ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
National Western Life Insurance Company (hereinafter referred to as "National Western", "Company", or "Registrant") is a stock life insurance company, chartered in the State of Colorado in 1956, and doing business in forty-nine states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories or possessions. National Western is also licensed in Haiti, and although not otherwise licensed, accepts applications from and issues policies to residents of various countries in Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Pacific Rim, Eastern Europe and Asia. Such policies are underwritten, accepted, and issued in the United States upon applications submitted by independent contractors. The Company provides life insurance products for the savings and protection needs of approximately 139,000 policyholders and for the asset accumulation and retirement needs of 132,000 annuity contract holders.
The Company's total assets increased to $8.8 billion at December 31, 2010, from $7.5 billion at December 31, 2009. The Company generated revenues of $576.0 million, $568.4 million and $411.1 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In addition, National Western generated net income of $72.9 million, $45.5 million and $33.6 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
The Company's financial information, including information in this report filed on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to the above reports, are accessible free of charge through the Company's Internet site at www.nationalwesternlife.com or may be viewed at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. or at the SEC's Internet site at www.sec.gov.
Products
National Western offers a broad portfolio of individual whole life, universal life and term insurance plans, and annuities, including supplementary riders.
Life Products. The Company's life products provide protection for the life of the insured and, in some cases, allow for cash value accumulation on a tax-deferred basis. These product offerings include universal life insurance ("UL"), interest-sensitive whole life, and traditional products such as term insurance coverage. Interest sensitive products such as UL accept premiums that are applied to an account value. Deducted from the account value are costs of insurance charges which vary by age, gender, plan, and class of insurance, as well as various expense charges. Interest is credited to account values at a fixed interest rate generally determined in advance and guaranteed for a policy year at a time, subject to minimum guaranteed rates specified in the policy contract. A slight variation to this general interest crediting practice involves equity-indexed universal life ("EIUL") policies whose credited interest may be linked in part to an outside index such as the S&P 500Ò Composite Stock Price Index ("S&P 500 IndexÒ") at the election of the policyholder. These products offer both flexible and fixed premium modes and provide policyholders with flexibility in the available coverage, the timing and amount of premium payments and the amount of the death benefit, provided there are sufficient policy funds to cover all policy charges for the coming year. Traditional products generally provide for a fixed death benefit payable in exchange for regular premium payments.
Annuity Products. Annuity products sold include flexible premium and single premium deferred annuities, fixed-indexed annuities, and single premium immediate annuities. These products can be tax qualified or nonqualified annuities. A fixed single premium deferred annuity ("SPDA") provides for a single premium payment at the time of issue, an accumulation period, and an annuity payout period commencing at some future date. A flexible premium deferred annuity ("FPDA") provides the same features but allows, generally with some conditions, additional payments into the contract. Interest is credited to the account value of the annuity initially at a current rate of interest which is guaranteed for a period of time, typically the first year. After this period, the interest credited is subject to change based upon market rates and product profitability subject to a minimum guaranteed rate specified in the contract. Interest accrues during the accumulation period generally on a tax-deferred basis to the contract holder. After a number of years specified in the annuity contract, the owner may elect to have the proceeds paid as a single payment or as a series of payments over a period of time. The owner is permitted at any time during the accumulation period to withdraw all or part of the annuity account balance subject to contract provisions such as surrender charges and market value adjustments. A fixed-indexed deferred annuity performs essentially in the same manner as SPDAs and FPDAs with the exception that, in addition to a fixed interest crediting option, the contract holder has the ability to elect an interest crediting mechanism that is linked, in part, to an outside index such as the S&P 500 IndexÒ. A single premium immediate annuity ("SPIA") foregoes the accumulation period and immediately commences an annuity payout period.
Distributions of the Company's direct premium revenues and deposits by product type are provided below.
Operating Segments
The Company manages its business between Domestic Insurance Operations and International Insurance Operations. For segment reporting purposes, the Company's annuity business, which is predominantly domestic, is separately identified. The Company also has a Corporate segment, which consists of the assets and activities that have not been allocated to any other operating segment.
Domestic Insurance Operations. The Company is currently licensed to do business in all states and the District of Columbia, except for New York. Products marketed are annuities, universal life insurance, and traditional life insurance, which include both term and whole life products. The majority of domestic sales are the Company's annuities. National Western markets and distributes its domestic products primarily through independent national marketing organizations ("NMOs"). These NMOs assist the Company in recruiting, contracting, and managing independent agents. The Company's agents are independent contractors who are compensated on a commission basis. At December 31, 2010, the Company's NMO relationships had contracted approximately 11,000 independent agents with the Company. More than 32% of these contracted agents submitted policy applications to the Company in the past twelve months. At December 31, 2010, the Company had over 66,000 domestic life insurance policies in force representing in excess of $2.3 billion in face amount of coverage and 132,000 annuity contracts representing account balances of $6.2 billion.
International Insurance Operations. National Western's international operations generally focus on foreign nationals in upper socioeconomic classes. Insurance products are issued primarily to residents of countries in Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Pacific Rim, Eastern Europe, and Asia. Issuing policies to residents of countries in these different regions provides diversification that helps to minimize large fluctuations that could arise due to various economic, political, and competitive pressures that may occur from one country to another. Products issued to international residents are almost entirely universal life and traditional life insurance products. However, certain annuity and investment contracts are also available. At December 31, 2010, the Company had nearly 73,000 international life insurance policies in force representing over $17.3 billion in face amount of coverage.
International applications are submitted by independent contractors, consultants and broker-agents, many of whom have been submitting policy applications to National Western for 20 or more years. The Company had relationships with approximately 4,000 of these independent international individuals at December 31, 2010, 40% of which submitted policy applications to the Company in the past twelve months.
There are some inherent risks of accepting international applications which are not present within the domestic market that are reduced substantially by the Company in several ways. As previously described, the Company accepts applications from foreign nationals in upper socioeconomic classes who have substantial financial resources. This targeted customer base coupled with National Western's conservative underwriting practices have historically resulted in claims experience, due to natural causes, similar to that in the United States. The Company minimizes exposure to foreign currency risks by requiring payment of premiums and claims in United States dollars. In addition, experience with the international products for over forty years and the Company's longstanding business relationships further serve to minimize risks.
Geographical Distribution of Business. The following table depicts the distribution of the Company's premium revenues and deposits.
Although many agents sell National Western's products, the Company's annuity sales in any year typically reflect several NMOs whose contracted independent agents sold 10% or more of the Company’s total annuity sales. In 2010, there were two NMOs that accounted for approximately 24% of the Company’s annuity sales with 13.7% and 10.1% of the total annuity sales, respectively. Similarly, domestic life insurance sales in any year may include several NMOs who accounted for 10% or more of total domestic life insurance sales. In 2010, there were two NMOs who generated 44.7% and 11.4%, respectively, of total domestic life insurance sales. The NMO accounting for 44.7% of domestic life sales also contributed 4.6% of total annuity sales. Given the lower level of domestic life insurance sales relative to international life sales and annuity sales, the larger percentage of domestic life sales for this particular NMO is not considered a significant concentration of business within the total context of new business. In addition, with the independent distribution model the Company employs, the concentration of sales within a particular NMO is not as an acute concern as with other distribution channels given that the underlying agents are free to contract with the Company through any NMO the Company has a relationship with.
International life insurance sales are much more diversified by independent consultants and contractors and in 2010 were geographically attributed to Latin America (81%), the Pacific Rim (17%), and Eastern Europe (2%). In terms of international countries, Brazil, Taiwan, and Venezuela were the only countries exceeding 10% of total international sales with shares of 36%, 16%, and 13%, respectively.
Segment Financial Information. A summary of financial information for the Company's segments is as follows:
Notes to Table:
(A) Amounts exclude realized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes.
(B) Amounts exclude other unallocated assets.
Additional information concerning these industry segments is included in Note 13, Segment and Other Operating Information, of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Competition and Ratings
National Western competes with hundreds of life and health insurance company groups in the United States as well as other financial intermediaries such as banks and securities firms who market insurance products. Competitors in our international markets include Pan-American Life Insurance, American Fidelity Life Insurance, Manhattan Life Insurance Company and Best Meridian Insurance while domestic market competitors include, among others, American Equity Investment Life, Sammons Financial Group (Midland, NACOLAH), AVIVA, Allstate (Lincoln Benefit), Lincoln National Life, Equitrust Life Insurance Company and Old Mutual Financial Network (F&G). Competitive factors are primarily the breadth and quality of products offered, established positions in niche markets, pricing, relationships with distribution channels, commission structures, the perceived stability of the insurer, quality of underwriting and customer service, scale and cost efficiency. Operating results of life insurers are subject to fluctuations not only from this competitive environment but also due to economic conditions, interest rate levels and changes, performance of investments, and the maintenance of strong insurance ratings from independent rating agencies.
In order to compete successfully, life insurers focus initiatives toward distribution, technology, defined end market targets, speed to the market in terms of product development, and customer relationship management as ways of gaining a competitive edge. The Company's management believes that it competes primarily on the basis of its longstanding reputation for commitment in serving international markets, its financial strength and stability, and its ability to attract and retain distribution based upon product and compensation. With respect to international markets, the Company is of the opinion that the home office infrastructure to support languages other than English, and the knowledge needed to effectively underwrite risks outside of the United States is a significant barrier to entry for potential competitors.
Ratings with respect to financial strength are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. Financial strength ratings are generally defined as a rating agency’s opinion as to a company’s financial strength and ability to meet ongoing obligations to policyholders. Accordingly, ratings are important to maintaining public confidence and impact the ability to market products. The following summarizes the Company's current financial strength ratings.
A.M. Best has 13 financial strength ratings assigned to solvent insurance companies which currently range from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor). Standard & Poor’s has eight financial strength ratings assigned to solvent insurance companies, ranging from “AAA” (Extremely Strong) to “CC” (Extremely Weak). Both rating agencies further qualify their current ratings with outlook designations of “Positive”, “Stable”, and “Negative”.
A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s ratings are an independent consideration of the Company’s claims paying ability and are not a rating of the Company’s investment worthiness. The rating agencies formally review the Company and its rating on an annual basis with interim analysis performed as necessary. In June 2009, A.M. Best upgraded the Company’s rating to “A” from “A-“. This was particularly noteworthy given the financial crisis backdrop that framed this time period and the number of companies that were negatively impacted, often significantly, during this time. In June 2010, Standard & Poor’s upgraded its outlook of the Company from “negative” to “stable”. Generally speaking, there is no assurance that the Company's ratings will continue for a certain period of time. In the event the Company's ratings are subsequently downgraded, the Company's business may be negatively impacted.
Risk Management
Similar to other insurers, the Company is exposed to a wide spectrum of financial, operational, and other risks as described in Item 1A
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Company performance is subject to varying risk factors. This section provides an overview of possible risk exposures at this point in time that could impact Company performance in the future. While these scenarios do not represent expectations of future experience, they are intended to illustrate the potential impacts if any of the following risks were to manifest into actual occurrences.
Current difficult conditions globally and in the U.S. economy may materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The Company’s results from operations are materially affected by economic conditions both in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world. The stress experienced by financial markets beginning in the second half of 2007 continued throughout 2008 and into 2009. Consumer confidence declined as home values and the stock market decreased and unemployment and energy costs increased. The volatility and disruption in the financial markets reached unfamiliar levels such that the availability and cost of credit was materially impacted. The market for fixed income securities experienced decreased liquidity, increased price volatility, credit downgrades, and an increasing probability of default. Consequently, these securities became less liquid, more difficult to value, and potentially harder to dispose of if situations dictate. Although the recession ended in mid-2009, economic and employment growth have remained weak and several sectors, most notably the housing industry, continue to underperform.
The Company’s business benefits from steady economic growth. Demand for our products and ultimately the profitability of our business may be adversely affected by anemic economic activity consisting of factors such as lower consumer spending, negative investor sentiment, higher unemployment, lower corporate earnings and business investment, lackluster consumer confidence, and ongoing volatility in capital markets. We may also experience a higher incidence of claims, lapses or surrenders of policies. Our policyholders may opt to defer or stop paying insurance premiums. Adverse changes as detailed above could negatively affect our net income and have a material effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our investment portfolio is subject to several risks which may lessen the value of invested assets and the amounts credited to policyholders.
The Company primarily invests monies received in investment grade, fixed income investment securities in order to meet its obligations to policyholders and provide a return on its deployed capital. Consequently, we are subject to the risk that issuers of these securities may default on principal and interest payments, particularly in the event of an ongoing downturn in the economic and/or business climate. At December 31, 2010, approximately 2% of the Company’s $7.3 billion fixed income securities portfolio was comprised of issuers who were investment grade at the time the Company acquired them but were subsequently downgraded for various reasons. A substantial increase in defaults from these or other issuers could negatively impact the Company’s financial position and results.
For the Company’s fixed-indexed products, over the counter derivative instruments are purchased from a number of highly rated counterparties to fund the index credit to policyholders. In the event that any of these counterparties fails to meet their contractual obligations under these derivative instruments, the Company would be financially at risk for providing the credits due that the counterparty reneged on. The failure of the counterparty to perform could negatively impact the Company’s financial strength and reduce the Company’s profitability.
The determination of valuation and impairments of fixed income securities include estimations and assumptions that are subjective and prone to differing interpretations and could materially impact our results of operations or financial condition.
The determination of whether to impair an investment is based upon our evaluation of known and inherent risks which we revise as conditions change and new information becomes available. During periods of market disruption and volatility, it becomes more difficult to evaluate securities particularly if trading becomes less frequent or market data becomes less observable. As a result, valuations may include inputs and assumptions that are less observable or require greater estimation and judgment as well as valuation methods which are more complex. We also consider a wide range of factors about security issuers in evaluating the cause of a decline in the estimated fair value of a security and in assessing the prospects for recovery. The decision on whether to record an other-than-temporary impairment is determined by our assessment of the financial condition and prospects of a particular issuer, projections of future cash flows and recoverability as well as our ability and intent to hold the securities to recovery or maturity. Our conclusions concerning the recoverability of any particular security’s market price could ultimately prove to be invalid as facts and circumstances change. Consequently, there can be no assurance that we have accurately assessed the level of impairments in our financial statements or that additional impairments may not need to be taken in the future.
We are subject to changing interest rates and credit spreads, market volatility, and general economic conditions which may affect the risk and returns on both our investment portfolio and our products.
We are exposed to significant capital market risk related to changes in interest rates. Substantial and sustained changes, up or down, in market interest rate levels can materially affect the profitability of our products, the market value of our investments, and ultimately the reported amount of stockholders’ equity.
A rise in interest rates will increase the net unrealized loss position of our investment portfolio and may subject the Company to disintermediation risk. Disintermediation risk is the risk that policyholders may surrender their contracts in a rising interest rate environment, requiring the Company to liquidate investments in an unrealized loss position (i.e. the market value less than the carrying value of the investments). With respect to fixed income security investments the Company maintains in an “Available for Sale” category, rising interest rates will cause declines in the market value of these securities. These declines are reported in our financial statements as an unrealized investment loss and a reduction of stockholders’ equity.
There may be occasions, especially in the current climate, where the Company could encounter difficulty selling some of its investments due to a lack of liquidity in the marketplace. If the Company required significant amounts of cash on short notice during such a period, it may have difficulty selling investments at attractive prices, in a timely manner or both.
A decline in interest rates could expose the Company to reduced profitability due to minimum interest rate guarantees that are required in our products by regulation. A key component of profitability is investment spread, or the difference between the yield on our investments and the rates we credit to policyholders on our products. A narrowing of investment spreads (“spread compression”) could negatively affect operating results. Although the Company has the ability to adjust the rates credited on products in order to maintain our required investment spread, a significant decline in interest rate levels could affect investment yields to the point where the investment spread is compromised due to minimum interest rate guarantees. In addition, the potential for increased policy surrenders and cash withdrawals, competitor activities, and other factors could further limit the Company’s ability to maintain crediting rates on its products at levels necessary to avoid sacrificing investment spread.
The profitability of the Company’s fixed-indexed products linked in part to market indices is significantly affected by the cost of underlying call options purchased to fund the credits owed to contract holders selecting this form of interest crediting. If there are little or no gains on the call options purchased over the expected life of these fixed-indexed products, the Company would incur expenses for credited interest over and above the option costs. In addition, if the Company does not successfully match the terms of the underlying call options purchased with the terms of the fixed-indexed products, the index credits could exceed call option proceeds. This would serve to reduce the Company’s spread on the products and decrease profits.
We are subject to incurring difficulties in marketing and distributing our products through our current and future distribution channels.
The Company distributes its life and annuity products through independent broker-agents. There is substantial competition, particularly in the Company’s domestic market, for independent broker-agents with the demonstrated ability to market and sell insurance products. Competition for these individuals or organizations typically centers on company reputation, products, compensation, home office support and the insurer’s financial strength ratings. The Company’s future sales and financial condition are dependent upon avoiding significant interruptions in attracting and retaining independent broker-agents.
We are subject to a downgrade in our financial strength ratings which may negatively affect our ability to attract and retain independent distributors, make our products less attractive to consumers, and may have an adverse effect on our operations.
Financial strength ratings are important criteria in establishing the competitive position of insurers. Ratings generally reflect the rating agencies’ view of a particular company’s financial strength, operating performance, and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders. However, some of the rating factors often relate to the particular views of the rating agency, their independent economic modeling, the general economic climate, and other circumstances outside of the insurer’s control. Accordingly, we cannot predict with any certainty what actions rating agencies may take. A downgrade in our financial strength rating, or an announced potential downgrade, could affect our competitive position and make it more difficult to market our products vis-à-vis competitors with higher financial strength ratings. In extreme situations, a significant downgrade action by one or more rating agency could induce existing policyholders to cancel their policies and withdraw funds from the Company. Currently, the major rating agencies, including A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s, maintain stable outlooks on the U.S. life insurance industry. Irrespective, these rating agencies could revise their benchmarks regarding levels of capital, earnings, and other metrics that align with particular rating levels and impact their rating assessments of U.S. life insurance companies. These events could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and liquidity.
We are subject to competition from new sources as well as companies having substantially greater financial resources, higher ratings, and more expansive product offerings which could have an adverse impact upon our business levels and profitability.
Our ability to compete is based upon a variety of factors including financial strength ratings, competitive products, service, scale, and distribution capacity. In recent years, there has been considerable consolidation among companies in the insurance and financial sectors resulting in large, well-capitalized entities that offer products comparable to the Company. Frequently, these larger organizations are not domiciled in the United States or are financial services entities attempting to establish a position in the insurance industry. These larger competitors often enjoy economies of scale which produce lower operating costs and the wherewithal to absorb greater risk allowing them to price products more competitively and, in turn, attract independent distributors. Consequently, the Company may encounter additional product pricing pressures and be challenged to maintain profit margin targets and profitability criteria. Because of these competitive presences, the Company may not be able to effectively compete without negative affects on our financial position and results.
We are subject to regulation and changes to existing laws that may affect our profitability or means of operations.
The Company is subject to extensive laws and regulations which are complex and subject to change. In addition, these laws and regulations are enforced by a number of different authorities including, but not limited to, state insurance regulators, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), state attorney generals, and the U.S. Department of Justice. Compliance with these laws and regulations is time consuming and any changes may materially increase our compliance costs and other expenses of doing business. The regulatory framework at the state and, increasingly, federal level pertaining to insurance products and practices is advancing and could affect not only the design of our products but our ability to continue to sell certain products.
Life insurer products generally offer tax advantages to policyholders via the deferral of income tax on policy earnings during the accumulation phase of the product, be it an annuity or a life insurance product. Taxes, if any, are payable on income attributable to a distribution under a policy/contract for the year in which the distribution is made. Periodically, Congress has considered legislation that would reduce or eliminate this tax deferral advantage inherent to the life insurance industry and subject the industry’s products to treatment more equivalent with other investments. In the event that the tax-deferred status of life insurance products is revised or reduced by Congress all life insurers would be adversely impacted.
Insurance companies that do business in a particular state are subject to assessment up to certain prescribed limits by that state’s insurance guaranty association to provide funds to help pay for policyholder losses or liabilities of insolvent insurance companies. The financial crisis of 2008 and 2009 weakened the financial condition of numerous insurers, including insurers already in the state of receivership, thus increasing the risk of sparking guaranty fund assessments. As the amount and timing of assessments by state insurance guaranty associations is outside of the Company’s control, the liabilities provided for these potential assessments in our financial statements may differ from the amounts ultimately assessed.
On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act (“Act”) was enacted into law. The Act calls for expansive changes in the regulation and oversight of the financial industry intended to provide for greater supervision of financial industry entities, reduction of risk in banking practices and in securities and derivatives trading, enhancement of public company corporate governance practices and executive compensation disclosures, and greater protections to individual consumers and investors. Certain parts of the Act were effective immediately although the working details of many provisions are subject to additional analysis and will not be known until final rules are adopted by the applicable regulatory agencies. The impact of the Act on the Company, as well as that on the financial industry and economy cannot be determined until all the rules and regulations called for under the Act have been finalized and implemented in the future.
Changes in accounting standards issued by standard-setting bodies may adversely affect our financial statements and affect the management of business operations.
The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) as delineated in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB ASC”). From time to time, the Company is required to adopt new or revised accounting standards or guidance that has been integrated into the FASB ASC. Future accounting standards required to be adopted could possibly change the current accounting treatment that the Company uses in its consolidated financial statements and such changes could possibly have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.
In addition, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) is in the process of working on several projects with the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) which could produce significant changes as GAAP converges with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). These projects include how the Company accounts for its insurance contracts and financial instruments and how its financial statements are prepared and presented. Further, the SEC is deliberating whether and how to incorporate IFRS into the U.S. financial reporting system. The changes to GAAP and the ultimate conversion to IFRS will invoke new demands on public companies in the areas of governance, internal controls, employee training, and disclosure and will likely affect how business operations are managed.
We may be subject to unfavorable judicial developments, including the time and expense of litigation, which potentially could affect our financial position and results.
In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in various legal actions common to the life insurance industry, some of which may occasionally assert claims for large amounts. Companies in the life insurance and annuity lines of business have encountered litigation, including class action lawsuits, pertaining to allegations of improper sales practices in connection with the sale of life insurance, improper design of products, bad faith in the handling of insurance claims, and other similar pleas. In addition, life insurance companies are subject to risk of errors and misconduct of the agents selling their products for fraud, non-compliance with policies and recommending products or transactions that are not suitable in a particular situation. Given the inherent unpredictability of litigation, there can be no assurance that such litigation, current or in the future, will not have such a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operation or cash flows in any particular reporting period.
