Item 1 A
Risk Factors
Item 2
Properties
Item 3
Legal Proceedings
Item 4
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Part II
Item 5
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
5.1
Equity Security Holders and Market Information
5.2
Dividends
Item 6
Selected Financial Data
Item 7
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
7.1
Executive Summary
7.2
Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates
7.3
Company Results of Operations
7.4
Individual Markets Segment Results of Operations
7.5
Retirement Services Segment Results of Operations
7.6
Other Segment Results of Operations
7.7
Investment Operations
7.8
Liquidity and Capital Resources
7.9
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
7.10
Contractual Obligations
7.11
Application of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Item 7 A
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
Item 8
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures
Item 9A(T)
Controls and Procedures
Item 9 B
Other Information
Part III
Item 10
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
10.1
Identification of Directors
10.2
Identification of Executive Officers
10.3
Code of Ethics
10.4
Securtity Holder Communications
10.5
Audit Committee Financial Expert
Item 11
Executive Compensation
11.1
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
11.2
Compensation Committee Report
11.3
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
11.4
Summary Compensation Table
11.5
Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2008
11.6
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2008 Fiscal Year End
11.7
Option Exercises for 2008
11.8
Pension Benefits for 2008
11.9
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2008
11.10
Compensation of Directors for 2008
Item 12
Security Ownership of Certain Owners and Management
12.1
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
12.2
Security Ownership of Management
Item 13
Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certyain Control Persons
Item 14
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
14.1
Principal Accounting Fees
14.2
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Part IV
Item 15
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
15.1
15.2
Index to Exhibits
Signatures
Part I
Item 1.
Business
1.1 Organization and Corporate Structure
Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) is a stock life insurance company originally organized on March 28, 1907. Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company is domiciled in the state of Colorado.
The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of GWL&A Financial Inc. (“GWL&A Financial”), a Delaware holding company. The Company is indirectly owned by Great-West Lifeco Inc. (“Lifeco”), a Canadian holding company. Lifeco operates in the United States primarily through the Company and through Putnam Investments, LLC, and in Canada and Europe through The Great-West Life Assurance Company (“Great-West Life”) and its subsidiaries, London Life Insurance Company and The Canada Life Assurance Company (“CLAC”). Lifeco is a subsidiary of Power Financial Corporation (“Power Financial”), a Canadian holding company with substantial interests in the financial services industry. Power Corporation of Canada (“Power Corporation”), a Canadian holding and management company, has voting control of Power Financial. Mr. Paul Desmarais, through a group of private holding companies that he controls, has voting control of Power Corporation.
The shares of Lifeco, Power Financial and Power Corporation are traded publicly in Canada on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
1.2 Business of the Company
The Company offers a wide range of life insurance and retirement and investment products to individuals, businesses and other private and public organizations throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and the United States Virgin Islands. Through its Individual Markets segment, the Company offers various forms of life insurance and annuity products. Through its Retirement Services segment, the Company provides retirement plan enrollment services, communication materials, various retirement plan investment options and educational services to employer-sponsored defined contribution/defined benefit plans and 401(k) and 403(b) plans, as well as comprehensive administrative and record-keeping services for financial institutions and employers.
On April 1, 2008, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries completed the sale of substantially all of their healthcare insurance business to a subsidiary of CIGNA Corporation (“CIGNA”). The transaction was announced in November 2007. The Company recognized a gain in the amount of $682 million, net of income taxes, upon completion of the transaction. The business that was sold, formerly reported as the Company’s Healthcare segment, was the vehicle through which it marketed and administered group life and health insurance to small, mid-sized and national employers. CIGNA acquired from the Company the stop loss, group life, group disability, group medical, group dental, group vision, group prescription drug coverage and group accidental death and dismemberment insurance business in the United States and the Company’s supporting information technology infrastructure through a combination of 100% indemnity reinsurance agreements, renewal rights, related administrative service agreements and the acquisition of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Company retained a small portion of its Healthcare business and reports it within its Individual Markets segment. The Company’s business is now comprised of its Individual Markets, Retirement Services and Other segments. As required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the financial statements of the disposed business activities are presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Financial information, including revenues, net income and total assets of the Company’s three operating segments is provided in Note 19 “Segment Information” of the accompanying consolidated financial statements. No customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated revenues during 2008, 2007 or 2006. In addition, no segment of the Company’s business is dependent upon a single
customer or a few customers, the loss of which would have a significant effect on it or its business segment’s operations. The loss of business from any one, or a few, independent brokers or agents would not have a material adverse effect on the Company or its business segments.
Through December 31, 2007, the Company held an undistributed earnings liability on participating business in connection with a long-standing assumption reinsurance agreement under which the Company had reinsured a block of participating policies. During the first quarter of 2008, the Company was no longer required to maintain the $208 million liability to meet the obligations under the terms of the agreement so the liability was decreased with a corresponding decrease to policyholder benefits. An income tax provision was recorded on the undistributed earnings when those earnings occurred. Accordingly, there was no income tax provision recorded at the time of the liability release. On January 1, 2008, the Company began recognizing the net earnings on these policies in its Individual Markets segment net income.
On August 1, 2007, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement with Franklin Templeton Investments whereby Franklin Templeton would transition its 401(k) recordkeeping business to the Company. The Company’s subsidiary, FASCore, LLC, has been supporting Franklin Templeton’s recordkeeping business since 2006. Under the new agreement, the Company entered into a direct contractual relationship with each plan sponsor and assumed additional product servicing and custodial responsibilities for approximately 300 plans, representing approximately 60,000 participants. The transaction was completed during the fourth quarter of 2007.
On December 30, 2005, Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company of South Carolina (“GWSC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, was licensed as a special purpose financial captive insurance company. Following licensing, an affiliate, The Canada Life Assurance Company (“CLAC”) retroceded, on a funds withheld basis, a particular block of United States term life insurance business to GWSC, whereby the excess of U.S. statutory reserves over funds withheld was backed by a letter of credit in the current amount of $919 million. A second letter of credit funds $70 million of capital in GWSC. On July 3, 2007, GWSC and CLAC amended their reinsurance agreement pursuant to which GWSC assumed additional term life insurance from CLAC.
On August 31, 2003, the Company and CLAC entered into an indemnity reinsurance agreement pursuant to which the Company reinsured 80% (originally 45% coinsurance and 35% coinsurance with funds withheld) of certain United States life, health, and annuity business of CLAC’s United States branch. On June 1, 2007, the Company terminated this reinsurance agreement. The Company recorded, at fair value, the following in its consolidated balance sheet in connection with the termination of the reinsurance agreement (In thousands):
The Company recorded the following in its consolidated statement of income in connection with the termination of the reinsurance agreement (In thousands):
On December 31, 2006, the Company purchased the full service defined contribution business from U.S. Bank. The results of operations of this business have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since that date. The acquired business primarily relates to the administration of approximately 1,900 401(k) plans which represent approximately 195,000 members and more than $9.0 billion in retirement plan assets. The acquisition includes the retention of relationship managers and sales and client service specialists. The Company purchased $6 million of assets with $71 million cash. The asset amount consisisted of $77 million of goodwill and intangibles and $6 million in liabilities.
On October 2, 2006, the Company purchased several parts of the full service small and midsized 401(k) as well as certain defined benefit plan business from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (“MetLife”). The assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the results of operations have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since that date. The acquisition included the associated dedicated distribution group, including wholesalers, relationship managers and sales associates. As a result of the acquisition, the Company added approximately 280,000 participants in the 401(k) full service segment and increased its distribution capacity. The Company recorded assets and liabilities in the amount of $1.5 billion, including net cash acquired of $1.4 billion. In addition, the Company acquired the rights to provide administrative services and recordkeeping functions for approximately $3.2 billion of participant account values.
1.3 Company Segments
Individual Markets Segment Principal Products
The Company’s Individual Markets segment distributes life insurance and individual annuity products to both individuals and businesses through various distribution channels. Life insurance products in-force include participating and non-participating term life, whole life, universal life and variable universal life. Participating policyholders share in the financial results of the participating business in the form of policyholder dividends that reflect the difference between the assumptions used in the premium charged and the actual experience on those policies. The Company no longer actively markets participating products. The participating policyholder earnings that cannot be distributed to the shareholder are not included in the Company’s consolidated net income and are reflected in liabilities in undistributed earnings on participating business in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Term life insurance provides coverage for a stated period and pays a death benefit only if the insured dies within the period. Whole life insurance provides guaranteed death benefits and level premium payments for the life of the insured. Universal life insurance products include a cash value component that is credited with interest at regular intervals. The Company’s universal life insurance earnings result from the difference between the investment income and interest credited on customer cash values and from differences between charges for mortality and actual death claims. Universal life cash values are charged for the cost of insurance coverage and for administrative expenses.
Sales of life insurance products typically have initial marketing expenses which are deferred. These expenses are shown as deferred acquisition costs in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and are amortized over the life of the contracts in proportion to the emergence of gross profits or premium revenues recognized. Therefore, retention is an important factor in profitability and is encouraged through product features. For example, the Company’s universal and whole life insurance contracts typically impose a surrender charge on policyholder balances withdrawn within the first ten years of the contract’s inception. The period of time and level of the charge vary by product. In addition, more favorable credited rates may be offered after policies have been in-force for a period of time.
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had $4.9 billion and $4.7 billion, respectively, of policy reserves on individual insurance products sold to corporations insuring the lives of certain employees, also known as corporate-owned life insurance. Due to legislation that phased out the interest deductions on corporate owned policy loans, leveraged corporate owned product sales have ceased. The Company has shifted its emphasis from corporate owned to the business-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) market.
The primary BOLI products are single premium universal life insurance, private placement variable universal life insurance (“PPVUL”) and PPVUL with a stable value wrapper. The insurance policies indirectly fund post-retirement benefits for all employees and non-qualified benefit plans for executives. Community banks are the primary purchasers of the universal life product (general account), while regional and community banks typically purchase PPVUL with a stable value wrapper (separate account). Corporations indirectly funding executive benefits purchase the PPVUL product (separate account) which offers an array of equity and bond funds. At December 31, 2008, the Company had $2.0 billion of general account and $3.0 billion of separate account BOLI policy reserves, compared to $2.1 billion of fixed and $2.4 billion of separate account BOLI policy reserves at December 31, 2007.
Distribution relationships for BOLI were expanded significantly during 2008, which contributed to the sales success. In excess of 130 clients were added during the year.
The Company partners with leading retail financial institutions to distribute individual life and annuity products. During 2008, the Company continued its efforts to partner with large financial institutions to provide individual term and whole life insurance to the general population. Through institutional partners such as Bank of America, Citibank, U.S. Bank, Regions Bank and Huntington Bank, the Company has in excess of 10,000 individual branch and brokerage sales representatives, as well as direct exposure to on-line banking customers. Making life insurance easy to understand in the retail bank environment is vital to the successful execution of this strategy. Most recently, management’s attention has turned to meeting the insurance related needs of the growing retiree marketplace. During 2008, management focused on distributing wealth transfer solutions to their bank partners’ customers via single premium whole life insurance (“SPWL”). Evidencing the Company’s rapid growth and ability to reach a broad bank customer base, the Company was selected by National City Bank as their wealth transfer partner at the end of 2008. During 2009 and beyond, the Company intends to build on its bank market experience and continue to focus on simplifying insurance to meet the needs of its bank partners and their customers.
The Company also has a distribution partnership with Charles Schwab & Co. (“Schwab”) to market variable annuities. As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s Charles Schwab OneSource and selected variable annuities had in excess of $1 billion in assets. The Company believes its variable annuities are among the top selling annuities at Schwab and are sold in both the institutional markets (“IM”) and retail distribution channels. As a leading (top five) independent financial advisor group, Schwab’s IM distribution channel provides the Company with access to an important retirement market segment. With a continued focus on product simplicity, customer value and product development collaboration, the Company and Schwab are together working on ways to serve this market with valuable accumulation and income products during 2009.
On a limited basis, the Company also offers single premium annuities and guaranteed certificates that provide guarantees of principal and interest with a fixed maturity date.
See Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for certain financial information of the Company’s Individual Markets segment.
Retirement Services Segment Principal Products
Through its Retirement Services segment, the Company provides retirement plan enrollment services, communication materials, various retirement plan investment options and educational services to employer-sponsored defined contribution/defined benefit plans and 401(k) and 403(b) plans, as well as comprehensive administrative and record-keeping services for financial institutions and employers. Defined contribution plans provide for benefits based upon the value of contributions to, and investment returns on, an individual’s account. This has been the fastest growing portion of the pension marketplace in recent years. Defined benefit plans are plans where employee benefits are determined by formulas using factors such as salary history and duration of employment.
The marketing focus is directed towards providing full service and investment products under Internal Revenue Code Sections 401(a), 401(k), 403(b), 408, and 457 to state and local governments, hospitals, non-profit organizations, public school districts and corporations. Record-keeping and administrative services for defined contribution plans may also be provided to this target market. Through a subsidiary, FASCore, LLC, the Company is focused on partnering with other large institutions to provide third-party record-keeping and administration services.
The Company offers both guaranteed interest rate investment options for various lengths of time and variable annuity products designed to meet the specific needs of the customer. In addition, the Company offers both customized annuity and non-annuity products.
From the guaranteed interest rate option, the Company earns investment margins on the difference between the income earned on investments in its general account and the interest credited to the participant’s account balance. The Company’s general account assets support the guaranteed investment product. The Company also manages separate account fixed interest rate options where it is paid a management fee.
The Company’s variable investment options provide the opportunity for participants to assume the risks of, and receive the benefits from, the investment of retirement assets. The variable product assets are invested, as designated by the participant, in separate accounts that in turn invest in shares of underlying funds managed by the Company or its affiliates and by selected external fund managers.
The Company is compensated by separate account fees for mortality and expense risks pertaining to the variable annuity contract and/or for providing administrative services. The Company is reimbursed by external mutual funds for marketing, sales and service costs under various revenue sharing agreements.
The Company also receives fees for providing third-party administrative and recordkeeping services to financial institutions and employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Customer retention is a key factor for the profitability of group annuity products. To encourage customer retention, annuity contracts may impose a surrender charge on policyholder balances withdrawn for a period of time after the contract’s inception. The period of time and level of the charge vary by product as well as other factors such as size of the prospective group, projected annual contributions for all participants in the group, frequency of projected withdrawals, type and frequency of administrative and sales services provided, level of other charges, type and level of communication services provided and the number and types of plans. Existing federal tax penalties on distributions prior to age 59½ provide an additional disincentive to premature surrenders of balances held under the group annuity contract, but do not impede transfers of those balances to products of competitors.
See Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for certain financial information of the Company’s Retirement Services segment.
Method of Distribution of Products Within the Individual Markets and Retirement Services Segments
The Individual Markets segment distributes individual life insurance through marketing agreements with various retail financial institutions. BOLI is distributed through specialized benefit consulting organizations and through financial services organizations such as Great-West Retirement Services. As discussed above, annuity products are also offered through a distribution relationship with Schwab.
The Great-West Retirement Services segment distributes pension products through a subsidiary, GWFS Equities, Inc., as well as through over 400 pension consultants, representatives and service personnel. Record-keeping and administrative services are also marketed through institutional partners.
Competition Within the Individual Markets and Retirement Services Segments
The life insurance, savings and investments marketplace is highly competitive. The Company’s competitors include mutual fund companies, insurance companies, banks, investment advisers and certain service and professional organizations. No one competitor or small number of competitors is dominant. Competition focuses on service, technology, cost, variety of investment options, investment performance, product features and price and financial strength as indicated by ratings issued by nationally recognized agencies. For more information on the Company’s ratings strength, see Item 1.6, Ratings.
Life Insurance In-Force and Policy Reserve Liabilities
The amount of fixed annuity products in-force is measured by policy reserves. The following table shows group and individual annuity policy reserves supported by the Company’s general account as well as the annuity balances in Individual Markets and Retirement Services separate accounts for the years indicated:
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had $9.4 billion and $9.0 billion, respectively, of policy reserves on individual insurance in its consolidated balance sheets. The following table summarizes individual life insurance in-force prior to reinsurance ceded for the years indicated:
In the Individual Markets segment, reserves for all fixed individual life insurance contracts are computed on the basis of assumed investment yield, mortality, morbidity and expenses, including a margin for adverse deviation. These reserves are calculated as the present value of future benefits (including dividends) and expenses less the present value of future net premiums. The assumptions used in calculating the reserves generally vary by plan, year of issue and policy duration.
For all life insurance contracts, reserves are established for claims that have been incurred but not reported based on factors derived from past experience.
In both the Individual Markets and Retirement Services segments, reserves for investment-type policies (primarily deferred annuities and 401(k) plans) are established at the contractholder’s account value,
which is equal to cumulative deposits and credited interest, less withdrawals and mortality and expense and/or administrative service charges.
Reserves for limited payment contracts (immediate annuities) are computed on the basis of assumed investment yield, mortality (where payouts are contingent on survivorship) and expenses. These assumptions generally vary by plan, year of issue and policy duration. Reserves for immediate annuities without life contingent payouts are computed on the basis of assumed investment yield and expenses.
The aforementioned reserves are computed amounts that, with additions from premiums and deposits to be received and with interest on such reserves, are expected to be sufficient to meet the Company’s policy obligations (such as paying expected death or retirement benefits or surrender requests) and to generate profits.
Reinsurance Within the Individual Markets and Retirement Services Segments
The Company enters into reinsurance transactions as both a provider and a purchaser of reinsurance. When purchasing reinsurance, the Company seeks to limit its exposure to loss on any single insured and to recover a portion of benefits paid by ceding risks to other insurance enterprises under excess coverage and coinsurance contracts. Under the terms of these contracts, the reinsurer agrees to reimburse the Company for the ceded amount in the event a claim is paid. However, the Company remains liable to its policyholders with respect to the ceded insurance if a reinsurer fails to meet the obligations it assumed. Accordingly, the Company only cedes insurance to highly rated, well-capitalized companies. The Company retains a maximum of $3.5 million of coverage per individual life.
Other Segment
The Company’s Other segment includes corporate items not directly allocated to any of its other two business segments, interest expense on long-term debt and the activities of GWSC whose sole business is the assumption of a certain block of term life insurance retroceded by CLAC under a December 31, 2005 reinsurance agreement, as amended. These reserves are calculated as the present value of future benefits (including dividends) and expenses less the present value of future net premiums. The assumptions used in calculating the reserves generally vary by plan, year of issue and policy duration. Reserves are also established for claims that have been incurred but not reported based on factors derived from past experience.
The following table shows policy reserves and life insurance in-force for the years indicated:
See Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for certain financial information of the Company’s Other segment.
1.4 Investment Operations
The Company’s investment division manages and administers the investments of its general and separate accounts in support of the cash and liquidity requirements of its insurance and investment products. The Company’s principal investments are in fixed maturities and mortgage loans on real estate, all of which are exposed to three primary sources of investment risk: credit, interest rate and market valuation. Total investments at December 31, 2008, were $33.2 billion, comprised of general account investment assets in the amount of $18.1 billion and separate account assets in the amount of $15.1 billion. Total investments at December 31, 2007, were $37.5 billion, comprised of general account investment assets in the amount of $19.4 billion and separate account assets in the amount of $18.1 billion.
The Company’s general account investments are in a broad range of asset classes, primarily domestic fixed maturities. Fixed maturity investments include public and privately placed corporate bonds, government bonds and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The Company’s mortgage loans on real estate are comprised exclusively of commercial loans. The Company does not originate any single family residential mortgage loans.
The Company manages the characteristics of its investment assets, such as liquidity, currency, yield and duration, to reflect the underlying characteristics of related insurance and policyholder liabilities that vary among its principal product lines. The Company observes strict asset and liability matching guidelines designed to ensure that the investment portfolio will appropriately meet the cash flow and income requirements of its liabilities. In connection with its investment strategy, the Company makes limited use of derivative instruments in hedging transactions to manage certain portfolio related risks such as variability in cash flows or changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability. Derivative instruments are not used for speculative purposes. For more information on derivatives, see Notes 1 and 7 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements which are included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The Company routinely monitors and evaluates the status of its investments in light of current economic conditions, trends in capital markets and other factors. These other factors include investment size, quality, concentration by issuer and industry and other diversification considerations relevant to the Company’s fixed maturity investments.
The Company reduces credit risk for the portfolio as a whole by investing primarily in investment grade fixed maturities. As of both December 31, 2008 and 2007, 98.2% of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio carried an investment grade rating.
See Item 7.1, Executive Summary, for a discussion of current market conditions and their impact on the Company’s investment operations.
The following table sets forth the distribution of invested assets, cash and accrued investment income for the Company’s general account as of December 31 for the years indicated. Information is presented at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 as previously disclosed and has not been restated for any reclassifications:
The following table summarizes the Company’s general account investment results:
1.5 Regulation
Insurance Regulation
The Company and its insurance subsidiaries are licensed to transact life insurance business, accident and health insurance business and annuity business in, and are subject to regulation and supervision by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. The extent of such regulation varies, but most jurisdictions have laws and regulations governing the financial aspects of insurers, including standards of solvency, statutory reserves, reinsurance and capital adequacy and the business conduct of insurers. In addition, statutes and regulations usually require the licensing of insurers and their agents, the approval of policy forms and certain other related materials and, for certain lines of insurance, the approval of rates. Such statutes and regulations also prescribe the permitted types and concentration of investments.
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are subject to, and comply with, insurance holding company regulations in applicable states. The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are each required to file reports, generally including detailed annual financial statements, with insurance regulatory authorities in each of the jurisdictions in which they do business, and their operations and accounts are subject to periodic examination by such authorities. These subsidiaries must also file, and in many jurisdictions and in
some lines of insurance, obtain regulatory approval for rules, rates and forms relating to the insurance written in the jurisdictions in which they operate.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the “NAIC”) has established a program of accrediting state insurance departments. NAIC accreditation permits accredited states to conduct periodic examinations of insurers domiciled in such states. NAIC-accredited states will not accept reports of examination of insurers from unaccredited states, except under limited circumstances. As a direct result, insurers domiciled in unaccredited states may be subject to financial examination by accredited states in which they are licensed, in addition to any examinations conducted by their domiciliary states. The Colorado Department of Insurance (the “CO DOI”), the Company’s principal insurance regulator, has received this NAIC accreditation.
State and federal insurance and securities regulatory authorities and other state law enforcement agencies and attorneys general from time to time make inquiries regarding compliance by the Company and its insurance subsidiaries with insurance, securities and other laws and regulations regarding the conduct of the Company’s insurance and securities business.
A discussion of certain regulations the Company is subjected to follows:
• Insurance Company Regulation - The Company and its insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulation under the insurance company laws of various jurisdictions. The insurance company laws and regulations vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but generally require an insurance company that is a member of an insurance holding company system (two or more affiliated persons, one or more of which is an insurer) to register with state regulatory authorities and to file with those authorities certain reports, including information concerning their capital structure, ownership, financial condition, certain intercompany transactions and general business operations. In addition, various state jurisdictions have broad administrative powers with respect to such matters as admittance of assets, premium rating methodology, policy forms, establishing reserve requirements and solvency standards, maximum interest rates on life insurance policy loans and minimum rates for accumulation of surrender values, the type and amounts and valuation of investments permitted. State insurance statutes also typically place restrictions and limitations on the amount of dividends or other distributions payable by insurance companies to their parent companies, as well as on transactions between an insurer and its affiliates. See Note 13 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the Company’s dividend transactions.
• Guaranty Associations and Similar Arrangements - Most of the jurisdictions in which the Company and its insurance subsidiaries are admitted to transact business require life insurers doing business within their jurisdiction to participate in guaranty associations, which are organized to pay certain contractual insurance benefits owed pursuant to insurance policies issued by impaired, insolvent or failed insurers. These associations levy assessments, up to prescribed limits, on all member insurers in a particular state on the basis of the proportionate share of the premiums written by member insurers in the lines of business in which the impaired, insolvent or failed insurer is engaged. Some states permit member insurers to recover assessments paid through full or partial premium tax offsets. The Company has historically recovered more than half of the guaranty assessments through these offsets. The Company has a prepaid asset associated with guaranty fund assessments in the amounts of $1.5 million and $1.8 million at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
• Statutory Insurance Examinations - As part of their regulatory oversight process, state insurance departments conduct periodic detailed examinations of the books, records, accounts and business practices of insurers domiciled in their states. During the three-year period ended December 31, 2008, these examinations produced no significant adverse findings regarding the operations or accounts of the Company and its insurance subsidiaries.
• Policy and Contract Reserve Sufficiency Analysis - Annually, the Company and its insurance subsidiaries are required to conduct an analysis of the sufficiency of all statutory reserves. In each case, a qualified actuary must submit an opinion which states that the statutory reserves, when considered in light of the assets held with respect to such reserves, make good and sufficient provision
for the associated contractual obligations and related expenses of the insurer. If such an opinion cannot be provided, the insurer must set up additional reserves by moving funds from surplus. Since inception of this requirement, the Company and its insurance subsidiaries which are required by their states of domicile to provide these opinions have provided such opinions without qualification.
• Surplus and Capital - The Company and its insurance subsidiaries are subject to the supervision of the regulators in each jurisdiction in which they are licensed to transact business. Regulators have discretionary authority, in connection with the continued licensing of these insurance subsidiaries, to limit or prohibit sales to policyholders if, in their judgment, the regulators determine that such insurer has not maintained the minimum surplus or capital or that the further transaction of business will be hazardous to policyholders. As of December 31, 2008, the Company and its insurance subsidiaries have surplus and capital in excess of that required by the regulators.
• Risk-Based Capital (“RBC”) - The Company and its insurance subsidiaries are subject to certain RBC requirements and report their RBC based on a formula calculated by applying factors to various asset, premium and statutory reserve items. The formula takes into account the risk characteristics of the insurer, including asset risk, insurance risk, interest rate risk and business risk. The formula is used as an early warning regulatory tool to identify possible inadequately capitalized insurers for purposes of initiating regulatory action and not as a means to rank insurers generally. As of the date of the most recent statutory financial statements filed with insurance regulators, the total adjusted capital of the Company and its insurance subsidiaries was in excess of the RBC amount.
• Regulation of Investments - The Company and its insurance subsidiaries are subject to state laws and regulations that require diversification of its investment portfolios and limit the amount of investments in certain asset categories, such as below investment grade fixed income securities, other equity investments, and derivatives. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations would cause investments exceeding regulatory limitations to be treated as non-admitted assets for purposes of measuring surplus, and, in some instances, would require divestiture of such non-qualifying investments.
• Federal Initiatives - Although the federal government generally does not directly regulate the insurance business, federal initiatives often have an impact on the Company’s business in a variety of ways. From time to time, federal measures are proposed which may significantly affect the insurance business; the potential for this resides primarily in the tax-writing committees. At the present time, management is not aware of any federal legislative initiatives that, if enacted, would adversely impact the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.
• Broker-Dealer and Securities Regulation - One of the Company’s subsidiaries is subject to regulation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. This subsidiary acts as the underwriter and distributor for variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by the Company and one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company.
Environmental Considerations
As an owner and operator of real property, the Company is subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Inherent in such ownership and operation is also the risk that there may be potential environmental liabilities and costs in connection with any required remediation of such properties. Management cannot provide assurance that unexpected environmental liabilities will not arise. However, based on information currently available to management, it believes that any costs associated with compliance with environmental laws and regulations or any remediation of such properties will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.
