Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
Omitted as registrant is neither an accelerated filer nor a well-known seasoned issuer.
The Company’s home office is located at One Orange Way, Windsor, Connecticut, 06095-4774. All Company office space other than the home office is leased or subleased by the Company or its other affiliates. The Company pays substantially all expenses associated with its owned or leased and subleased office properties. Affiliates within ING’s U.S. operations provide the Company with various management, finance, investment management and other administrative services, primarily from facilities located at 5780 Powers Ferry Road, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30327-4390. The affiliated companies are reimbursed for the Company’s use of these services and facilities under a variety of intercompany agreements.
Item 3.
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
The Company is involved in threatened or pending lawsuits/arbitrations arising from the normal conduct of business. Due to the climate in insurance and business litigation/arbitrations, suits against the Company sometimes include claims for substantial compensatory, consequential, or punitive damages, and other types of relief. Moreover, certain claims are asserted as class actions, purporting to represent a group of similarly situated individuals. While it is not possible to forecast the outcome of such lawsuits/arbitrations, in light of existing insurance, reinsurance, and established reserves, it is the opinion of management that the disposition of such lawsuits/arbitrations will not have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s operations or financial position.
Item 4.
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2)(c) of Form 10-K.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
There is no public trading market for the common stock of ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company (“ILIAC”). All of ILIAC’s outstanding common stock is owned by its parent, Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc. (“Lion” or “Parent”), a Connecticut holding and management company. All of the outstanding common stock of Lion is owned by ING America Insurance Holdings, Inc. (“ING AIH”), whose ultimate parent is ING Groep N.V. (“ING”).
ILIAC’s ability to pay dividends to its Parent is subject to the prior approval of insurance regulatory authorities of the State of Connecticut for payment of any dividend, which, when combined with other dividends paid within the preceding twelve months, exceeds the greater of (1) ten percent (10%) of ILIAC’s statutory surplus at the prior year end or (2) ILIAC’s prior year statutory net gain from operations.
During 2008, ILIAC did not pay any dividends to Lion. During 2007 and 2006, ILIAC paid $145.0 and $256.0, respectively, in dividends on its common stock to Lion.
During 2006, Lion contributed to ILIAC, Directed Services, Inc., which had $50.5 in equity on the date of contribution and was accounted for in a manner similar to a pooling-of-interests. During 2008, 2007, and 2006, ILIAC did not receive any cash capital contributions from Lion.
On November 12, 2008, ING issued to The State of the Netherlands (the “Dutch State”) non-voting Tier 1 securities for a total consideration of Euro 10 billion. On February 24, 2009, $2.2 billion was contributed to direct and indirect insurance company subsidiaries of ING AIH, of which $365.0 was contributed to the Company. The contribution was comprised of the proceeds from the investment by the Dutch State and the redistribution of currently existing capital within ING.
Item 6.
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
ING LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
3-YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected financial data has been derived from the consolidated financial statements. The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, which can be found under Part II, Item 7.
Item 7.
Management’s Narrative Analysis of the Results of Operations and Financial Condition
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Overview
The following narrative analysis presents a review of the consolidated results of operations of ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company (“ILIAC”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) for each of the three years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, and financial condition as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. This item should be read in its entirety and in conjunction with the selected financial data, consolidated financial statements and related notes, and other supplemental data, which can be found under Part II, Item 6. and Item 8. contained herein.
Forward-Looking Information/Risk Factors
In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company cautions readers regarding certain forward-looking statements contained in this report and in any other statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company, whether or not in future filings with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Forward-looking statements are statements not based on historical information and which relate to future operations, strategies, financial results, or other developments. Statements using verbs such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” or words of similar import, generally involve forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, forward-looking statements include statements that represent the Company’s beliefs concerning future levels of sales and redemptions of the Company’s products, investment spreads and yields, or the earnings and profitability of the Company’s activities.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company’s control and many of which are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. Whether or not actual results differ materially from forward-looking statements may depend on numerous foreseeable and unforeseeable developments, including, but not limited to the following:
(1)
The current financial crisis has reached unprecedented levels of market volatility and has adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations;
(2)
Continuing adverse financial market conditions may significantly affect the Company’s ability to meet liquidity needs, access to capital and cost of capital;
(3)
The amount of statutory capital that the Company must hold to maintain its financial strength and credit ratings can vary significantly from time to time and is sensitive to a number of factors outside of the Company’s control;
(4)
The Company has experienced ratings downgrades recently and may experience additional future downgrades in the Company’s ratings which may negatively affect profitability and financial condition;
(5)
Regulatory initiatives intended to alleviate the current financial crisis that have been adopted may not be effective and, in any event, may be accompanied by other initiatives, including new capital requirements or other regulations, that could materially affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity;
(6)
The valuation of many of the Company’s financial instruments include methodologies, estimations and assumptions that are subject to differing interpretations and could result in changes to investment valuations that may materially adversely affect results of operations and financial condition;
(7)
If assumptions used in estimating future gross profits differ from actual experience, the Company may be required to accelerate the amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs (“DAC”), which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition;
(8)
If the Company’s business does not perform well, the Company may be required to establish an additional valuation allowance against the deferred income tax asset, which could have a material adverse effect on results of operations and financial condition;
(9)
Reinsurance subjects the Company to the credit risk of reinsurers and may not be adequate to protect against losses arising from ceded reinsurance;
(10)
The inability of counterparties to meet their financial obligations could have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations;
(11)
Changes in underwriting and actual experience could materially affect profitability;
(12)
A loss of key product distribution relationships could materially affect sales;
(13)
Competition could negatively affect the ability to maintain or increase profitability;
(14)
Changes in federal income tax law or interpretations of existing tax law could affect profitability and financial condition by making some products less attractive to contractowners and increasing tax costs of contractowners or the Company;
(15)
Litigation may adversely affect profitability and financial condition;
(16)
Changes in regulation in the United States and recent regulatory investigations may reduce profitability;
(17)
The Company’s products are subject to extensive regulation and failure to meet any of the complex product requirements may reduce profitability;
(18)
A failure of the Company’s operating systems or a compromise of security with respect to operating systems or portable electronic devices could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition;
(19)
The occurrence of natural or man-made disasters may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition; and
(20)
The occurrence of unidentified or unanticipated risks could negatively affect the Company’s business or result in losses.
Investors are also directed to consider the risks and uncertainties discussed in Items 1A., 7., and 7A. contained herein, as well as in other documents filed by the Company with the SEC. Except as may be required by the federal securities laws, the Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking information.
Basis of Presentation
ILIAC is a stock life insurance company domiciled in the state of Connecticut. ILIAC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries are providers of financial products and services in the United States. ILIAC is authorized to conduct its insurance business in all states and in the District of Columbia.
The consolidated financial statements include ILIAC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, ING Financial Advisers, LLC (“IFA”) and Directed Services LLC (“DSL”). ILIAC is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc. (“Lion” or “Parent”), which is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of ING Groep N.V. (“ING”). ING is a global financial services holding company based in The Netherlands, with American Depository Shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ING.”
On December 1, 2006, Lion contributed to ILIAC, Directed Services, Inc. (“DSI”), a New York corporation registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, whose primary functions were the distribution of variable insurance products and investment advisory services for open-end mutual funds. Additionally, on December 12, 2006, ILIAC organized DSL as a wholly-owned Delaware limited liability company. On December 31, 2006, DSI merged with and into DSL and ceased to exist. Upon merger, the operations and broker-dealer and investment advisor registrations of DSI were consolidated into DSL, the surviving company. Effective January 1, 2007, ILIAC’s investment advisory agreement with certain variable funds offered in Company products was assigned to DSL.
On May 11, 2006, ILIAC organized Northfield Windsor LLC (“NWL”) as a wholly-owned subsidiary for the purpose of purchasing, constructing, developing, leasing, and managing a new corporate office facility to be located at One Orange Way, Windsor, Connecticut (the “Windsor Property”). Effective October 1, 2007, the principal executive office of ILIAC was changed to One Orange Way, Windsor, Connecticut.
On October 31, 2007, ILIAC’s subsidiary, NWL merged with and into ILIAC. As of the merger date, NWL ceased to exist, and ILIAC became the surviving corporation. The merger did not have an impact on ILIAC’s consolidated results of operations and financial position, as NWL was a wholly-owned subsidiary and already included in the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented since its formation.
The Company has one operating segment.
Critical Accounting Policies
General
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the use of estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related footnotes. These estimates and assumptions are evaluated on an on-going basis based on historical developments,
market conditions, industry trends, and other information that is reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will conform to estimates and assumptions, and that reported results of operations will not be materially adversely affected by the need to make future accounting adjustments to reflect changes in these estimates and assumptions from time to time.
The Company has identified the following estimates as critical in that they involve a higher degree of judgment and are subject to a significant degree of variability: reserves, income taxes, valuation of investments and other-than-temporary impairments, and amortization of DAC and value of business acquired (“VOBA”). In developing these estimates, management makes subjective and complex judgments that are inherently uncertain and subject to material changes as facts and circumstances develop. Although variability is inherent in these estimates, management believes the amounts provided are appropriate based upon the facts available upon compilation of the consolidated financial statements.
Reserves
The Company records as liabilities reserves to meet the Company’s future obligations under its variable annuity and fixed annuity products.
Future policy benefits and claims reserves include reserves for deferred annuities and immediate annuities with and without life contingent payouts.
Reserves for individual and group deferred annuity investment contracts and individual immediate annuities without life contingent payouts are equal to cumulative deposits, less charges and withdrawals, plus credited interest thereon, net of adjustments for investment experience that the Company is entitled to reflect in future credited interest. Credited interest rates vary by product and range from 1.6% to 7.8% for the years 2008, 2007, and 2006. Certain reserves also may include net unrealized gains and losses related to investments and unamortized net realized gains and losses on investments for experience-rated contracts. Reserves on experience-rated contracts reflect the rights of contractowners, plan participants, and the Company. During 2008, the Company did not include net unrealized and unamortized realized losses associated with experience-rated contracts in Future policy benefits and claims reserves. Reserves for group immediate annuities without life contingent payouts are equal to the discounted value of the payment at the implied break-even rate. The net unrealized losses are reflected in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, and the amortization of the unamortized realized losses has been recorded in Interest credited and other benefits to contractowners.
Reserves for individual immediate annuities with life contingent payout benefits are computed on the basis of assumed interest discount rates, mortality, and expenses, including a margin for adverse deviations. Such assumptions generally vary by annuity type plan, year of issue, and policy duration. For the years 2008, 2007, and 2006, reserve interest rates ranged from 5.3% to 5.9%.
The Company records reserves for product guarantees, which can be either assets or liabilities, for annuity contracts containing guaranteed credited rates. The guarantee is treated as an embedded derivative or a stand-alone derivative (depending on the underlying product) and is reported at fair value in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 133”), FAS No. 97, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration Contracts and for Realized Gains and Losses from the Sale of Investments” (“FAS 97”), and FAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). The adoption of FAS 157 did not have a significant impact on the valuation of these product guarantees.
The Company has a significant concentration of reinsurance arising from the disposition of its individual life insurance business. In 1998, the Company entered into an indemnity reinsurance arrangement with certain subsidiaries of Lincoln National Corporation (“Lincoln”). Effective March 1, 2007, the reinsurance agreements were assigned to a single subsidiary of Lincoln, and that subsidiary established a trust to secure its obligations to the Company under the reinsurance transaction. The Company includes an amount in Reinsurance recoverable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, which equals the Company’s total individual life reserves. Individual life reserves are included in Future policy benefits and claims reserves of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Certain variable annuity contracts offer guaranteed minimum death benefits (“GMDB”). The GMDB is accrued in the event the customer’s account value at death is below the guaranteed value and is included in reserves. See Item I, Business, “Products and Services”, for a description of the GMDBs.
Income Taxes
Management uses certain assumptions and estimates in determining the income taxes payable or refundable for the current year, the deferred income tax liabilities and assets for items recognized differently in its financial statements from amounts shown on its income tax returns, and the federal income tax expense. Determining these amounts requires analysis and interpretation of current tax laws and regulations, including the loss limitation rules associated with change in control. Management exercises considerable judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of the resulting income tax liabilities and assets. These judgments and estimates are reevaluated on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change.
Valuation of Investments and Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
All of the Company’s fixed maturities and equity securities are currently designated as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value and unrealized capital gains (losses) on these securities are recorded directly in Shareholder’s equity, after adjustment, if required, for related changes in experience-rated contract allocations, DAC, VOBA, and deferred income taxes. The Company’s valuation methods for investments did not change with the adoption of FAS 157.
The fair values for the actively traded marketable fixed maturities are determined based upon the quoted market prices or dealer quotes. The fair values for marketable bonds without an active market are obtained through several commercial pricing services, which provide the estimated fair values. These services incorporate a variety of market observable information in their valuation techniques, including benchmark yields, broker-dealer quotes, credit quality, issuer spreads, bids, offers and other reference data. Valuations obtained from third party commercial pricing services are non-binding and are validated monthly through comparisons to internal pricing models, back testing to recent trades, and monitoring of trading volumes.
Fair values of privately placed bonds are determined using a matrix-based pricing model. The model considers the current level of risk-free interest rates, current corporate spreads, the credit quality of the issuer, and cash flow characteristics of the security. Also considered are factors such as the net worth of the borrower, the value of collateral, the capital structure of the borrower, the presence of guarantees, and the Company’s evaluation of the borrower’s ability to compete in their relevant market. Using this data, the model generates estimated market values, which the Company considers reflective of the fair value of each privately placed bond.
The fair values for certain collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMO-Bs”) are determined by taking the average of broker quotes when more than one broker quote is provided. A few of the CMO-Bs are priced by the originating broker due to the complexity and unique characteristics of the asset.
The fair values for actively traded equity securities are based on quoted market prices.
Mortgage loans on real estate are reported at amortized cost, less impairment write-downs. If the value of any mortgage loan is determined to be impaired (i.e., when it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement), the carrying value of the mortgage loan is reduced to the present value of expected cash flows from the loan, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or fair value of the collateral. If the loan is in foreclosure, the carrying value is reduced to the fair value of the underlying collateral, net of estimated costs to obtain and sell. The carrying value of the impaired loans is reduced by establishing a permanent write-down recorded in Net realized capital gains (losses).
The fair value of policy loans is equal to the carrying, or cash surrender, value of the loans. Policy loans are fully collateralized by the account value of the associated insurance contracts.
The fair values for short-term investments are based on quoted market prices.
Derivative instruments are reported at fair value primarily using the Company’s derivative accounting system. The system uses key financial data, such as yield curves, exchange rates, Standard and Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index prices, and London Inter Bank Offered Rates (“LIBOR”), which are obtained from third party sources and uploaded into the system. For those derivatives that are unable to be valued by the accounting system, the Company typically utilizes values established by third party brokers. Embedded derivative instruments are reported at fair value based upon internally established valuations that are consistent with external valuation models or market guidelines.
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between knowledgeable, unrelated willing parties. As such, the estimated fair value of a financial instrument may differ significantly from the amount that could be realized if the security was sold immediately.
The Company’s accounting policy requires that a decline in the value of an investment below its amortized cost basis be assessed to determine if the decline is other-than-temporary. If so, the investment is deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, and a charge is recorded in Net realized capital gains (losses) equal to the difference between fair value and the amortized cost basis of the investment. The fair value of the other-than-temporarily impaired investment becomes its new cost basis.
The evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments included in the Company’s general account is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to risks and uncertainties and is intended to determine whether declines in the fair value of investments should be recognized in current period earnings. The risks and uncertainties include the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost, the issuer’s financial condition and near-term prospects, future economic conditions and market forecasts, and the Company’s intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery in fair value.