We could be liable with respect to liabilities ceded to reinsurers if the reinsurers fail to meet the obligations assumed by them.
The Company cedes material amounts of insurance to other unaffiliated insurance companies through reinsurance. However, these reinsurance arrangements do not fully discharge the Company’s obligation to pay benefits on the reinsured business. If a reinsurer fails to meet its obligations, the Company would be forced to cover these claims. In addition, if a reinsurer becomes insolvent, it may cause the Company to lose its reserve credits on the ceded business which require the establishment of additional reserves. To mitigate the risks associated with the use of reinsurance, the Company carefully monitors the ratings and financial condition of its reinsurers on a regular basis and attempts to avoid concentration of credit risks by spreading its business among several reinsurers in order to diversify its risk exposure.
We are subject to policy claims experience which can fluctuate from period to period and vary from past results or expectations.
The Company’s earnings are significantly influenced by policy claims received and will vary from period to period depending upon the amount of claims incurred. In any given quarter or year, there is very limited predictability of claims experience. The liability established for future policy benefits is based upon a number of different factors. Our mortality experience could be adversely impacted by a catastrophic event such as a natural disaster, terrorist attack or pandemic event. In the event our future claim experience does not match our past results or pricing assumptions, our operating results could be materially and adversely affected.
We are subject to assumption inaccuracies regarding future mortality, persistency, and interest rates used in determining deferred policy acquisition costs which may require us to accelerate our amortization.
Deferred policy acquisition costs (and deferred sales inducement amounts) are calculated using a number of assumptions related to policy persistency, mortality and interest rates. They represent costs that vary with and are primarily related to the acquisition of new insurance and annuity contracts. Amortization of deferred policy acquisition expenses is dependent upon actual and expected profits generated by the lines of business that incurred the related expenses and are amortized over the expected lives of the corresponding contracts. The deferred policy acquisition costs recorded on the balance sheet are tested to determine if they are recoverable under current assumptions. The estimates and assumptions used to amortize deferred policy acquisition costs proportional to expected gross profits are also regularly reviewed. Due to the uncertainty associated with establishing these assumptions, the Company cannot, with precision, determine the exact pattern of profit emergence. Increases in actual or future withdrawals or surrenders or investment losses, often associated with severe economic recessions, could result in an acceleration of amortization. Accordingly, actual results could differ from the related assumptions which could have a material and adverse impact on the Company’s operating results.
Occurrence of natural or man-made disasters and catastrophes could adversely affect our ability to conduct business operations and the financial condition and results of operations.
The occurrence of natural disasters and catastrophes, including earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, fires, explosions, pandemic disease and man-made disasters, including acts of terrorism and military actions, could adversely affect the financial condition or results of operations of the Company. Such disasters and catastrophes could impact the Company directly by damaging our facilities, preventing employees from performing their duties or otherwise disturbing the Company’s ordinary business operations, as well as indirectly by changing the condition and behaviors of consumers, business counterparties and regulators and potentially causing declines or volatility in economic and financial markets.
The effects of natural and man-made disasters and catastrophes on the Company’s business include, but are not limited to: an acceleration of the timing in which benefits are paid under the Company’s insurance policies due to catastrophic loss of life; the harm to the financial condition of the Company’s reinsurers due to an increase in claims thereby impacting the cost and availability of reinsurance and possibly increasing the probability of default on reinsurance recoveries; and heightened volatility, loss of liquidity, and credit impairment in the financial markets resulting in harm to the Company’s financial condition.
We are dependent upon effective information technology systems and on development and implementation of new technologies.
The Company’s business operations are technology dependent for maintaining accurate records, administering complex contract provisions, and complying with increasingly demanding regulation. While systems developments can streamline many processes and in the long term reduce the cost of doing business, these initiatives can present short-term cost and implementation risks. Projections of expenses, implementation time frames and the ultimate enhancement values may be different from expectations and escalate over time. The Company also faces rising costs and time constraints in meeting data security compliance requirements of new and proposed regulations. These increased risks and expanding requirements expose the Company to potential data loss and damages and significant increases in compliance and litigation costs.
The Company relies on its computer systems to conduct business and produce financial statements. While policies, procedures and back-up plans designed to prevent or minimize the effect of incapacity or failure are maintained, the Company’s computer systems may be vulnerable to disruptions or breaches as a result of natural disasters, man-made disasters, criminal activity or other events beyond the Company’s control. The failure or incapacity of any of the Company’s computer systems could disrupt operations and adversely impact our profitability.
The Company retains confidential information on its systems, including customer information and proprietary business information. The increasing volume and sophistication of computer viruses, hackers and other external threats may increase the vulnerability of the Company’s systems to data breaches. Any compromise of the security of the Company’s technology systems that results in the disclosure of personally identifiable customer information could damage the Company’s reputation, expose it to litigation, and result in significant technical, legal and other expenses.
Some of the Company’s information technology systems are older legacy-type systems and require an ongoing commitment of resources to maintain current standards. These legacy systems are written in older programming languages with which fewer and fewer individuals are knowledgeable of and trained in. The Company’s success is in large part dependent on maintaining and enhancing the effectiveness of existing legacy systems and failure of these systems for any reason could disrupt our operations, result in the loss of business and adversely impact our profitability.
Competition for employees is intense and the Company may not be able to attract and retain highly skilled people needed to support its business.
The Company’s success and ability to reach goals is dependent upon its ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. The market for qualified personnel is extremely competitive and the Company may not be able to hire or retain key people. The unexpected loss of services of one or more of the company’s key personnel could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations due to their skills, unique knowledge of our business, years of industry experience and the potential difficulty of quickly finding qualified replacements. Sales in our lines of business and our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected if the Company is unsuccessful in attracting and retaining qualified individuals or its recruiting and retention costs increase significantly.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Westcap Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary, owns the Company’s principal office location in Austin, Texas and two buildings adjacent to it, totaling approximately 93,000 square feet that are leased and utilized by the Company. The Company’s affiliate, Regent Care Building, LP, owns a 65,000 square foot building in Reno, Nevada, which is leased and utilized by another of the Company’s affiliates, Regent Care Operations, LP, for use in its nursing home operations. The Company’s subsidiary, Regent Care San Marcos Holdings, LLC, completed construction of a 74,000 square foot building in San Marcos, Texas in 2009 used in nursing home operations. Lease costs and related operating expenses for facilities of the Company’s subsidiaries are currently not significant in relation to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The intercompany lease costs related to The Westcap Corporation and the nursing homes have been eliminated for consolidated reporting purposes.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In the normal course of business, the Company is involved or may become involved in various legal actions in which claims for alleged economic and punitive damages have been or may be asserted, some for substantial amounts. In recent years, carriers offering life insurance and annuity products have faced litigation, including class action lawsuits, alleging improper product design, improper sales practices and similar claims. As discussed below, the Company has been a defendant over the past several years in two such class action lawsuits. Given the uncertainty involved in these types of actions, the ability to make a reliable evaluation of the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or an estimate of the amount of or range of potential loss is endemic to the particular circumstances and evolving developments of each individual matter on it own merits.
The Company was a defendant in a class action lawsuit initially filed on September 17, 2004, in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles. The California state court certified a class consisting of certain California policyholders age 65 and older alleging violations under California Business and Professions Code section 17200. The court additionally certified a subclass of 36 policyholders alleging fraud against their agent, and vicariously against the Company. The California Insurance Department intervened in this case asserting that the Company violated California insurance laws. The parties to this case became involved in court-ordered mediation and ongoing negotiations. On February 22, 2010, the Company reported in a Form 8-K filing a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs and plaintiff in intervention providing a settlement benefit of approximately $17 million as well as approximately $5 million for legal expenses which were included in the Company’s legal accrual provision at December 31, 2009. The settlement agreement was given final court approval at a Fairness Hearing on August 20, 2010. Including attorney’s fees, policy benefits and other considerations, the Company paid out approximately $22.4 million in the third and fourth quarters of 2010.
The Company is currently a defendant in a second class action lawsuit pending as of June 12, 2006, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The case is titled In Re National Western Life Insurance Deferred Annuities Litigation. The complaint asserts claims for RICO violations, Financial Elder Abuse, Violation of Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 17200, et seq, Violation of Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 17500, et seq, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Aiding and Abetting Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Fraudulent Concealment, Cal. Civ. Code 1710, et seq, Breach of the Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing, and Unjust Enrichment and Imposition of Constructive Trust. On July 12, 2010 the Court certified a nationwide class of policyholders under the RICO allegation and a California class under all of the remaining causes of action except breach of fiduciary duty. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses in this cause and intends to vigorously defend itself against the asserted claims. No amounts have been provided in the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2010 for this matter.
In addition to the two class action lawsuits described above, the Company is the named defendant in the case of Sheila Newman vs. National Western Life Insurance Company, which alleged mishandling of policyholder funds by an agent. On February 3, 2010, the 415th Judicial District Court of Parker County in Weatherford, Texas, entered a Final Judgment against the Company of approximately $208,000 including actual damages of $113,000 and amounts for attorney’s fees, and prejudgment interest on the actual damages. In addition, the Final Judgment included $150 million for 2nd exemplary damages. The Company is vigorously defending this case and has appealed the Final Judgment to the Court of Appeals in Ft. Worth, Texas. The Company’s counsel believes the Final Judgment is inconsistent with current state and federal laws and intends to establish on appeal that it is not liable for Newman’s actual or exemplary damages. Further, Company counsel have advised of existing law that governs limits of awards of exemplary damages including: (1) a Texas statute that limits awards of exemplary damages to two times the amount of actual damages, and (2) case law from both the Texas Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court setting the outer limits of exemplary damages to single-digit ratios between actual and exemplary damages, but usually no more than 3 or 4 times the actual damages. The Company has accrued $0.6 million at December 31, 2010 for this matter inasmuch as it believes the record shows there is no basis for an award of exemplary damages in excess of these amounts.
In addition to amounts accrued for incurred and unpaid legal fees, the amounts accrued in the financial statements at December 31, 2010 of $0.6 million for the foregoing lawsuits represent estimates made by the Company based upon current information and are subject to change as facts and circumstances change and develop. Although there can be no assurances, at the present time, the Company does not anticipate that the ultimate liability arising from such other potential, pending, or threatened legal actions will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operating results of the Company.
In January 2009, the SEC published its newly adopted Rule 151A, Indexed Annuities and Certain Other Insurance Contracts. This rule defined “indexed annuities to be securities and thus subject to regulation by the SEC under federal securities laws”. Currently indexed annuities sold by life insurance companies are regulated by the States as insurance products and Section 3(a)(8) of the Securities Act of 1933 provides an exemption for certain “annuity contracts,” “optional annuity contracts,” and other insurance contracts. The Company and others subsequently filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to overturn this rule, which was scheduled to be effective January 12, 2011. The U.S. Court of Appeals (D.C. Circuit) vacated Rule 151A on July 12, 2010. Further, Congress passed and the President signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act on July 21, 2010 (“Dodd-Frank Act”). The Dodd-Frank Act treats annuities as exempt under Sec. 3(a)(8) of the Securities Act of 1933 if they meet a three prong test. The Company does not foresee any significant issues in meeting this test. On October 14, 2010, the Securities and Exchange Commission gave notice that it was withdrawing Rule 151A under the Securities Act of 1933, effective as of the date of publication in the Federal Register.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE
OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of the Company’s security holders during the fourth quarter of 2010.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY,
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
The principal market on which the Class A common stock of the Company trades is The NASDAQ - Stock Market® under the symbol “NWLI”. The high and low sales prices for the Class A common stock for each quarter during the last two years and the cash dividends declared per common share are shown in the following table.
There is no established public trading market for the Company’s Class B common stock.
Equity Security Holders
The number of stockholders of record on March 14, 2011 was as follows:
Dividends
Class B common stockholders receive dividends at one-half the rate declared on Class A common stock. During 2010, the Company paid cash dividends on its Class A and Class B common stock in the amounts of $1,234,418 and $36,000, respectively. During 2009, the Company also paid cash dividends on its Class A and Class B common stock in the amounts of $1,233,348 and $36,000, respectively. Payment of dividends is within the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company’s general policy is to reinvest earnings internally to finance the development of new business.
Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The Company has two equity compensation plans that were approved by security holders. Under the two plans, a total of 95,573 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock may be issued upon exercise of the outstanding options at December 31, 2010. The weighted average exercise price of the outstanding options is $180.43 per option. Excluding the outstanding options, 293,150 shares of Class A common stock remain available for future issuance under the plans at December 31, 2010.
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the change in the Company's cumulative total stockholder return on its common stock with the NASDAQ - U.S. Companies Index and the NASDAQ - Insurance Stock Index. The graph assumes that the value of the Company's Class A common stock and each index was $100 at December 31, 2005, and that all dividends were reinvested.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Effective March 10, 2006, the Company adopted and implemented a limited stock buy-back program associated with the Company's 1995 Stock Option and Incentive Plan ("Plan") which provides Option Holders the additional alternative of selling shares acquired through the exercise of options directly back to the Company. Option Holders may elect to sell such acquired shares back to the Company at any time within ninety (90) days after the exercise of options at the prevailing market price as of the date of notice of election.
Effective August 22, 2008 the Company adopted and implemented another limited stock buy-back program substantially similar to the 2006 program for shares issued under the 2008 Incentive Plan.
The following table sets forth the Company’s repurchase of its Class A common shares from Option Holders for the quarter ended December 31, 2010.
Purchased shares are reported in the Company's consolidated financial statements as authorized and unissued.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following five-year financial summary includes comparative amounts derived from the audited consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward-Looking Statements
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. Certain information contained herein or in other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of National Western Life Insurance Company or its subsidiaries are or may be viewed as forward-looking. Although the Company has taken appropriate care in developing any such information, forward-looking information involves risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact actual results. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, matters described in the Company’s SEC filings such as exposure to market risks, anticipated cash flows or operating performance, future capital needs, and statutory or regulatory related issues. However, National Western, as a matter of policy, does not make any specific projections as to future earnings, nor does it endorse any projections regarding future performance that may be made by others. Whether or not actual results differ materially from forward-looking statements may depend on numerous foreseeable and unforeseeable events or developments. Also, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (“MD&A”) of National Western Life Insurance Company for the three years ended December 31, 2010 follows. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes beginning on page 69 of this report.
Overview
The Company provides life insurance products on a global basis for the savings and protection needs of policyholders and annuity contracts for the asset accumulation and retirement needs of contract holders both domestically and internationally. The Company accepts funds from policyholders or contract holders and establishes a liability representing future obligations to pay the policy or contract holders and their beneficiaries. To ensure the Company will be able to pay these future commitments, the funds received as premium payments and deposits are invested in high quality investments, primarily fixed income securities.
Due to the business of accepting funds to pay future obligations in later years and the underlying economics, the relevant factors affecting the Company’s business and profitability include the following:
The Company monitors these factors continually as key business indicators. The discussion that follows in this Item 7 includes these indicators and presents information useful to an overall understanding of the Company’s business performance in 2010, incorporating required disclosures in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Impact of Recent Business Environment
Economic data has progressively shown signs of improvement over the past several quarters implying ongoing favorable growth at least in the near term. Consumers are benefiting from advancement in their incomes and retail store metrics indicate that consumers are showing an inclination to spend again. Although high relative to historical levels, improving employment data should further encourage consumers providing an additional boost to the economy. One looming cloud on the horizon is energy costs as recent social unrest in oil producing countries in the Middle East has caused oil process to surpass $100 a barrel. While substantially below the $140 top price in 2008, a prolonged episode of energy prices at these levels could provide a drag on economic growth.
Strong economic expansion generally benefits the Company’s business. Alternatively, a tepid economic recovery consisting of higher unemployment, lower personal income, muted consumer spending and lackluster corporate earnings and business investment could adversely impact the demand for the Company’s products. Household financial income compression may also cause us to experience a higher incidence of claims, lapses or surrenders of policies. It is not possible to predict with certainty whether or when such activity may occur or what impact, if any, such actions could have on the Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
The financial duress in 2008 and 2009 did not have an adverse affect on our annuity line of business. Annuity sales in 2009 increased 106% over the levels attained in 2008. With the green shoots of recovery emerging in 2010, we witnessed annuity sales increase 71% over those of 2009. While there may be many underlying reasons for this expansion in our annuity business, we believe that at least the following factors may explain this outcome: (1) during uncertain economic periods, consumers follow a flight to safety toward lower risk assets such as annuity products; (2) the Company’s strong financial position, upgrade in financial strength rating from A.M. Best during 2009 and ample capital resources enhanced our presence in the annuity marketplace with independent distributors and end market consumers; (3) many of the Company’s competitors incurred reductions in their capital base due to a deterioration in the quality of their investment portfolios, including investment impairments and losses, which caused them to curtail sales activity and recruitment of independent distribution; and (4) the uncertainty surrounding the potential regulation of fixed-indexed annuities by the SEC was eliminated when the U.S Court of Appeals vacated the proposed regulation (Rule 151A) and Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Act which exempted annuities under the Securities Act of 1933. Despite these factors and their impact on the growth in the Company’s annuity sales, it is unclear what effect ongoing economic and political challenges may have upon future business levels.
The fixed income markets, our primary investment source, have experienced an improvement in fundamental credit quality on the heels of stronger liquidity, improving corporate profitability and modest economic growth. Credit downgrades of fixed income instruments by rating agencies were fairly prevalent during 2008 and 2009. However, credit default rates declined during 2010 and conditions for 2011 are expected to remain favorable. The Company experienced minimal impairment and degradation of quality in its fixed income holdings during the financial crisis and subsequent recovery. There is no certainty that future events may produce the same success in this regard.
The unprecedented low U.S. Treasury yields in 2009 and 2010 combined with tightening credit spreads (difference between bond yields and risk-free interest rates) on fixed maturity securities produced new challenges in managing Company profitability given the resulting “compression” on our interest spreads (difference between the yield on investments and the amounts required to credit on associated policy values). Industry analysts and observers generally agree that a sudden jump in interest rate levels would be harmful to life insurers with interest-sensitive products as it could provide an impetus for abnormal product surrenders and withdrawals at the same time fixed debt securities held by insurers declined in market value. The federal government’s burgeoning deficit and “quantitative easing” initiatives have served to put upward pressure on longer term interest rates. It is uncertain what direction and at what pace interest rate movements may occur in the future and what impact, if any, such movements would have on the Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
Our operating strategy continues to be to maintain capital levels substantially above regulatory and rating agency requirements. The Company maintains resources more than adequate to fund future growth and absorb abnormal periods of cash outflows.
Critical Accounting Policies
Accounting policies discussed below are those considered critical to an understanding of the Company’s financial statements.
Impairment of Investment Securities. The Company’s accounting policy requires that a decline in the value of a security below its amortized cost basis be evaluated to determine if the decline is other-than-temporary. The primary factors considered in evaluating whether a decline in value for fixed income and equity securities is other-than-temporary include: (a) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (b) the reasons for the decline in value (credit event, interest rate related, credit spread widening), (c) the overall financial condition as well as the near-term prospects of the issuer, (d) whether the debtor is current on contractually obligated principal and interest payments, and (e) the Company does not intend to sell the investment prior to recovery. In addition, certain securitized financial assets with contractual cash flows are evaluated periodically by the Company to update the estimated cash flows over the life of the security. If the Company determines that the fair value of the securitized financial asset is less than its carrying amount and there has been a decrease in the present value of the estimated cash flows since the previous purchase or prior impairment, then an other-than-temporary impairment charge is recognized. The Company would recognize impairment of securities due to changing interest rates or market dislocations only if the Company intended to sell the securities prior to recovery. When a security is deemed to be impaired a charge is recorded equal to the difference between the fair value and amortized cost basis of the security. In compliance with GAAP guidance the estimated credit versus the non-credit components are bifurcated, and the non-credit component is reclassified as unrealized losses in other comprehensive income. Once an impairment charge has been recorded, the fair value of the impaired investment becomes its new cost basis and the Company continues to review the other-than-temporarily impaired security for appropriate valuation on an ongoing basis. However, the new cost basis of an impaired security is not adjusted for subsequent increases in estimated fair value.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (“DPAC”). The Company is required to defer certain policy acquisition costs and amortize them over future periods. These costs include commissions and certain other expenses that vary with and are primarily associated with acquiring new business. The deferred costs are recorded as an asset commonly referred to as deferred policy acquisition costs. The DPAC asset balance is subsequently charged to income over the lives of the underlying contracts in relation to the anticipated emergence of revenue or profits. Actual revenue or profits can vary from Company estimates resulting in increases or decreases in the rate of amortization. The Company performs regular evaluations of its universal life and annuity contracts to determine if actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier estimates should be revised. Assumptions considered significant include surrender and lapse rates, mortality, expense levels, investment performance, and estimated interest spread. Should actual experience dictate that the Company change its assumptions regarding the emergence of future revenues or profits (commonly referred to as “unlocking”), the Company would record a charge or credit to bring its DPAC balance to the level it would have been if using the new assumptions from the inception date of each policy.
DPAC is also subject to periodic recoverability and loss recognition testing. These tests ensure that the present value of future contract-related cash flows will support the capitalized DPAC balance to be amortized in the future. The present value of these cash flows, less the benefit reserve, is compared with the unamortized DPAC balance and if the DPAC balance is greater, the deficiency is charged to expense as a component of amortization and the asset balance is reduced to the recoverable amount. For more information about accounting for DPAC see Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the consolidated financial statements.
Deferred Sales Inducements. Costs related to sales inducements offered on sales to new customers, principally on investment type contracts and primarily in the form of additional credits to the customer’s account value or enhancements to interest credited for a specified period, which are beyond amounts currently being credited to existing contracts, are deferred and recorded as other assets. All other sales inducements are expensed as incurred and included in interest credited to contract holders’ funds. Deferred sales inducements are amortized to income using the same methodology and assumptions as DPAC, and are included in interest credited to contract holders’ funds. Deferred sales inducements are periodically reviewed for recoverability. For more information about accounting for DPAC see Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the consolidated financial statements.