ERISA Considerations
The Company provides products and services to certain employee benefit plans that are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As such, the Company’s activities are subject to the restrictions imposed by ERISA and the Code, including the requirement under ERISA that fiduciaries must perform their duties solely in the interests of ERISA plan participants and beneficiaries and the requirement under ERISA and the Code that fiduciaries may not cause a covered plan to engage in prohibited transactions with persons who have certain relationships with respect to such plans. The applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code are subject to enforcement by the Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
1.6 Ratings
The Company is rated by a number of nationally recognized rating agencies. The ratings represent the opinion of the rating agencies regarding the financial strength of the Company and its ability to meet ongoing obligations to policyholders. The Company’s financial strength ratings as of the date of this filing are as follows:
Superior (highest category out of ten categories).
Very Strong (second highest category out of nine categories).
Excellent (second highest category out of nine categories).
1.7 Employees
The Company had approximately 3,000 and 6,600 employees at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The decline in the number of employees is the result of the sale of substantially all of the Company’s healthcare business as discussed in Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
1.8 Available Information
The Company files periodic reports and other information with the SEC. Such reports and other information may be obtained by visiting the Public Reference Room of the SEC at its Headquarters Office, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington D.C. 20549 or by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090 (Public Reference Room) or 1-800-SEC-0330 (Office of Investor Education and Assistance). In addition, the SEC maintains an internet website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including the Company.
Item 1A.
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
In the normal course of its business, the Company is exposed to certain operational, regulatory and financial risks and uncertainties. The most significant risks include the following.
Competition could negatively affect the ability of the Company to maintain or increase market share or profitability.
The industry in which the Company operates is highly competitive. The Company’s competitors include insurance companies, mutual fund companies, banks, investment advisers and certain service and
professional organizations. Although there has been consolidation in some sectors, no one competitor is dominant. Customer retention is a key factor for continued profitability. Management cannot assure that the Company will be able to maintain its current competitive position in the markets in which it operates, or that it will be able to expand its operations into new markets. If the Company fails to do so, its business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. See Item 1.3, Company Segments, for a further discussion of competition.
The insurance industry is heavily regulated and changes in regulation may reduce profitability.
Federal and state regulatory reform that increases the compliance requirements imposed on the Company or that change the way that the Company is able to do business may significantly harm its business or adversely impact the results of operations in the future. It is not possible to predict whether future legislation or regulation adversely affecting the Company’s business will be enacted and, if enacted, the extent to which such legislation will have an effect on the Company or its competitors. Furthermore, there can be no assurance as to which of the Company’s specific products would be impacted by any such legislative or regulatory reform.
The Company’s operations and accounts are subject to examination by the CO DOI and other regulators at specified intervals. The NAIC has also prescribed RBC rules and other financial ratios for life insurance companies. The calculations set forth in these rules are used by regulators to assess the sufficiency of an insurer’s capital and measure the risk characteristics of an insurer’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items. RBC is calculated by applying factors to various asset, premium and liability items. Although the Company has risk-based capital levels well in excess of those required by its regulators, there can be no assurances made that it will continue to maintain these levels.
See Item 1.5, Regulation, for a further discussion of regulation.
A downgrade or potential downgrade in the Company’s financial strength or claims paying ratings could result in a loss of business and negatively affect results of operations and financial condition.
The Company is rated by a number of nationally recognized rating agencies. The ratings represent the opinion of the rating agencies regarding the Company’s financial strength and its ability to meet ongoing obligations to policyholders. Claims paying ability and financial strength ratings are factors in establishing the competitive position of insurers. A rating downgrade, or the potential for such a downgrade, of the Company or any of its rated insurance subsidiaries could, among other things, materially increase the number of policy surrenders and withdrawals by policyholders of cash values from their policies, adversely affecting relationships with broker-dealers, banks, agents, wholesalers and other distributors of its products and services. This may result in cash payments requiring the Company to sell invested assets, including illiquid assets such as privately placed fixed maturity investments and mortgage loans on real estate, at a price that may result in realized investment losses. These cash payments to policyholders result in a decrease in total invested assets and a decrease in net income. Among other things, early withdrawals may also cause the Company to accelerate amortization of policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired, reducing net income. In addition, a downgrade may negatively impact new sales and adversely affect the Company’s ability to compete and thereby have a material affect on its business, results of operations, and financial condition. Negative changes in credit ratings may also increase the Company’s cost of funding.
See Item 1.6, Ratings, for the Company’s current credit ratings.
Deviations from assumptions regarding future persistency, mortality and interest rates used in calculating reserves for future policyholder benefits and claims could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
The Company maintains policy and contract reserves to cover its estimated liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for both reported and unreported claims incurred. Reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability. Rather, reserves represent an estimate of what management expects the ultimate settlement and administration of claims will cost. These estimates, which generally involve actuarial projections, are based upon management’s assessment of facts and circumstances
then known, as well as estimates of future trends in persistency (how long a contract stays with the Company), claims severity and frequency, judicial theories of liability, interest rates and other factors. These variables are affected by both internal and external events, such as changes in claims handling procedures, catastrophic events, inflation, judicial trends and legislative changes. Many of these items are not directly quantifiable in advance. The Company’s life insurance products are exposed to the risk of catastrophic events, such as a pandemic, terrorism, or other such events that cause a large number of deaths. Additionally, there may be a significant reporting delay between the occurrence of an insured event and the time it is reported.
The inherent uncertainties of estimating reserves are greater for certain types of liabilities, particularly those in which the various considerations affecting the type of claim are subject to change and in which long periods of time may elapse before a definitive determination of liability is made. Reserve estimates are continually refined in a regular and ongoing process as experience develops and further claims are reported and settled. Adjustments to reserves are reflected in the Company’s consolidated statement of income in the period in which adjustments are determined. Because setting reserves is inherently uncertain, there can be no assurance that current reserves will prove to be adequate in light of subsequent events.
See Item 1.3, Company Segments, for a further discussion of reserves.
The Company may be required to accelerate the amortization of deferred acquisition costs or valuation of business acquired, or recognize impairment in the value of goodwill, which could adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition.
Deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) represent the costs that vary with and are related primarily to the acquisition of new insurance and annuity contracts and is amortized over the expected lives of the contracts. Valuation of business acquired (“VOBA”) represents the present value of future profits associated with acquired insurance, annuity and investment-type contracts and is amortized over the expected effective lives of the acquired contracts. Goodwill represents the excess of the amounts the Company paid to acquire subsidiaries and other businesses over the fair value of their net assets at the date of acquisition. The Company, on an ongoing basis, tests the DAC and VOBA recorded on the consolidated balance sheets to determine if these amounts are recoverable under current assumptions. In addition, management regularly reviews the estimates and assumptions underlying DAC and VOBA for those products for which DAC and VOBA are amortized in proportion to gross profits or gross premiums. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at least annually based upon estimates of the fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill relates. Given changes in facts and circumstances, these tests and reviews could lead to reductions in DAC, VOBA and/or goodwill that could have an adverse effect on the results of operations and financial condition.
If the companies that provide reinsurance default or fail to perform or the Company is unable to obtain adequate reinsurance for some of the risks underwritten, the Company could incur significant losses adversely affecting results of operations and financial condition.
The Company purchases reinsurance by transferring, or ceding, part of the risk it assumes to a reinsurance company in exchange for part of the premium it receives in connection with the risk. The part of the risk the Company retains for its own account is known as the retention. Through reinsurance, the Company has the contractual right to collect the amount above its retention from its reinsurers. Although reinsurance makes the reinsurer liable to the Company to the extent the risk is transferred or ceded to the reinsurer, it does not relieve it of its full liability to its policyholders. Accordingly, the Company bears credit risk with respect to its reinsurers. Management cannot make assurances that the Company’s reinsurers will pay all of its reinsurance claims, or that they will pay claims on a timely basis. If the Company becomes liable for risks it has ceded to reinsurers or if its reinsurers cease to meet their obligations to the Company, whether because they are in a weakened position as a result of incurred losses or otherwise, the Company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
As related to the Company’s reinsurance facilities, there are no assurances that the Company can maintain its current reinsurance facilities or that it can obtain other reinsurance facilities in adequate
amounts and at favorable rates. If the Company is unable to obtain new reinsurance facilities, either its net exposures would increase or, if it is unwilling to bear an increase in net exposures, it would have to reduce the level of its underwriting commitments. Either of these potential developments could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial position. See Item 1.3, Company Segments, for a further discussion of reinsurance.
Interest rate fluctuations could have a negative impact on results of operations and financial condition.
In periods of rapidly increasing interest rates, policy loans, surrenders and withdrawals may increase. Premiums in flexible premium policies may decrease as policyholders seek investments with higher perceived returns. This activity may result in the Company making cash payments requiring that it sell invested assets at a time when the prices of those assets are adversely affected by the increase in market interest rates. Among other things, early withdrawals may also cause the Company to accelerate the amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired, reducing net income.
During periods of sustained low interest rates, life insurance and annuity products may be affected by increased premium payments on products with flexible premium features and a higher percentage of insurance policies remaining in-force from year to year. During such a period, investment earnings may be lower because the interest earnings on new fixed income investments will likely have declined with the market interest rates. Although the Company invests in a broad range of asset classes, it is primarily invested in domestic fixed income securities. Accordingly, during periods of sustained low interest rates, net income may decline as a result of a decrease in the spread between either the interest rates credited to policyholders or the rates assumed in reserve calculations. Several products are at or approaching their minimum guaranteed credit rate, which could have a negative effect on net income due to spread compression.
Although the Company engages in hedging activities including investing in interest rate derivatives, there can be no assurance that it would be fully insulated from realizing any losses on sales of securities. In addition, regardless of whether the Company realized an investment loss, potential withdrawals would produce a decrease in invested assets, with an adverse effect on future earnings.
Market fluctuations and general economic conditions may adversely affect results of operations and financial condition.
Global credit, equity and foreign exchange markets continue to experience significant volatility as a result of credit and liquidity concerns relating ultimately to the deterioration in the United States mortgage and housing markets. These concerns have led to the disruption in the normal functioning of credit markets around the world. This marketplace leads to the concerns of credit losses in 2009. The U.S. government has implemented a number of initiatives to restore stability and provide liquidity to financial institutions and financial markets. Furthermore, governments throughout the world are taking steps to provide significant support to financial institutions in their markets and to restore liquidity. The Company did not participate in any of these initiatives.
The Company expects fee income to decline in 2009 due to the decline in equity markets and lower average assets.
The Company manages or administers its general and separate accounts in support of cash and liquidity requirements of its insurance and investment products. The Company’s general account investment portfolio is diversified over a broad range of asset classes, primarily domestic fixed income securities. The fair value of these and other general account invested assets fluctuate depending upon, among other factors, general economic and market conditions. In general, the market value of the Company’s general account fixed maturity securities portfolio increases or decreases in inverse relationship with fluctuations in interest rates.
The occurrence of a major economic downturn, acts of corporate malfeasance or other events that adversely affect the issuers of the Company’s fixed maturity and equity securities could cause the value of these securities and net income to decline and the default rate of the fixed maturity securities to
increase. A ratings downgrade affecting particular issuers or securities could have a similar effect. Any event reducing the value of these securities other than on a temporary basis could have an adverse effect on the results of operations and financial condition.
Additionally, the Company may, from time to time, for business, regulatory, or other reasons, elect or be required to sell certain of its general account invested assets at a time when their fair values are less than their original cost, resulting in realized capital losses, which would reduce net income.
The risk of fluctuations in market value of substantially all of the separate account assets is borne by the policyholders. The Company’s fee income for administering separate account assets, however, is generally set as a percentage of those assets. Accordingly, fluctuations in the market value of separate account assets may result in fluctuations in revenue from policy charges.
See Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk, for a further discussion of market risk.
Changes in U.S. federal income tax law could make some of the Company’s products less attractive to consumers and increase its tax costs.
Changes in U.S. federal income tax law could make some of the Company’s products less attractive to consumers. For example, the following events could adversely affect the Company’s business.
•
changes in tax laws that would reduce or eliminate tax-deferred accumulation of earnings on the premiums paid by the holders of annuities and life insurance products;
•
reductions in the federal income tax that investors are required to pay on long-term capital gains and on some dividends paid on stock may provide an incentive for some of the Company’s customers and potential customers to shift assets into mutual funds and away from products, including life insurance and annuities, designed to defer taxes payable on investment returns;
•
changes in applicable regulations that could restrict the ability of some companies to purchase certain BOLI products;
•
changes in the availability of, or rules concerning the establishment and operation of, Section 401, 403(b), 408 and 457 plans and
•
repeal of the federal estate tax.
The Company cannot predict whether any other legislation will be enacted, what the specific terms of any such legislation will be or how, if at all, this legislation or any other legislation could have an adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.
Congress, as well as state and local governments, also considers from time to time legislation that could increase the Company’s tax costs. If such legislation is adopted, the results of operations could decline.
The Company may be subject to litigation resulting in substantial awards or settlements, and this may adversely affect its reputation and results of operations.
In recent years, life, accident and health insurance and financial service companies have been named as defendants in lawsuits, including class actions. A number of these lawsuits have resulted in substantial jury awards and settlements. There can be no assurance that any future litigation relating to matters such as the provision of health coverage or pricing and sales practices will not have a material adverse affect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
The Company’s risk management policies and procedures may leave it exposed to unidentified or unanticipated risk, which could adversely affect its business, results of operations and financial condition.
Management of operational, legal and regulatory risks requires, among other things, policies and procedures to record properly and verify a large number of transactions and events. Management has devoted significant resources to develop the Company’s risk management and disaster recovery policies and procedures. However, policies and procedures may not be fully effective and may leave the
Company exposed to unidentified and unanticipated risks. The Company may be subject to disruptions of its operating systems or its ability to conduct business from events that are wholly or partially beyond its control such as a natural catastrophe, act of terrorism, pandemic, or electrical/telecommunications outage. A failure of the computer systems or a compromise of their security could also subject the Company to regulatory sanctions or other claims, harm its reputation, interrupt operations and adversely affect its business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Company may experience difficulty in marketing and distributing products through its current and future distribution channels.
The Company distributes its life and savings products through a variety of distribution channels, including brokers, independent agents, consultants, retail financial institutions and its own internal sales force. In some areas the Company generates a significant portion of its business through third-party arrangements. Management periodically negotiates provisions and renewals of these relationships and there can be no assurance that such terms will remain acceptable to either party. An interruption in the continuing relationship with certain of these third parties could materially affect the Company’s ability to market its products. The Company must attract and retain productive internal sales representatives to sell its products. If the Company is unsuccessful in attracting and retaining sales representatives with demonstrated abilities, its results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Item 2.
Item 2.
Properties
The Company’s corporate office facility is comprised of an 882,000 square foot complex located in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The Company owns its corporate office facilities. The Company leases a total of 280,000 square feet of the complex to CIGNA for a variety of time periods. The Company also leases sales offices throughout the United States. Management believes that the Company’s properties are suitable and adequate for its current and anticipated business operations.
Item 3.
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their property is the subject.
Item 4.
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2008.
Part II
Item 5.
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
5.1 Equity Security Holders and Market Information
There is no established public trading market for the Company’s common equity. GWL&A Financial is the sole shareholder of the Company’s common equity securities.
5.2 Dividends
In the three most recent fiscal years, the Company has paid dividends on its common shares. Dividends paid on the Company’s common stock were $1,772 million, $605 million and $249 million during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Dividends paid during the year ended December 31, 2008 were paid in part using the proceeds from the sale of the Healthcare segment as discussed in Item 1, Business.
Under Colorado law, the Company cannot, without the approval of the Colorado Commissioner of Insurance, pay a dividend if as a result of such payment, the total of that dividend and all dividends paid in the preceding twelve months, would exceed the greater of (i) 10% of the Company’s statutory surplus as regards policyholders as of the preceding year ended December 31; or (ii) the Company’s statutory net gain, not including realized capital gains, for the twelve-month period ending the preceding December 31 not including pro rata distributions of the Company’s own securities.
Item 6.
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
The following is a summary of selected consolidated financial information for the Company. The selected consolidated financial information for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, and at December 31, 2008 and 2007 has been derived in part from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements discusses the significant accounting policies of the Company. The selected consolidated income statement data for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 have been derived in part from the Company’s consolidated financial statements not included elsewhere herein. The selected consolidated income statement data for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 2005 and 2004 have not been restated for discontinued operations. The following information should be read in conjunction with and is qualified in its entirety by the information contained in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and the consolidated financial statements appearing in Item 8.
1 See Item 1.2, Business of the Company and Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the Company’s discontinued operations.
The accompanying 2007 consolidated balance sheet and 2006 and 2007 consolidated statements of stockholder’s equity have been restated as a result of a previous misstatement of deferred income taxes. As a result of the completion of the Company’s analysis of its deferred tax accounts, an increase of $44 million was recorded to total assets for 2007 and total stockholder’s equity for 2006 and 2007 in the table above. See Notes 1 and 18 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Item 7.
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements not based on historical information and that relate to future operations, strategies, financial results, or other developments. In particular, statements using verbs such as “expected,” “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 or projected levels of sales of its products, investment spreads or yields, or the earnings or profitability of
the Company’s activities. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon 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, with respect to future business decisions, are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual results and 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 events or developments, some of which may be national in scope, such as general economic conditions and interest rates, some of which may be related to the insurance industry generally, such as pricing competition, regulatory developments and industry consolidation and others of which may relate to the Company specifically, such as credit, volatility and other risks associated with its investment portfolio and other factors. Readers should also consider other matters, including any risks and uncertainties, discussed in documents filed by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the three years ended December 31, 2008 follows. This management discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the financial data contained in Item 6, Selected Financial Data, and in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
7.1 Executive Summary
The Company and its subsidiaries are providers of insurance and other financial service products to a large spectrum of individual, corporate, institutional and governmental customers. The Company offers life insurance and annuities to individuals, while corporations and other institutions are offered retirement and savings products and services.
On April 1, 2008, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries completed the sale of substantially all of their healthcare insurance business to a subsidiary of CIGNA Corporation (“CIGNA”). The business that was sold, formerly reported as the Company’s Healthcare segment, was the vehicle through which it marketed and administered group life and health insurance to small, mid-sized and national employers. CIGNA acquired from the Company the stop loss, group life, group disability, group medical, group dental, group vision, group prescription drug coverage and group accidental death and dismemberment insurance business in the United States and the Company’s supporting information technology infrastructure through a combination of 100% indemnity reinsurance agreements, renewal rights, related administrative service agreements and the acquisition of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Company retained a small portion of its Healthcare business and reports it within its Individual Markets segment. As required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the statements of income and balance sheets of the disposed business activities are presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
The Company’s operations are organized into three business segments: Individual Markets, Retirement Services and Other. There is no legal separation of the three segments.
In assessing the performance of the Individual Markets and Retirement Services segments, management considers the ability to continue to expand its presence in the United States defined contribution and institutional insurance markets to be its primary points of focus. The life insurance, savings and investments marketplace is also highly competitive. Competitors include mutual fund companies, insurance companies, banks, investment advisors and certain service and professional organizations.
The third and fourth quarters of 2008 were marked by continued turmoil in the financial markets in the United States and around the world. While the Company has conservative investment policies and practices, the significant deterioration in the capital markets impacted the financial results during the second half of 2008.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded other-than-temporary impairments in the fair value of its fixed maturity investments in the amount of $88 million. This included a $36 million impairment loss during the last half of 2008 in connection with the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and a $25 million impairment in the fourth quarter of 2008 in relation to securities backed by General Motors Corporation. Current market conditions have also contributed to lower market values for the Company’s fixed maturity and equity investments. The Company has recorded an increase in gross unrealized losses of $1,311 million during the year ended December 31, 2008. See Notes 7 and 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a discussion of these and other investment losses.
The Company performed its regular impairment review of goodwill balances specifically with attention to the deterioration in the capital markets. No impairment indicators were noted and accordingly, no impairment charges were recorded.
The deterioration in the credit markets has not had a significant impact on the Company’s sources of liquidity. Generally, the Company has met its operating requirements by maintaining appropriate liquidity in its investment portfolio and utilizing cash flows from operations. The Company’s credit rating has remained stable. See section 1.6 for the Company’s current ratings. If necessary, the Company has continued access to a $50 million line of credit which currently has no amounts outstanding.
The U.S. government has implemented a number of initiatives to restore stability and provide liquidity to financial institutions and financial markets. Furthermore, governments throughout the world are taking steps to provide significant support to financial institutions in their markets and to restore liquidity. The Company did not participate in any of these initiatives.
The Company’s fee income is lower by $34 million, or 7.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2008 when compared to 2007, mainly as a result of lower variable fee income due to the weak performance of the U.S. equities market. The S&P 500 Index declined by 38% during the year ended December 31, 2008. The average index level declined by 17% during 2008 compared to 2007.
Continued market declines in 2009 could result in additional decreases in fee income as well as adjustments to the amortization of deferred policy acquisition and other costs.
Strong sales and strategic partnerships led the way to another year of growth for both the Individual Markets and Retirement Services segments during 2008.
During 2008, the Individual Markets segment focused on strengthening relationships with key distributors which translated into substantial sales growth. New relationships developed in 2008 should contribute to continued sales growth in 2009.
The Retirement Services segment expanded distribution in 2008 by adding new advisor and brokerage relationships as well as new national distribution channels. The combined sales force, including wholesalers, relationship managers and client service specialists, now includes 436 individuals who are fully dedicated to expanding the retirement block of business along with providing excellent customer service.
The Company is committed to providing exceptional service and high value to life and annuity policyholders. It has a dedicated service unit to work in collaboration with its brokers and agents to ensure that policyholders continue to receive the information and service they need to make sound financial decisions with respect to their policies.
7.2 Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires the Company’s management to adopt accounting policies to enable them to make a significant variety of accounting and actuarial estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect, among other things, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results can differ from the amounts previously estimated, which were based on information available at the time the estimates were made.
Critical accounting estimates are those that management believes are important to the portrayal of the Company’s results of operations and financial condition and which require them to make difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments. Critical accounting estimates cover accounting and actuarial matters that are inherently uncertain because the future resolution of such matters is unknown. Many of these policies, estimates and related judgments are common in the insurance and financial services industries. The Company believes that its most critical accounting estimates include the following:
•
Valuation of investments and other-than-temporary impairments
•
Recognition of income on certain investments
•
Valuation and accounting for derivative instruments
•
Policy and contract reserves and claims
•
Deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired
•
Goodwill
•
Employee benefit plans
•
Taxes on income
Valuation of investments, other-than-temporary impairments and recognition of income on certain investments
The Company’s principal investments are in available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities, mortgage and policy loans, limited partnership interests and other invested assets. The Company’s investments are exposed to three primary sources of risk: credit, interest rate and market valuation. The financial statement risks, stemming from such investment risks, are those associated with the determination of fair values, the recognition of impairments and the recognition of income on certain investments.
The Company classifies the majority of its fixed maturity and all of its equity investments as available-for-sale and records them at their estimated fair value with the related net unrealized gains or losses, net of policyholder related amounts and deferred taxes, being recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the stockholder’s equity section in its consolidated balance sheets.
The fair values for public fixed maturity and equity securities are based upon quoted market prices or estimates from independent pricing services or internal pricing models. However, in cases where quoted market prices are not readily available, such as for private fixed maturity investments, fair values are estimated. To determine estimated fair value for these instruments, the Company utilizes discounted cash flows calculated at current market rates on investments of similar quality and term. The fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on available market information and judgments about financial instruments, including estimates of the timing and amounts of expected future cash flows and the credit standing of the issuer or counterparty. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts of the Company’s financial instruments.
One of the significant estimates related to the fair value of available-for-sale securities is the evaluation of investments for other-than-temporary impairments. The assessment of whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred is based on management’s case-by-case evaluation of the underlying reasons for the decline in fair value. Management considers a wide range of factors, as
described below, regarding the security issuer and uses its best judgment in evaluating the cause of the decline in its estimated fair value and in assessing the prospects for near-term recovery. Inherent in management’s evaluation of the security are assumptions and estimates about the operations and future earnings potential of the issuer.
Considerations used by the Company’s management in the impairment evaluation process include, but are not limited to, the following:
•
Fair value is significantly below cost.
•
The decline in fair value is attributable to specific adverse conditions affecting a particular instrument, its issuer, an industry or geographic area.
•
The decline in fair value has existed for an extended period of time.
•
A debt security has been downgraded by a credit rating agency.
•
The financial condition of the issuer has deteriorated.
•
Dividends have been reduced or eliminated or scheduled interest payments have not been made.
The Company writes down to fair value securities that it deems to be other-than-temporarily impaired in the period the securities are deemed to be so impaired. The Company records write-downs as realized losses and adjusts the cost basis of the securities accordingly. The Company does not adjust the revised cost basis for subsequent recoveries in value.
Mortgage loans, which comprise 7.6% and 6.2% of the Company’s investments at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, are carried at their unpaid principal balances, net of allowances for credit losses. The determination of the calculation and the adequacy of the mortgage loan allowance and mortgage impairments are subjective. Management’s periodic evaluation and assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for losses and the need for mortgage impairments is based on known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of the underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions, loss experience and other relevant factors. In determining the ultimate adequacy of the allowance for mortgage loans, greater consideration is given to the individual mortgage characteristics and related collateral.
See Notes 7 and 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more information regarding the Company’s invested assets and their fair values.
The recognition of income on certain investments (e.g. loan-backed securities including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities) is dependent upon market conditions, which could result in prepayments and changes in amounts to be earned.
Valuation and accounting for derivative instruments
The Company enters into limited derivative transactions which include the use of interest rate swaps, foreign currency exchange contracts and exchange-traded United States government treasury futures. The Company uses these derivative instruments to manage various risks, including interest rate and foreign exchange risk associated with its invested assets. Derivative instruments are not used for speculative reasons.
The Company controls the credit risk of its derivative contracts through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures. Risk of loss is generally limited to the fair value of derivative instruments and not to the notional or contractual amounts of the derivatives. As the Company enters into derivative transactions only with high quality institutions, no losses associated with non-performance of derivative financial instruments have occurred.
The fair value of derivatives is determined by quoted market prices or through the use of pricing models. The determination of fair value, when quoted market values are not available, is based on valuation methodologies and assumptions deemed appropriate under the circumstances. Essential to the analysis of fair value is the risk of counterparty default. Counterparty credit risk was evaluated and
considered immaterial to the valuation of derivatives at December 31, 2008. Values can also be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, financial indices, credit spreads, market volatility and liquidity.
The accounting for derivative instruments is complex. The Company designates its derivative financial instruments as (i) fair value hedges, (ii) cash flow hedges and (iii) derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting.
• Fair value hedges - Interest rate futures are used to hedge the risk of the change in the fair value of certain fixed rate maturity investments. Changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument that has been designated as a fair value hedge are recorded in current period earnings.
• Cash flow hedges - Interest rate swap agreements are used to convert the interest rate on certain debt securities from a floating rate to a fixed rate. Foreign currency exchange contracts are used to hedge the foreign exchange rate risk associated with bonds denominated in other than U.S. dollars. Interest rate futures are used to hedge the interest rate risks of forecasted acquisitions of fixed rate maturity investments. These transactions are entered into pursuant to master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made by one party to the agreement at each due date. The effective portion of the changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument that is designated as a cash flow hedge is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated balance sheet and is reclassified to earnings when the cash flow of the hedged item impacts earnings. The ineffective portion of the changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges is recorded as an adjustment to net investment income.
• Derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting - The Company attempts to match the timing of when interest rates are committed on insurance products with other new investments. However, timing differences may occur and can expose the Company to fluctuating interest rates. To offset this risk, the Company uses exchange-traded United States government treasury futures contracts. A change in the fair value of a derivative instrument that does not qualify for hedge accounting treatment is recognized in net investment income in the period of the change and may result in significant volatility.
See Note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more information regarding the Company’s derivative instruments.
Policy and contract reserves and claims
• Policy and contract reserves - The Company establishes liabilities for amounts payable under insurance policies and annuity contracts. Generally, amounts are payable over an extended period of time and related liabilities are calculated as the present value of future expected benefits to be paid, reduced by the present value of future expected premiums. Such liabilities are established based upon methods and underlying assumptions in accordance with GAAP and applicable actuarial standards. Principal assumptions used in the establishment of liabilities for future policy benefits are mortality, morbidity, policy lapse, renewal, retirement, investment returns, inflation, expenses and other contingent events as appropriate to the respective product type. These assumptions are established at the time the policy is issued and are intended to estimate the experience for the period the policy benefits are payable. Utilizing these assumptions, liabilities are established on a block of business basis. If experience is less favorable than the assumptions employed, additional liabilities may be required, resulting in a charge to current period earnings.
• Policy and contract claims - Policy and contract liabilities for unpaid claims and claim expenses for life and health policies represent the amount estimated for claims that have been reported but not yet settled and claims incurred but not yet reported. Liabilities for unpaid claims are valued in accordance with the terms of the related policies and contracts. Liabilities for claims incurred but not yet reported are estimated based upon the Company’s historical experience and other actuarial assumptions that consider the effects of current developments, anticipated trends and risk management programs. The effects of changes in estimated liabilities are included in the results of operations in the period in which the changes occur.
• Reinsurance reserves - The Company enters into reinsurance transactions as both a provider and a purchaser of reinsurance. Policy reserves ceded to other insurance companies are presented as reinsurance receivables in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The cost of reinsurance related to long-duration contracts is accounted for over the life of the underlying reinsured policies using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the underlying policies. Ceded reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations under these contracts could result in losses to the Company. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentrations of credit risk arising from similar geographic regions, activities or economic characteristics of the reinsurers to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer defaults.
See Notes 1 and 9 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more information regarding the Company’s policy and contract reserves.
Deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) and value of business acquired (“VOBA”)
The Company incurs significant costs in connection with acquiring new and renewal insurance business. DAC varies with and relates to costs that consist primarily of commissions and agency and policy issue expenses. VOBA is an intangible asset that reflects the estimated fair value of in-force life insurance contracts acquired and represents the portion of the purchase price allocated to the value of the right to receive future cash flows from the acquired business. VOBA is based upon actuarially determined projections, by block of business, of future policy and contract charges, premiums, mortality and morbidity, performance, surrenders, operating expenses, investment returns and other factors. DAC and VOBA are amortized over the expected lives of the related contracts based upon the level and timing of either gross profits or gross premiums, depending upon the type of contract as discussed below. The recovery of both DAC and VOBA is dependent upon the future profitability of the related business. DAC and VOBA are aggregated in the consolidated financial statements for reporting purposes.
DAC and VOBA associated with annuity and investment-type products are being amortized over the life of the contracts in proportion to the emergence of estimated gross profits. DAC and VOBA associated with traditional life insurance products are amortized over the premium-paying period of the related policies in proportion to the present value of estimated premium revenues recognized.
Each reporting period, the Company updates the estimated present values of gross profits and premium revenue for that period. When the actual gross profits or premium change from previous estimates, the cumulative DAC and VOBA amortization is re-estimated and adjusted by the cumulative charge or credit to current period earnings. When actual gross profits or premiums exceed those previously estimated, the DAC and VOBA amortization will increase, resulting in a current period charge to earnings. The opposite result occurs when the actual gross profits and premiums are below those previously estimated. These adjustments are made when the Company revises its estimates for such factors as investment yield, realized investment gains and losses and policyholder retention.
See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more information regarding the Company’s recorded DAC and VOBA.
Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of the cost over the fair value of assets acquired less the fair value of liabilities assumed. The establishment of goodwill requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions about the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The allocation process includes, among other measures, a review of relevant information about the assets and liabilities, independent appraisals and other valuation methodologies. Goodwill is assigned to the Company’s operating segment where the assets and liabilities are recorded.
The Company tests goodwill for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances, such as adverse changes in the business climate or the segment’s future earning potential, indicate that there may be justification for conducting an interim test.
The fair value of the reporting segment is determined using an earnings and equity analysis which is compared with a similar measure of peer companies. If the carrying value of recorded goodwill exceeds its fair value, the excess is recognized as an impairment and recorded as a charge against earnings in the period in which the impairment was identified.
See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more information regarding the Company’s recorded goodwill.
Employee benefit plans
The Company sponsors pension and other post retirement benefit plans in various forms covering employees who meet specified eligibility requirements. The obligations and expenses associated with these plans require an extensive use of estimates and assumptions, such as the discount rate applied to pension obligations, expected rate of return on plan assets, rate of future compensation increases, healthcare cost trend rates, as well as assumptions regarding participant demographics such as rate and age of retirements, withdrawal rates and mortality. Management, in consultation with its independent consulting actuarial firm, determines these assumptions based upon a variety of factors such as historical performance of the plan and its assets, currently available market and industry data and expected benefit payout streams. The assumptions used will differ, and may differ materially, from actual results due to, among other factors, changing market and economic conditions, higher or lower withdrawal rates and changes in participant demographics. These assumptions are subjective in many cases and have an important effect on the Company’s pension and post retirement benefit obligations.
See Note 17 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more information regarding the Company’s employee benefit plans.
Taxes on income
The Company’s effective tax rate is based upon expected income and statutory income tax rates and prudent available tax planning opportunities. In the determination of the Company’s effective income tax rate, management considers judgments regarding its business plans, planning opportunities and expectations about their future outcomes. Certain changes or future events, such as changes in tax legislation and the commencement or completion of tax audits, could have an impact on management’s estimates and the Company’s effective tax rate.
Accounting and tax regulations require that items be included in income tax returns at different times from when they are reflected in financial statements. These timing differences give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities. A deferred tax liability is recognized for temporary differences that will result in taxable amounts or nondeductible expenses in future years. A deferred tax asset is recognized for temporary differences that will result in tax deductible amounts or nontaxable income in future years, including carryforwards.
The application of GAAP requires management to evaluate the recoverability of its deferred tax assets. Although realization is not assured, management believes that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized.
The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Financial Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”) on January 1, 2007. Under FIN 48, the Company determines whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authorities before any part of the benefit can be recorded in the consolidated financial statements. A tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement. Unrecognized tax benefits due to tax uncertainties that do not meet the threshold are included within other liabilities and are charged to earnings in the period that such determination is made.
The amount of income taxes paid by the Company is subject to ongoing audits in the various jurisdictions in which it carries on business. During the current year, the Company executed closing agreements with the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) for all federal examinations on tax years 2004 and prior. The Company has been notified by the IRS that they will soon begin an examination; however the specific companies and tax years to be audited have not been determined.
See Note 18 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more information regarding taxes on income.
7.3 Company Results of Operations
Some of the more significant transactions impacting the Company’s results of operations are:
During the first quarter of 2008, undistributed earnings on participating business decreased by $208 million with a corresponding decrease to policyholder benefits in connection with a long-standing assumption reinsurance agreement under which the Company had reinsured a block of participating policies. On January 1, 2008, the Company was no longer required to maintain the liability to meet its obligations under the terms of the agreement. An income tax provision was recorded on the undistributed earnings when those earnings occurred. Accordingly, there was no income tax provision recorded at the time of the liability release. On January 1, 2008, the Company began recognizing the net earnings on these policies in its Individual Markets segment net income.
On June 1, 2007 the Company’s Individual Markets segment terminated one of its reinsurance agreements with an affiliate, The Canada Life Assurance Company (“CLAC”), pursuant to which it had assumed 80% of certain United States life, health and annuity business on a coinsurance and coinsurance with funds withheld basis. See Note 6 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further information regarding this transaction.
The Retirement Services segment closed on two separate agreements to acquire certain 401(k) business in the fourth quarter of 2006. The first of these agreements closed on October 2, 2006. The agreement was a 100% reinsurance transaction to acquire several parts of the full service small and midsized 401(k) as well as some defined benefit plan business from MetLife. The second agreement, which closed on December 29, 2006, acquired the full-service defined contribution business from U.S. Bank. The combination of the two agreements resulted in the addition of nearly 4,300 plans and 440,000 participant accounts with participant account values in excess of $16.7 billion. See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further information regarding these transactions.
On April 1, 2008, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries completed the sale of substantially all of their healthcare insurance business to a subsidiary of CIGNA Corporation (“CIGNA”). The Company recognized a gain in the amount of $682 million, net of income taxes, upon completion of the transaction. The business that was sold, formerly reported as the Company’s Healthcare segment, was the vehicle through which it marketed and administered group life and health insurance to small, mid-sized and national employers. CIGNA acquired from the Company the stop loss, group life, group disability, group medical, group dental, group vision, group prescription drug coverage and group accidental death and dismemberment insurance business in the United States and the Company’s supporting information technology infrastructure through a combination of 100% indemnity reinsurance agreements, renewal rights, related administrative service agreements and the acquisition of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. As required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the statements of income and balance sheets of the disposed business activities are presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented in the consolidated financial statements. See Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further information regarding this transaction.
Year ended December 31, 2008 compared with the year ended December 31, 2007
The following is a summary of certain financial data of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:
Income from Continuing Operations
The Company’s consolidated income from continuing operations increased by $205 million, or 85.4%, to $445 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 from $240 million during 2007. The increase in income from continuing operations is primarily related to a $208 million gain as a result of the aforementioned release of the liability associated with certain participating policies and a $98 million ($64 million net of income taxes) reserve release on these policies. This increase is partially offset by a $20 million ($12 million net of policyholder related amounts and income taxes) increase in net realized investment losses and poor mortality results.
Excluding the one-time recording of negative premium revenue in the amount of $1,387 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 resulting from the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement, premium revenues decreased by $5 million, or less than 1.0%, to $525 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 from $530 million in 2007. This decrease is primarily the result of a $20 million decrease in Other segment due to the July 2007 amended reinsurance agreement between Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company of South Carolina, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and CLAC as discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements. This decrease is partially offset by an $18 million premium increase in the Individual Markets segment primarily through improved sales of the single premium whole life product.
Fee income decreased by $34 million, or 7.3%, to $429 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 from $463 million in 2007. The decrease is attributable to lower variable fee income in both the Individual Markets and Retirement Services segments due to the weakness of the U.S. equity markets, $4 million of fee income in 2007 that is absent in 2008 as a result of the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement and one time fees on the BOLI block of business in 2007 due to surrender activity.
Excluding the one-time recording of $59 million of net investment income resulting from the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement, net investment income decreased by $2 million, or less than 1.0%, to $1,079 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 from $1,081 million in 2007. The decrease is primarily due to $43 million of net investment income in 2007 that is absent in 2008 as a result of the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement offset by higher policy loan interest income and an increase in the earned net investment income rate.
Net realized losses on investments increased by $20 million to $22 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 from a loss of $2 million in 2007. The loss during the year ended December 31, 2008 is due to $87 million of write-downs including $36 million on a fixed maturity security backed by Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and $25 million on securities backed by General Motors Corporation. These write-downs are partially offset by $65 million of net realized gains on the sale of investments.
Policyholder benefit expenses include amounts paid or credited to policyholders, changes in policy liabilities, claims, surrenders and annuity and maturity payments. Excluding the one time recording of a decrease in policy reserves of $1,453 million resulting from the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement during 2007 policyholder benefits decreased by $280 million, or 22.8%, to $948 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 from $1,228 million in 2007. The decrease is primarily related to the aforementioned $208 million gain as a result of the release of the liability associated with certain participating policies and a $98 million reserve release on those policies during 2008.
Operating expenses include general and administrative expenses, commissions, premium taxes, interest on long-term debt and amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired. Total operating expenses decreased by $88 million, or 14.4%, to $522 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 from $610 million in 2007. The decrease is attributable to $92 million of expenses associated with the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement.
Although income from continuing operations before income taxes increased by $182 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 when compared to 2007, income tax expense decreased. This decrease is primarily because the income tax provision on the aforementioned $208 million gain resulting from the release of the liability associated with certain participating policies was recorded in previous years, as discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
Income From Discontinued Operations
Income from discontinued operations increased by $474 million to $653 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 from $179 million during 2007. As aforementioned, the Company sold substantially all of its healthcare insurance business on April 1, 2008 resulting in a gain in the amount of $1,090 million ($682 million net of income taxes) upon completion of the transaction. Income from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2008, includes charges in the amount of $101 million ($64 million net of income taxes) which represents costs associated with the sale. The healthcare insurance business comprised substantially all of the Company’s discontinued operations. The Company ceased recording operating activity from its discontinued operations on April 1, 2008.
Year ended December 31, 2007 compared with the year ended December 31, 2006
The following is a summary of certain financial data of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006:
The Company’s income from continuing operations increased by $56 million, or 30.4%, to $240 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 from $184 million during 2006. The increase is primarily due to a $22 million gain recognized upon the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement and a $24 million increase in Retirement Services due to higher fee income as a result of the addition to assets under management resulting from the acquisitions of the MetLife 401(k) business and the U.S. Bank block of business.
Excluding the one time recording of negative premium revenue in the amount of $1,387 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 resulting from the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement, premium revenues decreased by $52 million, or 8.9%, to $530 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 from $582 million in 2006. The decrease in premium revenue is primarily due to the absence of premiums for the majority of 2007 due to the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement.
Fee income increased by $122 million, or 35.7%, to $463 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 from $341 million in 2006. The increase is attributable to the addition of participant accounts and related account balances from the acquired blocks of business from MetLife and U.S. Bank in late 2006 and improvements in the United States equity markets during 2007.
Excluding the one time recording of a decrease in policyholder benefits of $1,453 million resulting from the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement, policyholder benefits decreased by $93 million, or 7.0%, to $1,228 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 from $1,321 million in 2006. The decrease is primarily due to the absence of the reinsured life, health and annuity business in the Individual Markets segment for the majority of 2007 due to the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement.
Operating expenses increased by $163 million, or 36.5%, to $610 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 from $447 million in 2006. The increase is attributable to $62 million of amortization of deferred acquisition cost associated with the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement, a $58 million increase in 401(k) business primarily from administrative costs and commissions associated with the MetLife 401(k) and U.S. Bank acquisitions and $9 million higher interest expense associated with the issuance of the $333 million surplus note in mid 2006.
Income tax expense increased by $47 million, or 65.3%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 from $72 million during 2006. This increase was primarily due to the 39.7% increase in the Company’s pretax income and the increase in the Company’s 2007 effective tax rate, from 28.2% during 2006 to 33.1% during 2007, as a result of lower tax credits and a reduction in tax contingencies during 2006 that did not reoccur in 2007.
Income From Discontinued Operations
Income from discontinued operations increased by $26 million, or 17.0%, to $179 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 when compared to 2006. The increase is primarily the result of higher net investment gains, improved specific stop loss margins on the healthcare business and higher fee revenue, inclusive of pharmacy revenue.
7.4 Individual Markets Segment Results of Operations
As more fully described in Note 6 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, on June 1, 2007 the Company’s Individual Markets segment terminated one of its reinsurance agreements with an affiliate, The Canada Life Assurance Company (“CLAC”), pursuant to which the Company had assumed 80% of certain United States life, health and annuity business on a coinsurance and coinsurance with funds withheld basis.
Year ended December 31, 2008 compared with the year ended December 31, 2007
The following is a summary of certain financial data of the Individual Markets segment for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:
The following is a summary of the Individual Markets segment policies and participant accounts at December 31, 2008 and 2007:
The Individual Markets segment income from continuing operations decreased by $41 million, or 34.2%, to $79 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 from $120 million during 2007. The decrease is primarily related to a gain of $22 million resulting from the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement and $10 million of net income associated with the CLAC reinsurance activity during 2007 that is absent in 2008.
Excluding the one time recording of negative premium revenue of $1,387 million resulting from the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement during 2007, total premiums increased by $18 million, or 5.0%, to $378 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 from $360 million during 2007. The increase is primarily attributable to higher premiums in 2008 from improved sales, primarily of the single premium whole life product marketed through banks. This increase is partially offset by $59 million of reinsured life, health, and annuity premiums in 2007 that are absent in 2008 as a result of the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement.
Fee income decreased by $13 million, or 18.8%, to $56 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 from $69 million in 2007. The decrease is primarily related to lower variable fee income due to the weak performance of the U.S. equities market in 2008, one time gains on the business owned life
insurance block of business in 2007 due to surrender activity and $4 million of fee income in 2007 that is absent in 2008 as a result of the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement. Variable asset-based fees fluctuate with changes in participant account balances. Participant account balances change due to cash flow and unrealized market gains and losses associated with changes in the United States equities market.
Net investment income decreased by $67 million, or 8.8%, to $692 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 from $759 million in 2007. The decrease is primarily due to $58 million of net investment income recorded in connection with the 2007 termination of the reinsurance agreement with CLAC and $43 million of net investment income in 2007 that is absent in 2008 as a result of the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement. These decreases are partially offset by higher policy loan interest income.
Net realized losses on investments increased by $4 million to a loss of $12 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 when compared to a loss of $8 million during 2007. The loss during the year ended December 31, 2008 is due to $49 million of write-downs primarily on a fixed maturity security backed by Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and on securities backed by General Motors Corporation. These write-downs are partially offset by $37 million of net realized gains on the sale of investments.
Excluding the one time recording of a negative benefits and expenses of $1,382 million resulting from the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement during 2007, total benefits and expenses increased by $4 million, or less than 1% to $999 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 when compared to 2007. The increase is primarily due to an increase in policy reserves due to increased sales of guaranteed products and increases in interest paid or credited to contractholders due to larger account balances. These increases are offset by $96 million of benefits and expenses in 2007 that were absent in 2008 as a result of the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement.
The slight decrease in participant accounts is primarily the result of policy maturities and policy surrenders.
Year ended December 31, 2007 compared with the year ended December 31, 2006
The following is a summary of certain financial data of the Individual Markets segment for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006:
The following is a summary of the Individual Markets segment participant accounts at December 31, 2007 and 2006:
The Individual Markets segment income from continuing operations increased by $28 million, or 30.4%, to $120 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 from $92 million during 2006. The increase in net income is primarily due to a gain of $22 million resulting from the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement and increased fee revenues.
Excluding the one time recording of negative premium revenue of $1,387 million resulting from the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement, total premiums decreased by $87 million, or 19.5%, to $360 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 from $447 million during 2006. The decrease is primarily due to the absence of the reinsured life, health and annuity business for the majority of 2007 due to the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement.
Fee income increased by $27 million, or 64.3%, to $69 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 from $42 million in 2006. The increase is due to higher participant account values primarily due to increased sales of the BOLI separate account product and individual annuity separate account product and one time gains on the BOLI business in 2007 due to surrender activity.
Net investment income decreased by $7 million, or 1.0%, to $759 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 from $766 million in 2006.
Net realized losses on investments increased by $5 million to a loss of $8 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 when compared to a loss of $3 million during 2006.
Excluding the one time recording of a decrease in policy reserves of $1,453 million related to the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement, policyholder benefits decreased by $135 million, or 13.4% to $875 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 when compared to 2006. The decrease is primarily due to the absence of the reinsured life, health and annuity business for the majority of 2007 due to the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement.
Operating expenses increased by $90 million, or 89.1% to $191 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 when compared to 2006. The increase is primarily attributable to an additional $63 million in VOBA amortization related to the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement and a $19 million increase in VOBA amortization in the normal course of business.
The slight decrease in participant accounts is primarily the result of policy maturities and policy surrenders.
Outlook
During 2009, the Individual Markets segment intends to continue its focus on providing excellent customer service and diversity of product offerings and distribution channels.
During 2008, the Individual Markets segment continued to strengthen its relationships with key distributors which have translated into substantial sales growth. In excess of 130 new BOLI clients were added during 2008. New relationships developed in 2008 should contribute to continued sales growth in 2009. With a continued emphasis on product simplicity, customer value and product development collaboration, the Company and Schwab are together working on ways to serve the annuity markets with accumulation and income products in 2009.
In the Individual Markets segment, the Company anticipates that variable fee income will be lower in 2009 due to depressed market levels which will lower average customer asset balances upon which fee income is based when compared to 2008.
7.5 Retirement Services Segment Results of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2008 compared with the year ended December 31, 2007
The following is a summary of certain financial data of the Retirement Services segment for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:
The following is a summary of the Retirement Services segment participant accounts at December 31, 2008 and 2007:
The Retirement Services segment income from continuing operations decreased by $11 million, or 8.6%, to $117 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 from $128 million during 2007. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in fee income and a decrease in net realized investment gains (losses).
Fee income decreased by $21 million, or 5.4%, to $368 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 from $389 million during 2007. The decrease is primarily related to lower variable fee income due to the weak performance of the U.S. equities market in 2008. Variable asset-based fees fluctuate with changes in participant account balances. Participant account balances change due to cash flow and unrealized market gains and losses associated with changes in the United States equities market.
Net realized gains (losses) on investments decreased by $15 million to a loss of $10 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 when compared to a gain of $5 million during 2007. The loss during the year ended December 31, 2008 is due to $35 million of write-downs primarily on a fixed maturity security backed by Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and on securities backed by General Motors Corporation. These write-downs are partially offset by $25 million of net realized gains on the sale of investments.
Policyholder benefits remained stable, increasing by $5 million, or 2.2%, to $230 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 when compared to 2007.
Operating expenses decreased by $15 million, or 4.4%, to $324 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 when compared to 2007. The decrease is primarily due to expenses incurred in 2007 related to the acquisition of business from the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MetLife”) and cost saving measures taken in 2008.
Retirement participant accounts, including third-party administration and institutional accounts, increased by 219 thousand or 6.2% to 3,739 thousand at December 31, 2008 from 3,520 thousand at December 31, 2007 primarily as the result of acquiring the Commonwealth of Massachusetts deferred compensation plan reflecting 254 thousand accounts during the current year.
The following table provides information for the Retirement Services’ participant account values at December 31, 2008 and 2007:
Account values invested in the general account fixed investment options have increased by $573 million, or 9.6% at December 31, 2008 compared to December 31, 2007 primarily due to transfers from variable investment options to the general account.
Account values invested in the separate account variable investment options have decreased by $3,087 million, or 23.1% at December 31, 2008 compared to December 31, 2007. The decrease is primarily due to the decrease in the U.S. equity markets and participant redemptions.
Participant account values invested in unaffiliated retail investment options and participant account values where only administrative services and recordkeeping functions are provided have decreased by $21.1 billion, or 22.0% at December 31, 2008 compared to December 31, 2007. The decrease is primarily attributable to the decrease in the U.S. equity markets partially offset by a large deposit of $4.4 billion from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts deferred compensation plan.
Year ended December 31, 2007 compared with the year ended December 31, 2006
As more fully described in Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the Retirement Services segment closed on two separate agreements to acquire certain 401(k) business in the fourth quarter of 2006. The first of these agreements closed on October 2, 2006. The agreement was a 100% reinsurance transaction to acquire several parts of the full service small and midsized 401(k) as well as some defined benefit plan business from MetLife. The second agreement, which closed on December 29, 2006, acquired the full-service defined contribution business from U.S. Bank. The combination of the two agreements resulted in the addition of nearly 4,300 plans and 440,000 participant accounts with participant account values in excess of $16.7 billion.
The following is a summary of certain financial data of the Retirement Services segment for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006:
The following is a summary of the Retirement Services segment participant accounts at December 31, 2007 and 2006:
The Retirement Services segment income from continuing operations increased by $24 million, or 23.1%, to $128 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 from $104 million during 2006. The increase in the Retirement Services segment’s net income was primarily attributed to the net income from the MetLife and U.S. Bank acquisitions which were acquired during the fourth quarter of 2006.
Fee income increased by $96 million, or 32.7%, to $389 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 from $293 million during 2006. The increase is primarily related to increased participant accounts and increased participant balances from the acquired blocks of business and improvements in the United States equity markets.
Net investment income increased by $47 million, or 15.4%, to $351 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 from $304 million in 2006. This increase is primarily due to increased invested assets related to the MetLife acquisition in October 2006.
Net realized gains (losses) on investments increased by $9 million to a gain of $5 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 when compared to a loss of $4 million during 2006. The increase is primarily attributable to gains on repurchase agreement financing transactions.
Policyholder benefits increased by $30 million, or 15.3% to $225 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 when compared to 2006. The increase is largely due to the increased benefits from the MetLife and U.S. Bank acquisitions.
Operating expenses increased by $65 million, or 23.7%, to $339 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 when compared to 2006. The increase is attributable to an increase in the 401(k) line of business primarily related to the acquisition of the MetLife and U.S. Bank business in 2006.
Outlook
The Retirement Services segment intends to continue its reinvestment in infrastructure through technology, service and product enhancements while also maintaining a solid internal control foundation.
The Retirement Services segment will continue to focus on developing and expanding new distribution channels in 2009 ensuring that through its successful partnerships with other distributors, it will create a solid base for future growth. In addition, the Retirement Services segment plans on introducing new and
innovative products to retirement plan customers in the accumulation and distribution phase in the last half of 2009.
In the Retirement Services segment, the Company anticipates that variable fee income will be lower in 2009 due to depressed market levels which will lower average customer asset balances upon which fee income is based when compared to 2008.
7.6 Other Segment Results of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2008 compared with the year ended December 31, 2007
The following is a summary of certain financial data of the Company’s Other segment for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:
The results of operations of the Company’s Other segment is substantially comprised of activity under the assumption reinsurance agreement between GWSC and CLAC. Income from continuing operations increased by $257 million to $249 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to a net loss of $8 million during 2007. The increase in net income is primarily related to a $208 million gain as a result of the release of the liability associated with certain participating policies and a $98 million ($64 million net of income taxes) reserve release on these policies.
Premium income decreased by $20 million, or 12.1% during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007. The decrease is due to the one-time return premium income recorded in the amount of $34 million at the time of the 2007 CLAC reinsurance agreement amendment partially offset by an increase in reinsurance activity as the result of the amendment.
Policyholder benefits decreased by $300 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007. The decrease is due the aforementioned $208 million release of the liability associated with certain participating policies, the $98 million adjustment to the reserves of these policies and the one-time increase in reserves recorded in the amount of $34 million at the time of the 2007 CLAC reinsurance agreement amendment. These decreases are partially offset by an increase in reinsurance activity as the result of the amendment.
Operating expenses increased by $9 million, or 11.3% during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007. The increase is mainly due to an adjustment to cumulative deferred policy acquisition cost amortization related to additional overhead that the Individual Markets and Retirement Service segments will incur as a result of the sale of the Company’s Healthcare segment.
Although income from continuing operations before income taxes increased by $257 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 when compared to 2007, income tax expense did not increase proportionately because the income tax provision on the aforementioned $208 million gain resulting from the release of the liability associated with certain participating policies was recorded in previous years.