In addition, the Company invests in structured securities that meet the criteria of Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 99-20, “Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets” (“EITF 99-20”). Under EITF 99-20, a determination of the required impairment is based on the analysis discussed in the preceding paragraph, as well as credit risk and the possibility of significant prepayment risk that restricts the Company’s ability to recover the investment. An impairment is recognized if the fair value of the security is less than amortized cost and there has been an adverse change in cash flow since the last remeasurement date.
Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired
DAC represents policy acquisition costs that have been capitalized and are subject to amortization. Such costs consist principally of certain commissions, underwriting, contract issuance, and certain agency expenses, related to the production of new and renewal business.
VOBA represents the outstanding value of in force business capitalized in purchase accounting when the Company was acquired and is subject to amortization. The value is based on the present value of estimated net cash flows embedded in the Company’s contracts.
FAS 97 applies to universal life and investment-type products, such as fixed and variable deferred annuities. Under FAS 97, DAC and VOBA are amortized, with interest, over the life of the related contracts in relation to the present value of estimated future gross profits from investment, mortality, and expense margins, plus surrender charges.
Contractowners may periodically exchange one contract for another, or make modifications to an existing contract. Beginning January 1, 2007, these transactions are identified as internal replacements and are accounted for in accordance with Statement of Position (“SOP”) 05-1, “Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection with Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts” (“SOP 05-1”).
Internal replacements that are determined to result in substantially unchanged contracts are accounted for as continuations of the replaced contracts. Any costs associated with the issuance of the new contracts are considered maintenance costs and expensed as incurred. Unamortized DAC and VOBA related to the replaced contracts continue to be deferred and amortized in connection with the new contracts, as follows:
§
For deferred annuities, the estimated future gross profits of the new contracts are treated as revisions to the estimated future gross profits of the replaced contracts in the determination of amortization.
§
As of January 1, 2007, internal replacements that are determined to result in contracts that are substantially changed are accounted for as extinguishments of the replaced contracts, and any unamortized DAC and VOBA related to the replaced contracts are written off to Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Changes in assumptions can have a significant impact on DAC and VOBA balances and amortization rates. Several assumptions are considered significant in the estimation of future gross profits associated with variable universal life and variable deferred annuity products. One of the most significant assumptions involved in the estimation of future gross profits is the assumed return associated with the variable account performance. The overall return on the variable account is dependent on multiple factors, including the relative mix of the underlying sub-accounts among bond funds and equity funds, as well as equity sector weightings. Other significant assumptions include surrender and lapse rates, estimated interest spread, and estimated mortality.
Due to the relative size and sensitivity to minor changes in underlying assumptions of DAC and VOBA balances, the Company performs quarterly and annual analyses of DAC and VOBA for the annuity and life businesses, respectively. The DAC and VOBA balances are also evaluated for recoverability.
At each evaluation date, actual historical gross profits are reflected, and estimated future gross profits and related assumptions are evaluated for continued reasonableness. Any adjustment in estimated future gross profits requires that the amortization rate be revised (“unlocking”) retroactively to the date of the policy or contract issuance. The cumulative unlocking adjustment is recognized as a component of current period amortization. In general, sustained increases in investment, mortality, and expense margins, and thus estimated future profits, lower the rate of amortization. However, sustained decreases in investment, mortality, and expense margins, and thus estimated future gross profits, increase the rate of amortization.
For interest rate and equity sensitivity and related effects on DAC and VOBA, see Item 7A.
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Asset/liability management is integrated into many aspects of the Company’s operations, including investment strategy, product development, and determination of crediting rates. As part of the risk management process, different economic scenarios are modeled, including cash flow testing required for insurance regulatory purposes, to determine that existing assets are adequate to meet projected liability cash flows. Key variables in the modeling process include interest rates, anticipated contractowner behavior, and variable separate account performance. Contractowners bear the investment risk related to variable annuity products, subject to the minimum guaranteed death benefits included in these contracts.
The fixed account liabilities are supported by a general account portfolio principally composed of fixed income investments that can generate predictable, steady rates of return. The duration and convexity profile of the portfolio is managed relative to the liabilities. The assets are classified as available-for-sale, which enables the Company to respond to changes in market interest rates, prepayment risk, relative values of asset sectors and individual securities and loans, credit quality outlook, and other relevant factors. The objective of portfolio management is to maximize returns, taking into account interest rate and credit risk, as well as other risks. The Company’s asset/liability management discipline includes strategies to minimize exposure to loss as interest rates and economic and market conditions change.
On the basis of these analyses, management believes there is currently no material solvency risk to the Company.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company defines interest rate risk as the risk of an economic loss due to adverse changes in interest rates. This risk arises from the Company’s primary activity of investing fixed annuity premiums received in interest-sensitive assets and carrying these funds as interest-sensitive liabilities. The Company manages the interest rate risk in its general account investments relative to the interest rate risk in its liabilities. The current product portfolio also includes products where interest rate risks are entirely or partially passed on to the contractowner, thereby reducing the Company’s exposure to interest rate movements. Changes in interest rates can impact present and future earnings, the levels of new sales, surrenders, or withdrawals.
The following schedule demonstrates the potential changes in the 2008 earnings from an instantaneous parallel increase/decrease in interest rates of 1% on December 31, 2008. These changes to income could relate to future investment income, interest paid to contractowners, market-value adjustments, amortization of DAC and VOBA, sales levels, or any other net income item that would be affected by interest rate changes. The effect of interest rate changes is different by product. A significant portion of the Company’s contracts are close to the minimum contractual guaranteed credited rates. In a down interest rate environment, the Company’s ability to reduce credited rates is limited, which will cause margin compression and accelerate the amortization of DAC and VOBA. In addition, the Company has estimated the impact to December 31, 2008 Shareholder’s equity from the same instantaneous change in interest rates. The effect on Shareholder’s equity includes the impact of interest rate
fluctuations on income, unrealized capital gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, and DAC and VOBA adjustments for unrealized capital gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities.
Interest rate sensitivity and effect on Net income and Shareholder’s equity:
The above analysis includes the following changes in DAC and VOBA related to an instantaneous, parallel increase/decrease in interest rates.
Interest rate sensitivity and effect on DAC and VOBA:
Equity Market Risk
The Company’s operations are significantly influenced by changes in the equity markets. The Company’s profitability depends largely on the amount of assets under management (“AUM”), which is primarily driven by the level of sales, equity market appreciation and depreciation, and the persistency of the in force block of business.
Prolonged and precipitous declines in the equity markets can have a significant impact on the Company’s operations. As a result, sales of variable products may decline and surrender activity may increase, as contractowner sentiment towards the equity market turns negative. Lower AUM will have a negative impact on the Company’s financial results, primarily due to lower fee income on variable annuities. Furthermore, the Company may experience a reduction in profit margins if a significant portion of the assets held in the variable annuity separate account move to the general account and the Company is unable to earn an acceptable margin, particularly in light of the low interest rate environment and the presence of contractually guaranteed interest credited rates.
In addition, prolonged declines in the equity market may also decrease the Company’s expectations of future gross profits, which are utilized to determine the amount of DAC and VOBA to be amortized in a given financial statement period. A significant decrease in the Company’s estimated gross profits would require the Company to accelerate the amount of amortization of DAC and VOBA in a given period, potentially causing a material adverse deviation in the period’s Net income.
The following schedule demonstrates the potential changes in 2008 earnings resulting from an instantaneous increase/decrease in equity markets of 10% on December 31, 2008. These changes to income could relate to future fee income, unrealized or realized capital gains (losses), amortization of DAC and VOBA, sales levels, or any other net income item that would be affected by a substantial change to equity markets. In addition, the Company has estimated the impact to Shareholder’s equity as of December 31, 2008 from the same instantaneous change in equity markets. The effect on shareholder’s equity includes the impact of equity market fluctuations on income, unrealized capital gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, and DAC and VOBA adjustments for unrealized capital gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities.
Equity sensitivity and effect on Net income and Shareholder’s equity:
The above analysis includes the following changes in DAC and VOBA related to an instantaneous increase/decrease in equity markets.
Equity sensitivity and effect on DAC and VOBA:
Interest Rate Risk on Product Guarantees
As discussed in Part I, Item 1, certain of the Company’s products have guaranteed crediting rates. Credited rates are set either quarterly or annually. Most contracts have a zero percent minimum credited rate guarantee, although some contracts have minimum credited rate guarantees up to 3% and allow the contractholder to select either the market value of the account or the book value of the account at termination. The book value of the account is equal to deposits plus interest, less any withdrawals. Depending on the underlying product, the guarantee is treated as a stand-along derivative or an embedded derivative in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 133”). Beginning January 1, 2008, the Company began computing the fair value for these guarantees in accordance with FAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). The fair value is estimated using the income approach.
The income associated with the contracts is projected using relevant actuarial and capital market assumptions, including benefits and related contract charges, over the anticipated life of the related contracts. The cash flow estimates are produced by using stochastic techniques under a variety of risk neutral scenarios and other best estimate assumptions. Explicit risk margins in the actuarial assumptions underlying valuations are included, as well as an explicit recognition of all nonperformance risks as required by FAS 157. Nonperformance risk for product guarantees contains adjustments to the fair values of these contract liabilities related to the current credit standing of ING and the Company based on credit default swaps with similar term to maturity and priority of payment.
These products have risk in both low and high interest rate environments. In a low interest rate environment, reinvestment of asset cash flow and investment of new cash contract purchases could be below the minimum guarantee on contracts with minimum guarantees above 0%. In a rising rate environment, there is the risk that an increased level of contractholder withdrawals, especially those with book value guarantees, could result in greater losses than can be recovered through the crediting rates.
The following schedule demonstrates the potential change in the fair value of these guarantees and 2008 earnings from an instantaneous parallel increase/decrease in interest rates of 1% on December 31, 2008.
Item 8.
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholder’s equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements 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. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Atlanta, Georgia
March 26, 2009
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
1.
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company (“ILIAC”) is a stock life insurance company domiciled in the state of Connecticut. ILIAC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) are providers of financial products and services in the United States. ILIAC is authorized to conduct its insurance business in all states and in the District of Columbia.
The consolidated financial statements include ILIAC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, ING Financial Advisers, LLC (“IFA”) and Directed Services LLC (“DSL”). ILIAC is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc. (“Lion” or “Parent”), which is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of ING Groep N.V. (“ING”). ING is a global financial services holding company based in The Netherlands, with American Depository Shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ING.”
On December 1, 2006, Lion contributed to ILIAC, Directed Services, Inc. (“DSI”), a New York corporation registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, whose primary functions were the distribution of variable insurance products and investment advisory services for open-end mutual funds. Additionally, on December 12, 2006, ILIAC organized DSL as a wholly-owned Delaware limited liability company. On December 31, 2006, DSI merged with and into DSL and ceased to exist. Upon merger, the operations and broker-dealer and investment advisor registrations of DSI were consolidated into DSL, the surviving company. Effective January 1, 2007, ILIAC’s investment advisory agreement with certain variable funds offered in Company products was assigned to DSL.
On May 11, 2006, ILIAC organized NWL as a wholly-owned subsidiary for the purpose of purchasing, constructing, developing, leasing, and managing a new corporate office facility to be located at One Orange Way, Windsor, Connecticut (the “Windsor Property”). Effective October 1, 2007, the principal executive office of ILIAC was changed to One Orange Way, Windsor, Connecticut.
On October 31, 2007, ILIAC’s subsidiary, NWL merged with and into ILIAC. As of the merger date, NWL ceased to exist, and ILIAC became the surviving corporation. The merger did not have an impact on ILIAC’s consolidated results of operations and financial position, as NWL was a wholly-owned subsidiary and already included in the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented since its formation.
Description of Business
The Company offers qualified and nonqualified annuity contracts that include a variety of funding and payout options for individuals and employer-sponsored retirement plans qualified under Internal Revenue Code Sections 401, 403, 408, and 457, as well as nonqualified deferred compensation plans and related services. The Company’s products
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
are offered primarily to individuals, pension plans, small businesses, and employer-sponsored groups in the health care, government, and education markets (collectively “not-for-profit” organizations) and corporate markets. The Company’s products are generally distributed through pension professionals, independent agents and brokers, third party administrators, banks, dedicated career agents, and financial planners.
Products offered by the Company include deferred and immediate (payout annuities) annuity contracts. Company products also include programs offered to qualified plans and nonqualified deferred compensation plans that package administrative and record-keeping services along with a variety of investment options, including affiliated and nonaffiliated mutual funds and variable and fixed investment options. In addition, the Company offers wrapper agreements entered into with retirement plans, which contain certain benefit responsive guarantees (i.e., liquidity guarantees of principal and previously accrued interest for benefits paid under the terms of the plan) with respect to portfolios of plan-owned assets not invested with the Company. The Company also offers pension and retirement savings plan administrative services.
The Company has one operating segment.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
Fair Value Measurements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. FAS 157 does not expand the use of fair value to any new circumstances.
Under FAS 157, the FASB clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. In support of this principle, FAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop such assumptions. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. FAS 157 also requires separate disclosure of fair value measurements by level within the hierarchy and expanded disclosure of the effect on earnings for items measured using unobservable data.
FAS 157 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2008. As a result of implementing FAS 157, the Company recognized $1.7, before tax, as an increase to Net income on the date of adoption related to the fair value measurements of the reserves for product guarantees. The impact of implementation was included in Interest credited and other benefits to contractholders on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
In October 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS No. 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” (“FSP FAS 157-3”), which provides clarifying guidance on the application of FAS 157 to financial assets in a market that is not active and was effective upon issuance. FSP FAS 157-3 had no effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows upon adoption, as its guidance is consistent with that applied by the Company upon adoption of FAS 157.
The Company recognized no other adjustments to its financial statements related to the adoption of FAS 157, and new disclosures are included in the Financial Instruments footnote.
The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
In February 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“FAS 159”), which allows a company to make an irrevocable election, on specific election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recognized in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The election to measure an item at fair value may be determined on an instrument by instrument basis, with certain exceptions. If the fair value option is elected, any upfront costs and fees related to the item will be recognized in earnings as incurred. Items eligible for the fair value option include:
§
Certain recognized financial assets and liabilities;
§
Rights and obligations under certain insurance contracts that are not financial instruments;
§
Host financial instruments resulting from the separation of an embedded nonfinancial derivative instrument from a nonfinancial hybrid instrument; and
§
Certain commitments.
FAS 159 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2008. In implementing FAS 159, the Company elected not to take the fair value option for any eligible assets or liabilities in existence on January 1, 2008, or in existence at the date of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts
On April 30, 2007, the FASB issued a FSP on FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 39, “Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts” (“FSP FIN 39-1”), which permits a reporting entity to offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim or the obligation to return cash collateral against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments under master netting arrangements. FSP FIN 39-1 had no effect on the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows upon adoption by the Company on January 1, 2008, as it is the Company’s accounting policy not to offset such fair value amounts.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), which creates a single model to address the accounting for the uncertainty in income tax positions recognized in a company’s financial statements. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement criteria that must be satisfied to recognize a financial statement benefit of tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, on an income tax return. Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.
FIN 48 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2007. As a result of implementing FIN 48, the Company recognized a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle of $2.9 as a reduction to January 1, 2007 Retained earnings (deficit).
Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection with Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts
In September 2005, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA") issued Statement of Position ("SOP") 05-1, “Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection with Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts” (“SOP 05-1”), which states that when an internal replacement transaction results in a substantially changed contract, the unamortized deferred acquisition costs, unearned revenue liabilities, and deferred sales inducement assets, related to the replaced contract should not be deferred in connection with the new contract. Contract modifications that meet various conditions defined by SOP 05-1 and result in a new contract that is substantially unchanged from the replaced contract, however, should be accounted for as a continuation of the replaced contract.