Future Policy Benefits. Because of the long-term nature of insurance contracts, the Company is liable for policy benefit payments many years into the future. The liability for future policy benefits represents estimates of the present value of the Company’s expected benefit payments, net of the related present value of future net premium collections. For traditional life insurance contracts, this is determined by standard actuarial procedures, using assumptions as to mortality (life expectancy), morbidity (health expectancy), persistency, and interest rates, which are based on the Company’s experience with similar products. The assumptions used are those considered to be appropriate at the time the policies are issued. An additional provision is made on most products to allow for possible adverse deviation from the assumptions assumed. For universal life and annuity products, the Company’s liability is the amount of the contract’s account balance. Account balances are also subject to minimum liability calculations as a result of minimum guaranteed interest rates in the policies. While management and Company actuaries have used their best judgment in determining the assumptions and in calculating the liability for future policy benefits, there is no assurance that the estimate of the liabilities reflected in the financial statements represents the Company’s ultimate obligation. In addition, significantly different assumptions could result in materially different reported amounts. A discussion of the assumptions used to calculate the liability for future policy benefits is reported in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Revenue Recognition. Premium income for the Company’s traditional life insurance contracts is generally recognized as the premium becomes due from policyholders. For annuity and universal life contracts, the amounts collected from policyholders are considered deposits and are not included in revenue. For these contracts, fee income consists of policy charges for policy administration, cost of insurance charges and surrender charges assessed against policyholders’ account balances which are recognized in the period the services are provided.
Investment activities of the Company are integral to its insurance operations. Since life insurance benefits may not be paid until many years into the future, the accumulation of cash flows from premium receipts are invested with income reported as revenue when earned. Anticipated yields on investments are reflected in premium rates, contract liabilities, and other product contract features. These anticipated yields are implied in the interest required on the Company’s net insurance liabilities (future policy benefits less deferred acquisition costs) and contractual interest obligations in its insurance and annuity products. The Company benefits to the extent actual net investment income exceeds the required interest on net insurance liabilities and manages the rates it credits on its products to maintain the targeted excess or “spread” of investment earnings over interest credited. The Company will continue to be required to provide for future contractual obligations in the event of a decline in investment yield. For more information concerning revenue recognition, investment accounting, and interest sensitivity, please refer to Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Note 3, Investments, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and the discussions under Investments in Item 7 of this report.
Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits. The Company sponsors a qualified defined benefit pension plan, which was frozen effective December 31, 2007, covering substantially all employees, and three nonqualified defined benefit plans covering certain senior officers. In addition, the Company has postretirement health care benefits for certain senior officers. The freeze of the qualified benefit pension plan ceased future benefit accruals to all participants and closed the Plan to any new participants. In addition, all participants became immediately 100% vested in their accrued benefits as of that date. In accordance with prescribed accounting standards, the Company annually reviews plan assumptions.
The Company annually reviews its pension benefit plans assumptions which include the discount rate, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, and the compensation increase rate. The assumed discount rate is set based on the rates of return on high quality long-term fixed income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the pension benefits. The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets is generally set at the rate expected to be earned based on the long-term investment policy of the plans, the various classes of the invested funds, input of the plan’s investment advisors and consulting actuary, and the plan’s historic rate of return. The compensation rate increase assumption is generally set at a rate consistent with current and expected long-term compensation and salary policy, including inflation. These assumptions involve uncertainties and judgment, and therefore actual performance may not be reflective of the assumptions.
Other postretirement benefit assumptions include future events affecting retirement age, mortality, dependency status, per capita claims costs by age, health care trend rates, and discount rates. Per capita claims cost by age is the current cost of providing postretirement health care benefits for one year at each age from the youngest age to the oldest age at which plan participants are expected to receive benefits under the plan. Health care trend rates involve assumptions about the annual rate(s) of change in the cost of health care benefits currently provided by the plan, due to factors other than changes in the composition of the plan population by age and dependency status. These rates implicitly consider estimates of health care inflation, changes in utilization, technological advances, and changes in health status of the participants.
Share-Based Payments. Liability awards under a share-based payment arrangement have been measured based on the awards’ fair value at the reporting date. The Black-Scholes valuation method is used to estimate the fair value of the options. This fair value calculation of the options includes assumptions relative to the following:
These assumptions are continually reviewed by the Company and adjustments may be made based upon current facts and circumstances.
Other significant accounting policies, although not involving the same level of measurement uncertainties as those discussed above, but nonetheless important to an understanding of the financial statements, are described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In addition, the Company regularly evaluates operating performance using non-GAAP financial measures which exclude or segregate derivative and realized investment gains and losses from operating revenues. Similar measures are commonly used in the insurance industry in order to assess profitability and results from ongoing operations. The Company believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures enhances the understanding of the Company’s results of operations by highlighting the results from ongoing operations and the underlying profitability factors of the Company’s business. The Company excludes or segregates derivative and realized investment gains and losses because such items are often the result of events which may or may not be at the Company’s discretion and the fluctuating effects of these items could distort trends in the underlying profitability of the Company’s business. Therefore, in the following sections discussing consolidated operations and segment operations, appropriate reconciliations have been included to report information management considers useful in enhancing an understanding of the Company’s operations to reportable GAAP balances reflected in the consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Operations
Revenues. The following details Company revenues:
Universal life and annuity contract revenues - Revenues for universal life and annuity contract revenues decreased 12.7% in 2010 compared to 2009 primarily due to lower surrender charges collected as a result of improved persistency of its business in force. Revenues for these products consist of policy charges for the cost of insurance, administration charges, and surrender charges assessed against policyholder account balances, less reinsurance premiums.
Cost of insurance charges were $86.4 million in 2010 compared to $83.6 million in 2009 and $82.9 million in 2008. Cost of insurance charges typically trend with the size of the life insurance block in force. The increasing revenue from cost of insurance charges corresponds with the growth in life insurance in force resulting primarily from international sales. Administrative charges were $24.5 million, $25.4 million and $25.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and correlate with new life insurance business sales both in number of policies placed as well as the volume of insurance issued. Surrender charges assessed against policyholder account balances upon withdrawal were $35.9 million in 2010 compared to $50.0 million in 2009 and $39.1 million in 2008. While the Company earns surrender charge income that is assessed upon policy terminations, the Company’s overall profitability is enhanced when policies remain in force and additional contract revenues are realized and the Company continues to make an interest rate spread equivalent to the difference it earns on its investment and the amounts that it credits to policyholders.
Traditional life and annuity premiums - Traditional life and annuity premiums decreased 2.8% in 2010 compared to 2009. Traditional life insurance premiums for products such as whole life and term life are recognized as revenues over the premium-paying period. The Company’s life insurance sales focus has been primarily centered around universal life products. Universal life products, especially the Company’s equity indexed universal life products which offer the opportunity for consumers to acquire life insurance protection and receive credited interest linked in part to an outside market index such as the S&P 500 Index®, have been more popular product offerings in the Company’s markets.
Net investment income (with and without derivatives) - A detail of net investment income is provided below.
Debt securities generated approximately 92.6% of total investment income, excluding derivative gains and losses, in 2010. The Company’s strategy is to invest substantially all of its cash flows in fixed debt securities consistent with its guidelines for credit quality, duration, and diversification. In the wake of a record year in annuity sales, the Company experienced substantial cash flow for investing in debt securities which caused the portfolio to grow from $6.2 billion at December 31, 2009 to nearly $7.4 billion at December 31, 2010. Despite the growth in the debt security portfolio, a lower interest rate level during 2010, as evidenced by long-term U.S. Treasury rates, combined with tightening spreads of corporate securities over U.S. Treasury rate levels resulted in lower yields on new purchases. The yield on debt security purchases to fund insurance operations declined to 4.45% in 2010 from 5.92% in 2009.
In the midst of the financial crisis during 2008 liquidity in the credit market was significantly affected. This illiquidity, along with a concern for accelerated withdrawals and surrenders by policyholders, prompted the Company to maintain higher levels of cash and short-term investments than is typical. By 2009, the fear caused by the financial meltdown began to abate resulting in improved conditions in credit markets and less of a concern for premature policyholder withdrawals and surrenders. However, the decrease in short-term investment income in 2009 is not the result of holding lower levels of cash and short-term investments as much as it is to the very low interest rates available on money market funds during all of 2009. During 2010, the Company employed a strategy of investing short-term funds in alternative investment vehicles which yielded incremental interest income.
Although there was more activity in mortgage loan lending in 2010, the Company’s mortgage loan and policy loan balances outstanding have remained relatively stable over the past few years. Interest income earned on other invested assets increased due to new investments in collateralized loans made during the second half of 2010.
In order to assess underlying profitability and results from ongoing operations, net investment income performance is analyzed excluding derivative gain (loss), which is a common practice in the insurance industry. Net investment income performance is summarized as follows:
The declination in average invested asset yield, excluding derivatives, from 2008 to 2009 and to 2010 is due to the Company obtaining lower yields on newly invested cash inflows. As described above, the Company invests substantially most of its net cash flows in debt securities whose yields have declined during this period. The pattern in average invested asset yield, including derivatives, reflects increases and decreases in the fair value of index options purchased by the Company to support its fixed-indexed products. Fair values of the purchased call options increased markedly in 2009 due to the recovery in the equity markets. Although not as dramatic, fair values of options purchased during 2010 generally experienced favorable increases. Refer to the derivatives discussion following this section for a more detailed explanation.
Other revenues - Other revenues primarily pertain to the Company’s two nursing home operations in Reno, Nevada and San Marcos, Texas. Revenues associated with these operations were $22.9 million, $15.7 million and $12.5 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The San Marcos nursing home began operations during the middle of calendar year 2009 contributing to the revenue growth incurred during the three year period. Other revenues also include $1.5 million received during 2010 in relation to investment security lawsuit settlements.
Derivative gain (loss) - Index options are derivative financial instruments used to hedge the equity return component of the Company’s fixed-indexed products. Income or loss from the sale or expiration of the options, as well as period-to-period changes in fair values, are reflected as a component of net investment income.
Income and losses from index options are due to equity market conditions. Index options are intended to act as hedges to match the returns on the product’s underlying reference index and the rise or decline in the index relative to the index level at the time of the option purchase causes option values to likewise rise or decline. The Company does not elect hedge accounting relative to these derivative instruments. As income from index options fluctuates with the underlying index, the contract interest expense to policyholder accounts for the Company’s fixed-indexed products also fluctuates in a similar manner and direction. In 2010 and 2009, the reference indices increased and the Company recorded index option gains and an increase in contract interest expenses. In 2008, the reference indices decreased resulting in a loss from index options and a reduction in contract interest expenses.
The table below summarizes the derivative gain (loss) amounts and total contract interest by year.
Net realized investment gains (losses) - Realized gains (losses) on investments include impairment write-downs on real estate and investments in debt securities as well as valuation allowances recorded on mortgage loans. The net investment gains reported in 2010 consisted of gross gains of $6.9 million, primarily from calls and sales of debt securities, offset by gross losses of $1.4 million, which includes other-than-temporary impairment losses.
The Company records impairment write-downs when a decline in value is considered to be other-than-temporary and full recovery of the investment is not expected. Impairments due to credit factors are recorded in the Company’s consolidated statement of earnings while non-credit impairment losses are included in other comprehensive income (loss). Impairment and valuation write-downs reflected in the consolidated statements of earnings are summarized in the following table.
Debt security impairments in 2010 primarily include write-downs on asset-backed securities whose cash flows and fair values did not support the amortized cost basis at which the instruments were recorded in the financial statements. Debt security impairments in 2009 and 2008 included similar impairment write-downs on certain asset-backed securities in addition to impairment losses on several corporate debt securities.
Equity impairments represent mark-to-market write-downs on various equity holdings. The Company’s practice is to impair equity security holdings whose market value declines more than 50% below their cost basis. The equity write-down in 2008 includes Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock impairments of $4.6 million.
The mortgage loan valuation write-down in 2010 principally involves a New Orleans, Louisiana property whose value was negatively impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The write-down reflects an adjustment to a newly provided appraisal of the property. The mortgage loan valuation write-down in 2009 relates to a property located in Steubenville, Ohio. The Company accepted a deed in lieu of foreclosure on this property during 2010 and converted the loan to foreclosed real estate as of December 31, 2010. The mortgage loan write-down in 2008 principally involves a property located in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Company subsequently foreclosed on this property during 2009 and converted the loan to foreclosed real estate. The real estate valuation write-down principally pertains to this Fort Smith property. The Company had a letter of intent to sell the property at December 31, 2010 and adjusted the carrying value associated with the offer. The Company subsequently sold the property in January 2011.
Benefits and Expenses. The following details benefits and expenses.
Life and other policy benefits - Life and other policy benefits include death claims of $32.9 million, $30.2 million and $29.6 million for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. While death claim amounts are subject to variation from period to period, the Company’s mortality experience has generally been consistent with or better than its product pricing assumptions. In January 2010, the country of Haiti, where the Company is licensed to sell its products, sustained a severe earthquake in its major city of Port-au-Prince. Death claims received by the Company as a result of this incident approximated $3.1 million after reinsurance and are included in life and other policy benefits for 2010. In February 2010, an earthquake occurred in the country of Chile whose residents include policyholders of the Company. No death claims were received as a result of this incident.
The Company has been implementing new actuarial reserving systems the past several years that will enhance its ability to provide estimates used in establishing future policy liabilities, monitor the deferred acquisition costs and deferred sales inducement assets as well as support other actuarial processes within the Company. The Company has been installing a vendor software product for use in calculating the GAAP reserve liability for future policy benefits of its products. The vendor system provides actuarial formula calculations producing refined estimates of reserves in accordance with GAAP. The previous reserving system produced estimated liabilities on state regulated actuarial formulas which were supplemented with adjustments in order to produce GAAP reserve estimates. The Company elected to purchase and install the new reserving system as growth in its lines of businesses created a need for more refined and controlled actuarial reserve computations in accordance with GAAP. The implementation of these new reserving systems for specific blocks of business began in the second quarter of 2009 and is expected to be completed in 2011. As the Company applies these new systems to a line of business, current reserving assumptions are reviewed and updated as appropriate. During the year ended December 31, 2009, loss recognition testing was performed on certain products that were converted to the new reserving system. As a result of the loss recognition testing, unlocking of historical assumptions resulted in an increase of $11.6 million in reserves and policy benefit expenses. Specifically, the Company unlocked assumptions for discount interest rates which accounted for $7.8 million of the increase as well as mortality assumptions which accounted for the remaining $3.8 million.
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs - Life insurance companies are required to defer certain expenses that vary with, and are primarily related to, the cost of acquiring new business. The majority of these acquisition expenses consist of commissions paid to agents, underwriting costs, and certain marketing expenses and sales inducements. The Company defers sales inducements in the form of first year interest bonuses on annuity and universal life products that are directly related to the production of new business. These charges are deferred and amortized using the same methodology and assumptions used to amortize other capitalized acquisition costs and the amortization is included in contract interest. Recognition of these deferred policy acquisition costs (“DPAC”) as an expense in the consolidated financial statements occurs over future periods in relation to the expected emergence of profits priced into the products sold. This emergence of profits is based upon assumptions regarding premium payment patterns, mortality, persistency, investment performance, and expense patterns. Companies are required to review universal life and annuity contract assumptions periodically to ascertain whether actual experience has deviated significantly from that assumed. If it is determined that a significant deviation has occurred, the emergence of profit patterns is to be "unlocked" and reset based upon the actual experience. DPAC balances are also adjusted each period to reflect current policy lapse or termination rates, expense levels and credited rates on policies as compared to anticipated experience (“true-up”) with the adjustment reflected in current period amortization expense. In accordance with GAAP guidance the Company must also write off deferred acquisition costs, unearned revenue liabilities, and deferred sales inducement assets upon internal replacement of certain contracts as well as annuitizations of deferred annuities.
In addition to the preceding, the Company is implementing new actuarial reserving systems that enhance its ability to monitor the deferred acquisition cost asset and the deferred sales asset as well as support other actuarial processes within the Company. The implementation of these new reserving systems for specific blocks of business began in the third quarter of 2009 and is expected to be completed in 2011. As the Company applies these new systems to a line of business, current reserving assumptions are reviewed and updated as appropriate.
The following table identifies the effects of unlocking and true-up adjustments on DPAC balances recorded through amortization expense for 2010, 2009 and 2008.
During the first quarter of 2010 a correction was made to a surrender charge assumption for future years on one deferred annuity product line. This change resulted in an unlocking adjustment that increased the current period’s DPAC amortization expense (decreased DPAC balance) by $2.7 million. As the amount of the correction was determined to have occurred over the course of multiple previously reported periods, it was concluded that the amount of the correction was immaterial to the financial results reported in any of these periods, as well as the current period.
An unlocking adjustment was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2009 which resulted in an increase of amortization of $5.2 million. This unlocking adjustment was based upon changes to future mortality assumptions reflecting current experience studies and assumption changes regarding the level of future policy maintenance expenses. Mortality experience is monitored regularly and future mortality assumptions are unlocked when a continued trend in actual mortality experience deviates from current assumptions and is expected to continue. Although not a prediction of future impact, prior period mortality assumption unlocking experience of the Company has resulted in changes of the DPAC balance between $2.0 million and $(7.5) million in the period of the unlocking. Policy maintenance expenses are also reviewed regularly and future assumptions are unlocked when a continued trend in the actual policy maintenance expense deviates from the current assumptions. Although not a prediction of the impact of future changes in policy maintenance expense assumptions, similar unlocking of maintenance expense assumptions could result in DPAC balance changes between $1.5 million and $4.5 million. The Company did not unlock for assumption changes regarding future mortality or the level of policy maintenance expenses during 2010.
An unlocking adjustment was also recorded in 2008 which resulted in an increase of amortization by $6.3 million. This unlocking adjustment was based upon assumption changes to future annuitizations and full surrenders reflecting current experience studies. While the Company is required to evaluate its emergence of profits continually, management believes that the current amortization patterns of deferred policy acquisition costs are reflective of actual experience. The Company is required to periodically adjust for actual experience that varies from that assumed.
True-up adjustments are recorded quarterly and the adjustments in 2010, 2009 and 2008 relate to changes in expense ratios, partial surrender rates, mortality rates, credited interest rates and earned rates for the current year’s experience.
Universal life and annuity contract interest - The Company closely monitors credited interest rates on interest sensitive policies, taking into consideration such factors as profitability goals, policyholder benefits, product marketability, and economic market conditions. As long-term interest rates change, the Company's credited interest rates are often adjusted accordingly, taking into consideration the factors described above. The difference between yields earned on investments over policy credited rates is often referred to as the "interest spread".
The Company's approximated average credited rates, excluding and including equity-indexed products, were as follows:
Contract interest including equity-indexed products also encompasses the performance of the derivative component of the Company's equity-indexed products. As previously noted, the market performance of these derivative features resulted in net realized and unrealized gains of $16.6 million and $45.3 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, and net realized and unrealized losses of $65.7 million in 2008. Contract interest in 2010 also includes $16.7 million of policy credits added in conjunction with the settlement of a class action lawsuit. See additional comments in “Other Operating Expenses” below.
Other operating expenses - Other operating expenses consist of general administrative expenses, licenses and fees, commissions not subject to deferral, nursing home expenses and share based compensation costs. As discussed in Item 3 Legal Proceedings, during 2009 the Company recorded additional operating expense of $22.4 million related to an accrual for pending legal matters involving a class action lawsuit. At the time of the accrual, the characteristics of an ultimate payout amount could not be determined. During 2010, the Company settled the lawsuit which resulted in the Company decreasing operating expense by $16.7 million and reclassifying the amount as annuity contract interest. As the amount had been entirely accrued, there was no net effect on pretax earnings but produced a reduction in other operating expense in the 2010 results.
The Company has been involved in major information system initiatives to enhance actuarial, accounting, policy acquisition, and policy administration processes. Costs related to these systems are capitalized during the development process and then amortized once they are placed into service and used in operations. Amortization expense in association with these system implementations was $2.6 million in 2010 and $2.1 million in 2009.
Nursing home operation expenses were $20.1 million, $15.1 million and $11.4 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increase in nursing home expenses reflects the commencement of operations for the San Marcos, Texas facility during the second quarter of 2009.
Share based compensation costs for the Company’s stock option plans related to outstanding vested and unvested stock options totaled $(0.1) million in 2010, $1.6 million in 2009 and $(1.4) million in 2008 as a result of marking the stock options to fair value under the liability method of accounting. The fluctuation in expense for the Company’s stock option plans largely reflects the market price change in the Company’s Class A common stock as of the reporting dates.
Segment Operations
Summary of Segment Earnings
A summary of segment earnings from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 is provided below. The segment earnings exclude realized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes.
Domestic Life Insurance Operations
A comparative analysis of results of operations for the Company's domestic life insurance segment is detailed below.
Revenues from domestic life insurance operations include life insurance premiums on traditional type products and contract revenues from universal life insurance. Revenues from traditional products are simply premiums collected, while revenues from universal life insurance consist of policy charges for the cost of insurance, policy administration fees, and surrender charges assessed during the period. A comparative detail of premiums and contract revenues is provided below.
The Company’s domestic life insurance sales have been declining since 2008 (refer to the collected premium analysis below) resulting in lower universal contract revenue charges from new business. In addition, the pace of new policies issued has lagged the number of policies terminating from death or surrender causing a declining level of insurance in force from which contract charge revenue is received. The number of domestic life insurance policies has declined from 73,500 at December 31, 2008 to 69,700 at December 31, 2009 and to 66,000 at December 31, 2010.
As noted above, universal life insurance revenues include surrender charge fees assessed upon surrender of life insurance contracts. The increase in universal life insurance revenues during 2009 is primarily due to a higher level of surrender charge fees assessed. During the latter part of 2008, the Company’s internal checking and monitoring procedures detected potential instances of rebating in certain geographic markets and instituted commission caps and other preventative procedures to discourage this practice. Although not illegal in these markets, the practice of rebating is particularly prone to large face amount policies not renewing premium payments beyond the initial year of the policy. The level of 2009 surrender charge fee revenues reflects some of this activity.
Premiums collected on universal life products are not reflected as revenues in the Company's consolidated statements of earnings in accordance with GAAP. Actual domestic universal life premiums are detailed below.
The Company’s efforts over the past several years have been to attract new independent agents and to promote life products to improve domestic life sales. However, recent economic events continue to have an adverse effect on new life sales as the number of new applications received has been lower the past two years.
Net investment income for this segment of business has decreased during the three years presented due to a lower level of investments needed to support active policies as a result of the decline in insurance in force. In addition, lower investment yields attained from debt security investment purchases has contributed to a lower level of investment income.
As noted previously in the discussion of results from consolidated operations, the Company records true-up adjustments to DPAC balances each period to reflect current policy lapse or termination rates, expense levels and credited rates on policies as compared to anticipated experience with the adjustment reflected in current period amortization expense. To the extent required, the Company may also record unlocking adjustments to DPAC balances. The following table identifies the effects of unlocking and true-up adjustments on domestic life insurance DPAC balances recorded through amortization expense for 2008, 2009 and 2010.
