by lower DAC and VOBA amortization expense due to unfavorable retrospective unlocking in the second quarter of 2007.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations remained flat as lower earnings on surplus investments due to unfavorable equity markets and lower consent fees were offset by lower DAC and VOBA amortization expense due to unfavorable retrospective unlocking in the first six months of 2007.

The foregoing items are discussed further below.

Insurance Fees

Details underlying insurance fees, sales, net flows, account values and in-force face amount (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
          For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
       
     2008     2007     Change     2008     2007     Change  

Insurance Fees

            

Mortality assessments

   $ 8     $ 8     0 %   $ 17     $ 17     0 %

Expense assessments

     6       5     20 %     11       9     22 %

DFEL:

            

Deferrals

     (1 )     (1 )   0 %     (2 )     (2 )   0 %

Amortization

     —         —       NM       —         1     -100 %

Retrospective unlocking

     —         1     -100 %     —         1     -100 %
                                    

Total insurance fees

   $ 13     $ 13     0 %   $ 26     $ 26     0 %
                                    

 

72


     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
          For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
       
     2008     2007     Change     2008     2007     Change  

Sales

   $ 13     $ 14     -7 %   $ 41     $ 34     21 %
                                    

Account Values

            

Balance at beginning-of-period

   $ 4,460     $ 4,264     5 %   $ 4,436     $ 4,305     3 %

Deposits (1)

     110       79     39 %     275       144     91 %

Withdrawals and deaths (1)

     (60 )     (53 )   -13 %     (154 )     (193 )   20 %
                                    

Net flows

     50       26     92 %     121       (49 )   NM  

Policyholder assessments

     (17 )     (17 )   0 %     (37 )     (35 )   -6 %

Interest credited and change in market value

     33       80     -59 %     6       132     -95 %
                                    

Balance at end-of-period

   $ 4,526     $ 4,353     4 %   $ 4,526     $ 4,353     4 %
                                    

In Force

   $ 14,939     $ 14,809     1 %   $ 14,939     $ 14,809     1 %
                                    

 

(1)

Deposits and withdrawals and deaths include $23 million and $67 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, related to the exchange of legacy Jefferson-Pilot products with new Lincoln products.

Our mortality and expense assessments are deducted from our contract holders’ account values and reported as insurance fees. For this business, the mortality and expense assessments amounts are a function of the rates priced into the product and face amount of our insurance in force. Insurance in force, in turn, is driven by sales, persistency and mortality experience.

Included in the business acquired with the Jefferson-Pilot companies are BOLI products, which accounted for $1.7 billion in contract holder fund balances as of June 30, 2008. VOBA balances, net of unearned revenue reserves, related to these blocks were approximately $113 million as of June 30, 2008. These contracts, which are generally not subject to surrender charges, are owned by several thousand contract holders. These contracts were primarily originated through, and continue to be serviced by, two marketing organizations. The surrender rate for this product may increase beyond current experience due to the absence of surrender charges and rising interest rates that may result in returns available to contract holders on competitors’ products being more attractive than on our policies in force. The following factors may influence contract holders to continue these coverages: our ability to adjust crediting rates; relatively high minimum rate guarantees; the difficulty of re-underwriting existing and additional covered lives; and unfavorable tax attributes of certain surrenders. Our assumptions for amortizing VOBA and unearned revenue for these policies reflect a higher long-term expected lapse rate than other blocks of business due to the factors noted above. Lapse experience for this block in a particular period could vary significantly from our long-term lapse assumptions.

Consistent with the way we report UL sales, we report COLI and BOLI sales as 100% of annualized expected target premium plus 5% of paid excess premium, including an adjustment for internal replacements at approximately 50% of target. Sales in this business tend to be of large case nature and can fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Mortality and expense assessments for this business increased as client deposits were primarily in variable products partially offset by declines in variable account values from unfavorable equity markets.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Mortality and expense assessments for this business were favorably impacted by higher variable fees resulting from a customer transferring $55 million of fixed account value to variable account value in the second quarter of 2007 partially offset by declines in variable account values from unfavorable equity markets. This transfer had an offsetting impact on investment income and interest credited as discussed below. Expense assessments also increased as client deposits were primarily in variable products.

Insurance in force increased modestly as growth over the prior year due to sales was partially offset by term rider face reductions in the second quarter of 2008.

 

73


Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

Details underlying net investment income and interest credited (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
         For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
      
     2008    2007    Change     2008    2007    Change  

Net Investment Income

                

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

   $ 51    $ 51    0 %   $ 101    $ 104    -3 %

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1)

     —        —      NM       1      1    0 %

Surplus investments (2)

     1      2    -50 %     3      4    -25 %
                                

Total net investment income

   $ 52    $ 53    -2 %   $ 105    $ 109    -4 %
                                

Interest Credited

   $ 38    $ 37    3 %   $ 77    $ 76    1 %
                                

 

(1)

See “Consolidated Investments – Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.

(2)

Represents net investment income on the required statutory surplus for this segment.

When analyzing the impact of net investment income for this segment, it is important to understand that a portion of the investment income earned is credited to the contract holders of our fixed products, including the fixed portion of variable. We expect to earn a spread between what we earn on the underlying general account investments supporting the fixed product line and what we credit to our fixed contract holders’ accounts.

Commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums, investment income on alternative investments and surplus investment income can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors and, therefore, can provide results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Earnings on surplus investments were negatively impacted by unfavorable equity markets.

On January 1, 2008, we implemented a 25 basis point increase in crediting rates on a small block of policies that have approximately $150 million of fixed account value. Despite this crediting rate action, interest credited remained relatively flat as fixed account values have only modestly increased as client deposits were primarily in variable products.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other net investment income decreased due to the unfavorable impact of a customer transferring $55 million from fixed account value to variable account value in the second quarter of 2007, reducing the interest margin, and higher consent fees in 2007. Additionally, earnings on surplus investments were negatively impacted by unfavorable equity markets.

Interest credited remained relatively flat as modest fixed account value growth and the crediting rate action discussed above were partially offset by the impact of a customer transferring $55 million from fixed account value to variable account value in the second quarter of 2007.

Benefits

Benefits for this segment include claims incurred during the period in excess of the associated account balance for its interest-sensitive products.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Benefits increased modestly due to slightly less favorable mortality yet remained in line with growth in business in force.

 

74


Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Benefits increased modestly due to slightly less favorable mortality yet remained in line with growth in business in force. Additionally, benefits were favorably impacted by a recovery on a reinsurance agreement in the first quarter of 2007.

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

Details underlying underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

            

Commissions

   $ 6     $ 7     -14 %   $ 18     $ 13     38 %

General and administrative expenses

     3       2     50 %     6       5     20 %

Taxes, licenses and fees

     1       1     0 %     3       2     50 %
                                    

Total expenses incurred

     10       10     0 %     27       20     35 %

DAC and VOBA deferrals

     (6 )     (7 )   14 %     (18 )     (14 )   -29 %
                                    

Total expenses recognized before amortization

     4       3     33 %     9       6     50 %

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:

            

Retrospective unlocking

     —         2     -100 %     (1 )     5     NM  

Other amortization

     2       4     -50 %     5       8     -38 %
                                    

Total underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   $ 6     $ 9     -33 %   $ 13     $ 19     -32 %
                                    

DAC and VOBA deferrals

            

As a percentage of sales

     46.2 %     50.0 %       43.9 %     41.2 %  

Commissions and other costs that vary with and are related primarily to the production of new business are deferred to the extent recoverable and, for our interest-sensitive products, are amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to EGPs.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Expenses incurred remained flat as decreased sales and lower incentive compensation expense were offset by a change in expense allocation methodology within Employer Markets that did not affect consolidated expenses.

The unfavorable retrospective unlocking (increase to DAC and VOBA amortization) in the second quarter of 2007 was due to actual gross profits being lower than EGPs due to the impact of a customer transferring $55 million of fixed account value to variable account value, partially offset by favorable retrospective unlocking from market conditions.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in expenses incurred was primarily a result of increased sales and the change in expense allocation discussed above.

The favorable retrospective unlocking (decrease to DAC and VOBA amortization) in the first six months of 2008 was due primarily to higher premiums received and lower death claims than estimated in our model projections. The unfavorable retrospective unlocking (increase to DAC and VOBA amortization) in the first six months 2007 was due to the impact of a customer transferring $55 million in fixed account value to variable account value discussed above and higher surrender activity than estimated in our model projections. The surrender activity occurred for a variety of reasons, and no systemic issues, such as service or product competitiveness, contributed to this surrender activity.

 

75


Employer Markets Group Protection

The Group Protection segment offers group life, disability and dental insurance to employers. The segment’s products are marketed primarily through a national distribution system of regional group offices. These offices develop business through employee benefit brokers, third-party administrators and other employee benefit firms.

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Employer Markets – Group Protection (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change  
     2008    2007      2008     2007   

Operating Revenues

               

Insurance premiums

   $ 393    $ 361    9 %   $ 763     $ 693    10 %

Net investment income

     31      29    7 %     58       56    4 %

Other revenues and fees

     1      1    0 %     3       2    50 %
                                 

Total operating revenues

     425      391    9 %     824       751    10 %
                                 

Operating Expenses

               

Benefits

     287      266    8 %     555       512    8 %

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

     89      80    11 %     179       159    13 %
                                 

Total operating expenses

     376      346    9 %     734       671    9 %
                                 

Income from operations before taxes

     49      45    9 %     90       80    13 %

Federal income taxes

     17      16    6 %     32       28    14 %
                                 

Income from operations

   $ 32    $ 29    10 %   $ 58     $ 52    12 %
                                 
     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change  
     2008    2007      2008     2007   

Income from Operations by Product Line

               

Life

   $ 11    $ 10    10 %   $ 21     $ 19    11 %

Disability

     20      18    11 %     36       31    16 %

Dental

     —        —      NM       (1 )     —      NM  
                                 

Total non-medical

     31      28    11 %     56       50    12 %

Medical

     1      1    0 %     2       2    0 %
                                 

Total income from operations

   $ 32    $ 29    10 %   $ 58     $ 52    12 %
                                 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this segment increased due to the following:

 

 

Growth in insurance premiums driven by normal, organic business growth in our non-medical products and better than expected persistency; and

 

 

Combined total non-medical loss ratio experience below the lower end of our expected range.

The increase in income from operations was partially offset by an increase to underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses due to growth in our business in force, elevated costs associated with investments in strategic initiatives and an increase in the allocation of expenses to this segment.

 

76


Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this segment increased due to the following:

 

 

Growth in insurance premiums driven by normal, organic business growth in our non-medical products and better than expected persistency; and

 

 

Combined total non-medical loss ratio experience at the lower end of our expected range.

The increase in income from operations was partially offset by an increase to underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses due to growth in our business in force, higher 401(k) expenses, elevated costs associated with investments in strategic initiatives and an increase in the allocation of expenses to this segment.

The foregoing items are discussed further below.

Insurance Premiums

Details underlying insurance premiums (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change  
     2008    2007      2008    2007   

Insurance Premiums by Product Line

                

Life

   $ 134    $ 125    7 %   $ 267    $ 244    9 %

Disability

     167      150    11 %     330      295    12 %

Dental

     37      34    9 %     74      66    12 %
                                

Total non-medical

     338      309    9 %     671      605    11 %

Medical

     55      52    6 %     92      88    5 %
                                

Total insurance premiums

   $ 393    $ 361    9 %   $ 763    $ 693    10 %
                                

Sales

   $ 65    $ 62    5 %   $ 119    $ 123    -3 %
                                

Our cost of insurance and policy administration charges are embedded in the premiums charged to our customers. The premiums are a function of the rates priced into the product and our business in force. Business in force, in turn, is driven by sales and persistency experience.

Sales in the table above and as discussed below are the combined annualized premiums for our life, disability and dental products. Sales relate to long-duration contracts sold to new contract holders and new programs sold to existing contract holders. The trend in sales is an important indicator of development of business in force over time.

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in insurance premiums in our non-medical business reflects normal business growth and favorable persistency experience.

Net Investment Income

We use our interest income to build the associated policy reserves, which is a function of our insurance premiums and the yields on our invested assets.

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Net investment income remained relatively flat as continued growth of business in force was offset by lower yields on required statutory surplus due to weaker results from our alternative investments.

 

77


Benefits

Details underlying benefits (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Benefits by Product Line

            

Life

   $ 97     $ 92     5 %   $ 192     $ 181     6 %

Disability

     111       100     11 %     221       200     11 %

Dental

     30       27     11 %     60       53     13 %
                                    

Total non-medical

     238       219     9 %     473       434     9 %

Medical

     49       47     4 %     82       78     5 %
                                    

Total benefits

   $ 287     $ 266     8 %   $ 555     $ 512     8 %
                                    

Loss Ratios by Product Line

            

Life

     72.3 %     73.9 %       72.1 %     74.5 %  

Disability

     66.1 %     66.4 %       67.1 %     67.9 %  

Dental

     81.1 %     79.3 %       81.0 %     79.2 %  

Total non-medical

     70.2 %     70.8 %       70.6 %     71.8 %  

Medical

     88.6 %     89.3 %       88.2 %     89.0 %  

Note: Loss ratios presented above are calculated using whole dollars instead of dollars rounded to millions.

Management has chosen to focus on trends in loss ratios to compare actual experience with pricing expectations because group-underwriting risks change over time. We believe that loss ratios in the 71-74% range are more representative of longer-term expectations for the composite non-medical portion of this segment. We expect normal fluctuations in this range, as claim experience is inherently uncertain, and there can be no assurance that experience will fall inside this expected range.

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

We experienced favorable claim experience on all of our non-medical and medical products, except for dental. Our improved total non-medical loss ratio was driven by exceptional life and disability results. Our life loss ratio benefited from favorable waiver claims experience. Our disability loss ratio benefited from favorable termination and incidence experience. The termination experience was only relevant for the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.

 

78


Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

Details underlying underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

            

Commissions

   $ 43     $ 41     5 %   $ 87     $ 81     7 %

General and administrative expenses

     41       37     11 %     83       70     19 %

Taxes, licenses and fees

     9       10     -10 %     19       19     0 %
                                    

Total expenses incurred

     93       88     6 %     189       170     11 %

DAC and VOBA deferrals

     (13 )     (14 )   7 %     (27 )     (25 )   -8 %
                                    

Total expenses recognized before amortization

     80       74     8 %     162       145     12 %

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest

     9       6     50 %     17       14     21 %
                                    

Total underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   $ 89     $ 80     11 %   $ 179     $ 159     13 %
                                    

DAC and VOBA Deferrals

            

As a percentage of insurance premiums

     3.3 %     3.9 %       3.5 %     3.6 %  

Expenses, excluding commissions, that vary with and are related primarily to the production of new business are deferred to the extent recoverable and are amortized on either a straight-line basis or as a level percent of premium of the related contracts depending on the block of business. Commissions, which vary with and are related to paid premiums, are expensed as incurred. The level of expenses is an important driver of profitability for this segment as group insurance contracts are offered within an environment that competes on the basis of price and service.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses was in line with the increase in insurance premiums and is attributable to growth in our business in force, elevated costs associated with investments in strategic initiatives and an increase in the allocation of expenses to this segment.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses was in line with the increase in insurance premiums and is attributable to higher 401(k) expenses, elevated costs associated with investments in strategic initiatives and an increase in the allocation of expenses to this segment. Partially offsetting the increase in expenses were higher deferrals, driven by strategic sales expenses.

 

79


RESULTS OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

The Investment Management segment, through Delaware Investments, provides a broad range of managed account portfolios, mutual funds, sub-advised funds and other investment products to individual investors and to institutional investors such as private and public pension funds, foundations and endowment funds. Delaware Investments is the marketing name for Delaware Management Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Investment Management (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Operating Revenues

            

Investment advisory fees – external

   $ 76     $ 93     -18 %   $ 152     $ 183     -17 %

Investment advisory fees – inter-segment

     21       19     11 %     41       44     -7 %

Other revenues and fees

     28       39     -28 %     52       74     -30 %
                                    

Total operating revenues

     125       151     -17 %     245       301     -19 %
                                    

Operating Expenses

            

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

     101       133     -24 %     202       258     -22 %
                                    

Income from operations before taxes

     24       18     33 %     43       43     0 %

Federal income taxes

     9       7     29 %     16       15     7 %
                                    

Income from operations

   $ 15     $ 11     36 %   $ 27     $ 28     -4 %
                                    

Pre-tax operating margin (1)

     19 %     12 %       17 %     14 %  
                                    

 

(1)

The pre-tax operating margin is determined by dividing pre-tax income from operations by operating revenues.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations increased due primarily to the following:

 

 

Expenses incurred in the second quarter of 2007 for the launch of a closed-end fund as well as additions to a reserve for legal matters in that quarter; and

 

 

Lower incentive compensation accruals as a result of lower earnings and production performance relative to planned goals.

The increase in income from operations was partially offset by:

 

 

Lower investment advisory fees due to lower assets under management driven by the sale of certain institutional fixed income business and less favorable equity markets; and

 

 

Negative returns on seed capital driven by the unfavorable equity markets in the second quarter of 2008.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations decreased slightly due primarily to the following:

 

 

Lower investment advisory fees due to lower assets under management driven by the sale of certain institutional fixed income business and less favorable equity markets; and

 

 

Negative returns on seed capital driven by the unfavorable equity markets in 2008.

The decrease in income from operations was partially offset by:

 

 

Expenses incurred in the first six months of 2007 for the launch of a closed-end fund as well as additions to a reserve for legal matters; and

 

80


   

Lower incentive compensation accruals as a result of lower earnings and production performance relative to planned goals.

The foregoing items are discussed further below.