SOP 05-1 defines an internal replacement as a modification in product benefits, features, rights, or coverage that occurs by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, by amendment, endorsement, or rider, to a contract, or by the election of a feature or coverage within a contract. SOP 05-1 applies to internal replacements made primarily to contracts defined by FAS No. 60, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises” (“FAS 60”), as short-duration and long-duration insurance contracts, and by FAS No. 97, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration Contracts and for Realized Gains and Losses from the Sale of Investments” (“FAS 97”), as investment contracts.
SOP 05-1 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2007, and is effective for internal replacements occurring on or after that date. As a result of implementing SOP 05-1, the Company recognized a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle of $43.4, before tax, or $28.2, net of $15.2 of income taxes, as a reduction to January 1, 2007 Retained earnings (deficit). In addition, the Company revised its accounting policy on the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs ("DAC") and value of business acquired ("VOBA") to include internal replacements.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees
In September 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS No. 133-1 and FIN No. 45-4, “Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB Interpretation No. 45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 161” (“FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4”), which does the following:
§
Amends FAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 133”), requiring additional disclosures by sellers of credit derivatives;
§
Amends FASB Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (“FIN 45”), requiring additional disclosure about the current status of the payment/performance risk of a guarantee; and
§
Clarifies the effective date of FAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 161”).
FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4 was adopted by the Company on December 31, 2008. In implementing FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4, the Company determined that its adoption had no financial statement impact. New disclosures are included in the Financial Instruments and Commitments and Contingent Liabilities footnotes.
The clarification in the FSP of the effective date of FAS 161 is consistent with the guidance in FAS 161 and the Company’s disclosure provided herein.
Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities
In December, 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8, “Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities” (“FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8”), which requires additional disclosures regarding a transferor’s continuing involvement with financial assets transferred in a securitization or asset-backed financing arrangement and an enterprise’s involvement with variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and qualifying special purpose entities (“QSPEs”).
FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8 was adopted by the Company on December 31, 2008. In implementing FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8, the Company determined that its adoption has no financial statement impact. The Company does not have any QSPEs or continuing involvement with financial assets transferred in a securitization or asset-backed financing arrangement.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Amendments to Impairment Guidance
In January 2009, the FASB issued FSP Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 99-20-1, “Amendments to the Impairment Guidance of EITF Issue No. 99-20” (“FSP EITF 99-20-1”), which amends EITF 99-20, “Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased Beneficial Interests and Beneficial Interests That Continue to Be Held by a Transferor in Securitized Financial Assets” (“EITF 99-20”). FSP EITF 99-20-1 requires that an other-than-temporary impairment on investments that meet the criteria of EITF 99-20 be recognized as a realized loss through earnings when it is probable there has been an adverse change in the holder’s estimated cash flow, consistent with the impairment model in FAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.”
FSP EITF 99-20-1 was adopted by the Company on December 31, 2008, prospectively. In implementing FSP EITF 99-20-1, the Company determined there was a minimal effect on financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, as the structured securities held by the Company were highly rated at issue.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
In March 2008, the FASB issued FAS 161, which requires enhanced disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements, including:
§
How and why derivative instruments are used;
§
How derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FAS 133 and its related interpretations; and
§
How derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial statements.
The provisions of FAS 161 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. The Company is currently in the process of determining the impact of adoption of FAS 161 on its disclosures; however, as the pronouncement only pertains to additional disclosures, the Company has determined that the adoption of FAS 161 will have no financial statement impact. In addition, the Company’s derivatives are generally not accounted for using hedge accounting treatment under FAS 133, as the Company has not historically sought hedge accounting treatment.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Business Combinations
In December 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“FAS 141R”), which replaces FAS No. 141, “Business Combinations,” as issued in 2001. FAS 141R requires most identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interest, and goodwill acquired in a business combination to be recorded at full fair value as of the acquisition date, even for acquisitions achieved in stages. In addition, the statement requires:
§
Acquisition-related costs to be recognized separately and generally expensed;
§
Non-obligatory restructuring costs to be recognized separately when the liability is incurred;
§
Contractual contingencies acquired to be recorded at acquisition-date fair values;
§
A bargain purchase, which occurs when the fair value of net assets acquired exceeds the consideration transferred plus any non-controlling interest in the acquiree, to be recognized as a gain; and
§
The nature and financial effects of the business combination to be disclosed.
FAS 141R also amends or eliminates various other authoritative literature.
The provisions of FAS 141R are effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 for all business combinations occurring on or after that date. As such, this standard will impact any Company acquisitions that occur on or after January 1, 2009.
Equity Method Investment Accounting
In November 2008, the EITF reached consensus on EITF 08-6, “Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations” (“EITF 08-6”), which requires, among other provisions, that:
§
Equity method investments be initially measured at cost;
§
Contingent consideration only be included in the initial measurement;
§
An investor recognize its share of any impairment charge recorded by the equity investee; and
§
An investor account for a share issuance by an equity investee as if the investor had sold a proportionate share of its investment;
The provisions of EITF 08-6 are effective in fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. As such, this standard will impact Company acquisitions or changes in ownership with regards to equity investments that occur on or after January 1, 2009. The Company is currently in the process of determining the impact of the other-than-temporary impairment provisions.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from reported results using those estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year financial information to conform to the current year classifications.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, money market instruments, and other debt issues with a maturity of 90 days or less when purchased.
Investments
All of the Company’s fixed maturities and equity securities are currently designated as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value and unrealized capital gains (losses) on these securities are recorded directly in Shareholder’s equity, after adjustment, if any, for related changes in experience-rated contract allocations, DAC, VOBA, and deferred income taxes.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
The Company analyzes the general account investments to determine whether there has been an other-than-temporary decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis. Management considers the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than amortized cost, the issuer’s financial condition and near-term prospects, future economic conditions and market forecasts, and the Company’s intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery in fair value. If it is probable that all amounts due according to the contractual terms of a debt security will not be collected, an other-than-temporary impairment is considered to have occurred.
In addition, the Company invests in structured securities that meet the criteria of the EITF 99-20. Under EITF 99-20, a further determination of the required impairment is based on credit risk and the possibility of significant prepayment risk that restricts the Company’s ability to recover the investment. An impairment is recognized if the fair value of the security is less than amortized cost and there has been adverse change in cash flow since the last remeasurement date.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
When a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the individual security is written down to fair value, and the loss is accounted for as a change in Net realized capital gains (losses).
Experience-Rated Products
Included in available-for-sale securities are investments that support experience-rated products. Experience-rated products are products where the customer, not the Company, assumes investment (including realized capital gains and losses) and other risks, subject to, among other things, minimum principal and interest guarantees. Unamortized realized capital gains (losses) on the sale of and unrealized capital gains (losses) on investments supporting these products are included in Future policy benefits and claims reserves on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net realized capital gains (losses) on all other investments were reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Unrealized capital gains (losses) on all other investments were reflected in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in Shareholder’s equity, net of DAC and VOBA adjustments for unrealized capital gains (losses), and related income taxes. During 2008, due to the current economic environment, which resulted in significant realized and unrealized losses associated with assets supporting experience-rated contracts, the Company accelerated the amortization of realized losses and recorded such amounts in Interest credited and other benefits to contractowners in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and recorded unrealized losses in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in Shareholder’s equity rather than Future policy benefits and claims reserves.
Purchases and Sales
Purchases and sales of fixed maturities and equity securities, excluding private placements, are recorded on the trade date. Purchases and sales of private placements and mortgage loans are recorded on the closing date.
Valuation
The fair values for the actively traded marketable fixed maturities are determined based upon the quoted market prices or dealer quotes. The fair values for marketable bonds without an active market are obtained through several commercial pricing services, which provide the estimated fair values. These services incorporate a variety of market observable information in their valuation techniques, including benchmark yields, broker-dealer quotes, credit quality, issuer spreads, bids, offers and other reference data. Valuations obtained from third party commercial pricing services are non-binding and are validated monthly through comparisons to internal pricing models, back testing to recent trades, and monitoring of trading volumes.
Fair values of privately placed bonds are determined using a matrix-based pricing model. The model considers the current level of risk-free interest rates, current corporate spreads, the credit quality of the issuer, and cash flow characteristics of the security. Also considered are factors such as the net worth of the borrower, the value of collateral,
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
the capital structure of the borrower, the presence of guarantees, and the Company’s evaluation of the borrower’s ability to compete in their relevant market. Using this data, the model generates estimated market values, which the Company considers reflective of the fair value of each privately placed bond.
The fair values for certain collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMO-Bs”) are determined by taking the average of broker quotes when more than one broker quote is provided. A few of the CMO-Bs are priced by the originating broker due to the complexity and unique characteristics of the asset.
The fair values for actively traded equity securities are based on quoted market prices.
Mortgage loans on real estate are reported at amortized cost, less impairment write-downs. If the value of any mortgage loan is determined to be impaired (i.e., when it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement), the carrying value of the mortgage loan is reduced to the present value of expected cash flows from the loan, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or fair value of the collateral. If the loan is in foreclosure, the carrying value is reduced to the fair value of the underlying collateral, net of estimated costs to obtain and sell. The carrying value of the impaired loans is reduced by establishing a permanent write-down recorded in Net realized capital gains (losses).
The fair value of policy loans is equal to the carrying, or cash surrender, value of the loans. Policy loans are fully collateralized by the account value of the associated insurance contracts.
Short-term investments, consisting primarily of money market instruments and other fixed maturity issues purchased with an original maturity of 91 days to one year, are considered available-for-sale and are carried at fair value.
Derivative instruments are reported at fair value primarily using the Company’s derivative accounting system. The system uses key financial data, such as yield curves, exchange rates, Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index prices, and London Inter Bank Offered Rates (“LIBOR”), which are obtained from third party sources and uploaded into the system. For those derivatives that are unable to be valued by the accounting system, the Company typically utilizes values established by third party brokers. Embedded derivative instruments are reported at fair value based upon internally established valuations that are consistent with external valuation models or market quotations.
Repurchase Agreements
The Company engages in dollar repurchase agreements (“dollar rolls”) and repurchase agreements to increase the return on investments and improve liquidity. These transactions involve a sale of securities and an agreement to repurchase substantially the same securities as those sold. Company policies require a minimum of 95% of the fair value of securities pledged under dollar rolls and repurchase agreement transactions to be maintained as collateral. Cash collateral received is invested in fixed maturities, and
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
the carrying value of the securities pledged in dollar rolls and repurchase agreement transactions is included in Securities pledged on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The repurchase obligation related to dollar rolls and repurchase agreements is included in Borrowed money on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company also enters into reverse repurchase agreements. These transactions involve a purchase of securities and an agreement to sell substantially the same securities as those purchased. Company policies require a minimum of 102% of the fair value of securities pledged under reverse repurchase agreements to be pledged as collateral. Reverse repurchase agreements are included in Cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Securities Lending
The Company engages in securities lending whereby certain securities from its portfolio are loaned to other institutions for short periods of time. Initial collateral, primarily cash, is required at a rate of 102% of the market value of the loaned domestic securities. The collateral is deposited by the borrower with a lending agent, and retained and invested by the lending agent according to the Company’s guidelines to generate additional income. The market value of the loaned securities is monitored on a daily basis with additional collateral obtained or refunded as the market value of the loaned securities fluctuates.
Derivatives
The Company’s use of derivatives is limited mainly to hedging purposes to reduce the Company’s exposure to cash flow variability of assets and liabilities, interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. Generally, derivatives are not accounted for using hedge accounting treatment under FAS 133, as the Company has not historically sought hedge accounting treatment.
The Company enters into interest rate, equity market, credit default, and currency contracts, including swaps, caps, floors, and options, to reduce and manage risks associated with changes in value, yield, price, cash flow, or exchange rates of assets or liabilities held or intended to be held, or to assume or reduce credit exposure associated with a referenced asset, index, or pool. The Company also utilizes options and futures on equity indices to reduce and manage risks associated with its annuity products. Open derivative contracts are reported as either Other investments or Other liabilities, as appropriate, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of such derivatives are recorded in Net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company also has investments in certain fixed maturity instruments, and has issued certain products with guarantees, that contain embedded derivatives whose market value is at least partially determined by, among other things, levels of or changes in domestic and/or foreign interest rates (short- or long-term), exchange rates, prepayment rates, equity markets, or credit ratings/spreads.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Embedded derivatives within fixed maturity instruments are included in Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and changes in fair value are recorded in Net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Embedded derivatives within retail annuity products are included in Future policy benefits and claims reserves on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and changes in the fair value are recorded in Interest credited and benefits to contractowners in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired
General
DAC represents policy acquisition costs that have been capitalized and are subject to amortization. Such costs consist principally of certain commissions, underwriting, contract issuance, and certain agency expenses, related to the production of new and renewal business.
VOBA represents the outstanding value of in force business capitalized in purchase accounting when the Company was acquired and is subject to amortization. The value is based on the present value of estimated net cash flows embedded in the Company’s contracts.
FAS 97 applies to universal life and investment-type products, such as fixed and variable deferred annuities. Under FAS 97, DAC and VOBA are amortized, with interest, over the life of the related contracts in relation to the present value of estimated future gross profits from investment, mortality, and expense margins, plus surrender charges.
Internal Replacements
Contractowners may periodically exchange one contract for another, or make modifications to an existing contract. Beginning January 1, 2007, these transactions are identified as internal replacements and are accounted for in accordance with SOP 05-1.
Internal replacements that are determined to result in substantially unchanged contracts are accounted for as continuations of the replaced contracts. Any costs associated with the issuance of the new contracts are considered maintenance costs and expensed as incurred. Unamortized DAC and VOBA related to the replaced contracts continue to be deferred and amortized in connection with the new contracts. For deferred annuities, the estimated future gross profits of the new contracts are treated as revisions to the estimated future gross profits of the replaced contracts in the determination of amortization.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Internal replacements that are determined to result in contracts that are substantially changed are accounted for as extinguishments of the replaced contracts, and any unamortized DAC and VOBA related to the replaced contracts are written off to Net amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Unlocking
Changes in assumptions can have a significant impact on DAC and VOBA balances and amortization rates. Several assumptions are considered significant in the estimation of future gross profits associated with variable deferred annuity products. One of the most significant assumptions involved in the estimation of future gross profits is the assumed return associated with the variable account performance. To reflect the volatility in the equity markets, this assumption involves a combination of near-term expectations and long-term assumptions regarding market performance. The overall return on the variable account is dependent on multiple factors, including the relative mix of the underlying sub-accounts among bond funds and equity funds, as well as equity sector weightings. Other significant assumptions include surrender and lapse rates, estimated interest spread, and estimated mortality.
Due to the relative size and sensitivity to minor changes in underlying assumptions of DAC and VOBA balances, the Company performs quarterly and annual analyses of DAC and VOBA. The DAC and VOBA balances are evaluated for recoverability.
At each evaluation date, actual historical gross profits are reflected, and estimated future gross profits and related assumptions are evaluated for continued reasonableness. Any adjustment in estimated future gross profits requires that the amortization rate be revised (“unlocking”), retroactively to the date of the policy or contract issuance. The cumulative unlocking adjustment is recognized as a component of current period amortization. In general, sustained increases in investment, mortality, and expense margins, and thus estimated future gross profits, lower the rate of amortization. Sustained decreases in investment, mortality, and expense margins, and thus estimated future gross profits, however, increase the rate of amortization.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for replacements and major improvements are capitalized; maintenance and repair expenditures are expensed as incurred.
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, total accumulated depreciation and amortization was $103.0 and $120.7, respectively. Depreciation on property and equipment is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets with the exception of land and artwork, which are not depreciated or amortized. The Company’s property and equipment are depreciated using the following estimated useful lives.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Estimated Useful Lives
Buildings
40 years
Furniture and fixtures
5 years
Leasehold improvements
10 years, or the life of the lease, whichever is shorter
Equipment
3 years
Software
3 years
Reserves
The Company records as liabilities reserves to meet the Company’s future obligations under its variable annuity and fixed annuity products.
Future policy benefits and claims reserves include reserves for deferred annuities and immediate annuities with and without life contingent payouts.