Year ended December 31, 2007 compared with the year ended December 31, 2006
The following is a summary of certain financial data of the Company’s Other segment for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006:
During the year ended December 31, 2007, premium income and policyholder benefits increased by 32.0% and 11.3%, respectively, when compared to 2006. The increase in both is primarily attributable to the $34 million of both premium income and increase in reserves that was recorded pursuant to the July 3, 2007 reinsurance agreement amendment partially offset by a $31 million decrease in reserves in the normal course of business. The remaining activity in the Other segment is largely comprised of an increase in interest expense of $8 million due to the issuance of a $333 million surplus note in May of 2006 and minor fluctuations within the corporate area of the Company’s business.
7.7 Investment Operations
The Company’s primary investment objective is to acquire assets with duration and cash flow characteristics reflective of its liabilities, while meeting industry, size, issuer, and geographic diversification standards. Formal liquidity and credit quality parameters have also been established. The Company’s portfolio composition is conservative with 84.4% of general account assets in cash, short-term investments, policy loans and fixed maturity and mortgage investments.
The Company follows rigorous procedures to control interest rate risk and observes strict asset and liability matching guidelines. These guidelines ensure that even under changing market conditions, the Company’s assets should meet the cash flow and income requirements of its liabilities. Using dynamic modeling to analyze the effects of a range of possible market changes upon investments and policyholder benefits, the Company works to ensure that its investment portfolio is appropriately structured to fulfill financial obligations to its policyholders.
A summary of the Company’s general account investment assets and the assets as a percentage of total general account investments at December 31, 2008 and 2007 follows:
Fixed Maturity Investments
Fixed maturity investments include public and privately placed corporate bonds, government bonds and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The Company’s strategy related to mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities is to focus on those investments with low prepayment risk and minimal credit risk. The Company does not invest in higher-risk collateralized mortgage obligations such as interest-only and principal-only strips, and currently has no plans to invest in such securities.
Private placement investments are generally less marketable than publicly traded assets, yet they typically offer enhanced covenant protection that allows the Company, if necessary, to take appropriate action to protect its investment. The Company believes that the cost of the additional monitoring and analysis required by private placements is more than offset by their enhanced yield.
One of the Company’s primary objectives is to ensure that its fixed maturity portfolio is maintained at a high average quality to limit credit risk. If not externally rated, the securities are rated by the Company on a basis intended to be similar to that of the rating agencies.
The distribution of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio by credit rating at December 31, 2008 and 2007 is summarized as follows:
The change in the percentage of assets rated AAA was primarily related to a decrease in credit rating and dispositions during the year. The majority of the decrease in credit rating was related to assets in the mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities class. The increase in the percentage of assets rated A was primarily related to purchases of assets since the beginning of the year.
At December 31, 2008, the Company had one bond in default with a carrying value in the amount of $4 million (0.03% of the total fixed maturity investment portfolio), compared to 13 bonds with carrying values in the amount of $11 million (0.1% of the total fixed maturity investment portfolio) at December 31, 2007.
The following table contains the corporate sector distribution of the Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio, calculated as a percentage of fixed maturities:
The Company recorded a $36 million write-down on a fixed maturity security backed by Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and a $25 million write-down on securities backed by General Motors Corporation. (See Note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements).
The Company holds approximately $56 million in direct debt of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, which is less than 1 percent of its fixed maturity investment portfolio and the Company expects full recoverability of this debt. The Company does not hold any direct debt of the Federal National Mortgage Association. The Company holds $5 million of fixed maturity investments of an American International Group, Inc. subsidiary and does not consider this investment to be other than temporarily impaired.
Monoline insurers guarantee the timely payment of principal and interest of certain securities. Entities will often purchase monoline insurance to “wrap” a security issuance in order to benefit from better market execution. As of December 31, 2008, the fair value of the Company’s total monoline insured asset-backed securities was $1,005 million. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the overall credit quality of the insured portfolio, including the benefits of the monoline insurance, was A and AAA, respectively.
Of the Company’s total investments of $18.1 billion as of December 31, 2008, approximately $873 million, or 4.8%, excluding government agency backed securities, are home equity loan asset-backed securities with potential exposure to the subprime market. All of these securities are investment grade rated, 95% of which have the highest possible rating of AAA. The weighted average credit enhancement level for these securities is 31.1% (excluding any monoline guarantees) as of December 31, 2008.
Fair Value Measurement and Impairment of Fixed Maturity and Equity Investments Classified as Available-for-Sale
The Company adopted SFAS 157 on January 1, 2008. Total assets and liabilities measured using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) increased by $281 million from January 1, 2008. Total Level 3 assets and liabilities at December 31, 2008 were $799 million or 2.2% of total assets and liabilities under SFAS No. 157 compared to Level 3 assets of $518 million or 1.2% at January 1, 2008. The increase is primarily due to a change in pricing source for asset-backed securities backed by prime home improvement loans which are monoline wrapped. During the third quarter of 2008, the Company determined that the use of internal models utilizing asset-backed index spread assumptions instead of an external source that used credit default swap spread assumptions, was a better measurement of fair value for these securities due to current market conditions. Utilizing internal models for these securities resulted in a decrease to unrealized losses in the amount of $112 million. The increase in Level 3 assets did not affect the Company’s operations, liquidity or capital resources during the period.
The Company classifies the majority of its fixed maturity and all of its equity investments as available-for-sale and records them at fair value with the related net gain or loss, net of policyholder related amounts and deferred taxes, being recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the stockholder’s equity section in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. All available-for-sale securities with gross unrealized losses at the balance sheet date are subjected to the Company’s process for identification and evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments.
The following tables summarize the fair values and gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity investments, where the estimated fair value has declined and remained below amortized cost by 20% or more at December 31, 2008 and 2007:
For the year ended December 31, 2008, the unrealized losses generally reflect market illiquidity and widening of spreads during the year.
While the Company has experienced unrealized losses across all classes within its fixed maturity investments, the majority of total unrealized losses are in the mortgage-backed and asset-backed security class as well as the corporate debt class. The Company holds approximately $5,678 million in various mortgage-backed and asset-backed collateralized mortgage securities of which $3,182 million are experiencing unrealized losses of approximately $913 million at December 31, 2008. Included in this amount is $663 million which has declined and remained below amortized cost by 20% or more; this is included in the table above. Of the $913 million in unrealized losses, approximately $334 million is related to securities on which there had been a credit rating downgrade during the year. Of the $334 million, $291 million are rated BBB or above at December 31, 2008. Future changes in the fair value of these securities will be dependent upon the return of market liquidity and changes in general market conditions including interest rates and credit spread movements.
The Company holds approximately $5,026 million of corporate debt securities of which $3,827 million are experiencing unrealized losses of approximately $616 million at December 31, 2008. Included in this amount is $364 million which has declined and remained below amortized cost by 20% or more; this is included in the table above. Approximately $83 million of the $616 million was related to securities on which there had been a credit rating downgrade during the year. Of the $83 million, $54 million are rated BBB or above at December 31, 2008.
While the decline in fair value has been increasing and many unrealized losses have now existed for longer than 12 months, the Company believes this is attributable to general market conditions and not reflective of the financial condition of the issuer or collateral backing the securities and has little bearing on whether the investment will be ultimately recoverable. The Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities with unrealized losses until a recovery of the fair value, which may be maturity; therefore, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2008.
During the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company recorded other-than-temporary impairments in the fair value of its fixed maturity investments in the amounts of $88 million and $35 million, respectively. The write-downs during the year ended December 31, 2008 were largely related to a security in the financial services industry backed by Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and securities in the automobile industry backed by General Motors Corporation. The write-downs during the year ended December 31, 2007 generally related to assets the Company no longer had the intent to hold until recovery due to the termination of the CLAC reinsurance agreement and assets associated with repurchase agreement financing transactions.
See Note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of impaired fixed maturity investments.
Securities Lending and Cash Collateral Reinvestment Practices
The Company takes a very conservative approach to its securities lending, repurchase agreement and dollar roll practices. All cash collateral received from such practices is invested in U.S. Government or U.S. Government Agency securities. Some cash collateral may be invested in short-term repurchase agreements which are also collateralized by U.S. Government or U.S. Government Agency securities. In addition, the securities lending agent indemnifies the Company against borrower risk, meaning that the lending agent agrees contractually to replace securities not returned due to a borrower default. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had $41 million out on loan, $180 million in repurchase agreements and $202 million in dollar rolls, all of which are fully collateralized as described above. The Company does not enter into these types of transactions for liquidity purposes, but rather for yield enhancement on its investment portfolio.
Mortgage Loans
The Company follows a comprehensive approach with the management of mortgage loans that includes ongoing analysis of key mortgage characteristics such as debt service coverage, net collateral cash flow, property condition, loan-to-value ratios and market conditions. Collateral valuations are performed for those mortgages that, after review, are determined by management to present possible risks and exposures. These valuations are then incorporated into the determination of the Company’s allowance for credit losses.
The average balance of impaired loans decreased to zero during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $6 million during the year ended December 31, 2007. There were no properties acquired through foreclosure during 2008 or 2007. The low levels of problematic mortgage loans relative to the Company’s overall financial position are due to its active loan management program.
Occasionally, the Company elects to restructure certain mortgage loans if the economic benefits to it are believed to be more advantageous than those achieved by acquiring the collateral through foreclosure. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company’s mortgage loan portfolio included $0 and $6 million, respectively, of non-impaired restructured loans. The Company anticipates moderate but diciplined participation in the real estate market during 2009.
See Note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of mortgage loans.
Other Investments
Other investments consist primarily of equity investments, policy loans, short-term investments, limited partnerships and investment in real estate. The Company anticipates limited participation in equity markets during 2009.
See Note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of impaired equity investments.
Derivatives
The Company uses certain derivatives, such as futures and swaps, for purposes of hedging interest rate and foreign currency exchange risks. These derivatives, when taken alone, may subject the Company to varying degrees of market and credit risk; however, when used for hedging, these instruments typically reduce risk. The Company controls the credit risk of its derivative contracts through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures and considers counterparty credit risk in the valuation of its derivative positions. The Company has also developed controls within its operations to ensure that only derivative transactions authorized by the Board of Directors are executed. Notes 1 and 7 to the consolidated financial statements contain a discussion of the Company’s derivative position.
7.8
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity refers to a company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the needs of its operations. The Company manages its operations to create stable, reliable and cost-effective sources of cash flows to meet all of its obligations.
The principal sources of the Company’s liquidity are premiums and contract deposits, fees, investment income and investment maturities and sales. Funds provided from these sources are reasonably predictable and normally exceed liquidity requirements for payment of policy benefits, payments to policy and contractholders in connection with surrenders and withdrawals and general expenses. However, since the timing of available funds cannot always be matched precisely to commitments, imbalances may arise when demands for funds exceed those on hand. A primary liquidity concern regarding cash flows from operations is the risk of early policyholder and contractholder withdrawals. A primary liquidity concern regarding investment activity is the risks of defaults and market volatilities. In addition, a demand for funds may arise as a result of the Company taking advantage of current investment opportunities. The sources of the funds that may be required in such situations include the issuance of commercial paper or other debt instruments. Management believes that the liquidity profile of its assets is sufficient to satisfy the liquidity requirements of reasonably foreseeable scenarios.
Generally, the Company has met its operating requirements by utilizing cash flows from operations and maintaining appropriate levels of liquidity in its investment portfolio. Net cash flows from operations were $333 million and $509 million, including the cash flows of the discontinued operations, for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Liquidity for the Company has remained strong, as evidenced by the amounts of short-term investments and cash that totaled $395 million and $527 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. In addition, at December 31, 2008 and 2007, 98.2% of the bond portfolio carried an investment grade rating, thereby providing significant liquidity to the Company’s overall investment portfolio.
The Company continues to be well capitalized, with sufficient borrowing capacity to meet the anticipated needs of its business. The Company’s financial strength provides the capacity and flexibility to enable it to raise funds in the capital markets through the issuance of commercial paper. The Company had $97 million and $96 million of commercial paper outstanding at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The commercial paper has been given a rating of A-1+ by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and a rating of P-1 by Moody’s Investors Service, each being the highest rating available. Through the recent financial market volatility, the Company continued to have the ability to access the capital markets for funds. The loss of this access in the future would not have a significant impact to the Company’s liquidity as the commercial paper is not used to fund daily operations and is an insignificant amount in relation to total invested assets.
The Company also has available a corporate credit facility agreement in the amount of $50 million for general corporate purposes. The Company had no borrowings under the credit facility at either December 31, 2008 or 2007. The Company does not anticipate the need for borrowings under this facility and the loss its availability would not significantly impact the Company’s liquidity.
Capital resources provide protection for policyholders and financial strength to support the underwriting of insurance risks and allow for continued business growth. The amount of capital resources that may be needed is determined by the Company’s senior management and Board of Directors, as well as by
regulatory requirements. The allocation of resources to new long-term business commitments is designed to achieve an attractive return, tempered by considerations of risk and the need to support the Company’s existing business.
7.9
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company makes commitments to fund partnership interests in the normal course of its business. The amounts of these unfunded commitments at December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $33 million and $19 million, respectively. The precise timing of the fulfillment of the commitment cannot be predicted, however, these amounts are due within one year of the dates indicated. There are no other obligations or liabilities arising from such arrangements that are reasonably likely to become material. The Company makes commitments to lend funds for mortgage loan investments in the normal course of its business. The amounts of mortgage loan commitments at December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $5 million and $71 million, respectively. There are no other obligations or liabilities arising from such arrangements that are reasonably likely to become material.
The Company, as lessee, has entered into various lease and sublease agreements primarily for the rental of office space. See Note 21 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of operating leases.
The Company maintains a corporate credit facility agreement in the amount of $50 million for general corporate purposes. The Company had no borrowings under the credit facility at either December 31, 2008 or 2007. See Note 22 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of the credit facility.
7.10
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes the Company’s major contractual obligations at December 31, 2008:
1, 2 Policy reserves and policy and contract claims - The Company has estimated payments to be made to policy and contractholders for future policy benefits. Insurance and investment contract liabilities include various investment-type products with contractually scheduled maturities, including periodic payments of a term certain nature. However, a significant portion of policy benefits and claims to be paid do not have stated contractual maturity dates and ultimately may not result in any payment obligation.
Estimated future policyholder obligations have been developed in accordance with industry accepted actuarial standards based upon the estimated timing of cash flows related to the policies or contracts, the Company’s historical experience and its expectation of future payment patterns. Management has incorporated significant assumptions in developing these estimates, many of which are outside of the Company’s control and include assumptions relating to mortality, morbidity, policy renewals and terminations, retirement, inflation, disability recovery rates, investment returns, future interest crediting levels, policy loans, future premium receipts on current policies in-force and other contingent events as may be appropriate to the respective product type. Due to the significance of the assumptions used, the amounts presented could materially differ from actual results.
The amounts presented in the table above are undiscounted as to interest. Accordingly, the sum of the estimated cash payment presented significantly exceeds the liability amount on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet principally due to the time value of money.
Separate account liabilities have been excluded from the table above. Separate account obligations are legally insulated from general account assets. Separate account liabilities represent funds maintained by the Company to meet the specific investment objectives of the contractholders who bear the related investment risk. It is generally expected that the separate account liabilities will be fully funded by the separate account assets.
Policy and contract claims consist of reserves associated with installment claims on certain long-term disability policies. Because the timing of the payment of these obligations is based upon assumptions of disability recovery rates, the amounts presented could differ from actual results.
3 Policyholders’ funds - Policyholders’ funds consist primarily of reserves associated with policyholder deposits, participating policy dividends left on deposit and provisions for experience rating refunds. Because the timing of the payment of some of these obligations is unknown and beyond the control of the Company, the obligations related to these liabilities are presented in the table above in the less than one year category in the amounts of the liabilities presented in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
4 Provision for policyholder dividends - The provision for policyholders’ dividends payable represents the liabilities related to dividends payable in the following year on participating policies. As such, the obligations related to these liabilities are presented in the table above in the less than one year category in the amounts of the liabilities presented in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
5 Undistributed earnings on participating business - The timing of the payment of the liability for undistributed earnings on participating business is unknown by its nature and subject to significant long-term uncertainty. As such, the obligation related to this liability is presented in the table above in the more than five year category in the amount of the liability presented in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
6 Related party long-term debt - principal - Represents contractual maturities of principal due to the Company’s parent, GWL&A Financial, under the terms of two long-term surplus notes. The amounts shown in this table differ from the amounts included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet because the amounts shown above do not consider the discount upon the issuance of one of the surplus notes.
7 Related party long-term debt - interest - One long-term surplus note bears interest at a fixed rate through maturity. The second surplus note bears interest initially at a fixed rate that will change in the future based upon the then current three-month London Interbank Offering Rate. The interest payments shown in this table are calculated based upon the contractual rates in effect on December 31, 2008 and do not consider the impact of future interest rate changes.
8 Repurchase agreements and commercial paper - The Company’s obligations under its commercial paper and repurchase agreement programs are short-term in nature. The amounts presented represent the amounts due upon maturity of the instrument. The obligations related to these liabilities are
presented in the table above in the less than one year category as presented in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
9 Payable under securities lending agreements - The Company accepts both cash and non-cash collateral in connection with its securities lending program. Since the securities lending transactions generally expire within one year or the timing of the return of the collateral is uncertain, the obligations related to these liabilities are presented in the table above in the less than one year category in the amounts of the liabilities presented in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
10 Investment purchase obligations - The Company commits to fund partnership interests, mortgage loan and other investments in the normal course of its business. As the timing of the fulfillment of the commitment to fund partnership interests cannot be predicted, such obligations are presented in the less than one year category. The timing of the funding of mortgage loans is based on the expiration date of the commitment.
11 Operating leases - The Company is obligated under various non-cancelable operating leases, primarily for office space. Contractual provisions exist that could increase the lease obligations presented, including operating expense escalation clauses. Management does not consider the impact of any such clauses to be material to the Company’s operating lease obligations.
From time to time, the Company enters into agreements or contracts, including capital leases, to purchase goods or services in the normal course of its business. However, these agreements and contracts are not material and are excluded from the table above.
12 Other liabilities - Other liabilities include those other liabilities which represent contractual obligations not included elsewhere in the table above. If the timing of the payment of any other liabilities was sufficiently uncertain, the amounts were included in the less than one year category. Other liabilities presented in the table above include:
•
Liabilities under reinsurance arrangements.
•
Liabilities related to securities purchased but not yet settled.
•
Liabilities related to derivative obligations.
•
Statutory state escheat liabilities.
•
Expected benefit payments to the Company’s defined benefit pension and post retirement medical plans through 2018.
7.11
Application of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements
In September 2005, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position No. 05-1, “Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection With Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts” (“SOP 05-1”). SOP 05-1 provides guidance on accounting by insurance enterprises for deferred acquisition costs on internal replacements of insurance and investment contracts other than those specifically described in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 97, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration Contracts and for Realized Gains and Losses From the Sale of Investments.” SOP 05-1 defines an internal replacement as a modification in product benefits, features, rights or coverages that occurs by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, or by amendment, endorsement or rider to a contract, or by the election of a feature or coverage within a contract. SOP 05-1 is effective for internal replacements occurring in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted SOP 05-1 on January 1, 2007. The adoption of SOP 05-1 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or the results of its operations.
In February 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments” (“SFAS No. 155”). SFAS No. 155 permits any hybrid financial
instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” to be carried at fair value in its entirety, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. In addition, SFAS No. 155 requires that beneficial interests in securitized financial assets be analyzed to determine whether they are freestanding derivatives or contain an embedded derivative. SFAS No. 155 is applicable to new or modified financial instruments in fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006, however it may be applied to instruments that an entity holds at the date of adoption on an instrument-by-instrument basis. The Company adopted SFAS No. 155 on January 1, 2007. The adoption of SFAS No. 155 increased stockholder’s equity by $115 thousand.
In June 2006, the FASB issued Financial Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes”. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken in a tax return. It also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 decreased stockholder’s equity by $6.2 million.
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 also provides expanded information about the extent to which a company measures assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. SFAS No. 157 is applicable whenever other authoritative pronouncements require or permit assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of its operations.
In October 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” (“FSP No. 157-3”). FSP No 157-3 applies to financial assets within the scope of accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements in accordance with FASB No. 157. FSP No. 157-3 clarifies the application of FASB No. 157 in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key conditions in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. FSP No. 157-3 became effective upon issuance including prior periods for which financial statements have not been issued. The Company adopted the provisions of FSP No. 157-3 effective September 30, 2008. The adoption of FSP No. 157-3 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of its operations.
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans” (“SFAS No. 158”). For fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006, SFAS No. 158 requires a company to recognize in its balance sheet an asset for a defined benefit postretirement plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status and recognize changes in the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan in the other comprehensive income section of stockholder’s equity in the year in which the changes occur, and provide additional disclosures. The Company adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 158 as of December 31, 2006, decreasing accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by $7 million. For fiscal years ended after December 15, 2008, SFAS No. 158 requires a company to measure a defined benefit postretirement plan’s assets and obligations that determine its funded status as of the end of its fiscal year. The Company adopted the measurement provisions of SFAS No. 158 for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, decreasing stockholder’s equity by $206 thousand. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 did not affect the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, or 2006.
In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an Amendment of FASB Statement
No. 115” (“SFAS No.159”). SFAS No. 159 permits an entity to measure financial instruments and certain other items at estimated fair value. Most of the provisions of SFAS No. 159 are elective; however, the amendment to FASB No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”, applies to all entities that own trading and available-for-sale securities. The fair value option established by SFAS No. 159 permits an entity to measure eligible items at fair value as of specified election dates. The fair value option (a) may generally be applied instrument by instrument, (b) is irrevocable unless a new election date occurs and (c) must be applied to the entire instrument and not to only a portion of the instrument. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 159 on January 1, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of its operations.
In January 2009, the FASB issued EITF 99-20-1, “Amendments to the Impairment Guidance of EITF Issue No. 99-20” (EITF 99-20-1”). EITF 99-20-1 is an interpretative amendment to the impairment guidance of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 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” and aligns its impairment guidance to that of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115 “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. EITF 99-20-1 is effective for reporting periods ending after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted EITF 99-20-1 for its year ended December 31, 2008. The adoption of EITF 99-20-1 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of its operations.
Future adoption of new accounting pronouncements
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141(R)”) and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS No. 160”). These statements change the accounting for and reporting of business combination transactions and noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated financial statements. Some of the significant changes include the recognition of one hundred percent of the fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and non-controlling interest of acquired businesses; recognition of contingent consideration arrangements at their acquisition date fair values, with subsequent changes in fair value reflected in net income; recognition of acquisition related transaction costs as expense when incurred; and recognition of acquisition related restructuring cost accruals in acquisition accounting only if certain criteria are met as of the acquisition date. SFAS No. 141(R) and SFAS No. 160 are required to be adopted simultaneously and are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted the provisions of these statements for its fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) and SFAS No. 160 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of its operations.
In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP No. 157-2”), which defers the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonrecurring fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. Non-financial assets include assets associated with business acquisitions and impairment testing of tangible and intangible assets. The Company adopted the provisions of FSP No. 157-2 on January 1, 2009. The adoption of FSP No. 157-2 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of its operations.
In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS No. 161”). SFAS No. 161 applies to all derivative instruments and related hedged items accounted for under Statement of Financial Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS No. 133”). SFAS No. 161 requires entities to provide enhanced disclosures regarding (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The
Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 161 for its fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS No. 161 will not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or the results of its operations. The Company is evaluating the impact that the adoption of SFAS No. 161 will have on its disclosures regarding its derivative instruments and hedged items.
In April 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (“FSP No. 142-3”). FSP No. 142-3 amends the factors that must be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” In determining the useful life of an intangible asset for amortization purposes, an entity shall consider, among other things, the periods of expected cash flows, adjusted for certain entity-specific factors. FSP No. 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted the provisions of FSP No. 142-3 for its fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The Company is evaluating the impact that the adoption of FSP No. 142-3 will have on its disclosures regarding its intangible assets.
In December 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 132(R)-1, “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets” (“FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1”). FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1 requires additional disclosures about assets held in an employer’s defined benefit pension plan including disclosures regarding investment policies and strategies, categories of plan assets, fair value measurements of plan assets and significant concentrations of risk. The disclosure requirements of FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. The Company adopted the provisions of FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1 for its fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The Company is evaluating the impact of adoption of FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The Company has established processes and procedures to effectively identify, monitor, measure and manage the risks associated with its invested assets and its interest rate sensitive insurance and annuity products. Management has identified investment portfolio management, including the use of derivative instruments, insurance and annuity product design and asset/liability management as three critical means to accomplish a successful risk management program.
The major risks to which the Company is exposed include the following:
•
Market risk - the potential of loss arising from adverse fluctuations in interest rates and equity market prices and the levels of their volatility.
•
Insurance risk - the potential of loss resulting from claims and expenses exceeding reserves held.
•
Credit risk - the potential of loss arising from an obligator’s inability or unwillingness to meet its obligations to the Company.
•
Operational and corporate risk - the potential of direct or indirect loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from other external events.
Market risk
The Company’s exposure to interest rate changes results from its significant holdings of fixed maturity securities and its interest rate sensitive liabilities. The fixed maturity security holdings primarily consist of direct obligations of the U.S. government and its agencies, direct obligations of U.S. states and their subdivisions, corporate debt securities and asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. All of these securities are exposed to changes in medium and long-term interest rates. Interest rate sensitive product liabilities, primarily those liabilities associated with guaranteed income contracts and annuity contracts, have the same type of interest rate risk exposure as fixed maturity securities.
To reduce interest rate risk, the Company performs periodic projections of asset and liability cash flows in order to evaluate the interest rate sensitivity of its fixed maturity securities and its product liabilities to interest rate movements. For determinate liabilities, i.e. liabilities with stable, predictable cash flows on
products that can’t be repriced (for example, certificate annuities and payout annuities), asset/liability cash flow mismatches are monitored and the asset portfolios are rebalanced as necessary to keep the mismatches within tolerance limits. For these determinate liabilities, the investment policy predominately requires assets with stable, predictable cash flows so that changes in interest rates will not cause changes in the timing of asset cash flows resulting in mismatches. For indeterminate liabilities, i.e. liabilities that have less predictable cash flows but that can be repriced (for example, portfolio annuities and universal life insurance), the potential mismatch of assets and liabilities is tested under a wide variety of interest scenarios. The potential cost of this mismatch is calculated. If the potential cost is considered to be too high, actions considered would include rebalancing the asset portfolio and/or purchasing derivatives that reduce the risk as part of the hedging strategy program discussed below. For each major block of indeterminate liabilities, the asset and liability positions are reviewed regularly in senior management meetings to proactively recommend changes in the current investment strategy and/or rebalance of the asset portfolio.
In addition, the Company supports a hedging strategy program. The hedging program consists of the use of various derivative instruments including financial futures, financial forwards, interest rate swaps, caps, floors and options. The Company has strict operating policies which prohibit the use of derivative instruments for speculative purposes, permit derivative transactions only with approved counterparties, specify limits on concentration of risk and provide requirements of reporting and monitoring systems.
•
Financial futures and financial forwards are commitments to either purchase or sell designated financial instruments at a future date for a specified price.