The unlocking adjustment in 2009 was made to adjust future assumptions concerning per policy maintenance expenses and mortality and accordingly increased DPAC amortization expense by $2.7 million during the period.
International Life Insurance Operations
A comparative analysis of results of operations for the Company's international life insurance segment is detailed below.
As with domestic life operations, revenues from the international life insurance segment include both premiums on traditional type products and revenues from universal life insurance. A comparative detail of premiums and contract revenues is provided below.
The Company’s international life operations have been a significant factor in the Company’s overall earnings performance and represent a market niche where the Company believes it has a competitive advantage. A productive distribution force of independent broker agents and consultants has been developed given the Company’s longstanding reputation for supporting its international life products coupled with the instability of competing companies in international markets. In general, universal life revenues and operating earnings are anticipated to emerge with the amount of international life insurance in force. Over the past three years, the volume of insurance in force has grown from $15.9 billion at December 31, 2008 to $16.2 billion at December 31, 2009 and over $17.3 billion at December 31, 2010.
International universal life revenues also include surrender charges assessed upon surrender of contracts by policyholders. In the midst of the financial crisis the past few years, the Company’s international policyholders in particular exhibited concern regarding the developments in U.S. financial markets. This evidenced itself in the Company’s termination activity in its international life in force. During 2009, the Company incurred higher termination experience than is typical which resulted in recognition of increased surrender charge fee income. The following table illustrates the Company’s international life termination experience over the past five years.
As noted previously, premiums collected on universal life products are not reflected as revenues in the Company's consolidated statements of earnings in accordance with GAAP. Actual international universal life premiums collected are detailed below.
The Company’s most popular international products have been its fixed-indexed universal life products in which policyholders can elect to have the interest rate credited to their policy account values linked in part to the performance of the S&P 500 Index®. Included in the totals in the above table are collected related premiums of $90.2 million, $81.9 million and $78.5 million for the years ended 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, associated with these fixed-indexed products.
To support the index crediting rate feature on its fixed-indexed universal life products the Company purchases S&P 500 Index® call options. With the growth in the block of business of these policies, the period-to-period changes in fair values of the underlying options used to hedge this interest crediting feature have had an increasingly greater impact on net investment income and universal life contract interest. A detail of net investment income for international life insurance operations is provided below.
Life and policy benefits primarily consist of death claims on policies. The Company’s clientele for international products are wealthy individuals with access to U.S. dollars and quality medical care. Consequently, the amounts of coverage purchased tend to be larger amounts. In the year ended December 31, 2010, the average face amount of insurance purchased was approximately $339,000. Life and policy benefit expense for the international life segment reflects the larger policies purchased. In addition, the expense shown for 2010 includes death claims of approximately $3.1 million, after reinsurance, associated with the Haiti earthquake in January 2010.
As noted previously, the Company records true-up adjustments to DPAC balances each period to reflect current policy lapse or termination rates, expense levels and credited rates on policies as compared to anticipated experience as well as unlocking adjustments as necessary. The following table identifies the effects of unlocking and true-up adjustments on international life insurance DPAC balances recorded through amortization expense for 2010, 2009 and 2008.
In 2010, the Company did not record any additional amortization expense related to the unlocking of assumptions. In addition, true-up adjustments were recorded during the year which increased the DPAC balance (decreasing amortization expense) reflecting actual experience improvements over assumptions. In 2009, the Company recorded an unlocking adjustment of $2.5 million relative to changes in projected universal life per policy maintenance expenses and projected mortality assumptions that reduced the DPAC asset and increased amortization expense.
As indicated in the discussion concerning net investment income, contract interest expense includes fluctuations that are the result of underlying equity indices performance associated with fixed-indexed universal life products. The derivative gain (loss) realized on purchased call options is included in the amounts the Company credits to policyholders. For more details about the Company’s use of index options to hedge the performance of equity indices refer to the derivative gain (loss) discussion in the Consolidated Operations section of Item 7.
Annuity Operations
The Company's annuity operations are almost exclusively in the United States. Although some of the Company's investment contracts are available to international residents, current sales are small relative to total annuity sales. A comparative analysis of results of operations for the Company's annuity segment is detailed below.
Premiums and contract charges primarily include surrender charge income with lesser amounts for recognition of deferred revenues relating to immediate or payout annuities.
Deposits collected on annuity contracts are not reflected as revenues in the Company's consolidated statements of earnings in accordance with GAAP. Actual annuity deposits collected are detailed below.
Fixed-indexed products are more attractive for consumers when interest rate levels remain low and equity markets produce positive returns. Since the Company does not offer variable products or mutual funds, fixed-indexed products provide an important alternative to the Company's existing fixed interest rate annuity products. Fixed-indexed annuity deposits as a percentage of total annuity deposits were 63%, 58% and 69% for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The recovery in equity markets that began during 2009 did not manifest itself in terms of increased fixed-indexed sales until the latter part of 2009. Consequently, while 2010 total collected annuity deposits increased 71% over the level in 2009, fixed-indexed sales increased by 84% during the same time period. Other deferred annuity deposits increased 57% in 2010 compared to 2009.
As a selling inducement, many annuity products include a first year premium or interest rate bonus in addition to the base first year deposit interest rate. These bonuses are credited to the policyholder account but are deferred by the Company and amortized over future periods. The amount deferred was approximately $51.1 million, $36.8 million and $19.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
A detail of net investment income for annuity operations is provided below.
As previously described, derivatives are call options purchased to hedge the equity return component of the Company's fixed-indexed annuity products with any gains or losses from the sale or expiration of the options, as well as period-to-period changes in fair values, reflected in net investment income. Generally, a comparable impact for the derivative component in fixed-indexed annuity products is reflected in contract interest expense.
Life and policy benefits for the annuity segment includes reserves established for contracts in a payout mode with or without life contingencies. The new actuarial reserving systems that the Company has been implementing included this block of policies and they were converted to the new reserving system during 2009. As a part of this process historical assumptions pertaining to interest rates and mortality assumptions were “unlocked” for the block of policies resulting in an increase of $11.6 million in reserves and policy benefit expenses in 2009. As the Company’s block of annuity business grows more contracts convert to a payout status and the 2010 amount reflects the reserves established for those policies.
Consistent with the domestic and international life segments, the Company records true-up adjustments to DPAC balances each period to reflect current policy lapse or termination rates, expense levels and credited rates on policies as compared to anticipated experience as well as unlocking adjustments as necessary.. The following table identifies the effects of unlocking and true-up adjustments on annuity DPAC balances recorded through amortization expense for 2008, 2009 and 2010.
During 2010 the Company unlocked for a change in projected surrender charge rates on certain fixed rate annuities that reduced DPAC (and increased amortization expense) by $2.7 million. During 2008, the Company unlocked surrender rates, including annuitizations, for certain issue years of fixed rate annuities which decreased the DPAC balance (and increased amortization expense) by $6.3 million. Unlocking was not done during the year ended December 31, 2009.
True-up adjustments for year ended December 31, 2008 of $11.1 million were higher than historical levels. During this period, in addition to recurring true-up adjustments for contract surrenders and partial withdrawal activity, the Company made adjustments to reflect rapidly changing portfolio investment yields and crediting rates in the wake of the bottoming out of market interest rate levels.
Annuity contract interest includes the equity component return associated with the call options purchased to hedge the Company's fixed-indexed annuities. The detail of fixed-indexed annuity contract interest as compared to contract interest for all other annuities is as follows:
The fluctuation in reported contract interest amounts for fixed-indexed annuities is driven by sales levels, the level of the business in force and the positive or negative performance of equity markets on option values. The derivative gain (loss) information included in the net investment income discussion above is largely reflected in the amounts shown for contract interest for fixed-indexed annuities. Contract interest in 2010 includes an additional $16.7 million for policy credits as part of the settlement of a class action lawsuit. This amount had been provided for in 2009 financial results but as an operating expense accrual since the character of the settlement amount was not known at that time. Accordingly, a reclassification was made in the 2010 consolidated financial statements to report the amounts as contract interest with a corresponding reduction in other operating expenses. Contract interest in 2008 includes an additional $3.5 million for increased amortization of bonus interest (deferred sales inducements) associated with updates for future expected gross profit assumptions.
Other operating expenses in 2009 and 2010 are skewed for the class action lawsuit settlement accrual in 2009 of $22.4 million of which $16.7 million was reversed out of other operating expenses in 2010 and reported as contract interest.
Other Operations
National Western's primary business encompasses its domestic and international life insurance operations and its annuity operations. However, the Company also has small real estate, nursing home, and other investment operations through its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Nursing home operations generated $2.8 million, $0.8 million and $1.1 million of operating earnings in 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively, reflecting the commencement of operations of the San Marcos facility in the middle of calendar year 2009. Income from the Company's subsidiaries includes gross income distributions from a life interest in a trust approximating $4 million per year.
INVESTMENTS
General
The Company's investment philosophy emphasizes the careful handling of policyowners' and stockholders' funds to achieve security of principal, to obtain the maximum possible yield while maintaining security of principal, and to maintain liquidity in a measure consistent with current and long-term requirements of the Company.
The Company's overall conservative investment philosophy is reflected in the allocation of its investments, which is detailed below as of December 31, 2010 and 2009. The Company emphasizes investment grade debt securities, with smaller holdings in mortgage loans and policy loans.
The Company’s investment portfolio increased 18% to $7.7 billion at December 31, 2010 compared to $6.5 billion at December 31, 2009 due to positive cash flows from operating and financing activities. The primary driver of the increase was the record annuity sales year in 2010 with over $1.4 billion in deposits collected. Although lesser in scope, the increase in investments includes improved security fair market values as a result of a decline in interest rates and, to a smaller extent, credit spread tightening. The unrealized gain position of the Company’s securities available for sale portfolio, which is reported at fair market value, increased from $82.7 million at December 31, 2009 to $168.5 million at December 31, 2010.
Debt and Equity Securities
The Company maintains a diversified portfolio which consists mostly of corporate, mortgage-backed, and public utility fixed income securities. Investments in mortgage-backed securities primarily include U.S. government agency pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMO"). The Company's investment guidelines prescribe limitations by type of security as a percent of the total investment portfolio and all holdings were within these threshold limits. As of December 31, the Company's debt securities portfolio consisted of the following:
Substantially all of the Company’s investable cash flows are directed toward the purchase of debt securities. The Company’s investment policy calls for investing in debt securities that are investment grade, meet quality and yield objectives, and provide adequate liquidity for obligations to policyholders. Debt securities with intermediate maturities are targeted by the Company as they more closely match the intermediate nature of the Company’s policy liabilities and provides an appropriate strategy for managing cash flows. Debt securities purchased to fund insurance company operations are summarized below.
The effective annual yield shown is the yield calculated to the “worst-call date”. For callable bonds, the worst-call date is the call or maturity date that produces the lowest yield.
The Company holds predominantly agency mortgage-backed securities. Because mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment and extension risk, the Company has substantially reduced these risks by investing in collateralized mortgage obligations, which have more predictable cash flow patterns than pass-through securities. These securities, known as planned amortization class I ("PAC I"), very accurately defined maturity ("VADM") and sequential tranches are designed to amortize in a more predictable manner than other CMO classes or pass-throughs. The Company does not purchase tranches, such as PAC II and support tranches, that subject the portfolio to greater than average prepayment risk. Using this strategy, the Company can more effectively manage and reduce prepayment and extension risks, thereby helping to maintain the appropriate matching of the Company's assets and liabilities.
In addition to diversification, an important aspect of the Company's investment approach is managing the credit quality of its investments in debt securities. Thorough credit analysis is performed on potential corporate investments including examination of a company's credit and industry outlook, financial ratios and trends, and event risks. This emphasis is reflected in the high average credit rating of the Company's debt securities portfolio with 98.0% held in investment grade securities. In the table below, investments in debt securities are classified according to credit ratings by Standard and Poor's ("S&P®"), or other nationally recognized statistical rating organizations if securities were not rated by S&P®.
As National Western does not purchase below investment grade securities, the investments held in debt securities below investment grade are the result of subsequent downgrades of the securities. These holdings are summarized below.
The Company's percentage of below investment grade securities compared to total invested assets decreased from 2009 due to issues held being upgraded to investment grade levels during the year as the economic environment prompted rating agencies to revise their credit outlooks. The Company's holdings of below investment grade securities is relatively small as a percentage of total invested assets and is low compared to industry averages.
Holdings in below investment grade securities by category as of December 31, 2010 are summarized below, including 2010 and 2009 fair values for comparison. The Company is continually monitoring developments in these industries that may affect security valuation issues.
The Company closely monitors its below investment grade holdings by reviewing investment performance indicators, including information such as issuer operating performance, debt ratings, analyst reports and other economic factors that may affect these specific investments. While additional losses are not currently anticipated, based on the existing status and condition of these securities, continued credit deterioration of some securities or the markets in general is possible, which may result in further write-downs.
Generally accepted accounting principles require that investments in debt securities be written down to fair value when declines in value are judged to be other-than-temporary. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price methodology). Refer to Note 14, Fair Values of Financial Instruments, of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
The Company is required to classify its investments in debt and equity securities into one of three categories: (a) trading securities; (b) securities available for sale; or (c) securities held to maturity. The Company purchases securities with the intent to hold to maturity and accordingly does not maintain a portfolio of trading securities. Of the remaining two categories, available for sale and held to maturity, the Company makes a determination on categorization based on various factors including the type and quality of the particular security and how it will be incorporated into the Company's overall asset/liability management strategy. As shown in the table below, at December 31, 2010, approximately 31% of the Company's total debt and equity securities, based on fair values, were classified as securities available for sale. These holdings in available for sale provide flexibility to the Company to react to market opportunities and conditions and to practice active management within the portfolio to provide adequate liquidity to meet policyholder obligations and other cash needs.
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 the Company recorded other-than-temporary impairment credit related write-downs on debt securities totaling $0.7 million and $0.1 million on equity securities. See Note 3, Investments Debt and Equity Securities, of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
As of April 1, 2009, the Company adopted the GAAP guidance on the recognition and accounting for other-than-temporary impairments due to credit loss versus non-credit losses. See Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, and Note 3, Investments, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion. Since adoption of this new guidance, the Company recognized $8.7 million of other-than-temporary impairments; of which $0.3 million was deemed credit related and recognized as realized investment losses in earnings, and $8.4 million was deemed a non credit related impairment and recognized in other comprehensive income.
Asset-Backed Securities
The Company holds approximately $64.9 million in asset-backed securities as of December 31, 2010. This portfolio includes $30.1 million of manufactured housing bonds and $34.8 million of home equity loans (also referred to as subprime securities). The Company does not have any holdings in collaterized bond obligations (“CBO”s), collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”s), or collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”s). Principal risks in holding asset-backed securities are structural, credit, and capital market risks. Structural risks include the securities’ priority in the issuer’s capital structure, the adequacy of and ability to realize proceeds from collateral and the potential for prepayments. Credit risks include corporate credit risks or consumer credit risks for financing such as subprime mortgages. Capital market risks include the general level of interest rates and the liquidity for these securities in the marketplace.
The Company holds one Alt-A security with a carrying value of $4.1million. The Alt-A sector is a sub-sector of the jumbo prime MBS sector. The average FICO for an Alt-A borrower is approximately 715 compared to a score of 730 for a jumbo prime borrower. The Company’s exposure to the Alt-A and subprime sectors is limited to investments in the senior tranches of structured securities collateralized by Alt-A or subprime residential mortgage loans. The subprime sector is generally categorized under the asset-backed sector. This sector lends to borrowers who do not qualify for prime interest rates due to poor or insufficient credit history. Subprime borrowers generally have FICO scores of 660 or below. The slowing housing market, rising interest rates, and relaxed underwriting standards for loans originated after 2005 resulted in higher delinquency rates and losses beginning in 2007. These events caused illiquidity in the market and volatility in the market prices of subprime securities. With the government intervention initiatives in 2009, the housing market began to show signs of stabilizing. There was an improvement in the prices of subprime securities as the bond market also became more liquid. All of the loans classified as Alt-A or subprime in the Company’s portfolio as of December 31, 2010 were underwritten prior to 2005 as noted in the table below.
As of December 31, 2010, 8 of the subprime securities were rated AAA, 1 was rated AA, and 3 were rated CC.
Mortgage Loans and Real Estate
In general, the Company originates loans on high quality, income-producing properties such as shopping centers, freestanding retail stores, office buildings, industrial and sales or service facilities, selected apartment buildings, motels, and health care facilities. The location of these properties is typically in major metropolitan areas that offer a potential for property value appreciation. Credit and default risk is minimized through strict underwriting guidelines and diversification of underlying property types and geographic locations. In addition to being secured by the property, mortgage loans with leases on the underlying property are often guaranteed by the lease payments and also by the borrower. This approach has proven to result in quality mortgage loans with few defaults. Mortgage loan interest income is recognized on an accrual basis with any premium or discount amortized over the life of the loan. Prepayment and late fees are recorded on the date of collection.
The Company requires a minimum specified yield on mortgage loan investments. Until recently the low interest rate environment resulted in fewer loan opportunities being available which met the Company's required rate of return. This environment has recently started to change in 2010 and the Company increased its new mortgage loan activity which resulted in an increase of $68.5 million in total loans at the 2010 year-end.
Loans in foreclosure, loans considered impaired or loans past due 90 days or more are placed on a non-accrual status. If a mortgage loan is determined to be on non-accrual status, the mortgage loan does not accrue any revenue into the Consolidated Statements of Income. The loan is independently monitored and evaluated as to potential impairment or foreclosure. If delinquent payments are made and the loan is brought current, then the Company returns the loan to active status and accrues income accordingly. The Company has no loans past due 90 days which are accruing interest.
The Company's direct investments in real estate are not a significant portion of its total investment portfolio as most of these investments were acquired through mortgage loan foreclosures. Due to the bankruptcy filing by Circuit City in 2009, the Company foreclosed on one mortgage loan each during 2010 and 2009. The Company also participates in several real estate joint ventures and limited partnerships that invest primarily in income-producing retail properties. These investments have enhanced the Company's overall investment portfolio returns.
The Company held net investments in mortgage loans totaling $141.2 million and $98.2 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The diversification of the portfolio by geographic region, property type, and loan-to-value ratio was as follows:
(1) Loan-to-Value Ratio using the most recent appraised value
The increase in the greater than 90% category in 2010 compared to 2009 is related to new loans made with a long standing borrower which are backed by the investment property, contracted leases and the guarantee of the borrower.
The Company does not consider its mortgage loans to be a separate portfolio segment. The Company considers its primary class to be property type and primarily uses loan-to-value as its credit risk quality indictor. All loans within the portfolio are analyzed quarterly in order to monitor the financial quality of these assets. Based on ongoing monitoring, mortgage loans with a likelihood of becoming delinquent are identified and placed on an internal “watch list”. Among the criteria that would indicate a potential problem are: major tenant vacancies or bankruptcies, late payments, and loan relief/restructuring requests. The mortgage loan portfolio is analyzed for the need for a valuation allowance on any loan that is on the internal watch list, in the process of foreclosure or that currently has a valuation allowance.
Mortgage loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When it is determined that a loan is impaired, a loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying amount of the mortgage loan and the estimated value reduced by the cost to sell. Estimated value is typically based on the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral less cost to sell. Impairments and changes in the valuation allowance are reported in net realized capital gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of earnings.
The Company recognized valuation losses of $0.4 million, $1.4 million and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The principle balance requiring the valuation allowance was $7.0 million, $9.2 million and $9.2 million in 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively. The amount of interest recorded while these loans were impaired was $0.1 million, $0.3 million and $0.5 million in 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively. The impairments were based on information which indicated that the Company may not collect all amounts in accordance with the mortgage agreement. While the Company closely monitors its mortgage loan portfolio, future changes in economic conditions can result in impairments beyond those currently identified.
The following table represents the mortgage loan allowance for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:
The Company does not recognize interest income on loans past due ninety days or more. The Company had one mortgage loan past due six months or more with a principal balance totaling $7.0 million at December 31, 2010 and two loans in 2009 with total principal balance of $7.0 million. There was no interest income not recognized in 2010 and 2009 for past due loans and approximately $0.4 million not recognized in 2008.
The contractual maturities of mortgage loan principal balances at December 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
The Company's real estate investments totaled approximately $20.1 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and consist primarily of income-producing properties which are being operated by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company recognized operating income on these properties of approximately $1.6 million, $1.2 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company monitors the conditions and market values of these properties on a regular basis and makes repairs and capital improvements to keep the properties in good condition. The Company recorded net realized investment losses of $0.1 million in 2010 and 2008 associated with these properties. There was no recorded net realized gain or loss in 2009.
Derivatives, Index Options
Derivative instruments totaling $80.3 million at December 31, 2010 and $89.9 million at December 31, 2009 consist of call options purchased to support the interest crediting mechanism on the Company’s fixed-indexed annuity and life products. The call options act as hedges to match closely the returns on the underlying index or indices that serve as the basis for the amounts which may be credited to policyholders. The index options are reported at fair value on the reporting date in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and are purchased from a select group of counterparties who maintain high credit ratings and who enter credit support agreements for option values in excess of specified limits. The Company has never incurred a loss on index options due to counterparty default.
Market Risk
Market risk is the risk of change in market values of financial instruments due to changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodity prices, or equity prices. The most significant market risk exposure for National Western is interest rate risk. Substantial and sustained increases and decreases in market interest rates can affect the profitability of insurance products and fair value of investments. The yield realized on new investments generally increases or decreases in direct relationship with interest rate changes. The fair values of fixed income debt securities correlate to external market interest rate conditions as market values typically increase when market interest rates decline and decrease when market interest rates rise. However, market values may fluctuate for other reasons, such as changing economic conditions, market dislocations or increasing event-risk concerns.
Interest Rate Risk
A gradual increase in interest rates from current levels is generally a positive development for the Company. Rate increases would be expected to provide incremental net investment income, produce increased sales of fixed rate products, and limit the potential erosion of the Company’s interest rate spread on products due to minimum guaranteed crediting rates in products. Alternatively, a rise in interest rates will reduce the fair value of the Company’s investment portfolio and if long-term rates rise dramatically within a relatively short time period could expose the Company to disintermediation risk. Disintermediation risk is the risk that policyholders will surrender their policies in a rising interest rate environment forcing the Company to liquidate assets when they are in an unrealized loss position.