Reserves for individual and group deferred annuity investment contracts and individual immediate annuities without life contingent payouts are equal to cumulative deposits, less charges and withdrawals, plus credited interest thereon, net of adjustments for investment experience that the Company is entitled to reflect in future credited interest. Credited interest rates vary by product and ranged from 1.6% to 7.8% for the years 2008, 2007, and 2006. Certain reserves may also include net unrealized gains and losses related to investments and unamortized net realized gains and losses on investments for experience-rated contracts. Reserves on experienced-rated contracts reflect the rights of contractowners, plan participants, and the Company. During 2008, given the current economic environment, which resulted in significant net realized and unrealized losses, the Company did not include net unrealized and unamortized realized losses associated with experience-rated contracts in Future policy benefits and claims reserves. The net unrealized losses are reflected in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, and the amortization of the unamortized realized losses have been recorded in Interest credited and other benefits to contractholders. Reserves for group immediate annuities without life contingent payouts are equal to the discount value of the payment at the implied break-even rate.
Reserves for individual immediate annuities with life contingent payout benefits are computed on the basis of assumed interest discount rates, mortality, and expenses, including a margin for adverse deviations. Such assumptions generally vary by annuity type plan, year of issue, and policy duration. For the years 2008, 2007, and 2006, reserve interest rates ranged from 5.3% to 5.9%.
The Company records reserves for product guarantees, which can be either assets or liabilities, for annuity contracts containing guaranteed credited rates. The guarantee is treated as an embedded derivative or a stand-alone derivative (depending on the underlying product) and is required to be reported at fair value. The fair value of the obligation is calculated based on the income approach. The income associated with the contracts is projected using relevant actuarial and capital market assumptions, including
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
benefits and related contract charges, over the anticipated life of the related contracts. The cash flow estimates are produced by using stochastic techniques under a variety of risk neutral scenarios and other best estimate assumptions. Explicit risk margins in the actuarial assumptions underlying valuations are included, as well as an explicit recognition of all nonperformance risks beginning January 1, 2008 with the adoption of FAS 157. Nonperformance risk for product guarantees contains adjustments to the fair values of these contract liabilities related to the current credit standing of ING and the Company based on credit default swaps with similar term to maturity and priority of payment. The ING credit default spread is applied to the discount factors for product guarantees in the Company’s valuation model in order to incorporate credit risk into the fair values of these product guarantees.
The Company has a significant concentration of reinsurance arising from the disposition of its individual life insurance business. In 1998, the Company entered into an indemnity reinsurance arrangement with certain subsidiaries of Lincoln National Corporation (“Lincoln”). Effective March 1, 2007, the reinsurance agreements were assigned to a single subsidiary of Lincoln, and that subsidiary established a trust to secure its obligations to the Company under the reinsurance transaction. The Company includes an amount in Reinsurance recoverable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, which equals the Company’s total individual life reserves. Individual life reserves are included in Future policy benefits and claims reserves on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Unpaid claims and claim expenses for all lines of insurance include benefits for reported losses and estimates of benefits for losses incurred but not reported.
Certain variable annuities offer guaranteed minimum death benefits (“GMDB”). The GMDB is accrued in the event the contractowner account value at death is below the guaranteed value and is included in reserves.
Revenue Recognition
For most annuity contracts, charges assessed against contractowner funds for the cost of insurance, surrenders, expenses, and other fees are recorded as revenue as charges are assessed. Other amounts received for these contracts are reflected as deposits and are not recorded as premiums or revenue. When annuity payments with life contingencies begin under contracts that were initially investment contracts, the accumulated balance in the account is treated as a single premium for the purchase of an annuity and reflected in both Premiums and Interest credited and other benefits to contractowners in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Premiums on the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily represent amounts received for immediate annuities with life contingent payouts.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Separate Accounts
Separate account assets and liabilities generally represent funds maintained to meet specific investment objectives of contractowners who bear the investment risk, subject, in limited cases, to certain minimum guarantees. Investment income and investment gains and losses generally accrue directly to such contractowners. The assets of each account are legally segregated and are not subject to claims that arise out of any other business of the Company or its affiliates.
Separate account assets supporting variable options under variable annuity contracts are invested, as designated by the contractowner or participant (who bears the investment risk subject, in limited cases, to minimum guaranteed rates) under a contract, in shares of mutual funds that are managed by the Company or its affiliates, or in other selected mutual funds not managed by the Company or its affiliates.
Separate account assets and liabilities are carried at fair value and shown as separate captions in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deposits, investment income, and net realized and unrealized capital gains (losses) of the separate accounts, however, are not reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (with the exception of realized and unrealized capital gains (losses) on the assets supporting the guaranteed interest option). The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows do not reflect investment activity of the separate accounts.
Assets and liabilities of separate account arrangements that do not meet the criteria for separate presentation in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (primarily the guaranteed interest option), and revenue and expenses related to such arrangements, are consolidated in the financial statements with the general account. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, unrealized capital losses of $53.2 and $11.0, respectively, after taxes, on assets supporting a guaranteed interest option are reflected in Shareholder’s equity.
Reinsurance
The Company utilizes indemnity reinsurance agreements to reduce its exposure to losses from GMDBs in its annuity insurance business. Reinsurance permits recovery of a portion of losses from reinsurers, although it does not discharge the Company’s primary liability as the direct insurer of the risks. The Company evaluates the financial strength of potential reinsurers and continually monitors the financial strength and credit ratings of its reinsurers. Only those reinsurance recoverable balances deemed probable of recovery are reflected as assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Of the Reinsurance recoverable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, $2.5 billion and $2.6 billion at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, is related to the reinsurance recoverable from certain subsidiaries of Lincoln arising from the disposal of the Company’s individual life insurance business in 1998 (see the Reinsurance footnote). Effective March 1, 2007, the reinsurance agreements were assigned to a single subsidiary of Lincoln, and that subsidiary established a trust to secure its obligations to the Company under the reinsurance transaction.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Income Taxes
The Company is taxed at regular corporate rates after adjusting income reported for financial statement purposes for certain items. Deferred income tax expenses/benefits result from changes during the year in cumulative temporary differences between the tax basis and book basis of assets and liabilities.
2.
Investments
Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities
Fixed maturities and equity securities, available-for-sale, were as follows as of December 31, 2008.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Fixed maturities and equity securities, available-for-sale, were as follows as of December 31, 2007.
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, net unrealized losses were $1,322.9 and $58.2, respectively, on total fixed maturities, including securities pledged to creditors, and equity securities. During 2008, as a result of the current economic environment, which resulted in significant losses on investments supporting experience-rated contracts, the Company reflected all unrealized losses in Shareholder’s equity rather than Future policy benefits and claims reserves. At December 31, 2007, $16.4 of net unrealized capital gains (losses) was related to experience-rated contracts and was not reflected in Shareholder’s equity but in Future policy benefits and claim reserves.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
The amortized cost and fair value of total fixed maturities as of December 31, 2008, are shown below by contractual maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities as securities may be restructured, called, or prepaid.
The Company did not have any investments in a single issuer, other than obligations of the U.S. government and government agencies, with a carrying value in excess of 10% of the Company’s Shareholder’s equity at December 31, 2008 or 2007.
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, fixed maturities with fair values of $14.2 and $13.9, respectively, were on deposit as required by regulatory authorities.
The Company invests in various categories of collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) that are subject to different degrees of risk from changes in interest rates and, for CMOs that are not agency-backed, defaults. The principal risks inherent in holding CMOs are prepayment and extension risks related to dramatic decreases and increases in interest rates resulting in the prepayment of principal from the underlying mortgages, either earlier or later than originally anticipated. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, approximately 13.0% and 11.3%, respectively, of the Company’s CMO holdings were invested in those types of CMOs which are subject to more prepayment and extension risk than traditional CMOs, such as interest-only or principal-only strips.
Transfer of Alt-A RMBS Participation Interest
On January 26, 2009, ING announced it reached an agreement, for itself and on behalf of certain ING affiliates including the Company, with the Dutch State on an Illiquid Assets Back-up Facility (the “Back-up Facility”) covering 80% of ING’s Alt-A residential mortgage-backed securities (“Alt-A RMBS”). Under the terms of the Back-up Facility, a full credit risk transfer to the Dutch State will be realized on 80% of ING’s Alt-A RMBS owned by ING Bank, FSB and ING affiliates within ING Insurance Americas with a book value of $36.0 billion portfolio, including book value of 775.1 of the Alt-A RMBS portfolio owned by the Company (with respect to the Company’s portfolio, the “Designated Securities Portfolio”) (the “ING-Dutch State Transaction”). As a result of the risk transfer, the Dutch State will participate in 80% of any results of the ING Alt-A RMBS portfolio. The risk transfer to the Dutch State will take place at a discount of
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
approximately 10% of par value. In addition, under the Back-up Facility, other fees will be paid both by the Company and the Dutch State. Each ING company participating in the ING-Dutch State Transaction, including the Company will remain the legal owner of 100% of its Alt-A RMBS portfolio and will remain exposed to 20% of any results on the portfolio. Subject to documentation and regulatory approvals, the ING-Dutch State Transaction is expected to close by the end of March 2009, with the affiliate participation conveyance and risk transfer to the Dutch State described in the succeeding paragraph to take effect as of January 26, 2009.
In order to implement that portion of the ING-Dutch State Transaction related to the Company’s Designated Securities Portfolio, the Company will enter into a participation agreement with its affiliates, ING Support Holding B.V. (“ING Support Holding”) and ING pursuant to which the Company will convey to ING Support Holding an 80% participation interest in its Designated Securities Portfolio and pay a periodic transaction fee, and will receive, as consideration for the participation, an assignment by ING Support Holding of its right to receive payments from the Dutch State under the Illiquid Assets Back-Up Facility related to the Company’s Designated Securities Portfolio among, ING, ING Support Holding and the Dutch State (the “Company Back-Up Facility”). Under the Company Back-Up Facility, the Dutch State will be obligated to pay certain periodic fees and make certain periodic payments with respect to the Company’s Designated Securities Portfolio, and ING Support Holding will be obligated to pay a periodic guarantee fee and make periodic payments to the Dutch State equal to the distributions it receives with respect to the 80% participation interest in the Company’s Designated Securities Portfolio.
In a second transaction, known as the Step 1 Cash Transfer, a portion of the Company’s Alt-A RMBS which has a book value of $4.2 will be sold for cash to an affiliate, Lion II Custom Investments LLC (“Lion II”). Immediately thereafter, Lion II will sell to ING Direct Bancorp the purchased securities (the “Step 2 Cash Transfer”). Contemporaneous with the Step 2 Cash Transfer, ING Direct Bancorp will include such purchased securities as part of its Alt-A RMBS portfolio sale to the Dutch State. Subject to documentation and regulatory approval, the Step 1 Cash Transfer is expected to close by the end of March 2009 contemporaneous with the closing of the ING-Dutch State Transaction.
Since the Company had the intent to sell a portion of its Alt-A RMBS through the 80% participation interest in its Designated Securities Portfolio or as part of the Step 1 Cash Transfer as of December 31, 2008, the Company recognized $253.2 in other-than-temporary impairments with respect to the 80% participation interest in its Designated Securities Portfolio that it expects to convey as part of the ING-Dutch State Transaction and the Step 1 Cash Transfer. The Company expects to recognize a gain in the estimated range of $220.0 to $240.0 upon the closing of the ING-Dutch State Transaction and the Step 1 Cash Transfer.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Equity Securities
Equity securities, available-for-sale, included investments with fair values of $141.0 and $279.5 in ING proprietary funds as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Repurchase Agreements
The Company engages in dollar repurchase agreements (“dollar rolls”) and repurchase agreements to increase its return on investments and improve liquidity. These transactions involve a sale of securities and an agreement to repurchase substantially the same securities as those sold. Company policies require a minimum of 95% of the fair value of securities pledged under dollar rolls and repurchase agreement transactions to be maintained as collateral. Cash collateral received is invested in fixed maturities, and the offsetting collateral liability is included in Borrowed money on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the carrying value of the securities pledged in dollar rolls and repurchase agreement transactions was $657.2 and $757.6, respectively. The carrying value of the securities pledged in dollar rolls and repurchase agreement transactions is included in Securities pledged on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The repurchase obligation related to dollar rolls and repurchase agreements totaled $613.9 and $734.8 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The repurchase obligation related to dollar rolls and repurchase agreements is included in Borrowed money on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company also engages in reverse repurchase agreements. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company did not have any reverse repurchase agreements.
The primary risk associated with short-term collateralized borrowings is that the counterparty will be unable to perform under the terms of the contract. The Company’s exposure is limited to the excess of the net replacement cost of the securities over the value of the short-term investments, an amount that was immaterial at December 31, 2008 and 2007. The Company believes the counterparties to the dollar rolls, repurchase, and reverse repurchase agreements are financially responsible and that the counterparty risk is minimal.
Securities Lending
The Company engages in securities lending whereby certain securities from its portfolio are loaned to other institutions for short periods of time. Initial collateral, primarily cash, is required at a rate of 102% of the market value of the loaned domestic securities. The collateral is deposited by the borrower with a lending agent, and retained and invested by the lending agent according to the Company’s guidelines to generate additional income. The market value of the loaned securities is monitored on a daily basis with additional collateral obtained or refunded as the market value of the loaned securities fluctuates. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the fair value of loan securities was $474.8 and $176.5, respectively.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Unrealized Capital Losses
Unrealized capital losses in fixed maturities at December 31, 2008 and 2007, were primarily related to the effects of interest rate movement or spread widening on mortgage and other asset-backed securities. Mortgage and other asset-backed securities include U.S. government-backed securities, principal protected securities, and structured securities, which did not have an adverse change in cash flows. The following table summarizes the unrealized capital losses by duration and reason, along with the fair value of fixed maturities, including securities pledged, in unrealized capital loss positions at December 31, 2008 and 2007.
Of the unrealized capital losses aged more than twelve months, the average market value of the related fixed maturities is 79.2% of the average book value. In addition, this category includes 1,243 securities, which have an average quality rating of AA-. No other-than-temporary impairment loss was considered necessary for these fixed maturities as of December 31, 2008. The value of the Company’s fixed maturities declined $534.2, before tax and DAC, from December 31, 2008 though February 28, 2009, due to further widening of credit spreads. This decline in fair value includes $81.7 related to the Company’s investments in commercial mortgage-backed securities.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
The following table identifies the Company’s other-than-temporary impairments by type for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006.
The above schedule includes $235.8, $16.4, and $16.1 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively, in other-than-temporary write-downs related to the analysis of credit-risk and the possibility of significant prepayment risk. The remaining $816.7, $59.6, and $42.6 in write-downs for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively, are related to investments that the Company does not have the intent to retain for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery in fair value.
The following table summarizes these write-downs recognized by type for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006.
The remaining fair value of the fixed maturities with other-than-temporary impairments at December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 was $2,136.5, $1,210.8, and $704.4, respectively.
The Company may sell securities during the period in which fair value has declined below amortized cost for fixed maturities or cost for equity securities. In certain situations new factors, including changes in the business environment, can change the Company’s previous intent to continue holding a security.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Net Investment Income
Sources of Net investment income were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006.
Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses)
Net realized capital gains (losses) are comprised of the difference between the amortized cost of investments and proceeds from sale and redemption, as well as losses incurred due to other-than-temporary impairment of investments and changes in fair value of derivatives. The cost of the investments on disposal is determined based on specific identification of securities. Net realized capital gains (losses) on investments were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006.
The increase in Net realized capital losses for the year ended December 31, 2008, was primarily due to higher credit and intent related impairments of fixed maturities driven by the widening of credit spreads. In addition, the Company experienced losses on equity securities mainly due to the poor market performance and losses on interest rate swaps due to lower LIBOR rates in 2008.