•
Interest rate swaps involve the periodic exchange of cash flows with third parties at specified intervals calculated using agreed upon rates or other financial variables.
•
Interest rate cap and floor contracts entitle the purchaser to receive from the issuer at designated dates the amount by which a specified market rate exceeds the cap strike interest rate or falls below the floor strike interest rate.
•
Option contracts grant the purchaser, in consideration for the payment of a premium, the right to either purchase from or sell to the issuer a financial instrument at a specified price within a specified time period or on a stated date.
The Company has estimated the possible effects of interest rate changes at December 31, 2008. If interest rates increased by 100 basis points (1.00%), the December 31, 2008 fair value of the fixed income assets in the general account would decrease by approximately $676 million. This calculation uses projected asset cash flows, discounted back to December 31, 2008. The cash flow projections are shown in the table below. The table below shows cash flows rather than expected maturity dates because many of the Company’s assets have substantial expected principal payments prior to the final maturity date. The fair value shown in the table below was calculated using spot discount interest rates that varied by the year in which the cash flows are expected to be received. The spot rates in the benchmark calculation range from 3.06% to 9.28%.
The Company does not have significant equity risk exposure associated with its equity invested assets as this type of investment is minimal.
The Company administers separate account variable annuities and provides other investment and retirement services where fee income is earned and profitability is determined based upon a percentage of account balances or assets under management. Fluctuations in fund asset levels occur as a result of both changes in cash flow and general market conditions. There is a market risk of reduced fee income if equity markets decline. If equity markets were to decline by 10%, the Company’s associated fee income in 2009 would decline by approximately $17 million.
The Company’s surplus assets include equity investments. There is a market risk of reduced asset values if equity markets decline. If equity markets were to decline by 10%, the Company would have an unrealized loss of approximately $8 million on equity investments in non-affiliates. This unrealized loss would not impact net income but would reduce stockholder’s equity.
The Company has sold variable annuities with various forms of guaranteed minimum death benefits. The Company is required to hold reserves for these guaranteed death benefits. If equity markets were to decline by 10%, the reserve liability for these benefits would increase by approximately $0.5 million.
The Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations is minimal since only nominal foreign investments are held. To manage foreign currency exchange risk, the Company uses currency swaps to convert foreign currency back to United States dollars. These swaps are purchased each time a foreign currency denominated asset is purchased.
Insurance risk
The Company utilizes reinsurance programs to control its exposure to general insurance risks. Reinsurance agreements do not relieve the Company from its direct obligations to its insureds. However, an effective reinsurance program limits the Company’s exposure to potentially large losses. The failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. To manage this risk, the Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentrations of credit risk arising from similar geographic regions, activities or economic characteristics of the reinsurers to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies. The Company currently retains a maximum liability in the amount of $3.5 million of coverage per individual life.
The Company manages the risks associated with its insurance and other contractual liabilities through the use of actuarial modeling techniques. These techniques utilize significant assumptions including morbidity, mortality, persistency, product pricing and the cash flow stream of benefit payments. Through these techniques, the Company attempts to match the anticipated cash flow streams of its invested assets with the anticipated cash flow streams of its insurance and other contractual obligations. The cash flows associated with these policy liabilities are not interest rate sensitive but will vary based upon the timing and amount of benefit payments. The primary risks associated with these liabilities are that the benefits will exceed those anticipated in the actuarial modeling or that the actual timing of the payment of benefits will differ from what was anticipated.
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk the Company assumes if its debtors, customers or other counterparties and intermediaries may be unable or unwilling to pay their contractual obligations when they come due and may manifest itself through the downgrading of credit ratings of counterparties. It is the Company’s policy to acquire only investment grade assets to enable it to provide for future policy obligations and to minimize undue concentrations of assets in any single geographic area, industry or entity. To minimize this risk, management regularly reviews the credit ratings of the entities in which the Company invests. These credit ratings are obtained from recognized external credit rating agencies and/or by internal credit review.
A component of credit risk is the risk of exposure to sub-prime mortgage securities. Sub-prime mortgage securities are backed by mortgage loans made to borrowers with lower than average credit scores. The Company’s sub-prime exposure is $873 million, of which 95% of the Company’s sub-prime securities are rated AAA. The majority of the mortgages backing these securities have fixed rate loans, which typically have lower default and loss rates than adjustable rate loans. Sixty-three percent of these
pools were originated before 2005, which is associated with lower default and loss rates compared to pools that were originated from 2005 through 2007. The weighted average credit enhancement level for these securities is 31.1%. This credit enhancement represents subordinated securities or surplus collateral that would absorb losses prior to losses being allocated to the Company’s securities.
The Company has no exposure to sub-prime Collateralized Debt Obligations, Asset Backed Commercial Paper or Structured Investment Vehicles. The Company’s exposure to Alt-A mortgage-backed securities is $8 million. The underlying mortgages of Alt-A securities have a risk potential that is greater than prime but less than sub-prime.
Operational and corporate risk
The Company manages and mitigates internal operational risk through integrated and complementary policies, procedures, processes and practices. Human Resource hiring practices, performance evaluations and promotion and compensation practices are designed to attract, retain and develop the skilled personnel required. A comprehensive job evaluation process is in place and training and development programs are supported. Each business area provides training designed for their specific needs and has developed internal controls for significant processes. Processes and controls are monitored and redefined by the business areas and subject to review by the Company’s internal audit staff. The Company applies a robust project management discipline to all significant initiatives.
Appropriate security measures protect premises and information. The Company has emergency procedures in place for short-term incidents and is committed to maintaining business continuity and disaster recovery plans at every business location for the recovery of critical functions in the event of a disaster, including offsite data backup and work area facilities. The Company maintains various corporate insurance coverages such as property, general liability, excess liability, automobile liability, workers’ compensation, financial institution bonds, other regulatory bonds and professional liability insurance to protect its owned property assets and to insure against certain third-party liabilities.
The Company’s businesses are subject to various regulatory requirements imposed by regulation or legislation applicable to insurance companies and companies providing financial services. These regulations are primarily intended to protect policyholders and beneficiaries. Material changes in the regulatory framework or the failure to comply with legal and regulatory requirements could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company monitors compliance with the legal and regulatory requirements in all jurisdictions in which it conducts business and assesses trends in legal and regulatory change to keep business areas current and responsive.
In the course of its business activities, the Company may be exposed to the risk that some actions may lead to damaging its reputation and hence damage its future business prospects. These actions may include unauthorized activities of employees or others associated with the Company, inadvertent actions of the Company that become publicized and damage its reputation, regular or past business activities of the Company that become the subject of regulator or media scrutiny and, due to a change of public perception, cause damage to the Company. To manage or mitigate this risk, the Company has ongoing controls to limit the unauthorized activities of people associated with it. The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics which sets out the standards of business conduct to be followed by all of its directors, officers and employees.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of
Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company
Greenwood Village, Colorado
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholder’s equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule 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. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its 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, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance 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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Note 5, the Company changed its method of accounting for income taxes, as required by accounting guidance adopted on January 1, 2007, and changed its method of accounting for defined benefit and other post retirement plans as required by accounting guidance adopted on December 31, 2006.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Denver, Colorado
March 30, 2009
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2008 and 2007
(In Thousands, Except Share Amounts)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
(Continued)
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2008 and 2007
(In Thousands, Except Share Amounts)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
(Concluded)
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Consolidated Statements of Income
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(In Thousands)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Equity
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(In Thousands)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(In Thousands)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
(Continued)
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(In Thousands)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
(Concluded)
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
1. Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Organization - Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company (“GWLA”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of GWL&A Financial Inc. (“GWL&A Financial”), a holding company formed in 1998. GWL&A Financial is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco Inc. (“Lifeco”). The Company offers a wide range of life insurance, retirement and investment products to individuals, businesses and other private and public organizations throughout the United States. The Company is an insurance company domiciled in the State of Colorado, and is subject to regulation by the Colorado Division of Insurance.
Basis of presentation - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are required to account for allowances for credit losses on mortgage loans on real estate, derivative instruments, valuation of privately placed and non-actively traded public investments, goodwill and other intangible assets, deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired, policy reserves, employee benefits plans and taxes on income. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
A $7,193 reclassification was made to the December 31, 2007 consolidated balance sheet to reflect the reclassification of certain real estate investments from mortgage loans on real estate to other investments. Reclassifications in the amounts of $493,049 and $465,052 were made to the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, to separately reflect interest credited to contractholders. Formerly, they were included in policy benefit liabilities. The reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income, total assets or total stockholder’s equity and were made in order to further enhance the readers’ understanding of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Restatement of January 1, 2006 retained earnings and December 31, 2007 deferred income taxes - The accompanying 2007 consolidated balance sheet and 2006 and 2007 consolidated statements of stockholder’s equity have been restated as a result of a previous misstatement of deferred income taxes. As a result of the completion of the Company’s analysis of its deferred tax accounts, an increase of $43,914 was recorded to retained earnings as of January 1, 2006, December 31, 2006, and December 31, 2007 from amounts previously reported of $1,342,796, $1,430,603, and $1,238,150, respectively, on the consolidated statements of stockholder’s equity and to deferred income taxes as of December 31, 2007 from $155,548 as previously reported on the consolidated balance sheet. See Note 18 for further discussion.
Significant Accounting Policies
Investments - Investments are reported as follows:
1.
The Company classifies the majority of its fixed maturity and all of its equity investments as available-for-sale and records them at fair value with the related net unrealized gain or loss, net of policyholder related amounts and deferred taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income in the stockholder’s equity section of the consolidated balance sheets. Net unrealized gains and losses related to participating contract policies that cannot be distributed are recorded as undistributed earnings on participating business in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
Premiums and discounts are recognized as a component of net investment income using the scientific interest method. Realized gains and losses and declines in value determined to be other-than-temporary are included in net realized gains (losses) on investments.
The Company purchases fixed maturity securities which are classified as held for trading. Assets in the held for trading category are carried at fair value with changes in fair value reported in net investment income.
The recognition of income on certain investments (e.g. loan-backed securities, including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities) is dependent upon market conditions, which may result in prepayments and changes in amounts to be earned.
2.
Mortgage loans on real estate are commercial loans and are carried at their unpaid balances adjusted for any unamortized premiums or discounts and allowances for credit losses. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Discounts and premiums are amortized to net investment income using the scientific interest method. Accrual of interest is discontinued on any impaired loans where collection of interest is doubtful.
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses at a level that, in management’s opinion, is sufficient to absorb credit losses on its impaired loans. Management’s judgment is based upon situational analysis of each individual loan and may consider past loss experience and current and projected economic conditions. The measurement of impaired loans is based upon the fair value of the underlying collateral.
3.
Equity investments classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value with net unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the stockholder’s equity section of the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company uses the equity method of accounting for investments in which it has more than a minority interest and has influence in the entity’s operating and financial policies, but does not have a controlling interest. Realized gains and losses and declines in value, determined to be other-than-temporary, are included in net realized gains (losses) on investments.
4.
Limited partnership interests are accounted for using the cost method of accounting. The Company uses this method since it has a minority equity interest and virtually no influence over the entity’s operations. Also included in limited partnership interests are limited partnerships established for the purpose of investing in low-income housing that qualify for federal and state tax credits. These securities are carried at amortized cost as determined using the effective yield method.
5.
Policy loans are carried at their unpaid balances.
6.
Short-term investments include securities purchased with initial maturities of one year or less and are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. The Company classifies its short-term investments as available-for-sale.
7.
Gains and losses realized on disposal of investments are determined on a specific identification basis.
8.
The Company may employ a trading strategy that involves the sale of securities with a simultaneous agreement to repurchase similar securities at a future date at an agreed-upon price. Proceeds of the sale are reinvested in other securities and may enhance the current yield and total return. The difference between the sales price and the future repurchase price is recorded as an adjustment to net investment income. During the period between the sale and repurchase, the Company will not be entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold. Losses may arise from changes in the value of the securities or if the counterparty enters bankruptcy proceedings or
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
becomes insolvent. In such cases, the Company’s right to repurchase the security may be restricted. Amounts owed to brokers under these arrangements are included in repurchase agreements in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The liability is collateralized by securities with approximately the same fair value.
9.
The Company receives collateral for lending securities that are held as part of its investment portfolio. The Company requires collateral in an amount greater than or equal to 102% of the market value of domestic securities loaned and 105% of foreign securities loaned. Such collateral is used to replace the securities loaned in event of default by the borrower. The Company’s securities lending transactions are accounted for as collateralized borrowings. Collateral is defined as government securities, letters of credit and/or cash collateral. The borrower can return and the Company can request the loaned securities at any time. The Company maintains ownership of the securities at all times and is entitled to receive from the borrower any payments for interest or dividends received on such securities during the loan term.
10.
One of the significant estimates inherent in the valuation of investments is the evaluation of investments for other-than-temporary impairments. The evaluation of impairments 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 changes in general economic conditions, the issuer’s financial condition or near term recovery prospects, the effects of changes in interest rates or credit spreads and the recovery period. The Company’s accounting policy requires that a decline in the value of a security below its cost or amortized cost basis be assessed to determine if the decline is other-than-temporary. If the security is deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, a charge is recorded in net realized losses on investments equal to the difference between the fair value and cost or amortized cost basis of the security.
Derivative financial instruments - All derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets in other assets and other liabilities at fair value. Accounting for the ongoing changes in the fair value of a derivative depends upon the intended use of the derivative and its designation as determined when the derivative contract is entered into. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in its fair value and of the fair value of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings in net investment income. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of the changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and are recognized in the consolidated income statements when the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting and the over effective portion of cash flow hedges are recognized in net investment income in the period of the change.
Cash - Cash includes only amounts in demand deposit accounts.
Bank overdrafts - The Company’s cash management system provides for the reimbursement of all major bank disbursement accounts on a daily basis. Checks issued but not yet presented to banks for payment can result in overdraft balances for accounting purposes and are included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, these liabilities were $8,817 and $48,449, respectively.
Internal use software - Capitalized internal use software development costs, net of accumulated amortization, in the amounts of $14,944 and $38,537, are included in other assets at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company capitalized $2,324, $3,504 and $9,329 of internal use software development costs during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) and value of business acquired (“VOBA”) - DAC, which primarily consists of sales commissions and costs associated with the Company’s sales representatives related to
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
the production of new business or through the acquisition of insurance or annuity contracts through indemnity reinsurance transactions, have been deferred to the extent recoverable. VOBA represents the estimated fair value of insurance or annuity contracts acquired either directly through the acquisition of another insurance company or through the acquisition of insurance or annuity contracts through assumption reinsurance transactions. The recoverability of such costs is dependent upon the future profitability of the related business. DAC and VOBA associated with the annuity products and flexible premium universal life insurance products are being amortized over the life of the contracts in proportion to the emergence of gross profits. Retrospective adjustments of these amounts are made when the Company revises its estimates of current or future gross profits. DAC and VOBA associated with traditional life insurance are amortized over the premium-paying period of the related policies in proportion to premium revenues recognized. See Note 10 for additional information regarding deferred acquisition costs and the value of business acquired.
Goodwill and other intangible assets - Goodwill is the excess of cost over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with an acquisition and is considered an indefinite lived asset and therefore is not amortized. The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that there may be justification for conducting an interim test. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its fair value, the excess is recognized as an impairment and recorded as a charge against net income in the period in which the impairment is identified. There were no impairments of goodwill recognized during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 or 2006.
Other intangible assets represent the estimated fair value of the portion of the purchase price that was allocated to the value of customer relationships and preferred provider relationships in various acquisitions. These intangible assets have been assigned values using various methodologies, including present value of projected future cash flows, analysis of similar transactions that have occurred or could be expected to occur in the market, and replacement or reproduction cost. The initial valuations of these intangible assets were supported by an independent valuation study that was commissioned by the Company and executed by qualified valuation experts. Other identified intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which initially ranged from 4 to 14 years (weighted average 13 years), primarily based upon the cash flows generated by these assets.
Separate accounts - Separate account assets and related liabilities are carried at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s separate accounts invest in shares of Maxim Series Fund, Inc., an open-end management investment company, and Putnam Funds, which are affiliates of the Company, and shares of other non-affiliated mutual funds and government and corporate bonds. Investment income and realized capital gains and losses of the separate accounts accrue directly to the contractholders and, therefore, are not included in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. Revenues to the Company from the separate accounts consist of contract maintenance fees, administrative fees and mortality and expense risk charges. The Company’s separate accounts include mutual funds or other investment options that purchase guaranteed interest annuity contracts issued by the Company. During the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, these purchases totaled $64,723 and $74,855, respectively. As the general account investment contracts are also included in the separate account balances in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, the Company has reduced the separate account assets and liabilities by $265,299 and $383,319 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, to eliminate these amounts in its consolidated balance sheets at those dates.
Life insurance and annuity reserves - Life insurance and annuity reserves with life contingencies in the amounts of $11,322,866 and $11,330,656 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, are computed on the basis of estimated mortality, investment yield, withdrawals, future maintenance and settlement expenses and retrospective experience rating premium refunds. Annuity contract reserves without life contingencies in the amounts of $6,736,101 and $5,998,749 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, are established at the contractholder’s account value.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
Reinsurance - Policy reserves and policy and contract claims ceded to other insurance companies are carried as a reinsurance receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The cost of reinsurance related to long duration contracts is accounted for over the life of the underlying reinsured policies using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the underlying policies.
Policy and contract claims - Policy and contract claims include provisions for claims incurred but not reported and claims in the process of settlement. The provision for claims incurred but not reported is valued based primarily on the Company’s prior experience. The claims in the process of settlement are valued in accordance with the terms of the related policies and contracts.
Participating business - The Company has participating policies in which the policyholder shares in the Company’s earnings through policyholder dividends that reflect the difference between the assumptions used in the premium charged and the actual experience on those policies. The amount of dividends to be paid is determined annually by the Board of Directors.
Participating life and annuity policy reserves are $6,155,890 and $6,019,015 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Participating business approximates 8.6% and 8.3% of the Company’s individual life insurance in-force at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and 24.4%, 32.4% and 58.0% of individual life insurance premium income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The policyholder’s share of net income on participating policies that cannot be distributed is excluded from stockholder’s equity by a charge to operations and a credit to a liability.
The Company had established a Participating Policyholder Experience Account (“PPEA”) for the benefit of all participating policyholders, which was included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2007. The Company had also established a Participation Fund Account (“PFA”) for the benefit of the participating policyholders previously assumed from The Great-West Life Assurance Company (“GWL”) under an assumption reinsurance transaction. The PFA was part of the PPEA. As discussed in Note 4, on January 1, 2008, the Company was no longer required to maintain the PPEA.
Recognition of premium and fee income and benefits and expenses - Life insurance premiums are recognized when due. Annuity contract premiums with life contingencies are recognized as received. Revenues for annuity and other contracts without significant life contingencies consist of contract charges for the cost of insurance and contract administration and surrender fees that have been assessed against the contract account balance during the period and are recognized when earned. Fees from assets under management, which consist of contract maintenance fees, administration fees and mortality and expense risk charges, are recognized when due. Benefits and expenses on policies with life contingencies are associated with earned premiums so as to result in recognition of profits over the life of the contracts. Premiums and policyholder benefit and expenses are presented net of reinsurance.
Net investment income - Interest and dividend income from fixed maturities and mortgage loans on real estate is recognized when earned. Net investment income on equity securities available-for-sale is primarily comprised of dividend income and is recognized when declared.
Net realized gains and losses on investments - Net realized gains and losses from investment sales are reported as a component of revenues and are determined on a specific identification basis. Net realized gains and losses also result from fair value changes in derivatives contracts that do not qualify, or are not designated, as a hedge for accounting purposes and the change in value of derivatives in certain fair-value hedge relationships. Impairments are recognized as net realized losses when investment losses in value are deemed other-than-temporary.
Income taxes - Income taxes are recorded using the asset and liability method in which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in either the Company’s consolidated financial statements or consolidated tax returns. In estimating future tax consequences, all expected future events, other than the enactments or changes in
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
the tax laws or rules, are considered. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realized.
The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Financial Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”) effective January 1, 2007. Among other things, under FIN 48, the Company determines whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authorities before any part of the benefit can be recorded in the consolidated financial statements.
Share-based compensation - Lifeco maintains the Great-West Lifeco Inc. Stock Option Plan (the “Lifeco plan”) that provides for the granting of options on its common shares to certain of its officers and employees and those of its subsidiaries, including the Company. On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”) which requires it to use the fair value method to recognize the cost of share-based employee compensation. Previously, the Company elected only to disclose the proforma impact of recording the fair value of stock options under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” in the notes to its consolidated financial statements (See Note 20).
Regulatory requirements - In accordance with the requirements of the Colorado Division of Insurance, GWLA must demonstrate that it maintains adequate capital. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, GWLA was in compliance with the requirement (See Note 13).
In accordance with the requirements of the regulatory authorities in the states in which the Company conducts its business, it is required to maintain deposits with those authorities for the purpose of security for policy and contractholders. The Company fulfills this requirement generally with the deposit of United States government obligations.
2. Discontinued Operations
On April 1, 2008, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries completed the sale of substantially all of their healthcare insurance business to a subsidiary of CIGNA Corporation (“CIGNA”) for $1.5 billion (the “Purchase Price”) in cash. The Company recognized a gain in the amount of $681,528, net of income taxes, upon completion of the transaction. Income from discontinued operations for the second quarter of 2008 includes charges in the amount of $63,739, net of income taxes, related to costs associated with the sale. The business that was sold, formerly reported as the Company’s Healthcare segment, was the vehicle through which it marketed and administered group life and health insurance to small, mid-sized and national employers. CIGNA acquired from the Company the stop loss, group life, group disability, group medical, group dental, group vision, group prescription drug coverage and group accidental death and dismemberment insurance business in the United States and the Company’s supporting information technology infrastructure through a combination of 100% indemnity reinsurance agreements, renewal rights, related administrative service agreements and the acquisition of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Company retained a small portion of its Healthcare business and reports it within its Individual Markets segment. As discussed in Note 19, the Company’s business is now comprised of its Individual Markets, Retirement Services and Other segments. As required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the statements of income and balance sheets of the disposed business activities are presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented in the consolidated financial statements.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
In addition, the Company and CIGNA entered into a Transition Services Agreement (the “Transition Agreement”) whereby the Company will provide certain information technology and administrative and legal services on behalf of CIGNA for a period of up to twenty-four months. CIGNA will pay the Company predetermined monthly fees for these services and will reimburse it for other expenditures it makes under the terms of the Transition Agreement.
The following table summarizes the major classifications of assets and liabilities of discontinued operations at December 31, 2008 and 2007:
The following table summarizes selected financial information included in income from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006:
The Company adopted a restructuring plan in connection with the sale of its Healthcare segment. The restructuring plan consisted of a structural reorganization which will enable the Company to operate effectively in its present business environment. The liability is included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. The amounts incurred during the period and adjustments to original estimates during the period have been charged (credited) to income from discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of income.
The following is a reconciliation of the liability that the Company recorded related to the restructuring plan:
The Company incurred net expenses in the amount of $42,934 during the year ended December 31, 2008 related to the restructuring plan and does not anticipate incurring significant additional costs in the future. It is estimated that the restructuring plan will be substantially complete during 2009.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
3. Acquisitions
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s 401(k) and defined benefit business
On October 2, 2006, the Company purchased several parts of the full service small and midsized 401(k) as well as certain defined benefit plan business from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (“MetLife”). The assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the results of operations have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since that date. The acquisition included the associated dedicated distribution group, including wholesalers, relationship managers and sales associates. As a result of the acquisition, the Company added approximately 280,000 participants in the 401(k) full service segment and increased its distribution capacity.
The purchase included a 100% coinsurance agreement reinsuring the acquired general account business and a 100% modified-coinsurance agreement reinsuring the acquired separate account business. The Company will replace the acquired MetLife policies with its policies over a three year period. As these policies are replaced, they will no longer be subject to the reinsurance agreements. Under the coinsurance agreement, the Company acquired all of the insurance liabilities associated with these contracts and received from MetLife cash to support these liabilities, net of the purchase price. Under the modified-coinsurance agreement, MetLife retained the approximate $2.3 billion of separate account assets and liabilities but cedes to the Company all of the net profits and losses and related net cash flows. In addition, the Company acquired the rights to provide administrative services and recordkeeping functions for approximately $3.2 billion of participant account values.
The purchase price has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed using management’s best estimate of their fair values as of the acquisition date and the use of a third-party business valuation expert to estimate the value of business acquired (“VOBA”) and goodwill. The following table presents an allocation of the purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed as adjusted for revisions to the original purchase price allocation at October 2, 2006:
VOBA reflects the estimated fair value of in-force contracts acquired and represents the portion of the purchase price that is allocated to the value of the right to receive future cash flows from the contracts in force at the acquisition date. VOBA is based on actuarially determined projections, by each block of business, of future policy and contract charges, premiums, mortality and morbidity, separate account performance, surrenders, operating expenses, investment returns and other factors. Actual experience of the purchased business may vary from these projections. If estimated gross profits or premiums differ from expectations, the amortization of VOBA for these annuity products is adjusted to reflect actual experience. The VOBA has an expected amortization period of 14 years.
The value of the identifiable intangible assets reflects the estimated fair value of customer relationships for the recordkeeping business acquired and amounted to $6,337 as a result of this acquisition. This intangible will be amortized in relation to the expected economic benefits of the agreement. If actual experience with customer relationships differs from expectations, the amortization will be adjusted to reflect actual experience. The customer relationship intangible asset has an expected weighted average amortization period of 14 years.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
Goodwill is the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill resulting from the acquisition amounted to $56,981, all of which has been allocated to the Retirement Services segment. For income tax purposes, all of this goodwill will be deductible over 15 years.
U.S. Bank’s defined contribution business
On December 31, 2006, the Company purchased the full service defined contribution business from U.S. Bank. The results of operations of this business have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since that date. The acquired business primarily relates to the administration of approximately 1,900 401(k) plans which represent approximately 195,000 members and more than $9.0 billion in retirement plan assets. The acquisition includes the retention of relationship managers and sales and client service specialists. An adjustment to the purchase price of $685 was received from U.S. Bank in 2008. In addition, the Company accrued $3,600 due to U.S. Bank at December 31, 2008 as an additional adjustment to the purchase price. The adjustments were contingent upon the attainment of certain revenue and contract retention targets. The adjustment received from and paid to U.S. Bank was recorded as an adjustment to the purchase price allocation. The $685 was adjusted through intangible assets while the $3,600 was an adjustment to goodwill.
The purchase price has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed using management’s best estimate of their fair values as of the acquisition date and the use of a third-party business valuation expert to estimate the value of goodwill and other intangible assets acquired. The following table presents an allocation of the purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed as adjusted for revisions to the original purchase price allocation:
Goodwill is the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill resulting from the acquisition amounted to $42,590, all of which has been allocated to the Retirement Services segment. For income tax purposes, all of this goodwill will be deductible over 15 years.
The value of the identifiable intangible assets reflects the estimated fair value of customer relationships acquired of $26,355 and the estimated fair value of the preferred provider relatioinship of $7,970. These intangibles will be amortized in relation to the expected economic benefits of the agreement. If actual experience differs from expectations, the amortization will be adjusted to reflect actual experience. The intangibles have an expected weighted average amortization period of 14 years.