A decline in interest rates could cause certain mortgage-backed securities in the Company’s portfolio to be more likely to paydown or prepay. In this situation, the Company typically will be unable to reinvest the proceeds at comparable yields. Lower interest rates will likely also cause lower net investment income, subject the Company to reinvestment rates risks, and possibly reduce profitability through reduced interest rate margins associated with products with minimum guaranteed crediting rates. Alternatively, the fair value of the Company’s investment portfolio will increase when interest rates decline.
The correlation between fair values and interest rates for debt securities the past two years is reflected in the tables below.
During 2010, market interest rates of the ten-year U.S. Treasury bond decreased 54.4 basis points from year end 2009 which would generally be expected to produce unrealized gains in a fixed income debt security portfolio in and of itself. Additionally, the improved liquidity in the corporate bond market during 2010 resulted in the spread between corporate bonds and treasury securities narrowing which caused prices of the Company’s corporate bonds to further rise. These two factors combined to increase the unrealized gain balance by $212.1 million on a portfolio of approximately $7.4 billion at December 31, 2010. The Company would expect similar results in the future from a significant upward or downward movement in market rates. However, since the majority of the Company's debt securities are classified as held to maturity, which are recorded at amortized cost, changes in fair values have relatively small effects on the Company's financial results.
The Company manages interest rate risk through ongoing cash flow testing required for insurance regulatory purposes. Business models are used to perform cash flow testing under various commonly used stress test interest rate scenarios to determine if existing assets would be sufficient to meet projected liability outflows. Sensitivity analysis allows the Company to measure the potential gain or loss in fair value of its interest-sensitive instruments and to protect its economic value and achieve a predictable spread between what is earned on invested assets and what is paid on liabilities. Interest rate changes can be anticipated in the computer models and the corresponding risk addressed by management actions affecting asset and liability instruments. However, potential changes in the values of financial instruments indicated by hypothetical interest rate changes will likely be different from actual changes experienced, and the differences could be significant.
The Company has the ability to adjust interest rates, participation rates, and asset fees and caps, as applicable, in response to changes in investment portfolio yields for a substantial portion of its business in force. The ability to adjust these rates is subject to competitive forces in the market for the Company’s products. Surrender rates could increase and new sales could be negatively affected if crediting rates are not competitive with the rates offered on competing products offered by other insurance companies and financial service entities. The Company designs its products with features encouraging persistency. Interest sensitive life and annuity products have surrender and withdrawal penalty provisions. Depending on the products, surrender charge rates on annuity contracts sold or in force range up to 25% and surrender charge periods up to 15 years. Typically, surrender charge rates gradually decrease each year the contract is in force
The Company seeks to minimize the impact of interest rate risk through surrender charges that are imposed to discourage policy surrenders and to offset unamortized acquisition costs. Certain products, such as supplementary contracts with life contingencies, are not subject to surrender or discretionary withdrawal. The Company also includes a market value adjustment (“MVA”) feature on many of its annuity products which may increase or decrease the amount paid to contract holders upon surrender of their contract as a means to further mitigate interest rate risk. The MVA is a mathematical formula which uses changes in interest rates since the inception of a contract (typically linked to U.S Treasury interest rates) to the date of surrender and will decrease the amount paid upon surrender when interest rates rise or increase the amounts paid when interest rates decline. As noted above, the value of the Company’s fixed debt securities decline in a rising interest rate environment and the MVA feature which decreases amounts paid upon surrender in a rising rate environment serves to discourage this activity. Conversely, in a decreasing interest rate environment surrender activity poses less of a risk to the Company as the value of its fixed debt securities backing the contracts increases. If necessary, the securities backing the contracts surrendered could be sold at a gain offsetting the increased amount paid upon surrender due to the MVA.
The following table profiles the Company’s insurance liabilities at December 31, 2010 for annuities, deposit-type contracts and supplementary contracts with life contingencies by surrender and discretionary withdrawal characteristics.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
The following table illustrates the market risk sensitivity of the Company's interest rate-sensitive assets. The table shows the effect of a change in interest rates on the fair value of the portfolio using models that measure the change in fair value arising from an immediate and sustained change in interest rates in increments of 100 basis points.
The selection of the 100 basis point parallel shift in the yield curve was made only as an illustration of the potential hypothetical impact of such an event and should not be construed as a prediction of future market events. Actual results could vary materially from those illustrated due to the nature of the estimates and assumptions used in the above analysis. Expected maturities of debt securities may differ from contractual maturities due to call or prepayment provisions. The models assume that prepayments on mortgage-backed securities are influenced by agency and pool types, the level of interest rates, loan age, refinancing incentive, month of the year, and underlying coupon. During periods of declining interest rates, principal payments on mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations tend to increase as the underlying mortgages are prepaid. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the rate of prepayment slows. Both of these situations can expose the Company to the possibility of asset-liability cash flow and yield mismatch. The model uses a proprietary method of sampling interest rate paths along with a mortgage prepayment model to derive future cash flows. The initial interest rates used are based on the current U.S. Treasury yield curve as well as current mortgage rates for the various types of collateral in the portfolio.
Mortgage and other loans were modeled by discounting scheduled cash flows through the scheduled maturities of the loans, starting with interest rates currently being offered for similar loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Policy loans were modeled by discounting estimated cash flows using U.S. Treasury Bill interest rates as the base rates at December 31, 2010. The estimated cash flows include assumptions as to whether such loans will be repaid by the policyholders or settled upon payment of death or surrender benefits on the underlying insurance contracts and incorporate both Company experience and mortality assumptions associated with such contracts.
In addition to the securities analyzed above, the Company invests in index options which are derivative financial instruments used to hedge the equity return component of the Company's indexed annuity and life products. The values of these options are primarily impacted by equity price risk, as the options' fair values are dependent on the performance of the underlying reference index. However, increases or decreases in investment returns from these options are substantially offset by corresponding increases or decreases in amounts paid to indexed policyholders, subject to minimum guaranteed policy interest rates.
The Company's market risk liabilities, which include policy liabilities for annuity and supplemental contracts, are managed for interest rate risk through cash flow testing as previously described. As part of this cash flow testing, the Company has analyzed the potential impact on net earnings of a 100 basis point decrease and increases in increments of 100 basis points in the U.S. Treasury yield curve as of December 31, 2010. The potential impact on net earnings from these interest rate changes are summarized below.
These estimated impacts in earnings are net of tax effects and the estimated effects of deferred policy acquisition costs.
The above described scenarios produce estimated changes in cash flows as well as cash flow reinvestment projections. Estimated cash flows in the Company's model assume cash flow reinvestments, which are representative of the Company's current investment strategy. Calls and prepayments include scheduled maturities and those expected to occur which would benefit the security issuers. Assumed policy surrenders consider differences and relationships between credited interest rates and market interest rates as well as surrender charges on individual policies. The impact to earnings also includes the expected effects on amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs. The model considers only annuity and supplemental contracts in force at December 31, 2009, and does not consider new product sales or the possible impact of interest rate changes on sales.
Credit Risk
The Company is exposed to credit risk through counterparties and within its investment portfolio. Credit risk relates to the uncertainty associated with an obligor’s continued ability to make timely payments of principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms of an instrument or contract. As previously discussed, the Company manages credit risk through established investment credit policies and guidelines which address the quality of creditors and counterparties, concentration limits, diversification practices and acceptable risk levels. These policies and guidelines are regularly reviewed and approved by senior managements and the Company’s Board of Directors.
The Company is also exposed to credit spread risk related to market prices of investment securities and cash flows associated with changes in credit spreads. Credit spread tightening will reduce net investment income associated with new purchases of fixed debt securities and increase the fair value of the investment portfolio. Credit spread widening will reduce the fair value of the investment portfolio and will increase net investment income on new purchases.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
Liquidity requirements are met primarily by funds provided from operations. Premium deposits and annuity considerations, investment income, and investment maturities and prepayments are the primary sources of funds while investment purchases, policy benefits in the form of claims, and payments to policyholders and contract holders in connection with surrenders and withdrawals as well as operating expenses are the primary uses of funds. To ensure the Company will be able to pay future commitments, the funds received as premium payments and deposits are invested in high quality investments, primarily fixed income securities. Funds are invested with the intent that the income from investments, plus proceeds from maturities, will meet the ongoing cash flow needs of the Company. The approach of matching asset and liability durations and yields requires an appropriate mix of investments. Although the Company historically has not been put in the position of liquidating invested assets to provide cash flow, its investments consist primarily of marketable debt securities that could be readily converted to cash for liquidity needs. The Company may also borrow up to $40 million on its bank line of credit for short-term cash needs. There were no borrowings outstanding under the line of credit at December 31, 2010.
A primary liquidity concern is the risk of an extraordinary level of early policyholder withdrawals. The Company includes provisions within its annuity and universal life insurance policies, such as surrender and market value adjustment charges, that help limit and discourage early withdrawals. The following table sets forth withdrawal characteristics of the Company's annuity reserves and deposit liabilities (based on statutory liability values) as of the dates indicated.
The actual amounts paid by product line in connection with surrenders and withdrawals for the years ended December 31 are noted in the table below.
The above contractual withdrawals, as well as the level of surrenders experienced, were generally consistent with the Company's assumptions in asset-liability management, and the associated cash outflows did not have an adverse impact on overall liquidity. Individual life insurance policies are less susceptible to withdrawal than annuity reserves and deposit liabilities because policyholders may incur surrender charges and undergo a new underwriting process in order to obtain a new insurance policy. Cash flow projections and tests under various market interest rate scenarios are also performed to assist in evaluating liquidity needs and adequacy. The Company currently expects available liquidity sources and future cash flows to be more than adequate to meet the demand for funds.
In the past, cash flows from the Company's insurance operations have been sufficient to meet current needs. Cash flows from operating activities were $179 million, $138 million and $195 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company also has significant cash flows from both scheduled and unscheduled investment security maturities, redemptions, and prepayments. These cash flows totaled $911 million, $1,050 million and $727 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Cash flows from security maturities, redemptions, and prepayments were relatively higher over the last three years due to the decline in interest rates. These cash flow items could be reduced if interest rates rise in 2011. Net cash flows from the Company's universal life and annuity deposit product operations totaled $856 million, $337 million and $(118) million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Capital Resources
The Company relies on stockholders' equity for its capital resources as there is no long-term debt outstanding and the Company does not anticipate the need for any long-term debt in the near future. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had no commitments beyond its normal operating and investment activities. The Company has declared and paid an annual dividend on its common shares since 2005 although its practice remains to reinvest earnings internally to finance the development of new business. The ability to pay dividends is limited by law in the state of Colorado to earned profits (statutory unassigned surplus). At December 31, 2010 the maximum amount legally available for distribution without further regulatory approval is $87.4 million.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
It is Company practice not to enter into off-balance sheet arrangements or to issue guarantees to third parties, other than in the normal course of issuing insurance contracts. Commitments related to insurance products sold are reflected as liabilities for future policy benefits. Insurance contracts guarantee certain performances by the Company.
Insurance reserves are the means by which life insurance companies determine the liabilities that must be established to assure that future policy benefits are provided for and can be paid. These reserves are required by law and based upon standard actuarial methodologies to ensure fulfillment of commitments guaranteed to policyholders and their beneficiaries, even though the obligations may not be due for many years. Refer to Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a discussion of reserving methods.
The table below summarizes future estimated cash payments under existing contractual obligations.
(1) Refer to Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies, of the accompanying consolidated financial statements relating to Company leases.
(2) Life claims payable include benefit and claim liabilities for which the Company believes the amount and timing of the payment is essentially fixed and determinable. Such amounts generally relate to incurred and reported death and critical illness claims including an estimate of claims incurred but not reported.
(3) Other long-term liabilities include estimated life and annuity obligations related to death claims, policy surrenders, policy withdrawals, maturities and annuity payments based on mortality, lapse, annuitization, and withdrawal assumptions consistent with the Company’s historical experience. These estimated life and annuity obligations are undiscounted projected cash outflows that assume interest crediting and market growth consistent with assumptions used in amortizing deferred acquisition costs. They do not include any offsets for future premiums or deposits. Other long-term liabilities also include determinable payout patterns related to immediate annuities. Due to the significance of the assumptions used, the actual cash outflows will differ both in amount and timing, possibly materially, from these estimates.
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance to provide a single definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair value, and required additional disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities. The Company adopted it for its reporting of financial assets and financial liabilities on January 1, 2008. The effective date for implementation to non financial assets and non financial liabilities was delayed by the FASB until the first reporting period after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted this portion of the guidance effective January 1, 2009. The adoption of fair value measurements did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and results of operations.
In December 2007, the FASB issued new guidance establishing accounting and reporting standards for entities that have equity investments that are not attributable directly to the parent, called noncontrolling interests or minority interests. More specifically, the guidance addresses where and how to report noncontrolling interests in the consolidated statements of financial position and operations, how to account for changes in noncontrolling interests and provides disclosure requirements. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2009 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
In December 2007, the FASB issued new guidance establishing how an entity accounts for the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interests acquired, how to account for goodwill acquired and determines what disclosures are required as part of a business combination, and it applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2009 and it did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
In March 2008, the FASB issued new guidance to require companies with derivative instruments to disclose information about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. This guidance became effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted it on January 1, 2009 with no material impact on the consolidated financial statements. Please see Note 14, Fair Values of Financial Instruments, of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information pertaining to this guidance.
In September 2008, the FASB issued new guidance establishing disclosure requirements by entities that assume credit risk through the sale of credit derivatives, including credit derivatives embedded in a hybrid instrument, to enable users of financial statements to assess the potential effect on its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows from these credit derivatives, and requires additional disclosure about the current status of the payment/performance risk of a guarantee. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2009 and it did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
In December 2008, the FASB issued new guidance which requires information to be disclosed on an annual basis pertaining to postretirement benefit plan assets. The Company would be required to separate plan assets into the three fair value hierarchy levels and provide a rollforward of the changes in fair value of plan assets classified as Level 3. The disclosures about plan assets are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009, but will have no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
In January 2009, the FASB issued new guidance to enhance guidance on impairments to remove the exclusive reliance on a “market participant” estimate of future cash flows to a holder’s estimate of whether there has been a “probable” adverse change in estimated cash flows. This allows management to apply reasonable judgment in assessing whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. It was effective for the Company as of December 31, 2008 and its adoption did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
In March 2009, the FASB issued new guidance establishing enhanced disclosures regarding an entity’s derivative and hedging activity to enable investors to better understand the effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The Company adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2009. See Note 15, Derivative Investments, of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for disclosures regarding derivative instruments and hedging activities.
On April 9, 2009 the FASB issued new guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased and includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. This guidance emphasizes that even if there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, and regardless of the valuation technique(s) used, the objective of a fair value measurement remains the same. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. As further discussed in Note 14, Fair Values of Financial Instruments, of the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
On April 9, 2009 the FASB issued new guidance to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. It was effective for the Company as of June 30, 2009 and did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial position or results of operations. See Note 14, Fair Values of Financial Instruments, of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional disclosures.
On April 9, 2009 the FASB issued new guidance which amended the other-than-temporary impairment guidance for debt securities to make the guidance more operational, and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. It did not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities. This guidance was effective for the Company as of June 30, 2009. The impact of its adoption is discussed in Note 3, Investments, of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
On May 28, 2009 the FASB issued new guidance establishing general standards of accounting for the disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date, but before the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. It was effective for the Company as of June 30, 2009 and did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial position or results of operations. See Note 18, Subsequent Events, of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional disclosures.
On June 12, 2009 the FASB issued new guidance that changes the way entities account for securitizations and special purpose entities. The guidance is effective as of the beginning of the Company’s first annual reporting period beginning after November 15, 2009 and did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or disclosures.
During July 2010 the FASB issued new guidance that requires additional disclosures related to an entity’s financing receivables and the nature of its credit risks related to financing receivables. The effective date is for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this guidance was effective December 31, 2010. See Note 3 Investments, of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional disclosures.
During October 2010 the FASB issued new guidance effecting insurance companies that incur costs in the acquisition of new and renewal insurance contracts. The guidance address the diversity in practice regarding the interpretation for which costs relating to the acquisition of new or renewal business qualifies for deferral. The new guidance specifies the acquisition costs which are capitalizable and those which must be expensed. The effective date is for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the consolidated financial statements.
During January 2011 the FASB issued new guidance which defers the effective date of disclosures about troubled debt restructurings in Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-20. The new anticipated effective date is for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the AICPA, and the SEC did not, or are not believed by management to, have a material impact on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statements.
Change in Accounting
During the second quarter of 2009, the Company reviewed all previously recorded other-than-temporary impairments of securities, in compliance with new FASB GAAP guidance, and estimated the credit versus the non-credit component consistent with the methodology used in the current period to analyze and bifurcate impairments into credit and non-credit components. As a result, the Company determined that $0.8 million in previously recorded other-than-temporary impairments had been due to non-credit impairments.
For each security, the Company developed its best estimate of the net present value of the cash flows expected to be received. The credit component of the impairment for these securities was determined to be the difference between the amortized cost of the security and the projected net cash flows. The non-credit component was determined to be the difference between projected net cash flows and fair value. The Company also determined whether management had the intent to sell the security, or if it was more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security, prior to the recovery of the non-credit component.
As a result of the implementation, during the second quarter of 2009, the Company recorded a net of tax opening balance adjustment that increased retained earnings in the amount of $0.5 million and increased accumulated other comprehensive loss in the amount of $0.5 million.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES
ABOUT MARKET RISK
The information called for by Item 7A is set forth in the Investments section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
See Attachment A, Index to Financial Statements and Schedules.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
There have been no changes in auditors or disagreements with auditors that are reportable pursuant to Item 304 of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure matters.
Internal controls over financial reporting change as the Company modifies and enhances its systems and processes to meet business needs. Any significant changes in controls are evaluated prior to implementation to help ensure continued effectiveness of internal controls and the control environment. While changes have taken place in internal controls during the year ended December 31, 2010, there have been no changes that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of this examination.
The Company's management, with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report and concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of National Western Life Insurance Company ("Company") is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company's financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Under the supervision and participation of the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 was conducted based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework. Based on the Company's assessment under the criteria of this framework, management concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010.
Attestation Report of the Company’s Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Company engages KPMG LLP as the independent registered accounting firm to audit the Company’s financial statements and internal control over financial reporting and express their opinion thereon. A copy of KPMG LLP’s attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is set forth on the page that follows.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Internal controls over financial reporting change as the Company modifies and enhances its systems and processes to meet business needs. Any significant changes in controls are evaluated prior to implementation to help ensure continued effectiveness of internal controls and the control environment. While changes have taken place in internal controls during the year ended December 31, 2010, there have been no changes that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of this examination.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
National Western Life Insurance Company:
We have audited National Western Life Insurance Company’s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, National Western Life Insurance Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of National Western Life Insurance Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010, and our report dated March 16, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
KPMG LLP
Houston, Texas
March 16, 2011
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
There is no information required to be disclosed on Form 8-K for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 which has not been previously reported.
PART III
The information required by Part III is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for our annual meeting of shareholders to be held June 17, 2011 to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after December 31, 2010.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) 1. Listing of Financial Statements
See Attachment A, Index to Financial Statements and Schedules, on page 69 for a list of financial statements included in this report.
(a) 2. Listing of Financial Statement Schedules
See Attachment A, Index to Financial Statements and Schedules, on page 69 for a list of financial statement schedules included in this report.
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or because the information required by the schedule is included elsewhere in the financial statements or notes.
(a) 3. Listing of Exhibits
The exhibits listed below, as part of Form 10-K, are numbered in accordance with the numbering used in Item 601 of Regulation S-K of The Securities and Exchange Commission.
(b) Exhibits
Exhibits required by Regulation S-K are listed as to location in the Listing of Exhibits in Item 15.(a)3 above. Exhibits not referred to have been omitted as inapplicable or not required.
(c) Financial Statement Schedules
The financial statement schedules required by Regulation S-K are listed as to location in Attachment A, Index to Financial Statements and Schedules, on page 69 of this report.
ATTACHMENT A
Index to Financial Statements and Schedules
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or because the information required by the schedule is included elsewhere in the consolidated financial statements or notes.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
National Western Life Insurance Company:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of National Western Life Insurance Company and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited financial statement schedules I and V. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of National Western Life Insurance Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for other-than-temporary impairments in 2009.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), National Western Life Insurance Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 16, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
KPMG LLP
Houston, Texas
March 16, 2011
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
(Continued on next page)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
(Continued on next page)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(A) Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National Western Life Insurance Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“National Western” or "Company"), The Westcap Corporation, Regent Care San Marcos Holdings, LLC, NWL Investments, Inc., NWL Services, Inc., NWLSM, Inc., and NWL Financial, Inc. All significant intercorporate transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
(B) Basis of Presentation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates in the accompanying consolidated financial statements include (1) liabilities for future policy benefits, (2) valuation of derivative instruments, (3) recoverability and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, (4) commitments and contingencies, (5) valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, (6) other-than-temporary impairment losses on debt securities, and (7) valuation allowances for mortgage loans and real estate.
The Company also files financial statements with insurance regulatory authorities which are prepared on the basis of statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Colorado Division of Insurance which are significantly different from consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. These differences are described in detail in the statutory information section of this note.
Certain amounts in the prior year consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
(C) Investments. Investments in debt securities the Company purchases with the intent to hold to maturity are classified as securities held to maturity. The Company has the ability to hold the securities until maturity, as it would be unlikely that forced sales of securities would be required, prior to maturity, to cover payments of liabilities. As a result, securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost less declines in fair value that are deemed other-than-temporary.
Investments in debt and equity securities that are not classified as securities held to maturity are reported as securities available for sale. Securities available for sale are reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements at fair value. Valuation changes resulting from changes in the fair value of the securities are reflected as a component of stockholders' equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). These unrealized gains or losses in stockholders' equity are reported net of taxes and adjustments to deferred policy acquisition costs.
Transfers of securities between categories are recorded at fair value at the date of transfer.
Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the life of the related security as an adjustment to yield using the effective interest method. For mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, the effective interest method is used based on anticipated prepayments and the estimated economic life of the securities. When estimates of prepayments change, the effective yield is recalculated to reflect actual payments to date and anticipated future payments. The net investment in the securities is adjusted to the amount that would have existed had the new effective yield been applied at the time of acquisition. This adjustment is reflected in net investment income.