Net realized capital gains (losses) allocated to experience-rated contracts are deducted from Net realized capital gains (losses) and an offsetting amount was reflected in Future policy benefits and claim reserves on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During 2008, as a result of the current economic environment, which resulted in significant realized losses associated with experience-rated contracts, the Company accelerated amortization of realized losses rather than reflect those losses in Future policy benefits and claims
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
reserves. During 2008, the Company fully amortized $624.4 of net unamortized realized capital losses allocated to experience-rated contractowners, which are reflected in Interest credited and other benefits to contractowners in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Net unamortized realized capital gains allocated to experienced-rated contractowners were $53.8 and $164.5 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and were reflected in Future policy benefits and claims reserves.
Proceeds from the sale of fixed maturities and equity securities, available-for-sale, and the related gross realized gains and losses, excluding those related to experience-related contracts, as appropriate, were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006.
3.
Financial Instruments
Fair Value Measurements
FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value, and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements.
Fair Value Hierarchy
The Company has categorized its financial instruments into a three level hierarchy based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique.
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 - Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market.
§
Level 2 - Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following:
a)
Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
b)
Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets;
c)
Inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable; and
d)
Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means.
§
Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These valuations, whether derived internally or obtained from a third party, use critical assumptions that are not widely available to estimate market participant expectations in valuing the asset or liability.
The following table presents the Company’s hierarchy for its assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2008.
Valuation of Financial Assets and Liabilities
The Company utilizes a number of valuation methodologies to determine the fair values of its financial assets and liabilities in conformity with the concepts of “exit price” and the fair value hierarchy as prescribed in FAS 157. Valuations are obtained from third party commercial pricing services, brokers and industry-standard, vendor-provided software that models the value based on market observable inputs. The valuations obtained from the brokers are non-binding. The valuations are reviewed and validated monthly through comparisons to internal pricing models, back testing to recent trades, and monitoring of trading volumes.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
All valuation methods and assumptions are validated at least quarterly to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the fair values. There were no material changes to the valuation methods or assumptions used to determine fair values.
The following valuation methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of the following financial instruments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale: The fair values for the actively traded marketable bonds are determined based upon the quoted market prices or dealer quotes and are classified as Level 1 assets. The fair values for marketable bonds without an active market, excluding subprime and Alt-A mortgage-backed securities, are obtained through several commercial pricing services, which provide the estimated fair values, and are classified as Level 2 assets. These services incorporate a variety of market observable information in their valuation techniques, including benchmark yields, broker-dealer quotes, credit quality, issuer spreads, bids, offers and other reference data. Valuations obtained from third party commercial pricing services are non-binding and are validated monthly through comparisons to internal pricing models, back testing to recent trades, and monitoring of trading volumes.
Fair values of privately placed bonds are determined using a matrix-based pricing model and are classified as Level 2 assets. The model considers the current level of risk-free interest rates, current corporate spreads, the credit quality of the issuer, and cash flow characteristics of the security. Also considered are factors such as the net worth of the borrower, the value of collateral, the capital structure of the borrower, the presence of guarantees, and the Company’s evaluation of the borrower’s ability to compete in their relevant market. Using this data, the model generates estimated market values, which the Company considers reflective of the fair value of each privately placed bond.
The fair values for certain collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMO-Bs”) are determined by taking the average of broker quotes when more than one broker quote is provided. A few of the CMO-Bs are priced by the originating broker due to the complexity and unique characteristics of the asset. Due to the lack of corroborating evidence to support a higher level, these bonds are classified as Level 3 assets.
Trading activity for the Company’s Residential Mortgage-backed Securities (“RMBS”), particularly subprime and Alt-A mortgage-backed securities, has been declining during 2008 as a result of the dislocation of the credit markets. During 2008, the Company continued to obtain pricing information from commercial pricing services and brokers. However, the pricing for subprime and Alt-A mortgage-backed securities did not represent regularly occurring market transactions since the trading activity declined significantly in the second half of 2008. As a result, the Company concluded in the second half of 2008 that the market for subprime and Alt-A mortgage-backed securities was inactive. The Company did not change its valuation procedures, which are consistent with those used for Level 2 marketable bonds without an active market, as a result of determining that the classification within the valuation hierarchy should be transferred to Level 3 due to market inactivity.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
At December 31, 2008, the fixed maturities valued using unadjusted broker quotes totaled $9,069.0.
Equity securities, available-for-sale: Fair values of these securities are based upon quoted market price and are classified as Level 1 assets.
Cash and cash equivalents, Short-term investments, and Short-term investments under securities loan agreement: The carrying amounts for cash reflect the assets’ fair values. The fair values for cash equivalents and short-term investments are determined based on quoted market prices. These assets are classified as Level 1.
Assets held in separate accounts: Assets held in separate accounts are reported at the quoted fair values of the underlying investments in the separate accounts. Mutual funds, short-term investments and cash are based upon a quoted market price and are included in Level 1. Bond valuations are obtained from third party commercial pricing services and brokers and are included in Level 2. The valuations obtained from brokers are non-binding. Valuations are validated monthly through comparisons to internal pricing models, back testing to recent trades, and monitoring of trading volumes.
Other financial instruments reported as assets and liabilities: The carrying amounts for these financial instruments (primarily derivatives) reflect the fair value of the assets and liabilities. Derivatives are carried at fair value (on the Consolidated Balance Sheets), which is determined using the Company’s derivative accounting system in conjunction with observable key financial data from third party sources or through values established by third party brokers. Counterparty credit risk is considered and incorporated in the Company’s valuation process through counterparty credit rating requirements and monitoring of overall exposure. It is the Company’s policy to deal only with investment grade counterparties with a credit rating of A- or better. These assets and liabilities are classified as Level 2.
Product guarantees: The Company records reserves for product guarantees, which can be either assets or liabilities, for annuity contracts containing guaranteed credited rates in accordance with FAS 133. The guarantee is treated as an embedded derivative or a stand-alone derivative (depending on the underlying product) and is required to be reported at fair value. The fair value of the obligation is calculated based on the income approach as described in FAS 157. The income associated with the contracts is projected using relevant actuarial and capital market assumptions, including benefits and related contract charges, over the anticipated life of the related contracts. The cash flow estimates are produced by using stochastic techniques under a variety of risk neutral scenarios and other best estimate assumptions. Explicit risk margins in the actuarial assumptions underlying valuations are included, as well as an explicit recognition of all nonperformance risks as required by FAS 157. Nonperformance risk for product guarantees contains adjustments to the fair values of these contract liabilities related to the current credit standing of ING and the Company based on credit default swaps with
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
similar term to maturity and priority of payment. The ING credit default spread is applied to the discount factors for product guarantees in the Company’s valuation model in order to incorporate credit risk into the fair values of these product guarantees. As of December 31, 2008, the credit ratings of ING and the Company changed in relation to prior periods, which resulted in substantial changes in the valuation of the reserves for product guarantees.
The following disclosures are made in accordance with the requirements of FAS No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (“FAS 107”). FAS 107 requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument.
FAS 107 excludes certain financial instruments, including insurance contracts, and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.
The following valuation methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of the following financial instruments:
Mortgage loans on real estate: The fair values for mortgage loans on real estate are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses and rates currently being offered in the marketplace for similar loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Loans with similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations.
Policy loans: The fair value of policy loans is equal to the carrying, or cash surrender, value of the loans. Policy loans are fully collateralized by the account value of the associated insurance contracts.
Investment contract liabilities (included in Future policy benefits and claim reserves):
With a fixed maturity: Fair value is estimated by discounting cash flows at interest rates currently being offered by, or available to, the Company for similar contracts.
Without a fixed maturity: Fair value is estimated as the amount payable to the contractowner upon demand. However, the Company has the right under such contracts to delay payment of withdrawals, which may ultimately result in paying an amount different than that determined to be payable on demand.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
The carrying values and estimated fair values of certain of the Company’s financial instruments were as follows at December 31, 2008 and 2007.
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on available market information and judgments about various financial instruments, such as estimates of timing and amounts of future cash flows. Such 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, nor do they consider the tax impact of the realization of unrealized capital gains (losses). In many cases, the fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets, nor can the disclosed value be realized in immediate settlement of the instruments. In evaluating the Company’s management of interest rate, price, and liquidity risks, the fair values of all assets and liabilities should be taken into consideration, not only those presented above.
Level 3 Financial Instruments
The fair values of certain assets and liabilities are determined using prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement (i.e., Level 3 as defined by FAS 157). These valuations, whether derived internally or obtained from a third party, use critical assumptions that are not widely available to estimate market participant expectations in valuing the asset or liability. In light of the methodologies employed to obtain the fair value of financial assets and liabilities classified as Level 3, additional information is presented below, with particular attention addressed to the reserves for product guarantees due to the impact on the Company’s results of operations.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
The following table summarizes the change in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 assets and liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2008.
For the year ended December 31, 2008, the value of the liability increased due to increased credit spreads, increased interest rate volatility and decreased interest rates. As of December 31, 2008, the net realized gains attributable to credit risk were $107.9. The unrealized capital losses on fixed maturities were driven by the widening of credit spreads.
During 2008, the Company determined that the classification within the valuation hierarchy related to the subprime and Alt-A mortgage-backed securities within the RMBS portfolio should be changed due to market inactivity. This change is presented as transfers into Level 3 in the table above and discussed in more detail in the previous disclosure regarding RMBS.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Derivative Financial Instruments
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Credit Default Swaps
The Company has entered into various credit default swaps to assume credit exposure to certain assets that the Company does not own. Credit default swaps involve a transfer of credit risk from one party to another in exchange for periodic payments. These instruments are typically written for a maturity period of five years and do not contain recourse provisions, which would enable the seller to recover from third parties. The Company’s collateral positions are tracked by the International Swaps and Derivatives Associations, Inc. (“ISDA”). To the extent cash collateral was received, it was included in the Collateral held, including payables under securities loan agreement on the Balance Sheets and was reinvested in short-term investments. The source of non-cash collateral posted was investment grade bonds of the entity. Collateral held is used in accordance with the Credit Support Annex (“CSA”) to satisfy any obligations. In the event of a default on the underlying credit exposure, the Company will either receive an additional payment (purchased credit protection) or will be required to make an additional payment (sold credit protection) equal to the notional value of the swap contract. At December 31, 2008, the fair value of credit default swaps of $16.1 and $75.0 was included in Other investments and Other liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 2008, the maximum potential future exposure to the Company on the sale of credit protection under credit default swaps was $161.0.
Embedded Derivative in Credit-Linked Note
The Company owns a 3-year credit-linked note arrangement, whereby the Company agrees to reimburse the guaranteed party upon payment default of the referenced obligation. Upon such default, the Company reimburses the guaranteed party for the loss under the reference obligation, and the Company receives that reference obligation in settlement. The Company can then seek recovery of any losses under the agreement by sale or collection of the received reference obligation. As of December 31, 2008, the maximum potential future exposure to the Company under the guarantee was $30.0.
Variable Interest Entities
The Company holds VIEs for investment purposes in the form of private placement securities, structured securities, securitization transactions, and limited partnerships. Consolidation of these investments in the Company’s financial statements is not required, as the Company is not the primary beneficiary for any of these VIEs. Rather, the VIEs are accounted for using the cost or equity method of accounting. Investments in limited partnerships are included in Limited partnerships/corporations on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
4.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired
Activity within DAC was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006.
The estimated amount of DAC to be amortized, net of interest, is $50.8, $59.0, $61.7, $59.6, and $58.5, for the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Actual amortization incurred during these years may vary as assumptions are modified to incorporate actual results.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Activity within VOBA was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006.
The estimated amount of VOBA to be amortized, net of interest, is $59.9, $69.9, $75.7, $73.7, and $71.8, for the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Actual amortization incurred during these years may vary as assumptions are modified to incorporate actual results.
Analysis of DAC and VOBA
The increase in Net amortization of DAC and VOBA for the year ended December 31, 2008, was primarily driven by unfavorable unlocking of $63.0 resulting from unfavorable equity market performance and the revisions of certain assumptions used in the estimation of gross profits. The increase in Net amortization of DAC and VOBA for the year ended December 31, 2007, was primarily driven by unfavorable unlocking of $131.3 attributable to an increase in actual gross profits related to higher fee income and fixed margins in 2007.
The decrease in Net amortization of DAC and VOBA in 2006 is primarily driven by favorable unlocking of $83.3, resulting from the refinements of the Company’s estimates of persistency, expenses and other assumptions. In addition, the decrease in amortization reflects lower actual gross profits, primarily due to a legal settlement incurred in 2006.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
5.
Dividend Restrictions and Shareholder’s Equity
ILIAC’s ability to pay dividends to its parent is subject to the prior approval of insurance regulatory authorities of the State of Connecticut for payment of any dividend, which, when combined with other dividends paid within the preceding 12 months, exceeds the greater of (1) ten percent (10%) of ILIAC’s statutory surplus at the prior year end or (2) ILIAC’s prior year statutory net gain from operations.
During 2008, ILIAC did not pay any dividends to its Parent. During 2007 and 2006, ILIAC paid $145.0, and $256.0, respectively, in dividends on its common stock to its Parent.
During 2006, Lion contributed to ILIAC, DSI, which had $50.5 in equity on the date of contribution and was accounted for in a manner similar to a pooling-of-interests. During 2008, 2007, and 2006, ILIAC did not receive any cash capital contributions from its Parent.
On November 12, 2008, ING issued to the Dutch State non-voting Tier 1 securities for a total consideration of Euro 10 billion. On February 24, 2009, $2.2 billion was contributed to direct and indirect insurance company subsidiaries of ING America Insurance Holdings, Inc. (“ING AIH”), of which $365.0 was contributed to the Company. The contribution was comprised of the proceeds from the investment by the Dutch government and the redistribution of currently existing capital within ING.
The State of Connecticut Insurance Department (the “Department”) recognizes as net income and capital and surplus those amounts determined in conformity with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Department, which differ in certain respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Statutory net (loss) income was $(428.4), $245.5, and $138.3, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Statutory capital and surplus was $1,524.6 and $1,388.0 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. As specifically permitted by statutory accounting policies, statutory surplus as of December 31, 2008 included the impact of the $365.0 capital contribution received on February 24, 2009.
During 2008, the Company received a permitted practice regarding deferred income taxes, which modified the accounting prescribed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners by increasing the realization period for deferred tax assets from one year to three years and increasing the asset recognition limit from 10% to 15% of adjusted statutory capital and surplus. This permitted practice expires on December 15, 2009. This permitted practice increased admitted assets and statutory surplus by $58.4 for the year ended December 31, 2008. The benefits of this permitted practice may not be considered by the Company when determining surplus available for dividends.
The Department also has the ability to revise certain reserving requirements at its discretion. Due to the financial crisis and related federal government interest rate actions, the Department provided the Company and other domestic life insurers the opportunity to elect to use a formula for the discount rate for statutory reserve and reserve related calculations that resulted in the discount rate being floored at 3.25% for December 31, 2008; the formula stipulated by the Department was such that the discount rate was to equal the greater of 3.25% or 105% of the otherwise applicable spot rate; this reserve relief reduces statutory reserves and increases surplus by approximately $700.0. This reserve relief is available for the period from December 31, 2008 through September 30, 2009 and is not a permitted practice. The Company also discloses that, as in prior years, its asset adequacy analysis associated with these reserves is favorable.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
6.
Additional Insurance Benefits and Minimum Guarantees
The Company calculates an additional liability for certain GMDBs and other minimum guarantees in order to recognize the expected value of these benefits in excess of the projected account balance over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments.
The Company regularly evaluates estimates used to adjust the additional liability balance, with a related charge or credit to benefit expense, if actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier assumptions should be revised.
As of December 31, 2008, the separate account liability for guaranteed minimum benefits and the additional liability recognized related to minimum guarantees were $6.5 billion and $181.2, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, the separate account liability for guaranteed minimum benefits and the additional liability recognized related to minimum guarantees were $7.1 billion and $80.4, respectively.