4. Undistributed Earnings on Participating Business
During the first quarter of 2008, the liability for undistributed earnings on participating business decreased by $207,785 in connection with a long-standing assumption reinsurance agreement under which the Company had reinsured a block of participating policies. In addition, the agreement also required the Company to perform an analysis as of March 31, 2008, to determine whether the policyholders were eligible for a special dividend. Based on the Company’s analysis, it was determined that a special dividend was not required and, accordingly, the liability was released. An income tax provision was recorded on the
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
undistributed earnings when those earnings occurred. Accordingly, there was no income tax provision recorded at the time of the liability release. On January 1, 2008, the Company began recognizing the net earnings on these policies in its net income. A liability for undistributed earnings on participating business remains for those participating policies that are not subject to this reinsurance agreement.
5. Application of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements
In September 2005, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position No. 05-1, “Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection With Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts” (“SOP 05-1”). SOP 05-1 provides guidance on accounting by insurance enterprises for deferred acquisition costs on internal replacements of insurance and investment contracts other than those specifically described in FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 97, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration Contracts and for Realized Gains and Losses From the Sale of Investments.” SOP 05-1 defines an internal replacement as a modification in product benefits, features, rights or coverages that occurs by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, or by amendment, endorsement or rider to a contract, or by the election of a feature or coverage within a contract. SOP 05-1 is effective for internal replacements occurring in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted SOP 05-1 on January 1, 2007. The adoption of SOP 05-1 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or the results of its operations.
In February 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments” (“SFAS No. 155”). SFAS No. 155 permits any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” to be carried at fair value in its entirety, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. In addition, SFAS No. 155 requires that beneficial interests in securitized financial assets be analyzed to determine whether they are freestanding derivatives or contain an embedded derivative. SFAS No. 155 is applicable to new or modified financial instruments in fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006, however it may be applied to instruments that an entity holds at the date of adoption on an instrument-by-instrument basis. The Company adopted SFAS No. 155 on January 1, 2007. The adoption of SFAS No. 155 increased stockholder’s equity by $115.
In June 2006, the FASB issued Financial Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes”. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken in a tax return. It also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 decreased stockholder’s equity by $6,195.
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 also provides expanded information about the extent to which a company measures assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. SFAS No. 157 is applicable whenever other authoritative pronouncements require or permit assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of its operations.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
In October 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” (“FSP No. 157-3”). FSP No 157-3 applies to financial assets within the scope of accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements in accordance with FASB No. 157. FSP No. 157-3 clarifies the application of FASB No. 157 in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key conditions in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. FSP No. 157-3 became effective upon issuance including prior periods for which financial statements have not been issued. The Company adopted the provisions of FSP No. 157-3 effective September 30, 2008. The adoption of FSP No. 157-3 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of its operations.
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans” (“SFAS No. 158”). For fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006, SFAS No. 158 requires a company to recognize in its balance sheet an asset for a defined benefit postretirement plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status and recognize changes in the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan in the other comprehensive income section of stockholder’s equity in the year in which the changes occur, and provide additional disclosures. The Company adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 158 as of December 31, 2006, decreasing accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by $6,734. For fiscal years ended after December 15, 2008, SFAS No. 158 requires a company to measure a defined benefit postretirement plan’s assets and obligations that determine its funded status as of the end of its fiscal year. The Company adopted the measurement provisions of SFAS No. 158 for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, decreasing stockholder’s equity by $206. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 did not affect the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, or 2006.
In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS No.159”). SFAS No. 159 permits an entity to measure financial instruments and certain other items at estimated fair value. Most of the provisions of SFAS No. 159 are elective; however, the amendment to FASB No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”, applies to all entities that own trading and available-for-sale securities. The fair value option established by SFAS No. 159 permits an entity to measure eligible items at fair value as of specified election dates. The fair value option (a) may generally be applied instrument by instrument, (b) is irrevocable unless a new election date occurs and (c) must be applied to the entire instrument and not to only a portion of the instrument. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 159 on January 1, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of its operations.
In January 2009, the FASB issued EITF 99-20-1, “Amendments to the Impairment Guidance of EITF Issue No. 99-20” (“EITF 99-20-1”). EITF 99-20-1 is an interpretative amendment to the impairment guidance of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 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” and aligns its impairment guidance to that of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115 “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. EITF 99-20-1 is effective for reporting periods ending after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted EITF 99-20-1 for its year ended December 31, 2008. The adoption of EITF 99-20-1 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of its operations.
Future adoption of new accounting pronouncements
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141(R)”) and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160,
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
“Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS No. 160”). These statements change the accounting for and reporting of business combination transactions and noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated financial statements. Some of the significant changes include the recognition of one hundred percent of the fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and non-controlling interest of acquired businesses; recognition of contingent consideration arrangements at their acquisition date fair values, with subsequent changes in fair value reflected in net income; recognition of acquisition related transaction costs as expense when incurred; and recognition of acquisition related restructuring cost accruals in acquisition accounting only if certain criteria are met as of the acquisition date. SFAS No. 141(R) and SFAS No. 160 are required to be adopted simultaneously and are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted the provisions of these statements for its fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) and SFAS No. 160 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of its operations.
In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP No. 157-2”), which defers the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonrecurring fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. Non-financial assets include assets associated with business acquisitions and impairment testing of tangible and intangible assets. The Company adopted the provisions of FSP No. 157-2 on January 1, 2009. The adoption of FSP No. 157-2 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of its operations.
In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS No. 161”). SFAS No. 161 applies to all derivative instruments and related hedged items accounted for under Statement of Financial Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS No. 133”). SFAS No. 161 requires entities to provide enhanced disclosures regarding (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 161 for its fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS No. 161 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or the results of its operations.
In April 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (“FAS No. 142-3”). FAS No. 142-3 amends the factors that must be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” In determining the useful life of an intangible asset for amortization purposes, an entity shall consider, among other things, the periods of expected cash flows, adjusted for certain entity-specific factors. FAS No. 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted the provisions of FAS No. 142-3 for its fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The Company is evaluating the adoption of FAS No. 142-3.
In December 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 132(R)-1, “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets” (“FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1”). FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1 requires additional disclosures about assets held in an employer’s defined benefit pension plan including disclosures regarding investment policies and strategies, categories of plan assets, fair value measurements of plan assets and significant concentrations of risk. The disclosure requirements of FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. The Company adopted the provisions of FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1 for its fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The Company is evaluating the impact of adoption of FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
6. Related Party Transactions
Included in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are the following related party amounts:
Included in the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are the following related party amounts:
The Company provides administrative and operational services for the United States operations of The Great-West Life Assurance Company (“GWL”) and the United States operations of The Canada Life Assurance Company (“CLAC”), wholly-owned subsidiaries of Lifeco. The Company also provides investment services for London Reinsurance Group, an indirect subsidiary of GWL. The following table presents revenue and expense reimbursement from related parties for services provided pursuant to these service agreements for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. These amounts, in accordance with the terms of the various contracts, are based upon estimated costs incurred, including a profit charge, and resources expended based upon the number of policies, certificates in-force and/or administered assets.
The following table summarizes amounts due from parent and affiliates at December 31, 2008 and 2007:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The following table summarizes amounts due to parent and affiliates at December 31, 2008 and 2007:
1 A note payable to GWL&A Financial was issued as a surplus note on November 15, 2004, with a face amount of $195,000 and carrying amounts of $194,206 and $194,194 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The surplus note bears interest at the rate of 6.675% per annum, payable in arrears on each May 14 and November 14. The note matures on November 14, 2034.
2 A note payable to GWL&A Financial was issued as a surplus note on May 19, 2006, with a face amount and carrying amount of $333,400. The surplus note bears interest initially at the rate of 7.203% per annum, payable in arrears on each May 16 and November 16 until May 16, 2016. After May 16, 2016, the surplus note bears an interest rate of 2.588% plus the then current three-month London Interbank Offering Rate. The surplus note is redeemable by the Company at the principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest after May 16, 2016. The note matures on May 16, 2046.
Payments of principal and interest under the surplus notes shall be made only out of surplus funds of the Company and only with prior written approval of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Colorado when the Commissioner of Insurance is satisfied that the financial condition of the Company warrants such action pursuant to applicable Colorado law. Payments of principal and interest on the surplus notes are payable only if at the time of such payment and after giving effect to the making thereof, the Company’s surplus would not fall below two and one half times the authorized control level as required by the most recent risk-based capital calculations.
Interest expense attributable to these related party debt obligations was $37,042, $37,042 and $28,848 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
On June 1, 2007, the Company’s Individual Markets segment terminated its reinsurance agreement with an affiliate, CLAC, pursuant to which it had assumed 80% of certain United States life, health and annuity business on a coinsurance and coinsurance with funds withheld basis. The Company recorded, at fair value, the following in its consolidated balance sheet in connection with the termination of the reinsurance agreement:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The Company recorded the following in its consolidated statement of income in connection with the termination of the reinsurance agreement:
On July 3, 2007, Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company of South Carolina (“GWSC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and CLAC amended their reinsurance agreement pursuant to which the Company assumed additional term life insurance from CLAC. As a result of this amendment, the Company recorded $33,677 in both premium income and increase in reserves in the consolidated statement of income. GWL&A Financial obtained two letters of credit for the benefit of the Company during December 2005 as collateral under the GWSC and CLAC reinsurance agreement for on-balance sheet policy liabilities and capital support. The first letter of credit is for $919,100 and renews automatically until it expires on December 31, 2025. The second letter of credit is for $70,000 and renews automatically. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, there were no outstanding amounts related to these letters of credit.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
As a result of this amendment, the Company also recorded the following in its consolidated balance sheet:
Included within reinsurance receivable in the consolidated balance sheets are $376,378 and $334,169 of funds withheld assets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. CLAC pays the Company interest on the funds withheld balance at a rate of 4.55% per annum.
The Company’s separate accounts invest in shares of Maxim Series Fund, Inc., an open-end management investment company, and Putnam Funds which are affiliates of the Company, and shares of other non-affiliated mutual funds and government and corporate bonds. The Company’s separate accounts include mutual funds or other investment options that purchase guaranteed interest annuity contracts issued by the Company. During the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, these purchases totaled $64,723 and $74,855 respectively. As the general account investment contracts are also included in the separate account balances in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, the Company has reduced the separate account assets and liabilities by $265,299 and $383,319 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, to eliminate these amounts in its consolidated balance sheets at those dates.
7. Summary of Investments
The following table summarizes fixed maturity investments and equity securities classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2008:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The following table summarizes fixed maturity investments and equity securities classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2007:
See Note 8 for additional information on policies regarding estimated fair value of fixed maturity and equity investments.
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity investments classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2008, by contractual maturity date, are shown in the table below. Actual maturities will likely differ from these projections because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities include collateralized mortgage obligations that consist primarily of sequential and planned amortization classes with final stated maturities of two to thirty years and expected average lives of less than one to fifteen years. Prepayments on all mortgage-backed securities are monitored monthly and amortization of the premium and/or the accretion of the discount associated with the purchase of such securities are adjusted by such prepayments.
The following table summarizes information regarding the sales of fixed maturity investments classified as available-for-sale for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
Gross realized gains and losses from sales were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates, sales of securities acquired in the current year and gains on repurchase agreement transactions.
The Company has fixed maturity securities with fair values in the amounts of $0 and $11,156 that have been non-income producing for the twelve months preceding December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. These securities were written down to their fair value in the period they were deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
Derivative financial instruments - The Company makes limited use of derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate and foreign exchange risk associated with its invested assets. Derivatives are not used for speculative purposes.
The Company controls the credit risk of its derivative contracts through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures. Risk of loss is generally limited to the fair value of derivative instruments and not to the notional or contractual amounts of the derivatives. Counterparty credit risk was evaluated and considered immaterial to the valuation of derivatives at December 31, 2008. As the Company enters into derivative transactions only with high quality institutions, no losses associated with non-performance of derivative financial instruments have occurred.
Fair value hedges - Written call options are used in conjunction with interest rate swap agreements to effectively convert fixed rate bonds to variable rate bonds as part of the Company’s overall asset/liability matching program. Interest rate futures are used to hedge the risk of the change in the fair value of certain fixed rate maturity investments. These transactions are entered into pursuant to master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made by one party to the other at the expiration or termination of the agreement.
The Company’s use of derivatives treated as fair value hedges has been nominal during the last three years. Hedge ineffectiveness in the amounts of $0, $0 and $224 were recorded as an increase to net investment income during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Cash flow hedges - Interest rate swap agreements are used to convert the interest rate on certain debt securities from a floating rate to a fixed rate. Foreign currency exchange contracts are used to hedge the foreign exchange rate risk associated with bonds denominated in other than U.S. dollars. Interest rate futures are used to hedge the interest rate risks of forecasted acquisitions of fixed rate maturity investments. These transactions are entered into pursuant to master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made by one party to the agreement at each due date.
Hedge ineffectiveness in the amount of $1,510 and $606 was recorded as an increase to net investment income during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Hedge ineffectiveness in the amount of $89 was recorded as a decrease to net investment income during the year ended December 31, 2006.
Unrealized derivative gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified into earnings at the time interest income is recognized. A derivative net gain in the amount of $4,732 was reclassified to net investment income during the year ended December 31, 2008 while a derivative net loss in the amount of $1,275 and a derivative net gain in the amount of $1,709 were reclassified to net investment income during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, the Company estimates that $11,475 of net derivative gains included in accumulated other comprehensive income will be reclassified into net income within the next twelve months.
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments - The Company attempts to match the timing of when interest rates are committed on insurance products with other new investments. However, timing differences may occur and can expose the Company to fluctuating interest rates. To offset this risk, the
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
Company uses U.S. Treasury futures contracts. The Company also utilizes U.S. Treasury futures as a method of adjusting the duration of the overall portfolio. Although management believes the above-mentioned derivatives are effective hedges from an economic standpoint, they do not meet the requirements for hedge accounting treatment under SFAS No. 133.
The Company occasionally purchases a financial instrument that contains a derivative instrument that is “embedded” in the financial instrument. Upon purchasing the instrument, the Company assesses whether the economic characteristics of the embedded derivative are clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the remaining component of the financial instrument (i.e. the host contract) and whether a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded instrument could meet the definition of a derivative instrument. The Company determines if (1) the embedded derivative possesses economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract, and (2) a separate instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument. If both of these are true, the Company has the option of separating the embedded derivative from the host contract and carrying it at its fair value or under SFAS No. 155, the Company may carry the entire hybrid instrument at fair value with gains and losses recognized in earnings.
During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, decreases in the amounts of $0, $75 and $264, respectively, were recognized in net income from market value changes of derivatives not receiving hedge accounting treatment.
The following tables summarize derivative financial instruments at December 31, 2008 and 2007:
Mortgage loans - There were no impaired mortgage loans at December 31, 2008. The average balance of impaired loans during 2007 was $6,213 and the related allowance for credit losses was $6,213, leaving an impaired loan balance of $0 at December 31, 2007.
As part of its active loan management policy and in the interest of maximizing the future return of each individual loan, the Company may from time to time modify the original terms of certain loans. These restructured loans, all performing in accordance with their modified terms, aggregated $0 and $6,223 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The following table summarizes activity in the allowance for mortgage loan credit losses for the years 2008, 2007 and 2006:
The changes to the allowance for mortgage loan credit losses are recorded in net realized gains (losses) on investments.
Equity investments - The carrying value of the Company’s equity investments was $17,790 and $29,576 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Limited partnership interests and limited liability corporation interests - At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had $293,956 and $326,971, respectively, invested in limited partnerships and limited liability corporations. The Company makes commitments to fund partnership interests in the normal course of its business. The amounts of unfunded commitments at December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $33,289 and $18,849, respectively.
Securities pledged, restricted assets and special deposits - The Company pledges investment securities it owns to unaffiliated parties through certain transactions, including securities sold under agreements to repurchase, futures contracts and state regulatory deposits.
The Company had securities on deposit with governmental authorities as required by certain insurance laws with fair values in the amounts of $37,220 and $35,539 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
The Company participates in a securities lending program whereby securities, which are included in invested assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, are loaned to third parties. Securities with a cost or amortized cost in the amounts of $32,788 and $84,851 and estimated fair values in the amounts of $41,321 and $90,087 were on loan under the program at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company was liable for collateral under its control in the amounts of $43,205 and $93,472 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Additionally, the fair value of margin deposits related to futures contracts was approximately $1,600 and $496 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Impairment of fixed maturity and equity investments classified as available-for-sale - The Company classifies the majority of its fixed maturity investments and all of its equity investments as available-for-sale and records them at fair value with the related net unrealized gain or loss, net of policyholder related amounts and deferred taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income in the stockholder’s equity section in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. All available-for-sale securities with gross unrealized losses at the balance sheet date are subjected to the Company’s process for the identification and evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments.
The Company writes down to fair value securities that it deems to be other-than-temporarily impaired in the period the securities are deemed to be so impaired. The Company records write-downs as realized losses and adjusts the cost basis of the securities accordingly. The Company does not adjust the revised cost basis for subsequent recoveries in value.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The assessment of whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred is based upon management’s case-by-case evaluation of the underlying reasons for the decline in fair value. Management considers a wide range of factors, as described below, regarding the security issuer and uses its best judgment in evaluating the cause of the decline in its estimated fair value and in assessing the prospects for near-term recovery. Inherent in management’s evaluation of the security are assumptions and estimates about the operations and future earnings potential of the issuer.
Considerations used by the Company in the impairment evaluation process include, but are not limited to, the following:
•
Fair value is significantly below cost.
•
The decline in fair value is attributable to specific adverse conditions affecting a particular instrument, its issuer, an industry or geographic area.
•
The decline in fair value has existed for an extended period of time.
•
A debt security has been downgraded by a credit rating agency.
•
The financial condition of the issuer has deteriorated.
•
Dividends have been reduced or eliminated or scheduled interest payments have not been made.
While all available information is taken into account, it is difficult to predict the ultimate recoverable amount from a distressed or impaired security.
Unrealized losses on fixed maturity and equity investments classified as available-for-sale
The following tables summarize unrealized investment losses by class of investment at December 31, 2008 and 2007. The Company considers these investments to be only temporarily impaired:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
Fixed maturity investments - Total unrealized losses increased by $1,310,617 from December 31, 2007 to 2008. This increase in unrealized losses is primarily due to the corporate debt securities and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities classes and reflects market illiquidity and economic uncertainty in these markets during the past year.
Unrealized losses on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities comprise $756,776 of this increase and are attributable to widening of credit spreads resulting from a lack of market liquidity. The market disruption has influenced valuations at December 31, 2008; however, the underlying collateral on the securities within the portfolio along with credit enhancement and/or guarantees is sufficient to expect full repayment of the principal. See Note 8 for additional discussion regarding fair valuation processes.
Unrealized losses on corporate debt securities increased $521,244 from December 31, 2007 to 2008. The valuation of these securities has also been significantly influenced by market conditions. Management has classified these securities by sector, calculated as a percentage of total unrealized losses as follows:
Approximately $259,915 of the increase in unrealized losses was related to the finance industry. These unrealized losses were primarily related to securities in the insurance industry, and perpetual floating-interest-rate securities issued by Canadian and other foreign banks. Less than 5% (approximately $30,067 of the $615,647) of total unrealized losses on corporate debt securities was related to securities in the finance industry on which there has been a ratings downgrade since December 31, 2007. All of these securities, except one, representing $8,483 of the unrealized losses, are rated BBB or above.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
Approximately $106,579 of the increase in unrealized losses since December 2007 was related to the utility industry. Less than 4% (approximately $21,371 of the $615,647) of the total unrealized losses on corporate debt securities was related to securities in the utility industry on which there has been a ratings downgrade since December 31, 2007. All of these securities are rated BBB or above.
Future changes in the fair value of these securities will be dependent upon the return of market liquidity and changes in general market conditions including interest rates and credit spread movements. While the decline in fair value has been increasing and many unrealized losses have existed for longer than twelve months, the Company believes this is attributable to general market conditions and not reflective of the financial condition of the issuer or collateral backing the securities and has little bearing on whether the investment will be ultimately recoverable. Current liquidity conditions in the market place contribute to the uncertainty in the financial condition of the many issuers; however, the Company continually monitors its credit risk exposure to identify potential losses. The Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities with unrealized losses until a recovery of the fair value, which may be maturity; therefore, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2008.
Equity investments - The increase in unrealized losses of $377 from December 31, 2007 to 2008 is primarily related to issues in the financial services industry. At December 31, 2008, the Company is continuing to monitor conditions impacting the industry, as noted above, and has determined that these securities are not other-than-temporarily impaired.
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition - The Company recorded other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity investments of $87,886, $34,485 and $6,094 during 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Of the $87,886, $35,657 was related to the write-down of a security in the financial services industry backed by Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. Additionally, $24,888 of the $87,886 was related to the write-down of securities in the automobile industry backed by General Motors Corporation. Of the $87,886 recorded during 2008, $4,372 was related to discontinued operations and $83,514 was related to continuing operations.
The Company recorded other-than-temporary impairment on equity securities of $3,512 during 2008. This was related to airline securities and a Washington Mutual, Inc. holding within a limited partnership investment. During 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded other-than-temporary impairments on equity securities in the amounts of $389 and $469, respectively.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
8. Fair Value Measurements
The following table summarizes the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2008 and 2007:
Fixed maturity and equity securities
The fair values for public fixed maturity and equity securities are based upon quoted market prices or estimates from independent pricing services. However, in cases where quoted market prices are not readily available, such as for private fixed maturity investments, fair values are estimated. To determine estimated fair value for these instruments, the Company generally utilizes discounted cash flow calculated at current market rates on investments of similar quality and term. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on available market information and judgments about financial instruments, including estimates of the timing and amounts of expected future cash flows and the credit standing of the issuer or counterparty. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts of the Company’s financial instruments.
Short-term investments, securities lending agreements, repurchase agreements and commercial paper
The carrying value of short-term investments, collateral and payable under securities lending agreements, repurchase agreements and commercial paper is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to their short-term nature.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
Mortgage loans on real estate
Mortgage loan fair value estimates are generally based on discounted cash flows. A discount rate matrix is incorporated whereby the discount rate used in valuing a specific mortgage generally corresponds to that mortgage’s remaining term and credit quality. The rates selected for inclusion in the discount rate matrix reflect rates that the Company would quote if placing loans representative in size and quality to those currently in its portfolio.
Policy loans
Policy loans accrue interest at variable rates with no fixed maturity dates; therefore, estimated fair values approximate carrying values.
Other investments
Other investments consist of the Company’s percentage ownership of a foreclosed lease interest in an aircraft. The estimated fair value is based on the present value of anticipated lease payments plus the residual value. Also included in other investments is real estate held for investment. The estimated fair value is based on appraised value.
Derivative instruments
Included in other assets at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are derivative financial instruments in the amounts of $92,713 and $8,734, respectively. Included in other liabilities at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are derivative financial instruments in the amounts of $0 and $3,634, respectively. The estimated fair values of over-the-counter derivatives, primarily consisting of interest rate swaps, which are held for other than trading purposes, are the estimated amounts the Company would receive or pay to terminate the agreements at each year-end, taking into consideration current interest rates, counterparty credit risk and other relevant factors. Counterparty credit risk considerations were immaterial to the valuation of the derivatives as of December 31, 2008.
Reinsurance receivable
The carrying value of the reinsurance receivable is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to their short-term nature.
Annuity contract reserves without life contingencies
The estimated fair values of annuity contract reserves without life contingencies are estimated by discounting the projected expected cash flows to the maturity of the contracts utilizing risk-free spot interest rates plus a provision for credit risk.
Policyholders’ funds
The estimated fair values of policyholders’ funds are the same as the carrying amounts since the Company can change the interest crediting rates with 30 days notice.
Notes payable
The estimated fair values of the notes payable to GWL&A Financial are based upon discounted cash flows at current market rates on high quality investments.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
Separate account assets and liabilities
Separate account assets and liabilities are adjusted to net asset value on a daily basis, which approximates fair value.
Fair value disclosures
The Company’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy in accordance with SFAS No. 157. The levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below.
• Level 1 inputs utilize observable, quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 1 inputs include actively exchange-traded equity securities.
• Level 2 inputs utilize other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. The fair values for some Level 2 securities were obtained from a pricing service. The list of inputs used by the pricing service is reviewed on a quarterly basis. The pricing service inputs include, but are not limited to, benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, offers and reference data. Level 2 securities include those priced using a matrix which is based on credit quality and average life, U.S. government and agency securities, restricted stock, some private equities, certain fixed maturity investments and some over-the-counter derivatives.
• Level 3 inputs are unobservable and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The prices of the majority of Level 3 securities were obtained from single broker quotes and internal pricing models. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 3 inputs include certain private equity, fixed maturity and over-the-counter derivative investments.
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The following table presents information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2008 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value:
Includes derivative financial instruments.
Includes only separate account investments which are carried at the fair value of the underlying invested assets owned by the separate accounts.
Total assets and liabilities in Level 3 increased by $280,849 from January 1 to December 31, 2008. The increase is primarily due to a change in pricing source for asset-backed securities backed by prime home improvement loans. The Company determined that the use of internal models was a better measurement of fair value for these securities.
The following tables present additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
Realized and unrealized gains and losses included in net income for the year ended December 31, 2008 are reported in net realized gains (losses) on investments and net investment income as follows:
Non-recurring Level 3 assets and liabilities - At December 31, 2008, the Company held $16,097 of cost basis limited partnership interests which were impaired during the year based on underlying limited partnership financial statements. These limited partnership interests were recorded at estimated fair value and represent a non-recurring fair value measurement. The estimated fair value was categorized as Level 3. Included within net realized gains (losses) on investments are impairments of $1,122 for the year ended December 31, 2008. The Company has no liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 2008.
9. Reinsurance
The Company enters into reinsurance transactions as both a provider and purchaser of reinsurance. In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to limit its exposure to loss on any single insured and to recover a portion of benefits paid by ceding risks to other insurance enterprises under excess coverage and coinsurance contracts. The Company retains a maximum liability in the amount of $3,500 of coverage per individual life.
Ceded reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. The failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentrations of credit risk arising from similar geographic regions, activities or economic characteristics of the reinsurers to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the reinsurance receivables had carrying values in the amounts of $546,491 and $505,107, respectively. Included in these amounts are $425,369 and $381,931 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, associated with reinsurance agreements with related parties. There were no allowances for potential uncollectible reinsurance receivables at either December 31, 2008 or 2007.
The following tables summarize life insurance in-force and total premium income at, and for the year ended, December 31, 2008:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The following tables summarize life insurance in-force and total premium income at, and for the year ended, December 31, 2007:
The following table summarizes total premium income for the year ended, December 31, 2006:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
10. Deferred Acquisition Costs (“DAC”) and Value of Business Acquired (“VOBA”)
The following table summarizes activity in deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:
The estimated future amortization of VOBA for the years ended December 31, 2009 through December 31, 2013 is as follows:
11. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The balances of and changes in goodwill, all of which is within the Retirement Services segment, for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The following tables summarize other intangible assets, all of which are within the Retirement Services segment, as of December 31, 2008 and 2007:
Amortization expense for other intangible assets included in general insurance expenses was $4,725, $4,699 and $497 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Except for goodwill, the Company has no intangible assets with indefinite lives.