Quarterly the Company reviews its investment portfolio for market value changes to identify changes caused by issuer credit deterioration, changes in market interest rates and changes in economic conditions. If this review indicates a decline in fair value that is other-than-temporary, the Company’s carrying amount in the investment is reduced to its estimated fair value. In accordance with GAAP guidance the estimated credit versus non-credit components are bifurcated. The credit component is taken through earnings. The non-credit component is reclassified as unrealized loss in other comprehensive income. The Company would not recognize impairment of securities due to changing of interest rates or market dislocations unless the Company had the intent to sell the securities prior to recovery or maturity.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company considers a number of factors in determining whether the impairment is other-than-temporary. These include, but are not limited to: 1) actions taken by rating agencies, 2) default by the issuer, 3) the significance of the decline in fair value, 4) the intent and ability to hold the investment until recovery, 5) the time period during which the decline has occurred, 6) an economic analysis of the issuer’s industry, and 7) the financial strength, liquidity, and recoverability of the issuer. Management performs a security-by-security review each quarter in evaluating the need for any other-than-temporary impairments. Although no set formula is used in this process, the investment performance, collateral position, and continued viability of the issuer are significant measures considered.
Realized gains and losses for securities available for sale and securities held to maturity are included in earnings and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold or called. Decline in the fair value below cost that is deemed other-than-temporary is bifurcated in credit and noncredit declines. The noncredit related declines are reclassified as unrealized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Credit losses are recorded in earnings and result in the establishment of a new cost basis for the security. The new discount or reduced premium amount is amortized over the remaining life of the impaired debt security prospectively based on the amount and timing of future estimated cash flows.
Mortgage loans and other long-term investments are stated at cost, less unamortized discounts, deferred fees, and allowances for possible losses. Policy loans are stated at their aggregate unpaid balances. Real estate is stated at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell.
Impaired loans are those loans where it is probable that all amounts due according to contractual terms of the loan agreement will not be collected. The Company has identified these loans through its normal loan review procedures. Impaired loans include (1) nonaccrual loans, (2) loans which are 90 days or more past due, unless they are well secured and are in the process of collection, and (3) other loans which management believes are impaired. Impaired loans are measured based on (1) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, (2) the loan's observable market price, or (3) the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Substantially all of the Company's impaired loans are measured at the fair value of the collateral. In limited cases, the Company may use other methods to determine the level of impairment of a loan if such loan is not collateral dependent.
While the Company closely manages its investment portfolio, future changes in issuer facts and circumstances can result in impairments beyond those currently identified.
(D) Cash and Short-Term Investments. For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all short-term investments with a maturity at the date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
(E) Derivatives. Fixed-indexed products combine features associated with traditional fixed annuities and universal life contracts, with the option to have interest rates linked in part to an underlying equity index. The equity return component of such policy contracts is identified separately and accounted for in future policy benefits as embedded derivatives on the consolidated balance sheet. The remaining portions of these policy contracts are considered the host contracts and are recorded separately as fixed annuity or universal life contracts. The host contracts are accounted for under debt instrument type accounting. The host contracts are recorded as discounted debt instruments that are accreted, using the effective yield method, to their minimum account values at their projected maturities or termination dates.
The Company purchases over-the-counter indexed options, which are derivative financial instruments, to hedge the equity return component of its indexed annuity and life products. The amounts which may be credited to policyholders are linked, in part, to the returns of the underlying Index. The indexed options act as hedges to match closely the returns on the underlying Index. Cash is exchanged upon purchase of the indexed options and no principal or interest payments are made by either party during the option periods. Upon maturity or expiration of the options, cash is paid to the Company based on the underlying Index performance and terms of the contract. As a result, amounts credited to policyholders' account balances are substantially offset by changes in the value of the options.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company does not elect hedge accounting relative to derivative instruments. The derivatives are reported at fair value in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Changes in the values of the indexed options and changes in the policyholder liabilities are both reflected in the statement of earnings. Any gains or losses from the sale or expiration of the options, as well as period-to-period changes in values, are reflected as net investment income in the statement of earnings. Any changes relative to the embedded derivatives associated with policy contracts are reflected in contract interest in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Although there is credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to the indexed options, the Company does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet their obligations, given their high credit ratings. In addition, credit support agreements are in place with all counterparties for option holdings in excess of specific limits, which may further reduce the Company's credit exposure. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the fair values of indexed options owned by the Company totaled $80.3 million and $89.9 million, respectively.
(F) Insurance Revenues and Expenses. Premiums on traditional life insurance products are recognized as revenues as they become due from policyholders. Benefits and expenses are matched with premiums in arriving at profits by providing for policy benefits over the lives of the policies and by amortizing acquisition costs over the premium-paying periods of the policies. For universal life and annuity contracts, revenues consist of policy charges for the cost of insurance, policy administration, and surrender charges assessed during the period. Expenses for these policies include interest credited to policy account balances, benefit claims incurred in excess of policy account balances and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and sales inducements.
Under GAAP, commissions, sales inducements, and certain expenses related to policy issuance and underwriting, all of which generally vary with and are related to the production of new business, are deferred. For traditional products, these costs are amortized over the premium-paying period of the related policies in proportion to the ratio of the premium earned to the total premium revenue anticipated, using the same assumptions as to interest, mortality, and withdrawals as were used in calculating the liability for future policy benefits. For universal life and annuity contracts, these costs are amortized in relation to the present value of expected gross profits on these policies. The Company evaluates the recoverability of deferred policy acquisition and sales inducement costs on a quarterly basis. In this evaluation, the Company considers estimated future gross profits or future premiums, as applicable for the type of contract. The Company also considers expected mortality, interest earned and credited rates, persistency, and expenses.
A summary of information relative to deferred policy acquisition costs is provided in the table below.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
A summary of information relative to deferred sales inducements is provided in the table below.
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs decreased to $96.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $115.2 million reported in 2009, and $127.1 million in 2008. An unlocking adjustment was recorded in the 2009 year which resulted in an increase of amortization of $5.2 million. This unlocking adjustment was based upon changes to future mortality assumptions reflecting current experience studies and assumption changes to future policy maintenance expenses. An unlocking adjustment was recorded in 2008 which resulted in an increase of amortization of $6.3 million. This unlocking adjustment was based upon changes to future annuitizations and full surrenders reflecting current experience studies. There were no unlocking adjustments in 2010. True-up adjustments were also recorded in 2010, 2009 and 2008 relative to partial surrender rates, mortality rates, credited interest rates and earned rates for the current year’s experience resulting in $4.1 million, $8.4 million and $16.2 million increases in amortization, respectively.
Under GAAP, the liability for future policy benefits on traditional products has been calculated using assumptions as to future mortality (based on the 1965-1970 and 1975-1980 Select and Ultimate mortality tables), interest ranging from 4% to 8%, and withdrawals based on Company experience. For universal life and annuity contracts, the liability for future policy benefits represents the account balance. Fixed-indexed products combine features associated with traditional fixed annuities and universal life contracts, with the option to have interest rates linked in part to an equity index. In accordance with GAAP guidance, the equity return component of such policy contracts must be identified separately and accounted for as embedded derivatives. The remaining portions of these policy contracts are considered the host contracts and are recorded separately as fixed annuity or universal life contracts. The host contracts are accounted for under GAAP guidance provisions that require debt instrument type accounting. The host contracts are recorded as discounted debt instruments that are accreted, using the effective yield method, to their minimum account values at their projected maturities or termination dates. The embedded derivatives are recorded at fair values.
(G) Deferred Federal Income Taxes. Federal income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is provided if all or some portion of the deferred tax asset may not be realized. An increase or decrease in a valuation allowance that results from a change in circumstances that affects the realizability of the related deferred tax asset is included in income in the period the change occurs.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(H) Depreciation of Property, Equipment, and Leasehold Improvements. Depreciation is based on the estimated useful lives of the assets and is calculated on the straight-line and accelerated methods. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the economic useful life of the improvement or the term of the lease.
(I) Statutory Information. Domiciled in Colorado, the Company prepares its statutory financial statements in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Colorado Division of Insurance. The Colorado Division of Insurance has adopted the provisions of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' ("NAIC") Statutory Accounting Practices (“SSAP”) as the basis for its statutory accounting practices.
The following are major differences between GAAP and accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Colorado Division of Insurance (“statutory accounting practices”).
1. The Company accounts for universal life and annuity contracts based on the provisions of GAAP guidance. The basic difference between GAAP guidance and statutory accounting practices with respect to certain long-duration contracts is that deposits for universal life and annuity contracts are not reflected as revenues, and surrenders and certain other benefit payments are not reflected as expenses. Only contracts with no insurance risk qualify for such treatment under statutory accounting practices. For all other contracts, statutory accounting practices do reflect such items as revenues and expenses.
A summary of direct premiums and deposits collected is provided below.
2. Statutory accounting practices require commissions and related costs to be expensed as incurred, whereas under GAAP, these items are deferred and amortized.
3. For statutory accounting purposes, liabilities for future policy benefits for life insurance policies are calculated by the net level premium method or the commissioners reserve valuation method. Future policy benefit liabilities for annuities are calculated based on the continuous commissioners annuity reserve valuation method and provisions of Actuarial Guidelines 33 and 35.
4. Deferred Federal income taxes are provided for temporary differences which are recognized in the consolidated financial statements in a different period than for Federal income tax purposes. Deferred taxes are also recognized in statutory accounting practices; however, there are limitations as to the amount of deferred tax assets that may be reported as admitted assets. The change in the deferred taxes is recorded in surplus, rather than as a component of income tax expense.
5. For statutory accounting purposes, debt securities are recorded at amortized cost, except for securities in or near default, which are reported at fair value. Under GAAP, debt securities are carried at amortized cost or fair value based on their classification as either held to maturity or available for sale.
6. Investments in subsidiaries are recorded at their respective SSAP investment value, whereas the financial statements of the subsidiaries have been consolidated with those of the Company under GAAP.
7. Compensation costs related to the Company’s share based compensation plans are recognized in income based on intrinsic value at each reporting date under statutory accounting. Share based compensation costs on share issued at exercise are recognized as a charge to additional paid in capital. Compensation cost for exercises where share are not issued (shares repurchased or stock appreciation rights) is recognized in come.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
8. The calculation of pension liabilities and net periodic benefit costs are recognized for both statutory and GAAP accounting. However, in accordance with SSAP No. 89, the accumulated benefit obligation in excess of the fair value of plan assets, including unfunded accrued pension costs, is recognized as an additional minimum liability with an equal amount recognized as a non-admitted intangible asset.
9. The asset valuation reserve and interest maintenance reserve, which are investment valuation reserves prescribed by statutory accounting practices, have been eliminated, as they are not required under GAAP.
10. The table below provides the Company’s net gain from operations, net income, unassigned surplus (retained earnings) and capital and surplus (stockholder’s equity), on the statutory basis used to report to regulatory authorities for the years ended December 31.
(J) Stock Compensation. The Company accounts for its share-based compensation for GAAP reporting using liability accounting, and measures compensation cost using the fair value method at each reporting date. For stock options, fair value is determined using an option pricing model that takes into account various information and assumptions including the Company's stock price, volatility, option price, vesting dates, exercise dates and projected option lapses. Under the intrinsic value based method, compensation cost is the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the stock at grant date or other measurement date over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock.
(K) Accounting Standards and Changes in Accounting
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance to provide a single definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair value, and required additional disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities. The Company adopted it for its reporting of financial assets and financial liabilities on January 1, 2008. The effective date for implementation to non financial assets and non financial liabilities was delayed by the FASB until the first reporting period after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted this portion of the guidance effective January 1, 2009. The adoption of fair value measurements did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and results of operations.
In February 2007, the FASB issued new guidance whereby entities are permitted to choose upon adoption, or at specified election dates, to measure at fair value many financial instruments and certain other items. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2008, with no impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements as no eligible financial assets or liabilities were elected to be measured at fair value upon initial adoption. Management will continue to evaluate eligible financial assets and liabilities on their election dates, and will disclose any future elections in accordance with provisions outlined in this guidance.
In December 2007, the FASB issued new guidance establishing accounting and reporting standards for entities that have equity investments that are not attributable directly to the parent, called noncontrolling interests or minority interests. More specifically, the guidance addresses where and how to report noncontrolling interests in the consolidated statements of financial position and operations, how to account for changes in noncontrolling interests and provides disclosure requirements. The Company adopted it effective January 1, 2009, and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In December 2007, the FASB issued new guidance establishing how an entity accounts for the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interests acquired, how to account for goodwill acquired and determines what disclosures are required as part of a business combination, and it applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2009. Adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
In October 2008, the FASB issued guidance clarifying the application of fair value in a market that is not active and illustrates key considerations including the use of an entity’s own assumptions about future cash flows and appropriately risk-adjusted discount rates, appropriate risk adjustments for nonperformance and liquidity risks, and the reliance that an entity should place on quotes that do not reflect the result of market transactions. This guidance was preceded by a press release that was jointly issued by the Office of the Chief Accountant of the SEC and the FASB staff on September 30, 2008 which provided immediate clarification on fair value accounting. The guidance was effective upon issuance and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See Note 14, Fair Values of Financial Instruments, for disclosures regarding the Company’s fair value measurements.
In March 2008, the FASB issued new guidance to require companies with derivative instruments to disclose information about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. This guidance became effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted it on January 1, 2009 with no material impact on the consolidated financial statements. See Note 14, Fair Values of Financial Instruments, for additional information pertaining to this guidance.
In April 2008, the FASB issued guidance amending the prior factors to be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset. The provisions of this guidance are to be applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after January 1, 2009, although the disclosure provisions are required for all intangible assets as of or subsequent to January 1, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
In September 2008, the FASB issued new guidance establishing disclosure requirements by entities that assume credit risk through the sale of credit derivatives, including credit derivatives embedded in a hybrid instrument, to enable users of financial statements to assess the potential effect on its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows from these credit derivatives, and requires additional disclosure about the current status of the payment/performance risk of a guarantee. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2009 and adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
In December 2008, the FASB issued new guidance which requires information to be disclosed on an annual basis pertaining to postretirement benefit plan assets. The Company would be required to separate plan assets into the three fair value hierarchy levels and provide a rollforward of the changes in fair value of plan assets classified as Level 3. The disclosures about plan assets are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009, and did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
In January 2009, the FASB issued new guidance to enhance guidance on impairments to remove the exclusive reliance on a “market participant” estimate of future cash flows to a holder’s estimate of whether there has been a “probable” adverse change in estimated cash flows. This allows management to apply reasonable judgment in assessing whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. It was effective for the Company as of December 31, 2008 and its adoption did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
In March 2009, the FASB issued new guidance establishing enhanced disclosures regarding an entity’s derivative and hedging activity to enable investors to better understand the effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The Company adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2009. See Note 15, Derivative Investments, for disclosures regarding derivative instruments and hedging activities.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On April 9, 2009 the FASB issued new guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased, and includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. This guidance emphasizes that even if there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, and regardless of the valuation technique(s) used, the objective of a fair value measurement remains the same. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. As further discussed in Note 14, Fair Values of Financial Instruments, the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
On April 9, 2009 the FASB issued new guidance to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. It was effective for the Company as of June 30, 2009 and did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial position or results of operations. See Note 14, Fair Values of Financial Instruments, for additional disclosures.
On April 9, 2009 the FASB issued new guidance which amended the other-than-temporary impairment guidance for debt securities to make the guidance more operational, and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. It did not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities. This guidance was effective for the Company as of June 30, 2009. The impact of its adoption is discussed below in Change in Accounting. See also further discussion of other-than-temporary impairments in Note 3, Investments.
On May 28, 2009 the FASB issued new guidance establishing general standards of accounting for the disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date, but before the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. It was effective for the Company as of June 30, 2009 and did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial position or results of operations. See Note 18, Subsequent Events, for additional disclosures.
On June 12, 2009 the FASB issued new guidance that changes the way entities account for securitizations and special purpose entities. The guidance is effective as of the beginning of the Company’s first annual reporting period beginning after November 15, 2009 and did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, or disclosures.
During January 2010, FASB issued new guidance that requires more robust fair value disclosures about the different classes of assets and liabilities measured at fair value. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial position or results of operations.
During July 2010 the FASB issued new guidance that requires additional disclosures related to an entity’s financing receivables and the nature of its credit risks related to financing receivables. The effective date is for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this guidance, effective December 31, 2010, did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.
During October 2010 the FASB issued new guidance effecting insurance companies that incur costs in the acquisition of new and renewal insurance contracts. The guidance address the diversity in practice regarding the interpretation for which costs relating to the acquisition of new or renewal business qualifies for deferral. The new guidance specifies the acquisition costs which are capitalizable and those which must be expensed. The effective date is for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the consolidated financial statements.
During January 2011 the FASB issued new guidance which defers the effective date of disclosures about troubled debt restructurings in Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-20, Receivables (Topic 310). The new anticipated effective date is for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the AICPA, and the SEC did not, or are not believed by management to, have a material impact on the Company's present or future consolidated financial statements.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Change in Accounting
During the second quarter of 2009, the Company reviewed all previously recorded other-than-temporary impairments of securities, in compliance with new FASB GAAP guidance, and estimated the credit versus the non-credit component consistent with the methodology used in the current period to analyze and bifurcate impairments into credit and non-credit components. As a result, the Company determined that $0.8 million in previously recorded other-than-temporary impairments had been due to non-credit impairments.
For each security, the Company developed its best estimate of the net present value of the cash flows expected to be received. The credit component of the impairment for these securities was determined to be the difference between the amortized cost of the security and the projected net cash flows. The non-credit component was determined to be the difference between projected net cash flows and fair value. The Company also determined whether management had the intent to sell the security, or if it was more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security, prior to the recovery of the non-credit component.
As a result of the implementation, during the second quarter of 2009, the Company recorded a net of tax opening balance adjustment that increased retained earnings in the amount of $0.5 million and increased accumulated other comprehensive loss in the amount of $0.5 million.
(2) DEPOSITS WITH REGULATORY AUTHORITIES
The following assets were on deposit with state and other regulatory authorities as required by law, at the end of each year.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(3) INVESTMENTS
(A) Investment Income
The major components of net investment income are as follows:
The Company had real estate investments that were non-income producing for the preceding twelve months totaling $3.2 million, $2.8 million and $1.5 million at December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
(B) Mortgage Loans and Real Estate
A financing receivable is a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in a company’s statement of financial position. The Company’s mortgage loans on real estate are the only financing receivables included in the balance sheet.
In general, the Company originates loans on high quality, income-producing properties such as shopping centers, freestanding retail stores, office buildings, industrial and sales or service facilities, selected apartment buildings, motels, and health care facilities. The location of these properties is typically in major metropolitan areas that offer a potential for property value appreciation. Credit and default risk is minimized through strict underwriting guidelines and diversification of underlying property types and geographic locations. In addition to being secured by the property, mortgage loans with leases on the underlying property are often guaranteed by the lease payments and also by the borrower. This approach has proven to result in quality mortgage loans with few defaults. Mortgage loan interest income is recognized on an accrual basis with any premium or discount amortized over the life of the loan. Prepayment and late fees are recorded on the date of collection.
The Company requires a minimum specified yield on mortgage loan investments. Until recently the low interest rate environment resulted in fewer loan opportunities being available which met the Company's required rate of return. This environment has recently started to change in 2010 and the Company increased its new mortgage loan activity which resulted in an increase of $68.5 million in total loans at the 2010 year-end.
Loans in foreclosure, loans considered impaired or loans past due 90 days or more are placed on a non-accrual status. If a mortgage loan is determined to be on non-accrual status, the mortgage loan does not accrue any revenue into the Consolidated Statements of Income. The loan is independently monitored and evaluated as to potential impairment or foreclosure. If delinquent payments are made and the loan is brought current, then the Company returns the loan to active status and accrues income accordingly. The Company has no loans past due 90 days which are accruing interest.
The Company's direct investments in real estate are not a significant portion of its total investment portfolio as most of these investments were acquired through mortgage loan foreclosures. Due to the bankruptcy filing by Circuit City in 2009, the Company foreclosed on one mortgage loan each during 2010 and 2009. The Company also participates in several real estate joint ventures and limited partnerships that invest primarily in income-producing retail properties. These investments have enhanced the Company's overall investment portfolio returns.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company held net investments in mortgage loans totaling $141.2 million and $98.2 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The diversification of the portfolio by geographic region, property type, and loan-to-value ratio was as follows:
(1) Loan-to-Value Ratio using the most recent appraised value
The increase in the greater than 90% category in 2010 compared to 2009 is related to new loans made with a long standing borrower which are backed by the investment property, contracted leases and the guarantee of the borrower.
The Company does not consider its mortgage loans to be a separate portfolio segment. The Company considers its primary class to be property type and primarily uses loan-to-value as its credit risk quality indictor. All loans within the portfolio are analyzed quarterly in order to monitor the financial quality of these assets. Based on ongoing monitoring, mortgage loans with a likelihood of becoming delinquent are identified and placed on an internal “watch list”. Among the criteria that would indicate a potential problem are: major tenant vacancies or bankruptcies, late payments, and loan relief/restructuring requests. The mortgage loan portfolio is analyzed for the need for a valuation allowance on any loan that is on the internal watch list, in the process of foreclosure or that currently has a valuation allowance.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Mortgage loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When it is determined that a loan is impaired, a loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying amount of the mortgage loan and the estimated value reduced by the cost to sell. Estimated value is typically based on the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral less cost to sell. Impairments and changes in the valuation allowance are reported in net realized capital gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of earnings.
The Company recognized valuation losses of $0.4 million, $1.4 million and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The principle balance requiring the valuation allowance was $7.0 million, $9.2 million and $9.2 million in 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively. The amount of interest recorded while these loans were impaired was $0.1 million, $0.3 million and $0.5 million in 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively. The impairments were based on information which indicated that the Company may not collect all amounts in accordance with the mortgage agreement. While the Company closely monitors its mortgage loan portfolio, future changes in economic conditions can result in impairments beyond those currently identified.
The following table represents the mortgage loan allowance for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:
The Company does not recognize interest income on loans past due ninety days or more. The Company had one mortgage loan past due six months or more with a principal balance totaling $7.0 million at December 31, 2010 and two loans in 2009 with total principal balance of $7.0 million. There was no interest income not recognized in 2010 and 2009 for past due loans and approximately $0.4 million not recognized in 2008.