Investment Advisory Fees

Details underlying assets under management and net flows (in millions) were as follows:

 

     As of June 30,    Change  
     2008    2007   

Assets Under Management

        

Retail – equity

   $ 25,824    $ 33,468    -23 %

Retail – fixed

     11,473      9,799    17 %
                

Total retail

     37,297      43,267    -14 %
                

Institutional – equity

     18,515      21,663    -15 %

Institutional – fixed

     10,884      22,569    -52 %
                

Total institutional

     29,399      44,232    -34 %
                

Inter-segment assets – retail and institutional

     8,995      10,226    -12 %

Inter-segment assets – general account

     65,997      66,423    -1 %
                

Total inter-segment assets

     74,992      76,649    -2 %
                

Total assets under management

   $ 141,688    $ 164,148    -14 %
                

Total Sub-Advised Assets, Included Above

        

Retail

   $ 13,651    $ 16,329    -16 %

Institutional

     3,794      4,594    -17 %
                

Total sub-advised assets

   $ 17,445    $ 20,923    -17 %
                

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Net Flows – External (1)

            

Retail equity sales

   $ 1,042     $ 1,637     -36 %   $ 2,535     $ 3,760     -33 %

Retail equity redemptions and transfers

     (2,181 )     (2,189 )   0 %     (4,796 )     (4,332 )   -11 %
                                    

Retail equity net flows

     (1,139 )     (552 )   NM       (2,261 )     (572 )   NM  
                                    

Retail fixed income sales

     1,213       1,115     9 %     2,588       2,208     17 %

Retail fixed income redemptions and transfers

     (894 )     (756 )   -18 %     (1,872 )     (1,409 )   -33 %
                                    

Retail fixed income net flows

     319       359     -11 %     716       799     -10 %
                                    

Total retail sales

     2,255       2,752     -18 %     5,123       5,968     -14 %

Total retail redemptions and transfers

     (3,075 )     (2,945 )   -4 %     (6,668 )     (5,741 )   -16 %
                                    

Total retail net flows

     (820 )     (193 )   NM       (1,545 )     227     NM  
                                    

Institutional equity inflows

     567       1,218     -53 %     1,534       2,035     -25 %

Institutional equity withdrawals and transfers

     (848 )     (1,626 )   48 %     (1,891 )     (3,782 )   50 %
                                    

Institutional equity net flows

     (281 )     (408 )   31 %     (357 )     (1,747 )   80 %
                                    

Institutional fixed income inflows

     310       1,472     -79 %     479       2,973     -84 %

Institutional fixed income withdrawals and transfers

     (512 )     (1,237 )   59 %     (1,086 )     (1,674 )   35 %
                                    

Institutional fixed income net flows

     (202 )     235     NM       (607 )     1,299     NM  
                                    

Total institutional inflows

     877       2,690     -67 %     2,013       5,008     -60 %

Total institutional redemptions and transfers

     (1,360 )     (2,863 )   52 %     (2,977 )     (5,456 )   45 %
                                    

Total institutional net flows

     (483 )     (173 )   NM       (964 )     (448 )   NM  
                                    

Total sales/inflows

     3,132       5,442     -42 %     7,136       10,976     -35 %

Total redemptions and transfers

     (4,435 )     (5,808 )   24 %     (9,645 )     (11,197 )   14 %
                                    

Total net flows

   $ (1,303 )   $ (366 )   NM     $ (2,509 )   $ (221 )   NM  
                                    

 

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(1)

Includes Delaware Variable Insurance Product (“VIP”) funds. Lincoln Financial Insurance subsidiaries as well as unaffiliated insurers participate in these funds. In addition, sales/inflows includes contributions, dividend reinvestments and in kind transfers, and redemptions/transfers includes dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Net Flows – Inter-Segment (1)

            

Total sales/inflows (2)

   $ 375     $ 708     -47 %   $ 1,093     $ 1,209     -10 %

Total redemptions and transfers (3)

     (543 )     (766 )   29 %     (1,222 )     (1,500 )   19 %
                                    

Total net flows

   $ (168 )   $ (58 )   NM     $ (129 )   $ (291 )   56 %
                                    

 

(1)

Includes net flows from retail and institutional and excludes net flows from the general account. Also, it excludes the transfer of $3.0 billion in assets to another internal advisor and $154 million of 529 Plan assets to an unaffiliated 529 Plan provider in both the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, as well as the transfer of $780 million in assets to Other Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2007, because we do not consider these to be net flows.

(2)

Includes contributions, dividend reinvestments and in kind transfers.

(3)

Redemptions and transfers includes dividends and capital gains distributions.

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change  
     2008    2007      2008    2007   

Average daily S&P 500 Index®

   1,371.26    1,496.87    -8 %   1,360.21    1,461.02    -7 %
                        

Investment advisory fees are generally a function of the rates priced into the product and our average assets under management, which is driven by net flows and equity markets. Investment advisory fees – external includes amounts that are ultimately paid to sub-advisors for managing the sub-advised assets. The amounts paid to sub-advisors are generally included in the segment’s expenses.

Investment advisory fees – inter-segment consists of fees for asset management services this segment provides to Individual Markets and Employer Markets for managing general account assets supporting fixed income products and surplus and separate account assets. These inter-segment amounts are not reported on our Consolidated Statements of Income as they are eliminated along with the associated expenses incurred by Individual Markets and Employer Markets. Individual Markets and Employer Markets report the cost as a reduction to net investment income, which is the same methodology that would be used if these services were provided by an external party.

The level of net flows may vary considerably from period to period, and therefore results in one period are not indicative of net flows in subsequent periods.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Investment advisory fees – external decreased due primarily to lower third-party average assets under management as a result of less favorable equity market returns, an increase in negative net flows and lower advisory revenues as a result of the fixed income transaction, as discussed below. Market value changes on assets under management in the second quarter of 2008 were $(530) million in retail and $(816) million in institutional compared to $1.9 billion in retail and $984 million in institutional for the same period in 2007.

On October 31, 2007, we sold certain institutional taxable fixed income business to an unaffiliated investment management company. As a result of this transaction, assets under management decreased by $12.3 billion which resulted in an estimated $5 million decrease to investment advisory fees – external in the second quarter of 2008.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Investment advisory fees – external decreased due primarily to lower third-party average assets under management as a result of less favorable equity market returns, an increase in negative net flows and lower advisory revenues of $9 million as a result of the

 

82


2007 fixed income transaction, as discussed above. Market value changes on assets under management in the first six months of 2008 were $(3.6) billion in retail and $(2.9) billion in institutional compared to $2.7 billion in retail and $1.6 billion in institutional for the same period in 2007.

Investment advisory fees – inter-segment decreased due to a decline in total inter-segment assets under management, primarily related to the transition of the investment advisory role for the Lincoln Variable Insurance Trust product effective May 1, 2007, to Employer Markets. In the role of investment advisor, Investment Management provided investment performance and compliance oversight on third-party investment managers in exchange for a fee. Investment Management continues to manage certain of the assets as a sub-advisor. As a result of this change, Investment Management’s assets under management decreased by $3 billion, however, there was no impact to our consolidated assets under management or consolidated net income.

Other Revenues and Fees

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Other revenues and fees decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, partly due to a $4 million and $9 million decrease, respectively, in the return on seed capital due to unfavorable equity markets. Seed capital investments are important to establishing a track record for products that will later be sold to investors. These investments are valued at market value each reporting period and the change in market value impacts other revenues. Other revenues and fees was also negatively impacted by the loss of fees from the movement of the investment accounting function to a third party and by lower 12b-1 revenue related to lower average assets under management.

Operating Expenses

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Operating expenses decreased due primarily to the elimination of certain expenses as a result of transferring the investment advisory role of Lincoln Variable Insurance Trust to another internal advisor, selling certain fixed income business to an unaffiliated investment management company and transitioning the investment accounting function to a third party. Also, accruals for variable compensation based on revenue have decreased. The prior year periods included a $6 million accrual for legal expenses. In addition, in the prior year periods, a new closed-end fund was launched. Costs associated with the launch of this fund were $5 million.

 

83


RESULTS OF LINCOLN UK

Lincoln UK is headquartered in Barnwood, Gloucester, England, and is licensed to do business throughout the United Kingdom. Lincoln UK focuses primarily on protecting and enhancing the value of its existing customer base. The segment accepts new deposits from existing relationships and markets a limited range of new products including retirement income solutions. Lincoln UK’s product portfolio principally consists of unit-linked life and pension products, which are similar to U.S. produced variable life and annuity products, where the risk associated with the underlying investments is borne by the contract holders. The segment is sensitive to changes in the foreign currency exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the British pound sterling. A significant increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the British pound would have a significant adverse effect on the segment’s operating results.

Income from Operations

Details underlying the results for Lincoln UK (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change  
     2008    2007      2008    2007   

Operating Revenues

                

Insurance premiums

   $ 26    $ 24    8 %   $ 45    $ 48    -6 %

Insurance fees

     52      50    4 %     98      96    2 %

Net investment income

     20      19    5 %     40      39    3 %
                                

Total operating revenues

     98      93    5 %     183      183    0 %
                                

Operating Expenses

                

Benefits

     30      34    -12 %     61      70    -13 %

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

     40      41    -2 %     78      78    0 %
                                

Total operating expenses

     70      75    -7 %     139      148    -6 %
                                

Income from operations before taxes

     28      18    56 %     44      35    26 %

Federal income taxes

     10      6    67 %     15      12    25 %
                                

Income from operations

   $ 18    $ 12    50 %   $ 29    $ 23    26 %
                                
     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change  
     2008    2007      2008    2007   

Exchange Rate Ratio-U.S. Dollars to Pounds Sterling

                

Average for the period

     1.986      1.989    0 %     1.987      1.977    1 %

End-of-period

     1.992      2.008    -1 %     1.992      2.008    -1 %

As presented in the tables above, the change in the average exchange rate was immaterial when comparing the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, to the corresponding periods in 2007.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this segment increased due primarily to modest revenue increases and net favorable benefit reserve adjustments, which are discussed further below.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Income from operations for this segment increased due primarily to net favorable benefit reserve adjustments and a reduction in benefits related to lower levels of vested annuity premiums, which are discussed further below.

The foregoing items are discussed further below.

 

84


Insurance Premiums

Insurance premiums are primarily a function of the rates priced into the product and face amount of our insurance in force.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Insurance premiums increased due primarily to a $2 million increase in the annuitization of vesting pension policies. The increase in the amount of premiums received resulted in a corresponding increase in benefits.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Insurance premiums decreased due primarily to a $2 million decrease in the annuitization of vesting pension policies. The decrease in the amount of premiums received resulted in a corresponding decrease in benefits.

Our annualized policy lapse rate as of the second quarter of 2008 was 6.3% as compared to 6.7% for the corresponding period in 2007, as measured by the number of policies in force.

Insurance Fees

Details underlying insurance fees, business in force and unit-linked assets (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Insurance Fees

            

Mortality assessments

   $ 9     $ 9     0 %   $ 18     $ 19     -5 %

Expense assessments

     37       35     6 %     67       65     3 %

DFEL:

            

Deferrals

     (1 )     (1 )   0 %     (2 )     (2 )   0 %

Amortization, excluding unlocking

     8       7     14 %     15       15     0 %

Retrospective unlocking

     (1 )     —       NM       —         (1 )   100 %
                                    

Total insurance fees

   $ 52     $ 50     4 %   $ 98     $ 96     2 %
                                    
     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Unit-Linked Assets

            

Balance at beginning-of-period

   $ 8,079     $ 8,906     -9 %   $ 8,850     $ 8,757     1 %

Deposits

     101       100     1 %     161       168     -4 %

Withdrawals and deaths

     (227 )     (251 )   10 %     (439 )     (491 )   11 %
                                    

Net flows

     (126 )     (151 )   17 %     (278 )     (323 )   14 %

Investment income and change in market value

     (150 )     229     NM       (758 )     506     NM  

Foreign currency adjustment

     30       184     -84 %     19       228     -92 %
                                    

Balance at end-of-period

   $ 7,833     $ 9,168     -15 %   $ 7,833     $ 9,168     -15 %
                                    

The insurance fees reflect mortality and expense assessments on unit-linked account values to cover insurance and administrative charges. These assessments are primarily a function of the rates priced into the product, the face amount of insurance in force and the average unit-linked assets, which is driven by net flows on the account values and the financial markets. Although the use of the reversion to the mean process has lessened the impact of short-term volatility in equity markets, the segment’s fee income remains subject to volatility in the equity markets as it affects the level of the underlying assets that drive the fee income.

 

85


Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Excluding the effect of unlocking, insurance fees increased due primarily to higher dividend income and equity gains, partially offset by decreasing bond values resulting in a $2 million higher linked tax deduction from the unit-linked account. Additionally, expense assessments increased $1 million due to higher U.K. Department of Work and Pensions premiums.

Net Investment Income

We use our interest income to build the associated policy reserves, which is a function of our insurance premiums and the yields on our invested assets.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Net investment income increased due primarily to increased investments in short term bonds.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Net investment income increased due primarily to higher yields and increased investments in short term bonds.

Benefits

Benefits for this segment include claims incurred during the period in excess of the associated account balance for its unit-linked products. Benefits are recognized when incurred.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Benefits decreased due primarily to a reduction of $6 million in the mis-selling reserve following a favorable conclusion by the U.K. Financial Ombudsman Service (“FOS”) regarding Lincoln UK’s time barring of claims, a one-time reduction in the death claim reserve of $3 million and better permanent health income experience of $2 million. These decreases were partially offset by an unfavorable tax reserve adjustment of $5 million as well as a $2 million increase in reserves due to higher levels of vested annuity premiums.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Benefits decreased due primarily to a reduction of $6 million in the mis-selling reserve following a favorable finding by the U.K. FOS regarding Lincoln UK’s time barring of claims, a one-time reduction in the death claim reserve of $3 million following a reconciliation of previously paid claims, better permanent health income experience of $2 million and a decrease in reserves of $2 million due to lower levels of vested annuity premiums. These decreases were partially offset by an unfavorable tax reserve adjustment of $5 million.

 

86


Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

Details underlying underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Underwriting, Acquisition, Insurance and Other Expenses

            

Commissions

   $ 1     $ 1     0 %   $ 2     $ 2     0 %

General and administrative expenses

     26       27     -4 %     52       53     -2 %
                                    

Total expenses incurred

     27       28     -4 %     54       55     -2 %

DAC and VOBA deferrals

     (1 )     (1 )   0 %     (1 )     (1 )   0 %
                                    

Total expenses recognized before amortization

     26       27     -4 %     53       54     -2 %

DAC and VOBA amortization, net of interest:

            

Retrospective unlocking

     1       —       NM       —         (1 )   100 %

Other amortization, net of interest

     13       14     -7 %     25       25     0 %
                                    

Total underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses

   $ 40     $ 41     -2 %   $ 78     $ 78     0 %
                                    

Commissions and other costs, which vary with and are related primarily to the production of new business, are deferred to the extent recoverable. DAC and VOBA related to unit-linked business are amortized over the lives of the contracts in relation to EGPs. For our traditional products, DAC and VOBA are amortized on either a straight-line basis or as a level percent of premium of the related contracts depending on the block of business.

 

87


RESULTS OF OTHER OPERATIONS

Other Operations includes investments related to the excess capital in our insurance subsidiaries, investments in media properties and other corporate investments, benefit plan net assets, the unamortized deferred gain on indemnity reinsurance, which was sold to Swiss Re in 2001, corporate debt and corporate reinsurance. We are actively managing our remaining radio station clusters to maximize performance and future value. Other Operations also includes the Institutional Pension business, which was previously reported in Employer Markets – Retirement Products. The Institutional Pension business is a closed-block of pension business, the majority of which was sold on a group annuity basis, and is currently in run-off.

Loss from Operations

Details underlying the results for Other Operations (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
          For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
       
   2008     2007     Change     2008     2007     Change  

Operating Revenues

            

Insurance premiums

   $ 2     $ (1 )   300 %   $ 3     $ 1     200 %

Net investment income

     87       91     -4 %     186       179     4 %

Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance

     18       19     -5 %     38       37     3 %

Media revenues (net)

     23       29     -21 %     45       54     -17 %

Other revenues and fees

     1       4     -75 %     (2 )     6     NM  

Inter-segment elimination of investment advisory fees

     (21 )     (19 )   -11 %     (41 )     (44 )   7 %
                                    

Total operating revenues

     110       123     -11 %     229       233     -2 %
                                    

Operating Expenses

            

Interest credited

     42       44     -5 %     88       88     0 %

Benefits

     29       37     -22 %     57       75     -24 %

Media expenses

     15       15     0 %     31       30     3 %

Other expenses

     48       39     23 %     85       64     33 %

Interest and debt expenses

     65       73     -11 %     140       136     3 %

Inter-segment elimination of investment advisory fees

     (21 )     (19 )   -11 %     (41 )     (44 )   7 %
                                    

Total operating expenses

     178       189     -6 %     360       349     3 %
                                    

Loss from operations before taxes

     (68 )     (66 )   -3 %     (131 )     (116 )   -13 %

Federal income taxes

     (24 )     (31 )   23 %     (45 )     (51 )   12 %
                                    

Loss from operations

   $ (44 )   $ (35 )   -26 %   $ (86 )   $ (65 )   -32 %
                                    

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Loss from operations for this segment increased due primarily to the following:

 

 

Lower media earnings related primarily to lower advertising revenues caused by market conditions;

 

 

Lower net investment income from a reduction in yields, partially offset by an increase in invested assets;

 

 

Higher other expenses attributable primarily due to the one-time curtailment gain recorded in the second quarter of 2007 related to a change in our employee pension plan; and

 

 

Less favorable tax items that impacted the effective tax rate.

The increase in loss from operations was partially offset by the following:

 

 

Lower interest and debt expenses as a result of a decline in interest rates that affect our variable rate borrowings partially offset by higher average balances of outstanding debt in the current period; and

 

 

Unfavorable mortality in our Institutional Pension business in the second quarter of 2007.

 

88


Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Loss from operations for this segment increased due primarily to the following:

 

 

Lower media earnings related primarily due to lower advertising revenues caused by market conditions;

 

 

Higher other expenses primarily attributable to the impact of the one-time curtailment gain recorded in the second quarter of 2007 related to our employee pension plan and the relocation costs associated with the move of our corporate office;

 

 

Higher interest and debt expenses from increased debt; and

 

 

Less favorable tax items that impacted the effective tax rate.