The estimated future amortization of other intangible assets using current assumptions, which are subject to change, for the years ended December 31, 2009 through December 31, 2013 is as follows:
12. Commercial Paper
The Company maintains a commercial paper program that is partially supported by a $50,000 corporate credit facility (See Note 22).
The following table provides information regarding the Company’s commercial paper program at December 31, 2008 and 2007:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
13. Stockholder’s Equity and Dividend Restrictions
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had 50,000,000 shares of $1 par value preferred stock authorized, none of which were issued or outstanding at either date. In addition, the Company has 50,000,000 shares of $1 par value common stock authorized, 7,032,000 of which were issued and outstanding at both December 31, 2008 and 2007.
GWLA’s net income and capital and surplus, as determined in accordance with statutory accounting principles and practices as prescribed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:
Dividends are paid as determined by the Board of Directors, subject to restrictions as discussed below. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company paid dividends in the amount of $1,772,293 to its parent company, GWL&A Financial, in part using the proceeds received from the sale of its Healthcare business as discussed in Note 2. During the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company paid dividends in the amounts of $604,983 and $249,395, respectively.
The maximum amount of dividends that can be paid to stockholders by insurance companies domiciled in the State of Colorado, without prior approval of the Insurance Commissioner, is subject to restrictions relating to statutory capital and surplus and statutory net gain from operations. Unaudited statutory capital and surplus and net gain from operations at and for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $904,376 and $750,998, respectively. GWLA may pay up to $750,998 (unaudited) of dividends during the year ended December 31, 2009 without the prior approval of the Colorado insurance commissioner. Prior to any payments of dividends, the Company seeks approval from the Colorado Insurance Commissioner.
14. Other Comprehensive Income
The following table presents the composition of other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2008:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The following table presents the composition of other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2007:
The following table presents the composition of other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2006:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
15. Net Investment Income and Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments
The following table summarizes net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:
The following table summarizes net realized gains (losses) on investments for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
16. General Insurance Expenses
The following table summarizes the components of general insurance expenses for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:
17. Employee Benefit Plans
On December 31, 2006, the Company adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 158. SFAS No. 158 required the Company to recognize the funded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations for the Defined Benefit Pension Plan or the accumulated post retirement benefit obligation for the Post-Retirement Medical Plan) of its pension plan and post retirement medical plan beginning in its December 31, 2006 statement of financial position, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. The adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income at adoption represents the net unrecognized actuarial losses, unrecognized prior service costs and unrecognized transition obligation remaining from the initial adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87, “Employer’s Accounting for Pensions” (“SFAS No. 87”) all of which were previously netted against the plan’s funded status in the Company’s statement of financial position pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No. 87. These amounts will be subsequently recognized as net periodic pension cost pursuant to the Company’s historical accounting policy for amortizing such amounts. Further, actuarial gains and losses that arise in subsequent periods and are not recognized as net periodic pension cost in the same periods will be recognized as a component of other comprehensive income. Those amounts will be subsequently recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost on the same basis as the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income at the time of adoption of SFAS No. 158.
Defined Benefit Pension and Post-Retirement Medical Plans - The Company has a noncontributory Defined Benefit Pension Plan covering substantially all of its employees that were hired before January 1, 1999. Pension benefits are based principally on an employee’s years of service and compensation levels near retirement. The Company’s policy for funding the defined benefit pension plans is to make annual contributions, which equal or exceed regulatory requirements.
The Company sponsors an unfunded Post-Retirement Medical Plan (the “Medical Plan”) that provides health benefits to retired employees who are not Medicare eligible. The medical plan is contributory and contains other cost sharing features, which may be adjusted annually for the expected general inflation rate. The Company’s policy is to fund the cost of the medical plan benefits in amounts determined at the discretion of management.
During December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “Act”) was signed into law. Under the Act, which took effect on January 1, 2006, employers who sponsor post-retirement plans that provide for a prescription drug benefit under Medicare Part D may be entitled to
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
a subsidy payment. In conjunction with the effect of this legislation, the Company amended its post-retirement medical plan, whereby it eliminated the provision of medical benefits for retired employees once they become Medicare eligible.
Prior to the adoption of the measurement provisions of SFAS No. 158 for its year ended December 31, 2008, the Company utilized a November 30 measurement date for the Defined Benefit Pension and Post-Retirement Medical plans. Upon adoption of the measurement provision of SFAS No. 158, the Company changed the measurement date to correspond to the end of its fiscal year, December 31. The impact of adopting the measurement date provisions of SFAS No. 158 was a decrease to stockholder’s equity of $206. Prepaid benefit costs and intangible assets are included in other assets and accrued benefit costs and unfunded status amounts are included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the benefit obligations, fair value of plan assets and the under funded status for the Company’s Defined Benefit Pension and Post-Retirement Medical plans as of the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:
The accumulated benefit obligation for the Defined Benefit Pension Plan was $289,525 and $260,147 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The following table provides information regarding amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs at December 31, 2008:
The following table provides information regarding amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs during the year ended December 31, 2009:
The expected benefit payments for the Company’s Defined Benefit Pension and Post-Retirement Medical Plans for the years indicated are as follows:
Net periodic (benefit) cost of the Defined Benefit Pension Plan and the Post-Retirement Medical Plan included in general insurance expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 includes the following components:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The following tables present the assumptions used in determining benefit obligations of the Defined Benefit Pension Plan and the Post-Retirement Medical Plan for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:
The discount rate has been set based upon the rates of return on high-quality fixed-income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period the benefits will be paid. In particular, the yields on bonds rated AA or better on the measurement date have been used to set the discount rate.
Assumed healthcare cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the Post- Retirement Medical Plan. For measurement purposes, an 8.5% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare benefits was assumed and that the rate would gradually decrease to a level of 5.25% by 2016.
The following table presents what a one-percentage-point change would have on assumed healthcare cost trend rates:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The following table presents how the Company’s Defined Benefit Pension Plan assets are invested at December 31, 2008 and 2007:
The following table presents the ranges the Company targets for the allocation of invested Defined Benefit Pension Plan assets at December 31, 2009:
Management estimates the value of these investments will be recoverable. The Company does not expect any plan assets to be returned to it during the year ended December 31, 2009. The Company made a contribution in the amount of $11,500 to its Defined Benefit Pension Plan during the year ended December 31, 2008. The Company expects to contribute approximately $1,634 to its Post-Retirement Medical Plan during the year ended December 31, 2009. The Company will make a contribution at least equal to the minimum contribution of $8,625 to its Defined Benefit Pension Plan during the year ended December 31, 2009.
During the second quarter of 2008, the Company recorded defined benefit pension plan costs of $672 and post-retirement medical plan benefits of $19,346 as adjustments to income from discontinued operations due to plan curtailments related to the sale of the Healthcare segment.
The investment objective of the Defined Benefit Pension Plan is to provide a risk-adjusted return that will ensure the payment of benefits while protecting against the risk of substantial investment losses. Correlations among the asset classes are used to identify an asset mix that the Company believes will provide the most attractive returns. Long-term return forecasts for each asset class using historical data and other qualitative considerations to adjust for projected economic forecasts are used to set the expected rate of return for the entire portfolio.
Supplemental executive retirement plans - The Company also provides supplemental executive retirement plans to certain key executives. These plans provide key executives with certain benefits upon retirement, disability or death based upon total compensation. The Company has purchased individual life insurance policies with respect to each employee covered by this plan. The Company is the owner and beneficiary of the insurance contracts. The Company’s expense for these plans was $4,214, $4,869 and $4,942 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The liability associated with these plans was $45,765 and $41,676 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and is included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The following tables summarize changes in the benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status for the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:
The following table provides information regarding amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs at December 31, 2008:
The following table provides information regarding amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs for the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans during the year ended December 31, 2009:
The expected benefit payments for the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans for the years indicated are estimated as follows:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
Net periodic cost of the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans included in general insurance expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 includes the following components:
The following table presents the assumptions used in determining benefit obligations for the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:
During the second quarter of 2008, the Company recorded supplemental executive retirement plan costs of $1,833 as adjustments to income from discontinued operations due to plan curtailments related to the sale of the Healthcare segment.
Other employee benefit plans - The Company sponsors a defined contribution 401(k) retirement plan, which provides eligible participants with the opportunity to defer up to 50% of base compensation. The Company matches 50% of the first 5% of participant pre-tax contributions for employees hired before January 1, 1999. For all other employees, the Company matches 50% of the first 8% of participant pre-tax contributions. Company contributions for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $7,384, $9,573 and $8,825, respectively.
The Company has an executive deferred compensation plan providing key executives with the opportunity to participate in an unfunded deferred compensation program. Under the program, participants may defer base compensation and bonuses and earn interest on the amounts deferred. The program is not qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. Participant balances, which are reflected in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, are $16,752 and $17,934 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The participant deferrals earned interest at the average rates of 7.06% and 6.50% during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The interest rate is based on the Moody’s Average Annual Corporate Bond Index rate plus 0.45% for actively employed participants and fixed rates ranging from 6.41% to 8.30% for retired participants. Interest expense related to this plan was $1,224, $1,261 and $1,295 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and is included in general insurance expenses in the consolidated statements of income.
The Company has a deferred compensation plan for select sales personnel with the opportunity to participate in an unfunded deferred compensation program. Under this program, participants may defer compensation and earn interest on the amounts deferred. The program is not qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. Effective January 1, 2005, this program no longer accepted participant deferrals. Participant balances, which are included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, are $4,369 and $5,257 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The participant deferrals earned interest at the average rate of 4.5% and 4.6% during the years ended December 31, 2008
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
and 2007, respectively. The interest rate is based on an annual rate determined by the Company. The interest expense related to this plan was $233, $258 and $269 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and is included in general insurance expense in the consolidated statements of income.
The Company offers an unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan to a select group of management and highly compensated individuals. Participants defer a portion of their compensation and realize potential market gains or losses on the invested contributions. The program is not qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. Participant balances, which are included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, are $9,238 and $14,533 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Unrealized (losses) gains on invested participant deferrals were ($3,709), $997 and $1,556 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
18. Federal Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes from continuing operations is comprised of the following:
The following table presents reconciliation between the statutory federal income tax rate and the Company’s effective federal income tax rate from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:
Included above in the provision for policyholder’s share of earnings on participating business is the $207,785 decrease in undistributed earnings on participating business as discussed in Note 4.
The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”) on January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized an $87,427 increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, of which $6,195 was accounted for as a reduction to the January 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings, $4,505 was accounted for as a reduction to a liability previously accounted for under Statement of Financial Accounting
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
Standards No. 5 “Accounting for Contingencies”, and $76,727 was accounted for as an increase related to temporary items. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recognized $6,600 in unrecognized tax benefits relating to FIN 48. The Company does not expect any material changes relating to unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.
A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
Included in the unrecognized tax benefits of $60,079 at December 31, 2008 was $5,126 of tax benefits that, if recognized, would increase the annual effective tax rate. Also included in the balance at December 31, 2008 is $54,953 of tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility. Because of the impact of deferred tax accounting, other than interest and penalties, the disallowance of the shorter deductibility period would not affect the annual effective rate but would accelerate the payment of cash to the taxing authority to an earlier period.
The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in current income tax expense. The Company recognized approximately $6,916 and $1,300 in interest and penalties related to the uncertain tax positions during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company had approximately $12,548 and $5,632 accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S federal jurisdiction and various states. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years 2004 and prior. The Company has been notified by the IRS that they will soon begin an examination; however the specific companies and tax years to be audited have not been determined. The Company does not expect significant increases or decreases to the unrecognized tax benefits in 2009. Also, the Company does not expect significant increases or decreases relating to state and local audits.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
Deferred income taxes represent the tax effect of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. The tax effect of temporary differences, which give rise to the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, are as follows:
Amounts presented for investment assets above include $400,339 and ($3,082) related to the net unrealized losses (gains) on the Company’s fixed maturity and equity investments, which are classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
As discussed in Note 1, the Company completed an in depth analysis of its deferred tax balances during 2008 and identified deferred tax balances aggregating $43,914 that required correction. The prior period adjustment represents the correction of deferred tax balances related to previous years. The adjustment was not considered to be material to beginning retained earnings or to any individual prior period.
The Company, together with certain of its subsidiaries, and GWL&A Financial have entered into an income tax allocation agreement whereby GWL&A Financial files a consolidated federal income tax return. Under the agreement, these companies are responsible for and will receive the benefits of any income tax liability or benefit computed on a separate tax return basis. Certain other subsidiaries file their federal income tax returns separately.
The Company has federal net operating loss carry forwards generated by a subsidiary that files an income tax return separate from the GWL&A Financial consolidated federal income tax return. As of December 31, 2008, the subsidiary had net operating loss carry forwards expiring as follows:
Included in due from parent and affiliates at December 31, 2008 and 2007 is $37,097 and $31,376, respectively, of income taxes receivable from GWL&A Financial related to the consolidated income tax return filed by the Company and certain subsidiaries. Included in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2008 and 2007 is $31,205 and $135 of income taxes receivable in other assets related to the separate federal income tax returns filed by certain subsidiaries, state income tax returns and unrecognized tax benefits.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
19. Segment Information
The Company has three business segments: Individual Markets, Retirement Services and Other. The Individual Markets segment distributes life insurance and individual annuity products to both individuals and businesses through various distribution channels. Life insurance products in-force include participating and non-participating term life, whole life, universal life and variable universal life. The Retirement Services segment provides retirement plan enrollment services, communication materials, various retirement plan investment options and educational services to employer-sponsored defined contribution/defined benefit plans and 401(k) and 403(b) plans, as well as comprehensive administrative and record-keeping services for financial institutions and employers.
The Company’s Other segment includes corporate items not directly allocated to any of its other business segments, interest expense on long-term debt and the activities of a wholly owned subsidiary whose sole business is the assumption of a certain block of term life insurance from an affiliated company. The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed separately as each segment has its own unique distribution channels.
As discussed in Note 2, substantially all of the Company’s former Healthcare segment has been sold and reclassified as discontinued operations and, accordingly, is no longer reported as a separate business segment. The Company retained a small portion of its Healthcare business and reports it within its Individual Markets segment. The segment reporting for prior periods has been restated to reflect these changes in business segments.
The accounting policies of each of the business segments are the same as those described in Note 1. The Company evaluates performance of its reportable segments based on their profitability from operations after income taxes. All material inter-segment transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s operations are not materially dependent on one or a few customers, brokers or agents.
The following tables summarize segment financial information for the year ended and as of December 31, 2008:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The following tables summarize segment financial information for the year ended and as of December 31, 2007:
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The following table summarizes segment financial information for the year ended December 31, 2006:
20. Share-Based Compensation
Lifeco, of which the Company is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, has a stock option plan (the “Lifeco plan”) that provides for the granting of options on its common shares to certain of its officers and employees and those of its subsidiaries, including the Company. Options are granted with exercise prices not less than the average market price of the shares on the five days preceding the date of the grant. Termination of employment prior to the vesting of the options results in the forfeiture of the unvested options. The Lifeco plan provides for the granting of options with varying terms and vesting requirements, with vesting commencing on the first anniversary of the grant and expiring ten years from the date of grant.
The Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”) on January 1, 2006, applying the modified prospective transition method of adoption.
The following table presents information regarding the share-based compensation expense the Company recognized during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. Share-based compensation expense of continuing operations is included in general insurance expenses in the consolidated statements of income. Share-based compensation expense of discontinued operations is included in income from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of income.
Under the modified prospective transition method, share-based compensation cost related to the unvested portion of awards outstanding at the time of adoption of SFAS No. 123R is recognized in earnings rateably over the future vesting periods of the awards. For share-based compensation awards that are granted or modified after the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, compensation cost is recognized in earnings using the accelerated attribution method permitted under SFAS No. 123R.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The Lifeco plan contains a provision that permits a retiring option holder with unvested stock options on the date of retirement to continue to vest in them after retirement for a period of up to five years. Upon the retirement of an option holder with unvested options, the Company accelerates the recognition period to the date of retirement for any unrecognized share-based compensation cost related thereto and recognizes it in its earnings at that time. At December 31, 2008, the Company had $4,348, net of estimated forfeitures, of unrecognized share-based compensation costs, which will be recognized in its earnings through 2015. The weighted average period over which these costs will be recognized in earnings is 2.3 years.
The following table summarizes the status of, and changes in, the Lifeco plan options granted to Company employees which are outstanding at December 31, 2008. The options granted relate to underlining stock traded in Canadian dollars on the Toronto Stock Exchange, therefore, the amounts, which are presented in United States dollars, will fluctuate as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.
¹ The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the market price of Lifeco common shares on December 31, 2008 and the exercise price of the option (only if the result is positive) multiplied by the number of options.
The following table presents other information regarding stock options under the Lifeco plan during the year ended December 31, 2008:
¹ The intrinsic value of options exercised is calculated as the difference between the market price of Lifeco common shares on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the option multiplied by the number of options exercised.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
The fair value of each option granted during the year ended December 31, 2008 was estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
21. Obligations Relating to Debt and Leases
The Company enters into operating leases primarily for the rental of office space. The following table shows, as of December 31, 2008, scheduled related party debt principal repayments and minimum annual rental commitments for operating leases having initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year during the years ended December 31, 2009 through 2013 and thereafter:
22. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is involved in various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel, the resolution of these proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or the results of its operations.
The Company has entered into a corporate credit facility agreement in the amount of $50,000 for general corporate purposes. The credit facility matures on May 26, 2010. Interest accrues at a rate dependent upon various conditions and terms of borrowings. The agreement requires the Company to maintain a minimum adjusted statutory net worth of $900,000 plus 50% of its statutory net income, if positive, for each quarter ending after June 30, 2008. The Company had no borrowings under the credit facility at either December 31, 2008 or 2007 and was in compliance with all covenants.
The Company makes commitments to fund partnership interests and other investments in the normal course of its business. The amounts of these unfunded commitments at December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $49,334 and $97,201, respectively, all of which is due within one year from the dates indicated.
23. Subsequent Event
On February 9, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend in the amount of $24,682 to be paid during the first quarter of 2009.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Schedule III
Supplemental Insurance Information
(In Thousands)
Item 9.
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
There has been no change in the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm nor have there been any disagreements on accounting or financial disclosure matters.
Item 9A(T).
Item 9A(T).
Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. 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 financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. In making this evaluation, management used criteria set forth in “Internal Control - Integrated Framework” issued by the committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective as of December 31, 2008.
The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer hereby confirm that there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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.
Item 9B.
Item 9B.
Other Information
None.
Part III
Item 10.
Item 10.
Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
10.1 Identification of Directors
Director
Age
Served as
a Director
from
Principal Occupations(s) for Last Five Years
James Balog 1 2 4 5 6
Corporate Director
John L. Bernbach 4 5 6
Chairman and CEO, The Berbach Group, Inc., previously Partner, Barnet-Bernbach-Cardune, LLC
Orest T. Dackow 1 2 4 8
Corporate Director
Director
Age
Served as
a Director
from
Principal Occupations(s) for Last Five Years
Andre Desmarais, O.C. 1 2 4 6 7 8
President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Power Corporation; Deputy Chairman, Power Financial Corporation
Paul Desmarais, Jr. 1 2 4 6 7 8
Chairman, and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Power Corporation; Chairman, Power Financial Corporation
Mitchell T.G. Graye 1 2
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 2008
Kevin P. Kavanagh, CM 1 3 8
Corporate Director; Chancellor Emeritus, Brandon University
Alain Louvel 3
Corporate Director; previously Head of Risk, BNP Paribas
William Mackness 1 2 5
Corporate Director
Raymond L. McFeetors 1 2 4 6 8
Chairman of the Board of the Company; Chairman of the Board of Lifeco, Great-West Life, CLAC and London Life Insurance Company
Jerry E.A. Nickerson 3 8
Chairman of the Board, H.B.Nickerson & Sons Limited (a management holding company)
David A. Nield 1 2 8
Corporate Director
R. Jeffrey Orr 1 2 4 6 8
President and Chief Executive Officer, Power Financial Corporation since 2005; previously President and Chief Executive Officer of IGM Financial Inc.
Michel Plessis-Bélair, F.C.A. 3 8
Vice Chairman, Power Corporation; previously Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Power Financial Corporation
Philip K. Ryan 1 2 3 8
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Power Corporation since January 2008; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Power Financial Corporation since January 2008, previously Chief Financial Officer, Credit Suisse Group
Brian E. Walsh 1 2 3 4 6
Managing Partner, Qvan Capital, LLC (a merchant banking company)
Member of the Executive Committee
Member of the Investment and Credit Committee
Member of the Audit Committee
Member of the Compensation Committee
Member of the Conduct Review Committee
Member of the Governance and Nominating Committee
Mr. André Desmarais and Mr. Paul Desmarais, Jr. are brothers
Also a director of Great-West Life
Unless otherwise indicated, all of the directors have been engaged for not less than five years in their present principal occupations or in another executive capacity with the companies or firms identified.
The appointments of directors are confirmed annually.
The following is a list of directorships held by the directors of the Company, on companies whose securities are traded publicly in the United States or that are investment companies (other than the Company) registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
A. Desmarais
BELLUS Health Inc.
P. Desmarais, Jr.
TOTAL S.A.
10.2 Identification of Executive Officers
Director
Age
Served as
a Director
from
Principal Occupations(s) for Last Five Years
Mitchell T.G. Graye
President and Chief
Executive Officer
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
Charles P. Nelson
President, Great-West
Retirement Services
President, Great-West Retirement Services of the Company
S. Mark Corbett
Executive Vice President
and Chief Investment Officer
Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Company
Robert K. Shaw
Executive Vice President,
Individual Markets
Executive Vice President, Individual Markets of the Company
James L. McCallen
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company
Graham R. McDonald
Senior Vice President,
Corporate Resources
Senior Vice President, Corporate Resources of the Company
Scot A. Miller
Senior Vice President,
GWL&A Systems
Senior Vice President, GWL&A Systems of the Company
Richard G. Schultz
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and
Secretary
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Unless otherwise indicated, all of the executive officers have been engaged for not less than five years in their present principal occupations or in another executive capacity with the companies or firms identified.
The appointments of executive officers are confirmed annually.
10.3 Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) that is applicable to its senior financial officers, as well as to other officers and employees. All of the items identified as elements of a “code of ethics” as defined in Securities and Exchange Commission regulations adopted pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are substantively covered by the Code. A copy of the Code is available without charge upon written request to Beverly A. Byrne, Chief Compliance Officer, 8525 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111.
10.4 Security Holder Communications
As a wholly-owned subsidiary, the Board of Directors does not have a process for security holders to send communications to the Board of Directors.
10.5 Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Board of Directors has reviewed the qualifications and backgrounds of the members of the Audit Committee and determined that, although no one member of the Audit Committee is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of the Rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the combined qualifications and experience of the members of the Audit Committee give the Committee collectively the financial expertise necessary to discharge its responsibilities.
Item 11.
Item 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
11.1
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
1.
General
The executive compensation program adopted by the Company and applied to the executive officers (including the Named Executive Officers) is designed to support the primary objective of generating added value for shareholders and policyholders over the long term. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company oversees the executive compensation program. The Board and the Compensation Committee recognize the importance of executive compensation decisions to the management and shareholders of the Corporation, and have given careful consideration to the process which is followed to make decisions.
The main objectives of the executive compensation program are to:
•
attract, retain and reward qualified and experienced executives who will contribute to the success of the Company;
•
motivate executive officers to meet annual corporate, divisional, and individual performance goals; and
•
enhance long-term shareholder and policyholder value.
More specifically, the executive compensation program is designed to reward the following:
•
excellence in crafting and executing strategies that will produce significant value for the shareholders and policyholders over the long term;
•
management vision and an entrepreneurial approach;
•
quality of decision-making;
•
strength of leadership;
•
record of performance over the long term; and
•
initiating and implementing transactions and activities that create shareholder and policyholder value.
In designing and administering the individual elements of the executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee strives to balance short-term and long-term incentive objectives and to apply prudent judgment in establishing performance criteria, evaluating performance, and determining actual incentive awards. The total compensation of each Named Executive Officer is reviewed by the Compensation Committee from time to time for market competitiveness, and reflects each Named Executive Officer’s job responsibilities, experience and proven and/or expected performance.
The executive compensation programs consist of four primary components:
•
base salary;
•
annual incentive bonus;
•
options for Lifeco common shares; and
•
retirement benefits.
The primary role of each of these components is presented in the table below:
ELEMENT
PRIMARY ROLE
Base Salary
Reflect skills, competencies, experience and performance appraisal of the Named Executive Officers
Annual Incentive Bonus
Reflect performance for the year
Long-Term Incentive (Lifeco Stock Option Plan)
Link interests of Named Executive Officers with interests of the shareholders
Retirement Benefits
Provide for appropriate replacement income upon retirement based on years of service with the Company
Base salary, annual incentive bonus and retirement benefits are determined by the Compensation Committee for the executive officers (including the Named Executive Officers) other than the President and Chief Executive Officer, whose base salary and annual incentive bonus are recommended by the Compensation Committee for approval by the Board of Directors. The long-term compensation component in the form of options for Lifeco common shares is determined and administered by Lifeco’s Compensation Committee. For the Named Executive Officers, the annual incentive bonus and stock option components are an essential part of their compensation.
The President and Chief Executive Officer participates in the compensation setting process for the other Named Executive Officers by evaluating individual performance, establishing individual performance targets and objectives and recommending salary levels.
2.
Base Salary
Base salaries for the Named Executive Officers are set annually, taking into account the individual’s job responsibilities, experience and proven or expected performance, as well as market conditions. The Company gathers market data in relation to the insurance and financial services industries and also considers surveys prepared by external professional compensation consultants such as Tower Perrin, Hewitt, Mercer and McLagan Partners with regard to peer groups in these industries.
3.
Bonuses
(a)
Annual Incentive Bonus Plan
To relate the compensation of the Named Executive Officers to the performance of the Company, an annual incentive bonus plan is provided. Target objectives are set annually, and may include earnings, expense or sales targets of the Company and/or a business unit of the Company or specific individual objectives related to strategic initiatives, acquisition related integration or synergy achievements.
These objectives are designed to be integrated with the Company’s overall goals and initiatives. These targets are set high enough to drive performance while still being reasonable in terms of the likelihood of being met if individuals perform to the levels expected by the Company. See Section 11.5 below for information on the participation of the Named Executive Officers in the Annual Incentive Bonus Plan and a further description of the terms of the Annual Incentive Bonus Plan.
(b)
Special Bonuses
From time to time, special bonuses may be provided related to significant projects such as acquisitions or dispositions or for retention purposes. See Footnotes (3), (4) and (5) to the Summary Compensation Table (Section 11.4) for a description of special bonuses paid to the Named Executive Officers in 2008.
4.
Stock Options
To provide a long-term component to the executive compensation program, the Named Executive Officers participate in Lifeco’s Stock Option Plan (the “Lifeco Option Plan”).
While the Company’s Compensation Committee makes recommendations from time to time with respect to the granting of Lifeco options, Lifeco’s Compensation Committee is responsible for the granting of options to participants under the Lifeco Option Plan. Lifeco options are not granted on a fixed schedule. Options are not granted based on the timing of the disclosure of non-public material information with respect to Lifeco or the Company.
The duties, responsibilities and contributions of participants to the success of the Company are taken into account when the Lifeco Compensation Committee determines whether, and how many, new option grants should be made. Stock options granted in 2008 reflect a consideration of these criteria. The granting of options is subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Lifeco Stock Option Plan, and any additional terms and conditions fixed by the Lifeco Compensation Committee at the time of the grant.