The aggregate fair value of equity securities, including mutual funds, supporting separate accounts with additional insurance benefits and minimum investment return guarantees as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, was $6.5 billion and $7.1 billion, respectively.
7.
Income Taxes
Effective January 1, 2006, ILIAC files a consolidated federal income tax return with ING AIH and certain other subsidiaries of ING AIH that are eligible corporations qualified to file consolidated federal income tax returns as part of the ING AIH affiliated group. Effective January 1, 2006, ILIAC is party to a federal tax allocation agreement with ING AIH and its subsidiaries that are part of the group whereby ING AIH charges its subsidiaries for federal taxes each subsidiary would have incurred were it not a member of the consolidated group and credits each subsidiary for losses at the statutory federal tax rate.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Income taxes were different from the amount computed by applying the federal income tax rate to income before income taxes for the following reasons for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:
Temporary Differences
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to Deferred tax assets and Deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2008 and 2007, are presented below.
Net unrealized capital gains and losses are presented as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) in Shareholder’s equity, net of deferred taxes. Due to changes in classification during 2008, the amount for the 2007 table above were reclassified in order to allow for more effective comparison.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Valuation allowances are provided when it is considered unlikely that deferred tax assets will be realized. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had a tax valuation allowance of $328.0 and $0, respectively, related to realized capital losses, which is included in Net (loss) income. The valuation allowance includes $106.7 related to impairments of securities designated in the ING-Dutch State Transaction, which has established pending uncertainties regarding the closing of the transaction. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had a valuation allowance of $0 and $6.4, respectively, related to unrealized capital losses on investments, which is included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). In 2008, the Company has also established a $5.0 tax valuation allowance against foreign tax credits, the benefit of which is uncertain.
Tax Sharing Agreement
ILIAC had a receivable of $38.6 and payable $56.8 to ING AIH at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, for federal income taxes under the inter-company tax sharing agreement.
See Related Party Transactions footnote for more information.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Reconciliations of the change in the unrecognized income tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
The Company had $23.1 and $42.6 of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, that would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized.
Interest and Penalties
The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in Current income taxes and Income tax expense on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Statements of Operations, respectively. The Company had accrued interest of $3.8 and $16.9 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The decrease in accrued interest during the year ended December 31, 2008 primarily related to the settlement of the 2002 and 2003 IRS audit and the 1995 through 2000 New York state audit.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Tax Regulatory Matters
The Company is under audit by the IRS for tax years 2004 through 2008, and is subject to state audit in New York for years 2001 through 2006. It is anticipated that the IRS audit of tax years 2004 through 2008 will be finalized within the next twelve months. Upon finalization of the IRS and New York examinations, it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by up to $7.6. The timing of the payment of the remaining allowance of $14.5 can not be reliably estimated.
On September 25, 2007, the IRS issued Revenue Ruling 2007-61, which announced its intention to issue regulations with respect to certain computational aspects of the dividend received deduction (“DRD”) on separate account assets held in connection with variable annuity and life insurance contracts. Revenue Ruling 2007-61 suspended Revenue Ruling 2007-54 issued in August 2007 that purported to change accepted industry and IRS interpretations of the statutes governing these computational questions. Any regulations that the IRS ultimately proposes for issuance in this area will be subject to public notice and comment, at which time insurance companies and other members of the public will have the opportunity to raise legal and practical questions about the content, scope and application of such regulations. As a result, the ultimate timing, substance, and effective date of any such regulations are unknown, but they could result in the elimination of some or all of the separate account DRD tax benefit that the Company receives.
Under prior law, life insurance companies were allowed to defer from taxation a portion of income. Deferred income of $17.2 was accumulated in the Policyholders Surplus Account and would only become taxable under certain conditions, which management believed to be remote. In 2004, Congress passed the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 allowing certain tax-free distributions from the Policyholders’ Surplus Account during 2005 and 2006. During 2006, the Company made a dividend distribution of $256.0, which eliminated the $17.2 balance in the Policyholders Surplus Account and, therefore, any potential tax on the accumulated balance.
8.
Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan
ING North America Insurance Corporation (“ING North America”) sponsors the ING Americas Retirement Plan (the “Retirement Plan”), effective as of December 31, 2001. Substantially all employees of ING North America and its affiliates (excluding certain employees) are eligible to participate, including the Company’s employees other than Company agents. However, effective January 1, 2009, the Retirement Plan was amended to provide that anyone hired or rehired by the Company on or after January 1, 2009, would not be eligible to participate in the Plan. The Retirement Plan was amended and restated effective July 1, 2008 related to the admission of the employees from the
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
acquisition of CitiStreet LLC (“CitiStreet”) by Lion, and ING North America filed a request for a determination letter on the qualified status of the Plan. The Retirement Plan is a tax-qualified defined benefit plan, the benefits of which are guaranteed (within certain specified legal limits) by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”). As of January 1, 2002, each participant in the Retirement Plan earns a benefit under a final average compensation formula. Subsequent to December 31, 2001, ING North America is responsible for all Retirement Plan liabilities. The costs allocated to the Company for its employees’ participation in the Retirement Plan were $14.0, $17.2, and $23.8, for 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively, and are included in Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Defined Contribution Plan
ING North America sponsors the ING Americas Savings Plan and ESOP (the “Savings Plan”). Substantially all employees of ING North America and its affiliates (excluding certain employees, including but not limited to Career Agents) are eligible to participate, including the Company’s employees other than Company agents. Career Agents are certain, full-time insurance salespeople who have entered into a career agent agreement with the Company and certain other individuals who meet specified eligibility criteria. The Savings Plan is a tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plan, which includes an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) component. The Savings Plan was amended and restated effective July 1, 2008 related to the admission of the employees from the acquisition of CitiStreet by Lion, and ING North America filed a request for a determination letter on the qualified status of the Plan. Savings Plan benefits are not guaranteed by the PBGC. The Savings Plan allows eligible participants to defer into the Savings Plan a specified percentage of eligible compensation on a pre-tax basis. ING North America matches such pre-tax contributions, up to a maximum of 6% of eligible compensation. Matching contributions are subject to a 4-year graded vesting schedule (although certain specified participants are subject to a 5-year graded vesting schedule). All contributions made to the Savings Plan are subject to certain limits imposed by applicable law. Pre-tax charges to operations of the Company for the Savings Plan were $10.3, $10.1, and $9.7, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively, and are included in Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Non-Qualified Retirement Plans
Through December 31, 2001, the Company, in conjunction with ING North America, offered certain eligible employees (other than Career Agents) a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and an Excess Plan (collectively, the “SERPs”). Benefit accruals under the SERPs ceased, effective as of December 31, 2001. Benefits under the SERPs are determined based on an eligible employee’s years of service and average annual compensation for the highest five years during the last ten years of employment.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
The Company, in conjunction with ING North America, sponsors the Pension Plan for Certain Producers of ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company (formerly the Pension Plan for Certain Producers of Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company) (the “Agents Non-Qualified Plan”). This plan covers certain full-time insurance salespeople who have entered into a career agent agreement with the Company and certain other individuals who meet the eligibility criteria specified in the plan (“Career Agents”). The Agents Non-Qualified Plan was terminated effective January 1, 2002. In connection with the termination, all benefit accruals ceased and all accrued benefits were frozen.
The SERPs and Agents Non-Qualified Plan, are non-qualified defined benefit pension plans, which means all the SERPs benefits are payable from the general assets of the Company and Agents Non-Qualified Plan benefits are payable from the general assets of the Company and ING North America. These non-qualified defined benefit pension plans are not guaranteed by the PBGC.
Obligations and Funded Status
The following tables summarize the benefit obligations, fair value of plan assets, and funded status, for the SERPs and Agents Non-Qualified Plan, for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of:
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the projected benefit obligation was $94.9 and $85.6, respectively.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Assumptions
The weighted-average assumptions used in the measurement of the December 31, 2008 and 2007 benefit obligation for the SERPs and Agents Non-Qualified Plan, were as follows:
In determining the discount rate assumption, the Company utilizes current market information provided by its plan actuaries (particularly the Citigroup Pension Discount Curve Liability Index), including a discounted cash flow analysis of the Company’s pension obligation and general movements in the current market environment. The discount rate modeling process involves selecting a portfolio of high quality, noncallable bonds that will match the cash flows of the Retirement Plan. Based upon all available information, it was determined that 6.0% was the appropriate discount rate as of December 31, 2008, to calculate the Company’s accrued benefit liability. Accordingly, as prescribed by FAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions”, the 6.5% discount rate will also be used to determine the Company’s 2008 pension expense. December 31 is the measurement date for the SERP’s and Agents Non-Qualified Plan.
The weighted-average assumptions used in calculating the net pension cost were as follows:
The weighted average assumptions used in calculating the net pension cost for 2008 were, as indicated above, a 6.0% discount rate and a 4.0% rate of compensation increase. Since the benefit plans of the Company are unfunded, an assumption for return on plan assets is not required.
Net Periodic Benefit Costs
Net periodic benefit costs for the SERPs and Agents Non-Qualified Plan, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, were as follows:
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Cash Flows
In 2009, the employer is expected to contribute $4.3 to the SERPs and Agents Non-Qualified Plan. Future expected benefit payments related to the SERPs, and Agents Non-Qualified Plan, for the years ended December 31, 2009 through 2013, and thereafter through 2018, are estimated to be $4.3, $4.4, $5.0, $5.1, $5.1, and $26.4, respectively.
Other
On October 4, 2004, the President signed into law The Jobs Creation Act (“Jobs Act”). The Jobs Act affects nonqualified deferred compensation plans, such as the Agents Nonqualified Plan. ING North America has made changes to impacted nonqualified deferred compensation plans, as necessary to comply with the requirements of the Jobs Act.
Stock Option and Share Plans
ING sponsors the ING Group Long Term Equity Ownership Plan (“leo”), which provides employees of the Company who are selected by the ING Board of Directors to be granted options and/or performance shares. The terms applicable to an award under leo are set out in an award agreement, which is signed by the participant when he or she accepts the award.
Options granted under leo are nonqualified options on ING shares in the form of American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”). Leo options have a ten (10) year term and vest three years from the grant date. Options awarded under leo may vest earlier in the event of the participant’s death, permanent disability or retirement. Retirement for purposes of leo means a participant terminates service after attaining age 55 and completing 5 years of service. Early vesting in all or a portion of a grant of options may also occur in the event the participant is terminated due to redundancy or business divestiture. Unvested options are generally subject to forfeiture when a participant voluntarily terminates employment or is terminated for cause (as defined in leo). Upon vesting, participants generally have up to seven years in which to exercise their vested options. A shorter exercise period applies in the event of termination due to redundancy, business divestiture, voluntary termination or termination for cause. An option gives the recipient the right to purchase an ING share in the form of ADRs at a price equal to the fair market value of one ING share on the date of grant. On exercise, participant’s have three options (i) retain the shares and remit a check for applicable taxes due on exercise, (ii) request the administrator to remit a cash payment for the value of the options being exercised, less applicable taxes, or (iii) retain some of the shares and have the administrator liquidate sufficient shares to satisfy the participant’s tax obligation. The share price is in Euros and converted to U.S. dollars, as determined by ING.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Awards of performance shares may also be made under leo. Performance shares are a contingent grant of ING stock, and, on vesting, the participant has the right to receive a cash amount equal to the closing price per ING share on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Market on the vesting date times the number of vested Plan shares. Performance shares generally vest three years from the date of grant, with the amount payable based on ING’s share price on the vesting date. Payments made to participants on vesting are based on the performance targets established in connection with leo and payments can range from 0% to 200% of target. Performance is based on ING’s total shareholder return relative to a peer group as determined at the end of the vesting period. To vest, a participant must be actively employed on the vesting date, although vesting will continue to occur in the event of the participant’s death, disability or retirement. If a participant is terminated due to redundancy or business divestiture, vesting will occur but in only a portion of the award. Unvested shares are generally subject to forfeiture when an employee voluntarily terminates employment or is terminated for cause (as defined in leo). Upon vesting, participants have three options (i) retain the shares and remit a check for applicable taxes due on exercise, (ii) request the administrator to remit a cash payment for the value of the shares, less applicable taxes, or (iii) retain some of the shares and have the administrator liquidate sufficient shares to satisfy the participant’s tax obligation. The amount is converted from Euros to U.S. dollars based on the daily average exchange rate between the Euro and the U.S. dollar, as determined by ING.
The Company recognized compensation expense for the leo options and performance shares of $4.1, $4.5, and $10.1, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 respectively.
For leo, the Company recognized tax benefits of $0.7, $3.2, and $0.1, in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
Other Benefit Plans
In addition, the Company, in conjunction with ING North America, sponsors the following benefit plans:
§
The ING 401(k) Plan for ILIAC Agents, which allows participants to defer a specified percentage of eligible compensation on a pre-tax basis. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company match equals 60% of a participant’s pre-tax deferral contribution, with a maximum of 6% of the participant’s eligible pay.
§
The Producers’ Incentive Savings Plan, which allows participants to defer up to a specified portion of their eligible compensation on a pre-tax basis. The Company matches such pre-tax contributions at specified amounts.
§
The Producers’ Deferred Compensation Plan, which allows participants to defer up to a specified portion of their eligible compensation on a pre-tax basis.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
§
Certain health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees and their eligible dependents. The post retirement health care plan is contributory, with retiree contribution levels adjusted annually. The life insurance plan provides a flat amount of noncontributory coverage and optional contributory coverage.
§
The ING Americas Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, which is a non-qualified defined benefit restoration pension plan.
§
The ING Americas Deferred Compensation Savings Plan, which is a deferred compensation plan that includes a 401(k) excess component.
The benefit charges allocated to the Company related to these plans for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, were $1.4, $0.4, and $1.4, respectively.
9.
Related Party Transactions
Operating Agreements
ILIAC has certain agreements whereby it generates revenues and expenses with affiliated entities, as follows:
§
Investment Advisory agreement with ING Investment Management LLC (“IIM”), an affiliate, in which IIM provides asset management, administrative, and accounting services for ILIAC’s general account. ILIAC incurs a fee, which is paid quarterly, based on the value of the assets under management. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, expenses were incurred in the amounts of $58.4, $60.5, and $62.2, respectively.
§
Services agreement with ING North America for administrative, management, financial, and information technology services, dated January 1, 2001 and amended effective January 1, 2002. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, expenses were incurred in the amounts of $175.3, $167.9, and $175.3, respectively.
§
Services agreement between ILIAC and its U.S. insurance company affiliates dated January 1, 2001, and amended effective January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2007. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, net expenses related to the agreement were incurred in the amount of $19.6, $21.7, and $12.4, respectively.
Management and service contracts and all cost sharing arrangements with other affiliated companies are allocated in accordance with the Company’s expense and cost allocation methods.
DSL has certain agreements whereby it generates revenues and expenses with affiliated entities, as follows:
§
Underwriting and distribution agreements with ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company (“ING USA”) and ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York (“RLNY”), affiliated companies, whereby DSL serves as the principal underwriter for variable insurance products. In addition, DSL is authorized to enter into agreements
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
with broker-dealers to distribute the variable insurance products and appoint representatives of the broker-dealers as agents. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, commissions were collected in the amount of $622.5, $568.4, and $429.2. Such commissions are, in turn, paid to broker-dealers.
§
Services agreements with ING USA and RLNY, whereby DSL receives managerial and supervisory services and incurs a fee that is calculated as a percentage of average assets of each company’s variable separate accounts deposited in ING Investors Trust. On August 9, 2007, DSL and ING USA entered into an amendment to the service agreement effective July 31, 2007 to modify the method for calculating the compensation owed to ING USA under the service agreement. As a result of this amendment, DSL pays ING USA the total net revenue associated with ING USA deposits into ING Investors Trust. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, expenses were incurred under these services agreements in the amount of $156.2, $124.4, and $70.8, respectively.