The increase in loss from operations was partially offset by the following:

 

 

Higher net investment income from an increase in invested assets driven by distributable earnings received from our insurance segments, dividends received from our other segments and issuances of debt as these items exceeded share repurchases and dividends paid to stockholders; and

 

 

Unfavorable mortality in our Institutional Pension business in the second quarter of 2007.

Certain of the foregoing items are discussed further below.

Net Investment Income and Interest Credited

We utilize an internal formula to determine the amount of capital that is allocated to our business segments. Investment income on capital in excess of the calculated amounts is reported in Other Operations. If regulations require increases in our insurance segments’ statutory reserves and surplus, the amount of capital allocated to Other Operations would decrease and net investment income would be negatively impacted. In addition, as discussed below in “Review of Consolidated Financial Condition – Alternative Sources of Liquidity,” the holding company maintains an inter-segment cash management account where other segments can borrow from or lend money to the holding company. The inter-segment cash management account affects net investment income for Other Operations, as all inter-segment eliminations are reported within Other Operations.

Write-downs for other-than-temporary impairments decrease the recorded value of our invested assets owned by our business segments. These write-downs are not included in the income from operations of our operating segments. When impairment occurs, assets are transferred to the business segments’ portfolios and will reduce the future net investment income for Other Operations, but should not have an impact on a consolidated basis unless the impairments are related to defaulted securities. Statutory reserve adjustments for our business segments can also cause allocations of invested assets between the affected segments and Other Operations.

The majority of our interest credited relates to our reinsurance operations sold to Swiss Re in 2001. A substantial amount of the business was sold through indemnity reinsurance transactions resulting in some of the business still flowing through our consolidated financial statements. The interest credited corresponds to investment income earnings on the assets we continue to hold for this business. There is no impact to income or loss in Other Operations or on a consolidated basis for these amounts.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in net investment income was attributable to a decrease in yields, partially offset by an increase in invested assets that was driven by distributable earnings received from our insurance segments, dividends received from our other segments and issuances of debt. The increase in invested assets from these items exceeded the amount utilized by share repurchases, dividends paid to stockholders and transfers to other segments for other-than-temporary impairments. Also, decreases in our inter-segment cash management account and collateral under securities loaned favorably impacted net investment income.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in net investment income was attributable to an increase in invested assets driven by distributable earnings received from our insurance segments, dividends received from our other segments and issuances of debt. These items exceeded the amount of share repurchases, dividends paid to stockholders and transfers to other segments for other-than-temporary impairments. This increase in invested assets was partially offset by lower yields as a result of lower interest rates in the current period.

 

89


Benefits

Benefits are recognized when incurred for Institutional Pension products.

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in benefits was a result of unfavorable mortality in our Institutional Pension business in the second quarter of 2007.

Other Expenses

Details underlying other expenses (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
          For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
       
     2008    2007     Change     2008    2007     Change  

Other Expenses

              

Merger-related expenses

   $ 16    $ 30     -47 %   $ 31    $ 44     -30 %

Branding

     11      9     22 %     18      16     13 %

Retirement Income Security Ventures

     2      3     -33 %     4      4     0 %

Taxes, licenses and fees

     1      1     0 %     3      4     -25 %

Other

     18      (4 )   NM       29      (4 )   NM  
                                  

Total other expenses

   $ 48    $ 39     23 %   $ 85    $ 64     33 %
                                  

Other expenses for Other Operations includes expenses that are corporate in nature such as merger-related expenses, restructuring costs, branding, charitable contributions, certain litigation reserves, amortization of FCC license intangibles on our radio clusters, other expenses not allocated to our business segments and inter-segment expense eliminations, excluding those associated with our inter-segment investment advisory fees.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in other expenses was attributable primarily to the effect of the one-time curtailment gain recorded in the second quarter of 2007 related to our employee pension plan after we announced on May 1, 2007, our plan to freeze our defined benefit pension benefits and replace them with an enhanced match in our 401(k) defined contribution plan beginning January 1, 2008, and an increase in incentive compensation expense, strategic initiative costs and facilities expense. These increases in other expenses were partially offset by a decrease in merger-related expenses as a result of higher system integration work related to our administrative systems in 2007.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in other expenses was attributable primarily to the impact of the one-time curtailment gain recorded in the second quarter of 2007 and relocation costs associated with the move of our corporate office and an increase in incentive compensation expense, strategic costs and facilities expense. These increases in other expenses were partially offset by a decrease in merger-related expenses as a result of higher system integration work related to our administrative systems in 2007.

Merger-related expenses were the result of actions undertaken by us to eliminate duplicate operations and functions as a result of the Jefferson-Pilot merger along with costs related to the implementation of our new unified product portfolio and other initiatives. These actions will be ongoing and are expected to be substantially complete by the first half of 2009. Our current estimate of the cumulative integration expenses is approximately $215 million to $225 million, pre-tax, and excludes amounts capitalized or recorded to goodwill.

Interest and Debt Expense

The timing and/or discretionary nature of uses of cash for the repurchase of stock, incentive compensation and the availability of funds from our cash management account may result in changes in external financing and volatility in interest expense. For additional information on our financing activities, see “Review of Consolidated Financial Condition – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Sources of Liquidity and Cash Flow – Financing Activities” below.

 

90


Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in interest and debt expense was due primarily to the decrease in interest rates on our variable rate borrowings partially offset by an increased average outstanding debt balance in the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the second quarter of 2007. The increased debt was primarily the result of $375 million issued in the fourth quarter of 2007 to fund a captive reinsurance company (calculated under AG38), which was created for the purpose of reinsuring liabilities of our existing insurance affiliates, primarily related to statutory reserves on UL products with secondary guarantees.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The increase in interest and debt expense was due primarily to an increase in our debt, which was primarily the result of $375 million issued in the fourth quarter of 2007 to fund a captive reinsurance company. This increase was partially offset by lower interest rates on our variable borrowings in the first six months of 2008 compared to the first six months of 2007.

Federal Income Tax Benefit

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The decrease in the federal income tax benefit was due to less favorable tax items that impacted the effective tax rate related primarily to changes in tax preferred investments.

 

91


REALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

Details underlying realized gain (loss), after-DAC (1)  (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
          For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
       
     2008     2007     Change     2008     2007     Change  

Pre-Tax

            

Operating realized gain:

            

Indexed annuity net derivatives results

   $ —       $ 2     -100 %   $ (2 )   $ 2     NM  

GLB

     10       1     NM       16       2     NM  

GDB hedge cost

     2       (2 )   200 %     9       (2 )   NM  
                                    

Total operating realized gain

     12       1     NM       23       2     NM  
                                    

Realized gain (loss) related to certain investments

     (125 )     (9 )   NM       (166 )     18     NM  

Gain (loss) on certain reinsurance derivative/trading securities

     1       4     -75 %     2       4     -50 %

GLB derivatives results:

            

Attributed fees for net valuation premium (2)

     23       12     92 %     42       23     83 %

Change in reserves hedged (2)

     213       48     NM       (161 )     74     NM  

Change in market value of derivative assets (2)

     (248 )     (51 )   NM       63       (74 )   185 %
                                    

Hedge program effectiveness (2) (3)

     (12 )     9     NM       (56 )     23     NM  

Change in reserves not hedged (2)

     17       —       NM       109       —       NM  

Loss from the initial impact of adopting SFAS 157 (2)

     —         —       NM       (33 )     —       NM  

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL

     (2 )     (4 )   50 %     (25 )     (10 )   NM  
                                    

GLB net derivatives results

     3       5     -40 %     (5 )     13     NM  

Indexed annuity forward-starting option

     2       5     -60 %     7       3     133 %

GDB derivatives results

     (3 )     1     NM       (8 )     1     NM  

Gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses

     2       —       NM       4       —       NM  
                                    

Excluded realized gain (loss)

     (120 )     6         (166 )     39     NM  
                                    

Total realized gain (loss)

   $ (108 )   $ 7     NM     $ (143 )   $ 41     NM  
                                    
     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
          For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
       
     2008     2007     Change     2008     2007     Change  

After-Tax

            

Operating realized gain:

            

Indexed annuity net derivatives results

   $ —       $ 1     -100 %   $ (1 )   $ 1     NM  

GLB

     7       1     NM       10       1     NM  

GDB hedge cost

     1       (1 )   200 %     6       (1 )   NM  
                                    

Total operating realized gain

     8       1     NM       15       1     NM  
                                    

Realized gain (loss) related to certain investments

     (80 )     (5 )   NM       (108 )     12     NM  

Gain (loss) on certain reinsurance derivative/trading securities

     1       3     -67 %     1       2     -50 %

GLB net derivatives results (4)

     1       3     -67 %     (3 )     9     NM  

GDB derivative results

     (2 )     —       NM       (5 )     —       NM  

Indexed annuity forward-starting option

     1       3     -67 %     4       2     100 %

Gain on sale of subsidiaries/businesses

     1       —       NM       3       —       NM  
                                    

Excluded realized gain (loss)

     (78 )     4         (108 )     25     NM  
                                    

Total realized gain (loss)

   $ (70 )   $ 5     NM     $ (93 )   $ 26     NM  
                                    

 

92


 

(1)

DAC refers to the associated amortization of expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds.

(2)

Amounts are before the associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL.

(3)

Our hedge performance after-DAC and after-tax, excluding DAC unlocking and changes in the non-performance risk factor, was an estimated $(4) million and $(15) million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively.

(4)

The components of the GLB net derivatives results are presented in the pre-tax section above.

Operating Realized Gain

Operating realized gain includes the following:

 

 

Indexed annuity net derivative results – Represents the net difference between the change in the fair value of the S&P 500 Index® call options that we hold and the change in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities of our indexed annuities products. The change in the fair value of the liability for the embedded derivative represents the amount that is credited to the indexed annuity contract.

 

 

GLB – Represents the portion of the GLB rider fees calculated as the attributed fees in excess of the net valuation premium. Net valuation premium represents a level portion of rider fees required to fund potential claims for living benefits. The attributed fees are the fees used in the calculation of the embedded derivative and represent net valuation premium plus a margin that a theoretical market participant would include for risk/profit, as well as the non-performance risk factor required by SFAS 157 benefit costs.

 

 

GDB hedge cost – Represents the change in the fair value of the derivatives that offsets the benefit ratio unlocking of our SOP 03-1 reserves on our GDB riders, including our expected cost of the hedging instruments

Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

Our operating realized gain increased due primarily to the market participant risk/profit margins partially offset by the non-performance risk factor required by SFAS 157.

Realized Gain (Loss) Related to Certain Investments

See “Consolidated Investments – Realized Gain (Loss) Related to Investments” below.

Gain (Loss) on Certain Reinsurance Derivative/Trading Securities

Gain (loss) on certain reinsurance derivative/trading securities represents changes in the fair values of total return swaps (embedded derivatives) theoretically included in our various modified coinsurance and coinsurance with funds withheld reinsurance arrangements that have contractual returns related to various assets and liabilities associated with these arrangements. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are offset by the change in fair value of trading securities in the portfolios that support these arrangements.

GLB Net Derivatives Results and GDB Derivatives Results

Our GLB net derivatives results represents the net valuation premium, the change in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities of our GLB products and the change in the fair value of the derivative instruments we own to hedge. This includes the cost of purchasing the hedging instruments.

Our GDB derivatives results represents the net difference between the benefit ratio unlocking of SOP 03-1 reserves on our GDB riders and the change in the fair value of the derivatives excluding our expected cost of the hedging instruments.

We have a hedge program that is designed to mitigate the risk and earnings volatility caused by changes in equity markets, interest rates and volatility associated with the guaranteed benefit features of our variable annuity products, including GDB and GLB riders. The GLB guarantees in our variable annuity products are considered embedded derivatives and are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value under SFAS 133 and SFAS 157. We use derivative instruments to hedge our exposure to the risks and earnings volatility that result from the embedded derivatives for GLBs. The change in fair value of these instruments tends to move in the opposite direction of the change in fair value of the embedded derivatives. In the table above, we have presented the components of our GLB results, which can be volatile especially when sudden and significant changes in equity markets and/or interest rates occur. For additional information on our guaranteed benefits, see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – Derivatives – Guaranteed Living Benefits” above.

 

93


Comparison of the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to 2007

The less favorable GLB net derivatives results and GDB derivatives results were driven primarily by volatile capital markets conditions that affected both interest rates and equity market returns. The increased GLB losses were partially offset by the gains attributable to the SFAS 157 non-performance adjustments attributable primarily to the widening credit spreads.

Indexed Annuity Forward-Starting Option

Changes in the fair value of embedded derivative liabilities related to index call options we may purchase in the future to hedge contract holder index allocations applicable to future reset periods for our indexed annuity products as required under SFAS 133 and SFAS 157. These fair values represent an estimate of the cost of the options we will purchase in the future, discounted back to the date of the balance sheet, using current market indications of volatility and interest rates, which can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors and therefore can provide results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.

The six months ended June 30, 2008, includes a pre-tax $10 million ($6 million, after-tax) gain from the initial impact of adopting SFAS 157.

Gain on Sale of Subsidiaries/Businesses

See “Acquisitions and Dispositions – Fixed Income Management Business” for details.

 

94


CONSOLIDATED INVESTMENTS

Details underlying our consolidated investment balances (in millions) were as follows:

 

               Percentage of
Total Investments
 
     As of
June 30,
2008
   As of
December 31,
2007
   As of
June 30,
2008
    As of
December 31,
2007
 

Investments

          

Available-for-sale securities:

          

Fixed maturity

   $ 54,518    $ 56,276    77.7 %   78.2 %

Equity

     464      518    0.7 %   0.7 %

Trading securities

     2,550      2,730    3.6 %   3.8 %

Mortgage loans on real estate

     7,678      7,423    10.9 %   10.3 %

Real estate

     136      258    0.2 %   0.4 %

Policy loans

     2,802      2,835    4.0 %   4.0 %

Derivative instruments

     890      807    1.3 %   1.1 %

Alternative investments

     833      799    1.1 %   1.1 %

Other investments

     330      276    0.5 %   0.4 %
                          

Total investments

   $ 70,201    $ 71,922    100.0 %   100.0 %
                          

Investment Objective

Invested assets are an integral part of our operations. We follow a balanced approach to investing for both current income and prudent risk management, with an emphasis on generating sufficient current income, net of income tax, to meet our obligations to customers, as well as other general liabilities. This balanced approach requires the evaluation of expected return and risk of each asset class utilized, while still meeting our income objectives. This approach is important to our asset-liability management, since decisions can be made based upon both the economic and current investment income considerations affecting assets and liabilities. For a discussion on our risk management process, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Investment Portfolio Composition and Diversification

Fundamental to our investment policy is diversification across asset classes. Our investment portfolio, excluding cash and invested cash, is composed of fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate, real estate (either wholly-owned or in joint ventures) and other long-term investments. We purchase investments for our segmented portfolios that have yield, duration and other characteristics that take into account the liabilities of the products being supported.

We have the ability to maintain our investment holdings throughout credit cycles because of our capital position, the long-term nature of our liabilities and the matching of our portfolios of investment assets with the liabilities of our various products.

Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Portfolios

Fixed maturity securities and equity securities consist of portfolios classified as available-for-sale and trading. Mortgage-backed and private securities are included in both available-for-sale and trading portfolios.

Details underlying our fixed maturity and equity securities portfolios by industry classification (in millions) are presented in the below tables. These tables agree in total with the presentation of available-for-sale securities in Note 4; however, the categories below represent a more detailed breakout of the available-for-sale portfolio; therefore, the investment classifications listed below do not agree to the investment categories provided in Note 4.