The contractual maturities of mortgage loan principal balances at December 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
The Company's real estate investments totaled approximately $20.1 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and consist primarily of income-producing properties which are being operated by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company’s real estate holdings are reflected in other long-term investments in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Company records real estate at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated cost to sell, which is determined on an individual asset basis. The Company recognized operating income on these properties of approximately $1.6 million, $1.2 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company monitors the conditions and market values of these properties on a regular basis and makes repairs and capital improvements to keep the properties in good condition. The Company recorded net realized investment losses of $0.1 million in 2010 and 2008 associated with these properties. There was no recorded net realized gain or loss in 2009.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(C) Debt and Equity Securities
The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of securities held to maturity at December 31, 2010.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of securities available for sale at December 31, 2010.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of securities held to maturity at December 31, 2009.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of securities available for sale at December 31, 2009.
The Company's investment policy is to invest in high quality securities with the primary intention of holding these securities until the stated maturity. Such as, the portfolio has exposure to interest rate risk which is the risk that funds are invested today at a market interest rate and in the future interest rates rise causing the current market price on that investment to be lower. This risk is not a significant factor relative to the Company's buy and hold portfolio, since the original intention was to receive the stated interest rate and principal at maturity to match liability requirements to policyholders. Also, the Company takes steps to manage these risks. For example, the Company purchases the type of mortgage-backed securities that have more predictable cash flow patterns.
In addition, the Company is exposed to credit risk which is continually monitored relating to security holdings. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer of a security will not be able to fulfill their obligations relative to a security payment schedule. The Company has reviewed relative information for all issuers in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2010 including market pricing history, credit ratings, analyst reports, as well as data provided by the issuers themselves. The Company then made a determination on each specific issuer relating to other-than-temporary impairment. For the securities that have not been impaired at December 31, 2010, the Company intends to hold these securities until recovery in fair value and expects to receive all amounts due relative to principal and interest.
The Company held below investment grade debt securities totaling $143.5 million and $155.3 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These amounts represent 1.9% and 2.4% of total invested assets for December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Below investment grade holdings are the result of downgrades subsequent to purchase, as the Company only invests in high quality securities with ratings quoted as investment grade. Below investment grade securities generally have greater default risk than higher rated corporate debt. The issuers of these securities are usually more sensitive to adverse industry or economic conditions than are investment grade issuers.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended December 31, 2010 the Company recorded net realized gains totaling $5.5 million related to the disposition of investment securities. The net realized gains included $0.7 million of losses for other-than-temporary impairment write-downs on investments in debt securities. For the years ended December 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded realized losses totaling $5.1 million and $21.8 million, respectively, for other-than-temporary impairment write-downs on investments in debt securities.
The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's held to maturity investments by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2010.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's available for sale investments by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2010.
Liquidity in the bond market improved in 2010 as economic and market conditions started to stabilize. Although the unrealized losses declined substantially in 2010, there continues to be uncertainty in the bond markets regarding the economic recovery and some unrealized losses remain in the Company’s portfolio. The Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired because the Company does not intend to sell these securities until recovery in fair value and expects to receive all amounts due relative to principal and interest.
The Company does not consider securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired where the market decline is attributable to factors such as market volatility, liquidity, spread widening and credit quality where we anticipate a recovery of all amounts due under the contractual terms of the security and have the intent and ability to hold until recovery or maturity. Based on the Company’s review in concert with the Company’s ability and intent to hold these securities until maturity, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2010. The Company will monitor the investment portfolio for future changes in issuer facts and circumstances that could result in future impairments beyond those currently identified.
Debt securities. The gross unrealized losses for debt securities are made up of 234 individual issues, or 22.9% of the total debt securities held by the Company. The market value of these bonds as a percent of amortized cost averages 96.0%. Of the 234 securities, 30, or approximately 12.8%, fall in the 12 months or greater aging category; and 224 were rated investment grade at December 31, 2010. Additional information on debt securities by investment category is summarized below.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. treasury. No securities had a gross unrealized loss.
U.S. government agencies. Eight securities had unrealized losses. All are rated AAA.
State and political subdivisions. The unrealized losses on these investments are the result of holdings in 108 securities. Of these securities, all are rated A or above except 3 which are rated BBB and BBB+. Based on these facts and the Company's intent to hold to maturity, no other-than-temporary loss was recognized as of December 31, 2010.
Foreign governments. No securities had a gross unrealized loss.
Public utilities. Of the 15 securities, all are rated BBB or above. At this time, the Company does not consider any of these unrealized losses as other-than-temporary.
Corporate bonds. Corporate securities with unrealized losses are reviewed based on monitoring procedures described previously; including review of the amount of the unrealized loss, the length of time that the issue has been in an unrealized loss position, credit ratings, analyst reports, and recent issuer financial information. A total of 76 securities had unrealized losses; with 6 issues rated below investment grade. More extensive analysis was performed on these 6 issues. Based on the work performed, none of the unrealized losses are considered other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2010.
Mortgage-backed securities. Of the 18 securities, all are rated AAA except 1, which is rated CCC. The Company generally purchases these investments at a discount relative to their face amount and it is expected that the securities will not be settled at a price less than the stated par. Because the decline in market value is attributable to the current illiquidity in the market and not credit quality, and because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these securities until a recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, and based on the lack of adverse changes in expected cash flows, the Company does not consider these AAA rated investments and 1 CCC rated investment to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2010.
Home equity. Of the 7 securities, 6 are rated AAA and 1 is rated CC. The Company performs a quarterly cash flow analysis on asset-backed securities that are rated below AA. Based on the lack of adverse changes in expected cash flows, the 1 issue rated CC is not considered impaired. 1 AAA security was other-than-temporarily impaired due to adverse cash flows.
Manufactured housing. Of the 2 securities with an unrealized loss, both are rated A or below. Based on lack of adverse changes in expected cash flows, 1 of the securities below A is not considered other-than-temporarily impaired. One security was other-than-temporarily impaired due to adverse cash flows.
Equity securities. The gross unrealized losses for equity securities are made up of 20 individual issues. These holdings are reviewed for impairment quarterly. As of December 31, 2010, 6 equity securities were other-than-temporarily impaired. Total other-than-temporary impairments taken in 2010 on equities were $0.1 million.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's held to maturity investments by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2009.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's available for sale investments by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2009.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The amortized cost and fair value of investments in debt securities at December 31, 2010, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
The Company uses the specific identification method in computing realized gains and losses. The table below details the nature of realized gains and losses, excluding impairments, during the year.
Due to significant credit deterioration in 2009 and 2008, one bond from the held to maturity portfolio was transferred to available for sale and subsequently sold in 2009. The sale resulted in an insignificant realized gain in 2009. No transfers were made out of held to maturity to available for sale in 2010.
Except for U.S. government agency mortgage-backed securities, the Company had no other investments in any entity in excess of 10% of stockholders' equity at December 31, 2010 or 2009.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The table below presents net impairment losses recognized in earnings for the periods indicated.
For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recognized $0.6 million as other-than-temporary impairments on five held to maturity securities and one available for sale asset-backed security which was recognized in earnings as a credit loss. The credit component of the impairment was determined to be the difference between amortized cost and the present value of the cash flows expected to be received, discounted at the original yield. The significant inputs used to project cash flows are estimated future prepayment rates, default rates and default loss severity. Prior to adoption of the FASB guidance issued on April 9, 2009, the amount of impairment recognized in earnings was the difference between amortized cost and fair value.
For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded other-than-temporary impairment write-downs on debt securities consisting of Kellwood ($4.0 million) and eight other securities ($1.1 million).
The $5.4 million of equity impairments in 2008 include Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock holdings ($4.6 million) and mark-to-market write-downs on various other equity holdings.
The table below presents a roll forward of credit losses on securities for which the Company also recorded non-credit other-than-temporary impairments under the new guidance in other comprehensive loss.
*Since the adoption date of the FASB GAAP guidance.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(D) Net Unrealized Gains (Losses)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities included in stockholders' equity at December 31, 2010 and 2009, are as follows:
(E) Transfer of Securities
For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company made transfers totaling $15.8 million and $55.2 million, respectively to the held to maturity category from securities available for sale. Lower holdings of securities available for sale reduce the Company's exposure to market price volatility, while still providing securities available for liquidity and asset/liability management purposes. The transfers of securities were recorded at fair value in accordance with GAAP, which requires that the $0.6 million unrealized holding loss at the date of the transfer continue to be reported in a separate component of stockholders' equity and be amortized over the remaining lives of the securities as an adjustment of yield, in a manner consistent with the amortization of any premium or discount.
(4) REINSURANCE
Effective January 1, 2004, the Company began reinsuring any risk on any one life in excess of $250,000, subject to a minimum amount ceded of $50,000. The Company's general policy prior to that date was to reinsure that portion of any risk in excess of $200,000 on the life of any one individual. Total life insurance in force was $19.7 billion and $18.7 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Of these amounts, life insurance in force totaling $6.5 billion and $5.9 billion was ceded to reinsurance companies, primarily on a yearly renewable term basis, at December 31, 2010 and 2009 respectively. In accordance with the reinsurance contracts, reinsurance receivables including amounts related to claims incurred but not reported and liabilities for future policy benefits totaled $17.7 million and $12.6 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Premiums and contract revenues were reduced by $21.9 million, $20.7 million and $20.4 million for reinsurance premiums ceded during 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Benefit expenses were reduced by $24.4 million, $16.0 million and $7.7 million, for reinsurance recoveries during 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. A contingent liability exists with respect to reinsurance, as the Company remains liable if the reinsurance companies are unable to meet their obligations under the existing agreements. The Company does not assume reinsurance.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(5) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
Total Federal income taxes were allocated as follows:
The provisions for Federal income taxes attributable to earnings from continuing operations vary from amounts computed by applying the statutory income tax rate to earnings before Federal income taxes. The reasons for the differences and the corresponding tax effects are as follows:
There were no deferred taxes attributable to enacted tax rate changes for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2010 and 2009 are presented below.
There was no valuation allowance for deferred tax assets at December 31, 2010 and 2009. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In accordance with GAAP, the Company assessed whether it had any significant uncertain tax positions and determined that there were none. Accordingly, no reserve for uncertain tax positions was recorded. Should the accrual of any interest or penalties relative to unrecognized tax benefits be necessary, it is the Company's policy to record such accruals in its income tax accounts; no such accruals exist as of December 31, 2010 or 2009. The Company and its corporate subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return, which is subject to examination for all years after 2005.
During 2008, the Company was notified that its 2005 tax return amendment, which was filed September 2007, was being audited by the IRS. The audit closed in the third quarter of 2010 with the Company receiving $2.0 million, including interest, which approximated the amount claimed in the amended 2005 tax return.
The Company files a consolidated Federal income tax return with its subsidiaries. Allocation of the consolidated tax liability is based on separate return calculations pursuant to the "wait-and-see" method as described in sections 1.1552-1(a)(1) and 1.1502-33(d)(2) of the current Treasury Regulations. Under this method, consolidated group members are not given current credit for net losses until future net taxable income is generated to realize such credits.
(6) TRANSACTIONS WITH CONTROLLING STOCKHOLDER
Robert L. Moody, Chairman of the Board of Directors, owns 99% of the total outstanding shares of the Company's Class B common stock and 33.8% of the Class A common stock as of December 31, 2010.
Holders of the Company's Class A common stock elect one-third of the Board of Directors of the Company, and holders of the Class B common stock elect the remainder. Any cash or in-kind dividends paid on each share of Class B common stock shall be only one-half of the cash or in-kind dividends paid on each share of Class A common stock. Also, in the event of liquidation of the Company, the Class A stockholders shall first receive the par value of their shares; then the Class B stockholders shall receive the par value of their shares; and the remaining net assets of the Company shall be divided between the stockholders of both Class A and Class B common stock, based on the number of shares held.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(7) PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS
(A) Defined Benefit Pension Plans
The Company sponsors a qualified defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees. The plan provides benefits based on the participants' years of service and compensation. The Company makes annual contributions to the plan that complies with the minimum funding provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). On October 19, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an amendment to freeze the Pension Plan as of December 31, 2007. The freeze ceased future benefit accruals to all participants and closed the Plan to any new participants. In addition, all participants became immediately 100% vested in their accrued benefits as of that date. Going forward future qualified defined benefit plan expense is projected to be minimal. Fair values of plan assets and liabilities are measured as of December 31 for each year. A detail of plan disclosures is provided below.
Obligations and Funded Status
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The accumulated benefit obligation was $19.5 million and $18.5 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
The estimated net loss that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over 2011 will be based on the average expected future service of plan participants. The estimated prior service cost that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over 2011 will be minimal.
Assumptions
The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets is generally set at the rate expected to be earned based on the long-term investment policy of the plan and the various classes of invested funds, based on the input of the plan’s investment advisors and consulting actuary and the plan’s historic rate of return. As of December 31, 2010, the plan’s average 10-year and inception-to-date returns were 2.95% and 6.74%, respectively.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In setting the annual discount rate assumption, the Pension Committee reviews the current 10 year and 30 year corporate bond yields, the current spread to treasuries and their relative change during the past twelve months. It also calculates the present value of the projected benefit payment stream based on the Citigroup Pension Discount Curve. Based on the facts and circumstances currently existing, the Pension Committee elected to use the Citigroup Pension Discount Curve.
In setting the annual portfolio rate of return assumption, the Pension Committee considers the Plan’s actual long-term performance, the portfolio’s current allocation and individual investment holdings, the Committee’s and the Investment Manager’s expectations for future long term investment strategy and expected performance, and the advice of consultants knowledgeable about overall market expectations and benchmark rates of return used by comparable companies.
Plan Assets
As discussed in Note 14, Fair Values of Financial Instruments, the Company adopted GAAP guidance which defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value of financial assets. Using this guidance, the Company has categorized its pension plan assets into a three level hierarchy, based on the priority of inputs to the valuation process. The fair value hierarchy classifications are reviewed annually. Reclassification of certain financial assets and liabilities may result based on changes in the observability of valuation attributes. The following table sets forth the Company’s pension plan assets within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2010.
Investment securities. Fair values for investments in debt and equity securities are based on quoted market prices, where available. For securities not actively traded, fair values are estimated using values obtained from various independent pricing services. In the cases where prices are unavailable from these sources, values are estimated by discounting expected future cash flows using a current market rate applicable to the yield, credit quality, and maturity of the investments.
Cash and short-term investments. The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for these instruments approximate their fair values.
The plan’s weighted-average asset allocations by asset category are as follows:
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company has established and maintains an investment policy statement for the assets held in the plan's trust. The investment strategies are of a long-term nature and are designed to meet the following objectives:
· ensure that funds are available to pay benefits as they become due
· set forth an investment structure detailing permitted assets and expected allocation ranges among classes
· ensure that plan assets are managed in accordance with ERISA
The Pension Plan is a highly diversified portfolio; the 73% of the pension assets not invested in cash or U.S. Government agencies is allocated among 170 different investments, with no single credit representing more than 2.5% of the fair value of the portfolio. The investment policy statement sets forth the following acceptable ranges for each asset's class.
Deviations from these ranges are permitted if such deviations are consistent with the duty of prudence under ERISA. Investments in natural resources, venture capital, precious metals, futures and options, real estate, and other vehicles that do not have readily available objective valuations are not permitted. Short sales, use of margin or leverage, and investment in commodities and art objects are also prohibited.
The investment policy statement is reviewed annually to ensure that the objectives are met considering any changes in benefit plan design, market conditions, or other material considerations.
Contributions
The Company expects to contribute $406,000 to the plan during 2011 although additional amounts may be contributed. The plan’s funding status is reviewed periodically throughout the year by the Company’s Pension Plan Committee. The Company intends to contribute at least the minimum amounts necessary for tax compliance and to maintain an Adjusted Funding Target Attainment Percentage (AFTAP) of over 80% to meet the Pension Protection Act Plan’s threshold.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid (in thousands):
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company also sponsors three non-qualified defined benefit pension plans. The first plan covers certain senior officers and provides benefits based on the participants' years of service and compensation. The primary pension obligations and administrative responsibilities of the plan are maintained by a pension administration firm, which is a subsidiary of American National Insurance Company ("ANICO"), a related party. ANICO has guaranteed the payment of pension obligations under the plan. However, the Company has a contingent liability with respect to the plan should these entities be unable to meet their obligations under the existing agreements. Also, the Company has a contingent liability with respect to the plan in the event that a plan participant continues employment with the Company beyond age seventy, the aggregate average annual participant salary increases exceed 10% per year, or any additional employees become eligible to participate in the plan. If any of these conditions are met, the Company would be responsible for any additional pension obligations resulting from these items. Amendments were made to this plan to allow an additional employee to participate and to change the benefit formula for the Chairman of the Company. As previously mentioned, these additional obligations are a liability to the Company. Effective December 31, 2004, this plan was frozen with respect to the continued accrual of benefits of the Chairman and the President of the Company in order to comply with law changes under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 ("Act").
Effective July 1, 2005, the Company established a second non-qualified defined benefit plan for the benefit of the Chairman of the Company. This plan is intended to provide for post-2004 benefit accruals that mirror and supplement the pre-2005 benefit accruals under the previously discussed non-qualified plan, while complying with the requirements of the Act.
Effective November 1, 2005, the Company established a third non-qualified defined benefit plan for the benefit of the President of the Company. This plan is intended to provide for post-2004 benefit accruals that supplement the pre-2005 benefit accruals under the first non-qualified plan as previously discussed, while complying with the requirements of the Act.
A detail of plan disclosures related to the amendments of the original plan and the additional two plans is provided below:
Obligations and Funded Status
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The accumulated benefit obligation was $18.6 million and $18.9 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
The estimated net loss to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over 2011 will be based on the average expected future service of plan participants. The estimated prior service cost to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over 2011 will be $0.1 million.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Assumptions
The plan is unfunded and therefore no assumption has been made related to the expected long-term return on plan assets.
Plan Assets
The plan is unfunded and therefore had no assets at December 31, 2010 or 2009.
Contributions
The Company expects to contribute $2.0 million to the plan in 2011.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid (in thousands):
(B) Defined Contribution Pension Plans
In addition to the defined benefit pension plans, the Company sponsors a qualified 401(k) plan for substantially all employees and a non-qualified deferred compensation plan primarily for senior officers. The Company made annual contributions to the 401(k) plan of one percent of each employee's compensation in 2010 and 2009, respectively. Additional Company matching contributions of up to two percent of each employee's compensation are also made each year based on the employee's personal level of salary deferrals to the plan. All Company contributions are subject to a vesting schedule based on the employee's years of service. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, Company contributions totaled $429,000, $351,000 and $344,000, respectively.
The non-qualified deferred compensation plan was established to allow eligible employees to defer the payment of a percentage of their compensation and to provide for additional Company contributions. Company contributions are subject to a vesting schedule based on the employee's years of service. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, Company contributions totaled $64,000, $60,000 and $46,000, respectively.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(C) Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans
The Company sponsors two health care plans that were amended in 2004 to provide postretirement benefits to certain fully-vested individuals. The plans are unfunded. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for the plans. A detail of plan disclosures related to these plans is provided below:
Obligations and Funded Status
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
The estimated net loss to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over 2011 will be based on the average expected future service of plan participants. The estimated prior service cost to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over 2011 will be $0.1 million.
Assumptions
For measurement purposes, a 9.0% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2011 and future years.
Assumed health care trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects for the years ended December 31:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Plan Assets
The plans are unfunded and therefore had no assets at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
Contributions
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid (in thousands):
(8) SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
The Company has available a $40 million bank line of credit (with Moody National Bank, a related party) primarily for cash management purposes relating to investment transactions. The Company is required to maintain a collateral security deposit in trust with the sponsoring bank equal to 110% of any outstanding liability. The Company had no outstanding liabilities with the bank at December 31, 2010 or 2009. The Company had assets having an amortized value of $45.9 million on deposit with the lender at year end 2010.
(9) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
(A) Legal Proceedings
The Company was a defendant in a class action lawsuit initially filed on September 17, 2004, in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles. The California state court certified a class consisting of certain California policyholders age 65 and older alleging violations under California Business and Professions Code section 17200. The court additionally certified a subclass of 36 policyholders alleging fraud against their agent, and vicariously against the Company. The California Insurance Department intervened in this case asserting that the Company violated California insurance laws. The parties to this case became involved in court-ordered mediation and ongoing negotiations. On February 22, 2010, the Company reported in a Form 8-K filing a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs and plaintiff in intervention providing a settlement benefit of approximately $17 million which was included in the Company’s legal accrual provision at December 31, 2009. The settlement agreement was given final court approval at a Fairness Hearing on August 20, 2010. Including attorney’s fees, policy benefits and other considerations, the Company paid out approximately $22.4 million in the third and fourth quarters of 2010.
The Company is currently a defendant in a second class action lawsuit pending as of June 12, 2006, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The case is titled In Re National Western Life Insurance Deferred Annuities Litigation. The complaint asserts claims for RICO violations, Financial Elder Abuse, Violation of Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 17200, et seq, Violation of Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 17500, et seq, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Aiding and Abetting Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Fraudulent Concealment, Cal. Civ. Code 1710, et seq, Breach of the Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing, and Unjust Enrichment and Imposition of Constructive Trust. On July 12, 2010 the Court certified a nationwide class of policyholders under the RICO allegation and a California class under all of the remaining causes of action except breach of fiduciary duty. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses in this cause and intends to vigorously defend itself against the asserted claims. No amounts have been provided in the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2010 for this matter.
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In addition to the two class action lawsuits described above, the Company is the named defendant in the case of Sheila Newman vs. National Western Life Insurance Company, which alleged mishandling of policyholder funds by an agent. On February 3, 2010, the 415th Judicial District Court of Parker County in Weatherford, Texas, entered a Final Judgment against the Company of approximately $208,000 including actual damages of $113,000 and amounts for attorney’s fees, and prejudgment interest on the actual damages. In addition, the Final Judgment included $150 million for 2nd exemplary damages. The Company is vigorously defending this case and has appealed the Final Judgment to the Court of Appeals in Ft. Worth, Texas. The Company’s counsel believes the Final Judgment is inconsistent with current state and federal laws and intends to establish on appeal that it is not liable for Newman’s actual or exemplary damages. Further, Company counsel have advised of existing law that governs limits of awards of exemplary damages including: (1) a Texas statute that limits awards of exemplary damages to two times the amount of actual damages, and (2) case law from both the Texas Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court setting the outer limits of exemplary damages to single-digit ratios between actual and exemplary damages, but usually no more than 3 or 4 times the actual damages. The Company has accrued $0.6 million at December 31, 2010 for this matter inasmuch as it believes the record shows there is no basis for an award of exemplary damages in excess of these amounts.