§
Administrative and advisory services agreements with ING Investment LLC and IIM, affiliated companies, in which DSL receives certain services for a fee. The fee for these services is calculated as a percentage of average assets of ING Investors Trust. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, expenses were incurred in the amounts of $14.9, $13.1, and $8.8, respectively.
Investment Advisory and Other Fees
During 2006, ILIAC served as investment advisor to certain variable funds offered in Company products (collectively, the “Company Funds”). The Company Funds paid ILIAC, as investment advisor, daily fees that, on an annual basis, ranged, depending on the Fund, from 0.5% to 1.0% of their average daily net assets. Each of the Company Funds managed by ILIAC were subadvised by investment advisors, in which case ILIAC paid a subadvisory fee to the investment advisors, which included affiliates. Effective January 1, 2007, ILIAC’s investment advisory agreement with the Company Funds was assigned to DSL. ILIAC is also compensated by the separate accounts for bearing mortality and expense risks pertaining to variable life and annuity contracts. Under the insurance and annuity contracts, the separate accounts pay ILIAC daily fees that, on an annual basis are, depending on the product, up to 3.4% of their average daily net assets. The total amount of compensation and fees received by the Company from the Company Funds and separate accounts totaled $245.1, $312.7, and $289.9, (excludes fees paid to ING Investment Management Co.) in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
DSL has been retained by ING Investors Trust (the “Trust”), an affiliate, pursuant to a management agreement to provide advisory, management, administrative and other services to the Trust. Under the management agreement, DSL provides or arranges for the provision of all services necessary for the ordinary operations of the Trust. DSL earns a monthly fee based on a percentage of average daily net assets of the Trust. DSL has entered into an administrative services subcontract with ING Fund Services, LLC, an affiliate, pursuant to which ING Fund Services, LLC, provides certain management, administrative and other services to the Trust and is compensated a portion of the fees
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
received by DSL under the management agreement. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, revenue received by DSL under the management agreement (exclusive of fees paid to affiliates) was $323.8, $343.8, and $233.9, respectively. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, DSL had $18.6 and $26.7, respectively, receivable from the Trust under the management agreement.
Financing Agreements
ILIAC maintains a reciprocal loan agreement with ING AIH, an affiliate, to facilitate the handling of unanticipated short-term cash requirements that arise in the ordinary course of business. Under this agreement, which became effective in June 2001 and expires on April 1, 2011, either party can borrow from the other up to 3% of ILIAC’s statutory admitted assets as of the preceding December 31. Interest on any ILIAC borrowing is charged at the rate of ING AIH’s cost of funds for the interest period, plus 0.15%. Interest on any ING AIH borrowings is charged at a rate based on the prevailing interest rate of U.S. commercial paper available for purchase with a similar duration.
Under this agreement, ILIAC incurred interest expense of $0.2, $3.9, and $1.8, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively, and earned interest income of $4.8, $1.7, and $3.3, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Interest expense and income are included in Interest expense and Net investment income, respectively, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2008, ILIAC had $13.0 due to ING AIH under the reciprocal loan agreement and no amounts due as of December 31, 2007. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, ILIAC had no amount due from ING AIH under the reciprocal loan agreement.
As of June 1, 2007, the State of Connecticut, acting by the Department of Economic and Community Development (“DECD”), loaned ILIAC $9.9 (the “DECD Loan”) in connection with the development of the Windsor Property. The loan has a term of twenty years and bears an annual interest rate of 1.00%. As long as no defaults have occurred under the loan, no payments of principal or interest are due for the initial ten years of the loan. For the second ten years of the DECD Loan term, ILIAC is obligated to make monthly payments of principal and interest.
The DECD Loan provides for loan forgiveness at varying amounts up to $5.0 if ILIAC and its affiliates meet certain employment thresholds at the Windsor Property during the term of the loan. ILIAC’s obligations under the DECD Loan are secured by an unlimited recourse guaranty from its affiliate, ING North America Insurance Corporation.
On December 1, 2008, the DECD determined that the Company met the employment thresholds for loan forgiveness and, accordingly, forgave $5.0 of the DECD Loan to the Company in accordance with the terms of the DECD Loan.
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the amount of the loan outstanding was $4.9 and $9.9, which was reflected in Notes payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Note with Affiliate
On December 29, 2004, ING USA issued a surplus note in the principal amount of $175.0 (the “Note”) scheduled to mature on December 29, 2034, to ILIAC, in an offering that was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. ILIAC’s $175.0 Note from ING USA bears interest at a rate of 6.26% per year. Any payment of principal and/or interest is subject to the prior approval of the Iowa Insurance Commissioner. Interest is scheduled to be paid semi-annually in arrears on June 29 and December 29 of each year, commencing on June 29, 2005. Interest income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 was $11.1.
Tax Sharing Agreements
Effective January 1, 2006, ILIAC is a party to a federal tax allocation agreement with ING AIH and its subsidiaries that are part of the ING AIH consolidated group. Under the federal tax allocation agreement, ING AIH charges its subsidiaries for federal taxes each subsidiary would have incurred were it not a member of the consolidated group and credits each subsidiary for losses at the statutory federal tax rate.
For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, DSI, which merged with and into DSL on December 31, 2006, was party to the ING AIH federal tax allocation agreement, as described above. Income from DSL, a single member limited liability company, is taxed at the member level (ILIAC).
ILIAC has also entered into a state tax sharing agreement with ING AIH and each of the specific subsidiaries that are parties to the agreement. The state tax agreement applies to situations in which ING AIH and all or some of the subsidiaries join in the filing of a state or local franchise, income tax, or other tax return on a consolidated, combined, or unitary basis.
10.
Financing Agreements
ILIAC maintains a $50.0 uncommitted, perpetual revolving note facility with the Bank of New York ("BONY"). Interest on any of ILIAC’s borrowing accrues at an annual rate equal to a rate quoted by BONY to ILIAC for the borrowing. Under this agreement, ILIAC incurred no interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2008, and minimal interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, ILIAC had no amounts outstanding under the revolving note facility.
ILIAC also maintains a $100.0 uncommitted line-of-credit agreement with PNC Bank (“PNC”), effective December 19, 2005. Borrowings are guaranteed by ING AIH, with maximum aggregate borrowings outstanding at anytime to ING AIH and its affiliates of $100.0. Interest on any of ILIAC’s borrowing accrues at an annual rate equal to a rate quoted by PNC to ILIAC for the borrowing. Under this agreement, ILIAC incurred no interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2008, and minimal interest expense for
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, ILIAC had no amounts outstanding under the line-of-credit agreement. As of October 31, 2008, the Company had not formally renewed this line-of-credit, which subsequently expired on this date.
ILIAC also maintains $100.0 uncommitted line-of-credit agreement with Svenska Handelsbanken AB (Publ.), effective June 2, 2006. Borrowings are guaranteed by ING AIH, with maximum aggregate borrowings outstanding at anytime to ING AIH and its affiliates of $100.0. Interest on any of the Company’s borrowing accrues at an annual rate equal to the rate quoted by Svenska to the Company for the borrowing. Under this agreement, the Company incurred no interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2008, and minimal interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. At December 31, 2007, ILIAC had no amounts outstanding under the line-of-credit agreement. Effective November 19, 2008, the Company discontinued this line-of-credit.
Also see Financing Agreements in the Related Party Transactions footnote.
11.
Reinsurance
At December 31, 2008, the Company had reinsurance treaties with 7 unaffiliated reinsurers covering a significant portion of the mortality risks and guaranteed death benefits under its variable contracts. At December 31, 2008, the Company did not have any outstanding cessions under any reinsurance treaties with affiliated reinsurers. The Company remains liable to the extent its reinsurers do not meet their obligations under the reinsurance agreements.
On, October 1, 1998, the Company disposed of its individual life insurance business under an indemnity reinsurance arrangement with certain subsidiaries of Lincoln for $1.0 billion in cash. Under the agreement, Lincoln contractually assumed from the Company certain policyholder liabilities and obligations, although the Company remains obligated to contractowners. Effective March 1, 2007, the reinsurance agreements were assigned to a single subsidiary of Lincoln, and that subsidiary established a trust to secure its obligations to the Company under the reinsurance transaction.
The Company assumed $25.0 of premium revenue from Aetna Life, for the purchase and administration of a life contingent single premium variable payout annuity contract. In addition, the Company is also responsible for administering fixed annuity payments that are made to annuitants receiving variable payments. Reserves of $11.0 and $16.1 were maintained for this contract as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Reinsurance ceded in force for life mortality risks were $19.6 billion and $20.9 billion at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, net receivables were comprised of the following:
Premiums and Interest credited and other benefits to contractowners were reduced by the following amounts for reinsurance ceded for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006.
12.
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
Leases
Prior to December 31, 2008, the Company leased certain office space and certain equipment under various operating leases, the longest term of which expires in 2014. However, all operating leases were terminated or consolidated by ING AIH during the fourth quarter of 2008, which resulted in the Company no longer being party to any operating leases.
For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, rent expense for leases was $6.1, $17.7, and $17.8, respectively. The Company pays substantially all expenses associated with its leased and subleased office properties. Expenses not paid directly by the Company are paid for by an affiliate and allocated back to the Company. As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s expenses will be paid for by an affiliate and allocated back to the Company.
For more information on the lease terminations, see the Restructuring Charges footnote.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Commitments
Through the normal course of investment operations, the Company commits to either purchase or sell securities, commercial mortgage loans, or money market instruments, at a specified future date and at a specified price or yield. The inability of counterparties to honor these commitments may result in either a higher or lower replacement cost. Also, there is likely to be a change in the value of the securities underlying the commitments.
At December 31, 2008, the Company had off-balance sheet commitments to purchase investments equal to their fair value of $353.3, $253.7 of which was with related parties. At December 31, 2007, the Company had off-balance sheet commitments to purchase investments equal to their fair value of $357.8, $226.6 of which was with related parties. During 2008 and 2007, $81.3 and $87.3, respectively, was funded to related parties under off-balance sheet commitments.
Financial Guarantees
The Company owns a 3-year credit-linked note arrangement, whereby the Company will reimburse the guaranteed party upon payment default of the referenced obligation. Upon such default, the Company reimburses the guaranteed party for the loss under the reference obligation, and the Company receives that reference obligation in settlement. The Company can then seek recovery of any losses under the agreement by sale or collection of the received reference obligation. As of December 31, 2008, the maximum liability to the Company under the guarantee was $30.0.
Cash Collateral
Under the terms of the Company’s Over-The-Counter Derivative ISDA Agreements (“ISDA Agreements”), the Company may receive from, or deliver to, counterparties, collateral to assure that all terms of the ISDA Agreements will be met with regard to the CSA. The terms of the CSA call for the Company to pay interest on any cash received equal to the Federal Funds rate. As of December 31, 2008, the Company held $4.4 of cash collateral, which was included in Collateral held, including payables under securities loan agreement. As of December 31, 2007, the Company delivered $18.8 of cash collateral, which was included in Short-term investments under securities loan agreement, including collateral delivered, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Litigation
The Company is involved in threatened or pending lawsuits/arbitrations arising from the normal conduct of business. Due to the climate in insurance and business litigation/arbitrations, suits against the Company sometimes include claims for substantial compensatory, consequential, or punitive damages, and other types of relief. Moreover, certain claims are asserted as class actions, purporting to represent a group of similarly situated individuals. While it is not possible to forecast the outcome of such
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
lawsuits/arbitrations, in light of existing insurance, reinsurance, and established reserves, it is the opinion of management that the disposition of such lawsuits/arbitrations will not have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s operations or financial position.
Other Regulatory Matters
Regulatory Matters
As with many financial services companies, the Company and its affiliates have received informal and formal requests for information from various state and federal governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations in connection with inquiries and investigations of the products and practices of the financial services industry. In each case, the Company and its affiliates have been and are providing full cooperation.
Insurance and Retirement Plan Products and Other Regulatory Matters
Federal and state regulators, and self-regulatory agencies, are conducting broad inquiries and investigations involving the insurance and retirement industries. These initiatives currently focus on, among other things, compensation, revenue sharing, and other sales incentives; potential conflicts of interest; sales and marketing practices (including sales to seniors); specific product types (including group annuities and indexed annuities); and disclosure. The Company and certain of its U.S. affiliates have received formal and informal requests in connection with such investigations, and have cooperated and are cooperating fully with each request for information. Some of these matters could result in regulatory action involving the Company. These initiatives also may result in new legislation and regulation that could significantly affect the financial services industry, including businesses in which the Company is engaged. In light of these and other developments, U.S. affiliates of ING, including the Company, periodically review whether modifications to their business practices are appropriate.
Investment Product Regulatory Issues
Since 2002, there has been increased governmental and regulatory activity relating to mutual funds and variable insurance products. This activity has primarily focused on inappropriate trading of fund shares; directed brokerage; compensation; sales practices, suitability, and supervision; arrangements with service providers; pricing; compliance and controls; adequacy of disclosure; and document retention.
In addition to responding to governmental and regulatory requests on fund trading issues, ING management, on its own initiative, conducted, through special counsel and a national accounting firm, an extensive internal review of mutual fund trading in ING insurance, retirement, and mutual fund products. The goal of this review was to identify any instances of inappropriate trading in those products by third parties or by ING investment professionals and other ING personnel.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
The internal review identified several isolated arrangements allowing third parties to engage in frequent trading of mutual funds within the variable insurance and mutual fund products of certain affiliates of the Company, and identified other circumstances where frequent trading occurred despite measures taken by ING intended to combat market timing. Each of the arrangements has been terminated and disclosed to regulators, to the independent trustees of ING Funds (U.S.) and in Company reports previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Action has been or may be taken with respect to certain ING affiliates before investigations relating to fund trading are completed. The potential outcome of such action is difficult to predict but could subject certain affiliates to adverse consequences, including, but not limited to, settlement payments, penalties, and other financial liability. It is not currently anticipated, however, that the actual outcome of any such action will have a material adverse effect on ING or ING’s U.S.-based operations, including the Company.
ING has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the ING Funds from all damages resulting from wrongful conduct by ING or its employees or from ING’s internal investigation, any investigations conducted by any governmental or self-regulatory agencies, litigation or other formal proceedings, including any proceedings by the SEC. Management reported to the ING Funds Board that ING management believes that the total amount of any indemnification obligations will not be material to ING or ING’s U.S.-based operations, including the Company.
13.
Restructuring Charges
2008 CitiStreet Integration
During the third quarter, integration initiatives related to the acquisition of CitiStreet by Lion, which provided significant operational and information technology efficiencies to ING’s U.S. retirement services businesses, including the Company, resulted in the recognition of integration and restructuring costs. In addition, the Company implemented an expense reduction program for the purpose of streamlining its overall operations. The restructuring charges related to these expense reduction and integration initiatives include severance and other employee benefits and lease abandonment costs, which are included in Operating Expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
The following table illustrates the restructuring reserves and charges for the period ended December 31, 2008.
The Company estimates the completion of these integration and restructuring activities by January 30, 2010.
2009 Expense and Staff Reductions
On January 12, 2009, ING announced expense and staff reductions across all U.S. operations, which resulted in the elimination of 87 current and open positions in the Company. Due to the staff reductions, curtailment of pension benefits shall occur during the first quarter of 2009, which will result in the recognition of a loss related to unrecognized prior service costs. The effect of the curtailment on the Company’s earnings is anticipated to be less than $0.1. The Company anticipates that these restructuring activities in regards to its operations will be complete by February 10, 2010 with total estimated costs of $5.8.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
14.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Shareholder’s equity included the following components of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006.