 

95


     As of June 30, 2008  
     Amortized
Cost
   Unrealized
Gains
   Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   % Fair
Value
 

Fixed Maturity Available-For-Sale Securities

              

Corporate bonds:

              

Financial services

   $ 10,896    $ 82    $ 681    $ 10,297    18.9 %

Basic industry

     2,195      33      81      2,147    3.9 %

Capital goods

     2,683      42      58      2,667    4.9 %

Communications

     2,803      63      100      2,766    5.1 %

Consumer cyclical

     2,933      36      159      2,810    5.2 %

Consumer non-cyclical

     4,110      54      76      4,088    7.5 %

Energy

     2,886      71      43      2,914    5.4 %

Technology

     744      11      11      744    1.4 %

Transportation

     1,291      25      54      1,262    2.3 %

Industrial other

     675      11      15      671    1.2 %

Utilities

     8,391      125      202      8,314    15.3 %

Asset-backed securities:

              

Collateralized debt obligations and credit-linked notes

     1,049      9      418      640    1.2 %

Commercial real estate collateralized debt obligations

     62      —        8      54    0.1 %

Credit card

     172      1      11      162    0.3 %

Home equity

     1,185      1      251      935    1.7 %

Manufactured housing

     154      4      8      150    0.3 %

Auto loan

     1      —        —        1    0.0 %

Other

     223      4      7      220    0.4 %

Commercial mortgage-backed securities:

              

Non-agency backed

     2,628      21      182      2,467    4.5 %

Collateralized mortgage obligations:

              

Agency backed

     4,643      66      37      4,672    8.6 %

Non-agency backed

     2,245      1      381      1,865    3.4 %

Mortgage pass-throughs:

              

Agency backed

     1,438      13      10      1,441    2.6 %

Non-agency backed

     149      —        17      132    0.2 %

Municipals:

              

Taxable

     125      4      1      128    0.2 %

Tax-exempt

     5      —        —        5    0.0 %

Government and government agencies:

              

United States

     1,195      93      7      1,281    2.3 %

Foreign

     1,570      64      48      1,586    2.9 %

Redeemable preferred stock

     102      2      5      99    0.2 %
                                  

Total available-for-sale – fixed maturity

     56,553      836      2,871      54,518    100.0 %
                  

Equity Available-For-Sale Securities

     617      39      192      464   
                              

Total available-for-sale securities

     57,170      875      3,063      54,982   

Trading Securities (1)

     2,423      222      95      2,550   
                              

Total available-for-sale and trading securities

   $ 59,593    $ 1,097    $ 3,158    $ 57,532   
                              

 

96


     As of December 31, 2007  
     Amortized
Cost
   Unrealized
Gains
   Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   % Fair
Value
 

Fixed Maturity Available-For-Sale Securities

              

Corporate bonds:

              

Financial services

   $ 11,234    $ 187    $ 300    $ 11,121    19.8 %

Basic industry

     2,148      52      35      2,165    3.8 %

Capital goods

     2,665      66      16      2,715    4.8 %

Communications

     2,903      123      46      2,980    5.3 %

Consumer cyclical

     3,038      56      94      3,000    5.3 %

Consumer non-cyclical

     3,898      101      25      3,974    7.1 %

Energy

     2,688      121      14      2,795    5.0 %

Technology

     660      15      5      670    1.2 %

Transportation

     1,409      39      19      1,429    2.5 %

Industrial other

     710      22      6      726    1.3 %

Utilities

     8,051      195      77      8,169    14.5 %

Asset-backed securities:

              

Collateralized debt obligations and credit-linked notes

     996      8      205      799    1.4 %

Commercial real estate collateralized debt obligations

     42      —        4      38    0.1 %

Mortgage-backed securities collateralized debt obligations

     1      —        —        1    0.0 %

Credit card

     160      1      2      159    0.3 %

Home equity

     1,209      4      76      1,137    2.0 %

Manufactured housing

     161      7      5      163    0.3 %

Auto loan

     4      —        —        4    0.0 %

Other

     235      4      1      238    0.4 %

Commercial mortgage-backed securities:

              

Non-agency backed

     2,711      48      70      2,689    4.8 %

Collateralized mortgage obligations:

              

Agency backed

     4,547      74      19      4,602    8.2 %

Non-agency backed

     2,347      10      110      2,247    4.0 %

Mortgage pass-throughs:

              

Agency backed

     933      18      2      949    1.7 %

Non-agency backed

     153      1      4      150    0.3 %

Municipals:

              

Taxable

     133      5      —        138    0.2 %

Tax-exempt

     6      —        —        6    0.0 %

Government and government agencies:

              

United States

     1,261      108      4      1,365    2.4 %

Foreign

     1,663      92      19      1,736    3.1 %

Redeemable preferred stock

     103      9      1      111    0.2 %
                                  

Total available-for-sale – fixed maturity

     56,069      1,366      1,159      56,276    100.0 %
                  

Equity Available-For-Sale Securities

     548      13      43      518   
                              

Total available-for-sale securities

     56,617      1,379      1,202      56,794   

Trading Securities (1)

     2,512      265      47      2,730   
                              

Total available-for-sale and trading securities

   $ 59,129    $ 1,644    $ 1,249    $ 59,524   
                              

 

(1)

Our trading securities support our modified coinsurance arrangements (“Modco”) and the investment results are passed directly to the reinsurers. Refer below to “Trading Securities” section for further details.

Available-for-Sale Securities

Because the general intent of the available-for-sale accounting guidance is to reflect stockholders’ equity as if unrealized gains and

 

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losses were actually recognized, it is necessary that we consider all related accounting adjustments that would occur upon such a hypothetical recognition of unrealized gains and losses. Such related balance sheet effects include adjustments to the balances of DAC, VOBA, DFEL, other contract holder funds and deferred income taxes. Adjustments to each of these balances are charged or credited to accumulated other comprehensive income. For instance, DAC is adjusted upon the recognition of unrealized gains or losses since the amortization of DAC is based upon an assumed emergence of gross profits on certain insurance business. Deferred income tax balances are also adjusted, since unrealized gains or losses do not affect actual taxes currently paid.

As of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, 91.8% and 90.7%, respectively, of total publicly traded and private securities in unrealized loss status were rated as investment grade. See Note 4 for ratings and maturity date information for our fixed maturity investment portfolio.

As more fully described in Note 1 of our 2007 Form 10-K, we regularly review our investment holdings for other-than-temporary impairments. Based on this review, the cause of the $1.9 billion increase in our gross available-for-sale securities unrealized losses for the six months ended June 30, 2008, was attributable primarily to a combination of reduced liquidity in several market segments, deterioration in credit fundamentals and an increase in treasury rates. We believe that the securities in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2008 were not other-than-temporarily impaired due to our ability and intent to hold for a period of time sufficient for recovery. For further information on our available-for-sales securities unrealized losses, see “Additional Details on our Unrealized Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities” below.

The quality of our available-for-sale fixed maturity securities portfolio, as measured at estimated fair value and by the percentage of fixed maturity securities invested in various ratings categories, relative to the entire fixed maturity available-for-sale security portfolio (in millions) was as follows:

 

NAIC

Designation

  

Rating Agency

Equivalent

Designation

   As of June 30, 2008     As of December 31, 2007  
      Amortized
Cost
    Fair
Value
    % of
Total
    Amortized
Cost
    Fair
Value
    % of
Total
 

Investment Grade Securities

            
1    Aaa / Aa / A    $ 34,410     $ 33,210     60.9 %   $ 34,648     $ 34,741     61.8 %
2    Baa      18,594       18,101     33.2 %     18,168       18,339     32.6 %
                                               
        53,004       51,311     94.1 %     52,816       53,080     94.4 %

Below Investment Grade Securities

            
3    Ba      2,426       2,266     4.2 %     2,184       2,159     3.8 %
4    B      797       678     1.2 %     787       783     1.4 %
5    Caa and lower      313       246     0.5 %     270       238     0.4 %
6    In or near default      13       17     0.0 %     12       16     0.0 %
                                               
        3,549       3,207     5.9 %     3,253       3,196     5.6 %
                                               

Total securities

   $ 56,553     $ 54,518     100.0 %   $ 56,069     $ 56,276     100.0 %
                                               

Securities below investment grade as a % of total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities

     6.3 %     5.9 %       5.8 %     5.7 %  

Comparisons between the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) ratings and rating agency designations are published by the NAIC. The NAIC assigns securities quality ratings and uniform valuations, which are used by insurers when preparing their annual statements. The NAIC ratings are similar to the rating agency designations of the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations for marketable bonds. NAIC ratings 1 and 2 include bonds generally considered investment grade (rated Baa3 or higher by Moody’s, or rated BBB- or higher by S&P and Fitch), by such ratings organizations. NAIC ratings 3 through 6 include bonds generally considered below investment grade (rated Ba1 or lower by Moody’s, or rated BB+ or lower by S&P and Fitch).

The estimated fair value for all private securities was $7.7 billion as of June 30, 2008, compared to $7.8 billion as of December 31, 2007, representing approximately 11% of total invested assets as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007.

Trading Securities

Trading securities, which support certain reinsurance funds withheld and our Modco reinsurance agreements, are carried at estimated fair value and changes in estimated fair value are recorded in net income as they occur. Investment results for these

 

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portfolios, including gains and losses from sales, are passed directly to the reinsurers through the contractual terms of the reinsurance arrangements. Offsetting these amounts are corresponding changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative liability associated with the underlying reinsurance arrangement. See Note 1 in our 2007 Form 10-K for more information regarding our accounting for Modco.

Mortgage-Backed Securities (Included in Available-for-Sale and Trading Securities)

Our fixed maturity securities include mortgage-backed securities. These securities are subject to risks associated with variable prepayments. This may result in differences between the actual cash flow and maturity of these securities than that expected at the time of purchase. Securities that have an amortized cost greater than par and are backed by mortgages that prepay faster than expected will incur a reduction in yield or a loss. Those securities with an amortized cost lower than par that prepay faster than expected will generate an increase in yield or a gain. In addition, we may incur reinvestment risks if market yields are lower than the book yields earned on the securities. Prepayments occurring slower than expected have the opposite impact. We may incur reinvestment risks if market yields are higher than the book yields earned on the securities and we are forced to sell the securities. The degree to which a security is susceptible to either gains or losses is influenced by: the difference between its amortized cost and par; the relative sensitivity of the underlying mortgages backing the assets to prepayment in a changing interest rate environment; and the repayment priority of the securities in the overall securitization structure.

We limit the extent of our risk on mortgage-backed securities by prudently limiting exposure to the asset class, by generally avoiding the purchase of securities with a cost that significantly exceeds par, by purchasing securities backed by stable collateral and by concentrating on securities with enhanced priority in their trust structure. Such securities with reduced risk typically have a lower yield (but higher liquidity) than higher-risk mortgage-backed securities. At selected times, higher-risk securities may be purchased if they do not compromise the safety of the general portfolio. As of June 30, 2008, we did not have a significant amount of higher-risk mortgage-backed securities. A significant amount of assets in our mortgage-backed securities portfolio are either guaranteed by U.S. government-sponsored enterprises or are supported in the securitization structure by junior securities enabling the assets to achieve high investment grade status.

Our exposure to subprime mortgage lending is limited to investments in banks and other financial institutions that may be impacted by subprime lending and direct investments in asset-backed securities collateralized debt obligations, asset-backed securities (“ABS”) and residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”). Mortgage-related ABS are backed by home equity loans and RMBS are backed by residential mortgages. These securities are backed by loans that are characterized by borrowers of differing levels of creditworthiness: prime, Alt-A and subprime. Prime lending is the origination of residential mortgage loans to customers with excellent credit profiles. Alt-A lending is the origination of residential mortgage loans to customers who have Prime credit profiles but lack documentation to substantiate income. Subprime lending is the origination of loans to customers with weak or impaired credit profiles.

The slowing U.S. housing market, increased interest rates and relaxed underwriting standards for some originators of residential mortgage loans and home equity loans have recently led to higher delinquency rates, especially for loans originated in the past few years. We expect delinquency rates and loss rates on residential mortgages and home equity loans to increase in the future; however, we continue to expect to receive payments in accordance with contractual terms for a significant amount of our securities, largely due to the seniority of the claims on the collateral of the securities that we own. The tranches of the securities will experience losses according to their seniority level with the least senior (or most junior), typically the unrated residual tranche, taking the initial loss. The credit ratings of our securities reflect the seniority of the securities that we own. Our RMBS had a market value of $9.2 billion and an unrealized loss of $636 million, or 7%, as of June 30, 2008. The unrealized loss was due primarily to deteriorating market fundamentals and a general level of illiquidity in the market and resulting in price declines in many structured products.

 

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The market value of investments backed by subprime loans was $602 million and represented 1% of our total investment portfolio as of June 30, 2008. Investments rated A or above represented 91% of the subprime investments and $293 million in market value of our subprime investments was backed by loans originating in 2005 and forward. Available-for-sale securities represent most of the subprime exposure with trading securities being only $16 million, or 3%, as of June 30, 2008. The tables below summarize our investments in available-for-sale securities backed by pools of residential mortgages (in millions):

 

     Fair Value as of June 30, 2008
     Prime
Agency
   Prime/
Non -
Agency
   Alt-A    Subprime    Total

Type

              

Collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-throughs

   $ 6,030    $ 1,343    $ 737    $ —      $ 8,110

Asset-backed securities home equity

     —        15      334      586      935
                                  

Total (1)

   $ 6,030    $ 1,358    $ 1,071    $ 586    $ 9,045
                                  

Rating

              

AAA

   $ 5,990    $ 1,108    $ 913    $ 423    $ 8,434

AA

     20      209      107      87      423

A

     20      17      12      21      70

BBB

     —        10      —        50      60

BB and below

     —        14      39      5      58
                                  

Total (1)

   $ 6,030    $ 1,358    $ 1,071    $ 586    $ 9,045
                                  

Origination Year

              

2004 and prior

   $ 3,131    $ 402    $ 362    $ 297    $ 4,192

2005

     806      252      291      204      1,553

2006

     342      249      343      85      1,019

2007

     1,751      455      75      —        2,281
                                  

Total (1)

   $ 6,030    $ 1,358    $ 1,071    $ 586    $ 9,045
                                  

 

(1)

Does not include the fair value of trading securities totaling $195 million, which support our Modco reinsurance agreements because investment results for these agreements are passed directly to the reinsurers. The $195 million in trading securities consisted of $152 million prime, $27 million Alt-A and $16 million subprime.

 

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     Amortized Cost as of June 30, 2008
     Prime
Agency
   Prime/
Non -
Agency
   Alt-A    Subprime    Total

Type

              

Collateralized mortgage obligations and pass throughs

   $ 5,989    $ 1,546    $ 940    $ —      $ 8,475

Asset-backed securities home equity

     —        15      406      764      1,185
                                  

Total (1)

   $ 5,989    $ 1,561    $ 1,346    $ 764    $ 9,660
                                  

Rating

              

AAA

   $ 5,949    $ 1,201    $ 1,063    $ 494    $ 8,707

AA

     21      275      151      130      577

A

     19      27      20      33      99

BBB

     —        19      —        94      113

BB and below

     —        39      112      13      164
                                  

Total (1)

   $ 5,989    $ 1,561    $ 1,346    $ 764    $ 9,660
                                  

Origination Year

              

2004 and prior

   $ 3,098    $ 441    $ 409    $ 358    $ 4,306

2005

     819      279      345      254      1,697

2006

     344      307      480      152      1,283

2007

     1,728      534      112      —        2,374
                                  

Total (1)

   $ 5,989    $ 1,561    $ 1,346    $ 764    $ 9,660
                                  

 

(1)

Does not include the amortized cost of trading securities totaling $217 million, which support our Modco reinsurance agreements because investment results for these agreements are passed directly to the reinsurers. The $217 million in trading securities consisted of $158 million prime, $40 million Alt-A and $19 million subprime.

None of these investments include any direct investments in subprime lenders or mortgages. We are not aware of material exposure to subprime loans in our alternative asset portfolio.

The following summarizes our investments in available-for-sale securities backed by pools of consumer loan asset-backed securities (in millions):

 

     As of June 30, 2008
     Credit Card (1)    Auto Loans    Total
     Fair
Value
   Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
   Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
   Amortized
Cost

Rating

                 

AAA

   $ 130    $ 139    $ —      $ —      $ 130    $ 139

AA

     —        —        1      1      1      1

BBB

     32      33      —        —        32      33
                                         

Total (2)

   $ 162    $ 172    $ 1    $ 1    $ 163    $ 173
                                         

 

(1)

Additional indirect credit card exposure through structured securities is excluded from this table. See “Credit-Linked Notes” section below and in Note 4.

(2)

Does not include the fair value of trading securities totaling $5 million, which support our Modco reinsurance agreements because investment results for these agreements are passed directly to the reinsurers. The $5 million in trading securities consisted of credit card securities.

 

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The following summarizes our investments in available-for-sale securities backed by pools of commercial mortgages (in millions):

 

     As of June 30, 2008
     Multiple Property    Single Property    Commercial Real
Estate Collateralized
Debt Obligations
   Total
     Fair
Value
   Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
   Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
   Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
   Amortized
Cost

Type

                       

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   $ 2,331    $ 2,461    $ 136    $ 167    $ —      $ —      $ 2,467    $ 2,628

Commercial real estate collateralized debt obligations

     —        —        —        —        54      62      54      62
                                                       

Total (1)

   $ 2,331    $ 2,461    $ 136    $ 167    $ 54    $ 62    $ 2,521    $ 2,690
                                                       

Rating

                       

AAA

   $ 1,666    $ 1,700    $ 75    $ 77    $ 31    $ 38    $ 1,772    $ 1,815

AA

     396      424      7      17      3      4      406      445

A

     158      194      52      67      20      20      230      281

BBB

     86      104      2      6      —        —        88      110

BB and below

     25      39      —        —        —        —        25      39
                                                       

Total (1)

   $ 2,331    $ 2,461    $ 136    $ 167    $ 54    $ 62    $ 2,521    $ 2,690
                                                       

Origination Year

                       

2004 and prior

   $ 1,673    $ 1,705    $ 80    $ 81    $ 23    $ 24    $ 1,776    $ 1,810

2005

     331      370      44      61      10      15      385      446

2006

     202      242      12      25      21      23      235      290

2007

     125      144      —        —        —        —        125      144
                                                       

Total (1)

   $ 2,331    $ 2,461    $ 136    $ 167    $ 54    $ 62    $ 2,521    $ 2,690
                                                       

 

(1)

Does not include the fair value of trading securities totaling $102 million, which support our Modco reinsurance agreements because investment results for these agreements are passed directly to the reinsurers. The $102 million in trading securities consisted of $99 million commercial mortgage-backed securities and $3 million commercial real estate collateralized debt obligations.

 

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Monoline insurers provide guarantees on debt for issuers, often in the form of credit wraps, which enhance the credit of the issuer. Monoline insurers guarantee the timely repayment of bond principal and interest when a bond issuer defaults and generally provide credit enhancement for bond issues such as municipal bonds and private placements as well as other types and structures of securities. Our direct exposure represents our bond holdings of the actual Monoline insurers. Our insured bonds represent our holdings in bonds of other issuers that are insured by Monoline insurers.

The following summarizes our exposure to Monoline insurers (in millions):

 

     As of June 30, 2008
     Direct
Exposure
   Insured
Bonds (1) (2)
   Total
Amortized
Cost
   Total
Unrealized
Gain
   Total
Unrealized
Loss
   Total
Fair
Value

Monoline Name

                 

AMBAC

   $ —      $ 275    $ 275    $ 3    $ 48    $ 230

ASSURED GUARANTY LTD

     30      —        30      —        —        30

CAPMAC

     —        3      3      —        —        3

FGIC

     3      101      104      —        31      73

FSA

     —        71      71      1      5      67

MBIA

     12      137      149      2      15      136

MGIC

     12      7      19      —        2      17

PMI GROUP INC

     27      —        27      —        7      20

RADIAN GROUP INC

     19      —        19      —        9      10

SECURITY CAPITAL ASSURANCE LTD

     1      —        1      —        —        1

XL CAPITAL LTD

     72      74      146      2      19      129
                                         

Total (3)

   $ 176    $ 668    $ 844    $ 8    $ 136    $ 716
                                         

 

(1)

Additional indirect insured exposure through structured securities is excluded from this table. See “Credit-Linked Notes” in Note 4.