In addition to amounts accrued for incurred and unpaid legal fees, the amounts accrued in the financial statements at December 31, 2010 of $0.6 million for the foregoing lawsuits represent estimates made by the Company based upon current information and are subject to change as facts and circumstances change and develop. Although there can be no assurances, at the present time, the Company does not anticipate that the ultimate liability arising from such other potential, pending, or threatened legal actions will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operating results of the Company.
In January 2009, the SEC published its newly adopted Rule 151A, Indexed Annuities and Certain Other Insurance Contracts. This rule defined “indexed annuities to be securities and thus subject to regulation by the SEC under federal securities laws”. Currently indexed annuities sold by life insurance companies are regulated by the States as insurance products and Section 3(a)(8) of the Securities Act of 1933 provides an exemption for certain “annuity contracts,” “optional annuity contracts,” and other insurance contracts. The Company and others subsequently filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to overturn this rule, which was scheduled to be effective January 12, 2011. The U.S. Court of Appeals (D.C. Circuit) vacated Rule 151A on July 12, 2010. Further, Congress passed and the President signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act on July 21, 2010 (“Dodd-Frank Act”). The Dodd-Frank Act treats annuities as exempt under Sec. 3(a)(8) of the Securities Act of 1933 if they meet a three prong test. The Company does not foresee any significant issues in meeting this test. On October 14, 2010, the Securities and Exchange Commission gave notice that it was withdrawing Rule 151A under the Securities Act of 1933, effective as of the date of publication in the Federal Register.
(B) Financial Instruments
In order to meet the financing needs of its customers in the normal course of business, the Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. These financial instruments are commitments to extend credit which involve elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet.
The Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amounts, assuming that the amounts are fully advanced and that collateral or other security is of no value. Commitments to extend credit are legally binding agreements to lend to a customer that generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Commitments do not necessarily represent future liquidity requirements, as some could expire without being drawn upon. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. The Company controls the credit risk of these transactions through credit approvals, limits, and monitoring procedures.
The Company had $5.2 million of commitments to extend credit relating to mortgage loans at December 31, 2010. The Company evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(C) Guaranty Association Assessments
The Company is subject to state guaranty association assessments in all states in which it is licensed to do business. These associations generally guarantee certain levels of benefits payable to resident policyholders of insolvent insurance companies. Many states allow premium tax credits for all or a portion of such assessments, thereby allowing potential recovery of these payments over a period of years. However, several states do not allow such credits.
The Company estimates its liabilities for guaranty association assessments by using the latest information available from the National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations. The Company monitors and revises its estimates for assessments as additional information becomes available which could result in changes to the estimated liabilities. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, liabilities for guaranty association assessments totaled $2.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively. Other operating expenses related to state guaranty association assessments were minimal for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
(D) Leases
The Company leases various computers and other office related equipment under operating leases. Rental expenses for these leases were $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Total future annual lease obligations as of December 31, 2010, are as follows:
(E) Compensation Plan
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company implemented a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan to provide incentive bonuses to eligible agents. Agents qualify for participation by meeting certain sales goals each year. Company contributions are subject to a vesting schedule based on the agents’ years of qualification in the plan. The Company expects to contribute $0.9 million to the plan in 2011.
(10) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(A) Changes in Common Stock Shares Outstanding
Details of changes in shares of common stock outstanding are provided below.
(B) Dividend Restrictions
The Company is restricted by state insurance laws as to dividend amounts which may be paid to stockholders without prior approval from the Colorado Division of Insurance. The restrictions are based on statutory earnings and surplus levels of the Company. The maximum dividend payment which may be made without prior approval in 2011 is $87.4 million.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On August 20, 2010, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend to stockholders on record as of October 29, 2010 and payable December 1, 2010. The dividends approved were $0.36 per common share to Class A stockholders and $0.18 per common share to Class B stockholders. A dividend in the same amounts per share on Class A and Class B shares was declared in August and paid in November 2009.
(C) Regulatory Capital Requirements
The Colorado Division of Insurance imposes minimum risk-based capital requirements on insurance companies that were developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC"). The formulas for determining the amount of risk-based capital ("RBC") specify various weighting factors that are applied to statutory financial balances or various levels of activity based on the perceived degree of risk. Regulatory compliance is determined by a ratio of the Company's regulatory total adjusted capital to its authorized control level RBC, as defined by the NAIC. Companies below specific trigger points or ratios are classified within certain levels, each of which requires specified corrective action. The Company's current statutory capital and surplus is significantly in excess of all RBC requirements.
(D) Share-Based Payments
The Company has a stock and incentive plan ("1995 Plan") which provides for the grant of any or all of the following types of awards to eligible employees: (1) stock options, including incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options; (2) stock appreciation rights, in tandem with stock options or freestanding; (3) restricted stock; and (4) performance awards. The Company has issued only nonqualified stock options under the 1995 Plan. The 1995 Plan began on April 21, 1995, and was amended on June 25, 2004 to extend the termination date to April 20, 2010. The number of shares of Class A, $1.00 par value, common stocks which were allowed to be issued under the 1995 Plan, or as to which stock appreciation rights or other awards were allowed to be granted, could not exceed 300,000. Effective June 20, 2008, the Company’s shareholders approved a 2008 Incentive Plan (“2008 Plan”). The 2008 Plan is substantially similar to the 1995 Plan and authorized an additional number of Class A, $1.00 par value, common stock shares eligible for issue not to exceed 300,000. These shares may be current authorized and unissued shares.
All of the employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the two Plans. In addition, directors of the Company are eligible to receive the same types of awards as employees except that they are not eligible to receive incentive stock options. Company directors, including members of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee, are eligible for nondiscretionary stock options. The directors’ grants vest 20% annually following one full year of service to the Company from the date of grant. The employees’ grants vest 20% annually following three full years of service to the Company from the date of grant. All grants issued expire after ten years.
Effective during March 2006, the Company adopted and implemented a limited stock buy-back program with respect to the 1995 Plan which provides option holders the additional alternative of selling shares acquired through the exercise of options directly back to the Company. Option holders may elect to sell such acquired shares back to the Company at any time within ninety (90) days after the exercise of options at the prevailing market price as of the date of notice of election. The buy-back program did not alter the terms and conditions of the Plan, however the program necessitated a change in accounting from the equity classification to the liability classification.
In August 2008, the Company implemented another limited stock buy-back program, substantially similar to the 2006 program, for shares issued under the 2008 Plan.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company uses the current fair value method to measure compensation cost. As of December 31, 2010, the liability balance was $4.5 million versus $5.4 million as of December 31, 2009. A summary of shares available for grant and stock option activity is detailed below.
The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $0.3 million and zero for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The total share-based liabilities paid were $300,500 and $19,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the total cash received from the exercise of options under the Plan was $304,600 and zero. The total fair value of shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $1.0 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table summarizes information about stock options and SARs outstanding at December 31, 2010.
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above is based on the closing stock price of $166.72 per share on December 31, 2010.
In estimating the fair value of the options outstanding at December 31, the Company employed the Black-Scholes option pricing model with assumptions as detailed below.
The Company reviewed the contractual term relative to the options as well as perceived future behavior patterns of exercise. Volatility is based on the Company’s historical volatility over the expected term.
The pre-tax compensation cost/(benefit) recognized in the financial statements related to the Plan was $(0.1) million, $1.6 million and $(1.4) million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The related tax (expense)/benefit recognized was $0.0 million, $0.6 million, and $(0.5) million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the total compensation cost related to nonvested options not yet recognized was $1.8 million, $3.3 million, and $1.3 million, respectively. This amount is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years. The Company recognizes compensation cost over the graded vesting periods.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(11) EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share amounts for the Company are presented using two different computations. Basic earnings per share excludes dilutive effects of certain securities or contracts, such as stock options, and is computed by dividing income available to each class of common stockholders on an as if distributed basis by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock, that then shared in the distributed earnings of each class of common stock. Stock options not included in the weighted-average number of diluted shares, because such shares would have been anti-dilutive, were immaterial. U.S. GAAP requires a two-class presentation for the Company’s two classes of common stock (Note 6, Transactions with Controlling Stockholder). Accordingly, the earnings per share for both Class A and Class B are presented. The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(12) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
GAAP guidance requires that all items recognized under accounting standards as components of comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements. This guidance requires that an enterprise (a) classify items of other comprehensive income by their nature in a financial statement and (b) display the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income separately from retained earnings and additional paid-in capital in the equity section of a statement of financial position.
This guidance affects the Company's reporting presentation of certain items such as foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on investment securities, and minimum pension liabilities. These items are reflected as components of other comprehensive income (loss), as reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Components of other comprehensive income (loss) for 2010, 2009 and 2008 and the related tax effect are detailed below.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(13) SEGMENT AND OTHER OPERATING INFORMATION
(A) Operating Segment Information
The Company defines its reportable operating segments as domestic life insurance, international life insurance, and annuities. The Company's segments are organized based on product types and geographic marketing areas. In addition, the Company regularly evaluates operating performance using non-GAAP financial measures which exclude or segregate realized investment gains and losses from operating revenues and earnings. The Company believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures enhances the understanding of the Company's results of operations by highlighting the results from ongoing operations and the underlying profitability factors of the Company's business. The Company excludes or segregates realized investment gains and losses because such items are often the result of events which may or may not be at the Company's discretion and the fluctuating effects of these items could distort trends in the underlying profitability of the Company's business.
A summary of segment information, prepared in accordance with GAAP guidance, is provided below.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Reconciliations of segment information to the Company's consolidated financial statements are provided below.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(B) Geographic Information
A significant portion of the Company's premiums and contract revenues are from countries other than the United States. Premiums and contract revenues detailed by country are provided below.
Premiums and contract revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the policyholder. The Company has no significant assets, other than financial instruments, located in countries other than the United States.
(C) Major Agency Relationships
A significant portion of the Company's annuity sales were sold through the top two independent marketing agencies in recent years. Combined business from the top two agencies accounted for approximately 24% of annuity sales in 2010.
(14) FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted FASB guidance which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP, and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. In compliance with this GAAP guidance, the Company has categorized its financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three level hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized as follows:
Level 1: Fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible to the Company for identical assets or liabilities. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. These generally provide the most reliable evidence and are used to measure fair value whenever available. The Company’s Level 1 assets include equity securities that are traded in an active exchange market. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Level 2: Fair value is based upon significant inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability through corroboration with observable market data as of the reporting date. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted market prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities, model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable and other observable inputs. The Company’s Level 2 assets include fixed maturity debt securities (corporate and private bonds, government or agency securities, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities), preferred stock, certain equity securities, and over-the-counter derivative contracts. The Company’s Level 2 liabilities consist of certain product-related embedded derivatives. Valuations are generally obtained from third party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or determined through use of valuation methodologies using observable market inputs.
Level 3: Fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs which reflect the entity’s or third party pricing service’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The Company’s Level 3 assets include certain equity securities and certain less liquid or private fixed maturity debt securities where significant valuation inputs cannot be corroborated with market observable data. The Company’s Level 3 liabilities consist of share-based compensation obligations. Valuations are estimated based on non-binding broker prices or internally developed valuation models or methodologies, discounted cash flow models and other similar techniques.
The following table sets forth the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the date indicated.
(a) Represents the fair value of certain product-related embedded derivatives that were recorded at fair value.
(b) Represents the liability for share-based compensation.
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company did not make any transfers of assets or liabilities into or out of levels 1, 2 or 3.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table provides additional information about fair value measurements for which significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs were utilized to determine fair value.
Realized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities are reported in the consolidated statements of earnings as net investment gains (losses). Unrealized gains (losses) on debt and equity securities are reported as other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity.
The fair value hierarchy classifications are reviewed each reporting period. Reclassification of certain financial assets and liabilities may result based on changes in the observability of valuation attributes. Reclassifications are reported as transfers into and out of Level 3 at the beginning fair value for the reporting period in which the changes occur.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
GAAP defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is based on an exit price, which is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The objective of a fair value measurement is to determine that price for each financial instrument at each measurement date. GAAP also establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework which prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability used in measuring financial instruments at fair value. Market price observability is affected by a variety of factors including the type of instrument and the characteristics of instruments. Financial instruments with readily available active quoted prices or those for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value. It is the Company’s policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measures.
The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of financial instruments and liabilities during the periods presented in the consolidated financial statements.
Fixed maturity securities. Fair values for investments in debt securities available for sale are based on quoted market prices, where available. For securities not actively traded, fair values are estimated using values obtained from various independent pricing services with any adjustments based upon observable data. In the cases where prices are unavailable from these sources, values are estimated by discounting expected future cash flows using a current market rate applicable to the yield, credit quality, and maturity of the investments.
Equity securities. Fair values for equity securities are based upon quoted market prices, where available. For equity securities that are not actively traded, estimated values are based on values of comparable issues or audited financial statements of the issuer.
Cash and short-term investments. The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for these instruments approximate their fair values due to the relatively short time between the purchase of the instrument and its expected repayment or maturity.
Mortgage and other loans. The fair values of performing mortgage and other loans are estimated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the scheduled maturities of the loans, using interest rates currently being offered for similar loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Fair values for significant nonperforming loans are based on recent internal or external appraisals. If appraisals are not available, estimated cash flows are discounted using a rate commensurate with the risk associated with the estimated cash flows. Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows, and discount rates are judgmentally determined using available market information and specific borrower information.
Policy Loans. The carrying value of policy loans approximates fair values.
Derivatives. Fair values for index (call) options are based on counterparty market prices. The counterparties use market standard valuation methodologies incorporating market inputs for volatility and risk free interest rates in arriving at a fair value for each option contract. Prices are verified by the Company using analytical tools. There are no performance obligations related to the call options purchased to hedge the Company’s fixed indexed life and annuity policy liabilities.
Life interest in Libbie Shearn Moody Trust. The fair value of the life interest is estimated based on assumptions as to future distributions from the Trust over the life expectancy of Mr. Robert L. Moody, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. These estimated cash flows were discounted at a rate consistent with uncertainties relating to the amount and timing of future cash distributions. However, the Company has limited the fair value to the maximum amount to be received from insurance proceeds in the event of Mr. Moody's premature death.
Annuity and supplemental contracts. Fair values for the Company's insurance contracts other than annuity contracts are not required to be disclosed. This includes the Company's traditional and universal life products. Fair values for immediate annuities without mortality features are based on the discounted future estimated cash flows using current market interest rates for similar maturities. Fair values for deferred annuities, including fixed-indexed annuities, are determined using estimated projected future cash flows discounted at the rate that would be required to transfer the liability in an orderly transaction. The fair values of liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in the Company's overall management of interest rate risk, which minimizes exposure to changing interest rates through the matching of investment maturities with amounts due under insurance and annuity contracts.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company utilizes independent third-party pricing services to determine the majority of its fair values of investment securities. The independent pricing services provide quoted market prices when available or otherwise incorporate a variety of observable market data in their valuation techniques including reported trading prices, broker-dealer quotes, bids and offers, benchmark securities, benchmark yields, credit ratings, and other reference data. The Company reviews prices received from service providers for unusual fluctuations to ensure that the prices represent a reasonable estimate of fair value but generally accepts the price identified from the primary pricing service.
When quoted market prices in active markets are unavailable, the Company determines fair values using various valuation techniques and models based on a range of observable market inputs including pricing models, quoted market price of publicly traded securities with similar duration and yield, time value, yield curve, prepayment speeds, default rates and discounted cash flow. In most cases, these estimates are determined based on independent third party valuation information, and the amounts are disclosed in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Generally, the Company obtains a single price or quote per instrument from independent third parties to assist in establishing the fair value of these investments.
Fair value measurements for investment securities where there exists limited or no observable data are calculated using the Company’s own estimates based on current interest rates, credit spreads, liquidity premium or discount, the economic and competitive environment, unique characteristics of the security and other pertinent factors. These estimates are derived a number of ways including, but not limited to, pricing provided by brokers where the price indicates reliability as to value, fair values of comparable securities incorporating a spread adjustment (for maturity differences, credit quality, liquidity, collateralization), discounted cash flow models and margin spreads, bond yield curves, and observable market prices and exchange transaction information not provided by external pricing services. The resulting prices may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement and there may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique. In addition, changes in underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results of current or future values.
The following table presents, by pricing source and fair value hierarchy level, the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's financial instruments are as follows:
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information and information about the financial instruments. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company's entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a portion of the Company's financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
(15) DERIVATIVE INVESTMENTS
Fixed-indexed products provide traditional fixed annuities and universal life contracts with the option to have credited interest rates linked in part to an underlying equity index or a combination of equity indices. The equity return component of such policy contracts is identified separately and accounted for in future policy benefits as embedded derivatives on the consolidated balance sheet. The remaining portions of these policy contracts are considered the host contracts and are recorded separately as fixed annuity or universal life contracts. The host contracts are accounted for under debt instrument type accounting in which future policy benefits are recorded as discounted debt instruments that are accreted, using the effective yield method, to their minimum account values at their projected maturities or termination dates.
The Company purchases over-the-counter index options, which are derivative financial instruments, to hedge the equity return component of its fixed-indexed annuity and life products. The index options act as hedges to match closely the returns on the underlying index or indices. The amounts which may be credited to policyholders are linked, in part, to the returns of the underlying index or indices. As a result, changes to policyholders' liabilities are substantially offset by changes in the value of the options. Cash is exchanged upon purchase of the index options and no principal or interest payments are made by either party during the option periods. Upon maturity or expiration of the options, cash may be paid to the Company depending on the performance of the underlying index or indices and terms of the contract.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company does not elect hedge accounting relative to these derivative instruments. The index options are reported at fair value in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The changes in the values of the index options and the changes in the policyholder liabilities are both reflected in the consolidated statement of earnings. Any changes relative to the embedded derivatives associated with policy contracts are reflected in contract interest in the consolidated statement of earnings. Any gains or losses from the sale or expiration of the options, as well as period-to-period changes in values, are reflected as net investment income in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Although there is credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to the index options, the Company does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet their obligations, given their high credit ratings. In addition, credit support agreements are in place with all counterparties for option holdings in excess of specific limits, which may further reduce the Company's credit exposure.
The tables below present the fair value of derivative instruments.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The table below presents the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statement of earnings for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
(16) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Robert L. Moody, Jr. ("Mr. Moody, Jr.") is the son of Robert L. Moody, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and is the brother of Ross R. Moody, the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer, and of Russell S. Moody and Frances A. Moody-Dahlberg who serve as directors of National Western.
Mr. Moody, Jr. wholly owns an insurance marketing organization that maintains agency contracts with National Western pursuant to which agency commissions are paid in accordance with the Company's standard commission schedules. Mr. Moody, Jr. also maintains an independent agent contract with National Western for policies personally sold under which commissions are paid in accordance with standard commission schedules. In 2010, commissions paid under these agency contracts aggregated approximately $403,000. In his capacity as an insurance marketing organization with the Company, Mr. Moody, Jr. also received marketing consulting fees of $48,000 and use of a Company vehicle valued at $7,000.
Mr. Moody, Jr. further serves as the agent of record for several of the Company's benefit plans including the self-insured health plan for which Mr. Moody, Jr. provides utilization review services through a wholly-owned utilization review company. In 2010, amounts paid to Mr. Moody, Jr. as commissions and service fees pertaining to the Company's benefit plans approximated $74,000.
Mr. Moody, Jr. is an Advisory Director of a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. As an Advisory Director, Mr. Moody, Jr. did not receive director fees during 2010, but received $1,854 of Company paid guest travel to attend Company sales conferences and functions.
During 2010, management fees totaling $886,563 were paid to Regent Management Services, Limited Partnership ("RMS") for services provided to downstream nursing home subsidiaries of National Western. RMS is 1% owned by general partner RCC Management Services, Inc. ("RCC"), and 99% owned by limited partner, Three R Trusts. RCC is 100% owned by the Three R Trusts. The Three R Trusts are four Texas trusts for the benefit of the children of Robert L. Moody (Robert L. Moody, Jr., Ross R. Moody, Russell S. Moody, and Frances A. Moody-Dahlberg). Charles D. Milos, Senior Vice President-Mortgage Loans and Real Estate, and a director of the Company, is a director and President of RCC. Ellen C. Otte, Assistant Secretary of the Company, is a director and Secretary of RCC.
The Company holds a common stock investment totaling approximately 6.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Moody Bancshares, Inc. at December 31, 2010. Moody Bancshares, Inc. owns 100% of the outstanding shares of Moody Bank Holding Company, Inc., which owns approximately 98% of the outstanding shares of The Moody National Bank of Galveston ("MNB"). The Company utilizes MNB for certain bank custodian services as well as for certain administrative services with respect to the Company's defined benefit and contribution plans. Effective November 1, 2008, the Company entered into a 36 month sublease on one of the Company’s leased office locations for $6,000 per month with Moody National Bank. Robert L. Moody, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of MNB. The ultimate controlling person of MNB is the Three R Trusts. During 2010, fees totaling $227,455 were paid to MNB with respect to these services.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
During 2010, the Company paid American National Insurance Company (“ANICO”) $119,877 in premiums for certain company sponsored benefit plans and $1,180,596 in reimbursements for claim costs for which ANICO provides third party administrative services. ANICO paid the Company $1,328,170 in premiums for its company sponsored benefit plans. Robert L. Moody, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is also ANICO’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
(17) UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
Quarterly results of operations for 2010 are summarized as follows:
Quarterly results of operations for 2009 are summarized as follows:
During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company determined that $3.5 million of additional amortization of deferred sales inducements was incorrectly recorded in the third quarter of 2010 related the use of the new GAAP model year which begins during the third quarter. In the fourth quarter the Company under-amortized by $3.5 million. This immaterial error was not material to the third or fourth quarter consolidated financial statements and therefore not restated. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company determined that $3.2 million of additional amortization of deferred sales inducements should have been recorded in the third quarter of 2008 related to the unlocking of assumptions in that quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2008 the Company recorded $3.2 million of amortization. This immaterial error was not material to the third or fourth quarter consolidated financial statements.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(18) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent events have been evaluated and no reportable items were identified.
Notes:
(1) Bonds are shown at amortized cost, mortgage loans are shown at unpaid principal balances before allowances for possible losses, and real estate is stated at cost before allowances for possible losses.
(2) Equity securities with related parties having a cost of $0.2 million and balance sheet amount of $7.6 million have been excluded.
(3) Real estate acquired by foreclosure included in other long-term investments is as follows: cost $2.5 million; balance sheet amount $2.1 million.
See accompanying report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Notes:
(1) These amounts were recorded to realized (gains) losses on investments.
See accompanying report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(Registrant)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.