See Section 11.5 below for information on the participation of the Named Executive Officers in the Lifeco Option Plan and a further description of the terms of the Lifeco Option Plan.
The Compensation Committees of the Company and Lifeco believe that long-term incentives in the form of stock options, with delayed vesting provisions, play an important part in retaining key executive officers and in aligning the interests of the executive officers with those of the shareholders, and in contributing to the achievement of the results that have been attained by the Company.
5.
Pension Benefits
(a)
Defined Benefit Plan
The Company has a qualified defined benefit pension plan (the “Defined Benefit Plan”) which is available to all employees hired before January 1, 1999. See Section 11.8 below for information on the participation of the Named Executive Officers in the Defined Benefit Plan and a description of the terms of the Defined Benefit Plan.
(b)
SERP
To provide market competitive compensation to certain key executives, the Company also has a nonqualified supplemental executive retirement plan (the “SERP”), which provides benefits above the compensation limits applicable to the Defined Benefit Plan. See Section 11.8 below for information on the participation of the Named Executive Officers in the SERP and a description of the terms of the SERP.
(c)
401(k) Plan
All employees, including the Named Executive Officers, may participate in the Company’s qualified defined contribution 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”). Under the 401(k) Plan, employees may make contributions of between 1% and 50% of base salary, subject to applicable Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) limits. For employees participating in the Defined Benefit Plan, the Company matches 50% of the first 5% of pre-tax and/or Roth contributions. For employees who do not participate in the Defined Benefit Plan, the Company matches 50% of the first 8% of pre-tax and/or Roth contributions. The 401(k) Plan offers a variety of investment options, including variable funds, collective funds, guaranteed certificate funds, Lifeco common shares (company matching contributions only) and a self-directed investment option.
6.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
To provide market competitive compensation to certain key executives, the Company also has a nonqualified deferred compensation plan (“NDCP”) and a nonqualified executive deferred compensation plan (“EDCP”). See Section 11.9 below for information on the participation of the Named Executive Officers in these plans and a description of the terms of the plans.
7.
Perquisites Program
The Company has a limited perquisites program in which the Named Executive Officers participate.
A perquisites account of up to $5,500 is available to the Named Executive Officers for reimbursement of expenses such as club dues, employee recognition or other miscellaneous expenses. In addition, these Named Executive Officers have available a one time membership perquisite of up to $10,000.
The President and Chief Executive Officer receives a yearly car lease benefit. Executive Vice Presidents and the Chief Financial Officer receive a fixed car allowance of $800 per month and Senior Vice Presidents receive a fixed car allowance of $600 per month. For individuals promoted during the year, the car allowance for the year is prorated based on the different benefits applicable to the two positions held.
11.2
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management of the Company and based on such review and discussions, recommends to the Board of Directors that the Compensation and Analysis be included in this Form 10-K.
Compensation Committee Members:
R. J. Orr (Chairman)
J. Balog
J.L. Bernbach
O.T. Dackow
A. Desmarais
P. Desmarais, Jr.
R.L. McFeetors
B.E. Walsh
11.3
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
There are no inter-relationships as described in the applicable regulation.
11.4
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets out compensation paid by the Company to the individuals who (i) served as Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company during 2008; (ii) were the other three most highly compensated executive officers of the Company at December 31, 2008; and (iii) would have been one of the other three most highly compensated executive officers but were no longer serving as an executive officer at December 31, 2008 (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”).
(1) Effective May 1, 2008: (a) Raymond L. McFeetors retired as President and Chief Executive Officer; (b) Mitchell T.G. Graye was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer (Mr. Graye was formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer); and (c) James L. McCallen was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Richard F. Rivers and Douglas L. Wooden terminated employment with the Company on June 30, 2008.
(2) For the period January 1, 2008 to May 1, 2008, in relation to his services to the Company, the Company paid a portion of Mr. McFeetors’ base salary, a special bonus and certain other compensation as set out in the Summary Compensation Table. All other compensation during this period was paid by other operating subsidiaries of Lifeco in respect of services provided to them. Additional information regarding Mr. McFeetors’ compensation can be found in the Management Proxy Circular of Lifeco dated February 23, 2009.
(3) These were special bonuses paid with respect to the acquisition of Putnam Investments by Lifeco.
(4) These were special bonuses paid with respect to the sale of the Company’s healthcare business.
(5) These were special retention bonuses.
(6) This relates to Lifeco options granted under the Lifeco Option Plan. The amounts reflected are the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes in accordance with SFAS 123R in 2008 (without regard to the estimate of forfeitures related to service based vesting conditions), with respect to all options granted to the Named Executive Officers which vested in 2008. For further information, see Footnote 20 to the Company’s December 31, 2008 Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
(c)
Mr. McCallen received (i) a car allowance of $8,800; (ii) a perquisites account reimbursement of $5,048; and (iii) a 401(k) Plan employer contribution of $5,750.
(d)
Mr. Nelson received (i) a housing benefit of $33,310 (determined by calculating a lost investment return on the money used by the Company to contribute toward the purchase of a house for use by Mr. Nelson equal to the 30-year agency mortgage backed security rate of 6.07% in effect on June 9, 2008, the purchase date, less a 35% corporate tax rate on income earned); (ii) a car allowance of $9,000; (iii) a perquisites account reimbursement of $5,500; and (iv) a 401(k) Plan employer contribution of $5,750.
(e)
Mr. Corbett received (i) a car allowance of $8,800; (ii) a perquisites account reimbursement of $5,000; and (iii) a 401(k) plan employer contribution of $5,750.
(f)
Mr. Shaw received (i) a car allowance of $7,200; (ii) a perquisites account reimbursement of $5,500; and (iii) a 401(k) Plan employer contribution of $5,750.
(g)
Mr. Rivers received (i) a severance benefit of $3,117,188; (ii) an annual incentive bonus plan termination payment of $249,375; (iii) a continuation of medical coverage benefit of $4,863; (iv) a car allowance of $4,800; (v) a perquisites account reimbursement of $3,150; and (vi) a 401(k) Plan employer contribution of $7,750.
(h)
Mr. Wooden received (i) a housing benefit of $78,517 (determined by calculating a lost investment return on the money used by the Company to purchase a condominium for use by Mr. Wooden equal to the 30-year agency mortgage backed security rate of 5.69% in effect on April 17, 2008, the purchase date, less a 35% corporate tax rate on income earned); (ii) a car allowance of $4,800; (iii) a perquisites account reimbursement of $2,579; and (iv) a 401(k) Plan employer contribution of $5,750.
11.5
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS FOR 2008
1.
Table
The following table sets out information with respect to grants to the Named Executive Officers (other than R.L. McFeetors) under the Annual Incentive Bonus Plan and Lifeco Option Plan.
(1)
These options were granted on May 13, 2008.
(2)
These options were granted on March 26, 2008.
2.
Narrative Description of the Annual Incentive Bonus Plan
Under the Annual Incentive Bonus Plan, bonus opportunity is expressed as a percentage of base salary and varies by office. The President and Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents can generally earn bonuses of up to 125%, 100% and 75%, respectively, of base salary if all targets and objectives are met. For individuals promoted during the year, the bonus opportunity for the year is prorated based on the different percentages applicable to the two positions held.
Bonus amounts are established against each target or objective. If objectives are not met, the President and Chief Executive Officer is not entitled to any bonus. Lower bonus amounts may be earned by Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents on partial achievement of bonus objectives.
For 2008:
(i)
the bonus for M.T.G. Graye was based 100% on earnings targets, with an opportunity to earn 100% of annualized year end base salary if targets were met and up to 125% of annualized year end base salary if targets were exceeded by specified amounts;
(ii)
the bonus for J.L. McCallen was based 36% on earnings targets, 20% on expense related targets and 44% on specific individual objectives, with a maximum bonus opportunity of 72% of base salary earned in 2008;
(iii)
the bonus for C.P. Nelson was based 50% on earnings targets and 50% on sales and expense related targets, with a maximum bonus opportunity of 94% of base salary earned in 2008;
(iv)
the bonus for C.M. Corbett was based 50% on earnings targets, 10% on expense related targets and 40% on individual objectives, with a maximum bonus opportunity of 100% of base salary earned in 2008; and
(v)
the bonus for R.K. Shaw was based 50% on earnings targets and 50% on sales related targets, with a maximum bonus opportunity of 75% of base salary earned in 2008.
3.
Narrative Description of the Lifeco Option Plan
Under the Lifeco Option Plan, the Lifeco Compensation Committee sets the exercise price of the options but under no circumstances can it be less than the weighted average trading price per Lifeco common share on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the five trading days preceding the date of the grant.
Options are either regular options or contingent options. Regular options are generally granted in multi-year allotments. Regular options, if granted prior to February, 2007, become exercisable at the rate of 20% per year commencing one year after the date of the grant and, if granted during or after February, 2007, become exercisable over a seven and one-half year period commencing one year after the date of the grant at a rate of 4%, 8%, 14.66%, 14.66%, 14.66%, 14.66%, and 14.66% per year, with the final 14.66% becoming exercisable six months later. Contingent options do not become exercisable unless and until conditions prescribed by the Lifeco Compensation Committee have been satisfied.
Options generally expire ten years after the date of the grant, except that if options would otherwise expire during a blackout period or within ten business days of the end of a blackout period, the expiry date for the options is extended to the tenth business day after the expiry date of the blackout period.
In the event of the death of a participant or the termination of a participant’s employment, then the period within which the options may be exercised is generally reduced depending on the circumstances surrounding the death or termination of employment. Options are not assignable by participants otherwise than by will or pursuant to the laws of succession. Lifeco does not provide any financial assistance to participants to facilitate the purchase of common shares under the Lifeco Option Plan. Subject to any regulatory or shareholder approval required by law, the Lifeco Board of Directors may amend the Lifeco Option Plan or the terms of a grant.
11.6
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2008 FISCAL YEAR END
The following table sets out Lifeco options held by the Named Executive Officers (other than R.L. McFeetors) under the Lifeco Option Plan as of December 31, 2008. Lifeco options are issued with an exercise price in Canadian dollars, which have been translated to U.S. dollars at 1/1.07 which was Lifeco’s average rate for the year (the “Conversion Rate”).
11.7
OPTION EXERCISES FOR 2008
The following table sets out Lifeco options exercised by the Named Executive Officers (other than R.L. McFeetors) in 2008.
Option Awards
Name
Number of Shares Acquired on
Exercise (#)
Value Realized on Exercise ($)
J.L. McCallen
6,420
78,631
11.8
PENSION BENEFITS FOR 2008
1.
Table
The following table sets out information with respect to the participation of the Named Executive Officers in the Defined Benefit Plan and the SERP.
(1) Mr. Rivers has 6 actual years of service. He received an additional 7.5 years of credited service in connection with his termination of employment on June 30, 2008.
(2) The amounts shown in the table are calculated according to the terms of the plans based on age and years of service as of December 31, 2008. These amounts are based on pay through December 31, 2008. The assumptions used for these calculations are consistent with actuarial valuations of the plans under Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 87, Employers’ Accounting for Pensions (FAS 87). The present value of accumulated benefit under the plans equals the actuarial present value of the annuity earned as of December 31, 2008, payable at age 65 for the Defined Benefit Plan and age 62 for the SERP, discounted to December 31, 2008 at the applicable FAS 87 discount rate for December 31, 2008. Benefits calculated under the SERP are the termination benefit.
2.
Narrative Description of the Defined Pension Plan
The Defined Benefit Plan is designed to provide regular income at retirement to eligible employees. In general, an eligible employee is any employee hired prior to January 1, 1999. Participants in the Defined Benefit Plan are entitled to benefits at age 65 if they have 5 or more years of service.
The benefit formula for participants hired before January 1, 1992 is 1.5% for each of the first 30 years of service multiplied by the participant’s average annual compensation, plus 0.5% for each of the next 5 years of service multiplied by the participant’s average annual compensation, plus 0.5% for each year of service to retirement up to a maximum of 35 years multiplied by the participant’s average annual compensation minus the covered compensation amount (as determined by the IRS). If a participant made required or voluntary contributions to the Defined Benefit Plan prior to July 1, 1979, the participant’s benefit is increased to reflect these contributions and interest accrued thereon, so long as the employee contributions plus interest have not been withdrawn in a lump sum.
The benefit formula for participants hired on and after January 1, 1992 is 1.0% for each of the first 30 years of service multiplied by the participant’s average annual compensation, plus 0.5% for each of the next 5 years of service multiplied by the participant’s average annual compensation, plus 0.5% for each year of service to retirement up to a maximum of 35 years multiplied by the participant’s average annual compensation minus the covered compensation amount (as determined by the IRS).
Participants who have terminated service prior to age 65 and who have at least 5 years of service may begin receiving benefits as early as age 55. Benefits that begin prior to age 65 are reduced by approximately 5% for each year prior to age 65. Benefits are not offset by social security benefits or by any amounts received under the Company’s long-term disability plan.
The normal form of benefit for a married participant is a joint and 50% survivor annuity. The normal form of benefit for an unmarried participant is a life only annuity. Other optional forms of pension payment are available on an actuarially equivalent basis.
Narrative Description of the SERP
The SERP is designed to provide retirement benefits to certain key executive officers who are subject to qualified plan compensation limits. At the Company’s discretion, executive officers may be designated to participate in the SERP. Participants in the SERP are generally entitled to benefits if they have 15 or more years of service.
The following describes the retirement benefit amount under the SERP based on age at the time of separation of service.
(1) For participants who separate from service at or after age 62, the normal retirement benefit is equal to 60% of final average compensation if the participant has 30 years of service. The benefit is prorated for less than 30 years of service. Final average compensation is the average of the highest 60 consecutive months of compensation during the last 84 months of employment. Compensation includes salary, bonuses and commissions prior to any deferrals to other benefit plans. Benefits are offset by benefits under the Defined Benefit Plan and 50% of estimated social security benefits as of retirement.
(2) For participants who separate from service between ages 57 and 62, the early retirement benefit is calculated by reducing the bonus used in determining final average compensation by 5/6% for each month prior to age 62 and by further reducing the early retirement benefit by 5/12% for each month prior to age 62. Benefits are offset by benefits under the Defined Benefit Plan and 50% of estimated social security benefits as of age 62.
(3) For participants who separate from service prior to age 57, the termination benefit is equal to 60% of final average salary if the participant has 30 years of service. The benefit is prorated for less than 30 years of service. If the participant has less than 35 years of service, the termination benefit is also reduced by 5% for each of the first three years of service below 35. Final average salary is the average of the highest 60 consecutive months of salary during the last 84 months of employment. Salary includes deferrals of any salary to other benefit plans. Benefits are offset by benefits under the Defined Benefit Plan and 50% of estimated social security benefits payable as of age 62.
Payments under the normal retirement benefit and the early retirement benefit commence upon retirement. Payments under the termination benefit commence at age 62.
The normal form of benefit under the SERP is a life only annuity. Other optional forms of payment are available on an actuarially equivalent basis.
11.9
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION FOR 2008
1.
Table
The following table sets out information with respect to the participation of the Named Executive Officers in the NDCP and/or EDCP.
(1) Amounts contributed are included in the Salary column of the Summary Compensation Table.
2.
Narrative Description of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan and Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
All officers at the level of Vice President and above, and others at the discretion of the Company, are eligible to participate in the NDCP. At the Company’s discretion, executive officers may be designated to participate in the EDCP.
Under the NDCP, a participant may defer a maximum of 100% of base salary and sales related compensation, and 100% of bonus, subject to an overall minimum of $5,000 and maximum of 50% of total compensation. Under the EDCP, a participant may defer a minimum of $2,400 and a maximum of 50% of base salary, and a minimum of the greater of $2,400 or 5%, and a maximum of 100%, of bonus.
Under the NDCP, participants specify one or more investment preferences in which deferrals are deemed to be invested. Participant accounts are adjusted for interest, earnings or losses equal to the actual results of the underlying investment(s). Under the EDCP, participant deferrals earn an interest rate equal to the Moody’s Average Annual Corporate Bond Index rate plus .45% for actively employed participants and fixed rates ranging from 6.41% to 8.3% for retired participants.
Amounts deferred under both plans and the earnings from the plans are distributed to a participant upon termination of employment, if not distributed earlier. Under the NDCP, the amounts are generally paid in either a lump sum or installments over 3, 5 or 10 years at the election of the participant. Under the EDCP, the amounts are generally paid in either a lump sum or installments over 5, 10 or 15 years at the election of the participant.
Following a change in control of the Company, the Board of Directors may terminate one or both plans in its discretion and pay all amounts due under a terminated plan to participants. Certain payments following termination of employment or after a change in control may be delayed to comply with requirements under the Internal Revenue Code.
11.10
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS FOR 2008
1.
Table
The following sets out compensation earned in 2008 by the Directors identified in part 10.1 of this Form 10-K, and by R. Gratton who retired as a Director on May 15, 2008 and W.T. McCallum who retired as a Director on May 1, 2008.
(1) These amounts are cash payments and contributions made under the voluntary component of the Great-West Life U.S. Resident Director Deferred Share Unit Plan (“U.S. DSUP”) or the Great-West Life Canadian Resident Deferred Share Unit Plan (“Canadian DSUP”), as applicable. Director fees are paid in the currency of the country of residence of the Director. Amounts paid or contributed in Canadian dollars have been translated to U.S. dollars at the Conversion Rate.
(2) These amounts represent contributions made by the Company under the mandatory component of the U.S. DSUP or Canadian DSUP, as applicable. Contributions made in Canadian dollars have been translated to U.S. dollars at the Conversion Rate.
(3) Life insurance premiums paid under the Great-West Life Director’s Group Life Insurance Plan. Premiums paid in Canadian dollars have been translated to U.S. dollars at the Conversion Rate.
2.
Narrative Description of Directors Compensation
For each Director of the Company who is not also a Director of Great-West Life, the Company pays an annual retainer fee in the amount of $75,000. $45,000 of this retainer is paid in Deferred Share Units of Lifeco (“Deferred Share Units”) under the mandatory component of the U.S. DSUP or Canadian DSUP, as applicable. The remaining $30,000 is available in cash.
A Director serving on the Audit Committee who is not also a Director of Great-West Life receives an additional retainer fee in the amount of $3,000. The Company pays all Directors a meeting fee in the amount of $2,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof attended. The Chairman of the Executive Committee receives an annual fee in the amount of $25,000 and the Chairman of the Investment Committee receives an annual fee in the amount of $20,000 (these fees were received by Mr. Gratton until his retirement and thereafter by Mr. McFeetors). Until his retirement, Mr. McCallum received an annual fee of $400,000 as Vice-Chairman of the Board.
At their option, in lieu of cash payments, Directors may receive additional Deferred Share Units for 50% or 100% of the cash payments under the voluntary component of the U.S. DSUP or Canadian DSUP, as applicable.
Under both the mandatory and voluntary components of the U.S. DSUP and Canadian DSUP the number of Deferred Share Units granted is determined by dividing the amount of remuneration payable to the Director by the weighted average Canadian dollar trading price per Lifeco common share on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the last five trading days of the preceding fiscal quarter (such weighted average trading price being the “value of a Deferred Share Unit”). Directors receive additional Deferred Share Units in respect of dividends payable on the common shares based on the value of a Deferred Share Unit at that time.
Deferred Share Units are redeemable at the time that an individual ceases to be a Director by a lump sum cash payment, based on the value of the Deferred Share Units on the date of redemption. This amount is fully taxable as income in the year in which it is received.
The following are the number of Deferred Share Units held by the Directors, as of December 31, 2008, with respect to contributions made by the Company and/or its subsidiaries.
Item 12.
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
12.1
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
Set forth below is certain information, as of February 1, 2009, concerning beneficial ownership of the voting securities of the Company by entities and persons who beneficially own more than 5% of the voting securities of the Company. The determinations of “beneficial ownership” of voting securities are based upon Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). This rule provides that securities will be deemed to be “beneficially owned” where a person has, either solely or in conjunction with others, (1) the power to vote or to direct the voting of securities and/or the power to dispose or to direct the disposition of the securities or (2) the right to acquire any such power within 60 days after the date such “beneficial ownership” is determined.
(1) 100% of the Company’s 7,032,000 outstanding common shares are owned by GWL&A Financial Inc., 8515 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111.
(2) 100% of the outstanding common shares of GWL&A Financial Inc. are owned by Great-West Lifeco U.S. Inc., 8515 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111.
(3) 100% of the outstanding common shares of Great-West Lifeco U.S. Inc. are owned by Great-West Financial (Nova Scotia) Co., Suite 800, 1959 Upper Water Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3J 2X2.
(4) 100% of the outstanding common shares of Great-West Financial (Nova Scotia) Co. are owned by Great-West Financial (Canada) Inc., 100 Osborne Street North, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 3A5.
(5) 100% of the outstanding common shares of Great-West Financial (Canada) Inc. are owned by Great-West Lifeco Inc., 100 Osborne Street North, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 3A5.
(6) 68.7% of the outstanding common shares of Great-West Lifeco Inc. are controlled by Power Financial Corporation, 751 Victoria Square, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2Y 2J3, representing approximately 65% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding voting shares of Great-West Lifeco Inc.
(7) 66.4% of the outstanding common shares of Power Financial Corporation are owned by 171263 Canada Inc., 751 Victoria Square, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2Y 2J3.
(8) 100% of the outstanding common shares of 171263 Canada Inc. are owned by Power Corporation of Canada, 751 Victoria Square, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2Y 2J3.
(9) Mr. Paul Desmarais, 751 Victoria Square, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2Y 2J3, directly and through a group of private holding companies which he controls, has voting control of Power Corporation of Canada.
As a result of the chain of ownership described in paragraphs (1) through (9) above, each of the entities and persons listed in paragraphs (1) through (9) would be considered under Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act to be a “beneficial owner” of 100% of the outstanding voting securities of the Company.
12.2
Security Ownership of Management
The following tables set out the number of equity securities and exercisable options (including options that will become exercisable within 60 days) for equity securities of the Company or any of its parents or subsidiaries, beneficially owned, as of February 1, 2009, by (i) the directors of the Company (ii) the Named Executive Officers and (iii) the directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.
(1)
All holdings are common shares, or where indicated, preferred shares or exercisable options for common shares of Great-West Lifeco Inc.
(2)
All holdings are common shares, or where indicated, exercisable options for common shares of Power Financial Corporation.
(3)
All holdings are subordinate voting shares, or where indicated, exercisable options for subordinate voting shares of Power Corporation of Canada.
The number of subordinate voting shares and exercisable options for subordinate voting shares of Power Corporation of Canada held by the directors and executive officers as a group represents 1.1% of the total number of subordinate voting shares and exercisable options for subordinate voting shares of Power Corporation of Canada outstanding.
None of the remaining holdings set out above exceeds 1% of the total number of shares and exercisable options for shares of the class outstanding.
Item 13.
Item 13. Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons
(a) There are no transactions to report.
(b) The Company’s Board of Directors has a Conduct Review Committee which acts pursuant to a written Charter and procedures (together, the “procedures”). Messrs. Balog, Bernbach and Mackness serve on the Conduct Review Committee.
The Conduct Review Committee, in accordance with the procedures, considers and approves transactions between the Company or its subsidiaries and (i) the directors and senior officers of the Company or its affiliates, including their spouses and minor children; (ii) its affiliates; and (iii) companies controlled by a director or senior officer of the Company or its affiliates, or their spouses or minor children. Control and affiliation is defined as a 10% voting interest or 25% ownership interest, but does not include subsidiaries of the Company.
Among other criteria, the Conduct Review Committee considers whether such transactions were on market terms and conditions, including interest rates and fees, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with third parties. Such review also considers the Company’s established conflict of interest guidelines with respect to the transaction, as set forth in the Company’s Code.
There were no reportable related party transactions during the Registrant’s most recently completed fiscal year, following the establishment of the Conduct Review Committee, where the aforementioned procedures did not require review, approval or ratification or where the procedures were not followed.
Item 14.
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
14.1
Principal Accounting Fees
For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, professional services were performed by Deloitte & Touche LLP (“D&T”). The total fees for these services were $7,600,617 and $5,507,591 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and were composed of the following:
Audit Fees - The aggregate fees billed for the audit of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, and for the review of the financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, were $3,827,837 and $4,205,900, respectively.
Audit Related Fees - The aggregate fees billed for audit related services for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $426,475 and $502,300, respectively. These services included “SAS 70” internal control reports and audits of the Company’s employee benefit plans.
Tax Fees - The aggregate fees billed for tax services for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $522,059 and $210,300, respectively. These services included tax compliance services for the Company’s affiliated mutual fund, Maxim Series Fund, Inc., as well as tax planning and compliance services for the Company and its subsidiaries.
All Other Fees - The aggregate fees for services not included above were $2,824,246 and $589,091, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
14.2
Pre-approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee pre-approves all services, including both audit and non-audit services, provided by D&T. Each year, the Committee receives a schedule of the audit, audit-related and tax services that it is asked to approve for the year before D&T may be engaged.
None of the services described in this Item 14 were approved by the Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, the de minimis safe harbor exemption from pre-approval requirements. The amount of hours expended on D&T’s audit of the Company’s financial statements for 2008 attributable to work performed by persons other than D&T’s full-time, permanent employees was less than 50%.
Part IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
The documents identified below are filed as a part of this report:
15.1
All other schedules and separate financial statements of the Registrant are omitted because they are not applicable, or not required, or because the required information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.
15.2 Index to Exhibits
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.
GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
/s/
Mitchell T.G. Graye
Mitchell T.G. Graye, President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: March 30, 2009
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature and Title
Date
/s/
Mitchell T.G. Graye
March 30, 2009
Mitchell T.G. Graye
President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director
/s/
James L. McCallen
March 30, 2009
James L. McCallen
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
/s/
Glen R. Derback
March 30, 2009
Glen R. Derback
Senior Vice President and Controller
/s/
James Balog *
March 30, 2009
James Balog, Director
/s/
John L. Bernbach *
March 30, 2009
John L. Bernbach, Director
/s/
Orest T. Dackow *
March 30, 2009
Orest T. Dackow, Director
/s/
André Desmarais *
March 30, 2009
André Desmarais, Director
/s/
Paul Desmarais, Jr. *
March 30, 2009
Paul Desmarais, Jr., Director
/s/
Kevin P. Kavanagh *
March 30, 2009
Kevin P. Kavanagh, Director
/s/
Alain Louvel *
March 30, 2009
Alain Louvel, Director
/s/
William Mackness *
March 30, 2009
William Mackness, Director
/s/
Raymond L. McFeetors *
March 30, 2009
Raymond L. McFeetors, Chairman of the Board
/s/
Jerry E.A. Nickerson *
March 30, 2009
Jerry E.A. Nickerson, Director
/s/
David A. Nield *
March 26 2009
David A. Nield, Director
/s/
R. Jeffrey Orr *
March 30, 2009
R. Jeffrey Orr, Director
/s/
Michel Plessis-Bélair *
March 30, 2009
Michel Plessis-Bélair, Director
Signature and Title
Date
/s/
Philip K. Ryan *
March 30, 2009
Philip K. Ryan, Director
/s/
Brian E. Walsh *
March 30, 2009
Brian E. Walsh, Director
* By:/s/
Glen R. Derback
March 30, 2009
Glen R. Derback
Attorney-in-fact pursuant to filed Power of Attorney