(2)

Insured bonds with an amortized cost of $318 million and fair value of $242 million as of June 30, 2008, were not reported in the above table in our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008.

(3)

Does not include the fair value of trading securities totaling $33 million, which support our Modco reinsurance agreements because investment results for these agreements are passed directly to the reinsurers. The $33 million in trading securities consisted of $9 million of direct exposure and $24 million of insured exposure. This table also excludes insured exposure totaling $16 million for a guaranteed investment tax credit partnership.

Credit-Linked Notes

As of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, other contract holder funds on our Consolidated Balance Sheets included $850 million and $1.2 billion outstanding in funding agreements of the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company (“LNL”), respectively. LNL invested the proceeds of $850 million received for issuing three funding agreements in 2006 and 2007 into three separate credit-linked notes originated by third party companies. These credit-linked notes are classified as asset-backed securities and are included in our fixed maturity securities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. An additional $300 million funding agreement was assumed as a result of the merger of Jefferson-Pilot, but was not invested into credit-linked notes. This $300 million funding agreement matured on June 2, 2008.

We earn a spread between the coupon received on the credit-linked note and the interest credited on the funding agreement. Our credit-linked notes were created using a trust that combines highly rated assets with credit default swaps to produce a multi-class structured security. Our affiliate, Delaware Investments, actively manages the credit default swaps in the underlying portfolios. The high quality asset in two of these transactions is a AAA-rated ABS secured by a pool of credit card receivables. The high quality asset in the third transaction is a guaranteed investment contract issued by MBIA, which is further secured by a pool of high quality assets.

Consistent with other debt market instruments, we are exposed to credit losses within the structure of the credit-linked notes, which could result in principal losses to our investments. However, we have attempted to protect our investments from credit losses through the multi-tiered class structure of the credit-linked note, which requires the subordinated classes of the investment pool to absorb all of the initial credit losses. LNL owns the mezzanine tranche of these investments, which currently carries a mid-

 

103


or low-AA rating. Generally, based upon our models, the transactions can sustain anywhere from 6-11 defaults, depending on the transaction, in the underlying collateral pools with no loss to LNL. However, if that number of defaults is realized, any additional defaults will significantly impact our recovery. Once the subordination is completely exhausted, losses will be incurred on LNL’s investment. In general, the entire investment can be lost with 3-5 additional defaults. To date, there have been no defaults in any of the underlying collateral pools. Similar to other debt market instruments our maximum principal loss is limited to our original investment of $850 million as of June 30, 2008.

As in the general markets, spreads on these transactions have widened, causing unrealized losses. As of June 30, 2008, we had unrealized losses of $390 million on the $850 million in credit-linked notes. As described more fully in Note 1 of our 2007 Form 10-K, we regularly review our investment holdings for other-than-temporary impairments. Based upon this review and the information in the paragraph above, we believe that these securities were not other-than-temporarily impaired as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007. The following summarizes the fair value to amortized cost ratio of the credit-linked notes:

 

     As of
July 31,
2008
    As of
June 30,
2008
    As of
December 31,
2007
 

Fair value

   $ 460     $ 460     $ 660  

Amortized cost

     850       850       850  

Fair value to amortized cost ratio

     54 %     54 %     78 %

The following summarizes the exposure of the credit-linked notes’ underlying collateral by industry and rating as of June 30, 2008:

 

Industry

  AAA     AA     A     BBB     BB     B     Total  

Financial intermediaries

  0 %   7 %   2 %   1 %   1 %   0 %   11 %

Telecommunications

  0 %   0 %   5 %   4 %   0 %   1 %   10 %

Oil and gas

  0 %   1 %   2 %   4 %   0 %   0 %   7 %

Chemicals and plastics

  0 %   0 %   3 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   4 %

Insurance

  0 %   2 %   1 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   4 %

Utilities

  0 %   0 %   4 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   4 %

Drugs

  1 %   2 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   4 %

Monoline insurance

  1 %   1 %   0 %   2 %   0 %   0 %   4 %

Retailers, except food and drug

  0 %   0 %   2 %   2 %   0 %   0 %   4 %

Other industry < 4% (32 industries)

  2 %   4 %   25 %   16 %   1 %   0 %   48 %
                                         

Total

  4 %   17 %   45 %   31 %   2 %   1 %   100 %
                                         

 

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Additional Details on our Unrealized Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities

When considering unrealized gain and loss information, it is important to recognize that the information relates to the status of securities at a particular point in time and may not be indicative of the status of our investment portfolios subsequent to the balance sheet date. Further, since the timing of the recognition of realized investment gains and losses through the selection of which securities are sold is largely at management’s discretion, it is important to consider the information provided below within the context of the overall unrealized gain or loss position of our investment portfolios. These are important considerations that should be included in any evaluation of the potential impact of unrealized loss securities on our future earnings.

 

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We have no concentrations of issuers or guarantors of fixed maturity and equity securities. The composition by industry categories of securities subject to enhanced analysis and monitoring for potential changes in unrealized loss status (in millions), was as follows:

 

     As of June 30, 2008  
     Fair
Value
   %
Fair
Value
    Amortized
Cost
   %
Amortized
Cost
    Unrealized
Loss
   %
Unrealized
Loss
 

Media – non-cable

   $ 36    27.9 %   $ 70    36.7 %   $ 34    54.9 %

Property and casualty

     32    24.8 %     50    26.2 %     18    29.0 %

Non-captive consumer

     14    10.8 %     20    10.5 %     6    9.7 %

Financial – other

     3    2.3 %     5    2.6 %     2    3.2 %

Consumer cyclical services

     2    1.5 %     3    1.6 %     1    1.6 %

Entertainment

     24    18.6 %     25    13.1 %     1    1.6 %

Building materials

     9    7.0 %     9    4.7 %     —      0.0 %

Collateralized mortgage obligations

     6    4.7 %     6    3.1 %     —      0.0 %

ABS

     1    0.8 %     1    0.5 %     —      0.0 %

Non-captive diversified

     2    1.6 %     2    1.0 %     —      0.0 %
                                       

Total

   $ 129    100.0 %   $ 191    100.0 %   $ 62    100.0 %
                                       

 

     As of December 31, 2007  
     Fair
Value
   %
Fair
Value
    Amortized
Cost
   %
Amortized
Cost
    Unrealized
Loss
   %
Unrealized
Loss
 

Property and casualty

   $ 33    30.5 %   $ 48    35.8 %   $ 15    57.7 %

Collateralized mortgage obligations

     17    15.7 %     25    18.7 %     8    30.8 %

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     2    1.9 %     5    3.7 %     3    11.5 %

ABS

     6    5.6 %     6    4.5 %     —      0.0 %

Non-captive consumer

     37    34.3 %     37    27.6 %     —      0.0 %

Banking

     8    7.4 %     8    6.0 %     —      0.0 %

Consumer cyclical services

     5    4.6 %     5    3.7 %     —      0.0 %
                                       

Total

   $ 108    100.0 %   $ 134    100.0 %   $ 26    100.0 %
                                       

 

106


The composition by industry categories of all securities in unrealized loss status (in millions), was as follows:

 

     As of June 30, 2008  
     Fair
Value
   %
Fair
Value
    Amortized
Cost
   %
Amortized
Cost
    Unrealized
Loss
   %
Unrealized
Loss
 

ABS

   $ 1,896    6.2 %   $ 2,598    7.7 %   $ 702    22.9 %

Banking

     3,658    12.0 %     4,205    12.5 %     547    17.9 %

Collateralized mortgage obligations

     3,017    9.9 %     3,435    10.2 %     418    13.6 %

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     1,729    5.7 %     1,911    5.7 %     182    5.9 %

Electric

     2,528    8.3 %     2,630    7.8 %     102    3.3 %

Property and casualty insurers

     819    2.7 %     890    2.7 %     71    2.3 %

Non-captive diversified

     343    1.1 %     410    1.2 %     67    2.2 %

Pipelines

     1,197    3.9 %     1,254    3.7 %     57    1.9 %

Media – non-cable

     581    1.9 %     638    1.9 %     57    1.9 %

Real estate investment trusts

     799    2.6 %     848    2.5 %     49    1.6 %

Brokerage

     628    2.1 %     675    2.0 %     47    1.5 %

Food and beverage

     968    3.2 %     1,011    3.0 %     43    1.4 %

Retailers

     493    1.6 %     535    1.6 %     42    1.4 %

Paper

     439    1.4 %     481    1.4 %     42    1.4 %

Home construction

     271    0.9 %     308    0.9 %     37    1.2 %

Distributors

     751    2.5 %     783    2.3 %     32    1.0 %

Non-captive consumer

     317    1.0 %     349    1.0 %     32    1.0 %

Gaming

     232    0.8 %     263    0.8 %     31    1.0 %

Financial – other

     408    1.3 %     436    1.3 %     28    0.9 %

Wirelines

     476    1.6 %     501    1.5 %     25    0.8 %

Diversified manufacturing

     498    1.6 %     523    1.6 %     25    0.8 %

Metals and mining

     435    1.4 %     459    1.4 %     24    0.8 %

Building materials

     396    1.3 %     418    1.3 %     22    0.7 %

Transportation services

     359    1.2 %     380    1.1 %     21    0.7 %

Sovereigns

     331    1.1 %     353    1.1 %     22    0.7 %

Owned no guarantee

     250    0.8 %     272    0.8 %     22    0.7 %

Automotive

     204    0.7 %     224    0.7 %     20    0.7 %

Entertainment

     431    1.4 %     450    1.3 %     19    0.6 %

Life

     359    1.2 %     376    1.1 %     17    0.6 %

Non agency

     131    0.4 %     148    0.5 %     17    0.6 %

Airlines

     82    0.3 %     100    0.3 %     18    0.6 %

Independent

     365    1.2 %     381    1.1 %     16    0.5 %

Industrial other

     315    1.0 %     330    1.0 %     15    0.5 %

Chemicals

     317    1.0 %     332    1.0 %     15    0.5 %

Railroads

     243    0.8 %     258    0.8 %     15    0.5 %

Technology

     363    1.2 %     374    1.1 %     11    0.4 %

Health insurance

     322    1.1 %     335    1.0 %     13    0.4 %

Consumer products

     314    1.0 %     326    1.0 %     12    0.4 %

Healthcare

     293    1.0 %     304    0.9 %     11    0.4 %

Wireless

     206    0.7 %     220    0.7 %     14    0.4 %

Refining

     169    0.5 %     180    0.6 %     11    0.4 %

Utility-other

     118    0.4 %     131    0.4 %     13    0.4 %

Conventional 30 year

     532    1.7 %     542    1.6 %     10    0.3 %

Industries with unrealized losses less than $10

     1,916    6.3 %     1,985    5.9 %     69    2.3 %
                                       

Total

   $ 30,499    100.0 %   $ 33,562    100.0 %   $ 3,063    100.0 %
                                       

 

107


     As of December 31, 2007  
     Fair
Value
   %
Fair
Value
    Amortized
Cost
   %
Amortized
Cost
    Unrealized
Loss
   %
Unrealized
Loss
 

ABS

   $ 1,946    9.4 %   $ 2,239    10.2 %   $ 293    24.4 %

Banking

     3,147    15.0 %     3,328    15.1 %     181    15.1 %

Collateralized mortgage obligations

     2,881    13.8 %     3,010    13.7 %     129    10.8 %

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     1,083    5.2 %     1,153    5.2 %     70    5.8 %

Electric

     1,406    6.8 %     1,440    6.5 %     34    2.9 %

Property and casualty insurers

     494    2.4 %     528    2.4 %     34    2.8 %

Non-captive diversified

     314    1.5 %     347    1.6 %     33    2.7 %

Home construction

     287    1.4 %     319    1.5 %     32    2.7 %

Media – non-cable

     223    1.1 %     254    1.2 %     31    2.6 %

Retailers

     443    2.1 %     469    2.1 %     26    2.2 %

Non-captive consumer

     258    1.2 %     284    1.3 %     26    2.2 %

Pipelines

     593    2.9 %     614    2.8 %     21    1.7 %

Real estate investment trusts

     572    2.8 %     593    2.7 %     21    1.7 %

Paper

     273    1.3 %     291    1.3 %     18    1.5 %

Financial – other

     354    1.7 %     371    1.7 %     17    1.4 %

Brokerage

     434    2.1 %     449    2.0 %     15    1.2 %

Gaming

     126    0.6 %     140    0.6 %     14    1.2 %

Distributors

     429    2.1 %     442    2.0 %     13    1.1 %

Food and beverage

     419    2.0 %     431    2.0 %     12    1.0 %

Metals and mining

     328    1.6 %     338    1.5 %     10    0.8 %

Building materials

     226    1.1 %     236    1.1 %     10    0.8 %

Automotive

     184    0.9 %     194    0.9 %     10    0.8 %

Industries with unrealized losses less than $10

     4,370    21.0 %     4,522    20.6 %     152    12.6 %
                                       

Total

   $ 20,790    100.0 %   $ 21,992    100.0 %   $ 1,202    100.0 %
                                       

Unrealized Loss on Below-Investment-Grade Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturity Securities

Gross unrealized losses on available-for-sale below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities represented 13.3% and 12.1% of total gross unrealized losses on all available-for-sale securities as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively. Generally, below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities are more likely than investment-grade securities to develop credit concerns. The remaining 86.7% and 87.9% of the gross unrealized losses as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively, relate to investment grade available-for-sale securities. The ratios of estimated fair value to amortized cost reflected in the table below were not necessarily indicative of the market value to amortized cost relationships for the securities throughout the entire time that the securities have been in an unrealized loss position nor are they necessarily indicative of these ratios subsequent to June 30, 2008.

 

108


Details underlying fixed maturity securities below investment grade and in an unrealized loss position (in millions) were as follows:

 

Aging Category

   Ratio of
Amortized
Cost to
Fair Value
   As of June 30, 2008
      Fair
Value
   Amortized
Cost
   Unrealized
Loss

< or = 90 days

   70% to 100%    $ 669    $ 698    $ 29
   40% to 70%      7      11      4
   Below 40%      3      13      10
                       

< or = 90 days total

        679      722      43
                       

>90 days but < or = 180 days

   70% to 100%      222      239      17
   40% to 70%      7      11      4
   Below 40%      1      3      2
                       

>90 days but < or = 180 days total

        230      253      23
                       

>180 days but < or = 270 days

   70% to 100%      175      197      22
   40% to 70%      37      63      26
                       

>180 days but < or = 270 days total

        212      260      48
                       

>270 days but < or = 1 year

   70% to 100%      178      197      19
   40% to 70%      10      18      8
   Below 40%      4      16      12
                       

>270 days but < or = 1 year total

        192      231      39
                       

>1 year

   70% to 100%      779      883      104
   40% to 70%      62      116      54
   Below 40%      29      125      96
                       

>1 year total

        870      1,124      254
                       

Total below-investment-grade

      $ 2,183    $ 2,590    $ 407
                       

 

Aging Category

   Ratio of
Amortized
Cost to

Fair Value
   As of December 31, 2007
      Fair
Value
   Amortized
Cost
   Unrealized
Loss

< or = 90 days

   70% to 100%    $ 446    $ 468    $ 22
   40% to 70%      —        1      1
                       

< or = 90 days total

        446      469      23
                       

>90 days but < or = 180 days

   70% to 100%      218      231      13
   40% to 70%      1      1      —  
                       

>90 days but < or = 180 days total

        219      232      13
                       

>180 days but < or = 270 days

   70% to 100%      378      408      30
                       

>180 days but < or = 270 days total

        378      408      30
                       

>270 days but < or = 1 year

   70% to 100%      121      135      14
                       

>270 days but < or = 1 year total

        121      135      14
                       

>1 year

   70% to 100%      328      362      34
   40% to 70%      52      84      32
                       

>1 year total

        380      446      66
                       

Total below-investment-grade

      $ 1,544    $ 1,690    $ 146
                       

 

109


Unrealized Loss on Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale in Excess of $10 million

As of June 30, 2008, available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities with gross unrealized losses greater than $10 million (in millions) were as follows:

 

    

Length of Time

in Loss Position

   As of June 30, 2008
      Fair
Value
   Amortized
Cost
   Unrealized
Loss

Investment Grade

           

Domestic bank and finance

   >180 days but < = 270 days    $ 314    $ 496    $ 182

Credit-linked notes

   >1 year      89      250      161

Credit-linked notes

   >1 year      241      400      159

Credit-linked notes

   >1 year      130      200      70

Domestic bank and finance

   >1 year      85      107      22

Domestic bank and finance

   >1 year      123      143      20

UK bank and finance

   >1 year      130      147      17

UK bank and finance

   >270 days but < = 1 year      44      60      16

Domestic bank and finance

   >180 days but < = 270 days      110      126      16

International bank and finance

   >90 days but < or = 180 days      15      30      15

Domestic brokerage

   >1 year      95      109      14

International forestry

   >1 year      84      98      14

Domestic bank and finance

   >1 year      114      127      13

International bank and finance

   >1 year      87      99      12

Domestic retailer

   >1 year      66      78      12

Domestic bank and finance

   >1 year      48      59      11

UK bank and finance

   >1 year      100      112      12

Property and casualty insurance

   >270 days but < = 1 year      61      72      11

Domestic bank and finance

   >1 year      54      65      11

International communications

   >1 year      112      122      10

Domestic brokerage

   >1 year      138      148      10

Domestic bank and finance

   >90 days but < or = 180 days      172      182      10
                       

Total investment grade

      $ 2,412    $ 3,230    $ 818
                       

Non Investment Grade

           

Domestic media company

   >1 year    $ 36    $ 70    $ 34

Domestic bank and finance

   >180 days but < = 270 days      42      69      27

Domestic entertainment

   > 1 year      26      43      17

Domestic homebuilding

   > 1 year      79      91      12

Domestic homebuilding

   >1 year      41      51      10
                       

Total non investment grade

      $ 224    $ 324    $ 100
                       

The information presented above is subject to rapidly changing conditions. As such, we expect that the level of securities with overall unrealized losses will fluctuate, as will the level of unrealized loss securities that are subject to enhanced analysis and monitoring. The volatility of financial market conditions results in increased recognition of both investment gains and losses, as portfolio risks are adjusted through sales and purchases. As discussed above, this is consistent with the classification of our investment portfolios as available-for-sale.