During 2008, as a result of the current market conditions, the Company reflected net unrealized capital losses allocated to experience-rated contracts in Shareholder’s equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets rather than Future policy benefits and claims reserves. At December 31, 2008, there are no net unrealized losses allocated to experience-rated contracts. Net unrealized capital gains (losses) allocated to experience-rated contracts of $(16.4) at December 31, 2007, are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in Future policy benefits and claims reserves and are not included in Shareholder’s equity.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of DAC, VOBA, and tax (excluding the tax valuation allowance), related to changes in unrealized capital gains (losses) on securities, including securities pledged and excluding those related to experience-rated contracts, as appropriate, were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006.
(1)
Pretax unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the year were $(1,714.8), $(102.9), and $(95.4), for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
(2)
Pretax reclassification adjustments for gains (losses) and other items included in Net (loss) income were and $(1,079.4), $(75.2), and $(72.0), for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lion Connecticut Holdings Inc.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amount in millions, unless otherwise stated)
15.
Changes to Prior Years Presentation
Consolidated Statements of Operations Presentational Changes
During 2008, certain changes were made to the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended 2007 to more accurately reflect the correct balances, primarily related to surrenders on market value adjusted contracts. As the Company has determined these changes to be immaterial, the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2007, has not been labeled as restated. The following table summarizes the adjustments:
QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
Item 9.
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s current disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that material information relating to the Company required to be disclosed in the Company’s periodic SEC filings is made known to them in a timely manner.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) for the Company. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements of the Company in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
§
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
§
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and
§
provide reasonable assurance regarding the prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of 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.
Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. In making its assessment, management has used the criteria set forth in “Internal Control - Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based upon its assessment, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
Remediation of Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
In the course of determining the required fair value of the reserves for product guarantees for annuity contracts containing guaranteed credited rates for the three months ended March 31, 2008, an error was made in the calculation of the fair value of reserves for such product guarantees. This error had no impact on customer accounts. However, this error resulted, for the three months ended March 31, 2008, in the understatement of Interest credited and other benefits to contractowners by $39.4, overstatement of net amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired by $10.4 and understatement of net loss of $(18.9). The error was identified by the Company in the course of a review by the Company of its product guarantee reserves valuation methodology undertaken during the preparation of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. Restated unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company reflecting the correction of this first quarter 2008 error were included in Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Quarterly Report of Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. See also Quarterly Data within Item 8. for a further discussion of the calculation error associated with the reserves for product guarantees, which was identified in the Company’s previously issued unaudited interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2008, and resulted in a restatement of such prior period interim financial statements.
In connection with the restatement of the Company’s first quarter 2008 unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company concluded that the error was attributable to a material weakness in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting. Specifically, the Company implemented a new model in 2008 for the calculation of the fair value of the reserves for product guarantees. This model, which was performed using an end-user computing tool, contained an error in the discount rate conversion process. Such discount rates are used in the determination of the fair value of the reserves for product guarantees. In addition, the secondary review of the results did not identify that incorrect discount rates were used.
To address the material weakness, during the third quarter of 2008, the Company implemented enhancements to its internal controls over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance that errors of this type will not recur. Remediation included correction of the identified model errors, the implementation of additional monitoring controls to be performed on a quarterly basis, additional in-depth internal review of assumptions, and full implementation of the Company’s existing policies related to
end-user computing tools. In addition, the Company implemented definitive standards for detailed documentation supporting the product guarantee reserves valuation methodology. This included the implementation of a formalized change control process and logic inspection to be completed for each change of the model, and additional in-depth internal review on the converted rates. The Company completed these enhancements by September 30, 2008.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
No changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2008 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.
Item 9B.
Item 9B.
Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2) of Form 10-K, except with respect to compliance with Sections 406 and 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
a)
Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals
The Company has approved and adopted a Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals (which was filed as Exhibit 14 to the Company’s Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2004, File No. 033-23376), pursuant to the requirements of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Any waiver of the Code of Ethics will be disclosed by the Company by way of a Form 8-K filing.
b)
Designation of Board Financial Expert
The Company has designated David A. Wheat, Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as its Board Financial Expert, pursuant to the requirements of Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Because the Company is not subject to the requirements of Exchange Act Rule 10A-3, it does not have any outside directors sitting on its board.
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2) of Form 10-K.
Item 12.
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2) of Form 10-K.
Item 13.
Item 13.
Certain Relationships, Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2) of Form 10-K.
Item 14.
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
In 2008 and 2007, Ernst & Young LLP (“Ernst & Young”) served as the principal external auditing firm for ING, including ILIAC. ING subsidiaries, including ILIAC, are allocated Ernst & Young fees attributable to services rendered by Ernst & Young to each subsidiary. Ernst & Young fees allocated to the Company for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 are detailed below, along with a description of the services rendered by Ernst & Young to the Company.
Audit Fees
Fees for audit services include fees associated with professional services rendered by the auditors for the audit of the annual financial statements of the Company and review of the Company’s interim financial statements.
Audit-related Fees
Audit-related fees were allocated to ILIAC for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the financial statements and are not reported under the audit fee item above. These services consisted primarily of the audit of SEC product filings.
Tax Fees
There were minimal tax fees allocated to ILIAC in 2008 and 2007. Tax fees allocated to ILIAC were primarily for tax compliance and accounting for income taxes. These services consist of tax compliance, including the review of tax disclosures and proper completion of tax forms, assistance with questions regarding tax audits, and tax planning and advisory services relating to common forms of domestic taxation (i.e., income tax and capital tax).
All Other Fees
There were minimal fees allocated to ILIAC in 2008 and 2007 under the category “all other fees.” Other fees allocated to ILIAC under this category typically include fees paid for products and services other than the audit fees, audit-related fees, and tax fees described above, and consist primarily of non-recurring support and advisory services.
Pre-approval Policies and Procedures
ILIAC has adopted the pre-approval policies and procedures of ING. Audit, audit-related, and non-audit services provided to the Company by ING’s independent auditors are pre-approved by ING’s audit committee. Pursuant to ING’s pre-approval policies and procedures, the ING audit committee is required to pre-approve all services provided by ING’s independent auditors to ING and its affiliates, including the Company. The ING pre-approval policies and procedures distinguish five types of services: (1) audit services, (2) audit-related services, (3) tax services, (4) other services that are not audit, audit-related, tax, or prohibited services, and (5) prohibited services (as described in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act).
The ING pre-approval procedures consist of a general pre-approval procedure and a specific pre-approval procedure.
General Pre-approval Procedure
ING’s audit committee pre-approves audit, audit-related, tax, and other, services to be provided by ING’s external audit firms on an annual basis. The audit committee also sets the maximum annual amount for such pre-approved services. Throughout the year, ING’s audit committee receives from ING’s external audit firms an overview of all services provided, including related fees and supported by sufficiently detailed information. ING’s audit committee evaluates this overview periodically on a retrospective basis during the year. Additionally, ING’s Group Finance and Control monitors the amounts paid versus the pre-approved amounts throughout the year.
Specific Pre-approval Procedure
In addition to the general pre-approval procedures, each proposed independent auditor engagement that is expected to generate fees in excess of the pre-approved amounts, must be approved by the audit committee after recommendation of local management on a case-by-case basis.
In 2008 and 2007, 100% of each of the audit-related services, tax services, and all other services were pre-approved by ING’s audit committee.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a)
The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1.
Financial statements. See Item 8. on page 75.
2.
Financial statement schedules. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules on page 150.
3.
Exhibits. See Exhibit Index on page 155.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, and have issued our report thereon dated March 26, 2009. Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in Item 15. These schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits.
In our opinion, the financial statement schedules referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
Atlanta, Georgia
March 26, 2009
*
See Notes 2 and 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(1)
The term “foreign” includes foreign governments, foreign political subdivisions, foreign public utilities, and all other bonds of foreign issuers. Substantially all of the Company’s foreign securities are denominated in U.S. dollars.
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.
March 24, 2009
(Date)
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company
(Registrant)
By: /s/
David A. Wheat
David A. Wheat
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)
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 indicated on or before March 24, 2009.
4.17
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-75980), as filed on August 19, 1997.
4.18
Incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-56297), as filed on June 8, 1998.
4.19
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-79122), as filed on August 16, 1995.
4.20
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-34370), as filed on December 16, 1997.
4.21
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-34370), as filed on September 29, 1997.
4.22
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-34370), as filed on February 21, 1997.
4.23
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 35 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-34370), as filed on April 17, 1998.
4.24
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-87932), as filed on September 19, 1995.
4.25
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-79122), as filed on April 17, 1998.
4.26
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-79122), as filed on April 22, 1997.
4.27
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-75996), as filed on February 16, 2000.
4.28
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-01107), as filed on April 7, 1999.
4.29
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-34370), as filed on April 9, 1999.
4.30
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-87305), as filed on December 13, 1999.
4.31
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-56297), as filed on August 30, 2000.
4.32
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.17 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-75996), as filed on April 7, 1999.
4.33
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registration Statement on From N-4 (File No. 333-01107), as filed on February 16, 2000.
4.34
Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 33- 64331), as filed on November 16, 1995.
4.35
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 33-64331), as filed on January 17, 1996.
4.36
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-75988), as filed on December 30, 2003.
4.37
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-75980), as filed on April 16, 2003.
4.38
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-01107), as filed on April 10, 2002.
4.39
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-81216), as filed on April 11, 2003.
4.40
Incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-109860), as filed on October 21, 2003.
4.41
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-75962), as filed on December 17, 2004.
4.42
Incorporated by reference to Initial Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-130822), as filed on January 3, 2006.
4.43
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-87131), as filed on December 15, 1999.
4.44
Incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-59749), as filed on June 1, 1995.
4.45
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-59749), as filed on April 16, 1997.
4.46
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-80750), as filed on April 17, 1998.
4.47
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-80750), as filed on April 23, 1997.
4.48
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-59749), as filed on November 26, 1997.
4.49
Incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 33-63657), as filed on October 25, 1995.
4.50
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 33-63657), as filed on January 17, 1996.
4.51
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 33-63657), as filed on November 24, 1997.
4.52
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 33-64331), as filed on November 24, 1997.
4.53
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-59749), as filed on November 26, 1997.
4.54
Incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-59749), as filed on June 1, 1995.
4.55
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-59749), as filed on April 16, 1997.
10.1
Tax Sharing Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2000, among Aetna Inc. renamed Lion, Aetna U.S. Healthcare, Inc. renamed Aetna Inc. and ING America Insurance Holdings, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 30, 2001 (File No. 33-23376).
10.2
Lease Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2000, by and between Aetna Life Insurance Company and ILIAC, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 30, 2001 (File No. 33-23376).
10.3
Real Estate Services Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2000, between Aetna Inc. and ILIAC, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 30, 2001 (File No. 33-23376).
10.4
Tax Sharing Agreement between ILIAC, ING America Insurance Holdings, Inc. and affiliated companies, effective January 1, 2001, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 29, 2004 (File No. 033-23376).
10.5
Investment Advisory Agreement between ILIAC and ING Investment Management LLC, dated March 31, 2001, as amended effective January 1, 2003, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 29, 2004 (File No. 033-23376).
10.6
Reciprocal Loan Agreement between ILIAC and ING America Insurance Holdings, Inc., effective June 1, 2001, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 29, 2004 (File No. 033-23376).
10.7
Services Agreement between ILIAC and the affiliated companies listed in Exhibit B to the Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2001, as amended effective January 1, 2002, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 29, 2004 (File No. 033-23376).
10.8
Services Agreement between ILIAC and ING North America Insurance Corporation, dated as of January 1, 2001, as amended effective January 1, 2002, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 29, 2004 (File No. 033-23376).
10.9
Services Agreement between ILIAC and ING Financial Advisers, LLC., effective June 1, 2002, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 29, 2004 (File No. 033-23376).
10.10
Administrative Services Agreement between ILIAC, ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York and the affiliated companies specified in Exhibit A to the Agreement, effective March 1, 2003, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 29, 2004 (File No. 033-23376).
10.11
First Amendment to the Administrative Services Agreement between ILIAC, RLNY and the affiliated companies specified in Exhibit A to the Agreement, effective as of August 1, 2004, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2005 (File No. 033-23376).
10.12
Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between ILIAC and ING Investment Management LLC, effective October 14, 2003, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 29, 2004 (File No. 033-23376).
10.13
Surplus Note for $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount, dated December 29, 2004 issued by ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company to its affiliate, ILIAC, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2005 (File No. 033-23376).
10.14
Joinder Number 2006-1 to Tax Sharing Agreement, dated January 20, 2006, between ILIAC and ING America Insurance Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2006 (File No. 033-23376).
10.15
Amendment Number 2006-1 to Services Agreement, dated as of September 11, 2006, between ILIAC and ING North America Insurance Corporation, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on November 13, 2006 (File No. 033-22376).
10.16
First Amendment, dated August 14, 2006, to Lease Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2000, between Aetna Life Insurance Company and ILIAC, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on November 13, 2006 (File No. 033-23376).
10.17
Second Amendment, dated October 13, 2006, to the Lease Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2000, between Aetna Life Insurance Company and ILIAC, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on April 2, 2007 (File No. 033-23376).
10.18
Agreement A1A document A111-1997 Standard Form of Agreement between Owner and Contractor, as modified, dated September 6, 2006 between Northfield Windsor LLC and John Moriarty & Associates, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 11, 2006 (File/Film No. 033-23376/061083829).
10.19
Form of Agreement, titled Assurance of Discontinuance Pursuant to Executive Law Sec. 63(15), between the Attorney General of the State of New York and ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company dated October 10, 2006, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on October 11, 2006 (File No. 033-23376).
10.20
Form of Agreement, titled Consent Agreement among the State of New Hampshire, Department of State, Bureau of Securities Regulation, ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company, and ING Financial Advisors, LLC dated October 10, 2006, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on October 11, 2006 (File No. 033-23376).
10.21
Amendment Number 2007-1 to Reciprocal Loan Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2007, between ILIAC and ING America Insurance Holdings, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2008 (File No. 033-23376).
10.22
Amendment Number 2007-1 to Services Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2007, between ILIAC and affiliated insurance companies listed on Exhibit B to the Agreement, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2008 (File No. 033-23376).
10.23
Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1998, among Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company (nka ILIAC), Aetna Life Insurance Company and The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2007 (File No. 033-23376).
10.24
Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1998, among Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company (nka ILIAC), Aetna Life Insurance Company and Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2007 (File No. 033-23376).
10.25
Coinsurance Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1998, between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company (nka ILIAC) and The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2007 (File No. 033-23376).
10.26
Coinsurance Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1998, between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company (nka ILIAC) and Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2007 (File No. 033-23376).
10.27
Modified Coinsurance Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1998, between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company (nka ILIAC) and The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2007 (File No. 033-23376).
10.28
Modified Coinsurance Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1998, between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company (nka ILIAC) and Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2007 (File No. 033-23376).
10.29
Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2007, effective as of March 1, 2007, between ILIAC, The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company and Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2007 (File No. 033-23376).
10.30
Amendment No. 1 to Coinsurance Agreement, effective March 1, 2007, between ILIAC and Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2007 (File No. 033-23376).
10.31
Amendment No. 1 to Coinsurance Agreement, effective March 1, 2007, between ILIAC and Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2007 (File No. 033-23376).
10.32
Grantor Trust Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2007 and effective as of March 1, 2007, among ILIAC, Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York and The Bank of New York, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2007 (File No. 033-23376).
10.33
Services Agreement, effective as of January 1, 1994 and dated March 7, 1995, as amended March 7, 1995 and as amended July 31, 2007, between Golden American Life Insurance Company (nka ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company) & Directed Services Inc. (nka Directed Services LLC), incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2008 (File No. 033-23376).
10.34+
Amendment Number 2008-1 to Services Agreement, effective October 1, 2008, among ILIAC and affiliated companies listed on Exhibit B to the Agreement.
14.
ING Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals, incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 29, 2004 (File No. 033-23376).
31.1+
Certificate of David A. Wheat pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2+
Certificate of Richard T. Mason pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1+
Certificate of David A. Wheat pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2+
Certificate of Richard T. Mason pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
+ Filed herewith.