 

110


Mortgage Loans on Real Estate

The following summarizes key information on mortgage loans (in millions):

 

     As of June 30, 2008  
     Amount    %  

Property Type

     

Office Building

   $ 2,559    33 %

Industrial

     1,988    26 %

Retail

     1,852    24 %

Apartment

     742    10 %

Hotel/Motel

     297    4 %

Mixed Use

     132    2 %

Other Commercial

     108    1 %
             
   $ 7,678    100 %
             

Geographic Region

     

New England

   $ 193    2 %

Middle Atlantic

     512    7 %

East North Central

     832    11 %

West North Central

     421    5 %

South Atlantic

     1,806    24 %

East South Central

     426    5 %

West South Central

     680    9 %

Mountain

     752    10 %

Pacific

     2,056    27 %
             
   $ 7,678    100 %
             
     As of June 30, 2008  
     Amount    %  

State Exposure

     

CA

   $ 1,614    21 %

TX

     628    8 %

MD

     437    6 %

FL

     339    4 %

TN

     325    4 %

AZ

     323    4 %

NC

     320    4 %

VA

     319    4 %

WA

     302    4 %

IL

     290    4 %

PA

     261    3 %

GA

     244    3 %

OH

     221    3 %

NV

     211    3 %

IN

     196    3 %

NJ

     148    2 %

MN

     139    2 %

SC

     136    2 %

MA

     134    2 %

Other states 1% and under

     1,091    14 %
             
   $ 7,678    100 %
             

 

All mortgage loans that are impaired have an established allowance for credit loss. Changing economic conditions impact our valuation of mortgage loans. Changing vacancies and rents are incorporated into the discounted cash flow analysis that we perform for monitored loans and may contribute to the establishment of (or an increase or decrease in) an allowance for credit losses. In addition, we continue to monitor the entire commercial mortgage loan portfolio to identify risk. Areas of emphasis are properties that have deteriorating credits or have experienced debt coverage reduction. Where warranted, we have established or increased loss reserves based upon this analysis. There were no impaired mortgage loans as of June 30 2008, and December 31, 2007. As of June 30, 2008, there were no commercial mortgage loans that were two or more payments delinquent. As of December 31, 2007, we had one commercial mortgage loan that was two or more payments delinquent. The total principal and interest due on these loans as of December 31, 2007, was less than $1 million. See Note 4 for additional detail regarding impaired mortgage loans. See Note 1 in our 2007 Form 10-K for more information regarding our accounting policy relating to the impairment of mortgage loans.

 

111


Alternative Investments

The carrying value of our consolidated alternative investments by business segment (in millions), which consists primarily of investments in limited partnerships, were as follows:

 

     As of
June 30,
2008
   As of
December 31,
2007

Individual Markets:

     

Annuities

   $ 99    $ 108

Life Insurance

     584      528

Employer Markets:

     

Retirement Products

     133      130

Other Operations

     17      33
             

Total alternative investments

   $ 833    $ 799
             

Income derived from our consolidated alternative investments by business segment (in millions) was as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change  
     2008     2007      2008     2007   

Individual Markets:

              

Annuities

   $ —       $ 11    -100 %   $ (1 )   $ 15    NM  

Life Insurance

     14       48    -71 %     13       58    -78 %

Employer Markets:

              

Retirement Products

     (1 )     11    NM       (3 )     16    NM  

Other Operations

     —         —      NM       (1 )     1    NM  
                                  

Total alternative investments (1)

   $ 13     $ 70    -81 %   $ 8     $ 90    -91 %
                                  

 

(1)

Includes net investment income on the alternative investments supporting the required statutory surplus of our insurance businesses.

The decline in our investment income on alternative investments presented in the table above was due to deterioration of the financial markets during the second quarter of 2008, as compared to exceptionally strong returns in the second quarter of 2007. This weakness was spread across the various categories of investments within our alternative investment portfolio.

As of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, alternative investments include investments in approximately 105 and 102 different partnerships, respectively, that allow us to gain exposure to a broadly diversified portfolio of asset classes such as venture capital, hedge funds, oil and gas and real estate. The partnerships do not represent off-balance sheet financing and generally involve several third-party partners. Select partnerships contain capital calls, which require us to contribute capital upon notification by the general partner. These capital calls are contemplated during the initial investment decision and are planned for well in advance of the call date. The capital calls are not material in size and are not material to our liquidity. Alternative investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are included in other investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Non-Income Producing Investments

As of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, the carrying amount of fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and real estate that were non-income producing was $18 million and $21 million, respectively.

 

112


Net Investment Income

Details underlying net investment income (in millions) and our investment yield were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Net Investment Income

            

Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities

   $ 851     $ 844     1 %   $ 1,709     $ 1,687     1 %

Equity available-for-sale securities

     8       12     -33 %     17       20     -15 %

Trading securities

     42       44     -5 %     85       90     -6 %

Mortgage loans on real estate

     119       117     2 %     235       233     1 %

Real estate

     5       12     -58 %     12       23     -48 %

Standby real estate equity commitments

     1       1     0 %     2       5     -60 %

Policy loans

     43       44     -2 %     88       87     1 %

Invested cash

     15       17     -12 %     34       36     -6 %

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums (1)

     14       16     -13 %     19       31     -39 %

Alternative investments (2)

     13       70     -81 %     8       90     -91 %

Consent fees

     2       1     100 %     2       7     -71 %

Other investments

     (5 )     2     NM       (4 )     5     NM  
                                    

Investment income

     1,108       1,180     -6 %     2,207       2,314     -5 %

Investment expense

     (31 )     (47 )   34 %     (65 )     (91 )   29 %
                                    

Net investment income

   $ 1,077     $ 1,133     -5 %   $ 2,142     $ 2,223     -4 %
                                    

 

(1)

See “Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums” below for additional information.

(2)

See “Alternative Investments” above for additional information.

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Basis
Point
Change
    For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Basis
Point

Change
 
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Interest Rate Yield

            

Fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans on real estate and other, net of investment expenses

   5.87 %   5.94 %   (7 )   5.93 %   5.96 %   (3 )

Commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond makewhole premiums

   0.08 %   0.09 %   (1 )   0.05 %   0.09 %   (4 )

Alternative investments

   0.07 %   0.40 %   (33 )   0.02 %   0.26 %   (24 )

Consent fees

   0.01 %   0.01 %   —       0.01 %   0.02 %   (1 )

Standby real estate equity commitments

   0.01 %   0.01 %   —       0.01 %   0.01 %   —    
                            

Net investment income yield on invested assets

   6.04 %   6.45 %   (41 )   6.02 %   6.34 %   (32 )
                            

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change  
     2008    2007      2008    2007   

Average invested assets at amortized cost

   $ 71,267    $ 70,273    1 %   $ 71,104    $ 70,150    1 %

We earn investment income on our general account assets supporting fixed annuity, term life, whole life, UL and interest-sensitive whole life insurance products. The profitability of our fixed annuity and life insurance products is affected by our ability to achieve target spreads, or margins, between the interest income earned on the general account assets and the interest credited to the contract holder on our average fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable. Net investment income and the

 

113


interest rate yield table each include commercial mortgage loan prepayments and bond makewhole premiums, alternative investments and contingent interest and standby real estate equity commitments. These items can vary significantly from period to period due to a number of factors and therefore can provide results that are not indicative of the underlying trends.

The decline in net investment income when comparing the first six months of 2008 to the same period in 2007 was largely attributable to a decline in investment income on alternative investments, which had an extraordinarily strong first half of 2007.

Commercial Mortgage Loan Prepayment and Bond Makewhole Premiums

Prepayment and makewhole premiums are collected when borrowers elect to call or prepay their debt prior to the stated maturity. A prepayment or makewhole premium allows investors to attain the same yield as if the borrower made all scheduled interest payments until maturity. These premiums are designed to make investors indifferent to prepayment.

The decline in prepayment and makewhole premiums when comparing the six months ended June 30, 2008, to 2007 was attributable primarily to the general tightening of credit conditions in the market resulting in less refinancing activity and less prepayment income.

Realized Gain (Loss) Related to Investments

The detail of the realized gain (loss) related to investments (in millions) was as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
    Change  
     2008     2007       2008     2007    

Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities:

            

Gross gains

   $ 22     $ 26     -15 %   $ 31     $ 82     -62 %

Gross losses

     (138 )     (46 )   NM       (238 )     (53 )   NM  

Equity available-for-sale securities:

            

Gross gains

     —         4     -100 %     3       6     -50 %

Gross losses

     (7 )     —       NM       (7 )     —       NM  

Gain on other investments

     3       5     -40 %     28       1     NM  

Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA,

            

DSI and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds

     24       (2 )   NM       49       (22 )   NM  
                                    

Total realized gain (loss) on investments, excluding trading securities

     (96 )     (13 )   NM       (134 )     14     NM  

Gain (loss) on certain derivative instruments

     (29 )     4     NM       (32 )     4     NM  
                                    

Total realized gain (loss) on investments and certain derivative instruments, excluding trading securities

   $ (125 )   $ (9 )   NM     $ (166 )   $ 18     NM  
                                    

Write-downs for other-than-temporary impairments included in realized loss on available-for-sale securities above

   $ (120 )   $ (30 )   NM     $ (211 )   $ (34 )   NM  
                                    

Amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI, DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds reflects an assumption for an expected level of credit-related investment losses. When actual credit-related investment losses are realized, we recognize a true up to our DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL amortization and changes in other contract holder funds within realized gain (loss) reflecting the incremental impact of actual versus expected credit-related investment losses. These actual to expected amortization adjustments could create volatility in net realized gains (loss). The write-down for impairments includes both credit-related and interest-rate related impairments.

Realized gains and losses generally originate from asset sales to reposition the portfolio or to respond to product experience. During the first six months of 2008 and 2007, respectively, we sold securities for gains and losses. In the process of evaluating whether a security with an unrealized loss reflects declines that are other-than-temporary, we consider our ability and intent to hold the security until its value recovers. However, subsequent decisions on securities sales are made within the context of overall risk

 

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monitoring, assessing value relative to other comparable securities and overall portfolio maintenance. Although our portfolio managers may, at a given point in time, believe that the preferred course of action is to hold securities with unrealized losses that are considered temporary until such losses are recovered, the dynamic nature of portfolio management may result in a subsequent decision to sell. These subsequent decisions are consistent with the classification of our investment portfolio as available-for-sale. We expect to continue to manage all non-trading invested assets within our portfolios in a manner that is consistent with the available-for-sale classification.

We consider economic factors and circumstances within countries and industries where recent write-downs have occurred in our assessment of the status of securities we own of similarly situated issuers. While it is possible for realized or unrealized losses on a particular investment to affect other investments, our risk management has been designed to identify correlation risks and other risks inherent in managing an investment portfolio. Once identified, strategies and procedures are developed to effectively monitor and manage these risks. The areas of risk correlation that we pay particular attention to are risks that may be correlated within specific financial and business markets, risks within specific industries and risks associated with related parties.

When the detailed analysis by our credit analysts and investment portfolio managers leads to the conclusion that a security’s decline in fair value is other-than-temporary, the security is written down to estimated fair value. In instances where declines are considered temporary, the security will continue to be carefully monitored. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Introduction – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in our 2007 Form 10-K for additional information on our portfolio management strategy.

Details underlying write-downs taken as a result of other-than-temporary impairments (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change  
     2008    2007      2008    2007   
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments                 

Corporate bonds

   $ 37    $ 29    28 %   $ 127    $ 33    285 %

Asset and mortgage-backed securities:

     77      —      NM       78      —      NM  
                                

Total fixed maturity securities

     114      29    293 %     205      33    NM  

Equity securities

     6      1    NM       6      1    NM  
                                

Total other-than-temporary impairments

   $ 120    $ 30    300 %   $ 211    $ 34    NM  
                                

The $211 million of impairments taken during the first six months of 2008 are split between $155 million of credit related impairments and $56 million on non-credit related impairments. The credit related impairments are largely attributable to our RMBS and mortgage related ABS holdings that have suffered from continued deterioration in housing fundamentals. The non-credit related impairments were incurred due to declines in values of securities for which we are uncertain of our intent to hold until recovery or maturity.

 

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REINSURANCE

Our insurance companies cede insurance to other companies. The portion of risks exceeding each of our insurance companies’ retention limits is reinsured with other insurers. We seek reinsurance coverage within the businesses that sell life insurance to limit our exposure to mortality losses and enhance our capital management.

Portions of our deferred annuity business have been reinsured on a modified coinsurance basis with other companies to limit our exposure to interest rate risks. As of June 30, 2008, the reserves associated with these reinsurance arrangements totaled $1.2 billion. To cover products other than life insurance, we acquire other insurance coverage with retentions and limits that management believes are appropriate for the circumstances. The consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 reflect premiums, benefits and DAC, net of insurance ceded. Our insurance companies remain liable if their reinsurers are unable to meet contractual obligations under applicable reinsurance agreements.

Our amounts recoverable from reinsurers represent receivables from and reserves ceded to reinsurers. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the amounts recoverable from reinsurers were $8.2 billion. We obtain reinsurance from a diverse group of reinsurers, and we monitor concentration and financial strength ratings of our principal reinsurers. Swiss Re represents our largest exposure. In 2001, we sold our reinsurance business to Swiss Re primarily through indemnity reinsurance arrangements. Because we are not relieved of our liability to the ceding companies for this business, the liabilities and obligations associated with the reinsured policies remain on our Consolidated Balance Sheets with a corresponding reinsurance receivable from the business sold to Swiss Re, which totaled $4.3 billion as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007. Swiss Re has funded a trust with a balance of $1.8 billion as of June 30, 2008, to support this business. In addition to various remedies that we would have in the event of a default by Swiss Re, we continue to hold assets in support of certain of the transferred reserves. These assets consist of those reported as trading securities and certain mortgage loans. Our liabilities for funds withheld and embedded derivatives included $2.1 billion and $0.1 billion, respectively, as of June 30, 2008, related to the business sold to Swiss Re.

Included in the business sold to Swiss Re through indemnity reinsurance in 2001 was disability income business. Swiss Re is disputing its obligation to pay approximately $45 million of reinsurance recoverables on certain of this income disability business. We have agreed to arbitrate this dispute with Swiss Re. Although the outcome of the arbitration is uncertain, we currently believe that it is probable that we will ultimately collect the full amount of the reinsurance recoverable from Swiss Re and that Swiss Re will ultimately remain at risk on all of its obligations on the disability income business that it acquired from us in 2001.

On July 31, 2007, we entered into a reinsurance arrangement with Swiss Re covering Lincoln SmartSecurity® Advantage, our rider related to our Individual Market’s variable annuity products. Under the arrangement, Swiss Re provides 50% quota share coinsurance of the lifetime GWB for business written in 2007 and 2008, up to a total of $3.8 billion in rider sales. The sales level covered under this arrangement was achieved in the second quarter of 2008. The arrangement will not be renewed for new business, but this will not affect our ability to continue to write new business.

During the third quarter of 2006, one of our reinsurers, Scottish Re Group Ltd (“Scottish Re”), received rating downgrades from various rating agencies. Of the $744 million of fixed annuity business that we reinsure with Scottish Re, approximately 76% is reinsured through the use of modified coinsurance treaties, in which we possess the investments that support the reserves ceded to Scottish Re. For our annuity business ceded on a coinsurance basis, Scottish Re had previously established an irrevocable investment trust supporting the reserves for the benefit of LNC. In addition to fixed annuities, we have approximately $116 million of policy liabilities on the life insurance business that we have reinsured with Scottish Re. Scottish Re continues to perform under its contractual responsibilities to us. We continue to evaluate the impact of these rating downgrades with respect to our existing exposures to Scottish Re. Based on current information, we do not believe that Scottish Re’s rating downgrades will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

As of June 30, 2008, we had reinsurance recoverables of $710 million and policy loans of $47 million that were related to the businesses of Jefferson-Pilot that are coinsured with Household International (“HI”) affiliates. HI has provided payment, performance and capital maintenance guarantees with respect to the balances receivable. We regularly evaluate the financial condition of our reinsurers and monitor concentrations of credit risk related to reinsurance activities.

 

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REVIEW OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Liquidity and Cash Flow

Liquidity refers to the ability of an enterprise to generate adequate amounts of cash from its normal operations to meet cash requirements with a prudent margin of safety. Our principal sources of cash flow from operating activities are insurance premiums and fees, investment advisory fees and investment income, while sources of cash flows from investing activities result from maturities and sales of invested assets. Our operating activities provided cash of $451 million and $1.4 billion for the first six months of 2008 and 2007, respectively. The decline in cash provided by operating activities was related primarily to the timing of federal income tax payments. When considering our liquidity and cash flow, it is important to distinguish between the needs of our insurance subsidiaries and the needs of the holding company, LNC. As a holding company with no operations of its own, LNC derives its cash primarily from its operating subsidiaries.

The sources of liquidity of the holding company are principally comprised of dividends and interest payments from subsidiaries, augmented by holding company short-term investments, bank lines of credit, a commercial paper program and the ongoing availability of long-term public financing under an SEC-filed shelf registration statement. These sources of liquidity and cash flow support the general corporate needs of the holding company, including its common stock dividends, interest and debt service, funding of callable securities, securities repurchases and acquisitions.

Details underlying the primary sources of our holding company cash flows (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,

2007
     2008    2007    2008    2007   

Dividends from Subsidiaries

              

LNL

   $ 100    $ 148    $ 300    $ 294    $ 769

First Penn-Pacific

     50      150      50      150      150

Lincoln Financial Media

     3      5      653      22      86

Delaware Investments

     13      15      28      30      55

Other non-regulated companies (1)

     —        —        —        —        395

Lincoln UK

     24      16      24      32      75

Loan Repayments and Interest from Subsidiary

              

LNL interest on intercompany notes (2)

     19      20      41      41      82
                                  
   $ 209    $ 354    $ 1,096    $ 569    $ 1,612
                                  

Other Cash Flow and Liquidity Items

              

Net capital received from stock option exercises

   $ 10    $ 29    $ 13    $ 76    $ 107
                                  

 

(1)

For the year ended December 31, 2007, amount represents a dividend of Bank of America shares to LNC from a subsidiary occurring in September 2007.

(2)

Primarily represents interest on the holding company’s $1.3 billion in surplus note investments in LNL.

The table above focuses on significant and recurring cash flow items and excludes the effects of certain financing activities, namely the periodic issuance and retirement of debt and cash flows related to our inter-company cash management account (discussed below). Taxes have been eliminated from the analysis due to a tax sharing agreement among our primary subsidiaries resulting in a modest impact on net cash flows at the holding company. Also excluded from this analysis is the modest amount of investment income on short-term investments of the holding company.

 

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Subsidiaries

Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to certain insurance department regulatory restrictions as to the transfer of funds and payment of dividends to the holding company. Under Indiana laws and regulations, our Indiana insurance subsidiaries, including our primary insurance subsidiary, LNL, may pay dividends to LNC without prior approval of the Indiana Insurance Commissioner (the “Commissioner”) up to a certain threshold, or must receive prior approval of the Commissioner to pay a dividend if such dividend, along with all other dividends paid within the preceding twelve consecutive months exceed the statutory limitation. The current statutory limitation is the greater of 10% of the insurer’s contract holders’ surplus, as shown on its last annual statement on file with the Commissioner or the insurer’s statutory net gain from operations for the prior calendar year. Indiana law gives the Commissioner broad discretion to disapprove requests for dividends in excess of these limits. New York, the state of domicile of our other major insurance subsidiary, Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, has similar restrictions, except that in New York it is the lesser of 10% of surplus to contract holders as of the immediately preceding calendar year or net gain from operations for the immediately preceding calendar year, not including realized capital gains.

Based upon anticipated ongoing positive statutory earnings and favorable credit markets, we expect our domestic insurance subsidiaries could pay dividends of approximately $957 million in 2008 without prior approval from the respective state commissioners. The actual amount of surplus that our insurance subsidiaries could pay as dividends is constrained by the amount of surplus we hold to maintain our ratings, to provide an additional layer of margin for risk protection and for future investment in our businesses.

Our insurance subsidiaries have statutory surplus and RBC levels well above current regulatory required levels. As mentioned earlier, more than 76% of our life sales consist of products containing secondary guarantees, which require reserving practices under AG38. Our insurance subsidiaries are employing strategies to lessen the burden of increased AG38 and Valuation of Life Insurance Policies Model Regulation (“XXX”) statutory reserves associated with certain UL products and other products with secondary guarantees subject to these statutory reserving requirements. See “Financing Activities” below for additional details. LNC will guarantee that its wholly-owned subsidiary, which reinsures a portion of the XXX reserves, will maintain a minimum level of capital and surplus, as required under the insurance laws of South Carolina, its state of domicile. The surplus maintenance agreement will remain in effect until such time that we securitize the reserves, transfer the business to an unrelated party, sell or dissolve the wholly-owned subsidiary or receive notification from the state insurance department permitting the rescission of the guarantee.

Included in the letters of credit (“LOCs”) issued as of June 30, 2008, reported in the revolving credit facilities table in “Financing Activities,” was approximately $1.2 billion of LOCs supporting the reinsurance obligations of our non-U.S. domiciled subsidiary to LNL on UL business with secondary guarantees. Recognizing that LOCs are generally one to five years in duration, it is likely that our insurance companies will apply a mix of LOCs, reinsurance and capital market strategies in addressing long-term AG38 and XXX needs. LOCs and related capital market alternatives lower the RBC impact of the UL business with secondary guarantee products. An inability to obtain the necessary LOC capacity or other capital market alternatives could impact our returns on UL business with secondary guarantee products. We are continuing to pursue capital management strategies related to our AG38 reserves involving reinsurance and securitizations. We completed our issuance of $375 million of 6.30% senior notes in the fourth quarter of 2007, which resulted in the release of approximately $300 million of capital previously supporting our UL products with secondary guarantees. See “Results of Other Operations” for additional information. We are targeting another transaction during 2008 that will finance a portion of statutory reserves related to our insurance products with secondary guarantees. In addition, a portion of our term life insurance business is reinsured with a domestic reinsurance captive as part of our overall strategy of managing the statutory capital of our insurance subsidiaries. There are no outstanding LOCs related to this business.

A new statutory reserving standard (VACARVM) is being developed by the NAIC replacing current statutory reserve practices for variable annuities with guaranteed benefits, such as GWBs. The timing for adoption of VACARVM is anticipated to occur sometime in 2008, to be effective for the year ending 2009. Because the NAIC has not determined the final version of VACARVM, we cannot estimate the ultimate impact that VACARVM will have on our liquidity and capital resources. However, in its current draft form, VACARVM has the potential to require statutory reserves well in excess of current levels for certain variable annuity riders sold by us. We plan to utilize existing captive reinsurance structures, as well as pursue additional third-party reinsurance arrangements, to lessen any negative impact on statutory capital and dividend capacity in our life insurance subsidiaries. However, additional statutory reserves could lead to lower risk-based capital ratios and potentially reduce future dividend capacity from our insurance subsidiaries. For a discussion of RBC ratios, see “Part I – Item 1. Business – Regulatory – Risk-Based Capital” in our 2007 Form 10-K.

Lincoln UK’s operations consist primarily of unit-linked life and pension products, which are similar to U.S. produced variable life and annuity products. Lincoln UK’s insurance subsidiaries are regulated by the U.K. Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) and are subject to capital requirements as defined by the U.K. Capital Resources Requirement. All insurance companies operating in the U.K. also have to complete an RBC assessment to demonstrate to the FSA that they hold sufficient capital to cover their risks.

 

118


RBC requirements in the U.K. are different than the NAIC requirements. In addition, the FSA has imposed certain minimum capital requirements for the combined U.K. subsidiaries. Lincoln UK typically maintains approximately 1.5 to 2 times the required capital as prescribed by the regulatory margin. As is the case with regulated insurance companies in the U.S., changes to regulatory capital requirements can impact the dividend capacity of the U.K. insurance subsidiaries and cash flow to the holding company. During the first quarter of 2008, Lincoln UK fell below its targeted capital levels due to significant increases in corporate bond spreads and restrictions imposed by the U.K. statutory valuation basis. As a result of falling below targeted capital levels, Lincoln UK did not pay dividends to the holding company. Subsequent to the first quarter, corporate bond spreads have eased, and Lincoln UK paid $24 million in dividends to LNC.

Financing Activities

Although our subsidiaries generate adequate cash flow to meet the needs of our normal operations, periodically we may issue debt or equity securities to fund internal growth, acquisitions and the retirement of our debt and equity securities.

We currently have an effective shelf registration statement, which allows us to issue, in unlimited amounts, securities, including debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and trust preferred securities of our affiliated trusts.

Details underlying debt and financing activity (in millions) were as follows:

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
     Beginning
Balance
   Issuance    Maturities
and
Repayments
    Change
in Fair
Value
Hedges
    Other
Changes (1)
    Ending
Balance

Short-Term Debt

              

Commercial paper

   $ 265    $ —      $ —       $ —       $ (65 )   $ 200

Current maturities of long-term debt

     285      —        (100 )     —         515       700
                                            

Total short-term debt

   $ 550    $ —      $ (100 )   $ —       $ 450     $ 900
                                            

Long-Term Debt

              

Senior notes

   $ 2,892    $ —      $ —       $ (4 )   $ (512 )   $ 2,376

Junior subordinated debentures issued to affiliated trusts

     155      —        —         —         —         155

Capital securities

     1,571      —        —         —         —         1,571
                                            

Total long-term debt

   $ 4,618    $ —      $ —       $ (4 )   $ (512 )   $ 4,102
                                            

 

(1)

Other changes includes the net increase (decrease) in commercial paper, non-cash reclassification of long-term debt to current maturities of long-term debt, accretion of discounts and (amortization) of premiums.

Details underlying our credit facilities with a group of domestic and foreign banks (in millions) were as follows:

 

          As of June 30, 2008
     Expiration
Date
   Maximum
Available
   Loans
Outstanding

Revolving Credit Facilities

        

Five-year revolving credit facility

   March 2011    $ 1,750    $ —  

Five-year revolving credit facility

   February 2011      1,350      —  

U.K. revolving credit facility

   November 2008      20      —  
                

Total

      $ 3,120    $ —  
                

Letters of credit issued

         $ 1,794
            

During July 2008, LNC borrowed $200 million under a new $200 million borrowing facility. The facility expires, and all outstanding loans under this facility mature, on July 18, 2013. Proceeds from this borrowing were used for general corporate purposes and to repay maturing debt.

 

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The LOCs support inter-company reinsurance transactions and specific treaties associated with our former Reinsurance segment. LOCs are primarily used to satisfy the U.S. regulatory requirements of domestic clients of the former Reinsurance segment who have contracted with the reinsurance subsidiaries not domiciled in the U.S. and, as discussed above, for the reserve credit provided by our affiliated offshore reinsurance company to our domestic insurance companies for ceded business.

Under the credit agreements, we must maintain a minimum consolidated net worth level. In addition, the agreements contain covenants restricting our ability to incur liens, merge or consolidate with another entity where we are not the surviving entity and dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. As of June 30, 2008, we were in compliance with all such covenants. All of our credit agreements are unsecured.

If current debt ratings and claims paying ratings were downgraded in the future, certain covenants of various contractual obligations may be triggered which could negatively impact overall liquidity. In addition, contractual selling agreements with intermediaries could be negatively impacted which could have an adverse impact on overall sales of annuities, life insurance and investment products. As of June 30, 2008, we maintained adequate current financial strength and senior debt ratings and do not anticipate any ratings-based impact to future liquidity. See “Part I – Item 1. Business – Ratings” in our 2007 Form 10-K for additional information on our ratings.

Divestitures

For a discussion of our divestitures, see “Introduction – Acquisitions and Dispositions.”

Alternative Sources of Liquidity

In order to maximize the use of available cash, the holding company maintains an inter-company cash management account where subsidiaries can borrow from the holding company to meet their short-term needs and can invest their short-term funds with the holding company. The holding company finances this program from its primary sources of cash flow discussed above. Depending on the overall cash availability or need, the holding company invests excess cash in short-term investments or borrows funds in the financial markets.

The holding company had an average loan balance of $97 million from the cash management account during the second quarter of 2008. The holding company had a maximum and minimum amount of financing that is used from the cash management account during this period of $225 million and none, respectively.

Our insurance subsidiaries, by virtue of their general account fixed income investment holdings, can access liquidity through securities lending programs and repurchase agreements. As of June 30, 2008, our insurance subsidiaries had securities with a carrying value of $602 million out on loan under the securities lending program and $480 million carrying value subject to reverse-repurchase agreements.

LNC has a $1.0 billion commercial paper program that is rated A-1, P-2 and F-1. The commercial paper program is backed by a bank line of credit. During the second quarter of 2008, LNC had an average of $157 million in commercial paper outstanding with a maximum amount of $349 million outstanding at any time. LNC had $200 million of commercial paper outstanding as of June 30, 2008.

Uses of Capital

Our principal uses of cash are to pay policy claims and benefits, operating expenses, commissions and taxes, to purchase new investments, to purchase reinsurance, to fund policy surrenders and withdrawals, to pay dividends to our stockholders and to repurchase our stock and debt securities.

 

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Return of Capital to Stockholders

One of the holding company’s primary goals is to provide a return to our stockholders. Through dividends and stock repurchases, we have an established record of providing cash returns to our stockholders. In determining dividends, the Board takes into consideration items such as current and expected earnings, capital needs, rating agency considerations and requirements for financial flexibility. Details underlying this activity (in millions, except per share data) were as follows:

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change     For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
   Change     For the
Year Ended
December 31,

2007
   2008    2007      2008    2007     

Dividends to stockholders

   $ 107    $ 108    -1 %   $ 217    $ 214    1 %   $ 430

Repurchase of common stock (1)

     140      —      NM       426      512    -17 %     986
                                      

Total cash returned to stockholders

   $ 247    $ 108    129 %   $ 643    $ 726    -11 %   $ 1,416
                                      

Number of shares repurchased

     2.631      —      NM       8.081      7.215    12 %     15.381

Average price per share

   $ 53.13    $  —      NM     $ 52.66    $ 70.92    -26 %   $ 64.13

 

(1)

Includes repurchases that were not settled as of June 30, 2008, of $25 million for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.

On November 6, 2007, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the quarterly dividend to stockholders from $0.395 per share to $0.415 per share effective in 2008.

Significant Trends in Sources and Uses of Cash Flow

As stated above, LNC’s cash flow, as a holding company, is largely dependent upon the dividend capacity and surplus note interest payments of its insurance company subsidiaries. The insurance company subsidiaries’ dividend capacity is impacted by factors influencing their risk-based capital and statutory earnings performance. Currently, we expect to have sufficient liquidity and capital resources to meet our obligations in 2008. For factors that could affect our expectations for liquidity and capital, see “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2007 Form 10-K.

OTHER MATTERS

Other Factors Affecting Our Business

In general, our businesses are subject to a changing social, economic, legal, legislative and regulatory environment. Some of the changes include initiatives to require more reserves to be carried by our insurance subsidiaries, to make permanent recent reductions in individual tax rates, to permanently repeal the estate tax and to increase regulation of our annuity and investment management businesses. Although the eventual effect on us of the changing environment in which we operate remains uncertain, these factors and others could have a material effect on our results of operations, liquidity and capital resources. For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in this section, see “Part I – Item 1A – Risk Factors” in our 2007 Form 10-K and “Forward-looking Statements – Cautionary Language” in this report.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements that have been implemented during the periods presented or that have been issued and are to be implemented in the future.

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES

See Note 15 in our 2007 Form 10-K for discussion of our restructuring activities.

 

121


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We analyze and manage the risks arising from market exposures of financial instruments, as well as other risks, in an integrated asset-liability management process that takes diversification into account. By aggregating the potential effect of market and other risks on the entire enterprise, we estimate, review and in some cases manage the risk to our earnings and shareholder value. We have exposures to several market risks including interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange risk, equity market risk, default risk and credit risk. The exposures of financial instruments to market risks, and the related risk management processes, are most important in the Employer Markets and Individual Markets businesses, where most of the invested assets support accumulation and investment-oriented insurance products. As an important element of our integrated asset-liability management process, we use derivatives to minimize the effects of changes in interest levels and the shape of the yield curve. In this context, derivatives are designated as a hedge and serve to reduce interest rate risk by mitigating the effect of significant increases in interest rates on our earnings. Additional market exposures exist in our other general account insurance products and in our debt structure and derivatives positions. The primary sources of market risk are: substantial, relatively rapid and sustained increases or decreases in interest rates; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; or a sharp drop in equity market values. These market risks are discussed in detail in the following pages.

Interest Rate Risk

With respect to accumulation and investment-oriented products, we seek to earn a stable and profitable spread, or margin, between investment income and interest credited to account values. If we have adverse experience on investments that cannot be passed on to customers, our spreads are reduced. Provided interest rates continue to gradually return to levels that are more typical from a long-term perspective, we do not view the near term risk to spreads over the next twelve months to be material. The combination of a probable range of interest rate changes over the next twelve months, asset-liability management strategies, flexibility in adjusting policy crediting rate levels and protection afforded by policy surrender charges and other switching costs all work together to mitigate this risk. The interest rate scenarios of concern are those in which there is a substantial, relatively rapid increase or decrease in interest rates that is then sustained over a long period.

 

122


Interest Rate Risk – Falling Rates

The spreads on our fixed annuity and interest-sensitive whole life, universal life (“UL”) and fixed portion of variable universal life (“VUL”) insurance policies are at risk if interest rates decline and remain low for a period of time, which has generally been the case in recent years. Should interest rates remain at current levels that are significantly lower than those existing prior to the declines of recent years, the average earned rate of return on our annuity and UL investment portfolios will continue to decline. Declining portfolio yields may cause the spreads between investment portfolio yields and the interest rate credited to contract holders to deteriorate as our ability to manage spreads can become limited by minimum guaranteed rates on annuity and UL policies. Minimum guaranteed rates on annuity and UL policies generally range from 1.5% to 5.0%, with an average guaranteed rate of approximately 4%. The following table provides detail on the percentage differences between the current interest rates being credited to contract holders and the respective minimum guaranteed policy rate, broken out by contract holder account values reported within the Employer Markets and Individual Markets businesses (in millions):

 

     As of June 30, 2008  
   Account Values       
   Individual Markets    Employer
Markets –

Defined
Contribution
   Total    Percent
of Total
Account
Values
 
   Annuities    Life
Insurance
        

Excess of Crediting Rates over Contract Minimums

              

CD and on-benefit type annuities

   $ 10,480    $ —      $ 1,477    $ 11,957    23.67 %

Discretionary rate setting products (1)

              

No difference

     3,237      11,872      7,227      22,336    44.21 %

up to .10%

     1,603      4,196      —        5,799    11.48 %

0.11% to .20%

     845      2,662      2      3,509    6.95 %

0.21% to .30%

     171      202      5      378    0.75 %

0.31% to .40%

     162      358      1      521    1.03 %

0.41% to .50%

     55      631      1,266      1,952    3.86 %

0.51% to .60%

     40      870      83      993    1.97 %

0.61% to .70%

     274      43      —        317    0.63 %

0.71% to .80%

     11      3      —        14    0.03 %

0.81% to .90%

     2      178      —        180    0.36 %

0.91% to 1.0%

     6      541      156      703    1.39 %

1.01% to 1.50%

     53      203      29      285    0.56 %

1.51% to 2.00%

     432      347      176      955    1.89 %

2.01% to 2.50%

     425      3      —        428    0.85 %

2.51% to 3.00%

     —        —        12      12    0.02 %

3.01% and above

     —        —        178      178    0.35 %
                                  

Total discretionary rate setting products

     7,316      22,109      9,135      38,560    76.33 %
                                  

Total account values

   $ 17,796    $ 22,109    $ 10,612    $ 50,517    100.00 %
                                  

 

(1)

Contracts currently within new money rate bands are grouped according to the corresponding portfolio rate band in which they will fall upon their first anniversary.

The maturity structure and call provisions of the related portfolios are structured to afford protection against erosion of investment portfolio yields during periods of declining interest rates. We devote extensive effort to evaluating the risks associated with falling interest rates by simulating asset and liability cash flows for a wide range of interest rate scenarios. We seek to manage these exposures by maintaining a suitable maturity structure and by limiting our exposure to call risk in each respective investment portfolio.

 

123


Interest Rate Risk – Rising Rates

For both annuities and UL, a rapid and sustained rise in interest rates poses risks of deteriorating spreads and high surrenders. The portfolios supporting these products have fixed-rate assets laddered over maturities generally ranging from one to ten years or more. Accordingly, the earned rate on each portfolio lags behind changes in market yields. As rates rise, the lag may be increased by slowing mortgage-backed securities prepayments. The greater and faster the rise in interest rates, the more the earned rate will tend to lag behind market rates. If we set renewal crediting rates to earn the desired spread, the gap between our renewal crediting rates and competitors’ new money rates may be wide enough to cause increased surrenders that could cause us to liquidate a portion of our portfolio to fund these surrenders. If we credit more competitive renewal rates to limit surrenders, our spreads will narrow. We devote extensive effort to evaluating these risks by simulating asset and liability cash flows for a wide range of interest rate scenarios. Such analysis has led to adjustments in the target maturity structure and to hedging the risk of rising rates by buying out-of-the-money interest rate cap agreements and swaptions. With these instruments in place, the potential adverse impact of a rapid and sustained rise in rates is kept within our risk tolerances.

Debt

We manage the timing of maturities and the mixture of fixed-rate and floating-rate debt as part of the process of integrated management of interest rate risk for the entire enterprise.

Derivatives

We have entered into derivative transactions to reduce our exposure to rapid changes in interest rates. The derivative programs are used to help us achieve more stable margins while providing competitive crediting rates to policyholders during periods when interest rates are changing. Such derivatives include interest rate swaps, interest rate futures, interest rate caps and treasury locks. During the first six months of 2008, the more significant changes in our derivative positions were as follows:

 

 

Interest rate swap agreements hedging floating rate bond coupon payments with a notional amount of $400 million matured or terminated, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $635 million. A loss of $6 million was recognized on the terminations. We also entered into $2 billion notional amount of interest rate swap agreements hedging a portion of the liability exposure on certain options in our variable annuity products, resulting in a total notional amount of $6.7 billion. These interest rate swap agreements convert floating rate bond coupon payments into a fixed rate of return;

 

 

Interest rate swap agreements hedging fixed rate bond coupon payments with a notional amount of $6 million terminated, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $298 million. A loss of less than $1 million was recognized on the terminations. These interest rate swap agreements are used to hedge our exposure to fixed rate bond coupon payments and the change in underlying asset values as interest rates fluctuate;

 

 

Interest rate cap agreements with a notional amount of $450 million matured, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $3.7 billion. These interest rate cap agreements are used to hedge our annuity business against a negative impact of a significant and sustained rise in interest rates; and

 

 

We entered into and terminated forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with a notional amount of $230 million and $230 million, respectively, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $50 million. These swaps are used to hedge interest rate risk associated with assets that support our annuity liabilities. A loss of $3 million was recognized on certain terminations and was reported in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). The loss will be reclassified from accumulated OCI recognized in income over the life of the purchased assets. A loss of $1 million was recognized on other terminations and was recorded in net income as benefits.

In addition to continuing existing programs, we may use derivative instruments in other strategies to limit risk and enhance returns, particularly in the management of investment spread businesses. We have established policies, guidelines and internal control procedures for the use of derivatives as tools to enhance management of the overall portfolio of risks assumed in our operations. Annually, our Board of Directors reviews our derivatives policy.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

Foreign Currency Denominated Investments

We invest in foreign currency securities for incremental return and risk diversification relative to United States Dollar-Denominated (“USD”) securities. We use foreign currency swaps and foreign currency forwards to hedge some of the foreign exchange risk related to our investment in securities denominated in foreign currencies. The currency risk is hedged using foreign currency derivatives of the same currency as the bonds.

We use foreign currency swaps to convert the cash flow of foreign currency securities to U.S. dollars. A foreign currency swap is a contractual agreement to exchange the currencies of two different countries at a specified rate of exchange in the future.

We use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge dividends received from our U.K. based subsidiary, Lincoln UK. The foreign currency forward contracts obligate us to deliver a specified amount of currency at a future date and a specified exchange rate.

 

124


During the first six months of 2008, a significant change in our foreign currency derivative positions was as follows:

 

 

We entered into and terminated foreign exchange forward contracts with a notional amount of $48 million and $48 million, respectively, resulting in no remaining notional amount. These contracts are hedging dividends received from our Lincoln UK subsidiary. A loss of less than $1 million was recognized on the terminations.

Equity Market Risk

Our revenues, assets, liabilities and derivatives are exposed to equity market risk. Due to the use of our reversion to the mean (“RTM”) process and our hedging strategies, we expect that, in general, short-term fluctuations in the equity markets should not have a significant impact on our quarterly earnings from unlocking of assumptions for deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”), deferred sales inducements (“DSI”), value of business acquired (“VOBA”) and deferred front-end sales loads (“DFEL”). However, there is an impact to earnings from the effects of equity market movements on account values and assets under management and the related fees we earn on those assets.

Fee Revenues

The fee revenues of our Investment Management segment and fees earned from variable annuities and variable life insurance products are exposed to the risk of a decline in equity market values. These fees are generally a fixed percentage of the market value of assets under management. In a severe equity market decline, fee income could be reduced by not only reduced market valuations but also by customer withdrawals and redemptions. Such withdrawals and redemptions from equity funds and accounts might be partially offset by transfers to our fixed-income accounts and the transfer of funds to us from our competitors’ customers.

Assets and Liabilities

While we invest in equity assets with the expectation of achieving higher returns than would be available in our core fixed-income investments, the returns on, and values of, these equity investments are subject to somewhat greater market risk than our fixed-income investments. These investments, however, add diversification benefits to our fixed-income investments.

We have exposure to changes in our stock price through stock appreciation rights issued. This program is being hedged with equity derivatives.

Derivatives Hedging Equity Market Risk

During the first six months of 2008, the more significant changes in our derivative positions hedging equity market risk were as follows:

 

 

We had less than one million call options on an equal number of shares of Lincoln National Corporation (“LNC”) stock hedging the increase in liabilities arising from stock appreciation rights granted on LNC stock;

 

 

We entered into and terminated variance swaps used to hedge the liability exposure on certain options in variable annuity products with a notional amount of $25 million and $2 million, respectively, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $29 million;

 

 

We entered into Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index® call options with a notional amount of $1.2 billion, call options with a notional amount of $1 billion expired, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $3 billion to hedge the impact of the equity-index interest credited to our equity annuity products;

 

 

We entered into and terminated put option agreements with a notional amount of $825 million and $400 million, respectively, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $4.5 billion to hedge a portion of the liability exposure on certain options in our variable annuity products; and

 

 

We had net purchases and terminations in financial futures with a notional amount of $1 billion, resulting in a remaining notional amount of $1.6 billion to hedge a portion of the liability exposure on certain options in variable annuity products.

 

125


Impact of Equity Market Sensitivity

Due to the use of our RTM process and our hedging strategies as described in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in our 2007 Form 10-K, we expect that in general, short-term fluctuations in the equity markets should not have a significant impact on our quarterly earnings from unlocking of assumptions for DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL, as we do not unlock our long-term equity market assumptions based upon short-term fluctuations in the equity markets. However, there is an impact to earnings from the effects of equity market movements on account values and assets under management and the related asset-based fees we earn on those assets net of related expenses we incur based upon the level of assets. The table below presents our estimate of the annual, after-tax, after-DAC, impact on income from operations, from both a 1% and 10% decline in the equity markets (in millions), excluding any impact related to sales, prospective and retrospective unlocking, persistency, hedge program performance or customer behavior caused by the equity market change:

 

Segment

  

Relevant Measure

   Impact per
1% Change
   Impact per
10% Change
Investment Management    Composite of Equity Assets (1)    $ 1    $ 14
Individual Markets – Annuities    Average daily change in the S&P 500      3      38
Employer Markets – Defined Contribution    Average daily change in the S&P 500      1      12
Lincoln UK    Average daily change in the FTSE 100      —        4

 

(1)

The Investment Management segment manages equity-based assets of varying styles (growth, value, blend and international) and underlying products (mutual funds, institutional accounts, insurance separate accounts, etc.). No single equity benchmark is an accurate predictor of the change in earnings for this segment and the earnings impact summarized above includes the return on seed capital.

The impact on earnings summarized above is an expected annual effect. The result of the above factors should be multiplied by 25% to arrive at an estimated quarterly effect. The effect of quarterly equity market changes upon fee revenues and asset-based expenses will not be fully recognized in the current quarter due to the fact that fee revenues are earned and related expenses are incurred based upon daily variable account values. The difference between the current period average daily variable account values compared to the end of period variable account values impacts fee revenues in subsequent periods. Additionally, the impact on earnings may not necessarily be symmetrical with comparable increases in the equity markets. This discussion concerning the estimated effects of ongoing equity market volatility on the fees we earn from account values and assets under management is intended to be illustrative. Actual effects may vary depending on a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control, such as changing customer behaviors that might result in changes in the mix of our business between variable and fixed annuity contracts, switching among investment alternatives available within variable products, changes in sales production levels or changes in policy persistency. For purposes of this guidance, the change in account values is assumed to correlate with the change in the relevant index.

Default Risk

Our portfolio of invested assets was $70.2 billion and $71.9 billion as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively. Of this total, $44.5 billion and $46.1 billion consist of corporate bonds and $7.7 billion and $7.4 billion consist of commercial mortgages as of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively. We manage the risk of adverse default experience on these investments by applying disciplined credit evaluation and underwriting standards, prudently limiting allocations to lower-quality, higher-yielding investments and diversifying exposures by issuer, industry, region and property type. For each counterparty or borrowing entity and its affiliates, our exposures from all transactions are aggregated and managed in relation to formal limits set by rating quality and industry group. We remain exposed to occasional adverse cyclical economic downturns during which default rates may be significantly higher than the long-term historical average used in pricing.

We are depending on the ability of derivative product dealers and their guarantors to honor their obligations to pay the contract amounts under various derivatives agreements. In order to minimize the risk of default losses, we diversify our exposures among several dealers and limit the amount of exposure to each in accordance with the credit rating of each dealer or its guarantor. We generally limit our selection of counterparties that are obligated under these derivative contracts to those with an A credit rating or above.

 

126


Credit-Related Derivatives

We use various credit-related derivatives to minimize exposure to various credit-related risks. We use credit default swaps to hedge against a drop in bond prices due to credit concerns of certain bond issuers. A credit default swap allows us to put the bond back to the counterparty at par upon a default event by the bond issuer. A default event is defined as bankruptcy, failure to pay or obligation acceleration. As of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, we had no purchased credit default swaps outstanding.

We also sell credit default swaps to offer credit protection to investors. The credit default swaps hedge the investor against a drop in bond prices due to credit concerns of certain bond issuers. A credit swap allows the investor to put the bond back to us at par upon a default event by the bond issuer. As of June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, we had credit default swaps with a notional amount of $82 million and $60 million, which expire in 2010 through 2017.

Credit Risk

By using derivative instruments, we are exposed to credit risk (our counterparty fails to make payment) and market risk (the value of the instrument falls and we are required to make a payment). When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, this generally indicates that the counterparty owes us and, therefore, creates a credit risk for us equal to the extent of the fair value gain in the derivative. When the fair value of a derivative contract is negative, this generally indicates we owe the counterparty and therefore we have no credit risk, but have been affected by market risk. We minimize the credit risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high quality counterparties with minimum credit ratings that are reviewed regularly by us, by limiting the amount of credit exposure to any one counterparty, and by requiring certain counterparties to post collateral if our credit risk exceeds certain limits. We also maintain a policy of requiring all derivative contracts to be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) Master Agreement. We do not believe that the credit or market risks associated with derivative instruments are material to any insurance subsidiary or the Company.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Conclusions Regarding Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures, which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As of the end of the period covered by this report, we, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiaries required to be disclosed in our periodic reports under the Exchange Act.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2008, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.

 

127


PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Information regarding reportable legal proceedings is contained in “Part I – Item 3. Legal Proceedings” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

(c) The following table summarizes purchases of equity securities by the issuer during the quarter ended June 30, 2008 (dollars in millions, except per share data):

 

Period

   (a) Total
Number

of Shares
(or Units)
Purchased (1)
   (b) Average
Price Paid
per Share
(or Unit)
   (c) Total Number
of Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs (2)
   (d) Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares (or
Units) that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (3)

4/1/08 – 4/30/08

   19,491    $ 51.50    —      $ 1,377.9

5/1/08 – 5/31/08

   1,813,049      54.69    1,800,000      1,279.5

6/1/08 – 6/30/08

   831,379      49.67    831,200      1,238.2

 

(1)

Of the total number of shares purchased, 13,049 shares were received in connection with the exercise of stock options and related taxes and 19,670 shares were withheld for taxes on the vesting of restricted stock. For the quarter ended June 30, 2008, there were 2,631,200 shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs.

(2)

On February 23, 2007, our Board approved a $2 billion increase to our securities repurchase authorization, bringing the total authorization at that time to $2.6 billion. As of June 30, 2008, our security repurchase authorization was $1.2 billion. The security repurchase authorization does not have an expiration date. The amount and timing of share repurchase depends on key capital ratios, rating agency expectations, the generation of free cash flow and an evaluation of the costs and benefits associated with alternative uses of capital. The shares repurchased in connection with the awards described in footnote (1) are not included in our security repurchase.

(3)

As of the last day of the applicable month.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

(a) Our 2008 annual meeting of shareholders was held on May 8, 2008.

 

(b) Proxies were solicited pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and there was no solicitation in opposition to the management nominees. Four nominees were elected to serve as directors for three-year terms expiring at the 2011 Annual Meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

 

(c) The matters voted upon at the meeting and the votes cast with respect to such matters are as follows:

Item 1 – Election of Directors

 

Nominee

  Votes Cast For   Votes Withheld

J. Patrick Barrett

  221,141,596   11,240,704

Dennis R. Glass

  222,230,537   10,151,763

Michael F. Mee

  210,607,716   21,774,584

David A. Stonecipher

  221,435,175   10,947,125

Item 2 – To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2008.

 

For   Against   Abstain   Broker Non-Votes
221,628,582   7,520,921   3,232,796   —  

 

128


Item 5. Other Information

(1) On August 6, 2008, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved amendments to the Lincoln National Corporation Executives’ Severance Benefit Plan (as amended and restated), or the Plan, to reduce the change of control benefit period from three years to two years. Therefore, a change of control benefit under the Plan, as amended, can only be triggered within two years of a change of control (as defined under the Plan) instead of the current three years. In addition, the Committee made other immaterial changes to the Plan, including changes necessary to bring the Plan into documentary compliance with the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and to eliminate references to frozen, terminated or expired plans. The Plan covers all of our executive officers and other designated employees.

The above description is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the Plan document, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and incorporated by reference herein.

(2) The Employment Agreement, dated December 6, 2003, as amended, between Dennis R. Glass, our President and CEO and us (as successor to Jefferson-Pilot Corporation), terminated by its own terms on March 1, 2008. However, under Section 5.1 of the Employment Agreement, we were obligated to provide a non-qualified defined benefit pension to Mr. Glass upon his retirement. Assuming a lump-sum payment under Section 5.1 of the Employment Agreement payable at age 65, the present value of the difference between that amount and the projected vested value at age 65 of our contributions to Mr. Glass’s supplemental retirement benefit under the Lincoln National Corporation Deferred Compensation & Supplemental/Excess Retirement Plan (“DC SERP”) was estimated to be $1,620,000 based upon various actuarial assumptions. On August 6, 2008, the Compensation Committee approved a $1,620,000 contribution to Mr. Glass’s Shortfall Balance Account under the DC SERP in consideration of Mr. Glass agreeing to terminate our obligation under Section 5.1 of the Agreement. All amounts, including the contribution above described, in Mr. Glass’s Shortfall Balance Account are approximately 21% vested as of the date of this report. The remaining balance will vest ratably and will be 100% vested on the first day of the month after Mr. Glass reaches age 62.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

The Exhibits included in this report are listed in the Exhibit Index beginning on page E-1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

129


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ FREDERICK J. CRAWFORD

 

Frederick J. Crawford

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

By:  

/s/ DOUGLAS N. MILLER

 

Douglas N. Miller

Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

Date: August 8, 2008

 

130


LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

Exhibit Index for the Report on Form 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2008

 

10.1    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the LNC Incentive Plan, adopted May 2008, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of LNC’s Form 8-K (File No. 1-6028) filed with the SEC on May 6, 2008.
10.2    Agreement, Waiver and General Release between Elizabeth L. Reeves and LNC is filed herewith.
10.3    Amended and Restated Lincoln National Corporation Executives’ Severance Benefit Plan (effective August 7, 2008) is filed herewith.
12.1    Historical Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
31.1    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2    Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

E-1